Disclaimer: None of these characters, except Carey Burke and Professor Limb, belong to me.
FROM MY HEAD TO MY HEART
Chapter Five: Something About the Way You Look Tonight
"They both had warts," James blurted.
Hermione and the marauders busted up laughing. James seemed to know an awful lot of funny jokes.
"Ok, got one. Knock knock," James began, putting down his drink.
"Who's there?" Peter answered.
"Snape," James said, trying to keep from laughing.
"Snape who?" Peter asked.
"Snape, come out of the closet, it was just a mouse," James blurted.
The marauders laughed. Hermione thought it was little funny, but rude to laugh at.
"Here's another!" James said, getting his breath back. "What do you get when you leave Snape out during a full moon?"
"What?" Peter asked.
"Wolf bait," James laughed.
Remus cleared his throat uncomfortably. Hermione just smiled. Why had all the jokes suddenly turned Snape-based? Couldn't they move on to something else? Hermione didn't even know why she was so uncomfortable about the whole thing. It was just Snape.
"Try this one," James started, still laughing at his other joke. "What's the difference between Snape and a possum? One's a conniving, villainous, ugly rodent. The other is just an animal."
Sirius almost spit up his tripe he was laughing so hard. Peter doubled over. It wasn't even all that funny. The marauders just had the ridiculous pastime of teasing Snape. Really, he had not done a thing to them. Though it would be rare in the future, Snape had not seemed to be too much of a pest.
Hermione looked over her shoulder at Snape. He seemed to have been watching her because he instantly looked away when she glimpsed him. He made himself busy reading some book. Hermione smiled, watching the way his fingers nervously tapped the table. Faking a yawn, Snape looked up for just an instant then returned to reading. His dark eyes were rather enticing.
Hermione spun away immediately, trying to focus on the conversation of the marauders. She couldn't believe the thoughts that had gone through her head. About Snape, of all people. How could she think that way about him? He was a grease ball, a jerk, and totally not worth a second look. It was hard not to look.
"We'd better get finishing up," Remus told them, looking at his watch. "I do believe time draws near."
"We have Potions next," James groaned.
"Wonderful hour of watching Snape answer questions like they're going out of style," Sirius muttered, getting up from the table.
Hermione thought for a moment. It sounded a bit like what she would do.
"Coming to this class, 'Mione?" James asked.
"No, I don't think so," Hermione told them.
"More power to you," Sirius said. "I wonder how you do it without getting caught."
"Lucky, I guess," Hermione smiled nervously.
The marauders said goodbye to Hermione and started out of the Great Hall. Hermione felt a strange tingle run down her spine as she thought of Snape watching her leave. She didn't want him to watch her. She wanted nothing to with him.
Quickly, Hermione stood up and rushed from the Great Hall. She headed toward the main entrance. Just as she opened the giant wooden door, someone called her name. It was Snape. Hermione took a deep breath. It was only Snape. Stupid, annoying Snape.
She turned around, forcing a pleasant smile on her face. Snape stood before her, seeming sad. He was so tall, Hermione noted, and the black of his robes complimented his dark eyes. Hermione had to mentally ridicule herself again.
"You wanted something?" Hermione asked.
"Where're you going?" Snape retorted, glancing around the Entrance Hall. "Shouldn't you be heading to Potions. I do believe that Slytherin and Gryffindor have this class together."
"I don't need to go to class," Hermione explained, her hand on the brass door nob of the main entrance. "Since I won't be here that long, it doesn't matter about class."
"Are you proceeding with the investigation without me?" Snape demanded, worriedly.
Hermione just nodded.
"Oh," Snape murmured, head lowered. "I guess I'll go to class then."
"Talk to you later, Snape," Hermione said, starting back out the door.
"Severus!" Snape blurted. "You can call me Severus."
Hermione looked back at him and smiled slightly.
"No, I don't think so," She said, acting wry but feeling nervous.
*************
Hermione wandered around the castle grounds. She had already scouted the entire perimeter of the castle and found no roads. Hermione wondered if the meaning of Devia was code or something. It didn't seem to be any road. Maybe it didn't go directly to the castle. Maybe it just led to Hogsmeade or some such place so that Hogwarts could be found. Hermione eyed the Forbidden Forest. That seemed like a likely place that Voldemort would enter through. She dared not go in, though.
Hermione looked at her watch and considered going to class. It had been a while since she had gotten real learning. She missed it. Of course, that would mean running into Snape. Hermione had no need to be scared of Snape. He was a Slytherin. No Slytherin scared her. Hermione nodded and started back toward the castle.
