AU: Please note I don't own any of these characters, I just borrowed them and put them in my own sandbox for a while. I'm sure they won't mind.
Summary: What if Professor Sprout pulled Hermione aside in her second year to ask her about her always jumping in to answer questions? What if Hermione explained how its always been at her school with 'participation points? What if after a talk with Sprout, Hermione decides to give an apology to the whole school? Can she mend the burnt bridges due to her ignorance? Will this change anything in how people treat her? Will Ron be able to keep his mouth shut, or will he shove his foot in his mouth up to his hip? (Probably) (If you don't like Ron bashing, then this one probably isn't for you. If you don't want Molly bashing this one isn't for you. There isn't really bashing of Dumbledore, but he does get some home truths forced into his thick skull.)
CHAPTER 1
Professor Sprout's class as always was a bit challenging for Hermione, unlike Neville who seemed to be some sort of genius at the subject, she struggled for some reason when it came to be learning about how to identify the different species. The end of class was fast approaching, and like always had taken to asking questions to the level to see how well they remembered what she'd shown and told them. By the sixth question in she couldn't ignore the fact that no one would even try and raise their hand except Hermione Granger who hopped up and down on her stool as if she had been struck by one of the Headmaster's Mexican Jumping Sugar Beans.
Sighing inwardly, she didn't call on the young girl but instead called on Neville for the answer. Seeing the young girls frown at this she then urged everyone to begin putting this away before the bell rang for class to be over. Giving a couple of other cleanup projects to Ron Weasley who had almost sent her entire class to the Infirmary AGAIN.
"Miss Granger, would you come up here for a moment please?" Called out the professor after she'd sat down at her desk. The area just around it was surrounded by a ward of her own making so that only one student could sit with her at her desk at a time and those outside of it couldn't hear anything. Motioning to the chair in front of her desk she said, "Please sit down, I have a couple of questions to ask you."
Blinking owlishly, Hermione started gnawing on her bottom lip, "Did I do something wrong, Professor? I promise I won't over fertilize the Spitting Thorn Roses again." Her words coming out in a breathless rush before the teacher could even begin to answer the question.
Waiting patiently until the girl paused to take a breath, Sprout said, "Not quite, but I wanted to know, why is it that you seem to feel the need to try and answer every question by yourself?" Her hands clasping in front of her as she made a point of making sure she didn't look as perturbed as she felt.
Blinking again Hermione said, "Isn't that the way it's done? It's how it was at my other school. You see we'd get points for participation. One point for trying to answer and getting it wrong, and then two points for answering and getting it right, three if you give a thorough answer that covers the entire subject. Then those points are added to the end of the year grade. It's how I ended up with 128% in my third year in grade school." Again, the long-winded answer comes without bidding but during its recitation. Sprout found herself genuinely taking this in.
"So, it was a kind of the contest for the students?" She asks, wanting to be sure she understood correctly.
"Pretty much. People knew that you had to have your hand up to try and answer to get the extra points. Even trying got you points, if you didn't try…" Hermione's voice trailed off, and after a moment the teacher watched dawning appear. "Hogwarts doesn't make participation points does it?" Her voice small and tears starting to form in her eyes.
Sighing softly, the professor opened a drawer at her desk pulling out a box of tissues, offering it to the girl to take a couple. "No, Miss Granger, we don't. Every year we always end up with one new student at the very least with the same problem. I never understood why until now. I'm not telling you not to answer questions, but I'd appreciate it if you could give others a chance to first. They're not participating because they know they don't need to since you'll always answer. Now that isn't to say that you aren't doing a fantastic job, but I need you to be an example not only in your study habits but in how you encourage others." Keeping her voice light Sprout reached across the desk putting her hand on Hermione's. "I think you'll find a lot more doors opening to you as you think about this. I know that Wizarding Etiquette isn't something that's been taught to you and I abhor the fact that Dumbledore didn't think the children needed it as of seventy-five years ago. If you know anything about the etiquette in that time, then you know what I mean. It isn't that you're not a delightful young girl, because you're a delight. You've proven you can learn the material, now I'm giving you something else to learn as well, to incorporate into that lesson. Okay?"
