Chapter re-vamped 2/3/2015
Enjoy, please review and tell me what you think.
Disclaimer: None of the characters or the world created by JK Rowling belongs to me nor do I make any money off this story.
************HP**********
Monday morning found Hermione once again praying before the porcelain god, head resting on her arms as she heaved. Her peach nightgown clung to her body, a fine sheen of sweat on her skin. Dear Merlin was she warm, burning up in fact. Hot flashes and morning sickness, this was starting to look like a real pregnancy now.
Flushing the toilet Hermione rose, pushing her bushy locks out of her eyes. Walking toward the showers she pulled her nightgown up over her head and let it fall silently to the stone floor. It was just before six in the morning and no one but Hermione was awake at the moment.
Stepping under the rushing water she sighed as it sluiced down her body in rivers, leaving nothing behind but shiny pink skin. After washing her hair and scrubbing her body Hermione found herself leaning against the wall, fingers on her abdomen for what was probably the hundredth time in days.
Pulling herself out of her stupor, Hermione shut the water off and stepped from the dripping stone cubicle. Her feet slapped sharply across the floor as she made her way back to her room, wrapped in a fuzzy red robe.
Lazily she dressed, before arranging her hair into a plait, wet ringlets dangling down her back and around her neck. Hermione turned to the side as she adjusted her shirt, confused at the tightness in the waist and breast area. Had the seamstress cut them wrong? Running her hands down the shirt, Hermione stopped in shock. Her breasts had been steadily growing but her abdomen had puffed up practically overnight.
The lump was hard and soft all at once not to mention it stuck out considerably against her hip bones. It was official, her belly was becoming visible and she would have to start hiding it.
Snatching up her wand, Hermione whispered a few spells and let out a sigh of relief as the material loosened. It looked kind of odd, but she could make it work. Tucking the shirt into her pleated skirt, she pulled it up a bit, puffing it round the waistband. Stocking covered feet then slipped into a pair of plain black flats, Hermione's outer robe left for last. After adjusting the sleeves and the tightness of her tie, Hermione grabbed her bag and stowed her wand before heading out the door.
Harry and Ron waited for her in the common room, bleary eyed and disheveled. Slowly Ron held up his hand, ring glinting on his finger.
"We felt it. You alright?"
Hermione nodded.
"Just some morning sickness is all. It's going to be a common thing for a while. Shall we go to breakfast?"
Ron nodded and headed toward the portrait hole. "Sounds good."
Hermione and Harry followed at a leisurely pace, the stumbling redhead practically asleep as they made their way to the Great Hall. Unlike the weekend past, the castle was already stirring at this hour, people crawling from their common rooms and heading toward breakfast or to meet up with friends before the first day of class.
The Great Hall was already half full by the time the trio arrived and though it was early, students chattered to themselves in groups, some still waking up while others bounced in their seats, anticipation written all over their faces.
Grabbing spots on a bench, Hermione settled herself across from Neville, Harry and Ron on one side.
"Good morning Neville. Sleep well?"
Neville nodded as he returned her greeting. "Not bad Hermione, not bad. Are you ready for classes? You have a full plate this year with that apprenticeship right?"
Ron and Harry ate silently, conversing with each other while Hermione spooned fruit onto her plate and nibbled some dry toast.
"Mhm, I have no idea what to expect other than a load of work and planning. Plus I'll have to defend my dissertation and right to teach at the end of the year, to both the ministry and the Guild. Not to mention I won't be fully qualified to teach for another whole year after this."
Neville let out a breath, feeling bad for Hermione. She would be under a good amount of stress this year. He was lucky, his work wouldn't begin until next year.
"Professor Sprout has agreed to give me a recommendation to pursue a Mastery in Herbology through the Guild. They are cautious about taking anyone new since that incident a few years ago. The one with the illegal crossbreed of a man eating plant and a Venomous Tentacula. It did not end well."
Hermione giggled, trying not to choke on her toast.
"I'm still not sure how that was pulled off Neville. That article brightened my day however."
