Thank you for the reviews guys! And of course, thank you to my betas, Emilia Wolfe and McGonagall's Bola. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Last time:

With everything all set and put away, she went back to the sitting room's Floo, her feet dragging. The day had been too long, and she was too tired to think about anything other than her bed.

Tomorrow, she promised herself as she slowly trudged back into Gryffindor tower and up to her room. She would deal with it tomorrow.

Chapter 26

Two young first years eagerly rushed passed Hermione, accidentally shoving into her as they went. She stumbled forward, glaring after the culprits. "Why am I here again?"

"Because it's the last Hogsmeade weekend before exams! We have to use this time to relax and prepare," Ron dutifully explained.

"Yes, but I'm already finished with my exams." she replied.

"Then it's to celebrate."

"I should be studying for my NEWTs."

"Come on, Mione. That can wait."

"Ron—"

Harry came in between them, wrapping his arms around their shoulders. "Ron makes a good point, Hermione." The three stepped into an open carriage. "It's just one day. You can't forget to have fun every now and then. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy."

"That is so true," a tall, slender, black-haired girl in Ravenclaw robes said, climbing into the carriage with them. She plopped down into the seat next to Hermione, shooing her over to make more room. "A good dose of fun is always called for."

The Gryffindors eyed the new stranger warily.

"Um," Hermione began, "Do we know you?"

The Ravenclaw dramatically sighed. "You disappoint me, Granger. A little time a part and already you've forgotten about me." She looked around discretely before her hair started turning into a shade of pink so bright and familiar that Hermione instantly knew who she was speaking to.

There was only one witch she knew that could pull off hair that pink.

"Tonks," Hermione said with a smile, grabbing the witch into a hug. Harry and Ron, who had only ever seen the Auror from a distance as she was leaving Order meetings, silently watched the two.

Tonks waved at them cheekily, settling back in her seat. The carriage rocked forward, setting off towards Hogsmeade.

"So what's with the face?" Hermione said. "Is that really a student at Hogwarts?"

Tonks' hair turned back into the pin straight black. "Nah, this is Maya Hahn, an old Muggle friend of mine. I'm just borrowing her face while I'm on duty."

"Duty?" Harry asked.

"With all the trouble going on lately, Dumbledore thought it best to have Aurors on watch. Naturally, I volunteered, thought I'd drop in and say hey."

Ron looked around at the other carriages, and surrounding forest. "So where are the others?"

Tonks smirked. "They're around."

"So, shouldn't you be out there, hiding with your people and whatnot?"

"Nah, I'm on personal detail today." Tonks pouted. "Don't tell me you're already trying to get rid of me, Weasley. I'm hurt."

Ron flushed, looking away. "Uh, no. Sorry."

The two women shared a knowing grin.

"Don't worry about it, kid." She punched his shoulder fondly.

"Alright, so where did you want to go first?" Harry asked.

Rubbing his aching shoulder, Ron perked up. "How about—"

Hermione groaned, "Please don't say Spintwitches."

"What's wrong with the Spintwitches? They have new broom covers with the Canon's autographs on them!"

"Really?" Harry, always one to expound on the joys of quidditch easily fell into an animated conversation with Ron about the team's new seeker, which Hermione wanted no part of. Rolling her eyes, she turned to looked out at the passing trees.

Tonks shifted in her seat beside Hermione. "Don't worry," the Auror whispered with a mischievous grin. "I've got other plans."

"I am not going in there." Hermione stared up at the wooden shop sign, inscribed with Silk and Satin's Lingerie. She looked around to make sure none of the other students were watching her. The last thing she needed was yet another rumor swirling around the school about her.

"Oh come on," Tonks pleaded, dragging her into the shop with her anyway. She waved at a sales girl behind the counter. "This wont kill you."

"Shouldn't we be staying with the guys?"

"Eh, no need. Moody's got his eye on them—ha! No pun intended," Tonks joked.

"Moody's here? Where?" Hermione turned back around to check out the crowded street where she could see plenty of students and Aurors milling about, but no Moody.

