Modern setting. Do read this, it's very small and please try not to ask why there are modern references in a 90's setting. This isn't in the '90s, I'm not going to specify when the setting is, you can imagine it to be whatever year you want.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters.
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Harry Potter winced as he reapplied bandages yet again over his hand. Umbitch's detentions have yet again yielded a bloody hand. It was going to leave a deep scar on him, he could tell that just by looking at the thing.
The blasted woman was going out of his way to antagonize him, and to his shame, it worked every damn time. He cursed his hotheaded nature once again for letting the woman manipulate him into detention yet again. Thankfully, yesterday was the last of the detentions that he had been assigned.
Umbridge's torture was accompanied by the thrice-damned Occlumency lessons with 'Professor Snape', the near-constant headache due to the dreams of Voldemort torturing some innocent Muggle-born or worse, Muggles. Such dreams were very frequent and due to his severely fatigued state, Harry wasn't even able to find the strength to reach his bed at night.
Just last night, Luna Lovegood, one of his friends that was quickly turning out to be quite the fun one to hang out with, had found him on the way to the Gryffindor Common Room and he collapsed on her. The poor girl had to drag his skinny hide to an empty classroom, stay awake, and wait until he woke up.
She still greeted him with a smile when he finally did.
Said dirty blonde haired girl was frowning at him in concern, a first, as she usually displayed an indifferent, dreamy smile to everything around her. He had not told her anything of why he had collapsed in the middle of the night, but she had not pushed even if Harry could see she wanted to. She was a Ravenclaw after all.
Hermione nudged him with her elbow harshly again. Harry took a deep breath, she does not deserve it, don't take your anger out on her, Potter. She doesn't deserve it. He turned to her with an annoyed scowl on his face, trying his best to keep his temper in check.
"What?" He hissed. Hermione looked surprised at his tone.
She frowned, but seemed to ignore it, "I was going to ask if you have thought about what I had told you." Harry furrowed his brow, before rolling his eyes as he remembered.
The brown-haired witch has this crazy idea that Harry, herself and Ron would start a club. A club to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, not really something he wanted to do in his free time, which is practically non-existent when combined with the Occlumency lessons with 'Professor' Snape; which was 'suggested' by Dumbledore a week ago after learning about Harry's frequent dreams. The lessons were not what either of them wanted, as neither Harry nor Snape wanted to spend any time with each other. However, Dumbledore wouldn't have it.
He trusts Severus Snape with his life, after all.
In his opinion, he would rather trust a brick to help him teach Occlumency.
Harry shook his head with a sigh, "Hermione, you told me your brilliant idea yesterday and I told you, quite clearly, that I barely have enough free time. That is ignoring that the little time I have left to do homework." Harry said to the girl. Hermione huffed.
"Oh, stop being so whiny Harry; you know you wouldn't have detentions if you could just control yourself." She said 'sagely'. Harry glared at her.
"Whiny, am I? Guess what, you can go through with you 'plan' yourself." Hermione blinked in shock.
"…But Harry, you're the best in our year at Defense." She protested. Her face was sour, Harry noted. Clearly, she didn't like him upstaging her at a single solitary subject.
Harry idly wondered how she would act if he could equal her at other subjects. Maybe she would go apoplectic, demand how he got so good at his subjects, and nag him until he gave in.
"Stings, doesn't it?" Harry said with a smirk. Hermione narrowed her brown eyes at him and scoffed.
"Look, Potter. I'm only asking you to use your considerable talents at Defense and help others pass their OWLS and NEWTS. V-V-V… You-Know-Who is back, so they should be allowed basic defense." Harry let out a breath.
It's true; he did want people to have at least basic knowledge of defense in case the Death Eaters attack. But, how was he supposed to teach when he could barely hold his wand the right way considering his hand shook so much.
A small, petty part of him wanted revenge against the people who called him a liar, no-good attention-seeking prat. Some Hufflepuffs probably even considered him a murderer. He wouldn't exactly be surprised if they did, he hadn't missed several angry, hate-filled glares being shot at him by many Hufflepuffs. Hannah Abbot, the girl he remembered wearing one of the damned 'Potter Stinks' badge and smirking at him when he looked at it. Hell, even Susan Bones, a girl remembered was not one of the people who believed him to be the Heir of Slytherin in his Second Year, but she suddenly became one of the people who thought he put his name in the Goblet of Fire last year and now she was sneering at him.
