Everything was loud. All Hermione could hear was a low, high pitched noise. Her body felt numb. It was almost pleasant, the lack of thoughts in her head. She flicked a finger to make sure she could still move- or rather to make sure she was actually alive.
The ringing faded and muted voices reached Hermione's ears. She wanted to sit up. No one could protect themselves when laying down. The most she could manage was a jerk of her extremities.
Hermione looked to the right and saw beds.
Just in the hospital wing then.
Memories flooded the brunette's consciousness as concrete voices could finally be heard.
"For the last time, I. Did. Not. Hurt. Granger!"
"Then would you bother to explain what occurred?"
The first voice was easily Professor Black. Hermione guessed the second had to be that Umbridge woman. It held just as much pompous authority as it did in the Great Hall.
"That is between my student and I," Black ground out. Hermione could tell that the woman's patience was wearing dangerously thin. A shiver shot through her body. When Black was angry, she was like a completely different person: Blood thirsty, ruthless, maniacal almost. She adopted an unhinged look. There were still rumors in Hogwarts about the professor from her days as a student. Then again, that was a different time altogether.
"A student was harmed, again. The ministry is here for a reason."
A low rumbling sounded from Hermione's right. All she could see was the outline of clean white robes. She knew it had to be Madam Pomfrey.
"The ministry," Black scoffed. "The ministry is here to cover their own asses-"
"Bellatrix!" A new voice admonished. McGonagal.
There was a crash against the wall opposite Hermione. "No! I will not be muzzled! You know what has been going on as well as I do-"
"Hem hem," a voice interrupted.
Hermione tried to move more of her body when a commotion sounded, but could not manage. She was becoming frustrated. She felt like she was being left out of something, which technically she was, she supposed. Hermione knew they figured her to still be asleep. The brunette heard a scraping sound and annoyed grunts.
"Fucking ministry dog," was the last thing she heard before a door slammed closed.
"Now that she is gone-" Umbridge began before being cut off.
"I believe it would be best if all questions wait until Miss. Granger has awakened," A calm, wise voice spoke.
Hermione wondered just how many people were with her. She had counted five so far. She heard a noise resembling "hmf" before a much more dignified- willing- set of heels let the room.
"That was rather exciting, wasn't it, Miss. Granger?"
Hermione immediately saw a flurry of robes overtaking her vision as Pomfrey peered down at her.
"Oh Merlin! You should still be asleep. I will not have anyone aggravating injuries while in my care, Miss. Granger."
"Now now Poppy, let's not suffocate her," Dumbledore said with a gentle voice.
Hermione saw the healer scowl at the man out of the corner of her vision. She continued to check over her vitals while replying, "With all do respect, you may be headmaster, but you are not the healer here."
Pomfrey then pulled something from the bedside table and held it to Hermione's lips. "Drink," she commanded kindly.
Hermione did so and felt a buzz spread throughout her body. The taste was not bad, compared to many other wizard medicines, or potions, that is. It was the equivalent to regaining feeling in a limb that had fallen asleep. She tried to move again and found that she could now sit up, quite shakily but it made for progress none the less.
"Better, dear?" Pomfrey asked while keeping a careful eye on Hermione. The brunette had always respected the healer. While she was strict, it was obvious that the witch cared greatly about those under her care.
Hermione nodded her head. The only feeling she was left with was a dull headache.
"You are going to be concussed for a few days. Take this potion every morning and it will be gone soon enough. If any side effects linger for more than a week then come back to me." Madam Pomfrey handed Hermione the same bottle she drank from moments ago. "I want you to stay here another hour. A housemate will be here to escort you back to your dormitory."
Hermione had her fair share of experience with concussions, granted this was the first that occurred while at Hogwarts. It worried her anytime she thought about it too much, the amount of trauma her brain has undergone. She knew that the more concussions you had the easier it was to get more in the future.
What am I without my mind?
Hermione's thoughts gravitated back towards what must still be recent events. It was dark in the hospital wing. The windows were blacked out by the night sky. Only the area that directly surrounded her was still bright. There was a single torch above her bed that offered a sufficient amount of light.
"Miss. Granger," Dumbledore prompted. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes.
It happened again. I can't believe I lost control again.
