Soon after the horcrux was purged from Ravenclaw's diadem, Ron woke up and Hermione was allowed to return to her schedule, provided she wait a couple weeks before returning to her full workout. Madam Pomfrey was suspicious as to how her injuries got agitated when she got them redressed the morning after the horcrux and Hermione did not want to be in the Medi-Witch's bad graces anymore than she already was so she said maybe she scratched at them while she was asleep. After all that, she was willing to rest in the hospital wing and not face the questions of the student population as to what happened in the girls lavatory.

Nobody noticed Astoria's new condition yet and she was keeping quiet to buy time. Bill, Fleur, Fred, George, Percy, and Cecilia returned to their lives, but Mrs. Weasley was remaining behind until she was sure Ron would be alright.

"Well, he won't be playing Quidditch for a while, that's for sure," said Madam Pomfrey. "But if he's up to it, I see no issue letting him attend the first apparition lesson today, so long as he only listens and doesn't try to participate."

"I can take him to the Great Hall," said Hermione. "I already know how to apparate, but it should be interesting to see how they teach it here."

"Very well, but don't overexert yourself," she said.

"Why don't I push him?" said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mrs. Weasley, you've been keeping guard for too long," said Hermione. "Rest. Read a book. I'll bring him back in an hour or so."

"But… oh, alright. But come straight back."

"Of course. Hour and a half tops." Hermione hurried out of the hospital wing with Ron.

"Thanks," he said. "She's smothering me."

"Well, it's big of you to let her," said Hermione. "You gonna finally face Lavender?"

Ron groaned. "Do I have to?"

"Unless you want her to start writing Mrs. Lavender Weasley in her notebooks, you're better to end it sooner than later," said Hermione.

"Can't we just let her think we're dating behind her back?"

"Suggest something like that again and you won't be out of the hospital until graduation," she replied crossly. "What, you think Char and I are experimenting or something?"

"No. I'm sorry." Ron sighed heavily. "I think I might be broken."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, I thought I liked you, but then when you liked me back, spell or not, I realized I didn't. Fleur's just… I react to her veela allure, but when she isn't around I hardly think about her. And then Lavender. When she isn't calling me dumb names, she can be sweet, but when I kiss her it's… I feel nothing. I liked the attention, but now I just feel… uncomfortable."

"Hm… have you ever crushed on anyone?" she asked. "Besides Viktor, I mean."

He swatted at her. "I thought Viktor was breaking up our trio. Didn't realize I was doing it myself. I just… even you put up posters of people you're attracted to, right? I've never done that."

"You know," said Hermione. "You don't have to date anyone. I mean, does Charlie date?"

"No, he always said that relationships weren't his thing."

"Then maybe you're like him," she said. "And look, even if you weren't, you don't have to date anyone if you get no fulfillment from it. Yeah?"

"I guess," he said.

"So you'll talk to Lavender?" she said. "Before you're well enough for her to not feel guilty about hitting you?"

"Yeah. I'll hail her down after the lesson," he said. "Maybe I can hide behind my mum."

"That's the spirit."

Ron rubbed his neck. "Suppose Cormac's jumping to take my place. You heard I can't play the next match right?"

"Yeah, but don't worry, I'm gonna heckle him to tears and make him wish he never joined the team."

"You're the best."

"I know. You've got a birthday coming up. We'll have a private party. You can invite whoever you want. Any movie requests since Hogsmeade is cancelled?"

"The Holy Grail movie?"

Hermione smiled. "You got it. I think I have a tape with their best skits too."

She pushed him into the Great Hall where the other sixth years were gathered.

"Hey, Ron!" said Harry. "Glad to see you're awake."

"Thanks, Harry," said Ron. "Tell me, how's McLaggen?"

"A beast," Harry muttered. "Seems to fancy himself team captain now that you're out."

"Nia said she's going to destroy him," said Ron.

"That I am." Hermione grinned. "I'm going to ruin this man's whole career."

"Who are we talking about?" asked Parvati, ignoring Lavender as she fawned over her soon to be ex-boyfriend.

