Hermione entered the Great Hall for lunch. She would be happy to see Harry and Ron. There were less than ten people in each of her morning classes, and she barely knew any of them. Heading for the Gryffindor table, she spotted Harry's head of dark hair. He was hunched over the table thoroughly engrossed in the book in front of him. Next to him was Cassandra, and her head was poked into the same book. Hermione felt her eyes twitch at seeing how close their heads were. Harry, she trusted, but she wasn't so sure about the new girl…yet.
As if sensing her presence, Harry's head popped up, and he smiled warmly at her.
"Hey Herm, pull up a bench!"
"Very funny, Potter," she drawled and sat down beside him. "Whatcha reading?"
"Arithmacy homework. I can't believe we got this much on the first day."
"Oh c'mon, Harry, it's not that bad," Cassandra broke in.
"Let me see." Hermione leaned over his shoulder and looked at the equations.
"Harry…these are not that difficult…you've done these before," she stated and turned her face towards him.
"I know," and he stole a quick kiss from her lips. Hermione finally understood; she'd been suckered.
"You're an idiot sometimes, you know that," she giggled.
"She's right, Harry, you even had me convinced," Cassandra added. Harry put on his best innocent face.
"But I was telling the truth," he said and leaned his head on Hermione's shoulder, "really I was…honest!"
"Sure you were, love." Hermione couldn't help it; he looked absolutely adorable. She pecked him on the lips, and Harry knew he'd been forgiven.
"So how was your morning?" he inquired.
"All right, but there aren't many students in my Expert Transfiguration class," she answered sadly. "It's lonely in there; I don't know anybody."
Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently.
"Don't worry, Herm, that's your only class like that right? You get to see my charming face for the rest," he grinned.
"Oh joy, what an incentive?" she groaned sarcastically.
"You wound me, milady," Harry grasped his chest as if he'd been stabbed.
"She's right, Harry," a just-arriving Ron confirmed, "She gets to see everybody…not just you."
Lavender came in a few moments later, and Ginny followed soon after. They each flanked Ron and grinned at his surprised expression.
"So how has your first day gone, Cassandra?" Ron asked very politely.
"Fine. I wasn't quite sure where my classrooms were, but Harry was nice enough to show me where they were at," she answered with a golden smile.
"He also tells me that you two are on the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
"How did I know Harry would talk about that? I swear, he's in love with the bloody sport!"
"The same goes for you, Ron," his friend countered.
"Yes, we're both on the house team, and this year, we're gonna win the Quidditch Cup. The damn Slytherins cheated us out of it last year; now, it's payback time. We start training in two weeks. Feel free to come by the field and watch."
"Thank you, I'm anxious to see a real quidditch match for the first time."
Everyone looked at her in surprise except Harry.
"Just wait, Cassandra, you're in for a real treat," Ron said cheekily.
After lunch, everyone except Ginny headed down to the dungeons for Potions. Harry wasn't very pleased that they had a double session with Snape on the first day of class - and with the Slytherins no less.
He took a seat in the midsection of benches, and Hermione sat down beside him. Ron took the other side, and Lavender took a seat next to her boyfriend. Cassandra was sitting next to her, and the blonde felt her skin crawl slightly.
Harry could feel a steely gaze boring into the back of his head and knew that Malfoy was glaring at him from the other side of the room. The door was thrown open, and Snape walked in. His black robes billowed behind him as always, and his hair looked even greasier than normal. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto Harry, and he glared coldly at the young wizard. He may have power, but in this class, the boy was no different.
"As all of you may not have figured out, this will be your final year at Hogwarts, and as such, your assignments will be much harder than in the past."
The students gulped silently. Snape's class had been merciless in the past; how much worse could he make it? The Potions' master stared at his students, and his eyes narrowed at the Gryffindors.
"Those of you who do not pass this year will not be allowed to graduate - so any slacking off will cause a severe loss in house points." His glare shifted to Harry and Ron almost subconsciously.
Snape's gaze moved past Hermione and Lavender and fixed on his new student.
"Miss Cross, I sincerely hope that you have been keeping up at your former school. American schools have a tendency to be much less strict about their academics. You will be expected to follow along with all the others. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, I understand, Professor Snape," she answered coolly. Not even her eyebrows arched at his comment.
"Good."
"Somebody kill me!" Ron gasped as he dropped onto the couch in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Why would I do that?" Lavender giggled and sat down beside him, "Then I'd miss you."
Even her tender words didn't lighten Ron's mood. Potions had been brutal, and Snape had given them three days to complete an assignment that should normally take three weeks. Ron rubbed his shoulders and groaned slightly.
