1I am terribly sorry for such a long delay. I have finished the other story that I had been working on so now I can dedicate my time to updating this story more frequently. Hope this chapter makes up for it all. Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
November turned out to be a very cold month, much to Hermione's distress. She loved snow because it always looked beautiful and magical as it decorated the trees and it blanketed the entire Hogwart's grounds. However, she saw no point in the weather's necessity of being cold without snow. It seemed like Mother Nature was playing a cruel trick. Despite the dreary weather, Hermione couldn't have been happier.
Harry and Ron turned out to be great friends to have. The boys were always cracking jokes and it felt wonderful to be able to let down her guard just to have some fun. Since Harry was having a lot of Quidditch practices Hermione decided she would help him with his homework, even handing over her copious notes for his perusal, and if she helped Harry she needed to help Ron, even though he wasn't having Quidditch practices and therefor had no excuse as to why he waited until the last minute to start his homework. Hermione also leant Harry Quidditch Through the Ages hoping he might find some useful information and she was pleased to see him in the Common Room a few days later with his face buried in the book.
Although Hermione was very rule oriented, for what would life be without rules (sure chaos of course) recently she had begun to bend the rules just a little. It was late in the afternoon when Hermione, Ron, and Harry gathered in the courtyard after Harry had a break from Quidditch. It was so cold out that Hermione conjured a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jar. She was pretty sure that she shouldn't be doing magic outside the building but the cold wind was causing them all to have violent shivers.
They had their backs to the fire as they warmed up their hands while keeping a weathered eye open for anyone who could punish them for any rule breaking. Sure enough they saw Snape cross the yard, walking in their direction. Hermione couldn't help but notice the slight limp her professor had but as he grew closer, she began to inch closer to Ron so he would not see what they had behind their backs. He finally reached the three students and Hermione knew he couldn't see the fire but he did seem to be looking for something he could take points off for.
"What's that you've got there, Potter?" Snape pointed at the book peering out of Harry's bag. Harry grabbed Quidditch Through the Ages quickly, so Snape couldn't see the fire, and showed him the book.
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," Snape sneered. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."
Hermione scowled as Snape took Harry's book, she knew there was no such rule and Harry only confirmed her thoughts.
"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered darkly as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"
"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
That night, Hermione once again found herself holed up in the Gryffindor common room helping Harry and Ron with their homework. It was Charms at the moment but Hermione knew that after that, one of the boys would request her help with another assignment. Quite honestly, she didn't know what they did before she became their friend. Despite taking time out of her night to help them with their work, they still continued to ask her to finish their assignments for them. She always reminded them that they would never learn if she did that and she wanted them to pass the class using their own talents, not hers.
Hermione noticed that Harry grew more restless as the night grew later until finally he stood up and announced he was going to fetch Quidditch Through the Ages back from Snape.
"Better you than me," Hermione and Ron replied in unison, causing them to look at each other and laugh. Harry paid them no mind as he quickly exited the common room.
"I'm glad that Harry has an interest in reading but I'm not quite sure I would risk the wrath of Professor Snape," Hermione said idly as she perused Ron's homework.
"I agree," Ron nodded. "I bet you that Harry'll come back with a week's worth of detention."
"I don't doubt you," Hermione responded. "I would not want to be on the receiving end of Professor Snape's anger. Ron, look at #3, in this situation you would not use Wingardium Leviosa, look on page 55."
Ron huffed in irritation and took back his homework, turning to the page Hermione indicated. As he was reading through his Charms book, Harry rushed into the Common Room and collapsed onto the chair across from Hermione and Ron, panting.
"Did you get it?" Ron asked looking up at Harry. "What's the matter?"
Harry leaned in and whispered softly. "I saw Snape in the staffroom. I tried knocking but nobody answered. I thought I could just take a look and see if Snape left it lying around. I pushed the door open and there was Snape and Filch. Snape had his robes up high so I could see his legs, one of them looked bloody and mangled. He said something about having to keep his eyes on all three heads at once. He caught me as I was leaving and yelled at me to get out, I'm just glad he didn't take points off."
