I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. All rights belong to JK Rowling. I only own Sheridan, Lillianne, and the creatures Sheridan works with. I of course thank Sam as usually, and beautiful and loving girlfriend Carissa who kept me motivated.
The next several weeks continued on rather smoothly. Harry continued to be a rising star with the Half-Blood Prince's notes, much to Hermione's dismay as the boy continually showed her up in class, while Pansy reluctantly rejoined her classes. And on top of everything else, Hermione found herself forced into a regular eating routine by her friends and girlfriend.
Though, that was beside the issue. The bigger issue had been Harry and Professor Slughorn. As if it weren't enough that Slughorn was always raving about Harry's abilities, he seemed to believe that the boy was more talented then any other student, something Hermione did not like since it wasn't earned. it certainly didn't seem to be getting him anywhere with Dumbledore's task, instead the most it had done had just inflated his ego. In the midst of all this, the brunette found herself wondering more about who the Half-Blood Prince was, and as usual, she turned to the library for answers.
After an hour of unsuccessful searching, something that was becoming too common for Hermione's liking, she slammed her book shut with a resounding thump, earning a 'hush' from Madame Pince.
"This is bloody ridiculous… I haven't the foggiest of what I'm supposed to be searching for." She mumbled tiredly, before turning her attention to the essay Slughorn had assigned on: 'The properties of Ashwinder eggs.' An ingredient brewed in love potions, or if eaten whole, they were known to be a cure for fevers. The three days of no classes had barely affected her performance, and as usual she was finished ahead of everyone else, aside from Harry. With a heavy sigh, she stretched her arms above her head and slumped forward, laying herself across the table. She wondered how things were going with Pansy, who currently, was out in the fields for Quidditch tryouts.
"Excuse me, but do you know where 'The Standard Book of Spells' volumes one through seven are?" Spoke a soft and rather lovely voice; drawing Hermione's attentions, the girl looked up and saw a young girl she'd had never seen before. The girl was very pretty, no taller than herself with shoulder-length chestnut colored hair, and blue orbs that reminded her of Pansy and for some reason Fleur's. She wore a summer skirt and vest in the colors of Slytherin house. She'd had such a friendly smile on her face that Hermione could only do the same and return the gesture.
"Yes of course." Nodded Hermione. Slowly she stood and began silently skimming the aisles until they were at the proper section. With a satisfied smile she reached up and pulled each one from their slot to hand to the girl. "Here you are…uh..."
"Thank you," she began, and with a waved of her hand, she caused the books to hover next to her before extending her hand to the other brunette. "and my name is Lillianne, Lillianne Clearwater. You are?"
"You can use wandless magic?" Hermione asked in awe, shaking the other girl's hand. "Er… My name is Hermione Granger, pleasure to meet you. Are you a new student here?"
"For the time being, I suppose you could say that. I've just arrived this morning. I thought it was a good idea to get my books, or at least some as a stand-in until mine arrive." With another wave of her delicate hand, the books shrank in size and she placed them into her book bag. "I hope this isn't forward…" She continued almost shyly, "but do you know where I can find Pansy Parkinson?" Hermione arched a brow at this. Who was this girl and why was asking to see her girlfriend? Before she could answer, a familiar french voice echoed through the library, followed by the insistent shushing of Madam Pince.
"'Ermione, I know zat you are 'ere, but where 'ere are you?" Sheridan called out in a loud whisper, searching each aisle until she was in view of the brunette. "Why is it zat you spend so much time 'ere? I do not understand what is so interesting about zese dusty boo-" She paused, "Oh, Bonjour." She breathed out, glancing over at the other girl with Hermione.
"Bonjour, comment allez vous aujourd'hui?" Lillianne greeted with a smile, surprising both women. A wide smile spread onto Sheridan's face as what she'd said sunk in.
"Très bien, merci. Parlez-vous français?"
"Oui madame, Depuis de nombreuses années maintenant." She gave a small smile, and Sheridan felt an odd heat rush to her cheek as she looked at the other woman. Hermione cleared her throat, reminding them of her presence.
"Sheridan, this is Lillianne Clearwater, she's a new transfer student. Miss Clearwater this is Sheridan Lightrose, she's an assistant Game Keeper to Professor Hagrid." Hermione introduced the two as Sheridan took the other woman's hand and kissed it lightly, causing the other to blush.
'Merlin's beard, french woman certainly are passionate.' Hermione mused silently before turning back to Lillianne. "You mentioned Pansy Parkinson, Is there a reason you need to see her?"
"No, not really. It can wait." Lillianne answered distractedly, her gaze never once leaving Sheridan's. "Excuse me, I should be getting back. Thank you for the help Miss Granger," She paused with a shy, almost playful smile, "Miss Lightrose, it was a pleasure meeting you both." She then excused herself as she turned, leaving the two in the aisle.
"Mon dieu, elle est un ange… " Sheridan breathed softly as she watched Lillianne's retreating form, Hermione gave knowing smile.
"What is it that you needed Sheridan?" She asked regaining the french woman's attention.
