The Christmas lunch weighed heavily upon the groaning wooden tables. Harry and the other Gryffindors piled food high with gravy soaking and cutlery slicing through. So focused on the food were they that it took Harry a while to notice that, despite the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables being similarly stocked of their remaining students, no Slytherins were present.

'Anyone know where the Slytherins are?' It was passed around, but no one knew until it happened upon the twins.

Ensuring no one was peaking, which was easy enough as most turned back to their lunch, they appended a line and returned the note. 'We're not sure, but it's almost as if they forgot.'

On the east coast of Brazil, seven in the morning local time, Hermione sat with her horde of books, dentist-approved treats and other presents. However, there was one missing.

'Dad, why do you have the video camera out?' she asked, eyeing her parents who stood by the door, each smug about something.

'I just wanted to catch this on tape; you may be thanking me for it one day.'

She was a little confused, a feeling she didn't like at all, but her mother stepped forwards and offered her a gift. 'Another one? For me?' They nodded. Tentatively, Hermione began tearing the rough bits, wondering why her parents were making such a big deal about this one. A letter dropped out, revealing a book she didn't know. She lifted it, inspecting the childish cover.

'It has been a while since I've seen a Roald Dahl book around,' her father commented.

'Why would someone get me a book for kids?'

Her mother shrugged before suggesting, 'Why don't you see who it's from?'

She opened the envelope, two pages inside. 'Dear Hermione, I hope you enjoy the book. Of all the times I've seen you reading, it has always been schoolbooks and I thought you should try something a little more, well, fun. To make it easier for you, I went for the one good muggle book on witches I could find.

'Merry Christmas and a happy New Year,

'Professor Snape, er, I mean, Harry (Potter.)'

'Not to pry, but I fully agree. I think the last fiction you read was a fairy-tale when you were five, not including those silly tabloids of course.'

Hermione jumped, folding up the parchment, and scolded her. 'Mum! Some privacy, please.' She muttered about inconsiderate people while her mother giggled and backed away. Her attention turned to the other, shorter note.

It was not the first, but the second line that really got to her. She reread those three words, 'I did it!' and couldn't help but lighten with them. Stray thoughts suggested she was jealous, that was he was taunting her and calling her weak, but she shoved them aside. Instead, she kept all thoughts on how proud he must be after all the work he put in paid off. She truly did wish it could have been her to manage it first, but she also truly wished the best for her first, real friend.

Even just thinking that brought on a smile. She thought it odd that, only now she had it, she realised how much she had wanted simple friendship for all those years. Her parents, as great as they were, were still parents and it seemed foolish to her to think that she had, so strongly, believed that they were better than any friend she could have had.

She knew she could never tease them like she did Harry, or order them about, or talk about something funny that had happened during the last lesson. Simply put, she just couldn't bring herself to act like an actual child around them.

But she could with Harry. It hadn't yet been a week and she missed him, which only worsened when she realised there was another week and a half until they would see each other again.

'Hermione?'

Her train of thought derailed, she stared around the room, focusing on her chuckling parents.

'Good, you're back with us. You must have quite a crush on poor little Harry to zone out like that.'

'Mum!' she exclaimed, outraged. 'I do not have a crush on him!'

'Oh? You've spent the last few minutes gazing into space with a smile on your face after reading a little love note from him.'

Hermione let out a, 'Humph!' crossing her arms and glaring at her mother. 'It is not a love note. He was simply telling me that he managed to do something he has been trying to do and I started thinking about Hogwarts and how much I miss being there.'

A sly smirk replied. 'Why are you blushing then?'

'I am not!' She held her hands to her cheeks, feeling the heat, feeding her embarrassment.

'Calm down you two. Should I go cook us up some pancakes or did we want an ice-cream on the beach for a healthy and nutritious breakfast?'

Hermione lowered her hands again, twirling her finger around a stray lock of hair. 'What kind of pancakes, daddy?'

'Special strawberry pancakes for my rosy-faced Princess.'

