A/N- I'm so happy to hear that most of you enjoyed the action scene. They really aren't my specialty, but the fact that I seem to have pulled it off makes me smile. Your support continues to astound me, the fact that you leave such wonderful reviews is amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm hoping that you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. I'm sure that everything done in this story has been done before. I haven't made a dime off any of my stories. Maybe one of these days I'll write an original and make millions (allow me my wet dreams).

Chapter 32

February 9, 1996

Draco scanned the Great Hall as he ate breakfast. He wasn't sure who was looking at him, but he could feel eyes on him as surely as he could feel Hermione's hand in his. Everyone at the Slytherin table were caught up in their meal or each other. Blaise was currently snogging Daphne Greengrass; he wondered just how much time would pass before his godfather left the High Table and made his disapproval of the situation known.

Hermione was chattering happily with Ginny Weasley. Luna was interjecting occasionally, the conversation about some form of earth magic that all three girls were interested in learning. Draco found the conversation to be interesting but was much more invested in discovering who was watching him. Harry was talking about quidditch with Neville and the twins, the latest professional match had been played the night before. The rest of the table was happily conversing with their friends about Merlin only knew what.

Draco was unsure how any of them couldn't feel the eyes on them. The fact that they were Gryffindors made them far more trusting than was safe, especially in the dangerous times. Draco wasn't trying to boast, but he had been raised to always assume that someone was plotting against him because he was a Malfoy. He supposed that the reasoning was arrogance, but the fact remained that the instincts his father had instilled in him had never led him astray.

On his next sweep of the Great Hall, Draco finally found the eyes. They belonged to a witch that was adorned in pink with a ridiculous bow in her lackluster hair. She would stare in the general direction of himself, Harry, and Hermione and then turn her attention to Severus who was sitting next to her. Draco tried not to throw up as he watched the awful little toad pet his godfather's arm and try to brush hair away from his face. Severus would pull away from her angrily, snap something that looked extremely hateful, and then the woman would return her attention to the Gryffindor table.

This concentrated attention didn't bode well for Draco and his friends.

Draco pulled his attention from their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor when Hermione squeezed his hand. She gave him a worried look as he finally met her gaze. Harry was still ensconced in his conversation with Neville and the twins, so he hadn't noticed Draco's inattention.

"What's wrong, Drake?" He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, an action that seemed to settle her.

"Umbridge is watching us. I could feel it." She frowned slightly.

"You could feel it?" He nodded.

"My father taught me to be a paranoid bastard. I'm not sure why she's watching us, but we need to be careful. That kind of attention never serves us well." Hermione gave him a worried look and nodded.

"At least we don't have Defense today. We won't have to deal with her directly."

Their conversation was ended abruptly by the bell ringing above them. Everyone stood and gathered their bags from the floor, reluctantly making the way from the Great Hall to their classes. Hermione took his hand and Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, the three of them making their way to Charms. Neville was behind them conversing quietly with Dean and Seamus about who knew what. Two corridors from the Charms classroom, Theo caught up with them and grinned as he bumped shoulders with Draco.

"We're still on for the library, right?" Hermione gave him a bright smile.

"Of course, we are, you know we have that Transfiguration essay due tomorrow." Theo rolled his eyes at her.

"Oh please, like you haven't had that finished since the day it was assigned. The rest of us need to finish it and you're going to work ahead in Arithmancy or Runes." Draco chuckled at the soft blush that tinged his girlfriend's cheeks.

Everyone knew how talented Hermione was at transfiguration. She was a legend among the students, even seventh years came to her when they didn't understand something about their class. She always gave assistance happily. Even Professor McGonagall was surprised at her abilities. It made Draco proud that she was his girlfriend.

Theo had been spending more time with the three of them then he previously had been. Draco was unsure as to what the reason was, but since the attack on Hogsmeade, he had been a far more attentive sibling. Draco and Harry didn't mind if he hung out with them. Hermione was delighted, and Harry was quickly considering the Slytherin a friend. The blond knew exactly what it was like in the Slytherin common room so if Theo was able to escape that for awhile and spend time with people that genuinely liked him, Draco was happy for him.

While Hermione didn't mind her brother hanging out with them more often, she did mind that everyone else in the school had been cozying up to her after the attack on Hogsmeade and the article in the Daily Prophet about her the following day. Draco still snorted in disbelief at the stupidity of his classmates.

*Flashback*

The trio had just settled in at the lion's table, filling their plates with their chosen breakfasts. The room had quieted when they entered but once they were in their seats, whispers began. Draco couldn't hear exactly what they were saying but he had a feeling that it was about Hermione. While he knew that that was the goal of the attack, he knew she wasn't going to like being the talk of the school.

