Disclaimer: None of this belongs to me. JKR, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, WB... it's all theirs.
A/N: Yay updates! I've been so busy. I meant to do this yesterday, but grandparent's 50th anniversary somehow outweighed this on the importance scale. Sorry.
Go Chapter 7!
Harry watched as Hermione sat reading over her Charms notes and twirling her locket in her new fingers.
"Hermione," he said, "Why are you reading Charms notes?"
"There's a quiz tomorrow, Harry! The question really is why aren't you reading over your Charms notes?"
"Maybe because the quiz is on producing a Patronus charm," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Which, I believe, I learned half a decade ago and subsequently taught to you years ago."
"Yes, yes, but do we really know the theory behind it?" she said seriously and turning back to her notes.
"Hermione," whined Ron. "Can't we just go outside or sneak into Hogsmeade or something? The only real reason we have to learn this is because we have Charms with the Slytherins. Everyone else was in the D.A. and knows it."
"That's right, Hermione!" said Ginny from Harry's shoulder. "Luna told me that everyone in her class showed Flitwick they could do it and they moved straight on to the Protean charm!"
"And that's all very well, but how do we know that he isn't going to throw in a question from the footnotes in this thing!" she held up a heavy, leather-bound book.
"Has he ever done that before?" yawned Harry, looking outside at the last rays of late September sunlight.
"Well," she said, looking at the book. "No. But-"
"Then it's settled," said Ron, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the portrait hole. "Harry, Ginny, let's go to Hagrid's!"
The three of them, with a protesting Hermione in tow, made their way down the staircases and into the entrance hall.
"Ron!" called a familiar voice. Harry turned to see a redheaded wizard in horn-rimmed glasses rushing towards them.
As Percy Weasley pulled his younger siblings into a hug and then was given one himself by Hermione, Harry couldn't believe the change he'd been through. A year ago Percy, if he'd make an attempt to greet them at all, would have only extended a brooding hand to his sister and brother. Now, he was the one rushing up to them for hugs. Percy turned to Harry and, in a rush of affection, Harry hugged him, same as Hermione.
"What're you doing here, Perce?" asked Ginny, wrapping her robes tighter around her as the doors flew open and an autumn chill filled the hall.
The question, however, was answered for him as a tired and worn-looking Kingsley Shacklebolt walked in.
"Percy," he called in his deep, booming voice. "Along with the Headmistress and Hestia, would you mind finding Hagrid for me as well? He's not at his hut."
"Right away," he said as Kingsley sunk down onto the nearest bench. Percy turned back to them. "Any ideas where he may be?"
"Try Gryffindor Tower or McGonagall's office. He's Head of Gryffindor now, so he's usually there," said Hermione.
"But," called Ron as Percy darted away, "WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
Percy smirked and turned the corner.
This smirk resembled the one he had once given his brother while keeping the secret of the Triwizard Tournament from him and his friends. Harry began to wonder what he might have been hiding when remembered that the Minister of Magic was twenty feet away from him.
"Kings- I mean, er, Minister!" called Harry, jogging toward him. "How're you?"
"Well," huffed Kingsley, his dark eyes staring up at him from puffy, tired sockets, "First of all, call me Kingsley. The only people whom I allow to call me Minister are the people who work for me."
"And second…. it's a long story really. But," he said, glancing at the corner Percy had disappeared around, "it's also a big school, so I suppose I have a bit of time to tell it."
Harry was glad he was going to talk to them; all summer he had ached for news from the Ministry, but no one had told him anything for fear that he'd leave to help with the clean-up efforts. With the rush of returning to school, he'd almost forgotten that there was a world outside of Charms essays and brewing potions.
"As you probably know, it's taken us quite a while to round up Death Eaters, giants, trolls, the acromantulas….and we spent all summer fixing this place and the Ministry up. It's been, needless to say, a grueling task. Before we could remove the Magic is Might statue and slogans we had to find out who had really been Imperiused. That Umbridge toad, Runcorn, and many more are still being detained there until we fix up Azkaban. Which, we are actually in the process of. That's kind of why I'm here today, actually."
