And now… for something seriously and completely different.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm currently doing an edit on all chapters which have updated storylines, retcons and additional content to make the storytelling better.

So as you read, you might find some minor inconsistencies within the plot.

My apologies… but don't worry, it will be all fixed soon!

F.F.O.

Prologue

Sever Ties

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Tuesday.

Today was a fine day.

“How many times did I tell you!?” Hermione yelled into Harry's ear angrily.

“Eleven times already, Hermione! Eleven times!” Harry yelled back.

“Wow, you even took count?” Hermione said in mock amazement, “and I thought Ron was the dunderheaded one!”

Harry stood up and looked at Hermione with a serious yet sly look.

“Oh, now you finally accepted how smarter you are than anyone else in the school? I guess that's why your head can be as large as the squid's.”

Hermione scoffed at such a cheap way to get on her nerves.

“Harry, don't use Malfoy's words against me, otherwise, you are just stooping down to his level,” she said in a matter-of-factly tone.

“I would do so if you stop nagging me to do stuff that I am not accommodated to do at the moment!” Harry replied angrily.

“Alright guys, you have to stop!” shouted a voice who butted in the argument “It's usually me and Hermione who should be doing that!” said Ron as he went between the two

“Well, if Harry would just cooperate then maybe I can tone my mood down a bit!” Hermione spat.

“She started it,” said Harry rather immaturely than he intended it to be.

“Fine, blame the one who always have to ruin your day,” said Hermione crossing her arms and looked away.

Harry mimicked her and started thinking about how this stupid argument started. And all because of a complex school project their Head of House gave them….

The whole concept of the assignment made Hermione go past the limits of how hardworking she was. It even went pass the point where she started acting arrogant and too ambitious for her own good.

“Done with arguing? Good,” said Ron after a long silence. “Look, I know you two are still sore at each other but I don't want you to sever ties because of a stupid school project!”

Harry looked down and felt a bit guilty after delaying the work to Hermione for the past few weeks. And with the projects being due next week, the three barely got anything done apart from a few suggestions by Ron regarding a cactus that can attack.

Despite the anger that boiled within him, Harry wanted to end this dispute with Hermione. He has always grown up with her bossiness to an extent where he found it tolerable. He even grew fond of her for being so.

Harry glanced over his shoulder to see Hermione biting her lower lip and tapping her finger against her arm as they were crossed.

Another long and tense silence came that made Harry feel more awkward than ever. He wanted to leave the empty classroom he, Hermione and Ron went in earlier right after Transfiguration ended.

“You know…” said Hermione finally, “If you can just cooperate with me then maybe -“

For some reason, Harry couldn't take it no more.

“Alright, alright!” he wheeled on her without considering how premature he bit her head off, “You want me to cooperate? Fine! Just don't go bossy all over me!” he said walking towards her, “If you want to go breathe down my neck and say things that make me sound pathetic or immature then fine with me! I don't care! Just say anything! I'll follow!”

“Please stop!” yelled Ron, covering his ears.

“Oh, so that's what you think?” Hermione retorted sternly, “That I'm some pretentious know-it-all? Because you know what, Harry?” she walked towards him, “If -” she poked him on the chest hard, “- you think -” she poked him again even harder, “- I'm some terrible, jerk then I don't think I should -” she poked him again, “- work with you at all!”

“Would you stop that!” said Harry loudly and pushed Hermione away from him making her hit her back on the bookshelf behind her.

Harry gasped. He didn't mean to hurt her!

“Oh boy,” said Ron shaking his head as he palmed his face.

Nothing was there but pure silence between the three… Harry really wanted to leave so he could avoid the teary face of Hermione. Hermione somehow had the same idea and was less hesitant to do so since she walked out of the room without a word.

Harry turned to Ron who sighed.

“Now what are we going to do?” Ron groaned, “Blimey, and all of this pressure in just making your own mythology? What do we have? Nothing! Parvati and Lavender made their own mythology with their own history, race, clan, stories, and everything while Neville, Seamus and Dean got some steam punk type mythology… I asked them and they told me it took them ages to figure their projects out!” he swore under his breathe, “The clock is ticking now… and with Hermione out of the way, I doubt we will get the project done.”

