Take Me Back To the Start
Chapter 3: New Obstacles
Disclaimer: Regrettably I own nothing.
P.S. Just so you know, this chapter contains a lot of POV changes. It's a different format from the usual, but you guys can handle it. Also, my girly side comes out a bit towards the end. Hang in there, boys. Much love- cm
Reviews
Mysteriouscharm- oh good, I wasn't sure if the Dumbledore thing was good or not.
Rodrigo- Thank you so much. Seriously, I'm flattered.
Griffendorgirl- thanks! Here's a chap for ya.
Almost anonomys- ditto!
Lili-potter8907- haha sorry about the wait, I was in North Carolina. Glad you liked it!
Damn I hate Tuesdays, Harry thought to himself. He had potions right after breakfast. For the most part, Harry had been getting along alright. Just as long as he didn't run into Ron, Hermione or Lavender. He tried going to his classes with his invisibility cloak, but he couldn't help bumping into other students sometimes, and it caused a bit of an uproar when and unseen shoulder accidentally rams into an unsuspecting third-year. So he put that method to rest.
Harry hung out with Ginny and Luna for the most part, which started to annoy him less and less every day. He found that, in spite of himself, he liked their company. Especially Luna, who Harry discovered had a knack for imitating voices. Her impression of Hagrid always made Harry smile.
It was hard for Harry, because some people were quite rude to him for what they thought he had done. But the most surprising for Harry was that Neville had stopped talking to Harry, even though they were great friends before. It perplexed Harry.
"See ya at lunch, Harry," Ginny called after Harry as he absently walked toward the dungeons. He waved in reply. "Good luck at potions!"
Yeah, right, he thought to himself.
…………….
"Hey, Herm, I think I did it!" Ron cried triumphantly.
Hermione was stirring her cauldron with great fervor, keeping her eyes down. I must not look at Harry, she told herself.
Ron looked at Hermione quizzically. "Uh… Hermione?"
Hermione snapped back to reality and leaned over to look into Ron's cauldron. "Wow, Ron, that's great," she said with a half smile. He had for once managed to complete a potion perfectly, but she failed to notice.
"Miss Granger," Snape began coldly. "The instructions say to stir for four minutes. I do believe that you've been stirring away for about fourteen by now. Try and focus, Granger. Five points from Gryffindor." Hermione sighed and reached for her next ingredient.
Though she willed herself not to, she somehow managed to allow herself to look at Harry who was grimly trying to cut something up for his potion. Hermione slumped in her chair. I wish I could read his mind, she thought.
Grudgingly, Hermione finished her potion with half the dedication as usual. On her way out of the classroom, she saw Malfoy gathering his books. Struck by a sudden impulse, she strode up to him. When he turned to walk away, she followed.
"Hey, Malfoy," she started. "I just wanted to say sorry for what I said in the hallway the other day. It was stupid."
Malfoy stopped without turning around. He turned his head a bit. "Thanks, Hermione. You don't have to call me by my last name, you know. Now leave me alone." And he promptly walked away while Hermione stood there puzzling.
Ron came up behind her. "Hey, Herm, ready for Herbology?"
"Uh, yeah, I'm coming," she said as she gathered her books.
As they approached the greenhouses, Hermione groaned at the frost on the glass panes. "Just think, in a few hours, I'll be here potting plants," she said grimly.
"Yeah, but at least you'll have some alone time," Ron said with a shrug. "You know, time to think about stuff."
Hermione cocked her head to the side. "You're right, you know. I could use some alone time."
…………….
Harry was tending to an overgrown weed when Lavender came up behind him. Not surprisingly, she began talking immediately. Harry rolled his eyes inwardly.
"So, Harry, I was thinking, maybe we should become official. You know, boyfriend girlfriend?" At that, Harry froze. Now, now, his mind said. Tell her now.
