Disclaimer: I don't own it... but I have seen the 3rd movie twice! I have a new found appreciation
for David Thewlis... thoughts? (Hopefully this question presses people to review even if they have
nothing to say about the story thus far... hehe)
AN: If you read... please review.. It warms a poor author's heart.
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Chapter 2: Could This Day GET Any Worse??
Hermione quickly stood and made her way to the entrance of the Great Hall. The feast had
been nothing short of spectacular, as the Headmaster had been known to play host to some of the finest
feasts in all Hogwarts history. The head table had been full, minus two chairs. Professor Dumbledore
had told them of the absentees. One being the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Mr.
William Weasley. She smiled, remembering the shocked look on Ginny, Ron, and the twins, Fred and
George. Bill had obviously kept his appointment a secret, for what reason Hermione wasn't sure, and
figured it held the same reasons that Hagrid had when he hadn't told us he would be the new Care of
Magical Creatures professor two years previous.
The second absentee from the Head Table was Professor Severus Snape, Hogwarts' potions
master. She had to stifle a giggle when she heard the audible groan from Harry and Ron when the
Headmaster had told the students that he was simply absent on business and was scheduled to return to
Hogwarts before classes began the next day.
Smiling, she admitted, if only to herself, how glad she was to see a friendly face again in the
Defense Against the Dark Arts position. She had spent a few holidays with the Weasley's and had
become close to the whole Weasley clan. Bill, the oldest member of the Weasley family, was well
known to be incredibly charming and handsome, though he had a bit of a wild side to him. Hermione
had no doubt the girls would flock to him, she herself had even had to remind herself that he was dating
Fleur Delacour, one of the contestants of the Tri-Wizard's Tournament. 'Wonder what his teaching
style is...' she mused silently, her mind turning back to the classroom. The only other year that they'd
had a decent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, was their third year, with Professor Lupin in the
position. She had felt she learned the most from him out of all of the DADA professors she'd had thus
far at Hogwarts. She felt she had a firm grasp on the subject from the textbooks, but the practical
application was highly valuable to the learning process.
Making her way through the crowd quickly exiting the Great Hall, she turned, wanting to
quickly gather the first years so she could herd them to Gryffindor Tower, found herself face to face
with her fellow prefect, Ron Weasley. She took a deep breath, not wanting to get into a row with him
now, but he cut through her thoughts.
"I'm sorry I was a prat earlier." His words were rushed, as if he was afraid she wouldn't hear
him out. She deflated slightly, relieved that he had obviously forgiven her for her outburst on the train
and slightly but also slightly hurt. She pushed the hurt she felt aside and quickly grasped onto the
forgiveness.
"I'm sorry too, Ron." She looked down at her feet, trying to think of an excuse for her earlier
behavior. She didn't want to tell him about the dream, but felt the need to give him some sort of an
explanation. "It's just... I'm just..."
"Stressed?" Ron added helpfully.
"Yea... stressed. All the extra duties, being a prefect and all... we have the O.W.L.s coming
up..." She was a little surprised at how easy it was to just agree with Ron, and avoid the topic of her
earlier nightmare. Ron started to say something, but closed his mouth again.
"We'll get through this year, Hermione," he said simply. He gave her a smile before turning
himself and hollering above the racket, "Gryffindor first years! This way!" Hermione stood back as the
students filed by her following Ron.
"Kindly tell your cohort, that although first years are without doubt the most foolish of students, they aren't
deaf."
Hermione spun around startled as the harsh words descended upon her. "I'm sorry Professor Snape."
The students within the corridor had pushed their lines against the walls, trying to move toward their
common rooms without incurring the wrath of the dreaded potions master. Hermione hadn't realized
she was standing in the middle of the corridor, but with a foot between herself and the wall where the
students flattening their jumbled lines against it, scurrying to keep out of the middle where she and
Professor Snape were standing, and, it became increasingly apparent. There was a cleared path behind
the professor showing his exact path from the staircases leading to the dungeons. If it had been anyone
else, she might've laughed.
"Ron didn't mean-," she started, to be cut off by a dismissive hand as he raised the other to
pinch the bridge of his nose.
"I don't care what he meant, Miss Granger..." Snape said, straightening up his posture to peer
at her menacingly down his nose, "ten points from Gryffindor for a prefect bellowing in the hallway."
She sighed, trying to gain her composure. 'This is Professor Snape,' she reminded herself, 'and
he's neither nice, nor fair... get over it and get to your duties.'
"Excuse me, Professor," she went to turn around to catch up with Ron and the first years when
he grabbed her arm. She winced as his iron grip became unbearable. Glaring up at him she tersely
added, "Sir... kindly let go of my arm."
He glanced down where his hand was gripping her, and quickly let go. "A word, Miss
Granger." His eyes narrowed on the infliction.
