The Granger Son

Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

The Granger Son

Chapter 25

Green eyes looked around at the Room of Requirement, watching members of Potter's Army learn and attempt the Patronus Charm. And everyone was absolutely failing at producing their Patronus, but it was to be expected. Upon the start of the meeting, Harry had easily produced his own stag Patronus for example. With everyone awed and excited to try and produce their own, everyone began practicing the incantation for the Patronus Charm, as well as attempting to make theirs.

Harry walked around as everyone kept trying and practicing, listening to many different voices call out 'Expecto Patronum'. As he walked around observing, correcting wand movements and holds, he instructed, "Try and think of something that makes you happy, a happy memory. Whatever brings you joy, that makes you feel elated. You have to emulate that feeling of joy or happiness or love. And above all, you have to have faith that you can make you Patronus appear."

They continued the lesson, the members of Potter's Army more invigorated than ever to produce their Patronuses. Before long, it was time to end the lesson, as they all had N.E.W.T.s or O.W.L.s or end of term examinations to study for. However, by the end of the lesson, only Draco had been able to produce his Patronus, a magnificent peacock that strutted around and spread its feathers before disappearing in a wisp of white. As the peacock Patronus disappeared, Blaise smirked at Draco and said, "It's flashy and regal, just like a Malfoy."

Harry chuckled as the blond wizard rolled his eyes before adjourning the meeting, telling them to plan to meet in two days and will let them know the time through the enchanted coins Hermione had made for everyone. With that, he bid everyone 'goodnight'. Right before everyone left however, Hermione called out, "Oh, and one more thing everyone! Just so you all know, Umbridge has threatened Harry in telling him he knows he and the rest of us are up to something. I wouldn't put it past her to attempt to try and manipulate any of us into finding out the truth into what we're doing. So please be careful and alert around her, and don't trust anything she says or does, no matter how innocent."

Everyone was in agreement with the Ravenclaw on that, knowing Umbridge would probably do something underhanded to find out information, especially with her already being suspicious. And if she had already threatened Harry with the knowledge that she knows he was up to something, then she must feel she is close to a breakthrough. With that thought it mind, they all left the Room of Requirement and headed back to their Common Rooms to retire for the night.

Harry returned to Slytherin Dungeon with Draco, Blaise, and Daphne—Blaise stopping by the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower to bid Hermione 'goodnight'—and decided to do a bit of Charms homework with the three of them. He also did a bit of Astronomy with Daphne before deciding to turn in for the night. Wishing her 'goodnight' as he headed to the Boys Dormitory, Harry went inside and gathered his belongings to take a shower in the communal bathroom. After showering, brushing his teeth, and the rest of his nightly routine, he exited the bathroom and went to his bed. However, as he did, he took notice of a note resting on his pillow. Recognizing the writing on the note, he knew it was from Professor Snape.

Picking the note up, he read it over before burning it and getting into bed. The note basically said that his next lesson in Legilimency would be the next night following dinner. Harry would always burn the notes, as he didn't want others knowing about his private lessons with Snape unless necessary. He was sure Snape would appreciate the secrecy as well, especially with a certain nosy pink toad poking her nose everywhere. With that done, he settled down for bed, taking his glasses off and placing them on his nightstand. Letting out a sigh, Harry closed his eyes and settled down for sleep, hoping for pleasant dreams or none at all as to not have any nightmares.

Neville Longbottom walked nervously as he made his way to Professor Umbridge's office. He had been surprised to receive a summons from her, asking him to meet with her during his free period. He had no idea what she wanted, and she scared him more than Professor Snape ever had, and he really didn't want to go to her office. After all, he couldn't think of anything worse than being alone with her of all his professors. He would rather be studying up on his Herbology right now than meeting Umbridge.

As he entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Neville remembered Hermione's warning from the night before. She had warned them to be on their guard regarding anything to do with Umbridge, and that was what he planned on doing, even if she made him nervous. Reaching her office door, he took a deep breath and knocked, hearing her sickly-sweet voice call out, "Enter!"

Taking a deep breath, Neville stepped inside the office and nearly blanched at all the pink and many pictures of cats hanging on the wall. Looking at the woman, he asked, "You called for me, Professor?"

"Yes, I did. Please, come in and take a seat," Umbridge replied easily.

Nodding, Neville closed the office door and took a seat down in the chair in front of the desk. As he sat down, he asked, "Am I in trouble of some sort?"

Giving the boy and sweet, yet fake smile, Umbridge answered, "Of course not, Mr. Longbottom. I just want to take the time to discuss your homework and classwork, as well as how your studying for your O.W.L.s are going. After all, it won't be long before you are taking them."

Standing up from her chair, she walked over to where her tea pot sat, hot tea waiting to be poured into the two teacups present. With her back to Longbottom, she discreetly took a phial of the Veritaserum that she had made and poured it into one of the cups, then took the teapot and poured tea into it, then into the next one. That being done, she carried the cups over to her desk and sat them down, being sure to put the Veritaserum laced one in front of the Gryffindor. Summoning a plate of biscuits, she offered, "Tea and biscuits?"

