This is dedicated to Kobe Bryant again (damn, I'm obsessed!).. anyway.. this is also for leach, crissy, jin, kino, jovy, abe j, nixxie and kev who actually choose to waste their time by reading this.. I SWEAR.. ALL OF YOU GUYS WILL KILL ME AFTER THIS CHAPTER!
Chapter 8: Slick
"Oh sorry, Professor." Hermione said when she realized whom she hit.
"Hermione, you look tired. Go get some rest." Stojakovic said, ignoring the apology.
"I'm not tired, I'm exhausted. Detention is very, very exhausting."
"Well, you shouldn't have started that duel with Mr. Malfoy."
"I did not.. start it." Hermione said defensively.
"Still, you shouldn't have used that spell on him. People might wonder where you learn those things."
"All people think the same - 'That know-it-all learned it from some book.'"
"You are not a know-it-all Hermione. You are an extremely smart girl with very impressive study habits."
Hermione blushed. She had heard that before. But it meant a lot when it came from her new professor and friend. She had met Stojakovic in the same mall where she and Malfoy went shopping..
"Yes Ms. Rigby, this is Hermione. I just want to speak to my mother. Is she busy?" Hermione said when she called her mom's clinic with her cellphone. "Oh hi mom! Why's your cell off? Oh. No,no it's not urgent. I just wanted to say they're out of tomatoes." Hermione laughed. "Mom, we can't make pasta Bolognese without tomatoes. Ok. Ok. Ok. Bye mom." Then she smiled. "Love you too."
Hermione walked out of the store. Then someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing. Are you THE Hermione Granger?"
She looked at this someone who tapped her shoulder. It was a lady with dark hair and black eyes. She looked young and kind. She smiled when Hermione nodded.
"I'm Vera Stojakovic. I'm going to teach Hogwarts this September." Stojakovic said as she extended her hand.
"Really?" Hermione said as she shook Stojakovic's hand. /I thought you were a student!/ "Wow! Nice to meet you."
Hermione didn't need to ask what subject Stojakovic was teaching. Her last defense against the dark arts teacher had to move out of the country. /For the first time, a woman would teach that subject. Sure, Lupin was great, but it might be different with a woman's touch./
"It's nice to meet you too." Stojakovic smiled. "I've heard so much about you."
Hermione smiled back. "Do you live in the muggle world too?"
"No. Um. Actually, I need to meet someone here - in front of some sports store. I just have one problem." She sighed. "I don't know where it is."
"Well, there are two sports stores here. I'll take you to both." Hermione said helpfully.
"Oh no. That wouldn't be necessary." Stojakovic said.
"But I insist. It would be no trouble at all."
Hermione took her to 'Ricky's Sports' store. Stojakovic frowned when she saw it. "No Hermione, this isn't it. He said that it was a store with a yellow and orange sign."
Hermione laughed. "Why didn't you say so? I know where it is."
She then led her to 'Sports Inc.' Stojakovic frowned again. "Oh no. He's not yet here. Do you know the time?"
Hermione looked at her watch. "Um.. one-thirty."
"He's late." Stojakovic said.
"Who? Your husband?"
"Hermione, I don't even have a boyfriend." She laughed. "I'm just meeting a friend."
"Well, we can wait for him here. Whoever your friend is." Hermione said.
"He actually has a son studying at Hogwarts. Maybe you know him? His name is.." Stojakovic stopped when someone bumped into her. They exchanged their apologies. Stojakovic forgot what she left off in the conversation, so she just said, "He's not here yet. Why don't we eat something?"
Hermione wanted to know whom Stojakovic was meeting. But she figured that it would be better if she kept her nose out of someone else's business.
They went to the food court. Hermione didn't eat anything because she was full up. Stojakovic, on the other hand, ordered a lot. Hermione was amazed at how slim Stojakovic was; considering how much she ate in just one sitting: 2 burgers, 3 orders of onion rings, 2 milkshakes and 4 doughnuts.
"Wow. I'm amazed." Hermione said when Stojakovic finished everything.
"You and everyone else." Stojakovic said. "It's weird. I eat and eat but I still have the same weight."
