The following days up to Hermione's birthday were pleasant, nothing exciting had happened. Hermione had practically wrapped Luna in cloth, keeping her close as possible when she could. Luna was ecstatic. The young blonde was a delight to have and she helped Neville and Goyle with their homework. They had decided to keep up with the practice that they had started the following year, and were glad for it.

While Neville had the opportunity to ask her questions in the common room, Goyle did not. He even now referred to her as 'Apprentice Granger'. The young Slytherin was more than glad that he was able to make his final decision concerning the witch without stress. When his father came home one day and asked about Granger, he was told that she was an 'alright sort' and was encouraged to offer her the same services that they offered the Malfoys. When Gregory had admitted that he studied with her last year while she was dating Krum, his father smiled and congratulated him before suggesting he do more than study with the witch such as being friends and offering her the Goyle protection they were well known for.

Goyle had told Hermione and the petite witch was just happy that Goyle decided he wanted to keep being study buddies with her. She was more than happy to help the Slytherin that reminded her so much of Neville. Luna even commented that she might see him more than previously. The petite witch took the comment as it came without overthinking it. Her young friend could see more than most, and if she said that she'd interact with him more, it had to be for a reason and as it wasn't a warning she would just let things happen as they would.

Harry would occasionally join them, becoming closer friends with Neville, and even extending a small olive branch to Goyle. Luna beamed the whole time after watching her friend Harry Potter make more friends.

Severus took it all in stride, internally pleased. Goyle and Longbottom were now in the top 5 in his OWL class, which meant less melting cauldrons and less explosions. Granted it had been less than a month into term, but as he had pushed them as he always did, it was promising.

Potter wasn't coasting by now, the effort was noticeable. Lovegood had always been one of his top students, but he was pleased that her potions had improved in quality even though she had somehow always managed just above textbook perfect. He believed it was her… creativity.

Prefect Weasley was a sour spot and he made it a point to belittle and criticize all his work. It wasn't hard when he was now barely a step above Crabbe. Finnegan was, as always, fucking something up with his flames that affected the temperature of his potion. The boy's magic was so volatile he often considered telling Minerva to send him to St. Mungos for a check-up. The rest of his students were as they had usually been.

Albus had not interacted with the students unless they were sent to his office. With Umbridge watching him carefully he had to make sure he didn't interact with the students any more than was necessary. He wasn't particularly as hands on with the students when he was teaching while she was student and worked to maintain the image she remembered. Interacting with Harry the way he had was important for the war, he had to keep an eye on his queen after all. Severus was a bishop, Minerva was a rook, and Granger had gone from pawn to knight. At least that was how he was classing her as it looked like she would go straight, but then she'd make an odd turn.

He supposed it was for the best however as it gave him an excuse to avoid Harry. Voldemort had been restored and the horcrux in his scar might turn Harry into a second vessel. He couldn't afford Tom using legilimency on him through the boy. It was farfetched, but he wasn't an expert on horcruxes. All the information on them were obscure, even when he did dabble in the Arts he had never considered sacrificing any part of himself that went further than blood.

Umbridge smiled in a threatening manner while belittling all the students, quickly becoming everyone's least favorite professor. It was originally a tough call, especially with Snape, but soon she beat him by a mile. Snape at least was honest and snapped at them for their work and being less than perfect. He treated them as though they should be more mature for their age, and while they disliked it, they were now thankful for it especially after dealing with the fat witch. Granted this year he was more tolerable, but still sniped as he prowled down the aisles of his classroom.

Hermione woke up and went about her morning routine before meeting with Harry and walking down to the Great Hall. Hermione acknowledged it was her birthday, but as no one but her parents ever got her anything she never made a fuss. Last year Harry got her sugar quills, which she was pleased with. Ron of course forgot and got her nothing, so the red head had settled for a 'Happy Birthday' and a lackadaisical shrug with a smile. The petite witch was unimpressed and let it slide.

