Harry glanced down at Hermione she had been quiet as they walked from the Hospital wing down the hall to the entrance to the Great Hall. The only sound was the clicking of her claws upon the flagstones. Her ears were pinned back and Harry was certain she was doing all she could not to chew on her bottom lip.

"Hermione?" He smiled as she tilted her head up to look up at him. "If you aren't ready for this we can go back to the Hospital wing and eat with your Mum and Dad one last time."

Her left ear flicked a bit in what Harry felt might have been either annoyance or consideration. Ohy, and I thought that girls were difficult enough to understand already. Hermione, however, shook her head after a moment.

"No Harry, I appreciate the offer. Truly, I do, however… if we don't do this now. It'll only get harder as time goes by." Hermione smiled gently laying her head on his upper arm. "I know you far too well Harry. You didn't leave me for more than a few minutes this entire week now did you?"

Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I mean… I got to know your Mum and Dad pretty well. But, yeah you're right this is my first time out of the Hospital wing since the second task ended." He shook his head with a chuckle. "Come to think of it, I haven't even received my points for the second task yet."

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione laughed her ears perking back up. "Come on I am quite hungry and I've been dealing with people staring at us since our first year."

"Staring at me you mean?" Harry raised an eyebrow looking down at her.

"Well, that simply means that it is past time for them to be staring at me doesn't it?" Hermione tapped a single clawed finger against her chin. "Ron can be next."

Harry finally laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist giving a small squeeze. "Agreed, we'll let him know once he gets over his shock of seeing you. Together?" He gestured to the large doors which led to the great hall.

"Yes, I think so."

Both reached an arm out and pushed the double doors open. The hall was filled with the normal loud voices and multiple conversations which stopped suddenly as both Hermione and Harry stepped into the hall proper until the only sounds were the clicking of Hermione's claws. She looked around nervously.

"Harry! Hermione!"

Hermione's shoulders relaxed and she smiled as Ron raced up to them throwing his arms around both of them. Not seeming to notice nor care that Hermione was now covered in fur she swallowed the lump she had not noticed and smiled. "Hi, Ron…"

Ron grinned as he took a step back. "You look good Herms a lot better than back in our second year. This, you know coloring fits you a lot better than the black did."

"McGonagall already talked to you didn't she?" Harry shook his head as Hermione found their head of house sitting in her normal place once she caught her attention she gave a simple nod in thanks as Ron rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah, a bit she… you know, noticed that we had a rough spot earlier this year. She wanted me to be prepared so I didn't make an arse of myself. She… Well, I came and visited a few times under your cloak, Harry. I-I think it helped. Come on let's sit down?" Ron grabbed hold of Hermione's right wrist and tugged her towards their house table. Unfortunately, the tall boy wasn't quite fast enough.

"Granger! Is that you? Merlin and I thought being a Mudblood was as low as you could go." Malfoy smirked down at Hermione his arms crossed over his chest knowing he had the entire hall's attention. "But look at you! You aren't even human now! Is Dumbledore allowing to stay as Potter's pet?"

Hermione's tail had begun swishing side to side while she had listened to Malfoy's diatribe against her in a manner which all cat owners knew to be a warning. Malfoy sadly was not a cat owner. She had struck before her conscious mind could even respond.

Malfoy backed away holding the left side of his face which was scratched up. "You beast! My Father will hear of this!"

Harry and Ron slid in between Malfoy and Hermione both of them clutching their wands tightly. Neither had even seen Hermione strike until it was too late.

"Enough!" Hermione glanced up as McGonagall quickly walked over to the four of them. She had been staring at her left hand in shock.

"Professor I-I didn't mean to… I just."

"You just reacted, I understand perfectly Miss. Granger. Please move your hand Mr. Malfoy let me see if her claws did any lasting damage." McGonagall took a good look at Malfoy's cheek which was covered in four shallow scratches blood barely visible. "You're lucky these aren't deep at all. Simple warning scratches. Head over to the Hospital Wing and get them healed."

"What! That's all? She attacked me! She isn't even human anymore!" Malfoy glared between Harry and Ron's shoulders where he could barely see Hermione's curly hair.