After another fifteen minutes of idle chatter, Hermione noticed Padma striding down the table's length, passing out schedules. The small group got silent as they began inspecting their schedules and comparing to each other. They all had Charms together on their odd day while Harry and Ron shared double DADA together on their even day. Neville and Hermione both shared Arithmacy together on their even day as well. Other than that, they were all going their separate ways.
Hermione barely held in her groan. Charms, double Transfiguration, Lunch, a Teacher's Aid period and a free period. No doubt she would be using that free period for class work and planning. On her even day she had Arithmacy with Neville then a double TA period, Lunch and another free period which like the previous would have nothing to do with free time.
Harry and Ron's looked relatively the same. Charms with herself and Neville, then double DADA and finally on even day they shared Transfiguration. All their plates were full to an extent and Hermione wondered if any of them would make it out alive this year.
As the early bell rung in the clock tower Hermione stood and stretched, ready to get the first day started. She and Neville led the way to Charms, Harry and Ron lagging behind, complaining about classes already.
Unlike the years before, the classroom had a smattering of every house, not just the usual paired classes from the years before. Headmistress McGonagall had decided that enough was enough of separating houses. With how small the older classes were, it made no sense to separate them as they had been before anyway.
Taking a seat in the upper corner of the classroom Hermione set her bag under the desk and removed her outer robe, throwing it over the back of the seat. Fluffing her shirt a bit, she made sure it covered anything there was to see. Harry and Ron were seated on either side with Neville a row in front of them.
"Harry! You have Charms too?"
Harry groaned, his head falling to the desk. Looking over at Ron he grimaced.
"Why me? Why?"
Ginny settled herself down in front of them next to Neville, completely ignoring said boy. Swiveling around she sent a blinding smile at the trio, mainly focused on Harry.
"What other classes do you have?"
To Harry's dismay and Ron's humorous laugh, Hermione confirmed Harry and Ron shared Charms, double DADA, and Transfiguration while Ron shared double Potions with his younger sister.
Ginny giggled and squealed in excitement. It was clear to everyone around them she was not going to give up on Harry any time soon. Thankfully Professor Flitwick chose the moment to enter the classroom. With a wave of his wand, directions appeared on the chalkboard at the front of the room. The whole classroom seemed to groan as one.
Professor Flitwick's cheerful little voice cut through the voice. "Now, now. No need to be like that. After all, we're starting out small. I want a simple, twelve inch essay on the advantages and disadvantages of merging Charms with Transfiguration spells. Not too bad is it? And if you do not finish it by the end of class, I expect to see it next class, bright and early."
A whole new round of noises erupted as students cursed their luck and others dug into their bags for parchment and quill. Before Hermione could blink she found herself writing, quill scratching across the parchment. She didn't even have to think, the words just seemed to flow from her hand. At least one thing hadn't changed, she was still smart.
*********HP*********
Hermione had just finished handing her parchment to Professor Flitwick when the bell signaled the end of class. Gathering up her things, Hermione waved goodbye to Harry and Ron as they headed to DADA with Ginny and she went in the opposite direction to Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall sat behind her desk, reviewing papers when Hermione entered. Taking a seat toward the front, she turned to observe the inhabitants of the classroom.
So far there were only three other Gryffindors, four Ravenclaws, three Slytherins and a single Hufflepuff. What surprised her however was that the Slytherins were Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass. Just before the bell rang, two more Hufflepuffs showed up, giving the class a total of fourteen students in all. It was a double period after all, meant for those who wanted to make Transfiguration part of their life's work.
Hermione heard whispering behind her and turned to see the other three Gryffindors, all girls, gossiping two rows behind her. Hermione frowned at their behavior and unable to match their faces to names.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat from the front of the room, catching the attention of the few students there.
"First and foremost I wish to let you all know that though I am Headmistress, I will show no favoritism in my classes. Your grade will depend on the quality of your work and your effort. This class will be hard and I expect at least a quarter of you to transfer out and into my standard NEWT class by the end of the first quarter."
Hermione bit her lip, unsure of how to take the Professor's statement. Was this class really going to be that intimidating or was she just trying to weed out the weak students now? Breaking her thoughts, Hermione focused on the woman once more as she continued her speech.
"Secondly, fifty percent of your overall grade will be determined by the midterm and final project, both to be outlined shortly. The other fifty percent will be class work and participation along with your sparse but challenging homework."
