Disclaimer: you all know the characters aren't mine, so wjy bring it up.
The plot is mainly mine, although after reading so much fanfiction it might
be that some of others people work has made it's way into mine but it's
unintentional. So now go on and read.
CHAPTER V
On Monday morning she was finally awaken to reality by the sound of the alarm clock. Being a magical clock it only rang when needed, and with Hermione as an owner it had nearly forgotten how to do that. When she finally reached the bathroom, the magical mirror nearly screamed at her appearance.
Mooning Myrtle looked more alive than her at any rate. With much concentration and patience, she applied all sorts of spells to repair the damage made by her sleepless nights. She surveyed her image in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
A bit hollow under the cheekbones. And there were shadows under her eyes. Then again, she didn't have to be perfect, did she? With an encouraging nod to herself, she tucked her wand in her sleeve and left for breakfast.
When she got there, there were still several seats empty, so she tried to find one that would position her as far away as was possible from everybody that could have asked how she had spent her weekend.
The food had barely appeared on the table when the place near her was occupied by no one else but Professor Trelawney.
"Good morning everyone, looking in my tea cup I saw myself coming for breakfast and here I am." Said Trelawney.
"We are honoured you joined us," was Dumbledore's response, and unlike the other teachers he actually meant it.
"Oh I see there are some new teachers among the staff; you remember, Dumbledore I had foreseen change." She had her dreamy voice and her all- knowing look that bugged Hermione to no end.
"Professor McGonagall leaves, how strange can it be that there are new teachers?" Muttered Hermione through clenched teeth.
Turning her head at Trelawney answered in a tone that was totally different from her normal dreamy way.
"I seem to remember you. You were the one that quit my class, weren't you. Well I haven't changed my opinion of you; there's no talent in you, but thank the gods there are students that do possess the inner eye. This weekend I read a homework that impressed me. The girl has foreseen her future for the next month in most precise detail, and it's not bright to say the least. Severus, she has even foreseen the failure at your test next week."
Hermione could hardly keep her laughter under control, so she left the table, though she had barely touched her eggs. She had reached her classroom and was congratulating herself for planning her classes so far ahead, when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." was her immediate response.
It was Remus, and he looked awful.
"Hello Hermione, how are things going.?" He tried to sound joyful.
"Fine, why do you ask?" She was becoming suspicious. Was is possible he had seen her? Had he recognize while in his werewolf stage?
"No special reason, just the polite thing to ask," he gave her a genuine smile, as only he could. She was amazed how much younger it made him look.
"Oh I'm fine. And what brings you here Professor Lupin?" Hermione questioned him.
"Told you not to call me Professor anymore you are a colleague of mine now, there's no need for formalities." Remus scolded gently.
"Yes, but you were my teacher and it's not that easy to forget."
"Try it." He urged.
"Alright. Remus. Are you satisfied now?" she smiled at him.
"That's better." He gave her a broad smile.
"So, like I was saying what brings you in this neck of the corridors?" she was becoming curious by the time, but she didn't show it, acting as normal as she could looking through her papers.
"Well, I wanted to ask you a favour." His smile had somehow faded by now.
"A favour?" she raised an eyebrow, but still pretended to be engaged by the checked homework.
"Yes. I think you've noticed the full moon, and you know the effects it has on me." He wasn't smiling anymore.
"Yes." She looked up from the stack of papers that she was trying to arrange in alphabetical order.
"Well, the effects don't go away so quickly, as I'm sure you remember from your third year, and I wanted to ask you to teach some of my classes as I'm not really ready to prowl the corridors yet."
"But I thought Professor Snape was taking your charges in such situations." She said, and gracefully got up from her seat.
"Yes, but you know how Severus is. And I'm not asking you to take all my classes, just the Gryffindors and maybe the Hufflepuffs they're the ones that have it worse when he's teaching." Lupin explained.
Just now she couldn't read Lupin's face. "Oh, I see. Well, what can I say?"
"Please say yes." He pleaded.
"Of course. I'm honoured you thought of me." She said truthfully.
"Well then, it's settled.
?What subjects will I have to cover?" she questioned him.
"Well, I don't really have a schedule made up, but next for the third year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were at red hats, while the six year Gryffindors are at the Patronus spell. I hope you can handle a couple or more hours, it's just that I'm tired of how Severus treats them. I know you are more then capable to teach them this."
"I doubt I'm more capable to teach this than any other teacher in the school and I'm more than sure Professor Snape will have something to say about your request." She did not wish to get into a quarrel with Snape at this point.
