A cursed letter and a curious Aunt
- Azkaban, christmas eve -
Bellatrix was entirely confused. For the past several weeks she had heard screaming from down the corridor. From what she could make out they whoever these people were, were screaming about a girl named Hermione. Bellatrix was curious as to what these people thought this Hermione deserved and she wondered if the girl they were screaming about was in anyway connected to her Hermione. 'It better not be' she scowled if it was these people would be sorry, as soon as she could get out of this god forsaken cell. Merlin only knows how these living conditions could be considered humane.
Just as she was about to get comfortable or as comfortable as she could on a damp mattress she heard light footsteps come in her direction and stop outside her cell door. Bellatrix turned her head curiously to look at whoever was standing outside her cell, only to startle slightly when she realised who it was.
"Nymphadora" she whispered in wonder as she took in the sight of her niece for the first time in fifteen years. Their was no mistaking the bright purple hair or those blue eyes. (Blue eyes that resembled Bella's youngest sister so accurately).
"Aunt Bella, I don't have much time" Th e purple haired witch whispered glancing over her shoulder.
"I've come to tell you, the Lady of Light knows all and has sent me to assure you she will fight and that she loves you with all that she is" Nymphadora whispered as she hurriedly chucked the daily prophet into the cell.
"That's enough of that god awful wailing Mrs Lestrange" she suddenly called as she winked at her aunt and stalked off back up the corridor.
Bellatrix was dumbfounded a little. Trust her child to find a way of getting a message to her even while she was locked up in the most isolated place in the world. She felt her heart relight as she digested her nieces words, Bellatrix felt hope for the first time in many years. Her daughter knew the truth? Her little girl knew who she was and she had sent Nymphadora to let her know she loved her?
Bella felt her eyes fill with tears at this revelation. She broke down, sobbing quietly in happiness, she made no attempt to wipe the tears from her face as she cried for the first time since the day she gave her daughter away to the muggle orphanage. Her little girl was fighting for her, she hadn't shunned her or hated her for giving her away. She would see her little girl again someday and she knew she would be able to whether the coming war to do so. She'd do anything to hold her little girl in a world no longer fearing the dark.
It took Bella a whole hour to get control of herself again and glance down at the newspaper her niece had chucked into her cell. Picking it up Bella couldn't stifle the growl that escaped her lips as she read the headline.
Guilty: Muggles sentenced to Azkaban for the abuse and neglect of fifteen year old Hermione.
43 year old Dr Jean Granger, 45 year old Dr Thomas Granger, successful muggle dentists along with 67 year old Margaret Granger were arrested in September and found guilty on the 15th of December infront of the Wizingmat for the physical and emotional abuse of a magical child, willful neglect of a magical child and the deliberate endangerment of a magical child after the court saw numerous memories from 15 year old Hermione Granger.
Our informant has told us that the muggles were arrested after the young witches head of House Professor Minerva McGonagall had noticed the girl had withdrawn from her peers, was refusing to eat and was behaving extremely uncharacteristically on her first day of fourth year after the summer. McGonagall shares a wizarding bond with the girl and as her bond-grandmother knew instinctively that there was something seriously amis when the usually bubbly, bright and loving youngster appeared to be in pain, barely acknowledging her best friends and appeared to be unable to face eating.
When the Professor got the girl alone that evening, the young witch broke down and allowed McGonagall to enter her mind to see what was wrong because she was entirely to emotional to speak the words out loud. Professor McGonagall was horrified to learn of the abuse the young witch had endured over the summer and reported the matter to Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore who upon speaking to the girl and her professor decided to report the gross conduct of these muggles to law enforcement.
Amelia Bones told reporters that never in the twenty years she has been head of law enforcement has she seen such cruelty to a minor. A girl who Amelia described as the most gentle and kindhearted little witch she had ever met. "My daughter always speaks fondly of Hermione, the little witch is always the first to help her peers and is never short of a warm smile or words of encouragement for anybody" Madame Bones said.
