Author Note: Chapter 5. A game of Quidditch, a talk with Hagrid and off for Christmas Break. Runs from October to December. Assume anything that did not happen on screen was the usual sort of school stuff a first year would be involved in.

Begin Chapter

The next morning Hermione and her friends came down to find the boys standing around chatting. Harry looked up at her with a smile as did Ron.

"Good morning Hermione. You look well rested." Harry said happily.

"Thanks. I did manage to sleep rather well." she said with a giggle.

"Oh good. Ron has been wanting to go to breakfast but Neville and I agree that with your increased fame we should wait for you." Harry stated.

"Oh uh thank you." She said nodding to Neville who shrugged.

"Yeah the twins heard some of the Slytherins talking that someone bypassed the wards to let that thing in last night." Ron said in a low voice looking around like he expected a troll to leap out from the ottomans. "They think someone might be trying to kill you."
"Who would want to kill her?" Fay asked in horror.

"One of you know who's followers." Neville flatly stated.

"I thought they got all of them rounded up?" Lavender asked with a frown.

"Except the ones like Draco's dad that weaseled their way out of being prosecuted." Ron grumbled.

"Oh. But I doubt Draco is powerful enough to bypass the school's wards." Parvati pointed out.

"No but if he had an accomplice among the staff." Ron countered.

"Like who?" Lavender demanded.

Hermione took a deep breath, "Snape was coming from the third floor east corridor just after the troll went over the edge."

"See? He's dark I tell you." Ron declared with smug finality.

"That's not proof, maybe he went to check on what ever's in there." Fay suggested, "Plus he's nice to Hermione."

"Yeah so no one would expect him. That was in a Dirk Phoenix Auror for Hire comic book. The villain got close to the heiress by being nice to her and then he tried to kill her but Dirk got there in time to save her." Ron excitedly declared.

Hermione sighed, "Well we are not going to solve this standing here. I would like to at least die on a full stomach if you don't mind." She declared then began to march towards the door.

Harry shrugged and followed her.

"Do we even know what's behind that door anyhow?" Hermione asked.

Ron said, "Its a Cerberus according to Fred."

"A three headed dog?" Harry spun on the red head. "One of the breed that makes excellent guardians, bred solely in Greece since ancient times?"

Ron nodded, "Yeah one of those. Black as midnight and twice and toothy as a Grindylow according to George." Ron agreed.

Hermione paused remembering Hagrid saying he had been feeding his dog and it injured him. "Just how big is a Cerberus?"

"Well they usually stand about 8 or 9 feet tall at the shoulders when fully grown." Harry said. "According to Beasts of the Greeks."

"So one would be able to injure someone like Hagrid?" Hermione asked casually.

Harry frowned sideways at her, "Probably. Why?"

"No reason I want to discus right now. Breakfast before anything else." she declared. The others had to follow her as she did not stop this time. "Besides its just a puppy. So maybe its not that big."

…...

Entering the Great hall Draco sneered, "Hey mud-blood I can see why you wanted to get rid of the troll, your girlfriend might find him more attractive.." then he laughed uproariously at his own joke. His minions laughing in sycophantic obedience.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well the troll would be a better choice than you at least." She smirked back heading for the Gryffindor table. "He at least might have a personality."

Draco silently sneered at her as she strode away with her friends surrounding her snickering or giggling. A few others nearby also wore grins of amusement.

The rest of the day for the students went rather normally. Draco had learned to keep his comments and behavior on a more polite level towards Hermione during potions class. Ron though continued to have issues with his potions, this time causing his cauldron to start spinning and shoot off into the ceiling. Even with Harry trying to whisper instructions and techniques to him.

"I am just utterly hapless at potions. I dunno why cause mum is almost as good as Snape at them." Ron whined heading for lunch from the dungeons.

"Unless she has been teaching you that has no direct correlation on your capabilities." Harry stated with a frown, "More like you rush and do not pay attention."

"Bugger it Harry." Ron huffed without much eat. Hermione wondered if the two of them just argued out of habit by now. Especially as she had noticed Ron would rush through things too.

Th afternoon classes went much better as Ron managed not to destroy the plants they were working on in Herbology. Neville sighing as the tender shoots got repotted after being thinned.