"Sit up," Lavender ordered.
"What for? I'm tired."
"Just do it." The redhead reluctantly did as she suggested.
Lavender scooted behind him and pulled his robes off his shoulders.
"Hey!"
"Eyes front, Weasley!"
She gently began to rub his shoulders, and Ron nearly fainted in her arms.
"Oh thank you, Lavender, you're a God-send."
"No problem, sweetie," she whispered and kissed his ear.
Ron leaned his head back against her chest and tilted his head up to look at her. She smiled warmly at him, and her lips quirked up at the content grin on his face. He reached up and wound his arm around the back of her neck. Lavender knew what he was doing and let him pull her face down to his. Ron kissed her upside-down then turned to take her completely in his arms.
"Mmm," Lavender purred into his mouth as she leaned into his strong arms.
"Ahem, there are others in the room you know," Harry chuckled.
"You should talk, Potter, look at yourself," Ron groaned.
Harry was seated in one of the big, plush chairs, and Hermione was sitting on the arm next to him. His arm was slung around her waist to keep her steady, and they were both grinning at Ron.
"This is okay, but I'd like this better…" He tugged on Hermione's waist.
"Hey!"
She steadied herself and found that she was sitting in Harry's lap. Lifting her head, she found herself staring into his beautiful, emerald eyes.
"Hi," he said and wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"A little overkill don't you think?"
"Not at all, Herm, I like you in this position…" his voice dropped to below a whisper, and he leaned close to her ear, "…and a few others as well."
"Harry," she blushed furiously and smacked his arm, "you promised you wouldn't mention that."
Of course, now Ron had to know!
"And just what is she referring to, eh Harry?"
"Well, you see, Hermione likes hmmph…" She slapped her hand over his mouth, and he mumbled into her palm.
"Don't you dare!"
Harry mumbled 'okay' into her hand, and she let him go.
"That's a good boy," she teased and petted his hair.
"C'mon Herm," Harry sighed and tightened his hold on her, "You know you're my best kept secret."
"I am?" she gasped in slight surprise.
"Yup. Sorry Ron, but our love life is not up for discussion."
"So he was right!" Lavender giggled, "When did this start?"
"Last year," the couple answered together.
"Are you kidding? When did that happen?"
"Remember my birthday?" Hermione asked with a sly grin, and Lavender immediately understood.
"So that's why the door didn't unlock at first; I'm happy for the both of you."
"Thanks, I know I'm happy," Harry chuckled as he played with Hermione's brown curls.
"That makes two of us!"
"You both seem very much in love," Cassandra stated. She hadn't spoken a word since she'd sat down, and everyone turned towards her momentarily.
"Hey Hermione, what's that?" Lavender stated.
"What?" she asked, looking around the room.
"Around your neck."
Hermione gulped slightly and looked down. Her necklace had fallen out of her jumper, but it was the ornament that caught everyone's attention. On the thin chain of silver hung her engagement ring.
During the train ride to Hogwarts, she and Harry had talked about when to mention their engagement to their friends, and both decided to keep it to themselves for a while. As a precaution, Hermione had asked if she could hold off wearing his ring for the time being. Everyone was sure to notice it right away; she'd covered her hand when Ron had been inside the compartment with them. Harry hadn't been upset with her and suggested that she wear it around her neck until he could put it back on her hand permanently. It had worked great until now.
"Is that a ring?"
"Um…well…that is…bloody hell…all right, yes it is!" she finally admitted.
"Why's it around you neck?" Lavender prodded.
Hermione looked at Harry skeptically, and he just nodded his head. They had no choice but to tell them.
"We were kinda hoping to keep it quiet for awhile, but fate loves to ruin our plans," Harry chuckled.
Ron's eyes began to widen; he knew where this was leading.
Hermione took the ring off her necklace and handed it to Harry.
"Would you put this back where it belongs please?" she asked lovingly.
Lavender and Ron watched with jaws hung open as Harry picked up her left hand and slid the ring onto her third finger.
"Blimey, you finally asked her Harry!" Ron laughed.
"Does this mean…that you two are…that you're…" Lavender stumbled over the words as tears formed in her eyes.
"We're engaged," Hermione confirmed for her.
The two girls hugged one another, and Ron slapped Harry on the back.
"Took ya long enough, Potter."
"Timing is everything, Ron."
"So when's the wedding?" Cassandra asked, her voice just above a whisper. Both Harry and Hermione blushed.
"Well…we're going to take this slow; there's no rush."
"Harry's right, I'm in no hurry, and besides, we both know how we feel about each other," Hermione added.
"Too bad Ginny's not here. She'll go nuts when she hears about this!" Ron piped up.