"Ah," she blinked, "Oui, I 'ave been told to feed you. Until ze Sly'zering practice of ze red ball is over. You 'ave been 'ere all morning, you 'ave not eaten yet. I will take you even if I 'ave to drag you, Mon Ami. I believe zat zose are ze words your girlfriend, Miss Parkinson said I could do." She said with wiggling her eyebrows.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione nodded knowing full well that she would do it, given the chance. Putting away her books and the finished essay, Hermione linked her arm around the older woman's as she lead the way to the Great Hall.
"You are looking well 'Ermione. Zat makes me happy." The older woman smiled, pleased to see that Hermione was once again eating. Hermione only smiled back as she wondered about the new transfer. "But may I ask why you insist on spending all your time at ze library? I 'ave 'ardly seen you, oz'er zen classes." Hermione thought it was rather cute the way Sheridan pouted as she complained, she giggled a little at the way the woman was acting.
"Just a bit of…research. I'll make it up to you… I know, we'll go to Honeydukes, just the two of us. I know how you have a sweet tooth." Hermione grinned and Sheridan chuckled.
"Oui, zough Emily 'as been raz'er…'ow you say…very… stern? On my intake of sweets…" Sheridan smiled. "She is worst zen Maman."
"How is your family by the way? Are Emily and Audrey well? And your parents?"
"Oui, Emily is well, she will be z'irteen zis year. Audrey was mated, or 'ow you say married last year." The older woman grumbled.
"You don't like him?" Hermione mused.
"Non! 'E is an idiot! 'is name is Eric, et est un bâtard complet! I do not understand what it is zat she sees in 'im. A week was all I could take when I visited zem!" Sheridan huffed, she gave an frustrated sigh.
It was then that J.P dropped from above onto her shoulder, his long tail coiling around her shoulders as she continued without missing a beat.
"Zough, she is 'appy, and I can not complain about zat. Maman and Papa…zey are…" Sheridan eyes seemed to glaze over as she thought about her parents, bringing forth a sadness which Hermione knowing frown to. "And yours? 'Ow are Monsieur and Madame Granger?"
"Mum and Dad are great, they're traveling this year since they've taken some vacation days…" said Hermione as Sheridan nodded.
"Ah Miss Granger! You're looking exceptionally bright this morning my dear girl. Feeling better?" The cheerful voice of Professor Slughorn came before them, the professor walking towards them in his overly cheerful manner. "And I see you're in the company of Miss Lightrose."
"Bonjour Monsieur Slug'orn." Sheridan greeted with a smile, causing the professor to blush like many others had before him.
"Good Morning Professor, lovely weather this morning wouldn't you agree?" Hermione greeted as Sheridan took to watching J.P.
"Oh yes, quit lovely. What a fascinating creature, might I inquire just exactly what it is?"
"'E is an 'Owler Monkey, Professor." Sheridan answered, keeping her eyes on J.P's antics as he dashed along her shoulders.
"How fascinating, I would very much like to know more about such a creature. Perhaps you and Miss Granger would join me tonight. A little dinner party of a select few." Slughorn continued, nodding his head as if it would urge them to accept his invitation.
"Oui, of course Professor. I would be 'onered."
"Wonderful! I'll see you lovely ladies tonight!" The professor called over his shoulder as he continued on his way. As the pair watched Slughorn walk away Hermione suddenly found herself pulled roughly to the side, watching a pillar of water hit the ground where she and Sheridan had been standing moments ago. Looking up, Hermione caught a glimpse of Peeves floating overhead. The poltergeist frowned and groaned in disappointment, stomping the air childishly before blowing a raspberry at the pair and flying through the nearest wall. Hermione could only shake her head at the spirit's childish antics, having gotten used to them after so many years.
"'E 'as been doing zat all morni-" The older woman began, stopping short, her brows slowly knitting together.
"What's the matter?" asked Hermione, curious of the older girl's sudden change of expression. Sheridan blinked and shook her head, before resuming their walking pace. As they walked, Hermione couldn't help but notice the bit of bandage showing under Sheridan's clothing, thus curiosity and concern finally got the best of her.
"By the way, Sheridan. What exactly happened to you, that night in the Forbidden Forest? It was weeks ago, and your bruise isn't healing. Are you alright?" Hermione asked, she motioned to the bandages still wraps around the woman midsection. When the older woman looked back, she'd looked at Hermione as if debating something with herself, until she finally waved her hand at the witch with a small smirk.
"I got careless, and I 'ad let my guard down…It is noz'ing za-" She took a sharp intake of breath as J.P jumped onto her still bruised shoulder, she held her shoulder for a moment before continuing. "It is noz'ing zat you need to concern you self wiz 'Ermione." Hermione wasn't satisfied with that answer at all, but before she could press on, Sheridan suddenly called out a greeting without turning around."Bonjour 'Arry, Monsieur Zabini."
Hermione turned in surprise, seeing that the two boys were in fact coming up from behind them.
Harry groaned, "How do you that? I didn't even say anything." Sheridan smirked before she giggled at the surprised wizard.
"I know your scent, 'Arry, I also know zat you 'ave been flying Mac zis morning. Wiz Monsieur Zabini." At that the woman had given him a curious look before she flickered her eyes to the other boy.
"You don't mind do you? I needed some time to think, and I do it better in the air." Sheridan smiled and waved it off.
"Of course I do not mind 'Arry, Mac 'e is very fond of you. You treat 'im well."