"It was actually Severus who suggested if I didn't like the way he was teaching my classes to ask someone else. He didn't have anything against me asking you. Severus never seems to appreciate anyone, but trust me, you had gained the respect of the entire rest of the staff from your third year, perhaps earlier. And by solving that riddle in your first year, to get to the Philosopher's Stone, that was made by Severus; you most certainly gained his respect." Lupin rambled.
To try and hide the colour that was creeping up her cheeks she turned towards the blackboard to write the title of today's lesson.
"So, I can count on you, Hermione?" he looked relieved.
"Of course, don't worry. You just go and rest."
Just after he left, the class begun filling with students. They were just lively enough to make her feel better.
To teach Lupin's classes she had to use her old time-turner from her school years. She still had it, it was in perfect condition. Some students were surpised by this, but others just didn't really care.
She was glad they had already done the Ridikkulus spell; she wasn't ready to face her fears once again after that dreadful weekend.
Red hats weren't her favourites, but to tell the truth, none of the dark creatures were of her liking; especially after this summer--she had spent some days in the old Black house, where even after so many years of living in it and so much cleaning you could still find some dark beasts.
The Patronus spell was a simple spell to perform, as long as you didn't have a Dementor in front of you-the classes all went like clock work.
However it just couldn't be a perfect day, Hermione grumbled to herself. Especially since no day at Hogwarts could be normal. Even less likely with having Draco Malfoy as Head Inquisitor.
When she first entered the DADA classroom she was startled by a voice from behind, questioning her. "What, may I inquire, are you doing here Professor Granger?"
She could not comprehend how it was that her name, coming from the mouth of a Slytherin, could sound like an insult.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy. Nice to see you. And what are you doing here?" she replied evenly. Her smile was so fake, it vanished without a trace in mere seconds.
"As Head Inquisitor I am here to check how the other professors are teaching. I have come here to check on Professor Lupin." He was looking so smug Hermione wished she could smack him again as she had in their third year.
"Well he's not here. He's." she had no time to finish her sentence.
"I see. But I also see that he has been irresponsible enough not to appoint a tutor for his classes." Malfoy was doing a great job pissing her off.
"He has, Malfoy. You are looking ah him, or rather, her. Now, please, would you allow me to actually teach the class?" She was getting exasperated.
"You?!" And what sort of experience do you have on this subject?" he questioned, mocking her.
"Enough. I have a degree in Advanced Defensive spells, and I have also been a member of several defence organizations, if you need to know." She replied, meeting his eyes, daring him to comment on that.
And he did.
"How many of them were legal organization?" He asked in a malevolent tone, but Hermione was no longer paying attention to him.
"Right class, as I was about to say before Mr. Malfoy interfered, Professor Lupin is ill and couldn't come today, so I'm here to replace him for today. Any questions?" There was a moment of silence only perturbed by Draco's scribbling on a piece of paper.
So this is how it felt to have Umbridge in class, Hermione thought. Well, she could only have respect for her teachers for not hexing that woman right away, although that would have made things a lot easier for all of the students. Though she wasn't sure it would be the same in Draco's case. Too many of the people he was going to inspect had been his teachers, had seen him when he was just a kid, fpr them to withstand the type of behaviour that Umbridge had, and Malfoy was, displaying.
Noticing the lack of response, Hermione began again. "Right, let's get on with the lesson. She took a seat at the front desk. "Anybody missing?" It seemed they were all in class, and nobody seemed to suffer from one of the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes diseases.
"Now everyone, wands away." She instructed. A murmur of disappointment was heard through all the class and if she wasn't mistaken, a snigger from Malfoy's direction. "Just take your feathers out. I'm going to give you a brief presentation of the spell we're working with. Then you can do all the practice you please." At this, all their faces brightened up.
"The Patronus charm is a shielding charm. Can anybody here tell me anything about it?" she questioned the class. Several hands raised, but before she could call on someone, Malfoy interfered.
"I thought you actually had to know a spell in order to be able to teach it to others." He sneered.
"And I thought you actually had to know a spell to be able to inspect others to see if they are doing it accurately." She lashed out just as viciously.
He was silenced by this rebuke and scribbled something hastily on the sheet of paper again.
"So, does anybody know anything about the Patronus spell?" she asked again, and some lifted their hands. They were smart kids-actually young adults- most if not all being already of age. They mastered the charm easily. Easier than she remembered learning it herself. But that also had to do with the fact that they were older that she had been at the time, and more experienced with charms of this difficulty.