Outside Potions class smelt faintly of rotten eggs and skunk. That meant one thing. They were brewing a poison cure potion. Hermione felt she would rather die of poisoning than drink that stuff.
Slowly, she opened the door and entered.
"Nice of you to join us, Miss Granger," the short, female professor said.
She was a good half-foot shorter than Hermione with spiky black hair and little round glasses. She had a nagging voice, but always kept a smile.
"I was having a conversation with Dumbledore, Professor Limb," Hermione lied.
Professor Limb just nodded.
Hermione headed up to where James and them were.
"Would you like me to explain what we're doing?" Remus offered kindly.
"You appear to be in the middle of the simmering process of the poison cure potion," Hermione droned, plugging her nose. "Have you put in the echinacea yet?"
"Just about to," James said, looking at Hermione curiously. "You're good at potions?"
Hermione nodded.
"Next," began Professor Limb, "we'll add the Doxy powder. Can anyone tell me why we add this though it has no medicinal value?"
Hermione raised her hand. Limb looked surprised. Hermione looked over and saw Snape's hand was up too, and he was looking surprised back at her. She quickly looked away from him.
"Granger, for a change," Limb said.
"The Doxy powder numbs the senses of smell and taste so that the patient doesn't suffer through this potion's unpleasant pungency and taste," Hermione explained.
"That is very correct, Miss Granger," Limb commented.
"Add it, quick!" Hermione snapped at James.
Just then, the door opened and a guy walked in. Hermione almost fell out at the sight of him. He had shoulder-length dark blonde hair that was full of body and bounced as he walked. He had a beautiful smile Hermione just wanted to stare at forever. He reminded her of a young Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked James as the blonde made his way to his seat.
"That's Carey Burke," James told her. "He's the Slytherin team captain."
Carey Burke? That was the name of the future's Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. He looked way different in the future. He was so old in the future. In the past, he was, he was...
"He is brilliant," Hermione sighed.
The marauders busted up laughing.
"What?" Hermione demanded.
"You have a thing for Burke!" Sirius laughed.
Hermione blushed.
"I can set you up," Peter offered. "He's the friend of a friend."
"No," Hermione said, still blushing. "I don't even know him."
"I know he doesn't have a girlfriend," Remus put in.
"I can put in a good word for you the next Quidditch match," James suggested.
"Thanks for trying to help, but I don't think-" Hermione began.
"I hear he likes smart girls," Sirius whispered.
Hermione smiled, shaking her head.
James chuckled as he added the Doxy powder to the potion they were brewing. Hermione glanced over at Carey Burke. He was sitting just behind Snape, smiling widely and laughing with a bunch of other Slytherins. Snape, on the other hand, sat alone and merely studied his potions book.
"Yule Ball is coming up," Sirius announced.
Hermione looked at him curiously, wondering why he would make that certain observation at that moment.
"I can get Carey to ask you," Sirius smirked, nodding toward where Carey sat.
Hermione wasn't about to let on that she was looking at Snape, so she just went with Carey. She had been looking at him too.
"How would you get him to ask me?" She queried, folding her arms skeptically.
"I have my ways," Sirius said, winking.
"Sure, get Carey to ask me," Hermione allowed. "I won't guarantee that I'll say yes."
"Right," Sirius laughed.
"What's next?" James asked, peering down at the potion.
Hermione picked up a leafy plant and began to tear it and put the pieces in the cauldron.
"Mix it thoroughly," Hermione instructed.
James did so.
"I think I'll talk to Carey," Sirius said, wiping his hands and smiling at Hermione.
Sirius walked across the room and pushed into Carey's group. Sirius whispered to Carey, then pointed to Hermione. Carey looked at Hermione and smiled his award-winning smile. It wasn't directed at her, more about her. Carey and Sirius chatted for a moment and then Sirius rushed back over.
"Well?" Hermione asked.
"He says your cute and he'll think about asking you," Sirius told her.
Hermione blushed. She had never before been referred to as cute. The idea that a guy as hot as Carey might ask her out was very flattering. Hermione noticed that Carey smiled at her a few times before the end of class.
As Professor Limb dismissed class, Hermione and the marauders got ready to leave. Hermione saw Snape try to make his way over to her, but Carey had beaten him.
"Hey," Carey greeted, his perfect smile on his face. "Hermione, is it?"
Hermione nodded, smiling dreamily at him.
"I'm Carey Burke," he said, running his fingers through his fluffy blonde hair.
A/N: I guess you're thinking that it's a weird ending to a chapter. Your right. I felt it would have more of an impact ended here. I'm sorry this is a short chapter.
