Snakes and Lions Chapter 11: Encounters

[mystiemerys]

An hour had passed since the start of Sheridan’s task, and Hermione could have sworn they’d passed the same tree for a third time that night. The sun had set long ago, but even in the dark her lion eyes could see everything as if it were still day. 
And for some odd reason, it seemed as if the forest had gotten bigger, or perhaps it was her new form that made it seem so. The task however, was proving difficult and frustrating. She’d been so sure they’d followed the same path she and Harry had taken three years ago, and after thirty minutes of slow progress, she gave a frustrated, disappointed growl, and huffed. Perhaps if they had started in the 
general area of the Whomping Willow, she’d have had a better idea of where they were exactly.

‘I have no idea where the bloody devil I’m going,’ She thought angrily. Sheridan had mentioned that the forest would affect them, but she didn't think it would affect her sense of direction! That only frustrated her further, something else she seems noticed; she was never easily frustrated, except with Ron, and recently Harry with his bloated ego, but this? it was like every little thing was testing her patience tonight.‘What’s wrong with you Granger?’ She growled, looking around the closely grown trees and the eerie shadows they cast as the two padded through the overgrowth.

No matter how many times she entered the forest, there had always the underlying fear of the creatures that roamed there. Who in their right mind wouldn't be afraid of a place that was home to packs of Centaurs, hordes of spiders the size of grown humans, and god knows what else. None of that mattered though, at least not at that exact moment since her animal form had started to affect her, just as Sheridan said it would. It made her feel bold, because she wasn't entirely helpless. She felt powerful enough to take on any of the forest's creatures, even Grawp. She paid no attention to the smaller creatures that scattered about the ground, dodging trees roots and shrubs as they cleared way for the larger feline creatures. Nor to the large spotted owl that hooted angrily at the them, as if they had disrupted its peace.

Hermione snorted at the silly creature. She could almost hear the angry ruffling of feathers as it took flight. That was something Hermione did in fact love about her animalistic change. She was so taken by how heightened her senses had become, she could smell everything, the flowers, the trees, the soil, and unfortunately, Harry‘s scent in an unpleasant form.

“Oh honestly, Harry…” Hermione growled, mentally rolling her eyes.

“Boy will be boys, in any shape or form…” Pansy mentally chuckled. Both thankful that the other had silently cast an communication spell beforehand, and that still worked in their present form.

“We’ll, currently he is a dog…” Hermione started an attempt to defend her friend, but found she couldn't finish the thought with that horrid smell lingering around her and Pansy.

Pansy mentally and physically wrinkled her nose, “A mutt must mark everything it sees. Harry Potter… The mutt who pisses on everything. Seriously Hermione, it reeks here… let's move on.” And with that the two continued on their way, and away from Harry’s scent. Aside from the smell of Harry marking every tree he could, Hermione found she could hear everything as well. From the sound of the insects under the tree bark, to the sound of a woodpecker in the distance, burrowing it’s way into a tree for the night. She could even hear the barking of a dog not too far off into the distance, probably Harry or even Cho. She idly wondered how they were faring with their animal changes, when the sound of hooves, and a bowstring being drawn taut came from behind them.

‘Wait a minute, a bow string?’ A twig snapped, and Hermione’s head shot to the side just as an arrow flew past it. Warily, she felt her ears flatten against her head as she took several steps back. Pansy had taken an defensive stance in front of her, she let out a low, menacing growl towards the source.

A young male Centaur had come into their view, and though the Centaur was massive, he was still just a colt, obvious by the way his arms slightly shook as he took aim. Without warning, he fired a second time, his arrow going too wide that it struck and wedged into a far-off trees trunk. With a frustrated snort, and stomp of his hoof, the colt drew back a third arrow.

“Don’t be a fool boy!” Snarled a second Centaur, smacking the young colt in the back of his head as he rode up. “Look at how thin they are, their pelts would never keep you warm in the night.” Pansy continued to menace the two with growls and hisses, the Centaur snorted, and turned to fully face the pair.

“Silence beast! Had we wanted to dead, you would be!” A third Centaur said as he rode up, touching the bow strung around his chest to make his point. His bow was longer and far thicker then the colt's, made to fire from a greater distance and with much more force. There was no doubt in Hermione’s mind that if he had wanted to have the two of them killed, they’d have never seen it coming. She hadn’t noticed that Pansy  had taken an defensive stance in front of her until the Centaur had addressed her, and she stopped her growling. “Away with you, you mangy creatures!” The Centaur ordered, as if he ruled the forest and them.

