Harry of Hog and the Saga of Hogswarth

A/N: Here is the next chapter! I hope you all like Hermione, the story in the last chapter differentiated from the events in Philosopher's Stone in that Hermione actually helped bring down the "troll", because I felt like giving her some girl power. Don't worry, I might give her some damsel-in-distress scenes later, but now I just wanted to establish her as a strong female character.

This chapter was inspired by a wonderful song by Kim Richey, found on the Angel (the Series) soundtrack, entitled "A Place Called Home". I actually used that song for a dark!Hermione music video, and that music video was actually inspired by the Hermione storyline in this fanfic… Neat, innit? I have uploaded the vid on YouTube, where I've uploaded my other music videos as well, if you are interested, my screen name is Zille88. :)

Also, one more thing. To avoid confusion I'll try to keep my updates regular: I'll aim to have one new chapter out each week. Some authors can do it faster, but I just really want to avoid having this feel like a chore, because then I am afraid I'll just write something really bad just to get it out… I am already now having problems writing it, because I am not completely sure what developments should happen when, and how much should be revealed etc… so I hope you'll bear with me for taking the time to plan it out properly. :) I'm also very busy with work at the moment, as well as my new favourite forum (Lost-related, the forums, they're great), lol! But don't worry, you'll get your updates I promise! Keep the reviews coming please, it's because of you that I bother to update! And more reviews are probably a good motivator for updating faster. :)

Reviews:

Avanell: Yeah, she has some power, but she is not the leader. It'll all be explained, I don't want to give it away… :) lol, thanks, I'm happy you thought it was funny! As I was writing it I suddenly realised that I had to deal with the issue of never having seen a girl before somehow… lol! It was weird! PS Here is Hermione like I promised!

theliznach: Thank you! Lol… you mean like Ginny is a damsel? I'm happy you like Hermione, and I hope you'll accept Ginny too… I'll give her some action later. And yeeeah, pretty patient I think… but then the story will go on longer :P

rweasley500: Wow. I am so worried now… don't have too high expectations!! I'd hate to let you down, because that was a huge compliment! Thank you so much. And yeah, when dealing with the boys seeing a girl for the first time I thought it a perfect way to slip in a little bookism… used a bit differently, but it's au after all! About Neville… well I am not completely sure about his function in the story yet (your idea is really good! I might borrow it… don't worry you'll get full credit!), but I do know that we won't be seeing him for a while. He won't be just your average outlaw, he'll come into play in a different way. Great to know you like Robin Hood too! Who doesn't? That era was amazing… and coupled with HP… there are no words to describe it. I only hope this story can provide a bit of ambience from both verses. Once again thank you SO much for that comment, I really hope you enjoy this chapter too… but don't worry if you don't, I'll still appreciate criticism! And I will still be very heartened by this review!

lulu: Hi there! I'm happy to hear it, the title was actually the very first thing I came up with, lol! Usually I take ages trying to come up with a title and end up with something really cheesy, but here the story practically evolved from the title! So weird. Thank you for taking the time to review my story, it really makes me so happy. I was especially glad to read that you find the story well fleshed out – that is exactly what I am aiming for! It's so hard because I tend to get lost in the details, and either use pages upon pages describing nothing, or by cutting to the chase the story becomes completely soulless… so thank you, that comment meant a lot to me!

MagikCat: I know!! Now I've seen it too! Just, wow. I have to admit I preferred the GoF teaser trailer to this… but it really got me excited for what was to come. I don't know if you saw the longer clip from somewhere with more scenes from the movie, and short interviews… you get to hear Umbridge's voice! Chilling! Anyway, yeah I love those lines about being a girl too… I was so excited when I realised I that could use them in my story, lol! And yeah… you are spot on about Ron's feelings, that is pretty much what I have planned for him to experience. I am so happy you still like my story! It means so much to me that you review, and it makes me so proud that people seem to like it… Happy belated Thanksgiving to you too :)

Cynthia Cacciola: Thank you! I'll try to update a bit faster… I actually meant to get this chapter out yesterday, but there was a massive thunderstorm right above us and we had to turn off all the power… anyway, rambling here, I'll just get on with the story shall I:)

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Chapter 6: Home

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Hermione had had a very strange day. While on lookout she had caught a couple of boys around her age, and easily overpowered them. As it turned out they were not hostile, and to her later amusement they had actually been on their way to the Hogswarth castle to take on The Dark Lord by themselves! It was preposterous, here had she and the rebels been planning an attack on the castle for years, gathering forces overseas and hiding out in the forest, training and strategising and gathering yet more rebels – and here came two boys, who had apparently lived in the forest all their lives, and because of a personal grudge against Riddle ('Haven't we all', Hermione thought wryly) they had set out to defeat him. It was very lucky that they had stumbled across Hermione, otherwise they would be history by now. And despite their lack of experience in actual combat they were obviously both very skilled fighters; they could prove useful when the assault took place.

