Y/N woke up and prepared for his morning workout. He walked down to the common room and was surprised to see Hermione wasn't there. He waited ten minutes and when Hermione didn't appear he chuckled to himself:

"Must have slept in"

And headed out by himself. He finished his workout, showered and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Once there he found Hermione reading Quidditch Through the Ages and Neville sitting next to her, furiously writing notes on anything she said. Y/N sat down on the other side of Hermione, right at the end of the Gryffindor table, and before he could open his mouth to speak was wrapped in a bone crunching hug.

"Well good morning to you too" Y/N chuckled, hugging Hermione back. She released the hug and spoke quickly:

"Oh goodness Y/N, I'm so so sorry I missed you this morning"

Y/N smiled as he rubbed her back tenderly.

"It's not a problem Hermione. I was a little worried but I figured you were sleeping in"

Hermione sighed.

"Yes I did I'm sorry. I was up late last night, reading this book for this afternoon"

Y/N raised an eyebrow.

"You're really worried about flying class aren't you?"

Hermione nodded and sighed.

"Yes. Don't laugh but... I'm afraid of heights."

Y/N gave Hermione a sad expression, taking her smaller hands in his larger ones and saying tenderly:

"'Mione I would never laugh at you"

Hermione was instantly wracked with guilt.

"Oh Y/N I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry"

Y/N chuckled as he squeezed her hands.

"No sweet, I'm not upset at that, I'm upset that you're scared".

She smiled but inside her heart was pounding and her mind screaming- He called me sweet.

Her attention was pulled back to the present moment as Y/N spoke again:

"Look I know it's scary, but I've flown heaps of times. I'll be right there next to you and won't let anything happen to you, ok?"

Hermione smiled, touched, as she hugged him again and whimpered:

"Thank you Y/N"

As Y/N opened his eyes from the hug he glanced at Neville who still looked terrified. Y/N chuckled:

"Don't stress Nev, I'll look after you too".

The boy smiled gratefully, thanking Y/N who continued:

"I'm not hugging you though"

Causing both Hermione and Neville to laugh.

The trio started their breakfast and after ten minutes the morning post arrived, one of the owls dropping a package to Neville. Before he could open it a hand snatched it away:

"What's this?" Draco sneered, his two thugs next to him. Y/N was on his feet in less than a second, roaring:

"Give it back Malfuck. Now!"

Draco had fear written all over his face as Y/N took a step forward. Before he could go on with it they were interrupted by Professor McGonagall.

"I certainly hope we aren't fighting boys."

Y/N answered without removing his glare from Draco:

"No professor. The cowardly ferret here was just returning something he has that doesn't belong to him".

"Only looking" Draco stammered, putting the square parcel down before sneering off. Y/N though was still in fight mode as he called out:

"Yeah keep walking you inbred goat herder!"

"Mr. L/N that's enough" McGonagall said sternly. The distance between them provided Draco some bravery as he yelled across the hall:

"My father will hear about this!"

Y/N's eyes instantly flashed with rage. He started to walk forward as Professor McGonagall placed a hand against his chest, attempting to hold him back as he roared:

"You think I'm scared of that Death Eating prick!?!"

"Mr. L/N!" McGonagall snapped.

Draco's eyes widened as Y/N kept going, Hermione on her feet now holding one of his arms back. Y/N yelled again:

"Yeah I know who he is, who is really is. A gutless slimy greaseball just like you..."

"Mr. L/N that is enough!" The Professor said even more sternly.

"It doesn't end here Malfuck!" Y/N yelled again, many in the hall now watching the situation play out.

"Mr. L/N! Last chance! Sit down before I take house points!"

Y/N pulled his eyes off Draco for the first time to look at his head of House:

"My apologies Professor. He just gets under my skin. Him and his whole disgusting family, walking around thinking they are superior to everyone. Try being related to that."

That came out particularly venomous. The Professor replied sympathetically:

"I understand Y/N, but please try and remember this is a school. Not a front bar."

Y/N sighed, his body relaxing as the adrenaline wore out. He looked back up to McGonagall:

"I will. My sincerest apologies. Thank you Professor".

McGonagall nodded as Y/N sat down again next to Hermione. She wrapped her arms around his arm and leant her head against his shoulder.

"You ok?" She asked tenderly.

Y/N looked down at her and smiled, saying: "I am now".

Unbeknownst to Y/N, Beatrice was watching the whole scene from the Hufflepuff table with her best friend Candice. Candice chuckled looking at the two first years and said to Beatrice quietly:

"Those two are so gonna hook up aren't they Bea"

Beatrice chuckled.

"Yep, but I might need to help give them a push in the right direction"

The two girls giggled to each other.

-~-

The Gryffindors had an enjoyable morning of Herbology- they were with Hufflepuffs again so didn't have to worry about another run in with Draco. Following morning tea they headed to double Defence Against the Dark Arts. Y/N was most excited for this class but to say he was underwhelmed was an understatement.

The teacher was a stuttering mess. The room was gloomy and smelt overwhelmingly like garlic to 'keep the vampires away'.

There was something about the teacher as well. Y/N could feel something about him. Something dark. He tried to use his legilimency but the teacher had shields that he couldn't penetrate.

As Y/N and Hermione walked towards lunch they chatted.

"That was different wasn't it." Y/N said to Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm a bit worried about that class. How can we learn Defence Against the Dark Arts if the teacher is a stuttering mess" Hermione replied

"Yeah but it's more than that" Y/N answered as they walked, deep in thought.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked apprehensively.

"I could sense something coming from him. A..... darkness. I tried to use my legilimency on him but his occlumency shields were impervious. Something doesn't add up."

Hermione looked at Y/N concerned, replying: "Now you're making me worried"

Y/N gave her a reassuring smile.

"Sorry. Just years spent with Jacob making me paranoid I guess"

Y/N was still concerned but did his best to hide it in order to reassure Hermione that everything was ok. He continued as she wrapped her arms around his arm as they walked:

"Look I'm more than capable of everything in the first year curriculum. How about in Thursday afternoon frees you and me go to our special place and I tutor you? Teach you all the spells and wards so that you are properly protected?"

Hermione felt immediately overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Oh Y/N... You don't have to do that. You have enough work to be doing anyway."

Y/N smiled.

"Honestly Hermione I don't mind and I would rather teach you properly than risk you trying to learn from that jittering mess."

Hermione fought back tears of appreciation as she answered:

"Thank you so much Y/N".

She stopped walking to turn and give Y/N a tight appreciative hug. Y/N smiled:

"No worries. Now let's get to lunch. I'm starved".

Hermione smiled and walked to lunch with Y/N, her arms around his arm. She felt completely happy and contented. Her earlier fears a distant memory.

-~-

After enjoying a lunch break spent mostly talking to each other they headed up to the Room of Requirement. Y/N starting to teach her the Protego charm.

When they were leaving Y/N heaped praise on Hermione, causing her to blush and giggle "Stop Y/N".

Y/N replied:

"Seriously Hermione, you picked that up so quickly. You're an amazing learner".

Hermione smiled happily:

"Well I did have an incredible teacher".

She giggled as it was Y/N's turn to blush. They headed down to History of Magic, spending an enjoyable hour with Rowan before heading out to Flying class. As they approached the pitch Y/N leant down close to her ear and whispered:

"Remember what I said. Don't stress, I will help you."

"Thanks Y/N" Hermione smiled happily.