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Chapter 10
Hermione caught up with, her friends. She walked up to them, dragging her weapons bag behind her. " Why haveyou got that Hermione? You can't take it in you know?" Ginny asked curiously.
Hermione looked down at her bag, then up to the rest. " Well I'm gunna leave it outside the hall with the rest of the bags", she answered a little nervously. She hoped they didn't check thebags, howgood would it look? Teachers pet carrying a bag full of weapons?
Hermione sighed as she walked forward to the carriages with the rest of her year. The fight on the train had really taken a lot out of Her. She was feeling weak and very tired. The cut had begun to heal, but the
blood had stained her blouse, making it visible to anybody who looked close enough. As they were crammed into their carriage, Hermione saw Draco, now sat with his Slytherin fans, staring right at her. Hermione
stared back at him coldly, just as the carriage began to move.
It was time for the sorting. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George and Collin were all sat next to each other. Harry was chatting to Ron and Hermione about his extra defence against the dark arts classes. Ron, who also wanted to attend the extra classes, listened to every word Harry said. Hermione could hear every word, spoken by those near her. Nothing interested her. Gazing around she saw the first years line up to be sorted. The hat was brought out. Silence fell upon the hall. McGonagall came forward with her usual piece of parchment and began to read out names of 1st years.
" Marcia, Bonny" " Ravenclaw" A loud cheer filled the hall.
" Farrell, Clive", " Hufflepuff", another loud cheer.
After all the 1st years had been sorted Dumbledore stood up ready to make his speech.
" Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few start of year announcements to make. First of all, the Forbidden forest is completely out of bounds. Second, with the rise of Voldemort" Gasps now filled the
room, " we have arranged duelling classes for everyone who wishes too attend. We must all be prepared." Hermione looked round, to see nervous faces. " This year we four extra teachers with us. Professor Lupin" Hermione looked up, to see Lupin wave in her direction to Harry and Ron, " He will be teaching Defence against the dark arts, along with, Sirius Black, who has been cleared of his charges." There were loud cheers for the two teachers stood at the top of the hall. " And Professor Moody" again cheers filled the room. " There is this year we have a special teacher, who has been assigned to a new subject." Everyone looked at Dumbledore with curious faces. " He is a muggle, who will be teaching counselling. He is our new school councillor." People just remained silent and stared at the front. " His nameis William Giles" There were loud claps. Hermione looked up astonished. He smiled at her, she was so pleased to see him, and pleased that he could be with her. She returned the smile warmly.
" Now on a serious note. The incident on the train, we believe, was an inspection from some of Voldemort's followers trying to find something. Luckily they mysteriously left, with out what they were looking for."
Will shot Hermione a suspicious, ' well done' look. Hermione just smiled, and then looked up, to see Harry staring at her strangely.
After the feast, they were shown to their rooms. During the feast Hermione had been trying to speak to Will. He had been too busy talking to Dumbledore, about whatever to notice her much though.
When Hermione reached her room, she discovered that she had been moved to a separate room. Her room had a beautiful view of the forest and in the horizon, Hogsmead. Crookshanks was already making himself at home. He buried himself in the covers of the bed. Hermione was very suspicious of this whole room change thing, but took it to be an advantage. Quickly she slipped of her robes, and then put on her jumper and a pair of black jeans. She was going to find Will; she really needed to ask him some questions about what happened on the train.
She picked up a stake and put it in her pocket, then exited her dorm. As soon as she
stepped outside the common room, she was almost caught by Filch who she suspected had been chasing first years who didn't know who he was and were sneaking about. She quickly ducked back into the common room.
When he passed she crawled out and turned to face the portrait. The fat lady gave Hermione an unimpressed look. Hermione just walked off, not at all bothered.
As she crept through the castle, she noticed that there were now more traps. One was placed on the steps leading from the Gryffindor tower, if you stepped on it you would be clued to the floor. Hermione had just missed it, but as a consequence tripped and fell down 3 steps. She twisted her ankle a bit, but she carried on creeping through the castle. She did not know where to find the Councillors office, so she would just have to find it.
After checking near the staff room, the transfiguration corridors, near Dumbledores office, in fact, almost ever where, she gave up, and began to head back to bed. When she reached her 5th flight of stairs, she saw another staircase leading off towards the Divinations corridors. She had only been there for a few lessons, and had never explored the other corridors. They had never had a class there, so she decided to check it out.
The divination corridors were spooky. They smelled of the same incense the magick box smelled of. They were all cloudy and suffocated you slightly; it was becoming very difficult for Hermione to see. She was now facing a corridor where it was totally visible, so she quickly ran into it. As she walked slowly up through the corridor, she noticed that a large amount of classrooms had not been used for ages. They were old, dusty and very big and spacious.