The entire time the professor was talking, Hermione never once let her gaze drop from the woman's face. It was like talking to her mother really, sometimes Hermione would get too engrossed in one step of something and forget there were different levels of growth. She knew this was a fault of hers, but this was the first teacher who had offered to help. Nodding rapidly, Hermione gushed, "Oh yes, I know how that period was, I've read all about it. Do you think my apologizing to the teachers and other students will help?" Pausing she couldn't help but gulp and then cling to the teacher's hand. "I didn't mean to be so…. So…." She couldn't find the word, but when the teacher smiled at her, she couldn't help but laugh a bit wobblingly back.
"I think an apology couldn't hurt. Be honest and possibly ask for help. I'll be there with you if you'd like. You know, I've never quite been as close to the other houses as I should be, I've always thought that we should all be one big family, not just in our houses. So, despite this, I want you to know that I'm so proud of you." Moving her hand to cup Hermione's cheek and wipe away a tear. "Now. I'm going to give you the next class off, I'll send a note to Professor Flitwick, so he can send you your assignment later. Why don't you go and think about what you're going to say, meet me here right before lunch?"
Nodding again Hermione couldn't help but lean into the touch of her cheek for a moment before moving to stand. "Thank you so much, Professor. I didn't realize what I was doing, I know that reason isn't going to work for everyone, but I hope it does for some. I…. I'd love to be able to make another friend or two. I don't have a home outside the Wizarding world anymore." Picking up her bag from next to her feet, Hermione moved to leave only to be stopped when Sprout called her name.
"Hermione? What do you mean you don't have a home?" The teacher had an appalled look on her round face.
"My parents sold the house and put the money in an account at Gringotts and then moved out of the country. I rent a room above the Leaky during the summer. With Gringotts help my funds are being invested so I'll have enough to live off for school and to start on nicely when I graduate. It isn't a lot but… "Hermione found herself shrugging, a bit surprised that she wasn't more upset about it all, she was after all only fourteen. "They signed paperwork to have me emancipated, I guess they did it at Gringotts, and it was filed otherwise Tom at the Leaky, probably would have told Dumbledore and all of you I'm sure. It's okay, I make out alright." Giving her teacher another smile before heading out of the classroom.
Pomona Sprout had never found herself wanting to strangle the Headmaster more than that very moment. She had no doubt that he knew all about Hermione's situation and just chose to ignore it as he always did or was waiting to use it to his advantage. Passing her Apprentice on the way out of her classroom she said "Chambers, run the class through the first chapter work as a review. I have an appointment I need make. Their assignment is listed on the board."
"Yes, Professor Sprout." Said the young woman who began to shoo people inside the greenhouse.
Stomping her way up into Minerva's office she knocked rapidly in a way she knew the older woman would understand. It was a Tuesday, and Sprout knew the other woman had a free period. "Come in." Came from inside.
Opening the door, Sprout's green robes fluttered around her, and it was only when the door was closed she let loose. "Did Dumbledore tell you that Miss Granger was abandoned and then emancipated by her parents? Apparently, they sold their house and put the proceeds in an account for her to live off before running out of the country. That poor girl is all alone!" The usually calm woman screeched.
Grey-green eyes widened as the Transfiguration Professor found herself seeing a whole new side of the Hufflepuff Head. Maybe this was the protective Badger that people had always warned her lurked under the surface. "I think you should tell me what you're talking about. Have a seat, and I'll pour us some tea while you fill me in."
