Disclaimer: as you may know J.K. Rowling is the creator of such wonderful characters. I'm well just playing with them. No harm intended.

Chapter VI

'Good morning class' Hermione intoned from near the blackboard.

A murmur rose from the class as they responded to her. They all looked unbelievably tired and bored; she knew the reason. They had been in the History of Magic class which was rapidly becoming one of the most despised classes at Hogwarts.

'Today we're going to study a Shrinking Charm. It's one of the first phases of trying Vanishing Spells. You first try to make the things as small as possible. Later on it will be easier to make them vanish.' The class looked to be recovering. Her bright tone was getting their attention.

She got her wand out of her sleeve 'Look I'll demonstrate. Radicula,' and with a quick swish, the frog that was sitting on the first desk had shrunken to a tadpole. Most of the students looked astounded at the small tadpole, though some of the girls were starting to chat a bit. It was, after all, third year Gryffindor and Slytherin. And there was a certain group of Slytherins that weren't known for being silent.

'Now, students, wands out and practice.' She told them in a stern voice. Hermione walked around to see how the students were doing. She was trying to correct the ones that were dong wrong. Some of them were flourishing their wand unnecessary, while others were pronouncing it wrong.

'No stop, stop. You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides you're saying it all wrong. It's Radicula, not Ridiculus. We're not trying to get rid of a boggart here.' Said Jinx Riddle to her desk mate Naja Malfoy. The blond girl was a true Malfoy and seemed to think no one could do better than her.

'You do it, if you're so clever.' Came the tart reply of Naja Malfoy.

'Radicula' the girl said, and immediately the large raven that was perched on her desk reduced to a small tiny, ugly, featherless, black chick.

'Splendid, Miss Riddle' Hermione spoke from behind the girls. All except Jinx flinched.

She moved off around the room again, stopping here and there to make suggestions. Slowly, the general performance improved. Well, Amelia Longbottom seemed to be an exception. But after countless failures, she not only managed to shrink the bullfrog, she actually vanished him with a loud bang and a small explosion.

'Think we're going to need another frog here, Professor.' Called the brown haired girl next to her, to everyone's amusement.

'Well, that was pretty good. You'll have to practice more before next class. No further homework.' She called while the bell rang. 'Free to go.' She addressed the class and then to Amelia in particular 'are you free tonight?' the girl shook her head slowly. At Hermione's raised eyebrow Naja Malfoy that was just passing by the desk and obviously eavesdropping answered.

'She's got detention with Snape. After the disaster she caused there it's a wonder she's still here' she called and than in a more hushed tone added 'stupid squib. Doesn't belong her.' Hermione heard it all to clear.

'Ten points from Slytherin Miss Malfoy and if you repeat that in my presence you'll get a detention.' She stated in a dangerous tone. The girl did not say anything and left the class.

'So I should have started the classes sooner Amelia.' The girl blushed to her remark.

'Well than you'll just have to wait till next Tuesday. Will you be able to hold that long without another melt down?' Hermione asked in a cheering tone. The girl gave a weak nod and a smile creped up her face. 'Now go before you miss your class.' She told the girl.

As the girl gathered her stuff, Hermione could see that she truly was a feminine version of Neville. And it wasn't because she wasn't talented. The earlier explosion had shown that she had plenty of power. Just wasn't able to control it. Most of all, she had a lack of confidence that kept her from trying to use her powers.

Hermione let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding.

'Teacher you said you had a free evening today'

It was Hermione's turn to jump out of her skin. Jinx had stayed behind the rest of the class.

Hermione looked at the girl. However the girl did not look back at her. She was instead studying a patch of her robe. 'Yes miss Riddle. Why?' she asked.

'Well' the girl didn't know how to act. After all, one of her housemates had offended the teachers' protégé. 'You offered to...'

'Yes I remember quite well that I offered to help you.' Hermione replied briskly. She could see how her words made the girl slack. 'And my offer still stands, Miss Riddle.'

'I'm free this evening... I mean I don't have anything to do... what I meant to say...' the girl stuttered.