"Ah! Sheri, there you are. Been looking for you I have." Came Hagrid's booming voice as the Game Keeper greeted them at the Great Halls entrance. "Got a moment do ya? There seems to be a slight problems with… the you know what's for today's lesson."
"Bien sûr, uncle 'Agrid. Désolé 'Ermione, 'Arry, Monsieur Zabini. We will speak more later?" Said Sheridan with a smile. Kissing both of Hermione cheeks, she did the same to both Harry and Blaise before turning to join Hagrid. As she'd gone, J.P leapt from her shoulders and onto Hermione's.
"J.P être bon pour 'Ermione." Sheridan called over her shoulder, earning an excited chatted from the horned monkey, as Hermione lead the two boys into the Great Hall for something to eat.
Pansy had spent the better half of her morning at the Quidditch Pitch, watching others fly around on their brooms while waiting her turn. Tryouts, as expected, had taken up most of the morning since it looked like all of her house had shown up, even the first years. It was unlikely the younger students would make the cut, something the fourth years and older made a point to remind the younger groups of. This intimidation wasn't exactly stopped by the Slytherin's new Captain, Urquhart, and through his own irritation he ordered the first years off his pitch with threats of hexing them into oblivion, if they set another foot into his presence.
After clearing the field of the snickering first years, he decided to test the second and third years ability to fly, hoping that there was a star among the rabble.
Hopes of that died quickly as several student either flew into one another, or into the stands, where the other houses watched. The extra students quickly ducked out of the way when this happened.
At the end of that catastrophe, Urquhart was left with two third years, four fourth years, and the rest of the upperclassmen. The next test was for potential chasers, involving players passing the Quaffle back and forth before trying to score an open goal. After thirty minutes of players crashing into goal posts and each other, or fumbling the Quaffle even when it was handed to them, the remaining third and fourth year students were banished from the pitch. By the time the position of chaser was closed, several cross words had been exchanged and injuries had been suffered, the worst having been a flyer being impaled through the ribs by their own Nimbus 2001.
Urquhart looked thankful no one had tried for beaters, since he seemed happy enough with the current ones. Pansy was sure it had something to do with the injuries the Bludgers would have caused if the hopefuls could hurt themselves so badly on their own. Moving on down the roster, it was time for the Keepers tryouts, of which there were only three; Pansy, the previous Keeper, and a sixth year, Heather Robbins. Although Pansy had never had the 'pleasure' of knowing the girl, she had fit into the type she didn't like: tall, skinny, longed-legged, blonde and blue eyed, with a stuck up attitude.
"Lets hope you can fly as well as you think Parkinson." Robbins sneered as she fixed her gloves, they looked too fancy for Pansy's taste. "I uh couldn't help but notice some of your new…" She paused trying to find the right words, "friends showed up. I can forgive the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs… but really… Gryffindors?" She tsked and shook her head in disapproval. " Really, how the mighty have fallen."
"Who my friends are, isn't any of your business Robbins." Pansy snapped, watching as Luna waved at her for good luck. Luna and Ginny had joined Daphne and Cho in the stands to watch the Slytherins practice. They'd become so comfortable with each other that some would think the group had been friends for years.
As she looked over to the stands, Pansy felt a pang of disappointment at not seeing Hermione among the faces. This was expected though. Hermione had been in a foul mood the last several days, mostly from Harry's sudden potions expertise. It was all thanks to some blasted book, of all the irony! All she knew was that her brunette was being driven up the wall by it. As she adjusted her own gloves, Pansy remembered how she'd woken up that morning to find Hermione gone from their bed in the Room of Requirement. Normally the two of them would lay side by side until breakfast, but today she'd only found a note. Hermione's note had said that she'd be at the library until their Potions Class and wished her good luck at the tryouts. The note had been sweet, but what Pansy had liked most was the custom-transfigured rose that had been left with it. Pansy simply adored it, even if it was girly.
"I couldn't help but notice… Granger isn't up there." Robbins began and Pansy knew where this was going. Pansy knew full well that she and Daphne were not the only Slytherins interested in girls, and few as there were, one happened to be right in front of her. Not that they would never admit it, but almost all of them had a thing for Hermione, and Robbins was no exception. "Of course I would never be seen publicly with her, like you, but uh… do you think you could introduce us? Gryffindor or not I wouldn't mind getting on a first name basis with that one." Robbins winked as she patted her on the shoulder. Pansy gritted her teeth as she inwardly debated on whether to murder Robbins now, or somehow charm one of the Bludgers to do it for her.
When Urquhart blew his whistle, Robbins took position first, a smug smile on her face showing how sure she was that she'd win.
Pansy's hope of the Bludgers knocking the girl off her broom quickly vanished, when it became apparent that she wasn't nearly as bad as she had hoped. The girl flew as if it had been second nature to her and she either caught or blocked each shot that came her way. Honestly, Pansy didn't like how well the girl was faring, until Robin's broom randomly shot to the side. It took fifteen minutes of play until Urquhart blew his whistle, indicating that he had see enough. As he signaled Pansy to take her place at the goals, Cho and Ginny cheered their encouragement, earning disproving looks from their respective houses.
Taking a deep breath, Pansy waited as Urquhart blew his whistle, and watched as the chasers bolted towards her with the Quaffle.
