The Beast
An: Hello everyone, I have an update for you all. As promised from my last update. I hope you all enjoy that last chapter as I hope you'll enjoy this one. Happy reading! Disclaimer: All characters (except the ones you don't recognize) belong to J.K. Bowling.
Chapter 11: The First Day
Hermione's wand buzzed at exactly 6 am in the morning, she reached over and waved her hand over her wand, not that she had gotten any sleep from the night before. After the grand entrance of Lavender and Ron, things got quite hectic: all the Prefects had to gather their First Years, then they had to show them the way from the Great Hall to their dorm, which they had each new student remember the password to their dorms. Once that task was completed then they went on their rounds.
She did her rounds from 10 pm to 11 pm, Hermione had hoped to talk with Malfoy about what had transpired on the train but he was nowhere to be found. She had checked the potions classroom, which had been renovated to accommodate more students, there was no sign of Malfoy nor Snape for that matter. Could he have been lying to her, when he said he had to meet with the old wizard? Had he decided to be with someone else? Did he not want to bother with her since they had been interrupted before? Those thoughts ran through her head, as she tossed and turned all night long in her bed.
Hermione sighed and tossed off her Crimson silk satin sheet, she padded over to her magically extended wardrobe and grabbed her black yoga pants and a skin-tight lime green long sleeve shirt. Rubbing what little crust she had out of her eyes, she went over to the dresser and pulled out a gray sports bra from one of the drawers. She laid out each garment on her bed as she removed her sleeping shirt and matching shorts tossing them into the dirty laundry basket in the corner.
She quickly pulled on her black yoga pants and sports bra, grabbing her long sleeve shirt, she headed into the shared Heads Bathroom. Which was huge. There was a large walk-in glass shower with a large rainfall showerhead hanging in the middle. Along the same wall was a long, deep swimming pool size bathtub big enough to fit five American football players. At the sink where Hermione stood as she quickly put her shirt on just in case Malfoy walked in on her. The dual sinks were made out of glass, she waved her hand over the long neck of the stainless steel faucet, water rushed out as she cupped her hand and splashed her face with cold water.
Hermione grabbed her toothbrush and brushed her teeth. Once she was finished, with that task she hurried out of the bathroom it was almost half-past 6 am now. Hermione slipped into her Muggle running shoes, she holstered her wand under her sleeve as she made her way out of the Heads Dorm and jogged down the corridor and pushed the heavy doors out into the courtyard.
The brunette breathed in the crisp September air, the soft dew in the cool air tingled the skin of her cheeks. She began her morning workout routine as she began to stretch out her stiff muscles, she wasn't quite used to the softness of the plush mattress just yet. She had been sleeping on the second-hand mattress at the Weasley's for the past few months, her back had just started getting used to that before coming here.
Once she felt like she had adequately stretched out her muscles, Hermione carefully jogged over the damp bridge that connected the Castle Grounds to the Courtyard of Hogwarts. She jogged passed Hagrid's Hutt offering the half-giant and polite wave, he was out watering the flowers outside of his window. His loyal companion Fang let out a deep happy bark at her as she passed them by. She jogged her way to the Black Lake; it was her halfway point. She paused at a dock that Hagrid used for fishing. Walking to the end of the dock she held her arms up behind her head linking her fingers together, she took in a deep breath of fresh air.
The cool air burned her lungs with each breath she took. She watched the sun slowly begin to peek over the tops of the trees in the Forbidden Forest. She should start heading back to the castle but honestly, she was loving this view. The way the different colors brightened up to the morning sky, Hermione sighed constantly as she took one last final breath and took off around the other side of the lake. She sped up the pace of her jog and she began to head back towards the castle. She jogged her way up the stone steps of the Grand Entrance she entered the large ornate doors she calmly walked to the Heads Dorm.
"Equality" she muttered the temporary password to the portrait of the Goddess Artemis, the full moon depicted in the background. She was surrounded by all the animals of the forest except for a large white wolf that stood the closest to the Goddess. Hermione toed off her dirty running shoes in the entranceway, as she walked through the common room of the Head Dorm. It was furnished with walnut hardwood floors and dark chocolate leather couches facing the large marble fireplace in the middle of the room. She walked around the couches to the other side of the fireplace where two matching leather winged back armchairs sat facing the fireplace.
Hermione marched up the stairs to her room she slipped off her bright lime green long sleeve shirt and tossed it into the dirty laundry basket and walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower with her wand. She stripped out of her yoga pants and sports bra, stepping into the glass shower the water was the perfect temperature. Hermione signed constantly, as it warmed her chilled body from her run. She took two steps over to the wall and grabbed her vanilla-honey body wash and loofa a began to wash her body. Once that was done she walked back over to the wall again and grabbed her shampoo and conditioner combo and washed her hair clean until it was silky smooth, Hermione was ever thankful for the twins who had invented a special potion that they had tamed her wild curls.
