Just Thinking

Rating: G

Disclaimer: Her Highness Rowling owns it all

Part III

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The bell rang, and Hermione stomped out of her History of Magic class. She couldn't believe it! How could Professor Binns not even *mention* the Goblin Treaty of 1632?! She had spent *hours* reviewing its finer points, such as the precise locations of the "autonomous zones", far away from humans, where goblins were still permitted to live in their traditional fashion. She headed for the Gryffindor dormitory. How could he?!

//Oh come on, Hermione, give it a break.//

//I will not! That was an extremely important treaty. It is a prime example of the way in which wizard treatment of magical creatures has become more humane over the years.//

//Oh for the love of God, don't use that voice with me.//

//What voice?//

//You know. The I'm-answering-a-question-in-class-so-I'm-going-to-sound-all-smart-and-superior-as-if-I've-just-swallowed-the-whole-bloody-textbook voice.//

//Hmph! Well, it was an important treaty. Not that we don't have a long way to go still with magical creatures' rights, such as, say, HOUSE ELVES.//

At this point Hermione realized she had walked right past the portrait of the Fat Lady, and had to backtrack halfway down the corridor. She said the password, and the portrait swung out, admitting her to the common room. She headed straight up to her dormitory and lay down on her bed.

//So tell me, Hermione, why *are* you such a prig?//

//??!//

//Everyone says you are, they can't be all wrong… //

//I choose to take my education seriously. Is that suddenly a crime? If other people feel like wasting their- //

//Eh, eh. Voice… //

//Fine! I'm only saying that it's my business how I decide to spend my time.//

//Hermione, there is more to your life that your education.//

//But I need to learn as much as I can in order to- //

//Don't even go there. If you did half the work you currently do from now until seventh year, you would probably still be named Head Girl. You can afford to slow down a little. Spend less time in the library and more with your friends.//

//But I don't know *how*.//

"Hermione! Can I believe my eyes? Hey, Lavender, come look!" Parvati called across the room. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime sight: Hermione isn't studying! What *are* you doing?

"Just thinking."

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Sam Davidson