'Stop it, it's not funny!'

'Well, it is a little.'

'Father!' He grinned, switching the camera off and putting it back in its case.

Her mother giggled. 'You're in trouble,' she sang.

'Mother!' She shook her head, lowering it into her hands, smiling. 'I really wish you would both learn to behave.'

At Hogwarts, dinner had passed, with everyone present this time, and Harry's meeting with Snape was fast approaching. He had decided on arriving a little early, knowing the professor's preference for punctuality and suspecting he would still be docked points, even if it wasn't an actual detention or lesson.

'I'm surprised to find you early, Mr Potter. Wait outside until I call you in.' He limped passed the boy, without looking at him, before unlocking and entering the classroom. A minute later, he shouted from inside, 'You may enter.'

Snape was in his usual position behind his desk, though he was glancing at his desk rather than the doorway. He walked in, unsure of what to do, but Snape motioned to a chair. His gentle fears were only being worsened by the odd behaviour – it was almost civil, a vast change from the standard disdain he experienced.

They remained in a hesitant silence for what seemed like an eternity to the boy. 'I suppose you have been told you look just like your father.'

'But with my mum's eyes.'

The silence returned, Snape in a trance-like state.

'Through my own channels, I have become aware of a certain event including yourself, three other Gryffindors and one of my own. I wish to know your intentions behind it.'

'I'm sorry, sir, but what do you mean?'

Snape adjusted his position, facing Harry. 'Make no mistake, Mr Potter, I will be subjecting those three to excruciating scrutiny upon their return and you will not be rewarded for your foolish attempt at bravery. Nonetheless, I have a very confused snake on my hands and he is not taking it well. I simply wish to know why you acted as you did.'

'I saw a scared little boy surrounded by three older boys who looked like they wanted to hurt him. I did what I thought was right evenif it wasn't easy.'

'Are you sure you weren't being a petty hero, Boy-Who-Lived?' he said, the end laced with venom.

Harry shuddered. 'Please, sir, don't call me that.'

'Oh? Why not, Mr Potter?' Harry bit his lip, but didn't write anything. Snape held out, but conceded. 'Filius is one of few here who holds my respect. Tell me, what tricks have you been performing to impress him?'

His wand slipped out, along with a spare quill he kept. Snape barely showed the look of surprise as he watched Harry balance the feather before delicately pushing and pulling it upon a loose bit of parchment. The lettering had gotten neater though it was still barely a scrawl. 'I have been practising hard to keep up.'

'It is adequate I suppose, no doubt more control than the usual rabble around. Am I to assume Minerva was not exaggerating when she said you could mould a twig into a reasonable deer?' He nodded. 'What of Defence Against the Dark Arts? Professor Quirrel seems to mention no one but Draco, not that I blame him of course – Draco is easily surpassing his classmates.'

Using his hand rather than wand, Harry wrote. 'I'm finding it much harder than charms, but still trying my best.'

'Why do you think you are struggling?'

'Me and Hermione think the spells need more magic and I'm not as powerful as the others.'

Snape raised a hand to his chin. 'Gryffindors thinking? I also find it odd someone so arrogant could express their own weakness without malice.'

'Hermione suggested the idea and we tested it out by lifting the heaviest things we could – everyone who joined in easily beat me.'

'Yet you smile as you say it.'

He forced the smile down. 'It was a fun day and I don't mind that they did. All my books and a couple of teachers have told me I'll always be weaker outside of non-verbal transfiguration than nearly everyone.'

'Some would be consumed by hate if they found out they would always be below their peers, Mr Potter.' Harry didn't answer. 'Your fame won't carry you at all if you're barely better than a squib. Do you honestly want to spend seven years being reminded how inferior you are?'

'I could always become a potion master – as you said, there's not much silly wand waving down here.'

'A joke, Mr Potter?' Harry wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the merest hint of a momentary smile. 'I shall put it down to spending too much time with the Weasley twins, a problem I hope you will correct. Be warned I shan't be so lenient next time and dock twenty points rather than the five this time.'

