Disclaimer time- I own nothing here. Maybe the occasional OC, but that's it.

And now the usual, thank you lovely, wonderful people for reading. I adore each and every one of you, even the ones that just peek in and enjoy the story. I totally don't hug my phone after every lovely review. And if you believed that part I have a bridge you might be interested in... Nevermind, on with the story.

Chapter 17

Dudley vibrated with excitement. Since he needed new school uniforms, because of weight loss for once, Sirius agreed to let him see Harry and Hermione off to school. His father never let him or his mother go anywhere near the barrier at King's Cross, let alone through it. Dudley's imagination ran rampant with the wonder on the other side. Both Gryffindors tried to assure him he wasn't missing much, but Dudley didn't care. He wanted to see his friends and family off to school. September 1st, Harry rolled his eyes as he handed his cousin Hedwig's cage to carry. To Dudley's delight, numerous witches and wizards he had met over the summer greeted him. He and Sirius stood side by side waving good-bye as the train pulled out of the station.

On the train, Ginny initiated her plan to get herself a Potter. She made her way down the train searching for Harry. Unfortunately, Ron insisted on following her. The git expected Harry to be upset he didn't drop everything to go to his party. Ginny realized the youngest two Weasleys only got invited to keep the peace so the twins could attend. Ginny needed to reverse that status quickly. No one dated their friend's tag-a-long little sister.

Lady Luck smiled on little Ginny Weasley, for in that moment the subject of her hunt appeared down the passageway and began to head in her direction. Ginny smiled brightly at the shiny badge adorning Harry's robes. "Congratulations on being named prefect, Harry."

"Thanks. I won't lie, I was surprised, I kind of expected Neville to get it. Hey, Ron." The redhead gave a grunt of greeting.

"You totally deserved it." Ginny gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile.

"Yeah, well, I have to get to the meeting. Hermione will kill me if I'm late."

Ginny's smile faltered. "Why would Hermione care?" She dreaded the answer she knew he was about to give.

"She's the female prefect. Excuse me." Harry moved past her to continue to the prefect carriage.

"Of course she is." Ginny muttered. "Little Goody-Two Shoes, always getting in my way."

In a move that surprised both Ginny and Harry, Ron called out,

"Wait, Harry." Harry turned back. "Uh, congrats on being prefect."

"Thanks, Ron. I'll see you later, yeah?"

Ron grinned, "Sure, save you a seat in the Great Hall?"

"Sure, why not. Sounds good." Harry hurried to the meeting. Ginny smiled at her brother, this behavior would help her.

Harry slid into the spot next to Hermione. Draco sat on her other side. Pansy Parkinson, the fifth year female prefect sat a bit further down beyond Draco. Harry looked at Hermione questioningly indicating Pansy with a look.

"She doesn't like me any better this year than she did last year." Hermione whispered.

"Speaking of people who don't seem to like you, Ron actually congratulated me on being made a prefect."

"That's kind of amazing."

"I thought so. Maybe he grew up some over the summer." They fell silent as the meeting started. Hermione mentally filed away all the instructions from the Heads, things likes patrols and the such.

The trip continued uneventfully. Hermione rode up from the station in the carriage with her boyfriend and her brother. She, again, encouraged Harry to give Ron another chance. Maybe they could salvage something from the ashes of their friendship, only time would tell. If pushed about it she maintained it should remain between the two boys. This didn't involve her. If Ron approached her in a civilized manner, and apologize for the cruel things he said, she might be able to move forward. She wouldn't be holding her breath waiting for it. But it would make harmony withing their house, at the very least. At the doors of the Great Hall she bid Draco and Theo farewell and made her way over to the Gryffindor table. She smiled sympathetically when Harry rolled his eyes while Ron jabbered on about the Cannon's game. She turned to greet Fay, pretending to miss the glare Ginny gave her.

When Delores Umbridge stood up and addressed the students, Hermione paid attention. Unlike many of her peers she understood the unspoken message. The Ministry was paranoid, so the Ministry was watching. She hoped Harry could keep his temper. She expected Umbridge to target him. Dumbledore continued to insist Harry fought Riddle that night. So the Ministry kept calling Dumbledore senile and Harry a liar. After the threat of a libel suit, the Prophet quit printing Harry was attention seeking, they just implied it, among other things. Hermione sighed, so much for a quiet year.

