Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect but I now have one Beta reader to help me along the way (:D)Thank you so much to Roshelle Diall for offering to work with me :D
I do not own Harry Potter.
Enjoy.
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Hermione enjoyed the way Emily's eyes darted as she entered the three broomsticks via the floo network. Hell she even enjoyed the floo network travel for which Hermione told her she was one of very few people who did. In the very near future maybe she would introduce her to the wonders of apparition.
"So butterbeer?"Draco asked walking towards the bar where Madam Rosmerta eyed him a little uncomfortably until Hermione came into view.
"Mione! How are you my dear? It's been too long!" she cried coming around the bar to hug the young woman.
"Hello Rose! You're right, it has been so long! How are you?" she asked returning the hug as Draco murmured.
"And I'm chopped dragon's liver." Rosmerta and Hermione both turned to him as Emily chuckled at the pouting man.
"Well Mr. Malfoy it's not like I can be happy to see the man that put me under the Imperius curse and tried to get me to kill one of the greatest men alive now is it?" Malfoy looked down and Emily stopped laughing.
"You used an unforgivable curse?" Emily asked softly and Draco nodded before taking a deep breath and looking up and into Rosmerta's eyes.
"Rosmerta I never would have acted the way I did without just cause. I was a very scared little boy back then with a lot to fear not only for myself but for my mother. Please I know what I did was wrong and I ask that you could find it in your heart to forgive me. I am no longer that lost and scared little boy. I became a man who is able to freely admit I did terrible things. I became a man who is not afraid to tell you with all his heart I'm sorry." Draco didn't hang his head again but stood there proudly as Rosmerta looked him over for a few moments. Neither Hermione or Emily would interrupt this moment, they could feel the tension between the two and knew the only way to resolve the issue was between themselves. After a few moments Rosmerta nodded and Draco smiled at her genuinely.
"Well at least you grew up well Mr. Malfoy." she commented with a smile of her own towards him.
"I always liked your mom before she got mixed up with the Malfoys. A shame really,such a nice woman." Draco just nodded.
"Please call me Draco and I'll let my mother know of your kind words. Maybe when she is not too busy she may visit." Draco knew it wasn't very likely, but it made Rosmerta smile so he was definitely going to mention it to his mother.
"Now my lambs, who's your friend and what can I get for you all?" she asked smiling, all tension gone from her voice and body.
"Rose I'd like you to meet my cousin Emily Granger. Ems this is Rosmerta." Emily stepped forwards and smiled at the bar maid.
"Pleased to meet you." Rosmerta smiled back.
"Well now it's not everyday I get to meet the family of a war hero. Nice to meet you. so which school did you go too?" Hermione looked at Draco then Emily who spoke before either of them could.
"Sadly I'm lacking my cousin's talents in so many ways and magic is one of those." Hermione wondered how Rosmerta would take having a muggle in her pub but the way Rosmerta just nodded and smiled she realised she had probably had a few muggles in her pub over the years when the Hogwarts graduates brought their parents in to celebrate.
"Well now that is a pity. Though I'm sure you make up for your lack of magic in other ways." Emily just smiled and nodded as Draco ordered 2 butter beers and 3 fingers of firewhiskey. Hermione led Emily to some seats while Draco waited for their drinks. Rosmerta looked at him as she placed the two butterbeers before him.
"You know one of the main reasons I can see a change in you is the fact you are here not only with a muggle born but with a muggle herself." Draco looked back at the two laughing and smiling girls as Hermione pointed out things to Emily.
"You know when it all came down to it, before the war it just all seemed not to matter anymore. I was asked by a very important person to me, 'What made purebloods better than muggle borns?'" Rosmerta handed him the tumbler of firewhiskey.
"And how did you answer?" she asked pulling his attention from Hermione who had looked up and smiled at him.
"You see that's where all the problems started. I had no answer." Rosmerta smiled and nodded at Draco though she did wonder who the very important person was that had told him the thing most wizards already knew.
