Hello, my freaky darlings. I know it has been almost two weeks, and I feel terrible, but real life comes first. And she has decided to be a needy bitch lately. This time jumps forward rather quickly this chapter moving us to pretty much the end of the year. I still don't own anything. I also still adore all of you. I continue to be amazed by the response to this story. And to those of you who expressed interest in Runes and Rituals, I have been very slowly working on it. It will be finished. I'm just trying to focus on one project at a time. For those that love playlists, here are the songs I listened to while writing this chapter:

Dan Vasc cover of Toss a Coin to Your Witcher

Breaking Benjamin- Angels Fall

Godsmack- Under Your Scars

Badflower- The Jester

Flyleaf- Justice and Mercy (Violent Love version)

Distrubed- A Reason To to Fight

Through Fire and DHT- Listen to Your Heart

Tori Amos- Crucify

Chapter 34

At dinner Dumbledore announced Umbridge's removal to great cheers from the students and staff. "Until a new teacher can be procured Defense classes will report to the Great Hall for study sessions. "

The first morning of Defense study hall the members of the their study group approached Harry. "We don't want to wait to find out how crummy the new tutor is. We want to keep meeting." Seamus told him, followed by a chorus of "yeahs."

"This year is too important." Susan Bones added quickly.

Harry looked at Hermione, who shrugged. "We had other years in the group, too, Harry. We were all there because no one wanted to fail. And if the tutors aren't completely hopeless they can focus on catching the others up."

Harry sighed, his shoulders slumping as he nodded. "I'll let the others know we'll meet tonight."

When asked about it in the future, Hermione credited the euphoria created by Umbridge's departure as the catalyst for nearly every student's ability to produce a full bodied patronus that night. Luna's hare burst into being, and hopped, about the room first. Moments later a panther sprang from Theo's wand. Hermione's otter frolicked around it seconds later. Those first bursts of success triggered the others to pour more energy into their attempts. Tracey's fox chased Draco's cobra, while Blaise's horse raced Dean's zebra around the room. Cedric stood quietly, smiling at his owl circling over Neville's bear.

Harry consoled the unsuccessful handful of third years, reminding them how incredible the silver wisps of magic really were. At curfew smiling students chattered excitedly as they made their ways back across the castle.

The next morning Harry kept falling into his breakfast as he fought to stay awake. "You look like shite, mate. Up too late celebrating your teaching brilliance?" George joked sitting down across from him.

"Really vivid nightmares." Harry rubbed his forehead along the lightening bolt scar.

Vivid nightmare or visions?" asked Lavender. "Professor Trelawney always says even those with closed eyes cannot block the Sight in their dreams." She looked sharply at Hermione and sniffed.

"Four months in class and she never Saw my adoption discovery coming." the brunette muttered. "Tell us about the dream anyway."

""I was watching from the side, like a pensieve memory. Wormtail and Clayface Riddle discussed plans. Riddle wants to do a different ritual, but he needs some item. He talked about gathering faithful followers, not the fair weather ones. He began ranting about having gone further down the path of immortality than any other. He claims to have outdone even Herbow, the first to walk the path." He shuddered. "That's when the headache woke me up." He groaned.

Hermione frowned, "Are you sure he said Herbow?"

"Pretty sure, why?"

"I feel like I know that name. I read it somewhere."

Harry laughed, "Just like Nicholas Flamel. You should check your light reading."

"I just might do that." She stuck out her tongue.

It took weeks, but eventually, Dumbledore managed to hire seven tutors and classes could resume. The fifth year Slytherins and Gryffindors filed into the classroom Monday morning dreading the worst. One minute after class should have begun the door to the office swung open and out stepped Remus Lupin and Bill Weasley. Most students smiled brightly at the sight of both men. A few frowned, concern painted across their faces. Ron pondered if his brother as his teacher would be better for him, or worse. Bill shook Remus's hand. "Thanks for the advice, Lupin."

