Whispering voices muttered something in the hospital wing, carrying enough through the wing for Severus to make out a squeaky, girl's voice and an boy's voice with an Irish accent. Breakfast hadn't started yet, he imagined they hadn't expected anyone to come by, much less a teacher. Relief washed over him when he saw the two chatting under their breath. When he heard Hermione was in the hospital, he worst fear was that she had been the target of the creature or attacker, not some juvenile prank.

Hermione who had been perched on the edge of her bed whispering to O'Malley glanced over her shoulder seconds after he entered and scrambled to her feet. He spied the tip of a dark brown tail flicking around her barefeet. O'Malley looked at the girl in awe. It seemed he had no idea of Severus's intrusion before Hermione shot up. He wondered how far she could hear.

"Oh!" Hermione squeaked. "Morning!"

Hermione looked more human than he expected, her skin darkened to a tawny with dark brown stripes along her forearms-no it wasn't her skin, a very thin layer of fur. Pointed ears protruded from her bushy hair the same colour of her stripes and bottle-brush tail twitching behind her, its fur standing on end and claws tipped her fingers rather than nails. Hermione's face still looked very much like her, save her eyes, which had not only grown considerably in size, but one eye was a lamp yellow while the other was a pale green. He hoped the human features dominating the feline features meant the failed transfiguration could be undone soon.

"I'm just waiting for my clear to leave," O'Mally pointed and scrambled to the other side of the wing. "I'll be over there."

"O-" Hermione started but he was gone.

Severus placed a hand on her head and examined her carefully for a moment and noticed that she had also grown shorter. Though outside of the feline features, Hermione seemed unharmed. Though he wasn't sure what he had been expecting. It seemed neither was she as her mismatched eyes darted from side to side. Though he was thankful it was nothing more than a prank, the fact that Hermione had been hit at all meant that she couldn't defend herself, despite everything he taught her before she left for Japan.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I hear and smell things I wish I never did and I had an overwhelming urge to pounce on an owl that came for Pomfrey," Hermione sighed. "So, just fantastic!"

"I see nothing will put a stop to your cheek," he sighed. "I'm glad your otherwise unharmed. How did this happen?"

Hermione shrank and her tail curled around her feet while her ears lowered as she wrung her hands. "I-erm-I did disarm the first one, and I was going to do so with the other, but I-erm- kind of-erm- was grabbed before I could-erm-I-ouch!" She had dug her claws into her hand causing it to bleeding much more suddenly than usual.

"I'm not blaming you, love," he said looking at her hand. "I shouldn't be, but I'm shocked anyone thought this appropriate with everything going on. There were three of them?"

Hermione's ears and tail twitched. "It doesn't matter," she folded her arms over her chest. "Madam Pomfrey says I'm mostly human and I'll be out in two weeks."

He didn't buy that and wondered if she feared their retaliation if she said names. He knew the usual suspects, but it seemed crueler than what a number of them would do. Though Hermione earned ire from people who knew nothing about her simply because she was his child. It could have been anyone, though his efforts were probably wasted on identifying them. Not when he still didn't know if the Chamber really had been opened or if it was a sick hoax.

"I suppose what matters," he automatically went to brush her hair behind her ear, realized he couldn't and soothed her hair instead. "Is that you'll be back to normal after a time. Though given everything, I have to ask-why were you out so late?"

Hermione's ears twitched again and he had the distinct feeling that the felinoid features would present a challenge to her when lying. If he could read her like a book usually, she was now as readable as a children's story-book. "It was before curfew, Dad. And I was with Neville, we were going to get a book from the library to help with Charms homework. Theory and Elements of Motion Charms. You can ask him."

"I'm not going to get a syllable from that boy," he sighed. "But I imagine you wouldn't name him if there wasn't some truth to your story. You're more decent than many at your age."

Hermione's ears and eyes fell before her posture made her even smaller. Perhaps she did lie, what other reason would she shrink at being called 'decent'? Even without the ears and tail, he could see her guilt, almost feel it emanating from her in waves. The only problem would be that he did see other reasons for her shrinking from that claim when he thought about it...It was evident from an early age that Hermione did not think herself a decent person. Of the few things the two had in common, it was unfortunate that a thorough self-loathing was among them.

"Two weeks, eh?" he mused ushering Hermione back into bed.

"Assuming-" Hermione trailed off as she caught the sight of a squirrel in the window opposite her. Her pupils dilated, ears perked up and she nearly trembled as her tail flicked wildly. "Shit!" she whispered clasping her hands together, closing her eyes and bowing her head.

"Language," he admonished. "Given that you're a vegetarian, I did not expect the hunting behaviour to be so strong."

Hermione still refused to open her eyes and rested her forehead on her clasped hands. "I'm surprised too. I don't know how much of my brain's been rewired. That might keep me longer than two weeks. Can't be back in classes if I'm going to pounce on at the window every time a see a bird, can I?"

"I suppose not," he sighed. "Which does add a complication to your advancement."

Hermione took a deep breath and looked up at him, her mismatched eyes still caught him off guard. "Is this really the time to think about that, Dad?"