Once she had washed all the shampoo and conditioner out of her hair, she waved her hand over the knobs of the shower to turn off the water. Hermione grabbed her fluffy white towel to dry off with she eyed Draco's door, she wrapped the towel around herself and leads her ear against the door. She was about to grab the knob when she looked down at herself. Probably not the best idea to go in there with just a towel on, Hermione thought scolded herself, shaking her head she went back into her bedroom shutting her bathroom door behind her. She quickly pulled on her school clothes and holstered her wand back in her wrist holster, she smoothing out her outfit, and left her bedroom. Hermione walked the length of the balcony, that overlooked the common room before she knew it, she was standing in front of Draco's bedroom door. She took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door, "Draco? It's time for breakfast -" Hermione bit her lip. Wow, 'Mia could you sound any more like his mum, she mentally kicked herself. Knocking hard this time hoping it might wake him up.
Hermione remembered all the times she had to wake up Harry and Ron, they slept harder than any two people she'd ever met. Steeling herself she placed her hand on the knob, Please...please...dear Merlin don't let him sleep naked...I will never make it to breakfast or first period if that happens. She thought to herself. Hermione shook her head, when had she become Ginny? Horny and sex-crazed, "Alright, Malfoy you leave me no choice." She called out loudly and pushed the door open, the room was completely empty. The bed was perfectly made up the dark green silk sheets still tucked in, trunks still packed at the foot of his gray four-poster bed, school books still stacked up neatly on top of his trunks with his black dragon leather satchel leaning against the books. There was however one odd small trunk that was under his bed, Curious, Hermione thought as she took a step into the room.
The grandfather clock in the Common Room chimed eight times, her cursed out loud and grabbed Draco's satchel and Charms book. As it was the first class that they had together this morning, Hermione jogged down the steps she grabbed her bag that she had left out on the coffee table from the night before. Hurrying out of the common room, the portrait of Artemis shut behind her as she caught a head of blonde hair bouncing up the stairs towards her.
Honey-golden eyes met his slate-blue eyes "Morning Malfoy"
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Earlier that morning
Draco gradually woke with a splitting headache it was like he had been hit with a Bludger in the head repeatedly. He painfully lifted a trembling hand to the back of his head where the pain was coming from, he ghosted his fingers over the deep indentation on the back of his head. "Fucking...hells..." The blonde hissed in pain and tried to roll on to his knees. Pain shot out all over his body but mostly from his head and chest, his breath was labored liked he had been kicked by a Hippogriff.
The blonde looking down at his chest he couldn't see any physical damage to his chest but it sure as shit felt like it. His pale hands brushed the dark dirt off his overly sensitive skin. "Ah, you're awake." the voice of his God-father rang out, echoing down into the pit. It felt so loud to his ears, Draco had to cover his ears with his hands the lock from his cage clicked unlocked and swung open, his God-Father threw a soft blanket over him and lifted him up to his feet. "Come on son let's get you cleaned up." Snape helped him up the ladder, they steadily made their way through the Dungeons. Draco leaned some of his weight on to the older wizard but not too much as he knew Snape relied heavily on his cane.
Snape pushed the portrait of Phineas Nigellas just enough for him to peck his head out to survey the corridor. Once he was sure the coast was clear, Snape helped Draco out into the hall they hurried to Snape's office, Draco sat himself down into one of the chairs as Snape limped off to the back, where his bedroom was. Draco heard shuffling through the wall as the water turned on to the shower, Snape limped back into his office, "Did you think you can make it to the bathroom?" Snape asked. Draco noticed the softness in his voice, it made the blonde feel uncomfortable, but he nodded clutching the blanket closer to himself. He stood up slowly wincing in pain and made his way over to the bedroom in the back of Snape's Office. Draco let his blanket go when he was alone in the bathroom, he gazed at his appearance in the small mirror.
"Merlin's beard" Draco looked like he had been stepped out of a Muggle horror movie, that Theo Nott's older brother used to smuggle to them. Dried blood and dark dirt-caked his face, neck, and chest. There was a large circular bruise in the middle of his pectoral muscles, it looked like he had laid on a bomb, and then it hit him. Memories from the night before came flooding back to him, the pain from his transformation, the anger from being locked in a cage, trying to go after his God-Father he tried to claw through the bars pulling them apart till they creaked under his strength. Draco looked at the palms of his hands, there was a thin line of blisters than ran across his hand.
Guilt flooded through him, as he stepped into his God-Father's shower, the warm spray tingled against his overly sensitive skin. He grabbed the new bar of soap Snape laid out for him and scrubbed his skin raw, trying to clean the blood, dirt and the guilt he felt off his skin. Once he was finished showering, Draco grabbed the towel his God-Father left him, as he dried off, he felt no better than he had when he entered the shower. Aggravated with himself, he jerked on his school attire from the countertop, dressing quickly he went to meet his God-Father in his office. "I thought the potion was supposed to make me and my wolf lethargic and inactive." Draco stated as he fixed his tie of his school robes. Snape nodded flipping through his notes on his desk, "I know...that is what should have happened..." Snape's deep voice trailed off as he scanned more of his notes deep in thought.
