'What do you think of Professor Depardieu Hermione?'

'I don't know. Why'd you ask?'

'I think he's gorgeous. And he's only a few years older than us.'

'Dream on Ginny. He'd be out of a job as soon as he so much looked at you inappropriately.'

'You don't think we'd get away with it? It'd be so romantic having a secret affair.'

'Dumbledore would find out. He always does. Anyway, nothing's going to happen between you and him so let's get on with our homework. I've only written three pieces of parchment so far.'

They dumped their things on a small table in the library and went to look for the books they needed.

'They're really piling on the work this year.' said Ginny, whose head was hidden behind the mountain of books she was carrying.

'Yes, well you better get used to it. It's non-stop until your exams. What homework are you doing?'

'Transfiguration. You?'

'Defence against the dark arts.'

Ginny looked over at Hermione's endless essay on Fleegols. Her handwriting was especially neat and loopy.

'You sure you don't have a crush on him?' she asked casually.

Hermione's head snapped up. 'Yes!' she shouted. 'And that's the end of this conversation. Period.'

She stuck her head back down and continued to write.

'But,' she added 'If you really want to know my opinion, I think he's very good looking, and charming and a brilliant teacher.'

Ginny tried to stifle a laugh but it came out her nose like a snorting sound.

'What?'

'Nothing.' said Ginny, shaking her head.

They went back to their homework in a silence. Then Ginny did a cough that sounded like a croaky 'You fancy him.'

Hermione kept her head down and continued to write.