"Actually," he sat in front of her. "This is precisely the time you should be thinking about it. I want you to be able to defend yourself. What if it's not some juvenile prank next time?"

Hermione thought for a moment bringing a clawed hand up to her mouth. "You're not wrong," she admitted. "I plan on asking Ron and Harry if they mind bringing me my homework. If you want, you can just give them whatever extra you think I need. I can at least read."

"Nonsense," he said resting his hand on her head.

Hermione's cat behaviour seemed to take over as she closed her eyes and rubbed her hand against his hand. Severus was unsure if he found this cute, funny or alarming. He carried on: "I'll bring it to you myself. Did you think I wouldn't want to visit you?"

She opened her eyes and stopped rubbing her head into his hand. "Don't you have-" her eyes drifted to the petrified Mrs. Norris. "More important things to worry about?"

He could have shrank to half Hermione's current size under her gaze. There was a grave seriousness to her tone and expression that broke through her squeaky voice and large cat eyes. She didn't look angry, but like she knew his efforts should be elsewhere. She wasn't wrong, but hearing her say those words, particularly while hospitalized, well, it stung more than a bit.

"Listen to me," he soothed her hair. "There is nothing more important to me than you."

There was a silence and Hermione's ears perked up while her eyes widened as if she were surprised to hear him say so. Surely, he had expressed that to her before...even if he hadn't she had to already know it... And how do you imagine that, you stupid piece of shit? but she gave him a reprieve when she took his hand in hers and smiled. "I know, Dad. But-"

"We're all looking into it, little girl," he explained. "Mind you, it's not easy with the amount of information we have to work with."

"No, it isn't," Hermione agreed but her ears lowered again. "But I really don't know anything you don't."

"I wish I believed you," he sighed. "But your current state makes you a worse liar than usual."

Hermione looked as though she were in a dream-like trance when her hand rose to her ear. "I really don't know what these things are doing most the time," she grumbled. "I-" her ears perked up and twitched as her eyes darted to the door.

"Did you hear something?" he asked in a low voice taking out his wand.

He stood to creep next to the door when he saw it open only to reveal a rather shocked looking stout matron throwing two breakfast trays into the air.

"Severus!" Pomfrey choked. "What-"

"Sorry!" Hermione cried hair standing on end. "I heard footsteps but I didn't recognize them!"

Pomfrey scowled at the two of them, her face flushing pink. "You just got your hearing last night. You Will Not. Recognize. Every. Set. Of. Footsteps!"

Hermione deflated as quickly as she'd inflated, her ears returning to the embarrassed and guilty droop. "Sorry," she squeaked.

"She have O'Malley attack you?" Pomfrey grumbled to him.

"No," he admitted wondering why she didn't freak out with him.

"I recognize your footsteps," she admitted. "Can't always pick them up when I'm normal though."

"What else can you hear?" he asked scrutinizing her.

She closed her eyes and twitched her ears. "I think Professor McGonagall and Mr. Filch are arguing again over...oh, it's definitely the Weasley twins. Trying to make out words...mmmm...now Professor McGonagall's calling Filch a-I'm not fluent in my Scottish insults, but I don't think I want to repeat that one."

I'll have to tell Dumbledore and McGonagall not to discuss our investigation close to this wing.

"Hi, Hermione!" Luna greeted her, perching herself on the foot of her bed. "I overheard Padma Patil debating whether or not she needs to apologize over breakfast." Luna scratched behind Hermione's ears. "I've always liked cats."

Oh, that's nice, Hermione thought closing her eyes and leaning into Luna's touch before realising what she was doing. "Luna! I'm not a cat!"

Luna retracted her hand and apologized. "Did it hurt?"

"Not as much as my pride hurts now," Hermione sighed with an eyeroll. "I'm going to be the cat freak for the rest of my life!"

"Daddy always tells me teenagers are ephemeral," Luna said. "They won't remember this when the next kid gets jinxed." Luna leaned in close as if to impart sacred knowledge before her silver eyes widened and she tapped her nose. "Oh! you have freckles!"

"I think they're tabby markings, actually," she said backing up. "Thanks for visiting."

"What're friends for?" Luna beamed.

Hermione still hadn't control over her ears and tails, exemplified by their falling in her guilt. She really should spend more time with Luna if she got out of this, and not just to investigate or to shake off her father. Hermione felt she owed Luna that much.

"How're you doing?" she asked. "I know it's been..."

"I know I can't compare to Harry and Ron," she shrugged. "You nearly died together. I can't compete with that. Even if we both like all the same books..."

Luna didn't look the least bit phased or hurt. How could she just accept that she was second to Harry and Ron? How could Hermione let her think that? "It's not that, Luna. I've been a busy-and a total bitch," she sighed. "Look, I get it what it's like to be second. I'm Harry and Ron's friend, but I come second if either have to chose between them or me. I don't want you to feel like that." But it's true...it's natural I'm closer to them, right?

"It really is okay, Hermione," she smiled. "I'm just happy there's someone who likes to talk to me. Even if you think I'm mad."

