A/N: This is Chapter Three! Some questions answered. New ones asked. The plot thickens, so they say. Read and review people. Enjoy. I am not the one and only J.K Rowling.
Chapter Three
Gregory finally reached the library at 10:25. He was a bit early, but he found Hermione at a back table pouring over a particularly thick, ancient looking book.
"Hey, Hermione." he said brightly as he took the seat across from her.
"Hey, Gregory. How were your classes yesterday?"
"Pretty overwhelming. Its weird, I can remember some of the basic spells and perform them, I can remember my vocabulary and most of my family, but I certainly don't remember how to transfigure a cat into a chair. That was bloody awful." Hermione looked at him soothingly. She knew how difficult this would be for him. They were a quarter way through his 7th year and he couldn't remember practically any of his lessons.
"I hope I can help. We have a lot to cover though. Do you mind if we get started?"
"No, not at all. I'm pretty excited actually. Where do you want to start?" He spread his books out on the table for her to choose from.
"Let's start with charms, since the techniques we learn there are the building blocks of transfiguration defense against the dark arts. I think we will start with the levitation spell first and then move onto transfiguration. Sound good?"
"Yep. So what do I do first?"
"Read this first chapter and then we'll do practical lesson for a while. I have Advanced Arithmancy at 12 so don't let me get carried away."
By 11:30 Gregory had mastered levitation and turned his needle into a fairly convincing feather.
"I have to say I'm impressed. You are moving at a very good pace. I have to admit that we always pegged you as a bit thick." Gregory's head poked up from his book at the turn in conversation.
"Really, why?"
"Well, you were just Malfoy's … ummm… crony, for lack of a better word. You never said anything coherent and you just lagged behind him, intimidating anyone who Malfoy felt threatened by." Greg's face had turned quite solemn and he was undoubtedly hurt by this testimony.
"I don't want to be that person anymore. I told Malfoy off last night and I don't think any of my old friends will be very eager to be friends again anytime soon. Apparently I betrayed them somehow. I don't know what I did."
"They would be rather upset that you stood up for me. That you gave up their friendship and trust to save me." she looked down at the table, not believing those words had come out of her mouth.
"I'm sorry, I'm being so insensitive. I seem to have lost control over my speech. I'm just so grateful and angry that they would disown you after what they did to you; no, what he did to you. Slytherins disgust me, no offense. They claim to be loyal, at least to each other, but you are evidence that that isn't true." She was pissed and red faced from trying to control her tone and volume.
"I'm not sorry I did it." he was looking into her eyes and as though this was a sudden revelation. "I'm not sorry I saved your memory, no matter the consequences. It would be a great loss for such a brilliant mind to be lost merely because some jack ass wanted to have some "fun". I know why I did it and I am perfectly fine with it. Considering what kind of person I was before, I can't believe I did it, but I have a second chance now and you are still intact. I know I made the right decision." he was still looking into her eyes. Hermione was dumb struck.
"Thank you, I don't know what else to say." she leaned across the table and kissed him soundly on the cheek. "Oh my, its five minutes to twelve. I'm going to be late. Meet me back here tomorrow at two." She was down the last row of books now and almost out of the library. Gregory was still sitting looking straight ahead, completely caught off guard by the kiss. He sat there for a few more moments before returning his thoughts to his studies. He still had history of magic and DADA to finish before his private lesson with Professor Flitwick at 4.
The rest of the day went by in a flash. Gregory kept stealing back into his thoughts of the library that afternoon. Soon, it was time for dinner. He walked into the great hall and started heading towards the Slytherin table for another lonely meal when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned to the Gryffindor table and saw Hermione trying to wave him over to sit with her. He cautiously walked to the table.
"Would you like to eat with us? I hate to see you sit by yourself again." Hermione smiled brightly at him.
"Sure, it's not like I have a warm welcome at the Slytherin table either." He scanned Harry and Ron's faces as he sat between Hermione and some blonde kid. They looked stunned at Hermione's actions, but soon recovered and went about their meal. Gregory slipped into the mood at the table. Everyone seemed fairly nonchalant about letting a Slytherin enter their midst. He may have lost his memory, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the Slytherins and Gryffindors just did not get along. Hermione held his attention all through dinner with talk of future lessons and a few stories of their past encounters riddled in as well.
"Now that you have met Malfoy I think you need to hear the ferret story." Hermione said lightly.
"I accidentally called him Ferret Face." he said blushing. Hermione turned purple from laughter.
"Are you serious?" Ron asked and Gregory nodded his head.
"The first time he told me his name I only had what information Hermione had told me. He said his name was Draco Malfoy and it just kind of slipped out. I don't know if he heard me or not."
"Damn shame." Ron said a bit loudly.
"So, where did that name come from Hermione?"
"Oh, well, I think Harry should tell since he was the cause." she said smirking lightly.
"Yes, I love telling this story." Harry said with a huge smile on his face. After his tale was finished, Goyle looked conflicted he wanted to laugh, but something was bothering him.
"Did I really stick my hand down some other guy's pants?" he asked, disgusted. All three nodded their heads and laughed.
All in all he was quite unhappy to sulk back to his common room. Knott and his crew weren't as cold as Malfoy, but certainly not inviting. As he collapsed on his bed his thoughts went to Hermione. How her smile seemed to brighten up his otherwise dull, meager existence. He wondered if he felt this way before he lost his memory and if the last few days of this life were an improvement from his old one. Soon, the young Slytherin was asleep and dreaming of a broom closet.
A/N: If anyone can tell me where I got the broom closet from they get a shout out and a special thanks. Don't know if that is motivation enough, but it's worth a try. Review. aLtO