The court were shown 15 memories provided my young miss Granger, where they had to watch the girl be repeatedly beaten, often to the point the youngster fell unconscious. Other instances the muggles ridiculed the girl horrifically and threw taunts around like "You're the child of the devil" and "you deserve to die" at the girl. During the time these memories were playing the young witch was seen to be clutching onto her bond-grandmother, while her friends, Andromeda Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks and Baubaxtons champion Fleur Felacour were also seen in attendance comforting the girl throughout the trial.
If the Wizingmat were not impressed by the girls bravery in surviving amd reporting the abuse they were astounded when the 15 year old stood up near the end of the trial and urged them not to make decisions led by anger. Claiming that she knew the Grangers should be punished severely but they did not deserve death as many of the Wizingmat members were calling for. The young witch told them "the Grangers actions were borne out of fear, fear of the unknown, do not condemn them to death for their ignorance" as she then joked that if we put people to death for ignorance it would be a rather small word indeed. As a result of Hermione's wise words The Grangers were sentenced to 80 years imprisonment without the possibility for parole.
Hermione, pictured below embracing her two friends Nymphadora and Fleur as they told her "it is all over now little witch, you're safe now" is an extremely courageous young witch and we here at the daily prophet are excited to see this girl grow. She is already said to be the brightest witch of her age and has a solid group of friends backing her, she is best friends with Harry Potter the-boy-who-lived. We hope with the support of her friends and her bond-grandmother, who has been granted full guardianship overthe girl, young Hermione heals from this ordeal and goes on to live a long and prosperous life.
~~~
Bellatrix was furious as she reread the article. Thumbing the picture of the three youngsters gently. This was her little girl. There was no mistaking the brown curls or the bright brown eyes of the girl. Hermione was Andromeda's miniature. Bella thought she was beautiful and was relieved to see that despite what she had been through she looked happy and healthy in the picture. If she was reading between the lines correctly this Fleur was her daughters other soulmate. She already knew Nymphadora was one. Both her and Andromeda had known that from the beginning. That only left the prophecised Veela. If it was this Fleur then she thought her daughter was one lucky little witch, the blonde was gorgeous and the three witches made for a beautiful looking trio. Each one of them stunning in their own right. She tucked the newspaper into her tattered prison uniform, to keep it safe.
Though not even the photo of her daughter could dampen the anger that coursed through her viens at the knowledge that these muggles had harmed her child. No one got to do that and live she fumed. Pacing her cell and running her hands through her hair. How dare they touch what was hers? How dare they lay a hand on her baby?
One thing Bellatrix did know was that at the first opportunity she got, these muggles would pay for ever daring to harm her child.
------
Two days before the end of Christmas break saw the trio meeting up with Harry, Luna, Ginny and Neville in Hogsmeade. They had arranged to meet at The Hogshead for lunch.
Andromeda, Minerva and Fluers Grandmother and Mother also met up but decided to take their lunch at a cafe around the corner from the pub the 'children' were in to give them some privacy.
Minerva wanted to discuss future plans as the 'parents' of the trio she felt it was important that they were all on the same page about what was to come so that they could best support the girls.
"Zo 'ow iz ze girlz?" Amelia asked as they excepted their drinks from the waitress.
"They're doing alright. Hermione is finding it extremely difficult to deal with her mothers absence. Poor girl is longing for her but Fleur and Nymphadora are doing a great job of keeping her spirits up" Minerva replied.
"Dear girl had a bit of a melt down Christmas day. Dora gave her and Fleur their engagement rings with the Black Family crest on it and Mia broke down. It breaks my heart thinking about how much Bella and Hermione have had to give up to ensure a future for the rest of us" Andromeda said quietly, glancing upwards as she tried to stop herself from letting tears fall.
"Eet iz incredible that zey have sacrificed zeir lives for otherz, we must make certain zat zey come out of zis together." Apoline agreed.
"Indeed, her bravery and selflessness astounds me. She knows she could have her mother out of prison next week if she went to the ministry and Albus with what she knows but she will not because she would rather die than jeopardise anyone's life by revealing the truth" Minerva said in more than a little awe.
"I have asked Fleur to move in with my family when she graduates this year if that is alright with you Apoline?" Asked Andromeda.