‘You don’t have to tell me twice…’ Hermione thought, she bit onto Pansys ear and tugged, indicating that she wanted her to follow. Something Pansy didn’t fully agree with as she stood her ground. Here they were, and suddenly this Centaur had the gall to order them around like they were pets? If anything, the Centaurs were intruding on her territory. Pansys human mind knew that the Centaurs were formidable and dangerous, but it was her Panther s mind that wanted to assert her dominance. The forest belonged to her, and it took everything she could do to stop herself from challenging the Centaur, as it drew its bow in warning. It was the human mind that eventually won, Pansy obliged and the two continued opposite of the Centaur’s hunting area, staying alert to make sure nothing else surprised them.

Despite Pansy’s low growls of irritation, which eventually, and slowly died out, It was fairly quiet. Hermione had to look back every few minutes to make sure she was still with her. They continued on for another silent fifteen minutes, feeling the full effects of their animal forms.

Unlike Hermione, Pansy felt restless, she loved hearing the way the forest grew quiet when they entered an area, it gave her a sense of power, and dominance. She could hear the heartbeats of the smaller creatures as they scattered for safety. She could almost taste them, but her it was her sense of smell that had become her strongest trait. Everything had smelled different; the cool grass under her padded paws, the bark on the trees, both wet and dry, along with the moss that grew with it, Harry’s scent which still lingered even though they were far away from that part of the forest, and even Hermione. She smelled like text books and ink, which Pansy very much enjoyed.

She also enjoyed the occasional stops they made as Hermione tried to figure out their location, watching as her Lioness sniffed around the ground with her tail swaying about, probably hoping to smell the lake. Also unlike Hermione, Pansy wasn’t in such a hurry to get to lake. As by proving it, she leapt into one of the trees and laid herself down on one of the larger branches, watching as Hermione continued a few paces ahead. Hermione stopped when she noticed Pansy was no longer behind her.

She’d easily spotted her on the branch, and Pansy could almost see the annoying look she would have been wearing had she been in human form. She gave a low growl, and began pawing at the ground. Pansy swayed her tail in an almost mocking manner, giving the other feline a light huff which had caused Hermione arch her back and growl angrily. Pansy knew that there was nothing playful about the way Hermione bared her fangs, but she couldn’t help jumping from the tree and onto her, reducing the growls to rumbling purrs as they nuzzled their heads against one another. Being slightly bigger, she pushed Hermione down and pinned her there, purring softly she licked the other girl's cheeks. The two of them laid together, briefly forgetting why they were there. Had they been paying attention, they would of realized that they had stumbled onto a small, grassy, and flowery grove. Pansy nuzzled into Hermione’s neck, and began purring. Hermione then let out a soft snort and returned the gesture, her tail lightly brushing against Pansys side. Suddenly Hermione pinned her down, she nipped at her ear playfully before running off, as if daring Pansy to chase her.

Pansy quickly rolled to her feet, following a Hermione through a small opening in the bushes. As she pursued the Lioness, they passed what looked like a spider's den, probably the home of the Acromantula and their king, Aragog. She vaguely remembered Hermione mentioning the Giant Spider the last time they were in the forest, and the danger they‘d met with few of its children. Apparently they had wandered too close, because several spiders came out of the shadows, though none were quick enough to catch the nimble felines as they dodged beneath and over trees roots, whilst they dashed past.

Catching up to the Lioness, the Panther  pounced, the two lost balance and rolled down a steep hill. She could hear Hermione mentally giggle as they tumbled, coming to a stop where she nuzzled Hermione's neck, and licked her face lovingly.

“Merlin’s…” Hermione purred. As long as she was with Pansy, she could have stayed in the forest forever, and she was positive the feeling was mutual. She was in love. In the weeks the two had spent together, Hermione found that everyday she felt more for the girl, more then she ever had Ron, and she thought she had loved him for ages. She let out a long yawn, laying her head on top of Pansy 's while Pansy rested hers on her front paws.