"You probably exercise a lot." Hermione said.
"Are you kidding? I am the laziest person in this planet." Stojakovic joked.
Hermione smiled. Her new professor was different. /She was not like any of the other teachers. She's.. upbeat./
Hermione noticed the book Stojakovic was carrying. And, as usual, it caught her interest.
"Is that a good book?" Hermione said pointing at the black book.
"It's just a collection of spells and stuff." Stojakovic said as she handed the book to Hermione. "I'm trying to figure out their counter-curses."
Hermione looked through the pages and saw spells she's never heard of. When she saw a spell that can make a person hate chocolates, Hermione was hooked. /Ron has been eating too much chocolate, it's appalling for him./
Stojakovic smiled when she saw Hermione reading the book absorbedly. "You can borrow it if you like. You can help me make counter-curses."
"Really?" Hermione said gratefully.
"Really. It's a thanks for helping me." Stojakovic said as she stood up. "I really have to go now."
"Ok. Thanks Professor. See you at Hogwarts." Hermione said as she stood up too.
"See yah! And take good care of that book." Stojakovic said as she headed for the sports store.
"Of course I will." Hermione said.
Hermione smiled when she remembered that time. /She is just too cool./
"Uhh.. Hermione? You alright?" Stojakovic asked. "You kinda dazed out or something."
"I'm fine. I'm just tired." Hermione said.
"You really have to get more sleep. Have you been working late?" Stojakovic asked.
"Only my Potions homework. I don't know why I have to do it. Snape punished us for no reason at all."
"What do you mean?" Stojakovic asked.
Hermione explained everything - the fire crabs homework, his weird mood, the points to Gryffindor - everything.
"We fought that day." Stojakovic said, deep in thought.
"You fought?"
"Not a fight, fight. We disagreed. He said things about some students." She paused. "But, it's no big deal. It's done."
Then, out of the blue, Hermione asked her, "Do you like him?"
Stojakovic was taken aback for a moment. Then she smiled. Her smile said everything.
Hermione changed the subject. She regretted asking that question; now, she had to deal with Stojakovic actually being interested in Snape. /Yuck!/
"I've heard rumors that you taught in Durmstrang."
"Yes I have. Excellent school, a lot like Hogwarts." Then Stojakovic grinned. "You know, you're a celebrity there. I mean, you and Krum.."
"Oh. That." Hermione said.
"Well, off to bed. Promise me you won't work on your homework tonight."
"Good night professor." Hermione said. /I'm not making any promises./
----------
Ron, Harry and Hermione were walking through Hogsmeade. It was a perfect Saturday - sunny sky, cool breeze. Hermione slept well last night. But she did have a hard time falling asleep. She couldn't help but think - Malfoy's mother, Stojakovic and Snape, her homework - everything was irresolute. But that didn't matter for now; she was having a wonderful time with Harry and Ron today.
They entered the Three Broomsticks and to their surprise, Malfoy was there. He was seated at the farthest table, silent. Pansy was there beside him, blabbing.
"Amazing." Harry said. "He hasn't insulted us all day."
Hermione knew why. She hasn't mentioned the death of Malfoy's mother to anyone. She wanted to tell Harry to lay off. But she couldn't.
They ordered butterbeer and talked. Actually, Harry and Ron talked. Hermione was just as silent as Malfoy.
"We're gonna crush Slytherin like we did last year." Harry said elatedly.
"Yeah!" Ron told Harry. "We were excellent last year!"
Ron was able to play for the Gryffindor team last year. He was Fred's last minute replacement because the twins went a little too far with one of their jokes; so Fred got, um, injured. Ron has never played the position of a beater before last year. He surprised everyone, including himself, with his ability. Ron's illustrious double-handed assault on the Slytherin seeker, Malfoy, led to Gryffindor's victory. So, naturally, there is a space for him in the Gryffindor team this year.
"Do you remember Malfoy's face when your Bludger hit him?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. One of my most treasured memories!" Ron said in a swoony sort of way.