"Of course I vould not entrust ma fille wiv anyone apart from you two" replied the French witch smiling at her two friends because that is exactly what they had become in the short time they had known each other.
"Okay. Minerva did you manage to figure out things in regards to Hermione's coming of age?" Enquired Andromeda.
"Yes, I was correct, because of her use of the time turner Hermione is already sixteen and a few months rather than fifteen. She will be seventeen and therefore of age on her next birthday. She has managed to age herself a full year using the time turner" Minerva informed her.
"So Christmas for the bonding ceremony then?" Andromeda asked, looking to Apoline and Amelia for their input.
"Oui zat should work. All we need iz a Veela Elder to perform ze ceremony and I can do zat" Amelia replied, smiling happily.
"Thats less than a year to try keep them from bonding prematurely, that should not be too difficult with Hermione at school and Nymphadora working as an Auror" Andromeda breathed in relief. She did not like having to monitor her daughter or her nieces bedroom activities let alone the little French witches either.
"Fleur az said she vishes to join Nymphadora az an auror, she wishes to be trained to deal wiv ze conflicts" Apoline said.
"That's easy enough to arrange, I'll speak to Shaklebolt about offering her an apprenticeship straight from graduation" Andromeda smiled.
-----
Back at the Hogshead the young members of Blackbird were catching up on eachotgers lives that they had missed in the past week since the Yule ball.
"Can you believe Rita Skeeters article?" Exclaimed Ginny in amusement.
"It's so lovey dovey it's quite disgusting, no offence Harry" Hermione replied, giggling as all her friends pulled a face.
"None taken but I have to ask Hermione how does it feel to be dating the one and only Boy-who-lived" Harry teased his bestfriend.
"I haven't quite decided kind sir, but tell me, how does it feel to be head over heels for the brightest witch of our age - a muggle-born no less" Hermione teased back. Smirling at her friend.
"I have to say it is entirely pleasant" Harry deadpanned. His green eyes glinting mischievously.
"In all seriousness though how was your week Mione?" Neville asked.
"It's been lovely. I've enjoyed getting to know my aunts and spending time with Fleur and Nymph is always fun for me" Hermione said, smiling brightly at him. Since he found out the truth about Hermione he had matured an awful lot and quite quickly. He told Hermione he was determined to make sure he could stand at her side and do her justice. She appreciated his sentiment tenfold.
"What about you guys?" She enquired and listened attentively as her friends explained the boring week they had had without her at Hogwarts
"Fleur and I wi be back in two days. Have you figured out your clue for the second task yet?" The brunette enquired, sighing when Harry shook his head.
"Merlin Harry! You should have by now. Take it in the bath with you tonight and open it under the water" she instructed him.
"We will work out a battle plan for the second task next week alright?" She asked amd smiled in relief when he nodded. She had a few ideas for both Fleur and Harry but needed to do a little more research before she revealed them. She also had a sneaking suspicion that she and Gabby (Fleurs little sister) were going to be used in this task and she was not ready to face the shouting match with Fleur or Harry on that one.
Just as she was about to suggest they leave she caught sight of her Aunt - Narcissa Malfoy watching them quietly from the corner booth.
'Narcissa is watching us' she thought through mindlink to both her soulmates, subtly directing their gaze to the blonde witch who was still staring at Hermione.
'That is not ideal, you go with Harry, Fleur come with me, we will get Minerva to intercept you at the school gate' Nymphadora thought back.
"Guys I think it may be time we split" Hermione said a little loudly, directing the group of friends to look over at Narcissa.
"Agreed" Harry replied, standing up. The others catching on quick amd standing too.
"I think I am going to head to flourish and Blotts" Neville told them.
"Take Ginny and Luna with you, Luna needs new quils and Ginny has run out of partchment" Hermione replied. As they made their way outside.
"Okay catching you later guys" Ginny called, realising that Hermione did not want them out on their own. She agreed, things were dangerous enough without Neville wandering off on his own.