"McLaggen," said Hermione.

"I'm two seconds away from hexing him myself," she muttered darkly. "The things he's been saying about you…"

"Mm, that I'm a slut?"

"Well, he told everyone you two shagged in a closet," said Parvati. "Among other things that no one will believe if you deny."

"I just got out of the closet, why's he trying to put me back in?" Hermione tsked and shook her head. "Well, he's going to regret saying that. I think I'll try words this time. Leave psychological damage."

"Sounds fun," said Blaise, sidling up. "On who?"

"Cormac McLaggen. I'm waiting until the Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor game to strike though."

"Hey, if you want to bail," said Harry, "I can take Ron back to the hospital wing after the lesson. I hear it isn't going to be that long anyway."

"Thanks Harry. I'm gonna go find my girlfriend." Hermione headed towards the doors where the instructor, a man who looked like a copy of Mr. Ollivander except the printer was running out of ink, entered.

"Where are you going, young lady?" he asked.

"I already know how to apparate," said Hermione.

His expression turned condescending and she knew this was a man who couldn't wait to use someone as an example.

"Do you now?" he said. "Then I assume you know the three Ds?"

"Sure Deliberation. Determination. Destination," she recited, remembering when Cedric was taking his lessons.

"Destination comes first."

"If you like splinching, sure, but I like to deliberately determine my destination before going anywhere," she replied and his eye twitched.

"I really insist you take school approved programs for apparition."

"I can apparate though," said Hermione. "Watch. Apparate to the left." She appeared three feet to the left. "Apparate to the right." She did. "Freeze! Everybody clap your hands!"

Half their year broke out into rhythmic clapping while Hermione cha-cha'd in place.

"Go on, Miss Granger, you're disrupting the lesson," said Professor McGonagall.

"Mmkay." Hermione left and went up to the Ravenclaw Common Room where she knew Char was along with Luna and Ginny of all people.

"My lady," said the eagle knocker, bowing as she approached.

"Samson," Hermione replied and the door opened for her. "Hey, you guys having a party without me?"

"Not at all," said Luna.

Hermione tipped her head and realized why there was music playing. "Oh, goodness, those radios last a long time don't they?"

"It's been months, I think we're just going to have to learn to drown it out," said Char.

"Say no more." Hermione went over to Ravenclaw's statue and pressed the panel in the pedestal. Inside was a radio, which she quickly dismantled. "There we go. Free radio? Ginny? Marietta?"

"I'll take it," said Ginny.

"Have at it." Hermione sat on the arm of the couch next to Char. "Any plans for today?"

"Studying mostly," said Char. "Just… hanging around."

"Well, then why don't you help me decide what to serve for Lunar New Year next week?" she suggested. "I got permission to place a special order for ingredients and I have a list of foods to make that I can pare down."

"Ginny and Char were talking Quidditch," said Luna.

"Narc!" said Ginny, making xem grin.

"Well, don't let me interrupt you then," said Hermione. "If we let them talk Quidditch, Luna, then you and I will have a chance to talk about our interests."

"A very good point," xe said, leaning against Ginny.

"Well, I was saying that Gwenog Jones is coming to see me play," said Ginny. "You know from the Holyhead Harpies? She thinks I've got real potential."

"Any chance I could meet her?" Char asked. "I've always been a Tornados fan since I was small, but the Holyhead Harpies really broke records. I hear they might represent England in the World Cup."

"Don't they have country specific teams?" asked Marietta.

"Actually no," said Hermione. "They might have country teams for No-Maj sports, but I guess to keep things interesting, magical sports teams usually duke it out the year before the World Cup season and then they represent."

"That's right," said Char. "Usually the same teams are up, the Sofia Lions, the Santo Domingo Geckos, but some countries it changes."

"Do you want to be a professional?" asked Ginny.

"I don't know. I'm graduating this year and I still don't know what I want to do."

"I think it's silly that they expect us to have our lives sorted at fifteen," said Luna. "I like chasing creatures, but is that really what I want to do for the next hundred and fifty years?"

