author's note: just a story I enjoyed writing. please read and review
disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter
Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, her chin held high in defiance. Now that the war with Lord Voldemort was no longer looming over all of their heads, she was able to devote her time to her next cause; S.P.E.W. As soon as she made the decision to come back to Hogwarts to finish her 7th year, she knew she needed to turn her attention back to the cause. Unfortunately, her friends did not feel the same.
"C'mon, Mione," Ron said between unnecessarily large bites of chicken, "It's all already here- the house elves have already made the food. You may as well eat some."
"I'm well aware they've made the food, that's why I'm doing this hunger strike. I'm protesting their treatment, raising awareness and hoping its enough to get Dumbledore or one of the other professors to do something." She glared as he picked up another chicken leg.
Ron was usually sympathetic to the cause to a degree- but clearly this was past his limit. He looked over at Harry, rolled his eyes, and gestured to Hermione with the chicken leg, "Blimey, next she'll be fighting for the right of this chicken!" Harry chuckled, but quickly stopped when he caught the angry look in Hermione's eye.
"Best not push it, Ron. C'mon, we've got Quidditch in half an hour." Harry finished his cup of juice, and made to grab his bag next to him. He placed a sympathetic hand on Hermione's arm, "Eat something, please. It doesn't have to be here; since we have permission, you can always go to Hogsmeade and get something there. Just… look out for yourself, ok?"
Hermione nodded, knowing she wouldn't go but wanting to set Harry's mind at ease. Once they left, she was left staring at the table of food in front of her. She looked at the chicken leg Ron had left, with a mere bite taken out of it.
Suddenly, she had an epiphany. Maybe Ron had meant it as a sly comment- but he was right. She was advocating for the right of house elves- why should she not advocate for the rights of all creatures? Why should these animals be killed just for us to eat? Surely, there was a better way. With an even firmer resolve, Hermione left her untouched plate behind and walked off to the library, ready to research.
After pulling together all of her research, magical and muggle, Hermione came to the obvious conclusion of veganism. Why did we need to use animals for milk, eggs, fur, leather, anything, when there were so many other options that didn't result from exploitation of other beings? While she was still on her hunger strike, and resolved to take up the vegan diet once she did, in fact, start eating in the Great Hall again, she sought to rid her dormitory of any trace of animal products. Luckily she didn't have much; a few leather-bound notebooks and a box of chocolates from her mum. Hermione smiled to herself, ready to take on this new cause, this new passion that would better herself, society, and the environment.
…
Day Three of her hunger strike, and she still was not making any progress with the Headmaster or the other professors in regards to S.P.E.W. The only class she didn't have yet since starting was potions, which was later that afternoon, though she figured she couldn't really rely on Snape to take notice and contribute to the cause.
She made her way down to the dungeons, sat down at her cauldron, looked up at the board, and groaned. Eight out of the twelve ingredients needed in today's potion were derived from animals. She wanted to protest, refuse to make the potion. But she didn't want to burden Professor Snape. While he was by no means a pleasant man, his role was critical in the war, and he was clearly worn out. She heard from Harry he was bound to continue teaching at Hogwarts at the request (though it was more of a demand) of the Headmaster.
Hermione knew she couldn't go against her morals and complete the potion, but she also didn't want to make a scene in the classroom. She was no longer the overbearing know-it-all who's hand was constantly in the air. Instead, she decided to pack up her bag, leave class quietly, and find Professor Snape at another time to explain her point, maybe even ask him to consider assigning a plant-based potion, of which she knew there were quite a few, though realistically she knew that wouldn't be effective. Maybe she'd ask for one as a make up assignment, though, now, the grade didn't matter as much. She'd take the zero- it was worth it to stand by her principles.
Hermione kept her head down, and made her way to the door, but was stopped, seeing a pair of black shoes blocking her path. She looked up to see Professor Snape, his arms crossed, an eyebrow raised.
"Going somewhere, Miss Granger?" He sneered.
Hermione found her Gryffindor courage in that instant and, knowing that this would not be an easy conversation, decided that if she had to make a scene, then that is what she'd do. "I cannot participate in class today and brew this potion."
"And why not?" He asked. While he tried to hide it, she could see the momentary flicker of surprise in his black eyes.
She looked around at the others, watching the confrontation avidly. She hadn't yet mentioned her choice to go vegan to Harry and Ron; while she was sure of her decision, she knew they didn't understand. She took a breath, "I don't feel comfortable making the potion."
