Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the series' characters. They
belong to J.K. Rowling, so don't sue me!
Summary: When Ron becomes engaged to the returned Fleur Delacour, someone very unexpected shows Hermione that perhaps Ron wasn't the guy for her after all . . .
** *
Forbidden?
Chapter Two: Defense Against the Dark Arts
* **
The Great Hall was magnificent as usual, and several people greeted Harry, Ron and Hermione as they hurried to their seats. Fleur Delacour was made an honorary Ravenclaw student, and Remus Lupin took his seat up at the High Table, between Professor McGonagall who engaged him in friendly conversation, and Professor Sprout.
Professor Snape, Hermione noticed, looked particularly sour today, and she wondered was ant was in his pants.
"Oh, man, we missed the Sorting Ceremony," Ron groaned. "Did you two see it?"
"No, we were outside talking, and then Professor Lupin showed up." Harry explained. Ron glanced at him, surprised.
Hermione noticed with a stab of pain that Ron could hardly take his eyes off Fleur, and she in turn was staring back at home, occasionally shooting him dazzling smiles that made Hermione feel sick.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Ginny's soft voice was beside her.
Hermione noticed that Harry glanced at her when Ginny said that, and she sighed. Ginny, of course, would know all about the engagement already. "I'm fine." She said calmly.
Ron frowned. "Is something wrong?" he seemed to be oblivious to the real reason for Hermione's rather strained smile.
"I'm surprised you noticed; your attention seemed wholly occupied." Hermione snapped tartly, but then regretted it. "Sorry." She muttered.
"It's okay." Ron said understandingly. "The pressure of O.W.L's and exams must be pretty heavy already." He added with his usual teasing sarcasm.
Hermione cracked a smile. "Yeah . . . right." She winked at Harry. "So, Ron, how are Fred and George? What are they doing, now that they've graduated?"
Ginny giggled. "They've opened their joke shop."
"Mum and Percy weren't too pleased, mind you," Ron chuckled. "But I guess the news of my engagement distracted them."
"Fred and George must be grateful," Harry commented lightly, trying to steer the topic away, because Hermione looked like she might burst into tears if she was forced to smile anymore.
Luckily, Albus Dumbledore came to the rescue by standing up during the feast and beginning his announcements. They included the warning to stay away from the Forest, not to use magic in the halls (his eyes twinkled as they flickered from Malfoy's sour expression to Hermione), and he wished them luck for exams.
Then he said: "This year, we also have two new teachers to welcome into the fold, one of whom we will be welcoming back. Both these young men - I say young they are young, and because they are mere children to me - were invaluable during the battle against Lord Voldemort and I am very happy to have them here." He smiled as many people clapped.
"The first is Remus Lupin, who will be replacing Professor Trelawney and will be teaching Divination." There was a lot of applause and cheering for Remus, and Hermione grinned as she saw him blush slightly and she clapped even harder.
Professor Dumbledore winked at Remus and then at Harry, Ron and Hermione, who began to wonder who the second teacher was.
"The second teacher, my dear students," Dumbledore said, in a mysterious yet thrilled voice, "Is a man I believe you all have heard very much about. Professor Black, do you think you could come in?"
The side door opened and a man walked in. There were a lot of surprised yelps and gasps and hisses of dismay from the Slytherin table. With his hair cut as short as Harry's, the only traces of his beard or mustache left being a slight stubble, and his eyes twinkling in his handsome face, he looked only about twenty-eight, but everyone knew he was a couple of years older.
He was dressed most unusually in a simple white shirt, black pants and sneakers, no robes anywhere in sight - but then, this man had always been known for being unorthodox.
"Oh my God!" Ron practically yelled, a grin breaking across his face.
Harry burst into laughter. "I'll be damned!" he shouted excitedly.
Hermione's entire face lit up. "Sirius!" she shrieked. "It's Sirius!"
It took a very long time for the cheers and applause from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables to die down, and by that time, Sirius had shaken hands very amiably with Professors McGonagall and Sprout, Madam Hooch and had hugged his long-time best friend, Lupin. Dumbledore embraced him, and he sat down in the empty seat between Albus and Snape.
Hermione began to giggle as Sirius glanced sideways at his constant antagonist, Snape, and then grinned at her. So that was why Snape looked so sour; not only was he stuck teaching Potions yet again, but he had to deal with welcoming two of his oldest adversaries into the school, both of which happened to be closest of friends with his three least favorite students, and one of which happened to be Harry Potter's godfather.
"This is a good day for Snape!" Ron laughed beside her.
"And a good day for me," Hermione whispered softly, recalled to the reality of her situation by Ron's voice.