As she was eating, she was pleased when Luna skipped towards her and sat on her other side.

"Good morning, Hermione," she said dreamily.

The blonde witch was wearing her dirigible plum earrings and her butterbeer cork bottle necklace.

"Good morning, Luna," Hermione replied with a smile, "Do you want some oatmeal with berries today?" she asked calmly.

Luna beamed, "Yes, thank you! How did you know?" she asked.

"You usually want oatmeal and berries for breakfast after you've had soup for dinner," the curly haired replied easily.

Luna's eyes twinkled; her friend remembered something about her! Her friend took the time to go out of her way to learn some of her likes!

The petite witch made a bowl of said oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries, adding a dash of sugar on for her friend.

"Thank you," Luna grinned, "But shouldn't I have done that for you? It's your birthday after all."

Hermione grinned at the other witch. Her friend somehow found out when her birthday was and remembered. "That's alright. Thank you for remembering."

Luna leaned over and gave Hermione a chaste kiss before snuggling into her side.

"Happy birthday, Hermione. A birthday kiss for the birthday girl. I figured you would like it better than birthday spankings."

The older witch blushed lightly but knew it was a friendly kiss that was nothing more than what she said it was. That and she much preferred that than being spanked by the sandy blonde. Chances were her body would react in an extremely embarrassing manner.

"Oh! Before I forget, I made something for you!" Luna exclaimed before digging into her robe pocket.

She pulled out a pair of earrings and handed them to Hermione with a smile. A gentle smile bloomed on the other witch's face as she took them and cradled them in her hand while she looked at them carefully.

They were very lovely. They were small dangle earrings with moss green stones wrapped in gold wire. The stones were smooth and round and the gold wire was wrapped in a spiral around it. It started from the bottom, coiled tightly pressed flat against the bottom of the stones and then wrapped around the stones twice, finishing with tight coils going up about a centimeter before connecting to the dangle parts that would go through her ears.

"They're beautiful," she said softly, staring at them a bit longer before putting them in her ears.

"They're serpentine. I chose them to help you meditate and develop a better relationship with nature. If you're interested in looking for your animagus form, they should help you with that too," Luna explained airily, "I charmed the backs of the earring to not stab you, sometimes they can dig into your skin and cause pain. I'm very proficient at it so they should last for a long time, perhaps a decade or three. They should be very comfortable. I also cast that spell that you used on my bookstand on them!"

Hermione grinned and hugged the blonde tightly, "Thank you, I love them."

Luna grinned; her eyes twinkled more. Luna then looked up as a few owls came in, 3 landing in front of Hermione and 1 landing in front of her.

"Oh goody, Daddy sent something," Luna announced taking the small package from the large eagle owl and feeding it some bacon from the plate to the left of her.

Hermione recognized 2 of the 3 owls, Hedwig and Martin, the third she used her wand to take from the owl and cast a series of detection spells on the package. Once it was clear she took the packages from the other owls and gave them all bacon. As she was opening the package from Harry the owl that was in front of Luna hopped over to her and held out his leg. Attached was a very small package.

The petite witch blinked quickly before taking the package from the owl and also gave him a treat.

She looked over at Luna, as she knew it must have come from her father. The blonde witch however just beamed and watched excitedly.

Opening the small package was another set of earrings with the same stones as the earrings Luna gave her. She smiled at them and looked at them curiously. They were simple studs, the stones small and round like beads.

"Tell your dad thanks for me," Hermione said.

Luna nodded, "Well? Aren't you going to put them on?" she pale witch was clearly excited.

"I only have one set of earring holes," Hermione replied, as though that answered everything.

"Oh psh," Luna responded in a no nonsense manner. She took Hermione's hair and lifted the curls away from her ears. With a wave of her wand the hair was held away from her face, leaving her ears open. She quickly shot spells at the top of her friend's ears. Hermione bit the inside of her lip as her finger twitched, resisting the knee jerk reaction that was to hold her wand and attack. With another quick wave they were healed, but not closed. Luna then took the earrings and put them in for her friend who was looking at her shocked. She had not planned to have her cartilages pierced, especially not in the Great Hall at breakfast.