FROM MY HEAD TO MY HEART
Chapter Five: Something About the Way You Look Tonight
"They both had warts," James blurted.
Hermione and the marauders busted up laughing. James seemed to know an awful lot of funny jokes.
"Ok, got one. Knock knock," James began, putting down his drink.
"Who's there?" Peter answered.
"Snape," James said, trying to keep from laughing.
"Snape who?" Peter asked.
"Snape, come out of the closet, it was just a mouse," James blurted.
The marauders laughed. Hermione thought it was little funny, but rude to laugh at.
"Here's another!" James said, getting his breath back. "What do you get when you leave Snape out during a full moon?"
"What?" Peter asked.
"Wolf bait," James laughed.
Remus cleared his throat uncomfortably. Hermione just smiled. Why had all the jokes suddenly turned Snape-based? Couldn't they move on to something else? Hermione didn't even know why she was so uncomfortable about the whole thing. It was just Snape.
"Try this one," James started, still laughing at his other joke. "What's the difference between Snape and a possum? One's a conniving, villainous, ugly rodent. The other is just an animal."
Sirius almost spit up his tripe he was laughing so hard. Peter doubled over. It wasn't even all that funny. The marauders just had the ridiculous pastime of teasing Snape. Really, he had not done a thing to them. Though it would be rare in the future, Snape had not seemed to be too much of a pest.
Hermione looked over her shoulder at Snape. He seemed to have been watching her because he instantly looked away when she glimpsed him. He made himself busy reading some book. Hermione smiled, watching the way his fingers nervously tapped the table. Faking a yawn, Snape looked up for just an instant then returned to reading. His dark eyes were rather enticing.
Hermione spun away immediately, trying to focus on the conversation of the marauders. She couldn't believe the thoughts that had gone through her head. About Snape, of all people. How could she think that way about him? He was a grease ball, a jerk, and totally not worth a second look. It was hard not to look.
"We'd better get finishing up," Remus told them, looking at his watch. "I do believe time draws near."
"We have Potions next," James groaned.
"Wonderful hour of watching Snape answer questions like they're going out of style," Sirius muttered, getting up from the table.
Hermione thought for a moment. It sounded a bit like what she would do.
"Coming to this class, 'Mione?" James asked.
"No, I don't think so," Hermione told them.
"More power to you," Sirius said. "I wonder how you do it without getting caught."
"Lucky, I guess," Hermione smiled nervously.
The marauders said goodbye to Hermione and started out of the Great Hall. Hermione felt a strange tingle run down her spine as she thought of Snape watching her leave. She didn't want him to watch her. She wanted nothing to with him.
Quickly, Hermione stood up and rushed from the Great Hall. She headed toward the main entrance. Just as she opened the giant wooden door, someone called her name. It was Snape. Hermione took a deep breath. It was only Snape. Stupid, annoying Snape.
She turned around, forcing a pleasant smile on her face. Snape stood before her, seeming sad. He was so tall, Hermione noted, and the black of his robes complimented his dark eyes. Hermione had to mentally ridicule herself again.
"You wanted something?" Hermione asked.
"Where're you going?" Snape retorted, glancing around the Entrance Hall. "Shouldn't you be heading to Potions. I do believe that Slytherin and Gryffindor have this class together."
"I don't need to go to class," Hermione explained, her hand on the brass door nob of the main entrance. "Since I won't be here that long, it doesn't matter about class."
"Are you proceeding with the investigation without me?" Snape demanded, worriedly.
Hermione just nodded.
"Oh," Snape murmured, head lowered. "I guess I'll go to class then."
"Talk to you later, Snape," Hermione said, starting back out the door.
"Severus!" Snape blurted. "You can call me Severus."
Hermione looked back at him and smiled slightly.
"No, I don't think so," She said, acting wry but feeling nervous.
*************
Hermione wandered around the castle grounds. She had already scouted the entire perimeter of the castle and found no roads. Hermione wondered if the meaning of Devia was code or something. It didn't seem to be any road. Maybe it didn't go directly to the castle. Maybe it just led to Hogsmeade or some such place so that Hogwarts could be found. Hermione eyed the Forbidden Forest. That seemed like a likely place that Voldemort would enter through. She dared not go in, though.
Hermione looked at her watch and considered going to class. It had been a while since she had gotten real learning. She missed it. Of course, that would mean running into Snape. Hermione had no need to be scared of Snape. He was a Slytherin. No Slytherin scared her. Hermione nodded and started back toward the castle.