"I don't-"

"It's okay," Luna shrugged. "I know you need evidence shoved under your nose, so my belief in Crumple-Horned Snorkaks and Nargles must seem barmy. But you're nice to me anyway. No one else is."

"What about Ginny?" Hermione asked thinking about how friendless she seemed. "She's in your year and she's really nice-"

"She doesn't speak to me at all," Luna sighed. "She doesn't talk to anyone unless she's partnered with them, and even then, she mostly sticks to single-syllable responses. Are you two friends?"

Hermione shook her head. "I think we'd have to talk more to consider ourselves friends. I was going to make an effort before I got landed here. You should try to talk to Harry, Ron and Neville too. They're also nice."

"Harry and Neville I believe," Luna said. "Ron's very funny, but also very mean. In fact, I think Ron's very mean to you. Why are you friends with him?"

"L-Luna!" Hermione gulped. "How can you say that?" She's right though, isn't she? "He takes some getting used to. But seriously, who will you talk to while I'm stuck here?"

"I planned on visiting you, silly," Luna rolled her silver eyes and flicked Hermione's forehead.

Hermione looked up at Luna trying to hide her disbelief. She hadn't really expected Luna to visit her at all, and she expected any visitors she did have would stop after the first day or so. She was both flattered and wondered how lonely Luna must be. She didn't understand how anyone could look at her large silver eyes and be anything but endeared to her. She was outspoken, and held incomprehensible beliefs, but still...though it would make the weeks go by faster.

Even after last year, after Japan, Hermione still felt a strange warmth at the idea of being wanted. Luna wanted to spend time with her...she cared.

"Are you purring?" Luna asked.

"W-what? No!" Hermione scoffed. "Hear that?"

Hermione heard a trio of footsteps approaching that brought her from her thoughts. They weren't rushing so it wasn't a new admit. She then heard the voices. Harry, Ron and Neville.

"Hi!" Luna beamed waving.

Harry ignored Luna, his green eyes growing to the size of Luna's as he took in Hermione's features. He wrung his hands nervously before tearing his eyes away. Ron's reception was less polite, his mouth hung open with his eyes huge before pressing his lips into a thin line and failed to hold back laughter, his tall awkward body convulsing with laughter. Neville's face flushed pink, he'd of course already seen her, but he still found it awkward to navigate.

"Neville, erm," Harry started refusing to look her in the eye. "Told us what happened last night. I'm sorry, I reckon we should have been with you."

Hermione rolled her eyes then offered a smile. "Neville and I were going to pick up a book from the library. You had no reason to, Harry. I don't want you wracked with guilt either, Neville. You would be here with me if you did anything."

Neville nodded before averting his gaze. It seemed only Luna and Ron could look at her.

"She was being all miss secretive anyway," Ron stopped laughing long enough to ask while seizing her ear between his forefinger and thumb.

"Hey!" Hermione-literally-hissed swatting at his hand.

"Ouch!" Ron yelped.

"I reckon you deserved that, mate," Harry laughed.

"Oh, god!" Hermione squeaked. "I'm so sorry! It's just..my ears are sensitive, I guess-I didn't-I-is your hand okay?"

"It's fine," he said looking at the shallow bleeding scratch. "Nothing compared to yours," he gestured at Hermione's torn up hands. "What was the big secret anyway?"

Hermione eyed her hands...her self-soothing habit was not one suited to three inch claws. Hermione made eye contact with him and Harry then darted her eyes to Neville and Luna, hoping either of them would get the message. I'm teaching you 'I want to talk to you in private' in Japanese! Luckily Harry's resistance to look at her ended there and he elbowed Ron in the ribs.

"We'll be back later to today," Harry said.

"We will?" Ron cast Harry a quizzical look.

Hermione felt her ears fall again and her heart sank. She hadn't expected anyone to visit her more than once...but hearing Ron object to returning hurt more than she expected. Luna was right, Ron had a talent for hurting her without even trying.

"I reckon Hermione will want her homework, yeah?" Harry said in a voice that telegraphed they would be much more than that."

Neither Ron, Neville nor Luna picked up on Harry's meaning.

"Pfft!" Ron rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't bother with homework if I looked like the cat-girl from those comics!"

"Manga!" Hermione rolled her eyes. "And I don't want to fall behind. Don't bother with potions though, Dad wants to bring me it himself. I just wish he said what time so we could avoid you bumping into each other."

"We'll risk it," Harry said. "We should get going then, McGonagall hates it when we come in late. See you after classes?"

"I'm simply thrilled you've managed to escape unscathed," Severus said. "So you could be here to interrupt my class with your incompetency."

Longbottom had melted through yet another cauldron in his attempt to make a Pepper-Up potion. The round faced boy flushed pink and shrank in his chair saying nothing. Severus also imagined he'd said nothing when Hermione was ambushed. Hermione was otherwise fine, he knew that, but if they had intended to do something more sinister, Longbottom would still have simply watched. And he knew Hermione would be wracked with guilt and shame over her sudden desire to pounce on rodents and birds. She couldn't even bring herself to eat eggs or dairy...that had to have a negative effect on her. In the absence of a guilty party the spiteful and vindictive part of him-who was he kidding-he- was more than happy to take it out on Longbottom.