'I know what you meant, and it's alright with me. Just tell me what you want to learn. I might need to do some research beforehand.'

The girls' cheeks turned a slight shade of pink at the teachers' hidden praise. 'Just wanted to try a Vanishing Charm. I've tried it, but I always get stuck with a tale or something. I mean, Longbottom's performance today, although unthinking, was quite impressive.' Both smiled at this.

'Yes, I'll have to agree with that. So, six o'clock' Hermione stated.

'I'll be here. Thank you for your time.' Jinx said while bolting out the door as the bell announced the beginning of the next class.

It was six o'clock that evening, and yet the girl had not yet shown at her door. For the past hour or so, Hermione had been thinking of the little Slytherin girl. Janise Riddle was really smart, and reminded her a lot of herself at that age. However, she was late, and Hermione did not appreciate tardiness.

A knock was heard from the door and a slightly out of breath Jinx came in. 'Sorry Professor. Some problems in the common room. Had to wait for it to clear up. It's been a busy day today.'

Hermione didn't know what to say at the girls' entrance. Her eyebrows contracted to almost a line.

'Circe, it's scary how much you look like McGonagall.' The girl added, a grin forming on her face.

Hermione shook her head at this and motioned for the girl to take a seat at the desk in fron of hers in the front of the room. The girl took a moment to look at her office. The Gryffindor banner behind Hermione seemed to annoy her a little, but she did not say anything.

'So, what kind of problem was it?' Hermione asked. She didn't want to sound meddling, but still, it wouldn't hurt to know.

'Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs--the Deflagration Deluxe. We're Slytherin; we wouldn't settle for something cheep.' Jinx told her. 'You should have seen the look on Snape's face when he saw all the commotion. He took off about a hundred points, and gave out detentions like Dumbledore offers candy. After all, he's been in a bad mood all day.'

At this Hermione gave her a questioning look. "When is Professor Snape not in a bad mood?"

The girl shrugged. 'No offence Professor, but you're a Gryffindor. He's always in a bad mood around Gryffindors. And tomorrow I think it's going to be a massacre. I mean, he took so many points from Slytherin. Now he'll just have to wipe the other houses of points as well.'

Hermione braced herself against this idea, but decided to get to work. 'Alright, now, let's do some practical work, Miss Riddle. After all, you did not come her to chat. First we'll start with some inanimate objects, this way you get the basics mastered.'

For some time they concentrated solely on the task at hand. However, Hermione was still curious.

'You said Professor Snape was unpleasant today. Why?'

'Well,' began Jinx, her face still screwed up in concentration, 'First of all, Professor Malfoy came to inspect his class. You should have been there. It was almost hilarious. Malfoy really thinks high of himself, and Snape really cut him down. Professor Malfoy was present to inspect several other classes today as well. Actually, yours was the only Malfoy-free class. I suppose it was because of the Gryffindor prank.'

Hermione looked startled at that. 'What prank?' She didn't know anything about it, and yet she was the head of Gryffindor.

'I don't know how, but they got some Cornish pixies in his office, and he had to get rid of them. Heard they made quite a mess.'

It was hard not to laugh but Hermione heroically managed.

'He was really pissed of. He took about fifty points from each student he thought was involved.' Jinx informed her.

'What! Why wasn't I informed about it?' Hermione exclaimed, 'Sorry, Miss Riddle, I'll have to see the headmaster later about Malfoy's attitude.'

'Well, you're not going to be the only one. Professor Weasley was really mad when he made some comments in her class, and Snape wasn't too thrilled, to say the least, about the fact that Malfoy had something to do with the firecrackers in the common-room this evening. You should have seen Malfoy in the Care of Magical Creature class. He said something to the animals, and one of them swung his tail at him and knocked him on his back. The beast would have pinned him to the ground, if it hadn't been for professor Bendis.

