Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you recognize from the Harry Potter books.
Chapter Three
"Wonderful Wizards Wands. No, that's ridiculous. Wacky Warlock Wigs. That's even more ridiculous. What Wizards Want. Witch Ways West. Wonderful World of Wizards. These are all stupid. Maybe I'm going about this all wrong," Hermione said as she sat down next to Harry and Ron in Potions.
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked her, as she continued spouting out weird phrases.
Hermione looked up from her book, "I'm trying to figure out what Professor R's password is."
"Couldn't you just ask her?" Harry asked.
"No. I don't want her to think I'm suspicious."
"But you are," offered Ron.
"But I don't want her to know that."
"Alright class, settle down. We are going to begin today with…" Professor Slughorn announced.
"Can you believe it," Ron said, exasperated.
"Believe what Ron?" Hermione asked.
"All the homework we have. I swear, if this is what double potions is giving, then count me out."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's not like it is really that hard."
"Maybe not for you."
"Oh come of it. It's too early in the year for you two to be fighting about homework," Harry interjected.
They ate lunch, and then went to the Dark Arts classroom, for double Defense Against the Dark Arts, with the Slytherins.
"Please put your wands away, for you will not be needing them in this class this year, for-" Professor R started to announce.
"What?" everyone turned to each other, and started mumbling. "Not again," one kid said aloud.
The professor laughed, and quieted the class. "You didn't let me finish. You will not need them, because we will be learning wandless magic this year."
"Which you would have known, if you had bothered to look at your books," Hermione whispered to her two friends.
"Yeah well, we still found out didn't we?" Ron said.
"It's too early," Harry mumbled.
In the middle of class, a huge box flew through the window. "Uh oh. Everyone under your desks now!" shouted the professor, as she ducked under hers. Everyone scampered under their desks.
"What's going on?" whispered Harry.
"I don't know," Hermione whispered back.
Then the box exploded, and colorful firecrackers went buzzing around the room. Suddenly they all fell to the ground. "Okay everyone get on top of your desks! Hurry!" Professor R said, with an amused look on her face. She stood up on her desk. "Alright, I need everyone's attention. As soon as these firecrackers are done going off, I need all of you to get out of here as quickly as possible."
"Why? They're just firecrackers," said one of the Slytherins.
"If you choose to stay in here, then you'll find out why the rest of us left," she smiled. "Alright, go! Go! Go! Go!" she followed the class out, and just barely shut the door, when the firecrackers exploded into a big, gooey colorful mess. When the professor opened the door, a river of color flowed down the hall.
"Wicked," said Ron in awe. "If we had stayed in there, what would have happened?"
"Oh, nothing serious. Whatever it touches, it turns it that color, so your clothing, and some of your skin would be that color," answered the professor.
"What were those?" asked Hermione.
"Jokes from some friends. I have the morning off, so this was my first class. This was their way of saying good luck," she smiled. "Now, what do you say we get this place cleaned up?"
"We say that's not our job," replied Draco Malfoy. "Besides, everyone's stuff is still inside."
"Well I suppose you'll just have a colorful reminder of your first class with me," she smiled. "Now, we are here to learn wandless magic, right? So, let's get started."
"That was actually pretty fun," said Ron. "I think I'm going to like that class."
"Me too," said Harry. "Did you notice that she always seems to be smiling? I wonder how she does it."
"I wonder who sent her that… present," Hermione said, as she sat down on the Gryffindor couch.
"What does that matter?" asked Ron.
"I just want to know more about her. We never seem to know enough about our teachers, and after last year… well, I just want to try to figure out why she won't be coming back next year."
"What if she's like Lupin?" suggested Harry. "She could leave because she has to, for a good reason, or because she wants to. However, I am definitely not going to rule out the fact that she could be a bad guy. She seems nice, but you are right, she's hiding a lot."
"I know this sounds crazy, but if you really want to find out more about her, then you should ask someone who knows her, or you know, you could just ask her," stated Ron.
"Yeah, but the only person who I know that knows her is…"
"That's why I said it might sound crazy."