Professor McGonagall waved her wand and the syllabus's that had sat on her desk appeared before all the students, the parchment at least a foot long. Hermione's eyes widened as she scanned the paper, its contents astounding. How were they supposed to accomplish this? Looking back to the Professor, she had a severe urge to raise her hand but held it in when the older woman began to go into more detail.
"As you can see there is a full list of spells we will be learning plus another that we will be reviewing. I can say in complete confidence that the reviewed spells will be on your exams."
The list of review spells had to contain over one hundred of them, all different kinds of Transfiguration from inanimate to animate object and from one state of matter to a complete other. The new spells however had Hermione worrying her lip. They were Human Transfiguration and according to the syllabus, the students were to be their own test subjects. Granted she had done a few simple spells like this but nothing of this caliber.
Would it even be safe for her to do so? What about her baby? Would the child be affected by any of this?
"Your first term project is due no later than January third, and for every day it is late, twenty points will be deducted from your grade. You will all alter a spell of your choosing and essentially create a new one. It must work. If the spell does not work but your logic is sound, you will lose a third of your points. This project will be based on theory, practicality and application. You must have all three portions to get a perfect score. The spell can be Transfiguration or Charm based, either is fine and will give you the points you need."
The whole class seemed to tense up but Hermione let out a sigh of relief. This she could do. It was simply a matter of deciding what she wanted, finding a spell or charm that came close and writing out the theory. Then she would simply filter the contents, remove what would not work and add what essentially would, leaving no holes in her spell work of course. It would take an unimaginable amount of man hours but she could do this.
Across the room Daphne Greengrass raised her hand, her face scrunched in confusion.
"Yes Ms. Greengrass?"
Lowering her hand, Daphne set her syllabus down and looked up at Professor McGonagall.
"This end of the year project, what if we don't want to become an Animagus? What if we cannot accomplish a form by the end of the year?"
Hermione couldn't help but release a sigh of relief as the Slytherin asked the same thing she had wanted to. An Animagus form would be wonderful no doubt but she had heard that it could interfere with a pregnancy and vice versa. It didn't help that if not done with the utmost precision, caution and supervision the process was very hard on the body, causing stress, sickness and a multitude of other issues. That was under the best of circumstances.
"Valid points Ms. Greengrass. I highly encourage all of you to put forth the effort and become an Animagus. It is a great skill to possess. If you adamantly do not want to participate then you will be given work on the theory only. It is after all the most highly sophisticated form of Human Transfiguration. If you cannot attain a form it is alright. Some of you will transform within the first two months, others will take all semester. We will not start on that until just before Christmas break anyway. You have time to think and decide. Keep in mind that this is not being offered to my regular seventh years."
Over the next half an hour, Professor McGonagall answered all sorts of questions and concerns as she passed out the beginning material for the class. Toward the end of class as she passed out the last of the papers, she dropped a small packet onto Hermione's desk.
"Ms. Granger, these are the class schedules and rosters. You will be working with first through third years. In here are also the curriculum points, the syllabus for each year and the first nine weeks worth of lesson plans. I want you to take a look at them for me, make sure I have not mixed anything up or missed anything. I am human after all and a busy human at that."
Hermione nodded as she tested the weight of the parchment and flipped through absent mindedly. If she was only dealing with younger years that would make things much easier. Giving instruction on turning matchsticks into needles and mice into goblets would be no issue. As Professor McGonagall continued, she continued browsing, multitasking.
"After the first few weeks of you assisting me, you will take over my first year class almost completely and about half of my second years as well. Hopefully by the end of the semester you will be running one of my third years classes as well. After lunch I will give you a copy of my grade book. You will be in charge of grading all tests and homework assignments. You know what kind of quality and effort I require. After grading you will enter them into your grade book and it will automatically update in mine."
Hermione nodded again, excitement beginning to buzz in her veins. She was going to be a teacher.
Professor McGonagall began walking away but stopped, turning back to her apprentice, a soft smile on her face.
"Oh and Ms. Granger? Have no fear. If you choose to move forward with the Animagus transformation, we will take utmost care. I want you to succeed, to be all you can and more."
