Hermione was an early riser. Since her childhood her parents had inculcated several values in her and rising with the sun was one of them. This habit had proved useful over the years. She would get up before everyone and study in peace. This way she would be spared of Lavender's incessant chatter about vanities and Ginny's overenthusiastic discussion about Quidditch. Presently this habit would prove even more useful than ever she realized.
Hermione felt the first ray of sun on her cheeks somewhat filtered by the translucent window pane.
She quickly cast a Tempus charm. It was quarter to five in the morning. She smiled contentedly. Then she proceeded on to the next best habit her parents had taught her. Meditation. She sat up and concentrated on her being. She thanked the universe for bestowing her with so many boons. This exercise would calm her down and give her mental strength to deal with the oddities of her life. She would gain clarity of vision and have a better grip on herself. This was one of the few secrets which made Hermione Granger an exceptional witch and a better person.
Today as an exception she prayed for greater strength to fit into a new role in her life. The role of a spy.
After completing her morning ritual of bathing and cleaning, she decided to stroll around the castle. A spy must have an eye for detail. Hermione's observation skills were pretty decent, to begin with, and she would brush them up along the way.
The morning sun was shining brightly. The birds were chirping in beautiful synchrony. She felt ethereal. She noticed that the corridors were almost deserted and she reasoned that most of the students must be night owls and not early birds like her.
Her admiration for the tranquility didn't last long as she heard a booming voice from the other end of the corridor.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw for displaying an inability to walk straight in the corridor." Her feet stopped in her tracks.
Moments later a frightened first year rushed past her. While she was busy feeling sorry for the little kid, the man who scolded him presented himself in his full sarcastic glory.
"Strolling under the sun, are we, Miss Granger?" he sneered.
"Yes sir", she replied politely.
"My, my. I never knew you had such a penchant for potions. Or is it my extraordinary teaching skills that lured you? Snape asked sarcastically.
"Both sir", she said evenly.
"I am humbled to know that you chose me over half a dozen other Hogwarts Professors."He tilted his head towards one side " To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"It was the headmaster's decision, Professor", Hermione said calmly.
"The headmaster is a sentimental fool. I have no idea what story you cooked up to hoodwink him, but don't live under the slightest delusion that you can deceive me", Snape said menacingly.
"Yes, sir"
"You three. You, Potter and Weasley, have been a pain in my neck since the moment you stepped into Hogwarts. "He glared at her."It is just a matter of time before I find out what you and your dimwit friends are up to."With this Snape surged past her.
"Excuse me, Sir", Hermione called from behind.
Snape stopped with a jerk and turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, Miss Granger, do you have something to add?
"What will be the schedule of my apprenticeship classes, Sir? Hermione asked naively.
Snape paused for a moment and stared at her."That, I will let you know."
He left her standing in the middle of the corridor, smiling to herself.
"Professor this is the first time you have found a perfect match for yourself", she mumbled to herself. A perfectly solid match. But the most prominent thought in her mind was that from where the professor was returning at this hour and why was sand sticking on his shoes.
She reached the owlery and took out a spare parchment and quill from her pockets. She concentrated for a moment and began writing a letter.
Dear Martha
I saw the blue whale yesterday. It acted as per expectations. The ocean waters are somewhat muddy today. The sea horse is a bit problematic. I found it crossing the ocean at dawn. I will keep an eye on it.
Yours truly
Orca
She reread the letter and selected a small owl and tied the letter to its feet. Meanwhile, Hedwig who was perched upon a high branch of the owlery tree hooted in indignation.
"Sorry girl," said Hermione and retrieved a few owls' treats from the pockets of her robes and gave it both to Hedwig and the owl she had selected. Hedwig looked somewhat pacified and contentedly nibbled on its breakfast. The other owl finished its treat and flew into the sky. The moment she turned to leave, she came face to face with the Hogwart's caretaker, Argus Filch.
"Students out of bed during curfew. I will inform your head of the house", he said snobbishly.
" It is half an hour past the time the curfew ends."To prove her point she cast a Tempus charm. The caretaker looked undeterred. He was peering at her with a shrewd look.
"What are you doing here this early in the morning", He asked with a tight look on his face. Just then Miss Norris entered the owlery with its tail up in the air. She purred as she came near the caretaker's feet. He picked her up and began caressing her affectionately below the ears. Hermione decided to make use of this moment to flee.
"Ah not so soon, I asked you what you were doing here this early in the morning."
"Really, Mr. Filch. I was doing what anyone would do in the owlery. I was obviously posting a letter", said Hermione in an annoyed tone.
"Where is your letter ?"
"I have already posted it. Now if you bother me any further I would be the one going to my head of the house."
The caretaker gave her an inscrutable look but Hermione didn't wait for his reaction and surged out of the owlery.
