"Wake up, Hermione!"
Hermione yawned and opened her eyes to see sunlight flooding into the room. She rolled over and found herself face to face with a worried-looking Ginny Weasley.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked sleepily.
"Nothing, really," said Ginny, "except that, well, it's 8:30 in the morning-"
Hermione jolted upright. "Oh no!"
"-And you're always awake by at least seven, and when I didn't see you at breakfast I asked Ron about it, and he said he thought you'd already gone down, so..."
By this time, Hermione was scrambling around the room furiously trying to prepare herself for class.
"Ginny, have you seen my tie?" Hermione wondered as she frantically buttoned her shirt. "I thought I set it-"
She stopped short as Ginny calmly held out her tie, already tied and ready to slip on.
"Right," Hermione said as she grabbed it. "Thanks. Now I just need my-"
"Wand?" supplied Ginny, handing it to her.
Hermione looked at Ginny gratefully. "Thank you."
"No problem."
Hermione glanced at the mirror on the wall, giving her appearance a final assessment. She sighed. "I suppose there isn't time to do anything with my hair, is there?"
Ginny raised an eyebrow. Hermione grinned, then glanced at her watch.
"Oh, I'm going to be so late!"she moaned, racing out of the dormitory and nearly tripping on her way down the stairs.
"Hermione!" Ginny called, holding a book bag that had been left behind. Hermione rushed back up and grabbed it, then hurried out of Gryffindor Tower with a final exasperated sigh.
"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said as Hermione burst into the classroom. "How kind of you to join us."
"Sorry," she apologized as she took her seat between Harry and Ron, "I... I guess I overslept."
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the class. Even Professor McGonagall seemed to be caught off-guard.
"This is certainly an unusual occurrence," McGonagall admitted. "Please find your seat."
"Yes, Professor," agreed Hermione as she slipped comfortably into conscientious student mode. "I apologize for interrupting the lesson."
"Very well," answered McGonagall, somewhat appeased. "Now, as I was saying..."
"You overslept?" Ron whispered as McGonagall continued to lecture.
"Yes, Ron," Hermione replied with an irritated tone.
"But why were you late?" Harry wondered.
"Because I was sleeping!" Hermione hissed. "Honestly, you two can be so thick."
Both boys were silent for a moment, then Harry spoke again. "Have you ever been late for anything before?" he asked.
"No. I don't want to talk about it," she said firmly as she turned her attention to the lesson, leaving Harry and Ron to exchange mystified looks.
"Miss Granger, a word," Professor McGonagall said as the rest of the class was dismissed.
Harry and Ron regarded Hermione as if she had just been given the death sentence. "See you later," they mumbled before rushing out the door.
Hermione gathered her books and proceeded to the front of the classroom. "Yes, Professor?"
McGonagall, who was seated at her desk, took off her glasses and looked at Hermione with concern. "Is everything alright, Hermione?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"I see." The elderly professor's expression hardened. "I must admit that I was extremely surprised by your tardiness," she said. "I certainly hope it does not become a habit."
"Believe me, Professor, it won't," Hermione replied earnestly.
"Even so," McGonagall continued, "You will report for detention at seven o'clock tonight."
"I understand."
McGonagall put on her glasses, picked up a quill, and turned her attention to the stack of papers on her desk. She glanced up a moment later and saw that Hermione was still standing there. "You're free to go," she released her.
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione turned and walked out of the classroom.
"Detention!" Ron exclaimed after Hermione had filled in Harry and him over lunch. "Who does that old hag think she is? You show up late for one class, and bam!" He slammed his fist into the table for emphasis. "You're writing lines every night for the rest of your Hogwarts career."
"It's only one night, Ron," corrected Hermione.
"He's got a point, though," Harry agreed. "You're at the top of our class, Hermione. You've never done anything wrong before-"
"Except for entering forbidden corridors, smuggling dragons, traveling through time-" Hermione reminded him.
"Whatever," Harry interrupted. "But she can't keep throwing detentions at you whenever she pleases, it's just...wrong," he finished.
"I was late for class, remember?" said Hermione. "You're both overreacting."
"Ron, overreact? Never!" Fred joked as he and George strolled into the Great Hall.
"Congratulations, Hermione!" said George, shaking her hand enthusiastically. "We just heard."
"I remember our first tardy," Fred reminisced, "it was our second day at Hogwarts." Both twins let out a nostalgic sigh. "George! Did you bring the gift?"
"Of course," he replied, producing a shiny gold badge emblazoned with the words Hermione Granger: Class Skipper.
"Er, thanks," said Hermione with a forced smile, attempting to conceal her distaste. "It's very... nice."
"You're welcome," the twins replied, executing low bows before leaving to find seats farther down the table.
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?" she sighed.
Ron grinned. "Not if you wear that badge around school."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Very funny."
"Hey, at least you managed to impress Fred and George," Harry pointed out.
"And that's a good thing because...?"
He shrugged. "Well, if you decide to make it a habit, they're sure to have some excellent pointers."
"I do not intend to make it a habit," Hermione replied as she finished her lunch. "So if you'll excuse me, I have to get to class. On time!" she stressed, standing up and heading for the door.
"Hermione!" Ron called after her.
"What?"she answered impatiently.
"Oh, nothing," said Ron. "I just thought you might want this." He indicated her book bag, which was still on the floor underneath the bench.
"Thanks," she said as she returned to pick it up, flushed with embarrassment.
"Sure," Ron replied nonchalantly.
"Don't you have a class or something?" Harry reminded her, and Hermione rushed away once again.
Author's Note: Voilá! That didn't take too long, did it? Hopefully- and I realize that everyone says this- it will get better as I go. As far as updating goes: I am a slow writer. I have a busy life. I'm not promising anything. Hence, I'm not expecting much in the read-and-review department, but we'll see what happens. (Thank you, Umino Ayame and King Kazul for your reviews! I'm glad you liked it so far and I hope the rest lives up to your expectations.) Anyway, I would still appreciate any and all input. Thanks!