As if sensing her thoughts, Dumbledore said, "No one else was hurt." Hermione eyed the man warily. She hadn't felt anyone penetrating her mind. How did he know?
"It was written on your face, Miss. Granger," he answered once again.
Hermione looked down. Occlumency was pointless when she could be so easily read without it. Hermione bunched her sheets tightly in between her fists.
"You gave Professor Black quite the scare, you know?" Hermione quirked a brow and scoffed, to which the wizard simply smiled kindly. "Everyone has there own monsters. Sometimes the worst of them are our own selves."
Hermione felt both cold and hot at the same time. Ice filled her veins but everything around her felt entirely too warm.
"People are not always as they seem Miss. Granger. Do be carful," he advised.
The headmaster left and Hermione was left to think about his cryptic words. Half the time the wizard spoke it was in riddles. He was an amazing wizard, one of the best ever to exist. No one could deny that, but something about him always just seemed off to Hermione. She was a good judge of character. While she tended to see the worst in people, she at the least gave them a chance to prove her right.
It wasn't that Hermione wanted to have a pessimistic attitude towards people, but what are you to do with life except adapt to it?
Dumbledore stood up slowly, his eyes lingering on Hermione. "Think about my words Mrs. Granger. I will leave you in peace while you wait for your escort."
The headmaster's face held the same kindness it always did. Hermione watched him as he turned around, noticing a flicker out of the corner of her eye. The look in his eyes… He had been putting on a facade. Hermione had never caught the change before. It was enough to make her throat go dry.
Hermione contemplated Dumbledore's words as the minutes ticked on by. Originally, it seemed like the headmaster was referencing Professor Black, however, by the time he left she was no longer quite sure.
Hermione stewed silently as she awaited her release. Her headache was getting worse. A steady beating permeated her skull and Hermione brought her hands up to massage the sides of her temple. After a while the throbbing dulled and Hermione found herself struggling to stay awake. Her eyes began to slip closed every few seconds as her head repeatedly lolled to the side.
The infirmary door opened quietly and Hermione was immediately on alert. She looked over to see Harry walking towards her quickly, now that it was obvious she was awake.
"Mione!" He whispered loudly, unnecessarily considering no one else was in the room. He paused when he got to the bed. Hermione could see his arm fidgeting at his side, begging to reach out to her. "Listen-"
Hermione shook her head as she slowly stood out of the bed. "Don't apologize for him." Her voice didn't come out angrily, nor upset. It was void of anything. She was just tired, so so tired.
Harry offered a comforting smile before replying, "I was just going to say he was a right prat."
The witch knew that was only a partial truth. For the effort she allowed her lips to twitch up in a barely there smile. "I'm glad he doesn't understand." Hermione paused, surprised that she had let that much slip. Harry's hand came to rest on her shoulder softly as he urged her forward.
"Me too, Mione, me too."
The walk to the Gryffindor dormitories was silent, but not in an uncomfortable way. Hermione was sure that Harry wanted to know what had happened, but he had learned over the years to respect when she needed distance. Harry muttered the password to the fat lady and her portrait swung open. Her usually playful personality was gone, simply taking the words for what they were and allowing passage.
The two Gryffindors offered soft goodbyes as they went to their respective dormitories. The common room was empty, leaving Hermione to figure it was in fact quite late.
As head girl Hermione had a private room of her own, which she was glad for. No one could bother her. She could simply be at peace. While it was lonely at least she wasn't constantly on edge, worrying about who could be around the corner, or where the next prank would come from. When her body met the bed Hermione groaned in pleasure. It felt so much nicer than the stiff ones that were found in the infirmary.
XXX
Hermione woke up to a blinding light. Opening her eyes only caused the headache from the previous night to return.
Can't stand bloody concussions.
The bushy haired witch took her time getting ready. There was enough time until her first class for the day, which just so happened to be Defense Against the Dark Arts. Usually Hermione would go for a light run around the Black Lake to loosen up and prepare for dealing with both the Slytherin students and Professor Black. With her concussion that unfortunately was not a choice however, so she chose to down the potion Pomfrey gave her instead.
Hermione found herself sitting on her bed for several minutes, head in hands while her elbows rested against her knees. The potion helped a small amount, but the stress she felt for having to see Black again seemed to cancel out most of its' effects. Hermione did not want to deal with the woman or her goading taunts.
