Hello, my freaky darlings! You chapter early because I have plans for a girls weekend. All of second year in one large chapter. Why? Because I'm insane. Really, because there wasn't a good place to break it up. Remember that unless it is mentioned or something different happens, assume events unfold like in canon. The changes are starting, but not the biggest ones.

Chapter 4

The Weasleys, through Harry, invited Hermione to join them school supply shopping. Her parents readily agreed, happy to have a guide again. Even though it ended with a brief altercation with Malfoy and his father, she enjoyed meeting Ron's sister, Ginny. The younger girl seemed nice, if a little bit of a fangirl over Harry. Ron explained Dobby was a house elf, servants in wealthier wizarding homes. "Mum wishes we had one sometimes. But it costs a lot to get one."

Two days before school, Dobby visited again, more frantic about Harry not attending school. He refused to elaborate. Worried Dobby would stop him, Harry expressed that fear to Ron and the twins. The resulting crash of their father's flying car left Ron's wand severely cracked. Fearing to anger his mother further, Ron remained silent, hoping the sellotape would suffice. Hermione rolled her eyes and said nothing. The twins, feeling guilty, promised to help him however they could.

Once her housemates settled in for the night, she slipped up the staircase to the room at the top. "Welcome back, my apprentice."

"Thank you, master."

"How was your time away from school?"

"Odd. I have questions."

Amira chuckled, "I adore opportunities to deepen your understanding of our world. Ask."

"A house elf insisted he punish himself for saying something against his master, why?"

"The bond between house fae and the household has twisted over the centuries. The waning of our presence has caused some of this. House fae lose their magic without a family or large group to care for. Hence their willingness to punish themselves for nothing. Wizards have forgotten those bonds can be broken and blocked. You can keep individuals from being served by elves. I will teach you."

"Thank you. Next question: on Litha, a greater fae marked my forehead with a glyph," Hermione told her. She drew the glyph in the air for Amira.

"You have come to the notice of the Wild Hunt and been placed under their protection. Besides their Yule hunts, they ride after dangerous monsters or escaped fae at other times. At times, they have added mortals to their ranks. Many legendary druids belonged. In some instances, the fae taught them the greater magics."

"Oh," was all Hermione could say.

"Oh, indeed," Amira smiled. "But for now, we will focus on finishing your training."

Amira taught her to focus on learning to sense dark and dangerous energy signatures. Hermione found a small mobile energy source, a small stationary energy source somewhere higher in the castle, and another larger one deeper in the castle. She also instructed Hermione on using her magic to amplify, or act stead of, her other senses. "You should study healing texts. Knowing the anatomy and the basics will support your innate abilities." Hermione wrote to her mother requesting an anatomy study aide. Bethan sent her a coloring book and colored pencils like the ones she and Richard used in dentistry school.

After the incident on the pitch before the first quidditch practice, Hermione retreated to the library. She didn't know why the word was terrible, but, based on the pureblood reaction, it was. She idly colored in the pancreas while her mind raced. Part of this reminded her of elementary school and the beginning of First year, of the bullying and friendless days. Then she remembered her fellow Gryffindors defended her. With one word, Malfoy enraged the entire Gryffindor quidditch team.

Sensing someone watching her, she replaced her pencil. Closing the case and book, she looked up. Two Slytherins stood in the aisle between two bookcases, staring at her. The thinner, shorter boy was in her year. She thought the stockier lad was a year ahead, maybe. A member of the Slytherin quidditch team, he had been present earlier. Despite their nervous expressions, her temper flared. "Can I help you?" she sneered. "Or have you come to gawk at the mudblood?" Both flinched. "Doesn't matter, I'm leaving." She swept her belongings into her bag and pushed past them.

Thanks to her new abilities, she knew they were following her. Exasperated, she walked faster. She knew of a secret hallway not even the Weasley twins did. And no one else ever seemed to notice it. She could hide there. She took the stairs two at a time. "Stop, please," one of them called. She paused and turned. The younger spoke again, "Please, we just want to ask you something."

She huffed, "What?" She put her weight on her right foot and placed her hands on her hips.

"Why were you and Potter there this summer?" he asked.

"To celebrate the solstice. Why were you there amongst all the filthy muggles?" she spat out the last part.

"Many wizards keep the old ways and wish to worship at the old places," answered the older boy.

"So, the same reason."