"Bye" Harry and Hermiome called together as they both set off towards the castle slowly, arm in arm. The aim being to get Narcissa to follow them and not Nymphadora and Fleur. It would not do for the youngest black sister to see her elder sister hanging out openly with Hermione's guardian.
Thankfully the plan worked and only moments later Hermione spotted Narcissa following them quietly.
"Her focus is me Harry" she whispered quietly, I'm going to duck into the book shop, you duck into the sweet shop and come in to get me in five minutes" she separated with a soft smile as he nodded in understanding.
As Hermione entered she made sure to move to the very back if the shop and began browsing the transfiguration books quietly as she heard the shop door open.
Not even a moment later she heard Narcissa clear her throat quietly.
"Mrs Malfoy, can I help you?" Hermione asked politely turning around to meet the ice blue stare of her youngest aunt.
"Why am I drawn to you" Narcissa asked coldly, folding her arms across her chest.
Hermione sighed and ran her hands through her hair, before looking at the woman pleasingly. "I wish I could tell you Mrs Malfoy, I really do but right now it is not safe for me to do so. If I tell you it will put you and Draconian in grave danger and I will not allow that" she said quietly praying that her aunt would leave well enough alone.
"My son and I would be in danger? How?" She demanded taking a step forward, hoping to intimidate the young muggle-born. She was surprised when the girl did not even blink or step back, instead the young witch drew herself up taller and met Narcissa's gaze head on.
"Yes you would be in danger. I cannot tell you anything else now if you care about your son as much as you seem to then you will let this go and trust that when it is safe you will know everything, please I am pleading, let it go or you will get everyone you and I both love killed" Hermione whispered.
"Okay, for now, I will let it go. But do not assume miss Granger that you know anything about who I love" Narcissa snipped at the young witch before turning away from her. She straddled slightly when Hermione grabbed her wrist to prevent her from moving off.
"And don't you dare assume to know anything about my knowledge or me" Hermione hissed, "you of all people are in no position to comment and you never will be if you do not heed my advice, leave it be please" she continued before brushing past her aunt and making her way towards Harry to walk back up to the castle gates.
-------
By the time Harry and Hermione had reached the school gates, Hermione was shaking uncontrollably as she tried to hold in her tears. Minerva took one look at her granddaughter and rushed to her side, taking the brunette into her arms she smiled apologetically at Harry before apparating with a rigid Hermione to Andromeda's House where the two Veela Elders, Andromeda, Nymphadora and Fleur had apparated too when the younger witches had appeared and quietly explained the situation, sending Minerva to collect Hermione.
Ushering the girl into Andromeda's living room she wasn't entirely surprised when Fleur and Nymphadora almost tackled her to get to Hermione, both sensing the young witches distress. Hermione burried herself in Nymphadora's chest as Fleur held her from behind. Both older girls rocking the youngest of the trio gently to soothe her.
'What happened little one' Minerva thought to her grandchild, hoping that using mindlink would get her to talk quicker than requiring her to speak out loud.
'Narcissa followed me, I ducked into the book shop to see what she would do and she cornered me, demanding to know why she felt so drawn to me. I had to beg her to stop asking questions or she'd get us amd everyone she loves killed. She agreed to back of but told me I was not to dare assume I knew anything about who she loves' Hermione explained to her grandmother, replaying the scene in her mind.
"Narcissa" Minerva said out loud to the others. "She said something that has Hermione a little devastated" she explained.
"What did she say" growled Andromeda, ready to storm over to her sister's and put her in her place.
"She doesn't know Aunt Meda, she doesn't understand what she said would have such an effect on me because she doesn't know who I am" Hermione whispered, looking at her Aunt threw watery eyes.
"What did she say Mia" Andromeda asked again, controlling the anger in her voice better now that she was addressing her young niece.
"I was not to dare assume that I knew anything about who she loves" Hermione replied quietly. Her voice catching in her throat as she fought to get control of herself again.
"It hurt so much to have to shut her down amd push her away. I wanted to tell her everything right then, I wanted to bring her home but I couldn't because I cannot risk her or Draco getting hurt in this" the youngest witch whispered.
