I can't believe it has taken me three months to update! I feel horrible about this and will try to write more often. These past couple of months have been very busy for me. I think I have finally gotten comfortable enough with my new class schedule at college that I'll have more time. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Reviews are welcomed and encouraged :)
Chapter 14
Harry and Ron found Hermione in the Gryffindor common room after class. She was sitting on the couch, staring into the fireplace with a horrified expression. They sat down on each side of her.
"I can't believe I did that," Hermione whispered.
"It wasn't your fault, 'Mione," Ron said. "Snape has that effect on people."
"It's never bothered me before."
"Well circumstances have changed since last year," Harry said. "I wouldn't let him get to you like that, Hermione. He's not worth it."
"I know, I know," she said. Suddenly her eyes widened and she stood up with a jolt. "What am I supposed to do about my textbook?!"
"There's the old Hermione," Ron laughed.
"I'm sure if you speak to McGonagall, she'll let you go to Hogsmeade with a chaperone," Harry suggested.
"Hopefully…"
xXx
"I'm sorry, Hermione. There's no way I could let you go out of the castle, even with a professor," McGonagall told her the next morning before class. "After what took place at the Ministry, we are taking extra precautions in the safety of our students."
"I understand, Professor. What do you suggest I do?" Hermione asked.
"I'll talk to Professor Snape. There must be extra textbooks lying around somewhere in those dungeons of his," McGonagall smiled.
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, taking her usual seat at the front of the room.
xXx
The next day Hermione left lunch early and headed for the dungeons. Oh I hope McGonagall was able to convince him.
She knocked on the door to the Potions classroom and heard a low "come in" from the other side. Snape was seated at his desk, head down with a furrowed face. She stood there for what it seemed like minutes before he looked up at her.
"What do you want, Granger?" he asked.
"I was wondering if Professor McGonagall spoke to you, sir," she said in a small voice.
"I have spoken to Professor McGonagall on many occasions," he replied, dryly.
"Yes, sir. I meant about my textbook," she elaborated, staring at the ground.
"Ah, yes. How could I forget?" he said, glaring at her. "Very well. There are several old textbooks in the cupboard at the back of the room. Be quick about it, I need to prepare for your lesson."
She looked up at him with a look of shock. Wait, what? He raised an eyebrow at her. Taking that as a cue, she bolted for the cupboard, grabbed the first copy of Advanced Potion-Making she saw and ran from the room.
Insolent child.
xXx
What the bloody hell is this? Hermione was skimming through her newly acquired textbook outside the very classroom she had just ran from. There were countless scribbles and notes on every page of the book. She was still able to read the original instructions but the added notes were distracting. There's nothing I can do about it. I'm definitely not asking Snape if I can get a different one. She had reached the back of the book and found an additional line of writing.
"This book is property of the Half-Blood Prince," she read aloud. Great, I have a book of royalty.
"Half-Blood Pince?" Ron asked, walking up with Harry. "I always thought she was a muggle-born."
"Prince, Ronald," she corrected him.
"Hermione, you really shouldn't be writing all over your book," Harry teased.
"Haha very funny, Harry. Snape let me have one of the old books from his cupboard."
"You're joking," Harry said, sounding surprised. "Maybe he does have a heart."
"Oh yeah, I've seen a few in his stores," Ron chuckled.
"Anyways, it says this book is 'property of the Half-Blood Prince' and there are notes throughout it correcting the instructions."
"Maybe the Gryffindor princess can use help from this Prince," Ron joked.
"I wish people would stop calling me that," she criticized.
"Sorry, 'Mione."
"I'm not taking any chances with Snape," she continued. "He would notice if I used different methods."
xXx
"Ever heard of the Half-Blood Prince?" Hermione asked Remus that Friday during their free period. They were in his office, enjoying a cup of tea on the couch by the fireplace.
"Can't say that I have," he answered. "Who is that?"
"Someone wrote all over my potions textbook and signed it with that name."
"I wouldn't follow those instructions if I were you, Hermione, especially in Snape's class."
"I know, Remus. I'm being more careful around him after the incident on Monday."
"I'm actually surprised he let you have another book."
"You weren't the only one," she smiled.
"You know I could have gone to Hogsmeade for you if you had asked," he told her, taking her hand.
Why didn't I think of that?! "It's okay, thank you though," she said, leaning against his shoulder.
"Of course," he whispered, kissing her head.