Chapter 3

Fragile Strength

"Woah! 'Ey there, little feller! I'm jus' tryin' to help."

I stopped struggling at the scottish brogue of none other than Rubeus Hagrid, Gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures Professor. As soon as I went slack, he sat me back on the ground with gentle hands.

"Well hi there! Let me 'ave a look at you." Hagrid pet me softly as he looked over my lithe body, eyes brimming with wonder. "I read about 'em, but I never thought I'd get ta see a Kitsune! Pretty little thing, aren't ya?"

His compliment caught me off guard. Pretty? I suppose foxes are rather beautiful creatures, but wouldn't the extra tails creep others out? Then again, I live in a world of magic where Dragons are very real and children could stumble over a latin world and give themselves tentacles for arms. That and Hagrid thought every animal was pretty and harmless, no matter how dangerous to everyone else.

My train of thought cause me to lose my concentration, my hold, on my fox form and I changed back to a human.

"GAH!" Hagrid held one of his giant hands over his heart. "Hermione? Merlin, you scared the daylights outta me!"

I stammered out an apology. I didn't mean to scare Hagrid. I never meant to shift in front of him either.

He seemed to realize that as well. "'Old on. Yer' the Kitsune?"

"Yeah. I asked McGonagall to teach me to become an Animagus. You see, at the end of second year, after I was unpetrified, I inquired Professor McGonagall about becoming an Animagus. I've been meditating and practicing ever since then and gained my second form over the summer. Her advice and guidance really helped. I'm sure it would have taken me much longer to figure out by myself."

Hagrid beamed down at me. "Well, good fer you! Not many people 'ave the drive to become Animagus, you know. Takes a lot of hard work and determination and some kids jus' don't want ter put forth the effort. Is it all worth it?"

I thought back to the staggering sense of accomplishment and joy at having achieved my goal. "Yes. Yes, it is."

Hagrid gave a grunt of acknowledgement. "Well! You best be heading back to the castle. It's the firs' night back. Can't 'ave you gettin' into trouble so early. Come on then. I'll escort ye back."

"But I was…" I looked back at the ship floating on top of the lake's surface, silent and intimidating. It wasn't too far from the shore, but there were no ladders dangling conveniently over the sides. Even if I could make it to the ship by swimming, there would be no way for me to climb on board. I sighed heavily. "... enjoying a moonlit run. My fox form has a lot more endurance than this one. I might actually take up running."

Hagrid and I made small talk on the way back to the castle.

"Hey, Hermione? Can I ask you a favor?"

Hagrid was kind enough to lead me to the greenhouses. All the windows were cracked open enough that a little fox could easily slip through. A simple Immobulus would keep me from getting entangled in the plants lining the window sill. "Yes Hagrid?"

The half-giant was quite the sight wringing his hands and kicking at the ground bashfully. "Well…. you see… Kitsunes are… a rare thing to stumble upon…. and well… I was wonderin'... If maybe you could… the students would love to…"

I began to feel uneasy. "Hagrid?"

He took a deep breath. "If you wanted to… help me with class…. and maybe… show the students…. The students would love to see…"

"Hagrid? Are you asking me to sit in on your classes… as a Kitsune?"

"Well…. Yeah."

I stared dumbfounded at the half-giant. "I want to keep my Animagus form a secret for as long as I can. I can't exactly accomplish that when I'm shifting in front of several classes full of talkative students."

"Well, you don't have to shift in front of 'em. Just be in the class, let 'em gawk at ya, and then yer done! I know the kids will love it! Especially the third years!"

"Tomorrow is crowded with classes, Hagrid. I'll barely have anytime to get to them much less be gawked at by children."

"Well, then, how about tuesday. Or wednesday? I saw yer schedule. Almost 'ave a whole day to yerself those days. What do ya say? Wanna help me teach?"

