Changes Can Be Made
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter…
A/N: Hey guys! Cliffie for you guys last chapter… ;) Well, here's the continuation! :D I hope you guys like at and review please! Thanks so much guys! Xxxx 3 3 3
Chapter 18: Disaster Studies
He looked at her and asked, "Who are you?"
Hermione couldn't answer…. She just couldn't!
'Oh Merlin no! I can't answer! Please!' she screamed inside.
Hermione struggled to fight the urge to answer. She tried to stop the words from leaving her mouth but she couldn't.
"I'm Hermione Jean Gran-"
"Alright that's enough class!" Flitwick announced loudly. His announcement interrupted Regulus' concentration and so Hermione was not compelled to answer.
'Thank Merlin,' she sighed in relief.
"Well, at least I know a little bit more about you Miss Hermione Jean Grace," Regulus winked.
Hermione smiled weakly back but was just glad he didn't know more than that.
Flitwick continued to talk to the class, "So who here was successful with the charm?" he asked.
Just less than half the class raised their hands in confirmation. Hermione and Regulus looked to each other and smiled. Hermione smirked as she looked forward noticing the raised hand of her red-headed friend and the admiring gaze the head boy next to her gave her. James didn't have his hand up but he was damn right satisfied.
'Of course, those two were a couple made in heaven. What one did bad at the other makes up for…' Hermione sighed in content, 'James sure does love her… I can see it in his eyes… if only she could…'
"Well seeing as though only few of you can do it, we shall work on it a bit more later. Now…" Flitwick said.
Hermione sighed as she listened to the professor rant on about the more advanced charms that we'll be learning this year and how they can help us in the future. Hermione sighed.
"Bored are we Hermione?" asked a cocky Black.
"Only when I'm with a Black," Hermione giggled.
But Regulus was not amused. "Don't put me and that git together… He's not worthy of the Black family title," he spat.
"What?" Hermione asked sounding as shocked as possible; but of course she knew that he and Sirius didn't get along. Sirius did tell her, Ron and Harry about it once before.
"It's nothing," he snapped angrily. "Just don't lump us together…"
Hermione nodded not knowing what to say. No one spoke for a while. They both just listened to the lecture continue. Class ended soon enough and Hermione was the first to finish packing. Hermione sighed as she stood up and turned to look Regulus right in the eyes.
"I'm sorry if I upset you… I didn't mean to bring up any sore subjects… So, I'm sorry Regulus."
Regulus stared blankly back at her. This mudblood was apologising to him. In all his life, he has never had someone apologise to him so sincerely. He rarely receives an apology from anyone, because the people he mostly hangs out with are Slytherins and are noble, pureblood families who never feel regret or remorse for their actions. But this… this was so sincere and heartfelt. It was warm. And this warmth felt so good. What was it that made this mudblood so warm? Why did that warmth she naturally had attract him so much? Why was it so hard to hate her? She's a mudblood, a muggle-born witch. Something he and his family despised. So why couldn't he hate her?
He was abruptly pulled from his thoughts by a harmonic voice. "Regulus? Hello~ Regulus?" Hermione called.
Regulus looked at her and smiled, "Yes, sorry… It's fine, and I thank you for your sincere apology."
Hermione returned the smile beautifully and replied, "I'm glad!"
Regulus picked up his stuff and stepped out of his chair. But as he moved to exit their row, he and Hermione got stuck. There was only room for one to exit at a time. Regulus towered over the caramel haired girl. He looked down into her eyes.
Neither said a word. Hermione's breath hitched and he heard it clearly. He smirked at the thought of Hermione being attracted to him and watched as she slowly blushed. He inched closer and Hermione stopped breathing for a second.
His smirk grew wider as he got closer, "Ladies first," he whispered. He saw the attraction diminish in her eyes.
As those words left his mouth, Hermione finally snapped out of it.