“She'll turn up,” said Harry after being silent for a long time. “You know her… she's very articulate.”

“Well,” said Ron looking at the door where Hermione exited, “knowing her, I bet she'll turn up in about week's time/”

“Or if I'm lucky, months,” said Harry in grim humor.

Ron made a dry laugh.

“Don't say that,”

Harry didn't answer Ron. Instead, he left the room ignoring whatever thoughts could be in Ron's mind right now on what just happened.

* * *

“Potter - Granger. In the backroom of the class, now!” yelled the booming, gruff voice of Rapticon Sr., the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher of that year.

“Now look what you made me do?” Hermione hissed as she and Harry stood up and walked towards the backroom of the classroom as the eyes of the other students followed them. Harry couldn't believe he hit Hermione's hand out of frustration… and here he was thinking that he could finally mend ties with her.

Hermione and Harry opened the old oak door and entered a deserted, small room which looked as if a house elf cleaned here every hour.

“Oooh, I hope I don't get any deductions,” Hermione said anxiously as she leaned back against the stone wall.

Harry looked out the window and saw the late January afternoon sun shimmering across the lake. If only he could fix his friendship with Hermione then maybe he could truly enjoy the beauty of the horizon.

The door opened making all tensions gone. Rapticon Sr. wasn't your ordinary human. He was that of a humanoid version of a velociraptor (you may refer to the author's biography to see a diagram of Rapticon Sr.), his build was fit, slick and he looked quite nimble. The color of his scales was orange with a tinge of black that spread from the top of his head to the very back of his spine. He had large black slits for eyes that rested on his pale green (so pale that one could mistake it for being white) eyeballs.

Rapticon Sr. wore brown robes and matching brown boots and gloves. He wore gloves and boots at all times to keep his raptor claws from the first years since it came to his attention that it scares them severely.

The professor closed the door (Harry noticed his classmates leave the room through the narrow opening before the door closed shut) and turned to the two Gryffindors, his face contorted with much irate.

“Look,” he said calmly, “Before I yell my ass off in here, tell me… what the (he said a word that made Hermione gasp) is going between the two of you?” his strict face then switched to a face of concern, “At the beginning of the school year, you two were all this -” he twisted his index and middle fingers together, “- but after the holidays I see you two are - er - something like - pssh!” he said as he made a falling whistling noise whilst he gestured his hand falling down as if he was making an notion of a falling airplane. “I dunno what's going on between the two of you and I'm pretty sure you can handle your little problem soon but please, oh please, don't throw the heat during my class… you got that Harry?” he turned to Harry.

Harry nodded.

“Hermione?”

Hermione looked down and nodded. Rapticon Sr. sighed.

“If you're thinking whether if I'll deduct your grade for misconduct in my class then fret no more because I'm not going to.”

Harry saw Hermione look up and made a furtive smile.

“Will you two promise me that you won't do this again?” asked Rapticon Sr.

Hermione and Harry nodded.

“Good!” he said smiling, opening the door, “you can go now.”

Hermione walked first outside and went back to empty classroom. Harry didn't budge because he was expecting Rapticon Sr. to get out first before he could follow.

“What's wrong?” asked Rapticon Sr. “Your look of uncertainty intrigues me, Harry,” he added with a grin.

“N-nothing…” said Harry, looking at his shoes, “I was just - er - hoping I could fix our friendship again….”

“I can guess it's something about schoolwork, eh?” said Rapticon Sr. closing the door behind him and crossing his arms.

Harry smiled sadly.

“Yeah… something like that. How d'you - ?”

“Harry,” Rapticon Sr. cut Harry off as he stood beside him, leaning against the wall. “This school project about making your own mythology sprouted lots of disagreements among the student body… and imagine the questions: what should we do? What should we put in? What should we put out? Is this good? Or bad? Really complicated dung if you ask me…. I bet every piece of my Galleons that you and Hermione had a disagreement with one aspect in your mythology, eh?”

“No,” said Harry weakly. “Most of it is my fault, really. Let's say that I'm kind of lazy to do the project….”

“There ya go,” said Rapticon Sr. ecstatically, “You know Hermione more than anyone in this room (well, we're the only ones in this room) and I think in her defense, you should know better than to go run-of-the-mill like that!”