I thought over his proposal. The time spent being the star of his classes was time not spent on studying. However, I have already taken my OWLs. The only reason I am still in fourth year classes and not NEWT level classes was on behalf of none other than Harry Potter. If I graduated early, he and Ron would be left alone to their own destructive devices and Dumbledore just couldn't have that. As much as I love Harry, as a brother I always wished for, he tends to rush into things without thinking of the consequences. Ron is just as bad and encourages such behavior. However, Hagrid had a point as well. I didn't need to shift in front of the students. All I had to do was wait around, let them admire me, and then wait until they leave to shift back. Holding my form for an hour would be difficult as I had not acquired the magical endurance that McGonagall and Sirius have, but I could do it. And it's not like anyone would know it was me. It's not as if people sought me out on an hourly basis. In fact, many avoided me and the library I dearly loved. Madam Pince helped in that matter. My reputation for snapping when my studies were interrupted did the rest. Yes, I could do this. On one condition.

"Will I be getting extra credit points for this?"

Hagrid smiled in relief. "Yer going to get an O anyway, but a'ight! I'll even give ya ten House points for each class!"

I held out my hand. "You got yourself a deal, Professor Hagrid."

We shook hands, his meaty paws dwarfing mine, and sealed the agreement.

"Well! Ya' best be off now. You got a full day a' classes tomarra' and then you got two days wit' me. See you on tuesday!" Hagrid waved goodbye and went on his merry way back to his humble hut.

Since I didn't want to get caught twice in one night, I figured I might as well head for my dorm. I had a full schedule tomorrow and I needed to be wide awake. It wouldn't do for the brightest witch of her age to fall asleep in class. Nor would it look good on my person to be caught roaming the corridors after curfew. Gryffindor has won the House Cup three years in a row now and I did not want to be the one who got my House docked points first. That would be humiliating. No one would ever take me seriously again.

I stalked through the halls, using my fox form to scare off Mrs. Norris and sneak past Snape. The Prefect patrolling at this hour was much too busy berating a Ravenclaw and Slytherin for snogging behind a tapestry making it all too easy to slip by unnoticed. When I finally entered the common room, after a brief lecture from the Fat Lady, I let my guard down. Shifting back and forth had tired me and I was dead on my feet. The thought of sleep was so alluring, I didn't notice the ambush until it was too late.

"Hermione!"

"Where have you been?"

"How do you owe Krum a life debt?"

"What is he making you do?"

"You don't have to marry him, do you?"

"You are so bloody lucky!"

I held up my hands. "Shut up!" The room went quiet. I looked out over the small group. Ginny spearheaded the interrogation while Harry and Ron flanked her sides. Fred and George weren't far off and Neville was sitting on the edge of a sofa, chewing on a biscuit. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, my roommates, were standing to the side. They both resembled hungry bloodhounds waiting to pounce on a poor rabbit. "Just… stop. We didn't… Viktor didn't ask anything of me. Headmaster Dumbledore suggested we both sleep on it and approach the situation at a later time."

Ginny did not look appeased. She seemed to grow more frantic. "Hermione! Don't you understand what's just happened?! Haven't you read about life debts?"

I walked past my Housemates and collapsed into a chair. "The teachers… and ex-Headmaster Black gave me a good idea. They said that my life is in Viktor's hands. He could order me to bear his son and I'd have to do it."

Ginny fell into the sofa opposite of me. Harry sat beside me while everyone else remained standing. "It's more than that, Hermione. A life debt is a bond between two people that is forged when one person saves the life of the other. A long time ago, these bonds were highly honored and revered by the wizarding world and even by muggles. Those who had these bonds gladly acted as servants, home keepers, and even shields to repay their debts. Witches that were rescued considered it an honor to give their savior an heir. Eventually, a few Dark wizards saw it as an opportunity to punish and torture. They banded together and helped each other forge the bond of a life debt with desireable witches. It became common for a Dark wizard to have his friends attack a woman he admired and drive them off, thereby 'saving her'. It became a common way of forcing women into marriages and an excuse to rape a witch they viewed as worthy.

"A life debt is not just some phrase or social protocol. A life debt is not so different from an Unbreakable Vow. If Krum orders you to do something and you refuse, the bond will kill you or at least make you wish it would."

