Note: I'm adding the disclaimer in this chapter, as I forgot to in the first!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all affiliates are the sole property of J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and/or Warner Bros. I'm just a humble fan trying to have some fun!
Hermione entered the Great Hall and quickly scanned the room. There were the Slytherins, pointing and scowling in the direction of the Gryffindors, who all seemed to be in a jovial mood that morning. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws engaged in their own quiet conversation, although bursts of laughter could be heard every now and then. The professors were sitting at the Head Table with Mandy Brocklehurt and Terry Boot, this year's Head Girl and Boy. Professor Dumbledore was lively talking with Professor Sprout, while Professors McGonagall and Flitwick seemed to be enjoying their meal. There, on the far end of the table nearest the Slytherins, was Professor Snape. The scowl on his face only added to the unattractiveness of his features.
Just then, he glared in Hermione's direction. She returned the look without fear or malice, just simple amusement. Nothing can ruin my mood right now, not even Snape!
Hermione plopped down at the Gryffindor table between Ron and Ginny. A plate of piping hot breakfast instantly appeared, as well as a glass of milk and orange juice (with no pulp!). Just as she was about to eat, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She looked up and around, wondering if anyone was watching her. She glanced toward Snape, but he was moodily eating his blueberry pancakes (A/N: *snicker*). Then she glanced toward the Slytherins. Draco Malfoy glared back at her. His eyes glared a challenge back to her. Hermione raised an eyebrow, gave him an "appraising" look, and went back to her food and friends.
"Ugh, we have Snape next! Why'd they schedule his class right after breakfast? Do they really want Pomfrey's wing overrun with sick students?" Ron complained to no one in particular, but Hermione responded, "For goodness' sake, Ron, what good is it going to do to complain about it now? We're going to have his class on this day, at this hour, for the rest of the year. So stop your bloody complaints!"
Ron flushed, then went back to his eggs and ham, mumbling something about having the right to complain if he wanted to. Harry had an amused look on his face, whispered something about a whipped puppy to Ginny, then said, "So Hermione, Lavender said something about good dreams…?"
Hermione blushed and said, "Yeah, I've been having some really good dreams lately. Puts me in a great mood."
Ginny leaned over, an eager look on her face. "Ooh, Hermione, do tell!"
"I can't very well tell you… I mean, they won't come true if I blab, will they?" At that moment, Hermione looked around and saw everyone beginning to leave. Then she remembered that she had forgotten her quill in the dorm. After asking around for a spare quill, she dashed off for her room, yelling behind her for Harry and Ron to stall Potions as long as possible.
Ten minutes later, Hermione burst into Snape's dungeon, feeling very out of breath. "So glad you could make time in your busy schedule to join us, Miss Granger." Snape sneered, "Perhaps if you could manage to stop your heaving gasps for air for just a few moments, I might be able to begin my lesson."
Hermione mumbled a quick apology and took her seat next to Harry.
"Now," began Snape, "I've been given most unpleasant instructions from the Headmaster regarding my classes. It seems that we 'cannot afford inter-house friction, especially in the classroom' and 'it would be a wonderful effort' if I would 'at least partner different Houses together during experiments.' So, I have the very dangerous and disgusting job of pairing Slytherins with Gryffindors."
He paused and took a moment to administer a few death glares and scowls before continuing.
Hermione fidgeted. She detested all the Slytherins in her year and couldn't imagine trying to work with one of them, especially since they saw her as something below their pedigree. Just then, Snape said something along the lines of "And since our resident know-it-all does indeed live up to her title, and since there is an odd number of students in this class, she will not be partnered up. I won't tolerate any freebies in my classroom, even if you are a Slytherin." At that last comment, Hermione almost had to restrain Harry from bursting out about Snape's blatant bias when Dumbledore wasn't breathing down his neck.
"Shh, Harry, it's alright! His bark is worse than his bite, sometimes. But don't make him bite you!"
Snape whirled around, spitting a venomous glare in Harry and Hermione's direction. "Miss Granger, since you insist on disrupting my class with loud breathing and low whispering, you can put your mouth to good use at your detention tonight. Report to my office at seven o'clock sharp." The murderous look in his eyes prevented Hermione from protesting.
But it didn't stop Ron.
"Look, she didn't do anything wrong! You're just a greasy git who's got it out for her because she's smarter than even you! So you leave her alo-." Suddenly, Ron stopped speaking. His mouth was moving, alright, but no sound was coming out. The Slytherins began to snicker, but stopped when Snape began calling out partner names. "Crabbe, Patil. Malfoy, Thomas. Goyle, Finnigan. Bulstrode, Potter. Zabini, Weasley…" Ron, meanwhile, was now yelling toward Snape, his face as red as, if not more so, than his hair.
Half an hour later, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all walking toward their next class. The charm Snape had used on Ron ended as soon as he exited the dungeons. Unfortunately, while it may have muted his voice, the screaming's effect on his throat wasn't prevented. Ron scowled and grabbed his throat protectively while Harry and Hermione discussed her impending detention.
"Gods! Sometimes I just want to kill that man," Harry said.
"Me, too," Hermione replied. "But I'll try appealing to his reasonable senses tonight. And, if worse comes to worst, I'll talk to McGonagall."
"Why don't you do that in the first place? I mean… you are her pet."
Hermione looked indignant. "First of all, I am NOT her 'pet.' Secondly, I don't go crying to the nearest adult when I get into trouble. I'm going to try to handle it myself. If Snape won't listen to reason, then I'll ask for help."
Harry grinned. "Hermione and her principles. Really, Hermione, you're too good for us." He motioned at himself and Ron. Ron, still looking miserable, gave Hermione a quick hug and motioned toward Madam Pomfrey's wing. He gave them an I-told-you-so glance, then left for the hospital wing.
Harry and Hermione laughed a bit before moving on to their classes.
A/N: Should I continue the story? And who should I partner Hermione with? Please read and review!