On their way back towards the castle Hermione bit her lip before turning from the path back to the castle and heading for Hagrid's cottage on the edge of the Black Forest. She was beginning to suspect something and wanted answers.

"Uh Hermione the castle's that way." Harry pointed out.

"I know. I want to ask Hagrid something though."

The others shrugged before following her. As they got near Hagrid's cottage they noticed that there was a great deal of smoke bellowing out of his tall stone chimney. It was a puffy gray stream rising into the sky.

"Whoa looks like he has the fireplace really stoked up." Ron observed.

Hermione frowned as she pounded on Hagrid's massive front door. She was about to pound again this time with a rock when he cracked it just wide enough for his massive head to appear, "Sorry Ermione, I'm not in the visiting state right now."

"We know about Fluffy." She declared without preamble when he began to shut the door.

Opening the door again with an annoyed surprised expression he asked, "How did ye find out about Fluffy?"

"That's not important Hagrid but if we know about it then the entire school knows about it." Hermione pointed out.

"Right well so what iffen the school knows bout Fluffy. Maybe they'll stay outta there and not cause a problem."Hagrid huffed.

"But what is the dog guarding? They make excellent guardians." Hermione stated.

Hagrid scowled at them, "Now you nevermind bout that. That's betwist Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."

"Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked noting the name.

Hagrid looked chagrined briefly as he said, "I shouldna said that, I shouldna said that."

"Why Hagrid? Is it what you retrieved from the Vault at Gringotts?" Hermione asked in confusion.

"Bloody ell. Yer worse than Fang with a bone aren't ye." Hagrid sighed, "Fine c'min. But ye need to not say nuttin to no one bout anything."

Harry frowned as he tried to parse the big man's statement but the others followed Hermione inside so he had to hurry to join them.

"Bloody Hell Hagrid. What are you doing, trying to smelt iron?" Ron exclaimed as he immediately began to sweat.

Hagrid chuckled, "I was taking a chill so I wanted to warm up, But look, the thing behind that door is nuttin ye need ta be worried about. Its a, a test Dumbledore has set up. That's all it is."

"A test? What kind of test?"

"Sumtin fer the older years." Hagrid said thrusting his jaw forward.

"Hagrid is that what I think that is?" Harry asked as he and Ron stared into the fireplace. A large basketball shaped object sat within. It was a deep earthen brown with metallic green flakes and speckles partially buried in a mound of hot coals and peat.

"Here now get back before you burn yerself." Hagrid said shooing them away from the fireplace.

"Hagrid that's a dragon egg. A Welsh green." Ron declared, "Charlie gave me a bit of shell from one for a souvenir last year."

"Right well. 5 points to ye for knowing yer eggs." Hagrid said, "Now keep it under yer hat eh?" He looked pleadingly at the students gathering around the fireplace.

"Hagrid you do know breeding and keeping dragons is highly regulated, with good reason." Lavender pointed out with concern.

"That's fer those fools that try it near muggles. We're out here in Hog's Valley taint no muggles fer miles." Hagrid countered with his arms crossed.

"And the fact you have wooden beams with a tatched roof doesn't matter?" Parvati said pointing upwards.

Hagrid looked overhead like he had just realized what she said was true. "Er well. I'll figur sumtin out."

"How did you get an anyhow? Charlie says its six months in Azkaban for just having one without the permits." Ron inquired anxiously.

"Six months eh?" Hagrid repeated curiously. "He never mentioned that."

"Who never mentioned it?" Hermione asked quickly.

"The man I won the egg from o course." Hagrid said, "We was talking at the pub about animals we've dealt wi and I tol him that after Fluffy there wasna anyting I couldna handle."

Hermione raised her eyebrow and and thta's when he gave you the egg?"

"Na, he didna do that until I'd cleaned his pockets in cards." Hagrid chuckled, "That when he offered the egg up."

"Great. So it was just a curious bit of circumstantial coincidence that a person happened to be in Hogsmeade with a dragon egg, and decided to play cards with you." Harry observed crossing his arms.

Hagrid thought for a moment, "Well when you put it like tha it do sound a mit bit suspicious."

"Did you see what he looked like at least?" Lavender asked.

"Nah. Folks in the head lika ta keep their privacy ye know. I would but sneakiness is not one o me strong suits." Hagrid chuckled in his booming laugh again.

