Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe is Ms. Rowling's brainchild
Chapter Four
Before long, Hermione's bags were unpacked. The two girls, still chattering, went to the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was just beginning to bring food to the counter for a buffet-style meal. The guest list was enormous tonight; a dozen or so extra people had come to eat before the Order meeting. All of the kids had been corralled into helping.
When that task was done, Mrs. Weasley used her wand to ring a bell in the corner. The Order came from all corners of the house to eat. Gathering plates, everyone got food and sat down to dig in. Unfortunately for Harry, Dedalus Diggle had plopped his purple hat right beside him. Harry wouldn't have a silent moment during this meal!
It was an interesting dinner. Fred and George charmed Ron's rice to wriggle and it took him a while to notice. When he did, he spit his rice out over his plate and sent a death glare to the twins. Mrs. Weasley noticed this, and told the twins they would be spending the next day studying potions.
As their chorus of whines filled the air, Mr. Weasley leaned over to Hermione. "So," he said, "Are you excited about being about listening in on part of the meeting tonight?" Hermione's eyes bulged and she quickly set her glass of water down. She was being invited to the Order meeting?
"I didn't know I was attending!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Dumbledore decided it was time you, Harry, Ron, Fred and George knew a bit more. Molly's not happy, but she understands. Sirius's death has affected us all. We don't want to make the same mistake twice," Mr. Weasley said.
Mr. Weasley turned to talk to Kingsley Shacklebolt about the latest Ministry development as Hermione returned, aghast, to her food and contemplated the decision. It seemed she would have a much more active role in the war, more than she had thought.
Just as the clock rang eight o' clock, Professor Severus Snape swept into the room. His face was, as usual, fixed in a sneer. Silence fell over the room as the lively group settled down. His voice reverberated around the room. "I'll be waiting in the meeting room," was all he said, but the adults sitting at the table promptly went into action. Some members went to retrieve papers and possessions from various parts of the house, and some charmed the dishes to go to the waiting sink.
"Arrogant bastard," said George. "I'm waiting," he mimicked. "Thinks the entire world revolves around him. I'm not done with my apple pie yet!"
Fred, Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed. After a moment though, they left the table. The boys and Hermione left a not-so-happy Ginny behind to go to the meeting.
"This is going to be bloody awesome! The Order of the Phoenix!" said Ron.
Hermione looked at him strangely. Yes, they were joining the grown-ups, but the Order did serious business and they were being given much responsibility. Responsibility meant their relatively care-free lives would turn more serious.
Together, the five entered the meeting room. There, chairs of all shapes and sizes were arranged around a large coffee table. The table was scattered with papers, but a space was cleared for an overly-ornate tea set. Hermione smirked at the sight of it- Headmaster Dumbledore must have donated it. Professor Snape sat ramrod straight in the stiffest, most formal chair in the circle. He looked as if he was going to break out in hives from the contact with the worn arms and faded floral cloth. The chair also happened to be closest the door; it seemed a quick escape was more valuable than a newer chair. As the Gryffindors walked by him, he sneered and sent a nasty look.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and the twins hurried by the Professor and chose a row of comfortable, cozy chairs to sit in. Hermione promptly grabbed sheets of blank parchment and a quill from the table. If allowed, she was planning on taking notes.
At five after eight, Headmaster Dumbledore, accompanied by Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, entered the room. He sent a warm look to the newcomers, gathered up his tea cup and took his seat. Clearing his throat to gain attention, silence settled over the room.
"Welcome, all, to another Order meeting." Dumbledore launched into an update. "The summer has been relatively quiet; it seems Voldemort hasn't attempted to do more than increase his ranks. Thankfully, his task will be more difficult because the Daily Prophet is telling some semblance of the truth and the Ministry is being examined for its part in what happened last June. Most people have acknowledged that Voldemort is back." Done with his speech, Dumbledore turned the meeting over to those who were arranging guard duty for Platform 9 ¾ and those completing other menial tasks.
Before long the simple business was finished and the Headmaster stood up to inform the Order of his defensive and preparatory measures for the following school year. A physical education class was going to be required of all students, and class material was being altered a little to include more defense against wayward forms of the particular subject. Most unusual, however, was Dumbledore's announcement that Harry, Ron, and Hermione would each be training in detail with mentors the following year. Harry and Ron groaned; Hermione was excited. Professor Flitwick was paired with Ron, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore would help Harry, and Professor Snape was to be Hermione's advisor.
At that, Hermione looked over at Professor Snape. His eyes were pinned on Hermione. Her eyes rose, shyly and slowly, to meet his. When their gazes locked, Hermione felt as everything else fell away. His gaze was intense, examining, and exacting. Hermione was surprised to see that Professor Snape's eyes did not hold disgust; it was more mere annoyance and ...apprehension? Feeling overwhelemed at the intensity, she dropped their mutual stare as she heard the tail end of Headmaster Dumbledore's instructions, "...meet with your advisor after the meeting."
"Oh, great," Hermione thought. Much to her regret, the meeting ended quickly. The boys sent Hermione a look of pity.
Steeling herself, Hermione approached Professor Snape. He stood up, and with a look at Hermione, headed towards the door.
Rushing a bit to catch up with him, she said, "Professor, we were supposed to meet?" in the most respectful voice she could manage.
By this time, the two of them were in the adjoining room. He stopped, turned around, and sent Hermione a withering glare. Maybe he thought she was more than annoying after all. She shrank back, a bit uneasy and discomfited.
Professor Snape began to pace as he said, "I will be tutoring you three times a week, Miss Granger. In the next week, consider carefully where you think your strengths are. We will focus on those areas-only three- in addition other various topics of my choosing. I will check back with you in a week to begin the basic groudwork." Stopping at this, he reluctantly added one more thing. "Any questions?"
Seeing Professor Snape's distaste, Hermione controlled her curiosity and decided she would wait until the following week to ask her questions.
"No, thank you," was all Hermione said.
Professor Snape's eyebrow arched up in surprise. Hoping his good luck would hold out, he quickly exited the room with a terse "Good bye" to her.
Collapsing in the old leather chair that she noticed beside her, Hermione curled up to relax. The day had already been long and wasn't finished yet, but Hermione decided she would deal with the implications of today's events in a moment. As soon as she did, though, Hermione's eyes began to droop. Struggling to keep her eyes open, she eventually lost the battle and slipped into sleep.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Gelsey Greeneyes, who beta-ed this for me. It's longer this time! Hopefully I'll manage to update in the next month. If not, real life is going to take over and I won't be updating for a bit.