Draco sat in front of him, "Do we know what went wrong?" The blonde asked the older wizard, who's wavy dark hair shook as the man shook his head. "No...I have been checking my calculations everything is correct...I just don't understand why it acted so aggressively to the potion...it was like the potion had no effect on it." Snape said.
"Him" The blonde corrected without thought. Snape frowned and looked up from his notes not sure if he heard his God-Son right. "Sorry?" He asked in confusion thick in his voice, "The wolf is not an 'it' but a 'him'..." Draco said looking away from him. Snape's frowned deepened, "What do you mean? Can you...no...can you communicate with your wolf?" Snape asked in astonishment as Draco nodded. "How long has this been going on?" His God-Father asked quickly as he grabbed a fresh parchment and quill. "Since my first change" Draco answered. Snape looked up at him sharply, "Why did you never say anything sooner?"
Draco shrugged, "I just thought it was normal." he said shifting uncomfortably in his chair, the older wizard sighed shaking his head at the blonde. "Draco...I know that the last few years haven't been exactly kind to you...I know your father was never really there for you...emotionally...but you can always come to talk to me." Draco nodded to his God-Father, it was true he had never had a great relationship with his Father. Draco always wanted to please his Father, to make him proud any way he could. Nothing Draco ever did seemed to be good enough for his Father, "I know God-Father." The blonde said nodding his head, Draco wasn't sure if he was reassuring himself or the older wizard.
Snape cleared his throat. "Now back to the topic at hand, this definitely changes things. Your wolf is stronger than I've seen or read about for that matter..." The dark-haired wizard said his deep voice trailing off as he flipped back through the notes on his desk. A pregnant pause fell over them, "I'll have to do more extensive research and you need to get to your dorm. I forgot to ask the house-elf for your school bag and books" Draco nodded and stood up slowly and made his way over the office door, "Draco" Snape called to him as he opened the door. The blonde turned to look at the old wizard, "We are going to figure this out together. I don't want you to worry"
The corner of Draco's mouth lifted into a half-smile as he left Snape's Office. He walked past the Slytherin Dormitory, just as Blaise and Pansy were walking out, "Hey Drake" The olive-skinned wizard greeted him as they bumped fists. "So Drakie tell us how was rooming with Granger last night?" Pansy asked snidely. He felt his wolf stir at the mention of his mate's name said with surly intent, Draco tried not to grind his teeth at her. Control yourself, there is no need to make a scene. Draco told himself as they headed upstairs to the Great Hall. "Did she talk your ears off all night long that you had to sleep in Snape's office?" She cackled, with laughter the made his blood run hot with hatred.
Blaise saw the tick in his best friend's jaw, "So Pans' tell us about the new beau?" He asked indicated to the obscenely large diamond engagement ring on her ring finger. Knowing Pansy loved to talk about herself, giving Draco a reprieve from her hassling. "No new beau it's Theodore Nott. He's not like all the other Purebloods he actually wants me to do my own thing, he's not demanding at all and he's been very sweet, Theo's mother and my mother have drawn up a new marriage contract between our families you boys are looking at the future, Mrs. Nott." She sighed contently at her huge diamond ring on her finger, admiring the glint of sparkling lights through the ring. Blaise feigned shock, "No way! You actually like a guy your mother picked out for you." the olive-skinned wizard gasped dramatically. Pansy narrowed her gaze at the other wizard, as they came to the Great Hall.
Draco tried not to laugh at her expense, Theodore Nott was a good guy don't get him wrong, the wizard kept to himself mostly. He was one of the few Slytherin students that didn't take sides during the War, but Theo had a dark secret. Draco knew that Theo preferred the company of men rather than women. Draco had caught him in the Quidditch locker room playing tonsil hockey with other wizards, mostly from the Ravenclaw team, as they were clever enough not to speak on the matter.
Draco passed the Great Hall that they stopped at, "Oui mate where are you going! Breakfast is this way!" Blaise called to him. Draco bounced up the steps, "I left my bag in the dorm I just have to grab it!" The blonde called over his shoulder rushing to his dorm, the portrait of Artemis came into view just as a head of brown chestnut locks spilled over her shoulder. His wolf hummed at her beauty, but when Honey-gold eyes peered at him he could tell she was tired.