"Hundred and fifty? I thought the average wizard lived to a hundred and twenty," said Hermione.

"Yes, but that's when you consider the dangerous occupations," Luna reasoned. "It brings down the average life-span."

"Hm… well, I've always wanted to be a lawyer," said Hermione. "But current events have everyone pushing me over to Curse-Breaker."

"You'd be good at it," said Char.

"I know, but it isn't my passion," she said. "Besides, most Curse-Breakers are sent to old grave sites and it feels more like for treasure hunting than for archaeology."

"Well, I'm definitely going to be a Quidditch star," said Ginny. "I mean, I'm being scouted by Gwenog Jones! What if they want me to start playing right away?"

"That could be possible," said Hermione. "They might have you start out as a Swing player. You're good at Chasing and Seeking."

"And if that doesn't work out, I can go on slaying basilisks."

Hermione grinned and looked at Char. "I think it's fine if you don't know what you want to do. Do your parents have any plans for you?"

"Not really. I know what careers would make them happy," she said. "But when it comes to planning my life they never really… you know. They just think that good grades will open all doors for me."

"I think you'd be good at whatever you chose," said Hermione. "You know my dad was set to be a drill sergeant in the military and then he ended up a dentist. Esperanza was happy just designing clothes and now she's an international superstar because Miguel's agent recognized her name."

"I can't believe I didn't get her autograph while she was going to school here," Marietta groaned. "I just thought she was an opera star my gran liked."

"She was an opera star from ages eight to thirteen," said Hermione. "But the longer she was deaf the less certain she was in her voice, so she only sang at church."

"Yeah, but she's famous now and sings stuff I like to listen to!"

"I can tear off her signature from a letter she sent me."

"No, that's just pathetic and desperate."

"Speaking of pathetic and desperate," said Luna, looking over xyr shoulder.

It wasn't often xe got catty, but Michael Corner had just walked in. It occurred to Hermione that he had once dated Ginny and went out with Char for a couple months. Guess apparition lessons weren't that long. No… too many people splinched and they cut it short.

"Do you guys want to play a game?" Hermione asked. "Or watch a movie? It's still cold, but we can have a double date and a fifth wheel on the grounds."

"I am a fifth wheel, aren't I?" Marietta sighed.

"Hey, Granger," said Michael. "That was funny what you did at the apparition lessons."

"Nia: Master of Comedy," said Hermione.

"Yeah, so I was thinking… what if we got together?" he said. "Hogsmeade is closed, but I'm told you know a lot of secret places around the castle."

"No thanks, I've got a girlfriend." Hermione rested her chin on top of Char's head. "She's super cute."

"You seriously don't think everyone's convinced you're a lezzie? You too, Weasley."

Hermione sucked on her teeth. "Come on, let's move this pride parade."

"Sounds good to me," said Ginny.

"Let's go to our dorm," said Char. "There's lots of room there since it's just me and Marietta now."

"Great!" said Michael. "Got room for one more?"

"Sorry kiddo," said Hogwarts. "When someone says no, they mean no. Stop trying to weasel your way in."

"I've got the first season of Whose Line is it Anyway," said Hermione.

Leaving Michael frozen in a state of confusion, the five friends went down the stairs to the dorms and closed the door so nobody else could come in. Hermione set up the vanity mirror for VHS viewing and sat next to Char on her bed.

"So, you've got some recipes for Lunar New Year?" asked Char.

"That's right." Hermione brought out the binder filled with the recipes and handed it over along with some tabs. "Though, for the Multicultural Club meeting on Tuesday, I was going to teach everyone my favorite bao bun recipe. It was the only thing I would eat without fuss when I was little."

"Really?" said Char. "Bao?"

"Mmhm. Mom would heat them up for me when Papí had to work late. He makes batches ahead of time and freezes them. I don't think I ever got a chance to really celebrate Lunar New Year. I was meant to before I disappeared, though I did wear a hanbok to their wedding and I've got one I wear to the Mulitcultural festival at Kilokilo that I intend to wear on the new year."

