One of the few who didn't show up was Anthony Goldstein, who Hermione was glad didn't show. While she altered the original jinx on the paper she didn't remove it entirely, she didn't want just anyone wandering into the Room of Requirements, nor was she one for proverbial gate keeping. Cho Chang still showed up with her passive aggressive friend Marietta Edgecombe.

"Hey, Granger," she called, "Is it true you already took your OWLs?"

The mulling of the students came to a silent standstill.

"I took my Potions OWL this summer and I recently took my Defense OWL and NEWT. My master hasn't gotten my results yet for my Defense tests," she replied testily.

"If you already passed why are you here?" Called another Ravenclaw.

"Because I said I would help, did you honestly think I would back out even after taking my own tests? Besides we have a few NEWT level students here as well and I can better work with them if they need it," she answered.

"Thank you, Apprentice Granger," Cedric said, "But Professor Crouch already said that you wouldn't tell us what's on the exams."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him similar to that of her master, "I said I would help with your practicals and study if you find me in the library, not spoon feed you answers."

"She even sounds like Snape," someone whispered to their friend.

"Anyways! We're going to start with basic review, Expelliarmus, the Disarming Charm," Harry interrupted, "It's helped me out of a few binds, if you don't feel like working on it with us you are free to leave."

Hermione nodded in both agreement and encouragement.

"Right, now –"

"Are we really going to start with something so basic?" Marietta called again, despite Cho clearly trying to shut her friend up with an elbow to the ribs.

"Yes," Hermione replied baldly.

"And you think that will help against dark wizards? With our exams?" she taunted.

"Helped me catch Pettigrew," Hermione said plainly.

"Worked against Voldemort," Harry said in the same tone.

The room fell hush.

"Miss Edgecombe, you are free to practice with us or leave, your choice," Hermione said finally.

"I'll stay," she mumbled loud enough for the duo to hear her.

"Right then, now we're going to pair off and practice the charm," Harry instructed and watched as people paired off.

He watched as Hermione helped pair a few stragglers and forcibly pair off the twins, one with Cedric and the other with Luna. This still left Neville and Hermione was about to take him when Harry motioned that he would pair with the other boy.

"You can practice with me, Nev. We'll start on the count of three."

Hermione left the boys to their devices. She was gratified to hear Neville shout in excitement at his clear accomplishment soon after and smiled to herself.

"What are you smiling about, Granger?" came Marietta again.

It appeared that though Goldstein was gone another Ravenclaw had to come antagonize her in his place.

"Marietta, stop," Cho begged.

"I can smile about my friend's success. It is natural to be happy for your friends after all," Hermione answered.

"Think you're so clever with your apprenticeship," Marietta sneered.

Hermione stood tall and even though she was shorter, somehow managed to look down her nose at the other witch.

"I earned my apprenticeship, much like I earn my grades. Is there something you find offensive about me, Miss Edgecombe?"

Marietta froze and looked uncomfortable now. Her friend wasn't there to back her up and was clearly trying to stop her, but when asked point-blank, she had to stop and think about it. Why was she so angry with Granger today?

"Y-you're a Gryffindor, you should have been Ravenclaw," she tried.

"No. Try again."

"What are you talking about? Your grades are number one in our year."

"And yet Gryffindor is also where daring and nerve reside," Hermione replied, "Tell me do you dare to be more than your parents or perhaps do good for a species not your own?"

"Of course not, I'm going to work in the Ministry like my mum," Marietta huffed.

"That's where we differ. If I were to be anything like my parents, I'd be a healer, and while it's a great profession, very challenging, I think I'd rather do something more," Hermione responded.

"What more could you do with potions mastery?" Cho asked curious, "It'd already make you rather sought after."

"After I want another mastery, perhaps in charms," Hermione mused.

Now that the Asian witch had stopped chasing her brother, she was more… tolerable, but barely so.

"What so you don't plan to marry Snape?" Marietta asked darkly.

"We have discussed it and agreed it is a foregone conclusion that I will marry him and I will be happy to do so," Hermione snapped.

