The trio saw Fred and George and heard about the liquidation of Montague, another member of the Inquisitorial Squad. She couldn't believe they'd stuffed him into the Vanishing Cabinet! And they were planning more pranks on Umbridge. She wouldn't like to get caught in the cross-fire despite the fact Umbridge deserved it.

"I think we should get out of here, you know," Hermione told the others nervously. "Just in case..."

Suddenly they were accosted by Filch.

"The Headmistress would like to see you, Potter," the insane man leered, jowls wobbling with silent laughter.

Harry immediately protested but was taken away anyway. He shrugged his confusion to her and Ron.

Hermione ate a silent lunch with Ron, as she was never really sure where she was with him, caught Draco's eye and wandered off to the library. Sure enough, he was there, waiting.

"You looked so bored there with Weaslebee," Draco said sardonically once she'd arrived, leaning casually against a bookcase. Two first-year girls were watching him adoringly. "I just had to indulge your needs and wants."

"Just saying, in case you get into trouble somehow, you definitely didn't know from me that Fred and George Weasley were going to cause trouble this afternoon to spite Umbridge," Hermione informed him.

Oh, goodie!" Draco rubbed his hands together gleefully. Hermione laughed. It was such a childish thing to say. "She deserves it."

"You're telling me?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

*

Catherine wheels were the talk of the Gryffindor common room. That and enchanted fireworks set off by the troublemakers of the decade: Fred and George Weasley. Hermione surprised herself by going over to congratulate them.

"They were wonderful fireworks," she admired, having wrangled her way through the crowd.

"Thanks," said one of them (she never could tell them apart), sounding as surprised as she was, and also rather pleased.

She wandered back to Ron and Harry, who were staring at their schoolbags as though hoping their homework would jump out and do itself.

"Oh, why don't we have the night off?" Hermione exclaimed brightly, as a silver-tailed Weasley rocket zoomed past the window. Draco was always the cause of her good mood. Unfortunately, whenever she thought of him, her happy mood was generally very noticeable.

"Are you feeling all right?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"Now you mention it d'you know I'm feeling a bit... rebellious," she replied happily.

She went to bed with a smile on her face, even as a sparkler floated past the window.