Hermione rubbed the sweat off of her forehead, "Hagrid, didn't you think its a bit curious that you bring the thing to Hogwarts, then someone comes along and has a dragon's egg you can win after telling them all about Fluffy."

"I didna tell him all about Fluffy." Hagrid protested. "I just told him that iffn I could handle a big fella like that wit no problem I could handle a dragon."

"Oh you could handle him? That's why you wound up in the hospital wing?" Hermione snorted.

"Well that was just because the harp stopped playing eh? Coulda happened to anyone." Hagrid said then slumped, "Look. Yer takin advantage o me liking all o yous. Now please. Stop worrying bout this. Dumbledore has it under control and there's nottin ye need to be involved in."

"Sort of like having a dragon in a cottage?" Ron asked. "An ILLEGAL dragon." He pointed out.

Hagrid frowned then looked longingly at the egg in the fireplace. "I've so hoped to have me own dragon."
Hermione gave Ron a strong look, communicating something to the red head that he finally figured out.

"Hey, I could ask Charlie if they have summer programs you could help out with over there. And I bet Dumbledore would be all for letting you can some more experience and stuff." Ron quickly declared.

"Ye think I could? They'd let me come work with them. I've wished with all me heart to work with dragons, they're such a sight eh?" Hagrid looked at Ron with gleeful hope.

"Yeah. I'll get mum to put a good word in with Charlie for you and do all we can. Okay?"

Hagrid picked the redhead up to give him a hug before setting him back down, "Oh no. How am I going to tell Perfessor Dumbledore."

Hermione smiled, "Just tell him the truth. I'm sure he'll understand."

…...

"Okay did any of you find that odd?" Hermione asked as they watched Hagrid slowly shuffle towards the castle Fang following at his side happy to be out of the oven. They had agreed to watch the fire for him while he told Dumbledore.

"What that Hagrid thinks having a dragon is a perfectly normal thing for a person to do?" Ron asked sitting on the wood pile.

"No I meant that about someone just happening to have an egg handy." Hermione frowned.

"True it would make a good distraction as he keeps the egg at the temperature required to hatch." Harry huffed as he fanned himself.

"I wonder what he meant by the harp stopped?" Lavender asked the group.

Harry tilted his head in thought, "There is nothing in the literature about a Cerberus being susceptible to music. Unless this particular individual has been trained to respond to music in some Pavlovian response."

"A what?" Ron and Hermione both asked.

"Pavlov. He." Harry started then with a sigh said, "Its a trained response to an external stimulus."

"Oh sort of how like Ron always puts his foot in his mouth around a girl." Lavender said.

"No that;s more of an inherent trait." Harry said dryly.

Ron frowned, "Hey I think I just got insulted."

They were interrupted by a loud cracking sound from inside the cottage.

"What was that?" Everyone asked each other.

Neville being closest to the door looked inside, "Guys I think, its hatching."

"Oh crap." Ron exclaimed. "Dragons are born able to fend for themselves mostly."

Hermione turned to the other two girls there, "Lav, Parvati, go get the headmaster please."
"What're you going to do?" Lavender asked quickly.

"Uh. Try not to let things get out of hand here." Hermione declared.

Lavender and Parvati headed quickly for the castle while the others stood outside of the door.

"So how are we supposed to keep things from getting out of hand?" Neville asked looking at Hermione.

She shrugged, "Ron you're the dragon expert."

Ron looked worriedly at her, "I'm the brother of the dragon expert. All I know about the things is what he's said."
"Well we know its a Welsh green. So they are the tamest of dragons, at least according to the books." Harry stated.

Ron looked askance at him, "Tame is a highly relative description."

"Okay. At least its only going to be the size of a corgi." Harry observed as several cracks spread across the surface of the shell.

"A fire breathing corgi with razor sharp talons and venomous fangs." Ron corrected in an oddly calm voice as the egg suddenly shattered and a small green creature spread its leathery wings to bask in the flames.

"No one has still answered what to do about it." Neville pointed out.

"Well it just seems to be content to sit there." Hermione said watching it from the doorway.

"Let's hope it stays there." Harry agreed.

"So what's so interesting?" They heard the smarmy voice of Draco from behind them.