The room quieted, more and more people stopped pretending they weren't trying to eavesdrop.

"You'd happily marry Snape?" the other witch asked again.

"Yes. I will happily marry my Master. He is intelligent, I find his voice sinfully attractive, and I find him to be attractive. I can see myself older having debates over the Potions Weekly with him by the fire, I can see us brewing together, and I can see him continuously challenging me and I him," the petite witch sneered.

"Edgecombe, you're free to leave," Harry stated firmly.

"What?" the witch cried.

"Leave. You're a distraction," Harry said coldly.

"What? B-but –"

"But nothing. You've been antagonizing Hermione since the beginning of the study session. As I'm co-leading I'm telling you, I don't want you here," Harry continued.

"F-fine! C'mon Cho," Marietta blurted.

Cho however turned in on herself a bit, very self-conscious, "No. I'm staying. I want to study."

"You asked me, to be here so you wouldn't have to come alone!" the witch cried out.

"Then I'll just pair off with Mandy," Cho hissed.

"If Mandy comes, she'll have to sign the parchment as well," Hermione pitched in.

Cho nodded.

"It's alright if you leave for today Chang, your friend seems as though she needs to vent," Harry said, not unkindly.

"Thank you for being so understanding," Cho said, knowing she was being dismissed as she was dragged into the scene her best friend had caused.

"If anyone else has anything they'd like to say?" Hermione bit out with a sneer.

No one said anything and with the exceptions of her friends, everyone else looked away from her.

'I thought so.' The petite witch thought to herself.

"Everyone back to practicing the Disarming Charm," Harry instructed easily.

It took a few tries for people to shake off the scene, but they were able to get back to practicing relatively quickly.

Hermione was making her way around to help some students, correct a few postures, but as she got closer to Neville again she noticed that while he was performing the spell and everything else beautifully something seemed off.

"Neville, I know this seems personal, but is that your wand?" Hermione asked.

"Uh – it was my father's," Neville admitted.

"I know some families use each other's wands, but perhaps you'd be more in tune with your mother's wand?" Hermione suggested, "You're doing everything right Neville, but I can see there's a sort of struggle happening."

"Gran said it worked for my father, so it should work for me," Neville said.

Hermione's face twisted before she crinkled her nose and took a breath, "Nev, the wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around. I think we'll need to look into getting you a new wand or you need your mother's wand."

"I-I'll see what I can do, Mia," Neville replied shyly.

The witch just nodded knowing that was the best she was going to get from the other wizard for the time being. The rest of the study session passed by amicably and it was only Hermione performing a Tempus charm that she was able to see how much time had actually passed.

"Alright everyone, you did great! Now I'm going to pass out a few fake galleons that I charmed that will heat up once Harry or I put a message onto it. The message will contain the next meet up time so we don't have to constantly wonder and so as to avoid everyone clustering together in the halls," Hermione said.

"How do they work?" Ginny asked.

"You see the numerals around the edge of the coins? On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket, which I highly recommend, you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry or I set the date of the next meeting one of us will change the numbers on our coin, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic the change."

"You can do a Protean Charm?" Terry Boot asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered simply.

"But that's- that's N.E.W.T. standard, that is," he said weakly.

"Oh," said Hermione with a slight smirk. "Well, yes, I suppose it is…"

"I don't agree with Marietta but, how come you're not in Ravenclaw?" he demanded, staring at Hermione with something close to wonder. "With brains like yours?"

"Well the Sorting Hat did seriously consider sending me there, but in the end it agreed on Gryffindor," Hermione said brightly.

Terry started at Hermione wistfully now.

"Our Mia can do more than just the Protean Charm," Fred said.

"Yeah, weren't you listening earlier? Even Crouch said she already finished her Defense NEWTs," George followed up.

"Really?" Terry asked, "I was busy checking this room out."

"Yeah, Crouch even warned us off asking her about the exams," Cedric said.

"He did?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Yeah, made sure we all knew not to bother you about the Defense N.E.W.T.," Cedric answered.

