A/N: Sorry its been so long, everything I'd written before was procrastination during exam week and then school started again and I was a bit preoccupied. I'll try and keep updates fairly frequent from now on but VCE has me kinda busy. This one is very letter heavy because CoS covers this time frame in about two pages and I felt like Hermione had to have something to do holed up in the hospital wing for weeks. Please read and review, I love hearing your thoughts, tips, suggestions.

Sprite xx

Chapter Five

29/12/1992

I've almost finished all my homework for the holidays and it's only been a few days. I wrote a letter to my parents, thought it was best not to mention I was stuck in the hospital wing for trying to infiltrate a house as another student, but now I sort of don't have that much to do. I'm going to try and stay busy; time passes so slowly when you're bored. I think I'll just read. I was going to spend my holidays like that anyway. The boys are here most of the day anyway; I don't get lonely. I really hope I'm back to normal by the start of next term though, I don't want to miss any classes and I've actually been really enjoying my tutoring lessons with Snape. Anyway, I'm going to start my transfiguration essay before dinner.

31/12/1992

Gosh I've almost been here a week. But I'm so ahead on work now, and I am terribly happy about it. My transfiguration essay is done, and so is my charms and herbology. All my readings are up to date and the star chart Professor Sinistra set us is complete, so now all I have left is my history of magic essays (Binns set several) and my potions essay. Professor Lockhart didn't set any homework for the break, and I am so grateful. He said the holiday (Christmas) was about enjoying family and love and that is precisely what we should do. Still, I think I might write him one based on one of his books, I've been rereading them over the past week and his discoveries and achievements really are amazing. I left my potions essay for last because I want to do a really good job on this one. Since I have the time, I figured I would research it as much as possible and think very carefully about how I go about writing it. I like that Professor Snape is so hard to impress, it makes the good grades I get so much more satisfying, and I do get the feeling that he actually wants me to improve, and I want to because he does. It's really nice to have someone to believe in me, or at least have someone I can pretend believes in me. Mum and dad are always so busy it feels like they just take my grades for granted. And I want to do well but it doesn't seem to really matter; I feel like they would care just as much if I did horribly. And I feel weird saying to people or the boys that I want to do well to impress my teachers. I don't like them or anything I just really respect them. I'm glad I have this box, I don't want anybody to read them. Anyway, I have nothing more to say.

Bye.

Snape sat at his kitchen table, morosely marking essays that declined exponentially in quality. He thought vaguely that he should restate his point to Dumbledore that they should perhaps adopt some of the muggle curricula and teach them how to write. Addition, maybe too, could be necessary; he had seen some truly horrific calculations in potions (albeit it was probably the only subject they would need it). His mind wandered to Granger and the disaster that had been her near animal transformation. He chuckled; it really was quite funny. She had looked so ridiculous, and it reminded him of his own mistakes (or experiments they could be called) with Polyjuice. He remembered a time long ago when Minerva had joked that was where his love of cats had come from. He got up, deciding he would take a much-needed break and deliver the potion to Miss Granger.

Snape looked around, bemused, as he entered the hospital wing. Since about six students were left over the Christmas break, no one else was in there with her. Hermione was in no danger, so Poppy had evidently vacated her office for the time being. Granger sat on a bed completely surrounded by books and papers and looked utterly blissful. She was so absorbed she jumped when he placed the potion bottle on the table beside her, rather harder than needed.

"Thank you," She said quickly, her face reddening. Obviously embarrassed, as one would be when covered in cat hair. Snape decided to ignore it.

"Have you been taking it?"

"Of course, I- I don't fancy being half a cat forever." he would have laughed if she had not been so earnest.

He bowed his head slightly, "I shall leave you to your homework then."

"Thank you," She answered softly, mortified but for some unexplainable reason not wanting him to go.

Snape could feel her eyes boring into his back as he strode towards the door. Resolutely returning to his dungeon full of tediously ignorant essays.

1/1/1993

New Years Day! 1993 I almost can't believe it. The boys snuck down here last night so we could spend midnight together. Nothing much has happened. I'm just here, waiting. Reading. I finished a couple books. Nothing to write home about.

