Chapter 2
"So, Hermione. Did Dumbledore ever say why Malfoy has to stay in your room?" asked Harry. It was the next morning at breakfast, and Hermione's mood was not much improved.
"Apparently, there's no room anywhere else. All of the other boys' rooms can't fit any more beds into them. Our dorm is the only one where an extra bed would fit," Hermione replied testily.
"What about an Enlargement Charm? Can't they make some boys' room bigger?" asked Ron.
"No. I already tried that. There are too many enchantments on the castle. Defensive stuff. An Enlargement Charm won't work anywhere." Hermione said nothing more on the matter, just wolfed down her breakfast and sped off to the library.
For the next two weeks, Hermione spent all of her free time in the library. She tore through dozens of books having anything to do with fire. The tiny letters often blurred before her eyes. On one such morning, after a particularly long stint, Hermione glanced at her watch and leaped up. She was almost late for Arithmancy! She hastily shoved books into her bag and took off. She flew through the halls and managed to collapse into her seat just before the bell rang. Professor Vector just looked at her inquiringly and started the lesson.
"Okay students. Please open your books to page 430 in your books. We are going to be studying the magical aspects of the number 14." Books rustled as students got them out. When everyone was settled, she continued, "Now. Fourteen may not seem like a particularly special number, but it has great use in Potion-making. For example, in the Insomniac Draught, you need precisely 14 lacewings. This is because the number of lacewings gives the -" The professor was cut off as the door creaked open. A blonde head poked in. Malfoy.
"Yes? Can I help you?" asked Professor Vector.
"Yeah, um…. I'm here because I transferred from transfiguration. I'm Draco Malfoy," He replied.
"Oh, yes yes. I remember…Minerva did tell me…. Okay, well you can take that empty seat by Miss Granger," replied Professor Vector, pointing. Malfoy grimace, but said nothing. He dropped down next to Hermione. She glared at him, a favor he gladly returned. Professor Vector finished her lecture and gave them a simple assignment. They were to look up and list all the magical properties and uses of the number 14. The class sat silently, the only sound being the turning of a page or occasional cough.
After a while, Hermione looked up to see Malfoy staring at her. She brushed it off as nothing and continued working. Five minutes later, it happened again.
"Malfoy!" she hissed under her breath.
"What is it Mudb- Granger?" he replied.
"Why do you keep staring at me? Are you copying me?"
"Me? Copy you? Ha! As if I need too!"
"Then why are you staring!"
"I'm not!"
"Is there a problem, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy?" called Professor Vector from across the room.
"No, Professor," they replied together. They exchanged glares before returning to work. Malfoy stopped staring; or at least, Hermione didn't catch him at it. Class ended without further incident. Hermione headed down to the lawn for Care of Magical Creatures. She met Ron and Harry at Hagrid's cabin.
Once the class had settled down, Hagrid came around to the front of the cabin carrying a large box. He set it down and started to talk.
"Okay class, today we are going to start a new project that'll continue fer the rest o' the year. We're gonna be raisin' some lil creatures," the class groaned. They hadn't forgotten the skrewts of fourth year.
"Now now, calm down. Don't worry, they're completely harmless. I promise," Hagrid assured them. Still… Hagrid's idea of harmless was a normal person's idea of lethal. The class had no choice but to sit back and watch helplessly as Hagrid opened the box. He reached in and pulled out an animal the size of a small terrier.
The creature had a very fox-like appearance. It had big, pointy ears, a longish snout, and big, green eyes. Its body was blazingly scarlet, with light blue paws and a snowy tail. It was rather cute and docile-looking. All the girls squealed and giggled excitedly.
"This here is a Squirbee. I found a load o' babies in the forest and thought they'd make a good lesson. They're friendly, peaceful animals, Squirbees. Fiercely loyal too. They make great pets, if you treat 'em right. Can anyone tell me what magical uses Squirbees have? Right, go on Hermione," Hagrid said.
"Squirbee tears are a powerful magic antiseptic that can heal most magic-induced boils, scrapes, cuts, and bruises. And their ground up claws also have many uses in Potion-making," answered Hermione.
"Right. Now, everyone get in groups of four and come get a Squirbee," said Hagrid.
Neville joined Ron, Harry, and Hermione in a group. Hagrid gave them a Squirbee and some food.
"Alright, now sit in a circle and put some food in front of yeh. Just let the Squirbee come ter yeh, don't startle it," instructed Hagrid.
In Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville's group, the Squirbee immediately trotted over to Neville. He was delighted, and started softly scratching its ears. Hermione took this opportunity to talk to Ron and Harry about Malfoy.
"Guess what? Today Malfoy got transferred to my Arithmancy class!" she said.
"Really? He's smart enough to get in then?" asked Ron, chuckling.
"Stop it! This is serious…he kept staring at me. I caught him at it twice. Do you think he's planning something?" asked Hermione.
"I think you're getting paranoid, Hermione. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it," said Harry.
"Come on Harry. This is Malfoy. Since when does he 'not mean anything my it'," Hermione replied, "I'm on my guard. You two should be also." Hermione stroked the Squirbee as it came over to her. The bell rang, and the trio headed off to Herbology.