'What're you doing Hermione! He's a down right cocky Slytherin! No, no, he's just a cocky, overconfident, egotistical, good-looking, charming guy like his brother…,' she thought giddily. 'Wait! Hold up Hermione… What?!' she screamed at herself.
"Ah… um, yeah… thanks," she said whilst avoiding eye contact with the boy in front of her.
Hermione slipped out of their confined space and walked over to the beckoning head girl and her companion, James.
"Why'd it take you forever Mi?" Lily asked her exaggerating the word 'forever'.
"Oh… um, nothing really… I just had a little trouble getting out of my seat…" she answered sheepishly.
"Uh… okay…?" Lily said confused as to what she meant.
As the three left, Hermione glanced back to the Black who was about to leave. She still wasn't sure if he is trustworthy. He seemed to be similar to his brother but he had that slyly clever air about him. She turned away to focus on what was more important right now.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked clueless.
"We're going to meet the guys in the meeting spot… the courtyard," James answered mischievously.
"Oh… Okay… but why?"
"We're going to do some studying together," replied Lily, "Well, if we can get them to," she continued, hinting in boy in particular.
Hermione sighed deeply, "How are we supposed to get Sirius Black to 'study'? Wait… How'd you even get James Potter in, Lil?"
James looked gobsmacked at the comment and retorted, "I'll have you know that I study daily!"
Lily giggled, "Listening, sometimes, in class doesn't count as 'studying' Potter."
James snorted whilst the two girls laughed loudly.
"Anyway, I convinced James to study by saying that I might consider going with him on the next Hogsmeade weekend, which is a month and a half away, if he studies REALLY hard for a month," Lily whispered to Hermione, "Because he's a head boy, he needs to set examples…" she quickly put in for an explanation.
Hermione gasped then giggled at the idea, "So will you?" she asked Lily.
"I don't know…" she shrugged. A blush could be seen creeping into her cheeks as she clearly considered it. "He sure has changed… he's more mature… i-in a way…" Lily mumbled.
'How can she not see the love that's in his eyes whenever he sees her? He looks at her as if he's seeing heaven for the first time every time he sees her! Merlin! Even a fool can see it!' Hermione thought as she sighed.
"So what're we going to do about Black?" Hermione asked again.
"Ah… Padfoot is your problem," James shrugged.
Hermione's jaw dropped open, "What?!" she exclaimed.
"Ah! W-what he's trying to say," Lily nudged James, "is that you are more convincing! You, know, rather than the study-less James Potter and I… So we were thinking that you could convince Sirius to study with us…"
Hermione stopped and stared at them. She said nothing. How could she? She was still trying to calculate whether this task is even possible.
"Please Mi!" Lily begged.
Hermione shut her eyes to decide. She could feel two set of eager eyes on her, awaiting her answer.
With a sigh, she answered, "Fine, I'll do it! But only today's study session."
"Great!" Lily cheered and James beamed happily.
They arrived in the courtyard in no time. There they met Remus, Peter and a bandaged Sirius Black.
"I see the swelling went down," Hermione giggled as she gestured to the face.
"Glad to see your dry Mione," Sirius smiled back.
The two laughed together before greeting the others.
"Remus, Peter," Hermione nodded at the two.
"Hermione," both boys said in unison.
Hermione giggled at their bashful faces.
"AH! Wormtail! Remus! Padfoot! My beloved brothers!" James cried out before launching himself at them for a hug.
"Argh! Prongs! Watch it! I'm still sore!" Sirius cried.
"Prongs! Please, GET OFF ME!" Remus yelled in pain under the weight of James.
"Prongs… C-can't… BREATHE!" Peter struggled out to say.
"Oh! Sorry guys…" James apologised as he gave them a sheepish, apologetic smile.
On the other hand, the three boys shot him a deadly glare before they all composed themselves – standing back up – and greeting Lily.
"Hey Lily…" they sighed in sync.