The witch decided to go to the dining hall in an effort to get a quick bite to eat. She made her way down the stairs into the common room and saw Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Ron sat in front of the ever going fire. Ginny saw her first and an awkward quiet soon followed. The other three looked at her and Hermione caught Ginny roughly elbowing her brother before he muttered, "Sorry for yesterday."
Hermione didn't acknowledge him until the portrait swung open to allow her an exit. Without turning around, she said, in a voice that could barely be heard by the four, "I would appreciate your apology more if you were not being forced to say it." She wasn't surprised when no one followed her. She didn't see any of them as she forced herself to eat a piece of toast. It was the most the brunette could stomach before the whispering and blatant staring was too much to handle.
Going to the common room was out of question. She didn't have enough time to make it to the library. The only choice Hermione found herself with was going to class early, or at least waiting outside of the door until it was time to begin. That would mean dealing with the Slytherin students making their way to class, including the ones that would be joining Hermione in hers. She debated the lesser of two evils: One professor or Slytherin as a whole.
Hermione knocked before peeking her head into the room, a rather brazen move considering the professor had sent students to detention for less.
"Granger," Black, said, signaling her position near the from of the classroom. Hermione glanced up and immediately noticed the woman was in rather loose clothing, forgoing her signature corset. Instead the professor was dressed in loose black slacks- the wizarding equivalent to stretchy, fitted pair of sweatpants, and a rather shiny pair of black knee length boots over them. Covering the woman's torso was a black, low-cut shirt. Hermione couldn't tell what it was made of, but the material managed to look thick yet also silken. It was tucked into the pants which were being held up by a deep green sash that hung to her knee. Finally, around Black's shoulders was a cloak the same color as her name, with green embroidery on its' perimeter.
Black stood facing Hermione expectantly. One side of the cloak was pushed behind her shoulders, which only further showed off the woman's figure.
Hermione finally met the woman's eyes, simply offering, "Black" before taking her usual seat in the classroom. Every fiber within her urged the younger of the two to look up once again. Hermione could feel a blazing stare, but it took all of her energy to keep a blush out of her cheeks.
I was just checking out my professor…
She didn't want to think about that, nor did she want to speak about what happened last night. Fearing the heat in her cheeks, Hermione allowed her head to drop on the desk in front of her, knowing she made a mistake when Black's voice once again reached her ears.
"It wouldn't do you any good to go banging your head around anymore."
Hermione ignored the woman, knowing she was aiming for some kind of reaction out of the brunette.
"You do know it's impolite to ignore your superiors, don't you?"
Hermione's body shot up so fast her head began to hurt again. Shining dots sparkled the field of her vision every time she moved her eyes. Her heart stuttered and Hermione felt a burning in her throat. Professor Black had never been so blunt about her distaste. She had never spoken as harshly as the students in her own house. Hermione stood up, it was a mistake to come to class early.
Boots moved towards Hermione faster than she could leave her seat. Her stool was pushed towards her legs, knocking into her knees. Hermione's only choice was to retake her seat or fall, and she chose the latter. Hermione looked across the table where Professor Black now leaded towards her, elbows crossed over the table, with an unreadable expression. Hermione could only find it in her to glare, sick and tired of the same old insults.
"Professors are superior to quick tempered students such as yourself." Her voice was rough. Hermione knew the woman was holding back, of what she could only guess.
She's probably just trying to cover her tracks…
Upon feeling the fuzziness of an invasion in her thoughts, Hermione stood up once again, roughly enough for the stool to knock backwards. "Stay out of my fucking mind!" Figuring the professor had been attempting legilimency against her the night before only further upset Hermione. She couldn't even find it in herself to care that she directly swore at a teacher.
Professor Black only looked amused. "There's the same fire you won't show in my class. Why?" She leaned forward an inch, as if getting closer would reveal the answer. "I'm too good to leave anything behind in the first place, Granger." The sentence was punctuated with a shit eating, confident smirk.
Hermione gulped silently at the lack of space between the two of them, but she would not allow herself to be intimidated. "Just stay out of my head," she ground out. Her next words came out a muttered, "Two times and it hasn't even been a day yet."
The professor's amusement dropped then, eyes narrowing and mouth thinning out. "What are you talking about?"