'My apologies, but potions, herbology, divination, ancient runes and a few others subjects don't rely on incantations, so I'm sure I'll find something.'

Snape glanced down at what looked similar to a miniature cauldron with several tiny spoons, ladles and other potion-related utensils floating in it that formed the time. 'It seems your chatty nature has kept you beyond curfew. Best be quick back and try not to get caught as I would prefer not to have to be dragged out to verify.'

Taking the (blatant) hint, Harry nodded. Opening the door, he found himself face-to-face with the oldest Weasley at the school. Behind him, Snape sighed.

'Yes, he has been with me and I ask you to escort him back to his dormitory.'

'Of course, sir.' A slight bow of his head. 'Mr Potter, with me please.' The prefect's badge shone so brightly Harry wasn't sure whether or not Percy had charmed it to emit its own light. Percy, not one for wasting time, immediately set off at a fast pace.

One thing seemed strange to Harry though and he hastily noted it down before tapping Percy to get him to stop. 'The other three Weasleys were wearing their jumpers and I was wondering why you weren't, if it's not too personal.' After reading it, they had started walking again.

'Not that it is any of your business, but I put my image amongst my peers before a silly family tradition. It wouldn't do good for younger, more impressionable students like yourself to think that it is okay to cover or obscure the Hogwarts uniform – it is something to be worn with pride after all.'

The Hogwarts was still laden with snow. Harry, having nothing to do on New Year's Eve, had been planning on stopping by Hagrid's hut, but someone sitting beneath a tree caught his eye and he made a detour.

Susan was startled out of her thoughts when he tapped her knee. 'You scared me!' He smiled, a little sheepish.

'Did you want to talk?'

'A-About what? Don't you think people will get the wrong idea, seeing us, um, together after the, uh, article?'

He shrugged. 'What's on your mind?'

'Hannah,' she groaned. 'I-I'm sorry about that. I know we agreed not to talk about it, but I really thought I could trust her and she's still telling me it wasn't her and I have no idea what to do.' She paused to sigh. 'What would you do?'

A quick warming charm and he sat down next to her. 'If I was a Slytherin, I would keep her at arm's length if she knew important secrets otherwise completely ignore her forever. If I was a Gryffindor, I would go demand that Rita Skeeter told me who told her about it and go from there. If I was a Ravenclaw, I would write out all the good and the bad about Hannah and see how that goes. If I was a Hufflepuff, I would be loyal enough to remain friends, though not trust her until she earns it back.'

Her head tilted, wondering. 'But what about you?'

He thought about his response. 'The sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. It mentioned something about speaking Salazar's tongue (found it a bit ironic) and kept going on about my great ambitions. After I refused – I had already met Draco and didn't want to even think about spending more time with him - it started talking about my past, my loyalty, but I wanted to go to Ravenclaw. Eventually, we agreed on Gryffindor, after it told me about my parents being in it.'

She read it, thinking about it for a few minutes. 'Why did you tell me that? Not that, erm, well, it's a bit personal, ya know?'

'I trust people who trust me and being nice helps too. Not sure if it did, but hope this helps with Hannah.'

Her mood lightened, a gentle smile breaching. 'I didn't really have you pegged as a Raven.'

'Their prefects were part of the few who were friendlywith me on the train. Most thought I was ignoring them and when I went to write a reply they walked off, some after insulting me.'

Pouting, she stated, 'That's not good.' He chuckled, prompting a further question. 'You're not upset about it, are you?'

He shook his head. 'I'm used to that sort of behaviour.'

'What? How did ya get used to it?'

A shrug. 'Years of practising.' She stared at him, unsure of how to proceed. 'I'd rather talk about something else, if you don't mind?'

'Yeah, sure. Did you get any good presents?'

He smiled. 'Yup, this is Hermione's in fact.' When she looked up, he wiggled the pen and tapped the notebook.

