Hello, my freaky darlings. This chapter was impossible, even with an outline it kept wandering off tangent. Add to this I was sick for a week, not COVID. It feels like it took forever to write this.

Chapter 56

Harry laughed as he followed Hermione to her new dorm. "Your home away from home, is around the corner from your other home away from home."

"Laugh it up." She rolled her eyes, stopping in front of a painting of a witches' tea party. "United front." The witches toasted her and the painting swung forward to reveal the portrait hole. She gestured for him to enter. "Welcome to our humble abode."

Harry looked around, "Cozy," Reds, deep yellows, and blacks decorated the common room. Situated in front of the fireplace, a cushy sofa, and two high backed winged reminded Harry of the Gryffindor common room. One large study table filled the rest of the room. Harry supposed it would be reminiscent of the Hufflepuff dorm. Bookcases lined one wall, standing ready to receive tomes from the newest head students. At the far end of the room two staircases curved up to the next level and the bedrooms with private bedrooms.

Hermione's resembled her previous room, she assumed Roger's resembled his.

"Happily, our bedrooms don't touch, nor do we have to share a bathroom."

"How does he feel about sleepovers?" Harry asked slyly.

"Theodore does not want to have to deal with Draco's whining, so he has no plans for nocturnal visits." She paused, "Roger and I haven't discussed it, but so long as he is discrete, I intend to follow suit." Harry nodded sagely.

Towards the end of September Roger posted the notice for the next prefect meeting. Harry overheard two Ravenclaws complaining about the time, blaming Hermione's infamous study schedule. "Ha," he snorted, "do you have any idea how complicated it is to schedule a meeting around four quidditch teams and the other clubs? It's a miracle we aren't giving up a part of Hogesmeade weekend." He didn't wait for their response, merely kept walking.

The prefects chattered amongst one another while waiting for stragglers to trickle in. Hermione conducted a head count, then nodded to Roger to start the meeting. "Thanks for coming, everyone. We hope to keep this short. We have next month's patrol schedule." He began handing out the sheets. "And Hermione will discuss our other business." He looked over at her.

"So, we're hoping that you have ideas for the events Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall asked us to plan." She looked expectantly at the group.

Maureen Wood spoke up. "Everyone liked the idea of a game night with the Weasley Wheezes games."

Pansy waved her hand for attention, "Slytherin suggested a Samhain bonfire, and Halloween Masque for the older students."

"We could have a simpler costume party for the younger years." suggested Colin Creevy. "Oh, and come kind of carnival with games."

Hermione nodded, "Great, anything else? Professor McGonagall suggested a Yule Ball, and Valentine's Day dance." She looked at the prefects. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws looked at one another in uncomfortable silence. "Lavender Brown suggested speed dating style game to get to know others."

The fifth year Slytherin female prefect raised her hand, "What if we did some kind of talent show?"

"Brilliant." beamed Hermione. "Anyone else?" She waited until some people started shifting nervously. "Okay, well that's enough to get us to Christmas Break." With a flick of her wand the list appeared on the chalkboard behind her. "So, which house wants which project?" Again half the houses looked confused. "I think Gryffindor should take the speed dating game, since it was Lavender's idea, and the Weasley game night."

"Slytherin will take the Halloween Masque and kiddie party." Pansy declared.

"Thanks, Parkinson. Okay, that leaves the Yule Ball, talent show, carnival games and Samhain bonfire for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, volunteers?"

Roger looked at his housemates, mentally trying to prompt one of them to speak up. Finally, he said something, "Hufflepuff can take the bonfire and the carnival games. That leaves Ravenclaw with the Yule Ball and talent show."

Hermione nodded, "I'll turn our suggestions into Professor McGonagall for final approval, and get the schedule from her, and let the houses know." She copied the chalkboard wordlessly. "That's all for this meeting, everyone. Thanks." She smiled her dismissal.

Hermione and Roger waited for everyone to file out. "That went well." She remarked.

"I suppose."

"You don't think so?"

"It seems like the only ones really wanting to participate are Gryffindors and Slytherins." He shrugged.

"Well, that could be because Harry and Draco encouraged them to."

"I mentioned it to my House."

"Maybe they couldn't think of anything, or if they did they were too embarrassed to suggest it? I'm sure as we get more comfortable with each other they will speak up." She patted his arm.