His thoughts were confirmed just a few moments later when a Daily Prophet owl swooped down and dropped the paper in Hermione's plate. She put a knut in the pouch on the owl's leg and it flew off, heading for it's next delivery. She wasted no time in opening the paper, probably to see what was being said about the attack on Hogsmeade. When a startled gasp escaped her mouth, Draco knew that the article was about her. He and Harry both leaned over to read the article over her shoulder. There were two photos on the front page, underneath the article. Both were of Hermione, the first caught her waving Kingsley's sister and her children off so she could duel Nott, and the second caught her healing the little boy and the lad throwing himself in her arms. Draco couldn't help but to snort. Whoever wrote this article had used the best pictures they could to portray what they wanted.

Attack on Hogsmeade Leaves No Casualties

By Roger Dunleavy

The citizens and students shopping in Hogsmeade didn't see the Death Eaters until it was too late. This reporter happened to be visiting Honeydukes when the first scream rang out. Two dozen Death Eaters, wearing their standard robes and masks, apparated into the main square. They showed no preference when they attacked, students and citizens alike.

There were several notable warriors in the square that took it upon themselves to protect the children and elderly alike. Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts, was seen protecting a group of terrified third and fourth years from several masked opponents. Draco Malfoy was seen side by side with Harry Potter, the pair of them protecting a group of fourth years in an alley from three Death Eaters. Filius Flitwick, Charms professor at Hogwarts, was covering a large group of students as they tried to run into Madam Malkin's Dress Shop, using his superior dueling skills to keep them safe.

The one that stood out among all others was Hermione Granger, muggleborn Gryffindor best friend to Harry Potter, also known to be dating both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. A young woman, later identified as Alaina Shacklebolt, sister to Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, was in the middle of the square, two young children in her arms. A Death Eater stepped forward and cursed the young boy and then his mother when she tried to protect him. Hermione Granger stepped forward and waved them away, as seen below in the photo, and dueled the Death Eater in their stead.

Once Miss Granger gained the upper hand, three more masked wizards joined the fray and she was fighting off four Death Eaters. While it isn't likely that Miss Granger would have won the duel with those odds, the fact that she wasn't backing down in commendable. She was able to stun one of her opponents after using a percussion spell to distract them, which gave time to Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy to come to her defense. The Death Eaters quickly disapparated away, leaving the snowy, blood-covered grounds behind them.

The second photo accompanying this article shows that Miss Granger went to the little boy, no older than three, and healed the deep gash in his chest. In his gratitude, he threw his arms around the young Gryffindor and thanked her profusely. We here at the Daily Prophet feel that if there more people like these brave warriors in the world, it would be a much better place.

All the victims have been treated and released aside from one, listed in stable condition at St. Mungo's.

Draco wanted to vomit. It was glaringly obvious that this article had been written the way that it was on purpose. Even though there were only good things said about her, Hermione was pale. She hadn't said a single word when a sixth year Ravenclaw approached the table and held out his copy of the Prophet.

"Can you sign my copy, Granger? It isn't often that a muggleborn is hailed by the Daily Prophet. This once in a lifetime occurrence should be remembered with your signature." Hermione looked up to meet his gaze and, in that moment, Draco knew that the Ravenclaw was fucked. Her eyes were flashing, and he could tell that she was gritting her teeth, something that her muggle parents probably would have scolded her for.

"You want me to sign your newspaper not because of what I did, but because the Prophet finally decided to not be bigoted fucking pricks?" The Ravenclaw seemed to realize that he was in over his head and began to back away slowly.

"Umm…no, I just…well, it's a…" It was clear that the boy had no idea what the proper response should be. Hermione stood and snatched the paper out of his hand and pulled a quill from her satchel. She began scribbling on the paper, so Draco leaned over to see what she was writing, surprised that she had consented to sign it at all. He bit back a laugh when he saw it.

Fuck you.

Once she had embellished the words with hearts, wands, and stars, she threw it back at the Ravenclaw and gave a sickly-sweet smile.

"Hope you like your paper now." The boy glanced down and saw what she had written but didn't say anything. Hermione spoke again.

"If you had asked for my autograph because I was brave, and you appreciated my actions, I would have signed it. I won't sign shite just because the Prophet finally decided to be decent." The boy nodded and walked away dejectedly. Draco just shook his head.

Today was going to be a long day.

*End of Flashback*

The four of them took their usual seat in Charms, taking their books, quills, and parchment out. They were going to cover silencing charms today, and while Draco knew that most of the Slytherins and his own little trio had no problems with the charm, there were others that probably needed the work. Hermione already looked bored, a feeling that Draco could commiserate with. Since their power had increased from being part of a triad, magic came much easier to them all.