Soon the whole classroom was filled with silvery forms of different consistencies. Her own otter-shaped Patronus was paddling through the classroom. It had cost her a little to produce it. Patronuses reminded her of dementors, and those were not happy memories. However, just to shut Malfoy's mouth, she had made quite a show when making it appear.
After all the classes had finished, she went to her office which had a lovely view of the grounds surrounding the school. Seeing a flock of Gryffindors going to the Quidditch pitch reminded her that today were the try-outs for the house team. She decided to see how bad the team was. She swiftly got out of the school and almost dashed towards the Quidditch pitch taking a seat in the stands. She had accompanied Harry and Ron for some Quidditch practices on a couple of occasions, but usually she had come here only for the matches of the Gryffindor team.
They had already started the tryouts, but no one seemed to be playing better than Neville. Some of them could actually catch the quaffle, but they were probably the returning players. One student trying for the beater position even managed to hit himself in the head with the bat; another one trying for the keeper position managed to fall from his broomstick, but he was less than three feet above the ground, as he had just mounted his broom. It was worse than she had imagined and once the students noticed she was there, it got worse. There was not a chance in a million to get the cup this year.
Hoping beyond hope it would help, she left the Quidditch pitch to walk a little on the grounds. As there was still some time until supper she wasn't in a hurry. As she meanandered, Hermione saw that there were some strange creatures in the pen that Hagrid had used at his classes.
Approaching the pen, she had never seen such creatures. Not even the Thestrals looked this strange. Hermione had recently begun to see Thestrals.
These creatures were some strange dogs, or wolf-like creatures, with tails similar to a rat, or maybe to a snake. She could see the glinting from the scales, and they had large wings that looked sort of weird, with fur, instead of feathers. The animals looked bizarre, and to tell the truth, a little frightening, especially since they were playing like puppies, but a little more roughly and she could hear their growls.
She didn't really dare get too close to them, but there was a strange attraction. She was curious to find out what they were. In all her text books, she had never encountered such a strange animal.
She was so concentrated on these animals, searching her memory for what they might be, that she did not hear Professor Bendis walk up to her. When the Professor said hello it scared her out of her skin.
"Sorry, didn't know I was so scary." Professor Bendis apologized.
"Oh I was.I was." Hermione stuttered, not really knowing what to say.
"Wanting to know what these creepy animals are, and why in Merlin's name you haven't studied them?" Bendis said in an amused tone.
"Well, yes."
"Because in this school just like in most, you only get to be taught about the most popular magical creatures, creatures that are well-known to wizards and muggles alike. When I accepted this post, I did it so I could make a difference and try to teach kids something besides unicorns, dragons, hippogriffs and other creatures just as well-known."
She was almost stranger than Hagrid, Hermione thought. Bendis knew a lot about fantastical beasts. Dumbledore had made a wise choice. Although in her eagerness, she could prove just as reckless as Hagrid.
"Well I can see your point." Hermione had nothing better to say, for once.
"These creatures are Daoi; they are magical creatures specific to Romania. Once they were very common, but recently, their numbers are declining at an ever-increasing rate. I fear for their fate, as they are very intelligent and adaptable creatures, but men, wizards or not, just don't care about the wild-life anymore. Their natural habitat has practically been destroyed. The only magical forest that are still habitable have recently been sold, as land for the rich wizards that build huge mansions. There will be no place left for them, but zoos and pens like this. I have done some paper work, so I can keep some pairs here, and maybe try to introduce them to the forbidden forest. But I don't think it will be to their liking. Still I can't give up hope before I even try to do something." She went on at- length.
It surprised Hermione with how much passion she could talk about these strange creatures. She had believed only Hagrid could be so obsessed with strange creatures, but now she saw there were others like him.
Or maybe it wasn't really that strange.
She was considered by many obsessed with house elves or with books. Who was she to judge people?
"Want to come in for a cuppa?" the young witch offered.
Hermione accepted her offer and they walked towards the castle, discussing the different teaching methods they had been exposed to. Their talk continued in Anna's chambers until late, when they realized they had missed dinner in the great hall.
"In Merlin's name, look at the time. Never thought it got so late. Not even my stomach noticed. Well, we'll just have to go to the kitchens and get something. Dose it sound good enough for you Mione." Anne proposed.
"Well yes, but I don't really have time. I've got to get to. something." Hermioned fumbled.
"Ah yes, that something you do every evening." And although she seemed to have a disappointed tone for not having been considered trustworthy for Hermione's secret, Hermione got the remote impression that she knew something about it all.
