A/N- I know Hermione belly dancing is a bit OOC, but since this is an AU fic, I don't care. Also, I have never ever taken belly dancing courses or anything along those lines, so what she does may be wrong, but I got it from Shakira's new music video, Hips Don't Lie. Oh, and the names Katherine Chesher and Cassella Worrell are the names of two of my best friends. So credit to them. Again, please leave reviews. I like feedback.

Disclaimer- This morning I woke up, looked in the mirror, and screamed bloody murder. I wasn't J.K. Rowling, who owns the HP characters! I was shocked to say the least.

The door of her room quietly closed behind her as Hermione came inside the room. Without needing affirmation, she knew today was going to get worse. She had just come back from a quick shower when she had found the teachers talking to each other in low voices. They must have thought that no students would be awake at five int he morning. But that was where they were mistaken. She had been walking down a remote hallway clad only in her bathrobe, hence the tucked away corridor, when she had heard voices. Or more specifically, the Headmasters voice speaking with Professor Flitwick. Not wanting to be caught she had hidden behind a suit of armor, until they had gone. From the conversation, Hermione could deduce that they were talking about a field trip of some sort. Her only solace was in hoping that it was not to Brazil, like last year.

Hermione's head lay against the cool wood of her door as she considered what she had heard. If it was to Brazil, she was in luck, since students couldn't go twice in a row,and anyway, you had to fill out a form, having your parents signature on it. Her parents knew she was coming to visit this coming holiday and would not have signed her on without her consent. Dumbledore would probably also announce it over breakfast, so there was no point worrying about something that hadn't even occurred yet. With that rationale in her mind, Hermione started to get ready for class.

Ron's cheeks were bulging with toast, omelet, and who knows what else. It was surprising to see Harry, sitting right next to him, picking at his food and hesitantly spreading butter on his toast. Hermione smiled as she sat down with her bag in the seat next to her. Her worries of the field trip were pushed from her mind as she got caught up in casual talk of the table.

"Everyone, your attention please. The professors and I have decided that there will be another field trip this year. Settle down, settle down. Now, we have decided that we will leave two weeks before winter holidays. We have also taken the liberty of choosing chaperone's for the trip to Brazil. Permi-" Dumbledore continued speaking, but Hermione was no longer listening, instead she was letting his words sink in. Brazil, again? If she went, would he expect a commitment from her, or would he act cruel towards her? Hermione could feel herself start to hyperventilating at the thoughts entering her mind. Her mind seemed to open up, and Hermione once again listened to Dumbledore's words.

"- Ginerva Weasley, Cho Chang, Katherine Chesher, Vanessa Macmillian, Hermione Granger, Fredderick Loyer, Blaize Zabini, Draco Malfoy, Colin Creevy, Netive Curos, Louis Danvid, and Cassella Worrell. All these names mentioned will report to my office at seven o'clock sharp. Now, I believe most of you have classes to attend to."

The Headmaster twirled his magnificent robes once and strode towards the teachers entrance. All Hermione could do was sit.

Hermione finally found herself sitting in her armchair, gloomily looking into the fire. She had been right, the day had been terrible. After listening to Dumbledore's announcement, she had made her way to Ancient Runes, only to find that she couldn't concentrate. The same went with all her classes, with her anxiety building ever so slowly until seven. Dumbledore's meeting. It was like her dream, looming over her, filling her with dread. She had not been looking forward to it. But the meeting had taken place with all the students named, and more. The Headmaster had explained why they had been chosen to come, and which of these students were chaperoning. All the parents had allowed them to go. At that point Hermione had felt betrayed that her parents did this without asking her first but afterward she accepted that they most likely thought she needed some time to relax. Dumbledore of course went on and on about sight seeing and activities the professors had planned out until Hermione had had enough and quickly interrupted him while he took a breath.

"I don't want to go." Her voice had been strong and had seemed to echo through the room. Everyone was quiet, even Fawkes who had been chirping the whole time.

All that the great Dumbledore did was look over his half-moon spectacles, and said three words.

"Meet me afterward."

Some help that did, Hermione noted. When everyone had left she had stayed behind to be lectured on how it was her 'duty' as Head Girl to participate in activities presented by the Headmaster. All in all, Hermione had left to go to her room with something heavy weighing down her heart.

Here she was now, with Crookshanks on her lap, who was being splattered with her masters tears. It was a sad sight, and even though Hermione knew this, she made no move to wipe her cheeks.

Last year she had been so excited to know she had been picked out of the hundreds of students to go to Brazil, and when she had gotten there she had been overwhelmed with the sounds and smells that mingled with each other. It all just screamed exotic. Her nights were filled with dancing with the local boys and some of her friends. She would site see and go to the beach in the afternoon. It had been pure bliss, and although she had never told anyone this, she had even taken a few belly dancing courses herself, only to know how it felt like to feel wanted. It made her feel beautiful, made her forget about her bushy hair and what she thought, unflattering curves.

She had been oblivious to the world as she practiced the movements her instructor had taught her. Music had filled her ears and she had quickly shaken her hips side to side with her hands over head while her legs slowly turned her to complete several circles. She had continued to dance, just getting lost into the music until she felt a hand on one of her hips.

Hermione heard a dull thudding between her ears after she had jumped from the predators hands. All she saw was her Professor standing there, one eyebrow lifted, and a usual scowl marring his face.

"Miss Granger, perhaps you could at least try to listen to the Headmasters directions. He clearly stated everyone to be in bed by one, at the latest. Even without your little sidekicks here you seem to be breaking rules." His voice was like silk and Hermione had been prepared to fall asleep right on the spot. It was a testament of how tired she was, but when she realized what he had said she had quickly blushed and looked down at her toes. He continued as if nothing had occurred.

"You will follow me as I take you to your room, and afterward I will think up a suitable punishment for you for being out an hour after curfew." Professor Snape's voice now held a hint of steel, as if challenging her to go against his wishes. He was disappointed when she just continued to look at her toes, her hair obscuring her face. The next day when he told her she would go to the forest nearby with him to collect potion ingredients as punishment, everything started.