When Harry Met Hermione

Chapter 3: Pinafore Smythe

"Aye, there, Professor Dumbledore, Remus, Weasley family," Hagrid chuckled. "N who would thi' other fine folk be?"

"Hagrid, these fine people are the Drs. Herman and Ione Granger, their daughter Hermione, and their foster son Harry James Potter," Albus answered. "In addition, Harry goes by the alias Evan Hanson, and as I am the secret keeper for this bit of information no one aside from me can divulge this secret."

"Well, if it ain't lil Harry!" exclaimed Hagrid, patting Harry on the back, knocking him to the floor. "Sorry bout tha, Harry," the giant of a man said, hoisting Harry off the floor. "I ain't seen you sin I brung ya's ta yer aunt's house in Lil Whingin. Wha ya's doin here wit thi lot?"

"No thanks to the likes of you and Mr. Dumbledore, those ghastly monsters you left him with abused and neglected him his whole life," Hermione replied, clinging to Harry. "Just this morning, his horrid aunt brought him to my parents' clinic with broken teeth, cracked ribs, and a fractured skull."

"Wha's tha?" Hagrid exclaimed. "Professor Dumbledore, I though' ya's said win you, me, n Minerva left Harry wit them muggles, tha he'd be safe wit em, n now thi lil girl says them muggles bin abusing Harry all along. Din't ya's hav members o th Order lookin afta 'm li'e ya's sa'd ya would?"

"Yes, Hagrid, I did," Albus admitted. "Arabella Figg told me on a number of occasions that she suspected Harry was being abused and neglected..."

"Th'n why din't ya's do somethin bout it sooner?" Hagrid accused. "James n Lily were our frinds n ya's ne'er e'en saw fit ta lift a finger ta help their son, win ya's knew he was bein abused. Professor Dumbledore, yer a great wizard n I ain't ne'er wanted ta cross ya before, but ifin you's e'er try ta put Harry ba' wit those gargoyles ya's gonna have ta git through me, firs."

"Hagrid, you'll have plenty of help if Albus ever tries to put Harry back with those horrid muggles, starting with young Hermione and me," Minerva said, walking into the room. "Harry would still be with the horrid beasts if it wasn't for the Grangers intervening on his behalf. Why, earlier this very day, the great Albus Dumbledore even went as far as attempting to force things to go his way, but a pair of eight year olds prevented him from bending them to his will."

"I am ashamed to admit, that it took two, albeit rather gifted, eight-year-old youngsters to force me to see the errors of my ways," the beaming Albus admitted. "Additionally, just a little more than forty-five minutes ago, Peter Pettigrew, in his illegal Animagus rat form, bit Harry's hand, and he and Hermione managed to stun the traitor, so we could then interrogate him and arrange for Sirius Black to stand trial and be exonerated. Hopefully, before the sun sets this evening, Sirius and Pettigrew will have traded places."

"You can't be serious," Minerva scoffed. "Pettigrew never had the talent or determination it takes to become an Animagus."

"Minerva, it's true," Remus explained. "James and Sirius were unregistered Animagi, as well, and they worked with Peter until he became one, too."

"Minerva, we all saw Albus and Remus force Pettigrew back to his human form and heard Pettigrew confess to everything," Arthur added. "He was the traitor, and he was the one who betrayed, the Potters, Sirius, and Molly's brothers."

"Where's th scoundrel at?" Hagrid asked. "Ifin I git me hands on em, he won survi'e ta make it ta trial."

"Hagrid, we need Pettigrew in one piece, if we are to convince the Wizengamot of Sirius Black's innocence," Albus explained. "That is why I have hidden the milquetoast and have given Kingsley, Alastor, and Dedalus my personal authorization to retrieve Sirius from Azkaban, so I can present both he and Pettigrew at the Wizengamot session I have called for this evening. I had hoped to convince Cornelius of Pettigrew's guilt and get him to release Sirius, but, alas, as I surmised Fudge did not have the fortitude to do what is proper on his own."

"Albus, why do you not use your influence and get the buffoon expelled from office?" asked Minerva. "I have never met a more incompetent leader in my life and why you see fit to keep the idiot as Minister is beyond me. Every one knows the greedy little moron has his hands in Lucius Malfoy's money sack and is at Lucius's constant bidding."

