Ullo! Hope you're all well!

disclaimer: Not mine. :)

Thank you for all the lovely reviews! And a few of you mentioned picking up a hint...Don't know what you're talking about...:P

A few days had passed and the habitants of Hogwarts had settled down. Many knew the untrustworthiness of Umbridge and many still glared at Snape behind his back. The cycle of the school was resuming quietly and uneventfully.

Hermione woke up blurry eyed and far too comfortable to leave the warmth of her bed. However with a groan she rolled out of her bed onto her feet. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were barely open – She was never a morning person.

She had scarcely gotten up when she saw Crooks move lazily towards the warmth she had just vacated to settle down for another morning nap. "lucky" she mumbled, bitterness ringing through.

She didn't mind her lessons but this particular Tuesday it was more difficult than usual. She was 16 today. It would be the first birthday she had ever had without her parents – Either by seeing them or via a long gushing letter of how 'their baby was getting old!' But she couldn't mope, she had transfiguration, defence against the dark arts and double runes.

Grabbing her shower bag, she went for a quick shower to shrug off her tiredness of the previous night.

She stepped out into her dorm ten minutes later feeling more awake and happier. Nothing like a shower to clean away any fears or unhappiness.

She smiled broadly when she saw the pile of presents at the end of her bed, bigger than normal if she said so. She jumped onto her bed excitedly; glad no one was able to see her childish side as she started to tear open her gifts. She had been given a lovely blue hat and small birthday cake from the Weasleys as well as a new quill and the lord of the rings book set from Harry.

She grinned happily as she touched the three massive books on her bed, giggling at the joke of the magic within them as only a muggle born could. She reached over and frowned when she saw some muggle wrapping paper around her remaining gifts. She picked up a card, opening it slowly.

Her hands started shaking as she recognised the writing in the card. It was her mothers.

To Hermione

Happy birthday my lovely!

Hope your day is filled with presents, happiness and laughter.

Don't be too shocked to see these gifts, do you really think we would let your day pass without some recognition from your parents. We left these in the care of Sev before we left you so you have something left of us even though we're gone. Don't ask how we managed it. I would say its magic but it was truly a mum's talent that allowed all these to get past you.

I hope Sev is looking after you okay and that you're looking after him. He's a stubborn mule isn't he but he cares for you greatly so I can imagine you get away with a lot.

I can guess he's already used the chocolate trick on you. He's a man darling, he can't help it.

I hope your well and remember my Darling Hermione, me and your father love you ever so much. Though we may not remember you, our love for you is still strong.

See you through the fog.

Mum

Xxxx

Hermione grinned broadly at the letter, she supposed she should be sad after reading her letter but she only felt happiness. Her parents hadn't forgotten about her birthday. She paused for moment, well they had forgotten but not before they were Obliviated anyway. She didn't think she would hear from her mum until after the war so this was a brilliant birthday gift. She thought she should thank Russ for keeping these safe for her.

She picked up her gifts, placing them on the bed before tore the paper off them.

Dawn truly was a mother in her heart. She had given Hermione fleecy jumpers, gloves, t-shirts, jeans as well as some muggle chocolate such as Cadburys and Galaxy.

She had been spoiled this year she thought with a smile, she truly had brilliant friends. She picked up her final gift from the floor, turning it over in her hands as she studied the unknown gift. It was simply wrapped in brown paper with a small black bow placed on top. She smiled broadly as she saw a small tag that read "Happy birthday Feathers."

She tore open the paper, making light work of the wrapping before staring dumbly at the gift she had found.

It was a small photo album.

She opened it, gasping softly as she saw the first photo. It was a photo of her parents and Russ during their university days, they looked so young.

Many of her parent's friends remarked at how similar she was to her mother but she hadn't realised how true this was until seeing this photo. Her mother's hair looked just as uncontrollable as her own and she saw her own eyes staring out at her from her mum's face. Though her skin was a lot paler than Dawn's; it had been the one thing Hermione had been Jealous of. Her mum could tan so easily but Hermione always looked so pale. Must have been a trait from her father's side.

The photo was a muggle one, with all three of them sat side by side. Her mother and father were throwing their heads back in laughter with Russ simply raising an eyebrow at the pair. It looked like it had been taken in the dank pub her mother had described all those months ago.

