Changes Can Be Made
Disclaimer: You guys know the drill…. I don't own Harry Potter….
A/N: Thanks for reading guys! :)
Sad4ngel: Hi, yeah, I know… It's SOOOO slow… My teachers always say I have a problem of making stuff (essays & short stories) too long coz I take too long to explain things and expand on stuff I don't need to and etc. but I'm trying to speed it up a bit…. Oh and I'll try and make the chapters longer starting from right now… IN THIS CHAPTER! TADA! :D Anyway, Thanks for the review and for reading! :)
Chapter 13: Different Feelings
Professor Vector looked away from Hermione and explained, "In Arithmancy, we will study the magical properties of numbers, including predicting the future using numbers and numerology. Our way is a lot more dependable than some fake Divination methods."
'Boy does she hate divination…' Hermione thought.
"Our methods rely on…" Professor Vector continued.
Hermione yawned out of complete boredom and turned to Lily. Lily's attention was fixated on the teacher as the went on and on about how great the subject was, Hermione didn't want to disrupt Lily's eager attention to the subject and so she turned her attention to Remus and Peter who were subtly chatting over a numerology chapter in the textbook.
"Wormtail, I've told you… There's a specific pattern used in this example," Remus pointed out.
"Y-yes Moony… b-but wouldn't it b-be easier to do this?" Peter asked as he explained on a piece of parchment his theory.
Puzzled, Hermione looked over to what they were doing. She could see that Remus was correct about the pattern, but Peter's strategy in finding the properties used for fortune telling using these numbers were far more reliable.
"Wormtail…" Remus sighed in frustration.
"No, Peter's right Remus," Hermione cut in. The two boys looked to her in surprise, obviously not expecting her to notice their conversation let alone understand it. "Remus your right about there being a pattern but Peter's idea is far more effective and less time consuming than yours," Hermione added.
"O-oh…" Remus looked down to the book, "y-your right! Wormtail, sorry… I just… sorry… Peter…" Remus said avoiding Peter's eyes.
Peter was shocked but said, "I-it's fine Moony…"
Hermione smiled happily that it was now over. She focussed on Peter first, "Peter, you just need to gather the courage and confidence that's in there," Hermione pointed to his heart area, "why else would you be put in Gryffindor if you didn't have a great deal of courage and confidence," she winked.
'Hopefully getting your confidence and courage boosted stops you from being a coward in front of Voldemort in the future… and hopefully it'll spare the Potters…' Hermione thought.
Peter nodded bashfully and smiled confidently at her. "Thank-you so much, Hermione!" he said joyously. Hermione and Remus gasped. Peter looked utterly confused.
"You didn't stutter Wormtail," Remus fumbled out.
Hermione nodded speechlessly. Peter gasped as he suddenly realised this.
"Well, that's great Peter! This could be a sign of your boosted confidence!" Hermione cheered.
Remus and Peter grinned. This was the happiest moment of Hermione's day… that was until…
"Do you three have something to share, Miss Grace, Mister Lupin and Mister Petigrew?" Professor Vector asked coldly.
"U-um…" Hermione fumbled.
"No, sorry Professor," said Peter.
Hermione and Remus had to hold back the smirks that were shaping their lips as the whole class and professor gasped at Peter's non-stuttering self.
"W-well, please refrain from talking in my class, or I'll have you three in detention with extra homework," Vector said as she regained her composure.
The three nodded their heads in understanding. Vector continued with the lesson and Hermione passed a piece of parchment to the boy sitting beside her… Peter.
He read the parchment and smiled.
You should show confidence like that all the time. It was great!
He replied and passed it back.
It was nothing :)
I told you there was lots of confidence and courage in you…
How could YOU tell when I couldn't even see it myself…
I could see it in your eyes… Your eyes showed such confidence in your idea as you explained it, but it slowly faded every time Remus opposed it… You just needed a little push to see it yourself.
Peter blushed when he read this but replied,
Thank-you Hermione…
Hermione wrote her reply and swiftly tucked it behind the corner of his textbook. He pulled it out to read when Professor Vector turned to the board to write down a couple of notes. He looked down to the parchment and began to read the long reply from Hermione.
Your welcome! OH! And whenever you have an idea or want to say something to the boys (the other Marauders) speak up, don't back down or get shy, just say it and make them hear you… Don't stand behind them nor in front of them but show that you are their equal by standing BESIDE them, Peter. They're your friends and they trust you to be honest with them as they are with you, so if you want to say something, say it, they won't judge you! :) OK?
Peter looked at Hermione and nodded. Hermione noticed the tears hiding in his eyes and smiled gently at him. He finished writing and slid it over to her. She read it.