Yeah, that didn't sound so different from what Phineas Black said. "At least I have the Professors at my back. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall said that they'd do their best to keep Viktor requesting anything too… what?"

Fred and George shook their heads as everyone else stared in blatant pity. Ginny swallowed before leaning closer so that I could hear her soft voice. "They only said that to make you feel better. This is between you and Krum, and you have little to no say. If Krum told you to give up your education and become his housewife, the Professors won't be able to do anything to help you. We wouldn't be able to help you. All we could do is promise to write and cry as we watch you leave."

Harry shot to his feet, his green eyes burning with rage. "He can't do that! Hermione is the smartest witch in the world! He can't make her throw her life away because he wants to get a wife the easy way!"

A sharp tug on the back of his robes sent him tumbling back down beside me. "Cool it, Harry. Viktor said he wouldn't do that. He claimed that he called in the life debt to protect me from Draco and his posse. That is not the act of a calculative man."

"Yeah, and who'd want Hermione as a wife?"

Ron was knocked off his perch on the arm of a sofa by several pillows and a shoe. Ginny scowled at her brother, one foot clad in only a red and gold sock, and turned back to me with a softer expression. "Still, Hermione. Be prepared for the very worst. The invoking of a life debt is rare for a reason."

I went to bed that night feeling more anxious and confused. It took forever for my mind to relax enough to allow me to sleep and I woke up the next morning feeling as if I had just gone to bed. I was up earlier than all others but the teachers and for once in my life I hated my ambition to be the best student Hogwarts has ever seen.

The bathroom remained empty as I went through my morning routine. By the time people started waking up, I was out the door and on my way to the Great Hall for breakfast. My book of magical creatures was tucked safely into my bag, ready for research. I wanted to learn everything I could about the Kitsune. I had no clue as to which kind I was, and I wanted as much information as I could get so I could draw a conclusion. Or I suppose I could try flinging different elements around until one reacts. My coloring is cream and white, so maybe I'm a Mountain Kitsune. I was wondering what I looked like in my second form when a shout drew me out of my pondering.

Somehow I had reached the Great Hall with clouded thoughts. I was stood in the doorway, both excited and frightened to see Viktor waving at me from the Slytherin table. The end of the table was dominated by the red and brown uniforms of Durmstrang. It seemed that the northern school wasn't afraid of early mornings. Viktor waved and patted the bench, gesturing for me to join him. I debated on whether or not it was a good idea to sit at the table of my House's enemy. Sitting with him could earn me brownie points. Not taking the offer might insult Viktor and make him angry enough to abuse me like so many Purebloods do to poor house elves. Sitting with him would incite the ire of the snakes. But I really didn't want to insult the man who held my life in his hands. My fingers reached up and brushed the Star Ball thrumming in the hollow of my throat. I suppose now would be a good time to give it to him. No one but them and a few teachers, Snape and Karkaroff to name a few, were there to see. I'll leave when the first group of Slytherins make their entrance. With that in mind, I glided down the aisle and sat beside Viktor.

He looked very pleased. "Mila, meet my friendz. Zis iz Aidan, Dimitri, Asen, Vasil, and zat iz Comeran. Men, zis iz Mila. Only I call her zat, zhough."

The five men he introduced me to were all wearing cheshire grins. The others at the table threw me curious glances and continued eating their breakfast. They probably weren't part of Viktor's group of friends, but I'm sure I'd meet them sooner or later. I cast a nervous look at the door. No one had shown up yet.

"Ah, you are za lady Viktor goes on about."

Viktor barked something in bulgarian and threw a roll at the one he said was Asen. The others laughed. I giggled as well and leaned towards the strawberry blond boy with the odd name. "So…. Com-ear-an. That's a strange name. How did your parents come across it?" Another glance at the doors. Clear.

The young man, with his fluffy head of hair and his what some would call Adonis looks, winced at my question. "Mother vas… drunk. Father vasn't at… home birth. Father iz vat you call… Auror. Best in… team. Very big… uh…. job."