"Are you a Druid?" he rushed out. "With a capital D?"

"Are you a wise one, a true druid?" clarified the younger one.

Hermione considered how she wanted to answer. Finally, she answered honestly, "I will be. I'm still in my apprenticeship."

They looked at one another and nodded, "We wish to offer you our friendship."

She blinked, "Why?"

"Druids disappeared long ago. Your return is ground-shaking. And we want to support you. We can explain the nuances Weasley might not know. His family doesn't keep the old ways as we do," offered the younger.

"And hang out when you want," added the other.

Again trusting her instincts, she stuck out her hand, "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."

The younger took it, "Theodore Nott, call me Theo. This is Marcus Flint."

He shook her hand, "Hello."

She gestured to the tapestry of the grove of trees, "Want to come in?"

"You're inviting us into the Druid's Retreat?" asked Nott.

"Is that what it's called? That explains some things. Where else would we hang out?" she asked. "We could spend time in the library, and I'm sure we will, but we'd have to be quiet there."

"Good point," replied Nott. They followed her into the small, hidden corridor. Three doors opened off of it. She opened the one on the left. The small study contained a table with four chairs. Bookcases lined one wall. An oversized couch filled an alcove along the shortest wall. Most of the books were older treaties on druidic magic and older magics. "This is amazing."

"I like it." She sat and gestured for them to join her. "I know mudblood is an insult, but I don't know why."

Both boys blanched, but Marcus finally spoke, "It is a rude word for muggleborns. Because they think your blood is dirty. Because muggles are inferior to wizards." He looked at her, nervous. "We've spent enough time with muggles to know these wizards' ideas are based on outdated and wrong. Most of them don't know any different. Our parents use the word, so they do. Draco's father is impossible to please. You getting top marks didn't help him."

"I absolutely refuse to do less than my best to let a bully please his father."

Nott nodded, "And no one is asking you to. We're just explaining why Draco gets so riled up. Making the quidditch team second year is impressive. He lashed out because he sees you as inferior. And you are so clearly not." She nodded her understanding.

"Not that it excuses his language," said Flint.

"Thank you for explaining the word," she said. "If muggleborns are inferior and you don't socialize with them, why do you want to be my friend?"

"You're a Druid, a wise one. You supersede everyone. Our parents won't be the least upset about us hanging out with you," assured Marcus. "Not that they are

Nott c ontemplated an example to explain, "Purebloods consider themselves wizards and muggleborns to be more like house elves. Druids are like the higher fae. Messy analogy, but that gives you the power hierarchy."

"House elves are quite powerful," she pointed out.

"Sure, but without a household to care for, they are weak and decline mentally."

"That doesn't mean they should be mistreated."

"It does not," agreed Flint. "But that need is why some would consider them inferior."

"I understand, I think. I disagree, but I understand."

So began a tenuous friendship. Theo explained the nuances of wizarding politics and society. Marcus explained quidditch. He did not get sidetracked talking about professional teams or fancy moves. He explained the basics patiently. He answered her questions instead of just replying because that was how it was. Half the time, she did her homework in the library, and the other half was spent in the refuge.

Marcus scratched out lines on the parchment. He sighed and hmphed, then shifted restlessly. "Um, Hermione?" he asked.

She raised her head, "Yes?"

"I know I'm a year ahead, but could you help me with this? Malfoy always bitches you help everyone else with their homework."

"He's jealous he can't ask you for help," added Nott.

"I can take a look. Maybe I can point you in the right direction," she said. She sat next to him, leaning in towards him. Theo watched as she helped Marcus pick out information for his essay. She patiently explained the charm despite never having studied it before.

"Thanks, Hermione. I know I'm stupid."

"You most certainly are not," she replied hotly. "You may not be academically inclined, but you are not stupid." Marcus looked shocked. "And don't call my friend stupid. I don't like it."

"I'll try to remember that," he stammered.

"See that you do."

Harry complained of hearing voices in random places. Neither Ron nor Hermione heard anything over the din of the crowds in the hall. The events of

Halloween rattled everyone. The Heir business caused speculations to fly. Many suspected Harry, but he suspected Malfoy. Theo doubted the theory, saying, "If Draco were the Heir, he wouldn't shut up about it. But if someone sealed his mouth, he might be able to pull it off." Marcus simply worried about her safety.

