Two weeks went by, and a new calm settled over the castle. Students became less scared, feeling safer within the wards that had been strengthened by the both the professors and members of the Ministry. It was now the middle of November and a cold chill had settled over the grounds causing frost and ice patches that the students had to avoid as they travelled in small groups to their morning classes. Hermione had been walking towards the Great Hall; with her Gryffindor friends when a silence had descended over the corridor.

"Werewolf," someone hissed from the shadows. She felt her spine straighten with indignity, how dare they she thought prepared to step forward and defend her Slytherin friend who looked so small and helpless in his uniform that hung off his frame much more than it had before the attack.

"How fucking dare you," Cassie hissed, breaking rank from their group, her wand drawn, red angry sparks emitting from its tip as she stared up at a fourth year Ravenclaw.

"Werewolf lover," the boy laughed, pushing Cassie out of his way, hard. Hermione watched her fall backwards landing on the stone floor with a bang.

"How dare you lay your hands on my sister," Harry hissed drawing his own wand as he stepped forward.

"Harry stop, he isn't worth it," Hermione spoke, leaning down to help Cassie up, before she could do so the Slytherin boy beat her too it, helping the girl up and frantically checking her for injuries.

"Theo I'm fine," the younger girl spoke, hugging him to her as she glared defiantly at the Ravenclaw.

"Your lucky Hermione is here," Harry told the Ravenclaw, lowering his wand and turning away from the older boy. As a group they surrounded Cassie and Theo protectively and herded the two towards the Great Hall where they sat at the Gryffindor table; Draco and Blaise joining them quickly once they too arrived for breakfast.

"Theo your out of the Hospital wing," Draco commented as he sat down opposite his friend.

"I am," the dark-haired boy nodded.

"How are you doing," Hermione asked tentatively.

"I'm alive," the boy told her with a grimace and a self-deprecating shrug. She reached out and patted his hand which was resting on the table. Theo attempted a smile, but it didn't meet his eyes.

"Who let the monster sit at our table," a snide voice spoke, Hermione pulled out her wand, pointing it at Mclaggen who had stopped behind Theo, the older boy smirking down at them.

"I'd keep moving if I were you," she hissed.

"Or what, you going to defend your new pet Granger," the boy asked pulling out his own wand, Fred hissed, rising to his feet at her side from her vantage Hermione could see Theo shrink in his seat, lowering his head in shame.

"Don't point your wand at her," her friend spoke through gritted teeth.

"Look at Weasley defending your girlfriend, didn't any of the girls in your year want to date you. Bit pathetic really isn't it, a fourth year dating a second year Mudblood," the third-year boy spoke, twirling his wand lazily between his stubby fingers. Hermione flinched at the slur, coming from a member of her own house, those within hearing distance froze, eyes widening as they fell silent. Fred launched forward but Oliver Wood was quicker, the Gryffindor Keeper had been walking behind the younger Gryffindor having just walked into the hall for breakfast. Deftly, like a cat he had the younger boy by the neck, holding him up, his feet dangling uselessly above the stone floor.

"You did not call Princess that horrid slur," Ollie spoke, his face server.

"Let go of me," the younger boy growled, wriggling uselessly.

"MR WOOD, PUT HIM DOWN," Professor McGonagall shouted as she hurried from the staff table to see what all the commotion was about. "What is the meaning for this," she asked, as Oliver dropped the younger boy at the professor's feet.

"He called Hermione a, Mu, a Mud, a, Professor I can't say the word," Ginny spoke, shaking her head angrily, as she glared at the boy.

"He was rude to Theo too, he isn't an evil monster, he's our friend," Hermione told her teacher, Theo peaked at her, a tentative smile on his face. Hermione smiled back reassuringly. He might have to change into a wolf once a month, but they'd make sure he knew that didn't change their view of him, Theo was their friend and they wouldn't let the small shy boy shrink away, afraid, they'd support him, be there for him, help him as he delt with these changes. Sirius and James had become Animagus's to help Remus with his transformation, Harry was already an Animagus, they'd make sure Theo was never alone.

"I need to go to the library," she spoke, pushing away from the table in a hurry as Professor McGonagall began delving out punishment to the fourth-year boy.

"Hermione, we have charms," Harry reminded her.

"I'll be there, I just need to grab a couple of books," she told him before hurrying away to search for books on Animagus transformation.

"Hermione dear, it's been too long," Perenelle spoke as she stepped out of the floo into her and Nicolas's home, the older woman pulling her into a welcoming hug.

"A lot has happened at school Nelle," she told the woman as she was led into the kitchen where a table was laid filled with pastries and cakes.

"Hermione," Nick greeted her joyfully as she took a seat at the table.

"Hello," she replied with a smile as she took a seat next to him.

"The last time you visited we were working on harnessing the power of the elements, do you wish to continue that today," he asked her as she helped herself to a cup of tea and a Danish pastry.

"I was hoping you could help me with something different, actually. As you are aware, Greyback attacked the school. One of my friends was hurt in the attack and I was hoping to become an Animagus to help him with his transformations," she told him, pulling out her borrowed books on the subject from the bag she had brought with her.

"That's very dangerous Hermione newly made werewolves can be very dangerous," her mentor told her seriously.

"He's scared, and I want to support him, I know the theory of becoming a Animagus, the potions involved, holding the Mandrake Leaf under your tongue for a Luna cycle. I want to be an Animagus.

"I have a feeling you will pursue this with or without my assistance," he said with a chuckle.

"I think you are right my dear," his wife said.

"You are, I will do anything to help my friends," she nodded.

"In that case I think we will do Animagus transformation for today's session. With your powers growing, I have a feeling we will be able to forgo the traditional route of potions, and Mandrake leaves. As with young Mr Potter I believe you will have a natural affinity with this branch of magic," he told her seriously.

"Thank you," she replied, as she helped herself to another pastry.

"You're my apprentice, my intent is to teach you everything I know, the order in which you are taught is entirely up to yourself," he replied before transforming into an albino raven and flying off towards his study.

"Thank you for the food," she smiled at Nelle before hurrying after Nick, excited for her next lesson with the elderly wizard.