Characters all belong to JK Rowling. I do not write for money just for my and others enjoyment.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall feeling more at ease after talking to Neville about the recent gossip their students were blabbing about. It seemed that it had also come to his attention way before she had heard it from Severus. The question of why he did not tell her right away was left unasked when it was so clearly bothering her until he explained himself. It seems he had taken it upon himself to sort out the situation before it had gotten out of control and at the same time he did not want to spread more false rumors about them if he was seen talking to her right away. The steps he had taken were ones that she was truly grateful for.
Neville had also told her that he had flooed Hannah explaining what had happened at the school. They had decided right away to announce their engagement in the Prophet for the sake of all the reporters that were slithering about on Hogwart's school grounds. It wasn't a great plan to try and keep it silent when those sneaky little vermin were around to hear the mutterings of ignorant, gossipy, hormone induced young teenagers.
Everything was going well now that all was settled way before it even got out of hand. She felt the heavy weight of an unneeded problem go away after the small talk she had with him. Now all she needed to do was to go and thank Snape for saying something in the first place instead of keeping this information to himself. If it hadn't been for him she would never had known this, or that she had become the highlight of teen gossip. The next time she was out and about and having a conversation with another she probably would be better off casting a muffliato. Sure it may seem suspicious to everyone around them but it would keep others from eavesdropping on a conversation that did not pertain to them.
Instantly she felt the inevitable guilty feeling of now knowing what others before her must have felt when she and her friends did something exactly like this. Oh how cruel karma could be to one, in showing a replication in actual form of what the golden trio once did. The only thing she was happy about was that it did not get out of hand, and that no one ended up hurt in the long run and all was good, or so she had thought.
Strolling down the center row of the Great Hall, Hermione noticed right away all the gazes she was acquiring with each step she was taking. The bent heads of children whispering in each other's ears while trying to subtly point at her without being too obvious in doing so. They were horridly bad in the art of stealth and subtly if she noticed it right away upon entering. It was nothing new of course – they were the same way to Harry once, but this time it was she who was the center of attention and Hermione finally thought she could understand Harry in a new way. Hermione felt like she had grown a pair of cat ears throughout the night –a thought which brought back another, now amusing memory of a time from her second year- and was the last one to notice she did with all the attention she was receiving. Ignoring them as best as possible she proceeded to the high table and took her normal seat between Snape and Neville.
She flashed a bright smile towards her friend with a greeting to only receive a grunt and a curt nod. Something was really off with him, instantly alerting her that something was up. It was not like him to be so distant with her no matter how tired he might be in the early morning hours. He had always given her a warmer greeting than the cold one she was just given. Stunned, she glanced out at the students who were still looking at her… No at them. Could it be that that abominable rumor was still wagging off of their tongues? Surely it must be for the majority of the eyes in the room were upon them.
Grumbling, she reached for a slice of toast. "The students seem pretty energetic and full of gossip. The usual." She mumbled under her breath buttering the piece of bread in hand and taking a bite. "Really they are making it quite obvious that they're talking about me. I had hoped that the little dispute would have been over and done with, after all it was all a misconception that a pair of intrusive children all but invented."
Taking another bite, she spotted the day's recent Prophet. Grasping the corner of the paper she slid it over the table's surface towards her, only to have it stalled by another hand falling upon it. Quickly looking up at the hand's owner, she stared at the potions master with an apologetic half smile. "I'm sorry professor, I did not know you were reading it." She said softly, releasing her hold.
"I wasn't." Severus said, keeping the paper firmly pressed in the same spot it was in.
"Oh well if you are not reading it, then would you be so kind as to allow me have it?" She asked, grabbing it once again and giving it a tug this time when he wouldn't lent up his hold. "I would really like to read what other trifles this confounded paper has in it."
"That might not be a wise on your part, Granger."
"What might not be wise, Snape? Me reading the paper?" She chuckled light heartedly. "Really there is nothing that this paper or its reporters can do that would surprise me anymore."