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. (Sun-tzu (~400 BC) Chinese general & military strategist) Money can't buy friends, but it can get you a better class of enemy (Spike Milligan, from "The Goon Show")," Albus replied. "These are two of my favorite quotes, and, in keeping Fudge close, I am allowing Lucius Malfoy to erroneously believe it is he who controls our Minister of Magic. Long before he became Minister, I learned how to control Cornelius, and in doing so I realized that quite often one must not allow Cornelius the time to seek advice and gather his troops. For example, I already know from Severus, that the Malfoy family has taken a holiday to visit The Durmstrang Institute in the hopes that Lucius may convince Narcissa to allow their son Draco to attend Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts."

"So, that's why you arranged for the Wizengamot to meet this evening, instead of tomorrow morning like Fudge wanted," commented Arthur. "You are not allowing Fudge enough time to contact Malfoy and use his galleons to sway the undecided to vote their way. Albus, I know you're a Gryffindor, but that was a very Slytherin thing to pull on someone."

"Why thank-you for the complement," Albus answered. "Until the day she passed on, Mother was a true Slytherin and will be most pleased when I tell her of your comment the next time I visit my family manor."

"Mr. Dumbledore, if your mother has passed on, how can you tell her anything?" Hermione wondered aloud.

"Mother is now a ghost, and, as such, she still resides in our family manor," Albus explained. "My brother and I must visit her at least once every week or she will come to our sleeping quarters and pass her hands through our bodies. Imagine sleeping all cozy and warm in one's bed and having ice water thrown on you and you may understand what it feels like to have any portion of a ghost pass through your body. Now, I must take my leave of you, so that I can insure that this evening's court proceedings take place in an orderly fashion. Harry, because you look so much like your father, I would like with your permission to place a camouflaging charm on you to keep your presence more of a secret." After receiving Harry's and the Grangers' permission, he performed the charm, adding, "Quite remarkable, indeed. Harry, have you ever changed your appearance in any way?"

"One time old horse-face cut my hair well short, and I remember really hating it, cause by the time she was done she'd cut all my hair off," Harry answered. "Next mornin I got a right thrashin, cause it all grew back overnight and got her and the ogre all hacked off."

"I am most sorry you were abused as the result, but what you just told me affirms my suspicion," Albus commented. "You see, Harry, I believe you have the ability to become both a Metamoprhmagi and an Animagi."

"What's that, sir?" queried Harry

"Minerva, if you would please be so kind, explain what this means to Harry and the Grangers," Albus replied. "Now, it is most imperative that I take my leave of you or Sirius Black may face another great injustice."

"It would be my pleasure, but before you depart I have a suggestion for you to ponder," Minerva proclaimed. "After you clear Sirius from this serious miscarriage of justice I suggest we ask that Sirius and his cousin Nymphadora Tonks tutor Harry, as well."

"Ah, yes, I quite agree on both of them," Albus said. "Since it was your suggestion, you may contact the Tonks family, and, once he is again a free man, I will broach the subject with Sirius."

"So, you really think I might be able to change my looks and change into an animal," Harry said after hearing Minerva's explanation. "If I learn how ta be something like a lion, I'd like ta go see the Dursleys n really scare the Hades out of em."

"We'd like ta see that, too," George commented.

"Maybe ya could scare Pettigrew, too," Fred added. "Me n George used ta catch him all the time n use him for garden Gnome bait, but Percy always let him loose."

"Now, boys, Pettigrew's been found out and Albus will make sure he's properly punished," Arthur reminded. "Besides, we're here to meet Harry and the Grangers and help show them around Diagon Alley. So, where should we visit first?"

"Let's go to Gambol & Japes," urged George.

"Yeah," agreed Fred. "We need some more Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks, so we have some for Ginny's birthday party, this coming Saturday."

"Ginny, how old are you going to be on your birthday?" asked Hermione.

"I'm gonna be seven; how old are you n Harry?" Ginny replied, as Fred and George scurried off to buy their fireworks.

"I just turned eight on July 31, and Hermione'll be nine in bout four weeks," Harry answered.

"You're both the same age as Ron; Fred n George are ten; Percy's twelve, Charlie's sixteen, n Bill's almost nineteen," Ginny rattled off. Then, grinning, she asked, "Harry n Hermione, would you like ta come to my birthday party?"

"Daddy and Mum, may Harry and I please go to Ginny's party?" Hermione asked.

"If it's all right with her parents, you may go," Herman replied.

