Kailor: Holy cow, thank you so much for the reviews. Especially Stephagusaurus. That review was awesome. You rock! And Danny, you were very right. I just skipped right over that mistake because I was tired. But I have fixed it. Thank you again. And Edmond O'Donald! Wow, thank you! So many thanks to give out! Keep those reviews coming, folks! And I'll do the same with these chapters!

Updated author's note: We've hit a hundred reviews my darlins! Thank you all, again, so much! Shoot for two? Yes?

The next few weeks passed quickly. Ven and Llyr became regulars at the Ravenclaw table each morning for breakfast, where Llyr continued giving sign language lessons to Penny, Padma, and Hermione. Occasionally Ron and Neville would join them. Malfoy was still a jerk in classes, but Harry learned to keep his head down. And Snape kept rewarding Harry for everything he did right in Potions. This last thing seemed to anger Hermione. Harry knew she was itching to show off her own prowess in the subject, but he was also enjoying being the top student in class. Snape was by no means jumping for joy when he saw him, but he called on Harry anytime he was brave enough to raise his hand, whispered bits of advice when he was brewing potions, and answered any questions Harry had.

He was, however, quite rude to Neville at first. But when Ven noticed this, she convinced Harry to switch partners. Ron got Ven and Harry got Neville. The change was almost immediate. Neville's grades started rising and Snape's venom towards the round-faced boy lessened. This irked Hermione even more, as she was just as good as Harry, and much better then Neville, and Snape barely gave her the time of day.

One morning at the Ravenclaw table, this came to a head.

Penny had just joined them, sitting beside Ven. "Good morning."

Ven flashed her a brilliant smile, pouring the older girl a glass of milk. "Morning, Penny. You look beautiful today."

"You say that every day," Penny said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, because it's true every day." Ven winked. Penny blushed and rolled her eyes again.

"Ahem, Penelope?"

Harry turned in his seat, finding Percy Weasley standing behind him. The redhead had his hands clasped behind his back and his chest thrown out, showing off his Prefect badge. Ron stopped eating, his spoon halfway to his mouth, and Llyr paused in showing Hermione how to say, "I like that shirt" in sign language. Neville scooted away from Penny, trying not to draw Percy's attention. Beside Harry, Padma whispered something that sounded suspiciously like, "Gimme those Sickles." Before he could ask what she meant, Percy spoke again.

"I would like to speak with you in private." He stepped back, nodding towards the door of the Great Hall.

Harry saw Ven bristle at the commanding tone in Percy's voice, but Penny cut off anything she was going to say. "I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of breakfast. Why don't you just say what you need to?"

Percy glanced at the first years surrounding Penny. "This isn't the place for the question I have to ask you, Penelope. I would prefer to...relocate."

"And I would prefer to stay where I am." Penny said cooly, crossing her arms. "Ask me here."

For a few moments Percy just mouthed wordlessly. He obviously hadn't expected to be contradicted. While he searched for words, Harry caught Ven's expression. His sister's eyes were narrowed and one of her eyebrows was crooked up, a look he had only seen her direct at their brother, Leith, before. And it usually meant she was planning his demise.

"Fine," Percy said, snapping Harry's attention back to him. "Penelope, there is a Hogsmeade trip scheduled for next week. I am inviting you as my date." He stood straighter, the badge on his chest in danger of poking someone in the eye.

Harry bit his tongue to keep from laughing at Padma's face. He wanted to ask why she looked like someone had just announced Christmas was coming early, but put it aside for later.

"You're 'inviting' me?" Penny said, her voice dangerously soft. "I didn't hear a single question in that."

Percy frowned, his horn-rimmed glasses sliding down his nose. He pushed them back up, clearing his throat. "An invitation is technically a question. I-"

"No. I don't believe that's true." Penny stood, making Percy take a step back. "I decline your invitation, Mr. Weasley. I already have plans for that day anyways." She motioned to the group around her. Harry frowned. They had plans? He looked at Ven. She shrugged one shoulder, as lost as he was.

Percy spluttered, his neck and ears turning as red as his hair. "You mean you would rather spend your time with these first years than with another Prefect?"

"Oh, now you ask questions," Penny snapped. "And yes, I would! When they speak to me it doesn't feel like they're being forced to!" And with that, the Ravenclaw Prefect stormed from the Great Hall. Percy glared after her, then marched back to the Gryffindor table, his entire face red with anger. Ven grabbed Penny's bag, that the older girl had forgotten, and chased after her.

