Chapter 42
Saturday May 5th
The Gryffindor and Slytherin quidditch teams sat in their respective changing rooms getting final minute encouragement from the captains. Every team member was jumpy but exited. For the first time in 92 years, Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied in points for the quidditch cup, so this game would determine the cup winner. The stands were packed shoulder-to-shoulder for the match. Hermione's parents had arrived for the final match as well as some of Hermione's future colleagues, to include Matthias Longley and Henry Caulfield. Although they were both Ravenclaw alumni, they came to cheer Hermione on and enjoy a thrilling quidditch match.
In a show of house unity, most of the two teams flew in together, the two head students leading the way. Melissa Feeley started the commentary:
"ATTENTION PROFESSORS, STUDENTS AND GUESTS. HOGWARTS IS PLEASED TO GREET YOU TO THIS HISTORIC MATCH THAT WILL DECIDE THE CUP WINNER. PLEASE GIVE A CHEER FOR OUR HEAD STUDENTS, DRACO "BLONDIE' MALFOY AS SLYTHERIN SEEKER AND HERMIONE "DOOR HANDLE" GRANGER AS CHASER AS THEY LEAD THEIR TEAMS TO THE PITCH." The rest of the introductions continued as the teams made last minute preparations.
Mr. Longley turned to Henry and said, "Door handle?"
Severus, Minerva and some professors who were sitting next to them laughed.
"Hermione was the victim of a prank intended for someone else on April Fools Day," Minerva said to Matthias.
The crowd erupted in cheers when Madame Hooch made her speech. Ron and the Slytherin captain shook hands and readied for the match. Madame Hooch blew the whistle, and released the quaffle, bludger and snitch. Ginny got to the quaffle first, causing Hermione and Matt to set up the offense. She flew forward slowly at first gaining speed and tossed it up to a waiting Hermione. Hermione dove for the ground suddenly, dodging a bludger then pulled up suddenly racing a few feet above ground level. She did her patented reverse pass to Ginny beside her, surprising the Slytherin beaters bearing down on her. Ginny launched the down the pitch to a waiting Matt who raced to the goal, dodging the whole of the slytherin team and the bludger. He approached the goal throwing the quaffle as hard as he cold towards the center goal. It hooked like his throws do, and sailed through the goal inches from the surprised Slytherin keeper. The Gryffindors past and present went wild.
In the stands, Minerva nudged Severus.
"Severus, look down there to the Grangers," Minerva laughed. Severus stood up and looked.
"Miss Granger's parents are here?" Matthias asked. "I would like to meet the parents who raised such a smart and charming young woman," Mattias said.
"I'll introduce you after the match then, " Minerva said. The group looked down to the Grangers. Fred and George Weasley were helping Mr. Granger hold up a large "GO GRANGER" banner. Even Mrs. Granger was waving a small Gryffindor flag.
"At least Mrs. Granger is watching this time," Severus remarked.
"Poor dear couldn't watch the last match," Minerva said.
"Why?" Henry asked.
"Hermione almost died in a match earlier in the term, and her mother had a fit when she decided to play again," Minerva said.
The whistle blew for a time out. One of the Slytherin chasers was knocked from his broom.
"What? Almost died?" Matthias asked in alarm.
"Yes, but you would never know by looking at her now," Minerva quipped.
The Gryffindor chasers were flying upside down and circling each other during the time out to keep on their toes. Hermione laughed when her sunglasses fell off. She extended her hand and summoned the glasses to her.
"I see what you mean," Henry said. "She's captivating. Matthias are you sure she's seeing someone?"
"I'm fairly sure Henry. I've got a daughter her age and I know these things. I've told you that you're too old for her," Matthias joked.
Upon hearing that comment, Minerva laid her hand on Severus' arm when a blush rose on his face and he cleared is throat. This did not go unnoticed by Matthias.
Could it be? Matthias thought to himself. He decided to keep an eye on Severus during the match. This could be fun!
The whistle blew and the game resumed. The Slytherin chaser got hold of the quaffle this time and the whole Slytherin team flew in a "V' formation very fast towards the Gryffindor goal.