"We'd love to have them," Molly stated. "So Fred and George can set off their fireworks, we always have our birthday celebrations in the evening. If they'd like, Harry and Hermione could stay the night in our home, and we'll make sure they get back to your home the next morning."

"It would be good for both Harry and Hermione to spend some time with youngsters like themselves, and my husband and I can drive them to your home, Saturday afternoon," Ione added. "Where do you fine people live?"

"We live just across the River Otter from the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, but we can handle their transportation to and from our home," Arthur explained. "Albus told us, that sometime this evening he's going to set up a secret secure floo network between your home and a number of other locations, including our home."

"The various uses of the floo network is one thing I will be teaching Harry and Hermione during our first tutoring session, tomorrow morning," Remus added. "Until you get used to it, traveling and communicating through a floo network can be a bit unnerving, and it would be best to get Harry and Hermione acclimated as soon as possible."

"They have our permission to stay the night after Ginny's party, but Ione and I want to drive them to your home," Herman explained. "We've never seen a wizard's home, and since Harry and Hermione are magical youngsters we'd like to know more about the magical world, as well. It's not that we don't trust you, but as responsible parents we feel it's our duty to know more about what our daughter and foster son might be doing and who they're doing it with."

"By all means," Molly acknowledged. "Why don't you both attend Ginny's party, as well? That way, we could have the opportunity to get to know you fine people, too."

"Thank-you, Molly, for your most kind invitation, and we most certainly do accept," Ione expressed.

"Ooh, this is gonna be one of my best birthdays ever!" Ginny squealed. "So, where do you lot wanna go first?"

"We'd like to go to Flourish and Blotts bookshop, but we really should go there last, so we don't have to carry our books all over Diagon Alley," Hermione answered.

"Hermione, we can go to Flourish and Blotts any time you want," explained Remus. "Any one of the magical adults in our group can put a shrinking charm on your purchases, and I can remove them for you when I visit your home this evening."

"I hope they have some used kid's Pinafore Smythe mystery novels I've never read for sale," Ginny commented. "I don't have enough money for new ones and can only buy one when they're used."

"What kind of books are they?" asked Hermione.

"They're all about this Auror named Pinafore Smythe and his friend Healer Lambert that set about solving unsolved murder mysteries," Ginny explained. "Most of the time they're chasin after this bloke named Professor Yorkshire."

"That kind of sounds a bit like the children's version of Sherlock Holmes mysteries Daddy and Mum gave me last Christmas," Hermione mused. "I've read the whole lot of them, and I wonder if your Pinafore Smythe books are like them."

"On his last birthday, somebody gave my fat cousin kid's books about Sherlock Holmes, but he was too stupid to read them, and last night I saw the git bin the whole lot of em," Harry whispered. "Later on, when he saw me take one out of the dust bin ta look at it, he got all hacked off and tried to kick me, but he missed and fell on his fat arse. Horse-face saw the whole bloody thing, and lied to the ogre that I knocked my cousin down. The ogre got so hacked off; he really gave me a thrashing. That's why horse-face took me all the way to the Grangers' clinic."

"Oh, Harry," cried the sobbing Ginny and Hermione, clinging to Harry.

"Hermione n Ginny, please don't cry," Harry pleaded, rubbing the girls backs. "I'm rid of the plonkers forever, n I think you n your families are way better than those bloody freaks."

"I know where them bloody muggles live, n win I git done wit em, ya won' be able ta fin' no hide or hair of em," Hagrid threatened.

"Hagrid, you'll do no such thing," Minerva admonished. "As much as I think they deserve it, I cannot permit you to do this. Oh, mark my words, the morons are going to get what they deserve, but we are going to do this the legal way. I promise you, there will be an investigation and hopefully the idiots will have a long, long time to think about their crimes while incarcerated."

"I think we need to move along," advised Arthur. "We're attracting a bit of attention we really don't want."

"Just let me clear the tear stains from Hermione and Ginny, and we can move along," Molly instructed.

"Thanks, Mum," said Bill. "It's a good thing we have Hagrid with us, though. His size alone helps distract people away from Harry and the girls."

"Bills right," agreed Charlie. "Just about every kid I've seen since we got into Diagon Alley has pointed out Hagrid to their parents."

"I've heard a fair number of the parents telling their kids all about seeing Hagrid at Hogwarts, to boot," Percy chimed in.

"May we go to the bookshop?" asked Hermione.