"He's on the Polyjuice today. Didn't want to cause a stir. Don't worry, he'll let the boys know he's around and protecting them. They'll be perfectly safe."

"Fine, but I still don't get why you dragged me into a lingerie shop. I have no need for any of these things," Hermione replied morosely. She had nothing against women who enjoyed delicate undergarments, but she personally found them to be utterly useless. She much preferred her simple cotton underwear and her worn sweats. They were not only comfortable and easy to wear, but they were also easy on the budget.

"Then you can help me pick out something. Come on, we're mates aren't we?" Tonks pleaded, morphing her face into that of a begging puppy. The small whimpering noises she made were a good touch.

"Alright! But I'm only here for you, not me," Hermione warned.

"Yes!" Tonks whooped, punching the air, and running off to another part of the store. Before Hermione could blink she was back and holding up a small little purple nightie. "What do you think about this?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the scrap of clothing. "I think that you'll freeze your bits off trying to wear that."

"That's what Warming Charms are for," Tonks replied with a cheeky grin. "Besides if it makes his jaw drop then my bits can turn into glaciers for all I care."

The Gryffindor gave a cheeky grin. "His? Whose jaw are you trying to drop?" she asked, as if she didn't know that the him was a certain sandy-haired werewolf.

Embarrassed, Tonk's entire face, neck and hair turned a deep rosy pink. "No one. This is just, you know, in case I meet someone later."

Riiiiiight, like Hermione believed that. "So this has nothing to do with a former professor we both know, whose name rhymes with Seamus?"

Tonks ducked her head, nervously fidgeting. "Is it really that obvious?"

"A bit, yeah." Hermione shrugged. "But he looks just as smitten with you as you do with him, so you shouldn't worry about it."

"Really?" The witch's eyes filled with hope. "You think so?"

"Definitely. Anyone can see it."

Tonks toyed with the strap of the nightie, uncharacteristically shy. "He actually asked me out already. Took me to a restaurant he likes."

"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly. "That's great! How was it?"

Leaning back against a rack with a dreamy face, Tonks sighed. "It was perfect. He's so sweet and charming. And such a gentleman. I'm such a klutz around him, but he doesn't seem to care."

"Good. You two deserve each other." Hermione took in her friend's glazed eyes and goofy smile and huffed in amusement. She turned the other witch around in front of another rack of bras. "Here. Look at the pretty bras before your brain goes into Remus overload and you turn into a puddle of mushy affections."

"Oi! I'm not that far gone," Tonks protested weakly.

"Yeah and I'm the Queen of England," she quipped sarcastically, reaching back to pick up the white and red polka dot bra that Tonks had abandoned during her lapse into her Remus-centered Dreamland. Her hand snapped back just in time as another customer, a birdish looking woman with perfectly coifed grey hair, stomped between them rudely. The woman shot her a venomous look, as if Hermione were the one who had gotten in her way and with a disdainful sniff, she headed into a dressing room and snapped the door shut.

"What bee got in her bonnet?" Tonks muttered, holding something dark green and silky.

"I don't know." Hermione shook her head, already forgetting about the obnoxious customer. She pointed at the clothes in Tonks' arms. "Did you find something else."

"Eh." Tonks shrugged, unfurling the pajama set she had picked up. It was a pretty thing. Smooth and a green so dark that it was almost black. And every time the light hit it she could see gleaming streaks of emerald shimmer across the cloth like rolling waves. "I thought I'd like it, but the colors not really my thing."

"What, too Slytherin for you?" Hermione teased.

Tonks snorted. "Please, the only ones who get caught up in that House rivalry nonsense are you lions and snakes. I just prefer lighter greens." She handed Hermione the set. "Why don't you try it on?"

"Me? Why would I try it on?"

"Oh! you should. That color would do wonders for your complexion," an overeager salesgirl said, coming over to them. "And it's 100% Fairy Silk, so it'll feel like you're wearing feathers."