"Erhm, Lavender…" Harry began. "I've been thinking, and I don't really think that- well, it's just that I- well, to make a long story short- I don't want to go out with you. And I'm sorry but I don't like you." Harry took a deep breath. He actually did it.
Lavender was less than excited. She looked almost like she was in shock. "B-but… if you don't like me… I don't understand. Why did you k-kiss me?" She whimpered, holding back tears.
Harry sighed. "Well, you must've heard it going around. I was hexed. I'm sorry, but I never meant to kiss you."
"Oh, that's so s-stupid! I c-can't believe I'm hearing this! That's total crap, Harry P-potter!" Lavender broke down. Most of the Herbology class turned around to look.
Professor Sprout bustled over and sent Lavender to the hospital wing with Pavarti when no one could calm her down. Harry felt awful. It made him feel worse when Hermione and Ron, his two best friends, just looked at Harry and never said a word. Almost everyone was looking at him, and behind everyone's eyes, all fingers were pointed at Harry.
…………….
"Poor Harry," Hermione said softly. She couldn't believe she was feeling pity for him.
Ron scoffed. "Please don't tell me you actually feel bad for that scum."
"Ron, come on. He's your best friend."
"Correction, he was my best friend."
Realizing she was on a testy topic, Hermione changed the subject.
"So do you know why Malfoy's been acting weird lately?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, please," Ron said. "Don't tell me you haven't heard."
Hermione looked confused, so Ron went on.
"Well, I heard that Malfoy was on his way to give Pansy a card for their Anniversary, and he caught her snogging with Blaise."
Hermione practically gasped. "That's unbelievable! Wow." She looked over her shoulder to where Draco was working. I wish I had known, she thought to herself.
…………….
Hermione was upstairs in her room, trying to decide whether to wear the hooded sweatshirt or cable-knit sweater.
Just then, Ginny walked in. "Whatcha doin'?" she asked as she flopped onto her bed.
"Nothing," Hermione answered minimally. Ginny and Harry's friendship didn't bother Hermione much. "Well, I could use some help. Which should I wear?" she asked, holding up the two tops.
"That depends on where you're going."
Hermione sighed, remembering you can never get a straight answer out of Ginny. "I'm going to detention in the greenhouses."
Ginny gasped. "No way! I never thought you'd be going to detention. What for?"
Hermione smiled. "Hitting Lavender."
"Oh, well, at least it's for a good cause," Ginny said cheerfully. "I would go with the hoodie, you'll probably be working with dirt, and it would be a pain to get dirt out of the sweater."
Hermione thought for a moment. "That sounds sensible, but I still want to look good."
Ginny sighed and dug her hand into her purse. "Here," she said, handing Hermione a clear container. "It's clear mascara. It's not dramatic, but it's noticeable."
"Thanks, Gin," Hermione said with a smile. Within a few minutes, Hermione was off.
As Hermione approached the greenhouses, she saw Professor Sprout outside covering plants to protect them from frost. When she heard Hermione come up behind her, the professor turned around.
"Ah, Miss Granger! So good to see you," she began cheerfully. "Glad to see you bundled up, it's a bit chilly tonight. Here's a list of things you can do with your two hours tonight," Professor Sprout said while handing Hermione a piece of paper. "Mr. Malfoy is inside, he already started work on clipping the bushes."
At this, Hermione froze. "Did you say Malfoy?"
"Why, yes, dear," the professor said. "He has detention the same schedule as you. Now do a nice job, I'll be in the castle if you need me." And with that, Professor Sprout was gone.
Draco Malfoy. There was no telling what kind of ridicule she'd endure. Hermione faced her detention with new fear. This detention might not only stain my reputation, Hermione thought grimly, it might also stain my dignity.
A/N- New chap. Not much going on really, but it certainly sets up new things on the horizon. Sorry about the whole hooded sweatshirt vs. cable-knit sweater thing, I can't help it if I'm fashionable. Please keep reviewing, it means a lot. Great things to come in this story. Always- cm