Chapter 30 – Extra classes


HG


Hermione was happy that Professor Kettleburn casted a warming charm around them as the snow still covered the grounds. It didn't keep away all of the cold, but it was better than freezing on the spot. She was standing between the twins trying to keep warm as she readjusted her cap, so it covered her ears. When the boys noticed her shiver, they stepped closer, huddling together for warmth as the professor told the class about the Augurey, an Irish Phoenix that was hidden in his nest just on the outskirts of the forbidden Forest. While Hermione jotted down notes on the class, the twins rubbed their arms from the cold, not being able to concentrate on the lesson.

"I can't believe Charlie chooses to work outside." Fred said as his teeth clattered.

"Shh." Hermione hushed him as they walked to the forest to try and get a look at the phoenix. When they reached the edge of the forest, the ground was free of snow. The large, thick trees prevented the snow to fall onto the forest ground, making is slightly less chilly. Fred at least stopped clattering his teeth next to her. The professor was trying to lure the bird as he placed dead insects on a large birdfeeder. Hermione grabbed the twins' sleeves when she saw a beak appear from a tear-shaped nest. "Look." She whispered. The boys followed her gaze and saw the Augurey carefully stepping out as he looked around the forest. It seemed like the professor had casted a disillusionment charm on them, to not scare the bird. He lowered himself to the birdfeeder as he pecked at the insects. It was then when a third year Slytherin charged forward, without warning, to the bird. The Augurey flew up in fright as it hid itself back into his nest. The professor lifted the disillusionment charm and look angry at the boy.

"Ten points from Slytherin." The professor looked from the boy to the nest up high in the tree, and without looking up he said. "Class dismissed."

"Git." Hermione grumbled as they walked out of the forbidden forest. The boy who had scared the bird, stalked past them.

"That's Leo Graver." George said as they walked after him. "He's a world class asshole."

"I noticed." Hermione looked over her shoulder to see if the professor was anywhere near, but he was still in the forest, whistling reassuring sounds to the bird. She discreetly pointed her wand at the boy's back and send a bat-bogey-hex at him. The twins looked surprised at her when a bat flew out of his nose and started to attack him. She saw the twins look at her shocked and she shrugged. "Ginny told me about it actually, she read it somewhere and wanted to learn it when she got to school. So, I did my research and thought myself."

"Merlin, little Granger!" Fred wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"You make us so proud." George pretended to wipe away a tear as he also wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I learned from the best." She chuckled as they walked in the castle. Leo ran away from the bat that tried to attack him, his exaggerated screams filled the castle. It was only one tiny bat, Hermione thought to herself.


HG


A week later Hermione had just left greenhouse two after Herbology and hurried of to the spot she agreed to meet Angelina and Lee for Arithmancy. She felt giddy about joining the third years in the class, it was the class she was most excited about. With her own Arithmancy book safely in her bag, she trotted up the stairs and waited at the dragon painting at the second floor. Only a few minutes later the two appeared and guided her with them to the classroom.

"Are you excited?" Lee asked as he looped his arm through hers.

"Yes." She smiled wide. "I've been looking forward to this for weeks."

"That is very nice to hear, miss Granger." A voice from the classroom on her right chimed. "I'm Professor Vector." The professor smiled. "Professor McGonagall told me all about you. I can't wait to see what you got in store. Come in, come in." She said as she gestured the three of them in. The class wasn't as big as the one from Transfiguration or DADA, probably because it was an elective and had less students than the mandatory classes. They were the only Gryffindors that attended the class as they sat down at one of the desks. Hermione saw the Ravenclaw trickle in, two boys and three girls took the seats around them. One of the girls, a friend from Oaklee, glared at her when she saw her seated in the classroom.

"Welcome back everyone." The professor said as she stood in front of her desk. "Today miss Granger will participate in our class." She turned to Hermione. "I have a copy of the book if you want."

"I have my own." She blushed as she took her book out of her bag. The professor looked surprised before a beaming smile appeared on her face.

"Now everyone, turn to page 402."

Hermione, Lee and Angelina all opened their books to the right page when the professor started to talk about the latest chapter. Hermione took note after note, not wanting to forget a thing about what she learned today. After only five minutes in the class, she knew she was going to attend this class next year. Hermione even groaned slightly when the class came to an end before she started to pack up her things. Lee and Angelina were telling her all about the previous lesson they had and what she could've expect next year.

"Miss Granger, I sincerely hope to see you in my class next year." The professor called to her when she made a move to leave the classroom.

"Oh, yes professor. I'm going to sign up at the end of the year." She smiled at the professor, while the others waited for her at the door.

"Brilliant. Everything the other professors had said about you is certainly true."

"Thank you." She smiled softly, not knowing it was a compliment or not as she turned and walked with Lee and Angelina out of the classroom.


HG


"Mi!" Cedric's voice called after her as she walked to the great hall for lunch with Katie after their Transfiguration class. They stopped in the busy corridor and turned to see him walk up. "Hello ladies."

"Hey, Cedric."

"Hi, Digs." Hermione said as the three of them started to walk again towards the great hall. "Don't forget I have class with you, right after lunch."

"How can I forget." He grinned. "That's why I'm here actually, want to join us at the badger's table?"

Hermione looked questioningly at her best friend, who shrugged in return. "Alright." She said as she turned back to the Hufflepuff. The boy grinned as he manoeuvred himself between the girls and held his arms out so they could lock their arms with him as they walked in the great hall.