Hermione almost flinched at the seriousness now in Black's deep, dark eyes. "Yesterday, during Dumbledore's speech." She crossed her arms and leaned back slightly, trying to get whatever distance from the woman she could.
Black stood and took a step back. "What have I told you about thinking so loudly?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at that. "Maybe if you wouldn't go snooping-"
"It. Was. Not. Me," Black stated bluntly, obviously more annoyed now than before. Her eyes were a burning inferno, daring Hermione to doubt her. The brunette knew her occlumency was higher than anyone she knew. She was shocked that Black got in, but she always managed to get under her skin. Plus she was known to be one of the best practitioners of the skill in the world.
Hermione finally broke their eye contact. If not her, then who was it?
The bell ran and students made their way into class. The thick atmosphere was gone with the distraction, leaving Hermione to stare at her desk, fist clenched under the hard surface. Once the final bell rang Black took role before beginning her introduction for the class's topic.
"Raw magic." That got everyone's attention. Almost no one was stupid enough to fool around in Professor Black's class, but their minds were not always all there. Now, the witch had their complete, undivided attention. Very few witches and wizards possess the talent for raw magic, but those that do have been known as some of the most famous in history. Can anyone name a person that has been able to manipulate raw magic?
Hermione knew the second Black looked at her that she expected an answer.
"Granger, care to share?" Many students rolled their eyes, though none of them had raised their hand.
Hermione signed under her breathe. "The first known person to ever learn how to use raw magic was Merlin, as is well known. The most commonly known practitioner, to known knowledge was Voldemort."
Black's eyes looked down before darting back up. "Correct. Five points to Gryffindor." She spared a glance at the Slytherin side of the room. "Instead of glaring you could all have tried to answer the easy question. One of the mentioned people was from your house after all. Do not disappoint me again."
The Gryffindor side of the classroom began to snicker, resulting in the obvious "Ten points from Gryffindor."
Of course she had to even it out.
"As I was saying, raw magic-"
"Did I hear you correctly, Professor Black? Are you teaching the seventh years about raw magic?"
A low growl emanated from the front of the classroom. Hermione felt a shiver take over her. She hadn't even heard the doors open again.
"I might repeat myself, but I would fear you deaf."
Umbridge wrote something on the pink clipboard she carried, making a "humph" at the remark. "Careful now Professor Black. I could have your license revoked." The woman looked confident with her threat. No one else stood to back her.
Hermione's eyes widened. No one ever threatened Black. A second shiver ran through her, causing Hermione to pull her cloak tighter around her front. She cast a quiet warming spell, urging the coldness away, but it felt bone deep.
A mad cackle broke out, one that not a single person could mimic. As if a switch went off the professor looked at Umbridge once again, complete silence and her mouth was a thin line. "I would like to see you try," Black replied low. Hermione was certain the professor's words were no bluff. Hermione looked at the pale woman. Every part of her body was tense. An arm was hidden within her cloak and Hermione was certain it held a very unique, curved wand. Many of the other students were looking back and forth, wondering who would break first.
"If you have gathered what you need then-"
Umbridge stepped further into the room as she cut the professor off. "I am here to gauge the curriculum; one that you are not following. Perhaps this is why safety seems to be an issue-"
"DO NOT EVEN DARE BLAME ME FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED!" There wasn't a single person that didn't flinch, including the pink clad ministry official. "If anyone is to blame it's the MINISTRY FOR FAILING AT THEIR JOB!"
Everyone knew what Black was referencing. There was the ever present blood supremacist, not willing to accept Voldemort's fall. Hate attacks were still prevalent in society, even against half-bloods.
"You would know plenty about that wouldn't you?" Umbridge retorted, causing several gasps on each side of the room.
Hermione started to flat out shiver. The coldness felt as if it was in her clothes. Her eyes bounced back and forth. Everyone knew it was a sensitive topic, and no one was dense enough to bring it up in person- at least not in front of Black.
Any and every part of history surrounding the second wizarding world is actively taught in first through third years of school at Hogwarts. Voldemort recruited many Slytherin students, and the most prized of which was one Bellatrix Black. Since her father was the Dark Lord's right hand it was expected of her. The woman herself never spoke about her past, however, her sister, Andromeda Tonks nee Black, gave enough insight to know of their past. Cygnus Black III drilled blood supremacy into his daughters from a young age. As the oldest, Bellatrix Black was focused on the most intently.