Spinning around Hermione pulled the door shut with a disarming smile. "What makes you think anythings interesting?"

"Oh I dunno. The sasquatch was up at the castle being sternly talked to by McGonnagal and we ran into the giggle girls on the way down here." Draco said as his two minions chuckled darkly. "And when we get here the four of you are staring very intently into the caveman's hut."

"Stop talking so nastily about Hagrid!" Hermione growled.

"Oh my my. First its trolls not its, whatever Hagrid is, you certainly do have the competition mud-blood."

Hermione had enough and thrust her fist into Draco's pompous face with a powerful right hook. She had been on the receiving end of far too many from Brandy, her uncle, Brandy's friends it felt good to be giving for a change.

Harry and Ron jumped Crabbe while Neville squared off with Goyle. Apparently Crabbe had muscles under his fat as he threw both boys off of him, Neville and Goyle had started trading punches with classic bare knuckle pugilistic flair. Each boy apparently having been taught the art of boxing enough to be able to be effectively pummeling each other.

Draco responded to being punched by turning and running towards the forest. Hermione frowned and started chasing him. Her heart beating in her chest as she felt the anger pounding in her ears. Anger at brandy, Brandy's friends, her aunt, her uncle all being focused on Draco.

She tripped on a root or vine or something and tumbled down an embankment winding up in a muddy ravine. She felt around until she had recovered her glasses which did not help much as the ravine was fog shrouded and with the sun going behind the mountains filled with shadows.

She went to stand up only for her ankle to give way. Falling to the ground with an exclaimed ouch she crawled to a limb and propping herself up began to hobble in the direction of the castle, or at least where she hoped the castle was.

She froze a few moments later though as a soft hissing sibilance came from her left, "Sssso little girl you are lossst and alone."

"Who's there?" She shouted drawing her wand. She cast a light spell that illuminated the area close to her and regretted it as she saw the carcass of a snow white unicorn that had its throat ripped out. Its silvery blood oozing slowly across the ground as a shadow detached itself and swayed side to side hypnotically.

"I am a friend of yourss. Come and give usss a kiss little one." The hissing voice laughed.

She hobbled backwards, "I'm not going to kiss you or anyone else."
"Itss not your choisse little one. You are all alone in the woodsss. You have no friendss here." The shadow hissed as it dropped low and seemed to flow over the ground.

She screamed as loud as she could and cast a sparks spell that Harry had shown heart the shadow. It backed away extinguishing the small embers that had settled on it. Before it could regroup thunder hoofbeats were heard in the distance causing the shadow to quickly spin and slink off into the darker parts of the forest.

As she watched the shadow depart she found three muscular beings with bows and quivers across their broad backs come riding up. Blinking she realized they were not men riding horses but part horse. Centaurs a part of her mind dredged up as she stood wide eyed staring at them.

"Greetings The Granger." the taller slender one with dark chestnut hair said in a rich mellow voice.

"He-hello. What did you call me?"

"You are the Granger. The one whose coming has been foretold by the stars since before you were born." he replied.

"What was that thing?"
"A defiler. It has slain that which is most pure." The darker gruffer one growled in a deep voice.

"Yes. It has cursed itself to less than a measure of life left." The brown one seemed to say sadly. "Are you injured little one?"

"I hurt my ankle. I should get back to the castle." she replied.

"Come I will carry you."
"Firenze you dare to go that far?" The one in the back with roan colored hair snarled. "Do not dishonor yourself like some beast of burden."
"Be silent Sothor. Have you not seen the stars? The forest sings of her coming. The Child of Destiny." The brown one whose name seemed to be Firenze Hermione registered was saying. "I will do the forest's bidding not yours."

"He'll cut your mane when Bane hears of this." Sothor snorted as he stamped his hoof.

"Mayhaps Bane's time as Stallus is nearing an end." Firenze challenged. "I would choose carefully who I give my loyalty to Sothor."

The dark haired one that had kept quiet as he stood to the side spoke quickly. "Getting her out of the forest is wise. The other two-legs will be looking for her, causing more chaos and havoc within the forest. If Firenze wishes to be a pack mule then let him."
With a sneer at the dark haired one Firenze slowly approached Hermione, "Please. I will return you to your friends."