Luna however ignored the incredulous look and stood up, and moved to stand behind the petite witch. She took the mass of managed curls and proceeded to style her friend's hair. The younger witch was quick about it, two large twist braids framed her head like a halo, resting above her ears before being tied in the back with a green ribbon Luna conjured. It was simple and cute, displaying her ears and keeping her hair out of her face.

"There," Luna said, her tone clearly pleased with her work.

With a large sigh Hermione decided to just accept it. Luna was her friend, and at this point she knew she was Luna's best friend and made the decision to return the status. Best friends were often given leeway involving a lot of things.

"Luna I was not aware that I would have my ears pierced again, let alone my cartilages," the witch announced with clear annoyance.

Neville and a few of the older years arrived and started fixing themselves breakfast.

"I know," the blonde replied, "But I also know that you don't mind piercings. I know you're going to get your nipples pierced soon," Neville choked on his water while Harry slapped on his back even though was laughing. Hermione however turned bright red, knowing she couldn't deny it. "Although I think you should stick with bars during the weekends and rings on the weekdays instead of the reverse. Of course your nipples are a bit bigger than most girls, so rings might be more comfortable unless you get bigger bars. Thankfully with magic you can lengthen or shorten them however much you need," she finished brightly.

"No one else needed to know that, Luna," the exasperation was clearly heard from the other witch.

Her clairvoyant friend had almost no brain to mouth filter. She couldn't exactly fault her for it or hold it against her, she still went into lecture mode when it came to obscure facts during a conversation.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone else would hear me. Neville and Harry were the only ones really paying attention."

"I won't tell anyone," Neville inserted, his face beat red.

"Thanks, Nev," the petite witch replied. It was more an acknowledgement at this point.

Hermione opened her remaining gifts, clearly intent on ignoring the conversation that just happened. Her parents had sent her a new set of robes and a barrette in the shape of a small witch's hat. It was made with gold with black glass inlaid. It also had a purple 'ribbon' that was also made of glass in it. Overall Hermione liked it. She wasn't a fan of hats even though her mum thought they looked lovely on her. It was a nice compromise as she would indeed wear her new 'hat' that was not a hat.

Harry had given her a set of deluxe sugar quills as well as a piece of parchment that revealed itself to be a homemade voucher, 'Good for one Hogsmead shopping trip. One book Mandatory. Love, Harry.'

The last one, the mystery gift, revealed itself to be two old books. The outsides had no titles but clearly were worn leather. She opened the thickest one, the smell wafting into her nose. The title was indeed on the first page inside; 'Ward Masters and Mistresses Through the Ages'.

There was a note inside.

'Thought you would appreciate this Lass. Don't take any of the Undersecretary's bullshit.'

It made her smile. She knew who it was from. The second she opened immediately; 'The Eminence of Ancient Ley Lines'. There was another note.

'As my favorite pupil I thought you'd like to get to know your friends better.'

'They sent their presents together', she cooed to herself.

Hermione put her gifts away, very happy with them. Throughout the whole event Severus sat in his normal seat and observed the proceedings with a blank look. He was happy for his apprentice. Lovegood had obviously shocked his witch, and he could see the exasperation clearly on her face, but knew immediately that he would be stuck with Lovegood for life. It appeared that Hermione had made another 'best friend'. Much better than Weasley.

At that moment Umbridge strolled in with her head held high, she had noticed the mudblood had a few owls around her. As she sat and her fat pressed almost uncomfortably against the sides of the chair she looked over at the surly potions master.

"Hem Hem, Severus –"

"That would be Professor Snape, or Snape to you, Dolores," Severus snipped.

