Hi all! Sorry for the lack of updates, I got a new job and all I've got to say about it is that it's an awful one… So I did not have the motivation to translate... I hope to find a new one soon! I had an interview (is that the right word?) today and I really hope I'll get the job!
Disclaimer: JKR is our Queen and owns it all!
Many thanks to TheAngelOnYourRight who betaed this chapter!
Guest: Your Sirius POV is right here but I've got to say that I really can't write Quidditch… Even if it was to save my own life! Pathetic right? So I'm sorry but you won't read it in this story ^^ Anyway, thanks for the review !
I'll answer all your lovely reviews as soon as I can :D Love you all!
Sirius Orion Black had set a new record; or perhaps more than one. Definitely several now that he thought about it. To his knowledge, no one had ever gone so quickly to Poppy, although the circumstances were far from favorable for him, it was a feat to be going to the hospital wing in slightly more than two hours of attendance at the castle. Besides the fact of having made an enemy as fast; because the little pest who had the presumptuousness to hit him was definitely on his blacklist; as far as he was concerned she was on her own. How such a frail thing had as much strength as she did, he had no idea, but the fact was she had busted his nose! His very beautiful and aristocratic nose that went so beautifully with the rest of his gorgeous face! Without Poppy's care he would have definitely been disfigured. The upside was that his fan club had doubled; but she had created her own at the same time. The Slytherins respected her and had the nerve to snicker when they saw him. Even Remus and Peter were talking to her instead of being on his side! He was their friend, not her! He absolutely had to retaliate and reaffirm his status.
He decided to observe her and strike when she least expected it.
Within a month of classes, he learned that she was just a know-it-all like Evans, but for her it was almost verging on obsession! She spent hours in the library working; her homework was almost the double of what was required. But she didn't raise her hand in classes; curiously, she only answered questions when a professor asked her directly. She had become friends with Evans, Remus and Peter. James was a true friend to him and stayed by his side when the other two traitors swooned at her feet. He could not really see what they found so alluring in her. Granted she was not bad but there were others who were more attractive. She had a bossy side that unnerved him and made him want to slap her; not that he would raise his hand towards a girl, as annoying as she was. She was unfazed and didn't react to his provocations, which annoyed him to no end. The girl had the nerve to just raise an eyebrow and look smugly at him, as if she felt sorry for him!
Him!
Sirius Orion Black!
Who did she believe she was to do so in his presence? She was supposed to be on her knees like any other and do everything to get HIS attention.
He did not really see how to reply in kind... Give her a love potion and watch as she'd make a fool of herself? Forbidden, although quite frankly enticing. Change her hair color? Too childish, even if he was puerile... But it wasn't outstanding enough. Maybe he could charm all her quills and scrolls and she would be unable to turn in her homework, and ensure she'd only write a long list of the qualities that made him an exceptional being? That would drive her crazy for sure but the whole castle had to witnesses his revenge... He could find something to make her recite an ode to him then? Not bad but still not enough lasting.
He needed to find something special, but what? He suddenly had an idea. It was something grand, something she would be ashamed of, something forbidden but which would ensure him a month of detention at worst... Oh! That would be sweet revenge. This little spell intended for Snivellus would be used against his sister... Speaking of Snivellus, he should do something about him. This greasy bastard was no longer so. Greasy, not bastard. He was even better looking and smiled. He smiled! Showing white and in line teeth, and not the yellow horrors he had before! Same for his nose. It was still big but no longer twisted and crooked. He had even heard some girls say that with such a nose, there was a whole world of possibilities open to them if he passed under their skirts! Why would Snivellus go under the skirts of anyone?
He decided to strike on October 12th, ten days after his wonderful find. He knew she took her breakfast at ten o'clock on Sundays. He was there fifteen minutes before her and had dragged James with him. He didn't inform his best and only friend because it was necessary no one knew he was responsible for what was going to happen; even though all would know or assume. No evidence, no crime... He had to cast his wonderful little spell without anyone noticing. The problem was that she certainly would accuse him but he was prepared for this possibility. He just had to use that spell only known by the Blacks which removed the last spell casted unless it was an Unforgivable. Purgare. The crazy side of his family was useful sometimes... When he saw her coming with Lily, he pointed his wand at Hermione under the table. The redhead had absolutely to be far from the scope of the spell or James would never get over it, and Sirius was relieved to see Evans, walk three steps from the brunette.
"Evanesco vestimentum," he whispered and he immediately used after the Purgare spell.