Hermione stared at Harry, trying to understand where he was going with the story. Harry paused and looked at Hermione and Ron's blank faces.
"You know what this means? He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him. He's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she understood what Harry was insinuating.
"No, he wouldn't," Hermione shook her head in denial. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."
"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"
That night, as Hermione lay in her bed, she couldn't help but think about what Harry and Ron had said. She didn't believe Snape would try and steal whatever it was the dog was guarding, but he obviously had some run-in with the beast. If he wasn't trying to steal the object, who was? And did Snape know as well? Questions plagued her throughout the night until she finally fell into a restless sleep.
Hermione followed Harry and Ron downstairs to the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. She piled her plate with eggs and sausage and looked warily over to Harry every once in awhile. He looked increasingly pail as the minutes ticked by and the plate of food before him looked as if it had not been touched. She knew that he was nervous about his first Quidditch game but if he didn't eat something then he would start to feel very weak and the last thing she wanted to see was Harry fall off the broom because he fainted from hunger.
"You've got to eat some breakfast."
"I don't want anything," Harry grumbled.
"Just a bit of toast," Hermione wheedled as she began to butter a piece of toast.
"I'm not hungry."
"Harry, you need your strength," Seamus Finnigan spoke from the other side of the table. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team."
"Thanks Seamus," Harry groaned.
Hermione glared at Seamus; that was obviously not the right words to say to Harry. A half-hour later, she saw Harry get up. "It's time I go down to the Quidditch field. I'll see you there?"
"Of course," Hermione smiled. "Well be at the top row supporting you all the way."
"Good luck mate," Ron nodded his head. Hermione and Ron watched Harry walk slowly out the door.
"I hope he'll be ok," Hermione worried.
"I just hope he doesn't fall off the broomstick," Ron remarked as he returned to his food.
At about ten till eleven, Ron and Hermione joined Neville, Seamus, and Dean who were sitting in the top row. Hermione proudly carried the banner that all five students created to support Harry. It read POTTER FOR PRESIDENT! They used Ron's ruined sheets from where his rat Scabbers had chewed a few holes, Dean drew a large Gryffindor lion underneath the words and Hermione performed a tricky charm she had learned in one of the library books she found that made the paint flash different colors.
As they all sat, Hermione began to fidget noticeably as she waited for the teams to exit the locker rooms and begin the game. "What are you so anxious for, I thought you didn't even like Quidditch?" Ron asked when he noticed her moving around a lot.
"I don't very much care for Quidditch, you're right, but I'm nervous for Harry, I want him to do well."
"He'll be fine, after all, what's the worst that could happen?" Dean asked a few people down.
"He could fall off the broom and make a huge splash on the Quidditch grounds," Seamus replied thoughtlessly in his Irish brogue.
"Not the best thing to say mate," Ron frowned and seemed to be deciding whether or not to punch the other boy.
"I'm sure he'll play really well, Hermione," Neville commented reassuringly.
"Oh look, here they come," Ron nudged Hermione and pointed down at the field. Hermione strained to see over the heads and indeed saw Harry walk out behind the much bigger players on his team.
Hermione's eyes raked over the Gryffindor members and looked curiously over towards the Slytherin team as well. They sure looked like a surly bunch, especially, who Hermione would only assume to be the team captain. Even from high up on the bleachers she could see his pronounced forehead and apparent over-bite. He reminded her a little of early humans, the Neanderthals.
"That's Marcus Flint," Ron pointed out, seeing where she was looking. "He's a real piece of work, nasty, mean, and stupid to boot."
"He does look unfortunate looking," Hermione replied softly.
Hermione was jolted out of her thoughts about how her parents would choose to fix Flint's teeth when a loud voice boomed over the audience members. Startled, she realized she missed the teams mount their brooms and fly into the air, starting the game.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor, what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive too..."
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry Professor."
Hermione craned her neck to see who was commenting on the game. Seeing the dark boy with dread locks she turned to Ron because she thought she recognized him. "Isn't he the twins friend?"