"But," Hermione started, "what does Azkaban have to do with Hagrid?"
"Oh, I knew this would happen," he chuckled. "I skipped an entire part of the story! All right, this summer while I was taking a load of acromantulas from the forest, I saw Hagrid was writing up a few lesson plans and he mentioned wanting to get a Lethifold-"
"What's-" Harry began.
"One of the most dangerous beasts in the world, the Lethifold resembles a silky, black cloak and attacks sleeping humans first smothering them, and then digesting. It's, luckily, very rare and only found in tropical areas and, even luckier for us, the only thing that can defeat is a corporeal Patronus," recited Hermione.
"Right," said Kingsley, taken aback. "Well, I see that fighting one in Defence Against the Dark Arts isn't going to be much of a strain for you, Hermione."
"Where did you get it?" Ginny asked excitedly.
"Azkaban, actually. That's where my story was going. I was just at Azkaban putting some of those Ministry officials away and we had just apprehended a wizard who was a rumored Voldemort supporter. We found him innocent, though. Imperiused, you see. Well, I was about to let him go when we found out he'd been selling Lethifolds illegally. He had one on him at the time and I figured, if Hestia wouldn't mind having a joint class with Hagrid, you know, since Hagrid can't produce a Patronus, I'd bring it here once his trial ended."
"Isn't that-"
"Dangerous, Hermione?" he laughed, "Yes, but there've been four dragons, a fleet of dementors, a sphinx, and, from what I hear, some temperamental creature called a skrewt here already, haven't there? Besides, Hestia is more than capable and, I know you four won't have a problem with it, but some of the other students have never cast a Patronus, right?"
"No, of course not!" Ginny agreed, generically as Harry knew she hadn't listened to a word he said. "Is it here?" she asked excitedly, peering behind Kingsley as if he was hiding it behind his back.
"No, we have to wait until after the trial, then I'll have Hagrid and Hestia come get it. I'd send an Auror with it, but we need as many as we can get right now," he said, leaning back into the wall.
Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and Hestia appeared followed by a winded Percy Weasley.
"There – there you go, Minister. Sorry," he wheezed. "They were all in separate wings and towers, you see."
Kingsley nodded his appreciation to Percy and got to his feet. He turned to the four of them.
"It was good talking to you all, good luck with the school year."
"Wait, Kingsley!" Harry called as he made his way across the hall, "if – if there's anything I can do-"
"Harry," he said, patting his shoulder. "You've done enough," he held up a hand to his protesting face, "Just finish the school year and then when you become an Auror, you'll have to help me." He smiled and walked away.
They waved to Percy and Ron muttered "A Lethifold. The git keeps us in the dark to surprise us with a floating, black death-trap."
"Well," he said as they stood alone in the hall. "I was just thinking about our options. We can't visit Hagrid and I reckon it's too dark for Quidditch. So, Exploding Snap, maybe?"
They all agreed on this (Hermione took some persuasion as she wanted to finish studying her Charms notes) and set off the Gryffindor Tower.
"It's mad!" cried Hermione, breaking the silence they'd been walking in. "Hagrid handling the most dangerous creature on Earth? He could barely handle the dementors when he was locked up!"
"Hagrid's capable, Hermione," started Harry. "Dementors are another story, entirely. They sort of suck away your only weapon against them, you know? Plus, he's handled loads of creatures before. Remember Fluffy and the skrewts?"
"Yes, and that's all very well, but a Lethifold! Those are so dangerous. I just don't want him digested in his sleep. You just know he's going to want to keep it at his hut, too."
"That is true," said Ginny, "I'm almost in agreement with Hermione. Maybe they should keep it with Hestia. You really think he can't produce a Patronus?"
"I'd have to assume not," said Hermione. "His pink umbrella is really only good for simpler spells."
"Well," Ron pointed out, smugly, "The Headmistress and Minister of Magic think he's more than capable."
"Dumbledore would, too," added Harry quietly.
"And so do I."