Professor Flitwick went over the origin of the charm, it's many uses, and the proper way to cast it. Draco took notes as he always did, noticing that Hermione and Harry did the same. The class was half over when their professor split them into groups, so they could practice casting the charm.

Draco was put into a group with Hermione, Harry, and Ronald Weasley. It was clear that the redhead wasn't happy with the situation at all, but none of them could complain about it without making an unnecessary scene, especially since three of the four had already mastered the spell. Not wanting Hermione to have to speak to the weasel, Draco sneered his way.

"You go first, Weasel." Weasley looked extremely put out.

"Why do I have to go first? Hermione has always been the over-achiever that wants to go first." Draco sighed as if the redhead was a complete idiot.

"We've all mastered the spell, you're the only one that needs to before we can call Flitwick over to watch." Weasley looked at each one of them before he spoke again.

"I want to see you and Harry cast it first. Hermione's such a swot, I believe that she's able to cast it." Harry stepped forward as if to take a swing at the redhead for saying something like that about Hermione, but Draco held him back with a hand to his shoulder.

"Fine, you don't believe us? I'll go first. Fair warning, I'm going to laugh when we can cast it and you can't."

There was a wizarding radio between them that was softly playing music. Deciding that he really wanted to piss the weasel off, he cast the silencing charm at the radio silently. The music was gone, and Draco couldn't help but smirk at the redhead. He cancelled the spell and nodded to Harry. The messy-haired boy produced his wand and waved it silently at the radio, the music disappearing once again. Harry grinned widely when he saw that look on Weasley's face. Harry cancelled the spell and before anyone else could speak, Hermione broke it.

"Quit putting it off and just cast it, Ronald. The quicker you do it, the quicker you can run back to Lavender." He glared at her for several moments before he finally pointed his wand at the radio. Since he was still unable to perform non-verbal spells, he muttered the spell.

"Silencio." While the music didn't disappear, it did get quieter. The Weasel's face turned red and he continued to jab his wand at the radio, getting even less of a response than he had the first time. Draco would have been happy to point and laugh, but Hermione and her kind heart stepped forward to help the redhead.

"You're putting too much emphasis on your wand movements, you need to -." She was cut off by Weasley's furious voice.

"Just stop, Hermione, I don't need you nagging at me. I had more than enough of that when we were friends." Hermione snapped her mouth shut and her eyes hardened. Without another word, she flagged down Professor Flitwick.

"Professor, we're all finished here. Can you come watch us?" The tiny professor bounced over happily, a smile on his features.

"Of course, Miss Granger, would you like to go first?" Hermione gave him a smile and Draco watched as she pointed her wand at the radio and cast the spell wordlessly. The music disappeared, and the professor clapped his hands together cheerfully.

"Wonderful, Miss Granger, simply wonderful. Who's next?"

Harry and Draco both took their turns successfully, the music disappearing and reappearing at the command of their wands. Once they were finished, the cheery professor turned to Weasley.

"Go ahead, Mr. Weasley." The three of them watched as the redhead tried the spell and failed. Draco couldn't help but to smirk at him as he tried several more times. After the fifth try, Professor Flitwick held up his hands.

"You need more practice, Mr. Weasley. You're putting too much emphasis into your wand movement. It needs to be almost casual while you put the focus into you spell. Keep practicing." The professor left and by now even Hermione was smirking at him. Weasley was bright red in anger and embarrassment. The three of them turned to take their seats but before she sat Hermione fired back at the redhead.

"I bet next time you listen to me and don't turn away free help. Have fun practicing on your own."

The three of them took their seats and pulled out the homework that they were going to work on next period in the library. Professor Flitwick was testing the group that had Theo, Pansy, Blaise, and Daphne in it, all of them successfully silencing their radio. They worked on homework for the next thirty minutes until their professor dismissed them.

-O-

Hermione gathered her things and watched her mates do the same. Once their belongings were in their satchels, they left the Charms classroom and started for the fourth floor where the library was. Theo caught up with them at the end of the corridor, smile on his features.

"We saw what you did to the Weasel, that was brilliant." Hermione usually didn't consider herself to be a vindictive person, but in this one instance, she had enjoyed tormenting the redhead.

"Thank you, I do have my moments where I can be vindictive." Theo chuckled.

"You're a woman, of that I have no doubt."

All the boys laughed, and Hermione mock glared at her brother. The trip to the library was short and filled with chatter about the homework they were going to work on. The three boys needed to complete their Transfiguration essay and Theo had been correct. She planned to work ahead in Arithmancy since it was the subject that was the most difficult for her.

