The Beauty and the Beast Effect

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING; I MERELY ENTERTAIN MYSELF IN J.K. ROWLING'S WORLD.

A/N in this chapter we'll see a little more of Hermione falling in love or at least she's interested.
By the way, a few of you thought the last chapter was confusing, I'm really sorry.
I know I say this all the time but I can't wait for the Christmas chapters! Happy reading, happy reviewing.

Chapter Seven

"Call me Sev"

"I am assuming you all enjoyed you trip to Hogsmede even if it wasn't a full length one?" Minerva asked during lunchtime, and she was greeted by cheering, "Good, good. Well, for the second time today, I have a special announcement to make. I have met with two teenagers who are of the ages of sixteen and seventeen. Their guardian is currently trying to decide whether or not to continue their home schooling. A few days of every week, they will be joining us in classes, to see if they are cut out for Hogwarts. I would like every one of you to strive to make these new students feel welcome here."

Her last words fell on deaf ears as students began whispering amongst themselves. Were they siblings? Were they both girls? What did they look like? What were their names?

"So are they both in sixth year do you think?" Ron asked.

"I bet the Seventeen year old is a seventh year," Hermione answered.

"Nah, they're probably both in sixth year." Ginny countered good-naturedly.

The three students continued their friendly banter until Ginny noticed Harry had left.

"Where do you think Harry went?" Ginny asked.

"He said he was going to go to Transfiguration early," Hermione said, suddenly remembering.

"When did he tell you that?" Ron said as he spewed pumpkin juice from his mouth.

"When he left," she said.

"Oh brother," Ginny grumbled as she picked up her books and left to find Harry.

"Wait up," Ron called gulping down a last bit of pumpkin juice as he jumped up to follow his younger sister.

"I'm coming too," Hermione cried, before slinging her bag over her shoulder and dashed after her friends.

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"They were all asking about you, and I left so I wouldn't have to lie," Harry leaned in closer to Severus so that the two Hufflepuffs wouldn't hear.

"Sorry about all this Harry, I just…"

They both straightened hearing three familiar footsteps.

"Ginny," Harry said happily.

"Hermione," Severus whispered softly.

They looked at each other and groaned simultaneously, "Ron!"

"I'd better sit down," Harry grunted.

"Yeah, probably," Severus responded miserably.

Harry scurried over to his normal chair and pulled out his book and essay just as the others walked. Each had a different reaction to the dark haired boy in the corner. Ron glared at him in suspicion and jealousy. Ginny's jaw dropped open at the sight of him but she quickly closed it again when she saw Harry waiting for her with his gorgeous grin. Hermione cocked her head in curiosity, before nodding once to herself and plopping into the empty desk next to him.

Severus glanced up and nearly yelped in shock to see her deep chocolate eyes regarding him with interest. Instead he merely nodded at her before going back to his book.

The remainder of the class filed in each glancing at the strange boy with Hermione. Every so often the one would furtively look to the other. After Hermione had been caught staring at him in the first place, she looked blankly at her book between stolen glances. He in turn kept his eyes on his lap majority of the time, although he did catch himself gazing at her exquisite face.

After what seemed like forever, Professor McGonagall stood and gestured for Severus to join her at the front.

"We'll have a heck of a time pulling this off Severus," She spoke quietly so as not to be overheard.

"Well we've got to try," he replied with another glance at Hermione's tense form.

"Very well," Minerva said before raising her voice so all could hear, "Class, as I said this afternoon, we have been joined by two possibly permanent students. Although they are both the age of sixth years, they will be placed in some seventh year classes, due to the fact that they have covered more in certain subjects when they were home schooled than they would have if they had learned here. So they are at seventh year level in potions, defense against the dark arts, and obviously, transfiguration.

"Now that we have that taken care of, you may continue to work on your lesson form last week."

Severus went to sit down but he was unsure if he could handle sitting by Hermione any longer. He looked over at Minerva for help, but she just nodded encouragingly. He nodded glumly in return and went to take his seat next to the brown haired girl once more.

Before he could sit down, Ernie McMillan called out to him, "What's your name?"

Severus smiled mysteriously as he answered in a wily voice, "Call me Sev."

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A/N I know. It was really short. I'm sorry, but I liked this one like that. Hermione sort of has a thing for "Sev" YEAH!

Next chapter is a bit of DADA. I will post chapter eight sometime later today. I am going on vacation again tomorrow until Monday, so once agian, I'll post one in advance.