"I know my girl, I know" Andromeda replied, sighing quietly as she sunk down onto the sofa and put her head in her hands.
"I wish we could bring them both home, but all we can do right now little love is keep preparing and fighting" Nymphadora told the brunette gently as she reached out to squeeze her mothers shoulder.
Ve will bring zem 'one Aunt Meda"
Fleur reassured as she too reached out to Andromeda, taking her hand as she tightened her grip on Hermione with the other hand.
Andromeda looked up at her daughter and her daughters soulmates before smiling gently. "Thank you girls, you're right we will bring them home, we just need to be more careful around Narcissa. We need to keep Hermione as far away from her as possible" she told the others, looking at Minerva specifically.
"Narcissa can be a lot of things but stupid is not one of them. If she keeps running into Hermione it will not take her long to realise that what she is feeling is Bella's magical essence within Hermione's and she will put it together pretty quickly after that." Minerva nodded in response to Andromeda as the elder Black stood up to pull her niece into her.
"You can feel my mothers magical essence in my magic?" Hermione asked curiously as she looked up at her aunt.
"Quite, all children of magical parents carry the essence of their mother and father in their magic. It combines with their own at birth creating your magical core. You will be able to sense mine and Teddy's magical essence in Dora if you study the feel of the three of our magics. Just as I can sense Rudulphus and Bellatrix in your magic but Bella's is particularly strong in you little one. It's almost as strong as your own essence" Andromeda explained gently.
"Why is it so strong, I am guessing its unusual for it to be as string as it is?" Hermione enquired.
"It is unusual yes and the only thing I can think off is that as she gave birth to you, her desire to protect you was so strong that more of her essence than is usual combined with yours. When you were growing did you ever get hurt but heal rather quickly?" Andromeda asked her niece, smiling when the young brunette nodded.
"It happened a lot, I was a clumsy child and skinned my knees and arms a lot but it would heal within minutes" Hermione replied, smiling wider as she took in her aunts explanation. It was good to know that her mother was protecting her even as a baby from getting hurt.
-----
Two days later Hermione and Fleur stood in the hallway of Andromeda's home scowling amd pouting quietly. They knew they had to go back to school but they really did not want to leave Dora. They never felt quite when they were apart for any length of time and they were not looking forward to being apart. To make it worse Nymphadora wasn't even here to see them off, she had been called into work early that morning, leaving her soulmates sleeping in bed as she left quietly.
To be fair she left them a sweet note and kissed both their foreheads before leaving but still they were not amused and were determined to let everyone know they were not amused.
"Aw stop pouting it is entirely unbecoming of two young ladies to stand around pouting" Andromeda teased.
"Well good job we don't need to impress anyone by being becoming Auntie" Hermione deadpanned, pouting even more when Andromeda and Minerva laughed loudly at them.
"Good luck for the next week with those to Min, they're going to be fun" Andromeda teased her friend.
"Indeed, now girls stop pouting for a moment and say your goodbyes to your aunt before I have reason to give you detention before we even get to the school?" Minerva said, raising an eyebrow in challenge as she engaged in a stare down with her granddaughter. Hermione was stubborn but Minerva had been doing this for years so was a little bit of a pro when engaging in a battle of wills.
"Ugh fine, merlin knows why I even try defy you" Hermione grumbled as she moved to embrace her aunt.
"Thank you for a wonderful Christmas auntie, ill miss you" she said sincerely as her aunt kissed her forehead.
"You're more than welcome Mia, now please behave and remember I love you dearly" Andromeda replied tenderly.
"As I love you" Hermione nodded.
"You as well Fleur" Andromeda added as she hugged the blonde.
"Of course" Fleur quipped cheekily before the trio made their way outside and Minerva apperated with them.
-----
"So now that you've heard the clue Harry here is a booklet with all the spells amd potions I found that would potentially help you breathe underwater for prolonged periods of time. You just have to decide which one you are most comfortable with" Hermione said as she handed both Fleur and Harry the booklets she had made them.
"I have one for Cedric as well because I feel like he's a decent guy and doesn't have much in the way of help around him, Victor on the other hand is entirely on his own. That brute does not deserve help" Hermione deadpanned as her friends laughed in agreement.