'Defense, defense don't let it fool you!" Ron screamed.
The Gryffindor beaters took postions above and below the Slytherin formation trying to break the line. The Gryffindor chasers flew in fast circles around the formation trying to snatch away the quaffle as it was passed between the Slytherin chasers. As the Slytherins got to the goal, Ron was forced to dodge a bludger and block the goal at the same time. Something had to give, and it was the quaffle. The Slytherin crowd went crazy. The match went on for two hours in this manner, wowing the crowd with spectacular defensive techniques and quirky offensive strategies. The whistle was blown several times for injury time outs. Matt was knocked from his broom twice with a bludger. Ginny collided with a Slytherin chaser and they both fell to the ground.
At one point during the match, while Hermione was after a loose quaffle and dodging a bludger, she lost her balance trying to avoid colliding with Draco and flew straight into the wall. Matthias looked to Snape who stood quickly and was shaking his head. He could barely make out through the noise of the crowd as Severus said worriedly,
"Merlin's robe, Hermione. Reckless girl."
Madame Pomfrey hurried out to a stunned Hermione laying on the ground. Harry and Ron took a knee beside her.
"Severus, she can take care of herself," Minerva reassured him. "Do you really think Potter and Weasley would let anything happen to her?"
The crowd cheered when Harry and Ron helped Hermione to her feet. She mounted her broom and play resumed. The match continued for another, the score being a close 100-90 in favor of Gryffindor. Draco and Harry started searching for the snitch. Both teams were tired and sore but still played with everything they had. Matthias' suspicions of Severus and Hermione were confirmed after Hermione's Wronski feint display. Hermione had the quaffle and took off flying straight up. Another Slytherin chaser followed.
Matthias saw that Dumbledore, McGonagall and Severus were on their feet with wands out. Matthias and Henry looked at the professors then to Hermione in the air.
"Hermione, don't you dare," Severus muttered.
Hermione and the other chaser then flew straight towards the ground very fast. Matthias noticed how Severus clutched his wand and tapped his foot. Hermione's sunglasses fell off and she was grinning as she raced towards the ground. She and the Slytherin player were looking at each other then Hermione winked at the chaser. That caught him off guard and he slowed down then pulled up. About halfway down, Hermione literally handed the quaffle to a waiting Ginny then pulled up herself.
Matthias saw as Severus slumped his shoulders in relief.
"Cheeky girl," he mumbled.
Dumbledore leaned over and said softly, "Severus, my boy you are going to have your hands full," finishing with a chuckle.
"You can scold her in private later Severus," Minerva teased.
"If she doesn't give me a heart attack first," Severus said under his breath.
The crowd was suddenly screaming louder at the sight of Harry and Draco racing together towards a far corner of the pitch. They spotted the snitch! The teams were now blocking for their seekers as they raced neck and neck for the glittering spot of gold. The match ended in true Gryffindor style. As Harry was stretched out across his broom as far as he could, reaching for the snitch he noticed nothing else. But Hermione did. One of the Slytherins launched a bludger at Harry quite hard and fast to slow him down. Hermione heard Ron bellow,
"Harry, look out!"
At the last possible second Hermione flew between Harry and the bludger. She took it right to the gut. With an "OOF" the air was knocked out of her and she was knocked back twenty feet barely holding on to her broom. Severus ran his hands through his hair then massaged his temples.
"Gracious," Matthias quipped.
"That had to have hurt," Henry commented.
"That's taking one for the team," Dumbledore said.
A second later Harry's hand closed around the snitch. Hermione's tears were a mix of pain and elation as she crouched over her broom trying to catch her breath. The Gryffindor team landed on the ground, dancing and cheering with each other. The stands were shaking as the crowd jumped up and down cheering. Maroon and gold confetti and banners flew everywhere. Dumbledore watched fondly as the "Golden Trio" celebrated with each other.
"Minerva, go get your house trophy, " Dumbledore said happily.
Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house held her head high as she approached her team. They bowed as she came to the group. Harry handed her the trophy, saying "Madame, your trophy."
