Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter... I'm still waiting for the courts to decide if I can own the Weasley Twins yet or not. Just kidding, but pay attention, cause this is the only disclaimer I'm going to bother with in this fic. Oh yeah, there will be other things later on that aren't in the Harry Potter series, I won't own them either.
A/N: Part Three in the Animality Series... This one will be very jumpy and have a bit of everything!
Warning: This fic contains the romantic tripairing of Fred/Hermione/George. My view on the wizarding world is that we all know what has to happen to maintain Purebloods, so such a pairing isn't a big deal as long as everyone is happy.
On to the fic!
Repairs had been made, classes were back on track, pranks were played, tests were taken and finally it was one week until The Golden Trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger would graduate from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The weather was beautiful that day. Harry and Ron, along with the rest of the Gryffindor team, were having one of several last Quidditch matches against the Slytherins. A whole group of students had gathered to watch the semi-playful game. Since Draco Malfoy had openly joined forces with the side of Light before Christmas, things had eased up quite a bit between the houses.
"Damn it, Malfoy! You're not supposed to be messing around with the bludgers!"
"You can't prove anything Potter, your head is too far up your ass to see what's going on!"
But then again, Slytherins and Gryffindors would always be rivals... Especially when it came to Quidditch!
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Sitting with the other spectators, seventh years from all four houses crammed into the same section of the stands, Hermione Granger was cheering on the Gryffindor team. She had just finished talking to Blaise Zabini about their Potion's NEWT when a gentle warbling drew her attention. Turning, Hermione spied Headmaster Dumbledore's phoenix familiar Fawkes flying toward the stands. She waited and, when she was certain Fawkes was coming to her, she held out her arm.
Fawkes landed delicately on the Gryffindor's arm before presenting her with a piece of parchment. After nuzzling his head against Hermione's cheek, the red and gold phoenix flew away.
A puzzled look crossed Hermione's features as she read the note. "Blaise, I have to go see the Headmaster. Will you let Ron and Harry know where I went?"
"Sure thing, Granger. See you later."
Waving to her friends among the spectators, Hermione headed into the castle.
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Upon reaching the gargoyles guarding the stairs to Dumbledore's office, Hermione glanced at the note once more, doublechecking the password. "Elfish Welfare?" She sounded a bit uncertain, knowing the Headmaster preferred using sweets as passwords. The gargoyles promptly jumped aside and, with a final curious look at the parchment, she headed up the stairs.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Hermione found the door standing open and Albus Dumbledore seated at his desk waiting.
"Come in, Hermione." Albus waved the young woman inside, gesturing to a seat near his desk. "Could you please shut the door on your way?"
Giving a nod as she entered, Hermione waved the door closed and then seated herself in the indicated spot. She hadn't been seated more than thirty seconds when she started fidgetting slightly. Albus had yet to offer her a sherbet lemon, which she knew was abnormal for the man, and merely stared at her over the rim of his half-moon glasses with his twinkling blue eyes. She started to get worried.
"Was there something you needed to speak with me about, Headmaster?"
Albus smiled. "My dear, there is no need for such formality. Please, call me Albus." As if that reminded him, Albus patted gently at his pockets before pulling out a bag. "Dear me, my manners are slipping... Would you like a sherbet lemon?"
Relaxing, Hermione accepted one of the candies and popped it into her mouth.
Giving her a few minutes to settle, Albus pulled a file from his desk. "Now, you are most certainly not in trouble, my dear. I have asked you here because of some observations I have made in the last several years." Albus then handed the file to Hermione. "And because of your NEWT scores..."
Instantly perking up, Hermione accepted the file and opened it. The first page was a summary. After reading it, she blinked. "Sir... Is this accurate?"
"Yes, Hermione... According to the Testers you have completely blown off the charts on half of your NEWTS and scored so high on the rest that you have been officially dubbed a Witch Prodigy." Albus couldn't seem more cheerful at the news.
Hermione had to suppress the desire to jump up and scream with delight. She'd save that for later... "That's great, Professor... But why did you bring me here to show me my scores?"
His smile growing, Albus nearly glowed with delight. "My dear Miss Granger. I am about to offer you a once in a lifetime proposal... The same proposal I was given just prior to my graduation."
Nearly on the edge of her seat, Hermione could barely contain her curiosity. "And what proposal is that?"
"As you may know, I am known among some circles as the greatest wizard in the world."
Hermione smiled, remembering Harry's tale of saying that exact thing to the memory of Tom Riddle in their second year.
"What most do not know is that once upon a time, I was merely referred to as an insufferable know-it-all..."
Blinking, Hermione's swift brain began to get the drift of where Albus was going with this proposal.
"Another thing not commonly known is that I was trained with the specific intention to become a... How was it that Severus phrased it... Meddlesome old coot, I believe it was." Albus leaned back in his chair. "But I must admit that I am getting on in years and would like to retire within the next few decades. And that, my dear, is where you come into the picture!"
Startled by the sudden jump in Dumbledore's voice, Hermione squeaked softly. "Me?"
