It was a very cheerful Hermione who entered the Great Hall for
breakfast the next morning.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and then looked back at their breakfast continuing to eat and hold a conversation.
"So, Ron, why do you think Hermione is in such a good mood today?"
"Well Harry, I'm not really sure, maybe she found a new book in the library she hasn't read yet."
"Nah, there isn't a book in that library, nor any other library for that matter, that our Hermione hasn't read yet."
"Maybe she's got herself a boyfriend, or maybe she just got some, eh?"
"No, she's too darn prudish for that."
Both of them shut up when they found that muffins were being pelted at them at 20 miles an hour from across the table.
"You two are horrible, bloody wankers if I ever did see one. Neither of you two would know whether or not I was prudish. If you really must know why I'm so happy, I'll tell you. All you had to do in the first place was ask."
Ron and Harry smirked at each other. It had been worth the bruises to see Hermione so riled up. She really was very funny when angry.
"All right, dear Hermione, we'll play it your way. Why on earth are you so cheerful this morning?" Harry asked politely.
Hermione grinned in a mischievous way, "I don't think I should tell you."
At their downfallen faces, she relented. "Oh fine. There was an advert in the paper this morning. The Ministry is hiring for next fall, I'm very excited. I plan to get an interview. Oh, I can't wait, this is so exciting. I've already spoken to McGonagall and she believes I'm a shoe-in for the position. It's in their research department. Did you know that the Ministry library has over 3 million volumes in it and."
At this point Harry and Ron had stopped listening. They were busy glaring at the Slytherin table.
"Why does that bally blighter keep staring at Hermione? I'm going to rip his eyes out of his sockets if he doesn't bloody well leave her alone. I mean I know she's gorgeous, that's why we never let her alone; if we did she'd be jumped all over but."
Another American muffin was hurtled in their general direction. "Have the two of you been listening to me at all or are you too busy glaring at Malfoy to take notice of your poor, old, neglected friend Hermione?"
"Oh do shut up Hermione, of all those things you are hardly neglected, even if you are poor and old." Harry dodged other various breakfast foods.
"Come on Hermione, we're going to be late for double Potions!"
* * *
All throughout double Potions, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The only thing was that every time she looked around, everyone was studiously doing their assignment. So why did she feel as though she were the one being studied.
Later on, she found out why.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you would please be so kind as to draw your attention away from Miss Granger and concentrate on your work, I'm sure your potion would be the light shade of green it is supposed to be instead of that sordid shade of brown."
Hermione turned to look at Malfoy and was surprised to find herself staring back into a pair of stormy gray eyes.
Without looking at Professor Snape, Draco replied, "Yes Professor, terribly sorry."
"If you were so sorry you would not still be staring at Miss Granger now I said TURN AROUND!"
Everyone jumped at Snape's uncharacteristic yell. Normally, Snape's technique was to talk quietly and in a foreboding tone of voice.
Snape cleared his throat and quickly changed his slightly surprised expression back to his stony and impassive one. He seemed to be surprised at himself.
"I would please ask you all to continue with your work."
Snape then spun on his heel and stomped the length of the classroom to his office, his ominous black cape billowing out behind him. He entered his office and locked the door behind him.
No one saw him for the rest of the day.
* * *
"Albus, how can you not be worried about all of the attention Hermione is getting? It's bloody dangerous!"
Professor Dumbledore scrutinized the incensed Professor sitting before him. "Are you sure that you aren't over-reacting Severus? I'm sure Miss Granger is worthy of the attention she is gathering, even if it is from boys. It is a father's natural reaction to be effected in this manner when his daughter starts to gain an interest in member of the opposite sex."
Professor Snape did not answer, but continued to pace back and forth across the room. "It's not only that Albus; it's the fact that it's Malfoy who is giving her all of this unwanted attention."
"Why is that a problem? Mr. Malfoy was always a favorite student of yours.
"That was before he began desiring my daughter. Besides, he's the enemy's son!"
"Just because his father is less than cordial does not mean that his son will grow up the same way."
Snape scrubbed his face with his hands. "When do I get to tell her Albus?"
Dumbledore stood and laid a comforting hand on the younger Professor's shoulder. "I know that it must be difficult, not being able to let your daughter know how much you love her, but I'm afraid she must not know until after the threat of Voldemort is gone. Not only is she valuable for her immense knowledge, but she could also be used against you. If Voldemort finds out that you are the father of a half-blood... The results could be disastrous, for both you and her."
"I know Albus, it's just so hard. Not being able to hold her, tell her how proud of her that I am. I can't even be nice to the girl because then I wouldn't be treating her the same as other students."
"There is something you should truly be proud of. You grade her exactly the same as every other student, and she surpasses your high expectations. You have reared a truly remarkable child."
Snape laughed cruelly. "Why should I be proud? I didn't raise her"
"Be proud anyway. She is a wonderful young woman, with a good head on her shoulders. She won't let the Malfoy be take advantage of her."
Snape nodded and stood. Just as he held out a hand to open the door, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Besides, Harry and Ron are already doing an excellent job of keeping the other boys off of her. I'm sure they'll be able to take care of it. She'll be fine."