"Are you sure?" He asked, raising his eyebrow, giving her a strange look, as if he knew something she didn't. Waiting a second or two, he lifted his hand allowing her to move the paper closer to her. Sneering, he went back to his own meal in front of him. "Suit yourself. Remember though, I did warn you."
Rolling her eyes at him, she grumbled at him. "Oh, bugger off."
Shaking out the paper she started to read the big, bold, inky black lettering on the front page.
Trouble in Paradise?
By: Rita Skeeter
Is love actually in the air or is it the scent of adultery? It has come to this reporter's attention that the lusty drives of two dear professors had come to quite an interesting end. The rumors of Professor Hermione Granger and Professor Neville Longbottom relationship had been all the rage for the students of Hogwarts and the neighbouring townsfolk of Hogsmeade since the beginning of the school year. Many believed that they were meant for one another and they had rejoiced in the thought that these two very young professors had found love with each other. After the horrible break up between Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, many believed that the young witch was able to move on and had actually found love with the handsome herbology professor.
These young love birds had been witnessed together holding hands, smiling happily at one another with loved stricken eyes wherever they are. Miss Granger is one of our famous war heroes during the second wizarding war. She fought alongside Harry Potter in defeating of You-Know-Who. But is she really our sweet savior that we had always thought her to be? My inside sources say that she is not at all what we perceived her to be.
It has come out recently that our dear professor has been having a heated secretive affair with her fellow colleague. Yes dear readers - an affair! She has conducted a scandalous relationship with Mr. Longbottom while he was courting the lovely Miss Hannah Abbot. Was Miss Granger just a sally on the side for the illustrious Mr. Neville Longbottom? Or was she trying to split up a strong relationship, by wedging herself in between them using her sex appeal? Though many question if the handsome young professor was just tugging her along or if he was trying to be kind by pushing her attentions away? We really do not know as of yet. An abundant of their students still believe that they are clearly in love with each other that what they have between them isn't some crazed dream of one.
"They always seemed happy around one another. I have never seen Professor Granger smile as brightly or even laugh as much as she does when she is in the company of Professor Longbottom. The first year she was here she was always so sad. It was quite depressing to tell you the truth. But when he came along her gloominess seemed to vanish as if it was never there! I really think that they make a cute couple and I really hope for the best for them. (The young woman pauses and clears her throat.) Well I did until I found out that they weren't actually dating. It's sad knowing that he is promised to another. I really feel sorry for her now, you know? No woman deserves to be played like a love sick fool." Said one of the students, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Not only that, but some students voiced their outrage at their esteemed herbology professor, for there were those that did not believe he would actually play their dear transfiguration professor in such a manner! These students are known as Team Granger. There is a divide in the school, with those who believe that they are meant for each other, then there are those that say otherwise. There was a report on how horrible it was to see the way Miss Granger was throwing herself all over the poor man acting like a desperate woman when he clearly did not want her attention. Those who believe this are known as Team Longbottom and the two groups have even began to write avid "fanfiction" about their professors.
"I seen the way she's been acting around him every time they step foot in here. It was quite disgusting to witness. Really one would have expected better from those of the teaching profession or so I thought. I'm just surprised that the headmistress is allowing such conduct in front of the children. She should feel ashamed for hiring a trollop to teach the younger generation, but what does it matter now she has already done so. It seems to me they will allow just about anyone to teach now-a-days even 'supposed' Death Eaters." Commented one customer at the Three Broomsticks.
Like those who are hoping for the best for these two, there are even more who are extremely disgusted about this. For those who are sicken by this, they have all reason too. It seems that late last night the announcement of Professor Neville Longbottom and Miss Hannah Abbot's engagement was received by owl. With the happy news of a wedding in the future. Will the happy couple be able to enjoy their blissful married life without any interference from the other witch? Will Miss Granger go out and seek blood for being cast off to the side by her lover or will she move on? One never knows in these situations. My dear readers I for one hope for the best for the newly engaged couple and hopes for the interloper to find her way out. Will she do so? Who knows? But do not worry dear readers, I will keep you all updated. Stay tune for this story's progress on page C6.
