Hi everyone this took a while to write but here it is and I hope you enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Chapter 2: Hermione Part 1

For Hermione, returning home was a warm welcoming. Her parents were more than elated to see her again and, as she was to them. The smiling faces of her parents and the hugs and the kisses let Hermione know that she had returned to her favorite place in the world. The love that she felt with her parents also emulated with her childhood home with its height of two stories and red brick structure it was really a warm coming.

After setting in and unpacking her bags, she joined her parents in the sunroom, her favorite place in the house.

"Hermione, tell us everything about your year," her father said.

"Yes, yes, darling, tell us more about this Triwizard Tournament that your school held," her mother added. Both of her parents were wide eyed with curiosity about their daughter and everything that she was interested in, but Hermione didn't mind as a matter of fact she fully obliged by always sending and talking on updates.

"Well, Harry completed the final task along with Cedric Diggory, the original pick for Hogwarts, and won the Triwizard Tournament alongside him," Hermione answered without changing her composure on the matter. After the death of Cedric during that task made her feel uneasy to cheer or be grateful for the win when one half of the winners didn't survive to see the congratulations.

"Oh, that's good!" Her mother replied.

"Did you and your friends find out who put your friend into the Tournament?" Her father asked.

"Yes, actually. He was a man that was working for the death eaters that were posing as our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," she explained, breaking her composure with a small frown.

"Well, I'm glad things got straighten out, but you seem anxious talking about this," her mother said as she took a sip of tea from her teacup. There was a teacup set with smoking hot tea on the dark coffee table so the three of them can drink some. This was a way that all three of the Grangers liked to talk with each other since Hermione left for Hogwarts. It was a time that all of them could talk with each other as a family like a family.

"I don't think this will be as easy as I wish for it to be."

Her parents raised an eyebrow as they waited patiently for her to resume; her parents were troubled by her struggle to find the words to explain herself.

"I didn't get enough time to send a letter to you to inform you about what Harry saw in the third task. You see, after winning the tournament with Cedric Diggory, the Triwizard Cup transported them to a graveyard where they met He-who-shall-not-be that started the war when Harry and I were babies."

"Wait, I thought he died, that's why I let you go to Hogwarts because it was safe for muggle-borns to go," her mother said.

"Yeah, I guess we were wrong about that," she replied.

"Well, are you okay about going back next year?" Her father concerned.

Hermione paused for a moment and thought about the idea. What extremely hastily answer came to mind as a response for her father was an immediate yes. She knew that it would've placed her parents in an uneasy contemplation over the idea that she would be so nonchalant about an uncertain future. She had one person in mind that she wouldn't abandon, and she knew that he would need her help.

"Yes," Hermione sighed, ending the moment of silence. When they didn't speak up or object to her response, she continued. "Yes, because Harry is one of my friends and since he is the one that this evil wizard wants, I want to help him to the best of my abilities. He doesn't have many people outside of his friends, a handful of the professors at Hogwarts, and his godfather on his side."

"How do you know that this evil wizard wants your friend?" Her father questioned.

"He tried to kill him during the war, and he wanted to bring Harry to the graveyard and killed all the witnesses, which was Cedric."

Her mother bit her lip as her father grabbed the teacup from the table and took a sip. After her father took several deep breaths, he turned his head to her mother, who was just as or more concerned as he was. But the look in each other's eyes communicated their knowing of the real reason why, but they wouldn't be going to push out their own daughter's real intentions.

"Okay, if you think you'll be safe, we'll stand by your decision," her father said.

It was Hermione's turn to raise an eyebrow to them, as she wanted to understand what their look between them meant. "Uh, am I missing nothing?" She asked.

"No, darling, you're fine," her mother replied quickly as not to push the conversation that would make her daughter embarrassed or in denial for, she spoke again. "Darling, as a squib myself, I would want to know about the Wizarding World as much as you did when Professor McGonagall came to talk with us the summer before your first year."

"Mama, I think it's safe for now," Hermione replied. "No one has made threats to me as a muggle-born witch."

"We aren't dismissing your accounts," her father said. "We are actually happy and very much relieved to hear that's the case. You know you two are the most important women in my life and will do anything to protect you both. Even if I don't understand much about the Wizarding World, I'll do what I can to help you."

"Thank you."

"Hon, would it be okay if you started dinner?" Her mother asked as she gently touch his arm. "I would like to talk with Hermione one on one."