They laid silently for a short while until Pansys ears suddenly shot up, and her nostrils flared. She’d startled Hermione as she took a defensive stance. A twig snapped, and for a moment Hermione feared they’d stumbled across more Centaurs. That however, was not the case as a brown doe came stumbling out of the bushes, right in front of them. Hermione couldn't help but think about how delicious it looked, and the smell! It had given off a sweet aroma that caused her mouth to water, and by the way Pansy was licking her lips, she had thought the same thing. The doe blinked, as if  it were caught in the headlights of a car at the sight of the two predators, and somehow bounded away just in time as they’d pounced, retreating back into the bushes as they chased it. Something about the chase had given Hermione a thrill she'd never felt before, she couldn't think of anything but the thought of how it would feel to sink her teeth into the doe's flesh.

‘I’ll catch it! I’ll catch it and give it to Hermione!’ Pansy thought to herself, knowing that she was faster then Hermione, she’d catch it, kill it, and then present it as a trophy to her. Thinking of the doe, and the present it'd make, she disappeared through the bushes onto another clearing. She stopped short when a red Mare leaped over her and took off into the distance, a golden owl gliding behind it. After they passed, Pansy snorted, and continued after the doe. She could smell it, taste its blood already. She’d slowed her pace once she spotted the doe, she then crouched and approached as closely to the ground as she could. The idea was to get as close as she could, and then dash forward. If she could leap on top of it, she could take it down with her front paws. Hermione had finally caught up just as she was about to pounce, when suddenly, there was a loud howl in the distance, and a familiar scent. In an instant the Doe was off and out of sight, thankful that the howl had caught the interest of it’s pursuers. There was a second howl, and both felines found themselves drawn to it. An odd sensation coursed through the two as they’d approached the area. Taking precautions, Pansy leaped into the trees and Hermione followed. Together the two ventured forward towards the source of the howl. As they approached, the howl turned into a snarl, and then a violent growl, until finally, there was a squeal.

They had stumbled onto an interesting situation; A rather large, and red boar standing frozen before a werewolf, or a least something that resembled one. It was hulking in size, snarling as it moved towards the boar on its hind legs like an human. If Pansy remembered correctly, that boar was actually Weasley. Parvati and Susan had been with him, though from what she could see, the two of them had taken safety high into the trees. From where she stood, she could see werewolf’s gleaming fangs, coated with saliva.

‘Weasley, against an hungry werewolf? This should prove to be amusing’  Pansy thought to herself, watching as the werewolf circled the boar. It let loose a fierce howl that had caused Ron visibly pale and tremble.

Pansy snorted, as she’d turned to leave she’d yelp. Looking back, she saw that Hermione bit onto her tail and pulled.

“We can’t just leave him, Pansy.” She growled, conveying her thoughts through their telepathic connection.

“Why not? It isn’t like we owe the bloody idiot any favors Hermione.”  Pansy  replied with a huff. She could see the disappointment in the Lionesses eyes as she prepared to leave again. She owed no favors to Weasley, especially after everything the spineless git had done to Hermione.

“Pansy Parkinson… do you honestly think I could sit by and let this happen?” Hermione growled. Pansy gave an annoyed huff as she cast her glance down at the beast, watching as it licked it chomps, and panted excitedly towards Weasley. The specky git was seconds away from being dinner.

“The things I do for you Granger…”  She growled, just before she broke into a run towards the red pig. Hermione mentally smiled, proud of her girlfriends decision before she joined the sleek Panther .

When the two lunged, It couldn’t have been better timing, because at the moment the beast clawed, Pansy barreled Ron out of the way, and Hermione knocked it off it’s feet seconds later. With a gurgled yelping sound, the ginger-haired pig scampered to his feet, and ran in the opposite direction. As Susan and Parvati reluctantly followed after their esteemed leader, Pansy began to circled the wolf as it slowly stood. Instead of running since she knew that the buffoon was safe, she'd decided she would fight, this was an opportunity and she was determined to show her dominance. She took the first move, and lunged with extended claws.

She’d missed as the beast ducked, its movements resembling a humans, and in her attempts to strike and bring down the beast, she’d found herself missing as it always seemed to back up just enough to be out of her reach. She kept pressing her attacks, and the wolf kept dodging, as if it stood no chance. When it did attack,  Pansy couldn’t help but notice that its movements were slow and somewhat clumsy, as if it was toying with her, and that was something that quickly got on Pansy's nerves. How dare it move like that?! As if it didn't take her seriously! She snarled, and continued her attacks until it stumbled back against a tree trunk. With nowhere else for it to dodge, Pansy roared and lunged forward, claws outstretched and fangs bared.