They took their usual seats in the library at a table just outside of the restricted section. Hermione had claimed this table as her own clear back in her first year and none of the boys had a problem with using it as their own either. Hermione quickly unloaded her things and made her way to the stacks, so she could retrieve the book that she needed on Advanced Arithmancy. Hermione was still further ahead in the subject than most people, it just took more effort for Hermione to do well in it than the other subjects. She could only assume that it was because it wasn't about spells but about numbers and predictions.

Hermione was quick to return to her table, finding all the boys working on their essay quietly. She couldn't help but grin at the sight. She never would have imagined this scene at the beginning of the school year. The Gryffindor had just settled down on her corner seat, opened her book and began reading when someone placed their hands on the table next to her before speaking.

"Granger, have you come up with anymore spells for us to use in the joke shop?" Fred and George had obviously decided that the best time to question her about her inventing for them was while she was in the library working on homework. She didn't even deign to look at them, just kept her eyes on her book.

"You thought that disturbing me in the library was the best way to go about asking me?" Fred hesitated for a moment before he spoke.

"We would have waited until lunch, but we have detention." Hermione finally pulled her eyes away her book and trailed her gaze over George's hand and gasped and what she saw.

Blood traitor.

Hermione felt anger flash through her and she was barely able to contain her magic. While it was nowhere near the response if the scars had been on Harry or Draco, she still considered Fred and George to be her brothers, they had taken that role in her first year when they had found her crying two weeks into school because a Slytherin had been mean to her. They had consoled her and promised to look after her, telling her that things would get better. The fact that they had cut the words into their own hands made her want to hurt people.

"That fucking bitch did that to you, didn't she? She made you use that fucking quill?" George snatched his hand off the table and hid his hand behind his back. Fred mirrored his movement, and, in that moment, Hermione was certain that her worries had been correct. She stood and glared at them, surprised when they seemed to cower before her just a little.

"Show me your hands right now." They both stepped forward and obeyed her even though she was only a fifth year and they were in their seventh year. They were wary as they presented their hands and Hermione realized that she wasn't Hermione Granger, lovable muggleborn that helped everyone, she was Isabella Riddle, granddaughter of the Dark Lord. She tried to soften her stance since she didn't want her friends to be afraid of her.

The words were etched deep in their skin, most certainly because they received more detentions than anyone else in the school. They were still red, almost raw, and Hermione guessed that they had last had detention the night before. She gently traced each word on both of their hands, so they wouldn't be so fearful of her before she stepped back. While her stance and features were soft, her voice was like steel.

"We're going to take that bitch down." Nobody said anything, so Hermione gestured for the twins to take a seat at their table, even though they would be crowded.

"What have you been getting detention for?" The twins shrugged their shoulders.

"Usually standing up for the little kids. She isn't smart enough to catch us playing a prank. When she starts in on the little kids in the corridors, George and I misbehave so she'll leave them alone and punish us instead." Hermione's heart swelled at their words. The twins, while overly mischievous, really were kind-hearted and were always looking out for others. Hermione sighed as she mulled over her options. She didn't like any of them, but there wasn't much that she could do.

"I hate to ask it of you but take your detention in silence today. Come see me after lunch and I'll heal you as best I can. No more standing up for the little kids, those scars look like they might be permanent. We'll see if we can rally some help in doing that at the D.A. meeting tonight. Maybe if we all take turns, it won't be so bad. I'm going to come up with a plan and I'll tell everyone at the meeting tonight." Both twins looked like they wanted to rebel, but they remained silent in the end. Even they knew that a vindictive Hermione wasn't someone that they wanted to cross. Rita Skeeter was the perfect example.

The twins left without an answer to their original question, so the boys turned back to their homework. Hermione, however, couldn't focus on her homework. Her mind kept picturing Harry's hand cut up by the blood quill, the twins, everyone that she knew that had been given detention from the hag. How had nobody complained to anyone yet? Wasn't this the sort of thing that Dumbledore should be taking care of?

The free period ended much quicker than she had expected. The four of them gathered their things and left the library, making their way to towards the Great Hall. Once they were there and had taken their seats, Hermione couldn't think of anything aside from the twins cutting into their hands with a cursed quill while she ate cheese and broccoli soup. She had just pushed her bowl away from her, only half of it gone, when an owl swooped down and dropped a note in front of her. She was quick to snatch it up for fear that one of her friends would pick it up and keep it from her in jest. She opened it carefully and allowed her boys to lean over her shoulder, so they could read it as well.

Miss Granger,

We have plans to make regarding our project. Bring your friends to my office after your meeting tonight.

P.D.

This must mean that Dumbledore had information about another horcrux. She really wanted to blow it off, she had the hag professor to get rid of, but she couldn't. Taking down her grandfather was even more important than getting rid of Umbridge. With a sigh, she cast a wandless incendio and burned the scrap of parchment in her hand.

