Why is He Here?
Hermione sat, frozen, staring at her still empty plate. She was vaguely aware of other people talking around her, but was delved deep into her own thought. "This just can't be happening! He can't be our teacher, he just can't! This isn't happening, I must be dreaming." She reached down and pinched her arm. She felt the sharp bit of pain, and didn't wake in her bed. "Okay, so it's real. I am awake. But HOW could this happen? Why does he have to be here?"
Slowly she could feel herself coming to her senses. She became aware that someone, somewhere was saying her name. Then, she realized where she was; in the Great Hall at the table next to Harry and Ron. She realized it was Harry who had been saying her name. "What?" she said, a bit sharper than she meant. Harry looked surprised, then asked "Are you alright? You've been staring off into space since they introduced the new teacher. I've never seen you space out when a teacher was talking." Hermione sat quiet for a moment. Finally she said, "Err…yeah, sorry about that. I just remembered I have this essay for alchemy that I wanted to get started before class today. I think I'll go work on it now." She stood up and walked out, ignoring Ron's protests that she should eat something.
*********
Ron looked at Harry and said, "What was all that about?" Harry replied, "I'm not sure, but she's acting odd. Maybe it's nothing, she just had an essay to write." Ron shrugged and returned his attention to his breakfast, stuffing his face.
*********
Hermione walked, in her opinion, unbelievably slow until she heard the Great Hall doors shut behind her, and was sure no one was in the halls near her. After stopping to listen one more time for footsteps, she rushed off, walking as fast as she could without breaking into a run. Making her way to the library (after all, that was her cover, and she did have an essay, it just wasn't do for 2 weeks), and hopefully, it would be empty. When she finally got there, she scanned the tables. Not a soul was seated among them.
She walked over to a table and took a seat. Her heart was pounding furiously in her chest. This was only partly because she had rushed her way through the halls, with out pausing to rest, or slowing down at all. Other wise it was because of her shock at having him as a teacher. She got up to browse the shelves, when really her mind couldn't be farther away. Thoughts were racing through her head, on how she would ever survive this year.
The first useful thought she'd had in a several minutes came to the front of her mind. "I don't have DADA today!" She let out a deep sigh. Relief washed over her, allowing more coherent thinking to ensue. Her relief was short lived. Finally managing to think clearly, she began to ask question. In the meantime, she had picked up a book, and opened it, to look like she was concentrating.
"What is he doing here any way? I know he's teaching, but why? Is he after me again? No, that can't be it. He wasn't after me really to begin with. He was after…OH NO! He was after Harry! What if he's come for him again. After all, Voldemort is back. He's got to be still loyal to him, so he might have come for Harry! Oh this is terrible. I've got to warn him---but I can't! I'd have to tell them what happened. I can't do that. And why would anyone believe me? It's my word against a professor's. I'll just have to keep and eye out for Harry. I'm the only one who can help him. This is just terrible." Somewhere, a bell rang, causing Hermione to jump nearly a foot in the air.
Realizing she was going to be late for class (a bad thing since she had potions first today) she rushed over to Madam Pince, and checked out her book. She hurriedly put the book, and the rest of her stuff in her bag, and rushed out of the library, and into the flood of moving students. She would have to think more on the subject of the new teacher later, when she was out of class. She really didn't need to lose points from her house for not paying attention.
~*Author's note*~
Sorry, another short (and boring I suppose) chapter. I just want to get this posted, and work on a different fic I've thought of. Also, I might not post on this one for a while. I'm thinking of writing a couple of chapters then posting them all at once. Thanks to those who have reviewed thus far.