I nodded along, showing him that I understood. "Okay. Your mom had a home birth and your father was working a case, yes? Still, that doesn't explain how she got your name. I've never heard of it before. And, not to sound rude, but you don't look…"

"Mother iz greek. Got looks vrom mother. She speak greek, french, english. Taught me some. Better at french. Said she…. invent name."

"She invented a name? Why would she ever do that? I thought purebloods were all about tradition and gave their ancestors names to their children." Glance. Clear.

He shrugged, tentatively poking at a bowl of porridge. "She say it pair funny vith my father's name."

"Oh really? What's your father's name?" A flock of Ravenclaws shuffled in and collapsed onto the bench. A male's head hit the table top with a solid thunk. Viktor poured me a glass of pumpkin juice and I kindly accepted the goblet.

"My surname is Sukmeoff."

I turned my head just in time so that I wouldn't spew juice on the food and boys.

"Vat? Vat I say?"

I dabbed my mouth and chin with a napkin. "You might want to keep your name to yourself for as long as you can."

He cocked his head like a puzzled puppy. "Vhy?"

My face heated at the thought of explaining why the name Comeran Sukmeoff was hands down the worst, I suppose some would say best, name ever. Thank the Gods that he wasn't taught english slang. I glanced around the room, searching for any Slytherins. Save for silk-clad french girls at the Ravenclaw table and two Hufflepuffs, we were alone. Karkaroff and Snape were minding their own business while the other teachers were enjoying their breakfast. Unwilling to say it to the group, I tugged Viktor down to whisper in his ear. "His name is very provocative."

The Seeker didn't look enlightened. "Huh?"

"His name sounds an awful lot like a… suggestion."

Viktor arched an eyebrow, unknowingly channeling the dour Potions Master.

My face was burning as I offered a smile to the more than curious men staring at me. I cast a Silencing Charm around Viktor and I and tried to explain once more. "His name… Comeran Sukmeoff…. sounds like Come here and suck me off. That may not mean anything to you in Bulgaria, but here to us english speakers… it means….. Fuck! It means…. 'suck me off' is a…" I groaned and smacked my forehead into his chest. "I can't do this! There's no way I can do this!"

"Yes you can. I promize not to laugh."

I sighed, keeping my face buried in his uniform. "You know what… sex is, right?"

His chest vibrated with a chuckle. "Da, I know ov vat you speak."

"Well…. Your friend's name… Do you know what a… blow job is? Suck me off is referring to an… act of oral sex…."

Finally, realization dawned on his face. And then the dam broke. His laughter was deep and pleasant. His whole body convulsed and tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. He had a nice laugh. One I wouldn't mind listening to all day if I could. I released the charm and allowed his guffaws to fill the Great Hall. Several pairs of eyes turned to look at us, but he didn't seem to care. He slapped his hand on the table and fought to regain his breath. After heavy panting, he had enough control to speak. He spouted off a few phrases in his own language and had the rest of his schoolmates bent over in laughter as well. Comeran's face invented a new shade of red as his brethren teased him for his name. I felt bad for the poor guy. His mother must have been really drunk when she came up with it or really cruel. As to why she was drinking while pregnant, I'll never know. Maybe I could distract the others.

"Don't feel bad, Comeran. I was petrified by a Basilisk second year."

That got their attention. "You face Basilisk?"

"Viktor zay zat, but ve did not believe."

Viktor's eyes were twinkling like the night sky. "Right. You promized to tell. How do you come across giant, deadly snake? Zey are not common."

"Well, it happened second year. Apparently, Salazar Slytherin built himself a secret chamber underneath the school to hide his pet Basilisk, a creature that only he and his heirs could control. At first we all thought it was just a myth, a tale told to scare students. Second year, the petrifying started. It was only a few students, but it was enough to scare everyone one. After a Polyjuice Potion and…"

"Vait a moment!" Dimitri held up a hand to stop me. "You make a Polyjuice in second year? Zat iz not an eazy potion to make."