Lily waved at them as she and Hermione could do nothing else. They were too busy shaking with laughter. After a while, Lily and Hermione finally got a grip and got over their laughing fits.
"A-anyway," Lily started out of breath, "we're going to do a bit of studying, so would you guys like to join?"
"I'm already in," James proudly announced, and everyone went silent. The boys stared in utter shock at their friend while the two girls giggled silently together. "What?" James said defensively.
"Prongs? Are you alright?" asked Remus.
James blinked innocently at him, "Yeah… why?"
"Oh, it's just that you've never jumped at the chance to… 'study' before…" Peter explained.
"Yeah, it's unlike you," Sirius said as he rubbed his head, "Man those antlers hurt…" he grumbled as he soothed the area where the antlers sprouted then disappeared.
"Well… I have my reasons," James said as he looked in Lily's direction.
Lily immediately stopped laughing. She turned away quickly before he could notice the blush that coloured her cheeks.
"Anyway, who's in?" Hermione stepped in, saving Lily from further blushing.
"I'm in," Peter said.
"So am I," Remus smiled sweetly at Hermione, which earned him a grand blush from the said girl.
But Sirius just sighed. "Nope, it's only the first day of classes, there's nothing to study… so no."
Lily and James looked to Hermione. Hermione sighed…
'Guess it's my turn…' she grumbled inside.
Hermione turned to Sirius, 'Here goes nothing.'
"Come on Sirius," Hermione plead, "just for today… We…. Um…. Oh! We can study for tomorrow's lessons; you know, prepare and revise…" She could see he wasn't even considering it as her blinked uninterestedly.
'Fine, if Lily can use a girl against James – I'm meaning herself, then I can use girls in general to get him to join… plus he's a player, this should work…' she thought.
"Plus, girls LOVE guys with brains," she winked playfully.
Sirius looked interested for a split second, then it disappeared, "I don't know…" he said as he rubbed his head… again.
'Argh! What a cocky, egotistical-' Hermione growled inside, 'wait a second! His ego!'
Hermione smirked. She'll use his big ego – that she just wounded in DADA – to her advantage. "You could brush up on your charms and then maybe… just maybe… you'll be able to beat me in our next DADA Duel…"
Everyone was surprised. Hermione was good… she had already picked out Sirius' weak point. He was a competitive guy with a big ego that doesn't get wounded very often. Hermione smirked; Sirius was not one to pass up a challenge. Sirius growled audibly.
"Fine…" he snapped, then smiled, "Only if YOU revise with me…"
"You have a deal!" Hermione answered.
'And you'll still be the one admitted to the med wing after I win,' she thought deviously.
"Then let's go!" Lily cheered, disrupting the tension building between Sirius and Hermione.
"Onwards to the library!" James announced, pointing towards the archway leading back to the inner school, as if he was a captain giving orders. His pose was so ridiculous that everyone burst into laughter as they marched through the archway heading to the library.
It wasn't long until they arrived at the large, grand library. It felt so good to be back here. So many books and memories were here. Good memories drifted into her mind as she stared in awe at the place. She smiled as she replayed her life in here. She loved it here. She loved the books, the information she got and the fond moments she shared with Ron and Harry. Tears filled her eyes as she replayed everything. This was her favourite place in the entire school. Her recollection was interrupted by a sudden, warm voice.
"Miss Hermione Grace… Welcome to Hogwarts grand library," Sirius declared.
Hermione giggle, but she was confused as to why Sirius and the others made their arrival into the library such a big deal.
'Oh right… I'm supposed to be the new transfer student… so I've NEVER been here before…' Hermione thought sarcastically.
"Wow! This is HUGE!" Hermione said trying to sound amazed, "It's full of books! I'll love it here!" Hermione said trying to sound convincingly awestruck.
"It's great isn't it," Lily smiled warmly, "I'm glad to have shown you this… I knew you'd like it!"