"After we visit Gringotts Bank, we may," answered Herman. "Arthur was just telling me about Wizarding money, and we need to go to Gringotts to exchange our pounds for galleons."

"Can I get some of the money Mum and Dad left for me to buy things with, too?" asked Harry.

"Yes, Harry, you may," answered Remus. "Minerva, Hagrid, and I are all executors of your estate, and we will help you make your purchases. However, I feel I must warn you that until you receive your Hogwarts acceptance letter that you must have the approval at least one of your executors for your purchases. This was not done to punish you, but to protect you from magical things you may not be ready for."

"I don't mind," Harry replied. "I know everybody in this lot really likes me, n I know there's no way I'd ever see the likes of the Dursleys in a place like this."

"Mate, we really like you, too, specially Hermione n Gin," Ron commented. "You can bunk with me after Gin's party, too."

"Thanks, mate," the beaming Harry replied,

"Harry and I have to go down to his vault, would anyone like to ride down with us," Remus said, as they entered the bank a few minutes later.

"Not me," Ginny proclaimed. "I've been down in those horrid cars n don't like em one bit."

"What's wrong with the rail cars?" asked Harry.

"They're all quite small, and Gin doesn't like being crammed into one like she is when we all go down to our vault," explained Charlie.

"Fred and George don't help much," added Bill. "They always act like they're gonna up-chuck on the way down, and Gin's never liked seeing people toss their cookies."

"They did vomit all over me, once," Percy stated. "When Gin saw them, she vomited all over the goblin taking us down. Mum and Dad had to clean the poor fellow up to make him stop shouting."

"That was the best joke we ever pulled on old Perce," George whispered.

"Yeah, it was," Fred agreed. "Too bad Gin and that goblin bloke didn't think so."

"Remus, is there enough room for me to go with you and Harry?" asked Hermione. "These rail cars really sound fascinating, and I'd like to see them, too."

"Of course, you may go with us," Remus answered. "The ride can be a bit bumpy at times, but other than that it's not really too bad."

"Especially, if Fred and George aren't in the same car," chuckled Charlie.

"Daddy and Mum, it's amazing down there," Hermione exclaimed, seeing her parents after returning to the bank lobby. "We even saw a real live dragon and this humungous underground lake down there. All the vaults look like huge caves, too."

"We're delighted you two enjoyed yourselves," the beaming Ione said. "Now, let's go see that bookshop you wanted to visit."

"Oh, pooh," said a dejected Ginny, seeing the kid's version of the Pinafore Smythe mystery novels. "I already all have the used ones they have for sale, and I don't have enough money to buy any of the new ones."

"Which books do you already have, because I'd like to read them, as well?" asked Hermione. "If you want to, I could let you read my Sherlock Holmes books, and you could let me read your Pinafore Smythe books."

"Except for books eight, nine, and ten, I already have the complete first set," Ginny replied. "I don't have any of set two, at all. Anyway, I love reading and I'd be thrilled if we could lend each other books to read."

"Hey, little sis, Mum wants to see you over by the magical cooking section," said Bill, walking up to them. After Ginny walked away, he continued, "I sent Gin away so I could get her book eight of set one for her birthday. She's crazy about these books, and I'd like to surprise her a bit on her birthday."

"That's very sweet of Bill to do something like that for his little sister," Hermione commented. "I wish I had enough money to buy the other two books of set one for her."

"Remus, could I use some of my money to help Hermione buy Ginny the other two books of set one for her birthday?" asked Harry, as Remus walked up to them. "The sign says they give a twenty percent discount if you two or more books and we'd really like to surprise her like Bill is."

"Yes, Harry, you may," Remus replied.

"Oh, good," Hermione added. "Remus, here's our money; quick before Ginny comes back, please buy and shrink these for us, so we can surprise her, too." After Remus did as she requested, she said, "Harry, let's go find Ginny, before she gets back here and sees that all these books are gone. That might spoil the surprise for her."

"Hey, Ginny and Ron, what are you reading?" Harry asked, seeing the youngest Weasleys at a comic book rack near the front of the shop.

"Oh, he's just gonna waste his money on his favorite comic book, The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle," Ginny answered. "I think they're nothing but rubbish, because Muggles can't be that dumb."

"They're loads better than your Pinafore Smythe books," Ron countered. "Only girls and gits like Percy go for reading stuff like that."