"Thank you." She said accepting the strong hand to help her clamber onto his equine back. Throwing her arms around his waist she felt him spring into motion. Having never ridden a normal horse she had no idea of what to do other than hold on tightly with her eyes closed.

Soon she heard people trying to talk over each other as the high speed ride came to an end.

"It's alright Miss Granger you're safe." She heard professor McGonnagal say gently.

Sliding down onto her good leg she leaned against the professor, "I'm sorry. I was chasing Draco and got lost. There was something in the forest, something that killed a unicorn." She quickly said.

Dumbledore looked up at the centaur who nodded gravely, "The defiler has been moving in the forest. We are patrolling to find him but he moves among the shadows as one of them."

"Thank you Firenze, express my gratitude to the others, and thank you for returning our lost lamb." Dumbledore gave Hermione a kindly smile.

"We do what we must because we can." Firenze said with a bow then turned and smiling at Hermione departed into the forest.

"We should get you to the hospital wing as the matron will want to check you over." Minerva said guiding Hermione towards the castle.

"Will Hagrid get into trouble?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"No but you and your friends shall for fighting." Minerva stated.

"Oh. I know but he reminds me so much of my cousin that I can feel the flames rising when he's around." Hermione confessed tiredly.

"Mr Malfoy can vex a saint. Unfortunately neither you nor I are saints." She said with a slight smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Hermione nodded in understanding, "So what will we be doing?"

"I believe the trophy room has some metal and glass that needs some polishing. I have already spoken with professor Snape and Mr Malfoy and his associates will be scrubbing cauldrons for their part in this."

"Yes ma'am." Hermione nodded as she wondered what this defiler was and why the centaur called her the child of destiny. There was certainly a lot more about her than she was being told.

…...

The six students were working in the trophy room polishing, cleaning and otherwise tying to make everything sparkle. Ron was grumbling under his breath but not too loudly as his older brother Percy was watching them to ensure they did not slack off.

Hermione had just opened a display cabinet when she saw a plaque with several familiar names, "Hey guys look at this."

Percy looked curiously but with a nod allowed them to gather round her.

"Daniel Granger, High Scorer Award, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain 5 years running, Most consecutive team wins. Head Boy." Harry read out.

"Blimey, yer dad was a superstar player." Ron enthusiastically exclaimed. "No wonder yer a natural at it."

"Wow." Hermione said uncertainly.

"I am certain that if you paid attention you would find quite a few familiar names." Percy pointed out. "M. McGonnagal, Quidditch Team. Emmaline Bates Head Girl."

"McGonnagal played Quidditch?" Ron asked in surprise.

"You didn't think her enthusiasm for the sport came out of thin air?" Percy asked wryly.

"Hunh. Who'd have thought it." Ron shrugged.

"My mum's family was the Bates?"

Percy nodded, "Yes. Apparently so."

"Oh. No one had told me that yet." Hermione said.

"Well you should get back to work. With a good effort you should have the room finished within the hour." Percy cheerfully exclaimed.

Hermione and the others reluctantly went back to work although she thought about her maternal family.

…...

It was Hermione's first Quidditch game and she was trying not to hyperventilate as the team walked down the tunnel towards the field. Oliver Wood patted her on the shoulder.

"It'll be okay. You'll do fine." he tried to sound reassuring.

"I hope so. How did your first game go?"

Oliver took a deep breath then with a chuckle said, "I don't rightly remember. I took a bludger to the head a few minutes after the whistle and woke up in hospital the next day."

Hermione didn't know what to say to that but heard the twins from behind her scoff, "Don't worry your pretty little head my dear, for there is nothing to fear when we are near."

She began to worry even more.

Taking the field and rising into the sky she searched the crowd for her friends. Lavenders blonde hair sitting next to Ron's bright red made them an easy pair with Harry, Neville and Parvati clustered around them. She gulped as she realized most of the school must be in the stands.

Taking a deep breath she tried focus on being in the air. The feeling of being a cloud, a leaf on the wind soaring above everyone.

Madam Hooch blew the whistle and the game was on. Hermione floated higher until she was above the scrum down below. She started a slow orbit watching for the glint of the snitch, while trying to keep track of the score. The game was especially intense it seemed like as Slytherin pushed the limits and multiple penalty shots were given to Gryffindor.