They went down the halls that still filed with students commenting on the large amount of homework they had to work through that evening. Reaching the fruit portrait, Anna tickled the pear and the secret door opened to reveal the kitchens that were bustling with house elves. Just as she was about to step in, a voice stopped her.
"Miss-tress Granger, I would like to see you." Snape requested. And then he added in a more, supposedly sweet tone, that truthfully sounded more deadly, "If it's not too much of a bother."
"Yes, Professor, I'm all yours." As she said this she heard a snicker from Anne, but Anne stepped completely in the kitchen door and closed it, not wanting to seem nosy.
Hermione followed Snape down the stairs, to the dungeons, straight to his office. He opened the door and let her pass, first watching her with his hippogriff-like stare. His office was as dark and sinister as always, with all sorts of vile-looking things stuffed in jars, in an attempt to sicken all those who set foot in this place. But once one had realized what things were they weren't so scary. Some of them were unique in a way, and Hermione could not help herself from wondering where he had gotten them. Other specimens she had simply never seen before.
The air was as chilly as ever, and there was no chance for a fire in this place.at least not until the temperature got below freezing, would he permit one to be lit.
"I have been informed you acted as a replacement for some of Lupin's classes today.? Snape started without further introductions.
"Yes." She really didn't know where he was heading.
"And that your class was inspected by the head inquisitor?" he questioned further.
"Yes. Draco stopped by." She answered matter-of-factly.
"Professor Granger, I am not sure you understand Mr. Malfoy's role here." His tone becoming too dangerously low for her comfort.
"To tell the truth I don't." she huffed. Hermione was starting to lose her temper, which she knew to be a grave mistake when being interrogated by Snape. She was cautioned enough to keep her eyes away from his.
"He, as high inquisitor, can place teachers on probation, and even dismiss teachers, should he find them lacking." Snape elaborated.
"You mean to tell me can sack me just for teaching." She knew she was starting to loose her temper, "Why is he here anyway? Why did he get this position? I mean, Umbridge was practically Fudge's right-hand, she had a lot of control at the ministry and all. Malfoy, on the other hand, has never worked one day at the ministry, and is a known death eater's son for Merlin's sake; he might even be one himself." The moment her last words left her mouth she knew it was bad.
Snape's eyes narrowed to two slits. "This Granger, is exactly the attitude you're not supposed to have." He was standing now, towering over her, "As you have yourself pointed out, his father is a death Eater, but also one of the men to give the ministry more galleons than you have seen in your life.
"Naturally, when the little brat needed a job, the minister was more than glad to dispatch him to us, careful that the employment would satisfy his father. Now taking into account the animosity you and Mr. Malfoy have shown towards each other from the moment you met, I'd advise you to be careful how you step around him. Do I make myself clear?" he sneered.
"I promise to be careful." She mocked him.
"Miss Granger, I have pointed out the circumstances leading to Malfoy's employment here, do you want me to remind you how you came to work here as well?" his tone was bitter.
It took her a few moments to gather her last vestiges of defense.
"Is that all, Professor? Then I'm going to excuse myself, as I think I have kept you too long from your work." she turned around and left, banging the door to his office behind her. Those materials she had to give him would just have to wait until later, when she was in a better state. Now all she needed was rest, and plenty of it.
A.N. daoi means wolf, in Dacian, and it was their motif. I'm from Romania people. You know that country were Dracula lives. Although I can assure you won't find him. I've been to the bran castle tree times and there was no trace of him. Actually he never even passed by.
Someone pointed out that some of the things have no sense. Like the fact that they had to go up to Snape's lab and then they had to go up to get out of it. Although we are in Hogwarts and a thing like that would not surprise me. I specifically said that they were at the top of the stairs, and the stairs started moving downwards to get to his lab. And then when they got out of it they had to climb the stairs. The idea about the stairs not moving is not mine. It belongs to my beta reader, and I thank her for beta reading this story.
Although you may ask why there are so many mistakes. Well the first three chapters aren't yet beta read. So you'll have to wait a little longer to be able to really understand what I'm blabbing about.
I've been praised for keeping Snape in character. Well to tell the truth, I just can't imagine Snape being nice, and whenever I stumble upon a nice Snape I just say bye bye to that story. Now you might wonder why I have appointed a High Inquisitor. Well just for the fun of it. This way I can put Malfoy in the story, and make some people hex him. I don't like Malfoy. (Don't hex me people) but practically all of my friends adore him so I had to put him in and give him a nice job. (I think I understand how Dumbledore felt about having to appoint Umbrige now.)
In next chapter there's going to be more about the mysterious past of Hermione. So stay tuned, although I'm not sure it will be up to soon.
