Disclaimer:
NONE OF THIS IS MINE - IT ALL BELONGS TO MS. J.K. ROWLING!!!! PLEASE
REFRAIN FROM SUING ME!
So I'm back again. My apologies that it's taken me so long to get this up but I've been busy with school and haven't had time to add more on. Along with that EVERYONE else in my house has need the computer for something and it's really difficult to get on.
A "BIG HUGE OOGA-BOOGA HURRAY FOR YOUR HELP" THANK YOU to my beta Stefanie14
With no further ado..Please enjoy.
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She loved the train ride to school almost as much as she did her classes. There was just something about the bumpiness of the trip she enjoyed. How the section swayed as they traveled on, and being able to watch the green scenery flash in front of her eyes for it to disappear a second later while a scent of bright spring flowers hung in the warm air. She found the sight of the red and black plaid covering the seats quite homey and comforting as she thought about how she wouldn't see her parents for many months to come since she wasn't going home for Christmas. Most of all, though, she loved spending time with her friends, as they would laugh and catch up on each other's summer.
But right now she sat alone and quite saddened. They hadn't met to get school supplies, she hadn't seen them on the platform, and Hermione Granger was now getting quite curious about where Ron and Harry were. Not to be one without an answer she decided to search for them while she patrolled the hall. Sure enough the first box she peered into, there were the boys laughing and enjoying themselves.without her. Hermione was no fool - you could ask any of her teachers and they'd say she was the smartest pupil Hogwarts had seen since Severus Snape was a boy and he had been the most promising student in hundreds of years - she knew from the beginning of their friendship she didn't fit in, she knew they had more fun without her, and she knew the only reason they kept her around was because someone had to be logical and find how to make their shenanigans work and neither Harry nor Ron had the brain power for that. It still broke her heart, because besides all of that she'd still hoped they would realize she was more than brains and treat her with more respect. So after the young brunette made her rounds, she went back to the first door and slid it open to find the biggest shock of her life.
"Harry, Ron, I've mi-Malfoy?" Hermione looked back and forth awaiting a response. "Would someone care to explain this to me?" She was really starting to get angry. Why would no one speak to her? Why was Malfoy laughing with her friends? Why was Malfoy even with her friends? Her head was spinning when Harry finally cleared his throat and began talking, after several silent and awkward minutes.
"You see, we don't associate with mudbloods, Granger. Our friend Draco here has shown us the light and how the way we were living was wrong. Ron and I have decided to fix our mistakes and continue with better lives. Now, if you would kindly leave..." he made a motion to the door with his hand.
Hermione was torn between confusion, anger, hatred, and sorrow. But as anger and confusion both sounded very good at the moment that's the path she took.
"Harry, Ron, please...what how, w-why? I-I don't understand. I thought we were friends." It was all she could do not to hex them to oblivion. What was so wrong with Harry that he had gone so far as to call her a mudblood?
Now it seemed Ron had finally decided to give his input, "Yes, well you obviously thought very wrong now didn't you? Now if you would please leave, you are tainting my good air with your foul existence." He said in the most condescending voice.
A quiet "O.K." was all she managed to get out as she left. When the door was shut laughter began flowing into the hall along with comments on her stupidity and heritage, driving the dagger even further in to her heart. She trudged back to her empty compartment as slowly as possible, not wanting to be alone. She was surprised to find an inhabitant inside when she opened the door. As she stepped in she immediately took back her wish not to be secluded. Of all the people on the train Professor Severus Snape had to be in her seat; although, she should have had no reason to expect any less than the worst luck when she rolled out of her bed that morning and tumbled half-way down the stairs. All she wanted was a good cry and, being Hermione Granger, she sure as hell was not going to let that happen in front of Snape. She mumbled an inaudible hello sir and took her seat across from him. Nope, wouldn't cry, not even if it killed her.
"My apologies for the arrangement, Miss. Granger, everywhere else happens to be full," he sneered at her.
'Well, won't this be fun,' rang out sarcastically in her head. 'Oh, yes! Happy-happy, joy-joy! I get to sit across from the bastard-in-residence of Hogwarts. This aught to be the best ride to school yet!' she screamed in her mind as she picked up her book. She would just have to ignore him to the best of her ability.
*~*~*~
Ignoring him, however, was especially difficult as she could feel his piercing stare.
Slamming her book closed, "Is their anything I can help you with, sir, or do you find something about me especially fascinating?" The last two words were spoken like poison as she glared at her professor, thankful they hadn't reached school yet and he would be unable to take off house points. Of course what was the sense in caring about points when there was no one pressuring you into making sure you 'didn't piss anyone off?'
Snape was quite taken back. This form emanating anger didn't seem the typical Gryffindor-know-it-all that usually sat in his potions class. Wickedly he said to her, "I just happened to notice that you have been on the same page for an hour," and raised his eyebrows.
"Well, excuse me if I am a slow reader! And what business is it of yours anyway?!?" she snapped back. It was a bad day and she was venting, venting her frustrations on Snape was a mistake but she really didn't care, it felt really, really good.