In the end the team line up was decided. The Chasers being Urquhart, being that he was not only the Captain he was also one of the quicker flyers, boy called Vaisey, one of the few new players who could fly, catch, and hold onto the Quaffle, and Blaise Zabini. Though the boy hadn't shown up, he had proved adept at dodging Bludgers and scoring in earlier years to have a spot reserved. The Beaters were Crabbe and Goyle, both were large in build and could smash the Bludgers hard and direct them at opposing players with uncanny aim. Draco was still seeker, of course since his father still made regular donations to the team. And of course, Pansy was the team's new pride and joy. She was the perfect Keeper, her performance had caused some to believe that she'd be the key to winning this season since she'd performed flawlessly in tryouts: blocking 27 shots to Robin's 19, much to the other girl's distaste. At first the girl had complained that someone hexed her broom, asking for a second run, but her demands had fallen on deaf ears as the team welcomed their new addition, and she'd stormed off the field swearing her vengeance.
Pansy couldn't deny that she was excited as team members congratulated and praised her, but she found herself growing impatient. They had been out on the pitch all morning, and Potions was due to start any moment. She missed Hermione dearly and paid no attention to Urquhart's final speech to the team. When he'd finished, Pansy proceeded to change right there at the pitch, instead of rushing off to the changing room, much pleasure to several watchful eyes as the others slowly dispersed. Daphne, Cho, Ginny, and Luna walked onto the field, hand-in-hand with their respective partner. It was lucky that Cho had cast a veil of dark smoke around her as she stripped of her uniform.
"I think Gryffindor might have to run on their Galleons with Pansy playing for Slytherin. Or am I misunderstanding the game again?" Luna remarked to no one in particular as they waited, ignoring the scowls from Ginny beside her.
"It's run FOR their Galleons, and Gryffindor will do no such thing." Ginny corrected her girlfriend, tightening her grip a little, not that it was noticed. Although Ginny was accepting of Slytherins, or rather Pansy, she was as competitive as anyone and wanted to beat the Slytherins as much as any Gryffindor.
"Has anyone got the time?" Came Pansy's muffled voice as she fully dressed herself in her school uniform, before she emerged from behind the curtain of smoke. "Thanks Cho." She smiled. Cho beamed.
"Its nearly noon…" Luna answered, watching as Pansy unloaded her Firebolt and Quidditch uniform onto Daphne, the poor girl nearly toppling over from the sudden weight of the items. Pansy then sprinted off the pitch without so much of a farewell. If she was fast enough, she could catch Hermione and tell her the good news before their class with Slughorn. Reaching the dungeon corridors fast than she believed Harry could catch the snitch, she slowed to a jog as she heard the boy's voice around the final turn towards the dungeons.
"Come on 'Mione, you aren't still angry that I finished the Skele-Gro potion before you are you? That was last lesson!" Despite his apologetic tone, Harry was feeling smug about their previous lesson with Slughorn. The task had had the students brew up a Skele-Gro potion, one Harry was familiar with since he'd had to take a heavy dose after Gilderoy Lockhart failed at repairing his broken arm in second year, and ended up removing his arm bones altogether. But his familiarity with it didn't factor in his efficiency, it was because of the Half-Blood Prince's notes that Harry finished ahead of everyone else once again, and that was the reason that upset was Hermione. Not about the fact that Harry had finished before her, but that fact that once again, Slughorn thought the boy was truly talented.
Hermione grumbled a reply. Harry had offered to share his book, but she was bent on using 'official' instructions, as a matter of principle. Even if they yielded poorer results than the Prince's.
"Come on 'Mione. You don't have to be jealo-"
"Jealous of what, Harry James Potter?" Hermione snapped, "If it weren't for that book, Slughorn wouldn't think so highly of you and you bloody well know it!" She hissed. Harry was taken back by the sudden outburst, his mind reeling before the truth finally hit him. The boy couldn't see it before, but he'd been rubbing his success in Hermione's face the entire year, even if he hadn't meant too. It was natural she'd feel frustrated if her hard work kept being shunted to the side because he had help from some long-gone older student.
"Right, sorry 'Mione…" Harry apologized, placing his hand on her shoulder as the guilt washed over him. "How can I make it up to you?" She shrugged him off with a frustrated sigh.
"You could start by getting rid of that blasted book." she said.
"Not bloody likely, he's top of class because of it." Ron piped in, he and Lavender having joined the two from another direction. "He's even better then you Hermione, and Slughorn thinks he's aces." Ron continued, stopping only when Hermione fixed him with a glare withering enough to petrify Voldemort himself.
"It's alright Won-Won, Granger's just upset she's not the know-it-all she thought herself to be." Lavender sneered, deciding to add her part into the mix.
"As usually, weasel's girlfriend has placed her opinion where nobody cares." Hermione's anger disappeared and her face broke into a wide grin at Pansy's voice. She noticed the girl leaning against the wall at the end of the corridor coming their way. She and Hermione embraced in a welcoming hug, while Harry gave a friendly wave smiling at the Slytherin girl.
"How was practice?" Hermione asked, lightly kissing Pansy's cheek, though she could tell already by the way Pansy beamed at the question.
"Let's just say that; I hope Weasel is as good a keeper as you think Harry." Pansy grinned as she wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist, smirking at the disgusted look Ron threw at her before he pulled Lavender ahead by the hand.