Hermione took the added responsibilities in stride. With OWL exams looming at the end of the year, Hermione crafted a study schedule. She remembered the teasing, but it helped her feel prepared. She added prefect rounds to her calendar, making small changes to accommodate them. Theo slid into the seat across from her. "Did you scheduled in time for me?"

Hermione looked up, "Sure, Tuesdays from three fifteen to three twenty. If you're willing to snog in a classroom instead of a broom closet, I can give you until three twenty-five." Theo blinked at her twice before staring at her in stunned silence. "Theo, I'm kidding. Despite the rumors Ron unintentionally started, my revision schedule isn't actually insane." She reversed the planner and slid it towards him. "And you're always welcome to join me in the library."

Examining the pages, Theo whistled. "I just may do that, very efficient, sweet. And we might actually study some, too."

Hermione grinned, "Harry's always the gutsy brawn, so I try to be the prepared brains."

"Can I ask what was Weasley?"

"Ron can be the best friend you ever had, when he wants to be. He lets his jealousy and insecurities get the best of him. I know sometimes I can be abrasive." Theo raised an eyebrow. "I felt bad mentioning his flaws. I wanted to acknowledge I have them, too."

"You aren't perfect? I've been lied to!"

"Going to trade me in for a refund?"

"Not a chance."

On the way to their first DADA class Hermione mentioned her concerns to Harry. A year ago he would have brushed her off, but it had been a long year. Ron rolled his eyes, "Don't be such a teacher's pet, Malfoy."

Harry stopped walking. "Ron, I meant it when I said I won't put up with anyone being mean to my friends. Hermione doesn't speak ill of you, or to you, and you aren't going to speak ill to, or about her." He looked Ron in the eye and stood waiting.

Ron remained silent for the a moment before shrugging, "I was joking, geez. C'mon we're going to be late." Ron continued down the corridor. When Harry took the seat next to him he smirked at Hermione. She shook her head and sat down next to Theo.

Hermione placed her textbook, parchment, a self inking quill, and her wand on the desktop. She folded her hands primly in front of her and waited. Before too long the squat toad faced witch emerged from her office dressed in a pink ladies suit. Hermione made a mental note to convince Narcissa to get a vintage Chanel suit. Her mother would be able to achieve the image Umbridge wanted to project.

"Good morning, children." Umbridge chirped in a sing song voice. The Gryffindors and Slytherins looked at each other in confusion. "Hem hem, I said good morning, children."

With bewildered expressions and lackluster voices the class responded, "Good morning, professor."

"That's better." She moved through the room calling attendance. Once finished she stopped next to Hermione. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor for having materials out without being asked."

Even the Slytherins looked surprised, only Snape usually took points for something so trivial. "My apologies, professor. I merely wished to avoid an inconvenience on your part due to lack of preparedness." Umbridge brightened at Hermione's tone of deference. Her classmates looked surprised. Draco lifted an eyebrow in question. Hermione smiled innocently.

"Oh, then fifteen points to Gryffindor for proper respect."

"Thank you, professor." Hermione fought to keep smiling as Umbridge explained they would spend class time copying the antiquated children's book. There would be no practical portion or advanced theory work, despite both being part of the OWL exam. Daphne Greengrass's somewhat panicked mention of this did not change the answer.

Umbridge kept repeating they could depend on the Ministry to protect them, not that there was anything they needed protection from. Hermione struggled to keep the placid look on her face as most of her classmates sent incredulous looks her way. Upon getting no reaction from her, they looked to Harry. She knew on some level Umbridge was baiting her, just as she was baiting Harry.

After class several students cornered Harry and Hermione about their behavior. "What gives, Potter?" Seamus Finnegan demanded. "All summer the Prophet kept saying you and Dumbledore are crazy liars. Me mum almost home schooled me over it. Now, ye're silent as a grave. What gives?"

"The Daily Prophet says. Dumbledore says. No one has actually asked me anything. I've said absolutely nothing about that night, and I'm not going to. They keep putting words in my mouth. So do us both a favor and stop believing everything you see in the Daily Prophet."

Pavarti jumped in, "That doesn't explain Hermione. There is no way that class is going to help us pass our exams."

"I agree, but antagonizing Professor Umbridge isn't the answer. To borrow my brother's favorite phrase- my father shall hear about this."

Everyone but Draco laughed. "You're so funny."

"I'm hilarious, ask anyone." She smirked smugly. "But I will be writing for study advice and to complain. I advise everyone else to do the same. If anyone gets some solid helpful advice, pass it on."