October arrived, in Harry's opinion, too fast. His Quidditch team had only had two practices so far and if they didn't start training hard soon, they'd be as bad as the Chudley Cannons.
On top of that, Ron was having increasingly bad mood swings that would affect his game at times. Harry suspected it was because between classes and Head Girl duties, Hermione was slowly spending less and less time with them.
Yesterday he'd nearly fallen off his broom when she shouted up to him that she wouldn't be able to study with him because she had hall duty with Neville.
"RON!" Harry bellowed for the second time as a Bludger grazed his ear. "Just, just come down a minute!"
"I know!" he yelled, landing beside Harry as the other five whizzed above them. "I'm a right mess! I dunno-"
"Shut up, Ron," he said, watching Ginny make a spectacular catch then zoom towards the goal. "Now listen, because I'm only going to say this once."
He sat down on the pitch and motioned for Ron to do the same.
"You," he started, "are the best damn Keeper in the whole effing school."
"So eloquently put, mate," said Ron who, despite his remark, looked pleased.
"Yeah, well, start acting like the best Keeper, Ron. You're out there all cross with Hermione and you're forgetting the simplest things! You nearly died yesterday. I mean, you helped me fight Voldemort for a year and, mind you," he looked toward the stands where Hermione was doing her homework, "you did get the girl."
"All in all, Quidditch should be a piece of cake for you, right? Listen," he lowered his voice, "if you're so worried about spending some more time with Hermione, take hall duty with her every night. You are a prefect. And Merlin knows you don't spend your evenings doing anything more than brooding over the fact that she's not there!"
Ron turned red then, the color subsided and he looked at Harry like he was a god. "Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches couldn't have said it better, mate!"
After this, Ron flew spectacularly. With his great performance, Ginny's near perfect shots, Demelza and Dean's swift flying and accuracy, and his Beaters hitting almost as perfectly as two other Gryffindor Beaters (with red hair, freckles, and identical mugs) once had, no one could stop them. Harry, pleased with their practice, reminded them about practice next Sunday and the first match, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, the very next weekend, and dismissed them.
"Harry," said Ginny, trotting after him once they'd left the changing rooms. "You sure we don't need more practices? I wanted to try something new with the Chasers and you've barely gotten to chase a Snitch and Ron still needs to learn to-"
"Right, fine, where's Hagrid? I'll just ask him to let us on every night so that no one else can train and then we'll have to win," he joked.
"No, I mean, just like one more, Sunday is nearly a week before the match! We need one at least two days before," she pleaded.
"I guess you're right," he said thoughtfully. "Fine, where is Hagrid?"
"I think he's visiting Kingsley, isn't he? Well, that's what Luna said, she still takes Care of Magical Creatures, you see. You could always ask McGonagall," she said hopefully.
"Right, I'll do it now; I don't have any homework this evening!"
"Well, I suppose it's oh-so-nice to be duty-free and fanciful all night! I'll be locked in the library writing about six feet worth of essays if you need me," she walked off, her shining hair dancing behind her as she jogged up the stairs to the fourth floor.
Harry began his walk to the Head's office where he thought he may find McGonagall. When he reached the stone gargoyle, though, it was not disoriented as he had found it last year, but in perfect condition and waiting for a password Harry did not know.
If it had been Dumbledore's office, he'd have begun rambling off candies like mad, but he didn't know as much about McGonagall. What did she like?
"Dumbledore!" it didn't move.
"Gryffindor! McGonagall! Snape?" he was desperate now. "Sherbet lemon?! Acid pops!"
"Potter!" came a voice from behind him. The gargoyle sprang to life and Professor McGonagall came striding to his front.
Harry didn't know whether to thank her or what, but he blushed almost as uncontrollably as Hermione when Ron was doling out "witch-charming" compliments.
"Er – Headmistress," he began as they climbed the stairs. "Ginny told me that Hagrid's away visiting the Minister-"
"Yes, he's gone to get the Lethifold, I sent Professor Jones with him as well."