Minutes later, Severus saw Hermione hunching over slowly make her way to Madame Pomfrey.
At breakfast on the morning of Friday May 22nd, Dumbledore called the great hall to attention.
"As I'm sure you are aware of, next week are the OWL and NEWT tests. Keep in mind that the NEWT tests are a reflection of what you have learned these past seven years. Take the weekend to relax and do your best," Dumbledore said.
"Relax he says," Ron whined.
"So Hermione, when does the review start?" Harry inquired.
"It doesn't," Hermione replied. "I'm taking the headmaster's advice and relax this weekend."
"Are you joking?" Ron asked.
"No Ron, I'm quite serious. I can't possibly study any more than I already have. I'm ready for the tests and I am not going to spend my last weekend here stressed out," Hermione stated. "And I'm still sore from the match."
The Gryffindor table was stunned to silence.
"Good for you Herms," Ginny said.
"Thanks Gin," she quipped.
Severus kept his distance that weekend. He kept an eye on Hermione though. On Saturday morning she took her jog around the grounds and did her yoga. During the day she sat for hours beside a tree next to the lake tossing pebbles into the water. She chatted and laughed with her friends at mealtimes and in the early evening she played the piano. When he peeked through the floo in the early evening, she was sitting by her open window listening to her portable CD player humming along. He peeked in later to find her sleeping and the room partially packed away. She hadn't as so much touched a book all day. Sunday was pretty much the same with the exception of a friendly quidditch match between some students of all the houses. Hermione was also reading a newspaper of some type at lunch. She and Ginny were pointing and talking at some parts of the paper. After lunch, Severus went to the table to see what had interested the two girls so much. It was a listing and pictures of flats for sale in magical London. Hermione had circled some of them.
Monday May 25th
Monday morning came and Severus watched the students enter the hall for breakfast. Hermione, Harry and Ron entered the great hall laughing over something.
At least she seems relaxed. Severus thought.
Dumbledore leaned to one of the ministry testers and pointed to the group. They nodded their heads. Hermione winked at Severus then sat down. As ususal, Harry handed her a cup of coffee. Ron passed the sugar. Seeing the rolls further down the table, Hermione waved her hand absently and summoned some rolls to her waiting hand. Ginny snatched one as it drifted in front of her plate. The testers chuckled.
During breakfast, McGonagall walked the length of the table passing out parchments indicating the times and locations of the various tests. The tests were spread out over the course of the week, so as not to burden anyone with too many tests in one day. They would bring nothing but themselves to the tests, everything would be provided at test time.
Thank goodness! Hermione thought.
As confident as she was, there was no way Hermione could take her Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Potions tests in the same day. That was too much even for her. She would have two tests that Monday: Herbology after breakfast and Charms after lunch.
Not too bad. she thought.
After breakfast Hermione went to the classroom slated for the herbology test. She was to wait outside until called. There was a few other seventh years there as well. The door opened and a wizard in yellow robes poked his head out,
"Miss Granger, come into the classroom please," the wizard called to her.
"Good morning Miss Granger. This test will take two hours and will consist of a written exam followed by a practical portion. Any questions or would you rather just get started?" the wizard asked.
"I just want to get started, " Hermione said.
"Very well," the tester said.
He waved his hand and a parchment, quill and ink appeared on the desk in front of her.
"Take your seat and begin when you are ready," the tester said.
Hermione took her seat and looked at the seven pages of parchment that was the written potion. It consisted of multiple choice and written answers. She finished the written portion in forty five minutes. The practical portion consisted of identifying various plants, their properties, and growth cycles. Professor Sprout was a thorough teacher and Hermione felt confident as she answered the questions. She finished the whole test in under the two hours and left the room extremely relieved. She sat back on the chair in the corridor outside the classroom, closed her eyes and put her head back against the wall.
One down, six more to go! she thought.
She heard a swoosh of robes and peeked one eye open. Severus was standing there, smiling down at her.
"Hi there," she said.
"How did the test go?" Severus asked.