"Oh, I know, Longbottom, normally you'd have assistance by now, wouldn't you?" he mocked a sympathetic tone before snapping. "I wonder why you don't today! Remind me again, Longbottom. What are the characteristics of Gryffindor again? I seem to recall something about bravery-but I must be mistaken..."

The Slytherins all sniggered at this while the Gryffindors stared at Longbottom uncomfortably. He noticed the girls shift awkwardly before exchanging a grim glance. Brown he definitely saw having a hand, but it seemed cruel for Patil's taste. However, he didn't really have the measure of either girls' character. He could be wrong.

Severus summoned dissection trays and newt corpses before Longbottom. "Considering that you are incapable of making a simple potion, you might as well make yourself useful and extract newt eyes for me. Miss Brown and Miss Patil will be kind enough to help and ensure that at least some of them are usable."

"Yessir," both girls sighed moving to Longbottom's side.

The rest of the class progressed miserably, and Brown still gagged over each newt she worked on. He made some waspish comments but mostly left them to their own devices while he marked the others' lamentable potions. Final bell could not come soon enough.

"Potter!" Severus called as the class filed out of the room.

"What is it?" the boy fell back after telling Weasley he'd see him in the hospital wing.

"Try 'yes,sir?'."

"Yes, sir?" Potter stood to his full height and stared at him with an air of apprehension. He wasn't sure what Potter had been expecting, but he didn't care. The sheer defiance in his narrowed green eyes, familiar from all the times Lily had a row with him in their school years. It irked him. It was hard for him to believe this boy was only Hermione's age, he didn't seem at all like her. Save that self-righteous glare...Had Hermione ever looked at him that way before meeting Potter?

No, it seemed he was trying to be cordial, but it was about as transparent as Parkinson was with Hermione.

"I want you to scrape the flobberworms off the desks," he said handing him a scraper. "I wanted to speak with you, and frankly you could do with some work given that you weaseled out of putting right the library or shining the silver in the trophy hall."

Potter opened his mouth for a moment, but thought better of it and held his tongue as he set to work.

"I know you're withholding information from me," he said.

Potter's grip tightened around the scraper and he knew he had him. The boy now refused to look at him, opting instead to stare intently at the desk, perhaps not trusting his face to remain neutral.

"Still not speaking, eh?" I swear if Hermione becomes a victim and you could have prevented it... "Perhaps you think you can simply solve the thing yourselves like you did last year? Did it occur to you that someone might get hurt while you're playing detective? Or that you might? But I suppose Harry Potter can't resist the urge to play the hero. You're as arrogant as your father was."

That got a rise out of him. Potter now glared at him, his face flushed and he clenched his teeth while the hand on the scraper shook. It seemed he was appalled at the suggestion his father was anything but a saint, or that he would let others get hurt so he could pretend to be a hero.

"My father is dead," Potter whispered in a resentful voice.

"Oh, I, among many, many others, am quite aware of that fact," he hoovered over the boy. "Contrary to popular belief, death does not make saints of us all. Many have dead fathers who were awful people." Severus remembered quite vividly his own awful father before returning to the years of torment from Potter's. "But you're young. Mark my words, Potter, you'll be astounded by how long-lived the consequences of a man's sins are."

"I don't reckon I will," Potter said returning to his work. "sir."

"I simply have no idea what my daughter sees in you," he sighed. "Or Weasley for that matter. And that'll be ten points for the cheek, Potter."

Potter continued scraping, now on to his fourth desk. He didn't look at him, thankfully, when he said: "Dunno, sir. You'll have to ask her, though I reckon you'll have to let her speak to get an answer. Sir."

Potter, you little shit! Severus's heart beat somewhere in his ears, his blood ran hot and he room turned red. How fucking arrogant was this boy? He couldn't even see his miserable prat of a father making such a comment. He bit his tongue to hold back the tide of curses itching to get out. The hypocrisy of it all! When had Potter ever let Hermione speak? And here he was claiming he didn't? Hermione evidently did not have a measure of this miserable little boy's character at all! And I've done my best to make her see it...Why must your son be so difficult, Lily?

"Hermione doesn't seem to have a problem speaking freely when you two aren't in the vicinity," he snapped, knowing that was quite far from the truth.

Potter stared at him, his eyes narrowed, but he fell silent. Rage within the boy seemed to slowly leave in waves, his jaw unclenched in favour of pressing his lips into a tight line, and his eyes dropped from him to the desk. Is this guilt, Potter? If you're capable of that, you might not be hopeless.

"That brings me to the second reason I called you back," he took his arm and leaned in close. "If I can't stop you from nosing around what happened on Hallowe'en- and believe me, Potter, I'll be expending every effort to do so- I can and I will make your life very unpleasant. I will not tolerate it if any harm comes to Hermione in your desire to play hero, Potter! So let me make one thing abundantly clear: My daughter is not your side-kick!"