"Yes, well, Snape, would you happen to know the reason for the extra owls surrounding your apprentice," she inquired.

"Yes."

She waited a moment until she realized she would have to press for details with the wizard.

"What reason would that be?" she asked.

"What does it matter to you?" he asked with a perfectly arched brow.

"Just curious. She is just a step below staff, so I believe the staff should be informed," she answered.

"The rest of the staff is aware, it is a personal matter," he replied, still avoiding the answer.

Umbridge narrowed her eyes at him.

"I am part of the staff here. I should be aware of this event as well," she simpered in her annoyingly high voice.

"Really Dolores, as a personal matter it has no bearing on your job. The rest of the staff has been here longer so we are more aware of the students' lives. As much as some of us would not like to know, students do gossip in the halls," he said with his lip curled.

Dolores pursed her lips at him. She knew he was right, and as she was not yet in control of the school she didn't have the authority to look through the students' mail.

Minerva gave Dolores a side glance. The woman had no tact and her busybody attitude was grating.

"Dolores, we are here to teach and guide the students, not meddle in their lives above that," the older witch said in clipped tones, "It is unprofessional."

Umbridge had wisely kept her mouth shut.

Classes had gone by swiftly, to Hermione at least. It was mostly application that Tuesday. Charms, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, and Herbology. No Umbridge, which she considered a small present herself. She also didn't have patrol that night!

She was walking down from her shower, Harry waiting for her in the common room. They were both wearing casual clothes with their school cloaks over them. Both had opted to leave them open.

Harry was wearing a dashing red v neck shirt and black slacks while Hermione was wearing a casual black and light green pinstripe dress robes.

"Looking good, birthday girl," Harry said with a grin, his hands in his pockets, "and in green? Your apprenticeship is showing."

"Thank you," she replied with a cheeky smile.

A few of the younger students looked at Hermione, some of the boys blushed taking note that while her robes didn't cling to her indecently, her figure was nicely displayed.

"What are you all tarted up for?" came a snide remark next to them.

Looking over with distaste they could clearly see Ron sneering at them.

Hermione looked at him as though he were something filthy under her boot.

"It's her birthday, Ron. You should know by now," Neville said coming down behind them, "You look nice, Hermione," he said in a less confrontational tone.

"Thank you," she replied with a grin.

Ron's face flushed red, she had just looked at him and then ignored him.

"What so you're too fancy to say anything to me now!?" he barked.

The curly haired witch squinted her eyes at him.

"Did anybody else hear something? It sounded rude, but I can't place where it came from," she said loudly.

Ron's face was now an ugly red that clashed with his hair.

"Oh well, let's head to dinner shall we?" she chirped.

As they were leaving the portrait hole Ron grabbed his wand, sparks flying out of it.

The younger years were looking at the prefect wearily. They had quickly discovered that he was mean and had a quick temper. He also took things from them whether they were against the rules or not. One of the students had all of their chocolate frogs confiscated because they 'looked like they could be potioned with something'. It was an extremely poor excuse, especially since they were still in their wrappers. He also pushed them around a lot. At one point he yanked a first year out of one of the chairs claiming seniority. The witch he pulled on had to go to the hospital wing because he dislocated her shoulder. She told Madam Pomfrey that it was an accident, but refused to look her in the face.

He always did so when some of his year mates weren't around. Neville, Harry, Lavender, Pavarti, and Apprentice Granger. Lavender yelled at him once and he took points off her claiming it was talking back to a prefect while he was doing his duty.

Her response was next time she would just tell Hermione.

They were on the last staircase going to the Great Hall when Hermione felt magic coming at her from behind. The witch ducked, seeing a dark orange spell pass over her. She felt another one coming at her, but she was already crouched so she did the only thing she could think of without giving her secrets away, she rolled down the stairs. She knew she would bruise, and it hurt, but she managed to turn around once she landed on the base floor looking up at the top of the staircase.