Harry felt his sister glow inside with happiness even if she couldn't show more than a small smile. It was something he'd ask her about later, if he remembered.

The next few weeks went smoothly. Hermione, Luna, and the Weasley twins were handling their animagus forms like ducks to water. It was during those times the curly haired witch allowed herself to be a bit playful and would lightly play rough with Luna or play catch and release with the twins. It had originally scared the foxes, but they quickly enjoyed their game. Hermione would either bring them to Luna or Minerva, who would stare at them and then blink. The elder witch was tempted to just bop them on the nose when the younger witch brought them to her.

Severus was carefully bringing chemistry into the mix and even got his witch textbooks to go through with her. While he knew most of it, he admitted it was nice to have a refresher (to himself at least). He was slowly bringing Luna in as an assistant that Hermione was supposed to be and teaching her the same materials and was glad when the blonde witch didn't protest and instead did as she was told.

Somehow word had gotten around that Luna was Hermione and Snape's pet Ravenclaw and they left her alone, for the most part. No one wanted to be caught with anything of the blonde's lest Snape somehow find out and punish them for it. A few of her things had even shown up on her bed one evening after her lessons with Master and Apprentice. There were some evenings where Luna said she had something else to do, but generally she was with them.

Come the next quidditch game Luna was found with a hat that replicated a life-lion complete with mane and a scarf with Slytherin colors.

"Hello," Luna greeted Hermione the next morning.

"Hello Luna, nice hat, did you make it?" Hermione asked.

"I did! However did you know?" Luna asked dreamily while they sat down.

"I had a hunch," Mia said teasingly, "It would be like you to craft something as extravagant as a lion head for a hat."

"Look what else it does," Luna said as she proceeded to make it roar making many in the Great Hall jump.

"Wait, do it again," Hermione said as she shifted into her jaguar form.

"VICTORY!" it roared.

With a swift transformation back Hermione laughed, "I love it, did you charm it?"

"Yes. I thought to myself what I wanted it to say and I managed it," Luna explained as though it were simple to translate a lion's roar with actual meaning and replicate it.

"Ugh she's wearing Slytherin colors with it!" Ron Weasley hollered.

"Of course, Professor Snape's house is playing today too. I support him and my friend Gregory Goyle," Luna replied as though he were talking to her instead of yelling about her.

That did make Hermione pause though and she went up to the Head Table.

"Excuse me, Master, I was wondering if I would be sitting with you or the students for the quidditch game," Hermione said.

"You may sit with your friends, Apprentice," he said, "Although it's cold out, so wear this."

He pulled out a Slytherin scarf from his cloak and wrapped it around her, allowing it fit cozily around her neck despite her being covered in Gryffindor paraphernalia.

"Yes, Master," she replied with a grin before disappearing back to the table.

"Her too!?" Ron groused.

"Shut up, Ron," Ginny snapped. Before she could go into a tirade the twins stood up, picked up their brother who they noticed wasn't eating, and left.

"We should've asked that third year to be reserve keeper," Harry mumbled to Hermione and Angelina.

Angelina though glared at her food before getting up and walking over to the third year, David Bickering. Through some quick hushed words and furious nodding on the wizard's part, Angelina came back over and said, "Bickering is our Keeper reserve."

"Nice, hopefully he'll do well."

Just then Gregory came over, "Harry, a moment?"

Harry got up and walked with his boyfriend to the corner of the room.

"What's up?" Harry asked nervously.

"I didn't want you to be too mad that Slytherin made a song, and pins, about Weasley and I didn't want any harsh uh, feelings since I'm beater," Greg said while pointing out his pin 'Weasley is our King'.

"As long as you don't just target me, I don't have an issue. I play with the Weasley's during breaks and the twins will play beaters when Mrs. Weasley isn't paying attention. Let's have fun, winner buys loser lunch, Hogsmeade?" Harry said.

"You're on, Harry," Greg said with a smirk, "Thanks."

"No problem," Harry said before smiling at his boyfriend and them separating.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked, knowing most of his team also wanted to know.

"He just wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings with him being beater and us playing against each other," Harry answered.