Instead of bringing the wolf down with her fangs, she found herself hanging upside down, the wolf having somehow grabbed her just as she’d jumped. It let out an horrifying snarl like nothing  she’d had ever heard before, which had caused her to struggled in a panic. Hermione quickly stood from where she'd been watching, and rushed into action to help her girlfriend. They were so far out of reach, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to reach them in time as the wolf bunched its muscles to throw Pansy. Until a loud whinny echoed through the forest, a red blur emerged from out of the bushes, and sent the beast barreling to the ground. Pansy yowled as she hit the ground on her back side, where as Hermione looked relieved as she slid to a stop. It was Ginny! She could have danced a jig when the red mare appeared from the bushes, stomping her hooves wildly at the werewolf.

The beast snarled, though it dared not approach the angry horse, instead it turned and ran, disappearing into the forest. Ginny snorted, she turned back to face the Panther and Lioness, Luna sitting astride her back as a human.

“Are you alright Pansy?” Luna asked in her usually dreamy tone. She was perched perfectly in a side-saddle fashion on Ginny's back, as if the mare had been trotting slowly and not attacking a wolf-beast. Sighing inwardly, Hermione nodded as best she could in her Lioness state towards the Ravenclaw witch. Now that the danger was over, she realized that Luna was in her human form again, even though they were to be in their animal forms for the entire lesson. The confusion must have been plain on her face, because Luna merely smiled as she draped herself over Ginny's neck.

“It's really embarrassing, but I found a mouse while I was looking for the lake. And I ate it, luckily I realized it was a mouse and spit the poor thing out. And suddenly I was human again. I tried to change back, and found I couldn’t. I suspect Professor McGonagall was behind that.” She hadn’t seem too concerned as she light brushed her fingers through Ginny's mane, and finished her story. Hermione couldn't help but shudder at the tale, sure that the shock of eating the mouse had forced Luna out of her animal form. What had scared her more, was the little voice in the back of her mind that thought a mouse sounded delicious.

Pansy roll to her feet with slumped shoulders.

“Pansy?” Luna tried a second time to get the Panthers attention, only to earn an angry snarl from her. Luna was hardly phased by the outburst, and Pansy retreated from the draft blonde and her horse. She sat, and growled at herself. Frustrated, she dragged her claws against the forest floor, cringing in disgust as she replayed the scenes of the battle in the back of her mind.

‘How could I have let that blasted werewolf best me?! And in front of Hermione no less!’ She thought angrily. ‘How could I have..’ She growled, laying on all four and sulked. ‘Of all the times, to prove I could protect Hermione… I  go and bloody blotch the who damned thing up! What if-” The sound of leaves and twigs snapping behind her interrupted her thoughts. Annoyed, she figured it was Luna, Luna was always trying to find way to cheer her up whenever it was needed. She’d flattened her ears, and turned her head with bared fangs, only to cover them once again as she noted the beautiful Lioness sitting down beside her.

Hermione was purring, she was proud of Pansy and words didn’t have to tell the Panther that. She’d softly nudged Pansy’s cheek and licked it, a moment later both Ginny and Luna joined the pair. Luna tried her best not to giggle as Pansy began nuzzling her cheek against Hermione’s warm bosom.

She smiled her dazed like smile, knelt down beside the Panther, and whispered softly “You don’t have to try so hard Pansy, you’ve already got the girl.” Pansy gave an annoying huff, “Are you alright? Do you want me to check for injures?” She changed the subject.  Pansy shook her head, while Ginny snorted, tapping her hooves impatiently in the ‘lets get a move on!’ fashion. It became apparent that the Duo’s were now a foursome.

Ginny, being the impatient Weasley she was, threw her head back and snorted, trotting a circle around Pansy, who swayed her tail against the Mares foreleg. It was her way of apologizing for snarling at the younger girls Mate.

The motley larger group slowly sauntered along their current and slightly beaten path, Luna humming absentmindly as if they were strolling through a park and not the dangerous Forbidden Forest. The three Animagi mentally smiled as they remained close to their respective partners and continued the search for the lake together.

It had been another long hour before they stumbled through a small opening between the trees, and It was just one of the many reminders that even the Forbidden Forest had beautiful spots hidden away. They’d stumbled into another forest meadow, they'd found several on their way, each with lush, green grass and an abundant of vibrant flowers swaying in the gentle breeze. Scattered around the meadow were small smooth rocks that glistened with water from a nearby brook.