“But she gets too - erm - bossy that I can't take it anymore.”

“Everyone has their flaws,” said Rapticon Sr. acutely. “Everyone can be stupid about their attitudes. I mean, look at me; remember when I went overboard at the whole mummy thing?”

“Yes,” said Harry dully.

“I was too confident. I was a fool,” said Rapticon Sr., “Which is why we should just be aware that there is no perfect bastard in this world, alright?” he smiled at Harry.

Harry didn't know say anything but he smiled weakly.

“Anyway, Ron is in your group, right?” asked Rapticon Sr.

“Yes…” said Harry, the reality of the project falling back to him. “I feel bad though, he's usually between me and Hermione, keeping us apart from biting each others' head off if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, yes,” said the professor sagely. “I find it quite queer that you and Hermione are fighting instead of the other way around… meaning Ron versus Hermione.” said Rapticon Sr. grinning slyly.

“Ron said the same thing…” Harry chuckled then sighed. “The project is due next week and we got nothing.”

“Ouch,” Rapticon Sr. winced, “and the project is what… written-form, right?”

“We have to write a new and original mythology and compile the information into a book…” said Harry, recalling McGonagall's instructions. “Kinda like a history book.”

“That's major owie” Rapticon Sr. said, shaking his head. “Make something new and original and you got a week left? I'd stick to Bumblefoot instead!”

“Well, there's a plus,” said Harry, “we have the option to use other reference books to help us in creating the mythology… you know, get ideas but not completely copy them.”

“Reference, eh?” Rapticon Sr. rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Hmmm….”

Harry wondered why Professor Raptor was looking thoughtful but thought no further when he finally spoke.

“I got it!” he turned to Harry, “Look, I can see that you are not in a pleasant mood at the moment so tell you what,” he walked in front of him, “I'll write my friend a letter to bring an book which contains some original stuff he made up back then…. He'll be delighted about it! He has always found it flattering if someone tried to use his creations. You can use the content to give you ideas - and more importantly - a great head start on what you can do.”

“Really?” said Harry his face lighting up, “That would be great! That would make Hermione happy!”

“And mind you, she'll be impressed by you,” said Rapticon Sr., winking. “Remember, like in every bibliography; don't forget to credit the original source where your mythology has been inspired from.”

“Don't worry, I won't,” said Harry, feeling happier than a minute ago. “By the way, who is the guy anyway? The one who made the book?”

“A friend of mine,” said Rapticon Sr. “He's friendly and articulate enough to lend it to you.”

“Thanks, sir,” said Harry, imagining the happy face of Hermione with his mind's eye.

“No problemo, just remember to tone the mood down between the two of you,” he said, opening the door, “Now hurry, I have lectures about a dragon I'd want to discuss with the next class.”

“Okay,” said Harry joyfully, “by the way… did your friend give a name of this book?”

Rapticon Sr.'s pouted questioningly as he wondered.

“Not really sure… `Last Fantasia'? or was it `Fantasy'? Can't really say…. You'll just have to wait for the morrow. You can get it from me during lunchtime.”

“Got it!” said Harry happily.

If this book, this deus ex machina, can help them in their mythology then maybe, just maybe, he and Hermione can be friends again.

“Harry, I can see the lil midgets out there,” said Rapticon Sr. looking through the door, referring to the first years. “I think it's time you make your way,”

“Oh, yeah,” said Harry, getting out of his reverie. “I forgot - er, thanks, Professor.”

“Don't mention it,” said Rapticon Sr., “Just remember, don't result in severing ties.”

“Don't worry,” said Harry, walking towards the door, “I won't.”

And Harry left the backroom leaving Rapticon Sr. alone. He seemed to be deep in thought on a matter.

“Hmmm… what was its name again?” said Rapticon Sr. leaving the room as he locked the door. “Ah, yes!” he nodded, “F.F.O., was it?” he paused for a moment, “Don't know what that means….”

Rapticon Sr. walked away leaving the door alone at its wake and began his lesson to the first years, all the while that Harry left the classroom feeling much happier than he did an hour ago.

Indeed, I reiterate, today was a fine day.