As she looked into one, she began to turn the handle. The door was locked. As she wandered further into the hidden part of the castle she noticed a small room, which was being used. She could tell from the rays of light that were shining through the bottom of the door. She cautiously approached the room. Slowly she turned the handle making little sound. She poked her head round the door to see what was going on inside. The sight made her laugh.
" Hello Will" Will turned around to see Hermione beaming at him.
" So you're the new school councillor...", she said amused. Will who had 5 thick volumes in his hand dropped them too the floor. Hermione walked into the room to help him pick them up.
" Well.miss Granger aren't you supposed to be in bed? As your teacher and watcher I must insist that go back to bed directly" He joked. Hermione laughed warmly, typical Will.
" So you got outcast to this end of the castle. Hmm" she said as she examined the room " I haven't actually been here before. So enlighten me, why are you here, at Hogwarts, in this hidden part of the castle?"
" Well. I'm here to train you. I got this job when I saw an advert in your Daily Prophet for a job to council troubled students, because there would be a lot who needed it sooooo, I came here for an interview, and I got the job. When I told Dumbledore that I was a muggle, he questioned me about how I knew about the Wizarding world."
" And what did you say" asked Hermione picking up the last of the books.
" Well that my niece once attended this school. I know that he did not believe me, but gave me the job anyway. In addition, I am in this part of the castle because; this is where my classes will be taught. So, I asked for this office. He wanted to give me one near the divination classes, but I refused. We cannot let anybody find out about are situation, and if Trelawney has very advanced psychic powers, then we could not risk it."
Hermione just burst with laughter. " What's so funny?"
" Trelawney... an advanced psychic. You must be kidding. I mean ok sometimes she can get some small things right, but otherwise she's a stupid Witch. Look at it this way....every lesson she predicts Harry's death, and he's still alive. Anything morbid or that involves death, she loves." Will just stared at Hermione.
" Well anyway, this room is better. It's secluded, spacious, and very practical for our training. Look through to the next room, and tell me what you think." Hermione did as she was told. She opened the door, and her eyes were greeted with a room filled with books galore. Not only that but training equipment that she never had before.
" It's amazing.how on earth did you get it in here without been seen?" Hermione asked. " With great difficulty. So what are you doing here anyway?"
" Well I wanted to ask you something, about the train incident.."
Will put the books he had been carrying onto the shelf. " Ah yes" he said shyly " I was going to ask you about that. What happened?"
" Well I was arguing with Malfoy right, because we were sharing a cabin. The cart lady came in and told us that we had to get changed into our robes. As I was getting changed, the lights went off and the train
stopped. We heard something searching the cabins. When the lights came on, I went out onto the top of the train. Just as I did, the lights went off again. Then the train started, so I was about to go back, when these ' Slaver guys' appear. So, I turn around to see what to do. Just then, I pushed..." Will just seemed more interested to know the outcome as opposed to the whole graphic details... " Then I kicked some serious 'Slaver' ass. Well I know I killed one. Decapitated it." Hermione replied enthusiastically.
" How many were there?" Hermione tried to relive the fight.
" There were...five! Really ugly..."
" Well... well done. So you said that they were searching the cabins for you?"
" I don't know.... They had this weird symbol burned into their foreheads."
" If you draw it for me, I can research it. In the mean time, you need to patrol and train. I'm expecting a letter from the council, giving us a mission and some instructions."
" Oh yay", commented Hermione sarcastically. " So what am I doing now?"
" Well tomorrow classes start. We can train, every two days at every moment possible. You are going to have to patrol everyday though. There have been overten vampire sightings, in a town called Hogsmead, in just two nights. Something's going on." Will was now walking around polishing his glasses.
" I didn't know that you wore glasses" Hermione remarked side tracked.
Will turned his head still polishing his glasses, " Oh they're for reading".
" Well, I draw that symbol for you then I'll go to bed."
" Thanks!"
" No problem...Ok I'm off." With that Hermione left.
By the time she had gotten back to the Common room, she was worn out and very sleepy. She dragged
herself up to her room, and then crawled into bed. That night she had a restless night. She dreamed that everyone she loved and held dear too her, were murdered before her eyes, by Demons. They were laughing as she broke down and cried.
She woke up. It was now 3 am. She could not go back to sleep. She showered, got ready then sat and read in the common room. After reading for half an hour, she put her book down. Just as she did, she heard the
portrait swing open. Suddenly she jumped to her feet and watched as the portrait closed again.
" Harry, Ron?" The two appeared out of nowhere. " God you scared me then. Where have you two been?" She asked sternly and motherly. They both looked at each other.