In keeping with the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, Slughorn refused to return to teach again, forcing Snape back to teaching Potions. The new Defense teacher was a young Continental witch from Belgium named Olivette Janssens. Hermione slipped into the seat next to Tracy for this class. The Slytherin leaned over and whispered, "She looks so young." The new professor looked to be just out of school herself. She had pulled her bright blonde hair back into a bun in an effort to look older. She reminded Hermione of a china doll.

Hermione nodded, "This class is going to chew her up and spit her back out."

"Alive, if she's lucky." added Sally-Anne from her other side. Those close enough to hear laughed, expect Pansy. Hermione nudged Tracy and indicated the other girl. Tracy shook her head once, mouthing, 'Not here.'

The students settled in for class as Professor Janssens greeted. "Bonjour, class, you are the seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins, oui?"

"Yes, ma'am." Neville smiled at her.

The pretty teacher dimpled at him, "Merci, and you are?"

"Neville Longbottom, ma'am."

"Professor Snape was good enough to loan me his lesson plans from last year, so that I would have an idea of where each class left off. So, in the beginning we will be following his suggestions. To that end I will have you pair off for dueling, so I can gauge your abilities. Shall we say, three rounds." She pushed a wisp of blonde hair back from her face. "So let's begin." She began pairing them up.

Hermione faced off against Millicent Bulstrode, quickly disarming her opponent. She returned her wand and the larger girl attempted to mount a defense, but her opponent was quicker and more talented. After several rounds the girls stopped and looked around the room. Instantly, Hermione noticed the professor had divided the class by gender. Her randomization created diverse matches. Ron and Seamus seemed more interested in pranking one another, while Draco and Blaise engaged in a rather intense looking battle.

Having easily dispatched Dean, Harry moved over to them. "So this has been enlightening."

"Has it?"

"Sure, our professor thinks dark wizards and witches will be noble and only attack same sex opponents."

Hermione snorted, "I have evidence to the contrary regarding Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Very true."

They chatted quietly until Professor Janssens approached them. "Students, why aren't you dueling?"

"We completed our three rounds." Harry informed her.

"Have you now?" Her voice held a note of surprised condensation. "And you are?"

"Harry Potter, ma'am, and this is Hermione Malfoy, Millicent Bulstrode, and Dean Thomas."

"Ah, well, review the textbook quietly, then." She moved on to watch other pairs.

Hermione sighed heavily, "Not another year of teaching ourselves. We have NEWTs this year."

Millicent patted Hermione on the shoulder, "At least she's using Snape's lessons."

"Thank Circe for small mercies." she muttered. By the time class ended, Hermione had divided the syllabus into research topics for a study group. When Theo moved to pick up her bag she handed him a topic list. "Your share of the Defense study group." She then handed one to Draco and Tracy.

"That's my girl, get ahead of the panicked cram sessions." Theo laughed.

"Joke now, you'll thank me later."

"I'm thanking you now, sweet. This is amazing. Thank you."

"Especially for organizing and sharing." Draco told her. "You could have made your own breakdown and studied on your own."

"And then had to do all the work myself, only to be badgered to share my study guides with anyone who demands my help at the end of the year." she retorted bitterly.

Harry looked somewhat ashamed, "Well, not anymore. Where's my list?"

Hermione grinned and handed him a list. "Thank you, Harry."

"Not a problem, Mione."

Hermione invited Roger to join them that evening on her way to meet Theo in the library. "Perhaps." he answered.

Hermione pushed open the double doors to the library and made her way to the back corner where she and Theo studied when meeting alone. She smiled fondly at brown hair falling into his eyes as he leaned over the large tome he was reading. Sensing eyes on him, he looked up, giving her a crooked smile when he noticed her. Dropping her bag on the table, she slid into the chair opposite him. "Hey, handsome, how was your day?"

"Much better now."

"Because you get to study Transfiguration?"

"I get to spend time with you, and if I manage to convince you to linger in the stacks for a few stolen kisses, all the better."

She raised an eyebrow, "Is that so, Mr Nott."

"It is, Miss Malfoy. Shall we go collect reference materials?" He asked in a suggestive tone.