The group took in the scenery and rested on a patch of soft grass and flowers before moving on. This was becoming a habit, these small breaks, and Hermione had started to feel rather lazy as a Lioness. Her ears perked up when something caught her attention, she turned to stare in the direction of where the brook fed into a small pond. The pond rippled subtly at first, but then parted slightly giving away to a small speck of light that shone brightly through the crystal clear water. From there appeared a young woman of about twenty. Her eyes shown a deep blue and her brown hair was accented with blonde highlights, while her lips formed into a somewhat crooked smile. As she stepped down onto the stone around the pond she chuckled an almost sinister laugh.

“Well, well, what lovely creatures do we have here? Are you young ladies having a fun time?” There was something about the way the woman spoke, as if she had an evil undertone in her voice that made Hermione’s fur stand. “We can’t have that...” With a quick motion of her hand, a nearby stone stretched and extended towards the group, slamming into the ground just in front of them. There was a sudden burst of energy throughout the surrounding area, making the flowers, grass, and trees tremble, almost with fright. Startled, Ginny stamped her hooves while Pansy once again took a protective stance in front of Hermione.

The mysterious woman stood, and merely smiled. Giggling lightly, she muttered, “For o’Aeri.”  And suddenly Ginny was hurled backwards into a tree trunk, with enough force to knock her unconscious. She then reverted to her human form with Luna immediately at her side. The blonde whipped out her wand quickly, and began the motions for a silencing charm. “Silen-” was all the witch could get out before she was flung into the tree trunk like her girlfriend. Struggling to get up, the Ravenclaw only had enough time to realize that the woman muttering her next incantation.

“Terra de File...” The woman said with a mischievous grin. It grew silent for a moment, and Luna hadn’t been certain that anything was going to happen, until the ground began to quake. Shocked, Luna realized that the tree she’d been flung into was now wrapping and tightening its roots around her body, binding her arms above her head, and preventing her from using her wand. Her usual aloofness was replaced by fear as she pulled at the roots anxiously.

The assaulter then turned towards the larger felines, a smirk playing on her lips as she idly twirled a wand between her fingers. A fierce growled emanated from Hermione’s and Pansy's chests as they both arrived at the same conclusion; She was a witch! The Lioness looked over at the Panther, nodding a “go” before they both lunged towards the attacker, hoping to overcome her if they attacked as one. To their dismay, they were repulsed to the ground by an invisible force.

The assailant then muttered with a hint of amusement, “Core de Sto.” And suddenly a stone pillar came barreling down on them, it broke off into several smaller pillars, surrounding and locking around the two. Both cats roared louder than they thought they could at the woman, and she didn’t even flinch. The situation had become dire.

The woman knelt down and chuckled before looking at the two with a stoic expression, “ Now, now my poor kittens. You need to learn to analyze your opponent before attacking them, or this could happ--” she was cut off by Pansy swiping her claws at her, nearly connecting since she'd gotten so close. She frowned, “You know… I hate dogs… just as much as I hate cats.” No sooner than had she said that, she turned to meet the enormous black dog that jumped out of the bushes, its fang bared as it lunged at her. “Stupefy!” She shouted, sending Harry backwards and over tree roots. The large dog yelped as he collided with a Golden Retriever, while a beautiful Dingo, Daphne, took his place.

Daphne lunged, faring better then Harry as she brought her fangs down on the witch's arm. She held tight as the woman flailed around trying to shake her off, she eventually ended up flinging the Dingo off, though not before it tore a nice chunk out of her arm. The woman screeched in anger, aiming her wand as she cast the avis charm. With a devilish smirk she pointed at Daphne as the tiny flock birds appeared from the tip of the wand.

“Oppugno.” She’d smirked as the dingo yelped, shaking her head violently as the birds attacked. It had given the witch the opportunity to cast another spell that sent her flying backwards. The witch mended her arm, and laughed as Harry and Cho lunged at her from both sides, and for the second time that night the two canines collided just as she dodged. She then flicked her wrist to cast the Immoblus Charm, freezing Harry as he’d lunged, and Cho in mid-run.

“What lovely creatures you are!” The witch cackled. Hermione thought it was the worst sound she'd ever heard, until she heard the something howling in the distance. The witch then growled, as if something about the howl needed her immediate attention. She’d mumbled something to which Hermione could barely hear.

“Oh yes, watch your backs, and be prepared. You're animals, keep your wits about yourselves, or you might just…” She gave a dark grin, “choke. I hope to be seeing more of you soon.” With that final remark, she snapped her fingers and disappeared into thin air, her spells dissipating as she’d gone.