Hermione

4/1/1993

School started today. Harry and Ron brang me all the homework for what I missed in classes, only one or two people have seen me so far, neither in my year which is good. I suppose the story will spread eventually. I just hope I can stand the shame. I want to hide my face in my hands every time someone walks through the door. It's bad enough all my teachers will now forever remember the time I was stupid enough to not research a potion properly before trying it on myself and faced the awful consequences of turning myself into a bloody cat. Anyway, I actually have something to do now, which is good. Also, Professor Lockhart brought me a get-well card today. It was mortifying having to see him but worth it for the card, "from your concerned teacher"; it makes me so happy to think he is concerned. He was so lovely and caring and just very nice. I've put the card under my pillow for now; it's nice to have it near, to remind me somebody is waiting for me to get better.

Hermione.

Hermione lay in bed a few days later, staring at the arched ceiling of the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had kindly drawn the curtains around her bed after students wouldn't stop loitering outside the door trying to catch a glimpse of her. She tried desperately to stay calm as silent tears made their way down her cheeks. Her mind ran speedily over the events of the past two weeks. She felt as though all the humiliation and shock and fear rushed over her all at once; her breath hitched as another emotion surfaced. Anger. Hermione turned and screamed silently into her pillow. Furious at herself for causing the entire mess, there was no one else to blame, and she hated it. How she hated it. She wanted to scream that it was someone else's fault, not hers, not hers, to anybody that would listen.

She reached under her pillow and pulled out the card Lockhart had given her, lightly warped now from her sleeping on it. She cradled it gently and fell into a deep, surprisingly contented sleep.

15/1/1993

It seems ages since I've written but I'm still just in the hospital wing. Nothing has changed. Harry and Ron found my card today and Ron had a go at me for thinking Lockhart is any good; I think he's just jealous that Lockart's actually achieved something. So that was not particularly fun but I guess it was bound to happen eventually. I should have put it with the rest of you, but I wanted it near. Professor Snape came again today, dropping off my potion and a mountain of homework. No wonder Harry and Ron were grumbling; they had that lot to look forward to. Still, I'm all up to date, ahead even of my other classes. So I can work on it all this evening. I actually didn't mind Snape this evening; since I am no longer covered in fur, I could almost forget why he was delivering me a potion. He said something, which I just kinda smiled at, but it has stayed in my head. He said heed my warning next time. It wasn't really in a threatening way, sort of like, well, a suggestion that maybe he knows better than I do. Still, it seemed an odd thing to say, and I've remembered it. This is getting tiresome. There are only so many books I can read. I got Harry to fetch me an interesting one on Werewolves from the library that I've been spending my time with the last day or two. It is actually quite fascinating; Lycanthropy is what the disease is called, and the Ministry is really terrible with how they manage it. They regulate them as though they are magical creatures and not just humans with a disease. It reminds me a little of how the muggle world approaches addiction. It is a medical issue, but the government approaches it as though it is the fault of the person affected. And while in muggle addiction cases, yes, that may often be true, but it is near impossible for a werewolf to chose to be bitten. Even so. Realistically, how many werewolves decided they would go through all that pain every month (it's like a period but on steroids) just so that they could what? Affect pain on other people. They don't need to be a werewolf for that. It's illegal either way may as well take out the middle man of pain and torture just to kill some people. Anyway, it's actually been quite interesting; I'm thinking I might ask Snape his opinion on it someday, once I've solidified my knowledge base. The last thing I want to do is come off ignorant and lose an argument I start against him.

Bye, Hermione

29/1/1993

I'm getting out tomorrow. My eyes have finally gone back to normal, but Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep me just in case they go back overnight like some of the fur did. But it's late, and I don't think they're changing back at all. I am so excited. I've been here a little over a month now and I am so sick of it. It's been like an extended holiday except without friends or family and only books for company. While I love books, I've missed my classes terribly, and I cannot wait to get back into the groove of school. Oddly enough, I find myself most looking forward to Potions, Transfiguration a close second tho. There is something so peaceful and satisfying about mixing the right potion. It seems like cooking, you can see the result of your labour at the end and it is so lovely. I've almost missed the snark of my tutor as well. I can't even remember what we were learning when the holidays began, but I do hope we can get right back into it. I'm too excited to write now. I'm just going to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling until morning comes and I can leave.

