The New Professor

"Harry," Ron said, as Neville finally left their dorm, "have you noticed anything…different about Hermione." Harry shrugged. "She does seem a little…off. Not crazy, just…detached. Like something's bothering her. Something different then in first year. But, we didn't really know her for long in first year, maybe this is how she is. After all, she seemed different in second year, so maybe it was just like a maturing time for her, or something." Ron nodded, but didn't look convinced. "I've thought about that, but I don't think so. She even seems to have gradually changed over the time I've known her." Harry shrugged again. "People change. Now come on, it's after 8, and if we don't hurry the person in question is going to lecture us again." Ron laughed, but in the back of his mind, the little voice, that had been bothering him, was saying "something just isn't right."

He was been thinking about that, as he dug through his bag for the homework that he had to finish today, when he heard an impatient knock on his door. "Harry!…Ron!…Are you two even up yet? Can I come in?" came Hermione's voice, muted behind the door. Harry and Ron smirked at each other, and while Harry mouthed "I told you so." to Ron, Ron said "Yeah, you can come in!" and braced himself for the first speech of the day. Hermione opened the door and stomped in. Her mouth opened in shock. "You two aren't even dressed! You haven't even bothered to brush your hair yet!" "I have!" Harry interrupted her, somewhat irritated.

Hermione closed her mouth. She had been about to go into a rant about responsibility. "Yes…well," she began, suppressing giggles that threatened to bubble fourth, "well…um…it looks…well…" She broke off, when the laughter finally got away from her. Ron joined in, until Harry threw his pillow at him. "OY!" Ron shouted. "You know I can't help my hair, it has a mind of it's own." Harry said. "But…it…looks…so…so…so…" Hermione broke again into laughter. Finally when she regained her composure, she said, "Okay…Harry stop messing with your hair, it looks fine! Now both of you get dressed, or we'll be late for breakfast." With that, she turned on her heal and walked out, almost slamming the door. "No one asked you to wait!" Ron yelled at the shut door. Harry laughed, when his pillow smacked into his face. He looked at Ron with a look of, what he was trying for, complete rage. Ron was doubled over, laughing, tears were in the corner of his eyes.

"You…should see…your…face!" he managed to force out, between snickers. Harry glanced at the mirror next to Dean's bed, and had to laugh too. It was the dumbest face he'd seen in a while. "We've got to get ready, Hermione is likely to blow if we don't hurry." Harry said. Ron nodded, and headed for the bathroom, every now and again letting another chuckle escape.

*********

Hermione sat at a chair by the fireplace. "Those two! I swear, they are such idiots! What on Earth could be taking them so damn long? Honestly!" At about that moment they came walking down the stairs. She threw them a dirty look, before standing and heading for the exit. Harry and Ron followed her out, only to be assaulted by a lecture on being on time, and getting up early.

When they got into the Great Hall, they found it was already full, but there was no food on the table. They quickly found some seats. Dean asked "Have you guys heard? They finally managed to find a person to fill the DADA position. I thought they would never find someone, and would end up asking Lupin to stay! Oh well, can't win them all." Hermione looked at the other too, they seemed as disappointed as she was. She could only pray that the new teacher was actually a decent one.

Finally Professor Dumbledore stood. "I am aware of the fact that the news of why breakfast is delayed has spread to everyone seated here." he began, "Once again I am astounded of the speed at which news and gossip can travel in this school. However, I need to announce it any way, in case my assumptions are misplaced. We have found a new, hopefully permanent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Suddenly the doors of the Great Hall opened, and in stepped a tall man, he walked between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables, so Hermione got a good look at him.

She felt her stomach fall slightly. But then her logic kicked in, so she felt alright. The little voice in her head was saying "Don't worry, it's not possible." Dumbledore continued, as the man took his seat at the head table. "Ah, speak of the devil. This is your new professor. Professor Serpent. I hope that you will make him feel welcome." He said something more, but Hermione didn't hear. Any little sinking feeling she had felt had been utterly forgotten, and every fiber of her body screamed in horror. She sat frozen to her seat, thoughts flying through her head. She didn't even notice when the food appeared in front of her.

She had only heard the name Serpent once. It belonged to that man, who ruined her life so long ago. She had only heard it once, when someone had been walking around that house, and had called him "Mr. Serpent". Part of her tried to deny it, but that logical voice in her head, that had itself denied it before, was telling her it had to be true. That it was true. She had recognized him immediately, and now the name was the final thing that convinced her. Her old captor, and now nightmare, Snake, was the new DADA teacher! There was going to be Hell to pay before this year was over.

~*Author's Note*~

Okay, is this dramatic enough to make it exciting. I know that most of that chapter was boring, but I hope the ending to it helped. And I'm sorry it's so short, but I couldn't resist ending it there. I've also got one more message. Some of my friends have been asking one question, and it really irritated me. "Who is Snake, is it Snape?" Alright, I hope this chapter chased away that thought, because it would be impossible to have Snape be in two places at once. Also, after her first year she didn't recognize the wizard who kidnapped her. If it had been Snape I'm sure she would have recognized him. Also, if they had taken the time to read the acknowledgements I used to have in my bio, and now in the default chapter, they would have seen that I said that he was and Invented Character. Now sorry about that little rant. I hope that didn't insult anyone, it wasn't meant to. And if you had that same suspicion I hope this cleared it up. I just got irritated about it.