"Oh that should be easy, you play against the twins all the time," Hermione said.

Harry grinned, "That's what I basically said."

"What else?" Hermione pressed, feeling it through their bond.

"Winner buys loser lunch next Hogsmeade weekend. So looks like I'm buying Greg lunch," Harry said with a grin causing the rest of those listening in the laugh loudly. One of the witches whistled.

"Then looks like you better win," Hermione said with her own supportive smile before leaning into him with a side hug.

The game was fierce to say the least. Harry was actually having to play hard to win the chance to buy lunch. In the end Harry had once again caught the snitch and helped his team win the game. Hermione had to privately admit that the song was catchy and it didn't take her more than two seconds to figure out who wrote it. While he behaved himself with Harry and her, Ron was no longer a part of their trio and was free game. The witch found it pleasant to not be constantly antagonized by the blond wizard. It was a nice truce even as Hermione could tell from her position in the stands that Draco was having a go at Ron Weasley.

She quickly made her way down to the field just in time to see Ron full body tackle the blond wizard.

"Ronald Weasley!" she barked loud enough to make the field's actions freeze, "Detention for a month for attacking Malfoy!"

"Too right Apprentice Granger," Hooch said as she landed, "Weasley, you're suspended from the team for the next game. It was very uncouth of you."

"WHAT!? But he said –"

"I don't care what he said Weasley, I care that you physically assaulted another student," Hooch said with a firm glare.

"Actually, Madame Hooch I'm here to inform Mr. Weasley and Miss Johnson that he's being pulled from Quidditch this year altogether," Minerva said, not a hair out of place.

"I see. I also agreed with Apprentice Granger, who assigned him a month of detention," Hooch said to Minerva.

"I concur. Mr. Weasley you will be serving your detention every night for a month with Mr. Filch started at 7 o'clock tonight and I will be informing your parents," with a stare that made him fall cringe, Ron nodded feebly as three formidable witches stared him down.

"Way to go Ron," one of the twins hissed at their brother.

Later that night Hermione and Luna were with Severus when there was a loud banging on the door. Severus was thankful that they weren't working with a temperamental potion and opened the door with a flick of his wand.

"Yes?"

"Snape, thank goodness you're here," Barty said, "I come bringing news for your apprentice."

"Yes?" Hermione asked, bemused to see the other wizard.

"I thought you'd like to know that your friend Hagrid is back and he looks awful. I don't know what he's been doing, but it isn't something I'd like to have a go at," he said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I mean it looks like his face was bashed in. He didn't even bother asking Dumbledore to clean his beard, it's coated in old blood. Like he got into a boxing fight with a giant and lost," Barty said.

"Crouch, was it really necessary to come banging on my door like there were dementors at your heels?" Snape asked.

Barty blushed, "I supposed not, but I wasn't sure if any of you would have heard me if you were farther from the door than I suspected."

"And what did you expect?" Snape asked, frustrated.

"I thought you were in a room in a room, away from the door, I don't know. I know you like to have your privacy," Barty blustered.

"Be that as it may, next time knock like a regular person," Snape said, now pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah, alright," Barty said with his tic acting up.

"You were here last year," Luna said with her dreamy eyes widening a bit.

Barty looked over to Hermione who shook her head in the negative. She didn't tell Luna.

"Smart lass, much like the company you keep. Still better keep it under covers, eh?" Barty said.

"Yes, sir," Luna said with a smile.

"I supposed after our lesson you'd like to go visit your friend, Apprentice?" Severus asked.

"I would very much appreciate that, Master," Hermione replied happily.

"Once we're done you may go gather your brother and meet me at the door. Lovegood you are, of course, invited as well."

"Thank you, Professor, I would love a cup of tea," Luna said just as happily.

"Hn. Now crush those daisy roots," he instructed, "Apprentice, continue with the Draught of Lucidity. Crouch, you may take your leave."

"Thank you for the information, sir," Hermione called out as she went back to stirring her potion.

"Some things don't change, do they lass?"

He was rewarded with laughter from the curly haired witch as he took his leave.