"You made Keeper then? So I suppose there's going to be some sort of competition this season then?" Harry smirked as Pansy snorted, playfully punching his arm. "Do you think Madame Hooch would let me use Mac? You know, instead of a broom?" Harry asked as they made their way into the dungeons.
"Is that really fair? I mean Sheridan only has one, and Mac is much faster then the Firebolt. I don't know Harry, it seems… rather dangerous."
"Oh come on 'Mione! She's a summoner right? So can't she… you know Summon more?"
"Harry, I don't think you've realized the amount of magical energy it takes when she opens her summoning gate. It would be too much to summon that many at once. She might drain herself if she tried." Hermione explained while Harry listened with a frown."Besides, not everyone can fly Mac like you can. You've bonded with it." Hermione added to soothe the boy, which worked since the boy grinned larger then anything Hermione had seen at the praise. It was true though, the boy spent as much time as he could with the creature and it was always eager to see him. The same went for Ginny when it came to Tai. Even though Hermione was clearly against it, Harry was certain that the Ginny would be entirely on his side in persuading Madame Hooch.
When the small group entered into their potions classroom, they had been surprised to find that not only had the students who'd had gotten their before them were just lulling around, that Professor Slughorn had not even made his appearance yet. Aside from the few students, who turned upon hearing the door opening and expected to see their professor, they paid no further attention when they noticed that it had been only 3 extra students.
With light shrug, Harry lead his two females companions to over to an unclaimed area, where Hermione quickly took advantage of the time to press her girlfriend for details about her day so far; listening intently to everything until the talk turned to Quidditch and started going over her head. That was perfect for Harry though as the boy joined in heartily, obvious in his attempts to gain information about Slytherin's team while Hermione zoned it all out. Cho and Daphne appeared minutes later, much to Hermione relief. Though she knew that Cho would most defiantly join in with the Quidditch talk, Daphne on the other hand cared for it as must as Hermione had. Though as the pair entered along with sever other Class mates, their Professor came trailing behind.
Waving them over, Hermione only had time for pleasantries before Professor Slughorn called to his students, having each of them calm themselves and take their seats so that he could begin his lesson.
"I do hope you'll forgive my being late, how terribly embarrassing. I was doing a bit of Academic Research and time just… slipped away." Chuckled the Professor as his student prepared for the lesson. "Lets begin then shall we? Lets have a bit fun today shall we?" That single word seemed to bring his students to life and they began murmuring amongst themselves as to what the lesson held for them. "Of course it is still a lesson, a task that I hope will test your potion-making skills adequately." Professor Slughorn continued, speaking loud enough to drown out his students as he began arranging the ingredients at his desk, as if he were setting up for a reality cooking show. "Most of your work up till now has been following recipes from your textbook, but today we will test your own judgments when brewing potions. And see just what you information your minds have retained in my teachings." Acting as if he were a show host, Professor Slughorn flipped his blackboard to show a list of ingredients scrawled in his overly fancy script. "This, is a list of all the reagents you will be working with today. Some of you will have noticed that there are no measurements for these ingredients save for the base mixture, just relative amounts." Said the professor. Hermione had never paid too much attention to Slughorn's overblown speeches, since he gave them almost every lesson he taught. But now that she looked closer at the list on the board, she found that all of the ingredients were measured subjectively, such as in 'smidgens' or 'pinches' and such. The only definite measurement seemed to be water, and that only changed a potion's potency. Hermione was intrigued, and if anything she was excited. This was one lesson Harry wasn't going to cheat his way through, since text was not to be used.
"...with a partner, you will mix this potion and then test it by sampling the result. Now let's begin." Hermione blinked in surprise as she caught the end of Slughorn sentence, and she noticed as everyone around her began pairing up and moving off to their own tables, while a group had quickly converged around Harry beside her.
"I call Potter as my partner." Called one of the students.
"You wish, he's my partner. Right mate?" said another
"But wouldn't you like to partner with me, Harry? We could talk about so much." Came the voice of a female.
The group of Gryffindors bickered until Professor Slughorn intervened, clearing his throat to catch everyone's attention."My apologies my pupils, it seems I omitted one important detail about today's assignment. I…" The man couldn't help but give a self-important pat to his own chest for emphasis, "will assign the partners. Or else poor Mr. Potter will be torn asunder by his eager potential-partners. Now then," He began looking at his list. "Mr. Potter with Longbottom, Misters Malfoy and Thomas…" Slughorn went around the room dictating the pairings and Hermione watched in disappointment as Pansy was paired with a Hufflepuff girl whose name she never bothered to find out." ...Mister Weasley with Miss Granger and finally Misses Bones and Brown." It took a second for it to sink in, and Hermione's jaw dropped.
'Mister Weasley? Ronald Weasley? ' The brunette couldn't believe her luck, of all the students for her to be paired with, she had to be paired with Ronald. Looking around to make sure she'd misheard, her heart sank at the worried looks from Harry, Daphne, Cho, and especially Pansy, who held a tight grip on the edge of her table. Cursing her rotten luck, Hermione picked her books up and walked over to the last remaining workstation where Ron waited, fiddling with the pile of Skrewt Shells laid out for them.