They were sipping their drinks talking about different drinks and sweets you could buy in the wizarding world that Hermione had not already told Emily about. The young women kept laughing while telling Draco of the muggle sweets and beverages. He confided he had a soft spot for the muggle drink amaretto which Blaise had introduced him to but was amazed and as he put it sickened by the thought of the festive eggnog drink.
"So Ems you said you had something to ask me?" Hermione said remembering suddenly, Emily turned to her and grabbed her hands.
"Now Babydoll you know you love me right?" Hermione raised her eyebrows in a quirky manner.
"What do you want Miss Granger?" she asked, making Draco chuckle.
"Well you see, I'm back now. For good. And, well I need a place to stay until I've got myself back on my feet and I was wondering if..." Emily never got to finish her sentence.
"That's fine Ems, as long as Draco doesn't mind you can stay with me as long as you need to." Draco looked up and shrugged his shoulders.
"It's fine by me, I have no qualms, it would be different if you were ignorant of our world but as it stands i think it will be fine." Emily jumped and hugged both of them.
"Oh this is great and don't worry you will hardly know I'm there. Now I can start looking for a studio or something, maybe even a small place for of my own..." and Emily was off with all her plans and ideas.
They both listened and joined in the conversation though every now and then Hermione would catch Draco looking and smiling at her, which she returned his eyes aglow with mischief as he teased her cousin about her 'style of dancing' and whether him and his friends could get private shows. To which Emily fluttered her eyelashes in a very over the top way, saying if they paid the price she would dance for them which left the trio in fits of laughter.
"Tell you what, you and Hermione dance for us and I may even have the perfect studio for you." Draco smiled at Emily, who looked thoughtful as Hermione choked on the sip of butterbeer she had just taken.
"Pardon?" she asked as Emily patted her back smiling.
"You heard me Hermione. Look its Greg's birthday next week. Me and Blaise were already talking about teasing him by getting him a stripper or something. He's a right prude and hell it would be fun, though of course we wouldn't expect you to strip of course." Hermione was blushing scarlet her mouth hanging open as she stared at Draco numbly.
"No way!" was all she said as Draco shrugged again.
"I'll do it." Emily said looking at Draco.
"Ems you can't!" Hermione almosted shouted as she stared at her cousin.
"I don't see why its so bad Babydoll. I will be fully clothed and it's just dancing, hell half of the world has probably seen me doing it by now. I have a DVD out for heavens sake, lighten up." Emily smiled at Hermione who still looked very uncomfortable about the whole thing as suddenly the door to the pub opened and in walked 3 people Hermione and Draco knew well.
"Hagrid, Minerva, Fillius." Hermione called standing and greeting all of her former professors. Draco followed her lead, shaking Hagrid's and old Professor Flitwick's hands before placing a chaste kiss on Mcgonagall's cheek.
"Oh Mione it's great to see ya!" Hagrid said sweeping her off her feet into a hug.
"Put the poor girl down Hagrid before you squash her." Minerva said smiling as Fillius went to the bar with Draco to get more drinks for everyone. Introductions were made all around with Emily and the talk was varied and lively. Hagrid was talking with Emily about animals she had met and seen on her travels, if it had fur feathers or scales Hagrid loved it muggle or wizard. Draco and Fillius were talking about some charm and Hermione was happily talking with Minerva about Animagi.
"So how far have your studies come on the subject?" Minerva asked her favourite student.
Hermione had always been so bright and reminded Minerva of herself in so many ways. She always missed Hermione and was glad whenever they got to see each other like this. Hermione explained all the work she had been doing and how she had filled out the needed paperwork for the Animagus information act and that it was really all about the practical application now as she had been accepted after magical checks carried out during her healer training.
"So it's just the whole pushing the boat out and hoping it floats?" Minerva said with a smile as Hermione nodded.
"Yes, but for some reason I'm worried its more than likely going to be floating as well as a stone might." Minerva chuckled.
