Prodigal Witch

Marcus of course!

Blaise took the Russian wizard, Sasha, to Hogsmeade side-along. He seemed like an okay bloke, but if he were smart, he'd stop leering at Hermione. His friends were already feeling anxious and protective.

"So, an apprentice, huh?" Blaise asked, making conversation as they waited in Hogsmeade.

"Yes," the wizard replied, his Russian accent light. "I will be a Transfiguration Master in a few months. I am finishing my final project. It will be published in the European Journal of Transfiguration."

"Forgive my ignorance, but as a Metamorphmagus, can't you already transfigure yourself?"

"I can change my appearance easily," Sasha replied. As he spoke his white hair turned teal blue and his ice blue eyes became bright purple. He also grew at least six inches taller. "I also have an Animagus form. My area of study is changing inanimate objects into living things."

"Ah," Blaise nodded, idly wondering what animal form he could take. "So, you are interested in Hermione."

"She is a spectacular witch; brilliant, sweet, passionate, and powerful. She'll be a unique Sorceress. I can only imagine what being her Ancillary would be like," Sasha replied, looking a little wistful.

"Regardless," Blaise said seriously. "She is already dating my mates. They won't take kindly to you trying to step in."

"I'll keep that in mind, but it's not their choice," Sasha replied. Blaise nodded. He'd done what he intended and warned the wizard. "How many of your friends is she dating, exactly?"

"Four," Blaise grinned.

"See? Passionate," Sasha smiled, as if dating four wizards was the most normal thing in the world.

Blaise chuckled. He asked Sasha about Russia and Japan while they waited. Blaise had resigned himself to a long wait, especially if Marcus was intent on helping Hermione change her clothes. The wait, however, was short. Hermione must've made Marcus wait downstairs. She looked rugged in tight green trousers, flat grey leather boots that came up to just under her knees, a silvery gray top, and a grey leather jacket.

McGonagall had said she would extend temporary permission for the wizards to follow Hermione onto Hogwarts grounds. The four made their way through the gates and headed toward the forest. Hermione and Sasha chatted about mutual acquaintances while Marcus appeared as stoic as ever. Blaise wished there was something he could do to make his friends less anxious, but he figured it was probably impossible.

Hermione ducked into Hagrid's hut. Blaise knew this hut was built in the past five years, the previous one having burned down, but nothing about it looked new. Blaise wrinkled his nose, comfortable with his own snobbery and happy that he got to wait outside.

Hermione emerged with assurances for the half-Giant that she would be back for tea soon. As the group ventured into the trees, Hermione explained that Hagrid was only recently getting back into good graces with the herd. Letting his half-brother Grawp loose in the forest had angered the centaurs. Moving Grawp to the Scottish highlands, where there was a small group of relatively civilized Giants had been the first step in making amends, but centaurs held grudges for years. Hagrid was able to give an approximate location for the herd though.

After twenty minutes of walking, Blaise was getting cranky. He wasn't an outdoorsy sort of wizard. The others didn't seem to mind, but the sun would be setting and he really didn't want to be roaming the forest in the dark.

"Can't we send them a signal or something?" Blaise huffed. "What if they're avoiding us? Maybe as we get closer, they are moving away on purpose. We don't even know if they'll talk to us."