I don't own the characters; I just mess around with them. I'll return them when I'm finished…maybe. evil grin
I love all of my fantastic reviewers! As well, I just checked my Provincial exam marks…93 on my English test (74 overall). That is my crowning achievement. The other 4 exams…not so much. cringes
Anyway, I will leave you to read the third installment. Don't forget to review, and leave an e-mail at the very least so I know where to send my thanks! If you sign in, I may even read and review some of your work!
ABCD
Ghost: Chapter 3
One afternoon, a few days after Hermione had told Snape of his 'condition', the new Potions professor looked around her newly acquired rooms, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
"This décor has to go," she said. "Don't you agree, Harry?"
"I kind of like it," the raven-haired man replied, looking around at the antique furniture, the stone walls and the black, green and sliver hangings.
"I was being serious," Hermione said, glaring at her best friend.
"So was I," retorted Harry. Hermione sighed.
"Are you going to help me or not?" she asked. Harry grinned and gave her a mock-salute.
"Alright boss, where do we start?"
"First, we need to get fix the lighting a bit," Hermione said, waving her wand at the torches. The fire brightened a bit, illuminating the dark corners and the shadowy crannies. "It's not as good as natural light, but it'll have to do."
The two former Gryffindors worked on the sitting room, bedroom, and study, changing the black, green and silver to different shades of blue. When they got to the bathroom, they added more torches and a few mirrors. However, they left the large black marble tub and the pedestal sink alone.
When all of the redecorating was finished, Harry and Hermione flopped onto on of the sofas in the sitting room.
"So, Harry, tell me again why Ron couldn't come and help us?" Hermione asked, curious.
"He had to go to an appointment with Lavender," replied Harry. "She's about three months along now and he wants to be there for every step of the baby's life, from conception onwards."
"Alrighty then," Hermione said. She looked around to her newly decorated rooms. "I think I can live here now without fearing things going bump in the night."
Just then, a ghostly figure floated through the wall. Harry and Hermione jumped at the sudden appearance. Snape's face was a mask of disbelief and shock.
"What have you done?!" he exclaimed. He rounded on Hermione. "You! You did this!"
"Of course I did, Severus," Hermione replied calmly. "You didn't expect me to stay in the dark, drab and, frankly, creepy atmosphere that was here before did you?"
"But these are my rooms! I'm the one that haunts them!" exclaimed Snape.
"Possessive much?" asked Harry, trying to fight back laughter.
"I'd be happy to share; I think it would be rather nice to have some companionship around here," Hermione said, looking at the ghost. "That is, if you would accept sharing space with a Muggle-born, know-it-all Gryffindor, that is."
"Well, I guess given the options, I will share with you," said Snape with a sigh. Harry snorted.
"You sound so hard done by," he said. Snape rounded on Hermione.
"What is he," he said, pointing at Harry, "doing here anyway?"
"He's my friend, and he helped me decorate," Hermione replied.
"Where's the third prong of the Gryffindor Trio?" asked Snape.
"Doctor's appointment with his wife," Harry replied. Snape rolled his eyes heavenward.
"God save the world when Mr. Weasley's offspring graces us with his presence," he said. "I will leave you both now…I don't think I want to know what you two are going to be up to later."
Hermione giggled as Snape floated out of the room. Harry arched an eyebrow in confusion, making Hermione laugh even harder.
"I don't think I want to know," Harry said. He checked his watch, his eyes widening when he saw the time. "I have to get going. Luna's going to be home soon."
"That woman has you on a tight leash," Hermione said, shaking her head. "I never thought I'd see the day when the Boy Who Lived would be answering the beck and call of Looney Lovegood."
"I hate that title," Harry replied, making a face. "I'll see you later, okay? Maybe we can get together in Hogsmeade one last time before school starts. Just me, you and Ron."
"That would be fun," Hermione said. They both got up from the sofa and embraced before Harry left through the fireplace. Once he was out of sight and the green flames had died down, Hermione went and retrieved her lesson plans from her study.
"Time to get to work," she said to herself. She looked over the Ministry requirements of what she had to teach, and compared it against her notes. She had up to about Christmas planned out already, and she already had half of the requirements covered.
"You know, not everyone is as studious as you," came a voice from behind her. Hermione turned to see Snape reading over her shoulder. "You may have to deal with another Longbottom-type student. Plus you have to plan around Quidditch, holidays and the other classes. What if the other classes your students had were to assign as much homework as you do?"
