A/N: ok, this is my first story, I would greatly appreciate any criticism or ideas any one has, thank you!
My sturdy legs carried me further away from Hogwarts and deeper into the Forbidden Forest, even though it was about one in the morning I didn't want to risk anyone seeing me, so I kept running. After a while of running, I stopped in a clearing. The distant howls of werewolves and my soft breathing were the only sounds in the night I could here, at the moment. Once again, as I did at least once a week, I practiced. First I practiced Charms. I did a series of spells, practicing on various objects in the field, such as rocks, fallen trees, ect… My spells became increasingly advanced and complicated. Soon, I was working on spells I'm sure not even Professor Flitwick knew.
After about forty-five minutes of non-stop practicing, I walked over to a completely burnt log and sat to take a break. It's not that I was tired, it was just the magic flowing through my veins was exhilarating, but addictive, and I had to always stop myself to not become obsessed with it. Some of the spells I was doing were slightly mixed with the Dark Arts, something I was becoming increasingly addicted to. I pushed a stray strand of curly brown hair out of my face as I stood up and continued practicing. I transfigured a pebble into a tall, six foot, human shaped dummy. I didn't take the time to decorate it with any features such as hair, mouth, eyes, ect… I wasn't in the mood. I threw a multitude of defensive spells. Then I moved into offensive spells, each moving more into the Dark Arts.
Again, after about forty-five minutes of non-stop practicing, I stopped and sat on the log again. Once my break was done I stood back up and practiced on Transfiguration. This method of non-stop practice then a break and then moving onto a new area of magic continued until I had practiced all areas of magic I knew. Then I started on my Animagus practice. I had, long ago, perfected my Animagi forms. Yes, forms. I believe I am the only witch/wizard to ever have two forms. They were a Siberian wolf and a Phoenix. I first changed to my Siberian wolf form.
I ran, fighting imaginary foes, jumping and twirling threw the air, darting and dodging around trees. My reasons for this were to improve my comfort, agility, and, most importantly, my lethality in this form. After thirty minutes, as I was running, shifted into my Phoenix form and shot into the air. I did a series of plunges, twists, turns, twirls, dives, and many of my magical powers in this form. After thirty minutes, I landed back in the clearing, shifting back into myself as I landed on the ground.
Thoroughly exhausted, I slowly walked back towards the school. Once I got to the edge I cast a Disillusionment spell on myself and creped quietly into the school. I had, also long ago, perfected stealth. It didn't really matter, I was good friends with Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris, but it was good practice.
Finally I had made it back into the Gryffindor common room. I quickly walked up the girls' stairs and up to my head girl room and into the bathroom. I washed the sweat and dirt off my body and changed into an oversized, thin, guy's button-up shirt that I had received from Charlie Weasley. It's a long story of a summer evening with the residents of 12 Grimmauld Place and cleaning the house under the orders of Molly Weasley. My clothes had been destroyed by some blast-ended skrewts that were living in the basement of the house. Charlie had been kind and gave me a shirt of his that was better suited to cleaning the house, I already had extra pants. The shirt had somehow survived the summer and I now used as a night gown.
As soon as I was done reminiscing about the previous summer, I put the books and work that was needed for my classes tomorrow into my worn messenger bag. I placed the bag carefully by my trunk at the end of my bed, crawled into said bed, pulled the blankets around my body, laid my head upon my pillow, and fell asleep.
My eyes shot open as something landed upon my stomach. Relaxing as I realized it was Crookshanks, I crawled out of bed, my slightly miffed half-kneazle curled up on my pillow since I pushed him off me. I walked into my bathroom to get ready. I lowered my self into the tub and scrubbed myself down and washing my hair. I stepped out and cast a drying spell on myself before pulling on simple, slightly ripped, jeans and a plain grey, slightly formal looking, shirt. I looked into the mirror and studied myself.
After years of incredibly bushy hair, it had finally tamed itself into long, beautiful, honey colored curls that reached to mid-back. My eyes were round and settled nicely on my face, the brown color almost golden in color. I had a nicely proportioned nose and soft, full lips. Looking lower I observed my body. I had large, but not to large breasts, a slim, toned waist/belly, rounded, angular hips, and strongly muscled legs, but not disgustingly so. Overall, I had matured into a beautiful woman. I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I like to merely point out the facts and not be an overly modest person. Some people may see it as rude; to me it simply made sense.
I pulled on my school robes and threw my bag on my shoulder and headed down to the common room. Waiting for me were Harry, Ronald, Ginny, and Neville. Together we headed to breakfast and began eating once we sat down.
"Man!! I don't wanna go to Potions; all the bloody git does is insult us! And to make it worse, it's Double Potions!!" it took me a moment to decipher Ronald's words since he had his mouth stuffed with food. It was disgusting, especially since his food was dribbling down his chin and falling into his lap and on the table.
"First off Ronald," I said, scrunching up my nose as some food nearly fell on me as he swiveled his head in my direction, "chew your food before eating, take smaller bites, and please, I beg you to eat with your mouth closed, it's awfully disgusting to watch your food make multiple appearances that it definitely shouldn't be making." His ears and face turned an ugly shade of red as he blushed at my scolding and quickly tried tofinish the food in his mouth. I continued speaking. "And it is not 'bloody git', it's Professor Snape, be respectful. And he wouldn't insult you so much if you actually tried to succeed in his class and studied and read the instructions. Honestly Ronald, how did you make it to NEWT level Potions? Only Merlin knows."
He looked thoroughly abashed once I had finished another of my daily scoldings.
I looked to Harry as he began talking, barely holding back a smile.
"Now, now, Hermione, is it really necessary to point out all of our dear friends faults?" at my look he chuckled and continued. "Ok, so maybe it is, but next time I want youto try being a little nicer. At least this time you used words we could all understand."
We all laughed, I chuckling, as Ronald blushed further in embarrassment. "Well, let's go on to class." He said, addressing Ronald and I since Neville didn't make it to the NEWT classes. "See ya, babe." He said, addressing Ginny as he gave her a sweet kiss on the lips and then stood up to follow us down to the Dungeons.
We walked into the room and took our seats, Harry and Ronald in the back right side of the room, and me in the middle left side of the room. As I waited for my partner, Kyle Peckingpaugh-a nice, tall, smart, dark haired, green eyed, Ravenclaw boy-I looked to the front of the room. Professor Snape was leaned over his desk writing on a piece of parchment. Many more were piled on either side of him, one pile higher than the other. I can only assume that they were essays he had assigned, and I pitied the person whose paper he was grading, because if he was writing that much, it was always filled with snide and insulting comments.
I was startled out of my thinking as Kyle took his seat next to me. "Hey, how did you sleep?" he questioned, pulling his textbook out and placing everything else on the ground.
"Just fine, and you?" I asked, being polite. But before he could answer, Professor Snape stood up and started class.
"Stop your idle chatter and resume working on your potions." and with that, class began as he sat back down
A/N: Ok, so I hoped everyone liked that. I've never let anyone read my stories, so I hope you liked it. This story also doesn't follow the books after the forth one. I'll tell you what happened instead throughout the story. Again, criticism is greatly appreciated. Oh, and before I forget, I'll do the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.