Chapter 8: Slytherins
"Good morning," said Elizabeth, (a.k.a. Hermione), sitting down at the table the next morning.
The boys all looked up at her sleepily in disgust. Sirius growled out, "Nothin' good about it."
Hermione raised and eyebrow in query, "What's up with you? Quidditch get canceled or something?" She reached for the toast and marmalade.
James answered dully, "It's Thursday. Double Potions with Slytherin. Then Double Divination. Worst schedule you can have. Malfoy better keep his mouth to himself today or I might just be forced to pull rank and shove my fist into his pointy little face."
Hermione did a slight double take at the name, but no one seemed to notice. Trying to hide her reaction she asked, "Why? Who's Malfoy?" She pointedly did not look at the Slytherin table.
Remus answered this one, "The richest, snobbiest, wealiest, pureblood git in the entire school and Slytherin to boot. James and Lucius Malfoy hate each other. The number of times they've hexed each other into detention has put them in the record books. Never turn your back on him. Never trust a Slytherin. They are all liars and manipulators."
Hermione raised an eyebrow again at this little speech. She was inclined to agree with that last statement when it came to the Malfoy family. But to say all Slytherins seemed a bit extreme. Professor Snape can be trusted...sort of, came the thought unbidden.
She finished her toast and looking at her watch said, "Doesn't potions start at nine?" They nodded. "We've got five minutes." They looked at her for a moment before getting up as one and heading to the dungeons.
The dungeons weren't much different either. The walls were still dank and the rooms dark. The shelves were still lined with things in strange liquids that looked like the same ones in the future. As always it smelled like mold mixed with spices and burnt potions. The tables were the standard wood topped desks. Hermione breathed in deeply. This was the way she liked it. She had never told anyone, but she loved the smell of the potions classroom. One day she hoped to do further study in potions. Or Arithmancy. She hadn't decided yet.
She followed Lily and James to a table in the middle and sat down. The rest of the class trickled in with a notable separation of Gryffindors to the right, Slytherin on the left.
It was mere seconds past nine when the dungeon door slammed open once more. A trail of brown robes followed the professor to the front of the classroom. Hermione looked with interest at her new...old...whatever...potions professor. Looking at the face she got a shock. The professor was female and blond. She was wearing close fitting sand colored dress under the previously noted billowing brown robes. The scowl did her elegant face and injustice. The sneering red lips were purely Slytherin. The icy blue eyes stared contemptuously at the silent students. So this is where Snape learned it all, she mused absently. If only he had learned to wear color too. She giggled mentally at the thought of Snape wearing the current professor's clothing.
The professor locked eyes with Hermione. Her scowl deepened as she said, "Miss Gordon, my name is Professor Michello. I have rules that must be abided by in this class. No wands. No pranks. No tardiness. I expect you to keep up. Normally I would never allow a new student into my advanced class but I have assurance from the headmaster that your abilities are adequate. You are here on probation. If you do not meet my standards by the third week you're out. Is the clear?"
Hermione sat up straighter at the challenge in the professor's words. Adequate abilities indeed. I got an O on my Potions O.W.L. Who does she think she is anyway, she thought resentfully. Of course she didn't say this out loud. Instead she crisply replied, "Yes, professor."
Professor Michello turned back to the rest of the class, "Malfoy, Snape, Goyle. Decide amongst yourselves who will be Miss Gordon's partner. The class is now even and there is no need for you to remain a threesome any longer. Choose or I will choose for you. You have ten seconds."
The three mentioned looked at each other. Snape was doing visual battle against Malfoy and Goyle. For once he lost. Angrily Snape gathered his things and moved to the empty seat next to his new Gryffindor partner. Great. This is just bloody great, he thought disgustedly. I bet she is some dunderhead mudblood who passed by sleeping with the teacher. This better not be permanent.
Hermione watched as a skinny, sallow-skinned boy got up from the table across the room. As he turned she fought to hide her surprise and resentment. Great. This is just bloody great, she thought with a sigh. I can never escape him. I just hope he isn't as big of a git as the future version. At least we'll be guaranteed an O on all our potions. One comment about my parents and I risk the professor's wrath about wand use.