"Fairy silk?" Hermione asked. She remembered reading about it in a potions journal somewhere.

"It's the best kind of material," the salesgirl explained in a rush. "It's extremely durable, almost as strong as Dragonhide. You could shoot a fireball at these babies and the cloth wouldn't even singe. And they're so much prettier. Don't you think?"

"Well you heard the lady. Go and try them on." Tonks nudged her towards the fitting rooms. "After all, it's not a proper girls' day out until everyone tries on something frivolous and pretty."

"Technically speaking, this isn't really a 'girls' day out.' You're on duty."

"So? I'm a great multi-tasker."

"This isn't my size," Hermione pointed out, trying a different tactic.

"Oh, don't worry about that. It's enchanted with a complimentary Sizing and Warming Charm," the salesgirl happily supplied.

"See, no more excuses. In!" Tonks shoved her into an open stall, throwing the pajama set at her and slamming the door shut. "And don't come out until you've twirled around in the mirror with them on at least once!" She called through the door.

Hermione childishly stuck out her tongue. "Tyrant," she whispered under her breath, peering at the pajamas she had been given.

They truly were gorgeous. And no, she didn't give two figs that they were greenish. Perhaps when she was a first year, when she had been desperately trying to fit in with her housemates, she would have balked at wearing the set (least she be seen in them). But now?

She was a grown woman, secure in herself and her friendships. She no longer cared whether her fellow Gryffindors approved of her wardrobe or not. They were just clothes after all and she was free to admit that she liked the color green, dammit!

With that thought in mind, Hermione began stripping down and pulling on the tank top and pants, the silk flowing like water down her body. She turned to get a better look, frowning at her reflection.

The fabric hung oddly, its magic making it flutter as if it couldn't decide what shape to take, then it settled down, conforming to her eighteen-year-old frame. Staring at the dark fabric covering her smaller chest and boyish hips, something still felt off, and she suddenly wondered what it would look like on her real body.

Curiosity itched at her and with a quick glance around her small cubicle, she decided it was safe enough to take off her necklace. It would be a quick peek, she promised herself. On and off.

As a precaution she also set up a few Privacy wards, so no one could magically peek in, then she carefully unclasped her necklace.

The change was instantaneous. Her hair became longer, her curls a bit smoother, her height a bit taller, and her body a little curvier, filling the pajamas (which had stretched with her) nicely. And of course there was also that blasted tattoo on her hand, but she did her best to ignore that.

She twirled around in the mirror again, happy with what she was seeing. She hadn't realized until now just how much she had missed her old self. And as she thought, the pajamas looked far better on this Hermione than the school girl she was trying to project.

The pajamas were surprisingly comfortable too, with a level of cosiness that could rival even her most worn sweats and rattiest t-shirt.

The warmth radiating from the material, and pleasantly heating her skin, she assumed was thanks to the Warming Charm the store had added to prevent the aforementioned 'bit freezing' from happening.

Very nice, but it must be expensive. She looked down at the tag, her eyes bulging from the ridiculous string of numbers on display.

This was more than just a pricey item, this was a you're-not-going-to-be-eating-for-a-month-if-you-do-this kind of expensiveness that she could scarcely comprehend, much less afford. Dropping the tag and getting in one last final look at her reflection, she took off the pajamas with more reluctancy and longing sighs than she cared to admit.

She carefully folded them up and placed them on the bench, then got dressed back in her school clothes (starting with her necklace). Her eighteen year old self was staring at her once again. Another disappointment. With a sigh she left the changing room, leaving the pajamas behind.

Tonks was already waiting for her. "Where are the pajamas? Didn't they fit?"

"No, the clothes fit fine, of course. It was the price that just didn't fit my wallet," Hermione explained, morosely. "It's a shame too. They were gorgeous."

She hurried away from her changing room, before she could do something that she would regret later.

"Let me know when you're finished," she told Tonks, who was already at the registers next to a hefty pile of clothes and a very satisfied salesgirl. She took a seat in one of the empty chairs by the front of the store, as she waited for Tonks to finish, all the while despairing over her bank account and her currently jobless state.