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"Morning Malfoy" Hermione winced at the coldness in her voice, she didn't mean for it to come out like that. As she looked back at him, he looked as tired as she felt, his movements were stiff as the blonde walked towards her. "May I?" He asked indicating to his black Dragon leather bag and his Charms book in her hands. Hermione shook herself out of her stupor, "Right...sorry" she muttered handling him the bag and bolting down the step, the blonde hot on her heels, "Wait...Hermione...would you wait for a second!" The blonde grabbed her by the shoulder turning her around to face him. "Why are you running away from me?" He asked sincerely to her pulling her into a cove in the stairwell, looking at Hermione longingly. He really did like her not just because she was his mate or anything. During the Tri-Wizard Tournament seeing her in that lavender gown, it stirred things inside of him he had never thought possible.
Then during the War, he worried about her every single day, hoping and praying to whatever God or Deity was out there in the universe, to watch over her and protect her when he couldn't. Then on that faithful day when he heard that she, Potter and Weasel King were captured, his stomach dropped to his knees he prayed even harder that day then he ever had in his life. Draco heard the rumors of what the trackers like to do to their captives: torture and rape were high on their list of fun things to do to their victims.
Hermione bit her bottom lip in frustration and let out all of her pent-up questions, "What are we doing? What is this between the two of us? You push me away then you pull me closer only to push me away again! I feel like a fucking yo-yo, here! Where were you last night? I wanted to talk about what happened on the train and I loo-" Draco cut her off by smashing his lips to hers. Hermione was stunned by his forwardness and didn't realize that she was responding to his kiss by threading her fingers through his soft hair touching the back of his head.
Draco hissed a broke the kiss, as pain shot through the back of his skull "What's a 'yo-yo'?" he asked confused at her words, leaning his forehead against hers. "I hate it when you do that you know...you cutting me off like that...I can't think when you kiss me like that. A 'yo-yo' is a Muggle toy...I'll explain later." Hermione breathed.
The corner of his mouth perked up into a half-smile brushing a stray lock out of her eyes, "You tend to overthink things, Hermione." she gapped at him and lightly swatted at his chest, causing him to wince. "Ouch! You're so violent this morning and I'm not toying with you if that is what you were referring too," he said with a laugh rubbing his aching chest. "What happened to your chest?" She asked him, the blonde stepped away and dropped his hand from his chest, and used it to rub the back of his neck.
Hoping she wouldn't notice his nervousness, "It's nothing...it's just a little accident from the potions experiment that blew up on me and Snape last night. Can I walk you to the Great Hall?" Draco implored the brunette, hoping to change the subject quickly, he gave the which a charming smile that dazzled her.
Hermione hummed like she was thinking hard about his offer. "Are you sure you want to be seen with the most famous Mudblood in all of Hogwarts's history?" She asked him honestly wanting to know if his offer was truly sincere, his slate-blue eyes grew dark at her words. "I never should have called you that. You are so much more than your blood, Hermione." He muttered honestly looking down ashamed of his actions as a young teen.
Just give in already! What's the worst that could happen? Hermione thought to herself and let out a sigh, "You may walk me to the Great Hall...and I want to know more about this potion you and Professor Snape are working on." The blonde smiled like he had just won the House Cup as they both walked down to the Great Hall together.
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In the Great Hall
The Protean Charmed bracelet warmed the dark-haired Professor's wrist as she sat at the end of the Heads table. The witch's silver eyes scanned the room, making sure no one was watching her, glancing down at the glowing runes that spelled out: Meet. Now. Asap. 911. The Professor frowned at her bracelet, why on earth was he asking for a meeting now of all times? She asked herself to finish her cup of tea, which wrapped her hand around her bracelet under the table and tapped the runes: I. Can't. Tonight?
The wait for her contact response was surprising instantaneous, I'm. Here. Meet. At. S.S? The Professor glanced around the Great Hall looking for her contact but didn't see him among the throng of students. What the hell was he doing here of all places? This was not part of the plan. Go. To. G.H. 20 minutes. The dark-haired witch responded, pushing herself up from the table and began to make her way out of the Great Hall.
"Not having breakfast Professor?" The Head Mistress asked stopping her at the door. "Oh...no...I'm still full of last night's feast. I also wanted to get myself acclimated to the castle again." the young which stated with her fake American accent with an phony smile. "I'd hate to get lost on my first day and embarrass myself, you know." the old witch nodded to her and took her to leave to the Great Hall. The young Professor paused and watched as the Head Mistress sat at the Heads table.
Her wrist warmed up again as she headed towards the large oak doors that lead to outside towards the Green Houses. To. Risky. The runes in her bracelet spelled out. The Professor rolled her eyes at his ever-cautious nature, she tapped on the runes again responding to her contact's message. 20 minutes. At. G.H. Take. It. Or. Walk. The witch tucked her hand quickly into the pocket of her robes as she passed a group of Ravenclaw students, "Good morning, Professor." They all said in unison, she smiled and nodded to them as she headed outside. Ok. Ok. Meet. You. There. In. 20. She took a deep breath of fresh air and calmly walked over to the five long glass buildings.