'Things that do change seem to change for the better for you at least.'

Hermione had gathered Harry and together they walked through passageways making their trip to the Entrance near the Great Hall all that much faster. Hermione was pleased to see Luna was dressed warmly while she fixed up her Slytherin scarf.

"Potter, Lovegood, Apprentice," Severus drawled, "Let's not doddle. You have a friend to see."

The walk across the grounds was cold, but Hermione was warmed by the sight of Hagrid's hut lit. Harry ran ahead and banged on the door.

Once the rest of the group made it to the hut, Hagrid opened the door and his guests were greeted with a grizzly sight. Hagrid's hair was matted with congealed blood, and his left eye had been reduced to a puffy slit amid a mass of purple-and-black bruises. There were many cuts on his face and hands, some of them still bleeding, and he was moving gingerly, which made them suspect broken ribs.

"What in Hades happened to you!?" Hermione snarled while Fang tried to lick everyone in the face.

"Well yeh see –"

"No, no we do not see Hagrid," Severus sneered, "You look like you were in a muggle bar fight and lost."

"He's right, Hagrid," Harry said.

"Nuthin' happened!" Hagrid said defensively.

"Well nothing looks like a fist fight," Hermione said, taking out her wand to delicately clean up his blood and vanish it.

"Help me, Master," Hermione said bossily as she tended to Hagrid's wounds.

"Yes, yes, move over, Hagrid sit down," Severus said as though put upon.

"Now wai' a min –"

"No, you wait a minute and sit down and let them take care of you," Luna said imperiously.

Hagrid sat down gingerly as the duo walked around him taking care of his health.

"When did this happen?" Hagrid asked warily.

"Over the summer," Harry answered proudly, "Professor Snape took our Hermione and made her a proper apprentice."

"Yea'? Good for you two. Congratulations." Hagrid said before looking around seeing Luna, "Where's Ron?"

"Weasley seems as though he was dropped on his head a little too much as a baby and it finally caught up," Harry grumped causing Hermione to take a moment to chuckle before she kept on.

"Wha?"

"A lot happened, Hagrid. He tried to say a lot of things about Hermione and me and the Professor here and even stole from me and cast an ugly hex at Hermione's back while we were on the stairs. She managed to roll out the way though."

"Good thing too, it was borderline dark," Snape sneered, "Weasley is on probation for the rest of the year."

"He even got himself kicked from the Quidditch team after what he did to Malfoy," Harry continued.

"Ronald hasn't been very nice these past few months," Luna said.

"That's putting it lightly. Oh! Hagrid! I have the best news! Besides Hermione being the Professor's apprentice, her parents adopted me!" Harry exclaimed happily.

"Di' they? CONGRATULATIONS! Now this calls for a cuppa tea," Hagrid called loudly before being stared down by the Master/Apprentice duo.

"Or not…?" he said weakly.

"We've got it, Hagrid," Harry said as he and Luna went about his hut.

"I see ye've made friends with Luna here," he said happily.

"Oh yes! Best friends," Luna said happily as she poured them each a cup of tea.

"Ain' tha' nice," Hagrid cooed as he was handed a cup by the blonde witch.

"Tell us Hagrid, what exactly was nothing that broke 3 ribs and had you looking like you lost an underground fist fight?" Severus asked pointedly.

"Uh Order Business," Hagrid tried while looking away from the dark wizard.

Everyone could tell he was lying.

"I see," Severus drawled slowly before taking the offered cup from Luna, "I will send Minerva down after we're done so she can fill you in on the castle gossip and she can have her own private word with you."

Hagrid cringed before looking down at the buttons on his shirt.

"Yeh haff ta help me, please," Hagrid cried out suddenly.

"Of course, Hagrid" Harry said before Severus could do more than hold his hand up, stopping the two girls.

"It depends on what it is, Hagrid. We are also being watched. With Granger being my Apprentice and Lovegood being one of her best friends, there's been a subtle shift in the students," Severus said before sipping his tea and savoring it.

"Well they're just prolly scared of ya is all," Hagrid said.