"Let's just get through this Ronald. I expect you to do your fair share of the work." Hermione mumbled to the redhead, who immediately huffed indignantly, though he grinned obviously happy with the way things turned out. Despite his attitude of making it look as though he didn't like the situation.
"Not like I have loads to say to a Snake-kisser, 'Mione. I didn't exactly choose for this to happen." Grabbing the small cauldron they were to share, Ron began filling the cauldron with his wand as she separated and started preparing the reagents they'd need. After fifteen minutes, and with a loud clang and a splash, their cauldron fell to the floor after slipping from Ron's grip. Hermione sighed inwardly as half of their octopus powder was ruined, dreading the disaster that this was sure to be.
After another half an hour, enough students had been sent the infirmary, that Madame Pomfrey thought that the injured student, who were continually sent her way, had been apart of one of Hagrid's lesson, instead or Slughorns.
Hermione had diligently mixed and mashed ingredients while Ron dithered around, rearranging piles of ingredients back and forth when Professor Slughorn looked his way. The Professor now sat at his desk, eating chocolate frogs as if his life depended on it, his balding head shiny with sweat as he looked around at the remaining pairs. If Hermione had to guess, today's lesson had been planned as a publicity stunt to boost his reputation with a class that mixed their own potions by feel alone. That would explain some of the pairings; top mark students like herself being assigned to work with bumbles head like Ron. However, It was clear that the plan was backfiring. The class had dwindled from explosions of ill-mixed compounds or shoddy, speedy work and the sickness that came from drinking potions made that way.
"Mione, are you done yet? Look, Dean's on his fifth batch! That five 'Mione, he and Malfoy have pumped out 4 bloody potions and you're not even boiling!" Ron hissed at her so that the Professor wouldn't hear and realize that he was laying about.
"Yes, 4 potions, the first of which cost them a cauldron and the last of which sent Malfoy to the infirmary for an anti-venom. I'm going to do this right, Ronald." Sighed Hermione as she concentrated on what she had been doing at the moment.
"Is it the prep work? Is that it? Because I can do it you know. I'm not bleeding useless over here! Look, I can pit these things." Looking up from her rough chart of what a 'smidgen' of mistletoe berries should amount to, Hermione was just in time to see Ron dispose a handful of tiny brown pellets and add to a pile of purple petals.
"Ronald! Those are Shrivel Figs, they needed to be peeled, not pitted." Hermione hissed back, saving the rest of the purple fruits from Ron's 'help'. Ron's face flushed in embarrassment then anger as Hermione went back to her calculations, consulting the scroll of equations she'd written out to turn the 'dashes' and 'pinches' and such into actual measurements. Scooping up a few spoons of octopus powder to add to a bowl of mixed powders beside her. Hermione groaned as she stretched and reached her hands above her head in satisfaction. As far as her work showed, she'd mixed the correct amounts together. "Alright Ron, you can start brewing now since you're so anxious. Just add the ingredients five minutes apart once the cauldron's boiling and we'll have ourselves a potion of whatever it's meant for."
"Yeah, yeah. Just as you say, blooming Know-it-all Hermione Granger." Ron grumbled his response, unaware that Hermione could hear full well what he said.
After 15 minutes of brewing and stirrings, Hermione looked up from her reading for Charms to see the concoctions turning a dull red. That had been the only hint they had been given, the color of the potion. Bottling a dose in the flasks provided, Hermione looked around for Ron. She had assumed that he would try the potion since she'd essentially done all of the work in brewing it. She should have known better though, as it looked like the boy had chosen to disappear and duck out of his fair share of the work.
"Alright students, my congratulations to you on making it this far." The way he phrased it, the lesson sounded as if it were an elimination trial. "But your work, as impressive and painstaking as some have been, must come to an end soon. I highly encourage you to conduct your final tests now, for their is no time for another batch." Said the professor. Not wanting to take her chances and fully confident in her measurements, Hermione drank the flask. She had expected it to taste foul as many potions did, but she was pleasantly surprised that it tasted faintly of cherries. Putting down the empty flask, Hermione grasped the edge of the worktable as a wave of dizziness washed over her, fading as soon as it had appeared. Blinking her vision back into focus, the first thing she saw was Ron walking in through the door feigning confusion and ignorance.
"Mione, did you finish the potion? How'd it turn out?" He asked, almost as if expecting it to be handed to him. Suddenly, Hermione felt rather furious and disgusted at the boy.
"Hurry now Mr. Weasley you must test the potion before the end of class or it shall not be valid." said Professor Slughorn as he made his way around the room, unaware that Hermione had done just that.
"But Professor, Hermione's been-"
"Waiting patiently for you to test your potion and write down the results." Still reeling a little from tasting the potion, Hermione was too slow as Ron filled a second flask from their cauldron and drank it down. Hermione watched as Ron shuddered as he swallowed, stumbling a step before catching himself on the table as she had. Eyes blinking quickly, the red-haired boy looked up at her in confusion.
"I don't feel anything, I don't think you did it right. Bugger, can't you do anything right? It doesn't even taste like a proper potion, it tastes like cherry!"
"Piss off, Ronald." Hermione snapped in response, "You don't think I've done it right? Bollocks, maybe if you'd gotten off your red-haired, fat, lazy arse, and were actually helpful instead of disrupting me, you'd feel something you ponce!" Hermione sudden outburst had surprised everyone within earshot, causing Harry look up from where he had been working, a few tables away.