"Yeah, well, I was wondering then if you could give me permission to book the Quidditch pitch some time the next week then. I was thinking about Thursday evening and then Friday afternoon since we get it off. Would it be okay?"
"You've just had it today, and… today is Thursday, right?" he nodded and she scrolled her finger down a giant ledger. "Then you've got it booked for this Sunday morning. Slytherin has it tomorrow, Saturday, and Friday night. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have Sunday night through Wednesday filled. I'm sure Professor Slughorn will be up here any moment to try and book another practice for the Slytherins. If you took these it would completely book the pitch except for one hour late Friday night," she said, her face curling into an evil grin as she set the book down and took out a quill. "So, yes, you may definitely practice, I'll tell the other Heads immediately."
Harry laughed. "Thanks, professor."
As he turned to leave he noticed a silver-bearded wizard snoozing in the frame above McGonagall's desk.
"Professor McGonagall," he said, still staring at Dumbledore's portrait. At the sound of his voice, his old Headmaster stirred. "Where's Professor Snape's portrait?"
"What? Oh! I hadn't noticed. You see, when a Headmaster leaves the school unprotected like Snape seemed to, their portrait is never hung on the walls."
"But we've got to hang it!" Harry protested. Dumbledore's face split into a huge grin.
"I mean, he was a hero. I can't think of any two, well three" he said, looking at McGonagall, "Heads that could offer more valuable advice than Dumbledore, Snape, and you!"
"I agree with you, wholeheartedly, Harry!" called Dumbledore.
"Yes, yes!" shouted Phineas Nigellus who had been listening in. "We need another Slytherin here, so as not to make it too biased. Far too many Gryffindors were Heads. Quite unfair, if you ask me!"
The other portraits weighed in with their own opinions of Snape and Phineas's comments until McGonagall, who hadn't needed much convincing after the moment Dumbledore had approved it, raised her hands to silence them.
"Very well, Professor Snape's portrait will be hung immediately," her face took on the evil grin again. "I'll send Flich for it. Merlin knows he's not doing anything else. Well," she bellowed over the din of the debating portraits, "Mr. Potter, in your infinite wisdom, I do believe you've been enough of a nuisance here. Off you go, they'll be missing you at dinner. Next time, do try not to start a war between my portraits!"
Harry smiled, thanked her again, and, with a wave to Dumbledore, sprinted downstairs to the Great Hall.
"Guess what!" he called to Hermione's back as he saw her leave the library and head toward the Great Hall as well."What? Why are you running?" She plugged her nose. "Why haven't you changed clothes yet?"
"Oh, shut up. I was just up at McGonagall's office and I saw that Snape doesn't have a portrait-"
"Oh, well, of course he doesn't! Why didn't I think of it? You see, Heads can't get portraits when they-" she started.
"Abandon the school. Yeah I know. Anyway, I convinced McGonagall… and all of the other Heads, I suppose, to hang one up."
She paused and all of the sudden hugged him tightly, despite his sweaty, smelly Quidditch robes. When she pulled away there were tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. She always was so emotional, Harry thought.
"That's, that's wonderful Harry. You're so-" she hugged him again. He hugged back and flung a stinky arm around her as they walked into the Great Hall.
Ron, who had been stuffing his face with some kind of unrecognizable pudding, looked up and spat "Ehminee, Ahy, wha ah oo doig?"
They sat down as he swallowed and repeated slowly. "What were you two just doing?"
Hermione told the story to Ron's red face and as she reached for his hand about halfway through, the dazed look on his face proved that any misconceptions or anger he had harbored minutes before had gone.
"Where's Ginny?" asked Harry, hoping to break the trance they had fallen into.
"Didn't want to eat," said Ron, helping himself to another drumstick. "I think she might be flying or something."
"No! I just left her in the library, Ronald. She told you she was going there half an hour ago. Honestly," she dropped her book.
"Hey!" cried Hermione excitedly and she picked it up. "Remember in first year when McGonagall turned her desk into a pig?"
"Vaguely," said Harry as Ron shook his head, confused and too invested in his chicken.