The only teacher that didn't seem to try to chew Malfoy's head off and then spit it back was Professor Lupin. But then, he's always calm. Though it wasn't for lack of material. Malfoy did make some comments. You know, hinting at his condition. I think the hiccupping fit he suffered towards the end of class was because of someone's jinx. I'm not sure whose. I tried a bat bogey hex, but he moved. It's kind of hard to aim well from under your desk.'

At Hermione's bewildered expression she smiled. 'Hey, I'm a Slytherin because of my blood. You know it would be kind of awkward to see Slytherin's heir in Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor.'

Hermione didn't realize it but her jaw had fallen open at the girl's statement.

'What's the surprise? You know I'm a Riddle.' The girl said eying her.

'Yes, but wasn't Voldemort's mum the Slytherin descendent?' Hermione asked, trying to keep her wits about. It was strange not to see the girl flinch when Hermione spoke the Dark Lord's name.

'Actually, no. This not even Tom knows, but his father, the muggle, was Slytherin's heir. He wasn't a muggle. He was a squib. All the family is of squibs has been for generations. And that's why they hate witches and wizards so much.' she explained.

'That's why they hate me.' she added in an after thought. Her eyes were now shining with unshed tears.

I think that's enough for today, Miss Riddle.' Hermione told her. 'Next time, we can try with some insects, or other simple animals. 'It's late; you should go to sleep. You're tired' she added in a soothing voice.

Once the girl had left, Hermione headed straight to the teachers' room. She had to find out more about the Gryffindor prank and Malfoy's terrorization of the staff. The corridors were already deserted, though it wasn't yet curfew. She made her way down the ever-shifting stairways without problems, and she jumped all the trick steps. It was funny how she still hadn't forgotten all this things.

The staff room was full of teachers, animatedly talking to one another. A bit too animated, by it looked.

Mrs. Weasley had apparently hit her stride. A smile appeared on Hermione's face. She knew that Mrs. Weasley could go on for hours if she wasn't headed off early. And this time she was having a go at Draco Malfoy. Well, Hermione thought, there was no one else that deserved it more than he. She made her way quite unnoticed to a sofa near the fireplace, where Remus had retreated as well.

'Hello Hermione,' he greeted her.

'Hello Remus.' She responded.

'Come to have a go at Draco as well? I think you'll have to wait in line. Although after Severus and Mrs. Weasley I almost think we should give him a break.'

'You're too nice Remus, you know that. I actually didn't even know off all this until Janise Riddle told me about her classes during some extra tutoring this evening. I would have been down earlier if I had.'

'Good girl.' Remus commented on Miss Riddle, 'She might be a Slytherin, but she's one in the good way. She's quite smart. And polite, I might add.'

'A Slytherin in the good way?' Hermione asked in a bemused tone. 'That's a paradox in itself, Remus. Although I have to admit you're right about her.'

Once Mrs. Weasley seemed to take a break from shrieking at Malfoy, it was Hooch's turn to take a go. And she wasn't one to go easy, either. Professor Sprout wasn't too thrilled either, by the fact that her Mandrake class had been rudely interrupted by one of Malfoy's inspections.

It went on and on like this all evening. It was maybe ten when Dumbledore called the informal meeting off, and told everyone that the decisions would be made later and that for now everyone should retire. Hermione left with Remus and Mrs. Weasley. Molly was still very much upset.

'Can't believe it. He thinks that just because he's a Malfoy everything has to be done like he says. Just as lousy as his father.' Molly muttered hotly as they left the teacher's lounge.

'Mrs. Weasley, calm down. That's the Malfoys; what can you do about them?' Hermione asked rhetorically.

'Humph. And to think that I told Ron, so many times, not to curse him. Well, I would have cursed the spoilt little brat on spot today, if the students hadn't been there. And how many times I scolded Ron for getting in fights with Malfoy. I even sent him howlers. Can you believe it Remus? And he had the right idea all along.' She continued to huff.

'Molly, try to calm down. It's not doing you any good.' Remus said soothingly.

Mrs. Weasley was not to be calmed. 'I mean, you were there, Hermione. They were right to curse Malfoy into shreds, were Harry and Ron. And yet I couldn't see it.'