I understand, Hermione. I will try my best to build up my confidence with them… Thank-you so much for your advice… You truly do understand me… :)
You're very welcome!
By the way, Hermione, what happened to your arm?
Oh! I just fell out of bed and scraped it on my bed frame… I just wrapped it up and let it heal like the muggles. :)
Oh… okay…
Hermione was about to respond when Professor Vector interrupted her by announcing that they will now read chapter 1 on Arithmancy and answer these two questions on the subject. Hermione sighed and read the board.
How effective is Arithmancy compared to Divination?
'Yep, she sure has it out for Divination…' Hermione sighed silently.
Who was the first Arithmancer? Who is the best Arithmancer in history?
"Now, after you've answered these questions call for me and I'll check your answers. If you haven't finished or have failed to retrieve the correct answers you will stay in class until they are competed correctly. Understood?" asked Professor Vector who was focussed on Hermione.
"Yes Professor," the class replied in unison.
The room was silent for a long time. Hermione was among the four first students to finish the two questions. The four first finishers were: Hermione, Lily, Remus and Peter. The four looked at each other's raised hands and chuckled.
"Alright, let's have a look shall we…" said the irritated professor.
The Professor looked at Hermione's parchment first.
Arithmancy is 3% more reliable information than divination.
Bridget Wenlock first found the magical property in the number seven and strived to create Arithmancy. It is unknown who is known as the best Arithmancer and so they are all thought of as equals.
Professor Vector sighed and placed the parchment down in front of Hermione. "You got it all right… You may go Miss Grace," she sighed and gave her a small smile whilst gesturing to the door.
Hermione smiled back to her and packed her things.
Remus was upset that he didn't get much time to talk to Hermione since Professor Vector kept blabbering on about numerology. But he didn't mind since he just enjoyed watching her smile.
Professor Vector handed Peter's parchment back and sighed his right to leave. She turned to Remus, "Your answers Mister Lupin," she demanded lightly.
"Yes Professor," he said as he handed her his parchment.
Her eyes scanned the page and nodded, "You may leave Mister Lupin."
She walked away to other students as he packed himself up. When he was done he turned to Hermione.
When Hermione was all packed, her three friends were set to leave the class as well.
"You ready to go Hermione?" Remus asked smiling happily at her. She returned his smile and nodded.
The four friends nodded and exited the room.
Sirius sat beside James in their Divination class. Sirius was bored out of his mind! Well, not out of his mind since it was too preoccupied with thoughts of Hermione Grace. He sighed dreamily as he remembered her beautiful smile and blush she graced him with when she introduced herself.
"What're you sighing about there Padfoot?" James smirked knowingly at him.
"Shut up Prongs!" Sirius snapped, "I-I'm just so bored… Why did we pick this subject again?" he asked.
James shrugged, "I think it was because someone," James looked accusingly at Sirius, "said that we wouldn't have much work to do… We should've picked Arithmacy…"
"Why cause Evans is there?"
"Yes because Evans is there! She's the one and now we're separated for another class…." James sobbed.
"Ease up there Prongs, you two aren't even dating," Sirius pointed out.
"I-I know… It's just… I don't know why she won't go out with me! I know she's the one and no matter how much I try to show her…" he trailed off sadly, "she just won't see it…"
Sirius patted James' back before adding, "She'll come around Prongs…"
"I hope so…" James sighed. "Anyway, Hermione Grace seems to be the centre of attention."
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Well, in my Care of Magical Creatures class, Malfoy seems to be interested in Miss Grace… You better watch out mate… You may be the school's best playboy but he's the Slytherin's lady killer," James warned.
Sirius growled aloud. This caused the class to look in his direction.
"Is something wrong Mister Black?" asked Professor Trelawney.
"Not at all Professor," Sirius flashed her his 100% charming smile.
Professor Trelawney blushed but huffed away to her cushion behind her table to gaze at her own tea leaves.
Sirius sighed and noticed a couple of Hufflepuff girls glancing at him. He winked at them and watched them blush before returning to James.
James shook his head, "Why can't you just focus on one girl?"
"That would be cruel to all the other girls, if I gave myself to only one," Sirius smiled mischievously at James.
"I bet that'd change if Hermione was involved," James nudged Sirius in the ribs.
Sirius laughed then sighed as he thought thoroughly through the last comment James made.
'Would I be willing to give up every other girl in the world for her?' Sirius questioned, 'No… I just want her like all the others… but why is it I get so worked up if Remus and Malfoy have a thing for her? … I-it's not possible….'
"Padfoot! Hey, Padfoot!" James called waving his hand in front of Sirius' face.
"What?!" Sirius snapped.
"You were totally out of it. What happened?"
"Nothing, just thinking," Sirius replied.