During the Slytherin/Gryffindor, Hermione divided her attention, watching Harry and Marcus. Until one of the bludgers went rogue and began chasing both seekers, she gripped the railing, her heart in her throat, "Why isn't Madam Hooch ending this?" she cried.

"Because quidditch just keeps going," said Ron. "If one of the teams demands to quit, they forfeit."

"Which will happen over Wood's dead body," joked Seamus.

Both seekers took off after the snitch, the bludgers after them despite the efforts of all four betas. Afterward, everyone thought the bludger was after Harry, but Hermione wasn't sure. She kept that observation to herself.

She found herself complaining about Gilderoy Lockhart to Amira. "His timelines don't match up. How could one person do so much in so few years?"

"What do you think, my apprentice?"

"He's lying. None of his spells work. He vanished Harry's arm bones. He's a fraud."

"I agree with your assessment. Now, how is your tracking coming along?"

"The smaller signatures are darker. One moves around a lot. But I think the larger one is, too. Only one of them is stationary."

"That is concerning. I thought the larger one to be a room. It remained stationary during my tenure."

"Something hibernating, or perhaps an object someone unknowingly moved," suggested Hermione.

"Perhaps. Keep working to increase your core."

The incident at Dueling Club increased the suspicions about Harry due to his parseltongue ability. "But I can speak to snakes, too!" protested Hermione.

"You're a Druid," replied Ron, like that explained it all. It also cemented Lockhart's fraud status for Hermione. Snape cleaned the floor with him. She asked Marcus for his textbook from the previous year and read that instead.

Before she left for Christmas break, Hermione completed the polyjuice potion. Lacking a female hair, she sent Harry and Ron on the spy mission without her. They confirmed Malfoy was not the Heir and had no idea who was.

Before she left for Christmas, she gave Theo and Marcus their Christmas presents. "We don't have anything for you," protested Theo. He unwrapped a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories and examined it curiously.

"You don't have to get me anything. Friends get friends presents. And we're friends, right?"

"We are," replied Marcus. He picked up the broom kit. "I needed one of these. Thank you."

"I know. You said that two weeks ago. I asked Wood to help me order one for you and one for Harry," she smiled. Later, both Slytherin owls posted her a gift of assorted wizard treats once they returned home.

The next victims of the creature were Justin Finch-Fletchley and Sir Nick. Tensions grew as the Hufflepuffs spread rumors Harry was the Heir. That he had ordered the attack on Justin because the snake hissed at him during Dueling Club.

Having mastered locating and tracking, Hermione switched her focus to using magic to replace and enhance her senses. She could locate and follow all three dark signatures with ease. She had reported them to Professor McGonagall and left it in her hands.

Just before Valentine's Day Harry told Hermione and Ron about Tom Riddle's diary. "He said Hagrid released Slytherin's creature. He was in school then, so he should know."

Hermione frowned, "That makes no sense. Hagrid wouldn't have used a dark creature to kill people. Love on it, care for it, insist it was innocent and sweet, but not kill people."

"Right?" said Ron. "Hagrid said to follow the spiders." He shuddered, "We should do that. Correction, you two should do that. I'll research Tom Riddle. Yes, that is how much I hate spiders. I'll do the homework while you follow the creepy crawly monsters."

It took months to find a stream of fleeing spiders. Together, Harry and Hermione followed them out of the castle, across the grounds, and into the Forbidden Forest. Deep in the forest, they found webs stretched from the ground into the treetops. "Giant spiders?" guessed Harry.

"Yes," replied a deep voice from the shadows. A spider the size of a Clydesdale emerged from the obscuring darkness. "And we have you surrounded, foolish wizards."

"Acromantula," Hermione stated.

"Hagrid sent us to talk to you," explained Harry.

This gave them pause, "Come with us." Five more spiders of varying sizes moved forward, showing they were indeed surrounded. They herded the two deeper into their webs. "Aragog, they claim to be friends of Hagrid."

The elephant-sized spider regarded them, "Why would Hagrid send you to us? Does he wish for us to eat you?"

"No. Why would you?" demanded Harry.

"We eat flesh. The human part of centaurs is the best," replied the eldest spider. "If not to be eaten, why are you here?"

Tom Riddle said you were what happened when the Chamber of Secrets was opened the first time," said Harry. "That people thought it was you."

"I was barely out of my egg. Hagrid kept me under his bed. He raised me. Protected me. When the monster began attacking people, he brought me out here. Later, he found me a mate, Mouag. I do not eat humans out of respect for Hagrid."