Lunch ended, and Hermione and her boys made their way out of the Great Hall. Spotting the twins, Hermione went forward and caught their elbows, so she could pull them into an empty classroom. Harry and Draco watched from the door, casting silencing spells and wards to ensure their privacy. Hermione took George's hand in hers first, one of her hands flat, his hand palm down on hers, and her other hand palm down on top of his. She supposed that if the wrong person were to see the action, it would appear intimate, but she didn't let that bother her. The twins were like her brothers and they knew it.

Hermione allowed magic to flow through her hands and into George's. While it wasn't nearly as strong as it was when she had healed Draco, the concept was still the same. George remained silent as she concentrated her magic to the words on his hand. After a minute, Hermione opened her eyes and released his hand to see what her handiwork had done. While the words had still been bleeding when she began, the words were now healed over with no redness around them.

The words themselves were extremely faint. There was still a scar, but if you didn't know that it was there, you wouldn't see it. Hermione was rather proud of her work, holding it out for George to inspect. Fred stepped forward to look at his twin's hand and both gasped.

"Merlin, Granger, that's amazing!" Hermione couldn't help but chuckle and George's words. Hermione let out a full laugh when Fred elbowed his twin out of the way.

"My turn, do me, do me!" While chuckling, Hermione took the same position with Fred that she had with George. Everyone watched closely now as she poured her magic into Fred through her hands. Another minute passed and when Hermione released Fred, his hand matched his twin's. Both compared scars for a minute or so until Hermione cleared her throat.

"I mean it, no more drawing the attention to yourselves. We'll get some other students to help volunteer." Both boys nodded their heads in agreement, though Hermione was certain that they really didn't agree. They were merely doing what she told them because they feared her wrath if they didn't.

Hermione sent them on their way and sent Harry on his way to Divination. She and Draco made their way to Arithmancy, now in danger of being late since she had to heal the twins. The pair clipped along at a brisk pace, determined to not be tardy. They entered the classroom just in the nick of time, the bell sounding just as they took their seats.

Professor Vector began their lecture immediately, one about differentiating between which equations needed to be used at what time. It was an interesting lesson and Hermione was excited to work the problems handed out to them with an hour remaining in the class. Since they could work in pairs, Hermione paired with Draco and the two tackled the problems together.

The pair handed in their assignment just before the bell rang, dismissing classes for the day. They gathered their things and departed from the Arithmancy classroom to start for the Great Hall. Hermione and Draco were both silent as they made their way through the castle, Hermione contemplating just what they were going to do about the Umbridge situation.

They sat down to dinner once Harry arrived and the boys dug in with gusto. Hermione ate a much more moderate pace, still considering her options regarding the toad. Everyone left her alone, seeing that she was in a contemplative mood. There were whispers all down the table about the upcoming meeting; Hermione knew that they were excited. They were still covering the patronus charm since only a handful of the students had mastered the spell. To everyone's surprise, after Hermione had produced her fox, the next student to succeed was Neville. He had been surprised and thrilled at the same time, blustering about how he couldn't believe that he had managed to produce his bear.

Hermione ate all she could of the roast chicken and potatoes before she pushed the plate away. She looked up to the High Table and watched as her father did his absolute best to brush off Umbridge from her obvious flirting and fawning. Every time Hermione had to witness this she wanted to get sick. Tonight, however, it helped her make her decision. She didn't want the bitch in trouble, she wanted her fired and Hermione could think of only one sure way to make sure that happened.

The boys interrupted her train of thought by tugging her to her feet, so they could go get the meeting room ready. Hermione didn't know why they insisted on going so early, it took them less than ten minutes to get the room ready after all, but she didn't complain. The Gryffindor followed them willingly, more than happy to let them converse back and forth about the details of the meeting.

Harry paced the corridor in front of the Room of Requirement, making the door appear before them. Hermione followed their usual routine and made her way to the bookcases on the far end of the room while the boys made sure that the dummies were out of the way. Hermione started a new book on defense and read through three chapters before the other students began to appear through the doors in small groups.

Hermione laid her book aside once most of the students were there. Harry and Draco were talking with Seamus and Dean, so she made her way over to them, shooting a smile at her brother along the way. The boys went silent when she arrived at their side, both leaning over to kiss her temple. She gave them a small smile as she spoke.

"I want to talk to everyone after the meeting, so we need to cut if off a little early." Draco reached out and played with the ends of her curls while Harry threaded his fingers through hers.

"Not a problem, 'Mi, we'll give you ten minutes at the end." She nodded and gestured for Harry that it was time to begin. Harry stepped to the front of room and shot sparks out of his wand.

"Alright, everyone, let's get started because we need to quit ten minutes early. Hermione has something she needs to talk to all of us about." He began motioning for all of them to move further away from each other.

