Chapter 4: Runs With The Bat
Hermione had envisioned her evening patrol with Professor Snape, to be intellectually stimulating, whispered conversations of potion theory. However she was wrong, he was just as meticulous as he was in class. He was quiet as a ghost and fast. Hermione felt like she was jogging simply to keep up with his strides and she found she was completely out of shape because of the exertion. To which at one point he pulled her into a classroom.
"Is it your intent to be as loud as possible and slow me down?" He asked firmly
Hermione desperately trying to catch her breath turned to him a with murderous eyes. "How do you expect me to be quiet when trying to keep up with and your long strides are forcing me to run after you to keep up? And how in the bloody hell are so silent in those?!" She quietly screamed at him. Her face felt warm from either the jogging or the indignation of being called loud as she stared at his dragon hide boots that should have made a thud sound with his heavy steps.
"It's called a silencing charm." His smug response was almost her breaking point. She was fighting down the urge to slap him. But at his current looming stance he felt like he was a full foot taller than her. And since he was still her teacher she would respect that position and refrain from physical violence, for now. He must have noticed her inner monologue and found amusement in her anguish. "Maybe if Hogwarts provided the students with adequate physical education lessons, you may be able to keep up with my strides without sounding like a broken bagpipe."
Hermione gasped at his audacity. But instead of saying or doing anything she would regret she left the classroom in huff. She was now realizing why the Slytherin prefect was so overjoyed to be relieved of his post. However her mind couldn't agree more. She was shocked to find that the only acceptable from of sport was Quidditch and absolutely no other physical training provided. Hermione had been practicing yoga for years and did so often while at Hogwarts but her cardio was seriously lacking.
She finally managed to catch her breath as he stormed right past her, leaving her no choice but to quickly follow because she knew if she hadn't she would have lost him to the route. However, since there was no conversation, like she would have had with Professor McGonagall or Hagrid. Hermione kept a slightly slower pace behind him. Hermione did find herself in awe over his method of finding "trouble makers" as he often referred to them, as her ever working mind did the appropriate math, it wasn't all that long since he, himself was a student in these halls and probably was working off that knowledge to find students out past curfew. Which to her was ingenious. She simply wondered if he was like a beast when he first started as a teacher. His students would probably be younger classmates and still fresh with all the knowledge of a student.
By the time she returned to her dorm, she was tired and her limbs felt like jelly. Well one good thing from all this, Hermione had an outlet for cardio now. Her parting thoughts before she passed out from exhaustion, Snape should start a jogging group, all students would have to do is chase him down the halls (while he just walks in his full teaching robes) of the school twice a week and everyone could get a good workout.
#9
By Friday, Hermione was sore and exhausted. She threw a small fit when she realized she still had her detention to serve that evening. She honestly just wanted to curl into bed and sleep through the weekend.
But she got up, despite her jelly limbs and heavy head and got ready for her day. With her new exercise regimen, she loaded her plate up like the boys would and ate. Both Harry and Ron watched Hermione eating.
"Hermione?" Harry asked tentatively.
She paused and used her napkin to clean her face, before she spoke. Spewing food as she spoke, was definitely not a trait she wished to share with the boys. "Yes?"
"Just checking, with the amount of food we thought someone was using poly juice or something." Harry said with Ron nodding in agreement.
"Patrol with Professor Snape is like training for marathon." Harry understood, Ron looked on in confusion.
"Lots of running, mate." Harry clarified for Ron. He turned back to Hermione. "Are you going to stay on his patrol?"
"I don't have much choice. The other nights of the week I plan on using for detention, so I had to make the concession until I'm done. But it's not a bad workout, to say the least."
The group finished breakfast and headed off for their morning classes. Which, to her dismay was her NEWT level potions. She was probably going to be burnt out on potions by the end of her detention. She said her goodbyes to the boys, who didn't qualify for The Potion Master's extremely high standards. She was just glad today was the lesson and no practical. Her poor hands needed a small reprieve from prepping ingredients.
Professor Snape burst into the classroom with his usual flair. But by this level the class had grown to expect this and didn't jump. It was a long lecture on two potions that might be found exam. At this point he had already informed them of 4 others possible candidates. She couldn't help but wonder how many options there really were and if he was simply adding any fairly advanced level potions to his lesson plan to make sure they were prepared for any eventuality. But seeing as the ministry had to test dozens of students each year, she was reasonably sure for time and consistency they only used a couple of potions and compared results.
Hermione did enjoy this class. It challenged her and she, up until her detention loved prepping and brewing. It gave her something tactical to do and she enjoyed it. Unlike some of her other classes where she could truly see or sense any of her other work, minus transfiguration.
The class was dismissed and everyone hurried to be free. She had just finished packing up her items when he called out.
"Miss Granger, I require a word." She walked against the currant of students leaving. Some giving glances of sympathy others smirking at her supposed misfortune. She ignored it as she made her way to the front of the class.
