===September 11 1993===
Today was the first class to learn the Patronus charm. Harry and Hermione arrived early to make sure they got good seats.
It helped that Remus was going to be teaching this lesson, he had easily earned the distinction of being their favorite Defense teacher (not that that was a high bar). Remus had fully earned that distinction just two days ago when he was teaching them about boggarts. The shape shifting creatures took the form of your worst fear.
As soon as Remus had said that they immediately looked at each other knowing that their worst fear was the death of the other. Remus recognized the look for what it was and allowed them to come face the boggart privately later.
When they did Hermione was a little shocked that when the boggart took form when Harry faced it the dead version of her was obviously pregnant. Then when Harry said Riddikulus! The boggart changed into a version of her that said books were useless. Even Hermione found herself laughing at this version of herself.
After that Hermione took her turn. She braced herself to see Harry's lifeless body, but she was only half right. She saw herself, very late in pregnancy, holding Harry's body. She hesitated for just a second before saying Riddikulus! The scene changing to that of a pregnant Harry standing there in a dress.
Their minds are both brought to the present when Remus walks into the room. "So the Board of Governors has insisted that since we can't get rid of the dementors that we offer this class. I will warn you all now the Patronus charm is a very advanced spell that most of you will not be able to execute. Only one in 10 trained adults can perform it with any reliability, of whom about one third can summon a corporeal patronus. Now everyone pay attention as I'm only going to do this once." He pulls out his wand. "Expecto Patronum!"
Out of the end of his wand a large silver wolf appears. All the students stare silently at the wolf. "As you can see my patronus is corporeal, which if you've mastered the spell like I have has added benefits. I can pass messages on through my patronus."
The wolf walks through several students and stops at Harry. "Your presence at the front of the classroom, Mister Potter." The wolf speaks in Remus' voice though they never see Remus talk.
Harry gets up and walks to the front. "You wanted me up here Professor?"
"Yes, as you well know both you and Miss Granger have a knack for learning new spells." Remus says. "So I want to see how you fare."
"I'll do my best."
"Good." Remus says. "Now the patronus charm requires you to find a happy memory. Now we're not talking about a time you were happy for a moment, but an event that made you truly felt happy to your core." Remus looks at Harry. "Do you have anything like that?"
Now if it hadn't been for Hermione being in his life Harry would have had trouble finding a truly happy memory. He quickly sorts through the best of them: Their first kiss while protecting the Philosopher's Stone; his 12th birthday, Hermione in that green dress that perfectly matched his eyes; sledding at Hermione's Grandmother's house. Then he settles on his favorite, him proposing to her and her accepting.
Harry nods. "I believe do."
"Now I want you to remember how you felt at that exact moment, when you have that feeling and memory that's when you say the spell."
Harry closes his eyes as he remembers how he felt as she said yes. He draws his wand and says, "Expecto Patronum!" A bright silver cloud radiates from the tip of his wand.
"Excellent!" Remus says. "What you are seeing is the typical form the charm takes."
Harry let's the charm end. "How does one get a corporeal patronus?"
"With practice you'll learn how to channel your emotions better." Remus says. "That's the key to a corporeal patronus."
===September 16 1993===
That night as usual Ron plays chess against anyone who will play him, which thanks to his reputation isn't too many people. Harry has just finished losing when Hermione speaks up. "So Ron, just how good at chess do you think you are?"
"I'd say I'm really good." Ron answers.
"What if I said I knew someone you could never beat?" Hermione asks.
"Never?" Ron asks, obviously interested. "Is that even possible? Nobody can always win. Even I lose to Bill occasionally."
"This person can lose, but you could never beat them." Hermione says.
"Who is it?" Ron asks curiously.
"The only other thing I will tell you is they are right in this room." Hermione says.
"That's impossible!" Ron exclaims.
"Want to bet?" Hermione grins. "If I'm right you have to ask Lavender to Hogsmead, and accept money from Harry to pay for the date."
"And if you're wrong?" Ron asks knowing how rarely she is.
"I will do all your homework until the first Hogsmeade Trip."
"All I have to do us beat this person at chess?" Ron asks, the thoughts of Hermione doing his homework feeling like a sure thing.
"That's correct." Hermione says.
"Deal." Ron grins. "Now, who is it?"
"Yourself." Hermione states matter-of-factly.
Ron's eyes widen as he realize he's been had. Harry chuckles, "Good luck with your date."
Lavender comes down about that time. "Did I miss something?"
"You'll find out eventually, Lav." Hermione says. "In the meantime I've been meaning to ask you something." She pulls Lavender off to the side.
"That actually reminds me, I need to talk to you privately, Ron." Harry says, then he and Ron head to the dorm.
===September 17 1993===
The morning edition of The Daily Prophet runs an article that most of the school looked right past, but not Hermione.
Undersecretary to the Minister found guilty!
In a trial yesterday Dolores Umbridge, the now former Undersecretary to the Minister was found guilty of persecuting muggleborns, bribery and improper use of Ministry funds.
"It's despicable." Cornelius Fudge. The Minister of Magic says. "I can't believe what she was doing right under my nose."
The investigation found that Miss Umbridge had been using Ministry funds to charge muggleborns with excessive charges with quick trials in an effort to remove them from our society.
It's unknown just how many innocent wizards and witches Miss Umbridge has broken the wands of. Once the evidence was presented Miss Umbridge was very quickly sentenced to life in Azkaban. Some people are arguing for her to get the kiss. We'll let you know when we hear more.