The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

Theory

"Yes but I mean it's not easy to create spells, is it? Only those with impressive magical abilities can do so and I mean really powerful witches and wizards."

"Ok so what does -" Theo started bur Draco interrupted.

"There's not much chance anyone in that entry way would create their own spell. It's too advanced magic."

"Exactly!" Hermione sighed seemingly pleased that someone understood what she was hinting at.

"I don't see how that helps though," Pansy frowned.

"I get it," Harry answered. "You're thinking that whoever cast the spell, didn't invent the spell. They must have read about it or been shown it."

"Yes!" Hermione beamed.

"So given that all the suspects were students at this school, it is quite likely that they found the curse in a book that's somewhere in Hogwarts." Meyer said from across the room, where he sat at a table with Nate, Aled and Andromeda.

"It's a long shot but it's the best lead we have," Kingsley added.

"Well we can check in Hogwarts during our free periods and during lunch and dinner," Harry offered.

"That would be ideal Harry. Make a reference to anything that sounds like a curse or any spell you don't know and we can cross reference them." Kingsley smiled at everyone.

"Well if it's in a textbook anywhere we have copies of every textbook in every year at the store. If the students focus on the library books, we can get together here and go through the textbooks." Aled offered.

"And we have some spell books in the Ministry that might help." Mr Weasley said.

"And we already have some that were from the Malfoy and Black private collections." Narcissa said as she bounced Teddy on her knee. Andromeda gestured to the huge stack of books in the corner of the room. Books were stacked about 20 high and there had to be at least 60 piles.

"Merlin, that's a lot of reading," Theo groaned.

"That's just the first batch," Narcissa smirked. "But this is for the adults to work through while you lot are at school."

"We are each taking a stack home to work through and take notes before next week's meeting." Wren explained.

Laila continued. "Then we will swap our bundle out for another. It will be like studying for school again. I'm excited!"

"My little geek," Nate smiled and kissed her hand.

"Madame Pince may not like it but I am giving you students access to the restricted section to research. It's its from a book on Hogwarts, chances are it's in there." Professor McGonagall said as she took a sip of her tea.

I hadn't opened my mouth yet. To be honest I was still shocked that so many people were working together to help me.

"I am also going to visit Lucius to see if he knows of such a spell." Narcissa went on to explain. "It may be a long shot but it's worth a try."

"Thank you mother. At those point we want to leave no stone unturned. We need all the help we can get." Draco muttered. "Great folks! Now we all understand what we need to work on for next week. Bring your findings with you and we can go through everything and see where we stand." He said calling the meeting to an end as it was now past 2pm in the afternoon.

Narcissa and Mrs Weasley went inside to make lunch for everyone as the room broke into smaller groups to chat. Aled and Meyer went back to the shop to work and Nate and Laila were heading shopping for clothes for Laila now that her bump was growing. Wren came to chat before he too headed off. He was sitting behind me during the meeting so it was only now that I noticed the bandage on his arm and the huge black eye he was sporting.

"What in the name of Merlin happened to you?" I asked.

"Well, I had a little chat with Lucas that got a little heated." I gasped. "It's fine. He made off worse than I did."

"What exactly happened?" I said sitting back down and gesturing for him to sit too.

We sat next to Hermione, Harry, Theo, Blaise, Pansy and Draco. Azaleah had to go with Professor Flitwick to start her study lesson with him.

"Well, remember when I said that I would be having a little catch up with Lucas before I left. Well even though I decided to stick around for a while -"

"Because the Ministry cleared you," Pansy squeaked.

"Yes well, I thought it was best that Nate and I still had a chat with our dear old friend."

"Ok," I encouraged having no clue where this was leading. I was sitting next to Draco who had his arm around my waist so I was leaning into him. He seemed just as interested as I did as he was leaning forward slightly as if to hear better, and taking me with him.

"He demanded to hear about our relationship first and wanted to know where I came off, dating his girl." I scoffed and bloody everyone smirked. "Don't worry, Nate soon put him in his place. We told him to leave you and Draco alone. He didn't like that. He went off on one, saying everyone has had you but him and he just wanted to test drive you."

Dracos grip on me tightened.

"I told him you had better taste for men than to go slumming with him. I totally provoked him but I was hoping he would hit me so I could retaliate. He did and so I did. You won't see him for a while until his face clears up a little."

"Clears up?" Hermione asked confused.

"He may have been hexed and it may or may not have resulted in him coming out with very aggressive looking acne." Blaise laughed and gave Wren a high five. Draco was beaming. Even Theo looked quite pleased.

"You bruised his ego - he won't forget that." I warned.

"Well he won't try it on with you again. He was warned by both Nate and myself."

"How did you -"

"Let's just say we reminded him of a promise he made to your brother." He said.

"Well whatever you did, we really appreciate it," Draco smiled and held put his hand, which Wren shook.

"Let me know if he gives you anymore bother," Wren nodded before saying goodbye to everyone and taking off.

"So let me get this straight," Harry muttered. "He is your brother," he pointed to Pansy.

"Half brother," she corrected.

"And your ex-boyfriend?" He pointed at me.

"He is."

"And he got his mark with you and you," he pointed to Azaleah and Draco.

"Pretty much," Draco shrugged.

"And he was your brothers mate?" He turned back to me.

"Uh...yeah."

"Small world," Harry smirked. "What's he to you Blaise? Cousin?"

"Brother-in-law actually. Well maybe someday he will be," he said matter of factly. Pansy blushed.

"So what did you tell Ron to get away from him? Does he know what is going on?" I asked.

"No. We told him Professor McGonagall wanted us to help her with something today."

I nodded in understanding. "You can tell him you know. I don't mind."

"Kingsley asked us to keep it a secret from everyone. Even Ginny doesn't know the full story." Harry explained.

"I'm sorry that you have to keep secrets."

"Don't be," Hermione shrugged. "We are happy to help. Plus Ron was an idiot to you. Let him pout for a little while. It will do him some good."

Everyone laughed at this. Hermione may be the best thing that ever happend to Ron. She knew exactly how to manage him and she wasn't afraid to upset or annoy him.

Hermione was becoming more and more like Mrs Weasley everyday. And I loved it!