31 October 1993
Ron was a little upset with his sister for abandoning him on their first Hogsmeade trip but still filled her in on the details. Neville brought them back a large sampler of Honeydukes and Eloise brought them warm butter beer. Luna, Harry and Hermione eagerly listened as their friends regaled them with all exciting facets of Hogsmeade. Eloise pulled a few heavy tomes she picked up, Hermione and Luna were instantly at her side.
Harry found out that their DADA professor was a good friend and dorm mate to his father in school. He would go to the defense teacher once a week and Remus, as Harry was told to call him when they were alone, told Harry all about how his father loved transfiguration, his mothers obsession with a band called 'The Sex Pistols', and how when his father learned to actually talk to his mother in their sixth year, they became friends. Harry would walk back to the tower with a dreamy look on his face, listening someone talk about his parents for a solid hour always made his day better. Hermione was happy for her friend and only a little jealous. Seeing Harry get to learn about his parents made her wonder and she hated to wonder, to dwell on thoughts of her birth parents. It always felt like she was betraying her mum, dad, and brothers.
After the feast, the Gryffindors were barred from their common room. Percy was frantic when he found her in the back of all her house mates. Suddenly, the headmaster appeared and ushered them all into the great hall that had been cleared of tables. With a simple flick of his wand, fluffy purple sleeping bags littered the Great Hall floor. Percy lead them to a corner where the third years sat down. Fred and George pushed Hermione into the corner with a frown, then chose their own sleeping bags to be placed around them. Even Percy reserved a sleeping bag next to the twins.
"Is this really necessary?" Hermione huffed as she sat in the corner. Her brothers made her feel like helpless maiden in the tower and they were the dragons Sirius Black had to get through. The other houses started turning up and Luna rushed forward, pushing her bothers out of her way. Luna rearranged the sleeping bags so Hermione was in between Eloise and Luna.
"Better." Luna hummed happily. Harry, Neville, and Ron were directed to their sleeping bags right between the girls and the twins and Headboy.
"Where are your shoes?" Hermione asked.
"Nargles." Luna said simply as she summoned some chocolate from her rucksack.
"Again? I suppose they forgot our little talk at the end of the year. I'll just be reminding them." Hermione sniffed, Luna hid her face and offered up chocolate to everyone.
"What?" Eloise asked curiously.
"Nothing, it doesn't matter." Hermione sighed and took a piece of chocolate.
"What happened to Sirius Black?" Luna Asked curiously.
"Sirius Black?" Hermione squeaked.
"Yeah, he wrecked the Fat Lady!" Neville nodded emphatically.
"How did he get into the castle?" Eloise wondered, her eyes darting to the door as if he would walk in any moment.
"Why would he sneak in during the feast?" Hermione asked as she sucked on chocolate.
"He was probably sneaking in so he could lay in wait. Catch all the Gryffindors unawares." Ron said seriously.
"That doesn't make sense." Luna hummed as she tucked herself into her sleeping bag, scooting closer to Hermione.
"It makes perfect sense. Black was going to wait for us to come back from the feast. He killed 12 muggles and Peter Pettrigew with 1 spell!" Ron exclaimed.
"So, after 12 years in Azkaban and no wand, his first objective is to kill all the current Gryffindors?" Eloise asked incredulously.
"No, but maybe that was the only want he saw getting to Harry!" Ron blurted, they all turned to Harry who paled.
"Good show, Ronnie." Hermione said sarcastically as she reached out and grabbed Harry's hand.
"Maybe I shouldn't be around you guys for a while..." Harry mumbled, pulling his hand away from Hermione.
"No, mate. That's not the way it works in Gryffindor. How will you hold off a crazed murderer alone? We're not leaving you." Neville said sternly and nudged him with his shoulder.
"He's right." Eloise said firmly as both Ron and Harry opened their mouths, Hermione tightened her grip on his hand.
"Alright, you lot! Classes begin in the morning. Get some sleep." Percy walked up behind them, making the group jump. Percy eyed the boy holding his sisters hand shrewdly for a moment before stalking to the other side of the hall. After the lights were extinguished, Hermione laid down and reached for Harry's hand to let him know she was there for him. When he laced their fingers together, she fell asleep with a smile on her face.