Back in Hermione's changing room, a small Black Widow with red tipped legs, crawled through a tiny crack in the wall and out of the shop, scurrying to carry a message to it's master.

They were finished with their shopping later than expected, so by the time they headed over to the Three Broomsticks, Harry and Ron were already seated at the back of the crowded pub at a small table.

"There you are," Ron called out, waving them over. "Where've you guys been? It's nearly time to leave."

Hermione hefted her bags, most of which were filled with new (and heavy) tomes that were too sensitive to magically charm weightless. She flexed her aching fingers in relief.

"Well, Tomes and Scrolls was having a sale and—"

Ron gaped at her bags. "You bought more books?"

"Yes," Hermione said defensively, eyeing his own bags peevishly. "And I see you went and bought half of Honeydukes yourself. As if you need more candy."

Really. Those in glass houses…

"Did you find anything good," Harry asked, stepping in before the two could start a spat.

"Actually, I have a couple of good finds on Charm theory. You're more than welcome to borrow them," she offered. From Harry's hesitant face and Ron's obvious disgust, she could see they weren't going to take her up on her offer anytime soon. Oh well. More reading time for her then.

"Do you mind if I nab this one?" Tonks held up a worn, skinny black book, with silver letters that read, Magical Minds.

"You want to read that?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Well…it's…uh," the redhead stammered, looking to his friends for backup.

Tonks continued, raising her chin in an haughty manner. "I like reading academic literature. I'll have you know that I was semi-top of my class."

Harry squinted his eyes in confusion. "Is semi-top a thing?"

"Course it is!"

Taking that as her cue to take a break, Hermione slipped from the table and headed to the toilet. Her friends voices, rising in the heat of an argument (though what they could be arguing over was beyond her), drifted off as she rounded the corner and moved down the hall to the women's room.

She was just about to head into the bathroom when a shadow loomed over her.

"Excuse me Miss, but would you happen to be Hermione Granger?"

Two burly looking men, decked out in blue Auror robes, crowded into the small hallway, blocking the exit as they waited for her answer.

Hermione cautiously looked over the two, her hand discreetly falling to her side where her wand was waiting and ready. They didn't look like a threat. They were wearing the same robes as the other Aurors who were hanging about. Tonks had also informed her that Kingsley had personally chosen every Auror on duty today, so if they were here, then by rights, she should be able to trust them.

And yet, there was something in the way they were watching her, with practiced intimidation and anticipation, that made her uneasy.

"Are you Hermione Granger?" The one on the left repeated, his eyebrow twitching in impatience.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?" Hermione asked instead of answering, her Occlumency shields automatically doubling up. "Is something the matter?"

The other man stepped forward, his eyes darting around the hallway quickly in a manner that Hermione didn't like at all. "We're from the Department of Investigations, Miss Granger. And we need to ask you a few questions."

"What questions?" Hermione backed away, sure now that these were not Kingsley's men. Those Auror would have no need to question her, nor did she think they would be interested in her 'case.' The only men who had shown an interest had been obvious Death Eater Sympathizer, men who were nestled under the Dark Lord's thumb.

Her gut was telling her she was now dealing with the later. This was not good.

She tried to look for a way out, but the two men had slowly boxed her in, completely blocking her view of the dining room. The shadowy hallway only made it worse, and she knew that no one in the dining area would be able to see her. Her chances for escape, it seemed, were dwindling at a dangerous pace.

Damn! Harry's gonna kill me.

"I'm assuming this has something to do with my academic leave," Hermione rambled, hoping to distract them enough to get away. "Because a few Ministry officials already came to ask me some questions and I was assured I wouldn't be bothered about the subject again."

She tried to shift away from them.

They blatantly followed her steps.

Double damn.