"But you don't stop your offspring?" clarified Hermione.

"I do not," Aragog confirmed.

"Do you know where the Chamber is or what the monster was?" Harry pushed on with his questions.

"We spiders fear this beast above all things. We do not speak its name. It is ancient; that makes it powerful."

"But," protested Harry.

"No, I am tired. You may kill them now."

"No," thundered Hermione. Her voice crackled with authority. "No more killing sapient beings. I forbid it."

Several acromantulas menaced them. "Who are you to forbid anything of us?" demanded one.

"I am Hermione, Druid of this grove. By ancient treaty, we allow the centaurs to dwell within its trees. It has been ours since the beginning. There is no treaty with you, nor will there ever be. If you wish to remain in my forest, there will be no more feeding on sapient beings."

"What is to stop us from merely killing you?" inquired Aragog in a bored tone.

"The death curse," she answered flatly. "If you harm a Druid in their grove, you and all your kin die horribly. If you disobey me, I will burn your colony. You live by my good graces. Remember that and teach your young." One of them moved forward aggressively. Flames erupted from Hermione's hand. "Do not try me." She began backing out of the center of the colony. She kept the fire surrounding her hand.

Harry looked at her when they were beyond the webs, "Run?"

"Run," she agreed. They raced through the underbrush and around the trees. Back at the castle, they sat on the front steps to catch their breath. "Right, let's go find Ron."

They found him returning to the common room from the trophy room.

Once they finished telling Ron about their adventure, he shuddered. "I hate spiders. Fred and George put one on my teddy bear, and I've never completely recovered. Thanks for going, Mione. From what I found, I thought I'd heard of Tom Riddle or, rather, seen the name. I did. He won an award for service to the school. I saw it during detention."

"Probably when he framed Hagrid and saved the school. Most likely from himself," Harry said.

Ron sagged, "Yeah. So dead end again."

They continued walking towards the common room, "Wait," said Harry, "did you hear that?"

This time, Hermione did hear the low rasping voice, "Feed. Hunt. Kill."

Ron frowned, "I still don't hear anything, mate."

"I did. I think I know what's going on. I need to check something." She sped away, nearly running to the library.

Ron shook his head, "Mental that one."

Reviewing the blueprints for the castle proved her hunch correct. The builder of the castle used Roman plumbing during construction. The pipes in the castle were enormous. Big enough for people to move through. Big enough to fit a giant snake. Basilisks petrified with their eyes. If everyone only saw the basilisk's reflection, they would not be permanently transformed. She had to find the boys. They needed to warn everyone! She jumped to her feet and left the books as they were. An older Ravenclaw exited the library as she did. Dark energy slammed into her, causing her to stagger. "Wait, use your mirror to check around corners. There is a monster around." She used her second sight to protect herself. "Maybe come this way, instead."

The older girl gave her a weird look. "No, I have to go this way." She looked through her compact mirror before turning the corner. She fell to the floor, petrified.

Hermione swallowed her scream of fear. She heard the scratch of scales against stone. Her anthame appeared in her hand. Her vision blurred. In a haze, she saw herself sinking the blade into the beast's eyes. "Engorgio," she whispered. The dagger grew to be a sword. Her vision cleared. She closed her eyes to better concentrate on seeing with her magic. She struck as the massive black serpent appeared. She felt the eyeball explode. She wrenched the blade free and struck again. The other eye burst under her blade. The basilisk thrashed about, screeching. It threw her off and into the wall. Hermione screamed as loudly as she could. The tail slammed her into the wall, this time knocking her unconscious.

Bright lights and loud voices brought her around. She recognized the infirmary curtains. She struggled to sit up. "Mione," cried Ron.

"What happened?" she asked.

"A Ravenclaw got petrified," stated Ron.

Harry interrupted, "McGonagall said her name was Penelope Clearwater."

Ron rolled his eyes and continued, "And the Heir's monster attacked you."

"It is a basilisk. I blinded it."

"That explains the blood. It escaped back to wherever it came from," said Harry.

"Into the pipes. Damn." Ron stared at her. "What?" she asked.

"You constantly yell at me for my language."

"Yes, well, you're too casual. It should mean something." Beyond the curtains surrounding her cot, the voices grew louder. "What are they fighting about?"

