A/N: Chapter 13 is up! I received a few reviews last time so I want to say a big thank you! Too all who reviewed and humbly ask you all to continue favouriting and reviewing! Honestly it drives me to write and motivates me to get better every day! As you can see I intend this story to be somewhat a slow burn but if you feel it's moving too slowly please constructive criticism is always appreciated! Now on to DADA!
Hermione took a deep breath as she and Tom walked into the classroom. They were one of the first ones to arrive. They took a seat near the back, giving Hermione an opportunity to look around before other students filtered in.
The room was the same room this class was taught in, in her time, but yet it felt different. One side was full of desks all facing a chalkboard and teachers desk. The other half the room looked bare, no furniture to be seen. Hermione wondered what the extra space was used for.
Other students began to trickle in. In the desks that surrounded her and Tom, the inner circle of Slytherins sat down, all extending a nod towards Tom in greeting.
As it turned out, they shared this class with Gryffindor. Hermione looked to see if she could spot relatives of anyone from her time, but at first glance, she recognized no one. Tom mistook her confusion and said, "We have classes with the other houses, this is Gryffindor house. We don't socialize with this house if we can help it." And went back to talking to Alton Avery, who was sat to his right in the next desk over.
As more and more students filed in, the classroom was filled with dulled chatter. Hermione listened but could not make anything out around her. The classroom door swung open. From the way the class settled down she guessed it must have been the professor.
Hermione turned to get a better view of the professor as he walked towards the front of the class. He was a large man, not in girth but overall mass. He towered over the room as he walked. Where most professors wore long robs during school hours, this man wore much more fitting clothing. Choosing to wear dress slacks and a button up shirt with expensive looking dragon hide boots. His visible forearms reminding Hermione of the old Popeye cartoons her parents showed her as a child. His hair was a dark brown that fell to just below his neck and his eyes an even darker brown that they almost seemed black.
He strode to the front and once he got to his desk he turned around. At once his eyes fell to Hermione's," Ahh the new student. Miss Granger, I am Professor Sutton. Headmaster Dippet assures me of your academic prowess so I hope you have no troubles following along and jumping in on today's lesson."
With that he turned around and took out his textbook, telling them to turn to page 196. As Hermione did so she couldn't help but think back to her first year with Snape and the similarities in teaching style so far. As she reached the intended page she looked down and smiled at the subject they would be discussing.
Professor Sutton cleared his throat, "As you can see today we will be reading the theory on the Patronus charm. Has anybody heard of this charm before?"
Hermione's hand rose as did Toms. No one else moved an inch. Hermione was relieved that she already knew about the subject matter and wouldn't make a fool of herself.
Sutton looked at both carefully, "My, this is a change, ok Granger let's give you a chance here. What is the charm and what does it do?"
Hermione smiled, "The Patronus charm is the most powerful defensive charm known to magic kind. It manifests positive energy into a tangible force that offers protection. It is the primary protection against Lethifolds and Dementors. There are two kinds of Patronuses: Corporeal and Uncorporeal. Uncorporeal are the most common as they do not take on any distinct form and use far less energy to manifest. Corporeal Patronuses take on a particular form based on the caster." She slightly smirked as she finished, "this spell is particularly hard to master as only the pure of heart can produce a corporeal Patronus. Dark wizards who try are almost always met with man-eating maggots instead"
Sutton looked impressed, "My Miss Granger you do know your stuff. 10 points to Slytherin. You are correct. Now, this charm is considered very advanced magic. Well beyond NEWT level. That is why today we are only discussing the theory behind the magic and how it can be used to defend yourself in various situations."
Hermione dares a look towards Tom. She knew her comment about dark wizards would annoy him. When she did look at him she saw a face of intense concentration, as if willing himself to conjure one on the spot. She looked back to the professor.
He started speaking again, "Now as Miss Granger stated there are two forms of a Patronus but both do essentially the same thing. Corporeal being the stronger of the two forms, its only use is to shield against Lethifolds and Dementors."
Before she even realized what she had done her hand shot up in the air. Sutton seemed mildly shocked she he extended his arm towards her and said, "Yes Miss Granger?"
