Four Months Earlier
Hermione was walking down to her first class, Advanced Potions, with Henry Lupin and Will Weasley.
"I swear, I wanted to just punch Malfoy in the face," Will complained. "I don't know why you stopped me, Mione. It would have made life a lot easier to have that git in the Hospital Wing where we don't have to deal with him."
Hermione shook her head and smiled. "Dumbledore was standing right behind you, idiot."
Will pouted. "It still would have been worth it."
"How bout this," Hermione suggested. "I stayed at this magical school for a semester and there was this guy there that was exactly like Malfoy. We had a teacher who got really pissed off at him, and as punishment, he transfigured him into a ferret." Hermione's two friends laughed. "I'll teach you how to do that so next time you get the urge to beat Malfoy's face in, you can turn him into a ferret instead."
The two were still grinning when we walked into potions. "I like that idea better," Henry said.
Hermione looked around to see that the Gryffindors had this class with the Slytherins. It must have been some kind of tradition to put the two houses together for this class.
Just as the three students took seats, the potions professor walked in.
"By now, all of you should know that I am Professor Slughorn and I am the instructor of this course."
Hermione inwardly groaned. Slughorn? she thought. Again? Just my luck.
"This is one of the most challenging and exclusive courses that Hogwarts offers. In a weeks time, there will be an exam. Those of you who do not meet the requirements, getting an O, will be moved down to the regular level potions class."
Many of the students shifted nervously in their seats. Hermione could not help but smile. She had no doubt that she would do well on the test.
"Now," Slughorn continued. "Just to refresh our minds of what we learned last year, you all will be allowed to make a potion of your choice. The choices are Polyjuice Potion, Draught of the Living Dead, and Amortenia. You can also make Felix Felicis but I do not recommend it unless you are confident in your potion making skills. The recipes can all be found in your book, you may begin."
Hermione flipped to the page where the instructions to make Felix Felicis were. Looking around, Hermione saw that only one other person had dared to make the complicated potion, Tom Riddle.
Hermione saw this as a challenge and decided that she would work harder on this potion then she had on any other she had made in her life.
She set the cauldron to the right temperature and gathered her ingredients. In a matter of minutes, she was following the directions in an accurate and precise manner.
All the students had finished with ten minutes left of the class. Hermione, who had been done before all the others, had taken the time to casually read through the potions book.
Slughorn walked around the room, assessing all of the potions, giving comments where he felt they were needed.
When he reached Riddle's table, he beamed. "Tom, you have done a fantastic job, my boy."
Riddle smiled, Hermione could instantly tell that he had been expecting such praise and rolled her eyes.
Slughorn continued moving through the students, critiquing and complimenting them as he went.
He reached Hermione's potion and his jaw dropped. "Ms. Dumbledore, this is incredible. It is a better Felix Felicis than even I can make. Twenty points to Gryffindor. Well done."
Hermione blushed and thanked him. She glanced over to the Slytherin side of the room to see Riddle glaring daggers at her, making her bones turn cold.
After Slughorn had seen all the potions he addressed the entire class. "Since we still have some time left, I'm going to ask you all questions, just to get your brains back into the mindset of potion making. Now, where is the best place to collect Morle Roots?"
Two hands went up into the air, Hermione's and Tom Riddle's.
Slughorn grinned. "This is a pleasant surprise, Tom rarely has any competition." Riddle's eyes darkened when Slughorn referred to Hermione as competition.
Slughorn called on her and Hermione responded, "Most people believe that Morle Roots are best when fresh and therefore should be taken from the bottom of large lakes where they manifest like alge. However, the strength of the plant is intensified if the roots dry out naturally. Seeing as they grow on the bottom of various bodies of water, the best place to gather Morle Roots is in dried up ponds and lakes. Not only does having the Root dried out intensify the magical properties, it allows the root to substitute for beeswax in any potion, expanding its possible uses. However, if the plant is being collected for any type of poison, the Morle Roots must not be allowed to dry since that kills all bacteria that would cause the potion to have its poisonous affect."
The class was very surprised by her miniature lecture. The Gryffindors grinned, obviously dreaming about winning the house cup because of all the points that Hermione earned for them.
Slughorn, who had seen his fair share of prodigies, seemed less dazed then the rest of the class and was able to prevent his jaw from hanging open.
"Ms. Dumbledore, I can see that you won't have any trouble staying in this class. Another twenty points to Gryffindor for Ms. Dumbledore's text book worthy answer."
Hermione smiled again.
After Slughorn asked another question, the same two hands shot in the air. The potions professor grinned. "Let's see if you can do it again, Ms. Dumbledore."
Hermione smiled slightly and listed all the uses of Dragon's Blood, giving additional information after every use. Much to every Gryffindors delight, Hermione earned her house even more points, securing their lead momentarily.
Slughorn beamed at Hermione, and asked a third question. Again, Riddle's and Hermione's hands both went up. Tom Riddle had a set look of determination on his face, eager to maintain his position as star pupil.
Slughorn kept smiling. Addressing Hermione, he said, "Ms. Dumbledore, I think it's best if we let Tom get a few words in. Mr. Riddle?" Slughorn motioned for him to speak.
A murderous look passed on the future Dark Lord's face, he was never one to back down from a challenge and Hermione Dumbledore was the ruler of all obstacles.
Tom Riddle made a silent vow to himself. He would best this new girl using whatever it took. No one could stop him or get in the way of his destiny. Not even a brilliant witch like her.
A secretive smile came up on his face, unseen by all except the person who was currently holding his thoughts, Hermione.
Having a strong guess of where his thoughts were, Hermione shivered. Not wanting to draw any more attention from Tom Riddle, Hermione swept her hair to the right side of her face, creating a veil between them. She knew it was a foolish thing to do. Something as weak as hair could not stop the darkest wizard of all time. The false hope kept the fear at bay, though, even if only for a few moments.
Just then, thought hit Hermione like a wrecking ball. Would I be able to do it? she asked herself. Could I really stand up to someone with so much power? No one is able to do it in sixty years? There's no way that I would succeed.
She shook her head to clear those thoughts and set her mouth in a determined line.
Doesn't matter, she said silently. If I can change it, I will. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll bring down Lord Voldemort.
A/N: sooo...what did ya think? I kind of liked the ending, with the two deciding to bring the other one down. Not a very interesting chapter but it's necessary to have a few like these to lead up to the good stuff.
review?