"It wasn't as hard as I thought, but long and tedious. I missed some on the written portion and mistook poison oak for poison sumac," she said frowning.
"What's the rest of your schedule look like?" he asked.
Hermione handed him her schedule.
Granger, H. N.E.W.T. Schedule
Monday May 25-
9 a.m. Herbology
1 p.m. Charms
Wednesday May 27
9 a.m. Arithmancy
1 p.m. Ancient Runes
Thursday May 28
9 a.m. Transfiguration
Friday May 29
9 a.m. Defense Against Dark Arts
1 p.m. Potions
"Can you believe my luck? On my last day of classes? Look at the last two," Hermione said.
"I see," he said chuckling.
"I'm going to lay down and let my brain recover until lunch," she sighed and got up.
At lunch, Hermione ate light. Most of the fifth and seventh years were quiet, which happened every year without fail due to test stress.
"What do you have after lunch Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Charms," she said.
"That's not too bad, " Harry replied.
"You may rethink that when you see this," Hermione said handing Harry her schedule.
"Ouch! DADA and potions last day? Damn, what kind of luck is that?" Harry said.
"That's exactly what I thought," she replied. "No helping it though."
At 1 p.m. Hermione again waited outside the appointed classroom for the charms test. The test was conducted much same way as the herbology test and she felt much better about her performance afterward. She took her time and used the whole two hours for the test. Leaving the room, she was greeted by Severus. She gave him a tired smile.
"Five more to go," she said softly. She patted Severus on the arm.
"See you at dinner," she said.
"Wait love," he said pulling on her arm. Looking around, he pulled her closer and whispered to her, "Just think, this time next week, you will be out of here and we will be together."
She smiled, winked at him and left for her room.
Tuesday May 26th
Hermione took the whole two hours to sit her arithmancy exam. It was her most challenging class and the test was just quite difficult. This time Professor Vector was waiting outside the room this time, wanting to check on his star arithmancy pupil. She was wiping sweat from her face with a kerchief on the way out. Hermione said nothing as Professor Vector patted her on the back as she walked by. That afternoon, she found the Ancient Runes test easier than she thought and thanked her lucky stars that she had no tests Wednesday. She needed a day to recover from this day.
Wednesday May 27th
Severus opened his drapes to the sight of Hermione coming back from her morning jog. He thought she looked quite fetching this morning in her baby blue shorts and white tank top. Arriving at the stopping point, she laid down on the grass. Arms and legs out she closed her eyes and blew a breath out. She put her CD player aside and up-ended the bottle of water on herself and shivered when some ran down her sides. She laid there for a few minutes more then sat up. Tucking her knees to her chest she started laughing.
What could be so funny? Snape wondered.
Hermione gathered her CD player and water bottle and continued to jog back to her room to get ready for breakfast. The school was accustomed to Hermione's jogs and she received a fair share of admiring looks from many males (and some females too) as she made her way to her room. Word had gotten around that she was seeing someone, but no one knew. Four people at Hogwarts knew, but they would never tell. The speculation of her mystery relationship was a source of constant amusement to Hermione, who smiled when she thought of the backlash that would follow when people would find out that it is Severus.
Winking at Severus Hermione entered the great hall. She planned to enjoy a test free day, savoring her coffee she grinned as Ron lamented his charms test after breakfast.
"Just keep your proper wand technique in mind Ron and you'll do fine," Hermione reassured him. "A little more study might have helped too," she couldn't help but add.
"What are your plans today Herms?" Ginny asked.
"Absolutely nothing," Hermione said.
She did just that. When Severus peeked in her floo, she was listening to her music again, headphones blaring. She was at her desk, eyes closed, head back with her feet propped up on her desk. She was twirling her wand around her fingers. She sat back up in the chair suddenly and started writing on a parchment.
"Pavel," Hermione said.
The bird came in through the open window and landed on her desk. She scratched him below his beak and patted his head. He softly nipped her hand and she spoke to him,
"Well Pavel, sweet thing, are you ready to move? We will be soon," she said. He hooted softly and turned his head to the side. She chuckled at the bird.
