New chapter, hope you enjoy.
They stood outside on a vast expanse of green grass that was just outside the castle. Slytherins opposite Gryffindors, each student had a broom by their side. The two houses stood glaring daggers at one another, no more so than Hermione Black and Draco Malfoy who were both silently hoping that Potter would fall off of his broom.
"I wish there was a way to beat him to death with his own broom," Draco said under his breath to Hermione.
"Oh, there is," Hermione replied with a devious smirk.
"Care to demonstrate right now," Pansy asked from Draco's other side.
"Maybe later if we have time," Hermione quipped back, they thought she was joking but she was dead serious. Hermione had taken to studying the book her mother had sent to her almost religiously before she went to bed each night and she was confident that she would easily be able to perform some of them.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a woman with silver hair and eyes that resembled a hawk, she quickly called them all to attention.
"Good morning, I am Madam Hooch your flight instructor. Do as I say and you won't get hurt," Madam Hooch said in a strict no nonsense tone that indicated to the first years that she was dead serious.
"Now put your hand over your broom and command it to come up," Madam Hooch ordered them.
All the students done as was told, all that could be heard was the various yells of "Up!" Harry was one of the first to get his broom up followed by a determined Draco. The majority though had trouble commanding there broom to do anything more than slightly tremble. Hermione was furious that Potter had beaten her at something especially something he has no experience in.
"Good, now I want you to mount your brooms. We are going to practice hovering slightly above the ground. On the count of three….," Madam Hooch said as soon as everyone at successfully gotten hold of their brooms.
Before she could count down though Neville had already kicked off as he feared that he would be the last, he zoomed up higher and higher seeming to have no control over his broom.
"Longbottom, get down immediately! Detention if you don't get down right now!" Madam Hooch yelled out at the out of control boy.
Neville started flying even higher and higher before his broom jerked sharply to the left causing him to land hard on the ground a fair distance below. Madam Hooch and Neville's fellow Gryffindors all ran to his aid. The Slytherines remained behind, mocking Neville and the pain that he seemed to be in.
"I'm taking Longbottom to the hospital wing, if any of you fly you will be expelled immediately," Madam Hooch said helping Neville towards the castle.
Once they were out of sight, Draco nudged Hermione and pointed in the direction of a small object that lay in between the grass. It was Neville's Remembrall. Draco quickly scooped it off and showed it off to the other.
"Look what Longbottom dropped, maybe I should leave it somewhere he will find it perhaps a tree?" Draco asked looking at Hermione and Pansy for encouragement, they both nodded at him.
"Give that here Malfoy," Harry said with an indignant tone.
"Why don't you come get it," Draco said with a sneer, throwing the Remembrall up and down while getting on his broom and floating of the ground quite some way.
"Fine," Harry said grabbing his own broom and taking after Draco.
Hermione had to admit that Potter was good for someone who had no experience; he seemed to quite the competitor for Draco. Once Draco himself realised this he threw the Remembrall in the opposite direction, Harry dived quickly after it. Just as he was about to catch it Hermione muttered a spell under her breath, she had never tried wand less magic but it was worth a shot.
Hermione saw Potter freeze before losing control of his broom and coming to a halt when he crashed down into the ground face first, just as Madam Hooch arrived back from the hospital wing.
"Potter, what do you think you're doing?" Madam Hooch demanded standing above the battered boy with her hands on her hips looking unimpressed.
"It was Draco he stole…..," Harry tried to explain but was promptly stopped by a raised hand from Madam Hooch.
"Well Mr Potter, it seems odd that Mr Malfoy seems to have both feet solidly on the ground while you have your face in its place," Madam Hooch said looking at Harry with an angered look.
"Hermione did a spell; I saw her say something just before Harry fell. She's evil, she's a Black," Ron said in attempt to defend Harry from the trouble he had gotten into.
"Yes but at least I'm not a poor Weasley who has no talent or looks to make up for my lack of money," Hermione said sharply to Ron much to the amusement of her fellow Slytherin's.
"That's enough, Potter come with me. You're in a lot of trouble young man," Madam Hooch said leading Harry back towards the castle after dismissing the rest of the class.