"Yes, sir." She asked politely. She tried her hardest not to stretch or fidget. She absolutely didn't want him to know she was feeling negative results from their nightly patrols.
"I need you to identify which potion needs to be baked into the confection. I planned on asking an elf to do so this afternoon."
Hermione's eye went wide. She was afraid of the fate of the elves being exposed to the potion during baking. "Sir, I must protest. I would rather bake it badly then subject an elf to the side effects of the potion."
Snape sighed loudly. "Must you be so self righteous?" He looked into her face, to see her resolve. "Fine, do you have a free period?"
"Yes right before lunch."
"Then meet me at the kitchen entrance then thirty minutes prior. My class will be concluded by then." Hermione nodded. "This way so I can bring the appropriate potion."
She followed him into his office and into the private lab. She instantly ran to the cauldrons to makes sure they were still perfect. Then pointed to the cauldron that held the potion in question.
"That is all that is needed, you may go now." He said and she slowly made her way out of the lab, when she stumbled only slightly. But it was enough to show her weakness. "I suspect you aren't accustomed to my pace and are feeling aches."
The statement confused her, he seemed like he was mocking her. But she actually felt comforted by his concern. "I'm sure I will grow use to the pace." Was all she said.
"Visit the hospital wing and ask for a muscle relaxer. But only take it before bedtime." Again a warm feeling filled Hermione's chest as she was comforted by his suggestion.
"Thank you, Sir. I will do just that." She left the dungeons and made her way to hospital wing, the moment she walked in the matron was all over her.
"What can I help you with?" She asked while already casting a diagnostic.
"I have had to take up some prefect rounds with Professor Snape…."
"Oooh. Well then I suspect you are sore." Madam Pomfrey interrupted, knowingly. "Don't worry, girl. This is fairly commonplace. I suspect he sets the vigorous pace in order to wear out his assigned student so that he can complete his rounds alone." Hermione smiled at the idea. With how sore she was, she could honestly believe it to be a true assumption.
"I think if I remember to stretch properly beforehand. I may not be so useless after. Professor Snape suggested I take a muscle relaxer before bed tonight."
"Did he now?" The elder witch inquired. "Well far be it for me to deny his expert opinion. But I think I will write you a note excusing you from the rest of your morning classes and have you take a soak in my special tub. I guarantee it will work faster."
Hermione felt her face fall at the thought of missing classes. But was very curious about a bath. The mediwich passed Hermione a small vial of pain reliever. Without being told she drank it. Feeling it's lovely effects almost immediately. Then the matron disappeared behind a door, to only return few moments later.
"This way." She followed until she found herself not looking a traditional tub but one you would find in footballer's locker room. A large metal tub. That despite its very cold looking appearance, looked very welcoming due to the wafting steam. "Leave your clothing here." Pomfrey pointed to a small box that had a lid to protect the articles from the heat and water. "and I will return in a bit to fetch you." Hermione nodded and stripped down and climbed into the hot water. She could smell the scent of healing herbs mixed with the water. She sunk in and sighed loudly.
#9
Hermione found herself in Professor Snape's personal lab, chopping ingredients, her hands were cramping. She put down the knife to shake out her hands. She heard from behind her a small rumble of laughter. "How many times have I showed you how to properly hold the knife to avoid fatigue?"
Hermione felt herself grin. "I suppose once more." She heard him scoff as stepped behind her and wrapped his long arms round her. Using his dominant hand guide Hermione's hand to hold the knife correctly, while the other traced lines up and down her arm that was resting on the countertop. If Hermione was meant to feel fearful or uncomfortable in the position, she felt neither. In fact she felt safe and if she was honest with herself a bit aroused.
"Be careful, Granger. That was the same flush that you wore last night." His reply was filled with innuendo and had a hint of lust in the inflection.
Hermione then felt like someone was shaking her. Not Snape. "Miss Granger, Miss Granger. Hermione!" Hermione unwittingly opened her eyes to find herself in the metal tub being vigorously shaken by the mediwitch.
"I'm so sorry. I must have dozed off."
"It's quite alright. It happens. I suspect you don't have rounds tonight, correct?"
"No, just detention."
"Whatever for?"
"I was um caught after curfew and have to deal with it."
"Well I want you to go straight to bed after. I have but the vial of muscle relaxer in with your items. But as for now. Please dry off and dress. It's nearly lunch time. Don't worry Professor Flitwick was very understanding about your predicament, he said he would arrange an make up assignment in the future."
"Thank you." Hermione knew the Charms professor wouldn't have an assignment for her. He adored Hermione and her work ethic that she was sure he'd give her a pass on one day. Once the elder witch left the room, Hermione dried herself. Already feeling tremendously better and dressed quickly. She checked her book bag and found the small vial within. She just had to get through the day and then she could relax. She didn't dare think on the bizarre dream she had just been woken up from.