Harry looked around at his friends. Ron was the first to speak. "What the bloody hell was that?"

"That," Padma said, grinning. "That was me winning ten Sickles! I told Parvati he was going to ask Penny!"

Harry laughed, understanding her joy now. "Well, he didn't ask, did he? I mean, that was the whole point."

"If I hear you tell Parvati that, I'll hex you into next week, Lachlan."

"But Percy!" Ron growled, still hung up on his brother's attitude. "Acting like we're not worth the time of day! He can't treat us like that! He's a Prefect!"

For the first time that day, Hermione spoke. "Considering how certain professors are allowed to treat us, I'd say I'm not surprised Percy thinks he can do as he likes."

Ron frowned, lowering his spoon. "What's that mean?"

Hermione shrugged. "Nothing. Just that I've noticed some professors favor unlikely students." Though she didn't look in his direction, Harry had the nasty feeling she was hinting at him.

"Are you talking about Snape and me?" He turned to face her, crossing his arms.

Hermione ignored his look, her eyes on her breakfast. "Why would you think that?"

Harry glanced at his friends. Neville looked terrified, shaking his head. Ron was mouthing something that looked like, "Run for your life". Llyr's hands were still and his eyes were flicking from Hermione to Harry and back. Padma was suddenly very interested in the ceiling. Harry sighed. "Look, Hermione. I've noticed you getting angry because Snape doesn't seem to hate me as much as he hates the other non-Slytherins. But it's not my fault-"

"Oh, it isn't?" Hermione snapped, rounding on him. "Have you even once pointed out that he doesn't give points to anyone but you? That even when other's potions are clearly better, it's still yours that gets praised? No, you just bask in all the attention!"

Harry gaped at her, shocked at the accusation. "That's not true! I don't 'bask' in anything!"

"You do!" Hermione said. "Though I'm thinking maybe I should mention this 'attention' you're getting to Professor McGonagall or someone. It's not exactly normal for a grown man to favor a little boy so much!"

Harry's stomach clenched. Ven had something similar a few days before and even his parents had questioned him about Snape's "attentions" when he'd mentioned them in his letters. But he wasn't going to tell Hermione that. "You're just mad because I'm better at something than you are!"

Hermione stood so fast that she hit the table, rattling plates and overturning a jug of pumpkin juice. Her eyes flashed dangerously and Harry felt the ridiculous urge to lean away from her. "IF you were actually better than me at Potions, we wouldn't be having this discussion!" And she stormed out of the Great Hall, drawing everyone's gaze as the second girl to leave the table in a huff that morning.

Harry glared at where she had been for a moment, then looked at his friends. Ron just shrugged helplessly. Neville was holding a plate, looking like he had used it as a shield at one point. Padma was still showing far too much interest in the ceiling. Llyr simply signed, Well, that escalated quickly.

XXXXXXX

When dinner came around Penny wasn't there. Hermione sat at the other end of the table with Padma, who at least threw Harry an apologetic look.

For a week that's how things stayed. Penny would often spend dinner in the library. Hermione would sit as far away from Harry as possible. And Ven split her time between trying to calm the two girls down and cheering her brother up. Harry was so focused on the drama, he didn't even notice what day it was until Ven appeared at breakfast with a grimace on her face. "Blegh, that potion is even worse than when Mum makes it."

Harry swallowed his bite of waffles, turning to his sister. He'd been trying to inconspicuously watch Hermione tutor another Ravenclaw first year in Potions. A part of him wondered why the girl hadn't asked for his help, since he had the highest grade in Potions for first years. Another part felt guilty for even thinking that. He coughed, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. "Oh yeah, tonight's the night."

"Indeed it is," Ven said. "Albion and I were just in Snape's office. Know how Mum always said adding sugar to the potion would make it useless? Well Snape said the same bloody thing. McGonagall said he's one of the best Potion Masters out there. You'd think he'd figure out a way to make that damn potion tolerable. What's the use of being better than everyone at something if you don't do anything good with it?"

She turned to her breakfast and Harry stared at her, wondering if she realized she'd pretty much echoed the ending of his and Hermione's argument a week before. His guilt doubled and he glanced over at Hermione, trying to figure out the best way to apologize. He wouldn't admit it to his sister, but he missed the young Ravenclaw.

The day passed too quickly for his liking. Everytime he attempted to talk to Hermione, she would be too busy or would completely ignore him.