She took note of a tall Gryffindor student who was chatting with the new Herbology Professor. The witch quickly ducked into the smaller of the five Green Houses, it was more of a tool shed but it did hold a few of the rarest plants that were harder to grow. Find. The. Small. G.H. I'm. Waiting. She tapped out the runes on her bracelet and began to pace back and forth between the table that held the plants. What could he possibly want? What was so important that he would go and risk them both being caught? These thoughts ran through the dark witches' mind as she paced back and forth.
Five minutes past when she caught a glimpse of a dark shadow passing by the frosted glass walls, along the side of the building. Grabbing her wand, she flattened herself against the wall that the back door was on. The hooded figure cautiously pushed open the door and stepped across her path. The young witch ambushed the figure, wrapping her arm around the figure's neck "Move and your dead" she hissed jamming the tip of her wand into the figure's cheek. "Fuck! It's me!" A masculine voice said yanking the hood off. The woman recognized the dark auburn hair of Jakob Macnair, she immediately released her hold on the wizard. "Merlin Macnair! I could have killed you." The witch let out a sigh.
"What the hell are you doing here, anyway? What is the big fucking emergency?" The witch whispered at him angrily putting her wand away, Jakob adjusted his wrinkled robes. "Good morning to you too...Professor" the wizard said nicely taking in her appearance. "Macnair" the witch hissed angrily at him quickly losing her patience with the wizard. "This is not part of the plan. You were to meet me after I dispatched with the boy. Not beforehand." she accosted the wizard, who was taking in the surroundings of the Green House. "Yes, I'm aware...we may have a slight complication with your plan." Jakob said touching a small blue plant.
"Explain" she said with a commanding tone. The wizard's dark green eyes darkened, "Don't take that tone with me "Professor" you know that you still need me." He stated in an equally commanding tone. The witch smirked harshly at the man, she wanted to hex his auburn head clean off, "So you say, but yet here you are ahead of schedule" the dark-haired women pointed out to him. Jakob rolled his dark green eyes at her, "I apologize for that matter, I had nowhere else to hide." The Professor placed her palms flat against a table in the middle of the Green House. "What do you mean by "hide"?" She asked him as he rubbed the stumbled growth on his chin.
This was out of character for the wizard. He was normally clean-shaven and always kept his appearance pristine. Now that she was taking him in, his clothes were wrinkled, and his hair was a bit of a mess. "Ekrizdis was captured by the Eastern European Aurors two weeks ago. He will most likely be given over to the Bulgarians." The witch shook her head at the dilemma, she pinched the bridge of her small nose. "Was Travers caught with him?" She asked the wizard, who shook his head at her. "No Travers came to inform me, even had the audacity to demand that I get Ekrizdis released into my custody." Jakob said with a huff, still peeved at the other dark wizard.
"Which of course you couldn't do, because you're not an Auror" the Professor added, the wizard nodded in agreement, "I told him as such, but you know Travers. He would die for that wizard, the lovesick moron, he most likely has some half-baked plan to break him out of the E.E.A as they transfer him to Bulgaria, for his murder trial. At least that's what I would do. Again, Travers is a moron." Jacob explained.
"Knowing Ekrizdis, as I do, he will throw you and Travers under the preverbal bus just to save his own skin." The witch said as she brushed a hand through her short black curls. "And thus, the reason for my unscheduled visit." Jakob paused and fished out a gold chain with a sapphire pendant from his cloak pocket, "Wow! Macnair, I didn't know you felt that way about something like me." The dark-haired witch teased him with a smirk. Jakob rolled his eyes and tossed the necklace at her.
The dark witch caught the chain with ease, "Spare me your antics, we haven't the time and a beach is calling my name. This is your Portkey, once you've taken your revenge against the Malfoys, just pick your destination and your off. I suggest you choose wisely; I only had enough time to get one jump out of it." The wizard instructed the witch and made his way back over to the door.
The wizard turned back towards his old friend, "Can I give you some parting advice before I disappear forever?" He asked her as he pulled his hood over his head again. The dark-haired Professor shrugged and nodded, "Forget about Malfoy's bitch. She is being guarded by Aurors twenty-four-seven unknowingly on her part. I can only suggest that you make her live with the same pain you do. Then get yourself out of England as quickly as possible, you and I both know...he would want you to live."
With that the wizard was gone. The Professor stood alone in the Green House pondering their conversation when the glass shed door opened again and Nora Corbin stepped inside with gardening gloves in hand. "Oh! Professor Luxx, you gave me a fright. Are you...Oh dear…you must be lost?" The old witch asked with a kind smile that reached her dark chocolate eyes.