She was making a slow passing arc when she saw the glint of the snitch and pushed her broom over, weaving between the various players she felt her hair streaming behind her. Eyes focused on the quickly flitting snitch she felt more than saw the Slytherin seeker come alongside of her. Realzing that he was about to try and push her into the wall of the stadium she pulled her broom upwards in a cobra maneuver essentially slamming to a stop and letting the Slytherin seeker throw himself into the wall.

Dropping the nose of her broom back down she kicked it into its highest speed before the Slytherin was able to recover and remount his broom. Since all of the players used the same school brooms the speed and maneuverability was essentially the same with only a few minor variations. This meant player skill was the deciding factor in any game.

She saw the glint again above and to the left of her. Tucking into a tight spiraling climb she tried not to bleed off too much speed as she rose. The Slytherin used a zooming climb to a higher altitude then flipped over to dive down. In the few seconds that the Slytherin was motionless at the top of his arc she had reached out and snagged the snitch with her fingers. Closing them around the precious object she heard the crowd roaring as she did barrel rolls and loops.

When she landed the team hefted her on their shoulders and carried her around the field in a triumphant procession that eventually ended at the Gryffindor common room. She felt odd being the focus of attention but enjoyed being celebrated.

…...

"Congratulations on the win." Snape stated that evening at a faculty meeting.

Minerva smiling bowed graciously, "Thank you my good man. It was all due to Miss Granger's natural skills."
"Yes. Quite an interesting maneuver." Snape smiled, "I shall have to speak with Mr Flint about ensuring his teammates practice a bit harder on tactics and less on brute force."

"Apparently Mr Potter brought a book on aircraft acrobatics." Madam Hooch said, "He had been discussing it in flight class."

Snape shook his head, "Did he pack nothing but books?"
Madam Pince snorted slightly, "At least he has his priorities straight. I must ask if Messers Crabbe and Goyle even have the ability to read?"

"They do so, however they are of a more physical mindset." Snape stated.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Very well. As it is only a brace of weeks until Yule break begins I wanted to see where we stand with our students. Have any indicated their desire to remain over?"

"The usual suspects of course." Snape stated with a yawn. "So I shall have a half dozen again.

Minerva said, "I shall only have three who have indicated they shall be remaining, Miss Granger included."
Poppy nodded as she knew that Hermione would not be staying but going to the Brown's residence for Christmas. Only since Quirrell could not be trusted they would be doing their best to ensure he thought she would be staying in the castle.

"Oh joyous rapture. The lady of chaos shall be remaining here." Snape drawled.

"Oh behave Severus. None of my claws shall be staying." Filius piped up with a grin.
"I only have a pair of mine that'll be staying Albus." Pomona stated quickly.

"Very well only a dozen. Not too bad." Albus nodded approvingly.

"P-p-p-p-erhaps we should limit wh-wh-wh-were they may go for safety of course." Quirrel stammered.

"yes. An excellent idea. We would not want any curious explorers or thrill seekers to gain entry into areas they should not." Albus agreed, "Perhaps you should be responsible for the third floor."

"I I would be honored sir." Quirrel said with a smile.

"Good then if there is no other business let's be off to the land of nod my friends." Albus yawned, "I must confess the nights seem to grow shorter so much more the older I get. Poppy perhaps I could trouble you for a dreamless sleep?"

"Yes sir. Your insomnia bothering you again?" She asked.

"Perhaps a bit. I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself the king od infinite space, were it not I have bad dreams" Albus sighed ruefully.

…..

"Are you certain you were not laying it on too thick Albus?" Minerva snarked in the matron's office.

"Our adversary is cunning. He has not moved against Miss Granger, which is good, however he has not moved against the item and sprung the trap either. Which is bad." Albus frowned.

"And you think by giving the fox the task of guarding the hens he shall spring your trap?"

"It is a possibility Minerva. As for Miss Granger? Have her arrangements been made yet?"

"Well Amanda has agreed that she will have Lavender invite Miss Granger to their estate for the break. The young ladies will be told to keep it quiet so that no one will know for her safety." The matron explained, "She will be given a chance to experience a good home and this will let the both of them determine if she would like living there."
"The Browns are aware of the risks. She will be a target, especially as she grows older."