"What do you think we will need to find?" Harry asked Fleur, hoping the blonde would have more of an idea.
"I 'ave no clue 'arry" Fleur replied
"I think I've worked it out" Hermione said sheepishly. "I think they are going to take the person you hold most dear to you. It is the only thing that makes sense. If they took an item no one would be all that motivated to retrieve something material but a person? That would get anyone rallied" Hermione explained quietly.
"Who?" Fleur asked her soulmate, studying the brunettes face intently.
"Gabrielle for you Fleur because they do not know about us. Me for Harry. Cho Chang for Cedric and Pansy Parkinson for Victor I think" she told the veela apologetically.
"Alright zen we best get practicing zese spells 'arry I vill not risk 'ermione or Gabbrielle's life" Fleur said confidently as she stood with Harry and made her way out of the great hall.
"I'll fill Cedric in" Hermione told Harry before he too left the table.
----
The following week saw the second task of the tournament come around. Hermione was right in the end and the evening before the second task Hermione Granger, Gabrielle Delacour, Cho Chang and Pansy Parkinson went missing from the school.
At the start of the task the contestants were informed they had an hour to retrieve that which they had lost and could not rescue anyone else's prize. Fleur had chosen to use the bubble head charm, ensuring that she could swim underwater and breathe without issue. Neville had stolen gillyweed out of Professor snapes potion stores which gave Harry flippers for feet and guils to ensure he could breath underwater.
Cedric had also used a bubble head charm and Victor used a partial transfiguration spell to give himself a sharks head and tail.
All four Victor's reached their people without a problem and the competition was set to be close until Victor decided to cheat, biting both Harry and Cedric giving both boys quite nasty wounds before he freed Pansy and made his way to the surface.
Fleir seeing this quickly rushed to their sides taring part of her top to create makeshift bandages that would keep pressure on the wounds until she could get them up to the surface. She told them to stay put before she went and spoke with the mer people who were gaurding the three remaining captive students. She explained what had happened and asked the mer people to let her unchained the three captives so she could help them to the surface with the other two contestants. The mer people having seen what had happened agreed, even going as far as freeing the captives for her and sending one of their own up to the surface to speak to the judges.
Fleur cast a quick charm that bound the three captives and the two injured boys together before she took a hold of Harry and Cedrics hands, instructing them to hang on to the unconscious students and kick their legs to help her get them to the surface.
It was slow going and Fleur was beyond exhausted when she finally made it to the surface. She was beyond grateful when the unconscious students woke up as soon as they broke the surface. Hermione assessing how tired fluer was and the injured boys quickly instructed Cho to grab onto Harry and Cedric and help them get to shore while she grabbed a hold of a panicking Gabby.
"Hush now little love I've got you" Hermione soothed her "I need you to hold on to me tightly while we swim and help your sister, shes rather tired and struggling to get to shore, can you do that for me" Hermione asked her tenderly as she held the young blonde closely.
"Oui 'ermione i can hold on tight" Gabby whispered through her tears.
"Good, you're very brave" Hermione whispered back before swimming with the little veela quickly. Making it to Fleurs side in seconds she turned so she was floating on her back and hooked her arm around Gabby's waist. She told fleur to turn and rest on her back and had Gabby grab her sister around the upper torso. Once they had done this she towed the two Veelas to the Dock and helped them both climb out.
Madame Pomfrey the schools healer was on the group of six instantly.
"The boys Madame Pomfrey" Hermione told her. "They need you more than we do, we just need to rest and get warm"
"Thank you Miss Granger" the healer replied before focusing on the barely conscious boys.
To say the judges were furious was an understatement. For her bravery and quick thinking Fleur was awarded first place. Harry and Cedric were awarded joint second and Victor got last place and was awarded minimum points for cheating and deliberately endangering five students.
Hermione and Cho were also awarded fifty points each for their houses for their quick thinking in getting the other students and the injured contestants to shore.
