Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter but I appreciate being allowed to play with the characters.
Chapter 19
As the remaining weeks of the term passed more of the Gryffindor's as well as some from other houses would join the group of friends as they studied. Daphne had brought her friend Tracy. The Patil twins had dragged a couple of Ravenclaws as well as a few Hufflepuffs. The Headmaster decided to open the Great Hall as a study area. It was made clear to all at dinner that study was the only activity to take place in there. The only student not happy with the situation was Draco Malfoy, his father had told him what was expected of him. Lead Slytherin, then the rest of the student population. He was a Malfoy, he deserved to rule. The boys Father could be very strict with his punishment. It was out of desperation that the boy approached a group working at a table towards the centre of the hall.
The group consisted of Hermione, Susan, lavender, Sarah, Jamie, Daphnie, Tracey and the Patil twins. All the boys had gone off to do something.
"Greengrass you need to stop associating with a group of blood traitors, half bloods and Mudbloods. You will never be accepted by their betters, I may have to cancel my request with father."
"Every cloud has a silver lining."
Came from Tracey.
"I wasn't talking to you Davies."
"We didn't ask for your visit Malfoy but your still here."
The argument had descended into a shouting match. Draco was running out of things to say so pulled his wand from his robe. The curse left his wand before anyone noticed. Out of reflex Hermione and Susan raised a shield. This had the curse bouncing back and forth between them like a pinball. It was unfortunate that the brunettes shield collapsed a fraction of a second before her friends. Pain was etched on the young girls face as her two front teeth began to grow."
Susan leapt up grabbing the first thing to hand.
"Look what you have done to her you prick."
"I see no diff..."
What ever he was going to say was silenced as the large leather bound book rendered him unconscious, removing his own two front teeth. Professor Snape rushed up to attempt to stop whatever was disrupting his quit period. Looking around the group he could not help to notice Hermione's predicament and Draco's wand laying next to his unconscious body.
"BONES take Granger up to the hospital wing immediately I will bring Malfoy. Both you and sleeping beauty here will be docked 50 points and receive a detention, Malfoy for drawing his wand on another student and you Black for a physical attack on another student. Now go."
The group of boys strolled into the great Hall ten minutes later, spotting their friends they made their way over. Ron lent down to speak to his girlfriend while Harry scanned the room for his sister and his own young lady. He wasn't actively listening to Ron's conversation so he almost missed the word hospital but did notice Neville March from the room. Having to jog to catch his friend, they both were approaching the first floor door when Harry managed to ask what was happening.
"THAT FUCKER DID WHAT!"
Rang along the corridor as the boys almost out of control magic vaporised a door to the hospital wing. Striding into the room Harry spotted two beds with curtains drawn, his sister standing beside one.
"I'm sorry Ha.."
She was cut off by his raised hand. He proceeded to stare into his sisters eyes. Neville was desperate to get to Susan but with them having a serious non verbal argument it was best not to interrupt. It seemed Harry had convinced his sister she was not to blame as a watery smile crossed her lips when he kissed her cheek and slipped between the curtains.
Neville could wait no longer he strode forward and engulfed the girl in his strong arms.
"What happened?"
"Draco came up to us in the hall, spouting his usual shit. Tracy Davies told him to do one. They started to argue. He was loosing so he shot of a curse, that bounced between our to shields, Hermione's shield failed first and she took the curse."
Neville turned towards the boys bed but Susan stopped him with a tug to the arm.
"Don't Nev I'm the one who put him in that bed."
"What did you do?"
"knocked out two of his teeth."
The slight smirk on her face betrayed he true feelings.
"I hope you kept them as spoils of war."
"No but 1000 ways to deal with bugs and insects needs an update to 1001."
A confused Neville asked why? When a voice from behind spoke.
"Because that is what she used to deal with the little cock roach"
The venom in Harry's words could almost be felt like a physical presence in the room. Harry was always quick to anger but also quick to calm. His sister on the other hand could hold a grudge until hell froze over. Already happy that Hermione was going to be OK and Suzie wasn't hurt he could take a breath an asses the situation. Pulling his sister into a hug he whispered in her ear.
"I know you won't let this go but be careful."
The girl nodded into his collar and stepped back. Her brother then spoke more clearly.
"Right I have been informed that boyfriends are not required at this time and we are to sod off so her best friend can cuddle, cry and be all girly with her. They can then get it out of their system, They will find said boyfriends latter where they will expect to be spoiled rotten."
The four were reunited at dinner, Hedwig flew down and landed on Hermione's shoulder depositing a small box of chocolates and a letter. Puck the winged key was not happy with another flyer taking his favourite spot but decided to be generous and let the new comer stay, nothing to do with the owl being a lot bigger that him. Geranium the Longbottoms owl had already landed on Sue's shoulder and deposited her delivery. Hermione opened the letter.
Hermione
I hear you have found yourself in a confrontation with another student. I have been informed that you were hurt. Please point him out on the platform I would like to force feed him the first couple of carriages. Your mother has just informed me I will not be doing that. I will have to take you and Susan for Italian when you return you have a great friend there. This will help you both deal with the mental anguish you have suffered (wink wink).