"I suppose we should." She stood up and walked towards the shelves, swishing her hips suggestively. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, a seductive smile tugging at her lips. Theo jumped up and hurried to follow her. When they reemerged thirty minutes later carrying several books, Theo's shirt was untucked and Hermione's curls were wilder than normal. While writing their essays, Hermione made side notes for later study, and Theo ran his foot along hers, caressing hers. Hermione knew most teenagers would have found the evening tame, perhaps even boring, but it felt perfect for them.

"Maybe next time we can study in my dorm." she suggested shyly.

"Your room or just in the Heads dorm?"

"Either."

"Sounds like a plan." He grinned at her. "Can't wait." He walked her back to her dorm, pressing a short kiss to her lips. "Good night, sweet."

"Good night, Theo."

Professor Snape held Harry back after Potions. Hermione waited for him in the corridor. "He wanted to make sure you were still helping me review our Potions lessons at least once a week."

"What did you tell him?"

"That we could probably play catch with the Potions if we needed to."

"Interesting idea."

"You want to try?"

"Maybe someday. I assume he was pleased we are keeping up with things, even if we can't seem to find any of them?"

"He was."

The two made their way to the Great Hall for lunch. They found a tearful Pansy and agitated Tracy waiting for them. "Pansy needs our help." Tracy told them with preamble. "We need to talk about this now."

Hermione glanced at the other girl's red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks. Dark circles stood out under her eyes, stark against her pale skin. "Let's go to the Heads dorm. We should have privacy there." Harry nodded and they turned around and headed for the third floor.

Once they were settled on the couch and chairs, Harry called for Dobby and asked him to bring them something for lunch. "Of course, Mr Harry Potter. Dobby would be delighted to." He popped off.

"Okay, Tracy, Pansy, what's going on?" Hermione asked in a concerned tone.

"I," she started, only to break down into sobs.

Tracy rubbed her back, soothingly, "It will be okay, Pans, I promise. Her father sent her a letter. He only let her come to school this year because she told him she had a shot at Harry or Draco. He found out we were dating and that Draco has been observed flirting with Fay. He gave her an ultimatum. She has until the end of the month to break up one of the power couples and get herself in with the guy."

"Power couples?" questioned Harry.

"You and me, Hermione and Theo, Draco and Fay."

"I tried to get him to be okay with Blaise, but he wants a title. You three are the only ones here with titles." Pansy dashed away the tears from her cheeks. "If I don't have the start to a relationship with one of you, he's going to pull me from school to marry Rabastan Lestrange."

"Over my dead body." Hermione exclaimed.

Pansy chuckled, "That would make things a lot easier."

Tracy looked at Harry, "I love you, so much that it scares me sometimes." She took a deep breath, "But I think we should break up."

Harry stared at her in shock. Hermione's heart broke at the pain splashed across his face. "At least in public." she jumped in. The others looked at her. "Have a very showy public break up. I'm sure some of the others are spying for their parents, they will report back that you broke up. You don't have to date Pansy, she just has to flirt with you. In private, you and Tracy can still be together. You can meet in the Room of Requirement, and send each other letters, like numerous other couples do."

"Please, Harry, can we do this?"

After a moment, he nodded, "We can do this for my new and improved cousin, and his new and improved girlfriend."

Pansy smiled softly at him, "I'm trying."

"We know." Harry patted her hands. "I guess Tracy and I need to go plan a break up."

"Do you want help?" Hermione asked.

"No, you all should be surprised." Harry told her, "We'll need your help sneaking around though."

"Seriously?" she raised a questioning eyebrow, smirking.

"We might."

"Sure, Harry, and Eskimos need ice makers." Only the Gryffindors laughed. Harry offered his arm to Tracy and the two slipped out the portrait hole.

Pansy turned to Hermione, "I hate this. I feel so guilty. I never dreamed she would offer to do this. Or that Harry would agree."

"Tracy likes the new Pansy. And Harry is doing this for Dudley."

The Slytherin crooked her mouth shyly, "I like the new Pansy."

"Me, too."

"Talk to Theo. Let him know what your father is threatening. He can get you in contact with someone who has a safe house. If you need to, he can help you run."

Pansy blinked, clearly stunned. "I will." she promised.

"Well, since that's settled, we should be getting to class. It's our NEWT year after all."

Again Pansy blinked, then she burst out laughing. "Yes, it is." She stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Lead on." She exited the room in better spirits than she had entered.