A/N: I do not own any of the characters or settings in this story, they all belong to J.K. Rowling. Please review when you're done reading, this is my first fan fic and I want to know what you guys think of it. Thanks a lot! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2: School's in Session
Hermione awoke well rested for the first day of classes. She got dressed, grabbed her bag and headed down to the Great Hall with Harry, Ron and Ginny. They were chatting merrily at breakfast when Professor McGonagall came by to give them their schedules. "Oh great, potions first," complained Harry. "What a great way to start the new school year."
"I just hope we don't have any classes with the Slytherins this year," commented Ron as he watched Draco and his fellow 6th year Slytherins enter the Great Hall and take their seats. "I don't know if I can take another year of that insufferable git Malfoy."
"We shouldn't have many classes with them, if any, it's not like they have the brains to pass their OWLS and get into the NEWT level classes like we did" commented Hermione matter-of-factly.
A deep booming bell sounded to announce that it was time to head to class. The trio reluctantly left their seats in order to walk down to the dungeons for potions class with professor Snape. When they reached the classroom, they sat in the very back of the room so they could be as far away from Snape as possible. Much to their dismay Draco and Pansy soon walked in and headed to the front of the classroom, followed by some Ravenclaws and a couple Hufflepuffs.
The minute class was supposed to start Professor Snape stormed in. "I see that all of you have managed to return. . . how fortunate," Snape curled his lip and looked at Harry as he spoke. Normally I only accept those who have received 'Outstanding' on their OWL potions test into this class. However, since only two students managed to do that, the Headmaster requested that I open the class to those of you who received 'Excellent' as well." Snape paused and looked at his class with loathing. "Yet the Headmaster agrees that it would be a shame to hold back the students who deserve to be here, therefore those who did receive 'Outstanding' marks shall be working on a special project that will require them to research and concoct a particularly difficult potion. They are to meet with me after class."
They spent the rest of class reviewing important information about ingredients and potions, and taking loads of notes. Harry, Ron and Hermione were thrilled when it was finally time to pack up. Harry and Ron made to leave, but Hermione stayed behind to see what project she was going to be working on, and who she would be working with. She waited until everyone was out of the room except for her, Professor Snape, and to her horror, Draco Malfoy.
"Well, it seems as if you two are the only ones with brains enough to deserve to be here, so professor Dumbledore thinks it is a good idea for both of you to work together in order to research a complex but extremely valuable potion. The potion is called the revival drought. You shall be required to research what it does, its ingredients, how and where to find those ingredients, the history behind the creation of the potion, and you will be required to make the potion as well."
Hermione listened to Snape's instructions with an increasing sense of foreboding. She was going to have to work together with Malfoy! Draco meanwhile, didn't even appear to be paying attention. He was staring at the desk in front of him nonchalantly leaning back in his chair. Snape glanced at each student, and then continued. "You are to first do all the necessary research, and then you shall procure the ingredients. After that you will begin to brew the potion, and while it is brewing you will write an essay researching the history of the potion. What its use is, and how the ingredients react together to perform that function. You shall come to class like always, but you will work on this project rather than doing class homework. That is all."
Draco sauntered out of Snape's classroom, scowling at the thought of having to work with Granger outside of class. It figures that his hard work would be repaid like this, by him being forced to work with a filthy mudblood. Draco slowly made his way to Transfiguration; he was in no rush to continue this year at all. And it was just the first day back. . . . .
However, after class, Harry and Ron asked Hermione about what professor Snape had said, and it all came back to her.
"Ugh," she replied, "it's horrible! I have to work all year on a potions project, researching and brewing this really advanced, complicated potion."
"So?" interrupted Harry, "you've never minded extra work before." "It's not the work that bothers me! I have to do all that with Malfoy!" "What!" shouted Harry and Ron in unison. "That sucks Hermione," added Ron. "Yeah tell me about it," agreed Hermione, "this is going to be a very long year."