When Hermione had brought the boys into the camp, many people had come over to see who had arrived, and had been quite shocked at Hermione's willingness to bring these strangers straight to their hideout. But Hermione couldn't help but trust the boys after they had saved her from the spy even though it had been a perfect opportunity for them to get away. She had explained this to the crowd around them, which had eased up a little bit. Seamus of Fin had been the first to introduce himself. He had not joined up with the forces until about six months previously, when his family had been murdered by one of Riddle's henchmen while he had escaped into the forest. Setting up camp in the forest had proved most strategious in terms of strengthening their numbers, as most of the inhabitants of Hog were quite frightened by the horrific tales that been told about a monster lurking within the forest, and only truly desperate people would venture in there, like people escaping from Riddle's knights. Hermione raised her eyebrow at Dean Thomas, who unlike Seamus seemed far more distrustful of the newcomers. Dean and Hermione had known each other for many years, Dean having joined forces with the rebels in Mugglewood not long after Hermione and her nursemaid Minerva had, many years ago. Dean, rolling his eyes at Hermione, grudgingly held out his hand towards Harry and Ron in turn, introducing himself, and after that not many people hesitated in greeting them. Hermione smiled at Dean gratefully, and turned her gaze upon the two boys standing next to her, having their hands wrung by the outcasts and looking slightly apprehensive, though obviously pleased with the friendly welcome. If what they had told her was true, they had never met this many people at once, and she could only imagine how strange a situation this must be for them.

Her eyes travelled first over Harry, with his messy black hair, the scar on his forehead, bright green eyes and slight, yet muscular frame, then to Ron, taller but just as muscular, with freckles, blue eyes and reddish orange hair which gleamed in the sun. There was no way the two of them could be brothers, Hermione thought wonderingly. How had they ended up alone together in the forest? On their way to the camp they had told Hermione of growing up with a man called Hagrid, who had taught them all their fighting skills, and how they had always known they had to take a stance against Riddle… but the three of them had reached the first couple of guards of the camp before she had found out why the boys had such a grudge against the Dark Lord.

Deciding that the boys had had quite enough introductions for now, she called out, "Alright everyone, back off please I have to take Harry and Ron to see Sir Lupin now!" The others backed away almost instantly, moving aside to let the three of them through. "Seamus, Justin, why don't you take care of our other guest," she added, throwing the end of the rope holding the prisoner to Sir Justin, another old friend from Mugglewood. As Ron, Harry and Hermione walked on she smiled, as Ron and Harry looked at her curiously.

"I've been with the rebels for a long time," she said simply. "It kind of gives you a higher status." That was partly true, but Hermione also happened to be quite a skilled fighter, and she had also proved to have quite a knack for strategising, which had gotten them out of quite a few encounters with Riddle's forces almost unharmed. It still pained her to remember their last struggle however, it had been a particularly nasty battle with many injuries – and to everyone's horror, one of their best fighters, brave and noble Sir Cedric, had sacrificed himself in order to protect his betrothed Lady Cho. Hermione was not sure if Cho would ever fully recover from the loss, and she knew that everyone else had been greatly affected by Cedric's death. For Hermione it had become yet another reason to hate Lord Riddle, another promise that she would help the rebels bring him to a sudden, hopefully sticky, end. From then on, Hermione had been less afraid of hurting the spies she caught. Like the man she had shot today – she would rather have killed him than allow Riddle's men to hurt another innocent person.

Riddle was the reason her life was like this. She was not just another rebel who had joined up with the forces, which had been affectionately named Albus' Army. Her nursemaid Minerva had told her that when she was only a baby, Riddle had killed her parents. Minerva had been looking after her at the time, and when she heard of the deaths she had fled the house with Hermione – and not a moment too soon, as Riddle himself had journeyed to the house a few days later, to plunder and wreck what had once been Hermione's home. Since then Hermione and Minerva had been on the run, escaping to Mugglewood where they had lived in hiding until meeting Minerva's old acquaintance Sir Lupin, who had urged them to join the rebel forces. Hermione had pleaded with Minerva for them to follow Lupin, arguing that she should be able to help bring down the man who killed her parents, and that they would be as safe with Lupin as they were hiding out in Mugglewood. Minerva had relented, muttering that with any luck Riddle would not even know to look for Hermione… to this day Hermione still had not understood what exactly Minerva had meant, but she had not pressed the subject, happy that Minerva had agreed to join the rebels. Since then Hermione had trained every day with Lupin himself, who after a private conversation with Minerva had decided that she needed the training, and that she had great potential for becoming a great fighter. Indeed Hermione was very good – early on she had discovered that she had a particular knack for archery, and soon her skills far surpassed any of the other rebels' – even, to everyone's astonishment, Sir Lupin's. He, however, had not seemed surprised.