H

The following day Hermione waited impatiently on her bed, waiting for Professor Snape to deliver her final dose of the potion, just to be on the safe side. She would have felt bad that he had been forced to brew another batch just to give her one last dose, but Hermione was too excited to fret long over his feelings. She looked up excitedly as Snape characteristically burst through the door of the hospital wing, black robes billowing despite it being a Saturday. Hermione sat on the edge of her bed, bag meticulously packed with books and parchment; this time, Snape handed her the little bottle.

"Miss Granger." He offered by way of greeting.

"Thank you, professor." She said hurriedly, measuring the potion out so quickly it almost spilt.

"Be careful. I won't have it wasted."

"Yes, professor." Hermione apologized. Handing the potion back to him. She jumped off the bed and swung her bag around, and a card fluttered to the floor.

Snape bent to pick it up, unable to repress his curiosity at who had sent Miss Granger such a gaudy card he opened it. It took all of his energy not to break out in laughter at the smarminess of the card, but his efforts doubled at the sight of Hermione's mortified face. It far exceeded her embarrassment at being a cat; that much was certain. He handed the card back with as much severity as he could muster.

"I believe this is yours, Miss Granger." She snatched the card and stuffed it into her bag. "Be careful." He said. "You might ruin it."

Hermine glared at Snape, stalking around him and out the door. When she rounded the corner, Hermione leant against the corridor wall; taking out the card, she smoothed it carefully. Snape did have a point; she didn't want to ruin it in a fit of panic. Gathering herself up, Hermione practically ran down the corridor towards Gryffindor tower, eager to return after her weeks of solitude.

2/2/1993

I can't write for long, I've got to get a start on my Transfiguration homework but I just wanted to note that harry showed me Riddle's diary last night. I was going to write then but we were up late and the girls had already gone to bed. It doesn't seem to have anything in it but it just has to have something to do with the Chamber of Secrets. The revealer should have worked, but it just didn't. There's got to be something in the library about the Chamber. I've looked before, but I think I'll go again tomorrow afternoon. I have my first lesson with Snape tomorrow; I'm oddly excited. Maybe he knows something. Binns wasn't all that helpful but Snape. Snape is a Slytherin. He's got to know something. Well then, I'll try Snape, and then I'll have a go at the library again.

Hermione

Snape heard an excited slight knock on his classroom door at exactly 2:40 pm. Punctual as ever, he thought and began to clear his desk.

"Miss Granger, welcome back."

"Thank you, sir, it's so good to be back. " Hermione replied, moving excitedly to her neglected cauldron. "I've missed potions so much sir, I can practice charms and even transfiguration but not potions trapped in the hospital wing. I mean, I know it's my fault, but..." She trailed off awkwardly, "it still sucked."

Snape chose to ignore this, "And on whom did you practice your chattering?" Hermione didn't respond.

Snape looked up to find her busily preparing her cauldron, looking rather hurt. "Your concerned teacher thinks he's stopped the attacks," Snape offered, "so I would increase vigilance tenfold." He overcompensated on the sarcasm, hoping she would recognize this one as half a joke. Met with more silence, he gave up, "We'll do the hair-raising potion since you've only studied it in theory."

Snape waved his wand, and the instructions appeared on the board for Hermione to use. She began diligently cutting rat tails to the correct proportions.

The lesson passed in surprising silence; Hermione was almost disappointed. She needed little instruction due to her months sequestered in the hospital wing; theoretically, she could perfectly complete the potion. But usually, she quite enjoyed the casual conversation she could share with Snape during their time together; like many swots, Hermione craved individual attention from teachers, just so long as that attention was positive or at the very least neutral. But this potion had only a five-minute brewing period, giving them very little time to chat.