"He does have a point. You'll waste less time if you go directly to the source, but I don't like who your source is," added Harry.
"Or, I could just solve this riddle all by myself," Hermione huffed. She got off the couch, and stormed out of the common room.
"She's an odd one she is," Ron shook his head. Harry nodded in agreement.
"Some one's not in a good mood," Draco said, as Hermione entered their common room.
Hermione stopped in her tracks. "I don't need your help," she yelled.
"I didn't offer it," he stated blatantly.
"Boys, I swear. You're all the same."
"Whoa. Back up there Mudblood. You had a fight with your precious Potter and Weasel, and now you're comparing them to me. Newsflash, they are nothing like me," he stood up angrily.
"I did not have a fight with them, they were just being idiots. And, yes you are like them, because you're a boy, same as them. And all boys are the same," she turned, and stormed off to her room.
"I am not a boy!" he yelled after her.
"Are too!" she shouted back at him through her door.
He ran over and pounded on her door, "And what makes you say that?"
She opened her door, "You're childish," she said calmly.
"How so?" he asked just as calm.
"You still taunt people."
"I haven't taunted anyone this year."
"Have too."
"Really, who?"
"Me!" she screamed, before slamming the door in his face.
"I can figure this out on my own," she said to herself. She flipped to the triple W's page in her book.
"Witches Weekly Wardrobe
Whish While you Work
Wizerd Wing Wash
Welting Water Works"
After reading those few, she skimmed through the rest. "Why can't I find any books that are serious?" She then decided to put her book away, and do some of her homework before dinner.
"Oh… well… oops," Draco said to himself, as he turned away from Hermione's door. "You're doing an excellent job being nice." He sat down on his couch and started doing his homework.
Hermione glanced at her clock. "Oh, it's time for dinner," she said, as she closed her book.
"Boo!" Draco hollered, as Hermione walked by the couch.
She screamed and jumped away from the couch.
Draco popped his head above the couch. "How's that for childish?" he grinned.
Hermione had her hand over her heart, "That was not funny, and it was very childish indeed."
"I don't think I'm the one with the problems," Draco said as he put his hand over his heart, and did his best to imitate her. "That was very childish indeed."
Hermione brought her hand away from her heart and scowled.
"I mean really, who says 'indeed' anymore?"
"Oh do shut up, Malfoy," she continued walking to the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Why do you care?"
He shrugged, "I was just curious."
"Haven't you noticed the time?"
He looked at the clock above the fireplace. "Oh, it's time for dinner."
"Right you are. Can I leave now?"
"You're asking me for permission?" he smirked.
"Not exactly, it's just, I keep trying to leave, and you, for some odd reason, keep stopping me."
"Not forcefully, you could have left anytime you wanted. Though I do have to say I like it when you ask permission from me. It puts me in charge."
"You talk too much," she continued on her way to the portrait.
Draco jumped off the couch, and quickly caught up with her. "Leaving without me?"
"Why would I leave with you?" she asked, never slowing her pace.
"Because, if you left without me, then we'd both be alone."
"I'd rather be alone than with you." Under her breath she said, "It's safer that way."
"What?"
"Hard off hearing? I said I'd rather b-"
"No, what did you say after that?" he interrupted.
"I didn't say anything."
"Did so."
"Did not."
"So."
"Not!"
"So not what?" Professor R asked, as she came around the corner.
"It's not important," Draco said. "I was just teaching Granger here how to have fun."
"You call arguing fun?" Hermione asked.
"You can't tell me you weren't having fun. I saw the look on your face. You love arguing with me."
"Actually, I can tell you I wasn't having fun, because I was-" she stopped talking, when she noticed the professor laughing. "Why are you laughing?"
"You two are so cute together," she said, before walking off.
"Wait, what are you talking about? Eew. Get away from me Malfoy. You're confusing people," she continued walking.
He caught up with her, "What if I like confusing people?"
She glanced at him, "Then you're mean."
"At least I'm the good kind of mean."
"There is no good kind of mean with you people."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"You know very well what that's suppose to mean."