It took almost the whole two-hour class time for Sprout to fill the other teacher in on everything. Relating the discussion with the young Lion and then her flyby comment about her parents. "I know how he is. He's saving it to use for something, of that I have no doubt. I know you trust him Minerva, but you can't be happy about this!" During all her ranting Pomona hadn't been watching her friend at all, only now spinning around and noticing the tears that ran down the sharp chin.
"Well. I think it's safe to say. I didn't know anything about what was going on with that lass, and it's time I stood up to the old man. However, if she's planning something at lunch, then I suggest we wait and stand up with her while she does so. I can keep my eye on him to make sure he doesn't do anything to try and make her stop talking, and we can both give her support. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. Usually, I would have talked to her about that tendency of hers, it never dawned on me." Shaking her head in confusion and guilt, a moment later she forced herself to straighten her shoulders after raising a hand to angrily swipe at the tears Minerva said in a firm tone, "Well. I think it's about time for lunch. Let's go pick up my wayward Lion with a Badger's heart."
Those words alone quelled any anger towards her friend that Pomona felt. Instead, she tucked flyaway strands of hair that had freed themselves during her tirade and arm in arm went to meet with the young Gryffindor.
It had taken Hermione quite a bit not to go running back to Professor Sprout to beg for her not to have to stand up and talk in front of everyone. A little-known fear of Hermione's that she hadn't had to show anyone up to this point was that she hated speaking in front of a group. That lecturing attitude of hers came through crystal clear when it was just a couple of people, but you add in more, and all she felt was her stomach in her throat.
Time went by all too quickly, and soon it was time for her to meet with the Professor again. Shuffling her way down the hall, she couldn't help but think to herself how Harry probably would have been sympathetic to her, while Ron would have spent the entire time gloating. She wished that Harry would talk to her, but he was still angry with her over the broom and wasn't even acknowledging her existence. It hurt a lot more than she thought it would really, she'd wanted to share her revelation with someone and the only one she could talk to was the squid, not that it was all that bad a companion if you didn't mind it tossing you fish with bows made of seaweed as gifts.
Arriving at the greenhouse, Hermione stood shocked when both her teachers moved to guide her. "Miss Granger. ... Hermione... I'm very proud of you. Very proud. I'll be off to the side making sure that you aren't interrupted by a couple of our least desirables." She looked like she wanted to say more, but she noticed how her Lion shifted to stand a little closer to Pomona and gave a small, sad smile. Minerva couldn't blame her really, Pomona had been there and helped her when she hadn't.
The doors to the Great Hall opened, and Hermione walked in with a teacher on either side. McGonagall stepped off to the side, her arms crossing over her chest as she seemed intent on the teachers and a couple of students. Moving to stand at the front of the Hall, Professor Sprout stood next to the student and used a noisemaker hex from her wand to get everyone's attention.
"I do apologize for interrupting your lunch, but Miss Granger has something she'd like to say to everyone. Teacher and student alike so please be polite and give her your ear." Said the Herbology teacher. As if on cue a couple of rubber ears were tossed in her direction only for her wand to harmlessly flick them back and for her to train her gaze on the Weasley twins who just blew her kisses.
Lifting her head, trying to remember not to rise to more than 90 degrees Hermione struggled to remember everything she'd ready about old-style proprieties. "I owe everyone in this school an apology." Her voice rang out clearly even if a bit shakenly. "I'm a muggle born and used to certain behaviors at school and in the classroom. This isn't an excuse but if you'll give me a moment I'll explain. You see, in a muggle school, you're given participation points that are gathered like a contest in the classroom and then added at the end of the year to your grade. One point for answering and not being right, the second one for giving a concise answer and a third one if you give a complete… erm. give a really in-depth answer." Flushing faintly as she seemed to be trying to calm herself she glanced at her hands for a moment before looking up again.