"Well, I'll definitely be there to make bao," said Char. "Po Po has been telling me she'll give me a proper lesson. Imagine her face when I can already make them!"

"I'm not as good at it as my sister, but I'll do my best," said Hermione.

"I love trying new foods," said Luna. "And the Hogwarts Gazette is going to run an article all about Lunar New Year, so I'll need to interview you at dinner."

"Sure thing, but I'm no expert," said Hermione.

"I'll tell you what you want to know," said Char.

"I know Daphne is looking forward to making hamantaschen for Purim next month," said Hermione. "They're insanely good. I attended the Purim celebration my first and third years."

"There's going to be a dance this year, right?" said Marietta.

"Yes, but not until the week before finals," said Char. "I'm going to volunteer to lead the planning committee, but we're meant to submit themes soon to vote on."

"What about a luau theme?" asked Marietta.

"No," said Hermione.

"Why not?"

Hermione sighed heavily. "Luaus are religious ceremonies that were taken by haole for entertainment. My people were banned from hosting them for ourselves and were only allowed to serve and perform at them. Don't even get me started on the 'Paradise Image.'"

"Oh… I didn't know," she said.

"Of course not. Colonization does that. Now you do know."

Char leaned against Hermione. "There's lots of themes to choose from: Enchanted Forest, Space…"

"Oooh, it should be a masquerade!" said Luna. "I've always wanted to attend a masquerade."

"Perfect!" said Hermione. "And to make things fun we can have a craft day where people can make their own masks."

"That would be brilliant," Char agreed. "Okay, we'll bring it up at the next prefect meeting!"

The bell tolled, signaling them all to go to dinner.

After the fact, Hermione had to go meet Draco for prefect duty.

"Hello, Duckie," said Hermione with a serenity that would make Luna proud.

"Is the Duckie thing revenge for making you think I murdered your cat?" Draco demanded.

"No, immediately attacking you and punching you in the face was revenge," said Hermione. "This is for calling me the m-word. You've got two years of this, Duckie. Of course, I could call you Llewellyn instead?"

"I think not."

They walked around for a little bit, checking in on their walkie-talkies, then went up to the Room of Things to talk. Draco summoned the Lost and Found, which was the room he had been working in.

"Alright," he said. "You wore me down. I'm ready to talk."

Hermione sat down on a sturdy looking bench and patted the seat beside her. Draco carefully sat, making sure it wouldn't collapse under their combined weight and sighed wearily.

"So… you and Astoria?"

He flushed red. "That's not what we're here to talk about!"

"I know. Just trying to release the tension. Hey, Hogwarts, can you give us a mo'? I can't be a sympathetic friend with you in my head all the time."

She felt the entity leave her and she shuddered. "That much energy all the time is starting to get to me, I think."

"Are you spying on everyone all the time?" asked Draco.

"No. If I want to find someone, I have to focus on that particular person," said Hermione. "And even then it's unlikely I'll actually see them like you would see. I can't really describe it, it's just… feelings. I'll get visions if things align right. Like when Harry—someone who is close to me—hurt me, I was put in the shoes of Helena Ravenclaw, someone who died from similar wounds and that's how I saw the diadem. Or when Ron was poisoned, I touched the bottle and I saw you injecting the poison into it. Madam Rosmerta told you which one he bought, didn't she?"

"Yes. She contacted me with a coin similar to the ones used for the D.A.," he said. "Since you rescued Cho-Chang from the book, I haven't used it and I don't think she has either. She probably threw it away so she doesn't get accused of conspiracy."

"Probably," Hermione agreed. "Start from the beginning. What's going on?"

Draco stared down at his shoes.

"This last summer, I was working out a deal at Borgin and Burke's when my dad approached me. He said he was sorry and just wanted to talk, so I agreed. When I got to the Manor, about twelve Death Eaters were waiting, including the Dark Lord and my Aunt Bellatrix. They said that even though Father proved himself loyal, he still had a price to pay for losing something precious and for my mum's treachery. He gave me a task. If I fail, he's going to kill my mum in front of me and leave me to Aunt Bellatrix." Draco shakily rolled up his sleeve. The Dark Mark was pale as he was not being called, but it still seemed to move in a way. "You already knew I had this."