Harry, gazing at his godfather, was as thrilled as Hermione and Ron. It had been a while since they'd seen Sirius, not since the final battle with Voldemort when Sirius' name had finally been cleared, and Harry was glad that Sirius looked much better and youthful again.
He was no longer gaunt and thin, but he and Remus were now strong men of six feet with lean frames and distinctly good-looking features. They both also looked happy, for the first time in very long, probably since James and Lily Potter had been killed.
With a grin, Harry noticed than many of the teenage girls in the school were ogling his godfather.
"Sirius Black," Dumbledore announced, when the last of the cheers had finally died down, "Will be filling in the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and I'm sure you'll all agree with me when I say I can't think of a better man for this particular job."
There was a lot of laughter at that, and Dumbledore, smiling, sat back down and said: "Now, enjoy the rest of the feast and then, Prefects, please lead first-years to their towers."
Hermione concentrated on her dinner after that, trying not to listen as Ron poured stories of Fleur and their plans to Harry and Ginny. It wasn't Ron's fault, really, that he fell in love with someone other than Hermione and he really didn't have any control over his emotions.
Dinner was over fifteen minutes later, and the students headed off to their respective towers, Draco Malfoy shooting Sirius and Remus sulky glares as he slouched off. Hermione followed Harry and Ron almost numbly, falling back a little to avoid looking as Ron leaned over as gave Fleur a kiss as they parted at the stairway.
It was just a pity that she had to like him so much. It was just a pity that this had to hurt. When did she, Hermione Granger, bookworm and star student, fall this deep into emotion? Would she ever be able to get over Ron and get past this? Would she ever be able to find someone whom she could feel stronger feelings for than Ronald Weasely?
"Goodnight, Hermione," Professor McGonagall smiled at Hermione as she passed. The teenager returned the smile weakly, not missing the look of concern in the teacher's eyes. Since the battle and Hermione's sacrifice, the teachers of Hogwarts, Dumbledore and McGonagall in particular, had become more protective and closer to the young girl.
She sighed. Would she ever be happy - like Ginny, or Ron, or even (as much as she hated to think it) Fleur? Even Harry, although she knew he wasn't very serious with Ginny yet, was happier than she was.
"I guess things don't always work out the way you want them to." She said softly, exhaling slowly to calm herself.
She nearly fell over when a voice spoke gently from right behind her.
"Everything all right?"
"I - I don't - wh-what do you mean, Professor Lupin?" Hermione stammered, caught off-guard.
Remus Lupin smiled. "Come on, Hermione, you're not one who usually talks to yourself, especially not in such a dejected tone of voice. Besides, I'm not quite blind. I saw the way Harry hugged you up on the stairs. Either there're something wrong, or there's something going on between you and - " his eyes danced as Hermione gaped like a goldfish.
"Harry and me?" she began to laugh. "I don't think so, Professor Lupin. As for whether there's something wrong, it's nothing to worry about, really. It has nothing to do with dark magic or anything that could affect the fate of humanity."
"It is something that could affect you," he pointed out. "I don't know if you believe it, Hermione, but Sirius and I care more about you three than you'd guess." he patted her on the shoulder. "If you ever want to talk, you know where my office is." He winked. "And Sirius and I were assigned to the same one, so you'll get double therapy if you need it."
Hermione laughed, despite herself. "Thanks, Professor. G'nite."
"Goodnight, Hermione." Professor Lupin smiled at her and headed off to the stairway that led up to the staff bedrooms.
Hermione made her way up Gryffindor tower, feeling much better. It still hurt, but she knew that no matter what, Remus and Sirius and Harry would always be there to help her out.
She smiled as she reached the Fat Lady's portrait. Although much closer to her than a teacher normally was, she had never gotten out of the habit of referring to Remus as 'Professor'. Come to that, how was she ever supposed to start calling Sirius 'Professor Black'?
"There you are!" Ron waved her over as she entered the noisy common room. "Get over here and play some chess."
She rolled her eyes as she headed over to their table. Harry grinned up as her as she reached them. "Y'know, I was thinking," he said reflectively. "Are we really expected to call Sirius 'Professor Black'?!"
Hermione began to laugh along with them. Yeah, maybe Ron was going to get married, and tomorrow she would feel it worse than ever. But tonight, Hermione smiled and decided she was going to enjoy being right where she belonged.
** TBC.
**
A/N: Well, let's hear it . . . please review, I'd really like to know what you guys think of this. The third chapter will be up as soon as I know this story doesn't suck, and I'd also like to know who you guys think could be Hermione's mystery savior . . .? R&R, please!
P.S - for those who want to know more about this 'sacrifice' of Hermione's, there'll be more about it later on.