"We are well aware of what Miss. Granger is and what occurred." Snape's sleek voice stated as he came up behind McGonagall. "The Deputy Headmistress is correct that what you received from Miss. Granger was a warning. However…" He turned to Hermione. "Miss. Granger should learn to control herself and quickly less a more vicious response should occur. Twenty points from Gryffindor for this attack Miss. Granger. And next time It'll be fifty." He quickly guided Malfoy away and towards the doors leading from the Great Hall.

"Professor! Didn't you hear what he said to her? He called Hermione not human and a pet! Isn't he going to be punished o-or lose points or anything?" Ron looked outraged as McGonagall simply shook her head.

"Miss Granger, may I see your left hand?"

Hermione silently held her hand out and McGonagall gently took it in her own hands. "Mr. Weasley I'd like you to take a good look at Miss. Granger's hand what do you see?"

Ron frowned but took a good look at Hermione's hand. "It, you know looks kinda like a cat's paw. She's not a cat though!"

"That's not the point Ronald!" Hermione looked up at her far taller friend her ears pinned back against her head. "I struck a fellow student! I didn't think I simply reacted! I-I'm not fully human anymore I need to be more careful!"

"I'm glad to hear you admit that Miss Granger. I think we should meet twice a week to work on controlling your reactions. Until then I'd like to place a dulling charm on your claws. That way if something similar to this happens again…"

"Please Professor, I despise the thought of hurting people. Even Malfoy…" Hermione felt rather than saw the charm being placed on both of her hands. McGonagall gave a firm nod once the charm was placed and put her wand away.

"I will see you Wednesday night for your first lesson in control. Miss Granger." McGonagall paused a moment. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley five points to Gryffindor for protecting Miss. Granger but not reacting unduly." With that, she returned to the head table allowing the trio to hurry to their normal spots.

"If I may have all of your attention?" Dumbledore stood up from his chair. "As you can all see our Miss. Granger has been released from the hospital wing. During the second task, she was attacked by one of the Mermen guards. He has been arrested and is being held at the Ministry of Magic. Sadly this attack greatly damaged Miss. Granger, I have been assured however that other than a slight species change Miss. Granger is now perfectly healthy and ready to return to her classes.

I stress greatly to all of you that Miss. Granger is still a student here and a very powerful witch. The Ministry has been made aware of what has occurred and has chosen not to change Miss. Granger's classification. Any such verbal attacks such as what just happened between Mr. Malfoy and Miss. Granger will not be tolerated. This is your only warning. Now! Let us all welcome back Miss. Granger and Mister Potter after their absence away from us." He began clapping. Joined by the rest of the head table.

After a brief moment, the Weasley twins leaped from their seats clapping followed by Hermione's dorm mates and the rest of Gryffindor house following in-kind clapping and cheering many calling welcome backs to both Hermione and Harry. Soon they were joined by the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. The Slytherins stayed firmly sat however Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis caught Hermione's eye giving small nods.

Once everything calmed down and conversations resumed Hermione eagerly began to serve herself.

Ginny slid over to sit beside Ron and grinned. "I was hoping you'd be released soon, Hermione. It hasn't been Hogwarts without you." She glanced at the several meat dishes that were near her normal seat. "When Ron and I saw all these we had hoped it meant you were being released."

"Thanks, Ginny. I wish I could say I missed all of you." Hermione shook her head and reached for her goblet which was filled with milk instead of pumpkin juice. "But, I've been asleep for the last week. So to me, it doesn't feel like any time has passed." She clumsily speared a piece of chicken and bit into it.

"No worries, Ron told us all what was going on." Ginny reached across the table and laid her hand on Hermione's "Don't worry, he and the twins made sure every single Gryffindor understood exactly what was going on." A smirk pulled at her lips. "And after that little show with Malfoy. I am certain the rest of the school now does as well."

Hermione had found a very good side effect of having fur. Noone was able to tell when she blushed. She simply shrugged as Fred and George sat on either side of Ginny and Ron.

"Hey, there pretty Kitty!"

Hermione glared over at Fred causing the redhead to clutch his chest. "Ouch! Maybe McGonagall should have dulled your glare along with your claws."