The effect was immediate, the uniform of his enemy disintegrated; leaving her in her underwear in the middle of the Great Hall. What he expected didn't happen though. He wanted to see her scream and hide the white goody-goody underwear that she'd surely wear. He was offended to see her look at her lingerie, as if to ensure that it matched - which was the case - then shrug and nonchalantly accio Snivellus' robes just before to take her breakfast without paying attention to anyone except her roommates.
This half failed vengeance at least allowed him to learn more about his enemy. He at least had to recognize that she was difficult to attack; she might be small, she was well proportioned and most importantly, she didn't wear the white underwear he expected. She was wearing pastel green lace bra and high-waisted knickers whose strategic places were hidden by what looked like embroidered ivy. He did not expect this and looking more closely, the performance made her even more popular in the eyes of the present males. On a positive note, Snivellus seemed on the verge of apoplexy. It was a start. He would have to find something else...
The best tactic to use with Sirius Black stood in a nutshell: Ignore. The animal couldn't stand not to be in the spotlight and since she could not stand the teenage version of him, it was pretty easy. Hermione knew she should not have hit him that night but he had made her so angry that her instinct had taken over. Rumors had circulated at the speed of light and the next day the entire castle knew. The good thing was she had earned the respect of the Slytherins and she'd need it if she wanted to get Riddle's diary from Lucius. Regulus, who was actually the one with whom she had shared the carriage, had come to see her and had presented his respects; assuring her that whoever put the oversized ego of his brother in its place was to be congratulated. Gryffindor or not. The negatives were that she had somehow hurt her hand and McGonagall had given her detention. She also had a fan club of which she did not need and the Stupid Siamese twins - Dorcas and Marlene - amused themselves in hexing her: breaking the strap of her bag or making her fall but overall, everything was going well.
She had taken the time to get to know Lily, Alice and Holly and she appreciated her fellow dorm mates. Lily only swore by the classes and the invitation to the Slug Club she was desperate to receive; Alice only spoke about Franck and Holly... Holly was Holly; a funny girl, fan of procrastination and non-existent critters, and totally crazy about the Creepy Wizards - a punk music wizarding band. Hermione also took the time to talk to Remus and Peter, the latter often being with the first. Remus and she shared many common things and she loved spending time with him. Peter, surprisingly, was very talented at Charms and loved to invent some. They were usually spells intended to take care of a house but since his mother and he were alone, and she had poor health, he did everything to help her. Hermione could not understand how such a sweet and gentle boy could have turn out as badly as he did but she hoped that their friendship would keep him from joining the ranks of the Death Eaters. Nevertheless, she spent much time with her brother. As in her original time period, Slytherins and Gryffindors had many joint courses. She spent those classes with her brother and Lily.
The morning when Black had stripped her naked in front of most of the Hogwarts students had not overly marked her, she knew that he would seek revenge. She had first thought he wouldn't go as far as he did, but you find yourself in your underwear in front of everyone, it had less impact with a beautiful set. Nana had always told her to have perfect lingerie, just as personal hygiene, because you never know what might happen; whether it's an accident or anything else; a Prince should never be slovenly. The problem with this involuntary striptease was that her fan club had new members... Including McLaggen senior; who was less clingy than his son but just as pompous. Fortunately, Severus kept a close watch and sent away the most persistent with an unkind remark; sometimes along with a grunt or a spell, or even the three in some cases: grunt, remarks, spells. She loved this protective side of Severus.
The wretched revenge of Sirius had not had the desired effect. She knew it was only a matter of time before he tried again. After all, despite the teachers' questions, the perpetrator had never been found. That stupid Sirius even had the audacity to present his wand to McGonagall so she could be sure he was not the one who did it. Hermione was there when her mentor had used the Prior Incantato and the last spell used was a simple one to dry hair. She almost believed he was innocent. Almost being the key word. But Sirius had the insolence to throw her a wink along with a smug smile, exposing himself at the same time. She wondered if he had used a second wand. The fact was that she had to end this ridiculous war he led. Certainly his pride had taken a blow but he had deserved it. She decided to handle it in her own way. The next Defense class, she explained to Harding that she and Black had a different and a wizard's duel would help to end it. The professor agreed and she went straight to Sirius.
"Black."
"Prince."
"Your childishness must stop," she said bluntly.