She turned the page over and saw the next photo was annotated with spikey writing. The photo showed her Father and Russ, leaning their foreheads against a grubby table. Her father's hand was resting on Russ's back as though in comfort and Russ's hair was fanned around him, hiding his face from view. Half-drunk pints of beer were sat on the table in front of the pair.

She frowned at the photo before reading the annotation – I still don't understand what caused this drinking contest. I believe it was Rob trying to 'out-man' me. Needless to say we both succumbed to the dish water and had to be escorted home by Dawn. She was not impressed. The next morning she woke us both up by bashing pans together. She knew how to torture that woman.

Hermione laughed out loud at the photo before checking her watch. Time for breakfast. She thought with a sigh, slightly upset she couldn't continue looking through the photos. She skipped down to the common room, hugging her two friends and thanking them for their presents.

Sitting at the Gryffindor table for breakfast, she looked up to the head table to grin broadly to Russ. He merely nodded before continuing eating his breakfast though it seemed he was fighting the proud smirk that was creeping onto his lips.

As Hermione tucked into her bacon sandwich she looked up to Harry and Ron and said with a small smile, "do you mind if we meet in the Library after Runes? I was going to do some research on Brian?"

The boys who had been given the run down on what had happened in the forest nodded briefly, unsure on whether the creature could be trusted. "Sure thing 'Mione. It's your birthday after all." Ron grinned.

The day seemed to pass quickly. Luckily both Hermione and Harry had managed to avoid another detention with Umbridge, both during lessons and in the hallways. Their desire to avoid her quill had allowed their anger to cool at any injustice they witnessed. Umbridge remained a vile woman, verbally poking at the pair but they both remained silent, taking her insults with stony expressions. Though Hermione couldn't resist an internal smile at Harry's need to grip the desk.

She was unsure if that to resist cursing the woman.

Hermione was sat in a quiet area of the library, hiding in an alcove that only an older seventh year would pass by as it was by the restricted area.

She had managed to find a text book on rare creatures, skimming through until she had found the Fureur. She chewed her lip as she read through the passage.

Though its name indicates its fury, a Fureur is a relatively peaceful animal. In today's times it is rare for a witch or wizard to meet a Fureur as they try to keep to their selves, after hundreds of years of being hunted or murdered. It is believed there are only 100 living in Great Britain, all lonely as they will no longer linked to a human.

In generations past, the Fureur gained its name because of its ferocious defence of its witch or wizard who it had linked to. In passing years, a Fureur would attach itself to someone of magical descendent to stop its loneliness. It would treat them as a parent, sibling or protector would a child. It would answer a call in any circumstance and it only asked for companionship in return.

However, though it is a peaceful creature it gained its name in defence of its 'child' or wizard. Its fury knows no bounds to defend its linked bairn, causing many to be killed in action.

"Cricky!" Hermione whispered as she read the passage, "I wouldn't want him to be upset with me." Hermione however was a lot happier now she knew Brian was relatively Harmless, especially as he would only attack if his 'Bairn' was in danger.

"Hermione!" Whispered Ron from across the table, causing Hermione to jump in surprise. She hadn't noticed him turning up. "I've been meaning to talk to you; I've only just managed to get rid of Harry."

"What's a matter?" Hermione asked quietly, her face showing her concern as she looked towards the red head.

"Well Harry's been having dreams…" He paused as he saw her expression become more angry. "I didn't tell you as I didn't think there was any point. Can you blame him for having nightmares?" He paused as he recollected his thoughts and continued, "Anyway, a few nights ago he kept muttering the name Kingswing. I didn't think anything of it until this morning…"

Hermione was growing more and more concerned as the conversation continued, it was unusual for her friend to be so nervous. She nodded her head for him to continue. "A family of the Auror Kingswing was found murdered in their home this morning. No evidence of any struggle so they assume it was the Avada."

Hermione gasped, covering her mouth quickly to stop them gaining any attention from any students or Madam Pince who may be lurking in the area. "What do you think it means?" She whispered her voice harsh in remorse for the poor family.

"I don't know, I couldn't keep it to myself. What should we do?" He whispered back, his eyes panicky. "You don't think it's you know who do you?"

"I don't know." Hermione said with a shake of the head, "We should tell a teacher but how do we make it sound convincing. They would probably believe it to be coincidence or something."

She paused as she looked around the library and frowned, "I will do some research and see what I can find."

Drop me a line about what you think of my little chapter!

Would you like to hear more of the 70's trio of Dawn, Rob and Russ?