'I was wondering why you were using muggle stuff. Could I give it a go?' He nodded, handing them over. 'Blah. Wow, this is way nicer to use than those stupid quills.' She stopped at the chuckling, blushing as she realised how close they were now he had moved to read while she wrote. Quick on her feet, she started writing again, hoping it would distract him. 'It feels a bit strange writing rather than talking, but it's nice that I can think more about what Isay write.'

'That extra time really is nice, keeps me out of all kinds of trouble.'

'What kind of trouble?'

'Well, I've almost called Malfoy an idiot a few times before going for really muggle words, like numbskull, so he doesn't know I'm making fun of him and gets confused trying to work it out.' He waited for her giggling to die down before continuing. 'Also managed to not say anything too stupid to Hermione for a while - that might be because she has me studying too much though.'

'I didn't know Gryffindors could study?'

'That hurt!' Overly dramatically, he swooned, sticking the landing even if it ended with him half-lying in the snow. Snickering, she pulled him back up. 'Hermione's got all the brains of a Ravenclaw along with the stubbornness of a Gryffindor. What's worse is she takes that as a compliment and gets me another book – I've only managed so far by pretending that Wood has me looking over Quidditch books.'

'What's gonna happen when she finds out you've been lying to her?'

He tapped his nose. 'Got myself a cunning plan that I think any Slytherin would be proud of. I'll be throwing other firsties in her way, getting her to "help" them out, so she has less time to focus on me.'

'That won't work, will it?'

'Of course it will! So far Neville has been doing a wonderful job and he really needs the help more than me.' About to reply, she sneezed, sniffling a bit as well. 'Maybe it's time for you to go back to the cosy castle?'

Hesitantly, she nodded, getting up and straightening her jacket. 'Thanks Harry, it was really great talking to you!' she half-shouted, jogging back. He waved until she disappeared inside. With more of a spring to his step, thanks to both the conversation and the knowledge Hermione wouldn't be forcing an awkward encounter, he knocked on Hagrid's door.

Outside, on the Quidditch pitch, the magical countdown continued, edging closer to zero. On the dot, the raucous cheer of, 'Happy New Year!' sounded, most of the older students opting for a chaste kiss amongst friends and those in relationships opting for kisses which were much less chaste.

In the background, a low whining started and, before anyone knew what was happening, ear-splitting screeching began and ended just as quickly, though now everyone was looking towards its origin. Tendrils of coloured mist spread across the sky, with glistening jewels dotted through it. Already several other lights were streaking across, but they were silent.

Dumbledore, with his voice magically magnified, informed them. 'Our entertainment this year is brought to you by Fred and George Weasley, who have taken an ancient Chinese muggle device and added a touch of magic.'

The show continued for a quarter of an hour, Harry wishing he had some way of recording it so he could share it with Hermione when she got back. When the last detonated, leaving "The End" hanging in the Gryffindor colours of scarlet with a golden border, the twins were pushed to the front and forced to graciously accept the applause from three-quarters of the school. Flitwick even stopped them before they could escape and they looked ready to die after being praised by a teacher.

By the time they managed to make it back, only a handful of students were still awake in the common room.

'When did you two find the time to charm all of them?'

'Oh, so you think you can ignore us for a few days and everything will be okay?'

'He can be awfully silly oh brother of mine.'

'Too right. Was he ignoring us though?'

'You know, I'm not sure.'

'I know what you mean.'

'Maybe he wasn't then?'

'Could be. We should answer him then.'

'What was the question?'

Harry, having already regretted asking at this time of night, though it was technically morning, showed them again.

'Oh, well, when our last project went out the window.'

'He suddenly had a lot of free time.'

'So, we got dad to send us some.'

'Quite a fan of muggle technology he is.'

'Indeed he is.'

'Then we set to work and it barely took a day.'

'Only needed silencing charms, some timed enlargements charms and a few other simple ones.'

'It's not about what you got.'

'But what you do with it.'

'As the vicar said to the nun.'

'If you know what I mean.'