Hermione paled as she read the article once, twice and three times over. This had to be her worst nightmare come to life. She couldn't imagine how Harry had felt reading this every single day of his school career – and she was an adult! He was just a teenager. After all the years she had tried to stay out of this horrid paper, yet she somehow ended up being the center of attention once again. That slimy good for nothing beetle had finally gotten her revenge. This was an utter disgrace for her, for Neville, for Hannah and for Hogwarts. She felt ashamed that all of this had happened, even when she knew it not to be her fault or to have any basis on fact.
Looking over the article one more time, she understood why all of the students' eyes were focused on her. Why Neville was so distant with her when she came in. It all had to do with the bloody lies that this godforsaken paper had written about them. And poor Hannah was dragged into it. Hermione could only imagine what she was going through right now.
"This is horrible! Really horrible." Hermione whispered, keeping her eyes glued on the paper shaking in her trembling hands. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Neville. This shouldn't have happened." She said sincerely to her friend. It wasn't her fault, but she felt as if it was. If only she didn't say she was jealous of Hannah, if she just didn't even mentioned any of it, then all this wouldn't have happened.
Lost in her descending dread, she stared absently, burning holes into the paper and through the table, trying to find ways that she could make this better for the both of them. Everything she was thinking of ended up leading to another disaster. There was nothing she could think of that would help clear any misunderstandings that the public knew – honestly it's not like it worked for Harry. And she knew that if she went to that Skeeter bitch, she would just twist her words around just to make another big story.
Jumping at the gentle hand settling down upon her shoulder, she swiveled her head looking up at the headmistress.
"Professor Ganger, Professor Longbottom. Can I have a word with you two after breakfast in my office?" McGonagall said softly with a small smile that did not match the concern gaze flickering behind her eyes.
"Yes, Headmistress." They answered in unison. Hermione felt like a student all over again, apprehension filling her like it would when she, Harry and Ron would get themselves in trouble in school.
"Good." She said, nodding at them and turning her attention over to the potions master. "Severus I would like to you cover for Mr. Longbottom's class this morning, I apologize if it cuts into anything you have already planned for the day."
"Yes, Headmistress." Snape answered curtly, turning his attention up to the elder witch giving her a slight nod then drifting his eyes down to the younger witch and then rising from his chair leaving the Great hall in a swirl of black robes.
Hermione watched him leave the room, she swore that she seen a flash of a gentler sorrowful emotion flicker behind his eyes before steeling back up to their cool dark expressionless gaze. Why would he even give her such a look, let alone feel any concern for her? She now thought about the way he reacted when she grabbed the paper. Why did he take it upon himself to try and protect her from the slander that was written in the Prophet about her? It wasn't his duty to do so, and it wasn't as if he was her friend, as much as she would like for that to happen.
Sighing, she slowly rose up and walked out of the Great Hall side by side with the Headmistress, with Neville slowly following behind them.
{-}
The curly haired witch stood along the banks of the lake. The moon was high in the sky casting its radiant silver rays of light over the silent landscape below. This serene peaceful night was the only thing that could bring Hermione out of her stupor. Her anger had clung on to her like a feral cat, refusing to let go of its prized catch. It had sunk its long claws deep into the fiber of her being, curling under her flesh, radiating its poisonous fumes from her pores.
The remainder of the day was considerably the worse than any other that she had had so far this year. She couldn't bear to show her face in front of her students, her fellow professors, let alone in any vicinity where a lone reporter may be lurking.