Oh yes, they absolutely love him.
"Look, Granger, I'm not whining or lying when I say that I can barely hold my wand right because of how much I have to do and how bloody tired I am. My essays are barely intelligible 'cause I can't keep my hand from shaking, I can't sleep because of watching snake-face torture people. I'm about to pass out every time I leave 'Professor' Snape's room. If you think I'm being over-dramatic, then maybe you should try going through my schedule." Hermoine flinched at his cold tone. Ignoring this, he continued, "If you want to start a club, go right ahead, but if you want me to teach it, you can forget it." Harry said firmly. Hermione looked gobsmacked.
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh," Harry replied mockingly.
There was an awkward silence between the two, where Harry contemplated his detentions with Umbitch. That was an apt name for the toad-faced bitch like her. Hell, calling the toad a 'her' was an insult to females all around the world.
Hermione looked awkward when she hesitantly looked at him and said, "...Harry, I'm… sorry." She seemed genuinely apologetic. Harry sighed and looked away.
"...Look, it's… fine. I'm just a bit on edge. This year has been really shitty so far and it doesn't seem like it's going to change. I just want to get through with it." Harry said, sagging. Hermione's eyes softened and looped an arm around his.
"Language." She said teasingly. Harry gave her a dry look.
"I didn't realize that you were Captain America." He said sarcastically. She looked surprised that he got the reference.
"You've seen Avengers?" Harry scoffed.
"Who hasn't?" Hermione opened her mouth, but Harry beat her to it, "Okay, our dear Pure-Blood friends have not, but then again, they don't have a lot of things. Common sense for one." Hermione snickered. Harry smiled tiredly. It was only lunch and he was already damned tired. Great, maybe this time he won't even reach Snape's door before collapsing.
"Harry, how bad are you feeling right now?" Harry raised an eyebrow at the sudden question. He knew he looked horrible, pale, skinny and dark rings under his eyes. He looked like a Grim Reaper look-alike. Hermione frowned.
"On second thought, don't answer that. Should I ask Professor McGonagall to allow you to rest?" She asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
Harry sighed, "I wouldn't hold my breath over her doing something." She never has. Harry added mentally. He wasn't exactly the biggest fan of his Transfigurations Professor. She never seemed to believe him nor does she seemed to do something when shit hits the fan.
Heir of Slytherin and Potter Stinks were prime examples of that.
Hermione frowned, "Harry, Professor McGonagall would hear us out." She said firmly. Harry nearly rolled his eyes at her fervent worship of authority figures.
They are the exact opposite when it comes to their opinions of adults. The only adult Harry would trust completely is Sirius. He would never trust an adult to do the right thing by him since they never have.
Harry didn't trust Sirius at first either, but the man lived off rats for him. That was enough for Harry to trust the man completely.
"Leave it, Hermione. She wouldn't listen to me." Harry replied dismissively. Hermione scowled, she grabbed his hand and held it in between them.
"Yes, she would. We'll show her this." She nodded at his hand. Harry's jaw clenched. No chance in hell he was showing McGonagall that, she'll just use it as an example of how he should have listened to her and kept his temper in check. After all, that's what she had said when he had complained about students jinxing him in the corridors in his Fourth Year. When they jinxed him bad enough for him to end up in the Hospital Wing, she'd just told him that he should not have antagonized them.
He has such a caring Head of House.
"Considering her words before my first detention were that I, 'allowed her to goad me into detention', I think not," Harry answered flatly.
Hermione froze and looked at him with round eyes. She took a few moments to process this, and she looked back up at him, "Harry… maybe once more? Let's try, Harry. I think she'll do something about this… this," She broke off, unable to finish her sentence.
Harry sighed in frustration. Why doesn't she understand that he didn't want to go to McGonagall? He could already see what his Professor's response was going to be,
A thinned lip and a, 'I told you not to antagonize her, Potter. I am helpless.'
Harry looked away from Hermione's pleading expression. But Hermione wouldn't have it, she forced him to look at her, and said, "Please, Harry? For me, this once." Harry growled in frustration.