He shook his head. 'I don't think I want to know.'

'Are you sure?'

'Don't worry brother, one day we will corrupt him.'

'Indeed, we would never forgive ourselves for not doing so.'

'Until next time.'

'Little Prongs!'

With that, they were gone and Harry was wondering if he would ever manage to talk to them and actually get an answer that wasn't sandwiched between random nonsense, though he did normally find it amusing when he wasn't so tired.

'Harry!'

He closed his book on Quidditch plays and turned to face the cheery witch. A book was clutched closely and it pleased him that it was her Christmas present. 'Tell me about your holiday?'

With a grin, she took the seat beside him in front of the roaring fire to the side of the common room. 'Well, we went to Brazil. It was a little strange switching to such hot weather, I mean we could've spent all day sunbathing if we wanted to! Then the food, oh it was brilliant, my favourite...'

Her exhaustive recount continued on, Harry intently listening.

'Of course, the best bit was Christmas day. I got some books I really wanted, my aunty bought me a really nice necklace, I can show you later and, erm, well, I hate to admit it, since I still think it's for little kids, but I really enjoyed your present.'

'Just enjoyed? Are you not re-reading it already? That must be a record, even for you!'

She gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. 'Oi. Anyway, I see you're getting good use from mine?'

He nodded. 'I might have to look into an ink-removing charm or something to get this notebook to last longer though. Don't really want to have keep remembering to buy more and I'm not sure how long it'll last.'

'You should ask one of the prefects, they'll know if there's one.'

'Good idea, I'll ask John next time I see him. Until then though.'

'Harry?' He started walking off to the other side of the common room and she followed him. 'Where're we going?'

Tapping the two girls, they both turned around. 'Um, can we help you?'

With a grin, he handed over a pre-prepared note for the two of them, and Hermione, to read. 'Don't you think Hermione would look nicer with her hair in a ponytail?'

'Huh,' the one said. 'You know, he's right Lav.'

'Go on, ask them to,' he wrote, discretely passing it over to Hermione.

She nodded, timidly. 'Um, Lavendar, Parvati, could you, uh, try it out on me, if you haven't got anything else to do I mean?'

'Sure,' Parvati said. 'We've got an hour or two.'

'An... hour?' Hermione asked, suddenly overcome with an urge to run.

'Or two,' Lavendar chirped, taking one of Hermione's arms while Parvati got the other. 'You won't even recognise her when we're done, Harry!'

He chuckled, slipping a final note into her pocket before she was dragged away. 'I talked to Susan and thought it only fair that if you're going to force me to make new friends that I return the favour.'

Luckily, for her, it was half an hour later that she took in a calming breath and stepped back into the common room, finding herself being applauded by Harry. She rolled her eyes and walked over. 'At least some heads up would've been nice, ya know.'

'But then you would've found some excuse and wouldn't have such a lovely hairstyle right now!'

'Really? You like it? I mean, they put a lot of work in and everything, but I'm not sure if it's, well, me.'

He shook his head. 'It looks great, which is perfectly suited to someone great like you.'

'Oh stop it. Where do you even learn to talk like that?'

'McGonagall said smooth-talking is in the Potter genes. At least, I think she said that. It may have been troublemaking, but I haven't done much of that yet.'

An eyebrow raised. 'Yet?' He gave her a wink. 'Oh Mr Potter, what are we going to do with you?'

'Give me a break after all the hard work I did over Christmas?'

'But then you might get sloppy! If anything, now I know how good you are, I'll just have to get you to put in some more time. After all, if that's what you can do in a week without me, imagine what you could do after a week with me!'

He gulped. 'It's not too late to say I lied about managing it, is it?'

She tutted. 'I expected better than this, Mr Potter. One does not improve from lack of work.'

'Could I try and improve my talent for sleeping then?'

'Now, now, you need to behave and pick up the slack. If you have read all the books I have kindly suggested to you, I'm sure I have a few further suggestions to make.'