At dinner, Harry sighed, pushing his food around on his plate. With Ron, Neville, and Llyr sitting at their own tables, Harry was left sitting between a ravenous Ven and an awkward Roger, the latter of which caught him throwing furtive glances at Hermione every few seconds. "Cheer up, mate," the older boy said. "It's just a little fight between friends. She'll get over it. Or maybe she won't. I don't really know when the guy is supposed to apologise. Probably why I'm single..."

Ven looked at him with mock surprise. "No, Roger, really? Your inability to comprehend women and when to say you're sorry has an effect on your relationship status? Impossible." She clapped her brother on the shoulder. "Look, Harry. Women are easy, yeah? You just have to listen to them. Actually listen. Then again, if she isn't talking to you it's kinda hard to listen..."

Harry just sighed again, dropping his head onto the table.

"Hey, Harry. Ven." Albion tapped him on the shoulder. "We've got to go."

The young Ravenclaw dropped his fork. "Good. I don't want to be here anyways."

"No," Ven whined, grabbing for more food. "One more steak, Al. Just one!"

Albion dragged Ven from the table and she and Harry joined their brothers in leaving the hall. They made sure the entrance hall was empty, then pushed open the large oak doors, creeping out. Albion pointed to the Whomping Willow in the distance and the group hurried across the lawn, noting how low the sun was. Standing under the tree, waiting for them, was Professor McGonagall and-

"Penny?" Ven exclaimed, racing ahead.

The older girl smiled. "Hey. Ready for tonight?"

"'Course I am," Ven said, almost affronted by the question. "But what are you doing here?"

Professor McGonagall answered. "Miss Clearwater's father is the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. As I've said, it is irregular to have a werewolf attend Hogwarts, and you are a family of them. The Department has agreed to keep your attendance secret. Only a select few will know. However, they thought it might be best to have someone here to keep an eye on you, at least until you are older. As having members of the Department shadowing you would look suspicious, Mr. Clearwater has asked that Miss Clearwater be kept abreast of the situation instead."

Penny grinned, standing straighter. "I'll be here each time you go into the Willow and each time you come out. It's my job to make sure you're following the rules and not hurting each other while you're gone."

"Then my brother and sister are in good hands," Harry said, earning a brilliant smile from Penny.

Ven punched him in the shoulder. "Learn to direct that charm at girls closer to your own age. Hint, hint."

"Quit picking on your brother," Penny laughed. She reached out and ran her finger lightly over the scar across Ven's nose. "He'll figure it out on his own time."

Harry was shocked to see Ven's cheeks turn pink before she quickly turned away to get ready.

Albion and Ven removed their robes, placing them in the bag Professor McGonagall conjured. When they were down to their underclothes, McGonagall lifted a fallen branch and approached the tree slowly. When she got close, the tree began to move. Harry unconciously moved back as the branches began to whip back and forth, as if the tree were reaching for the stern-looking woman, intent on smashing her. It violently slashed at the air, leaves hurling at them. McGonagall maneuvered the branch low to the ground and pressed the tip against a knot in the trunk. The tree froze, not even a tremble among the twigs. The professor held the branch still. "Penny? If you would?"

"Yes, Professor." Penny led the Lachlans to the tree. Llyr hung far back, looking ready to run at any moment. The prefect pointed to a part in the roots. "This is the entrance. You just slide down here and follow the tunnel. You literally can't get lost. When you reach the other end there is a trap door. You'll end up in the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. When the sun comes up and you change back, just head back here and I'll pick you up."

Ven took the bag of their clothes and hugged Harry and Llyr. "Those who are about to die salute you," she said with a grin. She and Albion ducked into the tunnel and Harry, Llyr, and Penny moved back to Professor McGonagall. The older woman released the branch she held and the tree immediately started swinging again.

"Come along boys. You can come back in the morning with Miss Clearwater and Madam Pomfrey, if you like."

XXXXXXX

The next few weeks were difficult for Harry. Hermione was actively avoiding him, literally running from the room when he entered. One day, after she raced from the common room, Padma told him Hermione spent quite a few nights crying herself to sleep. This made him feel even more horrible.

The one highlight in October was their first flying lesson. Ven, intent on joining the Quidditch team as soon as she was old enough, was super excited. Until she learned that Gryffindor would be partnered with Slytherin. Then she was beside herself with joy. She returned from her first lesson with a bloody lip and a grin. "Got detention for knocking out Malfoy. Gorgeous day, yeah?" She happily bounced off to the Gryffindor table, humming.