"Yes! I have observed in you the qualities needed to become the Greatest Witch in the World. I would need you to complete some relatively minor tasks beforehand... But once those tasks are completed, I would like you to become my apprentice, Hermione."
Hermione stuttered at the offer.
Albus smiled kindly at the girl. "There is no need to answer now, you may head back to your friends and answer when you are ready..."
Not giving Hermione a chance to say anything more, Albus ushered her out the door and closed it behind her. "Well, Fawkes... I do believe we'll be able to retire soon."
Fawkes, having been perched on a window sill, chirped his agreement.
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The next week was spent with the students relaxing and getting ready for the summer. Wild games of Quidditch, most of the rules thrown out the window, helped people relax and Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes sent random care packages to several students to encourage shenanigans. The seventh years, when not goofing around, were getting ready to move on to the adult world and many were already applying for wizarding universities or jobs. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco had all received acceptance letters into Auror training.
Hermoine spent much of the time since speaking to Dumbledore in thought. She would often think while staring at her training acceptance letter. It seemed as if she had blinked no more than twice before their graduation ceremony was being held. After the ceremony, she approached Albus with her answer.
"Headma...Albus?" She cleared her throat nervously. "I accept your proposal."
Albus beamed at the girl. "Excellent! Now, before your training can begin, I need you to..."
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Three Years and Several Months Later:
Fresh from her first successful assignment and now on special assignment, Auror Granger gazed out of the window as the Thestral-drawn carriage brought her closer to Hogwarts. She had completed the tasks Dumbledore set for her a week ago and now, with two days until the next school year began, Hermione was returning to one of the few places she thought of as home.
Thanking the elves that took her luggage and informed her that dinner was just beginning in the once the carriage stopped, Hermione made her way into the familiar stone corridors. She brushed her hair back nervously as she made her way into the Great Hall.
"There you are, Hermione!" Albus' cheerful greeting made the young woman feel at ease. "I was wondering when my apprentice would arrive."
Grinning, Hermione joined the professors at the head table.
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For the first two weeks of the new school year, Hermione Granger was allowed free access to all parts of the school while Albus Dumbledore, her mentor, settled into the routine before beginning her training. She was frequently found wandering in and out of classes, sometimes assisting the teachers with whatever lessons they were giving and, in the case of Severus Snape, being innocently annoying. The task, while seemingly a death wish, brought Hermione much amusement as Severus could no longer take away points from her or give her detention. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, Albus encouraged this sort of behavior in his apprentice and would manage to be just as innocently annoying when Severus complained.
Once things had settled in, Albus called Hermione once more to his office. A brisk walk and a brief mentioning of Sugar Daddies later, a password that had given Hermione the giggles the first time she had used it, and Hermione was entering the office only to find one of her best friends, Harry Potter, waiting with Albus.
"Harry!" Giving her fellow Auror a hug, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what meeting would need both her and Harry involved. "How have you been?"
"Gosh, Hermione... One would think it had been more than three weeks since we had last seen each other." Harry rolled his eyes and informed her that he was well.
"Now that you two have caught up..." Albus smiled pleasantly. "As I was about to tell Harry, there are parts of your training where it is not wise for you to be alone. As such, I will be sending some others of your 'pack' along on these training missions. For your first mission, Harry is the best choice."
Standing, Albus gestured for both Harry and Hermione to collect the trunks he had prepared for them and follow. "Now, this first task is both a training aid and a gift of sorts." Seeing they were about to ask questions, he hurried on with the explanation. "You will understand within the first day of the mission."
Albus led them down a long corridor connected to his office. The hallway had quite a few arches, all of which were curtained off with heavy black drapes. He stopped before the last arch in the corridor. "There are a few rules you will need to follow. The first is that you cannot be in human form on this mission."
Exchanging a glance both young adults seemed to shrug as they shifted into their hybrid forms. Thankfully all of their clothing had charms to accomodate for sudden body changes and nothing was torn. Hooves and paws were pulled from their shoes which were then placed into their trunks.
Nodding in approval, Albus brought up the next rule. "Secondly, you must not use your given names on this mission. I'm sure you have some more Sirius names that will come in handy." He chuckled at his own joke. Then he became serious. "Thirdly, and most importantly, you must remember that no matter what happens while you are on this mission, no one will remember it once you have left. There are powerful enchantments upon these missions to prevent anything untoward happening because of those who step within these portals."
With that said, Albus opened the curtain in front of the arch, an arch which led into a shallow alcove. There seemed to be a faint glow, like one of those science fiction forcefields hovering within a portrait frame affixed to the wall behind the curtain. The frame itself seemed to vibrate with the power of the portal.
"The official reasoning for your mission can be found in this file." Albus handed the file to Hermione. "Once you have successfully completed your mission, the portal will allow you to return. And don't worry, I will be expecting your arrival." That said, Albus stepped aside and gestured to the portal.
Each giving Albus a quick hug, the two parts of the Golden Trio shared a nod, stepped through the portal, which felt like stepping through a layer of thick fog, and into...
A/N: There you have the prologue. I've already started writing the next chapter. For those that haven't noticed yet, Hermione's my favorite character and this one is rather centered around her, though it will include the other original Animalities. So don't fret!