Snape glanced at the board, then at her, "it's quite a simple brew… surely you're not doubting your competency?" Hermione knew he meant it as an insult that she was full of herself, but she couldn't help but hear the hidden complement.
"I've recently decided to go vegan, Professor Snape, and I refuse to use any ingredients derived from animals. You can give me an alternate assignment or a zero for the day, but I'm not making that potion." Hermione said, her words spilling out quickly.
Snape stared her down, "A zero it is, then. And detention- nine o'clock tonight."
Hermione was surprised he let the issue go so quickly, but nodded and walked out of the room, her head held high.
…
At nine o'clock sharp, Hermione knocked on the door to Snape's office. She wasn't sure what he would have her do, but she was ready for any argument he tried to make with her over her decision.
She heard a muted "Come in" through the door, and opened it. Snape was at his desk. marking "T" at the top of an essay. He looked up, and Hermione knew for some unknown reason that he wouldn't be lecturing her on her decision.
Instead, he shuffled a few papers around on his desk, picked up one, and turned it around so she could read it. "You want me to transfer out of Potions?!" Hermione was outraged. "You can't get rid of me just because I refused to make a potion on moral grounds!"
Snape said nothing, but sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked exhausted. Hermione bit back the speech she had at the tip of her tongue. "I'm not just kicking you out because I want to. Though, believe me if I could have done that I would have kicked Longbottom out a long time ago." He paused, "the potions I have you make are from a standardized list from the Ministry. All but two of them have animal ingredients. There's no way for you to take this class any longer… unless you wish to change your beliefs."
Hermione shook her head, "I can't do that." She looked at the paper, "I'm sorry to have to leave, Professor. While it may not be reciprocated I quite enjoyed being in this class." After reading the document carefully, Hermione picked up a quill and signed, ending her time in Advanced Potions.
Snape took the paper from her, replacing it with another to read. He didn't say anything, simply waiting for her to read it. Hermione scanned through it, then looked up at him, "Why would you give me private lessons?"
"Because you are regrettably the most competent potions student in this school. And you could pursue a mastery in potions if you so choose, even with a focus on plant-based potions." Snape hadn't looked up from the next essay he was grading.
"Thank you," Hermione responded in disbelief, "of course I would want to, I've definitely considered-"
"I presume you have Saturday mornings free?" Snape cut her off.
"Yes," Hermione was still shocked by the offer for lessons. She wondered how Snape knew she was free at that time, then she realized he must know that's when Harry and Ron had Quidditch practice.
"Right," Snape glanced up briefly, "I expect you here at 7."
Hermione nodded. She waited a moment for him to continue; either with a lecture or to assign her with a task for the detention she was supposed to be in. He seemed to read her thoughts, "While I don't approve of your actions today, I can understand them. I myself have found a distaste for the needless killing of animals just for the sake of a piece of food." In that moment, Hermione realized that, while the war had hardened Professor Snape in so many ways, it also made less tolerable to needless suffering. He himself had known enough of that for a lifetime.
"I agree," she responded, wanting to talk more about this, but knowing she was still walking on eggshells with the troubled man. "I'll be here at 7 on Saturday."
She turned to leave, but heard a thud on his desk. She turned back around and saw a canvas bag containing apples, pumpkin juice, and a jar of what looked like vegetable soup. She touched the bag cautiously, looking up at him.
"I won't have you passing out over your cauldron." Snape said in explanation.
"But sir-" Hermione started.
"I'm well aware of your hunger strike, Hermione. But I don't think there's anything you can do about the house elves. They are happy where they are."
"Dumbledore could give them pay, help them gain back their independence."
"They don't want that," Snape said, shaking his head. Hermione went to say something, but Snape held up a hand to stop her, "Regardless, this food isn't from the Great Hall. Just take it, and when you run out go to Hogsmeade or get some vegetables from Hagrid, I really don't care. Just don't be stupid."
Hermione wondered if Snape was acting on his own accord, helping her because he empathized. She glanced at the soup, wondering for a moment if it was homemade; she had realized at the start of term that Snape no longer ate in the Great Hall. Picking up the bag, Hermione once again muttered her thanks and set off to her dormitory, happy to have found an unexpected, albeit reluctant, ally in her fight for animal rights.
please let me know if there is any interest in expanding this story past a one-shot. thanks!