"They are. They worked with the underground in the last war." Poppy reminded Minerva. The underground had moved Muggle-borns to safe places or forged paperwork to show they had been pure-blood or half-blood all along.

"I see. Well then that will be good." Minerva said, "Let us hope our adversary finds himself caught well and truly by the new year."

Albus nodded, "Yes let us hope."

…...

Hermione the next day after the post had run had Lavender pull her aside, after making certain no one was nearby and listening.

"Mum said you can come over for Christmas break." Lavender said grinning.

"But. Are you sure?" Hermione asked in disbelief. Usually she had been shuffled off to peple that had not wanted her around, Lavender's family had wanted to invite her.

"Yes of course I'm sure. Mum would love for you to come over. Parvati said her father had agreed to let her come stay too. And of course we can invite anyone special you might have in mind over for Christmas dinner." Lavender said wiggling her eyebrows.

Hermione blushed as she had been thinking about Harry a bit more. Walking close to him and wondering how he felt about her. He was so reserved and uptight she wondered how he had gotten into Gryffindor as he should have been a Ravenclaw. She was glad he was in Gryffindor though.

"Hello. Fairies steal your thoughts?" Lavender asked.

"No, I was just considering how this would be nice." Hermione said blushing as she had been lost in thinking about Harry.

"Good I'll write mum and have her make the arrangements. Now we will have to keep it quiet due to certain people." She said darkly.

Hermione nodded, "Malfoy."
The girls smiled at each other though, "You'll love the estate. Its beautiful in winter."

They headed off for classes with a skip in their step as Hermione looked forward to the vacation.

…...

A few days later Albus was in the heart of the trap, placing the magical mirror that had been enchanted ith a spell he had learned from some time spent in Hungary. The surface rippled briefly like water as Albus backed away lest he accidentally trap himself.

Moving quickly through the primed protections he made sure all was in readiness. The adversary would be able to make his move at some point and they would have him. A pity that Quirrel would be trapped with him but some sacrifices needed to be made.

Returning to his quarters Albus looked at the cloak he was wrapping. Writing a brief letter he briefly paused and wondered if giving this to Hermione would be a good idea but he had held onto it for far too long. The memories of how it came into his possession weighed on him as he sighed.

Staring through his window into the night he recalled how Daniel had lent him the cloak for an attempt to penetrate the high temple of the Death Eaters. Daniel had wanted to come with him but Hermione was feeling sick and Emmaline had not wanted to remain alone. They had been stretched so thin at that point in the war, their success hung literally on the edge of the knife.

It had been a trap of course, one designed to lure him into it and keep him away from the Grangers. By the time her had extricated himself they were already gone and young Hermione was alone in her crib crying and scared.

Taking a deep breath as the thoughts led down the path to Sirius Black. His perfidy was unexpected. He had been a brother to Daniel Granger. Someone who had fought against the darkness and destroyed Death Eaters, pushing the limits of himself and those around him in the effort to protect the light. His family had disowned him as they did not follow the path of good. The Grangers though had brought the young Sirius into their home, into their house and raised him alongside Daniel.

A tear slid along Albus' long aquiline nose as he thought about how poor Peter Pettigrew had been slaughtered along with a dozen muggles by Sirius. The final act of betrayal enough to break the man's mind. The last time Albus had visited him in Azkaban all he could do was sit in his cell singing nursery rhymes. The ones he had no doubt sung to young hermione his goddaughter.

Allowing himself the moment of painful nostalgia to pass naturally he finsihed the note and hope Hermione would use the cloak for good and happiness. Although he felt a shiver go through him a foreboding thought that no matter what she would be drawn into this. No matter how hard he and others tried to protect her she was a Granger and they were no stranger to danger as Sirius and Daniel used to sing with their merry band of pirates the Marauders.

Happy memories were what the world needed. He only hoped there were some left.

…...

The day of leaving for break found Ron moping at breakfast. He stirred the oatmeal in his bowl listlessly.

"What's wrong Ron? Usually you'd have eaten the bowl by now." Lavender chuckled sitting beside him.

"I'm not going home. Mum and Dad had to go to Romania cause Charlie got injured. Only they don't have enough money to take all of us. So me and the twins and Percy have to stay over."