Meanwhile push that button and tell me what you thin about it.
CHAPTER V
On Monday morning she was finally awaken to reality by the sound of the alarm clock. Being a magical clock it only rang when needed, and with Hermione as an owner it had nearly forgotten how to do that. When she finally reached the bathroom, the magical mirror nearly screamed at her appearance.
Mooning Myrtle looked more alive than her at any rate. With much concentration and patience, she applied all sorts of spells to repair the damage made by her sleepless nights. She surveyed her image in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
A bit hollow under the cheekbones. And there were shadows under her eyes. Then again, she didn't have to be perfect, did she? With an encouraging nod to herself, she tucked her wand in her sleeve and left for breakfast.
When she got there, there were still several seats empty, so she tried to find one that would position her as far away as was possible from everybody that could have asked how she had spent her weekend.
The food had barely appeared on the table when the place near her was occupied by no one else but Professor Trelawney.
"Good morning everyone, looking in my tea cup I saw myself coming for breakfast and here I am." Said Trelawney.
"We are honoured you joined us," was Dumbledore's response, and unlike the other teachers he actually meant it.
"Oh I see there are some new teachers among the staff; you remember, Dumbledore I had foreseen change." She had her dreamy voice and her all- knowing look that bugged Hermione to no end.
"Professor McGonagall leaves, how strange can it be that there are new teachers?" Muttered Hermione through clenched teeth.
Turning her head at Trelawney answered in a tone that was totally different from her normal dreamy way.
"I seem to remember you. You were the one that quit my class, weren't you. Well I haven't changed my opinion of you; there's no talent in you, but thank the gods there are students that do possess the inner eye. This weekend I read a homework that impressed me. The girl has foreseen her future for the next month in most precise detail, and it's not bright to say the least. Severus, she has even foreseen the failure at your test next week."
Hermione could hardly keep her laughter under control, so she left the table, though she had barely touched her eggs. She had reached her classroom and was congratulating herself for planning her classes so far ahead, when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." was her immediate response.
It was Remus, and he looked awful.
"Hello Hermione, how are things going.?" He tried to sound joyful.
"Fine, why do you ask?" She was becoming suspicious. Was is possible he had seen her? Had he recognize while in his werewolf stage?
"No special reason, just the polite thing to ask," he gave her a genuine smile, as only he could. She was amazed how much younger it made him look.
"Oh I'm fine. And what brings you here Professor Lupin?" Hermione questioned him.
"Told you not to call me Professor anymore you are a colleague of mine now, there's no need for formalities." Remus scolded gently.
"Yes, but you were my teacher and it's not that easy to forget."
"Try it." He urged.
"Alright. Remus. Are you satisfied now?" she smiled at him.
"That's better." He gave her a broad smile.
"So, like I was saying what brings you in this neck of the corridors?" she was becoming curious by the time, but she didn't show it, acting as normal as she could looking through her papers.
"Well, I wanted to ask you a favour." His smile had somehow faded by now.
"A favour?" she raised an eyebrow, but still pretended to be engaged by the checked homework.
"Yes. I think you've noticed the full moon, and you know the effects it has on me." He wasn't smiling anymore.
"Yes." She looked up from the stack of papers that she was trying to arrange in alphabetical order.
"Well, the effects don't go away so quickly, as I'm sure you remember from your third year, and I wanted to ask you to teach some of my classes as I'm not really ready to prowl the corridors yet."
"But I thought Professor Snape was taking your charges in such situations." She said, and gracefully got up from her seat.
"Yes, but you know how Severus is. And I'm not asking you to take all my classes, just the Gryffindors and maybe the Hufflepuffs they're the ones that have it worse when he's teaching." Lupin explained.
Just now she couldn't read Lupin's face. "Oh, I see. Well, what can I say?"
"Please say yes." He pleaded.
"Of course. I'm honoured you thought of me." She said truthfully.
"Well then, it's settled.
?What subjects will I have to cover?" she questioned him.
"Well, I don't really have a schedule made up, but next for the third year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were at red hats, while the six year Gryffindors are at the Patronus spell. I hope you can handle a couple or more hours, it's just that I'm tired of how Severus treats them. I know you are more then capable to teach them this."
"I doubt I'm more capable to teach this than any other teacher in the school and I'm more than sure Professor Snape will have something to say about your request." She did not wish to get into a quarrel with Snape at this point.