"You're welcome." Remus watched the students' reactions as Bill left the classroom, nodding to various students as he went. None of them looked too disappointed. None of them ran screaming from the room. "So, I tried reviewing Ms Umbridge's notes, but they were less than helpful." Actually, from the fifth year up her notes on students' progress had been taken as evidence, but fifteen and sixteen years didn't need to know that. "As for the textbook, the best use for it I can suggest is as kindling." The class laughed. "My plan is to review topic by topic the things you should have been learning this year. I hope to feel out your understanding and ability to perform the spells by the end of next week. That will give us a place to start. We don't have time to waste going over subjects you understand."

Hermione and Harry hung back after class to talk to Remus. He shook his head, "I must admit, I am completely baffled. Little over half of this class seems more than capable, while the other half flounders. A handful of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are as advanced as you all, the rest as clueless as your classmates."

"Hermione started an underground study group to stick it to Umbridge." Harry blurted out.

"Harry teaches it." she added quickly.

Lupin looked back and forth between them, speechless. He raised a finger and opened his mouth, only to lower his hand and close his mouth. He shook his head again. "We'll get back to Harry in a moment." He turned to Hermione. "You started an underground study group? To protest Umbridge's teaching style?"

"And broke numerous educational decrees. What can I say? I'm a rebel who cares about my grades. I made Harry teach it because the others were more likely to listen to him and not fight him over ever little detail."

Lupin nodded, "Are you still meeting?"

"We are, no one wanted to wait on the tutors in case they turned out to be Lockharts. There are several students not in our year, too. We figured this way you could focus catching the others up."

Lupin nodded again. "Sure. I'd still like to come watch, I may be able to give you a few pointers not in the books."

Harry grinned, "That would be most welcome."

To accommodate Remus, and uphold the board's reassurances to parents that the werewolf would be out of the castle long before nightfall anywhere near a full moon, Harry held the next meeting on a Saturday afternoon. Eagerly, the group demonstrated everything they worked on since starting. Remus looked suitably impressed. "Wizards your age producing anything, let alone full bodied patronuses is amazing. Everything you've accomplished is simple amazing." He suggested several references works for the fifth and seventh years. He also gave Harry a list of offense spells to work on, especially since the classes had tutors to help them pass their exams.

Harry's nightmares continued, each time Riddle ranting about an attack of some kind, while Wormtail begged him to reconsider and some summon other followers. "He tried." Harry confessed to Hermione. "I can feel his anger when Wormtail suggests it. The clay body prevents him from doing it."

"You need to tell Sirius about these dreams, or visions, or whatever."

"I did. I sent a letter home with Remus. It felt faster than sending Hedwig. Don't tell her."

"My lips are sealed. Your owl won't learn of your indiscretion from me. But you might want to confess before you accidental out yourself."

"Using a different messenger is not cheating on your owl."

"If you say so." She giggled at his disgruntled tone, causing him to laugh.

He sobered, "Do you think he can succeed? Getting his body back, I mean."

"I have no idea."

Sirius's response arrived by owl post the next morning. Hermione read it over Harry's shoulder.

Prongslet,

Try to remember all the details you can about the dreams, as they may indeed be visions. We'll start occlumency lessons over the summer in case there is some kind of connection between you. Tell Hermione to keep Tangle with her at all times. Maybe we need to get you a similar familiar. Give her my love. Study hard. (Oh, Merlin, did I just write that?)

Padfoot.

"Thoughts?" he asked.

She shrugged, "Not much we can do. Try to notice the details, but otherwise focus on your OWLs, they are kind of important."

The closer the end of the year came, the more detailed Hermione's revision schedule became. Theo expressed his concern to Lupin after class one morning. "She's super focused and even wrote in time for relaxation, but I don't know how much relaxing she's actually doing. Suggestions, sir?"

Lupin regarded Theo, the latter maintaining even eye contact. He managed to avoid fidgeting. "What are your concern?"

"That her brain will melt due to the speed she is trying to use to retain more minutia. And she claims she's relaxing when she's watching quidditch practice, but I've seen her cramming in the stands. The only time her brain isn't reviewing facts is when she's asleep, and maybe not even then. For all I know she's figured out how to revise in her sleep." Theo threw up his hands in disgust.