The conversation in McGonagall's office replayed in her mind. The final outcome was not how she expected at all. In truth she had thought that they would have been warned to watch their conduct around one another, to stay away from each other's presence for the time being or until these circumstances cleared up. That was what she was expecting to happen, but this was clearly not the case. No, the most nonsensical idea was to suspend one of the professors' duties for the time being, and sadly that professor was her.
She wasn't even given a chance to argue the final decision. It was quite unfair that she was the one to be outed in this whole ordeal when clearly both of them were part of this spectacle. Hermione wanted to give the headmistress a piece of her mind about this matter at hand, she wanted to fight about it. And every time she opened her mouth to speak she was hushed by the raise of the older witch's hand.
Minerva felt cornered, not only from the press and the angry protesters but also from the board of governors who had now decided to step in. They were pressing for some sort of action to be taken place to deal with this infuriating slander upon them and the school. The options were pretty biased and discriminatory in the gryffindor's opinion. She could see the pain in the headmistress' eyes and so she agreed to it despite the ridiculous nature of it –as it was for McGonagall's sake.
One whole week of suspension from her duties and all the while Neville was able to continue his, pretending as if nothing had happened. Even though she had blatantly conceded to this arrangement, it did not mean she wasn't outraged by all of this.
It really was unjust that she was the only one being punished, the only one who was being re-evaluated in this whole endeavor. Regardless that she was silently happy that Neville's job wasn't on the line. It just angered her more so that she was automatically zeroed in this whole confounded outbreak without given a chance to oppose them.
It was as if no one took the time to think about this more closely. Those ignorant fools at the Ministry were so blinded by the slandering, poisonous words that burned in that ungodly paper that they really never took the time to actually consider that this information could be all wrong. Though why would they? They were all about looks and after the sort of history that had been plastered on this prestigious school, adding another was not suitable in their eyes. For one reason or another Hermione knew she would still have her job when this was all over. There was no doubt about it in her mind that is if the board didn't end up with an itch up their rear to sack her at the very last minute.
The overwhelming feeling of the hot burning pricks of the tears behind glossy eyes finally fell forth, re-staining her pale face yet again. Her tears seemed to be unlimited and full of sorrow. It had been a long time since she had cried tears of joy. Especially now, after having one disaster after another fall down upon her shoulders, turning her world upside down. Her friendship with the two wizards who she had grown up with was destroyed, her parents were far away and out of her grasp and now her job was on the line. If she was to lose it she did not know what she would do with herself. Her name was tarnished in the wizarding world, there wouldn't be a place for her here in this world if she was given the boot. And if the worst was to come Hermione planned to leave this magical life and live one as an ordinary muggle.
Hermione cursed that damn beetle eye woman for doing this to her. It was a cruel way to get her revenge for the blackmail she had held over Rita's head for all those years. The vile reporter had jeopardized her job and her livelihood. It wasn't like she had automatically given away that nasty woman's secret when she learned about it. She had only used this knowledge to keep Skeeter tamed. Though somewhere in the back of her mind she should have known better to think that that woman might be noble enough not to go so far as to destroy her way of life eventually.
Letting out a heavy breath of air, Hermione stood on the stony bank crying silently into the night while wishing she could go back in time and turn her life around.
{-}
The dark wizard stood upon the barracks of the astronomy tower for the third time this week staring out into the silver landscape and watching the illuminated figure standing still by the dark glasslike water of Black Lake. He knew why she stood out there every night, it was almost for the same reasons he stood up in the tall tower. She wanted to escape from the pain that this world and its inhabitants were causing her, to lose herself within herself. It was better for her instead of roaming the dark corridors late at night like she has done every night since he arrived. Her choice of finding an area where she could be left alone and away from prying eyes was the wisest choice she had made.
Severus knew there were lurking eyes of the remaining reporters watching vigilantly for some sort of event to unfold so they could twist it into a ludicrous story. They were blood thirsty demons which never gave up until they got what they wanted or until something better came along, waving its tail in front of their faces. He despised the lot of them, they were everyone's bane of their existence, especially for him.