"Well, we can go now, and hurry I'm hungry!" James nagged.
"You're always hungry Prongs," Sirius shook his head.
"I'm starving!" Lily whined as they walked down the corridors. They were heading to the Great Hall for lunch.
"I know, you said that five minutes ago…" Remus said.
"Yeah, and I've been starving for five minutes or more…" Lily grumbled.
"Get it together Lily, we'll be at the great hall soon…" Peter sighed irritated.
"It's probably because she didn't eat her eggs this morning and just chugged her coffee down," Hermione sighed, "Lily Evans! Are you a head girl?!" Hermione cheered.
"Yes I bloody am!" Lily yelled.
"And can you wait till we're in the Great Hall?!" Hermione asked in a protesting manner.
"Yes I can!" Lily cheered.
"Why are they so pumped all of a sudden?" Remus asked Peter.
Peter shrugged, "They're girls… I guess only girls can get girls…?"
"You got that right Wormtail," said a voice from behind the four.
Hermione froze. She knew that voice. She turned slowly around along with her three companions.
Sirius Black smirked at Hermione and gave her a wink.
"Hello there 'Mione" he greeted her.
"Mione?" Hermione questioned. 'That's what Ron used to call me…' she thought sadly in her head. Though it made her sad, she was still happy to hear it.
"I thought the nickname was cute… Just like you," he said as he gazed in her chocolate eyes.
Remus snorted at the comment and Sirius gave him a rough glare that was surprisingly returned fully to him. Hermione watched as the two boys glared at each other. Feeling awkward Hermione asked something to relieve the tension.
"Where's James?"
"Oh, he ran to the great hall, he was 'starving to death'," James said imitating James.
"See?! I'm not the only one starving!" Lily yelled frustrated by her hunger.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Dumbledore would be sad if his head girl and boy were starving," Sirius joked.
"Dumbledore?" Hermione whispered as she pondered over the name. She couldn't help but feel anxious by his name. Then it hit her, "Oh Merlin! Dumbledore!" she gasped.
"What about Dumbledore?" Remus asked.
"I need to see him in his office right now!" she panicked.
"Well, how about I take Hermione to Dumbledore's office while you three go to the Great Hall for lunch, then I'll meet you guys there after I've dropped her off," Sirius suggested.
"Sounds good to me!" Lily cheered happy to have Hermione safe when seeing Dumbledore and lunch.
"Okay, if she's ok with it," Peter said and looked towards Hermione.
Hermione nodded hurriedly, eager to get to Dumbledore's office.
"I don't like it," Remus said.
"And why not?" Sirius asked glaring angrily at him.
"Because-" Remus started.
"Look, whatever! Sirius can take me or I can go by myself I don't care, I've really got to get there guys! So with OR without your permission I'm going…. Look, I'll be fine, I got to go," Hermione cut in. She left soon after not waiting for a response.
Remus shook his head, "fine…. Go with her," he grumbled.
Sirius smirked then bolted after her.
Hermione stormed down the corridors. She was three corridors away from Dumbledore's office. She had no idea why they were so worried about her.
"Are you mad at me?" a voice from behind her asked.
"Sirius, why are you following me?" she sighed.
"Well, I was supposed to walk you but you left without me so instead I walked behind you to enjoy the view," he said playfully.
Hermione stopped immediately and blushed beetroot red, "You're suck a pervert!"
"It was a compliment and a way to get you to stop walking for a moment," he replied as he walked in front of her and faced her.
"How is that a compliment you vulgar man!" she huffed.
"Because, I'm saying you're not just enchanting from the front," he winked.
"You're disgusting," she spat as she moved around him.
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry," he apologised. "Are you still mad?"
"I'm not mad, I just really need to see him…"
"Why?"
"Because, I need to, okay?"
"Alright…" he surrendered. "You know you're the centre of attention at the moment."
"Me?" Hermione asked shocked, "Why me?"
"Because-" he began.
"Because I'm the first transfer student ever to transfer to Hogwarts?!" she interrupted.
"Ah! Yes and no," he answered.
"Yes AND no?" she asked confused.
"Well, I meant 'yes' that's one reason and 'no' that's not the only reason," he explained.
"Then what's the other reason?" she asked.
"Because you're enticingly beautiful," answered a mysterious voice.
This voice was completely alien to her, though it sounded familiar she couldn't work out who it belonged to.
"It's a shame you hang out with this mutt," the voice spat.
Hermione looked towards Sirius who was glaring at someone behind her.
'Why do they always show up behind me,' she muttered to herself as she slowly turned.
She was stunned.
'Why?' Hermione cried out inside, 'Of all people, why did it have to be him?!'
A/N: OH! I stop there! I'll update within 2 days so please be patient… Thanks :)