It had been an awkward weekend. The whole school, apart from the teachers, were convinced Harry was the Heir of Slytherin. He had been the first to discover the latest victims, Nearly Headless Nick, Lady Fraser and Justin Finch-Fletchley, after following the snake voice again. Of course he was caught at the scene by Filch.

The majority of students avoided him like the plague, his friendship group though stood by him of course. Y/N was quick to visit Lady Fraser, feeling distraught by her situation. Maddy Pomfrey assured him that once the Mandrake Potion was completed it could be administered to ghosts as well as people. He felt a great sense of relief.

It had been advised for students to not wander alone so for the weekend it was common place to see groups of 10-20 students scurrying across the corridors, jumping at the slightest noise. Many had been relieved to get the train back to London Monday morning for the Christmas holidays.

-~-

Y/N and Hermione were currently sitting in the potions classroom with Professor Snape and he was evaluating Hermione's occlumency shield. He pointed his wand at her:

Legilimens

Hermione felt the intense pressure of someone attacking her mind. She closed her eyes and put all her effort into imagining a wall around her, just like Y/N had taught her. After 20 seconds Severus stopped and smiled:

"Well done Ms. Granger, you have a very good beginners level shield. You will need to continue to work with Y/N, but you are far, far more advanced than the vast majority of even NEWT level students.

Hermione smiled widely at Y/N with a blush as she replied:

"Well I had a great teacher."

They got up to leave after concluding their session and thanking Snape. He called to them as they left:

"Stay safe and take care. Both of you".

They met up with Harry and Ron in the Great Hall.

"Everything is set. We just need a bit of the people you're changing into" Hermione told the boys.

"Crabb and Goyle" Harry confirmed and Hermione nodded.

"We also need to make sure the real Crabb and Goyle can't burst in on us while we're interrogating Malfoy" Hermione added.

"That's where I come in" Y/N smirked.

Harry and Ron both grew nervous looks as Y/N grinned evilly. Hermione smacked him on the back of the head.

"Y/N will be putting them to sleep with an enchanted sleep spell won't you Y/N!"

Hermione glared at him and Y/N looked down, muttering:

"Yes boss."

Hermione nodded. After what happened the last time Y/N had been in a physical altercation with the pair there was no way she would let him do it again.

"When I drop them they will be out for 12 hours. We're gonna do it after Christmas lunch. The way they pig out no one would be surprised if they fall into a food coma" Y/N chuckled.

"Then I'll watch them until you get back, hide them in a broom closet or something."

"What about you Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Ive already got mine off Millicent before she left. Changed her mind at the last moment and got on the train."

"We're gonna go check on the Polyjuice potion" Y/N added and the pair left- hand in hand.

"Any day now" Harry laughed. Ron nodded in agreement.

-~-

Y/N woke early as per usual and stretched. It was Christmas morning. Harry and Ron were still asleep so Y/N got dressed and headed down to the Common Room. No one was there and Y/N chuckled- Maisy had been allowed to spend the break in the Gryffindor Common Room, much to Y/N's relief. She was the only Slytherin girl staying over Christmas and he didn't trust her alone with the three Slytherin stooges. As Hermione and Ginny were the only girls staying at the castle the three had all moved into the same dorm and were staying up late every night, gossiping and laughing. Hermione had missed a couple of morning routines. She was very apologetic when he returned to the Common Room each morning to escort her to breakfast, but Y/N didn't mind in the slightest. He was happy to see her so happy and relaxed, enjoying life with her friends.

Y/N took Newt and went to the Room of Requirement, working out and showering before returning to the Common Room. Harry and the Weasley boys were already down and getting stuck into their presents- Molly Weasley had sent Y/N, Hermione and Maisy her famous jumpers as well. Y/N smiled as Hermione put hers on proudly.

Y/N sat down on a couch- he chuckled at the others acting like children. He had never got excited about birthdays and Christmas's. He didn't get the chance to celebrate them when he was young so they never held too much appeal for him. However, he did look forward to someone else opening their presents these days.

He had another special present for Hermione this Christmas. He realised a pattern had developed. Books for Christmas, jewellery for birthdays. He hoped she wouldn't mind.

Hermione sat next to him and cuddled into him on the couch.

"Merry Christmas my beautiful girl" he smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas back to you my wonderful guy" she kissed his cheek back. He turned as she withdrew her lips, their eyes met and their lips were only millimetres apart... before they were shocked back at Ron screaming loudly having eaten a worm flavoured bean.

"I hope you like what I got you" Y/N smiled bashfully, pulling out a rather large package which was beautifully wrapped.

Hermione smiled and thanked Y/N before opening it carefully. She looked at her present joyously before looking back at Y/N with a cheeky grin.

"You know I have Hogwarts: A History and I love it- so what's the catch here?"

Y/N smirked his cocky smirk.

"Open it and find out."

Hermione opened the front cover and her jaw dropped. She read the note written on the inside cover.

Hermione,

Young Y/N had told me that my Hogwarts: A History is your favourite book, and that you are something of an extraordinary student at Hogwarts. Can I just say how delighted I am to have inspired you on your intellectual journey, and hopefully you enjoy the First Copy and First Edition of this special limited edition version of Hogwarts: A History.

It's enchanted to automatically update whenever something important happens in the school. I hope this continues to inspire you, and if you check you will see your name is now forever listed under events of 1991/1992.

Keep up the great work and remember to forever question.

Bathilda Bagshot

Hermione was blown away. She turned to the back of the book and found the page listed May 4th 1992.

First year students Y/N L/N, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Lavender Brown and Ron Weasley enter a secret chamber to find the Philosopher's Stone.