Knowing that she wouldn't let this go, nor would he be able to say no, he nodded in defeat. He doesn't fight pointless battles. Well, if he knew they were pointless anyway.
Hermione beamed and pulled his arm, "Come on, we still have fifteen minutes before we have Double Defense, if we are quick we'll catch her." She said.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Double Defense, oh joy. I already miss Snape's sunny face." He said sarcastically. Several Gryffindor's next to him snorted and a few others snickered. Ron had done a 'mistake' in Potions yesterday and was, therefore, spending his time lazing on one of the Infirmary's beds.
Of course, in Potions Gryffindors' 'Mistakes' meant that one of the Slytherins has decided to… help Ron with his Potion making. They just added the wrong ingredient. Snape awarded points to the Slytherin that had dropped the wrong ingredient for adding the wrong ingredients as they stopped Ron from adding something that could cause more harm.
Harry had never heard so much crap from one mouth.
Hermione clearly ignored this or didn't hear him at all. She was dragging him over to the High Table where McGonagall looked like she was just about to leave to prepare for her class. She paused in her way to look at him and Hermione.
His hopes weren't up when he saw her frowning at him.
"Professor McGonagall, may we have a moment? We have something to discuss." Harry mentally snorted at the way Hermione worded the sentence. It was clear that she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow and nodded curtly, "If you insist, Miss Granger. Follow me." Harry and Hermione followed McGonagall to the Transfiguration Classroom which was also her office. Harry could feel the Umbridge's toad-like eyes watching his every move.
Ignoring her as he continued along with Hermione grabbing his uninjured hand to lead him alongside. Finally, they reached the Transfigurations Classroom. McGonagall motioned them to follow her into her office. When she reached her desk, she sat down on the chair and motioned for them to sit opposite her.
"Now, what is it that you wished to discuss?" She asked, straight to the point.
Hermione nudged Harry, and he sighed, he looked at McGonagall and said, "Professor, I would like to ask your permission for the day off." He said, his tone void of any emotion.
McGonagall's eyebrow raised, "May I ask why?"
For a moment, Harry was tempted to say, 'yes, you can' But decided not to. His smart-arse tendencies were best reserved for people who thought he was a 'liar'.
"Professor, I'll be honest, Professor Umbridge has been singling me out and giving me detention for small reasons. I had detention yesterday, and combined with Sna- Professor Snape's Remedial Potions and my frequent dreams of Voldemort," He ignored the flinches of both of the other occupants of the office, "have left me with barely enough energy to walk let alone hold a wand right. Maybe if I get a single day to rest, then I'll be able to perform to my regular capacity." Harry explained, keeping his voice completely calm and blank.
McGonagall's lips thinned, "Perhaps, Mister Potter, if you would, for once, heed my advice and not antagonize Madam Umbridge any more than you already have then you would not be in this position." Her voice was exasperated. Harry heard a gasp and he turned to Hermione with a raised eyebrow as if to say, 'I told you so.'
"But Professor, Madam Umbridge doesn't go after everyone, only Harry! She constantly belittles Professor Lupin and you know how much he means to Harry!" Hermione protested, her eyes were pleading. McGonagall sighed tiredly.
"Be as it may, Miss Granger, Mister Potter should learn to ignore the opinions of others. He doesn't seem to have a problem with the rest of the school." She 'pointed out'. Harry nearly growled but instead settled for simply scowling darkly at her.
There was a moment of silence that involved Harry ignoring a frowning McGonagall and a shaking Hermione. Eventually, Hermione turned to Harry.
"Harry, show her your hand." She demanded.
Harry nearly fell off the chair. Show her his hand? The same scarred hand that he was desperately hiding? He gaped at Hermione. The witch looked at him, her eyes nearly glowing with rage, shocking the absolute bollocks out of him.
Was that rage on his behalf? On a Professor? A figure of authority? From Hermione Granger? The same Hermione Granger who believed that getting expelled was worse than dying? That Hermione Granger? Hermione looked like she was about to burst a fuse.
"Harry." She prompted firmly, as her voice shook. Harry shook his thoughts out and stared at her.