"Sure," he replied, understandably. "I'll cook us up some glazed salmon and rice. Your favorite sweetheart." He got up and hugged Hermione again and expressed appreciation that she returned home again and went off into the kitchen.

"Hermione, you know my last gateway to the Wizarding World was through my mother, your Grandmama Joyce." Her mother started.

"Of course," Hermione nodded, taking a sip of her tea.

"Her knowledge as a witch helped me, your father, and your aunt throughout the war. Those years I lived in fear, especially when I finally found out that I was pregnant with you. The three of us had to hide in the basement of my mother's house to hide not only my random burst of magic but your aunt's as well. Since I wasn't a registered as a witch in the Wizarding World, staying with my mother gave the perfect cover story that she was the one doing all the magic to the Ministry. Especially since she was getting older."

"I don't think you have ever told me about the war through your eye's mama. What brings you to tell me this now?"

"You know the saying that history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes."

Hermione nodded her head.

"If the evil wizard is coming back, the Wizarding World is going to start to feel like they were during the war, even if he hasn't done anything yet."

Hermione's brows knitted together in a frown because the more she heard about the war from people that lived through it, the more it made her anxious. "I'm starting to feel the gravity of the situation. Between Harry and the other students at Hogwarts, I think I should think up a plan or make better and careful choices from now on."

"Do you know anything that is happening in the Ministry?"

"I read the Daily Prophet sometimes, but I have stopped since they tried to slander me and Harry."

"Did they point out that you are a muggleborn in those articles?"

Hermione shook her head, and her mother frowned. After taking a deep and heavy sigh, "How well are you in your defensive spells?"

"I think I'm very good, but Harry is better."

"Then strive to be even better than that for your own sake. Any useful potions you have found that are useful?"

"I could make a potion that changes the identity of a person."

"Okay," her mother sighed again. "That's all I can say is I want to implore you to continue your studies and learn all the things you can. Always be on your toes."

"Yes, mama, sometimes I wonder how Harry is and if he is doing well."

"You really care about him, do you?" her mother said with a faint smirk even though Hermione didn't see through her mother's implication.

"Since he-who-shall-not-be-named wants him the most, I wonder how safe he truly is right now, especially with the people that he is staying with right now. They are nasty people." Hermione said with a last sip of tea as her father called out to them both for dinner, effectively ending the conversation without another word.

The next day Hermione woke up to a light tapped on her bedroom window. Hermione, after dinner with her parents, carried herself off to bed, claiming that it had been a long day for her. She had missed her room and having her own private room, so seeing the bright sunlight through the window without any of her Hogwarts roommates disturbing her abruptly. She quickly got up from her bed and rushed over to the window. What she expected at the window was a beautiful snowy owl, the pet of Harry, but what she found was Ron's little Scops Owl, Pigwidgeon. Pigwidgeon quickly flew to her shoulder and quickly, before the small owl jumped again, she grabbed the letter from his mouth to read.

"Hey Hermione,

I hope you are doing well. As for me, in the past several hours my parents have raised my suspicions also they have had hushed talks without the twins, Ginny or me. Last night I have tried to hear some of the conversation that my mum and dad had in the dining room in the middle of the night, but that's all I could hear was that there will be a meeting coming soon in the house. You know how my mum is when there is an important meeting happening soon, she would want everyone to be there unless it doesn't involve us. I think that she doesn't want us anywhere near this meeting because she asked all of us if there is a place that all of us individually want to go in the next couple of days. She asked this morning and none of us had an answer for her.

But my suspicions don't end there I've found similar letters sent to mum that were from the families in the rubbish can and this wasn't one or two letters but a heap pile of letters. So much that the rubbish cover couldn't cover the top. I don't know what to do Hermione, but I would like to hear this meeting for myself. Should I be concerned? What you think I should do?

Reply soon,

Ron W.'

It was weird that the Weasley's got letters from the families even if they aren't well like to the other purebloods, so why do this? This idea confused Hermione. What was their point in sending the letters? It couldn't be anything but a threat. Maybe the meeting that Ron said could explain what is going on. Maybe the meeting has the other purebloods coming or maybe something else. It's weird for Molly and Arthur to keep a secret like this. Hermione sat in thought at her desk with pen in hand as Pigwidgeon flew around in circles in her room. She grabbed a piece of paper from her desk drawer and began to write with fervor words on the paper. "Yes, you should, but try your best in not to get caught. – Hermione G."

She folded the letter back along with hers into its original form and held out the letter out the window and whistled the small owl to fetch. The owl was more than enthusiastic to oblige.