Neville was frozen in shock. Harry ran down to check on her. Making sure she was alright, he looked up with her.

No one was there.

She looked left and right before she saw another spell come at her from the same place. She jumped to the left and shot a stunner at the spot. Harry ran up to where he heard the thud of someone landing hard. He felt around before he felt something. Pulling on the soft fabric he realized it was his invisibility cloak, on the floor was Ron. Harry quickly pocketed his cloak and glared at the redhead.

Hermione walked up quickly, her movement was predatory. She cast an enneverate on him.

Ron looked up to see Harry kneeling next to him, glaring at him. Hermione was standing over him with her wand raised.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Oh so now you notice me!?" the redheaded wizard shouted.

"You were shooting spells at my sister!" Harry yelled, grabbing Ron's cloak and lifting him up, "AND you took my cloak!"

"So what!? You weren't using it! I was just gonna take her down a peg since Miss High and Mighty is too big to talk to us peasants!"

Harry growled and punched Ron in the face.

Unluckily for him Umbridge only heard the last part, but saw Harry punch Ron.

"Fighting in the corridors?" she walked as quickly as she could down the stairs. Umbridge couldn't believe her luck! She noticed it was a Weasley and saw the prefect badge on his cloak. "Assaulting a Prefect? I believe a week's worth of detention with me is in order. I will see you starting tomorrow night at 7."

"Mr. Weasley, I'm sorry this hooligan assaulted your person. You should go to the hospital wing," she said with her bottom lip quivering as though she was extremely upset to see him in that position.

"Yes ma'am," the redhead said leaving.

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," Harry replied, looking at the ground knowing no matter what he said it wouldn't matter.

"Apprentice Granger, I am shocked that you allowed this to happen! Just standing there!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow at the other witch.

"It would appear that you are unfit for your position! A muggle pretending to be a witch! An apprenticed witch! I shall speak to the headmaster about that immediately. In the meantime I shall be taking that," she reprimanded, snatching Hermione's apprentice badge off her cloak, tearing it.

With that Dolores Umbridge marched into the Great Hall, unaware of the enemy she made.

Neville and Harry looked at Hermione with wide eyes.

"Hermione, your badge," Neville said softly.

"My badge cannot be stolen. The goblins assured me of that. I will have it back before the night is out," she replied calmly.

Marching into the Great Hall, Umbridge made her way to the Staff table.

Whilst she was firmly headed to her destination the silver badge in her hand started to become heavy. Once she was at the table she needed to use both hands to hold it.

Severus noticed his apprentice's badge and glared fiercely at the witch.

"Dolores, why do you have my apprentice's badge?"

"She is no longer an apprentice. She doesn't deserve the honor. That muggle stood by and watched Mr. Potter assault a prefect! I want her expelled, Albus."

"Do you know what happened?" Severus asked, his lip curling into its normal sneer.

Dolores narrowed her eyes at him, "It shouldn't matter. One wizard should not be hitting another like a muggle. I do know there is no fighting in the halls, Snape."

"Indeed. It is against rules and the offender is to be punished."

"Mr. Potter has earned himself a week's detention with me," Dolores confirmed, "It was a matter of time with how volatile he is."

"And my apprentice's badge?"

"She is no longer an apprentice, Snape," she snapped.

As she said this the badge grew heavier and started to prick at her skin as though it was growing thorns.

"Ah!" she yelped.

The badge started to shake and dent the table. Hermione walked in with her brother and Neville, two with their heads held high and the other looking around.

Hermione walked up to the staff table, looking directly at Umbridge.

"Madame Umbridge, are you ready to return my property to me?" Hermione asked calmly.

"That's Professor Umbridge. It is no longer your property, Miss Granger. You are no longer an apprentice."

"Are you as dense as you teach?" Hermione sniped, "The badge doesn't hold the position. To be an apprentice you must take magical oaths. The badge merely allows other people to know."