"Some of the school board want to reinstate Dumbledore, and some don't," Harry answered.

"We need to warn everyone about the snake and figure out where the Chamber of Secrets is," she said, promptly dismissing the arguments.

Harry perked up, a moment of clarity hitting him, "Moaning Myrtle died the last time the Chamber opened. She saw burning yellow eyes. The second floor girls' bathroom. We need to tell someone."

"Go tell Professor McGonagall. I'll sneak out of here and join you there." Ron glanced at the adults. "They aren't paying attention to anything else. Go."

Harry and Ron hurried from the room. Hermione pulled on her jumper vest and shoes. With a glance towards Pomfrey, who struggled in vain to remove the men or at least silence them, she slipped from the cot. Hermione agreed with the mediwitch. Her patients deserved to be treated better. As smoothly as she could, she left the Hospital Wing. She arrived at the bathroom in time to see the door closing behind Ron.

Harry examined the sinks while Ron held Lockhart in place. She raised an eyebrow. "Ginny is trapped in the Chamber. Professor Lockhart valiantly offered his services since a rescue mission like this is right up his alley. He certainly wasn't planning to run away." He glared at the man.

"How wonderful of him. Thank you, professor."

"Yes, well, can't let the poor girl perish if it can be helped," he yelped when stone grated against stone and the sink in question shifted, revealing the opening. Instead of stairs, an incline sloped downward. Lockhart bumped into Ron hard on the way down, making him stumble. At the bottom, he brandished Ron's broken wand. "Right, so here's how this is all going to go. I'll be erasing your memories, we'll go back upstairs, and I'll be the hero for saving you."

"What about Ginny?" demanded Ron.

"Alas, I was too late to save her. Her bones truly will lie in the Chamber forever. At least I was able to reach Harry Potter in time."

Ron roared and charged at Lockhart, who fired off the memory charm. The broken wand backfired, and the spell slammed into the ceiling. It began to crumble, rocks fell, and the trio dived out of the way. When the dust cleared, Ron and Lockhart were on one side of the rubble, and Harry and Hermione were on the other.

"Now what?" yelled Harry.

"Hello, who are you?" Lockhart examined Ron curiously.

"Ron Weasley."

"How nice. Do you happen to know who I am?"

"Ron looked through the tiny gap. Git's lost his memory—completely wiped. You two keep going. Save Ginny. I'll take this lump and get help."

"Are you sure?" asked Harry.

Hermione put her hand on his arm, "Harry, we need to find her. We have no idea what's happening."

"Okay." He yelled through the gap, "Ron, we're going to save her."

They followed the twists of the pathway. Cave walls gave way to carved columns lined with serpents. Their footsteps echoed, suggesting the enormity of the cavern. A massive statue of a wizard stood guard before the large double doors. Finally, they came to a large open area. Ginny lay in a puddle, unconscious, in front of a carving of a bearded wizard with his mouth open. A handsome teenager stood near the center.

"Riddle," yelled Harry.

"Oh, you found me, Harry. You're too late to save the girl. But you are in time for the moment of my rebirth. Once this spell finishes, I will be free from my diary. Her body will be mine." He looked down at Ginny with disdain, "Silly little girl pouring so much of herself into a strange diary and telling all her childish tales of woe to a stranger. So foolish. I was so delighted when I found you had my diary. I was so curious about you after hearing so much about you. What was so special about you that you defeated me as a baby?"

"We're going to stop you," declared Harry.

"How? You're barely more than children." He waved Ginny's wand. The name Tom Marvolo Riddle appeared. "Have you guessed my greatest secret?" The letters moved to spell out, 'I am Lord Voldemort.' "I am the Heir. And I will finish my ancestor's work.

"Are you sure?" taunted Hermione, "I blinded your basilisk."

"She still has her venom and fangs."

"Not for long." Again, she enlarged her athame

The sounds of scales sliding over stone announced the snake's approach. Harry noticed the mark flare, "Uh, Hermione, your forehead."

"It's fine, maybe even good." She gripped her stone sword.

"We need help!" yelled Harry suddenly. "Someone, anyone." He brandished his wand wildly.

"Protect Ginny and get the diary!" cried Hermione.