Black was expected to kill Dumbledore. She let the Death Eaters into the school. It was because of her that The Battle of Hogwarts was even able to begin. No one was privy to the inner workings of the witch's mind; that part of history remained a mystery. No one knew what caused Bellatrix Black to turn away from her family, from her pureblood upbringing and ideology. However, it is common knowledge that there would have much more death without her on the winning side of history. Her death count was higher than anyone else that fought, including the professors and members of the Order of the Phoenix.
The death of James Potter was one of the most mourned out of the entire war. As is now taught, he himself was the final horcrux. Because of their importance to Voldemort's downfall, their existence is no longer hidden from students.
History does not know how he managed it, but Dumbledore graced the grounds with his presence after James was killed. He dueled with Voldemort and managed to strike the man down. When asked, he claimed it was the mysteries of an old man, but many wizards and witches have researched the topic of his miraculous feat, all reaching dead ends.
Hermione had her own doubts. No one could turn away death after being struck with the killing curse, Professor Black's Avada Kedavra. It didn't make sense. It was illogical, impossible, even for a wizard as great as Dumbledore. Many people have called the man selfish for hoarding the knowledge for himself. There was once even a petition going around demanding to know the answer before the Wizengamot, however it somehow never went through.
Hunched over, Hermione was staring at Black. She had never seen so much restrained fury held within a single body. Seeing the witches arm slowly begin to rise, Hermione panicked. Her palms slammed onto the table as she stood and turned towards Umbridge.
"Didn't the ministry cower during the war, refusing to admit Voldemort was rising again?" The questions was obviously rhetorical. Even at present times the ministry was dealing with mistrust amongst many that went through the effects of war. "What right do you have to lecture Professor Black when you were on the wrong side of history?"
"That's enough Granger," Professor Black bit out. Hermione looked around her. Many Slytherin students were staring at the floor of the dungeon while Gryffindor students were either staring at her with jaw dropped shock or impressed expressions.
"Mrs. Granger is it?" Umbridge questioned. Her voice was high pitched and poorly restrained. It was nothing near Black's bellowing from earlier, but if the red on the woman's face was any indication she felt much of the same fury. "Are you a ministry trained educational expert?"
Before she could think better of it Hermione looked the woman up and down. "Are you?"
Many snorts sounded across the room, the loudest from the front. Several coughs came from the Slytherin students. Hermione guessed they felt ashamed for finding humor in her, a Gryffindor and Muggle-born.
A smirk snaked its' way across Umbridge's face before she lightly said, "Detention." There was almost a sing song type of tone to her voice. Hermione had never heard someone sound so self-satisfied.
"You can not give MY STUDENTS detention," Black began, obviously becoming upset again. Before she could continue Umbridge cut her off once more.
"You would do well to stop raising your voice at me, Professor Black. The Minister of Magic has given me permission to use whatever form of punishment necessary to bring this school to ministry standards. Hogwarts will be brought back to its' former glory."
The plump woman left after that, to Hermione's pleasure. Many eyes were still on her. She had never received detention before- not for her own actions at least. She had gotten in trouble, being roped in with Harry and Ron on more than one occasion, but it was usually the two of them alone serving time. When she had been in trouble, it was always helping Hagrid so she couldn't find it in herself to complain too much.
In all honesty, Hermione wasn't sure were the gall had come from. All she knew was that nothing good would come from Black throwing the first literal move. She had never seen the woman lose control like that. Sure, she was easy to get a rise out of, and she had seen her banter with other professor's here and there. Most of the time it seemed quite one sided though, as if Black found entertainment in the matter.
She probably does.
Whispers spread throughout the class. Hermione knew most, if not all, were with her as the subject. Before they could go on for more than a few seconds, there were three almost deafening pops near the front of the class.
Professor Black held her wand in the air, irritation written across her face. "I will NOT have anymore interruptions in my class. The next person that even breathes to loudly will receive detention." No one doubted the truth to those words.
Hermione looked up at the end of the threat, not surprised to find eyes on her. She couldn't stare at them any longer. She had had enough of the dark orbs for the day.
"Today you will all be dueling me. If you want to pass this lesson then you must block my spells blindfolded."