"We're going to continue practice with the patronus charm. Half of you have achieved a corporeal patronus and all of you have produced mist. Keep practicing, this charm is very difficult, and you've already come so far with it."

Nobody needed any further instruction. They all began casting, hoping that they would produce a patronus. Now that Hermione could cast one, she had no problems coaxing her little fox to come out. Hermione and Draco both made their way through the room with Harry, helping where they could. As if by unspoken understanding, Neville stayed near Ron, Lavender, and Parvati. Apparently, it was clear that none of the trio cared to go help them. Draco settled on helping the twins while Hermione tackled Ginny, Luna, and Theo. Harry flitted from group to group, offering help where it was needed.

Of all the students, Luna was next to master the spell, a small hare shooting from the end of her wand to sniff and nibble at the ground. Hermione could only assume that it was invisible grass that the silvery animal was eating. Ginny began congratulating her loudly which caused Luna to lose concentration. Hermione was quick to offer her congratulations, as was Harry and the rest of the room. Luna took over helping Ginny, so Hermione was able to focus on Theo. He was getting more and more frustrated, finally reaching the point where he threw his wand.

"I can't cast one, I'm a dark wizard and my magic knows it." Hermione had expected him to shout his words, but he didn't. His voice was almost a whisper. Hermione retrieved his wand and held it out to him.

"What memory are you using?" Theo finally raised his head enough to meet his eyes.

"The photo I have of my mother holding me when I was born." Hermione took his hand in hers and gave him a soft smile.

"Her death makes you sad?" He gave her a nod. She nodded.

"I used my muggle parents at first and I couldn't get it to work. Harry suggested that I try something happy that didn't make me sad at the same time." Hermione shook the wand at him, indicating that he should take it. He reached out and took it, looking contemplative. He gave no warning when he swished his wand again. This time, instead of only mist, a crocodile leapt from the end of her brother's wand and began to prowl the room, snapping at anyone that came too close.

The smile on Theo's face was brilliant and she could see that he was extremely proud of his crocodile. After he let the crocodile roam the room for a full minute, he lowered his wand and turned happily to Hermione.

"You were right, I can't believe I did it." Hermione gave him a hug and held him tight.

"Congratulations, Theo. You've passed the patronus charm."

Hermione moved on to help a small group of Hufflepuffs while Theo moved to help a pair of Ravenclaws. There wasn't much time left to practice so Hermione only had time to reiterate what Harry had already told them. Once Harry called the meeting to end, Hermione made her way to the front of the room to stand by Harry. Draco came to stand by her, so they would be a united front. Hermione cleared her throat to gain everyone's attention.

"I realized today that Umbridge is out of control. I was unaware that when she is assigning detention with herself she's using a blood quill on students. If I hadn't seen the evidence on a couple students hands myself, I probably wouldn't have believed it." Zacharias Smith called out from the back.

"Who were the students? Are you sure that it was Umbridge?" Hermione flicked her gaze to the twins and gestured with her head that it was up to them to come clean if they so choose. After a quick glance to the other, both twins turned to face the Hufflepuff.

"It was us. We keep getting detention because the hag is picking on the little kids." Hermione waited until they had turned back to face her before she continued.

"She's giving detention to the twins and making them cut words into their hands because they're protecting the little kids. First years have no business using a blood quill. I have a plan that's going to get rid of that bitch. There is a small chance that we'll get in trouble, but if we do it right, the chance would be extremely small. Who's in?" Most of the people were raising their hands but there were a few that looked leery of the situation. Zacharias, one of the students that weren't raising their hands, called out again.

"Before I commit to anything, I want to know what the plan is." Hermione gave him a pleasant smile.

"Sure, as long as you agree to be obliviated when you leave." Most of the students gasped at her words and she realized that she should probably explain.

"I know that sounds like it's a bit extreme, but we need to get rid of this hag and if one person opens their mouth about the plan, we're all going to be fucked. It's for everyone's protection." There were far less worried looks at her words. After a few moments, those that had looked wary were raising their hands, indicating that they were in. Zacharias still looked unsure but finally relented.

"Alright, I'm in. What's this plan?" Hermione began to wander at the front of the room, careful how she chose her words.

"We all know that if you want to run a club in this school, you must have a school sponsor, one of the professors usually. We don't have one. We're going to let one of the little kids slip the information that we meet in here to Umbridge in return for getting no punishment. She's going to storm up here and catch us. Trust me, she hates Harry with a passion, so she'll tell everyone else to go back to their common rooms except for Harry and his closest friends. We'll bear the brunt of her anger. All it will take is Harry to get sassy with her and she'll try to attack him. I'm going to be waiting there with a recorder and I'm going to record every word she says. When I disarm her, I'm going to take the tape to the governors. They won't be able to stand by when we have proof. Not to mention, we'll have all the professors behind us, none of them like her." Terry Boot, standing in the middle of the room, called out.