"Wha-ha- I-I'm a r-red haired fat lazy arse? Merlin's beard Hermione! That was mean, even for you! You take it back!"
"One cannot just merely take back what was said, or forget they were said. Nor actions once done for that matter. If they could, I'd still be with you in what you and 'Lav-Lav' call a pathetic relationship." Hermione snorted, and even the Slytherins couldn't deny their temporarily respect for the brunette.
"What the bloody hell does that have to do with anything? You make it sound as if it had been that, that made you mess up the potion. Just admit you got in over your head and messed up!"
"I messed up the potion?" Hermione asked with an edge to her voice, turning away from the boy in a huff. While in the back of the room, Harry joined Pansy to watch, after his potion had knocked poor Neville unconscious, grinning at the lashing Ron was getting.
"You don't suppose, that's all stuff she's wanted to say deep down, do you? Like the things she bottled up all this time?" The raven-haired wizard asked, to which Pansy shrugged.
"How ugly do you suppose this could get?" Pansy asked back, her own partner yet to show any effects from drinking their concoction.
"Dunno, let just hope she doesn't turn the tables on the rest of us afterward." Harry whispered half-jokingly, giving Pansy a playful nudge.
"How dare you?" Snarled the angry Brunette, stalking right up to the red-haired boy. "I honestly cannot believe that you think that I did something wrong? I'm sure the ALL MIGHTY, ALL KNOWING RONALD WEASLY thinks he could do better. You couldn't pour Pumpkin juice into your mouth without royally screwing up! But by all means, go on and make a batch. I am terribly sorry to doubt your sudden wisdom, Mr. Weasley!" As Hermione finished, she lifted the cauldron and upended it all over her partner. "You're pathetic Ronald Weasley."
The boy's face took on a deep shade of red as if his head were a pimple ready to pop. Turning to find Professor Slughorn so he could complain, he found the professor watching on with an amused grin just like everyone else.
"Look you Mudblood-Snake-kisser," Ron began as he turned back to Hermione, the room collectively gasping. Pansy nearly dropped her flask at the word while her Partner broke down into fits of giggles at a Gryffindor saying. "I don't bloody feel anything, so I don't think you-" Ron stopped, as a sudden realization washed over him, and suddenly he'd felt lightheaded. "Hermione, you look," Ron breathed in softly, as she rolled her head at him as if annoyed.
"I look what Ronald? Like a Mudblood-Snake-Kisser? I think you topped the Slytherins with that one." Snapped Hermione.
"No, never that!" Ron breathed out softly, as if in a trance. His face becoming a bright pink flush instead of the angry red it was. "Bloody hell, you're beautiful!" he exclaimed and suddenly Pansy wanted to hit the daft pig, while everyone else looked around in confusion at his sudden change of attitude. "Bugger, why did we ever break up 'Mione?" he asked, surprising the class more as he took one of her hands in his.
"Because you had to have more like a greedy little pig. Because you lied and snuck around instead of being loyal. Because you found a whore who was ready to spread her self for you." Hermione listed, pulling her hand back as if his touch burned.
"Shall I go on?"
"Can't we start over though? I swear to be better." Ron continued speaking as if in a trance, never looking away from her. Pansy couldn't help but look for Ron's current girlfriend, and found that Lavender was looking ready to gouge Hermione's eyes out.
"I'd have to be completely mental to ever take you back! Look how quickly you dumped Padma after you did me! I'm surprised Lavender hasn't made you sick yet with your constant snogging! And the nicknames! Poor little Won-Won this, Won-Won that, it makes me want to vomit!"
"Hermione, please! Lavender meant nothing, Padma too. It was a mistake, what I did to you. I'll do better! I love you! Be honest, I know you still feel something for me." Hermione laughed in Ron's face as he waited for her answer.
"Face it Ronald Weasley, you are pathetic. If anything, I should be thanking you. If you hadn't cheated I wouldn't have found someone better, someone who actually cares about me." She said. Ron crumpled his face, suddenly looking like a sad little boy.
"But, but…" he mumbled, looking on the verge of tears, his voice actually cracking when he finally got his words together, "Parkinson's a girl! You're Shagging another woman! And a Slytherin woman to boot! You can't be with that dyke!" There was another collective gasp from the students, name calling was a staple of relations between Slytherin and Gryffindor houses, but that had crossed a line by any standards.
"Take it back, Weasley!" snarled a Slytherin from across the room, his face twisted with unnatural rage while his own partner fawned over him, the same trance-like expression on her face as Ron.
"Oh shove off! Why should Weasley take anything back? It's probably true! I've seen them hanging around together, it's clear who's in charge." Said a second Slytherin, Pansy knew that the Slytherin was in her class, but she's never bothered to actually get the girls name. "Shagging Mudbloods now Parkinson? Disgusting is what it is!"
"You can't blame her! Granger's a bloody hot Mudblood, I bet she doesn't shag like a Mudblood though!" Everyone turned in shock to look at the Hufflepuff, who was equally surprised and currently had his hands clapped around his mouth to muffle anything else that came out.
"Yeah Parkinson. How does she shag? Like a whore? Weasel, you outta know eh?" Pansy made a mental note to find out who that girl was so that she could have 'private' words with her later.