Nora Corbin was a short plump woman with mousy brown hair that she had tied up in a messy bun. Her outfit was already dusted with soil from her earlier work, "Yes. I'm afraid so. Hogwarts is such an enormous school I just got turned around and ended up here. How embarrassing?" Professor Luxx gave her a forced blushed as she pocketed the gold chain unnoticed by her colleague.
"I know the feeling, thankfully Mr. Longbottom showed me around this morning. He is such a kind young boy...well young man...why don't I have him walk you to your classroom?" Professor Corbin blushed at her own words as she escorted her out of the Green House shed. Professor Luxx tried not to roll her eyes at the grandmother-ish older which, "Well, if it's not too much trouble I-"
The older woman cut her off by patting her arm, "Oh nonsense, Neville is already so much farther along with his education than everyone else there isn't much for me to teach him. Neville!" The old witch called out to him and waves him over towards them, the tall Gryffindor came trotting over towards them. "Neville be a dear and escort Professor Luxx to her classroom." She said to him with a smile leaving them alone as she headed over to one of the larger Green Houses. "Don't worry Professor I got turned around my first year too." The boy confessed to her as he led them walked toward the castle.
"I can only imagine." the Professor muttered under her breath following behind the lad.
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Ron sat in the back of the Charms classroom next to Lavender. She prattled on about the modeling she had done over the summer. Not that he was listening to anything that she had to say, Ron was too busy eyeing his former best friends as they both chatted with the Snakes that they sat next too. Traitors, the redhead wanted to spit at them. Harry was engrossed in what seemed to be an interesting conversation with Blaise Zabini. Hermione, of course, was sitting next to the King of Snakes himself Draco Malfoy. They were leaned in close, hovering over their Advanced Charms textbook. The Head Girls' cheeks turned a deep blush at something the blonde had said to her, is he flirting with her!? I bet she spread her legs for him last night! Probably her way of thanking the bastard for saving her. Fucking slut!
Ron's anger was sizzling just under the surface. He was about to storm over the Head Girl and tell her just what he thought of her, when the door to the classroom opened. "Good morning class!" The tall dark-haired, gray-eyed Professor greeted them, in her American accent, as she strolled to stand in the middle of two theater-like staircases. "Good morning Professor Luxx!" They all echoed back to her. "I'm sorry I'm late, you guys have the largest school I've ever been to. Naturally, I got lost." the Professor said lightly laughing at herself. Some of the students in the class gave up a few small giggles.
"As you know this is Advanced Charms and my name is Zoe Luxx." The Professor said as she turned to wave her wand over the black chalkboard behind her, "You guys can just call me Zoe or Professor Luxx if you like. I hope you guys do not mind. I do things a bit different than what you're used to." She added an sat-on top of the stack of books the old Charms Professor used to use as a platform. Professor Luxx crossed her legs causing her skirt to ride up a little bit. The flash of leg caused Ron to grow hot under his collar, he noticed a few other males in the class were also affected by this small act. "Before I prepare you all to take you N.E. and since this is my first year here why don't we go around the room and introduce ourselves and then tell me what your goals are after Hogwarts. Why don't we start with...you in the back looking bored?"
All eyes turned to look at Ron. The redhead dumbly pointed to himself, "Me?" He questioned, as the Professor nodded to him. Ron gulped and cleared his throat, "My name is Ronald Weasley and I am going to be an Auror after Hogwarts." He said confidently to the Professor. "Ah yes...Mr. Weasley… I have read all about your friends but extraordinarily little about you…you have chosen a very honorable career. Predictable, for one such as yourself, but honorable nonetheless, I hope you can live up to the Ministry's expectations." A few students chuckled under their breaths, as Ron's face turned cherry red in embarrassment; among those who were chuckling included Malfoy and Zabini. This earned Malfoy an elbow to his ribs from Hermione. "Alright, who like to go next...how about you?" the Professor pointed to the next student.
"Don't worry my little Won-Won you are anything but predictable where it counts." Lavender said seductively in his ear as she rubbed the palm of her hand along his thigh. "Thanks, babe." He muttered and wrapped his arm around the back of her shoulders and leaned back in his chair. Professor Luxx continued to go around the classroom letting the students introduce themselves, to Ron's surprise when the Professor picked Harry to introduce himself. Harry had told her that he was going to travel with his new bride for a year before picking a career. What is happening right now? Has he gone mad?! We were always supposed to be Aurors together, that was the plan. Wasn't it? Ron thought to himself. As Hermione introduced herself and stated that she was going to apply to the Ministry in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, after Hogwarts. "You must have an affinity for Magical Creatures then." Hermione smiled sheepishly at her Professor's words.
"I just believe that everyone and everything has certain inalienable freedoms that they are entitled too." The Head Girl said honestly. The Professor hummed her approval and then pointed to Zabini, who predictably crude with his statement which was that he was going to bed as many witches as he could, and party until he physically could not. Professor Luxx shook her head at the young wizard and then nodded to Malfoy to introduce himself, she took note that the room went quiet as he spoke, "I'm Draco Malfoy. After Hogwarts...I honestly don't know what I'm going to do or be able to do for that matter...I guess I'll just have to take it one day at a time." The blonde said somberly to the Professor, who seemed to nod her understanding of the situation he was in.