Hermione had more visitors than she'd expected that first day. Luna had returned during lunch and the two discussed Carrie, now that Luna finished it. Hermione held off recommending Koneko Mahou Shojo! given that Ron was right, and Hermione did resemble the protagonist. The only time Hermione would ever compare herself to a protagonist. She thought of herself as a supporting character or side-kick. No destiny but to help those around her find theirs. Which Hermione found depressing at times, and liberating at others. It depended on her mood.

O'Malley visited while skiving off Transfiguration-which Hermione resisted the urge to tell him he'd regret it- to discuss his role in spying on Malfoy. Unfortunately the older boy didn't hang out with Malfoy. He seemed to think himself above half-bloods like O'Malley while O'Malley thought himself above such prats. This would be difficult. O'Malley left when the hour was over and they had agreed to further refer to their Herald as book club when in public. Her father would buy it.

Then came the surprise visitors. Pavarti and Padma came to visit her, Pavarti with an awkward sheepish smile, and Padma nearly in tears. They seemed to legitimately feel guilty as they apologized for not doing anything to stop Ivy and Violet and for laughing at her after she'd been transfigured. Hermione felt a mixture of sadness, anger and one part of her wanted to forgive them, it really wasn't their fault, while another part wanted to tell them to take their apologies and shove it. In the end, too many conflicting emotions lead to her cat ears dropping and tail coiling around her. She forced a smile and told them that it was fine and that she wasn't upset with them. She hoped their understanding of cat body language was worse than hers. It seemed theirs was, as they left looking absolved of any guilt.

Pansy popped by to see her between classes. As per Pansy's usual, it was false well-wishes and sympathy thinly veiling her teasing. "You know, Hermione, I quite like it. I think you might even look better!"

"Really?" she asked sweetly while her hair stood on end and tail flicked wildly. "I'd happily refer you to Ivy if you want. Maybe instead of cat features she can do you up as a pug?"

"Ooh, settle down, kitten," Pansy cooed. "I didn't mean any harm."

"Of course, not, sweetie," Hermione mimicked her cooing. "Visiting a hospital bound girl just to make fun of her? I know you wouldn't do that. That'd be pathetic."

"I'll let you rest, kitten," Pansy seethed.

Finally Ron came, but instead of with Harry, he was with Neville, who seemed in a state, pink-faced and blue eyes almost teary.

"I told you not to feel guilty, Neville," Hermione rubbed his back after he sat on the foot of her bed. "This is in no way your fault."

"Snape didn't get the memo," Ron grumbled. "Blamed him in front of the whole bloody class!"

"He did what?!" Hermione's voice broke into a shrill, strangled mew.

"Oh, it gets better!" Ron ranted. "Seemed to think Lavender and Parvarti were responsible too! Had them dissecting newts and telling Lavender how you would've done twice the work in half the time by time you were four!"

This time Hermione's voice failed to make words, just a high distressed mew followed by a hiss. He had to go and make it worse!

"Where's Harry?" she asked.

"Just escaped your monster of a father!" Harry called rushing up to her. "Had me listen to him insult my father while I scraped flobberworms off desks. And to top it off suggested I was going to get you hurt!'My daughter's not your sidekick, Potter!' 'If she gets hurt in your desire to play hero, Potter!'"

Hermione's cat-brain took over and her response was have her hairs stand on end and let out another strangled yowel.

"Which of us are you upset at?" Harry backed away. "I know he's-"

"My father," Hermione forced herself to say, trying to steady her breath, and holding her tail down. "And I'm not upset, I'm just-"

"Disappointed!" the boys chorused, now laughing.

"Anyway," Hermione squeaked. "I have a list of books I need from the library for my homework."

Harry took the list after handing her her homework.

Ron's eyes widened as he gaped at the list, ignoring that they were all on mystical creatures and Salazar Slytherin. "Are you looking to read half the library before Christmas?"

"Harry can tell you why I need those if you don't already know," she sighed."Thanks for everything, Harry."

"No trouble," he said eyes darting to Neville. "We'll-erm-come back with as much Pince will let us get away with."

Ron looked from Harry to her then to Neville and his eyes grew in size before his mouth fell open. Ron had finally put it together! Hermione let out a sigh of relief and hoped the two would come back alone. However, not only did Neville stay, but Hermione spied the distinct form of a girl with long blond hair and a wand tucked behind her ear skipping into the hospital wing. She was soon followed by Fred, George and Lee (who thought it simply hilarious to bring a pot of catnip, which Hermione had to resist the urge to rub up against) and even Ginny. Ginny didn't say a word, but kept looking from her brothers and Lee to Luna and Neville, then back to her. Whatever she wanted to say, she wanted to do it alone. She bolted out of the wing when Harry and Ron returned with an armload of books each, their faces falling as they noted the crowd around her bed.

"Since when were you so popular?" Harry hissed in her ear.

"I haven't the slightest," she said taking the books. "And don't touch my ear or you will match Ron."

"Oh, me-ow!" Harry teased.

"What are you two on about?" Ron asked.

"Nothing," the two shrugged.