George grabbed a piece of melon from a bowl and dropped it in his mouth. He took a look at Hermione's plate and frowned. "Where is your normal salad and fruits?"

Startled by George's question Harry glanced over at Hermione's plate to see that he was right. There were three types of meat. Fish, steak, and chicken on Hermione's plate but no vegetables or fruits. Not even rice had found its way onto her plate.

"Well…" Hermione hesitated before she shook her head. "I'm a cat now George, Fred. Yes, I am still a witch but I'm… Malfoy was partially correct that I'm no longer human." She shrugged spearing a bit of fish. "Cats are what as known as obligate carnivores. That means unlike humans or dogs, for instance, the only food that cats should eat is well." She indicated her plate. "Animal protein, meat and eggs and such."

"Wait! Are you telling us that you don't have to eat fruits or vegetables at all anymore?" Ron's eyes widened as Hermione popped the bite of fish in her mouth.

Hermione considered the question while she chewed. Finally, she hummed. "I can eat them. Well some of them in moderation. Maybe once or twice a week as a treat but, no I am not required to eat them and I have to be very careful how much or which ones I do eat."

Both twins stared at her for a moment before Fred groaned "That is so unfair! You have an actual medical reason to not have to eat your fruit and veg anymore!"

George nodded in agreement as Hermione shrugged.

"I don't know guys, I already miss my normal salad. The other dietary change I can handle quite a bit better than I imagine any of you would."

The four Weasleys glanced at each other none of them having much more than a passing knowledge about a cat's diet. Ginny finally shrugged. "Alright, Hermione we give what can't you eat anymore?"

Hermione took a moment as she cut off a bite of steak and popped it into her mouth after swallowing she took a sip of her milk and sighed. "Chocolate."

"Y-you can't eat chocolate?" Ginny's eyes were wide. "Not even a little?"

Hermione shook her head. "Not even a little Ginny, it would be akin to eating a nice bit of sweet-tasting poison."

"That… that well and truly sucks I mean what about your…" Ginny trailed off her cheeks colored red as Hermione's eyes widened.

"I er that is to say I'm not certain…" I wonder if that is what Madam Pomphrey wanted to speak to me about… she did say that it was private. She stared down at her plate her left ear flicking as she considered what Ginny was saying. When she finally looked up she saw the twins had returned to their seats and Ginny was smiling at her.

"Don't worry they just figured out what we were talking about and decided to get away as fast as they could." Ginny snorted as she shook her head. "Boys!"

Hermione glanced over at where Harry and Ron were holding a conversation about either chess or Quidditch. She wasn't one hundred percent sure even they knew. She smiled, realizing that they were doing so to give herself and Ginny some privacy to talk. "I don't know Ginny, sometimes boys aren't so bad."

With a laugh, Ginny shook her head. "Get back to me when you have six brothers Hermione, then you can tell me that boys aren't so bad." She smiled at Ron and Harry. "Though… maybe you have a point."

Both girls laughed before returning to their respective dinner.

Hermione yawned as she walked up the stairs to her dorm to see Crookshanks waiting on her bed. "Hey Crookshanks, I'm so sorry I've been away! Did Ginny take good care of you?" She reached to stroke her beloved familiar but paused as he growled deep in his throat ears pinned back.

"Crookshanks? It's alright… It's me, Hermione, why are you?" Hermione frowned as she caught sight of her fur-covered hand. "I...I understand I must not smell like myself much anymore." She sat on the floor next to her bed as she watched her cat closely. Slowly he approached her and sniffed at her hand.

"See? I'm still me, I just look and smell a tad different." Hermione finally smiled as he forced his head under her hand demanding the scritches she had missed giving him over the last week. She laughed before she scratched behind his ears exactly as he liked. She looked up to see Parvati and Lavender had come up while she'd been dealing with Crookshanks.

"Hermione? Is er everything… you know okay?" Lavender asked after a few moments of the three girls staring at each other.

"I'm just fine Lavender, Parvati, Crooks just wasn't one hundred percent certain I was who I sounded like. But he believes me now don't you baby?" She nuzzled her cheek against Crookshank's face.