Hermione didn't say anything to them. She didn't give the impression that she was mad or anything. She just looked sleepy. Whenever Ron would ask her if she was alright. Hermione would always say, "I'm just tired."
"Guys, let's go to the Quidditch store. Lightning08 is FINALLY on display." Ron said.
"It is? I thought it would be next week." Harry said, his eyes widening.
Hermione had noticed that Pansy left Malfoy alone for some reason. And he was seated there - all alone. He was depressed and Pansy obviously didn't notice it. Hermione thought it might be best if she talked to Malfoy. /How would I feel if I lost my mother?/
"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up with you later." Hermione told the guys.
Ron looked at Malfoy. Then at Hermione. "Hermione.."
Harry suddenly interrupted Ron and said, "Alright Hermione. We will meet you there."
When Harry and Ron walked out of Three Broomsticks, Harry asked Ron, "Are you crazy?"
"What did I do this time?"
"You wanna start a war or something?" Harry said. "That wasn't the right time OR place!"
"Look, Harry, something IS going on with them. I just want to know.."
"RON. Hermione isn't like that."
----------
Hermione slowly approached the still Malfoy. She didn't know what to say. /How do you comfort an enemy?/
"Hi." Hermione said.
"Hi." Malfoy said.
/Halleluiah! He spoke!/ Hermione didn't know what to say next. "Where's Pansy?"
"Of to buy stuff to make her beautiful. Or at least that's what I heard." He said uneasily.
Hermione noticed that Malfoy wasn't himself. "May I sit down?"
"Fine." Malfoy said.
That was when she finally found the words she was looking for. "Malfoy, I cannot tell you that I know what you're going through right now. Because I don't. But I know how hard it is to lose someone you love."
After a long pause, Malfoy spoke up, "What is it with death? Why does the world work like this? You never tell her you love her until she's gone."
"I, honestly.. don't know." There was a long pause again. Hermione broke the silence. "I think you should just, well, say that you love that person while she's still alive."
"Hermione." Malfoy said.
She was stunned. /He has never uttered my FIRST name. It was different. It was odd. It was - ok./
"Hermione." Malfoy said again. This time he looked straight into her eyes. "I Lo.."
Hermione was looking straight at him. His face was abstemious. She saw his hand reach for hers.
When his hand did reach hers..
"Ow!" Hermione said. She rubbed her hand. Malfoy had hit it.
"GOTCHA!" Malfoy said, he was laughing uncontrollably, he almost fell off his chair.
Malfoy was turning red already. "Oh, Granger! You.. should.. have.. seen.. your.. face.. 'I know how hard it is to lose someone you love.'" He quoted Hermione, he was still laughing.
Hermione knew the whole thing was a gag. She knew it was a terrible joke played on her. But, for some reason, she didn't feel like getting mad. She looked at Malfoy, he was pounding his fist on the table. He was laughing. His laugh was pure bliss. Then she realized how stupid the whole thing was. She couldn't help it - she started laughing too.
For a few seconds, they looked like a couple of retards laughing for no reason. They FINALLY got fed up with it. Then Hermione abruptly hit Malfoy's hand.
"I got you good, Granger!" Malfoy said. He ignored the pain in his hand.
"I have to admit. That was one of your better." Hermione said, smiling.
"Granger.. you should've seen your face!" Malfoy said. "Honestly.." /You looked inexplicable!/
"Shut up. You should have seen yours!" /You looked inexplicable!/
"It was, oh, so perfect! I knew you'd sit here. I knew you'd feel like you had the duty to talk to me. The plan was.. perfect! Perfect, perfect, perfect!" Malfoy's smile was getting bigger and bigger.
"Look. Malfoy. I know you find joy in this sort of thing but promise NEVER to do this to me again!" Hermione said, though not so aggravated.
"Oh please.. Fine.. I'll never ever do this again." Malfoy said. He held his hand high.
"You are such a liar.." Hermione said when she saw Malfoy cross his fingers.
"Tut tut.. A Malfoy does not lie. A Malfoy simply - acts."
"Whatever, Malfoy." Hermione said in an airy sort of way.
"Hey! Don't blame this one on me.. It was all Snape's idea."