"This way, ladies." Cedric chuckled as he walked to the long table on the far right. Matt and Gavin were already busy eating when they arrived. The three of them took the spot across from the two boys, with their backs to the other tables.

"So, I hear you'll be joining us in Ancient Runes." Matt said as he put his fork down.

"Yes, I hope you don't mind. Professor McGonagall gave me chance to participate in the class, so I have an easier pick next year."

"No, of course not." He grinned.

"Are you in the class too, Gavin?" She looked to the other boy, who was unusually quiet. The boy shook his head slightly before he glanced to her.

"No, I would sleep through the class." He chuckled dryly.

While Hermione, Cedric and Matt talked about the upcoming class, Gavin had retreated himself again and Katie looked a bit lost at the Hufflepuff table before a second year Hufflepuff who sat next to her, started talking about her last quidditch game.

After they had lunch, Hermione and the two Hufflepuffs walked to the Ancient Runes class, while Katie still talked to the girl named, Cassie.

"What's up with Gavin?" Hermione asked when they sat down in the empty classroom as they arrived early.

"Don't know." Cedric said as he took his book out of his bag. "He won't tell us."

"He's been like that for the past week." Matt said before he turned to Hermione. "Do you think it has something to do with Alicia?"

"I don't know." Hermione frowned as she thought about it. But she had been so busy with the extra classes, and them with practice she didn't see her much the past weeks. "I've been so busy... I'll check on her tonight." She said as she slid Cedric's book in front of her. "Do you think it has something to do with her?"

"I don't know what else it could be." Matt's brows creased. The three of them fell silent for a moment before Cedric tapped his book.

"You have a book about everything, but not Ancient Runes?" He chuckled with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I have one. But... I misplaced it." Hermione admitted with a blush.

"You? Hermione Granger, misplaced a book?!" Cedric gasped dramatically as he clutched his heart. Hermione picked up his book and hit his arm with it. "Fine, fine." Cedric held out his hands in defeat. "You can look with me."

Hermione smiled triumphantly as she placed the book back on the table as the Ravenclaws walked in, again Oaklee's friend from in Arithmancy was there glaring at her. Now even more with Cedric right next to her.

"Ignore her." Cedric had whispered, leaning closer. Hermione nodded and tore her eyes away from the girl and started to flip through the book. Professor Babbling walked out of her office on the other side of the classroom and with a wave of her wand different runes appeared on the blackboard. Hermione's eyes scanned the blackboard and books with interests as she recognized some of the runes from when she met Bill during Christmas last year. Cedric had placed his arm round the back of her chair, so he could lean closer and look with her at the book they shared. Hermione was so invested in the class she didn't saw the Ravenclaw girl shooting daggers with her eyes at her. And like every other class she scribbled down notes to go over later.


HG


Hermione had decided to try and improve the Sleekeazy potion. Angelina had let her borrow the bottle once, but she needed so much of it, it wasn't worth it to spend so much time in the bathroom every morning to try and tame her wild and bushy hair. So, she was now in her second-year potion class with her research next to her bottle alongside a disguised bottle of Sleekeazy. She put a protective shield between her and the cauldron as she started on her potion, under the watchful eye of Professor Snape. He didn't ask her what she was making, or trying to make, he just watched her as her concentration was rock solid and her notes were all been written down. It was her first try at the potion, so she didn't expect much. But still that night she would test it herself to see what the effects were, to see what she needed to change. She enjoyed potions, probably one of the only ones in her year, but she liked that the dark classroom got all fogged up from the potions around her or the smells it created. Maybe it was because Snape didn't snare at her, like he did with the others, but she was happy she could experiment in his class and still had her best friend next to her, who supported her no matter what.

Hermione and Katie were making their way to the common room after double potions, Hermione with her own vial in her bag as they climbed through the portrait. Alicia was sitting on the small round table near one of the windows, bent over a large piece of parchment. Probably their Transfiguration essay they had been working on for two days. Katie went upstairs to change out of her smoke scented robes while Hermione walked over to Alicia and sat down across from her.

"Hey, Al. How's the essay going?" She asked, dropping her bag next to her.

"Nearly finished." She said as she had reached the end of the parchment. Hermione waited silently as she finished her paper. When she dotted her last sentence, she looked up with a relieved smile on her lips.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, what's up?" She asked rolling up the parchment.

"Uhm? Matt's worried about Gavin, he's been acting..."

"Distant?" Alicia finished her sentence.

"Yeah, how..."

"He's been distant with me too; I don't know why." She bit her lips. "Everything was going great and all of the sudden, he pulled back."

"Did something happen?"

"I don't know." Alicia let her head drop in her hands. "I only know he got a letter a little over a week ago, but what could be so bad that he acts this way?" She looked up, tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Al." Hermione stood up and walked over, putting her arms around her, holding her close. "I don't know. I'll ask Matt to look into it okay, he's worried too." She said as she patted her hair. She felt her nod against her shoulder that was becoming wet. She let the girl cry on her shoulder until Alicia pulled herself back and wiped away the remaining tears.


HG


For those who haven't noticed, I'm update more than once a week now. I'm having a hard time personally, and I wanted to share the rest of Hermione's second year. Because I don't know if I'll be able to share the rest or write in a few weeks time.