Hermione pulled out of her reverie. They had reached Lupin's hut, and she knocked politely entrance frame before walking in, Harry and Ron following behind.

Lupin had been pouring over various maps of the country, but looked up as they entered, eyeing the two boys in puzzlement.

"Hermione?" he enquired.

"Sir, I found these two wandering through the forest – they want to join forces with us, and they saved me from one of Riddle's spies," Hermione said promptly.

Lupin smiled at Harry and Ron. "Well thank you. Hermione is very valuable to us." Hermione blushed embarrassedly. Ron's eyes flicked to Hermione before returning to Lupin.

"Well she saved us as well," Harry smiled, then winced as he accidentally bumped his injured arm on the doorframe.

"Why young man you are completely covered in blood," Lupin said, looking concerned. "Are you badly injured?"

"No, don't worry," Harry said quickly, "It's just my arm. This," He indicated his chest, "Is the spy's. Hermione shot him in the shoulder."

"Oh, yes," Hermione said off-handedly, "He is unconscious. We brought him back here, and I left him with Dean and Justin. He might have some useful information for us."

"Perhaps," Lupin said, smiling although he looked like he doubted it. "I appreciate you not shooting to kill, Hermione. Lives should not be taken if it can be avoided."

Harry smiled at this, and Hermione suspected he felt a bit better about his hesitation before.

"Now," Lupin said, addressing the boys, "May I enquire as to your names?"

"Well," Ron started, "My name is Ron. I… I got lost from my family a long time ago. I do not remember them." Lupin surveyed Ron thoughtfully for a moment but said nothing, so Ron continued, "I was found by a man named Hagrid, we were raised together", he said indicating Harry and himself. Lupin's eyes grew wide.

"Hagrid!" he exclaimed in astonishment. "Is he still alive?" Harry and Ron looked at each other in astonishment, and Lupin continued, "Well… I knew him once. But I thought he had died. What happened to him?"

"He was driven into the forest by Riddle's men," Harry said. "They called him a monster. But you know, frankly I had not realised how much bigger he was than normal people until I came here! Yet that does not seem like a reason to banish someone, does it?" he said heatedly. "And now, Hagrid is sure everyone is afraid of him!"

"My boy, relax, I quite agree," said Lupin, slightly amused at this boy's passionate defence of the giant. "King Albus would not have permitted such discrimination. But you, boy, you never told me your name."

"Oh, pardon me Sir. My name is Harry. My parents were killed by Lord Riddle, that was how I came to live in the forest with Hagrid."

Lupin's eyes narrowed, then widened suddenly. His eyes flickered back and forth between Harry and Hermione, and then he asked, quietly, "And who… were your parents?"

"Lily and James of Godricshollow," Harry said proudly. "You may have heard of -"

But Lupin stood up suddenly, and Harry glanced worriedly at Hermione. "Did I say something wrong?" he muttered. Hermione shrugged, looking at Lupin curiously.

"Oh, I am sorry," Lupin said, seeming to regain his composure. "Lily and James… I suppose I can't hide it from you… I knew your parents well, Harry."

Harry stared at him in shock. "Really? You, you knew them? You can… tell me about them?"

"Absolutely," Lupin said, looking quite beside himself, but smiling at Harry. "Though that might have to wait. I have… important things to see to… Hermione, I suggest you take these boys to get washed up, wound Harry's clean… I mean… and then dinner. Sleeping arrangements, you know? Alright then. Good."

"Sir Lupin, are you -" Hermione started.

"I am fine Hermione. I just… something was brought to my attention. I will see you all later, alright?" Lupin said giving all three a small, but genuine smile. Hermione took that as a cue to leave, and shepherded Ron and Harry out the opening of the hut, glancing back at Lupin worriedly.

Once they were some way away from the hut, Ron leaned over to Hermione and said quietly, "Your leader… is he always… that way?"

Hermione felt his breath on her face and blinked, pulling her face back quickly. "Well," she said contemplatively, "I expect he was surprised to meet a child of his old friends." She turned to Harry, "I know it doesn't seem like much of a comfort, Harry… but at least you know who your parents were. Mine were killed when I was little, too. I don't even know their names. My nursemaid thought it better that way." She smiled sadly, and Harry and Ron looked at her sympathetically. Together they set off towards the washing area to clean up Harry's wound, leaving Lupin alone in his hut, unknowing of his astonishment at this unexpected new development.