Love Dad.
PS Your mum wishes me to remind you, don't get mad get even.
Hermione folded her letter lent to the side and gently kissed Harry.
"Thank you for the chocolates and letting my parents wright."
"I know we have the mirrors Hermione but sometimes a letter is nice. Besides your dad spoils her rotten."
Motioning to the owl that was looking a little plumper than usual.
Susan then opened her letter.
Susie poo
This is your Farther speaking, I see that temper of yours is still controlling you at times. I do think it's a shame you didn't remove the little pricks head. I have warned his mother if it continues I will have both of them out of family.
Stay safe my little muffin
Love Daddy Waddy
PS Your mother said "That's my girl" and to take Emma's advice whatever that means.
The two girls smiled at each other, that was when 2 of the new Marauders were officially born.
Monday arrived with a sunny day and a couple of bouncing girls dragging their half asleep boyfriends to breakfast.
"What's the rush?"
Harry said through a yawn.
"three weeks until exams, we want to get an early start."
His sister informed him, the boy just raised an eyebrow.
All four were sat in a line for breakfast facing the Slytherin table. Neville asked.
"why are we sitting like this."
Hermione's response of waiting and see was all she would say. Moments later Malfoy was leaning into Pansy Parkinson when he suddenly jumped up onto his bench and sang at the top of his lungs.
"RED AND YELLOW AND PINK AND GREEN, PURPLE AND ORANGE AND BLUE. I CAN SING A RAINBOW, SING A RAINBOW TOO." His entire body flashing the colours as he sang them. The boy then dropped onto the bench, blushing red with embarrassment. The two girls laughed along with the rest of the students in the hall at the time. Neville and Harry looked to the girls beside them with wonder. Whatever the pair had done lasted the whole day, it didn't mater what house the Slytherins shared class with they were all treated to Malfoy's little performance. It seemed the boy was a slow learner. The final lesson of the day was potions with the Slytherins, the group of four were waiting patiently to enter the class room when the calm was broken by screaming.
"GRANGER YOU MUDBLOOD BI, RED AND YELLOW AND PI."
The boy was cut off by being pushed into an adjacent room by some of his fellow dorm mates. Alas he had been replaced by an enraged Pansy.
"Granger you cow I know its you and bones who have done this to Draco."
Harry and Neville made to step forward but a single look from Susan held them back. The dark haired Slytherin lunged for Hermione, a simple turn from the brunette and nudge from her elbow sent the Slytherin girl stumbling down the corridor arm wind milling.
"What is happening here."
Professor Snape did not look happy. Draco had finished his song and opened the door to the classroom he had been forced into.
"She did this to me that mudblood, RED AND YELLOW AND."
Again the boy was pushed backwards and the door pulled closed. Pansy was lent against the wall hands on knees and panting, she had done more exercise that was expected of a pureblood princess. Draco's muffled singing was just finishing so Hermione decided to deal with the situation.
"Sir someone seems to be attempting to educate Master Malfoy about his use of abusive language. He has decided it was myself and Susan who have done this."
The professor turned to the door as another chorus had started up, it seemed to boy was slow to learn he thought.
"Miss Granger I am aware of who your boyfriends father is and was."
"Alas Professor I will never have the joy of meeting Harry's birth father or Mother I have been told she was an amazing woman."
Snape could not help but nod. Realising he was starting to look like he cared the man's face became stone.
"Non the less brawling in the corridor is never acceptable 10 points from Griffindoor, now all of you get in and set up. I will be speaking with Mr Malfoy before he enters my class."
The class had only just finished sitting when the Professor entered shadowed by an obviously angry but silent Malfoy. He sat next to Pansy, the girl attempted to engage him in conversation but he just shook his head and glared at the board at the front of the class. As with their previous lessons that day they were going back over the topics of the year to prepare them for the exams. Each table had a box of miscellaneous vegetables so they could all practice the various ways of preparing ingredients without wasting the more expensive things used in potions. By the end of class Harry really fancied minestrone soup. The next 3 weeks passed in haze of repetition, class review, eat and sleep. Suddenly exams were upon them. For the next two weeks the lower half of the school would have one exam a day and the rest of the time would be left to study. Ron and Daphnie would join them from time to time at other times he could be found with Daphnie, Tracey, Seamus and Dean.
Suddenly the exams were upon them. It had taken Harry almost the whole first day to realise Hermione was faking her stress just to have him stop her in place and kiss her as a distraction. Juat as suddenly exams were finished and the two couples were sat under a tree by the black lake. Hermione lent back against the tree Harry's head in her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair with one hand, holding a book with the other. Susan was sat between Neville's legs his arms around her, his hands on the back of hers showing how to hold a knife properly. Harrys mirror chimed in his pocket, opening it he found his mother's face smiling at him.
"Hello sweetheart I'm calling to let you lot know how the summer is starting, you will be meeting us of the train. Dinner as a group and the a week together with Dan and Emma. The following week at Longbottom manor, followed by a week with us."
The four were very happy with the plans for their summer. Harry stood and helped Hermione to her feet, Susan did the same for Neville. The two couples made their way into the castle for dinner holding hands and smiling.