Author's note: I know it's been a while since I updated, but my husband surprised me and we went out of town, it was a no electronics vacation for me and the family, but I'm back! And so is Hermione who is about to have one hell of a year.
Hogwarts was exactly the same as every year, moonlight glittering off the lake and the great hall packed with students. As Hermione took her seat for the sorting between Harry and Neville, she saw that she had a pretty clear view of the Slytherin table. Draco had his back to her, but she could feel her little tree charm dancing on her wrist. Ginny had noticed it on the train and complimented it with a sly smirk. She glanced at the head table and noticed the seat for the flying instructor was empty, and there was a rather ugly, toad-like woman seated in the DADA seat. I wonder where Madam Hooch is, and who on earth told that woman that wearing a big giant bow was in fashion.
The first-year students filed into the hall and were sorted into their houses, everyone clapping as they took their seats one by one, finally when the very last boy Zacarias, Cane was sorted into Slytherin, Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome back to Hogwarts, and welcome for the first time," he started with a twinkle in his eye, " I have two announcements to make and then we shall stuff our faces with this delicious feast. First, I would like to say that our esteemed Madam Hooch is retiring this year and has taken on a teaching aide who will be taking over as her successor, Oliver Wood." There was much murmuring from this announcement, mostly from the female students. "second, I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Dolores Umbridge, can we pleas- " Suddenly professor Umbridge stood up and made a speech.
Hermione of course had read through the lines of her speech, figuring out that she wasn't a professor at all, once again we aren't going to learn a damn thing in DADA. She glanced over at Severus, he sent her back a knowing look, they had found over the summer that they thought the same way on most things, making it rather easy to communicate without words. When finally, everyone had eaten and the feast was over they were sent to their common rooms to spend some much needed time with their housemates. Hermione, Harry, and Ginny stayed up late in the cozy chairs by the fire, talking about how their summers had gone.
The next morning at breakfast Hermione found herself once again facing the Slytherin table, only this time Draco was facing towards her, she could feel him looking at her as she filled her plate with fruit and bacon. She had taken more care with her appearance than usual, straightening her hair so it fell in a sheet to her waist and putting on eyeliner to make the amber in her eyes stand out. Carefully, so that none of her friends saw she looked up and smiled at him. Draco returned her smile and motioned to his timetable in his hand. Hermione had not gotten hers yet, so she had no idea what he was talking about, she turned her attention back to her friends while they talked about their summers. Halfway through breakfast Hermione finally got her timetable, she saw immediately why Draco had been so happy, they had rounds that night together, as well as a majority of classes that were Gryffindor-Slytherin. Great, if he keeps smiling like that at me, we are going to get outed in no time, he's acting like a Hufflepuff laughing at her own joke she finished her breakfast and headed to her first class, Ancient runes.
Halfway to ancient runes Hermione found herself rather suddenly facing someone's chest, backing up to apologize, she recognized her victim as Oliver Wood. He had cut his hair pretty short on the sides leaving the top long and had combed it to one side, he was a good foot taller than Hermione. She couldn't help but noticed that he was very muscular and toned from playing quidditch. "I'm so sorry," she said quickly before he could notice her checking him out. He smiled at her and shrugged "that's the risk I take when using the shortcuts". Laughing Hermione walked around Oliver and headed into ancient runes, she was running late and didn't see the curious glance Oliver gave her. She was the last one in the room so she quickly made her way to the only desk left, right in front of Pansy Parkinson and Draco. "EW," Parkinson whisper-yelled, " Why don't you go sit on the floor? That is where you belong after all. Hermione just straightened her spine and ignored her. This went on for the entirety of the class, Parkinson throwing snide remarks and Hermione ignoring them.
When the lesson finally ended Hermione was last to leave the classroom, a pale arm pulled her into the hidden passage that Oliver had appeared from. Draco didn't even give her time to think before he started kissing her, his soft lips pressing on hers like he needed her in order to live. It didn't take long for Hermione to start kissing him back as he slid his arms around her. When they finally came up for air, he gave her a long look, "I'm sorry that I couldn't stop Pansy from saying those things to you," he told her apologetically. Then as soon as the coast was clear he left her to go to his next class. Hermione feeling a little dazed made her way to potions Severus is going to have a hard time being mean to me she thought to herself.
The dungeon was cold as always and Hermione wished she would have brought a cloak. Taking her seat next to Harry, they waited for Severus to come into the room. The blackboard already had their potion of the day on it, students were getting out their ingredients and preparing them. Hermione had just opened her book to the correct page as Severus stalked into the room. He didn't even glance at her as he addressed the class, "prepare the potion in front of you, no talking." Hermione being the studious person that she is finished her potion rather quickly, she stopped it up and carried to the front of the class. "what are you doing? "Severus asked her in a cold voice. "bringing my finished product to you sir." She replied quickly. "and where Miss Granger, did I say to bring the product to me? I suggest you take your seat and not assume that you know everything". Hermione took her seat with tears in her eyes, she knew he wasn't going to be nice to her, but he hated expected humiliation. Severus stood up and told the class to bring up their potions. "except for Miss Granger, you will be staying after class."
Author's Note: Okay had a little writers block there, but I will get over it in time to write the next chapter. I did have a review asking for a better look at the Hermione/Severus father-daughter relationship and I can promise it will be in the next chapter. Please review!