A/N: So I know that this is not my best or longest chapter, but I hope its good enough that it stands up to your expectations. Anyway, enjoy the chapter, Much Love- Bookworm
She had managed to go the entire day without showing her frustration for their new professor, but by the time dinner rolled around, she couldn't hold it in any longer. All day she had heard confusion and questions about why she was being allowed to teach them.
She had made it especially clear that they would not be actually using magic in the class. She had stated that the ministry believed a practical knowledge of defense would suffice to get them through there O.W.L.s. Hermione believed that this was complete rubbish, as she knew that their test administrates would be testing them on the physical casting of spells along with the literature of it.
She sat down heavily at the dinner table, and her friends all looked at her, surprised. She looked around for a moment before leaning in.
"Whatever you want. I'm in. As long as it annoys her." She said, breathing deeply with her rage. Fred, George and Lee all looked at her, shocked.
"Come again?" George asked, his fork halfway to his mouth.
"Any prank and plan you have to annoy that witch, I want in. I want to help." She said, her voice starting to rise as she spoke.
"Shhh" Fred hissed, and she glared at him. "Not here, someone's going to hear you." He whispered into her ear, and she calmed down enough to nod and turn her attention to her plate.
They were clustered at a small table in a corner of the common room, to where they could see everyone and make sure they weren't overheard.
"Hermione, what do you mean that you want in?" George asked softly.
"George, she doesn't want us doing magic. She doesn't let us talk. She is an awful woman." She said, and the boys sitting around her looked at her apprehensively.
"Hermione, you've only had one lesson with her." Lee said carefully.
"Have you lot not heard everyone? They all hate her. She isn't a teacher. She's… she's a spy." Hermione said, Fred and George looked at each other, confusion spread across both of their faces.
"You mean for.. well for You-Know-Who?" Fred asked in an almost inaudible whisper, and Hermione let out a sigh.
"No. Not for Voldemort." She said, ignoring the flinches that she received from around the table. She had grown used to hearing and saying it while spending time with Harry. "The ministry." She said, and once again the boys all looked at each other.
"Hermione love, what to you mean?" Fred asked, concern spread all over his face.
"Isn't it obvious? I thought her speech at the welcome feast made it extremely clear." Hermione said, looking between all the boys. They all looked at her, confused. "The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts." She said simply, and realization dawned on their faces slowly.
"You're saying that she is spying on Dumbledore and us students?" Lee asked, and she nodded. He leaned back in his chair and let out a low whistle.
"Well… are you sure you want in?" Fred asked, laying a hand on hers and squeezing gently. He studied her face for a moment until she nodded. "Alright. Let's get down to it then." He said.
They were still sitting at the same table hours later, papers stacked on the table, and they were discussing a certain sketch when a first year walked over to them.
"Miss Hermione?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Oh hello Sarah, is everything okay?" She asked, and the young girl nodded.
"I just came down for some water, and I saw you were awake. Are you studying for you're O.W.L.s?" The young girl asked, and Hermione glanced back at their little group before answering her.
"Yeah, they are helping me study." She said, giving Sarah a smile.
"But its three… wouldn't you study better if you aren't tired?" She asked, and Hermione looked at her watch with wide eyes.
"Oh goodness, you are absolutely right. How about I go tell them that and I can walk up with you?" Hermione suggested, and the girl nodded enthusiastically. Hermione smiled and walked back over to the table.
"We need to go to bed." She said, gathering up the papers on the table and shoving them into her bag, which she threw up onto her shoulder. She leaned over and kissed Fred softly before heading toward the girl's dormitory with Sarah next to her.
"Hey Granger." She heard behind her, and she turned back to look at the group of boys at the table.
"Love you." They all said at the same time. She grinned and Fred winked at her.
"I love you too." She said, grinning. She turned back to the stairs and began walking with Sarah once more.
"Was one of them your boyfriend?" Sarah asked when they were close.
"Yes, Fred Weasley." She said, smiling at the younger girl.
"One of the twins? How do you tell the difference between them?" Sarah asked as they reached the first year dorm.
"You know, a lot of people have asked me that over the years." Hermione said with a smile. "I have just always been able to tell them apart." She said with a shrug. Sarah smiled at her and bid her goodnight, and Hermione continued on her way up to bed.
The first prank on the long list of pranks went off without a hitch. Hermione had the job of distracting Umbridge by asking about her latest quiz, which she had no problem doing as she had gotten a couple questions wrong according to their professor. The twins were in charge of setting up a ward on the door that wouldn't allow anyone in without the proper password. It was much like the charms cast on the entrances to common rooms, but unlike those, this one would wear off after only a couple hours. Umbridge had thrown a fit when she had been unable to get into her own classroom, and had dragged Dumbledore out of his office and to the classroom.
He had studied it for a moment before he simply stated it would wear off, and that it was rather impressive. As he walked away, he eyed Hermione, and she could have sworn she saw him wink.
It was after the fourth prank that they had been caught. Luckily, George had gotten away in time, and it was only Hermione and Fred. Lee had been busy, and Hermione was sure that was the reason that they had slipped this time.
"Miss Granger, I'm not sure why I'm surprised. According to my information, you have been seeing Mr. Weasley here for little less than a year. And in that year, your grades have become… well, let's say you have not been performing as you have in former years." She said, flipping through a few papers.
Hermione looked at her with an eyebrow raised. She knew that her grade in only this class had been lowered, and that her other classes she was doing the same quality of work. Fred looked at her in surprise, and she shook her head just the tiniest amount.
"Now Mister Weasley, I'm not surprised at all with your sub par behavior. You have quite the track record here at this school. You and your twin brother have been causing mayhem at this school since you started." She said, and Fred just stared at her.
"Now, I'm sorry to say I must punish you both. Detention. Tomorrow night after you are both done with classes. Please come to my office. You won't need anything." She said, stacking the papers together and putting them into a drawer of her desk. "I'll see you both tomorrow evening." She said, dismissing them. They stood in unison and wasted no time in exiting the room.