Summary: When Ron becomes engaged to the returned Fleur Delacour, someone very unexpected shows Hermione that perhaps Ron wasn't the guy for her after all . . .
** *
Forbidden?
Chapter Two: Defense Against the Dark Arts
* **
The Great Hall was magnificent as usual, and several people greeted Harry, Ron and Hermione as they hurried to their seats. Fleur Delacour was made an honorary Ravenclaw student, and Remus Lupin took his seat up at the High Table, between Professor McGonagall who engaged him in friendly conversation, and Professor Sprout.
Professor Snape, Hermione noticed, looked particularly sour today, and she wondered was ant was in his pants.
"Oh, man, we missed the Sorting Ceremony," Ron groaned. "Did you two see it?"
"No, we were outside talking, and then Professor Lupin showed up." Harry explained. Ron glanced at him, surprised.
Hermione noticed with a stab of pain that Ron could hardly take his eyes off Fleur, and she in turn was staring back at home, occasionally shooting him dazzling smiles that made Hermione feel sick.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Ginny's soft voice was beside her.
Hermione noticed that Harry glanced at her when Ginny said that, and she sighed. Ginny, of course, would know all about the engagement already. "I'm fine." She said calmly.
Ron frowned. "Is something wrong?" he seemed to be oblivious to the real reason for Hermione's rather strained smile.
"I'm surprised you noticed; your attention seemed wholly occupied." Hermione snapped tartly, but then regretted it. "Sorry." She muttered.
"It's okay." Ron said understandingly. "The pressure of O.W.L's and exams must be pretty heavy already." He added with his usual teasing sarcasm.
Hermione cracked a smile. "Yeah . . . right." She winked at Harry. "So, Ron, how are Fred and George? What are they doing, now that they've graduated?"
Ginny giggled. "They've opened their joke shop."
"Mum and Percy weren't too pleased, mind you," Ron chuckled. "But I guess the news of my engagement distracted them."
"Fred and George must be grateful," Harry commented lightly, trying to steer the topic away, because Hermione looked like she might burst into tears if she was forced to smile anymore.
Luckily, Albus Dumbledore came to the rescue by standing up during the feast and beginning his announcements. They included the warning to stay away from the Forest, not to use magic in the halls (his eyes twinkled as they flickered from Malfoy's sour expression to Hermione), and he wished them luck for exams.
Then he said: "This year, we also have two new teachers to welcome into the fold, one of whom we will be welcoming back. Both these young men - I say young they are young, and because they are mere children to me - were invaluable during the battle against Lord Voldemort and I am very happy to have them here." He smiled as many people clapped.
"The first is Remus Lupin, who will be replacing Professor Trelawney and will be teaching Divination." There was a lot of applause and cheering for Remus, and Hermione grinned as she saw him blush slightly and she clapped even harder.
Professor Dumbledore winked at Remus and then at Harry, Ron and Hermione, who began to wonder who the second teacher was.
"The second teacher, my dear students," Dumbledore said, in a mysterious yet thrilled voice, "Is a man I believe you all have heard very much about. Professor Black, do you think you could come in?"
The side door opened and a man walked in. There were a lot of surprised yelps and gasps and hisses of dismay from the Slytherin table. With his hair cut as short as Harry's, the only traces of his beard or mustache left being a slight stubble, and his eyes twinkling in his handsome face, he looked only about twenty-eight, but everyone knew he was a couple of years older.
He was dressed most unusually in a simple white shirt, black pants and sneakers, no robes anywhere in sight - but then, this man had always been known for being unorthodox.
"Oh my God!" Ron practically yelled, a grin breaking across his face.
Harry burst into laughter. "I'll be damned!" he shouted excitedly.
Hermione's entire face lit up. "Sirius!" she shrieked. "It's Sirius!"
It took a very long time for the cheers and applause from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables to die down, and by that time, Sirius had shaken hands very amiably with Professors McGonagall and Sprout, Madam Hooch and had hugged his long-time best friend, Lupin. Dumbledore embraced him, and he sat down in the empty seat between Albus and Snape.
Hermione began to giggle as Sirius glanced sideways at his constant antagonist, Snape, and then grinned at her. So that was why Snape looked so sour; not only was he stuck teaching Potions yet again, but he had to deal with welcoming two of his oldest adversaries into the school, both of which happened to be closest of friends with his three least favorite students, and one of which happened to be Harry Potter's godfather.
"This is a good day for Snape!" Ron laughed beside her.
"And a good day for me," Hermione whispered softly, recalled to the reality of her situation by Ron's voice.