For a few hours Hermione spent time with her mother in the living room talking about the stockpile of books that her mother had read since she had left last year. Her mother had the day off while her father was at the office clearing up a few appointments that his clients wanted to clear up before he closed the dentistry for vacation. He promised both her and her mother that once he got home; he was taking them all to a dinner and a movie.

Her mother and father both loved to read it was the main thing that drawn them together when they both of them were studying at King's College London. A cute story, really. Hermione liked to imagine what was the first book that caught both their attention for not only themselves but for each other.

She excused herself momentarily from her mother to go upstairs to her room to retrieve a book from her school bag when she spotted in the window another owl. Rushing over, she opened the window and let the owl in. The owl was a familiar one with their brown feathery coat, yellow tail, and curious yellow eyes. She could distinctly hear the Bulgarian accent of its owner as it coos outside of her window. After taking the letter from the familiar owl, it flew to the nearest tree and her yard as she silently read the letter from Viktor Krum to herself.

"Dear Hermione,

I hope that you are doing well. I want to thank you again for coming to the Yule Ball with me. You were my first choice and I can't believe you accepted my offer. I had a great time and I hope you did too. The goodnight kiss was an awkward one, but it would have been more awkward if it wasn't on the cheek. I believe you were right when you said that this relationship growing into something more would have been a terrible idea. You are doing things right now that would help you in your future and I shouldn't get in your way, besides being friends was a better option for the both of us. But I must confess to you that I was jealous of your friendship with Harry and Ron, particularly one that you and I know certainly. I asked you to dance despite him. Maybe that's what set him off like that to yell at you and for that, I am sorry. I think I went overboard on the jealousy strategy.

Speak to you soon

Viktor Krum."

Hermione remembers the night of the Yule Ball and could pinpoint two times when Viktor wanted her attention the most. First time was when Viktor went to get drinks for the both of them and she sat with Harry and Ron who were not having the best of times at that moment.

_o00o_

"I'm having so much fun! This is such an exciting night!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry and Ron were both sitting at their tables, just watching their other classmates have a good time in discontent. Ron looked over to Hermione with a scowl on his face to her elation.

"How could you do that to Harry?" He spoke.

Her face soured and looked from Harry, who also turned to Ron with much confusion.

"You're fraternizing with the enemy," he said.

"No, I'm not! What makes you say that?" Hermione replied.

"Viktor is against Harry in this tournament. How can you go against him like that?"

"Ron-" Harry started, but he was no match between the two.

"Well, I'll have you know Viktor asked me and I agreed. It's nothing against Harry and that's all I'll speak about it!"

When she turned on her heel, she almost knocked Viktor and the drinks, he was going to get them down.

"Sorry, Hermy-own," Viktor said as he quickly shook off the juice on his and reached down to retrieve the two cups from the floor and place them on a nearby table. He looked over Hermione's shoulder, peering over to Harry and Ron as if to catch their eye or attention. "Maybe we should forget about the drinks and go back to dancing. I think it will make the mood better for the both of us."

After one long dance and a shouting match with Ron later, Hermione found herself on the staircase near the Great Hall, crying. This night had become a disaster for her so much that she thought that she had betrayed her only friends in her choice of Yule Ball partner. Why did Ron have to say such things? Did the both of them actually think that she did this in spite of them? Deep within her, she didn't believe that they were this mad at her. Maybe one of them was jealous, but only time will tell if that was true or not. She just hoped it would be sooner than later.

As she wiped her tears from her face with her sleeve, a light tap on her shoulder caught her attention. When she looked up, she found a concerned Harry standing over her.

"Hermione, are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm stressed out," Hermione replied. "I don't know what to do. I'm sorry Harry this may be a horrible night for me but it's even worse of a night for you. I'm selfish."

"Actually, it's not as bad as you think. I'm just bored, and Parvati just left to be with people that were more interesting than me and I understand why. I'm a boring partner. You have not done anything wrong; you were having fun until Ron and that's fine."

"When Krum asked me to with-," she sniffed.

"You don't have to explain, I know he wouldn't do that to you or me. I think Ron is mad because you got to talk to his favorite celebrity before he could."

Hermione gave a small smile and nodded as she wiped her final drops of tears off her face. He extended a hand for her to reach and lifted her up off the stairs.

"You're fine, Hermione, I'm not mad," Harry continued, and Hermione gave him one of her famous hugs.

"Thank you for understanding, Harry."