The first week passed and Hermione had failed to shed any of her cat like features earning her another two weeks of hospital stay. She had gotten slightly better at ignoring what she called her "cat-brain", though her body language still betrayed every thought. Severus visited her daily after supper and he managed to avoid her friends each time, luckily, and with the exception of staff and students milling about for Pepper-Up potions for the cold going around, which of course Hermione managed to catch, the wing was empty. It was early for many students to become hex-giddy. Brown, Patil and who ever else was involved seemed not to make victims of anyone else. When she decided to grace him with more than one syllable on Friday evening, he thought he would see her during the Quidditch match, given everyone who would normally see her would be gone.

"Morning," Hermione said closing the library's volume of Standard Book of Spells Grade Three.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked resting his hand on her head.

"Fine," she shrugged. "You?"

Fine, Hermione's new favourite word since the second evening of her hospitalization. "Can I get more than one syllable?"

"Like a cat-human hybrid," Hermione rolled her mismatched eyes, which did grow deeper in colour. "But at least I'm a cat-human hybrid that can breathe through her nose. You?"

Hermione wasn't completely relaxed, but her hair didn't stand completely on end and her ears and tail were still, for once. He looked around and spotted a huge stack of books, marked in several different places, he new she was advancing, but that seemed more than he expected. He moved to scrutinize the stack when he noted a shattered pot and soil over the floor.

"I knew I forgot something," Hermione sighed slapping her forehead. "Cat-brain. Knocking it down is too entertaining for some reason. Repairo!"

Hermione set the plant back up on the cabinet after burying her face in the leaves.

"Which of your dear friends found catnip appropriate?" he said taking the plant from her. "Are you eating that leaf?"

Hermione's ears fell and she buried her face in her hands. "Damn cat-brain..."

"Right," he banished the plant before sitting next to her. "At least you're capable of forming complete sentences now."

Hermione mewed into her hands before looking at him. "I've been forming complete sentences for the better of twelve years, Dad," she squeaked.

"You weren't exactly a talkative baby," he threw an arm around her shoulders. "So, I'd say ten. I'd say I miss those days, but I've come to suspect your silence as meaning you're either up to something or angry with me. Or both."

"I'm not up to something stuck here all month," Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed her twitching puffed-out tail. "And why would I be angry? It's not your fault I'm trapped here or eating catnip leaves, is it?"

"Don't roll your eyes, Hermione Elizabeth," he sighed. "And I believe I told you that your current state makes it difficult to pretend you're above a basic human emotion?"

Hermione's grip on her tail tightened and she closed her eyes taking deep, controlled breaths like when she had found herself with the urge to pounce a squirrel. "I don't think I'm above a human emotion," she seemed to be making an effort to even her voice, but it wasn't easy. "I'm just trying to be fair."

"To whom?" he raised an eyebrow.

Silence followed that question, but her tail stopped twitching and her posture relaxed. He should have dropped it in the first place, she was finally talking to him again beyond "fine" and "sorry! cat-brain!". It wasn't as if he could explain away what he'd said to Longbottom or Potter, and he was certain that was what had triggered this most recent episode of silence. Would she forever side with them? Though he couldn't help but wonder if this were a normal part of her development...he was reminded once again neither had a clue what normal development was as Hermione shrugged looking rather ashamed.

"I don't imagine it matters right now, love," he sighed before kissing the top of her head.

Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Severus took to patting her head absently as he tried to determine whether or not the girl was dosing before a low, contented rumbling came from her.

"Are you-" he smirked. "Purring?"

Hermione made a startled squeak before flushing pink and her ears fell. "N-no, of course not!" she squeaked."Okay...maybe."

"Maybe," he repeated softly.

This brings back memories, he thought pleasantly as she fell asleep leaning against his shoulder. How many nights all those years ago had she fallen asleep like this after he read to her? How many nightmares had he woke her from to stay with her through the night? He didn't know if this was appropriate at her age, or if the cat behaviour were responsible for it, but he was happy she still trusted him enough to dose on his shoulder. Despite so many more urgent things abound, Severus thought-quite selfishly, he admitted-how much he hated watching his little girl grow up. It was both useless and foolish, but he didn't want things to change.

Just as that thought came to him, Hermione's ears twitched and she leapt to her feet her mismatched eyes wide, and only the dark rings around them suggested she only just woke.

"Calm down, little girl," he said finding his feet as well and reaching for his wand. "There are plenty of reasons why someone might be here, and you don't recognize every set of footsteps."

"And you're grabbing your wand because...?" she closed her eyes. "I don't think it's hostile, Dad. It's two people, one injured, oh! I think I recognize the voices now!"

The doors to the wing flew open and he saw Weasley supporting a pained, earth-covered Potter grunting.

"What happened?" Hermione leapt to the boy's side, her hair and fur growing bushier as her tail twitched madly.

"Bloody Lockhart!" Weasley seethed. "Removed all of the bones in Harry's arm!"