Ron pulled himself from the game and looked for who she was talking about. "Yeah, that's Lee Jordan, he's the best commentator Hogwarts ever had. He started last year, he's really funny but I heard McGonagall doesn't like his...favoritism."
Hermione turned back to the game, not really paying attention but just looking at the blurs of students on brooms whizzing by. She preferred to listen to Lee's rather humorous monologue instead of trying to decipher what exactly was happening high above the stands.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve, back to Johnson and...no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes. Flint flying like an eagle up there, he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle. That's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and...OUCH...that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger. Quaffle taken by the Slytherins. That's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which, nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes, she's really flying...dodges a speeding Bludger...the goal posts are ahead...come on, now, Angelina...Keeper Bletchley dives...misses...GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
All the Gryffindors, including Hermione, along with most of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws leapt to their feet and roared their approval. The Slytherin's however moaned and jeered at the score. As Hermione and Ron sat down they saw a rather large figure making its way towards them.
"Budge up there, move along."
"Hagrid!" Ron shouted with a smile. Ron moved closer to Hermione so Hagrid could sit between him and Neville. She knew the larger man from seeing him around Hogwarts and of course at the start of the year but she was not as well acquainted as Ron and Harry were.
"Bin watchin' from me hut," said Hagrid patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck. "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"Nope," Ron replied returning his gaze to the game. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."
"Keep outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid as he raised the binoculars to his eyes and peered skyward towards Harry.
Hermione had to agree that if Harry couldn't find the Snitch, she just prayed he would stay away from potentially life threatening situations, i.e. a Bludger to the head.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee continued. "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the...wait a moment...was that the Snitch?"
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she witnessed Adrian Pucey drop the Quaffle, too busy looking for the Snitch and saw Harry race against the Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs as they hurtled neck to neck towards the Snitch. Just as it seemed as if Harry was about to grab the Snitch, a figure flew in front of Harry, effectively blocking him from the Snitch and sending his broom into a tail spin.
Ron jumped to his feet and shouted "Foul!" along with many other angry students. Hermione was furious as well as she clutched her hands to her heart fearing that at any moment it would leap out of her chest. She kept envisioning Harry falling off the broom and landing, unmoving, on the hard ground.
Madame Hooch seemed to be having a stern talking to, to Flint, and allowed the Gryffindors a free pass at the goal posts. Hermione wished Flint could be kicked out of the event, surely this wasn't a game for students.
"Send him off, ref! Red card!" Dean shouted angrily towards the field.
"What are you talking about, Dean?" Ron asked curiously.
"Red card!" Dean replied furiously. "In soccer you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!"
"But this isn't soccer Dean," Ron reminded the boy.
"They oughta change the rules. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air." Hagrid said, agreeing with Dean.
"I never realized how dangerous this game is," Hermione spoke quietly to Ron. "I knew logically that it was, but seeing it for the first time, Harry could really get hurt."
"Oh, he'll be fine," Ron waved his hand as if blowing it off. "He knows what he's doing. Don't worry." Although she knew Ron was trying to reassure her, she couldn't help but notice he didn't let his eyes off of Harry any more in the game. As if by simply keeping eye contact, Harry would remain safe.
"So...after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating..." Lee attempted to continue on despite the obvious anger in his voice.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall warned.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul..."
"Jordan, I'm warning you..."
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinnet, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."
Hermione took her eyes off the game for a moment to look around at the people who were avidly watching the game. She found it most interesting, people watching, she would often sit on her porch at home and watch as the neighbors walked their dogs, or gardened, or jogged with friends. Hermione found how they interacted very interesting, due to the fact she preferred watching people instead of engaging in conversations with people was probably the reason why she didn't have many friends.
"Slytherin in possession, Flint with the Quaffle...passes Spinnet...passes Bell...hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose, only joking Professor. Slytherin's score...oh no..."
Hermione turned her attention back to the game when the Slytherins began to cheer and everyone else was groaning. Ron looked ready to pop a blood vessel while Hagrid looked up at the sky with his binoculars and a frown on his face.
"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled. "If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom...but he can't have..."