Hermione was surprised. /Snape?/
Annoyed? Why? You really thought Malfoy's mom was dead? Oh please.. kidding! *smiles at leach*
Chapter 8: Slick
"Oh sorry, Professor." Hermione said when she realized whom she hit.
"Hermione, you look tired. Go get some rest." Stojakovic said, ignoring the apology.
"I'm not tired, I'm exhausted. Detention is very, very exhausting."
"Well, you shouldn't have started that duel with Mr. Malfoy."
"I did not.. start it." Hermione said defensively.
"Still, you shouldn't have used that spell on him. People might wonder where you learn those things."
"All people think the same - 'That know-it-all learned it from some book.'"
"You are not a know-it-all Hermione. You are an extremely smart girl with very impressive study habits."
Hermione blushed. She had heard that before. But it meant a lot when it came from her new professor and friend. She had met Stojakovic in the same mall where she and Malfoy went shopping..
"Yes Ms. Rigby, this is Hermione. I just want to speak to my mother. Is she busy?" Hermione said when she called her mom's clinic with her cellphone. "Oh hi mom! Why's your cell off? Oh. No,no it's not urgent. I just wanted to say they're out of tomatoes." Hermione laughed. "Mom, we can't make pasta Bolognese without tomatoes. Ok. Ok. Ok. Bye mom." Then she smiled. "Love you too."
Hermione walked out of the store. Then someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing. Are you THE Hermione Granger?"
She looked at this someone who tapped her shoulder. It was a lady with dark hair and black eyes. She looked young and kind. She smiled when Hermione nodded.
"I'm Vera Stojakovic. I'm going to teach Hogwarts this September." Stojakovic said as she extended her hand.
"Really?" Hermione said as she shook Stojakovic's hand. /I thought you were a student!/ "Wow! Nice to meet you."
Hermione didn't need to ask what subject Stojakovic was teaching. Her last defense against the dark arts teacher had to move out of the country. /For the first time, a woman would teach that subject. Sure, Lupin was great, but it might be different with a woman's touch./
"It's nice to meet you too." Stojakovic smiled. "I've heard so much about you."
Hermione smiled back. "Do you live in the muggle world too?"
"No. Um. Actually, I need to meet someone here - in front of some sports store. I just have one problem." She sighed. "I don't know where it is."
"Well, there are two sports stores here. I'll take you to both." Hermione said helpfully.
"Oh no. That wouldn't be necessary." Stojakovic said.
"But I insist. It would be no trouble at all."
Hermione took her to 'Ricky's Sports' store. Stojakovic frowned when she saw it. "No Hermione, this isn't it. He said that it was a store with a yellow and orange sign."
Hermione laughed. "Why didn't you say so? I know where it is."
She then led her to 'Sports Inc.' Stojakovic frowned again. "Oh no. He's not yet here. Do you know the time?"
Hermione looked at her watch. "Um.. one-thirty."
"He's late." Stojakovic said.
"Who? Your husband?"
"Hermione, I don't even have a boyfriend." She laughed. "I'm just meeting a friend."
"Well, we can wait for him here. Whoever your friend is." Hermione said.
"He actually has a son studying at Hogwarts. Maybe you know him? His name is.." Stojakovic stopped when someone bumped into her. They exchanged their apologies. Stojakovic forgot what she left off in the conversation, so she just said, "He's not here yet. Why don't we eat something?"
Hermione wanted to know whom Stojakovic was meeting. But she figured that it would be better if she kept her nose out of someone else's business.
They went to the food court. Hermione didn't eat anything because she was full up. Stojakovic, on the other hand, ordered a lot. Hermione was amazed at how slim Stojakovic was; considering how much she ate in just one sitting: 2 burgers, 3 orders of onion rings, 2 milkshakes and 4 doughnuts.
"Wow. I'm amazed." Hermione said when Stojakovic finished everything.
"You and everyone else." Stojakovic said. "It's weird. I eat and eat but I still have the same weight."
"You probably exercise a lot." Hermione said.
"Are you kidding? I am the laziest person in this planet." Stojakovic joked.