"My dear you are still the brightest witch I have ever had the pleasure to teach. If you cannot do this then I doubt we will be having any more Animagus joining our ranks. Hermione what you have to remember is even Peter Pettigrew managed the transformation eventually, you just need a little more faith in yourself. Maybe once we have given Emily a tour of Hogwarts you would like to stay for dinner and we could have a go together?" Minerva smiled at the hope and trust in Hermione's eyes as she nodded excitedly.
"Thanks Professor." Hermione said truly pleased by the thought of having a known Animagus present when trying for the first time
"You know I can't remember the last time you called me that." Hermione blushed and Minerva smiled.
"And I must admit I do miss teaching you. Also Hermione we are equals never forget that." Hermione smiled and nodded.
"Thank you Minerva, and honestly I miss it every day. Hogwarts, it taught me so much, became my home and gave me a family even when mine couldn't be around any more." Minerva nodded.
She knew how much it had taken for Hermione to Obliviate her parents, how much courage and dedication it had taken on her part to send them away from the danger, never knowing if she would be able to bring them back, and that was if they could ever managed to defeat Voldemort who had been standing in their way.
The conversations continued and everyone talked and drank for a while longer before stepping into a thestral draw carriage, which Emily found amazing and quizzed Hagrid on as he strode along beside it keeping pace easily. Hermione looked at the skeletal winged horse and shuddered slightly. To have seen death was the only way you could ever see a thestral and Hermione wished she had never had to go through that experience. She would have been happy for the creature to stay invisible to her.
Emily was amazed by Hogwarts and its inhabitants to say the least. Hagrid had left them and so had Fillius leaving only Mcgonagall to be their tour guide though Hermione and Draco were happy to help. Even if Draco did keep teasing Hermione saying she would be disappearing to pick up a copy of Hogwarts a history from the library every time she mentioned something from hundreds of years ago she had learnt from the tomblike book. During dinner when they sat at the staff table with the rest of the teachers, she was amazed by how the food appeared and even clapped when the night post owls entered. Hermione couldn't help but smile as the students that had remained at Hogwarts over Christmas break looked at her as if she was odd, yet stared at Hermione and Draco in awe.
After dinner a few of the students even approached them both and Hermione happily answered their questions. Whereas Draco was polite and allowed Hermione to talk, she was the real hero. He was famous for being one of the top richest bachelors and a Malfoy and in his opinion he didn't even compare.
"Now Hermione if we want to have a go at this it is best we start sooner rather than later." Minerva said finally when the students seemed unwilling to leave.
"What are you trying, Professor?" a dark haired Ravenclaw girl asked.
"Miss Granger here has been looking into the magic of becoming an Animagus. She will be attempting the transformation this evening." gasps and whispers broke out amongst the gathered students.
"Can we watch?" asked a tiny Hufflepuff. Hermione looked at Mcgonagall who just looked at her, her eyes telling Hermione it was her choice. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she looked at the surrounding children.
"OK, but you will need to be quiet and please do not expect it to go right. It is a very complex field of magic so I may not even succeed." the same tiny Hufflepuff just snorted.
"Of course you can do it! You're the most clever witch for your age. You got 110% on all of your N.E.W.T's and passed Hogwarts with the highest level of excellence since the great Albus Dumbledore." Hermione sat there stunned as the students all just smiled and nodded at her encouragingly as they left to take their seats. Hermione turned to Minerva and the other professors.
"Now I feel like I've got to do it right." Draco and Emily chuckled as did the professors who were all staying to watch the attempt. Hermione and Mcgonagall stood talking in a space at the front of the hall.
"So what will they be talking about?" Emily asked out loud. Draco was first to answer.
"Well concentration is important for the transformation. Also things such as not losing your clothes when you transform or wand in some cases, though once a Animagus has chosen a form they can transform at will without their wand if carrying it when transforming and you wish to keep it." the others nodded at Draco's words.