"How dare you!?" she shouted grabbing the hall's attention.

"I dare very well, having taken my oaths and vows," she replied, crossing her arms.

"An apprenticeship is sacred! A muggle like you doesn't deserve the honor!" Umbridge barked.

"I am muggleborn Madame Umbridge. There is a difference. Considering you are not a master in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you are unaware and uninformed of such things. It would be best if you returned my badge to me now," Hermione glowered.

"Or what little girl?" Umbridge growled.

As she said this Hermione's badge started to shake more, turning red, and heating up. The wood under it started to smoke.

The petite witch pointed at the badge while her arms were still crossed, "Or that and more will happen. Again, you wouldn't know anything about it."

The badge made a noise as though it were a dragon's growl.

"AH!" the fat witch shouted.

"Will you be returning my apprentice her badge or will you continue to make a fool of yourself?" Severus inquired.

The badge chose that moment to start burning itself a hole in the table.

"Dolores, give Apprentice Granger her badge back!" Minerva snapped.

Umbridge looked around frantically searching for a sympathetic face. Instead she saw various looks of disgust and cruel amusement. Even Ginny was looking at Umbridge with a weird expression.

Ginny Weasley may be upset with Potter and Granger, but even she was aware that an apprenticeship was sacred and couldn't be broken just because someone decided it couldn't exist. An apprenticeship was very similar to that of a traditional marriage bonding. The only way out was death. It was during this incident that gave away that Umbridge was a halfblood.

The Slythetins watched the event uncomfortably. One of the staunchest supporters of purebloods and their movements wasn't even a pureblood. Apprenticeship knowledge was one of the first things that was taught alongside manners and traditions. In pureblood homes it was something respected, sought after, admired, and common knowledge.

Many Slytherins would be writing home that night with this new information.

"Well, Madame Umbridge?" the witch inquired as though her badge wasn't burning and growling.

Hermione started to tap her foot as she blinked slowly at the other witch.

Umbridge made a quick decision, "Evansco!" she pointed it at the badge.

The cauldron shaped badge quickly multiplied, growling loudly, the extras started shaking and making their way towards the pink clad witch.

"Oh! Stay back!" she shouted at them, "Evansco!"

They were all red and leaving scorch marks as they moved across the table. The growling was starting to echo in the hall, sending shivers of fear down many of the students' spines.

"Dolores, it will stop as soon as you give Apprentice Granger her badge back!" Albus shouted over the growling.

Frantic Dolores Umbridge grabbed the original that was quickly burning itself through the table and shrieked in pain after she picked it up. At that moment she threw it, aiming at Hermione's chest. The younger witch however ducked.

What she didn't expect was for Ron to walk in at that moment and get hit with the flying projectile.

On impact Ron screamed and dropped to his knees, curling into himself.

Hermione sighed, unconcerned for her old friend, shocking more than half of the students in the hall as she walked at a sedate pace toward her badge. Meanwhile the extra badges were jumping down, making loud ringing noises, and were steaming. As Hermione made it toward her old friend, she noticed that he was clutching his eye while screaming.

Crouching down, she was about to grab the badge when she heard high pitch screaming coming from behind her. Turning around she curly haired witch saw that the extra badges were jumping and attacking the fat witch, each one burning her badly.

Hermione kept her face unconcerned as she turned back around and picked up her badge without a poor reaction. Upon touch the badge immediately returned to its cool silver state. The multiples went up in a puff of smoke and the growling stopped. Standing up, Hermione quickly repaired her cloak and pinned her badge back into its proper place.

"You should both probably see Madame Pomphrey about those burns. They look quite nasty," Hermione said before she walked calmly to the Gryffindor table. Luna chose that moment to skip towards the table that housed the lions.

"Aside from that, how was your day?" Luna asked with a smile.

Hermione leaned over and kissed the blonde on the cheek. "It went very well. Lavender and Pavarti complimented my new earrings. I love them."