With silently appraising looks at each other they began to work on the base for their veritaserum.
Twenty years later
"Attention everyone," the gathered staff quieted at Dumbledore's voice. They all looked at him with full attention, with the exception of Snape who was conveniently absent.
"Thank you for coming. I realize this is not our normal staff meeting time, but there is a matter which demands your attention. There has been an accident involving Hermione Granger," the Headmaster announced.
"I won't hold you in suspense. Miss Granger has been sent back in time," Dumbledore revealed. There was a collective gasp around the room. Minerva looked about to faint. The Headmaster continued, "She was wearing a timeturner and when she was hit with a Spinning spell it misfired and caused her timeturner to activate. She went back 20 years to 1978. Those of you who were students or teachers at the time may remember a certain transfer student. For her own protection she used and assumed name. She called herself, Elizabeth Gordon."
Shocked silence made the air ring. They all knew that name and its significance. Finally Minerva McGonagall said, "We can't tell Severus." The staff all nodded in agreement.
In the past
As Elizabeth and Lily entered the Transfiguration classroom they were greeted with the familiar sight of Professor McGonagall. The only change seemed to be the lack of lines in the much younger version of her Head of House's face.
The professor explained that they would be working on the Morphing spell. They would be in groups of tree. After they had grouped off, Hermione and Lily glared at their groupmate, Snape. They were to take turns morphing their partner's body parts into those of an animal. They didn't trust him to keep it clean. The fact that he was Slytherin paired with two muggleborns was not helping the mood at all.
"Let's get on with this. Elizabeth, you go first," Lily said.
The brunette nodded and , suddenly struck with an idea, turned towards Severus pointing her wand and saying, "Morphus magus." Suddenly Snape no longer had arms. Instead he had two large black bat wings. The girls cracked up laughing at this.
Severus seethed in silence not deigning the situation worthy of verbal retorts. He knew what he wanted to do but could not until they turned him back.
Lily gasped between giggles, "So there is some truth about the bats in the dungeon." Hermione laughed harder but finally managed to collect herself enough to turn him back, 'Morphus humanis.'
Once his arms had returned he wasted no time. He whipped out his wand and spat, "Fernuculus." Hermione and Lily's faces burst out in boils. Both girls screamed in pain and anger.
Lily reacted by spitting out a vehement, "Engorgio." Snape's nose began to swell incongruously.
Glaring at him, Hermione managed to choke out, "How dare you? You will regret this. Have no doubt about that!"
He opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by their professor saying, "Finite Incantatem. Unbelievable. Never in all my years have I ever had someone hex another student in my own classroom. I don't care what started it or who. Detention. Saturday. Noon. You will be cleaning all the windows in the west tower. Yes, all fifteen floors. Wandless. You will cooperate or it will be a week of detention. Is that clear?" She waited until they nodded silently, before turning to stock furiously back to the front of the classroom and commenced to shoot angry glares at them.
The girls shot Snape an ugly look that promised revenge before turning away and practicing the spell on each other instead, leaving him in stony silence.
Great, more girls that hate me. Why can't I ever keep my wand to myself? Now I have detention with them too. I will survive. Hopefully, whatever payback they plan won't be too painful, he thought ruefully at his folly, watching the two witches as Hermione sprouted butterfly wings.
Future
"Severus."
He did not look up from the stack of red slashed essays he was grading when he responded to the Headmaster's query, "Albus. What do you need? I have many more essays to grade before returning to trying to teach the dunderheads of the world the fine art of potions."
Dumbledore sighed at his colleague's attitude. "We need to talk. It is about a student," he said.
Snape looked up at his mentor and smirking slightly said, "For the last time I refuse to let Mr. Longbottom into my advanced class." He paused thinking maybe that wasn't why the Headmaster was here and asked, "What did Potter do this time?"
To Severus' surprise Albus said, "It is not about Harry. It involves Miss Granger. She will not be attending class for a few weeks."
Severus just rolled his eyes. "What is it now? Botch an illegal potion? Did she go blind from reading too much or staring at the shining Golden Boy? On injure herself waving her hand during class?" he asked disdainfully.
