Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and turned around. There, right in front of her, was a professor. By the looks of it, she was the potions master. "Who might you be?" she asked.
"I'm Robin Quimble," Hermione said.
"I'm Professor Jade. You really should find your seat." Hermione smiled and sat down by Severus. Jade went on and on about the potion they were doing. "Now," she said. "Find your partners and begin!"
Hermione turned to Severus. He turned back and smiled. "Well, well, looks like Snivellus finally found a partner," a boy behind them said. Hermione turned around. When she saw him, he looked a lot like Harry.
She could tell that in front of her was James Potter. Behind him were three boys snickering. Hermione could tell that they were Sirius, Remus, and Peter. "Ah, shut up, James," Severus said.
"Why don't you make me?" James asked. "Come on, guys." James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter walked away. "Who was that jerk?" Hermione asked acting like she didn't know who that was.
"That was James Potter," Severus said. "The jerk part, you got right. I just want to strangle him. He and I have been enemies since we first met."
"Harsh."
"Yes. Now, about the potion."
"Oh, yeah! I almost forgot."
After potions class was up, Hermione and Severus grabbed their books and left the classroom. While they were walking out, James and Sirius purposely pushed Severus with their shoulders, making him fall and drop all his books.
The two boys snickered while walking away. Hermione bent down and helped Severus pick up his books. "Boy, Snivellus's new friend's parents should be stupid if they even allow her to be around him!" Hermione overheard James say that.
"Excuse me for one second," Hermione said to Severus and walked over to James. "James," she said softly to him.
"Yes," he answered. Suddenly, Hermione grabbed her arm out, and, in a swift swing, punched James right in the face. That made him fall to the ground. Hermione grinned and yelled, "That's for calling my parents stupid!"
When Hermione walked back to Severus, he just stared wide eyed and had his jaw opened all the way. Hermione looked at him and smiled. "I wish I could've done that," he said. The two walked off.
Later that day, Hermione and Severus were sitting in the Slytherin Common Room. Severus looked at Hermione and smiled, thinking of when she hit James. Hermione looked and smiled back. Severus crept his hand closer to Hermione's.
When the two hands touched, Hermione turned to Severus. He pulled his hand away, but she laid her hand on his. Severus turned to her and smiled. Hermione rocked back and forth, expecting her new friend to get up and say it was time to go to their dormitories. But he didn't.
Hermione looked at Severus. 'Why isn't he talking?' she thought. 'I'd best do something.' "So, do you have a family?" Hermione asked.
"No," Severus said. "I mean, yes. But my father is abusive, so he's never around and when he is around, he treats my mother and me like a punching bag. As for my mother, well, usually I'm the one taking care of her."
"Oh. I'm sorry that I asked something personal."
"It's alright. If it's not too personal, do you have any family?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't mean to be pesky, but do you know how you fell into potions class?"
"To tell you the truth, no. I was just making a potion with my friend and, next thing I know, I was lying on the floor."
"Everyone was worried. Worried that either you were trying to hurt us or that you might've been hurt. I was one of those who worried that you were hurt."
"Well, thank you for your concern."
"You know what's weird. That someone as nice, beautiful, and smart as you are, decided to be friends, with me, of all people." Hermione smiled and put her hand on Severus's shoulder. "Well, that's what friends do," she said. Severus looked at Hermione and smiled.
"Thanks," he said.
"You know, I'm glad that I met you."
"I'm glad that I met you also."
"I had two friends back where I used to live. They were really fun to be with. One of my friends was really brave. My other friend was really funny. We were a trio. I was the brains of the group."
"Wow. I never had a friend in my entire
life."
"Yeah, well, friends stand up for each other. They look
out for each other. Friends are always there for each other, no
matter what."
"Well, since we're friends now, remember, I always got your back. So next time James insult your parents, leave him to me."
"Thanks. You know, you and I have been friends for only two days and we're turning into best friends." Severus smiled and nodded his head. He scooted closer to Hermione. She just smiled. He put his arm around her shoulder.
Hermione looked at Severus and smiled. The two turned face to face with each other. They drew closer to each other. Then, Hermione and Severus were so close they could feel each other's breath. Once they felt each other's breath, they both turned away.
"Well," Hermione said. "I heard that there's a dance in a few weeks."
"Oh, yeah," Severus said.
"Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight." Hermione left and walked to her dormitories. 'Why were we so close?' she asked herself. 'Could it be possible that we have feelings for each other? No, we're only friends. Yeah, just friends.'