"It was merely a question, no need to get snippy," he retorted so calmly it pissed her off more. 'Shouldn't he be snapping back?' She thought as her smirked at her.
"I KNOW!!!" she yelled throwing her book at him (unfortunately, for her, she missed), and leapt on to her feet. "I KNOW!" she yelled again charging at him like a bull, and began banging at him with tiny fists. She only got a few hits in before he had both her hands in one of his, easily, his other rubbing her back, and quietly "shh"-ing in her ear trying to calm her. Hermione struggled for a few minutes until she relaxed into his arms and let her tears flow openly as Snape let go of her hands and gently lifted her onto his lap and began rocking her, still saying it was going to be o.k. "No, it won't," she sobbed to his chest, "div.or.ce...b-b-because I- I'm a w-w.itch," she gave out a wail, "Ron....H-Harry..MUDBLOOD!" her voice rose so as not to crack and let go of a strangled cry she had been trying to smother, towards his black front. Her hands wrapped themselves in his cloak and pulled herself further into his embrace, breathing in his manly scent like that of wood burning in a fireplace.
Snape made sense of the divorce, many muggle-born's parents split because of their child's abilities, but it was the "mudblood" bit he didn't understand. He knew the boys had been using her, that she was just a necessary part of their tactics, and that she was much too good for them, but didn't Potter and Weasley think anything of her? Hadn't they been good friends in spite their plans involving her? Apparently not. Hermione fell asleep in Severus's arms thinking it was the most comfortable, relaxed, safest she'd ever felt, and actually had hope that things might be alright.
*~*~*~
"Miss. Granger. Miss. Granger...you need to wake up, we're at Hogsmeade," Severus felt horrible waking the poor thing up. She cried her heart out and knew she would still need rest to recuperate but she had to be awakened.
Hermione was a bit befuddled when she woke. She was on someone's lap and everything was black. She looked up and her hazel eyes locked with black orbs, 'Oh, I almost forgot,' she thought as the events on the train came flooding back. "I'm sorry, professor," she whispered, as she stood up, her eyes on the ground and for some reason ashamed of not handling herself better. His response was simply handing her book back as he too stood. They exited one after the other to learn there was only one empty carriage and that they would share yet another ride.
"Thank you, Professor," she said looking him straight in the eye.
That was the first time anyone had 1) thanked him and 2) looked him in the eye (other than Albus) in a long time. "You're welcome Miss. Granger."
It was sure to be an interesting year.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm really proud of this and it's definitely a bit longer than the prologue.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!! ALL OPINIONS WELCOME!!!
So I'm back again. My apologies that it's taken me so long to get this up but I've been busy with school and haven't had time to add more on. Along with that EVERYONE else in my house has need the computer for something and it's really difficult to get on.
A "BIG HUGE OOGA-BOOGA HURRAY FOR YOUR HELP" THANK YOU to my beta Stefanie14
With no further ado..Please enjoy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She loved the train ride to school almost as much as she did her classes. There was just something about the bumpiness of the trip she enjoyed. How the section swayed as they traveled on, and being able to watch the green scenery flash in front of her eyes for it to disappear a second later while a scent of bright spring flowers hung in the warm air. She found the sight of the red and black plaid covering the seats quite homey and comforting as she thought about how she wouldn't see her parents for many months to come since she wasn't going home for Christmas. Most of all, though, she loved spending time with her friends, as they would laugh and catch up on each other's summer.
But right now she sat alone and quite saddened. They hadn't met to get school supplies, she hadn't seen them on the platform, and Hermione Granger was now getting quite curious about where Ron and Harry were. Not to be one without an answer she decided to search for them while she patrolled the hall. Sure enough the first box she peered into, there were the boys laughing and enjoying themselves.without her. Hermione was no fool - you could ask any of her teachers and they'd say she was the smartest pupil Hogwarts had seen since Severus Snape was a boy and he had been the most promising student in hundreds of years - she knew from the beginning of their friendship she didn't fit in, she knew they had more fun without her, and she knew the only reason they kept her around was because someone had to be logical and find how to make their shenanigans work and neither Harry nor Ron had the brain power for that. It still broke her heart, because besides all of that she'd still hoped they would realize she was more than brains and treat her with more respect. So after the young brunette made her rounds, she went back to the first door and slid it open to find the biggest shock of her life.
"Harry, Ron, I've mi-Malfoy?" Hermione looked back and forth awaiting a response. "Would someone care to explain this to me?" She was really starting to get angry. Why would no one speak to her? Why was Malfoy laughing with her friends? Why was Malfoy even with her friends? Her head was spinning when Harry finally cleared his throat and began talking, after several silent and awkward minutes.
"You see, we don't associate with mudbloods, Granger. Our friend Draco here has shown us the light and how the way we were living was wrong. Ron and I have decided to fix our mistakes and continue with better lives. Now, if you would kindly leave..." he made a motion to the door with his hand.
