Hermione woke up the next morning, dark thoughts still ringing in her head. She shouldn't have let what Pansy said to get to her, but how could she not? This was the reality of the world they lived in.
It was only 6 in the morning, and the other girls were all still asleep. Lavender was snoring loudly in her mess of a bed on the opposite end of the room. Luckily Hermione had decided to take one of the two beds closest to the door this year. Last year she, Parvati, and Lavender had almost woken up Fay Dunbar (who had slept next to the door) several times when they had tried to sneak out for DA meetings.
Crookshanks followed her to the toilet as she got ready for the day. Big yellow eyes stared at her as she brushed her teeth, thinking about her studies. In particular, she considered Professor Slughorn's potions class, and how she was only receiving Exceeds Expectations on most of her assignments while Harry was all of a sudden a star pupil and getting all Outstandings. Of all her classes, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts had been proving to be the toughest this year. Although the main reason DADA was a problem was due to Professor Snape having it out for Harry and all the rest of the Gryffindors. Professor Slughorn, on the other hand, loved Harry, and as far as she knew, had no reason to hate her. Why did it seem like Harry already knew the answer to everything? Was her textbook giving her incorrect information as Harry had suggested?
Maybe Slughorn was one of the many pureblood wizards who disliked muggle-borns. She pushed the thought away. Dumbledore had called him in as a replacement teacher for the year once Snape had moved on to DADA, and if Dumbledore liked him he couldn't be all bad, right?
Hermione returned to the bedroom and began to dress for the day. Ava Jamieson was now awake and propped up on her bed reading something. It wasn't long before Parvati, Lavender, and Fae were also up and getting ready for class.
Parvati looked up from slipping on her shoes and sleepily asked, "Hermione, have you begun the Charms essay yet?"
"Yeah sure, I finished mine on Sunday. I wrote about Avis the bird-conjuring charm"
"Oh good! Can I have a look? I'm writing about Aparecium, but I can't decide on how to form everything"
"Of course, here you are," Hermione replied, handing over the parchment, which had already been loosely tied.
"I thought that was due this Thursday?" Lavender questioned hopefully.
"Yeah I just wanted to be done with it" Hermione replied, pilling some books into her bag. Lavender sighed with relief before strolling out the loo herself.
After finishing up some work for Arithmancy and Transfiguration, Hermione noticed it was nearing 8 o'clock, so she headed to the common room. There, she saw Harry and Neville standing next to the hearth and chatting about something while Ron slumped on a couch looking still half-asleep. There was a large group by the bulletin board sitting around Dean and Seamus as they played some enchanted version of wizard's chess. The crowd included Ginny, The Creevy brothers, Romilda Vane, Cormac McLaggen, and a few younger students she didn't know the names of.
"What's going on over here?" Hermione asked casually as she joined Harry and Neville.
"Neville was helping me with terms for the Herbology test today. I assume you're more than prepared Hermione?" Harry responded cheerfully.
"Quite. If you're all done, why don't we all grab some breakfast before class?"
Neville and Harry agreed and began towards the door. Hermione turned to Ron, and kicked his leg lightly with her foot, "Ron, we're going-"
Before she finished Ron stood - wobbling somewhat - and garbled, "Come on, then"
She followed the boys out the door, and they all made their way to the Great Hall.
The Hall was bustling already with students wandering about, loud discussions at all the tables, and food or drink appearing on plates or in cups as they emptied. Hermione and the rest took their seats at the Gryffindor table and began to fill their plates with eggs, sausages, baked beans, and the like.
Ron had somehow gotten ahold of several chicken legs, and was into his second one when Harry asked, "So Hermione, Neville, what are prefect duties like so far this year? Your duties must be tougher now that everyone knows Voldemort is back"
Hermione agreed pensively, "We're going to have to start doubling up for night patrols soon. They don't trust that one student alone would be safe because… you know"
Harry nodded.