The bell rang, cutting off anything else the elder woman may have had to say. Gathering her things together, Hermione threw her messenger bag over her shoulder and with her new assignment cradled in her arms, she headed to the Great Hall.
**********HP**********
The Great Hall was packed and noisy, students comparing their days so far and discussing things to come. Personally, Hermione loved the hustle and bustle of the first day, when everything seemed so new and exciting.
As she came upon the Gryffindor table she could clearly hear Ron laughing and a continuous thunking noise. Upon further inspection she saw it was Harry, smacking his forehead into the hardwood that made up the table. Ron was bent over laughing, smacking Harry in the shoulder telling him to cut it out.
"You don't need any more brain damage mate."
Hermione settled herself across from them and looked at Neville.
"What's wrong now?"
Harry stopped his self-punishment and looked up before letting out a long whine.
"Professor Savage partnered me with Ginny for the first nine weeks."
Hermione's hand flew to her mouth as she tried to hold in her laughter. In reality it wasn't fair to Harry at all. He and Ginny were broken up, he was trying to move on and she refused to accept that they were done. Said redhead was always finding ways to get into Harry's company and be around him which only drove him mad. Even Ron had tried telling Ginny to back off, which only earned him a thorough reaming from the youngest Weasley.
Setting her things down, Hermione reached over and patted Harry's hand.
"I'm sorry Harry. I know it's not going to be easy but maybe you can knock some sense into her while you are partnered together."
Ron dropped a plate in front of Harry. "Starving yourself won't do you any good mate."
Harry made a face at the amused redhead. Life really was unfair and karma was obviously the biggest bitch, who just couldn't seem to leave him alone. Picking up his fork, he decided to change the subject.
"So how was Transfiguration Hermione?"
Swallowing the turkey in her mouth the bookworm replied.
"Not bad. The coursework is going to be hell and I've already been given the class work studies and other items for my assisting duties. Professor McGonagall has me working already. How about you?"
Harry chewed and swallowed before answering. "Professor Savage mentioned in passing that he would give me the proper materials during my first TA period later. I suppose he'll throw it at me all at once. The class was pretty bland, we went over things we did and didn't know. He said he'll quiz us next class to see where we stand."
Ron waved his fork around dramatically in the air as he jumped in.
"See, this is exactly why I chose to go the route of an Auror. I'll do training at the ministry and in a year I'll be set. You two will still be apprenticing."
The rest of lunch was spent in amiable chatter, trading jokes and stories of the day so far. As the bell rang, signaling the end of their meal the group split up, heading to their classes.
************HP***********
Hermione stepped into the Transfiguration classroom and headed to the front, weaving between the first years who were finding their seats. Behind her the whispers increased as students leaned toward each other and pointed at her back. Hermione didn't have to see it to know it was happening. A second chair had been placed behind the large oak desk that enveloped the front of the room. Setting her things down Hermione adjusted her outer robe, pulling the sleeves down. It was always colder in this classroom and she hated it.
A hush fell over the students as Professor McGonagall came out of her adjoining office, robes sweeping across the floor. She waved a hand at Hermione, telling her to take a seat.
Hermione watched as Professor McGonagall grabbed the students attention and began the class.
************HP************
The next two weeks followed suit, Hermione already swamped with homework of her own and the responsibilities of grading the work from the first through fifth years. Professor McGonagall had asked her to take on more grading work, all the time she devoted to her double transfiguration class hampering her attention on other classes. However she was still only assisting with first through third years and for that she was thankful.
She spent evenings with Ron and Harry, relaxing inside the dorm rooms. She and Harry often spent the time planning and grading, Hermione often looking something over for Harry. He knew what needed to be in the assignments but Hermione was better at judging the quality of work and showed him just what to look for. Ron would do his homework and amuse himself until they were done for the night and could relax in the common room.
Hermione's morning sickness had gotten no worse but no better either. Madam Pomfrey did not want to increase the dosage of the nausea suppressant, afraid of the effects on Hermione's body. She was already tired enough but an increase in the potion could cause severe lethargy along with lack of appetite. According to Madam Pomfrey, appetite was something Hermione could not afford to lose. She had gained a few more pounds, but Madam Pomfrey was still not satisfied. It had become Harry and Ron's job at meal time to make sure she ate sufficiently.