Y/N L/N fights the Dark Lord and his follower Professor Quirrell, killing Quirrell in the process and saving the Philosophers Stone. All five students received Special Service to School awards and won Gryffindor the House Cup.

Hermione almost leapt on Y/N causing him to lay back on the couch as she landed on him, peppering his face with kisses, although she was careful to avoid his lips:

"Thank you... kiss... thank you... kiss... thank you... kiss."

She only stopped and got off very red faced when Fred yelled out: "Do you two need to take it upstairs?"

Y/N was ecstatic as he said happily: "I'm so glad you like your present 'Mione."

"I love it Y/N I truly do. I hope you like yours."

She handed him a small wrapped parcel. He opened it.

It was a photo frame with Nessie written on the bottom and inside it was a magical photo showing Nessie breaking the surface with Y/N on her back.

Y/N was now excited too. He hugged her tightly, whispering:

"Thank you so much."

-~-

Lunch was very enjoyable, and when the two Slytherin idiots stuffed themselves enough they got up to leave, Draco having grown bored and departed for the Slytherin common room earlier.

"Alright I'm up wish me luck boys and girls"

"Good luck Y/N" Harry whispered while Hermione hugged him.

He discreetly left the hallway and when he was certain no one was around he pointed his wand at the lumbering morons...

Imperio

They stopped dead in their tracks. He walked up to them and chuckled: "All right lads follow me."

Y/N walked them into an empty classroom. He closed the door as the two turned to look at him and he threw up a silencing charm. A dark smile grew on his face as he spoke to the two cursed boys:

"I said I would put you to sleep, but I didn't say I wouldn't have some fun first.... Your Punishment wasn't severe enough earlier in the year, so I'm claiming my balance now."

The sadistic smirk disappeared as Y/N's face hardened, his eyes beginning to blacken as he snarled:

Crucio

-~-

Harry, Ron and Hermione were beginning to get worried. It had been a long twenty minutes before they heard in their minds:

Alright Harry, come to the Ghoul Studies classroom on the first floor. I've got two idiots gift wrapped. Ron you wait with Hermione, keep her safe.

-~-

It had been ten minutes since Harry had retrieved hairs from the two obliviated, sleeping Slytherins. Y/N was leaning on a desk watching the two snore when the door opened and another Crabb and Goyle entered.

"Everything alright boys? Where's Hermione?" Y/N asked worriedly when Millicent Bulstrode wasn't with them.

"She said she couldn't come, wouldn't come out of the cubicle, Y/N" Harry explained.

"All right I'll go to her, you two get to the Slytherin Common Room. Don't worry about these idiots. Oh and Harry, take your glasses off mate."

They nodded and Y/N ran straight for Myrtle's bathroom. As he entered he heard the ghost cackling.

"You should see it. She's awful" she cackled again.

"Myrtle shut up!" Y/N snapped causing her to wail and sink into a U bend. He approached the only closed cubicle door.

"'Mione, baby, are you ok?" Y/N asked full of concern.

"Y/N, are you alone?" Hermione asked timidly.

"Yes. Can you come out?"

"Promise you won't laugh?"

"Baby, I would never laugh at you, just come out ok?"

"Ok. But you remember when we talked about Polyjuice potions only being for human transformations..."

Hermione opened the door and slowly walked out. She was covered in brown fur, and had turned into an adorable 5'4" human shaped cat. She had even grown a tail.

"It was cat hair I pulled off Millicent's robes. Look at my face."

Y/N instantly wrapped his arms round her, pulling her close.

"It's ok, we'll take you to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey will be able to help. I'll stay with you. Ok?" Y/N reassured her.

She nodded, adding:

"I'd suppose we had better wait for the boys though."

-~-

Ten minutes later the two boys burst into the girls bathroom, back in their real bodies and wearing ridiculously oversized Slytherin robes.

"It's not Malfoy but last time a girl died-"

Harry stopped himself as he and Ron caught sight of Hermione. Y/N held his hand up as if warning the pair not to say anything. He explained:

"Hermione accidentally used cat hair guys. Clean up this mess and I'm going to take her to the hospital wing."

Harry nodded but Ron laughed and burst out loudly: "Look at your tail!"

Hermione whimpered and Y/N shot over to Ron enraged. He punched the redhead hard, not holding anything back, on the arm. Ron squealed loudly and appeared to hold back tears as Y/N roared:

"Say something cruel to her like that again and I'll knock your teeth down your throat. Understand?"

Ron whimpered as Y/N walked back to Hermione and picked her up bridal style, carrying her out the bathroom and towards the infirmary.

They arrived without being seen and Madam Pomfrey had been quite shocked when she saw Hermione.

"How did this happen?" She asked while preparing a bed for Hermione.

"Accident with a Polyjuice ma'am. Accidentally added cat hair instead of human hair."

Hermione looked at Y/N terrified as the matron sighed in relief.

"Oh, thank Merlin, it's not a curse. It will take a while but we can reverse it no problem."

With that she left to get the necessary medications to start the reversal process.

"Should you have told her Y/N? Won't we get in trouble?" Hermione asked nervously. Y/N smiled:

"No. Patient confidentiality. Unless there is evidence of a crime or abuse she isn't allowed to say anything. Don't worry ok you will be fine."

He gently rubbed the side of her face causing Hermione to involuntary purr. He continued stroking while smirking:

"Did you just purr at me Ms. Granger?"

Hermione glared at Y/N and he removed his hand.

"I didn't say stop" she huffed. He rubbed her again causing her to release a new wave of purrs.

"You are the cutest cat I've ever seen Ms Granger" Y/N chuckled, causing Hermione to giggle and rub her face into his hand even more.