"It was actually Severus who suggested if I didn't like the way he was teaching my classes to ask someone else. He didn't have anything against me asking you. Severus never seems to appreciate anyone, but trust me, you had gained the respect of the entire rest of the staff from your third year, perhaps earlier. And by solving that riddle in your first year, to get to the Philosopher's Stone, that was made by Severus; you most certainly gained his respect." Lupin rambled.
To try and hide the colour that was creeping up her cheeks she turned towards the blackboard to write the title of today's lesson.
"So, I can count on you, Hermione?" he looked relieved.
"Of course, don't worry. You just go and rest."
Just after he left, the class begun filling with students. They were just lively enough to make her feel better.
To teach Lupin's classes she had to use her old time-turner from her school years. She still had it, it was in perfect condition. Some students were surpised by this, but others just didn't really care.
She was glad they had already done the Ridikkulus spell; she wasn't ready to face her fears once again after that dreadful weekend.
Red hats weren't her favourites, but to tell the truth, none of the dark creatures were of her liking; especially after this summer--she had spent some days in the old Black house, where even after so many years of living in it and so much cleaning you could still find some dark beasts.
The Patronus spell was a simple spell to perform, as long as you didn't have a Dementor in front of you-the classes all went like clock work.
However it just couldn't be a perfect day, Hermione grumbled to herself. Especially since no day at Hogwarts could be normal. Even less likely with having Draco Malfoy as Head Inquisitor.
When she first entered the DADA classroom she was startled by a voice from behind, questioning her. "What, may I inquire, are you doing here Professor Granger?"
She could not comprehend how it was that her name, coming from the mouth of a Slytherin, could sound like an insult.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy. Nice to see you. And what are you doing here?" she replied evenly. Her smile was so fake, it vanished without a trace in mere seconds.
"As Head Inquisitor I am here to check how the other professors are teaching. I have come here to check on Professor Lupin." He was looking so smug Hermione wished she could smack him again as she had in their third year.
"Well he's not here. He's." she had no time to finish her sentence.
"I see. But I also see that he has been irresponsible enough not to appoint a tutor for his classes." Malfoy was doing a great job pissing her off.
"He has, Malfoy. You are looking ah him, or rather, her. Now, please, would you allow me to actually teach the class?" She was getting exasperated.
"You?!" And what sort of experience do you have on this subject?" he questioned, mocking her.
"Enough. I have a degree in Advanced Defensive spells, and I have also been a member of several defence organizations, if you need to know." She replied, meeting his eyes, daring him to comment on that.
And he did.
"How many of them were legal organization?" He asked in a malevolent tone, but Hermione was no longer paying attention to him.
"Right class, as I was about to say before Mr. Malfoy interfered, Professor Lupin is ill and couldn't come today, so I'm here to replace him for today. Any questions?" There was a moment of silence only perturbed by Draco's scribbling on a piece of paper.
So this is how it felt to have Umbridge in class, Hermione thought. Well, she could only have respect for her teachers for not hexing that woman right away, although that would have made things a lot easier for all of the students. Though she wasn't sure it would be the same in Draco's case. Too many of the people he was going to inspect had been his teachers, had seen him when he was just a kid, fpr them to withstand the type of behaviour that Umbridge had, and Malfoy was, displaying.
Noticing the lack of response, Hermione began again. "Right, let's get on with the lesson. She took a seat at the front desk. "Anybody missing?" It seemed they were all in class, and nobody seemed to suffer from one of the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes diseases.
"Now everyone, wands away." She instructed. A murmur of disappointment was heard through all the class and if she wasn't mistaken, a snigger from Malfoy's direction. "Just take your feathers out. I'm going to give you a brief presentation of the spell we're working with. Then you can do all the practice you please." At this, all their faces brightened up.
"The Patronus charm is a shielding charm. Can anybody here tell me anything about it?" she questioned the class. Several hands raised, but before she could call on someone, Malfoy interfered.
"I thought you actually had to know a spell in order to be able to teach it to others." He sneered.
"And I thought you actually had to know a spell to be able to inspect others to see if they are doing it accurately." She lashed out just as viciously.
He was silenced by this rebuke and scribbled something hastily on the sheet of paper again.
"So, does anybody know anything about the Patronus spell?" she asked again, and some lifted their hands. They were smart kids-actually young adults- most if not all being already of age. They mastered the charm easily. Easier than she remembered learning it herself. But that also had to do with the fact that they were older that she had been at the time, and more experienced with charms of this difficulty.
Soon the whole classroom was filled with silvery forms of different consistencies. Her own otter-shaped Patronus was paddling through the classroom. It had cost her a little to produce it. Patronuses reminded her of dementors, and those were not happy memories. However, just to shut Malfoy's mouth, she had made quite a show when making it appear.