He expected the people in the wizarding world to believe about the stories written about him, about what he had done in his past. He did not care that they spewed lies about him - he was after all, used to it. He was used to the hatred that the wizarding world had shown him since his very existence came to life. It did not pain him, it did not bother him, and after all everything they said had some basis on reality. He was once a Death Eater, one of the followers to the Dark Lord, the faded mark upon his left forearm was proof to that. He was not a good man, he had watched many die by his master's hands or by those of his fellow Death Eaters. He chose who he was going to live and who was going to die. Not daring to lift a finger to save all of them from the horrors they had to face and endure due to the duty he was bound too. He watched children get tortured by the Carrows, heard their cries echo through the halls, hearing pleads for help from former acquaintances all the while he sat or stood off in the distance watching them being broken down in horrifying, painful ways.
Potter had called him a hero in the end. Announced what he had done for the wizarding world during the final end of the second wizarding war. Witches and wizards all around had agreed with the boy-who-lived, cheering his name with high praises. They cheered their adoration for a man who they believed was once dead. Oh how twisted in the end those cheers of thanks were, they faded away to menacing disapproval when he manifested out of thin air and back into the world of the living. To say he was amazed how quickly people could forgive a man of his horrid history once he was cold and unbreathing, but found it hard to forgive them when they are alive and well was expected. They turned into vicious unforgiving beasts in the end screaming demands for the death of that particular person - him.
Of course Miss Granger would never have that happened to her. No one would demand for her death - that was a given, but that did not mean they wouldn't ostracize her. The absurd drivel the Prophet had heaved out about her was utter nonsense, but he knew that those who did not know them well would fall victim underneath this false story. He was one after all. He had believed the rumor tumbling off some dunderhead girl rather than brushing it off to the side. But how could he have known? Granger let out a musical laugh, smiled brightly when she was around that foolish Longbottom. How in the world was he to know there was nothing going on between them when they acted so chummy, chummy?
It was her reaction that night that told him how wrong he was to assume that she was the one engaged to Longbottom. It was because of that night that he felt compelled the next morning to try and keep her away from the papers. Try to keep her from reading the insipid writings of that lunatic reporter. Though in the end he given the insufferable witch the paper and watched from the corner of his eye how her features paled within the short amount of time.
Some part of him wanted to tell her it was all going to be fine, that she needed to ignore them and live her life and not worry, but he had kept his tongue stilled when she apologized to her friend. It was as if she had fully given up, taking all the blame upon herself for what was written in the newspaper. It sickened him to see how easily she took full responsibility for a lie that was strewed on that godforsaken paper.
Glancing at the figure for one second longer, Severus turned his back on the view below.
{-}
Severus sat in the same worn out chair positioned in the corner by the roaring fire. His hooked nose buried in the recent 'Practical Potioneer' as he listened to his colleagues converse about their illustrious Miss Granger, a seemingly common topic of late.
"It's been four days and they are still talking about it. My students won't stop yapping away about this whole situation. They talk about how weird it is that their beloved transfiguration professor has been absent since that horrid article circulated." Professor Flitwick said in his high pitched voice. "I really feel sorry for the poor dear, are you sure there is nothing you can do?"
McGonagall looked at the small wizard with a sad look. "You know if there was something I could do, I would have done it by now Filius. But this is out of my hands. I tried to argue with the board about their unjust decision but they are more worried about the school's prestige – you know how it is."
"Well they should." Added Professor Hackly in his annoyingly nasally pitched voice. "No offence to you Headmistress, but she has brought disgrace to Hogwarts. It was the right thing for them to do, though I don't understand why they just suspended her instead of releasing her from her position. If she continues to work here Hogwarts will forever be swarmed with those vultures."