Lupin chuckled, "You're not upset she isn't paying attention to you, you're worried she's going to burn herself out?"

"I walked into this relationship eyes wide open. I know how Hermione can get. I just want her to let her brain rest."

"I would suggest speaking with the Weasley twins. While their intended purpose was distraction in class, a small daydream charm by the fire in the evening would do the trick."

"Did they get rid of the hiccup side effect?"

"They did. You can assure Hermione the potion has Moony's stamp of approval."

"She'll know what that means?"

"Might not be as reassuring as she'd like, but the product is safe."

If he hadn't heard about daydreams from Remus, the glee the twins expressed when asked to provide one for Hermione would have concerned Theo. "Should I be worried? This isn't going to do anything to her? No green hair, no oddly colored freckles? Oh, Salazar, I'm giving you ideas."

"Hermione brought us to the attention of our second investor. We would never risk the future of our dream on something..." started George.

"As small as a harmless prank. Nor would we harm a hair on her head." Fred finished.

"I'm not worried about harm. I would prefer she not turn purple in her sleep and come looking for vengeance. Plus, Tangle adores her and takes her happiness very serious." All three shuddered.

"Seriously, mate, we all agree Mione needs to unwind. No tricks, no side effects, just a pleasant daydream to melt away some stress." George handed him the small vial. "Warn her that any drooling is an unavoidable side effect, and to try thinking with her mouth shut."

"Not happening." Theo deadpanned.

"Don't blame you." Fred laughed. "Notice we aren't volunteering to tell her."

After classes Theo found Hermione in the library. "Hello, sweet, revising again?" He kissed the top of her head.

"Always. But don't worry, I remember we have plans tonight." She briefly glanced up at him before returning to her notes.

"Actually, I want you take the night off, from me and everything else."

"I don't understand. You don't want to spend time with me?" Tears welled in her eyes.

"More than just about anything, but I was thinking you could use one of the Weasley Wheezes daydream charms and take the night off."

"Did they work out the kinks?"

"Professor Lupin assured me it has Moony's stamp of approval. He said you would know what that meant."

"It does mean that I won't hiccup for days on end."

"Initially, I was going to suggest you take a bath in the Prefects' bathroom, but then I worried you might drown while in the day dream. So, maybe curling up by the fire in your common room?"

She smiled at him. Just the idea that he would sacrifice what little free time they had to spend together to make sure she took care of herself made her love him just a little bit more. "Nope. I think we should spend the evening together. Let's go for a walk." She closed her book and gathered her things.

"Now?" he asked, shocked she would cut her study time short.

"Yes, now. Come on." She reached out and took his hand. With a wave of her wand she shrunk her book bag and tucked it into her pocket.

Once outside she began making her way towards the trees where she and Viktor often hid from prying eyes. They walked in silence most of the way, until Hermione gave Theo's hand a squeeze. "Tell me something you've never told anyone else before."

"I hate the Cannons."

She rolled her eyes, laughing. "I meant something a little deeper than that."

"When I was little my mother used to tell me muggle fairy tales in secret. Her grandmother found a copy hidden in their attic when she was a small girl. She memorized them, then told them to her children. My favorite is the Tinder Box Soldier; traveling the world, having adventures, sounded perfect. More than anything, when I was little, I wanted to have adventures."

"Stick with me, kid." Hermione gave their linked hands a swing.

They walked a few more feet before Theo spoke up, "Tell me something no one else knows."

"I love you." She kept walking, looking forward.

He stopped walking, pulling her around to face him. "Come again?"

"I love you." She rose on the tips of her toes to kiss his nose while he stared at her in shock.

"I," he started in a thick husky voice, "I love you, too, Sweet." He kissed her properly then.

"I know." She grinned when he rolled his eyes at her movie reference. "Honestly, I've known how you felt for awhile. I also know you're hesitant to seem like you're pushing me. But I wanted to let you know I realized exactly how deeply I feel."

