Hogwarts' Hero
Chapter 4
A/N: Big thanks to everyone who reviewed! Cookies for Gina, horseluver13, mel62, and DracMione. Huggles to moonless-me, who gave me some great advice. This chappy is dedicated to you!
The walk down into the dungeons was unusually quiet, the only noise coming from their shoes clicking along the cobblestones. Hermione didn't need to ask why Harry and Ron were so silent. In a couple minutes they were about to have their first confrontation of the year with Professor Snape.
Hermione shot a sympathetic look at Ron who had his head bowed solemnly. Snape was always sure to leave an impression on the Gryffindors their first day, and took points off for every little mistake they made. Hermione supposed it was kind in a way, preparing them for what the rest of the year would be like. Unfortunately, that also meant Ron and Harry were sure to lose a lot of house points. They hadn't done too badly on their potions OWL, but it was by no means their best subject.
Hermione patted Ron on the back comfortingly as they entered the dark classroom. The boys sat down near the back to avoid as much attention as possible, while Hermione decided to take the place next to Neville. He needed all the help he could get.
"Hello," Hermione greeted warmly as she sat down, trying to ease some of Neville's discomfort.
"H-h-hello, Hermione," Neville replied. He seemed terribly shaken, but that was much better than the dead faint he'd managed during last year's lesson.
Slowly, last minute arrivals, including Malfoy, began trickling in. They were all Slytherins. No Gryffindor was stupid enough to risk showing up late on the first day.
Hermione studied Malfoy closely, and watched as he took his seat at the front of the classroom. He seemed so nonchalant, acting as if everyone staring at him was a daily occurrence.
Hermione set her jaw. 'Of course, everyone is absorbed with the Slytherin Prince,' Hermione thought sarcastically. 'Arrogant jerk. He acts as if he deserves the attention.'
Hermione was being unreasonable, but her curiosity was making her go batty, and the bloody git wasn't letting anything faze him. She also felt slightly betrayed by the way Lavender was fluttering her eyelashes at him. This was Malfoy.
"Doesn't she have any pride?!" Hermione scoffed, as Malfoy smirked back at Lavender.
"What was that Miss Granger?" Snape asked as he entered and walked to the front of the classroom.
Hermione blushed when all eyes turned toward her. She hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"I was just telling Neville how . . . how exciting potions is going to be this year!" she finished pathetically.
All the Slytherins snickered, and she was certain she heard rather suspicious coughing coming from Harry and Ron.
"Yes, Miss Granger. Potions is definitely going to be exciting this year," Snape drawled, mocking her dismal excuse.
She could hear Malfoy smirking, the bloody prat.
Snape began to address the class. "Potions is going to be much more difficult this year, making it next to impossible for some of you," he sneered, with a pointed look at Neville.
Snape walked up to the board at the front of the room. "The next couple of lessons will be spent reviewing key elements of past years. The simplest mistakes this year could be deadly and though I'm sure most of you are prepared, unfortunately we still have Mr. Longbottom with us."
The Slytherins laughed again.
"Now, turn to page 109 in Potent Potions . . . "
The rest of class was spent taking notes, notes that Hermione had already written over the summer in her spare time. Others would swear she had the text memorized, but Hermione was sure that if she read it a seventh time, she'd find something she had missed.
Snape's monotone voice quickly caused Hermione to lose interest, although she'd never admit it. Absentmindedly, her eyes found a bright blond head. He was taking notes but Hermione could tell he wasn't paying attention by the way he was leaning back in his seat. Snape didn't seem to notice.
'All these rumours are driving me insane,' Hermione thought, staring at him. 'Can't anyone keep their story straight? I'm sure they have at least a grain of truth to them; they can't just pop out of thin air. So, then what really happened?'
Hermione had no idea, and it was driving her insane. She hated not knowing the answer to a question almost as much as she hated stupid people. Don't get her started about stupid people.
Malfoy began to shift in his seat, as if he was uncomfortable, but Hermione didn't notice. His shifting became more insistent, and finally he turned and looked at something behind him.
Hermione looked at the back of the room and saw nothing out of the ordinary. She turned back to the front, but Malfoy was still turned in his seat. Hermione propped her head up on her hand and began to study his face. He was still looking at something behind him, and suddenly an amused smile blossomed on his face.
'What's his bloody problem?' Hermione wondered. 'There's nothing back there, and why is he smiling? I always knew he had a few screws loose.'
Malfoy raised an eyebrow, and then she knew. He was watching her staring at him.
Oh, Merlin.
Hermione ducked her head quickly. She wasn't going to let Malfoy see her blush again.
Hermione was sure it couldn't get any worse, but then Malfoy started laughing at her. Not a chuckle or even a snicker, but great whoops of laughter.
Snape snapped round, and scanned the room. He quickly noticed Malfoy, and then his eyes rested on Hermione. He'd noticed her blushing.
"Miss Granger, could you please explain to me what seems to have Mr. Malfoy so worked up?" He snapped.
"Well, I, um, I, that is to say . . . "
Hermione's flustered ramblings seemed to further anger the professor.
"Ten points from Gryffindor. I will not have your activities with Mr. Malfoy disrupting my classroom," Snape explained, causing Hermione's jaw to drop and Malfoy's laughter to grow louder.
Hermione bowed her head in defeat. If they had wanted to kill her, Avada Kedavra would have been a great deal simpler. Dying of embarrassment was much too messy.
0000000000000000
The rest of the class was uneventful, allowing Hermione time to obsess over what had happened.
'How could I have been so stupid? Of course he was looking at me,' Hermione chastised herself. 'If only I had been paying attention. If only I had—"
"Hermione?" Neville asked tentatively.
Hermione shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts, and addressed Neville. "Yes?"
"Professor Snape just announced that we could leave."
Hermione looked around and noticed everyone collecting their things.
She quickly started shoving her books and quills into her bag. "Thanks, Neville."
She smiled weakly and began walking towards the exit, trying to leave without anyone noticing her.
Unfortunately, the fates had other ideas. As she was walking by the rows of desks, her bag caught on the corner of one of the benches, and caused all of her things to spill on the floor.
Would this day never end?
Harry and Ron hurried over to help her.
"Here! Let me help," Ron exclaimed chivalrously. He bent down at the same time as Hermione, and their heads crashed against each other with a sickening thud, sending Hermione sprawling on the ground.
Hermione closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing. "Just go, Ron,"
She muttered through clenched teeth.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry. I just—"
Hermione glared up at him.
"C'mon mate. Hermione has Arithmancy next. She'll be alright. Besides, we have to get to Divination," Harry placated.
He ushered Ron out of the classroom, knowing that Hermione needed to be alone.
She heaved a sigh of relief and got onto her knees. She began to gather her things, when a pair of shoes stepped in front of her. A pair of expensive shoes, attached to a pair of well tailored trousers. Hermione ran her eyes up the person's body, and was soon met with a most unwelcome sight.
"Hello, Granger."
A/N: You like? This chapter was the lead up to some D/Hr interaction, 'cause there hasn't been much has there? Aw, well. I'm taking it slow. It's been a long time since I've updated, but I've been really busy. Exams are coming up, so I probably won't update for a couple weeks. Sorry, about that. I bet you hate that I left a cliffhanger! : : evil laughter : : Maybe if you review, I'll try and squeeze an update in between studying!