"No, thank you, Professor," Neville replied, his mind instantly going to Hermione's warning from the night before.

"Don't trust anything she says or does, no matter how innocent."

At his refusal of the refreshments, he took notice of Umbridge's briefly annoyed expression on her face. She obviously didn't like that he had refused her offer of food and drink, and it made him wonder why. He watched her school her expression back to being warm and welcoming before trying to coax him to have some tea and biscuits again. And like the first time, he politely declined her offer. Like she had said upon him entering, they spent most of his free period discussing his classwork like she had said. They also talked about possible tutoring to help him prepare for his O.W.L.s before Neville eventually left the pink office and D.A.D.A. classroom. And throughout all of that talking, he took not a single sip of her tea.

The moment Longbottom left her office and the door closed behind him, Dolores let her fake smile drop from her face, her expression twisting into an ugly one of anger. She was cross, very cross. She couldn't believe that she could not get Longbottom to drink any of the Veritaserum laced tea. Before him, she had already summoned a couple of students from all four Houses and got them to drink the tea. Though admittedly, it was a waste as her interrogations thus far had been fruitless. Therefore, she believed that one student easy enough to crack and was possibly close to Potter was Longbottom.

Dolores was still feeling incredulous at her failure over Longbottom later that evening, still not believing that she hadn't been able to get anything out of him, and all because he declined her offer of tea and biscuits. He seemed gullible enough to do so while being none the wiser, and yet he didn't. If she couldn't even make pathetic Longbottom drink the Veritaserum, how was she going to make anyone else close to Potter? Despite her doubts, she knew she couldn't give up. One way or another, she would get a student to confess. She just had to keep trying; her hard work would pay off.

The next day, Hermione and Blaise were in the library studying Herbology together, both ignoring Madame Pince's sharp gazes and watchful eyes. They were prepping for their Herbology O.W.L., as well as an upcoming exam leading into the O.W.L.s. They had been studying all the material that they had learned from First through Fourth Year and were now going over what they had learned and were learning currently. They had been at it for just over an hour and were still going. Well, Hermione was still going; Blaise was busy staring at her with a fond smile.

Hermione really was one of a kind to Blaise. Sure, there were other girls he could have taken an interest in, but Hermione had caught his attention as more than just Harry's sister and a friend. She was smart—though everyone knew that—sweet, spunky, determined, compassionate, funny, had a passionate ferocity about her, and was overall amazing. She walked with a purpose and was confident yet had room to be vulnerable. Most girls only cared about their looks and impressing guys, hoping that just one boy's eyes would land on them just long enough to bear interest, but Hermione wasn't like that. She didn't try to get some or any guy's attention, she didn't flirt and hope for a boyfriend. Hermione was always being her pure, authentic self, and it was that self that drew him in and helped the crush he had been developing for her since last school year. And now it was obvious to everyone around them, and to Hermione herself, that he liked her, and he knew she liked him in return.

Looking up from the notes she was looking over about Puffapods, Hermione was going to ask him a question, only to find the Slytherin staring at her. Blushing from being under his gaze, the brunette asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Blaise answered, his smile growing at the cute blush on her cheeks.

"Liar. What is it? Is it something on my face?"

"No, nothing like that. It's just that you look really cute when you're concentrating on something."

The Ravenclaw blushed brighter before looking down at her notes saying, "You're supposed to be studying Herbology, Blaise. You're not supposed to be studying me."

The brunette had said it in a scolding tone, yet there was no bite in her words, showing just how flustered he had made her. Chuckling, Blaise set his quill down and said, "I will get back to studying, I promise. But, if you'll humor me for a moment, I want to know if you'll allow me to do one thing."

"And what is that?" Hermione asked looking back up at the handsome wizard.

Smiling, Blaise stood up slightly from his seat and leant over the table, pressing his lips gently against Hermione's in a kiss. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and she stared wide-eyed at Blaise as he pulled back to smile at her. However, as the shock wore off and the tingling of her lips from the kiss set in, Hermione found herself smiling. Letting out a small giggle, Hermione leant forward and kissed Blaise again, him gently kissing her in return. This moment, it felt so right to them, and was long awaited.

The kiss ended abruptly when Blaise suddenly pulled back, a hiss escaping his mouth before he grabbed his arm. Rubbing it, he turned to look behind him, only to see Harry walking towards them, his wand in hand. The git had hit him with a Stinging Hex, meaning that for him to do so, he had witnessed him kiss his sister. Once Harry reached their table, he asked, "Was that really necessary, Harry?"

"Maybe not," Harry answered. "But you could have at least properly asked her to be your girlfriend first before kissing my sister, Blaise."

"Harry!" Hermione admonished, completely embarrassed by her younger brother. Honestly, of all the times for him to play the annoying brother, he had to do so when it came to her love life. Despite this, when Blaise turned to ask her if she'd be his girlfriend, she happily agreed. Blaise kissed her once more before they returned to their Herbology studies, Harry leaving them alone to look for a book for his own studies. Happy as she was with the new development, she was still going to get Harry back for ruining the moment between them. After all, if he wanted to play the annoying brother, she would happily play the petty sister. It was only fair, after all.