"My what? I-"
"You've got what you deserved, don't deny it!" She countered. "A duel should be enough to make you swallow your haughtiness. Professor Harding authorizes us to do so. If you win, I'll apologize; in front of everyone at dinner tonight, even though it should be the opposite. If you lose you leave me alone, I don't want fake apologies, and you call back your guard dogs."
"My dogs?" He asked, clearly lost.
"Your fan club. I have better things to do than to avoid spells poorly casted. So?"
"Gladly," he replied his hypothetical win already in mind.
'If only he knew,' she thought. However she would have to ensure that she doesn't use high-level spells. But her "She" of that period had been a member of Beauxbatons' Dueling Club, assuring her a nice variety of spells; including the one that would guarantee her victory.
They stood on the platform the professor had conjured and bowed. Sirius was the first to strike with a Tickling Charm. She countered it easily with a Protego and replied with a Stinging Hex he dodged at the last moment. Then everything happened very quickly, spells followed, brushing them and never affecting one of them. She had to admit she did not expect him to move so fast. However, she had the opportunity she was looking for when he took Jelly-leg jinx she had just casted.
"Avia Coxit!" She screamed, disguising him as a grandmother and causing hilarity of other students.
Sirius looked horrified and she counted five seconds before throwing an Expelliarmus, recovering his wand and thus ending the duel. She walked up to him and handed him his property.
"Now ignore me and you call back your groupies," she said.
"I only have one word."
"Good. It was lovely to beat you, Black."
Sirius got up and went to see James, who patted his shoulder and told him that the duel was extremely tight. Remus said she had been a member of the Dueling Club at Beauxbatons. Sirius replied that he could have told him, to which Remus responded that since he did not want to hear about her, he had just done what Sirius asked. Hermione smiled at Remus; always the diplomatic one.
She sat next to Lily and Severus and listened to her redhead friend tell her that she had led one hell of a fight and that she was delighted with the result.
"Hopefully Black will be less haughty from now. Potter may take example if he can!"
"We'll see Lily. Now I hope I can move into the castle without having to repair my bag or avoiding jinxes." Hermione replied.
Severus just smiled and they turned to the professor listening to him dissect the duel and explain in more detail the different spells used.
The news of the Black / Prince duel went round the school in record time. Hermione did not care, Sirius might be what he was, he kept his end of the bargain. On the other hand he reaffirmed his masculinity by being seen kissing all the girls who wanted. And they were many; he had his little harem altogether. Four of them were his "regulars" and had Sirius on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; plus a turnover on Saturdays. Wednesdays and Sundays being devoted to the marauders. Wednesday was the evening where Remus had to patrol so she suspected that Peter, James and Sirius were finalizing their Animagus training. Not that she gets involved in their lives, but it would be good to Remus to no longer alone during his transformations.
The first visit to Hogsmeade was to take place on November 1st and Hermione watched with amusement the girls in her year wait for invitations. Alice wanted to spend time with Frank and Holly would meet a Ravenclaw friend who shared her passion for the unseen and the Creepy Wizards: Xenophilius Lovegood, a sixth year and Luna's father incidentally. She wondered if Holly was the mother of her weird friend. After all, Luna had never mentioned her mother's name...
Lily avoided James like the plague and the boy had ended up using a Sonorus right in dinner, asking her to accompany him. She had threw the contents of her glass of water in his face screaming that even if he were the last man on earth, she would choose loneliness rather than spending time with him. Severus had confessed that a Hufflepuff had come to see him and asked him to accompany her. He said that he had nicely declined. Nicely in regard to Severus was straight a "no" before ignoring the very existence of the poor girl. As for Hermione, she heroically dodged her fan club before ending up facing someone she did not expect and it made her feel sick.
Antonin Dolohov; seventh year Slytherin, future murderer of the Prewetts twins and potential Death Eater.
He had trapped her in a corridor leading to the dungeons when she went to meet Severus. When he asked her to come with him to Hogsmeade, she fought the urge to run away at full speed and replied in the negative. He apparently did not appreciate the refusal and started to become much more insistent. She found herself strangely unable to answer. She had in front of her the one who had killed Remus in the Battle of Hogwarts and had wounded her in the Department of Mysteries. His crazy and lustful gaze frightened her and she was about to curse him when footsteps were heard.
"She will not go with you, Dolohov, because I'm the one she will enjoy the village with." Shouted out an unknown voice. "Now you let the girl go and you go away!"
While Dolohov left without further ado, Hermione turned to thank her savior and was dumfounded by discovering who he was.
*Evil laugh*
So any ideas about who might be Hermione's savior?
Until next time,
xoxo