Harry's own flying lesson didn't go as well. Hermione, it turned out, was terrified of riding a broom. When he tried to help her she shot him a look that clearly told him she wasn't interested in any help from him.

When Halloween arrived, Harry was quite depressed. Padma told him Hermione was holed up somewhere studying and didn't want to be disturbed. So he sat at dinner between Penny and Padma and stared at his empty plate. Even though the hall had been decorated beautifully with giant pumpkins and thousands of live bats, it didn't really feel like a holiday to him. Ven, Llyr, and Albion sat across from him. They had insisted on having a family dinner to celebrate Halloween. Harry only looked up when he heard an unpleasantly familiar voice behind him.

"I notice your little girlfriend isn't here, Lachlan. Has she done us all a favor and gone back to her muggle parents?"

Before Harry could react, Ven said, "Malfoy! How did you get here? Did someone leave your cage open?"

The blonde boy's ears reddened as the Ravenclaws within hearing distance laughed. "Watch your mouth, girl. No one talks to a Malfoy man that way!"

"Oh, shut up. You'll never even be half the man your mother is, lad."

Malfoy made a threatening move towards Ven. Harry leapt in between them, Albion and Llyr grabbed Ven, Penny stood to stop them both, and the doors to the Great Hall burst open.

Professor Quirrel sprinted up the hall to the head table, screaming, "TROLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!" He stopped, peering around at the frozen students and staff. "Just thought you ought to know." Then he sagged to the ground, unconcious.

A second later the hall was filled with screaming. Students started fighting their way to the doors, trampling each other in their haste. Dumbledore's wand had to shoot red sparks into the air multiple times before he could get everyone's attention. "Everyone, please remain calm! Prefects, lead your houses back to your dormitories! Teachers, to me!"

Penny grabbed Harry by the robes, shoving Malfoy away. "Come on. All of you, let's go."

Llyr and Albion hurried to the Hufflepuffs leaving the hall. Ven started towards Percy, who was happily dishing out orders, when Harry grabbed her arm. "Hermione. She doesn't know."

This stopped Ven and Padma in their tracks. The other students pushed around them, hurrying to the doors.

"What do we do?" Padma said. "We don't even know where she is! Should we tell a teacher?"

"They've all headed to the dungeons," Harry said.

"A prefect then? Penny!"

"Wait!" Ven's eyes lit up. "The twins!"

"Which twins?" Harry and Padma chorused.

"The Weasley twins, you prats! Come on!" Ven took off through the crowd, leaving Harry and Padma to struggle along behind her.

When the two redheads appeared ahead of them, Ven yelled, "Fred! George!" The twins stopped, waiting for the three first years to catch up to them. Ven skidded to a halt, motioning for the two of them to lean closer. "Boys, Hermione's missing. She doesn't know about the troll and we need to find her. I know it's supposed to be a secret, but this is important." She gestured to Fred's chest. Harry glanced at Padma to see if she understood what was going on. The dark-skinned Ravenclaw shrugged, shaking her head.

The Weasley twins glanced around, making sure no one was paying them any attention, then ushered the young Ravenclaws around the corner, into an empty classroom. "What we're about to show you doesn't leave this room," Fred said.

"I think this is the first time it's been used for good," George said, tapping his lip.

Harry and Padma, intrigued, leaned closer, waiting to see this mysterious secret revealed. Fred reached into his robes and pulled out...a spare bit of parchment.

"What the hell's this?" Padma scoffed. "This is serious!"

"So is this!" Fred said, looking very offended at her lack of respect. He pointed his wand at the parchment and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

"Well, we can all bloody see that-" Padma started, but never finished. Lines had appeared on the parchment, spreading and connecting like a dark spiderweb weaving itself in ink. A few seconds later Fred was holding a map of Hogwarts.

Harry grabbed it, staring at the little dots moving about, each labeled in tiny handwriting. "Later you're going to explain this to us," he said. "But now..." He scanned the map quickly, aware that the others were doing the same. The vast majority of the dots were climbing the grand staircase, hurrying to their dorms. A large bunch, that included Albus Dumbledore, was in the dungeons. And there, alone in the girl's bathroom on the first floor, was Hermione Granger.

"There!" Harry said, stabbing a finger at the map. "She's just down the hall. Let's-"

"Who's that?" Padma said, pointing to another dot that was slowly moving towards the bathrooms. The dot was larger than the others on the map and it was labelled Uglak.