"He did what?!" Hermione's voice cracked into a pained meow and hiss. "I'll get-"

"Already here," a harried looking Pomfrey called rushing to his side. "Should have come straight to me, boys," she chastised ushering Potter the bed beside Hermione's.

"Didn't give us much of a choice now, did he?" Weasley growled.

"Ha!" Hermione spat her ears nearly disappearing inside her hair. "Bet he waltzed up and claimed he could fix everything!"

Potter nodded through gritted teeth."Something like that."

"Either way," Pomfrey said. "You'll have to stay the night. I shall have a talk with Professor Lockhart myself. I run the hospital. You'll have to drink this-" she gave him a bottle of Skele-Gro.

Weasley leaned in to whisper something in Hermione's ear that caused her jump and hiss.

"Care to repeat that loud enough for the adults in the room to hear, Weasley?" he spat.

"It's fine, Dad," Hermione said in a voice that suggested otherwise. "I really hope-oh!"

Whatever developments Hermione made vanished as she leapt into a window sill and chattered at an owl preening at the other side of the glass ignoring him, Potter and Weasley as Pomfrey chased them out stating that both Potter and Hermione needed rest. A month might have been generous, Severus imagined the two would be spending Christmas in the hospital wing if she kept improving at this glacial rate.

"I have someone who might be able to spy on Malfoy for us," Hermione whispered once they were alone. "Maybe they'll catch him bragging about tampering with the bludger."

Harry grimaced as a sickening crack emanated from his arm. He looked down at the slinged, floppy arm before turning to her, his jaw still clenched. "Was that smart?"

Hermione nodded perching herself on all fours on the edge of her bed, leaning in close to Harry. "They helped me with the article, and they were going to write on the Chamber anyway. This way, they're on our side."

Harry narrowed his green eyes and leaned in as well. "You trust them?"

"I trust them enough, Harry," she whispered back. "I won't give them everything, but having them spy on Malfoy for us is the best we got. I was considering brewing a polyjuice potion, but I'm not 'volunteering' to sort my father's stores anytime soon, am I? And this is much less risky."

"What about the voices?" he asked.

"I'm looking into it. I can't really find it...I just wish I could ask Mrs Norris..." Hermione had the distinct feeling she could understand her if she did. Maybe it was the cat-brain talking. She suddenly wished Slytherin's beast was a cat.

"I trust you," Harry said, though his eyes shifted from side to side. "So, what did Ron say?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and her ears fell while her tail wrapped around her. "Asked if I could blame scratching Lockhart's eyes out on my cat brain. I didn't mean to-ugh! My body and brain keep betraying me!" she flopped onto her side. "So, that owl was convenient. There's no way my father was going to yell at Ron once Pomfrey kicked him out if he thought I wasn't healing."

"Clever," he gave a weak laugh.

Hermione curled up and rested her chin on her crossed wrists. "I just hope he doesn't see through me," she sighed. "I also might have used it as an excuse to distract him from looking at the books on my bedstand. Trashed the catnip when I heard his footsteps and grabbed a school book...claimed I discovered the joy of knocking shit over."

"Have you?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"I will bite and scratch the shit out of you!" Hermione raised an eyebrow in return.

"You'd do less damage than Lockhart," he sighed. "But...I reckon I won't risk it tonight. I do need rest."

Hermione could read in the dark with her cat-eyes. She set to work having already examined Mrs Norris's body to no avail. She wanted a creature that petrified its victims without turning them to stone-Cockatrice was out- and was associated with burns on inorganic matter. Though she admitted the burn could be from anything other than the creature. She tried to remember Libby's old stories about monsters about the school. There was supposed to be a spider the size of a horse somewhere in the forest. Could it control other spiders? That could be somewhere to go...she plucked Monsters of Myth Made Material from her bedside cabinet and started reading. She read about several mythic beasts that were rumoured to be myths even in the wizarding world and one by one counted them out.

Gorgons, like the cockatrice, they turned their victims to stone. Agromantula, no petrification effects, and in a surprising turn of events, Salazar Slytherin was a notorious arachnophobe. This book was poorly organized, no alphabetical order or effects..Not even sorted by country of origin. Even Lockhart would have done that much! She had no idea what she was looking for, so she decided to read it cover to cover. She made her way through to Monsters of the Mind, creatures and ghosts made real through mass hysteria and rumours that change with popular belief. She thought the Chamber and its creature certainly met some criteria, and failed to meet others. She began tallying the fors and the againsts when she heard a distinctive pop from the direction of Harry's bed.

Hermione saw a house-elf she didn't recognize bending over Harry like the Nightmare, he was smaller, even than usual with large green eyes. She reacted before examining the situation further, and it was her cat-brain that decided how to react. She leapt on to the elf, pinning him to the ground.

"Get the hell away from him!" she hissed-again literally-digging her claws into his shoulders.

"D-Dobby d-doesn't w-w-want to hurt Harry Potter, Miss!" the small elf cried.

I just hurt a defenseless house-elf...Hermione let go of his shoulders and let out a squeak when she realized he was bleeding. "I am so fucking sorry! I didn't-I don't-"

"Hermione?"

