Chapter 5
Thank God that's over. Hermione thought as she collapsed in her chair. Every day since the first day of school it seemed she had a migraine. Of course, who wouldn't? Trying to teach Slytherins Muggle history was practically a suicide wish.
Stupid bigoted children. At least the Muggle Art Survey class went off without a hitch. Mostly Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, it was the one bright spot of the day. All the houses got along, even the two Slytherins that were in there and the three Hufflepuffs. Too bad that couldn't be said for the fourth year Slytherin/ Gryffindor class. Massaging her throbbing temples, she started to understand why Snape always threatened to poison them.
A nasty little part of her brain told her that she could always sneak into his storage cabinet. It was quite easy if she remembered correctly. Just a bit of wormwood, basilisk venom, and digitalis…
No, she corrected herself. Poisoning the little bastards is below me. Unless they don't start acting like human beings. She shook her head. Too much time spent with Snape. Do your lessons on your own next time.
Fortunately, before she could put any such plan into action, her thoughts were interrupted by the all important dinner hour.
As she entered Great Hall for dinner, Hermione was hoping to find a free spot next to Minerva. She had a question about a transfiguration article she had read in the British Journal Of Magic. Apparently, wizards in Peru had managed to permanently transfer a llama into a wardrobe. Wondering if this could possibly effect the study of transfiguration and if sh- damn. Remus was on the left of Minerva, and Madam Hooch on the right. In fact, every seat at the head table was taken.
Except for the one next to Snape.
Figures. Having dinner with Snape would be the perfect closing to this day.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione steeled her courage and went to the empty chair. He barely looked up when she pulled out the chair and sat down. "Hello Miss Granger." He gave her a brief nod, to which she merely sighed in response.
"Rough day, Granger?"
She snorted. "Putting it mildly, yes."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a small blue vial. "Here, three drops of this in your tea will get rid of that nasty headache you're having. Six more in a student's tea will leave them unconscious for the better part of a week."
In spite of herself, she laughed slightly at that. "Having a not so great day yourself? And how did you know I had a headache?"
"One, I have students that make Longbottom look like a genius in potions. And two, you keep squinting and rubbing your temples. A blind man could see you had a headache." He said as he placed the three necessary drops in her tea for her, leaving the vial besides the cup.
Sipping her now potion-improved tea, Hermione could feel the tension in her head lessening. "Thanks." She pushed the vial back towards him.
Standing up, he waved her off. "Keep it. I have vats of this stuff in the dudgeons." He paused, then added "Good night Miss Granger and enjoy your dinner."
Watching him walk away, she realized with a shock that the man had actually been nice for once. She shook her head, Snape nice? She needed to get more sleep. That was a sure sign of delirium. Or the Apocalypse.
No sleep was to be found soon, however. After dinner she attended the ever-fun faculty meeting. Much to her chagrin, Hermione Granger was chosen to help supervise the first Hogsmead Weekend. Now, her much coveted Saturday would be spent with a bunch of unruly children and one very bitter Potions Professor. Oh, yes, he had been chosen to supervise too.
Dumbledore seemed to get too much amusement out of announcing the chaperons. Between all the teachers, Severus and Hermione were considered the most likely to leave third years in the Forbidden Forest. In fact, there were rumours that the rest of the faculty had already taken bets on when that said event would occur.
It was not that Hermione didn't like teaching. It was just so frustrating. The younger Slytherins didn't care about her class no matter how much she punished or points she deducted. Most Gryffindors didn't pay attention either because most of them at least knew Muggles or were Muggle-borns and therefore, thought the class was a moot point.
Whenever she had something that fascinated her to share with the class, they ignored her. They did their work yes, and paid attention in class, but nobody cared. At least in the required classes.
The other classes were not as bad. Advanced Muggle Culture, fifth year, Muggle History for sixth years, and Muggle Art Survey, seventh years, went on without a hitch. Maybe because the kids had chosen to take them. They actually wanted to talk and learn about these things.
These thought didn't make her anticipate the first Hogsemead weekend any more then before.
Returning to her quarters, she ran into something. To be more precise, a someone with bright red hair.
"Ron!" she called, pulling him into a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Good to see you too, Herm." He said returning the hug. "I'm here on Ministry business. We needed to ask Dumbledore what he thought about recent Death Eater attacks."
"There's been more?" She asked, worry showing on her face.
"Yeah, there was another one today, down in Kent. Nobody was home, but they found the dark mark left in the remains of the house."
"I thought all this was over two years ago."
He sighed. "It was. Don't worry- it's just a bunch of rouges. There's no actual rhyme or reason behind these attacks."
"Well, that's good at least. Moving on to lighter topics, what have you been up too?" she asked, desperate not to talk about the darker developments in the news.
He grinned, "Oh you know, the usual. Working, sleeping, getting engaged…"
"You got engaged and didn't tell me? When did this happen? And I'm assuming its Lavender?" She asked, hugging him again.
"Yes, I'm engaged to Miss Lavender Brown. It happened last night missy, so that's why I didn't write and tell you." He smiled. "And before you ask, we're thinking about a December wedding. December of next year, that is. That way all the little Weasleys will be home for the holidays."
She returned his smile. "Congratulations Ron. You two are so perfect together. Tell Lavender I'm so happy for her."
He nodded. "Yes ma'am." Suddenly looking serious, the red head looked at Hermione. "Herm, speaking of engagements, Harry misses you."
Hermione's smile disappeared. "And?" she asked icily.
"And, he's sorry. In fact, he's really sorry. He knows he screwed up big and I know he's sent you owls trying to apologize." Ron said, pleading his other best friend's case.
"I know about the owls, Ron. I choose not to answer them." She looked frustrated. "Look, I don't want to have anything else to do with him. I left because it was time for me to move on. What I walked in on that day wasn't a one-time thing. He's been lying to me for years Ron and you know it." She paused. "I don't think he ever meant to marry me."
Ron managed to have the decency to look uncomfortable. "If that's how you feel-"
"Yes, it is" she interrupted. "And I'm tired of either people coddling me, telling me to get over it or telling me how much he is suffering."
"Well then there's nothing I can say is there." He gave her a weak smile that she didn't return. "Then just let me tell you one thing. He's in Hogsmead. I don't think he'll try and get in touch with you, but I just thought you'd like to know. Just in case."
"Thanks Ron." Looking at her watch, she realized she was late for a detention. "Great. I'm late. I'll talk to you later Ron. Oh, and Good Luck!"
Waiting till she was out of earshot, he muttered, "Keep the luck. Knowing Harry you'll probably need it more then I will."