"Well" the Professor clapped her hands and waved her wand over the chalkboard. "Who can tell me what a Protean Charm is?" Many hands around the classroom shot up to the Professor's surprise. "Wow! Ok well this might be a noticeably short lesson…let us see…how about…Mr. Potter" the dark-haired Professor pointed to Harry. "A Protean Charm allows you to connect one object to many objects for the same purpose." The Professor nodded and waved her wand over the chalkboard. "Very good Mr. Potter, 10 points to Gryffindor." Harry smiled fondly at himself. Kiss ass, Ron thought to himself. "Now who can tell me what the number one purpose for the Protean Charm is usually?" a few hands around the room dropped as their Professor looked around the room, "Yes, Mr. Zabini."
"Communication?" he answered, "Very good, but I think you just guessed on that. Let us try something a bit more difficult, who can tell me the incantation for the Protean Charm?" The Professor ask them, most of the student's hands dropped at the question. Only Hermione and Malfoy's hands were left up, "Mr. Malfoy"
"Eodem Tempore Nexum" Draco answered perfectly, the Professors pointed her wand at the black chalkboard, "Very good Mr. Malfoy, 10 points to Slytherin. I am extremely impressed with all of you, and I am not an easy woman to impress. I think I might let you all leave early today, but before I do let us go over your assignment. For your homework I want you all to write me an essay on how you would best use the Charm. Then tomorrow we will get to practice the Charm, so bring an extra notebook or journal with you to class tomorrow. Class dismissed." she said as the students hurried out of her classroom, thinking she might change her mind at any second.
Draco and Hermione filed out of the classroom behind Blaise and Harry. "What did you guys think of Professor Luxx?" she asked each of them. Harry was the first to speak up, "I think she pretty awesome, do you notice how she didn't say what length our essay had to be? So, it can be whatever length we want." Harry stated happily, the dark-haired wizard hated homework the very first day. Blaise chuckled at them, "Well Boy-Wonder, I will have to borrow your essay once you have finished yours. All I could think about was the way her bum looked in her skirt" Blaise stated crudely and wiggled his eyebrows at them.
"Gross" Hermione muttered under her breath. Draco shook his head at his best friend, "First of all she is our Professor, which I have to agree with Herm-Granger that is gross, and second of all you wouldn't even make it on to that witch's radar, she would eat you for breakfast." Draco stated matter-of-factly to his best friend. "What about you 'Mione?" Harry asked her, the brunette slightly grimaced at the nickname. "She seems nice enough, though I wish she would've let us practice the spell, before dismissing the class." Hermione answered her best friend disenchanted.
Harry rolled his eye at her disappointment, "Of course you would say that! Come on 'Mione, it's not like you need to practice. You already know the spell; you have performed it before. You won't even break a sweat on the spell-work or the essay…specking of the essay..." Harry said looking at her hopefully, batting his dark eyelashes at her. Hermione sighed and shook her head reluctantly, "Read my lips Harry, I am NOT going to write your essay for you. If you want my help you can meet me at the library after dinner tonight." she said sternly, Harry nodded and did a fist pump when no one was looking.
Draco cleared his throat, his Wolf did not like the fact that his mate would be alone with the other male for any amount of time. "Perhaps we could create a study group?" Draco reasoned, "That way it's a joint effort, you help Potter with his Charms and I'll help Blaise with Potions" Draco added. Blaise frowned at his words, "What am I chopped mermaid gills?" the olive-skinned wizard exclaimed offendedly. Draco rolled his eyes at his dramatics, "You always need my help with Potions" Draco stated fixing his best mate with a knowing stare. 'Go with it' the blonde mouthed to Blaise, while the others were not looking. "You know…come to think of it…Potions has always been my weakest subject. Hasn't it?"
Harry looked at Hermione as if to say it was ok with him if it was ok with her. "The more the merrier" Hermione said with a genuine smile to all of them. "After, dinner then." they all nodded in agreement and went off to Advanced Potions, with Snape.
BBBBBBBBBBBBB
The rest of the day passed on the same, the Professor were trying to get the 6th, 7th and 8th year students ready for their N.E. . Ginny joined the group after her morning flight class with Professor Wood. They went to Advanced Potions Professor Snape had given them a three-foot essay to write on the known ingredients that were in the Wound-Cleaning Potions and what other potions those same ingredients were used in. Then the students were then going to brew those potions along with the Wound-Cleaning Potion during the next two weeks.