"There was an accident during an independent study she was doing for Transfiguration. Apparently some Slytherins thought it would be funny to transfigure our Head Girl into several different things." This was true, except Hermione had blocked the spells before they were able to affect her. "The unfortunate result has Miss Granger temporarily incapacitated. She will be spending the next few weeks in an isolated ward until we can figure out how to help her return to herself. All work will be forwarded to the Hostpital Wing and will be turned in a week after she returns to class," was the response given.
Snape scowled. Great. I'll be making up a work schedule fro her next. Longbottom will be insufferable without her help. I better get out the extra cauldrons. Potter and Weasley's homework will be even more abominable than usual, he thought. He sighed and looked at Albus. The Headmaster was waiting patiently for his reaction. He only smirked and asked, "Which Slytherins?"
"Misters Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Miss Parkinson. They have been given detention for a week and subsequent house points were taken off. In the absence of Miss Granger, Susan Bones of Hufflepuff has been appointed temporary Head Girl," Dumbledore informed him.
Severus scowled again. It always has to involve those particular Slytherins. Why can't they learn that you don't hex your enemies where a teacher will find you? Particularly in front of Minerva, he thought. Out loud he said, "I will have a talk with them. Thank you ...I think...for informing me of Miss Granger's ...unfortunate condition. I will be sure to arrange matters accordingly."
Looking intently at his Potion's professor and seeing no other hidden comments the Headmaster nodded and said, "Very well. Good evening Severus."
"Good evening, Headmaster," came the reply.
A/N: Thanks so much for all the great reviews. The last chapter go so many really fast I just had to go to work on this chapter. Sorry its so short, but I have to take a slight break to study for my finals. I will try to get chapter 9 out soon. Hopefully it will be a little more interesting that this one. But thanks for thinking its great anyway!
To BadBugz: The flash back will be happening somewhere in chapter 10 or 11 I think. So you will just have to wait to find out. ;) hehehe
P.S. I get to see the premiere of POA on IMAX! Tomorrow! Yeah! Thank God for Canadian theaters! Hahahahahahaha!
"Good morning," said Elizabeth, (a.k.a. Hermione), sitting down at the table the next morning.
The boys all looked up at her sleepily in disgust. Sirius growled out, "Nothin' good about it."
Hermione raised and eyebrow in query, "What's up with you? Quidditch get canceled or something?" She reached for the toast and marmalade.
James answered dully, "It's Thursday. Double Potions with Slytherin. Then Double Divination. Worst schedule you can have. Malfoy better keep his mouth to himself today or I might just be forced to pull rank and shove my fist into his pointy little face."
Hermione did a slight double take at the name, but no one seemed to notice. Trying to hide her reaction she asked, "Why? Who's Malfoy?" She pointedly did not look at the Slytherin table.
Remus answered this one, "The richest, snobbiest, wealiest, pureblood git in the entire school and Slytherin to boot. James and Lucius Malfoy hate each other. The number of times they've hexed each other into detention has put them in the record books. Never turn your back on him. Never trust a Slytherin. They are all liars and manipulators."
Hermione raised an eyebrow again at this little speech. She was inclined to agree with that last statement when it came to the Malfoy family. But to say all Slytherins seemed a bit extreme. Professor Snape can be trusted...sort of, came the thought unbidden.
She finished her toast and looking at her watch said, "Doesn't potions start at nine?" They nodded. "We've got five minutes." They looked at her for a moment before getting up as one and heading to the dungeons.
The dungeons weren't much different either. The walls were still dank and the rooms dark. The shelves were still lined with things in strange liquids that looked like the same ones in the future. As always it smelled like mold mixed with spices and burnt potions. The tables were the standard wood topped desks. Hermione breathed in deeply. This was the way she liked it. She had never told anyone, but she loved the smell of the potions classroom. One day she hoped to do further study in potions. Or Arithmancy. She hadn't decided yet.
She followed Lily and James to a table in the middle and sat down. The rest of the class trickled in with a notable separation of Gryffindors to the right, Slytherin on the left.