"Ah, that doesn't look like a student's name-" Fred said.

"Or a teacher's." George said.

Harry hit the door running, the others behind him. He vaguely registered Fred saying, "Mischief managed!", before they left the room. "Get Penny!" Harry told Padma. She broke from the group, racing to the staircase. Harry led the other three down the hall. As they hit the corner, Harry froze. Ven slid past him, unable to stop so quickly, and hit the wall with a small yelp. The Weasley twins crashed into him.

"Harry, what're you-" Fred stopped, knowing exactly what Harry was doing. At the end of the hall, slowly lumbering through a door, was a twelve-foot tall, gray-skinned troll with a tiny head and a huge club. The four of them watched until it was completely in the room. Harry, not taking his eyes off the doorway, whispered, "Which door is the girl's bathroom?"

Ven shook her head, as if coming out of a trance. "Ifreann na Fola!" Ven cursed, lapsing into their mother's language. "That is the girl's bathroom!" An almighty crash echoed down the hall at them, followed by a sound none of them would ever forget-Hermione's screams.

As one, the four of them raced forward. Harry was the first to dash into the bathroom, slipping on the wet floor. The only thing that saved him from landing flat on his back was George grabbing him. The bathroom was filled with a stench that reminded Harry of dead fish. The stalls were now nothing but chunks of wood scattered across the floor. Most of the sinks had been broken off, water spraying from the exposed pipes. The troll was facing away from them, focused on the girl curled up in the corner. It took another step, its club swinging and breaking another sink from the wall. This spurred Harry into action. "Distract it!" he yelled. He grabbed a broken tap from the floor and hurled it at the beast's head. Fred and George spread out, also throwing bits of wood and sink. Ven climbed over the chunks of broken stalls until she was in the other corner. "Hey, handsome! Down here!"

Harry wasn't sure if it was just Ven's voice, or because even the troll knew "handsome" was a lie, but the troll paused, turning to the redhead girl. After a moment it stepped towards her, grunting deeply. Ven's eyes widened. "Oh, hell. Those who are about to die-" She dove to the floor as the troll took a swing at her with its club. The giant hunk of wood barely missed her, skimming her robes.

Harry grabbed two pipes and started banging them together. "Oy! Troll! Forget her! Over here!"

The troll turned, it's little ears flapping. It swung around, advancing on Harry.

"Ah, you don't want him!" Fred yelled, leaping up and down.

"He's barely got any meat on him!" George said, throwing down the chunk of toilet he'd been about to throw. "Come and get us if you want a real meal!"

The troll turned once again, looking confused. It gave an angry yell and started towards the Weasleys, moving faster than before. This was more than the twins were expecting. George gave a very girly scream and leapt into his brother's arms. Fred raced for the door, carrying his twin and cursing loudly at both the troll and George.

Before Harry could think about what he was doing, he took a running leap. And somehow landed on the troll's shoulders, his arms around the beast's neck. The troll didn't seem to notice him hanging on, but it did notice the foot long bit of metal that rammed itself up its nose. Harry had still been holding the two pipes when he'd jumped.

The troll went berserk. It lurched around, swinging its club, trying to dislodge its passenger. Harry hung on for dear life, certain he was about to be killed.

He heard Ven screaming, "Give me back my brother, you brute!"

A stinging hex caught Harry in the leg and he jerked, yelling, "Ven! That was me!"

"Well, quit moving about!"

Knowing he was either about to be smashed by the troll's club or hit by one of his own sister's curses, Harry did the only thing he could think of. He gripped the pipe in the troll's nose tighter and lifted the other one above his head. As the troll swung forward, trying to throw him off, Harry brought the pipe down on its head as hard as he could. The shock of the blow raced up his arm, vibrating in his chest and forcing him to release the pipe. The troll staggered, dropping the huge club. It took two steps forward and buckled, crashing face first onto the floor, with Harry riding it down.

In the sudden silence, Harry clambered from the creature's back, still feeling the vibrations in his arm and shoulder. He stood, shaking and gazing down at the felled beast. A moment later, Ven latched onto him. "Harry Lachlan, you are the craziest son of a hippogriff I have ever known!" She grabbed his face, her eyes sparkling. "I raised you so well."

"Well, that wasn't that bad," Fred said from the doorway.

George was standing behind him, eyes still on the troll. "Is it dead?"

"I think it's just knocked out," Harry said, rubbing the feeling back into his arm.