"Hermione…" Harry said as he tried to figure out the correct words to say next. "Would it be okay if-"

Harry stopped in his tracks after being startled by Viktor Krum's voice coming behind him.

"Hermy-own, I think they are going to play the last song soon, can I have this last dance?" Viktor exclaimed. Hermione looked over to Viktor and then back to Harry, who had now closed his mouth as if he wasn't going to say anything in the first place and averted his eyes away from hers.

"Never mind," he said as he turned his head and headed upstairs, leaving with a single good night to her.

Those were the last words Harry said to her that night and she could tell that he was disappointed but didn't understand what he was going to say to her. She hoped that he would explain himself to her soon. She could tell that Victor was very pleased with Harry's absence because it allowed for the two of them to have a final moment after the final dance of the evening ended. This is where the aforementioned Hermione's first kiss happened, albeit under her own terms of letting him kiss her on the cheek as a good night. Hermione knew that Viktor wanted her and her alone tonight, but she stood her ground and where she wanted this relationship to go. This was a fun night out with a boy that asked her to be his date; nothing more and nothing less. But as she climbed up the steps 2 Gryffindor Tower, she felt the pulling sense of guilt that it wasn't fair that she had a relatively good time while her friends had an embarrassing time. Especially for Harry, since all eyes were on him as a participant of the Triwizard Tournament. She was going to make it up to him as soon as possible in the most generous of ways. Even though they parted ways for the night modestly there was something underline between her and Harry that Hermione could not put her finger on. In the meantime, as Hermione sat at her desk in her home in London once more, she took out a pen and began to write a reply to Viktor Krum.

_o00o_

"Dear Victor,

Thank you for being so kind that night you became a true friend to me. I did notice the hint of jealousy, but me and my friends worked things out just fine. I think it was a misunderstanding with Ron because he wanted your autograph. As for Harry, he wasn't mad at all and said there was no harm done. Otherwise, I had a great time with you as my dance partner; you're a great dancer. I hope to see you soon and please write often. Don't be a stranger.

Your friend,

Hermione Granger"

After sending a letter off with the owl back to its original owner, Hermione heard the closing of the front door downstairs and the voice of her father ringing throughout the house announcing that he was home. She excitedly got up from her seat and raced downstairs.

A few hours passed before Hermione entered her room again, after spending time with her parents; going to the cinema and going to her favorite fancy restaurant afterward.

Upon entering her room, another owl again greeted her at her window pan. Unlike the two previous owls that were from Ron and Viktor, this one was unfamiliar to her, but still had another letter and a magazine for her to read. This owl was quite beautiful and had an inquisitive demeanor about them with their brown and white feathering. The owl curiously watched Hermione through the glass as she moved to the window to open it. It softly cooed as Hermione greeted the owl with her hand out for her to smell. The owl crossed over and gently smelled her hand. Seeing that Hermione was friendly, the owl jumped onto her hand then onto her shoulder and coos to take the letter and magazine from its mouth. When she opened the letter, she saw it was from the third-year girl that showed her and her friends the diary entry from her mother, Luna Lovegood. She raised an eyebrow as to why she would send her a letter when she barely knew the third year. She shrugged it off and went over to her desk and began to read.

"Dear Hermione Granger,

I know that you and I don't know each other very well, but I don't know who to turn to outside my dad. I think since you're one of the smartest students in the school, maybe you could give a thought on the matter. You see, my dad runs a tabloid called the Quibbler and a few days ago before I arrived back home, my dad explained that he just interviewed the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor that would be taking the position next year. I didn't think much about it until I read the first edition prints. I don't know what to say to prepare you for this interview, but that's the main reason why I'm sending this to you. This new professor is concerning. Maybe you could read it for yourself and tell me your opinion.

Thank you for reading,
Luna Lovegood.
Pages 57 through 58 in Quibbler"

Hermione quickly switched the letter to the magazine and flipped through pages, only stopping on page 57. It was a big two pager interview that the headlining title bended into the crevices of the crease in the magazine. She read the leading headline which read, "An interview with Dolores Umbridge." On page 58, on the bottom right corner, she saw a magical picture of this Dolores Umbridge. A woman who exhibited mouse-like features in the way she held her nose up as if she was trying to sniff out something or was in the presence of something repugnant. The more Hermione watched, the more she noticed the magical photo of this woman was aiming her disgust at her in particular. It was like the woman wanted Hermione gone without even meeting her. It was like being stared at by someone that wanted you removed from existence. A very haunting picture no less that Hermione could feel the daggering stare in her soul, and she quickly turned her head away from the picture's glare. She tore up some paper and fitted enough so she could cover the picture without covering the words of the interview to the best of her abilities; good thing the picture wasn't speaking. She made haste and read the article, not trying to glance back at the covering picture.