"Sssnitch," Hermione hissed at Ron.
"Did…did you just hiss at me?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"No, you are such a freak," Hermione answered with the roll of her eyes before following her friends back towards the castle entrance, leaving a baffled Ron behind her.
Hermione, Pansy and Draco went to dinner that night expecting to see the Gryffindor table devoid of one very annoying member but to their shock and distaste it seemed as though Harry had managed to worm his way out of an expulsion as he was sitting scoffing down his food while surrounded by his friends.
Draco couldn't ignore that as well as Hermione, as her mother had taught her how to play indifferent in times like this. Hermione sighed and motioned to Pansy for them to follow.
"Managed to worm your way out of another tricky situation Potter," Draco said snidely, looking down on Harry as he said this.
"It would take more than that to get rid of me," Harry said, standing with his chest puffed out. Hermione thought the sight was a ridiculous one.
"I would only hope so, wouldn't want to get rid of you before we can have some real fun do we now," Hermione said with a menacing, her eyes sparkling with possibilities. Harry shrunk back at that, even Draco slightly winced under the look.
"So, how about a duel Potter?" Hermione asked in a light tone as if the topic at hand was in no way serious.
"A duel?" Harry asked with a confused look.
"We're in, I'm his second. Who's yours?" Ron said quickly from behind Harry.
Hermione turned and studied her best friends for a while. Draco was blood family, she could trust him the best but he wasn't that magically capable. She trusted Pansy almost an equal amount and the girl had a definite magical advantage over Draco.
"Pansy will be my second. Tonight, midnight we will duel in the Trophy room," Hermione said in an icy tone before walking away. Pansy grinned at the boys before following with Draco.
"Stop looking like a wounded puppy Draco. It's not a look that fits you well," Hermione said when they were out of the main hall'
"Can't believe you chose Pansy," he pouted.
"She's a better dueller than you are, deal with it. And if my plan works there won't even be a duel," Hermione said, fending off her friends questioning looks before making her way to the common room.
That evening as she arranged her final plans for Potter that night she sent a letter to her mother:
Dearest Mother,
I hope you are doing well. Everything here is still going well, Slytherin is a wonderful house and the students are all like-minded and share similar qualities that I have.
Flying doesn't seem to my forte, but I refuse to not be good at it so I shall make great effort to improve. The rest of my classes are progressing well, I have won over 100 house points already which is quite an impressive feat I am told.
Potter is a great annoyance to Draco, Pansy and I. I severely dislike the boy; today I hexed him without using a wand. Not too much damage was done but I'll have another shot at getting rid of him.
The book you sent has been a lot more useful than candy, I constantly study from it and it has developed my skill a great deal.
Love
Hermione
Hermione then took a scrap of parchment and wrote on it a small note:
First years going to trophy room at midnight
She then snuck out of the common room and to Filches office; she was unspotted most of the way. At one point though she got caught by the Bloody Baron but since he had a soft spot for the Black sisters when they were at school he let Hermione go with nothing more than a grunt of acknowledgement.
Hermione got to the office and quickly slid the paper under the door before hastily heading back before anyone could catch her out of bed after curfew.
Hermione wasn't as stupid or reckless as Harry; she was a Slytherin which meant she was cunning and smart.
When she returned to her room a black owl stood waiting for her at her window, on his leg was a letter.
She opened it knowing instantly it was from her mother, her mother always replied quickly to her owls.
Dear Hermione,
It took me awhile to get used to flying as well, you will get there eventually. Flying is an ultimately useless talent; if you can apparate then it's absolutely useless.
I expect nothing less from you academically; you are smart so make good use of it. It will benefit you in the long run. I am glad that you have embraced your Slytherin nature; it would have been disappointing if you had rejected it.
For once I am impressed with your independent nature in targeting Potter; he deserves it so do your punishment proply. Use the book it will improve your wand less magic. Mine developed at a similar rate.
We will practice once you get home.
Regards
Bellatrix
Hermione read the letter with a grin. Her mother was actually encouraging her and it felt wonderful. She couldn't wait for the holidays so that they could practice together.
