Chapter 1: Problems in the Castle

It is night. There is the sensation of being weightless, but soon, it subsides. You are flying toward a large castle, lit up to the brim. It is a golden, inviting light, and you would think that everyone would be happy, to give off such radiance. You, however, would be wrong.

Inside, we see a large room with four long tables, crowded with young witches and wizards. Everyone is eating, people are laughing, and after taking a drink of pumpkin juice, a young man we know as Neville Longbottom mysteriously turns into a canary. A childish man with red hair and freckles begins laughing hysterically. He suddenly turns to a beautiful young woman who visibly radiates confidence, bravery, and intelligence. He leans closer to her and whispers something that makes her eyebrows shoot up in surprise, then moves his hand from her shoulder to. . .well, a bit lower, shall we say. This comes as an obvious shock to her, and she jumps up, slaps him in the face, and runs out of the hall. Few people notice.

She runs to her dormitory and pulls out a cauldron. Throwing anything she can find into it, the mixture inside turns a foul, green color. Abruptly, there is a flash of green light, followed only seconds later by a small explosion. She runs away, leaving the mess and dashes into the darkened hallways.

"AAARGH! I HATE HIM!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Why is he such a magnificent example of a prat!" she yelled. "Can't he see that I don't like him anymore? What do I have to do to make that any clearer? Here, Hermione let me readjust your bra for you!" she said, mimicking his voice.

As she stomped around, she unknowingly wandered into parts of the castle that she had never been in. Not realizing she was lost, she continued to rant and rave. Finally, having run out of words, she stood stock still, and screamed at the top of her lungs; a wordless outpouring of all the emotions she has felt in the last six months. It is a horrible sound, almost like her soul is breaking and has been for a very long time. She fell to the floor and began sobbing uncontrollably, next to a suit of armor.

THE NEXT DAY

Hermione awoke to find herself back in her bed, with all of the other girls gone. She looked at the clock, and saw that she was late for her first class. Throwing herself out of bed, she looked at the door to her dormitory, and made out a flash of gold light. Letters began forming, and Hermione soon recognized the handwriting, for it was the same as on the note that Harry had received his father's invisibility cloak with.

Hermione-

Mr. Filch found you last night in the seventh floor east hall, and brought you to me. Do not trouble yourself with classes today; I am well aware you could afford to miss them. When you wake, please get ready and come to my office. Thank you.

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione took a leisurely shower, indulging in the hot, needle-like spray. She got out and toweled dry, and put on a pair of black capri pants and a purple sweater. She didn't bother with her robes; she could care less about looking like the model student.

Hermione walked slowly to the headmaster's office, and stood outside the stone gargoyle. She had forgotten that she never got the password. She heard footsteps, and hoped it was a teacher that could help her.

Snape received Dumbledore's letter at about the same time that Hermione woke up. Wondering what the headmaster's request was all about, Snape quickly dressed and put a note on his office door-

To whom it may concern:

I have an appointment with the headmaster, and will be back shortly,

-----Severus Snape

Snape walked quickly to avoid having to talk to anyone, and when he reached the gargoyle, he was surprised to see none other than Hermione. She was consistently the best student in his classes, rivaling his own talents as a Potions Master, although he would never have told her that.

"Miss Granger, shouldn't you be in class, or do I need to take points for a student skipping class?" Snape was in his characteristically foul morning mood, since he had not yet had his coffee.

"No, sir, I have an appointment with the Headmaster, but I never received his password. Do you know it?" she asked with an optimistic tone.

"As a matter of fact, I also have an appointment with him, so I am sure he wouldn't mind if I were to let you in," said Snape, turning to the gargoyle. "Lemon Drop," he stated. Well, thought Hermione, I should have known. The door opened, and Snape gestured for Hermione to go ahead of him. "Thank you," she whispered timidly.