Snape sat at his desk angrily marking first-year essays. Maybe she's on edge cause of the attacks? He thought suddenly. Snape had not considered Granger to be a girl that was easily upset by such things, but he supposed he really had no basis on which to form that conclusion. She was, after all, still a child and probably should be scared of muggle-borns being petrified. Granger was directly in danger; he hadn't thought of that. She was too smart to be a muggle-born; he'd forgotten about it. Snape almost felt bad for teasing her. He had almost forgotten how to engage pleasantly over her two-month absence. But Snape had to admit he had enjoyed the few (minutely) peaceful weeks. No attacks, no extra lessons; he had unusually found himself with a bit of time.

"How is that letterbox coming along?" Hermione looked confused.

"Oh. Very well, sir, thank you. I really appreciate it; it's been exactly what I needed. I was wondering, though, does it get heavier and will it ever get full cause it seems to have not changed, but it should be rather full by now?"

"I placed a featherlight charm on it for you, and it already contained an undetectable extension charm," Snape replied.

"That sounds so useful, sir! Can you teach me? Please?" Hermione added as an afterthought.

"No," Said Snape automatically, "in a year maybe," He relented, "otherwise you'll have no content left for your classes."

"Sir?" Hermione sounded cautiously excited. "Hypothetically, can students graduate early if they know all the content?"

"Finish the potion first, and then I'll explain; the system can be a little difficult to get ones head around."

Hermione beamed at him, a definite improvement from the beginning she thought; maybe eventually I'll wear him down, so he stays pleasant. She added the final ingredients and bottle the solution, carefully labelling it with her name as well. As she approached Snape's desk, he summoned a chair for her, setting it on the other side of the desk.

"Thank you, Miss Granger; I have little doubt it will be exemplary." Hermione's cheeks turned pink at the praise, which Snape pointedly ignored. "So," He said briskly, "the education system."

"Can I really graduate early?" Hermione interrupted eagerly.

"Hold on. You still have a good four years left, so you can spend some of them sitting in that chair and listening. Over the Easter holidays you will choose your subjects for third year, you must continue taking all the core subjects you do now. I suggest a variety of subjects that play to your strengths, but you'll receive plenty of advice and information regarding that soon. The subjects you pick will be those you take OWLs for; you can take as many as possible. And, you can take an OWL or NEWT without taking the actual subject. So, for example, subjects Hogwarts does not have teachers for you can still study and, with your work ethic, conceivably pass at OWL level. Passing grades for OWLs are A, E, and O; right now, you are averaging a high E." Snape paused when her face fell. "An E is good Hermione, you are a high E; no one is perfect. You should practice being at least a little content with excellence. Depending on your results at OWL level, you chose your NEWT subjects. Now there are two options next. You can take your NEWTS at the end of sixth year with independent study, or you could apply to join seventh year after fifth. Or, you can take your NEWTs in April of your seventh year. It does mean a lot of extra work and possibly leaving your friends and going into the world a year early. Also, consider you will be underage if you take them in sixth year."

"Not for long," Hermione interjected again, "My birthday is the 19th of September. I'll be of age for almost all of sixth year."

Snape nodded at her, "Well, that solves that problem. Do you have any idea about where you might like to work after Hogwarts?"

"I'm not sure really, I always thought I would go into medicine, but I never considered the magical world, obviously. Maybe teaching? Then I can keep learning." Snape smiled at her, predictable as ever she was.

"Regardless, you have many pathways available. I think you do have a good chance at completing early if you would so like to. I know I, and all the other teachers, would be more than happy to help you achieve that should you decide to do so. I recommend considering what your plans might be and arrange a similar meeting with Professor McGonagall to discuss what we have discussed. She will have a better idea of the mental toll it will take on your wellbeing and can further advise you as to other options for extension." The room was silent for a minute, and Snape looked at Hermione; her eyes were alight with passion and excitement; she was enthralled with the opportunities he had just made clear to her. There was no doubt in his mind she would chose as many extension options as possible, no matter the cost; the only question was what exactly would she chose.

Springing up out of her chair Hermione ran to her bench, gathering up her utensils with even more excitement than when she unpacked.

"Thank you so much, Professor; I'm going to see McGonagall right now." She said in a breath.

Snape checked his watch, "She will finish with the fourth years in 5 minutes." Another beaming smile, "fifth floor." He said with a smile of her own.

"Thanks, see you tomorrow," Hermione called over her shoulder as she ran out of the classroom, trying to determine the quickest path to the third floor.