She unconsciously rubbed her arm where his hand had vacated. "Begging your pardon, but I
have prefect duties to attend to..."
He waved his hand dismissively, "After you've deposited your charges, you are to immediately
report to my office." With those words, he turned and stalked off, the straggling students cleared a path
for the professor. Hermione watched him leave, glaring at his retreating form as a young Hufflepuff
shrieked as he came within inches of knocking her out of his way. His words had left no room for
argument and she hurried to catch up with Ron and the first years who had moved into the first flight of
staircases to wait for her.
Ron saw her rejoin the group and turned, motioning for them to follow him. Hermione was
unable to keep the scowl from her face as she climbed the stairs.
"What's wrong, Dear? Hold your head high! You're a prefect..." one of the portraits, a woman in a
Georgian Era styled dress was sitting with her husband, said.
Hermione just continued up the stairs, while the portrait continued bickering.
"Leave her alone, Winifred..." the man hissed.
The couples voices faded into the background to be replaced by more portraits up ahead
gossiping.
A couple of the first year girls were giggling ahead, watching the portraits springing to life as
they passed. Hermione couldn't help but smile. The two first years reminded her of herself, though she
hadn't been surprised by the portraits, after reading about them in Hogwarts, A History, she had still
been in awe of all the magic that surrounded her.
Hermione turned her head sharply upon hearing her name being spoke from a portrait. She
heard snippets from the whispered conversation being held in the portrait between four young females,
all dressed in pale blue flowing dresses.
"...Hermione Granger..."
"...Potter's friend... he's a handsome bloke...."
"...Tournament... won a load, he did..."
She rolled her eyes, 'Bunch of hens... don't they realize that is old news?'
"That Diggory...died, he did... the poor bloke's family..."
Hermione stiffed upon hearing the last bit over the rest of the conversation and hurried
past.Upon reaching the common room, she took Ron aside and told him about having to speak with
Snape. He was thoroughly vexed, but quickly conceded that she had little choice else. She made her
way back down, trying to ignore the pitying looks that the portraits were shooting her. Obviously word
had spread about earlier and the usual portrait gossip was flying.
Walking down the stone steps leading to the dungeon, Hermione felt a cold chill pass through
her. She took a deep breath and continued down steps. She had barely stepped down to from the last
step into the corridor when someone ran into her, knocking them both against the stairs. Cracking her
head, the edge of her vision darkened and began encroaching upon her vision. Her eyes closed
instinctually.
The person had rolled slightly after the initial impact, and hadn't fallen on her. Groaning the
person glanced over at Hermione. Seeing her starting to close her eyes, he scrambled over to her.
"Are you okay?" Hermione opened her eyes slowly. The back of her head was throbbing, as if
her heart had suddenly relocated. Brown eyes connected with blue, and she was shocked to find Draco
Malfoy leaning over her, looking concerned.
"Draco?" she said tentatively.
"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?" His tone wasn't overtly friendly, but it was free of disdain and
seemed slightly worried.
"I think so," she started to rise, and felt her body protest, pulling her back down to the stairs.
She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain shooting to her head.
"Listen," he started, his voice growing stronger as he spoke, "Hey, Hermione, listen!"
That got her attention, her eyes opened slowly and connected with his once more.
"I need you to keep your eyes open, stay awake... I don't know if you got a concussion or not."
She took a shaky breath. "Last thing I need is a fellow prefect dying while under my care... how would
it look on a university application?"
She groaned slightly and he chuckled softly. "Seriously," his voice became graver, "are you
alright?"
"I'll live... thank you." He helped her sit up slowly.
"Maybe I should get Madam Pomphrey," he started.
"It'd probably be best if we went to Professor Snape." He looked at her quickly, shocked that
she'd suggested it.
"He IS a teacher..." she answered his incredulous stare, "...and your Head of House, no less...."
He shot her another dubious look, to which she answered, "...and he's closest, and was my intended destination anyway."
He snorted slightly, "Alright, Granger..." he stood, offering a hand. She didn't take it, climbing to
her feet slowly, clinging to the wall. He rolled his eyes, "This is the difference between Slytherin and
Gryffindor..."
"What?," she interrupted him fluidly, "Gryffindor's know well enough to see the bunny for it's
fangs?"
"More like how to look a gift horse in the mouth." He turned slightly, offering his arm. She
looked at him, leaning heavily against the wall, but clearly not sure whether to trust him. "It's not going
to bite..." he mumbled, a bit hurt.
She sighed and took the proffered arm, feeling the need to hold on to him for balance. They
made their way slowly to the Head of Slytherin's private office.
'What a day...' she thought glumly.
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Okay... next chapter out of the way... I hadn't originally had Draco in the plan for this chapter... hejust... snuck his way in there. Hmmm.. Anyway, you know the drill. Hope you enjoyed it.. If you did,
review .. .if not... review, but try to break it to me gently... and be sure to be specific.