Harry rolled to the ground whereas Cho resumed her running, she slowed to down to a pace before rushing over to Daphne’s side. The roots released Luna, who immediately rushed over to Ginny's side, while Hermione and Pansy went through the motions of inspecting each other to their satisfaction.

Ginny groaned in frustration, her meeting with the trees trunk had left her with a terrible headache. “Bloody hell. Who the devil was what?!” She half growled, half trembled. Looking up at her girlfriend, she was met with an expression she had never seen on Luna's face before, a look of utter fear. Not knowing what else to do, Ginny embraced the blonde tightly. “Are you alright love?”

Luna nodded, “You don’t suppose we’ve seen the last of her do you?” she asked, Ginny shrugged, wrapping her arm around her shoulders, and stood with Luna's support. They then converged near the pool where the witch had first appeared. Those who had still been in their animagi forms reverted back to being human so that they could communicate, all except for Hermione.

Pansy watched curiously as the Lioness climbed up a nearby tree and started rummaging.

When Hermione jumped down from the tree, she returned with something between  her teeth, and dropped with a light thump, before regaining her human form. What she had found, turned out to be a squirming, white ferret, and as it grew, it changed into a panicked Malfoy. He’d scurried to his feet, fidgeting in a nervous wreck.

“Twitchy little ferret, aren’t you Malfoy?” Harry spat in disgust, knowing that blithering git had watched as they’d been in potential danger. “How’s it feel to be a slimy coward?”

“Shove off Potter.” Malfoy hissed, feigning annoyance. No one believed it since he’d been pale, and looked embarrassed as seven pairs of eyes stared at him. He snorted, “I don’t suppose you could’ve been a little gentler eh Mudblo-” His insult was cut short as two pair of wands, Harry's and Ginny's, were aimed at his throat. Pansy would have drawn hers a well, had Daphne not prevented it.

“Don’t call her that Draco.” Pansy snapped, the anger in her voice took the wizard by surprise.

“What gotten into you Parkinson?” Malfoy scoffed with disbelief. “It’s bad enough you’re suddenly best friends with Ravenclaws, and hanging around with those the bloody Gryffindors, but sticking up for Mudbloods? Have you gone nuttier than Loony Lovegood here?” He’d continued his rant, ignorant of the fact that Daphne had to hold back Ginny out of fear she’d strike the slimy git, or the fact Pansy had stepped towards him, her hands curled into fists of seething rage.

“That’s enough Draco.” Daphne reprimanded. It was evident to say, that though she cared little for the boy, he was outnumbered and would not escape without some sort of injury.

“Take it back Draco!” Pansy gritted through her teeth. If It had come down to it, Pansy would choose Hermione over Draco without a second thought, despite the years they’d been friends. She wouldn’t like it, and hoped it would never come to that, but had it come down to it, she’d pick Hermione a thousand time over. There was a pause, and the Slytherin boy snickered, as if he’d realized something.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually friends with this filthy little Mudblood?” Pansy felt her eye twitch in rage, and suddenly, she stepped forward and slapped the platinum haired boy. He’d staggered back several steps, while Daphne clamped an hand over her mouth to stifle her surprised gasp.

“What the bloody hell was that for!?” Malfoy screeched, outraged.

“Don’t be a prat Draco! I told you not to call Hermione that!” Pansy seethed, and it took everything in Hermione’s being to stop herself from embracing her girlfriend, and kissing her on the spot.

“You’ll regret that Parkinson! Just wait till my father hears about this!” Malfoy hissed, stalking forward until he was inches away from his fellow Slytherin. “Friends with Mudbloods? There no way father would ever let your family be a part of ours now.” He sneered.

“Oh shove off Draco, your father is nothing more then the Dark Lord's clown, and everyone knows it! You speak another insult, another word or so much as give Hermione a dirty look, so help me…” Pansy growled. She glanced back at Hermione, and the brunette nodded in silent understanding. It was now or never. She took a breath, “I'm warning you Draco, if you ever utter that word to my girlfriend again, it’ll be the last thing you bloody do.”

Suddenly it grew very silent, as if even the forest had stopped breathing. A terrible feeling of dread coursed through Hermione’s body as she slowly turns to see Harry’s expression. She could literally hear the gears working in the raven-haired boys head before he slowly nodded. Something clicked, and it was as if a great realization was lifted off his shoulders. 
He smiled. “As long as you're happy 'Mione.”