That evening Hermione wrote her parents and Sirius about Dolores Umbridge, her suspicions, and her concerns. Lucius advised keeping her head down for now. Sirius promised to send study materials. He sometimes dated a witch that worked in the department. "Once Sirius sends that we can form a study group." Harry nodded his approval. "I still want help on my patronus, too."

"Sure, "Harry agreed, "but that's after quidditch tryouts." Hermione shook her head, smiling fondly.

"Like there's any doubt you'll make the team." Ginny beamed at him, interjecting herself in the conversation. She leaned forward in her chair, trying to give Harry a glance at the view she offered. An unimpressive view Harry avoided. "Ron's trying out for Keeper."

"That's right, with Wood graduated the position is open. He'd make a fair keeper."

Ginny snorted, "Like you know anything about quidditch."

"Just because I don't play doesn't mean I don't understand or appreciate the game. I've never missed a game here at Hogwarts. And I've played pick up games with you at the Burrow. I feel confident in my assessment of Ron's abilities."

"Oh, do you now, know-it-all." Ron stormed up having only heard the last part and assuming the worst.

"Ron," Harry began.

"No, Harry, Hermione's always swanning about spouting off her opinions like she's some kind of expert and anyone cares. Well, no one does. The only thing she's ever been good for is finishing an essay. Even her own family couldn't stand her until they had to!" Ron's face turned red. The tips of his ears burned crimson. He looked directly at her. "No one really likes you now, and they never have. We laugh at you behind your back. All. Of. Us." He looked at Harry, then back at Hermione. Harry started to protest again, but Ron cut him off. "Can you honestly say you've never complained about Hermione being a bossy swot?" Ron raised a haughty eyebrow. "Any of you?" He smirked triumphantly when Harry and most of the others hung their heads in shame.

"I see, well then, I'll take my opinions and my homework elsewhere, that way they can't offend you anymore." Hermione gathered her things with a flick of her wand and swept out of the silent common room.

"And I'll prove you wrong!" Ron yelled after her.

Neville stood up, slamming his Transfiguration book onto the table. "She said she thought you'd make a good keeper, you naff tosser. I hope you do prove her wrong, serve you right." He, too, left the common room.

Harry took several deep breaths, fighting to keep his temper. "Ron, I warned you repeatedly. Hermione never speaks ill of you, what little she speaks of you at all. But that is all you do. Either quidditch or something cruel about Hermione. I'm done." Harry hurried after Neville.

They found Hermione on a reading sofa in the library, cuddled with Theo. He kissed her tears away one by one, little kisses down her cheeks. When he caught sight of them, Theo narrowed his eyes angrily. Harry held up his hands in surrender and backed away. Theo whispered in her ear. She looked over at the penitent figures. Theo whispered again and she shook her head. She moved out of his embrace. Slowly she approached her fellow Gryffindors.

"Mione, we're sorry. I'm not going to say everyone is your biggest fan, but your real friends don't make fun of you behind your back." Harry told her.

"And you do have real friends, more than just me and Harry..."

Hermione stopped him. "Intellectually I know that. Doesn't make it hurt any less. Ron was my friend for a long time. He knows my insecurities. Having them screamed at you from five inches away makes it hard to ignore or forget. I'll be fine. I do intend to avoid the Tower for a bit. Let absence make the heart grow fonder. Because some people do laugh and see me as a walking reference book."

She changed study tables in the library, moving to a carrel on the other side, unless Theo joined her. She skipped the Gryffindor quidditch trials. She did watch Draco and Theo tryout for the Slytherin team, dragging Tracey with her to cheer them on.

Noting several students not from Slytherin glaring at her, Hermione huffed, annoyed with their hypocrisy. By their twisted logic they could observe. But a Gryffindor, like herself, must be spying. Shameful really.

"Hermione, can I ask you a question?" Tracey burst out suddenly.

"I assume you mean beyond the one you just asked, so sure."

"Does Harry ever mention me?" Hermione glanced at her friend. Tracey stared straight ahead as if she was watching the action before her.

"Um, in what way?"

"I know boys don't sit around gossiping about their crushes, but does he ever mention me? Does he know I'm alive and female?"

"He is aware you are a female of his species. He does ask if I'm off the meet you on a semi-regular basis. If you're interested I suggest making the first move, subtly. Start flirting more aggressively. I love him, but Harry can be a bit dense."

Tracey nodded. "Subtle, I can do subtle." The girls made eye contact and began laughing, missing the dark glares sent their way.

A/N I keep ending these things on ominous notes. Maybe I should lay off the heavy metal... nah.