A moment later, Fred and George were shoved out of the way as Penny and Padma entered, both with wands raised. Penny swept the room with her eyes, then turned on Harry and Ven. "Are you okay? Is anyone hurt?" She hurried across the room, grabbing the two Lachlans and checking them over for injuries.

Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrel burst into the room at that moment. With a whimper, Quirrel retreated almost immediately. As Snape moved to check on the troll, Harry found himself, Ven, Fred, George, Penny, and Padma under McGonagall's death glare. "Explain," she said, her voice dangerously low, cold fury laced through it. "Miss Clearwater and Miss Patil just said you went looking for-"

"Me." A small voice called out.

Everyone turned to the Ravenclaw girl in the corner. Harry was ashamed to admit he had almost forgotten she was there. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Ven, for once, was silent. Hermione stood on shaky legs, clearing her throat. "Professor, they really were looking for me." She took a step forward, her voice rising a little in volume. "I went looking for the troll. I've read so much about them. I thought I could handle it on my own."

"You, Miss Granger?" McGonagall glanced at Harry and the others.

Ven's jaw was hanging open and Harry felt his glasses sliding down his face, but did nothing to push them back up. Padma and Penny stared at Hermione, eyebrows raised. The Weasley twins seemed to be on the verge of tears, proud looks on their faces as Hermione Granger told a complete lie to a teacher to save them.

"Yes," Hermione continued. "If Harry and the others hadn't shown up when they did...I would be dead."

Professor Snape threw a glance at Harry, raising one thin eyebrow. Harry tried to school his features to look like he wasn't utterly shocked. Though Snape's eyes narrowed and Harry was sure the dark-haired man knew exactly what he was thinking, he remained quiet, still bent over the troll.

"In that case," Professor McGonagall said, pulling her robes tighter around herself. "Five points from Ravenclaw for your foolishness, Miss Granger." The Deputy Headmistress rounded on the other students in the room and most of them flinched, heads down. "And five points...to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor for each of you that took on the troll. An additional ten points to both Miss Clearwater and Miss Patil for taking the correct course of action and coming find me. Please bear in mind that the lot of you were extremely lucky tonight. Full grown wizards have been unable to take down a fully grown mountain troll without injury. Do not let this go to your heads. You may go."

They left the room in a single file line, trying to hide the smiles on their faces. When they were out of earshot, Fred and George began to excitedly replay the events in the bathroom for Padma and Penny. "You should have seen! Ven got right in the thick of it, making it attack her instead!"

"And Harry! He just leapt right on the thing's back, shoved a bit of pipe up its nose!"

"Then he bashed it's brains in with the other pipe! See, he had two-"

When the group reached the fifth floor the Weasleys said goodnight and kept on. Before Ven could join them, Penny grabbed her in a hug. Harry distinctly heard a crack and Ven groaned. "Don't you ever do something like that again, Ven Lachlan. None of you," Penny added, throwing a glare at Harry, Hermione, and Padma.

"Can't make that promise," Ven said, rubbing her aching back. "But I promise you we'll try, yeah?"

The others were quick to agree under Penny's suspicious gaze. "Fine," she said, releasing Ven. "Hurry along. You need to get in your dorm."

Ven hurried away and the Ravenclaws climbed the staircase to their own dorms. When they entered they found the feast had moved up to the dormitories. Harry, however, wasn't feeling hungry. He moved to the staircases, intending to go and take a long, hot shower. A small hand grabbed his arm.

"Thank you," Hermione said. She was looking at her feet, avoiding Harry's eyes. A slight blush was creeping into her cheeks. "I'm sorry for...for what I said. And for avoiding you. And-"

"Don't be," Harry cut in, drawing Hermione's gaze up to his face. "It was all my fault. You were right. You are better at Potions. You're better at everything. Next class I'm going to make sure Snape rewards you for that. And if he won't, then I'll purposely screw up my potion so that yours is the only one he can praise."

"You don't have to-"

"I know," Harry said, quietly. "Thank you. For lying for us, you know."

"Least I could do. You did shove a pipe up a troll's nose for me."

"You're right. I think you owe me for life."

"How about I promise we'll be friends for life then?" Hermione held out a hand, smiling. "And nothing stupid like Potions or a troll will ever come between us again."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You must be serious if you're calling a class stupid." He took her hand. "Promise. Friends for life."

Kailor: Whoo, this one was long. But I had goals for this chappy and I have reached them. Review please! I love to hear from you glorious people! Hope you enjoyed!