Hermione nearly broke in to tears, “Oh Harry!” Without warning, she launched herself at him and the two staggered backwards in a tight embrace.

Harry chuckled. “Seriously Hermione, I’m not as pig-headed as Ron.” He looked over at Ginny, “No offence.”

Ginny shrugged. “None taken, he’s a right moron. And its about bloody time you caught on you silly git. It only took you ages to join the circle of knowledge.” She answered as she motioned to everyone.

“You all knew?” He’d asked, taken completely by surprise as the group, aside Malfoy, who stood like he'd been petrified, nodded.

“I’m sorry Harry,” the brunette said meekly, “I should have told you sooner; you’re my best friend, and I should have trusted you.”

“It’s okay 'Mione. You're happier then I’ve ever seen you, and if Pansy makes you that way, then who am I to get in the way?” He turned his attention to the Slytherin girl, giving her a smile as well. “Keep her happy alright Parkinson, don’t you dare hurt 'Mione….”

Pansy nodded, “I wouldn’t dream of it Potter.” She’d smiled, surprised as Harry gave her a brief hug before she embraced Hermione.“You see, I told you Harry wouldn’t mind.” She said feeling rather smug as the group continued. Unable to return to their Animal states they were forced to continue on foot.

“Well then, that just leaves Ronald…” Harry spoke after a silent moment. He could only imagine the look on Ron’s face if he were to ever find out that he’d been the one to drive Hermione into the arms of a girl, and a Slytherin no less. “Even if it is Ron, the blithering git he is, I suspect he’ll catch on sooner or later.”

“I’m afraid Ronald might already suspect something.” Hermione answered, “He saw me kiss Pansy goodnight a few weeks ago. Which is the reason he was violent with me.” Pansy eyes flashed with anger that mirrored Harry’s as the two came to the same thought; they would never allow Ron to harm Hermione ever again.

Pansy hopped onto a trees root, she’d helped Hermione over before extending her hand to Harry, who continued the motion to Ginny and so on. As they were stepping down, Harry stumbled and fell.

“Gah!”  He shouted, and Hermione couldn’t help but let out an exuberant giggle at the sight of Harry tripping over a rather large root and falling face first into the ground.

“Oh Shut up.” He grumbled, taking the hand she extended to pull himself up, his face darkened with mud. “I cant wait for the bloody lesson to be over. Really, what kind of a professor sends their new animagi students into the forbidden forest with the hope they’d stumble onto a blasted lake?” He attempted to wipe the mud from his face, while both Hermione and Ginny chuckled merrily at his complaints, Daphne patted him on the back with smiled. She then glanced back to find Malfoy trailing slowly behind the group, looking as if he were trying to solve something. He’d glared once he noticed her gaze, though more at the way she held tight to Cho’s hand, rather then because she was staring.

As they continued, each chatted about something, or anything that came to mind in hope the past the time, until Harry gave a sudden and depressed sigh.

“What the matter Harry?” Luna asked joining his side. She'd intertwined their fingers as they walked.

“It’s nothing Luna. Don’t worry.” He gave a weak grin while Luna hummed as she strolled between Ginny and himself.

“You know Harry, Hermione wouldn’t think any less of you if you told her. After all, you’ve accepted her.” She smiled as if it were the simplest thing in the world before Ginny twirled her away. Now the young wizard had two more questions on his mind: How the daftly blonde always seemed to know what was bothering anyone without any hints, and what was with the twirling.

“What’s up with the twirling?” The last question he'd decided to go ahead and ask aloud. Ginny merely looked back and tilted her head at him before simply shrugging, Harry decided to leave it at that. He’d seen stranger things then twirling. He then caught the sight of Pansy helping Hermione over several root’s and decided he’d lend an hand, as the two seemed to struggle. His shoulder brushing forcefully against Malfoy’s as he’d passed.

Malfoy watched on in disgust as Daphne pulled Cho gently over more roots, the Slytherin catching the other girl when she lost her balance, she’d blushed from the contact each time before continuing. He looked over to Weasley who was twirling her daft girlfriend for no apparent reason, then over to Potter, who had joined hands with Granger as she had the nerve to hold tight to Pansy's hand. To his bestfriends hand.

He’d stopped a little ways after them before he finally snapped.

“A Mudblood?! You're dating Know-it-all-Mudblood-Granger?! Do you have any idea how disgusting that is Parkinson!? You might as well brand yourself as a traitor to the entire Slytherin House!”