"Who's the one planning the class, you or me?" asked Hermione, glaring at the ghost. "I was under the impression that I was the one hired to teach the class; you're just the ghost that haunts the dungeons."
"Well, I'm sorry if you find my attempt at help insulting," Snape said sarcastically. "I'll just be leaving now."
With that, Snape floated through the wall and out of the room again. After she was sure he was out of range, Hermione began revising her lesson plans so that the topics covered weren't crammed into the first half of the year.
ABCD
Before long it was time for the Welcome Feast, and with it came Hermione's nerves. She sat at the Head table, between McGonagall's empty seat and Madam Pomfrey. Hermione assumed that McGonagall was off greeting the first years, and that she would be back soon.
Hermione watched as the students from second through seventh year began filtering into the hall and organized themselves into their houses. A brief feeling of nostalgia washed over the young professor as she remembered that she, not too long ago, was just like the students before her. She was brought out of her reverie by an amused voice.
"How are things going with Severus, my dear?" asked Dumbledore. Hermione growled slightly, sounding a bit like Crookshanks.
"Oh, I just want to smack him with a wet fish!" Hermione said. Dumbledore chuckled. "He's so infuriating!"
"He'll come around in time," he replied, still chuckling. At that moment the doors to the Great Hall opened, and the gaggle of first years, led by Professor McGonagall, entered. Dumbledore stood from his spot at the table and began to give his speech.
"Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts," he began, causing the entire student body to applaud. He gestured to the children to calm down. "As always, I have a few announcements to make. The Forbidden Forest is just that: forbidden. Anyone caught exploring its depths will be punished severely."
"Then we just won't get caught!" exclaimed someone, most likely a Slytherin. Dumbledore smiled before continuing.
"As well, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you yet again that there is to be no magic used in the corridors. Additionally, the list of banned items is in his office for public viewing," he said. "Now, I have a happier announcement. I have finally found a replacement for Professor Snape."
At this, all of the students cheered and threw up their hats. Dumbledore tried to be heard over the din, but he found it to be pointless to even put forth an attempt. McGonagall put her fingers in her mouth, whistling loudly, to get everyone to be quiet.
"Thank you, Minerva." Dumbledore acknowledged his deputy Head. "Professor Granger is a former Prefect, having graduated in the class of 1997-1998. I hope that you treat her with the utmost respect, as I expect you to treat all professors. Now, I think that's all, so without further ado let's get on with the sorting!"
The hat sang its song, and the first years were sorted from 'Abernathy, Christine' to 'Zwiggle, Michael'. It seemed to go on forever, and Hermione felt as if she was going to fall asleep at the table. Just as her eyes were beginning to droop, McGonagall rolled up her scroll and carried the stool away. Dumbledore stood again to address the students.
"I have two words for all of you: Let's eat!"
Everyone began digging in; Hermione didn't eat much because she wasn't all that hungry. After the pudding came and went, Dumbledore stood up one last time to make an announcement.
"Now, as I'm sure you all have to get up early in the morning for your lessons, I must ask of you to go to bed now. The prefects will lead their houses to their dormitories. The Heads of Houses and the Head Girl and Boy will meet with me in the back room before retiring. Everyone else, off to bed!"
Hermione was glad that she was a regular professor; that way, she could just go down to the dungeons and go straight to bed. Eventually, she knew she'd have to patrol, but until then she was going to enjoy her early nights.
Hermione arrived at her rooms, whispered the password and flopped down onto the sofa, a soft, tired sigh escaping her lips. A second later Snape floated through one of the walls. Hermione was unfazed as the ghost glided towards her and stopped right in front of her face.
"Well, hello there to you, Severus," Hermione said as cheerily she could manage. She knew a cheery demeanor annoyed the ghost, so she milked it for all its worth. "How are you this evening?"
"What do you think?" asked Snape with a scowl. "How was the feast?"
"Long, dull and boring as ever," Hermione replied. "It's even worse now because I don't really have a house to cheer for."
"You'll get used to it," Snape said, his mouth turning up in a hint of a smile. He didn't mind the girl when she was alone. "Shouldn't you be getting to bed? After all, you want to be well-rested for your teaching debut."
"Since when do you care about me?" asked Hermione. "I would have thought you wanted me to screw up so that you could get your job back."
"I can't teach. I'm a ghost, remember?" reminded Snape. Hermione laughed, and then yawned.
"I guess I should probably get going to bed," she said, yawning again. "Good night, Severus."
"Good night, Hermione."
ABCD
I know, it's a little OOC, especially near the end of the chapter. Please, give me feedback.