"The Nargles returned a lot of my things, even my scarf," Luna said.

"Did they now?" Hagrid asked with a smile before making a pained face, "A'right, it wasn' just Order business."

The occupants in the hut kept their eyes on Hagrid making him fidget in the silence.

"It was giants, wasn't it, Hagrid?" Hermione said softly.

"Wha' now? Who told yeh that?"

"Anyone with eyes and two brain cells rubbed together could tell that," Severus scoffed.

"Yea' well… a'right yea' it was giants. See the thing I need help with is…" Hagrid looked at Harry then Severus quickly, but not quick enough.

"You didn't," Severus seethed, "You brought one with you!?"

"He's m' brother," Hagrid said quietly, "Well half brother."

"I don't care if it's your brother thrice removed, Hagrid that's beyond dangerous!" Severus bellowed, "There are students here who think a walk in the Forbidden Forest is a laugh! A joke to dare their friends to prance through! I know you won't listen to me to see sense. I'm going to get Minerva and the Headmaster. Apprentice, Lovegood, Potter, finish your cups and say goodnight to Hagrid."

"Yes, sir," They chimed and drank their teas as politely and quickly as possible, even Harry.

Hagrid pouted as he drank his tea, dragon steak now sat forgotten on the table as Hermione and Severus had taken care of his eye. He was not looking forward to the tongue lashing he would be receiving.

Molly hummed as she puttered around her kitchen, it was quiet again… she didn't much like the quiet she found. She wasn't one of the members who was assigned any field work, it was deemed too dangerous for her since she was a house-wife and a mother. They could still call on her for backup, but she rarely did any "field" work as it was. Her husband on the other hand had signed up despite her worrying.

The Order had decided in the summer that they would be taking shifts through volunteered members to watch over "The Weapon". Molly however was sure that it was fine where it was doing whatever it was and didn't need her husband babysitting it. Already one of the members had been arrested for trespassing! Even with Albus as their leader they were a vigilante group. Illegal. Under the table, as she liked to call it, but she would be damned if any of her children joined and had the possibility of being arrested. She knew however that many of them really just needed an 'assignment' to keep them busy and make them feel like they were doing something.

Alastor himself had laughed during the meeting thinking Albus had been joking about watching the prophecy. That was all she needed to know that it was a kid's mission (not that she'd ever let them under the age of 30). She barely accepted Hermione being part of the Order, but knew it was more to help them with potions and the young witch wouldn't be anywhere near the fighting. That and the witch didn't show up to any of their meetings, much unlike Severus.

Thankfully Bill had been thoughtful enough to put up more wards around the house. He may not have agreed with her recently but her Bill still loved his family. She appreciated the extra care. It was better warded than what they could have afforded, but Bill had said his family was worth the expense. While she was prideful she would never put her babies' lives at risk because of it. She loved having them come home for the breaks and now she didn't have to worry about an attack on her house over the holidays.

"Mollywobbles, I'm home!" called Arthur.

"In the kitchen, Arthur," Molly called back happily with smile blooming on her face. She might be having some empty nest troubles, but Arthur would always be there for her.

"Move him tonight, Hagrid," Dumbledore said quietly yet firmly, "I cannot protect both you and your brother. I'm sorry but the Board would have both of our jobs."

Minerva was standing next to him, her shoulders high and her eyes narrowed as she stared down Rubeus Hagrid. If Severus hadn't told her immediately she didn't know how long the extra danger would have existed in The Forbidden Forest. And for him to try to include Harry! A teenaged boy! HOW IRRESPONSIBLE!

"But they were beatin' on 'im they were," Hagrid cried into his handkerchief.

"It is normal for Giants to beat the younger ones into submission or else they become more dangerous," Albus explained gently.

"I woulda' taught 'im better," Hagrid tried again.

"I will hear nae hear anymore of it," Minerva said her Scottish brogue creeping out, "Get rid of him or be rid with him. This is a school first and foremost, the safety of the students is the come first. That's the end of this."

"Yes, Perfess'r," Hagrid answered as he wept.