It was mere seconds past nine when the dungeon door slammed open once more. A trail of brown robes followed the professor to the front of the classroom. Hermione looked with interest at her new...old...whatever...potions professor. Looking at the face she got a shock. The professor was female and blond. She was wearing close fitting sand colored dress under the previously noted billowing brown robes. The scowl did her elegant face and injustice. The sneering red lips were purely Slytherin. The icy blue eyes stared contemptuously at the silent students. So this is where Snape learned it all, she mused absently. If only he had learned to wear color too. She giggled mentally at the thought of Snape wearing the current professor's clothing.
The professor locked eyes with Hermione. Her scowl deepened as she said, "Miss Gordon, my name is Professor Michello. I have rules that must be abided by in this class. No wands. No pranks. No tardiness. I expect you to keep up. Normally I would never allow a new student into my advanced class but I have assurance from the headmaster that your abilities are adequate. You are here on probation. If you do not meet my standards by the third week you're out. Is the clear?"
Hermione sat up straighter at the challenge in the professor's words. Adequate abilities indeed. I got an O on my Potions O.W.L. Who does she think she is anyway, she thought resentfully. Of course she didn't say this out loud. Instead she crisply replied, "Yes, professor."
Professor Michello turned back to the rest of the class, "Malfoy, Snape, Goyle. Decide amongst yourselves who will be Miss Gordon's partner. The class is now even and there is no need for you to remain a threesome any longer. Choose or I will choose for you. You have ten seconds."
The three mentioned looked at each other. Snape was doing visual battle against Malfoy and Goyle. For once he lost. Angrily Snape gathered his things and moved to the empty seat next to his new Gryffindor partner. Great. This is just bloody great, he thought disgustedly. I bet she is some dunderhead mudblood who passed by sleeping with the teacher. This better not be permanent.
Hermione watched as a skinny, sallow-skinned boy got up from the table across the room. As he turned she fought to hide her surprise and resentment. Great. This is just bloody great, she thought with a sigh. I can never escape him. I just hope he isn't as big of a git as the future version. At least we'll be guaranteed an O on all our potions. One comment about my parents and I risk the professor's wrath about wand use.
With silently appraising looks at each other they began to work on the base for their veritaserum.
Twenty years later
"Attention everyone," the gathered staff quieted at Dumbledore's voice. They all looked at him with full attention, with the exception of Snape who was conveniently absent.
"Thank you for coming. I realize this is not our normal staff meeting time, but there is a matter which demands your attention. There has been an accident involving Hermione Granger," the Headmaster announced.
"I won't hold you in suspense. Miss Granger has been sent back in time," Dumbledore revealed. There was a collective gasp around the room. Minerva looked about to faint. The Headmaster continued, "She was wearing a timeturner and when she was hit with a Spinning spell it misfired and caused her timeturner to activate. She went back 20 years to 1978. Those of you who were students or teachers at the time may remember a certain transfer student. For her own protection she used and assumed name. She called herself, Elizabeth Gordon."
Shocked silence made the air ring. They all knew that name and its significance. Finally Minerva McGonagall said, "We can't tell Severus." The staff all nodded in agreement.
In the past
As Elizabeth and Lily entered the Transfiguration classroom they were greeted with the familiar sight of Professor McGonagall. The only change seemed to be the lack of lines in the much younger version of her Head of House's face.
The professor explained that they would be working on the Morphing spell. They would be in groups of tree. After they had grouped off, Hermione and Lily glared at their groupmate, Snape. They were to take turns morphing their partner's body parts into those of an animal. They didn't trust him to keep it clean. The fact that he was Slytherin paired with two muggleborns was not helping the mood at all.
"Let's get on with this. Elizabeth, you go first," Lily said.
The brunette nodded and , suddenly struck with an idea, turned towards Severus pointing her wand and saying, "Morphus magus." Suddenly Snape no longer had arms. Instead he had two large black bat wings. The girls cracked up laughing at this.
Severus seethed in silence not deigning the situation worthy of verbal retorts. He knew what he wanted to do but could not until they turned him back.
Lily gasped between giggles, "So there is some truth about the bats in the dungeon." Hermione laughed harder but finally managed to collect herself enough to turn him back, 'Morphus humanis.'