"There were just some concerns that we'd like to address with the paper work. This really is just a formality. If you would come with us, we'll ask our questions, file our report and then you'll be free to go. Easy," guy number two said, with what she was assuming he thought was a charming smile.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "All of my paperwork was completed perfectly and I was given approval for leave months in advance," she bluffed, trying to sound both irritated and arrogant. "Why is the Ministry interested in my internship now when its had practically half a year to kick up a fuss if something wasn't right."

"Like I said, Miss Granger, this is a formality we do with all students who study internationally. It's just a precaution that we take to make sure no one accidentally brings back anything that could cause an international incident. It's for the welfare of the entire community," guy number two told her, a little less smoothly. His patience was clearly running thin.

"Then why wasn't I told this before when I was with Headmaster Dumbledore?" She edged a little further away. Guy number one gave his partner a look before his hand moved towards his waist, where his wand sat. Obviously, he was done playing along.

Panic began to set in, as she grabbed for her wand too. Her mind went into overdrive as she tried to quickly consider her options.

She knew she had to find a way to warn the others. She had her DA coin on her, but getting out a message in time would be impossible. And she couldn't send a Patronus. Surely they would try to stop her and then it would turn into an all out brawl and she wasn't sure if she could take on two opponents at once. Not in so small a space. Without the ability to move around, the two cronies would be able to use not only their magic but their physical strength against her, and she wasn't strong enough magically to fend off both wands and muscles.

No, she had to think of something else. Subduing them and trying to win an all out battle was out of the question. Perhaps she could create a distraction. Blind them with a bright light? Maybe fog? No, that wouldn't do, she was too close to them to slip away without them catching her. So she was going to have to create some space between them, with…Bombarda…yeah that could work. She would have to be quick about it, casting the Blinding Hex and the Bombarda seamlessly together, then she'd run back into the crowded dining room and contact the Headmaster.

Not a perfect plan, but it'll have to do.

Her arm jerked as she prepared to throw the first spell at them, when a new voice entered the cramped Hallway.

"Granger! There you are," Blaise Zabini called out. He walked under the hall's doorway only a few steps away from them, stopping when he caught sight of her. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Who are you?" "How did you get back here?" The two Aurors asked at the same time, their wands were out and pointing at the intruder.

Hands were held up in surprise and Blaise looked around innocently. "Well, I walked, of course. This hallway is connected to the dining area, you know," he told them simply.

Hermione would have laughed at his blasé tone if she wasn't so stupefied by the situation at hand.

"What are you doing here?" Guy number two tried again, straightening up, and putting away his wand, while motioning for his partner to do the same. He smiled, trying to appear less villainous (not that it was working in Hermione's opinion) and threatening.

"Professor Smith is calling for all the prefects to start the round up. Granger's my patrol partner and I need to check in with her," he explained, oblivious to the rising tension in the air.

Guy number two shook his head, his grin strained. He looked like he wanted to hex Blaise into oblivion, but the Slytherin was conveniently still standing in the doorway of the hall…in full view of the rest of the pub. The second anything happened to him, others would see.

Hermione was pretty positive that his location wasn't a coincidence. In fact, nothing about Blaise's sudden appearance screamed coincidence. A crazy idea, that perhaps, he was there to help popped into her mind.

The thought was almost too dumbfounding to believe.

"I'm afraid we have to keep Miss Granger a little while longer. We're in the middle of an official investigation, and we still need a few more questions answered," the Auror said.

Seeing an opportunity for escape, she pounced.

"Which I would more than happy to help you with. But first I need to talk to my Professor. As Blaise pointed out, I do have responsibilities to attend to, and I don't want my absence to worry anyone," she lied easily. The minute they moved out of the way, she was going to hightail it out of there and get back to safety.

She moved to leave, but an arm shot out, blocking her way. Guy number two sneered at her. "Hold on just one moment. You aren't—"

"You gentlemen are more than welcome to come with us to talk to our professor," Blaise cut in smoothly. "I don't mean to inconvenience you, but if I don't show up with Granger, my house could lose points. I'm sure you understand my dilemma."

Arriving just as suddenly as Zabini had, Tonks appeared in the hallway, still wearing her Ravenclaw robes but with her normal face back in place. "What's going on here?" the witch demanded, and Hermione nearly wanted to cry in relief.