Hermione smiled. Her new professor was different. /She was not like any of the other teachers. She's.. upbeat./
Hermione noticed the book Stojakovic was carrying. And, as usual, it caught her interest.
"Is that a good book?" Hermione said pointing at the black book.
"It's just a collection of spells and stuff." Stojakovic said as she handed the book to Hermione. "I'm trying to figure out their counter-curses."
Hermione looked through the pages and saw spells she's never heard of. When she saw a spell that can make a person hate chocolates, Hermione was hooked. /Ron has been eating too much chocolate, it's appalling for him./
Stojakovic smiled when she saw Hermione reading the book absorbedly. "You can borrow it if you like. You can help me make counter-curses."
"Really?" Hermione said gratefully.
"Really. It's a thanks for helping me." Stojakovic said as she stood up. "I really have to go now."
"Ok. Thanks Professor. See you at Hogwarts." Hermione said as she stood up too.
"See yah! And take good care of that book." Stojakovic said as she headed for the sports store.
"Of course I will." Hermione said.
Hermione smiled when she remembered that time. /She is just too cool./
"Uhh.. Hermione? You alright?" Stojakovic asked. "You kinda dazed out or something."
"I'm fine. I'm just tired." Hermione said.
"You really have to get more sleep. Have you been working late?" Stojakovic asked.
"Only my Potions homework. I don't know why I have to do it. Snape punished us for no reason at all."
"What do you mean?" Stojakovic asked.
Hermione explained everything - the fire crabs homework, his weird mood, the points to Gryffindor - everything.
"We fought that day." Stojakovic said, deep in thought.
"You fought?"
"Not a fight, fight. We disagreed. He said things about some students." She paused. "But, it's no big deal. It's done."
Then, out of the blue, Hermione asked her, "Do you like him?"
Stojakovic was taken aback for a moment. Then she smiled. Her smile said everything.
Hermione changed the subject. She regretted asking that question; now, she had to deal with Stojakovic actually being interested in Snape. /Yuck!/
"I've heard rumors that you taught in Durmstrang."
"Yes I have. Excellent school, a lot like Hogwarts." Then Stojakovic grinned. "You know, you're a celebrity there. I mean, you and Krum.."
"Oh. That." Hermione said.
"Well, off to bed. Promise me you won't work on your homework tonight."
"Good night professor." Hermione said. /I'm not making any promises./
----------
Ron, Harry and Hermione were walking through Hogsmeade. It was a perfect Saturday - sunny sky, cool breeze. Hermione slept well last night. But she did have a hard time falling asleep. She couldn't help but think - Malfoy's mother, Stojakovic and Snape, her homework - everything was irresolute. But that didn't matter for now; she was having a wonderful time with Harry and Ron today.
They entered the Three Broomsticks and to their surprise, Malfoy was there. He was seated at the farthest table, silent. Pansy was there beside him, blabbing.
"Amazing." Harry said. "He hasn't insulted us all day."
Hermione knew why. She hasn't mentioned the death of Malfoy's mother to anyone. She wanted to tell Harry to lay off. But she couldn't.
They ordered butterbeer and talked. Actually, Harry and Ron talked. Hermione was just as silent as Malfoy.
"We're gonna crush Slytherin like we did last year." Harry said elatedly.
"Yeah!" Ron told Harry. "We were excellent last year!"
Ron was able to play for the Gryffindor team last year. He was Fred's last minute replacement because the twins went a little too far with one of their jokes; so Fred got, um, injured. Ron has never played the position of a beater before last year. He surprised everyone, including himself, with his ability. Ron's illustrious double-handed assault on the Slytherin seeker, Malfoy, led to Gryffindor's victory. So, naturally, there is a space for him in the Gryffindor team this year.
"Do you remember Malfoy's face when your Bludger hit him?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. One of my most treasured memories!" Ron said in a swoony sort of way.
Hermione didn't say anything to them. She didn't give the impression that she was mad or anything. She just looked sleepy. Whenever Ron would ask her if she was alright. Hermione would always say, "I'm just tired."