Hermione was torn between confusion, anger, hatred, and sorrow. But as anger and confusion both sounded very good at the moment that's the path she took.
"Harry, Ron, please...what how, w-why? I-I don't understand. I thought we were friends." It was all she could do not to hex them to oblivion. What was so wrong with Harry that he had gone so far as to call her a mudblood?
Now it seemed Ron had finally decided to give his input, "Yes, well you obviously thought very wrong now didn't you? Now if you would please leave, you are tainting my good air with your foul existence." He said in the most condescending voice.
A quiet "O.K." was all she managed to get out as she left. When the door was shut laughter began flowing into the hall along with comments on her stupidity and heritage, driving the dagger even further in to her heart. She trudged back to her empty compartment as slowly as possible, not wanting to be alone. She was surprised to find an inhabitant inside when she opened the door. As she stepped in she immediately took back her wish not to be secluded. Of all the people on the train Professor Severus Snape had to be in her seat; although, she should have had no reason to expect any less than the worst luck when she rolled out of her bed that morning and tumbled half-way down the stairs. All she wanted was a good cry and, being Hermione Granger, she sure as hell was not going to let that happen in front of Snape. She mumbled an inaudible hello sir and took her seat across from him. Nope, wouldn't cry, not even if it killed her.
"My apologies for the arrangement, Miss. Granger, everywhere else happens to be full," he sneered at her.
'Well, won't this be fun,' rang out sarcastically in her head. 'Oh, yes! Happy-happy, joy-joy! I get to sit across from the bastard-in-residence of Hogwarts. This aught to be the best ride to school yet!' she screamed in her mind as she picked up her book. She would just have to ignore him to the best of her ability.
*~*~*~
Ignoring him, however, was especially difficult as she could feel his piercing stare.
Slamming her book closed, "Is their anything I can help you with, sir, or do you find something about me especially fascinating?" The last two words were spoken like poison as she glared at her professor, thankful they hadn't reached school yet and he would be unable to take off house points. Of course what was the sense in caring about points when there was no one pressuring you into making sure you 'didn't piss anyone off?'
Snape was quite taken back. This form emanating anger didn't seem the typical Gryffindor-know-it-all that usually sat in his potions class. Wickedly he said to her, "I just happened to notice that you have been on the same page for an hour," and raised his eyebrows.
"Well, excuse me if I am a slow reader! And what business is it of yours anyway?!?" she snapped back. It was a bad day and she was venting, venting her frustrations on Snape was a mistake but she really didn't care, it felt really, really good.
"It was merely a question, no need to get snippy," he retorted so calmly it pissed her off more. 'Shouldn't he be snapping back?' She thought as her smirked at her.
"I KNOW!!!" she yelled throwing her book at him (unfortunately, for her, she missed), and leapt on to her feet. "I KNOW!" she yelled again charging at him like a bull, and began banging at him with tiny fists. She only got a few hits in before he had both her hands in one of his, easily, his other rubbing her back, and quietly "shh"-ing in her ear trying to calm her. Hermione struggled for a few minutes until she relaxed into his arms and let her tears flow openly as Snape let go of her hands and gently lifted her onto his lap and began rocking her, still saying it was going to be o.k. "No, it won't," she sobbed to his chest, "div.or.ce...b-b-because I- I'm a w-w.itch," she gave out a wail, "Ron....H-Harry..MUDBLOOD!" her voice rose so as not to crack and let go of a strangled cry she had been trying to smother, towards his black front. Her hands wrapped themselves in his cloak and pulled herself further into his embrace, breathing in his manly scent like that of wood burning in a fireplace.
Snape made sense of the divorce, many muggle-born's parents split because of their child's abilities, but it was the "mudblood" bit he didn't understand. He knew the boys had been using her, that she was just a necessary part of their tactics, and that she was much too good for them, but didn't Potter and Weasley think anything of her? Hadn't they been good friends in spite their plans involving her? Apparently not. Hermione fell asleep in Severus's arms thinking it was the most comfortable, relaxed, safest she'd ever felt, and actually had hope that things might be alright.
*~*~*~
"Miss. Granger. Miss. Granger...you need to wake up, we're at Hogsmeade," Severus felt horrible waking the poor thing up. She cried her heart out and knew she would still need rest to recuperate but she had to be awakened.
Hermione was a bit befuddled when she woke. She was on someone's lap and everything was black. She looked up and her hazel eyes locked with black orbs, 'Oh, I almost forgot,' she thought as the events on the train came flooding back. "I'm sorry, professor," she whispered, as she stood up, her eyes on the ground and for some reason ashamed of not handling herself better. His response was simply handing her book back as he too stood. They exited one after the other to learn there was only one empty carriage and that they would share yet another ride.
"Thank you, Professor," she said looking him straight in the eye.
That was the first time anyone had 1) thanked him and 2) looked him in the eye (other than Albus) in a long time. "You're welcome Miss. Granger."
It was sure to be an interesting year.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm really proud of this and it's definitely a bit longer than the prologue.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!! ALL OPINIONS WELCOME!!!