Hermione found it funny, wanted to roll her eyes in fact but understood the Matron's concern. She found it both a relief and worrisome that her stomach hadn't grown any more. It was at least one thing she didn't have to hide overly much, unlike her growing attraction to a certain teacher.
**********HP**********
A knock on her dormitory door roused Hermione from sleep, her mind groggy from her afternoon nap. The knocking came again before the door opened and Harry stumbled in, hands over his eyes.
"Hermione, are you decent love? Can't see you naked before we get married after all."
Crookshanks hissed as she rolled over on him, reaching for a pillow to throw at the intruder.
"Go away Harry. I'm sleepy."
Harry lowered the hands from his eyes and smirked at the brunette tangled up in her blankets. Ron followed him in the door, not bothering to shut it. They would need the escape route after all. Exchanging wicked grins, they climbed onto the end of the bed and began jumping and hollering.
Hermione groaned, hiding under the blankets as the pair continued to disturb her sleep. Suddenly the bed began to bounce violently as they jumped up and down. With a shriek, Hermione yanked the covers down and sat up, glaring at the two through her mussed hair.
"Dinner time Hermione. Remember, you have to eat."
Brushing the hair out of her face she glared at Ron, her body bouncing up and down.
"It's Saturday Ronald, I want to sleep."
Harry wagged his finger at her, defending his partner in crime.
"Ah ah ah. You've been napping all afternoon. Time to eat."
Hermione sighed and grabbed a couple pillows. Raising them menacingly she agreed to meet them downstairs before throwing the fluffy objects at them. With a couple shameless grins they ran out the door, closing it behind them.
Dragging herself out of bed Hermione swatted Crookshanks when he yowled at the loss of warmth. Pulling on a pair of snug jeans, she pulled a sweater over her head, hoping to ward off the chill permeating the highest part of the tower. September in northern Scotland was getting cooler by the day. Stuffing her feet into some fuzzy black slippers Hermione brushed her hair out before tying it up. Grabbing her wand, she shuffled to the bathroom and then headed down to the common room and her best friends.
All the way down to the Great Hall Harry and Ron needled Hermione, picking on her mercilessly. She had been sleepy lately, growing lethargic in the afternoons. However it was Hermione's turn to laugh when Ginny settled herself boldly next to Harry, immediately trying to engage him in conversation.
Dinner was a very loud and raucous affair. Tomorrow was the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. The staff had decided to restrict it to only one day for the first visit, afraid students would waste all the money in their pockets out of excitement.
For nearly an hour and a half Hermione sat and joked at the Gryffindor table. It was good to be around others again. It almost felt as if she, Harry and Ron had not missed the last year of school. Glancing up at the head table, she noticed that it was almost full except for one person. Professor Snape had not attended regular meals since the welcome feast. Hermione knew of course because despite her self reprimand, she continued to look at the head table, searching for him at every meal.
Glancing at her watch, Hermione rose and stretched before extracting herself from the bench. Announcing her intent to head back to her room and do some reading she waved to everyone and left.
Wandering the halls she headed in the general direction of the tower, wanting to stretch her muscles before curling up in an armchair again. Suddenly she felt the need to sit down, nausea rolling through her. Settling herself into an alcove bench Hermione bent foreword and placed her head between her knees.
"Ms. Granger, what are you doing here in the dark?"
The silky baritone of that voice shocked Hermione and the breath froze in her lungs. The air was suddenly permeated by a sensuous musk and her hands became clammy, her stomach knotting. Standing shakily, she came face to face with Professor Snape, one elegant eyebrow arched in question.
"Again I ask Ms. Granger, why are you hiding out here, in the dark?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer but couldn't seem to force the words out. Suddenly her mouth was dry and her nausea became increasingly worse. She tried to stop the knee jerk reaction, the gag in her throat. As she looked up at Professor Snape's face, she found herself falling into his dark eyes. Merlin she loved those eyes.
Then with minimal warning she leaned over and vomited all over his shiny dragon hide boots.