"I am exceptionally good at all things academic." I winced at the memory of my first drink of the Polyjuice. "Everything went perfectly, but it's not something I like to talk about."

Viktor bumped me with his shoulder. "Vhy not?"

"Let's not talk about it. It's very embarrassing and the less people who know, the better. Anyway, we figured out that Malfoy wasn't the heir of Slytherin, therefore, wasn't controlling the beast. After a while, the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place. I went to the library to confirm my suspicions and lo and behold, I was right. When I left the library to tell Harry what I found, things went downhill fast. I had taken to carrying a hand mirror on me, courtesy of my mother and I used it to peek around corners. All I remember seeing a pair of yellow eyes in the reflection. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the Hospital Wing almost a month later. It could have been much worse. If I hadn't been using that mirror, I would have strolled right into my death."

The Durmstrang students were entranced. Each man radiated awe and wonder and slumped over the table to better hear me. "Zat iz it? You vent to… li-ber-y alone even zough zere vas Bazilisk roaming school? Vere you not scared?"

"I was very scared. A monster was attacking muggleborns. I was scared out of my mind, but I couldn't sit back and do nothing. Honestly, I hardly did anything. All I did was give Harry the information he needed to defeat the beast. He and Ron had to face a nest of Acromantulas to fill in the blanks I couldn't at the time. And then Dumbledore canceled the end-of-year exams, so that sucked."

Viktor, resting the side of his face on his fist, shook his head in disbelief. "Only you vould be upzet not to take test."

"I take pride in my knowledge."

Aidan tapped the table on either side of his nearly empty plate. "Viktor say you vace verevolf! Iz true or iz Viktor making you look… heroic?"

I picked at a blueberry muffin. "No, I faced a werewolf before. Just a few months back, actually. It's a bit… complicated. I used a Time Turner last year to help me keep up with my full schedule. To be honest, the werewolf I was fine with. I'd gladly face it again rather than the horde of Dementors we ran into shortly after."

Viktor choked on his eggs in surprise. "Dementors as well?! Vat next? Dragons? Vat monzters have you not face?"

"I haven't gone up against a dragon yet, but you'll be the first person I tell."

The Durmstrang men laughed at my attempt at a joke. Everything was going well when Viktor tensed and tucked me into his side. I had to wriggle in his one-armed embrace to get a peek at what had made him tense. There, standing with his mindless goons on either side, was Draco Malfoy. Students were starting to trickle in, and that included the dreaded snakes. Very few noticed the misplaced lion sitting amongst the sea of red. Only Malfoy seemed to spot me. Though I have never been scared of the white haired git, the heat in his glare was enough to send a shiver down my spine. Thankfully, the Weasley twins were up and eating. I would be safe sitting with them. With a pat on Viktor's arm, I attempted to free myself from his grip.

"It's been fun, you guys, but I think I may have overstayed my welcome." Every man groaned in denial, trying to convince me to stay longer and tell more stories. I giggled at their pathetic attempts. "Sorry, fellas. Snakes don't like me very much. It's better if I go sit with my fellow lions." I got up and started for the twins. I was nearing my seat when I remembered that I was going to give him my Star Ball. Oh well. Too late now. There's no reason to chance a run in with Malfoy when I would see Viktor again.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville were making their way towards me. Almost each one was vibrating with excitement and pounced on me soon as their bums hit the seat.

"Merlin's balls, Hermione! Why the bloody hell were you talking to Krum?! Has he come up with a way to punish you? Are you to be his slave for the rest of the year?"

I glared at the frightened sneer on Ron's face. "No, Ron. He hasn't said anything about the life debt yet. I'm sure he's still thinking about it. Viktor just introduced me to his friends and they asked me about the monsters we faced."

Ginny's expression was dark. "You think he's gonna make you sleep with them?"

"By the Gods! No! He doesn't… I don't think Viktor's friends need any form of a debt to receive a woman's attention. I'll bring it up with him later."

Fred and George shared a look. "You really shouldn't have left the offer open like that. He could ask you to do anything and you'd have to do it."