"You have no idea what you're-" he stopped when he realized they had reached the Great Hall. "Whatever." He walked off to the Slytherin table.
"Why were you talking to her?" asked Blaise Zambini when Draco sat down.
"Why do you think?" Draco answered.
"Hermione, did you know that something really peculiar just happened?" Ron asked when she sat down.
"If you're talking about me walking here with Malfoy, then you can drop it, because I don't want to talk about it."
"You're starting to be very secretive, like our new professor. Only, she's more fun."
"Well thank you for your insight Ronald. I always enjoy it," she said sarcastically.
"He's kind of right Hermione. I know it hasn't been long, but since we got onto Platform nine and three quarters, you've been acting very strange. Talking in code. Do you not trust us?" Harry inquired.
"Of course I trust you."
"Then why are you hiding things from us?" asked Ron.
"Because I can!" she yelled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've lost my appetite." She stormed out of the Great Hall.
"Something really weird is going on with her," Ron said, before shoving a fork full of food into him mouth.
Professor R watched and listened, she had excellent hearing, to the golden trio fight. "What is she doing?" she whispered aloud to herself. She snuck out the side door, and quietly followed Hermione.
"I think I can help you," Professor R said quietly to Hermione.
"I don't need help," Hermione snapped.
"You are a stressed. You are always playing the mature adult, because you think you have to."
Hermione turned around and looked at her professor.
"With everything that has happened, and everything that is happening, you know that everyone should be on guard. To you it doesn't seem like anyone is paying enough attention, so you are doing it for them, and you shouldn't have to. You don't have to. They're dealing with things in their own way, and I think it is time you do the same." Professor R pulled a vile out of her pocket. "Here, drink this. It will help you relax."
"I can't. There are many things I have to do that I can't afford to slack off on. And," Hermione added, "I don't think I can trust you."
"I know, and it's good to be cautious, but you also need to be able to learn to trust people."
"And drinking that is supposed to help?" Hermione questioned.
"No, this is to help you, not me, but I will answer any questions you want me to."
"If I drink that?" Hermione looked skeptical.
"No, you don't have to drink it," she paused. "How about this, I give you this vile, you ask me all the questions you have, and, after checking up on my answers, you can take the potion if you want to."
Hermione bit her lip as she thought. It sounds reasonable enough. In fact, it almost sounds thought out. "Alright, I'll do it."
"Okay, but I don't want to be over heard, so we'll have to do this someplace private. Shall we go to your place or mine?"
"I've never been in a teacher's room, and I think it would be amazing, but I don't know if I can trust you yet, so we'll go to my room," Hermione decided.
Upon entering her room, Hermione asked, "What does W.W.W. stand for?"
"My password?" she laughed.
"By your personality, I know it's got to be something silly, but not stupid, and all the books I've looked at have had stupid names. I'm just curious," Hermione said.
Professor R smiled again. "The only book you'll find this name in is an address book. Like the muggle phone book." Hermione furrowed her brow. "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."
"No way," Hermione gasped. "You're friends with Fred and George. "Well, that explains the package earlier today. Does that mean you went to this school?"
"Yes, I have always been at this school."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, when I was very young, my parents died, and Dumbledor felt that this was the safest place for me. I grew up here."
"Why haven't I seen you before?"
"I was invisible. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. It sounds a little odd, I know, but you wouldn't believe how much fun it was. Fred and George found me when they were in their first year. We quickly became friends, and had all sorts of adventures."
"How old are you?" asked Hermione.
"Somehow I knew you would ask that."
"And…?"
"I'm sixteen."
"You're the same age as me, only my birthday is next month. When is your birthday? When did you graduate? How did you become a teacher? People older then you have been denied teaching jobs because they were too young," Hermione was shocked.
"I know, but McGonagall has known me her whole life, and she knew I was ready to be a teacher, even if the people I would be teaching were the same age as me. Okay, so my birthday is March tenth. I graduated last year. Dumbledor didn't want me to graduate too early, so he didn't let me start school, officially, until he felt I was old enough. Even though I wasn't enrolled, I still went to classes and read text books," she laughed, "I even did some of the homework assignments."