The serpent slithered from the open mouth in front of them. Harry leapt out of the way. The basilisk struck at him, its fang snapping off and becoming embedded in his arm. Hermione engaged it, slashing it from the side, drawing it away from Harry. Later, they would reason out what happened. In the moment, it seemed a blur. Harry stabbed the diary with the fang. Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, arrived with the Sorting Hat. His tears healed Harry. Harry then pulled a long sword from the hat, and together, he and Hermione slayed the basilisk.

Chests heaving, the two friends stared at one another. The diary lay bleeding on the ground next to Ginny. Riddle screamed in rage, "No, no! How dare you! How dare you?"

"I guess now we know that I'm special enough to keep vanquishing you," said Harry as the memory of Riddle faded away. He looked at Hermione and said, "Now what?"

"We figure out a way to get out of here. We can't go back the way we came. Or carry Ginny." The both looked down at the redhead. She stirred and opened her eyes. Both knelt at her side.

"Harry? Hermione? What happened? Where are we?" she started to sound panicked.

"The Chamber of Secrets, but we're going to get out of here," said Harry. He looked around, "Somehow."

Hermione stood and looked around, "There has to be more than one way out of here. Fawkes got down here."

The phoenix landed on her shoulder and trilled. Harry looked at her, "Do you think he wants us to follow him?"

"Phoenixes are quite strong. I think he wants us to hold on," said Hermione. Fawkes trilled again. Harry grabbed the ruined book and shoved it in his pants. He helped Ginny to stand. He held onto her. Hermione held onto Harry and Fawkes. The phoenix flew them up and out of the Chamber.

Madame Pomfrey fussed over Harry and lectured Hermione. "You cannot gallivant off when you are here convalescing. I release the patients, not the other way around." She gave her a stern look, "Stay put this time." She bustled off to tend Ginny. She also ushered Ron to a bed to remain for observation. Dumbledore entered with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He spoke briefly with Harry, then departed. Mrs. Weasley enveloped all of them back, popping hugs. "Thank you, oh, thank you. You saved her." If she seemed to focus more on Harry's actions, Hermione ignored it. She wasn't ready to declare herself publicly. She mentioned Ron's involvement, focusing his mother's attention on him.

Pomfrey dimmed the lights and ensured the curtains were pulled to encourage her patients to sleep and not conspire. Hermione settled back, wiggling to get comfortable despite her numerous bruises and gashes. She listened to the sounds around her. Two cots away, Ron snored softly. Across the aisle from him, Harry turned over in his sleep. Next to Ron, Ginny moaned in her sleep. The double doors creaked open and then slowly closed. Faint footsteps crossed the room. They paused at each cot, twitching the curtains and searching. She narrowed her eyes to slits when they reached her. The curtain twitched then slid open. Marcus and Theo slipped inside. "See, whispered Theo, "she's asleep. We should go."

"No, she's not," Hermione said. "And she's pleased to see you."

Marcus took her hand, "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She sighed, "Slytherin's creature was a basilisk. Earlier, I blinded it, and it slunk back into the Chamber. Harry, Ron, and I ventured down there to save a student possessed by Voldemort to be the Heir. They opened the Chamber and loosed the snake. Harry and I saved the student and killed the basilisk."

"How did you get out again?" asked Theo.

"Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, flew us out."

"You're okay?" asked Marcus, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Some bruises and a possible concussion, and I say that because I can't focus enough to heal myself. Generally, it doesn't take any effort on my part."

"But you'll be okay?" Marcus pressed worriedly.

"Of course. By tomorrow or the next day," she assured him.

Theo gave a nod, "Good. You should be more careful of yourself."

She frowned in thought, "I don't think I'm the kind of Druid that sits back and sends others out into the fray. I think I lead from the front lines."

He promised, "We can't tell you what to do, but if you need our help, we're here."

"Thank you," she squeezed Marcus's hand.

"Would it be alright if we told our families about you?" the older boy asked.

"I'm a little surprised you haven't already."

"That the girl we saw was one, but not your name."

"If you think I'll be safe. I'd prefer not to be attacked by pureblood bigots, thank you very much."

"We told you druidic power trumps everything: wealth, blood, nationality." Theo assured her, "Our families would never do anything to jeopardize your safety." He paused, "Well, my father might try to arrange a betrothal, so I will confirm our friendship and leave your identity out of it for a bit longer."

"Okay, but I draw the line at Malfoy and Parkinson. They don't deserve to bask in my radiance," she sniffed. Then she burst into laughter. They joined her.

"Get some rest, your radiance," teased Theo, and the two departed.