The two turned to see Harry on his feet, his glasses askew from being hasitily put on, though he clearly saw what was going on, as his eyes now matched the size of Dobby's.

"Dobby?"

"You know him?" Hermione squeaked helping the elf up. She grabbed her wand and closed Dobby's wounds.

"Who's the cat?" he asked cowering next to Harry.

"I'm not a cat!" she hissed.

"What are you doing here, Dobby?" Harry asked inviting both to sit down.

Dobby sat between Harry and Hermione like a bat-eared child as he buried his face in his hands when he was unable to punish himself. Hermione tried to comfort him by patting his head, but he must have found it condescending as he only sobbed harder. He confessed to trying to get Harry to not come to Hogwarts. Harry confided that he was the one who kept her letters from him, and Dobby admitting to blocking the barrier.

"But why would you do that, Dobby?" Hermione asked before Harry could shout at him.

"For Harry Potter's safety, ki-miss," he squeaked.

"Why am I in danger, Dobby?" Harry asked, more gently this time.

"Dobby thought his bludger would convince-"

"Your bludger?" Harry's soft voice regained its edge. "You're the reason I have to regrow the bones in my wand-arm?"

"Harry!" Hermione admonished rubbing Dobby's back.

"You're the one that pounced on him!" he glared at her. "Why did you do it?"

"B-because Harry Potter must go home!" Dobby squeaked. "The Chamber of Secrets is open now and-"

"So there is a chamber?" Harry and Hermione said together.

"Dobby's said too much!" he squeak trying to hit his head against Harry's bed post, wrestling against Hermione's grip.

"Dobby, please," Harry said. "You'll wake the matron!"

"Harry Potter must go home!" Dobby insisted. "He is in grave danger!"

"And so is every muggleborn in this school!" Harry said. "I'm not abandoning them!"

"Harry..." Hermione gulped. "I-if I'm wrong about muggleborns being the target, and you are...maybe you should."

"But I can't abandon-"

"Do you think I'm just a cute kitty-cat too then?!" Hermione hissed. "Why do you think I've been spending every night this week combing over these damn books for answers? Examining Mrs Norris's body? I'm not just going to let muggleborns get petrified or killed! You know I can't sit back and watch...or watch you get hurt again!"

"Hermione!" Harry whispered. "Will you calm down? You look like a Hallowe'en decoration!"

Hermione could feel every inch of hair on her body stand on end, she was breathing shallowly and she was now on all fours with her tail straight up, baring her teeth with her ears angled back and eyes darting across the room. When did she let go of Dobby? She thought she had gotten better at this.

"It seems Harry Potter's friend will help in your stead," Dobby offered awkwardly. "She's very protective."

"Harry Potter's friend is going to get herself killed if she helps on her own!" Harry hissed glaring at Hermione now rather than Dobby.

Dobby sobbed, burring his face in his hands again, this time loudly.

"Dobby," Hermione felt herself deflate. "I didn't mean to scare you-I-"

"It's not that!" he blew his nose on his pillow case. "Harry Potter is willing to endanger himself to protect his friends! He speaks to house-elves as equal and befriends Cat Fairies! Harry Potter is truly a hero!"

Hermione felt her hair go on-end but clasped her hands together and tried to control her breathing. She wasn't sure what upset her more. That he was praising Harry for treating elves as equals when Hermione only received criticism, that he was being praised for his heroics when Hermione too was willing to risk her life, and had back-tracked her own healing, to protect muggle-born students like Colin and Justin, or that he called her a cat fairy. Which she thought didn't exist. Though, she knew this wasn't the place or time to be insulted, and was also upset about being upset.

"I'm no hero, Dobby," Harry whispered. "I just- I don't want anyone getting hurt. That's all."

Maybe Harry is a better person than I am...Why am I thinking about that right now!

Hermione's ears twitched and she saw Dobby do the same.

"I hear footsteps!" she whispered. "Two people, adults, I think...I smell three though!"

"Dobby must go!" he squeaked.

"Dobby wait!" Both Harry and Hermione called, too late.

There was a puff of smoke and he was gone.

Both Harry and Hermione feigned sleep in their beds. Hermione using her cat-like behaviour as an excuse to curl up on the end of her bed to give her the best view with one eye open. She saw McGonagall and Dumbledore caring a small first year with short, curly blond hair, stiff and-whoever it was, they were a first year, and still dressed in school robes. McGonagall and Dumbledore set him in a bed and Hermione saw clear as day, a small boy, holding a camera up to his eyes...It was Colin Creevy!

Madam Pomfrey was out in seconds. "What happened?"

"Albus found him on his way to the kitchen to get hot chocolate when he found-" McGonagall choked. "He's been petrified."

"He's just like the cat," Pomfrey said. "No stone, no marks or wounds. What's this...?"

"Do you think you think he got a picture of his attacker?" McGonagall whispered.

Dumbledore and McGonagall leaned in as Pomfrey opened the camera with a gasp. "It's melted! What does that mean?"

Dumbledore's face grew serious, even losing the glimmer in his blue eyes. "That the chamber of secrets has been opened."