"Yes. I can see the signature. Just as I saw it on Snape's and Karkaroff's and Barty Crouch Jr's."

"Then why didn't you tell Potter?"

"Because I didn't think you were a threat just yet," said Hermione. "Maybe if you were still the same person you were a couple years ago. Mean, bigoted, a bully, but you don't seem like that anymore. You joined the D.A., you didn't throw anyone under the bus. Don't get me wrong, you're still a pinchy-faced bitch, but I don't think you want to hurt anyone."

He snorted. "Well, thanks for that." He covered the mark and rubbed his mouth. "I don't know what to think anymore. I… I defended Potter, I no longer speak to Pansy or Crabbe or Goyle. I'm not rich, I don't have my status. Who am I anymore?"

"Someone capable of change, just as the rest of us," said Hermione.

"Why are you so willing to help me get rid of Dumbledore?" he asked.

"He tried to obliviate me," said Hermione. "I don't know what his game is or why he thinks there's only one way to do things. I don't know if he didn't succeed because his magic is too weak or if my bond to Hogwarts made it so my memories are bound to hers and therefore unable to be erased. Point is, I think he's had his chance to end this war and his time is up."

"Do you really think we can kill him?" asked Draco, looking green.

"We're not going to kill him. He hasn't actually tried to harm me because he genuinely believes he's doing the right thing. Therefore, I am bound by Hogwarts' law of never harming her students past or present. We are, however, going to remove him from the situation and make our good friend Morty think we killed him."

"How are we going to do that?" asked Draco. "I'm meant to fix that Vanishing Cabinet. Let them in so they can witness me. I had hoped… well, with the book or the poison that I could avoid all that."

"Then we turn it into a trap," said Hermione, bringing out a scrapbook.

"Do you scrapbook everything?" he asked incredulously, taking it from her.

"Of course not. I also bedazzle."

He flipped it open, wrinkling his nose as glitter fell out, and read through it.

"Really though, who would think to look for secret spells in a scrapbook?" Hermione asked.

"No one, I guess." Draco ran a finger down the list of materials. "Can we get all this?"

"If we have it sent in bit by bit," said Hermione.

"How do you recommend we make it a trap?"

"I have no intention of letting you leave with them," said Hermione. "When they're here and distracted, Ceci will be smuggling your mum out under the pretense of a family emergency. We can probably hide her away at Sirius' house or she can go to the shelter in D.R. Nobody will notice one more and she can probably help out at the jewelry store. I bet she knows how to upsell to rich tourists."

"Probably," said Draco. "What about the Death Eaters?"

"The only way out of this is to betray them," said Hermione. "Your mum will be safe away and I'll make sure you get out of here safely too."

"What about Potter?"

"He'll deal," said Hermione. "We're not going to tell him what we're doing. The fewer who know, the better. This is a difficult spell, but we should be able to swing it with the three of us."

"Three?"

"You, me, and Hogwarts."

"Fine, but I'm not hearing the trap part."

"We call the coven once the Death Eaters arrive," said Hermione. "Will Morty come?"

"No." Draco seemed certain of that and she moved on.

"If I call them, they'll be able to get here quickly, especially if Tonks is on patrol. By the time Dumbledore is 'dead', there will be people ready to fight and make sure that nobody gets hurt."

"You make it sound so easy," said Draco.

"It won't be," said Hermione. "But it's the best chance we've got aside from telling the coven our plan and hoping they're cool with it."

"Somehow I doubt they will be. Are you sure you're willing to do this?"

"Draco, I lost my best friend because of him," said Hermione. "He left everyone at the mercy of Umbridge, and he broke a promise which led to Cedric being wanted for murder!"

"Cedric's been pardoned though."