"Oh no. I'm sorry. Will he be okay?" Hermione asked sympathetically.

Ron shrugged, "They think so. The arm should regrow but he's going to need some help until he gets used to it again."
"They had to regrow his arm?" Hermione gasped.

"Yeah. He got in between a couple of hatchlings and one bit it off. One of the hazards of the dragon trade."

"And Hagrid wanted to keep one as a pet." Harry shook his head.

"Well Hagrid's a bit tougher than a usual sort of person." Lavender pointed out.

"I know. I was hoping to go to Romania. I never get to do nuttin." Ron grumped.

"Well you can continue to watch out for whatever is going on around here. I heard Snape and Quirrel both will be staying over." Hermione stated leaning in conspiratorially. "Maybe you can even figure out what is so important about Nicholas Flamel."

"Yeah right. Harry found his biography and all it talked about was him founding Beauxbatons and being an alchemist." Ron shrugged.

"There has got to be more about him than that." Hermione frowned, "Try harder Ron."
"I'll do what I can okay. If Mr Brains can't figure it out how to you expect me to?"

"Maybe pull a Dirk Phoenix and sneak into the restricted section." Parvati sarcastically said.

Ron got a thoughtful look before Harry sighed, "That would not be a very good idea as it would cost us a great deal of house points and would get you put into detention until you were at least as old as Professor Dumbledore."

Ron scoffed, "I don't think I'd be in detention thaaat long."

"Maybe. Miss Pince takes her books very seriously." Harry intoned darkly.

"Well I'll figure something out. I am a man of action."
"One that hasn't even begun to shave yet." Neville stated.

"Oh bugger it Longbottom." Ron said flicking a glob of oatmeal at him. A glob that was intercepted by Harry's wand.

"A food fight is against the rules Ron." he reminded him putting the oatmeal back on Ron's spoon.

"Fine. And I'm not shaving because I want to see how it grows in first."

Neville just nodded as he dryly replied, "Okay. When it does let us know."

"I'll send you an owl." Ron snorted before the group turned to other matters.

When it came time to go to the train Hermione found herself bundled in a traveling cloak and wearing one of Parvati's head scarves tohide her face while walking beside Lavender. Hedwig would be taken to the train along with her things by Professor McGonnagal to help ensure the news of her leaving would be kept secret as long as possible. Hermione had felt awkward not telling her friends, especially Ron as he had seemed to hope she would remain behind too.

Still she was going to see a magical household and be around another family. She was nervous and excited and a dozen other feelings all at once. Lavender and Parvati kept her calm though as the carriages took them to the station.

By the time she had boarded the train the nervousness had faded and she was looking forward to the journey. She hoped Ron would not be too miffed with her but she would write to him and apologize later. Besides his father worked for the Ministry so he should be used to security procedures and the need for secrecy.

She settled in for the long ride to King's Cross and listened to Lavender describe the Brown Estate. It sounded like a wonderful place.

Albus stood on the parapet of the Headmaster's tower watching the smoke from the train fade into the distance. She was safe and sound, as the darkness was here. That was the way it was supposed to be.

…...(End of Chapter 5 Review Responses)

Fairy of Protection: Here it is. Smythe is a common enough name in the UK according to the page I googled that it fit,. Smythe is not one of the sacred 28 in canon. There was one mentioned in a podcast of Rowlings I think.

Same as smith back: Thank you.

Dennisud: Thank you. Glad you enjoyed,

Timekeeper: Thank you. Yes maybe. At this point its just Ron running his mouth without engaging his brain but who knows who might show up at some point. If we go long enough the story will of course will see Remus Lupin Werewolf extraordinaire show up. Thank you, it was a clean break for him. As for whose home she winds up at. I think I've got a good choice coming up so we'll see.

Kgfinkel: Just a bit of inspiration. I liked the idea of a bunch of first years not having real combat spells using whatever they could to take the beast down. True Neville's grandmother is referred to as Gran in canon but I wanted to step away from canon just this much bit more. I know a good Dumbledore. It happens sometimes. Snape is the way a functioning human should be. Part of it is the idea that Hermione looks like her mother. A sort of what if Harry had favored Lily more than his father idea.

Oh and Whats a tomota? Nothing whats a tomota with you? HAHAHAHAHA!