Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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As soon as they left Hagrid's, they proceeded to the library to find a strong defense to help Hagrid win his case. However, it was harder than it looked. They found a lot of cases where they convicted the poor hippogriff and did horrible things. Then there was one where a manticore was let off after it attack someone, but only because no one wanted to go anywhere near it. After hours of reading, they collected enough information for Hagrid before heading over to bed. 

On Christmas Morning, Hermione woke to the sound of Ron shouting about presents. Hermione sat up as she found a pile of presents. Hermione had gotten another one of those Weasley sweaters that was a navy blue with a pile of books on the front along with a dozen mince pies and a few Christmas cake. Hermione's parents had gotten her a bag of wizarding money as Grandma Elka had given her a book. Not just any book, but an unpublished manuscript by Rose Nylund called 'Underneath the Wolf: Why our Heartless Attitudes Towards Lycanthropy Needs to Stop'. 

Hermione was just about to open the book when her attention was shifted when she overheard Ron shouting at the top of his lung...

"That's the Firebolt!" 

Hermione jumped out of her bed and hurrying downstairs to the common room where Harry and Ron were drooling all over the broomstick like it was one of the most delightful dessert they could ever dream off. 

"Who sent you that, Harry?" Hermione asked, wondering who would spend so much money on that broomstick for Harry. 

"We don't know. They didn't send a card. And we don't think Dumbledore would do this because he wouldn't spend hundreds of Galleons on Harry. But I think it was Dumbledore and he didn't left a note because he doesn't want some git like Malfoy call it favoritism." Ron explained to her before going on a rant of Malfoy of him before suddenly shout...

"Don't let him in here!" Ron shouted. Hermione didn't know what he was talking about when she felt something fuzzy run past her legs and went straight to Ron. He struggled to keep hold of Scabbers while fighting against Crookshanks with his feet, but Crookshanks was clawing and nipping at Ron's feet. Hermione hurried and grabbed Crookshanks as she held tightly to him. 

"Look at poor Scabbers! He's not looking too good because of how stressed he is. That measly cat needs to be locked away!" Ron pouted as he gently patted Scabbers. Hermione rolled her eyes. She was pretty sure Scabbers wasn't looking too well because it was an old rat. 

"Harry, I think you and Ron shouldn't ride on that broomstick just yet." Hermione advised them, and of course the two of them were stunned with what was being said to her. 

Lunch was interesting as they not only got to sit with the professors but McGonagall and Trelawney had a go at each other after Trelawney made a fuss about not sitting since there was twelve then there would be thirteen with her and if one of them would be first to rise that one would supposedly die after Dumbledore stood up and pulled out a chair for her. Then when Harry and Ron rose, Trelawney freaked and asked who it was that got up first. Of course, Hermione stayed behind as she informed McGonagall about the Firebolt Harry had gotten. She knew Harry and Ron would be upset with her, but she needed to be sure that the broomstick wasn't cursed. 

"Oh dear, I-- thank you dearie for informing me of that. Sirius Black could be the one, who sent it to them. I want you to come with me as we both go and see this broomstick." McGonagall told her. They scurried up to the common room just in time for them to come and see Ron and Harry with the Firebolt. The moment they saw McGonagall and her, they appeared to be furious. 

"So that's it? Miss Granger informed me about your broomstick and how there was no card or anything? I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter." McGonagall inform them as she took hold of the Firebolt from Harry's hand while Ron and Harry began to rant on how unfair it was, "I'm sorry, Potter. But we must be sure that this broom isn't jinxed at all. You will get this back once we are a hundred percent sure that it isn't jinx. It might take a few weeks but I assure you, you will get it back" 

Once McGonagall had left the common room, Ron got after Hermione for telling McGongall. Of course she replied to him that she was just looking out for Harry because of how she believe Sirius might have sent Harry the broom and due to the fact they had no idea if he's good or not, it was better to be safe than sorry. 

Hermione had spent the rest of her holidays in the library, avoiding Harry and Ron, who were still furious at her about what she had done. She was glad when New Year came around and everyone returned. When classes started the next day, it was rough being in Care of Magical Creatures with the salamanders. Hermione laughed as they seemed to have a hard time deciding whether they wanted to be on Hermione's lap or in the warm fire. Then Defense Against the Dark Arts came around and Lupin was looking tired as always... and Hermione knew why but didn't want to inform anyone about it. 

While she was doing classes, she proceeded to read Rose's manuscript in between. It was quite wonderful and interesting as she had read all the studies she had made with werewolves. She was upset when she read about Rose's studies about how many laws ruin the lives of those with Lycanthropy (nearly making it impossible for them to keep down a job for long), the problems with the Wolfsbane Potions, and how many people are homeless and struggling to survive due to people's intolerance towards their Lycanthropy. She also was touched by some of the stories Rose had gotten from the people to tell how their lives had been ruined, not much by the lycanthropy but by people's attitudes towards it. 

Hermione had just finished reading her manuscript and proceed to read all the people Rose had interviewed for her study. Most of them like to remain anonymous, but then there was a list of people, who were brave enough to tell their names. Like a guy named Scabior and... Fenrir Greyback.