"No one told me it was different here until I spoke to Professor Sprout. I've been trying to earn those points and at the same time prove I belonged here because I could 'win' those points. Points that didn't exist. The etiquette I've broken because of my…. Well… brashness I didn't know about until now. And I want to apologize for every time I did something I shouldn't have my answers to questions, with how I approached people, with anything really. I have a lot to learn, and I'd appreciate help to learn the proper way to respond to things, to people." Hermione couldn't help but stutter to a stop. Despite Sprouts squeeze to her hand, her tear-filled eyes moved to Harry, almost begging for his support. What she found there gave her hope, and she couldn't help but smile. His own eyes had started misting, his lips though parted in shock, also showed a small smile, his total expression one of pride and realization.
"There's a lot of muggle-born and raised students I'm sure would appreciate learning." Hermione was about to say more when the sound of McGonagall shooting a hex at the teacher's table was heard making her jump.
"Don't mind me, Miss Granger. Some people weren't listening like they should have been." Said the stern teacher.
Gulping again Hermione turned around when she felt a hand slide into her free one, glancing to see Harry there she couldn't help but smile before then saying, "This goes for the teachers as well. I did some research after talking to Professor Sprout, and I didn't realize I'd been inadvertently snubbing you, Master Snape. You're a potions master not /just/ a teacher. I do apologize for any slight." Again, her voice trembled, but when she turned her gaze to him the smallest bit she saw just a hint of softening in his gaze as well as approval with a little dip of his chin, probably not enough to be noticed by anyone who wasn't looking.
Looking back to her classmates she saw approval on a lot of faces, while confusion was on the rest except for one. Mount Weasley was about to erupt, she could just about the countdown to it making her pull Harry with her closer to the Professor at her side.
"What the Hell HERMIONE!" Yelled Ron as he struggled off the bench at his table. "Sit your stupid ass down and shut the hell up! The last thing anyone here wants is MORE work. And get your filthy paws off Harry!" His last words more like a growl but with the Great Hall so silent right now everyone heard. "Muggle-borns and raised don't need to learn shit. They need to sit down, shut up. Learn what they're told to learn and then marry who they're told. They don't have any other use. And you weeping all sorry like isn't doing anything but making the rest of us who hang out with you a target."
This time it was Harry who spoke as he said, "She's right Ron. I've probably burnt a lot of bridges without realizing it. How do I know I didn't accidentally start this thing between Malfoy and me without realizing it? You're the first one I'd met other than Hagrid, and neither of you really did much to try and teach me anything. I've TRIED to tell you that I wasn't brought up knowing all this stuff already. My aunt locked me in a closet and kept me barely alive for the first eleven years of my life. How the hell would I have known? Hagrid wouldn't let me get any extra books to help me through this, and I didn't see any available even if I had been allowed. I'm sure part of the problem between Sn …." Harry paused when Hermione subtly squeezed his hand, a rather quiet way of doing things than her norm. As soon as their eyes locked though they seemed to have a silent two-second conversation and he bowed his head faintly. "My apologies, a habit I need to break, I meant erm… Master Snape, is that I haven't given him the credit where due. This is all stuff I need to learn. So, sit down and shut your trap if you're not gonna help." Those green eyes from then flush from anger and embarrassment.
A voice no one expected came from the Slytherin table as a young woman about Hermione's age stood and moved around the table towards those up front. "I'm Daphne Greengrass. And I'll gladly help you if you like. I've always wondered why there isn't a mandatory Wizarding Etiquette class anymore like there was when my father went here." Glancing up at the head table to give a cold glare at the Headmaster. "For your first lesson, if you aren't betrothed to a young woman, or she isn't family to you then you need to call her Miss and her surname. Just as I would call any young man not betrothed to me as Mr. and his surname. Unless I give you express permission otherwise. I know this seems old-fashioned, but there's a reason for this." As Daphne continued talking, many of the muggle raised and born students began to clamor for a place closer to the front. A couple of the younger students sitting on the floor with parchment and pens in hand. "You see, magic can take things quite literally. Vows are given using the familiar name and promises behind them. That's why we have to be so careful how we say things, so we're not accidentally making vows we can't keep. Or ending up married before we're meant to be. We may not be of age yet, but on those rare occasions, magic just doesn't care." During this time, Daphne had switched from talking to just Hermione and Harry to the whole group.
