Chapter 11: Mudblood

Severus let Hermione into her common room and began to make his way back to the Headmaster's office. Hopefully, the headmaster would be willing to help, at least find her a new home. The place he had visited that very same day had radiated unhappiness and neglect. He knew it all too well from his own childhood. If any hope were left in this world, the girl wouldn't have to go back there ever again. Severus was awakened from his dark thoughts when there was a sudden movement in front of him.

"Potter!" Severus snapped and the boy's eyes widened and then narrowed. It was clear the boy disliked him, "What are you doing wandering the corridors at night?"

"I got lost," the boy lied hoping that he'd not be caught doing so.

"How very convenient," Severus snarled his voice low and scowled, "Now if you could tell the truth Potter!"

"Fine, I was curious if the missing girl was found," the boy answered scowling at him, this time Severus noticed that he was telling the truth.

"And why would that be any of your business, Potter?" Severus demanded, the boy reminded his parents way too much. Especially James. This would have been the type of stunt Potter Senior would have pulled off his sleeve.

"I- I just wanted to know which house she was sorted in," the boy stated.

"Well as it is, Potter, that's no reason for you to wander the corridors this late," Severus sniped and continued, "5 points from Gryffindor, and go back to your common room before you get detention too."

"Yes," the boy replied and began to turn away but the curiosity seemed to get the best of him, "Where was she sorted, tho?"

"In Slytherin."

Hermione sat down in front of the fire, her head of the house had told her to wait until he was back. How long would that take? Hadn't he told that he had some business to do with the headmaster? Surely Professor Snape wouldn't break his promise to her and tell the headmaster how awful her parents were. Hermione didn't want that. She just wished to get a fresh start. Nothing else.

"Who are you?" a drawling voice asked and woke Hermione from her thoughts.

"I'm Hermione," Hermione told, and to appear polite she asked, ''Who are you?"

"Draco, Draco Malfoy," Draco said proudly and smirked, "You must be the missing student if I am right?"

"Yes, I suppose I was," Hermione replied and took in the boy's appearance. Blonde hair, gray eyes, and proud posture. To Hermione, it seemed the boy was full of himself.

"What's your surname if I may ask?" Draco asked and Hermione wondered what the hell he needed her surname for.

"Granger," Hermione told and looked away to hide her disgust. She hated her parents and felt disgusted to use their surname.

"Not a very common surname in our world, are your parents magical?" Draco asked and Hermione felt like something was coming, something she wouldn't like so much. It was one of those feelings she had at home, especially when her father was drunk.

"No," she told the truth and scowled at the fireplace as if it had personally offended her.

"I see," the blonde boy replied, his voice now cold, ''You're a mudblood.''

"Excuse me!" Hermione cried out and stood up, "What did you just call me?!"

"A mudblood," Draco repeated and backed away from her, obviously disgusted, "It means that your blood is dirty.''

"And your blood must be royal then?" Hermione snapped hating the boy, "With your behavior, it might as well be as dirty as mine."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!" Draco bellowed and surely everyone must have woken because there were footsteps running toward the common room.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" Hermione asked disbelieving what was happening, "With your behavior, your blood might as well be as dirty as mine."

"My father will hear about this," Draco spat and pushed her onto the floor.

"Your father must be very proud of you for attacking girls or maybe he does that at home too," Hermione ridiculed and someone gasped at the audience that had appeared around them. As soon as she had said that something snapped in Draco's head and he was now pulling her hair and punching her. In defense Hermione bit Draco's arm that was pulling her haywire hair and kicked him between his legs.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! BACK TO BED ALL OF YOU!" a deep silky voice demanded and as soon as the voice rang in their ears all of the students except for Draco and Hermione disappeared from the common room. Hermione stood up looking rather victorious seeing Malfoy in pain. "If one of you could explain to me," Severus snarled anger radiating from his voice, and his eyes moving from Hermione to Draco who was still laying on the floor obviously in pain, "what are you doing?!"

"Ask him, Professor," Hermione replied scowling at the boy wriggling on the floor.

"I am asking both of you, Miss Granger," Severus said his voice deadly low, "Get up Malfoy."

"But Professor, she kicked me," Draco argued his voice dramatically pitchy.

"May I remind you, Mr. I am better than everyone else, that you started it by hitting me and pulling my hair," Hermione hissed.

"I don't care who started it!" Severus growled, "Mr. Malfoy why did you hit Miss Granger?"

"Because she is a mudblood and she spoke ill of my family, she deserved it," Malfoy said now standing up as if proud to say what he had just said.

"TO BED MALFOY AND IF I EVER HEAR YOU PUNCHING A GIRL AGAIN I WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FATHER!" Severus yelled, his anger toward the boy's arrogant father growing. "Now you. Never ever start arguing with Malfoy again, do you understand? Your life will be easier if you keep out of trouble. I don't care what he said or did for you to kick him there! I'll give you detention, you'll be rubbing cauldrons tomorrow with me at 9. Yes, detention Miss Granger, it is fully deserved."

"So that boy so full of himself gets to walk without any punishment when I am punished for defending myself. Seems unjustified to me, professor," Hermione replied scowling at the dark man. It was unfair, she didn't deserve to be punished for getting attacked. It wasn't justified at all.

"Go to bed, Miss Granger," Severus ordered, feeling as if his head was about to explode, and thought, "I need a drink."

A/n: Severus has had the worst day ever, not that Hermione had it any easier. Draco is going to be trouble and maybe we get to meet Malfoy Senior soon ;)

I sort of feel like this chapter is awful as hell. Just outright awful. I will tell you soon what Dumbledore and Sevvie spoke about, it will be interesting