Hermione suddenly felt a pinch of guilt in her chest. She hated the fact that she was lying to Lily… No, lying to them all. She gave Lily a small forced smile and followed Remus as he guided them to a study table nearest to the door. Hermione sat between Remus and Sirius.
"So, where should we start?" Sirius asked her.
"Okay, well, let's get some books on charms, jinxes and so forth and study," Hermione answered.
"Just remember Padfoot, no dark arts," Remus reminded him.
Sirius looked shock, "No need to tell me that, Moony, I would NEVER use that stuff especially on Mione."
Remus nodded and turned away satisfied with the answer. As soon as Remus got absorbed in his book, the two looked at each other and smiled. Sirius smiled cheekily and raised his eyebrows twice to challenge Hermione. Hermione smiled and nodded her head to accept that challenge. Soon enough they were off zooming through shelves. They sorted through heaps of books picking out useful looking ones.
Hermione had already picked out three books. She was very detailed, precise and picky when it came to books. If she needed a book for studying, she looks for books that she sees detailed and precise information; and so far that was three books out of many.
Hermione was exhausted. She looked through heaps of books! She couldn't take it anymore… she was just going to look at one more book case. She sighed when she reached a tall book case at the back of the library, close to the restricted area. She knew very well that these shelves were the most untouched area of the library. And this, this was the book case a professor – that just happened to be in the library – referred to her. She searched up and down the case. She was on the verge of giving up when she found it. A green coloured book that had quite a straight forward title. It was called, 'Powerful Charms'.
Hermione giggled to herself, 'What a convenient title.'
The book's spine was worn with age and was extremely dusty that it seemed as if it was a miracle that she could even read the title on the spine.
'Well, it's worth a try,' she shrugged.
With that in mind, she took out her wand; but before she could even pronounce the incantation in mind she heard a girl snicker. Well, it sounded more like two or three girls snickering. Hermione took a look around. There was nothing, she couldn't see girls in or near the area she was in.
'Who was that?' Hermione thought.
"Accio-" Hermione was interrupted mid-spell by a voice.
It was more of a whisper, but Hermione could hear it all the same. She whipped around to find the same girl from Advanced Charms shoo someone away. Josanne was alerted to Hermione's sudden knowledge of her existence there.
'What is she up to…?' Hermione questioned.
She knew from just one lesson with Josanne that she had a HUGE crush on Regulus. The puzzling thing was, Regulus wasn't even here and, moreover, they didn't talk THAT much during the lesson so it didn't seem to Hermione like she was eve competition for Josanne. Hermione was so confused.
'What's going on…' Hermione knew she was up to something, it was just… Josanne did nothing but stare at her and it didn't erase the suspicion when Josanne sudden gave her a devious smile and rush off.
'That's definitely worrying…' Hermione thought on high-alert.
Hermione checked to see if Josanne was gone before she resumed her spell. Hermione was on alert; she usually finds Slytherins to be conniving and somewhat sinister on a mild level. They're just so sly… especially jealous Slytherin girls. Boys have no clue as to how cleverly devious an angry or jealous girl can be.
Hermione shook her head to alleviate the thoughts. She sighed deeply; why was she so concerned…
'It's not like Josanne is a danger… I mean, I've dealt with worse,' she said to herself as she remembered all the life-threatening things she's had to deal with.
She sighed again before reciting, "Accio Powerful Charms book."
She was prepared to catch the book as it fell towards her, but something completely unexpected occurred. The entire row of books on that same shelf came falling towards her. She was only keen on aquire one book not one ROW. It happened so fast, but to her, it was in slow motion. She saw the books fall forward, descending upon her. She screamed loudly as her hands flew to her face for protection. She shut her eyes tightly and felt her legs give out in the moment.
"Hermione!" she heard someone yell. Then she heard the book collide.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this was kinda late… I had no laptop for two or three days so I had to hand right this chapter. THEN! I retyped it to post and TADA! UPDATED ;) Hope you guys like it~ Adios!