"Hermione, let it go, I'm not worth it." He really wasn't. Why was she so hell-bent on this? Harry was sure that even his scarred hand wasn't enough to sway McGonagall. Hermione looked like she was about to slap him.
"You're worth everything, dammit." She whispered. Harry's eyes widened considerably. For a moment they just stared at each other. Hermione was breathing heavily, out of anger or not, he didn't know. He shook his head slowly and Hermione gritted her teeth.
"Show her your hand, goddammit!" She screamed at him, and Harry nearly fell over once again.
"Miss Granger!" McGonagall snapped, scandalized at Hermione's language.
"...Hermione, calm down, it's okay." Hermione growled.
"It's not okay, Harry. Your hand. Now."
"Hermione," Harry warned.
"Your hand, now!"
"Mister Potter, perhaps it would be better if you show your hand," McGonagall said as Harry and Hermione were glaring stubbornly at each other.
Why was Hermione being so stubborn about this? Can't she just understand that he doesn't want to show his scarred hand to McGonagall? Can't she see that it is pointless?
Harry's temper flared as she glared stubbornly at him. He gets it now, she wants to be right. She wants to be right in her belief that an authority figure can do no wrong. He was opposed to her beliefs and she doesn't like that. She wants to be right, and she was using him to prove her to be right.
Finally, Harry growled as the tables shook from his magic leaking out. He ripped his bandages off and slammed his hand on her table. He didn't even twitch at the insane amount of pain that shot up his arm because of the impact. McGonagall flinched and looked at him, shocked.
Harry looked away, fuming as she finally got a look at his scarred hand. There was no noise that indicated that she was shocked, or horrified. Instead, there was silence. Hermione grabbed his other hand and held it tightly. Harry glared at Hermione, before finally looking at McGonagall.
His Professor was looking resigned. It was the same expression he had seen on several of the teachers' faces back in Primary. A look that implied that they are helpless. A look that implied that he had brought on the situation on himself.
She looked at him, her expression pinched and hopeless, "I'm sorry, Mister Potter. I had already told you not to antagonize Madam Umbridge, I… Miss Granger, what are you doing?!" McGonagall demanded. Harry snapped his head over to his best friend and was stunned into silence.
Her eyes were watery and she had removed her Prefect Badge and had placed it on McGonagall's table. Harry's eyes were very wide when she turned to look at him. She gave him a watery smile and shook her head.
"I'm… sorry, Professor McGonagall. I hereby resign from my position as Prefect." Harry just gaped at her. Whatever he had expected out of this encounter was not this. Hermione had just given up her Prefect position all for him? Him?
"M-Miss Granger?" Stuttered McGonagall. If the situation was any different, Harry would have laughed at the expression on his usually stoic Transfiguration Professor's face.
"I had always wondered why Harry didn't get the badge," Hermione said softly and Harry felt the need to wrap her in his arms, "he saved the school and it's students many times, but now… I don't think I want to know that answer." Harry's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Hermione left, her body shaking. Harry looked at McGonagall who looked like they had slapped her with a fish, "...That was… eventful." Harry said dumbly.
Still looking shocked, Harry smiled brightly at McGonagall, "By your leave, Professor." He said with a dramatic bow and followed his best friend out of the office.
Harry found her out of the classroom leaning her back against the stone wall and sighed. It was clear that her unshakeable trust in authority was shaken violently.
Perhaps now he understood why he kept things close to himself without trusting any adults. They had never done anything right by him.
With another sigh, Harry leaned against the wall beside the brown-haired witch. He nudged her with his shoulder and smiled slightly, "Well, that was quite a show." Harry remarked. Hermione said nothing. Harry placed grabbed her chin gently and made her look at him.
Her eyes were watery and she looked like she was about to cry. Harry hesitantly put an arm around her shaking shoulders, "Has it always been like this for you?" Hermione asked him softly. Harry said nothing for a moment before he said,
"...For as long as I can remember, yes," Harry answered solemnly. Hermione pushed herself off the wall and slammed into him, making him grunt.
Her arms were around him and her face was buried into the top of his chest, near his collarbone. Harry stood there stiffly, arms hanging uselessly on either side of him, looking at the long hallway.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said thickly. Harry gingerly wrapped his arms around her. Burying his face into her not-so-bushy hair. She seemed to cry silently while tightening her grip on him. Harry smiled into her hair before he blinked.