"Guys, let's go to the Quidditch store. Lightning08 is FINALLY on display." Ron said.
"It is? I thought it would be next week." Harry said, his eyes widening.
Hermione had noticed that Pansy left Malfoy alone for some reason. And he was seated there - all alone. He was depressed and Pansy obviously didn't notice it. Hermione thought it might be best if she talked to Malfoy. /How would I feel if I lost my mother?/
"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up with you later." Hermione told the guys.
Ron looked at Malfoy. Then at Hermione. "Hermione.."
Harry suddenly interrupted Ron and said, "Alright Hermione. We will meet you there."
When Harry and Ron walked out of Three Broomsticks, Harry asked Ron, "Are you crazy?"
"What did I do this time?"
"You wanna start a war or something?" Harry said. "That wasn't the right time OR place!"
"Look, Harry, something IS going on with them. I just want to know.."
"RON. Hermione isn't like that."
----------
Hermione slowly approached the still Malfoy. She didn't know what to say. /How do you comfort an enemy?/
"Hi." Hermione said.
"Hi." Malfoy said.
/Halleluiah! He spoke!/ Hermione didn't know what to say next. "Where's Pansy?"
"Of to buy stuff to make her beautiful. Or at least that's what I heard." He said uneasily.
Hermione noticed that Malfoy wasn't himself. "May I sit down?"
"Fine." Malfoy said.
That was when she finally found the words she was looking for. "Malfoy, I cannot tell you that I know what you're going through right now. Because I don't. But I know how hard it is to lose someone you love."
After a long pause, Malfoy spoke up, "What is it with death? Why does the world work like this? You never tell her you love her until she's gone."
"I, honestly.. don't know." There was a long pause again. Hermione broke the silence. "I think you should just, well, say that you love that person while she's still alive."
"Hermione." Malfoy said.
She was stunned. /He has never uttered my FIRST name. It was different. It was odd. It was - ok./
"Hermione." Malfoy said again. This time he looked straight into her eyes. "I Lo.."
Hermione was looking straight at him. His face was abstemious. She saw his hand reach for hers.
When his hand did reach hers..
"Ow!" Hermione said. She rubbed her hand. Malfoy had hit it.
"GOTCHA!" Malfoy said, he was laughing uncontrollably, he almost fell off his chair.
Malfoy was turning red already. "Oh, Granger! You.. should.. have.. seen.. your.. face.. 'I know how hard it is to lose someone you love.'" He quoted Hermione, he was still laughing.
Hermione knew the whole thing was a gag. She knew it was a terrible joke played on her. But, for some reason, she didn't feel like getting mad. She looked at Malfoy, he was pounding his fist on the table. He was laughing. His laugh was pure bliss. Then she realized how stupid the whole thing was. She couldn't help it - she started laughing too.
For a few seconds, they looked like a couple of retards laughing for no reason. They FINALLY got fed up with it. Then Hermione abruptly hit Malfoy's hand.
"I got you good, Granger!" Malfoy said. He ignored the pain in his hand.
"I have to admit. That was one of your better." Hermione said, smiling.
"Granger.. you should've seen your face!" Malfoy said. "Honestly.." /You looked inexplicable!/
"Shut up. You should have seen yours!" /You looked inexplicable!/
"It was, oh, so perfect! I knew you'd sit here. I knew you'd feel like you had the duty to talk to me. The plan was.. perfect! Perfect, perfect, perfect!" Malfoy's smile was getting bigger and bigger.
"Look. Malfoy. I know you find joy in this sort of thing but promise NEVER to do this to me again!" Hermione said, though not so aggravated.
"Oh please.. Fine.. I'll never ever do this again." Malfoy said. He held his hand high.
"You are such a liar.." Hermione said when she saw Malfoy cross his fingers.
"Tut tut.. A Malfoy does not lie. A Malfoy simply - acts."
"Whatever, Malfoy." Hermione said in an airy sort of way.
"Hey! Don't blame this one on me.. It was all Snape's idea."
Hermione was surprised. /Snape?/
Annoyed? Why? You really thought Malfoy's mom was dead? Oh please.. kidding! *smiles at leach*