Hermione looked up at the sky only to feel her heart lurch at the sight of Harry rolling over and over in the sky. He seemed as if he was barely hanging on as the broom gave a violent jerk from side to side. Harry, during a fierce bucking of the broom, slid dangerously off the side and if it weren't for swift reflexes, he would surely be on the ground, however, now he was dangling precariously above the field hanging onto the broom with one hand.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.
"Can't have," Hagrid said, his voice visibly shaking. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic. No kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."
Hermione remembered something as Hagrid spoke about Dark Magic. As she was looking at the people around her she remembered seeing something suspicious earlier but thought nothing of it until now. Grabbing Hagrid's binoculars she began to scan the crowd once again, in search of something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked painfully as he stared up at Harry's dangling body.
"I knew it," Hermione gasped. "Snape, look!"
Ron grabbed the binoculars out of her hands and looked at where she was pointing. Snape sat in the bleachers across from them with his eyes fixed on Harry and appeared to be muttering something non-stop under his breath.
"He's doing something...jinxing the broom," Hermione whispered.
"What should we do?" Ron looked to Hermione with worry.
"Leave it to me."
Hermione pushed her way through the throng of people and raced across the field to the bleachers on the other side. People were so involved in what was going on in the sky that she didn't have any reason to be sneaky. She ran along the row behind Snape and was so consumed with getting to her professor in time that she didn't even stop and apologize to Professor Quirrell who she knocked headfirst into the row in front of him. As she reached Snape, she crouched down and pulled out her wand. Hermione aimed it at his robes and with a few well chosen words, bright blue flames leaped onto Snape's robes and climbed steadily up his back.
It took perhaps thirty seconds for Snape to realize he was on fire, he must have been in deep concentration to not feel the flames licking at his clothes. A sudden yelp told Hermione that the flames were doing their job. Taking out a jar from inside her robes, she scooped the blue fire into the jar and scrambled back along the back row, and far away from Snape's anger.
Hermione was trying to make her way back to her seat and only took time to look up and see Harry's broom was no longer under a spell. Smiling to herself she pushed her way back through the mob of people and nearly fell back down when virtually the whole student population leapt to their feet cheering. Back at her seat, she heard Ron explaining to Hagrid that Harry must have caught sight of the Snitch and instead of capturing it in his hand, he accidentally caught it in his mouth. Hermione could only breathe a sigh of relief when she looked down and saw Harry beaming up at the crowd waving the snitch in his hand. Gryffindor had won by one hundred and seventy points to sixty.
After the game Harry, Hermione and Ron convened in Hagrid's hut, each cradling a strong cup of tea in their hands.
"It was Snape," Ron explained to Harry. "Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you."
"Rubbish," Hagrid replied who didn't seem to have heard Ron and Hermione discussing it in the stands. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
Hermione looked to Ron and Harry, she wasn't quite sure how much they should let Hagrid know. He seemed to be very friendly, but he was, after all, a staff member and liable to punish them for what they have seen and done.
Harry, though, seemed more inclined to tell the truth, despite the potential ramifications. "I found out something about him," he told Hagrid. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."
Hagrid who was in the process of pouring more tea, actually dropped the teapot, sending it shattering to pieces.
"How do you know about Fluffy?" he asked.
"Fluffy?"
"Yeah, he's mine. Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the..."
"Yes?" Harry prodded eagerly.
"Now, don't ask me anymore," Hagrid stated gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it," Harry tried to reason.
"Rubbish," Hagrid replied. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
Although Hermione would normally agree, she found no sympathy for the man who tried to hurt Harry earlier.
"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" she asked. "I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!"
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" Hagrid yelled across the small room. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all three of yeh, yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel..."
"Aha!" Harry cried out happily. "So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?"
Hagrid crossed his arms over his chest and looked furious with himself and despite anymore prodding, mostly on Harry's part, he would say no more on the issue. As the trio walked back to the castle, the boys chatted about who Nicolas Flamel could possibly be, while Hermione couldn't help but worry about what she had gotten herself into.
Please review so that I know what you are thinking about this story. Do you think Hermione is acting the way you always thought she would? What scenes are you looking forward to in the upcoming chapters? Thanks for reading!