"Ron, please, don't go blabbing to everyone about this. Hermione and I want to keep this quiet, okay? The last thing I want is for the press to turn this place into a scandalous frenzy. Remember back in fourth year?" Harry said with dark eyes.
"Point taken. All right, I promise - just Ginny and no one else."
"Fine."
As Lavender and Ron congratulated their friends, no one saw the look on Cassandra's face. Her blue eyes were glued to Hermione's hand and the ring on her finger. Gazing back and forth between her face and her hand, the young woman's eyes burned with a single emotion - raw hatred.
The following day, Harry and the other seventh year Gryffindors were gathered in the courtyard. Across the field stood the seventh year Slytherins, and Harry wondered if their houses were deliberately scheduled together. A loud whistle broke up his thoughts, and Madam Hooch appeared in front of them.
"Good morning, seventh years, I hope you all haven't forgotten how to fly over the summer break."
"No professor," they all answered in tandem.
"I'm glad to hear it. Now then, we'll start slowly to work out the kinks first. I'll need two volunteers please." Her eyes scanned the Gryffindors.
"Miss Granger…would you come up here please?"
"Yes ma'am."
Several of the Slytherins, including Malfoy, snickered as they all knew Hermione's 'reputation' when it came to flying.
"You find something funny, Mr. Malfoy?" Madam Hooch said with a glare, "No, then I guess you volunteer to be the second person."
Malfoy growled silently and grabbed his broom. His eyes practically hissed at Hermione, but she merely stared back at him coolly.
"All right, I want the both of you to circle the grounds once and make at least one turn around each of the towers. After that, return here and touch down. And no funny business, that clear?"
"Yes Madam Hooch," Hermione stated.
"Whatever," Malfoy sighed.
"Very well…mount your brooms…"
Hermione did as she was instructed and took a deep breath. Her eyes sought out Harry, and he smiled warmly at her. He nodded his head and winked. She felt her confidence swell and gripped the handle of her broom.
"…and begin!"
Malfoy took off like a shot, but everyone was waiting to see if Hermione would even get off the ground. Tossing her hair back, she kicked off the ground and took off into the air.
Most of the students were speechless; they'd never seen Hermione ten feet off the ground - much less flying around the entire school. Even Madam Hooch was surprised to see her doing so well. She wasn't as fast as Malfoy, but she wasn't trying to be. Just being up in the air was a triumph for her.
"Bloody hell, since when can Hermione fly?" Ron gasped.
"I thought she was afraid of heights," Lavender added. Harry covered his mouth trying not to chuckle.
"What do you know?" Ron said with an accusing grin.
"Nothing, we just did a little practicing over the summer. Herm and I had a lot of spare time so I taught her how to fly."
"Seems you did quite a job!"
"Hermione's a fast learner; that's all," Harry laughed.
Malfoy blew around each of the towers and returned the courtyard without a hitch.
"Where's the Mudblood? She even get off the ground?" he snorted.
"She's right behind you!"
Hermione carefully slowed down into a gentle hover then touched back down on the ground. She took a deep breath, and her heart swelled with relief and pride. She'd done it; she'd actually flown without a hitch.
"Well done, Miss Granger, you must have been practicing this summer."
"Yes ma'am, I actually had a tutor help me out."
"I see. Ten points to both Gryffindor and Slytherin."
"Wait a minute! I got back here well before her! I should receive more points," Malfoy growled.
"This was not a race, Mr. Malfoy, merely a test of skill, and you both passed the test. That is all that I wanted to see."
Hermione returned to her friends with a huge smile on her face.
"Wow Hermione, I didn't know you could fly!" Seamus laughed.
"Yes, you did really well," Neville added.
"Way to go, Hermione!" Ron said with a wide grin.
"Girlfriend, you rocked up there," Lavender stated firmly. Hermione blushed at the compliments; it was the first time she'd ever received one for her flying.
"How do you feel?" Harry asked, seeing her face flushed.
"Just a bit jittery. I was so nervous, my knees were almost knocking. I was afraid that I'd forget something and fall off my broom."
"Relax Herm, you did great," he said with warmth in his voice.
"Thank you, Harry, I couldn't have done this without you!" She kissed his cheek, and several murmurs arose around the two of them. Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation and tried to concentrate on their lesson for the day.
Author's Notes: All right, I know that I never specified flying as a class in 'Meet the Parents', but I wanted to put in this scene badly. This is going to be the first in a string of events where you'll get to see what Hermione learned from her training with Harry. Stay tuned for the next chapter. The story of Harry and Hermione's engagement leaks out, and a storm erupts around the couple.