"In the month of June I, Xenophilius Lovegood was privileged to interview one of the adversaries in line for the Defense against the Dark Arts position in Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. This woman has been waiting a long time for such an opportunity to teach our youth a very useful set of skills that many witches and wizards appreciate that their children learn before adulthood. Introducing Miss Dolores Umbridge, I'm so happy to be interviewing you today because I have several questions regarding what you want to do in the near future as a professor at Hogwarts. My first question is, what is your plan of action once you get the job?

Dolores Umbridge: Well, I won't fall into the same fate as my predecessors. They didn't take the job seriously and as the next Defense of the Dark Arts professor; I want to teach the children at Hogwarts discipline. Discipline should be everything to a young witch or wizard practicing Magic because a young witch or wizard cannot perform a simple Homenum Revelio spell without it. You see, I'm a very patient and firm person. If one of my students doesn't understand something, I will help them one-on-one to the best of my abilities. If any of my students try to challenge me and my teachings, I'll reinforce discipline on them to make them understand it's better to understand the principle of discipline in everything.

2. Since you went to Hogwarts many years ago, what would you say was your biggest accomplishment and what would you like to change?

Dolores Umbridge: I like to say that I was very good in my control of the way I handled my studies. The Sorting Hat placed me in Slytherin, which was a great place for me because I proved to my peers and my professors that I was filled with ambition and was very strong-willed. To answer your second question, I would change my standing in the way my old professor, Slughorn, saw me. I always wanted to be Prefect or Head Girl, but he wouldn't let me. But if he left me, I would show him to my best abilities, my capabilities of how I would handle those two jobs. For example, if I were, I would stop a certain writer writing in a way that isn't based on reality. Some things shouldn't be taken seriously, such as conspiracies.

3. So, do you think that this interview is a conspiracy?

Dolores Umbridge: Of course not, this interview is the best thing the Quibbler has ever conducted and unfortunately the only thing going for it. People can be brilliant writers, but without discipline and technique behind it, anyone can write anything and can be just words on the walls just seeing what sticks.

Thank you for your time for this interview, Miss Umbridge."

Hermione was at a loss for words. This Umbridge woman was unbelievably rude and unpleasant, to say the least. She rubbed her temple, contemplating what you just read, but all she could gather was that Umbridge or the person that she should watch out for. She didn't understand her motives with the idea of discipline, but she without a doubt had to stay on her good side no matter what next year. Was Dolores Umbridge implying more than just discipline when she says she wants to teach discipline and reinforce it?

Once again, Hermione took out a piece of paper and started her reply to Luna Lovegood.

"Dear Luna Lovegood,

This interview has me perturbed. I can't find the words to express how Umbridge is. She is extremely rude, but I don't understand what she means by discipline. I think this plan is not only what she wants. Maybe we should watch our back of her. If you find anything else, send it to me straight away. Thank you for letting me know about her and it's okay to talk to me more in the future.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger."

She folded the letter and handed it back to the patiently waiting owl who watched her carefully as if she was the most interesting person in the world. The owl gave a muffled hoot through the papers as a farewell and flew out the night filled window.

…

"I want to thank you for cooperating with us, Dolores. We have worked our hardest to get you where you should be now." Lucius Malfoy said.

"You welcome, "Dolores Umbridge replied as she took another sip of her tea and Lucius did the same. "Anything for a fellow Slytherin."

It was the wee hours of the night for this meeting to be called in a Knockturn Alley cafe. At this hour, the cafe was filled to the brim with other patrons talking and conversing, ordering food of various kinds. It was a perfect one-on-one conversation to have at the moment because no one but the person in front of you or nearby could hear you. Since every witch and wizard came to this place at this time, it wouldn't raise suspicion as to why these two were talking in the first place.

"You will be paid once you are voted into the position two weeks from now." Lucius continued. "We trust you in doing our bidding so that we can do as we please with no attention called to us."

"I will do my best," Dolores replied. "You don't have to worry about anything. I have a strategy that involves heavy discipline to keep the students' minds off of everything you or I are doing. Rest assured, I will keep everything quiet on my end."

"Brilliant!"

Thank you for reading and I'll see you next time!

Happy Halloween!