"I know I'm a pureblood, but I was under the impression that muggle electronics didn't work in Hogwarts because of the high level of magical energy in the air." Hermione was surprised that a pureblood would think to ask about that.

"Last year, I invented a spell that would ward the electronic so the magical energy wouldn't affect it. That's the best way to explain it." Hannah Abbott called out from the back.

"What if she hurts one of us?" Hermione was trying to be patient, but it was proving to be difficult. She did her best to keep the bite out of her voice.

"Hannah, she's already hurting us. At least if it happens on our terms, we can get her fired." The blond girl tilted her head to the side and shrugged, conceding the point to Hermione. Hermione continued.

"I will take our schedule into account since we only have one meeting scheduled in the coming weeks. We may have to schedule one depending on when I can get one of the little kids to leak the information." Everyone was nodding their agreement with her plan. She heaved a sigh as she ploughed on even though she was certain that her request would be met with less than excited responses.

"The twins have been fielding Umbridge when it comes to the little kids. They can't do it anymore, I've healed them as much as I can, but if they continue to cut into their hands, it will scar more than it already has. We need volunteers to help keep the hag away from the littles. We can all take turns." Hermione didn't expect the response that she got.

All the Gryffindors raised their hands, that she expected. She was surprised that most of the Hufflepuffs raised theirs as well. Not a single Ravenclaw volunteered. Hermione had thought that there would be at least a few. Out of the corner of her eye, she did catch a glimpse of Luna waving her hand, and Hermione amended her thought. Just one Ravenclaw. She gave them all a smile.

"Thank you. If you see the bitch hounding the littles, take the Fred and George approach and cause a little trouble to catch her attention." There were nods through the room and Hermione knew that the meeting needed to end. They were due in Dumbledore's office.

Harry took the spotlight once more, told everyone that they had performed beautifully, and dismissed them. The boys began clearing up the room and Hermione sighed. She was going to have to listen to the Headmaster's bullshit and she had a feeling that she wasn't going to like it.

This was going to be a long conversation.

-O-

Severus sighed as he turned the page in his book. He hated the fact that he couldn't be reading in the comfort of his quarters, but he knew the meeting with Albus needed to happen. He had instigated it after all.

The Headmaster hadn't had a clue where to begin looking for the next horcrux. Severus had told Albus that he would keep his ears open and see if his father let anything slip about special locations. While Severus himself hadn't heard anything, another Death Eater that wasn't backing the Dark Lord had.

Lucius had contacted Severus just the day before and told him that he had heard the Dark Lord mention something about sending a brand new "protection" feature to his old family home. Severus hadn't had the slightest idea where that was, but once he had told Dumbledore that he had overhead his father speaking with Lucius, the Headmaster had sworn that he knew exactly where the Dark Lord had been referring. This exchange had prompted the meeting that they were supposed to be having that evening. While Severus agreed that it was necessary, he would have liked to have been able to wait in his quarters rather than in the Headmasters office.

Severus' inner monologue was cut short by the sound of the door opening and three teens entering the Headmaster's office. With a happy sigh, Severus put down the book, thankful that he no longer had to pretend to be reading. After this meeting he could go back down to his quarters, mark a few essays that the first years had turned in, and go to bed. It was no surprise that Severus was exhausted. The Headmaster had already stood and was gesturing for his daughter and her boyfriends to take seats before the fire.

Severus watched in unveiled amusement as Hermione made her mates sit on each end, so she could take up pride of place in the middle. They both just shook their heads at her bossiness but neither said a single word to admonish her. The Headmaster had just handed them tea when Albus opened the conversation.

"We all know that we need to find and destroy Voldemort's horcruxes as quickly as possible. We've successfully destroyed three of the horcruxes so there are still three left. I'm not sure what the horcrux is, but Severus heard some enlightening information about where one could be located. It's actually not far from the graveyard in which Tom made his return." Potter raked his hand through his hair and muttered.

"Just wonderful." Severus wanted to snort in amusement but refrained for no other reason than to speed this meeting along. Hermione took the reins of the conversation.

"It sounds like this is a remote location. Do we know what kind of protections he has set up? Going in blind again doesn't sound like the best idea." Albus shook his head regretfully.

"Unfortunately, no we don't. That's why I think that all five of us should go after the next one. The way Severus described your grandfather's words, I have a feeling that the protection will be fierce." Severus tapped his chin with his fingertips as he considered the Headmaster's words.