It took two days for Harry and Cedric to be allowed out of the hospital wing. Hermione, Fleur, Gabby and Cho spend a day in the hospital Wing as well on Minerva and Madame Pomfreys insistence so that they could be monitored and recover in peace. They chose to stay in the hospital wing, refusing to leave until both boys were fully healed and ready to leave as well.
When they walked into the Great hall that evening for dinner all six students recieved a hero's welcome as the entire school cheered their bravery and loyalty.
Rita Skeeter also wrote a rather lovely (well as lovely as an article by Rita could be) article on the bravery displayed by Fleur and Hermione in saving the other students. The article however had Hermione entirely suspicious as she did not understand how Rita knew what happened. She was not meant to be at the second task as it was closed to the public. It wasn't until that evening as they sat together in the Gryffindor Common room that Hermione noticed the strange looking beetle on Gabby's jumper. Thinking quickly the brunette stunned the beatle and captured it in a glass jar with holes in the lid.
She got Harry to get the map the twins had given them in third year and was rather annoyed when she saw that Rita Skeeter was the beatle they had captured, as it turned out the journalist was an illegal animagus as she had never reported her animagus status to the ministry. Something that by law she was required to do. With this information Hermione took Rita, still trapped in the glass jar to the headmaster who informed the ministry.
They later found out that Rita was imprisoned for 10 hears for her illegal activity. Hermione thought it served her right.
------
Weeks passed without incident, the group of friends started meeting up regularly in the Room of Requirement to practice defensive and offensive spells, duelling each other and using dummies. Evenings were spent making memories together, completing school work and spending time building up their magical and physical stamina.
It wasn't until the beginning of March that something happened to disturb their peace. It was at breakfast on the second of March that Hermione received a letter out of the blue. She was not expecting any mail and as such was entirely suspicious when it landed infront of her.
"Thats our families owl" Ginny said curiously.
"Why would someone from your family be writing to Hermione and not you Gin?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure but judging by the state of that writing I would say its Ron who has wrote it" The youngest Weasley said in confusion.
"Well I'm certainly not going to open it without getting someone to check it over" Hermione replied before opening her mindlink to her grandmother.
'Grandmama I have just got a letter from Ron Weasley and it is entirely suspicious can you summon it akd ask Professor Dumbledore to have someone check it, I am worried that it has some sort of curse or hex on it' the brunette thought.
'Of course my girl' Minerva replied instantly before the letter flew out of Hermione's hands and right into her grandmothers.
"You used that mindlink thing again didn't you" Harry asked, laughing when his friend smirked at him and nodded. "Of course I did. Why wouldn't I take advantage"she quipped playfully.
Before anything else could be said there was a loud bang from the Professor's table. When the students turned to see what had happened they were horrified to see Professor Moody - the Defence Against the Dark arts teacher - laying unconscious at his seat the letter grasped firmly in his hands.
"I would ask all prefects to direct students to their dorms please while we deal with this situation please" Professor Dumbledore said quickly.
He smiled gratefully when he saw Hermione cast a quick patronus asking Poppy Pomfrey to set up a hospital bed immediately.
'Take Blackbird to my chambers Immediately Hermione' came her grandmothers worried voice through their bond.
'Of course' the brunette replied.
"Professor McGonagall has said that we need to go wait in her chambers" Hermione told her friends. Motioning for them to follower her as she hurried out of the hall.
-----
Thirty minutes later Minerva found Hermione, Fleur, Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna sitting quietly in her living room.
"Grandmama is Professor Moody alright" Hermione asked in concern as soon as she saw her Grandmother.
"Hush Hermione, don't be stressing. First of all we have just found out thanks to that letter that Professor Moody is actually a man named Barty Crouch junior using Polyjuice to pose as the real Moody. The real Moody has been locked in a box in his chambers for the majority if the school year. He is out now thankfully and has agreed to teach like he was supposed to" Minerva replied scowling in anger at the knowledge of Barty locking up a good man in a box so be could pose as him.
"Barty will love although the curse that Ronald intended for you has severely damaged his magical core. He will be lucky if he can ever do basic magic again if he ever gets out of Azkaban" she retorted.
