Hermione Granger and the Prisoner Of Azkaban (Completed)

Chapter 7 - Hogsmeade

This chapter is dedicated to sqampywatermelon and ananya_xoxo

In no time at all, Defence Against the Dark Arts had become most people's favorite class. In Hermione's mind, the lessons that Professor Lupin did easily made up for the useless lessons that the other two incompetent fools had done. Each lesson was as interesting as the last

Unfortunately, Hermione didn't enjoy some of her other lessons as much. After the lesson with the boggart, the real Snape was being cruel to everyone, through specifically Neville, who often came out of the dungeon on the verge of tears

Also, some of her new lessons were a bit of a disappointment. Arithmancy and Study of Ancient Runes were excellent, but Muggle Studies was quite boring really and Divination was so annoying that at the end of every lesson Hermione felt like smashing one of Trelawney's favourite pink tea cups just to spite her

Also Care of Magical Creatures had become very dull. Anxious to avoid any more accidents, Hagrid had been teaching them about Flobberworms, some of the most boring creatures in the history of the universe
"Why would anyone bother looking after them?" said Ron, after another depressingly boring lesson

Finally, using the Time Turner had started to take it's toll on Hermione. She had twice as much homework to do in the same amount of time as everyone else. She found that she spent more time in the library then with Ron and Harry

At the beginning of October, the Quidditch Season began and Harry started being called to practises. According to him, Oliver Wood, the captain of Gryffindor's team, seemed to be filled with a kind of manic energy. It was his last year at Hogwarts, so his last chance to win the cup

However, nothing good happened to Hermione until the very end of the month. She was already excited for the Halloween feast, as unfortunate circumstances meant that she had missed the last two. Her glee rose further when she found out that their first trip to Hogsmeade village was also planned for Halloween

Hermione immediately started discussing plans with Ron in front of the fire while they were doing their astronomy homework. She was so absorbed in what Ron was saying that she didn't notice Harry come back from Quidditch practice until she heard his voice behind them
"What's happened?"
Hermione and Ron turned to see Harry covered in mud and smiling
"First Hogsmeade weekend" said Ron, pointing at the notice board "End of October. Halloween"
"Excellent" said Fred, climbing out of the portrait hole "I need to visit Zonko's. I'm nearly out of Stink Pellets"

Harry's smile faded. He sank into the armchair next to Hermione, who could easily guess what he was thinking about
"Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to go next time" she said soothingly "They're bound to catch Black soon. He's been sighted once already"
"Black's not fool enough to try anything in Hogsmeade" said Ron "Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry. The next one might not be for ages-"
"Ron!" said Hermione "Harry's supposed to stay in school-"
"He can't be the only third year left behind" said Ron "Ask McGonagall, go on, Harry-"
"Yeah, I think I will" said Harry decisively

Hermione was about to argue back, when Crookshanks jumped onto her lap. He had caught a spider, and was now chewing it slowly
"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?" said Hermione
"Does he have to eat that in front of us?" said Ron grumpily. Hermione desperately tried to think of something that wouldn't get Ron annoyed, but she couldn't, so she kept quiet
"Just keep him over there, that's all" said Ron eventually "I've got Scabbers asleep in my bag"
Harry yawned and took out his own star chart
"You can copy mine, if you like" said Ron

Hermione didn't like it when Harry copied off Ron. She was about to say something when Crookshanks lept of her lap and started clawing at Ron's bag
"OY!" Ron shouted, grabbing his bag "GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!"
Ron picked up the bag and tried to shake Crookshanks off
"Ron, don't hurt him!" yelped Hermione