Harry, gazing at his godfather, was as thrilled as Hermione and Ron. It had been a while since they'd seen Sirius, not since the final battle with Voldemort when Sirius' name had finally been cleared, and Harry was glad that Sirius looked much better and youthful again.
He was no longer gaunt and thin, but he and Remus were now strong men of six feet with lean frames and distinctly good-looking features. They both also looked happy, for the first time in very long, probably since James and Lily Potter had been killed.
With a grin, Harry noticed than many of the teenage girls in the school were ogling his godfather.
"Sirius Black," Dumbledore announced, when the last of the cheers had finally died down, "Will be filling in the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and I'm sure you'll all agree with me when I say I can't think of a better man for this particular job."
There was a lot of laughter at that, and Dumbledore, smiling, sat back down and said: "Now, enjoy the rest of the feast and then, Prefects, please lead first-years to their towers."
Hermione concentrated on her dinner after that, trying not to listen as Ron poured stories of Fleur and their plans to Harry and Ginny. It wasn't Ron's fault, really, that he fell in love with someone other than Hermione and he really didn't have any control over his emotions.
Dinner was over fifteen minutes later, and the students headed off to their respective towers, Draco Malfoy shooting Sirius and Remus sulky glares as he slouched off. Hermione followed Harry and Ron almost numbly, falling back a little to avoid looking as Ron leaned over as gave Fleur a kiss as they parted at the stairway.
It was just a pity that she had to like him so much. It was just a pity that this had to hurt. When did she, Hermione Granger, bookworm and star student, fall this deep into emotion? Would she ever be able to get over Ron and get past this? Would she ever be able to find someone whom she could feel stronger feelings for than Ronald Weasely?
"Goodnight, Hermione," Professor McGonagall smiled at Hermione as she passed. The teenager returned the smile weakly, not missing the look of concern in the teacher's eyes. Since the battle and Hermione's sacrifice, the teachers of Hogwarts, Dumbledore and McGonagall in particular, had become more protective and closer to the young girl.
She sighed. Would she ever be happy - like Ginny, or Ron, or even (as much as she hated to think it) Fleur? Even Harry, although she knew he wasn't very serious with Ginny yet, was happier than she was.
"I guess things don't always work out the way you want them to." She said softly, exhaling slowly to calm herself.
She nearly fell over when a voice spoke gently from right behind her.
"Everything all right?"
"I - I don't - wh-what do you mean, Professor Lupin?" Hermione stammered, caught off-guard.
Remus Lupin smiled. "Come on, Hermione, you're not one who usually talks to yourself, especially not in such a dejected tone of voice. Besides, I'm not quite blind. I saw the way Harry hugged you up on the stairs. Either there're something wrong, or there's something going on between you and - " his eyes danced as Hermione gaped like a goldfish.
"Harry and me?" she began to laugh. "I don't think so, Professor Lupin. As for whether there's something wrong, it's nothing to worry about, really. It has nothing to do with dark magic or anything that could affect the fate of humanity."
"It is something that could affect you," he pointed out. "I don't know if you believe it, Hermione, but Sirius and I care more about you three than you'd guess." he patted her on the shoulder. "If you ever want to talk, you know where my office is." He winked. "And Sirius and I were assigned to the same one, so you'll get double therapy if you need it."
Hermione laughed, despite herself. "Thanks, Professor. G'nite."
"Goodnight, Hermione." Professor Lupin smiled at her and headed off to the stairway that led up to the staff bedrooms.
Hermione made her way up Gryffindor tower, feeling much better. It still hurt, but she knew that no matter what, Remus and Sirius and Harry would always be there to help her out.
She smiled as she reached the Fat Lady's portrait. Although much closer to her than a teacher normally was, she had never gotten out of the habit of referring to Remus as 'Professor'. Come to that, how was she ever supposed to start calling Sirius 'Professor Black'?
"There you are!" Ron waved her over as she entered the noisy common room. "Get over here and play some chess."
She rolled her eyes as she headed over to their table. Harry grinned up as her as she reached them. "Y'know, I was thinking," he said reflectively. "Are we really expected to call Sirius 'Professor Black'?!"
Hermione began to laugh along with them. Yeah, maybe Ron was going to get married, and tomorrow she would feel it worse than ever. But tonight, Hermione smiled and decided she was going to enjoy being right where she belonged.
** TBC.
**
A/N: Well, let's hear it . . . please review, I'd really like to know what you guys think of this. The third chapter will be up as soon as I know this story doesn't suck, and I'd also like to know who you guys think could be Hermione's mystery savior . . .? R&R, please!
P.S - for those who want to know more about this 'sacrifice' of Hermione's, there'll be more about it later on.