After all the classes had finished, she went to her office which had a lovely view of the grounds surrounding the school. Seeing a flock of Gryffindors going to the Quidditch pitch reminded her that today were the try-outs for the house team. She decided to see how bad the team was. She swiftly got out of the school and almost dashed towards the Quidditch pitch taking a seat in the stands. She had accompanied Harry and Ron for some Quidditch practices on a couple of occasions, but usually she had come here only for the matches of the Gryffindor team.
They had already started the tryouts, but no one seemed to be playing better than Neville. Some of them could actually catch the quaffle, but they were probably the returning players. One student trying for the beater position even managed to hit himself in the head with the bat; another one trying for the keeper position managed to fall from his broomstick, but he was less than three feet above the ground, as he had just mounted his broom. It was worse than she had imagined and once the students noticed she was there, it got worse. There was not a chance in a million to get the cup this year.
Hoping beyond hope it would help, she left the Quidditch pitch to walk a little on the grounds. As there was still some time until supper she wasn't in a hurry. As she meanandered, Hermione saw that there were some strange creatures in the pen that Hagrid had used at his classes.
Approaching the pen, she had never seen such creatures. Not even the Thestrals looked this strange. Hermione had recently begun to see Thestrals.
These creatures were some strange dogs, or wolf-like creatures, with tails similar to a rat, or maybe to a snake. She could see the glinting from the scales, and they had large wings that looked sort of weird, with fur, instead of feathers. The animals looked bizarre, and to tell the truth, a little frightening, especially since they were playing like puppies, but a little more roughly and she could hear their growls.
She didn't really dare get too close to them, but there was a strange attraction. She was curious to find out what they were. In all her text books, she had never encountered such a strange animal.
She was so concentrated on these animals, searching her memory for what they might be, that she did not hear Professor Bendis walk up to her. When the Professor said hello it scared her out of her skin.
"Sorry, didn't know I was so scary." Professor Bendis apologized.
"Oh I was.I was." Hermione stuttered, not really knowing what to say.
"Wanting to know what these creepy animals are, and why in Merlin's name you haven't studied them?" Bendis said in an amused tone.
"Well, yes."
"Because in this school just like in most, you only get to be taught about the most popular magical creatures, creatures that are well-known to wizards and muggles alike. When I accepted this post, I did it so I could make a difference and try to teach kids something besides unicorns, dragons, hippogriffs and other creatures just as well-known."
She was almost stranger than Hagrid, Hermione thought. Bendis knew a lot about fantastical beasts. Dumbledore had made a wise choice. Although in her eagerness, she could prove just as reckless as Hagrid.
"Well I can see your point." Hermione had nothing better to say, for once.
"These creatures are Daoi; they are magical creatures specific to Romania. Once they were very common, but recently, their numbers are declining at an ever-increasing rate. I fear for their fate, as they are very intelligent and adaptable creatures, but men, wizards or not, just don't care about the wild-life anymore. Their natural habitat has practically been destroyed. The only magical forest that are still habitable have recently been sold, as land for the rich wizards that build huge mansions. There will be no place left for them, but zoos and pens like this. I have done some paper work, so I can keep some pairs here, and maybe try to introduce them to the forbidden forest. But I don't think it will be to their liking. Still I can't give up hope before I even try to do something." She went on at- length.
It surprised Hermione with how much passion she could talk about these strange creatures. She had believed only Hagrid could be so obsessed with strange creatures, but now she saw there were others like him.
Or maybe it wasn't really that strange.
She was considered by many obsessed with house elves or with books. Who was she to judge people?
"Want to come in for a cuppa?" the young witch offered.
Hermione accepted her offer and they walked towards the castle, discussing the different teaching methods they had been exposed to. Their talk continued in Anna's chambers until late, when they realized they had missed dinner in the great hall.
"In Merlin's name, look at the time. Never thought it got so late. Not even my stomach noticed. Well, we'll just have to go to the kitchens and get something. Dose it sound good enough for you Mione." Anne proposed.
"Well yes, but I don't really have time. I've got to get to. something." Hermioned fumbled.
"Ah yes, that something you do every evening." And although she seemed to have a disappointed tone for not having been considered trustworthy for Hermione's secret, Hermione got the remote impression that she knew something about it all.
They went down the halls that still filed with students commenting on the large amount of homework they had to work through that evening. Reaching the fruit portrait, Anna tickled the pear and the secret door opened to reveal the kitchens that were bustling with house elves. Just as she was about to step in, a voice stopped her.