"Oh." Hermione chuckled and continued walking, pulling him behind her. The noises of the nearby forest filled the companionable silence "Do you ever think about the future?"

"Sure," she shrugged, "doesn't everyone?"

"What do you think about?"

"This and that, you know, the future."

"What about the future?" Theo pushed.

"Different things, you know." She answered evasively, sounding somewhat uncomfortable. "I try to imagine what kind of career I would like. Not a stretch there, we have career counseling this year. I think about getting married someday."

"Anything specific?"

"Well, in one fantasy I'm marrying Pierce Bronson from Remington Steele." She grinned impishly.

"Anything more realistic?"

"Says the person who flies on a broom and uses a magic wand." She squeezed his hand again. "Yes, sometimes I imagine what it would be like to be married to you. And what our kids might look like. Most girls do, you know. Haven't you?"

"Yeah, enough, at least, to know I want more than one kid. I hated being an only child."

"Me, too. Plus, we would have to have at least two. A heir for House Nott and one for House Black."

"Sure, but Draco has to get his own heir. We're not making him one."

"I'll be sure to let him know."

"On second thought, let me tell him. His face should be entertaining. And yes, in most of my daydreams, I'm married to you."

She scrunched her nose, "Who are you married to when it's not me?"

"Mostly to a faceless, nameless woman with curly brown hair. Usually at moments when it feels presumptuous to assume you're going to want to keep me in the long run." he confessed quietly.

"I understand. So, what are your career goals?"

"I imagine I'll eventually take over father's business dealing with importing exotic magical items."

"Is that what you want to do?"

Theo ran his free hand through his hair. "I don't know, maybe, sometimes. I never really thought about it. Just one of those things that are expected of pureblood sons. Someday, Draco will take over Malfoy Potions from Lucius. It isn't something we question, we're raised to take over the family business, and the family Wizengamot seat."

"Well, at least it isn't a last minute surprise." She changed the subject back to trivialities for the remainder of their walk. They ended their time together with a rather passionate snog behind a tapestry not far from the Gryffindor dorm.

Ordinary Wizarding Level exams proved to be daunting tasks, exactly as promised. Wisely, Hermione saved the daydream charm for the weekend between tests. She luxuriated in a long soak under the watchful eye of the stained glass mermaid in the prefects' bath. Amidst the scented bubbles, she imagined sailing though her exams with ease.

She climbed out of the pool when the charm ended. She made a few notes for the twins about the abrupt ending. The sudden change of environment jarred her, disturbing her previous calm, fine for someone using the product to tune out class; but with a few tweaks it could be a completely different product.

The Saturday after exams finished, Hermione rose early to be sure of some peace and quiet. The school year complete, graduation just days away, nothing on the horizon but freedom, most of the students would be in a celebrating mood. This generally lead to loud, boisterous crowds, while fun at times, could be overwhelming at others. Hence, getting up early for breakfast.

She sat at Gryffindor table, toast in one hand, a novel in the other. She laughed quietly to herself as Anathema Device taught Adam Young about witches and Atlantis. Who knew the end of the world would be so funny.

"Forge, I think we've been replaced as the funniest blokes Mione knows." The twins slipped into seats across from her. They quickly began serving themselves food.

She grinned at the heaps of eggs and sausage appearing on their plates. "You're still the funniest looking."

Fred clutched his chest dramatically, pretending to be hurt. "You wound us, my lady."

"We happen to know we are the best looking Weasleys." George retorted.

"And I'm the better looking twin." Fred declared.

"Ever think that wasn't saying much?" She quipped back.

"Have you always been so cruel?" George asked.

"I have. You just enjoyed it more directed at Ron."

They looked at each other then nodded. "Sounds like us. So, your notes on the daydream indicated tweaks for a different kind of product. We have some ideas for a Wonder Witch line of beauty like products, but wanted to wait on the store to launch. Might we impose on you to help test them?"

"They won't turn me colors, or make my hair fall out?"

"Not intentionally." George assured her.

"And if it does you can hex us." Fred promised.

"Oh, don't worry, I will. But I believe you have persuaded me." They shook hands over the table.