After Advanced Potions, the group headed to Transfiguration. With their new Professor Eva Vulchanov, who gave them a quiz right out of the gate to test their magic by preform the hardest Transfigurations they had learned over the years at Hogwarts. She then discussed the most difficult form magic they would use in her class was or in the Wizarding World: Human Transfiguration and Cross-Species Transfiguration. The new Professor could not tell them if these two spells were going to be on their N.E.W.T's test. The day went on and on like that until it was time for dinner.
"Ugh! What a day!" Harry said collapsing into his seat at the dinner table. "Is this what the rest of the year is going to be like?" Ginny asked wearily sliding next to him placing her head on his shoulder. Harry kissed her forehead. "Merlin, I hope not" Harry muttered, and grabbed her plate to fill it up with food before serving himself. Hermione rubbed the knot forming on the back of her neck. "Honestly, I'm even starting to wonder if we made the right decision coming back here. Do you know how many different Potion combinations there are that use almost the exact same ingredients as the Wound-Cleaning Potion? I'm starting to think Snape has gone mental." She whispered the last part under her breath, before grabbing her plate to fill it with food. "And don't even get me
On the other side of the Great Hall, Draco was feeling the same as all the other 6th, 7th and 8ths years expect worse. By the end of his last class, the back of his head was pounding so bad, he could barely fly his broom during Quidditch practice, "You alright their mate?" Blaise asked him as the blonde poked at his food. Draco nodded and rubbed the back of his head, "I'm fine just a headache is all."
Blaise looked at him skeptically, "You've been complaining about a headache all day way don't you go see Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing" Blaise suggested, Draco just shook his head. He couldn't risk anyone else finding out about his condition, "I'll be fine enough till after my rounds tonight." Draco said picking up his fork to feed himself. Blaise shrugged and went back to eating his food.
Draco looked across the hall at Hermione who was kneading the back of her neck and shoulder, We should go over there and comfort her, Draco's wolf huffed. Not now, the blonde wanted to let out a groan at the thought but pinched the bridge of his nose instead. Why are you being so stubborn? She needs us, you and I both know we can make her feel better. The wolf stated as images of her ran naked body under his through their mind, making his cock twitch to life. Stop it! Right now! She isn't ready for that! Hell, I haven't even asked her out on a proper date yet! Draco argued stabbing his bloody stake with his fork. The blonde could feel his wolf rolling its eyes at him. Bah! These human rules don't concern me. Draco wanted to reach into his mind and strangle his wolf, They should! We can't just take what we want, when we want...that is called rape and in the "human" world that will get us thrown back into prison. I refuse to go back; you remember what that was like don't you?
Draco imagined himself sitting back in the small dirty cell at the Wizengamot holding center. The guards spitting at him, depriving him of food and sometimes water. We should have killed them, the wolf growled. Yes, well if we did that then we would never see Hermione again and they defiantly would kill us. The wolf whined, let out a full fledge whine, that he had to suppress with a cough, so others didn't notice. Draco did not like the thought of never seeing Hermione again, the blonde just had to looked in her direction once more.
Hermione, however, was not in her usual seat as from when he last looked. Panic flooded him as the blonde looked around the Hall only to spot her heading his way. Way to keep your cool, human. Draco rolled his eyes at his wolf, he quickly pushed his half-empty plate away from himself and patted Blaise on the shoulder, "Come on mate study time" Blaise groaned with his mouth full of food and stood up, with his blonde friend, from the table grabbing his bag.
"Ready to study?" Hermione asked them, the two men nodded, and they followed her to the library.
Once in the library, the group: Draco, Hermione, Blaise, Ginny, Harry, Neville and Luna. Sat in the back of the room at the largest table they could find, they first pulled out their Charms book and began reading up on the Protean Charm. After a pregnant pause the tall Gryffindor broke the silence, "This assignment is shite, I can't find anything in the book on the correct wand movements." Neville said in frustration slamming his book shut. Blaise, ran his hand through his hair as he too shut his book, not as aggressively the Gryffindor beside him, "As much as it pains me to say…I agree with Longbottom, the book that they told us to buy makes no mention of wand movements." the dark-skinned wizard said with a bored sign. Harry looked to Hermione, "Maybe you could show us how it's done?" the dark-haired wizard suggested to her.
Hermione nodded and stood up from the table, "Alright but everyone needs to watch closely as I will only be able to do this one time." she said looking around at each of them, as they nodded. The brunette turned to Draco, "Could you hand me your journal?" she asked nicely to the blonde beside her. Draco nodded sheepishly and fished out in his new journal from inside his school bag, then handed it to her. Hermione untucked her wand from her wrist holster and cleared her throat and was about to say the spell.
"Well what's this?"
They all turned to see Ron standing behind Hermione with an evil sneer on his face…
AN: Hello everyone, I hope you all had a happy Mother's Day. I tried to get this out sooner, I did a lot of editing to this chapter, so it took me longer than I thought it would. I hope you all like it!