'I'll get right on it after I finish this book on Quidditch plays Wood has me reading. He's insisting that, even ifour next match isonly in March, it doesn't mean I have to ignore it.'

Scowling, she glared at the offending person. 'Honestly, why he has to work you so hard is beyond me – when does he expect you to do homework?'

'Don't worry, I'm sure once lessons start he'll ease up, at least until it gets closer.'

'Oh he better! Now, if scraps of paper are to be believed, spill.'

'I ran into her on the way to Hagrid's and we had a little chat. Yes, that is all – I would have asked if she could do up my hair, but I can't even get a comb through it and I don't think magic would help.'

She swatted him again. 'I wish you could stay serious for longer than a sentence.'

'Too much time around the twins – I even made a joke talking to Snape.'

'Snape? What were you doing talking to him?'

'I got a "request"for a meeting from/with him. Two odd things: Snape wasn't being his normal arse'ish self; his one leg was badly hurt.'

Thinking it over, there was only one solution that made the least bit of sense to her. 'He must know we know he's trying to get the stone! Being nice to you is his way of making sure we don't think it was his fault with the troll and throw us off the scent. Not to mention he could've gotten the bad leg trying to get passed the cat.'

'That's all well and good, but he could have been acting less evil because of that Zabini issue. Also, if we're going to get anyone to take anything seriously, we need a bit more proof than a limp and not being as grouchy on Christmas day.'

'Well, when you put it like that... What proof could we get though?'

'If we had an omnocular like Lee, then we could record him going into the room. Shame it can't get sound too, then we could get him saying something, which would probably be easier. Know anything we could use?'

Drifting back to her holiday, she sighed. 'I could have just borrowed my dad's video camera if magic didn't mess with electrical things. If we could get hold of a penseive, then you can just drop memories into it and they have sound as well, but they're quite rare. Wizard camera's aren't easy to get, at least I didn't see any at Diagon Alley and I don't know if anyone has one here, not to mention they take something more like photos than movies.'

'Then there's nothing to do but nicely ask Lee if we can borrow it between matches. If we think of something better, then great, otherwise it should be enough. There's nothing to worry about anyway since I doubt anything could get passed that animal.'

'One little thing is nagging me though. I mean, he's arrogant, but not stupid, so isn't he going to spot that he's being followed?'

He winked. 'Can't spot what you can'tsee.'

'Oh, right. Ignore me, I've had a long day.'

'So when you say stupid things it's because you've had a long day, but when I do, it's because I haven't studied enough?'

'Exactly.' Before he could even think of replying, she bounced up to her feet and sped towards the staircase to the girls' dorms. Resigned to his defeat, he went back to finishing off the chapter he was on before retiring to bed as well, even if it was a little early for a Saturday night.

Author Notes

Will Hannah and Susan make up? How will stalking Snape pan out for the duo? Is an omnocular valid evidence a wizarding court? Does Harry have a secret eye for fashion? What hidden powers does Hermione's new hairstyle give her?

So, there's a lot to go wrong here (from my point of view as the author). Opening up Hermione's character, I struggled to choose between jealousy and acceptance, but the more I thought about it, it kept coming back to how lonely Hermione must have been and all of a sudden it wasn't so difficult. Next up on the possible disasters is Snapey. While I know his attitude is a bit odd and almost caring in a twisted way, it's seated in Snape accepting that Harry isn't big headed and is opposed to bullying. Finally, I'm not sure if my Susan was at all believable. Honestly, I have no idea how eleven year old girls think - well, most girls across all ages since I'm being honest – but I did put a decent bit of thought into the scene.

Onto pairings, I don't have any plans set in stone at the moment, but I do know that there won't be any holding hands, kissing or any of that sort until at least their third year. As far as the Susan-Harry relationship goes, it's just a case of a starstruck girl and an, as usual, oblivious-to-his-own-feelings Harry.

As for other future matters in the next chapter, I'm thinking Quidditch, Harry discovering a bit more of the past and a sprinkling of Malfoy.