He felt two, firm, soft globes press into his toned chest. Harry blushed brightly, instinctively wrapping his own arms tightly around her. Hermione didn't seemed to notice.
"Hermione, it's fine. Look, if what's happening to me really bothers you, we'll talk to Padfoot. What do you say?" Harry asked gently, ignoring the feel of her chest against his.
She suddenly pulled away, glaring at him, "Of course it bothers me, Harry! You… you… you mean a lot to me… more than I can express in words. More than some badge." Hermione said, her face slightly red. Harry blushed as well.
Always the one to avoid an awkward situation, Harry soldiered forward, "Well, do you want to talk to Padfoot?" Hermione looked slightly disappointed, though she hid it quickly, leaving Harry confused.
Suddenly, she gasped, "Harry! We have a class right now!" She shrieked. Harry flinched at the sudden rise in volume and rubbed his ear.
"You don't have to scream it. I know we have a class right now." Harry deadpanned. Hermione gained a slightly sheepishly with a slight red tint to her cheeks at her uncharacteristic screech. "The class is in five minutes, and I happen to know a shortcut, what do you say, shall we go?" Harry grinned at her, offering his arm. Hermione smiled brilliantly and he blushed again.
She's so pretty. Harry thought.
She took his arm and he used one of the shortcuts that he saw in the Marauder's Map that leads directly to the Defense Classroom. Leading her along, Harry found a number of people glaring at him, several Hufflepuffs began to talk in hushed tones and a few others sneered. It seemed that no one in Hufflepuff believed him when he said that Voldemort was back. He wondered if they'd crawl to his feet begging him to fight their battles again when they finally realize that Riddle is back.
Bully for them, he doesn't plan on helping them out easily.
Finally, Harry and Hermione reached the Defense Classroom, the garishly pink classroom making his eyes water. Hermione groaned at the color, and Harry knew why. Hermione hated the color pink, especially when it is in such exceeding quantity.
"It seems that you are right on time, Mister Potter, Miss Granger." The toad-like woman simpered when she finally caught sight of them. She seemed disappointed that they had arrived on time.
Yeah, like I'd allow you to do anything to Hermione, you bitch. Harry raged in his head.
Outwardly, Harry gave her a bright smile and said, "So it seems, Professor." It physically pained him to call the toad 'professor' but he'd rather not have his hand bleeding for yet another night. Or worse, get Hermione dragged into the mess.
Umbridge said nothing, merely walking into the class, her stupid heels clicking and rebounding off the walls. It annoyed Harry. A lot. Why couldn't the toad just combust and leave the world in peace? For Christ's sake, he doesn't think that even Fudge liked her. He probably kept her around simply because she was useful.
Harry glared at her back, willing her to just explode. Several people backed away from him at his dark expression. Hermione dragged Harry into a seat near the back, unusual for her, it garnered several odd looks towards herself and Harry. Harry gave her a confused look when she shoved him into the seat and sat down next to him. She smiled secretly at him, confusing him even more.
Harry took his book, the one which he wasted galleons on, Dark Arts- Defense for Beginners, and nearly slammed it onto the table. Hermione grinned at him. Harry gave her an exasperated look when she said nothing, only smiled secretly.
Harry wondered what was going on in that smart head of hers, and he soon got his answer when she pulled her wand out when Umbridge wasn't looking and tapped it against his book. There was no change that Harry could spot from what he could see, so he only settled for raising an eyebrow.
Hermione nodded towards the book and Harry took it with a sigh, he opened a random page, only to find it to be advanced Sixth Year material.
Harry blinked, he rubbed his eyes from underneath his glasses and looked at the book again. It was still Sixth Year material. He turned his stunned gaze to his friend who leaned close and whispered to him, "A spell I learned yesterday. It will appear this way only to us, it still looks like the useless book to the toad." Harry nearly laughed incredulously.
Holy shit, Hermione was brilliant. Now, he could actually read it and not be distracted by Umbitch. Part of the reason that he constantly fell in the toad's trap was that he couldn't bear to read the shite in the book. He had finished the spells in it when he was still in his First Year.