Herbology passed quickly, with the test only taking up about 20 minutes of Hermione's time. She and Neville were, unsurprisingly, the first two to finish. They wandered out to a part of the external gardens next to Greenhouse 3, where they could still see everyone else inside.
Neville smiled at her, "I'm glad I've spent this extra time studying with Professor Sprout recently, otherwise I might have mistaken Cerebrum Aborior for Serpentice Album. They look so similar"
Hermione nodded in avid agreement adding, "Neville, would you mind telling Harry and Ron I've gone down to see Professor Slughorn? I want to meet with him before class begins"
Neville assured her he would, so she began back toward the castle.
Her heart was racing a bit as she walked, going over what she planned to say in her head, Professor, sorry to bother you, but I have some questions about our assignment from yesterday. I think my textbook may be giving me the wrong information and-
As she turned the corner to the Potions room, she saw none other than Draco Malfoy standing outside the closed door. Her stomach turned a bit with the anticipation of some form of taunting, but she collected herself and continued over to knock firmly on the door.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow as she did this, and drawled apathetically, "He's not here yet Granger."
Hermione huffed and asked, "When he will be?"
"How should I know? Probably before class starts"
Hermione's shoulders dropped, but she decided to wait. She stood next to the door opposite Malfoy and began to tap her foot impatiently, looking anywhere but directly at him.
She saw Malfoy squint at her out of the corner of her eye before starting, "You're not having trouble in this class are you?"
"No" she responded transparently, then looked at him, "Well why are you here anyway? Isn't potions your best class?"
He laughed bitterly, "It was until Slughorn began favoring your boy over everyone else"
"Well Snape did the exact opposite for years, so it's about time someone graded based on work and not house," she said quickly, knowing she needed to defend her friend despite having the same thoughts herself.
"Are you serious? Most teachers in this school are already biased toward Gryffindor. Or at least against Slytherin. McGonagal, Hagrid, Flitwick, Sprout, Binns… the only teacher who favors Slytherin is Snape. Honestly, it's a wonder so many of us pass"
Hermione was taken aback at this sudden burst of supposedly heartfelt frustration. She fell silent, not knowing what to say. Luckily, it was only a moment later that Professor Slughorn turned into the hallway, arms full of books, and apparently preoccupied with finding the right keys. He looked up at the two of them.
"Ah! Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger, two of my best students, what can I do for you?"
Hermione started, "Professor-"
"I need to discuss a few of the recent assignments with you professor" Malfoy interrupted
Slughorn mumbled something to himself and motioned for them to follow him inside once he unlocked the door.
"Ms. Granger, if you would wait but a moment I will answer your questions next," Slughorn said absentmindedly as he set down his books and began talking with Malfoy.
Hermione decided to set down her bag at her seat while she waited, as it wasn't too long until class started anyway. As she listened to the conversation she realized, a bit miffed, that she had run into the same issues Malfoy had. though she wasn't entirely sure why this bothered her. All she needed to do was listen, and she wouldn't have to ask her own questions. Slughorn recommended that students do some substitutional readings from Herbs for Witchcraft: Proper Practice Volume 3, of which there were a few copies in the library. Something he decided after realizing most students were struggling with the act of making the potions in class, independent of writing the essays.
"In fact, I had almost forgotten to suggest that reading in class this morning. Thank you for reminding me, my boy"
A few other students had entered the room when Slughorn turned to Hermione, "What was it that you needed me to answer dear?"
Hermione forced a smile and said, "Actually you've answered my questions already, but thank you professor"
He nodded in understanding and turned back to the chalkboard to write down today's instructions. As he did this, Hermione looked over at Malfoy who was sitting quietly in his seat looking withdrawn from the mild commotion. He seemed much calmer recently and had even backed off on his usual taunts and insults. She wondered for a moment how this could be the same boy who called her mudblood and cursed her teeth with the Densaugeo spell. Although admittedly the curse had been meant for Harry.
Right then Harry and Ron entered the classroom. They were still chatting about the Herbology test as they took their seats next to her.