"It's too late." Hermione shook her head. "He's not coming back. I don't know if he's angry or—or dead or if he's been captured and tortured by Death Eaters who want the prophecy he allegedly took, but he's not coming back and I blame Dumbledore for allowing this and myself for not convincing him to go to Castelobruxo with me. I'm not letting Dumbledore take anyone else away from me. If he's attacked straight on, he will die anyway. This way, we can at least martyr him."

Draco looked down at his shoes.

"You're a very strange person, Nia."

"So I've been told. You gonna follow through?"

"I have no better options," he said. "You promise my mother will be unharmed?"

"Professor Lupin has been keeping an eye on you," said Hermione. "Ask him for help with keeping your mother safe and he will. People tend to find you more trustworthy if you come to them for assistance rather than wait for them to offer."

"I guess… Do I have to tell him everything?"

"No, he already knows that your mum asked Sirius for help regarding you. Just say you worry your dad might try to get at her and ask if he and Sirius can help."

"Okay. I'll…" he took a deep breath and his eyes looked moist like he was trying not to cry. "I don't want to do this."

"I know. I don't either, but we can't leave things to chance. Can we?"

"No."

Hermione rose to her feet and held out her hand. "We have a plan?"

He looked at her and shook it. "Okay. When do we act?"

"After final exams," said Hermione. "It will shoot the summer program, which is a pity because really it's a great idea."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Hogwarts. What do you think of all this?"

Hermione seized and her eyes glowed bright as Hogwarts returned.

"I don't approve," she said, "but I understand your reasons behind it. You have my blessing Draco Llewellyn Malfoy, but please know that if any of my students are sought out and murdered during this, I will consider you my enemy and you will no longer be under my protection."

Hermione coughed and rubbed her chest.

"You know," she said. "I seem to be quite terrible at keeping secrets."

"I don't think that's a bad thing," said Draco. "But you will keep this one between as few people as possible, yes?"

"Of course. If the wrong people knew, we'd both be in Azkaban and I really don't want to have to escape, though it would be so easy."

"How?"

"I'd turn into an otter and swim away."

"Ah."

Hermione rose to her feet. "If you can… tell the Death Eaters that you won't stage anything until after finals. Tell them it's to lull the public into a false sense of security. To back off on abductions and killings until then."

"I don't think I have that much power, but I'll at least try to give us time."

"If they try to come early…" Hermione raised her hands. "I decree that no true Death Eaters may leave this room until finals have ended."

Nothing changed, but she knew that it would work.

"Right," she said. "We oughta get back on our rounds, Duckie."

He groaned at the name and followed her out back to their patrol route.

Hermione was able to compartmentalize. She called Tía Manola and asked for her to send the things she would need, staggered out in a way that it wouldn't raise an alert. Even if she had to disguise it as catalogue orders Of things that wouldn't attract attention. And, of course, Hermione was always acting strange and suspicious these days, nobody would look twice at her.

She pushed everything out of her mind for Lunar New Year and had a lot of fun with her friends making bao and cooking good food to share. The dumplings made by the people were adequate and the elves made them perfectly. They made pork and chives bao, beef onion bao, and vegetarian bao along with chicken mandu.

At the prefect meeting, votes for a formal dance were unanimous and everyone agreed that a Masquerade would be perfect. All years were invited. The school population was getting so small now that there would be plenty of room even if everyone showed up. They would put a notice in the Hogwarts Gazette and an advanced notice of a mask making party a week before the date. Char, in her excitement, volunteered to lead the committee and was given authority and that the budget would be decided next month.

Hermione decided she would volunteer to be part of the committee so she could spend more time with Char. It was best to keep busy.

When Lunar New Year was over, she would focus on the next thing, which was the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff game, then the next thing, which was Ron's birthday. Then Purim, then Passover, then whatever event she had to cook up next. She would plot and plan and scheme on the side, but she would not let it consume her thoughts. She never knew who was listening and she didn't trust herself to keep quiet if it was all she could think about.

She was doing the right thing. No… perhaps "right" wasn't the word.

She was doing… what needed to be done.