"Well, Professor Doge said he was going to teach us large animal Transfiguration tomorrow!"
"But, Hermione," said Ron, brushing some crumbs off his shirt. "You already know how to do that."
"Yes, I know," she said, thumbing through her Transfiguration book. "But I've been waiting seven years for the day we'd actually get to do it in class!"
Harry laughed and Ron bent his head to drink some pumpkin juice.
"Mental," he breathed into the cup.
"Good morning!" cried the wizened voice of Elphias Doge from the front of the Transfiguration classroom.
"Today," he pointed to a diagram on the blackboard. "We are learning large animal Transfiguration on animate and inanimate objects," he pointed his wand at Seamus. "Observe."
He muttered an indecipherable word and Seamus turned into a cow, then a boar, then a sheep, and back to a boy. Seamus rubbed his head and pulled on his face as the rest of the class laughed.
"I expect you've all read the theory of this and," he pointed at the words on the blackboard. "It's really no different from small animal Transfigurations like mice and cats. Just different words. Very nice, Mr. Thomas," he added as Dean turned his chair into a perfect Dalmatian.
"Weasleys! Try it on desks first!" he bellowed, stunning Ron to stop him from turning Ginny into a bull, just in time.
"Enneverate!" Ron awoke. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Weasley. I just - had to - just in case something…. goes awry!" he panted, settling down into a nearby chair.
"I don't know if I can handle human Transfiguration any longer!" he added to Harry. "Madam Pomfrey is busy with two half-moose and four half-cow students already," he mopped his brow with his handkerchief.
Harry laughed and gave his professor a small smile before attempting the spell himself.
By the end of the lesson, Harry and Ron had succeeded in turning their desks into various barnyard animals. Harry had almost made a jaguar once, but when he turned it back, his desk had a furry black tail.
Only Hermione had successfully turned a person into an animal and, at the moment, crane-Ginny was flying about the room to thunderous applause. She landed and, with a flick of Hermione's wand, became Ginny once more.
"Excellent!" cried Doge as the lunch bell rang, "Absolutely spectacular, Hermione! Take twenty points for Gryffindor and have a good weekend, everyone!
The three of them waited as Ginny collected her books. It was a Friday so they had the rest of the day to do whatever they wanted.
"Well, what should we do?" asked Hermione, turning into the deserted hall that was a shortcut to Gryffindor Tower. "We could always-" But no one heard the rest of her idea. Harry and Ron looked at each other and then, within a second, set their plans to motion.
In one deft lunge, Harry pulled out his Invisibility cloak and forced Ginny under as Ron Disillusioned Hermione and himself, holding her tight around the waste. She opened her mouth to protest but Ginny silenced her, laughing hysterically.
"Wha- what are we, huh huh, doing?" she said, as Harry led her to the One-Eyed-Witch passageway. "She's going to go mental, Harry. You shouldn't have-"
A little way in front of them, Ron was forcing Hermione through the passage and, rather stupidly, lifted the silencing charm and let her go.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" she yelled, and slapping noises echoed off of the walls. Harry and Ginny ran to get in before they were found out. "RONALD WEASLEY! SCARED ME TO DEATH! YOU ARE THE MOST…. AN ABSOLUTE, TOTAL ARSE! I CAN'T BELI-"
But the passage closed before anyone heard the rest and they walked on towards Hogsmeade to enjoy the rest of the crisp, October day. Hermione, Harry later thought, hadn't minded nearly as much as she put on. In fact, after the humdrum dullness of the school year so far (the lack of deaths, attacks, dark wizards, or evil plots), they all needed a little adventure.
A/N: This goes without saying but THANKS to everyone who favorited and alerted and (especially) reviewed!
So Chappter 7: I liked it. I hope you did too! I'm thinking the next chapter will bring the results of the Quidditch match, the Lethifold, some Potions, an excerpt from the most talked-about biography since The life and Lifes of Ablus Dumbledore (hitting Flourish and Blotts as we speak!), and Christmas shopping. So, without further adieu, you've reached the end of my chapter, so press your favorite purple button.