"Yes, I got that. Thank you, boys."

I shoveled food into my mouth as quickly and cleanly as I could. My stomach satisfied, I glanced at my wristwatch and gathered my things. "Five minutes until Herbology, boys. I'm going to start heading over. You better not be far behind."

Ron grunted around a mouthful of sausage and Harry nodded in acknowledgment. I waved goodbye to my friends and left the Great Hall in a hurry. A few students had the same idea for the corridors were dotted with children swarming the halls, rushing from point A to point B. Some were alone and others traveled in packs moving a bit slower to gossip over Viktor and how the girls would gain his attentions. I was going to confront those girls and shame them for even thinking about using Amortentia on anyone when a familiar owl perched itself on the statue closest to me. A black, grey, and white horned owl with a scowl reminiscent of its owner eyed me sternly. A small roll of parchment was tied to her leg which she held out impatiently. I'm sure that she would be scolding me if I could understand owl speak. I gently removed the scroll from her leg and opened the unexpected message.

To my office immediately.

-Minerva

When I looked up, Athena the owl was gone. I started for Minerva's office at a quick pace. I knew better than to dally and drag my feet. If Minerva said now, she meant now. The bell tolled a warning for students. I couldn't help but worry even though McGonagall would cover for me. It was the first day of the school year, but Sprout could be divulging some important information. I couldn't trust others to lend me their notes. Last time that happened, I spent half an hour just decoding Neville's chicken scrawl and another forty minutes filling in the blanks. I suppose I should have known better than to trust Neville with notes for Potions. He is absolutely terrified of Professor Snape.

In no time at all, I was standing inside her office. The rather small, circular office seemed even smaller with Hagrid occupying a transfigured chair to hold a man of his size. McGonagall sat behind her desk with the ever-present scowl on her face. Though she tried to hide it, I could see the concern behind her spectacles. "Have a seat, Miss Granger."

I did as she commanded, silently folding myself onto the last empty chair. "Good morning, Professor McGonagall. Is there a problem?"

"I should say so. You see, we teachers had a staff meeting this morning. Imagine my surprise when Professor Hagrid here boasted that he found a Fire Kitsune that agreed to be the subject of his classes for the week." She managed to pin both of us with a glare. "Care to tell me why you are risking exposure?"

Both the half-giant and I squirmed in our seats. "Well, I really saw no harm in it, Professor. It's not as if I'm shifting in front of the students. No one has to know that it's me. Besides, it's a wonderful learning experience for the students. I read that Kitsunes are elusive and difficult to study. Everything we know about them is an accumulation of centuries worth of study. I know I wasn't born a Kitsune, but maybe we could learn more."

McGonagall breathed through her nose. "As much as I appreciate your…"

"No one will find out it's me, Professor. And when I'm registered, there is no guarantee that people will know to look me up. I can simply ask the office to keep it secret. There is no harm in allowing a few kids to gawk at me. However, you yourself said that the Ministry might make a big deal if it. If that is the case, there's no point in keeping it secret. That doesn't mean I'll shift in front of the class, but it would be a great learning experience."

McGonagall looked between me and Hagrid. Her eyes flickered with emotions, always changing so that I couldn't name them. Finally, she sighed. "Alright, Hermione. I trust in your judgment. I will allow you to work with Hagrid, but for this week only. This means that you will help him with all of his classes. Do not worry about missing your classes. I will notify the teachers that you are running errands for me. It's not as if you'll be missing anything important. You're supposed to be in NEWT levels anyhow. Catching up will be a breeze."

I stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

She offered me a rare smile and turned her hard gaze on Hagrid. "Now listen here, Rubieus. Hermione is one of my best and most talented students. You will take the utmost care of her or I will be very cross with you. If she returns to her dorm in less than the perfect condition she left in, I will make Severus look like a saint."

A man three times the size of the elderly witch cowered in fear. He gulped and nodded, stuttering promises that I would be fine. McGonagall dismissed him with a wave of her hand and he fled the room with shocking speed. I got up to follow, but a I was stopped by a stern gaze. I fell back into the overstuffed sofa, waiting for further instruction. Now that Hagrid was gone, she allowed her worry to show.