While he wasn't the happiest about taking Draco and Potter with them anywhere, especially after the fiasco in the cave, he was even less thrilled about Hermione going along. It was true that she incredibly powerful and she was probably the smartest of them all, but the fact that she could be in danger made his heart shudder. He knew that he couldn't handle losing her again. His daughter was completely unaware of his leeriness and ploughed on.

"When are you wanting to do this?" Both boys remained silent, but both looked eager to run off on this adventure. Severus decided that Hermione and Potter had been poor influences on his grandson if he looked that excited to run off into what would surely be danger. The Headmaster began stroking his beard as he considered her question.

"We wouldn't want to deprive you three of your first Valentine's Day together so how about we shoot for the fifteenth?" Severus felt a sense of dread that they were going to embark on this. He decided to intervene.

"Headmaster, after the last time I'm not entirely sure that the three of them should be going. If they were to be injured, it would cause rumors to circulate and questions would be asked. I think it would be better if just you and I went or if we brought Minerva into the picture." Albus shook his head.

"Absolutely not. I was leery to bring you four into the fold because the more people that know the more of a chance there is of the information getting out." Severus gritted his teeth at the expected answer. The Headmaster wouldn't relent so Severus would just have to make sure that he did his absolute best to protect his three charges. In a rare show of emotion, Severus sighed and raked his hand through his hair.

"Fine, have it your way Albus, but I will never forgive you if one of them gets injured or worse." His words left them all looking apprehensive but no less determined to go. Realizing that there wasn't anything else left to discuss, Severus stood.

"If that's all, let us all head to bed." Hermione and her two boys went to their feet, but his daughter hesitated in front of the Headmaster.

"Are you aware of what Umbridge is doing to students in detention?" Dumbledore at least looked sheepish as he answered.

"I'm more than aware of what is happening in this school. I'm also aware that there is nothing I can do about it because the school governors have tied my hands. They won't take anyone's word for it if we were to go to them and tell them that she is using a blood quill. I would need hardcore proof and there isn't a single person that has come forward with words cut into their hands. Until I have proof, there is nothing that I can do." Hermione huffed slightly at his words and Severus could tell that she was livid even though she seemed to understand what the Headmaster was saying. He started to worry when Hermione gave the Headmaster a devious smile.

"No worries, Headmaster, you won't be seeing any marks on hands, but you'll have your proof. When I come to you with proof, I expect that bitch to be out on her arse." Severus was surprised when Albus chuckled at his daughter's words.

"You have my word, Miss Granger." Severus watched at the two boys began to tug her towards the door but smiled when she stopped and came back to him, so she could wrap her arms around his waist. The Slytherin didn't even hesitate anymore. His arms went around her shoulders and held her close, his lips pressing a kiss into her hair line. He released her when she pulled away.

"I love you, Dad." He fingered one of her curls.

"I love you too, sweet." Severus watched as the three of them left, shutting the door behind them. He turned back to Albus and couldn't keep the displeasure off his face.

"I think you're making a mistake in not taking Minerva with us. I know that the three of them together can accomplish amazing things, but the fact remains that they are still children. I don't want my daughter running into a situation where she could get hurt." Albus narrowed his eyes at the Potion's Master.

"This is war and she's in an especially precarious situation with who her grandfather is. She's going to be in danger just sitting on the side lines simply because of who she is. At least if she goes with us, she's helping, for one, and we can watch out for her, for two. Think about it." While Severus knew that the Headmaster was speaking the truth, that didn't mean that he had to like it. With a huff or irritation, he answered Albus.

"Have it your way." He didn't even bother to answer the Headmaster before he spun around and made his way to the door.

Severus slammed the door behind him and made his way to the dungeons, in need of the solace that his quarters would provide. He understood where the Headmaster was coming from in saying that she wasn't going to be safe regardless, but he also was staunchly against using children in war unless it was necessary. He muttered the password to enter his quarters and immediately went to his desk, so he could pull out a tumbler and fire whiskey.

After pouring himself a drink, Severus settled in his armchair to contemplate his daughter's words about Umbridge. The woman was a menace and she had no business being in a school with children. He knew that the woman had made Potter use a blood quill, but he had never imagined that she was using it on other students. He wasn't sure what his daughter had planned but if he knew her, it was guaranteed to be vindictive.

Severus smiled to himself. He was going to get to see daughter in all her Slytherin glory and he couldn't wait. He threw back the last of his whiskey and made his way to his bedroom.

Bed never sounded better.

A/N- I struggled getting this chapter written and I'm not sure why. If it's terrible I'm sorry. I do hope that you enjoy it ((: Leave me your thoughts, they make me happy. Reviews = love.

Next up, a Valentine's Day that doesn't end quite like you'd expect.

Love,

Alicia