Once his arms had returned he wasted no time. He whipped out his wand and spat, "Fernuculus." Hermione and Lily's faces burst out in boils. Both girls screamed in pain and anger.
Lily reacted by spitting out a vehement, "Engorgio." Snape's nose began to swell incongruously.
Glaring at him, Hermione managed to choke out, "How dare you? You will regret this. Have no doubt about that!"
He opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by their professor saying, "Finite Incantatem. Unbelievable. Never in all my years have I ever had someone hex another student in my own classroom. I don't care what started it or who. Detention. Saturday. Noon. You will be cleaning all the windows in the west tower. Yes, all fifteen floors. Wandless. You will cooperate or it will be a week of detention. Is that clear?" She waited until they nodded silently, before turning to stock furiously back to the front of the classroom and commenced to shoot angry glares at them.
The girls shot Snape an ugly look that promised revenge before turning away and practicing the spell on each other instead, leaving him in stony silence.
Great, more girls that hate me. Why can't I ever keep my wand to myself? Now I have detention with them too. I will survive. Hopefully, whatever payback they plan won't be too painful, he thought ruefully at his folly, watching the two witches as Hermione sprouted butterfly wings.
Future
"Severus."
He did not look up from the stack of red slashed essays he was grading when he responded to the Headmaster's query, "Albus. What do you need? I have many more essays to grade before returning to trying to teach the dunderheads of the world the fine art of potions."
Dumbledore sighed at his colleague's attitude. "We need to talk. It is about a student," he said.
Snape looked up at his mentor and smirking slightly said, "For the last time I refuse to let Mr. Longbottom into my advanced class." He paused thinking maybe that wasn't why the Headmaster was here and asked, "What did Potter do this time?"
To Severus' surprise Albus said, "It is not about Harry. It involves Miss Granger. She will not be attending class for a few weeks."
Severus just rolled his eyes. "What is it now? Botch an illegal potion? Did she go blind from reading too much or staring at the shining Golden Boy? On injure herself waving her hand during class?" he asked disdainfully.
"There was an accident during an independent study she was doing for Transfiguration. Apparently some Slytherins thought it would be funny to transfigure our Head Girl into several different things." This was true, except Hermione had blocked the spells before they were able to affect her. "The unfortunate result has Miss Granger temporarily incapacitated. She will be spending the next few weeks in an isolated ward until we can figure out how to help her return to herself. All work will be forwarded to the Hostpital Wing and will be turned in a week after she returns to class," was the response given.
Snape scowled. Great. I'll be making up a work schedule fro her next. Longbottom will be insufferable without her help. I better get out the extra cauldrons. Potter and Weasley's homework will be even more abominable than usual, he thought. He sighed and looked at Albus. The Headmaster was waiting patiently for his reaction. He only smirked and asked, "Which Slytherins?"
"Misters Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Miss Parkinson. They have been given detention for a week and subsequent house points were taken off. In the absence of Miss Granger, Susan Bones of Hufflepuff has been appointed temporary Head Girl," Dumbledore informed him.
Severus scowled again. It always has to involve those particular Slytherins. Why can't they learn that you don't hex your enemies where a teacher will find you? Particularly in front of Minerva, he thought. Out loud he said, "I will have a talk with them. Thank you ...I think...for informing me of Miss Granger's ...unfortunate condition. I will be sure to arrange matters accordingly."
Looking intently at his Potion's professor and seeing no other hidden comments the Headmaster nodded and said, "Very well. Good evening Severus."
"Good evening, Headmaster," came the reply.
A/N: Thanks so much for all the great reviews. The last chapter go so many really fast I just had to go to work on this chapter. Sorry its so short, but I have to take a slight break to study for my finals. I will try to get chapter 9 out soon. Hopefully it will be a little more interesting that this one. But thanks for thinking its great anyway!
To BadBugz: The flash back will be happening somewhere in chapter 10 or 11 I think. So you will just have to wait to find out. ;) hehehe
P.S. I get to see the premiere of POA on IMAX! Tomorrow! Yeah! Thank God for Canadian theaters! Hahahahahahaha!