Four and a half minutes later, a heaving Hermione lent on a staircase outside the fourth year Transfiguration classroom, frantically trying to catch her breath. She walked over to the corner of the corridor, not wishing to be crushed as the fourth years practically ran out the door. Waiting until they were all gone to find McGonagall gathering rogue turtles from the corners of the classroom.

"Professor McGonagall?" She straightened up to find Hermione waiting in the doorway, slightly out of breath.

"What can I do for you, Miss Granger?"

"I've just been talking to Professor Snape about the possibility of graduating early from Hogwarts and he suggested I arrange a meeting with you to discuss it, so I was just wondering if I could. Please?" Hermione said very quickly.

McGonagall looked mildly surprised; however, it was at the fact that Severus had even vaguely helped a Gryffindor and certainly not that Hermione wanted to learn everything under the sun.

"Of course, I would be happy to advise and assist you. What about tomorrow afternoon?"

"Thank you, Professor, that would be wonderful." Hermione beamed at her, turning to make her way back to Gryffindor tower, excited to tell the boys her new plans for life.

McGonagall shook her head, bemused at the enthusiasm radiated from the small twelve-year-old.

Back in his office Snape sat contentedly. He felt surprising fulfilment at enlightening a student with such a desire to consume as much information as possible. There were many talented students in Slytherin, but a vast majority of those were wealthy, growing up with private tutors in every subject. He himself had tutored Draco from about six; he still did occasionally, on the holidays. Less now because he and Lucius were not the best of mates. All current Slytherins had grown up with at least one magical parent, the world of magic was familiar to them. But Miss Granger was entirely different. She had discovered magic a little over two years ago but was so inspired to learn everything she possibly could. The idea of school and knowledge excited her in a way he wholly understood (he certainly shared it). She was completely willing and prepared to throw herself into the magical world she barely knew if that option came with the opportunity to learn things quicker. It was entirely possible she would slow down with her insatiable appetite for learning once she reached the higher years, the increased workload making up for her ability to learn everything quickly. But then again, if she started working ahead now and kept up the pace, she would always be ahead. And that could only be a good thing? Snape found himself as inspired as she did, invested for the first time in years in a student's future.

3/2/1993

I found out the most wonderful thing today, which I am just telling everybody I possibly can about. I can graduate early! I had the most wonderful conversation with Snape after my class and he said I can graduate at the end of sixth year if I'm good enough or in April of seventh. I'm so excited I can't believe it. He also said I can take OWLs and NEWTs (they both sound a little ridiculous, don't they) without ever taking the subject. I'm not sure I'd be good enough for that. But maybe if I take the classes for OWLs but not a couple for NEWTs, that could be an option. Ahh, I am so keen oh my god. I'm having a meeting with McGonagall tomorrow to talk it over further and I am so excited. Thinking about the future is so inspiring. For some reason, it never really sank in that I will actually have a future doing magic. Magic. Its all. All real. Its my future. And I am going to make it amazing wonderful brilliant. I will make it all of those things, and I will do it early. I will be the brightest witch of my age and I will graduate early. I cannot wait!

Farewell,

Hermione Granger.

Later.

I completely forgot I meant to ask Snape about the Chamber of Secrets. Drat. I got so sidetracked with school and the idea of just learning all of the stuff early that I forgot I actually had a thing I needed to do. Never mind. I've got him on Friday again, so I'll ask then. I've got two hours too, so maybe he'll pick a potion with a long waiting period. I do hope so. I've got to try and go to bed now. I only wrote this cause my mind wouldn't shut down and was just spinning until it eventually landed on this. But I should at least lie down, I don't want to wake Parvati or Lavender with the light.

Goodnight xx

A/N: I feel like it makes sense that there's an early graduate program and also there must be another way to do subjects without a time turner cause it just seems really odd. SO maybe that may solve some difficulties come fourth year. Like I said, please read and review. I'm interested in whether I should write a chapter from Snape's perspective of the events at the end of the book (after Hermione's petrification) rather than just Hermione waking up after being petrified. Or if that's unnecessary. Let me know.

Xx sprite