She called the bird sweet thing! Severus thought.
"Take this to my parents Pavel, wait for an answer," Hermione said holding out her arm. Pavel hopped to her arm and she went out her window. When Pavel was out of sight, Hermione walked to the lake and sat down by the tree.
Thursday May 28th
Hermione walked quickly into the great hall for breakfast and gave Severus a wink. As usual Harry handed her a cup of coffee.
"What do you have today Mione?" Ron asked.
"Oh, Transfiguration. I actually look forward to today's test," Hermione said biting into a piece of toast.
"Hermione, I think you are the only student in this school looking forward to a newt," Harry said.
"Ha.Ha. Mr. Potter," Hermione smirked. "See you lot at lunch."
The transfiguration test was harder than she thought. She took longer on the written portion than she intended to, and rushed through some parts of the practical application portion. The last part of the practical was transfiguring a chicken into a rock. To her horror, she succeeded only in making a rock with a few feathers sticking out of it. She wanted to kick herself when asked to repeat the incantation and she forgot it halfway through. Hermione left the room shaking her head. Professor McGonagall was waiting outside.
"Well Miss Granger?" the professor asked.
"How could I have been so stupid?" she said and stalked off.
It happens to the best of us Hermione! McGonagall said to herself.
Friday May 29th
Hermione rose from bed not hating waking up this particular morning. She dressed quickly and jogged to breakfast putting her hair up on the way. Arriving at the hall, she gave a quick wink to Severus and sat down. She loaded her plate and ate eagerly. Everyone was looking at her.
"What? I need all my energy for the DADA test," Hermione said.
Waiting outside the room for the test, she burped softly.
"Excuse me, " she said softly to no one in particular.
I ate too fast. she thought.
She was called into the room. It was charmed into a large room with large furniture and crates. A large mirror adorned a wall. What the students didn't know was that the large mirror was really a two way mirror. Aurors were watching the tests to evaluate any potential auror material. Two aurors watched along with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Severus.
"Good morning Miss Granger. We are well aware of your exploits while here at Hogwarts. You will be receiving credit for your experiences, so this test will only be an hour. Not many people know what a crucio feels like. I hear you do. In a few minutes, you will be "attacked" so to speak. Merely defend yourself as you feel necessary," the tester said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes sir," Hermione said.
She removed her robe and took out her wand when she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. She immediately cast a protection spell over herself as a spell was sent her way. It bounced off her shield. She ducked behind a couch and listened for footsteps. She glanced under the couch to see where the feet were going. She removed her shoes so her feet would be silent as she moved around.
"Smart girl," the auror said.
When the feet of her "attacker" were facing away, she hopped up and cast "expelliarmus", knocking him down then used her wand to blast out the lights in the room. She rolled towards a large crate.
"She took out the lights? What is she up to?" the auror said questioningly.
In the dark, Hermione listened for the footsteps of the auror, waiting to see what he would do. He did just what Hermione hoped he would do. He cast a quick "lumos" with his wand just long enough for Hermione to peek between the slats on the crate. Seconds later he cut the light.
I've got him! Hermione grinned.
The observers caught Hermione's grin in the few seconds of light. The professors watching knew what that meant. Hermione had him.
Hermione closed her eyes briefly and held up her wandless hand. She levitated the crate towards the auror, moved behind a large chair and muttered "lumos." The auror was caught off guard with the sudden sight of a large crate in front of him. Hermione yelled "bombarda" with her wand, making the crate explode, causing the auror to be knocked off his feet, blinded by flying wood. She cast "petrificus totalus" on the shocked auror, then slid to him on socked feet pointing her wand between his eyes. She picked his up and twirled it in her hand.
"Cheeky girl!" Severus said with amused pride.
"Test over," the shocked tester behind the mirror said. "Only Mr. Potter did that better."
The tester flipped through a clipboard.
"This young woman is not planning on being an auror?" he asked.
"She has other plans," Dumbledore said glancing at Severus.
The professors looked on in pride. The tester went into the room, put the lights back to rights, and said to Hermione,
"Miss Granger, this test has concluded. Let him loose if you would please?" the tester said.