Once out of trouble, she breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close shave. Her brain was giving a tough competition to her legs. One was trying as hard as it could to carry her to her dormitory and the other was trying equally hard to bring her to a conclusion. One thing was pretty clear that the caretaker's presence in the owlery was not a coincidence. Nor was this over-inquisitive attitude a part of his already infuriating personality. It was obvious that he had not gone there on his own accord. Someone had sent him up there. The question was 'who'? Was it Snape? He was the one who had seen her up this early in the morning. Or maybe it was the headmaster. Irrespective of his supportive disposition maybe the headmaster didn't trust her. She would not blame him for that.
Engrossed in her thoughts she reached her dormitory. Her roommates were up and about their businesses.
"Where have you been this early in the morning. We usually find you studying when we wake up ", Parvati's curious voice caught her attention.
"Oh nothing, just went for a morning walk. I have been feeling quite sluggish lately. So, I have decided to make early morning walks a part of my routine", said Hermione conversationally.
"Really, I envy your perfect routine. One day I would also like to be so orderly."Parvati said with a smirk. Hermione smiled beatifically.
She looked around her dorm. Lavender was busy applying a sumptuous skin lotion on her face. A vast array of lotions and potions were spread out before her and she was glancing herself in the mirror with a smug expression. Ginny on the other hand was busy finishing her assignment. Hermione was happy that Ginny was taking her OWLs seriously.
Hermione quickly changed into her uniform and packed her satchel for the day. The moment she came out into the common room she noticed Harry and Ron huddled together reading a quidditch magazine. Some things just don't change she thought. She walked past them and headed out through the portrait hole. She noticed that Harry had made a move to follow her. Once out of the portrait hole, she waited for Harry to come outside. After a moment Harry appeared.
"Hi, Hermione. I know Ron is a complete prat but I will be always there for you", he blurted out.
Hermione felt a pang of sentimentalism in her chest. "Oh, Harry, I am fine. I really am. Please don't worry about me."
"It's just that I had a feeling that something was troubling you. Glad to know that you are doing fine."
The matter settled, the two of them walked towards the great hall for the breakfast in companionable silence.
"Uh, Hermione I have to tell you something."
"What is it, Harry? Hermione asked with furrowed brows.
"Before the Christmas break, during the Slughorn's party, Malfoy had gatecrashed the party and Snape took him outside. Well, the gist is that I followed them and overheard them. Snape was offering to help Malfoy with some tasks he has been entrusted with. There was a mention of some unbreakable vow also."Hermione did her best to look interested."I discussed this with Mr. Weasley and Professor Lupin at the burrow, and in their opinion, Snape was attempting to extract information out of Malfoy. But I believe there is something fishy going on. I am sure something is cooking between Snape and Malfoy and I don't have the right feeling about it. What do you think?" Harry finished in one go.
"I think they are right, Mr. Weasely and Professor Lupin."
"Why don't any of you see it the way I see it. Malfoy is a death eater and Snape is helping him in doing something sinister. I will talk to Dumbledore about this", Harry said in a frustrated voice. He then pulled the Marauder's map out of his pocket and began checking for a dot with Malfoy's name. Something must be done about this map Hermione thought. Or soon Harry will find two dots with Hermione's name running around the castle.
They reached the great hall and ate their meals engrossed in their own respective thoughts.
"Another thing", Harry said while munching his pumpkin pasty. Hermione slightly turned to look at him. "Scrimgeour, the new minister of magic visited me during the Christmas break."
"And", prompted Hermione.
"Nothing. He is an idiot. He wanted to make me a ministry puppet. He thought that I would give him information about Dumbledore."Harry's face contorted in rage." He called me Dumbledore's man through and through. I told him that I definitely was."There was an unusual gleam in his eyes. Hermione gulped a large amount of Pumpkin juice.
She finished her breakfast quickly while Harry was still eating his meal.
"There is still half an hour before the classes begin. I will make a quick tour to the library."Hermione bade him goodbye and left the great hall. She didn't want to leave him alone but she had things to do. Anyway, it was a matter of minutes before Ron came down for breakfast.
As she was walking down the corridor, she saw the agent octopus coming from the opposite side.
"Be wary of Filch, Octopus", she murmured as she walked past him. She heard an almost inaudible "taken" in return.
Soon she entered an empty classroom and retrieved a quill-shaped portkey from her pocket. She had a grilling six hours of training schedule ahead of her. She would later use the time turner to return to her classes.
She touched the quill with her wand and murmured " Orca in action".She felt a pulling sensation in her stomach and felt as though she is falling through a tube.
After a while, she landed neatly on a mattress.
"Welcome to the Auror training room, Orca. My name is Alex and I will be responsible for your training", said an insanely handsome young man who stood smiling in front of her.