Hermione laughed with her, "That sounds like so much fun."
"Yeah. I would see you sometimes, in your classes. You would always raise your hand when the professor asked a question. I always wished I could do that," Professor R said sadly.
"Why couldn't you? Why did you have to stay hidden?"
"I know I said I would answer your questions, but there are a few related to that, that I can't tell you. I'm sorry. I'll tell you eventually."
"Okay, but you have to know, that I will hold you to that." Hermione stopped to think a minute, "What house were you in?"
"Why Gryffindor of course," she laughed.
"I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but how do you know Malfoy?"
"While I was here, only three people ever found me, and they were Fred, George and Draco. Draco also found me his first year here. He promised to keep it a secret, and he did. No one knows we know each other, except for you and Professor McGonagall, and please keep it that way."
Hermione nodded. "What's his story anyway? Why are you two friends? He's such an arse."
"I can't tell you his story. Only he can do that. As for the reason why we're friends, it's the same as anyone else. We like each other. He can be a bit of an ass sometimes, but he is a nice guy. He's just one of those cocky people who love to tease others, and depending on the person, he doesn't really mind being teased back. I can't tell you much more, because it's his story, but I can tell you this, he wasn't the bad guy he seemed to be."
"Wasn't? Is that a 'he's a bad guy now' or a 'after last year, you're not sure where he stands anymore'?" Hermione questioned.
"The second one. That's why we're a little touchy. We want to be friends, but we don't know how to be. Dumbledor was like a father to me, and Draco is the one responsible for his death."
"I understand. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. You're the girl from Harry's dream, right." The professor nodded. "So your name's Amber, right." Again the professor nodded. "When we're not in public, can I call you that?"
"Are you saying you believe me, and you want to be my friend?" Amber asked her.
"I am not exactly positive that I believe you, but your story sounds true enough, so yes, I would like to be friends," Hermione smiled.
"Alright, but just you. As a professor, I'm not allowed to be friends with any of my students."
"I won't tell anyone, not even Harry or Ron, promise. Oh, I lied. I am going to owl the twins, just to check up on your story, but that's it, and I'll make sure that they know that Harry and Ron don't know about you."
"Thanks Hermione."
"Hey, what are friends for?" They both laughed, and continued talking.
"All I'm saying is that you're slacking. As the Slytherin Prince, you can't go walking around with mudbloods," Blaise stated.
"We are both Heads, so it's not like it's unusual. We have to communicate. Plus, we have to start patrolling together," Draco conflicted.
"Fine. Whatever, just don't become friends. I know you can be a softy. It could ruin things."
"What if I said it was my job to get to know her a little better?" Draco said.
"Man, no where in the book does it say that the Heads have to get to kn-" he stopped talking when he saw the look on Draco's face. "Oh, right… your 'other' job. Got it... Why?"
"Are you telling me that you can't figure it out?" Draco stalked off, "I have to go patrol. See ya later."
"Yeah."
As soon as he walked into the Heads common room, he could hear laughter. "What the...?" he wondered, as he walked over to Hermione's door.
Hermione was laughing really hard, "That… that was you?" Two girls were laughing really hard. "I can't believe it. I bet Peeves just loves you."
"Oh, he does. I learned a lot from him. How else would I be good enough to help the twins? I don't know if pranking would have come naturally to me."
Draco knocked on the door, but did not wait for an answer before he opened it, "Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but we," he pointed between himself and Hermione, "have to patrol."
"Oh. Wow, is it that time already?" Hermione got off her bed, Amber followed. "I'm so sorry, I lost track of time."
"Yeah well… Can we go?" Draco asked, looking between the two of them.
"See you tomorrow," Amber smiled, before leaving. She glanced warily at Draco, before finally exiting.
"Hope you two weren't talking about me," Draco said suggestively.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but we only talk about hot guys," she laughed as she pranced off.
"Hello," he trotted after her, "I'm as hot as it gets."