"I will say I am disappointed that you put your brother before the mission, Hagrid. I trusted you with this very important task. While chances were slim, they were still there. That is all," Albus said before leaving, making Hagrid feel worse.

"I will send Severus and Apprentice Granger to check behind you tomorrow," Minerva said not unkindly, but in a way that screamed she was barely holding her fury together.

The next afternoon before dusk Severus and Hermione were standing at the edge of the forest, just inside the forest borders. They had gone over the details with Minerva earlier. Apparently she didn't trust Hagrid to not try to pull a fast one. They were waiting for one of the centaur scouts and had been in silence for twenty minutes.

"We are here Potions Professor of Hogwarts and who is this?" a centaur said as he trotted close by. His horse body was brown with markings of white by his hooves. Shortly coming behind him was another centaur who was of a lighter shade of brown with dappling of white on his hindquarters.

"My Apprentice, Hermione Granger," Severus said introducing his witch.

"A young adult of your kind, yet still a foal of Hogwarts."

"A Time-Turner," Hermione answered the unspoken question with a nod before tilting her head to the side and asking her own.

"Greetings Hermione of Hogwarts, Apprentice to Potions Professor, I am Twine and this is Ash," Twine said introducing his silent patrol partner.

"Do you have a beast form that we may know Hermione of Hogwarts?"

"Yes," Hermione answered clearly.

"Let us see so we may know who encroaches our territory," Twine commanded.

Hermione looked at Severus who nodded once at her. Quickly, with lots of practice, the curly haired witch was on all fours.

"A beautiful creature," Twine commented.

Hermione chuffed in thanks as she sat on her own rear legs.

"We ask permission to roam the forest in our beast form and to gather potion ingredients when the time comes," Severus intoned, "We also seek to make sure Hagrid has removed his brother from the forest."

"The Giant was dragged through the forest and the way of which he came, this I can assure you," Ash spoke up.

Twine nodded to his herd brother, "Permission is still granted to you Potions Professor. We will now grant your apprentice, Hermione of Hogwarts, the same."

Hermione looked at her Master understanding there was something more going on than she was told.

"Thank you," Severus replied.

"Come, join us in beast form and run with us to scout the area yourself," Twine encouraged them.

Severus was quickly on all fours. Hermione stood up, ready to leave at a moment's notice.

"Run with us," Ash said as they turned around and galloped away.

Hermione turned to Severus for reassurance before they ran and caught up with the centaur. They weren't too close, but not far from the duo either, just enough space to run comfortably and without worry about being kicked or into scattered leaf litter. The witch couldn't help but feel extreme joy at being able to run at full tilt in her animagus form. It was like finally being able to stretch her legs after sitting so long, but it was better because she hadn't even noticed that she needed it. Severus felt much the same, although he was very aware of having wanted to run.

Fifteen minutes later and they were in an area with broken branches and a few felled trees.

"This destruction entered our forest and thankfully it was being led out last night," Twine said.

Hermione and Severus changed back into human form to look at the damage around them.

"I wasn't able to convince Hagrid that it was imperative that he take The Giant away from the grounds, but I was able to go to people who were," Severus said.

"We thank you, Potions Professor," Ash said humbly, "We had gotten into a few altercations with Hagrid this last week over The Giant."

"We will relay this to the herd leader," Twine said solemnly.

"Why do I have the feeling that we just avoided a war?" Hermione asked warily.

"If Hagrid had persisted we would have done as we warned him, which was turn hostile. We allow the half-giant many indiscretions, but a giant would be one too far."

"I see. I'm glad we were able to avoid that," Hermione replied honestly.

"Us too, Hermione of Hogwarts," Twine returned the sentiment in which it was meant.

"We must continue our patrol, do you know the way out?" Ash asked the other duo.

"I do. Thank you, Ash, Twine," Severus thanked them and nodded his head at each of them, receiving nods in return.

"Apprentice, I think we should return to the castle and report to Minerva," Severus said carefully.