To be honest, he had borrowed several books from Fred and George, but he had also bribed the upper years to get him NEWTS material from the Hogwarts Library last year. He couldn't really find a way to get advanced material as Madam Pince refused to grant him access even though there was a high chance of him dying if he wasn't prepared accordingly. So he did the only thing that he could do and bribed the upper years to get him advanced material. He had practiced several of those spells when he was selected as the Fourth Champion.
Hey, he did what he had to do to survive.
There were quite a few spells that he had missed out on last year. At least from higher material. He hadn't expected this year to be this shite. The blasted thing wasn't even fit for the First Years, let alone for a witch or wizard who was about to write their OWLS.
"You're brilliant, 'Mione," Harry said with a grin and she smiled. She repeated the process with her own book when Umbridge did her typical 'hem-hem' that sounded awfully similar to nails on a chalkboard.
"Good morning, class." She said with a smile that could spoil the milk and Harry was sure that somewhere in the world a cute tiger cub died spontaneously. At least, that's what it felt like to him. The toad's smile should be considered an Unforgivable.
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge." The class repeated. Harry refused to say it, so he mouthed the words, making it seem like he did say it, but he actually didn't.
"There, you're leaning!" Umbridge gave a sickeningly sweet smile and Harry's stomach churned, "Now, open page 68 and start reading. As I said, you don't need your wands, nor do you need to talk." Harry rolled his eyes.
"No need to think, more like it." He muttered dryly, smirking when Hermione's shoulders shook with mirth.
Umbridge made rounds around the class a few times, she paused several times near Harry and Hermione's desk as if she were waiting for them to say something. Harry had several things to say to her, but that would land him in detention, so, no thank you.
Harry's book had advanced spells so he didn't even need to look at the toad. One of the spells that he saw was Bombarda Maxima, a highly powered variant of the Exploding Charm, Bombarda. It was capable of destroying a solid wall formation easily. Harry remembered Hermione using the spell in their Third Year to destroy the door to the holding cell in which Sirius was imprisoned. He knew how to do the spell himself in their Second Year and he did think of using it to destroy the rocks blocking him from Ron and Lockheart, but he decided not to, as it could have brought the whole thing down on top of them.
The incantation was, of course, Bombarda Maxima and the wand movement was a simple point and shoot, similar to a Rictusempra or Avada Kedavra. Ignoring the second one, Harry saw how the spell needs to be done. It requires feeling the flow of magic within themselves and pushing it through the wand, and expect destruction. The book specifies that the charm was very powerful and hence required a large amount of magic to perform. Not too much that it would drain them out completely, but it was enough that trained Aurors would exhaust themselves after at least six uses of the spell. The Bombarda spell can be dished out twice as many times at full power and be moderately fatigued, but Bombarda Maxima was a very powerful move that could potentially kill a person if used on one.
Well, he could have figured that out as it was said to be used for demolition.
Another one such curse was Expulso, the so-called brother curse to Confringo. Sirius had once told him that Pettigrew had used Confringo to blow up the street filled with Muggles. According to the book, the main difference between the two spells was that Confringo uses the rise in temperature to cause an explosion while Expulso uses the pressure increase, which eventually causes an explosion. Harry knew Confringo, he had used the spell before, but he couldn't use it in the Third Task as there was only limited space and he had no desire to explode himself.
"Hem-hem." Harry nearly groaned out loud when he heard the noise near him. He focused on keeping his face perfectly blank when he looked up at the woman who is the reason for his Fifth Year being a complete mess. Umbridge was beaming at him for some reason, and it made Harry want to rip the toad-like woman's hair off and strangle her with it.
That got dark quickly. He thought amusedly.
"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked in a sweet tone that made her eye twitch.
"Mister Potter, what did you and Miss Granger discuss with Professor McGonagall?" Knowing Umbridge wouldn't take, 'it's none of your business' for an answer, Harry panicked for a second. Glancing at Hermione, at the spot where the Prefect badge used to be, he picked up a perfect story.
"Well, originally, Hermione and I went to Professor McGonagall as Hermione wanted to ask her why I hadn't been made Prefect." Harry lied. Umbridge's eyes narrowed.
"I see."