The time in which Pansy turned, drew her wand, and sent the boy backwards was record breaking. Malfoy had been sent back with enough force, that even as the boy landed, he rolled down a hill into a pool of water, nearly flattening the small otter splashing about in the water.

It wasn’t a second later that the seething Slytherin girl came barreling out from the trees after him, her wand pointed.

Malfoy was quick to roll to his feet just as Pansy fired a stinging hex that missed by mere inches. He quickly cast the Protego spell as a shield to rebound her Stupefy charm, before firing his own back, missing he’d struck a small beaver instead. As the beaver rolled down the slope it was on, it reverted back to human state, reveling a winded Neville Longbottom. His springy otter friend, who turned out to be Amber, was quick out of the water and at his side as she too turned back.

“Are you alright?” Amber asked, shock and worry coating her face as the two Slytherin dueled around them. Neville wheezed a reply, breaking into a cough as Hermione and Ginny emerged into the clearing, followed by Harry and Luna, and lastly Daphne and Cho.

“Wh-what’s going on?” Neville wheezed.

“Pansy and I are dating…” Hermione started, turning her attention to the duel, where Malfoy had cast the Rictusempra Charm on Pansy, causing the girl to roll in to large fits of laughter as if some invisible forced tickled her. It was evident that by his spell, he’d had no intention of actually harming the girl. Though by the situation, none could say that Pansy had the same intention.

“So, Malfoy went off his rocker…” Finished Harry, watching as Pansy somehow managed to get a hold of herself, and cast the Tarantallegra spell in revenge. Malfoy stumbled, dropping his wand as he did, and suddenly began dancing uncontrollably, until Pansy finished him with a Body bind charm and watched as he fell to the floor kicking air.

Hermione was impressed, she knew Pansy was amazing but it was the first time she’d ever seen the her duel and frankly, it had amused her. She felt her heart swell at the thought of Pansy dueling for her. She’d watched as Pansy kneeled down to speak to Malfoy, and the boy seemed to give a reluctant reply as she sat him up. Making sure Neville was alright, Hermione made her way over to the pair of Slytherins when something caught her eye. She’d barely had time to register the red blur as it charged straight towards Pansy from the bushes.

“Pansy look out!” Daphne screamed. The Slytherin turned a second too late as red fur filled her vision and she was flung back. She felt a burning pain in her side as Hermione gave a horrified shriek that drowned out both Malfoy and Daphne’s cries.

‘Did something hit me?’ She gasped painfully, finding herself impaled on Ronald's sharp tusks.

“Bloody Weasley!” She cried out, gasping haggardly as her eyes refocused and she pushed herself off the tusks. Gritting her teeth, she pressed trembling hands to the wound to stop the bleeding.

Hermione was beside herself as she rushed over only to find herself blocked by an angry red boar. Ron snorted and jerked his head in an angry motion as he stomped angrily at the ground, forcing Hermione several steps back. He looked completely mental, full of rage and anger like nothing Hermione had ever seen before. She made to reach for her wand only to realize she'd dropped it when she’d seen Pansy impaled on Ronald’s tusks.

“Ron,” Hermione began quietly and as softly as she could, “get out of my way!” She then shouted, Ron snorted again, it almost sounded like a smug snicker. Hermione glanced around to see the pale face of her girlfriend, nearly passed out from the loss of blood and Daphne rushing toward her injured friend. Noticing the movement, Ron turn and charged with an angry squeal. Harry tried his hand at firing spells to throw the angry boar off, only to find that the spells bounce off his thick hide and anger him further. He turned his attention towards the new threat as he collided with Daphne. The Slytherin cried out as her arm was pierced and torn as he’d forcibly pulled away. Cho screamed in panic at the sight of the wound, she’d pulled out her wand, firing a red flare that lit the sky like a firework before rushing to Daphne's side.

“Hermione!” Ginny shouted, quickly handing the brunette her wand before joining Harry, Luna, and even Malfoy, Who’d been freed of his body bind, to deal with her brother. Neville and Amber also joined in, casting ropes in an attempt to surround the angry boar.

“Stop the bleeding!” Daphne screeched, pressing her hands to Pansy's wound even though her own arm was dripping blood. Pansy made a noise half between a groan and whimper.

Hermione panicked.

All the years of studying and practicing, the things the made her known as the brightest witch of her age, were suddenly gone. Her mind had gone blank and she couldn't, for the life of herself or her girlfriend, remember a single spell.