"You seem to know a lot about this. Have you attempted this?" Emily asked as Draco shook his head.
"I'm looking into to it but I'm not sure I'm on par with Hermione just yet." He said still watching the witches before him.
"How does she decide which animal she will be?" Emily asked. This time it was Slughorn who answered her.
"Well my dear, they don't. Every witch or wizard changes into the animal that most suits who they are. It's their inner animal so to speak though for Miss Granger I would not be surprised if her form was that of an otter." Emily looked at him curiously.
"Why an otter?" Draco took over the explanation again at this point.
"Well a lot of people believe that your Animagus form will be the same as that of your Patronus. With Hermione hers is an otter though I doubt she will be an otter in her Animagus form." Slughorn looked over at Draco.
"Care to make a bet on that, my lad?" he asked grinning. Draco looked up at him and smiled.
"How does 500 galleons sound to the fact her patronus is not an otter." Slughorn looked taken aback by the amount but smiled anyway.
"You have yourself a bet Mr. Malfoy." He said offering his hand out as finally Minerva took a step back from Hermione who was looking worried yet determined.
"Whenever you are ready my dear." Minerva said as she watched Hermione take deep soothing breaths and close her eyes tightly. Nothing happened for a time as everyone sat watching the lone figure at the front of the hall. Hermione started to perform complicated wand motions with her eyes still shut, tightly murmuring the enchantment to herself, binding her body to the animal form within her heart. All eyes were on her as suddenly Hermione's body seemed to collapse in on itself and sitting there before them was a chimpanzee. The entire hall rang with applause at the sight and Draco smiled at the completely stunned Emily.
"Your cousin, is truly astounding. Professor I think thats 500 galleons to me." he said to the equally gobsmacked Slughorn who just nodded, staring at the chimp on the floor who was looking a little bewildered. Draco rose and approached Hermione at the same time as Minerva who was smiling so broadly and clapping along with the rest of the students.
"That was simply wonderful Hermione and what a form! I'm so proud of you!" Draco bent down before Hermione and smiled at her.
"Well done Hermione. That was wonderful to behold, maybe you didn't need my book after all." he watched as the chimp Hermione, started making hand gestures at him which he recognised as ones. One would use with Merpeople when unable to speak mermish.
"What is she saying professor?" Draco asked not as versed on the sign language as Hermione seemed to be.
"She is telling you not to be silly and that she is tired and doesn't think she will be able to revert her form this evening, which is pretty normal with the amount of magical energy the spell consumes. Now she has chosen her form and bound it to herself so she will be able to change at will." Draco nodded as he watched Hermione's chimp eyes dropping a little.
"OK then." holding his arms out to Hermione like he would a child he looked at her.
"If you don't find it too unpleasant I will take you home Hermione so you can rest." he watched as the chimp looked at his open arms and after a few moments placing a soft hand on his arm she walked forwards into his chest, wrapping her long, soft-furred arms around his neck. He lifted her with ease. Holding her closely as her multifunctional feet grasped his shirt so she would not have to be held tightly by him though Draco still held her as she laid her furred head on his shoulder he smiled.
"Well professors I will be taking the lovely ladies home now for some well deserved rest on all accounts." they said goodbye to everyone and all the students still chattering about the amazing sight of The Hermione Granger becoming an Animagus before their very eyes!
Minerva lead them all to her office and opened the floo network for them. Patting the almost asleep Hermione on the back, she wished them all a pleasant evening as they floo'd back to Hermione's flat together.
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OK the reason I chose a Chimp should be pretty simple :)
they are in joint position for the most clever animal on earth,
closely joined with Orangutans and
followed by dolphins, elephants and other such creatures,
but truly I thought a Chimp was a good choice for Hermione,
she is clever, good at problem solving, and very loving and family orientated
so it was the animal I chose sorry if you don't like it :)
Thank you for reading :)
Please comment and review
Neh xxx