The two goons tensed awkwardly, as Tonks zeroed in on them, her eyes hardening in distrust.

"Tobbs, Morrison. What are you two doing here?" the smaller Auror barked out, as she marched over to them. The two men dwarfed Tonks, but that didn't seem to matter as they flinched away from her in fear. Clearly there was a pecking order in the Auror Department and Tonks was surprisingly higher up on the ladder than Hermione had expected.

"We were just stopping by for a pint," one of them explained quickly.

Hermione huffed at the pathetic excuse, wanting to say something, but it looked like Tonks had already sniffed out the truth. Besides, Zabini was still there, watching the spectacle play out in amusement.

"Well you better get to the bar then. Can't get a pint out here in the hallway." Tonks gave them a hard edged smile, her teeth gleaming (and much sharper than Hermione remembered them being). Her eyes glinted dangerously, promising violence and retribution.

The Gryffindor's eyebrows rose in shock and slight unease at her friend's subtle transformation. Tonks, she realized, was kinda scary.

It was a fact that the other Aurors probably already knew, because their faces paled and they stepped away from Hermione. Nodding towards Tonks, they shuffled out of the hallway and out of the Three Broomsticks, not even stopping for their pint.

With the threat gone, Tonks relaxed, once more her easy going self. "You alright there, Hermione?"

"Yeah, I'm good." All the tension leaked out of her and she slumped with relief. "Thanks for coming."

Tonks scoffed, disgusted. "I'm sorry it took so long. I dropped the ball, Granger. Got too lax and it almost cost you."

"Look, I'm fine," she assured her friend. "What's important is that you got here in time."

"But—" Tonks stopped, noticing that they still had an audience. "Who are you?"

Blaise stepped away from the archway, shrugging. "Just a friendly passerby." He smirked at the two witches. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Tonks. See you at the castle Granger." He nodded to Hermione and turned.

She didn't know what lead her to speak, but before he could leave Hermione called out, "You're not a prefect." It was her not so subtle way of telling him that she was on to him and whatever game he was playing.

Blaise turned back, a bemused grin on his face. "I'm not? Huh…must have slipped my mind."

She didn't stop him from leaving again and watched, baffled, as he disappeared into the crowd of students leaving for the carriages.

Tonks stepped up beside her. "Who was that?"

"An enemy, I thought," Hermione murmured, her mind already trying to puzzle out the mystery that was Blaise Zabini. There was one possible answer, but she would have to look further into it, recheck her notes. Because if Zabini was who she thought he was…

"You thought?"

"Now, I'm thinking he might just be an ally." She turned to Tonks.

"Hmm…well," Tonks responded thoughtfully, "I would say a definite ally."

"You would?"

"He bumped into me on his way back here, and I thought for sure the little snot had tried to pickpocket me and got up to follow him. Then I realized you hadn't returned yet and came rushing over," Tonks explained.

Hermione blinked. "Well that was lucky."

Tonks snorted. "Lucky? Nah. I've been in this game long enough to know that luck like that doesn't happen. Not even in the Magical World. That Zabini kid wanted me to come rescue you, though how he knew I was an Auror is beyond me." She brushed at her uniform irritably. "My disguise was flawless."

Hermione hummed thoughtfully, so many questions bursting into her head and not nearly enough answers to satisfy her. "I wonder how he knew I needed help too."

"Beats me." Tonks shrugged, but Hermione could see a determination in her gaze that said she wouldn't be clueless for much longer. "But a boy that clever, must have had a good reason. I'm betting you'll be bumping into him again soon."

Hermione had a feeling the witch was right. If Blaise had helped her for a specific reason then it was only a matter time before he popped up again and when he did…she'd be ready for him.

A/N: So Blaise has finally made his first move towards friendship, how Hermione responds (shrugs). And just what is going to happen with the black widow?

Up Next: Hermione goes on a Midnight stroll and the Red Dragon secures a ally.