'Oh my poor little Ron.' Gulped Mrs. Weasley, as she broke into tears, her face in her hands.

Hermione couldn't speak. She was lost. Since Ron had been taken to Azkaban, she had never seen Mrs. Weasley act like this. It had seemed strange that she did not moan after her child. She still remembered how she used to cry every time somebody would mention Percy, back in their fifth year.

Although, to tell the truth, Hermione hadn't had time to watch others' reactions. She had been too absorbed by her own misery.

Once Molly was in her room, still sniffling, Hermione and Remus made for the kitchen. Though Remus had insisted on bringing Mrs. Weasley a cup of tea, she had refused him. The two of them were now seated at one of the four tables in the kitchen, both drinking a mug of chocolate. Hermione was still stunned by Molly's outburst.

'Poor Molly. She's been like this ever since you two got cut.' Spoke Lupin breaking the silence.

Hermione looked up at him 'I... I've never seen her like that.' Hermione voice was shaky and her eyes watery.

'She's always strong when you're around. She knows you've been through a lot and doesn't want you to fell bad about it.'

'But I should feel bad. I'm the reason he's there.' Hermione burst out.

'Hermione, that's enough.' Lupin told her firmly. 'Don't worry about Ron. He'll be out soon, after all. Dumbledore took care of that. He wasn't going to let Ron rot there forever. Just a couple more months and he'll be free.'

'Remus,' Hermione began, switching gears, voicing the thought foremost in her mind, 'have you been there, to Azkaban? Do you know how it feels to have a hundred dementors watching you? Wanting your soul?'

'Look, Hermione, there's nothing else you could have done. You know it better than anybody, don't you?' it wasn't really a question. And this made Hermione look at him with startled eyes. What did Lupin know about the whole business? Dumbledore would have never told him all, would he?

Ploughing on, Hermione continued, 'Remus, you don't understand. I should have stayed there as well. I should have been there as well. It was my fault.'

'Hermione, you are the one that doesn't seem to understand. We need everybody we can use. Voldemort might be gone, but his followers are still up to no good. Dumbledore had to choose, and he chose you. He had more chances of getting you out first, Hermione. And he knew you were going to continue your work. '

'What do you know about my work?'

'Enough to tell you that Severus Snape is not too thrilled about you not showing up yesterday.'

'I can hardly imagine he missed me too much. Don't really think he cares about any of it.' Hermione countered.

'He's done some work on this subject as well, over the years. Although from different points of view, and for different reasons. That's why Dumbledore chose him to work with you.' Remus said.

'Hermione, you used to be the voice of judgement and reason. Don't let your schoolgirl prejudice blind you now.' Remus pleaded.

She didn't answer out loud, though there were some grumblings that sounded like 'pride and prejudice'. Remus chuckled a bit.

'Now I think I will leave. I'm still not in my best health.' Remus told her. He gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder and left the kitchen.

She was now stuck with all the house elves, still avoiding her like the plague, in case she would try to give them clothes, a remnant from her schoolgirl days.

'Never liked 'Pride and Prejudice' any way. Never liked Jane Austen. Always preferred the Bronte sisters.' She said out loud. The elves gave her strange looks but then immediately returned to their chores.

She didn't even notice that it was already past midnight. She never even gave thought to the fact that it was already Friday the 19th of September. --------------------------------------------------------------------

A.N: this chapter is now beta read. The rest of them are checked by now, as well. So if you can still find mistakes in my previous chapters please tell me. Though I think my beta-reader has done a fairly good job. I'm more than pleased with her work.

Oh by the way are you pleased with my work. Next couple of chapters are going to be up soon as well. Still have to work a little on the plot. The last chapters have been quite pointless to the whole development of the plot but I'm getting to the actual thing, gradually.

If you're wandering about the spell she thought them. It's all because of too much biology. It's a phase through which the bean plant goes, turning from a seed to a plant. The only way I could remember it was by associating it with Ridiculus.

Oh and please don't be shy. Feel free to share your opinion with me on the quality of my work. So please review.