Hermione Granger and the Prisoner Of Azkaban (Completed)

Chapter 10 - The Story of Halloween, 1980

Dedicated to glyon1
Thank you so much for reading and voting!

Harry stayed in the Hospital wing for the rest of the weekend. Hermione and Ron only left his side during the night, and spent the entire time trying to cheer him up. He seemed very preoccupied, and when Hermione asked, he said it wasn't about the dementors. Not entirely

He seemed very relieved to come back to lessons on the Monday. Malfoy had finally taken his stupid sling off in the event of Gryffindor's failure, and was doing hilarious impressions of Harry falling off his broom. Ron finally snapped during Potions and threw a crocodile heart at him, which resulted in a reduction of fifty points from Gryffindor. This was very unfair but Hermione knew better than to argue

As they headed to their next lesson, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Ron seethed
"If Snape's teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off" he said angrily "Check who's in there, Hermione"
Hermione looked into the class, already knowing who she would see. The moon had waned a few days ago
"It's okay!"

Professor Lupin still looked ill, even a few days after his transformation. There were dark shadows under his ice blue eyes and he looked a lot thinner than normal. Hermione gained even more respect for him as he smiled at the class. She had no idea how he coped!

The class immediately started ranting about Snape
"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?"
"We don't know anything about werewolves-"
"-two rolls of parchment!"
"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" asked Professor Lupin knitting his eyebrows together. The noise started again
"Yes, but he said we were really behind he wouldn't listen-"
"-two rolls of parchment!"

An expression of something like relief came across Professor Lupin's face when he realised that almost no one had even started the essay. Certainly no one but Hermione had worked out why Snape had set it. He smiled again at them
"Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay"
"Oh no" Hermione blurted out "I've already finished it!"
She hadn't intended for Professor Lupin to hear that comment, but he did. He glanced over at her and she smiled, instantly alerting him to her knowledge of his condition. His smile faded a little, and Hermione saw nervousness in his eyes

Despite his evident panic, Professor Lupin still managed to give them a very enjoyable lesson. He had brought in a one legged, frail looking creature called a Hinkypunk, which carried a lamp
"Lures travellers into bogs" said Professor Lupin as the class took notes "You notice the lantern dangling from his hand? Hops ahead - people follow the light - then-"
The hinkypunk mind a vile squelching noise

An hour later, the bell rang. Hermione collected her things and headed out of the classroom, intending to go to lunch, when-
"Wait a moment, Harry" came Professor Lupin's voice from inside "I'd like a word"
Hermione and Ron both looked at Harry, who turned and walked back into the classroom, looking very confused

He left a few minutes later, looking very pleased. After some interrogation on Hermione's part, he revealed that Professor Lupin had promised to teach him how to fend off dementors after the holidays

The next few weeks passed very quickly. Ron signed up to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, as he said he couldn't stand two weeks with Percy. Hermione signed up as well. She said she needed to use the library, but, honestly? She couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Ron for two whole weeks. Oh, and she wanted to keep Harry company, too

To everyone's delight, a notice was put on the board stating that there would be another Hogsmeade weekend on the last weekend of term
"We can do all our Christmas shopping there!" said Hermione excitedly "Mum and Dad would really love those Toothflossing Stringmints from Honeydukes!"