"Oh, of course sir," Hermione said. "Finite incantatem," she said.
The auror who was petrified jumped up and grabbed Hermione's hand shaking it eagerly.
"And might I say Miss Granger, whatever they are teaching here nowadays, they are to be congratulated," the auror said. "I've never had a piece of furniture used against me. Are you planning to be an auror?"
"I'm sure the headmaster will be pleased to hear that," Hermione said with a smile. "And no, I'm not planning on being an auror sir." She left the room.
Severus was outside.
"So Miss Granger? How was it?" he asked.
"It was fun," Hermione answered with a smile picking a wood splinter from her hair.
I'm sure it was! Severus thought.
Hermione told the Harry and Ron her test story at lunch. They had already taken theirs so she could tell them. Severus saw the three laugh loudly at her story.
Leaning over to him, "Like I said Severus, you are going to have your hands full," Dumbledore said softly.
As she walked to her last test, the stress of the week was catching up to Hermione. She walked slower and tried not to panic. Her performance on this test was a reflection of her abilities as well as Severus' instruction. She didn't want to disappoint him or get a less than stellar grade just starting out at her dream job. Her heart was racing and her mouth waa dry as she approached the doors to the potions testing room.
Merlin's lacy robe, I don't know anything! Hermione screamed to herself.
Severus watched Hermione approach the door with her eyes wide open. She was sweating slightly and biting her bottom lip.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked her.
"I don't know. I'm think I'm having a panic attack. I keep thinking mooncalf dung goes in veritaserum potion, " Hermione said with a snort.
It certainly does not! Severus thought.
"Calm down my dear. Breath deep and focus. This test should be easy for you, I have confidence in you," Severus said soothingly. Instantly she felt better.
"I'm still nervous, my future is riding on this test," she said.
"Of course you are, it's a newt test. Now go in there and show them what I know you can do," Severus said.
Hermione walked into the room and saw three testers there, one of them her future boss, Matthias Longley.
Oh my gosh! she thought.
"Good afternoon Miss Granger. This test will consist of a verbal portion, a written portion and a practical brewing exercise. Are you ready?" Matthias asked.
He could tell how nervous she was. Looking back, he remembered how nervous he had been.
"Take a seat Miss Granger. Take a breath, try and relax and do the best you can, you have three hours," Matthias said. Hermione nodded.
She made it through the verbal portion well, answering 17 out of twenty questions correctly. So far the most that had been answered correctly on the verbal was 12 out of 20. The written portion was Hermione's bread and butter so to speak, so she tried not to rush through it. The instant she turned it in, she realized she had written down two wrong answers.
Damn it all! she thought crossly.
The practical portion was by luck the short term memory potion they had brewed earlier with the defective asphodel. It was a tricky brew, so she had to brew it carefully. Stirring in the prescribed manner, while flipping through the notes provided, Matthias got to get a good look at his future apprentice in action. She was thorough and had flawless technique. He chuckled when she sniffed the asphodel (one can never be too sure!) He got a pleasant surprise when he saw Hermione wandlessly summon some beetroot slices to her waiting hand while testing the potion temperature. Adding the final ingredients and waiting the remaining brewing time, she started to hum. When the brew was the right color and temperature she ladled it into a vial and walked to the desk.
"Finished sir," she said.
"Are you quite sure? My fellow tester will be ingesting it," Matthias said with a grin.
"Yes sir, I'm sure, " she said handing to the other tester.
"Very well. Robert, bottoms up," Matthias said to the tester.
After a minute, Matthias asked him questions that would have been in his short term memory. The fellow had no answer to the questions or shrugged his shoulders.
"Very well. You may go Miss Granger. I'll be seeing you soon," Matthias said.
Hermione slowly left the room elated but exhausted. The tension had drained her of all her energy. She felt lightheaded as she opened the door. Severus and McGonagall looked at her expectantly as she shut the door behind her.
She gave them a tired smile, said softly "It's over," then passed out. McGonagall cried out "My goodness" and Severus caught her before she hit the floor.