Snape almost hinted at a smile before walking out of the office.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and then looked back at their breakfast continuing to eat and hold a conversation.
"So, Ron, why do you think Hermione is in such a good mood today?"
"Well Harry, I'm not really sure, maybe she found a new book in the library she hasn't read yet."
"Nah, there isn't a book in that library, nor any other library for that matter, that our Hermione hasn't read yet."
"Maybe she's got herself a boyfriend, or maybe she just got some, eh?"
"No, she's too darn prudish for that."
Both of them shut up when they found that muffins were being pelted at them at 20 miles an hour from across the table.
"You two are horrible, bloody wankers if I ever did see one. Neither of you two would know whether or not I was prudish. If you really must know why I'm so happy, I'll tell you. All you had to do in the first place was ask."
Ron and Harry smirked at each other. It had been worth the bruises to see Hermione so riled up. She really was very funny when angry.
"All right, dear Hermione, we'll play it your way. Why on earth are you so cheerful this morning?" Harry asked politely.
Hermione grinned in a mischievous way, "I don't think I should tell you."
At their downfallen faces, she relented. "Oh fine. There was an advert in the paper this morning. The Ministry is hiring for next fall, I'm very excited. I plan to get an interview. Oh, I can't wait, this is so exciting. I've already spoken to McGonagall and she believes I'm a shoe-in for the position. It's in their research department. Did you know that the Ministry library has over 3 million volumes in it and."
At this point Harry and Ron had stopped listening. They were busy glaring at the Slytherin table.
"Why does that bally blighter keep staring at Hermione? I'm going to rip his eyes out of his sockets if he doesn't bloody well leave her alone. I mean I know she's gorgeous, that's why we never let her alone; if we did she'd be jumped all over but."
Another American muffin was hurtled in their general direction. "Have the two of you been listening to me at all or are you too busy glaring at Malfoy to take notice of your poor, old, neglected friend Hermione?"
"Oh do shut up Hermione, of all those things you are hardly neglected, even if you are poor and old." Harry dodged other various breakfast foods.
"Come on Hermione, we're going to be late for double Potions!"
* * *
All throughout double Potions, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The only thing was that every time she looked around, everyone was studiously doing their assignment. So why did she feel as though she were the one being studied.
Later on, she found out why.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you would please be so kind as to draw your attention away from Miss Granger and concentrate on your work, I'm sure your potion would be the light shade of green it is supposed to be instead of that sordid shade of brown."
Hermione turned to look at Malfoy and was surprised to find herself staring back into a pair of stormy gray eyes.
Without looking at Professor Snape, Draco replied, "Yes Professor, terribly sorry."
"If you were so sorry you would not still be staring at Miss Granger now I said TURN AROUND!"
Everyone jumped at Snape's uncharacteristic yell. Normally, Snape's technique was to talk quietly and in a foreboding tone of voice.
Snape cleared his throat and quickly changed his slightly surprised expression back to his stony and impassive one. He seemed to be surprised at himself.
"I would please ask you all to continue with your work."
Snape then spun on his heel and stomped the length of the classroom to his office, his ominous black cape billowing out behind him. He entered his office and locked the door behind him.
No one saw him for the rest of the day.
* * *
"Albus, how can you not be worried about all of the attention Hermione is getting? It's bloody dangerous!"
Professor Dumbledore scrutinized the incensed Professor sitting before him. "Are you sure that you aren't over-reacting Severus? I'm sure Miss Granger is worthy of the attention she is gathering, even if it is from boys. It is a father's natural reaction to be effected in this manner when his daughter starts to gain an interest in member of the opposite sex."
Professor Snape did not answer, but continued to pace back and forth across the room. "It's not only that Albus; it's the fact that it's Malfoy who is giving her all of this unwanted attention."
"Why is that a problem? Mr. Malfoy was always a favorite student of yours.
"That was before he began desiring my daughter. Besides, he's the enemy's son!"
"Just because his father is less than cordial does not mean that his son will grow up the same way."
Snape scrubbed his face with his hands. "When do I get to tell her Albus?"
Dumbledore stood and laid a comforting hand on the younger Professor's shoulder. "I know that it must be difficult, not being able to let your daughter know how much you love her, but I'm afraid she must not know until after the threat of Voldemort is gone. Not only is she valuable for her immense knowledge, but she could also be used against you. If Voldemort finds out that you are the father of a half-blood... The results could be disastrous, for both you and her."
"I know Albus, it's just so hard. Not being able to hold her, tell her how proud of her that I am. I can't even be nice to the girl because then I wouldn't be treating her the same as other students."
"There is something you should truly be proud of. You grade her exactly the same as every other student, and she surpasses your high expectations. You have reared a truly remarkable child."
Snape laughed cruelly. "Why should I be proud? I didn't raise her"
"Be proud anyway. She is a wonderful young woman, with a good head on her shoulders. She won't let the Malfoy be take advantage of her."
Snape nodded and stood. Just as he held out a hand to open the door, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Besides, Harry and Ron are already doing an excellent job of keeping the other boys off of her. I'm sure they'll be able to take care of it. She'll be fine."
Snape almost hinted at a smile before walking out of the office.