Outside Potions class smelt faintly of rotten eggs and skunk. That meant one thing. They were brewing a poison cure potion. Hermione felt she would rather die of poisoning than drink that stuff.
Slowly, she opened the door and entered.
"Nice of you to join us, Miss Granger," the short, female professor said.
She was a good half-foot shorter than Hermione with spiky black hair and little round glasses. She had a nagging voice, but always kept a smile.
"I was having a conversation with Dumbledore, Professor Limb," Hermione lied.
Professor Limb just nodded.
Hermione headed up to where James and them were.
"Would you like me to explain what we're doing?" Remus offered kindly.
"You appear to be in the middle of the simmering process of the poison cure potion," Hermione droned, plugging her nose. "Have you put in the echinacea yet?"
"Just about to," James said, looking at Hermione curiously. "You're good at potions?"
Hermione nodded.
"Next," began Professor Limb, "we'll add the Doxy powder. Can anyone tell me why we add this though it has no medicinal value?"
Hermione raised her hand. Limb looked surprised. Hermione looked over and saw Snape's hand was up too, and he was looking surprised back at her. She quickly looked away from him.
"Granger, for a change," Limb said.
"The Doxy powder numbs the senses of smell and taste so that the patient doesn't suffer through this potion's unpleasant pungency and taste," Hermione explained.
"That is very correct, Miss Granger," Limb commented.
"Add it, quick!" Hermione snapped at James.
Just then, the door opened and a guy walked in. Hermione almost fell out at the sight of him. He had shoulder-length dark blonde hair that was full of body and bounced as he walked. He had a beautiful smile Hermione just wanted to stare at forever. He reminded her of a young Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked James as the blonde made his way to his seat.
"That's Carey Burke," James told her. "He's the Slytherin team captain."
Carey Burke? That was the name of the future's Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. He looked way different in the future. He was so old in the future. In the past, he was, he was...
"He is brilliant," Hermione sighed.
The marauders busted up laughing.
"What?" Hermione demanded.
"You have a thing for Burke!" Sirius laughed.
Hermione blushed.
"I can set you up," Peter offered. "He's the friend of a friend."
"No," Hermione said, still blushing. "I don't even know him."
"I know he doesn't have a girlfriend," Remus put in.
"I can put in a good word for you the next Quidditch match," James suggested.
"Thanks for trying to help, but I don't think-" Hermione began.
"I hear he likes smart girls," Sirius whispered.
Hermione smiled, shaking her head.
James chuckled as he added the Doxy powder to the potion they were brewing. Hermione glanced over at Carey Burke. He was sitting just behind Snape, smiling widely and laughing with a bunch of other Slytherins. Snape, on the other hand, sat alone and merely studied his potions book.
"Yule Ball is coming up," Sirius announced.
Hermione looked at him curiously, wondering why he would make that certain observation at that moment.
"I can get Carey to ask you," Sirius smirked, nodding toward where Carey sat.
Hermione wasn't about to let on that she was looking at Snape, so she just went with Carey. She had been looking at him too.
"How would you get him to ask me?" She queried, folding her arms skeptically.
"I have my ways," Sirius said, winking.
"Sure, get Carey to ask me," Hermione allowed. "I won't guarantee that I'll say yes."
"Right," Sirius laughed.
"What's next?" James asked, peering down at the potion.
Hermione picked up a leafy plant and began to tear it and put the pieces in the cauldron.
"Mix it thoroughly," Hermione instructed.
James did so.
"I think I'll talk to Carey," Sirius said, wiping his hands and smiling at Hermione.
Sirius walked across the room and pushed into Carey's group. Sirius whispered to Carey, then pointed to Hermione. Carey looked at Hermione and smiled his award-winning smile. It wasn't directed at her, more about her. Carey and Sirius chatted for a moment and then Sirius rushed back over.
"Well?" Hermione asked.
"He says your cute and he'll think about asking you," Sirius told her.
Hermione blushed. She had never before been referred to as cute. The idea that a guy as hot as Carey might ask her out was very flattering. Hermione noticed that Carey smiled at her a few times before the end of class.
As Professor Limb dismissed class, Hermione and the marauders got ready to leave. Hermione saw Snape try to make his way over to her, but Carey had beaten him.
"Hey," Carey greeted, his perfect smile on his face. "Hermione, is it?"
Hermione nodded, smiling dreamily at him.
"I'm Carey Burke," he said, running his fingers through his fluffy blonde hair.
A/N: I guess you're thinking that it's a weird ending to a chapter. Your right. I felt it would have more of an impact ended here. I'm sorry this is a short chapter.