"Miss-tress Granger, I would like to see you." Snape requested. And then he added in a more, supposedly sweet tone, that truthfully sounded more deadly, "If it's not too much of a bother."
"Yes, Professor, I'm all yours." As she said this she heard a snicker from Anne, but Anne stepped completely in the kitchen door and closed it, not wanting to seem nosy.
Hermione followed Snape down the stairs, to the dungeons, straight to his office. He opened the door and let her pass, first watching her with his hippogriff-like stare. His office was as dark and sinister as always, with all sorts of vile-looking things stuffed in jars, in an attempt to sicken all those who set foot in this place. But once one had realized what things were they weren't so scary. Some of them were unique in a way, and Hermione could not help herself from wondering where he had gotten them. Other specimens she had simply never seen before.
The air was as chilly as ever, and there was no chance for a fire in this place.at least not until the temperature got below freezing, would he permit one to be lit.
"I have been informed you acted as a replacement for some of Lupin's classes today.? Snape started without further introductions.
"Yes." She really didn't know where he was heading.
"And that your class was inspected by the head inquisitor?" he questioned further.
"Yes. Draco stopped by." She answered matter-of-factly.
"Professor Granger, I am not sure you understand Mr. Malfoy's role here." His tone becoming too dangerously low for her comfort.
"To tell the truth I don't." she huffed. Hermione was starting to lose her temper, which she knew to be a grave mistake when being interrogated by Snape. She was cautioned enough to keep her eyes away from his.
"He, as high inquisitor, can place teachers on probation, and even dismiss teachers, should he find them lacking." Snape elaborated.
"You mean to tell me can sack me just for teaching." She knew she was starting to loose her temper, "Why is he here anyway? Why did he get this position? I mean, Umbridge was practically Fudge's right-hand, she had a lot of control at the ministry and all. Malfoy, on the other hand, has never worked one day at the ministry, and is a known death eater's son for Merlin's sake; he might even be one himself." The moment her last words left her mouth she knew it was bad.
Snape's eyes narrowed to two slits. "This Granger, is exactly the attitude you're not supposed to have." He was standing now, towering over her, "As you have yourself pointed out, his father is a death Eater, but also one of the men to give the ministry more galleons than you have seen in your life.
"Naturally, when the little brat needed a job, the minister was more than glad to dispatch him to us, careful that the employment would satisfy his father. Now taking into account the animosity you and Mr. Malfoy have shown towards each other from the moment you met, I'd advise you to be careful how you step around him. Do I make myself clear?" he sneered.
"I promise to be careful." She mocked him.
"Miss Granger, I have pointed out the circumstances leading to Malfoy's employment here, do you want me to remind you how you came to work here as well?" his tone was bitter.
It took her a few moments to gather her last vestiges of defense.
"Is that all, Professor? Then I'm going to excuse myself, as I think I have kept you too long from your work." she turned around and left, banging the door to his office behind her. Those materials she had to give him would just have to wait until later, when she was in a better state. Now all she needed was rest, and plenty of it.
A.N. daoi means wolf, in Dacian, and it was their motif. I'm from Romania people. You know that country were Dracula lives. Although I can assure you won't find him. I've been to the bran castle tree times and there was no trace of him. Actually he never even passed by.
Someone pointed out that some of the things have no sense. Like the fact that they had to go up to Snape's lab and then they had to go up to get out of it. Although we are in Hogwarts and a thing like that would not surprise me. I specifically said that they were at the top of the stairs, and the stairs started moving downwards to get to his lab. And then when they got out of it they had to climb the stairs. The idea about the stairs not moving is not mine. It belongs to my beta reader, and I thank her for beta reading this story.
Although you may ask why there are so many mistakes. Well the first three chapters aren't yet beta read. So you'll have to wait a little longer to be able to really understand what I'm blabbing about.
I've been praised for keeping Snape in character. Well to tell the truth, I just can't imagine Snape being nice, and whenever I stumble upon a nice Snape I just say bye bye to that story. Now you might wonder why I have appointed a High Inquisitor. Well just for the fun of it. This way I can put Malfoy in the story, and make some people hex him. I don't like Malfoy. (Don't hex me people) but practically all of my friends adore him so I had to put him in and give him a nice job. (I think I understand how Dumbledore felt about having to appoint Umbrige now.)
In next chapter there's going to be more about the mysterious past of Hermione. So stay tuned, although I'm not sure it will be up to soon.
Meanwhile push that button and tell me what you thin about it.