"Harry likes books like that," Hermione stated. "Does that mean he's a git, too?"

"Ah, well, erm, no I guess not," Ron replied. "It's just that most blokes don't go for all that reading n stuff. We like things like Quiddich, Wizard's Chess, Gobstones, and that sort."

"Ronald Weasley, you'd do well if you followed Harry, Hermione, Percy, and Ginny's examples," Molly admonished. "The Weasleys have always been readers, and I think it's high time you read more than your comic books and Quidditch magazines."

"But, comic books and Quidditch are more fun to read about," Ron complained.

"How would you know?" questioned Ginny. "Unless somebody makes you, you never read other stuff, anyway."

"Yeah, what else have you read?" Ron retorted.

"I read the kid's page in Sunday Daily Prophet every week, and I've read all of the Hogwarts first year book list," Ginny answered. "I don't understand a lot of what's in the Hogwarts books, but that's loads more than you've ever done."

"Remus, could I get the Sunday Dailey Prophet sent to the Grangers' house for us to read?" asked Harry. "And, maybe the Hogwarts first year book list, to boot?"

"Mr. Dumbledore told us about this book called, Hogwarts A History that we need to get, as well," Hermione added.

"I think The Sunday Prophet, the Hogwarts first year book list, and Hogwarts A History would all do quite well for both of you," Remus explained.

"They may subscribe to The Sunday Prophet and get all the books you mentioned if Harry allows us to buy some of them, as well," Herman countered. "Harry, you are now our responsibility, and, as much as it pleases us to see your generosity, we will not permit you to buy everything on your own."

"Thank-you Herman and Ione," Harry answered. "I've never had anyone share anything with me before, and I'm well chuffed to have people like the Grangers and the Weasley to share things with."

"You're quite welcome, Harry," Ione said, embracing him. "In spite of all those horrid beasts put you through, you are still a most exceptional lad, and it is our great honor to have you share our home."

"Ooh, look, Harry, you're mentioned in this book," Hermione gasped a bit later while leafing through a book titled, Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century.

"That's not all," Bill added. "There's a bit about Harry in Modern Magical History, as well."

"What for?" asked Harry.

"It says here that you somehow defeated 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' after he murdered your parents when you were just one year old," Hermione answered.

"Mr. Dumbledore told us somebody called Voldemort..." Harry added.

"Y-Y-You said 'You-Know-Who's' name!" Ron gasped.

"Mr. Dumbledore told us his name," explained Harry. "Said it was Mum's..."

"Harry, not here," cautioned Remus. "I'll tell you why when we get you home, but this is something best left unsaid in such a public setting. Besides, our time is getting short, and we need to get some basic potion ingredients. Plus, I believe it would be a good idea for you and Hermione to have your own owl."

"What do we need an owl for?" asked Hermione.

"Dear, owls are how we handle our post needs," Molly answered. "What do muggles use if they don't use owls?"

"Muggles use aero planes, lorries, and cars to transport our post, and every day but Sunday a postal worker delivers our post directly to our door," Hermione explained.

"Really!" exclaimed Arthur. "You must show us how you do it, sometime. Now, let's move along to Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, and then we can visit Eeylops Owl Emporium to get Harry and Hermione an owl."

As they approached Slug & Jiggers, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were knocked to the ground by a wizard with black and greasy, shoulder length hair as he charged out of The Apothecary carrying several large parcels, which of course were scattered all over the ground. "Now look what you've done, brats," snarled the wizard as he stooped to salvage what remained of his parcels.

"We're so sorry, sir," Hermione said. "Here, let me help you..."

"Keep your filthy little hands to yourself," the wizard snapped, pushing Hermione roughly into a bundle of feathers.

"Don't push my friend again," threatened Harry, looking the wizard directly in the eye.

Staring into Harry's eyes, the wizard snarled, "You remind me of an arrogant fool I met at school, what's your name, boy?"

"I'm not telling the likes of you," Harry replied.

"Why you insolent little brat," the wizard spat, staring even more intently into Harry's eyes. Noticing the wizard and Harry, Hermione leapt to her feet, grabbed Harry by the hand, and the wizard was sent sprawling into a nearby dragon dung heap.

"Severus, are you all-right?" Minerva asked, as Hagrid roughly hoisted the wizard to his feet, shaking the dragon dung from his robes..

"Professor McGonagall, without provocation on my part, these two brats just formed a shield and knocked me off my feet," the wizard answered tartly.