" Well, we kinda snuck down to the main hall. There was a meeting about new information on Voldemort, between Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. So we decided too attend. Sorry we didn't invite you, it's just that you disappeared straight after the feast, and we couldn't get to you. Anyway what are you doing up?" Harry explained and asked.
" Well I couldn't sleep. It's too hot, so I got up and decided to read. That's all"
" Typical Hermione" Ron joked. Hermione gave him a dirty look, before, hugging them both goodnight. ' I just hope they havea better night than me' she though too herself.
The Great Hall, morning
Hermione walked into the dining hall dragging her feet behind her. She wasactually quitelate for breakfast. She had been too enthralled in her book to notice the huge stampede heading down to the Great Hall. As she walked in, she saw Harry and Ron. She walked over too them and sat down.
" Hi guys. What's up with you two? You both look miserable"
" Have you seen our timetable?" Hermione looked to the centre of the table for hers. As she scanned this list she also let out a loud groan, then slammed her head down on the table. Ginny, Fred and George all then asked them what was so bad.
" This is" Ron muttered as he read out their timetables. " Monday: Double Divination, Double Care of magical creatures, with Slytherins, Double potions, with, Slytherins. Tuesday: Double DADA- with Slytherins, Double Herbology, Double History of Magick. Wednesday: Same as Monday. Thursday: Same as Tuesday. Friday: Double Potions, Double Counselling- with Slytherins, Double DADA!"
" Well I guess it could be worse" Everyone turned to look at Ginny.
" How could it be worse", asked Hermione grudgingly.
" Well you could have had all your lessons with Slytherins, like me." They all gave her sympathetic looks, while Fred and George patted her on the back and slipped something into her drink.
" Hermione what's your first lesson?" Harry asked.
" Ermm....Divination" Hermione recalled, looking at her sheet.
" Oh you're taking it this year?" Fred and George chorused together. Before Hermione could answer, the mail came. As the group turned around to watch the owls Hermione noticed, Will was staring at her, as if he was waiting for something.
He seemed worried at the same time. She just looked away and waited for the owls. Not surprisingly, Will was finding it hard to adjust to the way the wizarding world worked, but when a howler arrived, he was completely baffled. The howler was for Fred and George. They had apparently brought the house down with their new invention. The rest of the hall, including Fred and George all burst out laughing. Even Dumbledore found it amusing. Dumbledore stared at Hermione; he had a twinkle in his eye. It was as if he knew about everything that had happened. Deciding that his gaze was too creepy, she focused on receiving her owl, with her letters from home.
Hermione spotted the owl carrying her letters, dive for Harry's head. " Harry look out" She screamed to Harry, grabbing the attention of everyone in the hall. Harry luckily ducked in time. However, the owl, that was injured, dropped straight onto Hermione's lap. The whole hall was silent for about 3 seconds, before breaking into a quiet hum again. Hermione took the letters from the owl, just before; Hagrid carried it away to the owlery.
Hermione browsed through her letters. " Here's the Daily Prophet if anyone's interested" She threw it into the middle of the table. She continued to browse through the rest of her letters. She felt Will's eyes watch her. The last letter in the pile caught her attention.
On the envelopes back it said: Hermione Granger- please do not read with out William Gilesthere.
Hermione did not like the fact that she had to take orders from a bunch of people she did not know, so opened the letter just to spite them.
Dear Miss Granger,
We have information about you first mission. Lately there had been a rise in supernatural activity around your school. We believe that a powerful, ancient evil is rising there. You must seek out the evil and destroy it- before it is too late. We have sent some information, which you will find in the envelope.
Good luck Jack Donald Research and field Watchers Council
'Well what a nice way to start the day. How very kind of them' Hermione thought too herself sarcastically. The letter did worry her. She had not even started school and already she had been assigned to kicking ass.
" Hermione are you ok?" A concerned Harry asked. " You've gone very pale."
Hermione looked up. " Yea... I'll be fine. So what have you all got?" Will had noticed that something was wrong, and was dying to read the letter.
" Well", Ron began, " I got a letter from Mum, asking me to keep an eye on everyone, and not to go around getting into trouble." Hermione rolled her eyes smiling. Harry looked across at her smiling too. Ron seemed a little in dismay too at the letter. " Then I got a parcel from Dad which is a ball...."
" A ball?" harry asked amused passing Hermione the salt. Ron nodded just as confused.
Laughing, Hermione suggested, " Maybe it's a magic?"
Ron looked to her deftly. " A magic ball?" There was a moments pause before everyone broke into laughter.
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cyas Sassy x-x-x-x