Just as she was about to say more, Dumbledore shook off the silencing hex that McGonagall had hit him with. "That is enough Miss Greengrass. You will go back to your seat and finish eating. Quietly. Or it'll be detention for a month with Filch."
Daphne wasn't about to put up with this though and said quietly, "There is nothing that says I can't speak to the assembly. It's free time, I don't have class next period, and you're snubbing Mr. Filch by not giving him full due to his name. He may not have magic, but he comes from a proud lineage and should not be held in less esteem than anyone else because of it. He has enough magic to be able to see the magic here even if he can't do it himself, and that's all that matters." Her words come out cool and clear, her gaze never once leaving the Headmasters. "Master Snape, if you don't mind, I think perhaps a Patronus to my father might be in order. He might be able to have some ideas to make this more … palatable to the Headmaster, as well as helpful to Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."
Without waiting for an okay from the Headmaster, Snape's wand was whipped out, and a doe was seen coming out of his wand. Moving first to Harry nuzzling his hand and making tears spring to his eyes before then moving to Hermione, nuzzling her cheek and then speeding away as Snape gave a roll of his eyes and tugged faintly at the wand. Sending a message along with his Patronus at lightning speed.
Dumbledore was glaring down at the Slytherin student, his usual eye twinkle gone, "Miss Greengrass you have detention for the next month with Mr. Filch." He was about to continue when the scraggly old caretaker spoke up.
"Ain't no doin, Headmaster. She's right. She's the only one who's said anythin' to these muggle-borns and raised. It wasn't my place to say nothin, it was yours. So, I won't be punishin her for helping me." Bowing a bit wobblingly to Daphne, the old man gave a silent thank you till she nodded back and he moved down the teacher's stairs with a limping gait.
"Pixie!" Called out Daphne. A moment later a small house-elf with bright blue hair that stood straight up appeared. "Yes, Missy Daphne?" Said the squeaky voice. "Would you go help Mr. Filch for the day and then see if Granny Elf has anything that can give him relaxation from his pain for the night? Be sure to ask before doing anything, but maybe he'd like a day to relax and take a breather." Bouncing up and down on her bare toes, the little elf squealed in delight, hugging Daphne's knee happily making the ordinarily cool faced Slytherin ice queen blush deeply before scrambling to catch up with the old man.
"Ten points to Slytherin, Miss Greengrass." Said Professor Sprout. "For helping someone for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. And Ten points to you Mr. Potter for standing up for your friend as well as for all those here who obviously want to learn."
Conjuring a piece of parchment as well as a pen, McGonagall walked up, "Alright everyone who's here that wants either refresher lessons or lessons in Wizarding Etiquette put your name, age and grade down. This isn't going to be age-specific, and I know ... some ... Families aren't teaching their students as much as what used to be." Glancing at Ron who was still struggling to keep from exploding.
Surprisingly enough the youngest Weasley tugged her twin brother's off the bench and dragged them with her to her Head of House, "We'd like to sign up." Glancing at Percy who was giving both her and the twins a very rare smile of pride. "Our mother doesn't teach us, not the etiquette beyond the normal manners. I think it'd be a good idea." All three signed the parchment, ignoring Ron's sputter of outrage. After that, the line of people to sign up grew exponentially. Only those who were from the older families or from families older than those in Britain like the Patil's didn't seem to need or want them. All the while Ron appeared to be the odd one out of the younger students, standing indignantly without any trace of being willing to back down.
During all this Hermione had been quiet, just adding her name to the list and nudging Harry to do the same. The both going back to holding hands once they were done. Neither of them noticed the Herbology Professor, Transfiguration Professor or the Greengrass Heir watch their behavior.