Chapter Three- The Announcement and The Potions Class

Summary: Lucius makes Hermione squirm a little more…if that's possible.

Chapter Three:

Dumbledore stood up at the staff table during breakfast the next morning. The usual twinkle in his eyes was gone, and he looked very grim. The students all stopped talking and looked up at him expectantly. Even the teachers looked curious.

"I have received word this morning that the school governor's have made a decision concerning the productivity here at Hogwarts. They wish to…inspect he school, to ensure everything is running smoothly. Her to do that, are two of the school governors, Jonathan Sheilds and Lucius Malfoy." Dumbledore waved his wand and two more chairs appeared at the staff table as Lucius entered with Sheilds following him.

"They will be interviewing some students. If you are chosen, you will be given a time to meet with either Mr. Malfoy or Mr. Sheilds." Dumbledore sat down, and Lucius and Sheilds followed suit.

Hundreds of owls swooped across the Great Hall, one landed in front of Hermione. She removed the note and read:

Your interview will take place tonight at 10 o'clock in my quarters. Third portrait on the right in the dungeons, the password is "snitch".

The note wasn't signed, but one glance at the staff table told her who it was from. Lucius Malfoy was smirking at her. Hermione felt tingles in her spine.

In his quarters? Alone? At 10 o' clock? Oh, God.

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Lucius watched Hermione for the rest of the meal. She looked very uncomfortable. She got up to leave early, and carefully avoided his gaze.

Time for phase one.

Lucius followed he out of the Great Hall and into the empty corridor. He passed her, pausing o whisper:

"Looking forward to it. See you in Potions, Miss Granger."

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Hermione entered Potions later that day with Harry to see Lucius sitting directly behind the only free table. She sat next to Harry with her back to Lucius and tried to concentrate on the lesson. When Professor Snape had written the instructions out of the store cupboard, leaving Hermione quite alone.

"Feel free to wear something a little more comfortable than your robes tonight, Miss Granger," Lucius muttered so only she could here.

Hermione shuddered and, satisfied, Lucius got up to roam the room. After a few minutes of watching students prepare their Calming Concoction, he sat back down behind Hermione and Harry. Hermione was shaking uncontrollably. When Snape told them to bottle a sample of their Calming Concoctions, no one saw her take a swig of it. No one but Lucius. He smirked.

On to Phase Two