"I am glad you followed your instinct and never opened that letter. Please run all mail through Albus from now on little one" Minerva continued as she pulled her granddaughter into a hug. She was angry and worried, they came entirely too close tonight to losing their little witch she thought to herself.
"Is Barty the one that put Harry's name in the Goblet of fire?" Hermione asked as she held tightly to her grandmother.
"It looks like it, we found numerous suspicious letters amd plans in his chambers. We cannot decipher half of them but the ministry has them now and will be working on figuring out what his plans were" Minerva replied.
"He's working for the dark lord isn't he?" Harry whispered grasping Ginny's hand.
"I think so" Minerva said sadly. Looking around at the group of youngsters in front of her.
"I do not know how or when but I feel as if he will return sooner than anyone expects" she whispered pulling Hermione tighter against her as if she could shield her from all the wrong in the world.
"What did the letter say?" Ginny enquired quietly. Minerva sighed before pulling the letter out her back pocket.
"The ministry will be here to collect it in the morning but I felt it important that you all see it so that you are aware" she said handing it to Hermione. The young brunette scowled at the letter as she read it, before reading it aloud.
"Hermione, as you refuse to see sense and fail to understand that you are infact mine then I cannot allow you to use your magic. Girls who are disobedient and willful do not deserve to use magic. Until you see sense amd come to me to apologise you shall not use your magic. Ron" she read, before handing the letter back to her grandmother in disgust.
"The ministry have already sent someone to arrest Ronal Weasley. He will be held in Azkaban to await trial" Minerva informed them, squeezing Ginny's shoulder in sympathy.
"I am sorry Ginerva there isn't anything to be done to help him now, he has gone entirely too far" McGonagall whispered sympathetically.
"It's alright professor, I warned mum she had to keep a closer eye on him or he would get himself arrested or killed. Better he is arrested than dead. Mum wouldn't cope with that but he deserves to rot for trying to harm Hermione and harming another person, even if that person is a criminal" Ginny replied seriously.
"I'm sorry he did that Hermione" she said to her friend.
"It isn't your fault Gin, do not take responsibility for his actions okay?" Hermione scolded.
"Now I am entirely too wound up to let any of you out of my sight so how do you all feel about a slumber party?" Minerva asked them, smiling when the youngsters cheered good-naturedly.
"Can we invite Dora and Auntie Meda please grandmama" Hermione asked turning puppy dog eyes on the woman in question.
"Oh Merlin do not look at me like that child or I will hex you but alright go ahead and floo call Meda" Minerva hissed turning away from her grandchild.
-----
Ten minutes later so all including a very happy Nymphadora and a rather put out looking Andromeda sitting on sleeping bags on the floor of Minerva McGonagalls living room.
"You have to sleep on the floor to Grandmama" Hermione teased.
"Yeah grandmama, you gotta get down here with us kids" Nymphadora added, smirking at her soulmates grandmother.
"Oui ze floor iz very comfortable" Fleur added with a laugh.
"Comfortable my arse" Andromeda grouched.
"Aww Auntie lighten up, you should be thrilled to be considered cool enough to hang with us" Hermione quipped ducking the pillow that Andromeda launched at the younger brunettes head. Everyone laughed when the pillow that Hermione ducked hit Nymphadora instead, knocking the purple haired witch over.
"Hey mum why so aggressive" Nymphadora pouted as she sat back up. Making everyone giggle when she morphed her face to look like a puppy so she could give her mother puppy eyes.
"Not you too, it is bad enough when Hermione pulls the puppy dog eyes" Minerva groaned. Putting her head in her hands. Hermione hearing this turned her own puppy dog eyes on her aunt, blinking her lashes sweetly.
Andromeda sighed as she watched them. "Very well you wore me down i am entirely blessed to be considered cool enough to hang with you cool kids" she teased before laughing loudly when every youngster launched themselves at her and began tickling her relentlessly.
Minerva sensing that the younger witches and wizards had temporarily forgotten about her took the opportunity to summon her camera so she could record the scene infront of her.
This was one that she knew Bella would appreciate when they brought her home.