"Hackly, how can you say that? Hermione did nothing wrong and she was trialed unfairly. They just up and jump to conclusions believing that damn drivel. I've known for a long time Mr. Longbottom was engaged to Miss Abbot and that there was nothing happening between our two professors. They had grown up together, fought in the same battle - of course they are going to be close they are friends. But for these nosy reporters to jump to conclusions right away without finding evidence is an outrage." The elderly witch huffed narrowing her eyes at the stout man. "You are part of this school as well Morse, you should find some sort of compassion for your fellow colleagues."
"I'm sorry if it upsets you Headmistress, but I for one do not feel sorry for the girl. She had placed this upon herself for the way she's been acting with Professor Longbottom. She's supposed to be the brightest witch of her age and sadly I am not convinced that she is if she was capable to make such a scene. She's obviously a young woman who has carnal desires that she cannot keep tamed. If she's not one by now then she's surely on the path of making herself known as a harlot in the wizarding community. Once that is out no one will want to employ her and say that she doesn't get let go, then Hogwarts will forever be known as the school who allows trollops and ex-criminals to teach our younger generation. Parents will not want to send their children to such a school, I for one wouldn't allow my son or daughter to attend here." He spat out.
"Really Professor Hackly, that is harsh. Miss Granger is nothing like that. She has not acted any differently around anyone else as she has acted around Mr. Longbottom. She's nothing like what you or Skeeter has said. What was scattered in that paper is just one thing that this reporter made up so they could gain recognition for their work and nothing more." Filius chirped, setting his tea cup down on the saucer floated by his right arm.
"He's right Hackly." Severus finally said, having just about enough of the ridiculous bullshit spewing from the fat man's mouth. Lowering the magazine he sneered at the roundly man. "If you have known Miss Granger as long as we have all known her, you would know that, that Skeeter bitch wrote one big fat lie. Why she did it? No one knows. But she did and you have to be a complete dunderhead to believe that gibberish."
"No, I do not know her as well as you three but it does not mean you truly know her as you say you do." Hackly nodded setting the recent Daily Prophet on the end table. "Now that I think of it, should you be happy that you are not the prime entertainment for this here paper? Surely you must, so why do you even care that they are now going after another? Hmm." He said cheekily.
The dark wizard's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed lower as he pinned a malicious look on the History Professor. "I never said I was not happy that I am not the center of the media's attention. But I would rather endure it then let them spill out their filth on one who does not deserve it. I have half the notion to hex all of those reporters that are still lurking beyond the front doors. Not just for the sake they had caused turmoil to fall upon the Granger chit, but because of what it's doing to the school causing unnecessary mayhem. You know as well as I that Minerva and Miss Granger have been doing their damn best to settle all of this unfortunate trivial disaster down. True we haven't seen nor heard from our young professor but that does not mean she's not trying to keep this ugly lie from spreading unlike you."
Severus looked over at the older witch seeing her pressing her lips tightly together as she kept an ear open to what he was saying. He noted the past couple days on how she held herself, during their meals she was more ridged than normal as the off look in her eyes told how deep in thought she was. The Daily Prophet caused more damage than good in his opinion. Those reporters love destroying lives with all their lies, and sadly there were many dunderheads out there that actually believed this nonsense drivel.
Severus brought his attention back to the balding man and continued to speak as he rose out of the chair, tucking the magazine he was reading under his arm and walked towards the short man. "Humans are cruel by nature Mr. Hackly. They live to find fault within others and then take pleasure in other's suffering. And at this very given moment I do not doubt that one particular witch is cackling away knowing the pain she has caused to Miss Granger. It was a very unfair course of action the board had taken. They instantly cast the blame on her and her alone. This decision that the board of governors decreed spoke for itself, making that insufferable article look true." Pausing when he reached by Hackly's chair, he looked down his nose at him. "Your profession in in history, obviously you pay attention to all history of magic. You took time and researched about the past and current events. Why don't you take those useful skills and actually do some research before speaking." He said curtly. Turning his head he nodded at Minerva and Filius and exited out of the room, fuming at the dunderhead's words.
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