"Stop it! Don't you dare say such things about my 'Mione!" Screeched Ron as he wrapped his arms around the brunette's waist and pulled her to him.
"Ronald, let go!" Hermione shrieked as she struggled to break Ron's grip and push him away. Pansy decided she'd seen enough at that point, it had been amusing to watch Weasel make a fool of himself but he'd crossed a line. Making a beeline for the pair, she noted with a small amount that Lavender was sprawled on top of the table while Millicent shared a passionate kiss with her.
And suddenly the room erupted into similar chaos; Students started yelling at long-time friends or suddenly proclaiming love and engaging in displays of extreme affection if those feelings were returned, most of which had been between the Slytherins and Gryffindors. Some however were in the same position as Ron, clinging to the target of their love and begging for acceptance.
Pansy had thought that perhaps Weasley would have come to his senses, now that his girlfriend laid completely sprawled atop the table, as Millicent tried stripping her of her robes, yet found that the boy was now on his knees, begging Hermione to take him back. Hermione, who'd looked absolutely disgusted continued pushing him away. She'd passed several giggling school boys, who watched on as Dean and Seamus got physically violent with each other over the statistic of a certain Quidditch team. The two throwing insults at one another and an occasional shove.
Several giggles had erupted amongst someone's sobbing, and one Slytherin had even began to openly confessing their deepest and darkest secrets to a Hufflepuff.
The students who hadn't sampled their share of the potions shared perplexed look with on another, while their professor merely watched on amused.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley! I swear to Merlin's sake if you don't un-hand me this instant-" Hissed Hermione, furious as Ron's hands had managed to slip over her back side.
"Weasley!" Snarled Pansy, reaching out she forcibly tore his arms away from Hermione's rear, twisting she brought the boy to his knees. "Touch her again Weasley and I'll bloody well break it!" She snarled, shoving him away.
Ron snorted. As the brunette made to move into Pansys arms, he'd roughly grabbed and held her into him a second time."Shove off Parkinson!" He nearly whimpered. Pansy fumed.
"Weasel! What did I just say about touching Hermione?" Pansy shrieked as she pointed her wand at the arm the boy had around the brunette's waist.
"You don't understand Parkinson, I love her! You were just a one time thing. We're meant to be tog-ahh! Blisters!" Pansy wasn't sure what spell she'd just used, only that her wand had flashed and Hermione was hiding behind her while Ron was on the floor, his arm twisted at an awkward angle as he screamed bloody murder.
"I can't believe you did that! You can't just break a guy's arm like that! Christ it hurts!" Ron continued screaming at the top of his lungs, until Professor Slughorn finally stepped in from where he had been watching.
"Miss Parkinson! Attacking a student in that manner is a serious matter. I regret to do this, but I can't go around playing favorites. 20 points from Slytherin and you will escort Mister Weasley to the infirmary."
Grumbling her displeasure at such a cruel turnabout, Pansy yanked Ron up by his elbow only to have him yowl like a cat and start griping again that she'd stolen Hermione from him.
"This is all your bloody fault Parkinson!" He snarled, "Where the bloody hell do you get off taking Hermione away from me! She's not like that you cow!"
"Where do I get off?" Pansy was seriously considering snapping the boy's other arm too, except that she was still in class and Slughorn was right there. "You listen to me and listen good Ronald Weasley, Hermione is my girlfriend now, mine! You can feel free to run around with any other tramp you please, not that you ever needed permission, because there is no more you and her. Hermione is mine and I'll be bloody well damned if you or anyone else has a problem with our relationship!" Pansy had raised her voice on the last sentence so that everyone who heard was warned. There where several murmurs, through nobody dare spoke.
"Pansy…" Hermione breathed, momentarily snapped out of her potion angered state, she beamed at her girlfriend.
"And just one more thing before I 'escort' your sorry self to Madame Pomfrey. I think it's high time you were on the receiving end of being dumped, and this couldn't be better if I'd planned it." Pansy sneered, "Look at your 'wittle' Lav-Lav over there. If you ask me she looks rather comfy snogging a Slytherin, doesn't she?" Turning so that he could get a good view, Pansy was satisfied with the look of shock that appeared on Ron's face while Lavender was in the throes of passion with Millicent. Casting a quick petrificus charm, Pansy felt a little better as she levitated the frozen boy out of the room, the look of surprise at Lavender's betrayal set in place for the duration of the spell. Pulling Hermione along, the pair exited, as they did, she caught the last bits of an intriguing discussion. It seemed that a trio of Ravenclaws, 2 boys and a girl, were in disarray from one of the boys proclaiming his mutual love for the other two and suggesting that they be wed together eventually.
Yes, I am still alive! Sorry, I've taken a break because of writers block, but don't fret I am still writing and will continue this fic!
Poor Won-Won, he just can't seem to get a break! I so enjoy hurting him, wonder who this Lillianne person is and what she want with Pansy? Hum hum, who can say? I can! But I won't. Anyway, sorry about any mistakes, without a Beta reader still. Please Rate and Review. Tell me what you want to see and Yadda Yadda.
NOTE: I have/will be posting this fic on other sites as well since you know all this site issues. If you want anymore info or Detail I will write them in my Profile, or PM me. See you soon!