"Th-that is good to hear, we've been worried about you and no one but Ron was allowed to see you or Harry." Parvati paused and bit her bottom lip. "So um, how much of you is...you know?"

"Cat?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow as she sat down on her bed Crookshanks making room for her.

Both girls nodded as they sat on Lavender's bed which was across from Hermione's. Hermione sighed as she subconsciously stroked Crookshanks' back. "You'll find out sooner or later, we are roommates after all. Well, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape estimate that I am ninety percent cat. Fur covers the entirety of my body, I have fangs and whiskers, as well as paws." She frowned a moment "I'm happy to say though that it appears that my er that is to say my reproductive parts appear to have remained human. At least my breasts have."

"Well, that's something at least right? What about… I mean you're still a witch right?" Lavender glanced over to Parvati surprised that her friend would even question such a thing. Parvati quickly backpedaled. "I mean, I know that the Headmaster said you were but you don't have any lessening of your core or anything?"

With a shake of her head, Hermione smiled. "Luckily my magical core appears to have been included in the ten percent of me that remains human. I am just as much of a witch as I was before I was put underwater." Hermione paused. "Actually, come to think of it I don't suppose either of you knows how many points Harry received?"

Lavender nodded eagerly. "You should have seen him, Hermione! He didn't just rescue Ron that was his hostage, by the way, he also brought back Delacour's kid sister! She had gotten caught by some grindylows." She shook her head "Seems like she didn't have all of her magic available underwater or something. She was frantic when Harry gave her kid sister to her. I thought she was going to you know like confess her undying love for him." She saw Hermione's eyes narrow and her ears pinned back.

"She didn't Hermione! Bloody hell you look scary like that… Anyway even if she had he wouldn't have noticed the moment he heard you were still unconscious and hurt he sprinted towards the healing tent." She smirked as Hermione calmed down almost at once "Someone has become a jealous kitty."

"Continue your story…" Hermione kept her eyes locked upon Lavender unblinking causing the girl to shiver.

"R-right keep your knickers on Granger, anyway, Harry returned last and well out of the time limit. It looked as if he was pretty screwed when it came to getting a good score. But then the weirdest thing happened. A bunch of mermaids and mermen had followed after Harry and the Headmaster spoke to one of them before conferencing with the other judges. Most of them thought Harry should get full marks but one of them. Won't mention which."

Parvati couched which sounded remarkably like Karkarof causing Hermione to smile as Lavender rolled her eyes.

"Anyway Harry got forty-five points! He and Diggory are tied for first place! Definitely is starting to look like A Hogwarts victory."

"Definitely! And now that you and Harry are finally back I imagine Fred and George are planning for an epic party tomorrow after classes!" Parvati finished as she stood up. "Hermione, are you taking your shower tonight or tomorrow?"

After a moment Hermione considered before another yawn escaped causing Parvati to laugh. Hermione blushed, "I think I had better plan to take mine in the morning. I'm likely to fall asleep if I tried now."

"A very good point. Why don't we plan for you to take your shower in the morning then and Lav and I will take ours before bed? Since we don't know how long it's going to take you." Parvati shrugged "I mean that way Lav nor I will be late for class because one of us miscalculated."

After a moment of thought, Hermione nodded before smiling. "I can't thank you girls enough for supporting me like this I wasn't certain…"

Lavender walked over to Hermione and hugged her "Come on Hermione, sure we aren't best buds or anything but we are roommates and have been together since we were eleven! I mean come on we aren't filthy snakes after all."

Hermione returned the hug tentatively with a smile. "That is very true." She shook her head releasing Lavender. "Go on go enjoy your shower." She watched as both girls raced towards the shower as she shook her head before sighing. "Yeah, I'm really happy I convinced the hat not to put me into Ravenclaw now, I imagine that their reception would have been." She shivered as she shoved the thought out of her mind as fast as it had invaded. She quickly undressed and pulled on her gold and red nightgown.

"Come on Crookshanks bottom of the bed." Hermione smiled as her familiar seemed to consider her words before moving enough to let her crawl under her covers. She curled up enjoying the coolness of her sheets. Sleepily she wondered when the warming charm had been removed. It would be her last thought for the night as she quickly fell asleep.