"Severus Snape, you are lying," claimed a witch, wearing a distinctive hat topped with a stuffed vulture. "My grandson and I saw the whole thing from The Magical Menagerie. Now, please tell us why you saw fit to use Legilimency on a child."

"Madam Longbottom, I did no such thing," Snape lied.

"My Frank was superb Legilimens, and I know what it looks like when someone uses Legilimency on another person," Madam Longbottom declared. "So, Professor, please explain why you saw fit to read this lad's mind, and why you were so rude to these children in the first place. It was your own fault that your parcels are strewn all over the ground. Next time, I suggest you look before charging headlong out a doorway."

"Madam Longbottom, I assure you, you are most mistaken..." Snape defended.

"Severus, I too saw the whole thing, and I'd say Madam Longbottom is quite correct in her assessment," said a broad, square-jawed witch with very short gray hair and thick eyebrows. Adjusting her monocle, the witch added, "I know Albus Dumbledore vouches for you, but your reputation precedes you, and I suggest you continue on your way, at once."

"Madam Bones, I assure you I did nothing inappropriate, but I shall abide by your wishes and make my exit," Snape replied, disapparating.

"I do not know who you two are, but suffice it to say I am most delighted that someone had the fortitude to put Snape in his place," Madam Longbottom announced. "Of all the unmitigated gall; trying to use Legilimency against a child, and I can assure I am going to make a formal complaint to Albus about it, too. Now, enough about Severus Snape; please introduce us to these fine people."

"Augusta and Neville, these fine people are Drs. Herman and Ione Granger, their daughter Hermione, and their foster son Evan Hanson," Molly replied.

"Nice to meet you," Augusta stated. "After what I saw this lad and lassie do when Snape tried to invade his mind, I must say they certainly do make quite a team."

"Hi, Neville," Ginny said sweetly to a chubby round-faced boy carrying an enormous purple toad. "Would you like to come to my birthday party, this Saturday? Evan and Hermione are coming, and I'd be well chuffed if you came, too."

"Gran, can I please go to Ginny's birthday party, this Saturday," Neville asked.

"If it's all-right with her parents you may go," Augusta replied.

"Of course Neville may come to Ginny's party," Molly announced. "He's always welcome in our home. Augusta, why don't you bring him to our home Saturday afternoon and stay for the party yourself? We're having a bit of a sleep-over for some of Ginny's friends, as well, and Neville is more than welcome to join them."

"Thank-you, Molly dear," Augusta answered. "I've been wishing for Neville to spend more time with children his own age, and Ginny's party and sleep-over will do quite nicely for him."

"Harry, can you tell us what happened between you and Severus Snape?" asked Remus, after the Longbottoms bid them adieu.

"I don't know," Harry answered. "He just kept staring into my eyes and really scared me, too. For a bit, there were things in my head that weren't there before, and the next thing I knew Hermione was holding my hand and that man was laying in that smelly stuff over there."

"Who exactly was that man?" asked Herman. "I heard Madam Longbottom address him as Professor in a rather sardonic manner and do say he was a rather unpleasant sort."

"His name is Severus Snape and he teaches Potions at Hogwarts," explained Arthur.

"That foul rogue teaches children?" Ione questioned.

"Professor Snape is our Potion's Master, and all first through fifth year students are required to take Potions," Minerva explained.

"We have not yet agreed to send Hermione or Harry to Hogwarts, and if that man is any indication of what Hogwarts is like, we may choose to send them elsewhere," Herman stated. "Or, if we do send them to Hogwarts, we will see to it that Harry and Hermione take no classes from this Professor Snape."

"I suggest we make our way to Eeylops, purchase an owl for Harry and Hermione, and make our ways back to our homes," Remus said. "This evening's Wizengamot session is due to begin in less than one hour, and if the proceedings go as they usually do, Harry and the Grangers will most likely have several visitors shortly thereafter."

"Bye, Harry and Hermione," Ginny said about ten minutes later. "See you at my party and send me an owl as soon as you can. I really like your owl, and I promise to feed and water her every time you send her to me."

"So, she has a chance to get used to us, the man who sold us the owl said not to send her out for two days," Harry explained. "Anyway, we'll send you an owl Friday night, if that's OK with you."

"Ooh, I'm well chuffed and can't wait for your owl," Ginny replied, hugging Harry and Hermione good-bye.