"Yes, Master," Hermione replied before sinking back into her animagus form followed quickly by her master. The duo ran back the way they came before Severus stopped and transformed back into his human form causing Hermione to mirror his actions. They walked the rest of the way on two legs, each being careful of their surroundings.

Once they cleared the forest they walked straight to Minerva's office with purpose, many students hurried out of their way.

Knock, Knock

"Enter," Came Minerva's voice.

The duo entered quietly and once seated Severus threw up a muffliato.

"So?" Minerva asked.

"Hagrid has taken his Giant brother and left the forest. There was a lot of destruction where they resided. Apparently, we just avoided another war with the centaur," Severus informed his friend.

Minerva took a breath as her lips thinned.

"I see…" taking another calming breath Minerva continued, "I will inform Albus later tonight. I cannot believe that man! What was he thinking!?"

"He clearly wasn't," Severus responded under his breath, but the other two could hear him.

"Be that as it may, I'm glad this crisis was averted as we don't need any more trouble," Minerva said, "Was there anything else to report?"

"No," he said before standing, "If that will be all?"

"Yes. Thank you, Severus, Mina, I didn't know who else to ask. Normally we have Hagrid deal with all issues involving the forest, but when he's the one causing trouble…"

"We understand, Minerva," Hermione reassured the older witch.

With a smile they were dismissed.

"Should we tell Crouch?" Hermione asked Severus quietly.

"Yes, let's pay him a visit, shall we?" Severus conferred before leading them to the Defense Professor's office and letting themselves in after a knock.

"Who is it?" called Crouch from his office.

"Who do you think?" Severus asked.

"Snape?"

"And Apprentice Granger," Hermione chimed happily.

"Lass, Snape, what brings you lot to my office?" Barty asked curiously.

"We just avoided a situation," Severus admitted before telling him the quick events.

"I see. Should we tell the Dark Lord?" Barty asked.

"I don't believe our Lord is interested in calamities we manage to avoid," Severus replied with snark.

"No, but I think he'd be interested in the information about the Order's failure with The Giants," Barty said, ignoring Severus's snark.

"Professor, would it… I know it's asking a lot but…" Hermione tried to ask the other man something.

"What is it, lass?" Barty asked.

"Would you be willing to tutor Harry?" she asked him, "Nothing like what I went through, but I think he would appreciate being given extra tutelage in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Potter, eh? He has the skill for it, but what should I tell the Dark Lord if he asks?" Barty asked.

"That I asked on behalf of Harry," Hermione said, "It's honest enough. You don't have to teach him things you taught me, but enough that he'll be able to help some of your N.E.W.T. students."

"I'll think about it," Barty gruffed, but Hermione knew that the other wizard would take her brother on.

"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile.

"Have you been called?" Severus asked.

"No, but it's been a few weeks. I was told the settle in and he would check on me after the Holidays," Barty admitted.

"Hn."

"Don't hold back too much with him," Hermione warned, "Harry will catch on quickly. I think he has an affinity for it."

"I reckon he does, lass, I reckon he does," Barty reassured her, "Now while I have you here and I don't have to go over all creation to find you, I have something for you."

He said as he started digging in his desk. A minute later he pulled out a slim book.

"I found it in my family library. I think it'll help you," Barty said holding it out to her.

Hermione took her wand and waved it over the slim book casting spell after spell, each coming back negative before taking it from him. Barty couldn't help but chuckle, knowing they did good with the witch.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A journal. One of my ancestors was apparently a wards mistress before they ran off," he replied in a hushed tone despite the spells he had all around his office.

"Thank you, sir," she replied with a beaming smile, "I'll return it once I'm done."

"Take your time, I have no use for it," he said, "Read it a few times."

Hermione nodded.

"Have Potter and Lovegood meet me after dinner," Barty instructed her.

"I will," Hermione replied.

"As we won't have Lovegood tonight perhaps it'll be a good time to go over that journal," Severus suggested.

"I would like that very much, master," Hermione answered.

"Alright, alright, get your mushy love life outta my office," Barty feign-growled.

"I don't do mushy," Severus sniffed indignantly before getting up and leaving, Hermione was quick behind him and did her best not to giggle.