Harry nodded, "Yes, and Hermione was stressing herself out because of her OWLS so she decided to drop her Prefect position to focus on her studies more." The class suddenly went hush at the proclamation. Umbridge didn't look satisfied by his answer if the scowl on her face was any indication.
"Is that all, Mister Potter?" Harry put on a faux-thinking expression and eventually shrugged.
"I don't tell lies, Professor," Harry said with a dark look directed at her and he felt compelled to actually blast her to oblivion when her smile seemed to take a satisfied undertone.
"Good, good. Please, continue." Umbridge walked off her heels clicking on the hard floor. Harry glanced at Hermione sideways only to find her looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"That was very impressive, Harry," Harry smirked.
"I know. Appreciate the comment though." He said smugly.
It took an aggravatingly long amount of time, along with several attempts by Umbridge to goad him into detention, though Harry didn't rise to her. Hermione kept him in check, mostly grabbing his knee or hand to keep him calm. It worked but left him vowing revenge for every comment that woman made. Thankfully, his book distracted him well enough until the two classes were done. After the classes were done, Harry quickly took his books, not glancing at Umbridge at all, with Hermione on his trails.
Soon, Hermione had dragged him to a mostly empty corridor, "Woah, Hermione. Not that I mind, but you need to at least buy me dinner first." Harry said, blushing slightly.
Hermione ignored him and said, "Look, Harry, we need to talk about your Occlumency lessons and we need to talk to Padfoot about a few things." She gave him a pointed look and he gave her an exasperated look, but caved. He wanted to talk to Sirius anyway.
"Alright."
It took him a moment to remember the mirror that Sirius had given him before the start of the year. A simple, slightly battered-looking mirror that was enchanted for long-distance communications. Harry's brain quickly studied the possibility of learning about all of the secrets of Dumbledore's Order. Heck, it was probably the reason Sirius gave him the thing, to listen in on the Order's meetings. It was easily much more fool-proof than the Weasley twins' Ears.
Focusing back on their conversation, Harry caught what Hermione said, "...I think I've found a book in the library about the basics of Occlumency. You don't mind that I learn with you, right?" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Please, Hermione, do I even need to answer that question?" Harry said teasingly. She only smiled.
"Okay, then. I'll meet you in the empty classroom on the Third Floor. The one opposite the Portrait of the Black Rabbit after dinner, got it?" Harry nodded.
Harry watched her smile once more and walk towards the general direction of the Gryffindor Common Rooms. Ignoring the glares, stares and more disturbingly leers from several members of the female population, Harry looked at his companion.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but why did you suddenly decide to think of Occlumancy and the spell to hide books from Umbridge?" Hermione stopped for a second before continuing to walk. Harry blinked but caught up quickly.
"Hermione?"
"Harry," She paused for a second, "...people who are responsible for your safety never do anything to ensure it. I know that you don't like how I constantly look up to authority figures... but I've… always admired them." She sniffed, "When I was in Primary, I was bullied a lot. They used to call me buck-tooth bookworm and other such highly endearing nicknames." Hermione said bitingly. Harry said nothing, just looking away, he had endured something similar in his own childhood. Hermione's face softened, "Teachers made me feel safe from bullies." Harry swallowed thickly. Hermione's willingness to make friends a cheeky, sassy and hotheaded prat like him made him suspicious that she had been a victim of bullies in her life too. She was probably desperate for friends, so much so that she became friends with him.
Harry wasn't an idiot. He knew he tended to annoy people with his sharp tongue and sassy attitude that was reminiscent of Sirius. He and Hermione somehow knew the other was bullied all their lives. Whether it was just suspicion rather than outright knowing didn't matter.
"I'm... sorry?" He said, slightly unsure. He had just broken her trust in the people that she trusted the most, but at the same time, she finally understood how he felt about authority. Call him selfish.
Hermione grinned, "It's okay, Harry. But…" She took a deep breath.
"If they aren't going to ensure you being safe, then I will." She said firmly and looked around. Seemingly satisfied, she quickly stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. Harry froze.
"You are the most important thing to me in Magical Britain, I'm not going to lose you to any snake-faced bastard." She said in a growl. Harry simply gaped at her.
Hermione smirked, "Of course, who's going to push me to do better in Defense if you die?"
For once, his sassy attitude failed him.
-x-x-x-x-
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