"Hermione, are you sure you want to do this? What if you can't hold your form anymore? I know from experience that first time shifters struggle to hold their second forms for more than an hour. Though the Kitsune is a strong and powerful adversary, they have a serious weakness in their Star Balls. What if someone where to get ahold of yours?"

My muscles tensed. "My Star Ball is my… weakness?"

"Why yes." She waved her wand and a book floated off the bookshelf and landed on her desk. Another wave of her hand caused the cover to fly open and the pages to flip, stopping on a page I've seen before. "A Star Ball is a significant piece of a Kitsune. They can be used to magnify their spells, hold memories, and help them create illusions to fool others. However powerful it makes them, the Star Ball is also their greatest weakness. If a mortal gets ahold of it, they can control the Kitsune to do their bidding. And should your Star Ball be drained or destroyed, you would die."

I was frozen. Illusions? Die? Me? Could I just hand my demise to a man I hardly know? He could command me with it, but it's not so different from the life debt. That part I could live with until I paid my dues. But what if he drops it? What if it's hit with a reducto? While he's wearing it?

"Hermione, is everything alright? You look quite pale."

I gathered my things. "Fine! I'm perfectly fine, Professor. I was just thinking that I'm going to be late helping Professor Hagrid and all."

Her brows furrowed. "He doesn't have a class at the moment, but I suppose you would need to help him set up his lessons for the week considering they pertain to you. Right then, off you go. And do be careful. If you feel as if you can't hold the form any longer, don't hesitate to escape to a place where you can catch your breath. And should you at all feel threatened in his classes, let me know. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable. By the way, I finished up your papers last night and sent them to the Ministry. No doubt they'll want to have a meeting with you to get the full description of your form. It's a pain in the neck, I know, but that is how our Ministry works."

I bowed again and left her office. The halls were empty with students either being in classes or off spending their free time doing who knows what. No one saw me as I made the trek to Hagrid's hut and found him stringing up freshly cooked rabbits and squirrels. Little baskets of assorted wild berries sat on the steps to his modest home. I glanced over for a moment then went back to… whatever he was doing. "There ya are, Hermione! I was wonderin' when you were gonna show up."

"Hello, Hagrid. Can I place my stuff in your hut?"

"Sure, go 'head. Can't exactly keep yer secret if yer stuff's lyin' aroun' in the open."

I slid past him and set my things on his table. When I quitted the hut, I began to question his horde. "So what's with the meat?"

"These are fer you, of course. I have ter make it look like yer gettin' somethin' out of this than jus' havin' kids poke and prod at ya. Foxes are omnivores and will eat everything from fruit ter meat and even small bugs like crickets and caterpillars. I decided ter cook the meat so ya wouldn't be eatin' it raw. Thought you might like that."

"Oh." I eyed the baskets and meat with appreciation. The meat did smell really good. My mouth was watering at the heady smell. That small part in my mind that housed my inner beast perked up at the scent. The berries didn't look too bad either. "Thank you."

"No problem, Hermione. Want ter make you as comfertable as possible. Now, anythin' ya want ter tell me? Any requests er rules ya wanna lay down?"

I mulled over the possible outcomes of being the subject of Hagrid's classes. "Try to convince the students not to approach me. Kitsunes are beasts of freedom and they don't like to feel caged. Um… I think that's about it. McGonagall told me to leave for a safe place if I can't hold my form anymore, so don't be surprised if I get up and sprint out of class. It shouldn't be soon though. Maybe two hours until I need to rest."

Hagrid nodded, tying up the last of the meat. "Alright then. What do ya say we get ready fer classes?"

I beamed up at him and nodded, my face dropping when he turned his back on me.

Is my Star Ball really so important? Should I give Viktor so much control over me? He seems to be a good man. He did stand up to Malfoy for me. I mean… I could always take it back. And I have to obey him anyway. It's not like he'll take advantage of it.

Right?