I do not own any character that originates from J.K. Rowling's masterpiece of a universe. I just enjoy investigating the "what ifs" of her world.
If you notice something that could be fixed, I welcome feedback if it is delivered respectfully through PM. Thanks.
This story will include snippets from the Bard's play, "Romeo and Juliet."
Chapter 1- By Any Other Name
The fifth year transfiguration classroom was in an uproar ever since Malfoy casually began discussing his father's views on Muggle-borns. He hadn't used that word and that was the main cause of discord among the class. The tension in the room at this point was physically palpable and quickly reaching a boiling point that might result in wands being drawn.
Sitting in the front row was a brown-eyed young lady that was valiantly trying to hold back both her anger as well as her tears. It was much harder to hold back her anger as she already had her wand firmly grasped. She wondered why Professor McGonagall, Minerva, hadn't arrived yet. As the minutes ticked by, her worry increased for her beloved Professor.
As Hermione was contemplating transfiguring Malfoy into a chair and hiding it somewhere in an abandoned classroom, Minerva limped through the door. "Silence," the venerable woman calmly said. Regardless of the volume, the classroom immediately stilled as their Professor examined the room. Her eyes lingered on Hermione's face and her eyes misted at the expression she found there.
"50 points from Slytherin, and Mr. Malfoy," she stalked up to his desk and lowering her eyes to be level with his she delivered the final blow, "you will be serving detention with me for the foreseeable future until I decide otherwise." As she walked away she heard Malfoy gulp.
"Before class begins, I feel that it would be advantageous to spear this subject matter rather than letting it fester. This is the last time I will allow the topic to be breached in my classroom. If anyone so much as whispers the word "pureblood", you will be excused from my class indefinitely and the remainder of this block for you might be spent apprenticing with Mr. Filch. Is. That. Understood."
As she finished, the class realized that it wasn't a question. Everyone had their heads down in fear that they would be single-out. Everyone except Hermione.
"If someone is able to competently argue for or against why the blood status of an individual should even matter then I will not assign seven foot scroll essay regarding this chapter for tonight's homework." At the offering of this deal, the jaw of everyone in the classroom dropped. The brown-eyed young woman smiled at the threat- she had already completed the homework ahead of time. Its length had ended at eight feet.
Minerva, however, continued presenting the parameters of her deal. "Instead, if you are a Pure blood, you will have to find a Muggle born and interview them and present your findings through some creative means of your choosing. Vice-versa if you are Muggle born."
While an unexpected alternative, everyone seemed to unanimously ready to accept an assignment other than that monster essay- even dealing with Blast-Ended Skrewt would be preferable.
"Who would like to begin?" said the venerable woman as she looked upon the class, arched bow in place.
Not surprisingly, Hermione raised her hand and shortly after, confidently made her way to the front of the class. With a smile aimed at Minerva, the Brightest Witch of Her Age began:
From Romeo and Juliet ACT II SCENE II
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
JULIET
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
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Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
From the moment Hermione began speaking she had the room mesmerized, even Malfoy. However, no one more so than Minerva. She continued on with her heartfelt performance and as her last words linger in the air, applause filled the room.
"While fictional, these two characters had their blood… their families attempting to keep them apart. None of that mattered to them in the face of love. Sadly, the pressure and negativity culminated in their death. So much lost and squandered when it wasn't necessary," as she finished the tears finally began to fall and with a meaningful look around the class and a nod to Minerva, she exited the room.
With a shuddering breath, Minerva whispered, "50 points to Gryffindor. Class dismissed," and made her way to her chambers to mend the wounds covered by her teaching robes and digest Hermione's words.
~*~ That Evening *~*
After the excitement that unfolded that afternoon in class, Hermione sequestered herself in the library amongst the shelves nearest the Restricted Section. She had finished her assignments two hours ago, but was still unmotivated to return to her dorm. She really didn't want to face walking through the Common Room.
Almost as if she were in a trance, her quill danced automatically along the page before her as she sang under her breath.
You look inside my soul and that's how I know,
I go where you go.
No matter just how far,
You're my guiding star.
Let me be your Moon.
We'll compose our own tune.
Minerva had been returning a stack of books when her animagus hearing caught a pleasant humming coming from the rear of the library. As she approached the source, she recognized whose voice she was listening to and her heart melted at the soulful performance. It seemed Ms. Granger was full of surprises today. As temping as it was to slink away, she decided against that. She was a Gryffindor, after all.
The clapping from behind her caught Hermione unawares and jumping up with enough force to push the table away from her she stumbled back. Fearing of the impact that was soon to come, she tensed her arms to catch her fall only to feel strong arms cradle her against a warm body.
She turned her head toward her tormentor and savior and was left speechless- Minerva.
"I lament my intrusion, my dear, but I heard someone singing and my curiosity was peaked. Also, my apologies for frightening you," whispered her crush. Hermione could feel her knees growing weak and blanched at the possibility that she would swoon.
"I- no, well…," the young woman before had turned a lovely shade of red and fearing that she had frightened her, Minerva set tightened her hold on her charge to guide her again to her seat.
"I didn't know you could sing. Then again, I also didn't know that you were familiar enough with the Bard's work to perform it at a moment's notice," Minerva smirked as she continued, "Is there anything else you would care to share tonight?"
Before Hermione could decipher the look plainly displayed on her mentor's face, they both turned at the sound of the library doors opening and quickly separated from the embrace that neither had been willing to end. Minerva quickly transformed back into Professor McGonagall before her eyes and her heart protested at the loss of their familiarity.
Squaring her shoulders, Hermione thought she would cover her sadness though she was certain Minerva could see right through her bravado. "I appreciate the compliment, Professor, but I must return to the dorm as curfew quickly approaches." Minerva only nodded at her with nothing more than a blank expressions.
As she systematically gathered her belongings she tried to not spare a glance at Minerva. Once she put the strap of her bag over her shoulder she stopped and turned to the person she was quickly identifying as her friend. Walking straight up to the taller woman she wrapped her arms around her waist and quietly whispered in her ear, "Thank you for this afternoon in class," and promptly turned heel to exit the library. Hermione couldn't have heard Minerva's response.
"Anything for you."
A/N
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