Hermione internally smacked herself upside the head. She didn't need to show off here, why couldn't she keep her big mouth shut? She couldn't take it back now, "Sorry sir but there is one more use for the charm."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Oh is there Miss. Granger? What pray tell is this other use that I, a qualified defense teacher, am forgetting?"
Hermione looked around the room. The Gryffindor's looked at her with genuine curiosity while the other Slytherins either looked at her with smirks as if silently calling her an idiot and furious glares for potentially costing points. Tom was in the first group, unfortunately. She had just talked her way out of this mess with him this morning, now she was going to make him mad again and potentially harm her mission.
She sighed, "a full corporal Patronus can also be used as a means of communication."
Sutton looked as if he was intrigued but trying not to show it, "Go on Miss. Granger explain."
She cleared her throat, "As corporeal Patronuses are a reflection of one's innermost self, the animal it takes the shape of communicates to others about that person, more so they change when an impactful life event happens to the caster it alters. This, in a duel, could be potentially useful information."
Sutton didn't try to hide the look on his face, "That is a very unique way of looking at the charm Miss. Granger, take 5 more points for Slytherin."
Hermione smiled in gratitude. Glad for her quick thinking of explaining why her hand rose. She felt Tom lean over, "You know a lot about this charm. Can you cast one?"
She hesitated. That was all the confirmation Tom needed. Hermione panicked, "Tom no, I didn't tell him for a reason I do not want to be the show off weird new kid" she whisper-yelled.
Tom nodded but rose his hand anyways. When Sutton called on him he smirked, "Sir, being as ever humble as she is, Miss. Granger neglected to inform you she can cast a Patronus."
If glares could kill, Hermione's mission would be completed. Tom smirked as Sutton turned to Hermione again, "is this true?"
Hermione sent one last glare towards Tom, who looked as if he caught the canary, and nodded.
Sutton looked skeptical as he asked, "Corporeal or Un?"
Hermione took out her wand and concentrated. Wordlessly she waved it and an Otter materialized out of the end. It fluttered around the heads of the other students before heading towards Professor Sutton and Hermione s voice came out of the otter's mouth saying "Corporeal" Then it vanished.
If there was a word that meant more shocked than shocked, Sutton would be it. The look of surprise on his face as Hermione's voice came out of the Otter was almost as priceless as the look on toms face when she actually managed to do it.
Hermione allowed herself a tiny competitive smile. She rose an eyebrow in Toms direction. He too looked to be in shock, but his was mixed with a calculating look as if trying to figure out his next move. That wasn't a good thing for her.
Sutton looked back at Hermione, "Miss Granger that was incredible. I had no idea Patronuses could be used that way. Also, you performed that spell nonverbally. That is frighteningly impressive Miss Granger, 30 points to Slytherin and I'd like you to stay after class for a moment. "
Hermione nodded in agreement and sat quietly as the professor continued on with the lesson. Hermione refused to raise her hand for the rest of lesson, not wanting to bring more attention to her self.
As the bell chimed, indicating the end of the class everyone got up and packed their things as Sutton instructed them to write a scroll on the defensive charm and its uses. Tom stated he would wait for Hermione outside. She nodded in acknowledgment and walked up to Professor Sutton, who sat on the edge of his desk, watching as the last student trickled out.
Once they were alone he turned to Hermione, " You were very impressive today Miss. Granger. I admit I had my reservations but you blew them all away."
Hermione muttered a quick 'thank you'. She was not used to still having to prove her academic capabilities.
He continued, "Have you given any thought to what you want to do after school? I know most young ladies are more concerned about marrying but you don't strike me as that narrow-minded."
She nodded, "you would be correct, that's not my main focus. I had given many careers thought. The complexity of curse breaking, the adventure of an Auror, helping the community in the ministry or even a teacher. I just can't decide."
Sutton nodded, "You obviously have brains, Miss. Granger, don't let society pressure you into not using them. If you need anything, help or advice, my door is always open."
With that, he gave her a note to excuse her lateness to her next class and dismissed her. She walked out of the classroom and true to his word, Tom was standing by the wall opposite the door, waiting for her.
She smiled in gratitude and approached him, "Should we head to transfiguration now?" He nodded and walked with her.
It took a lot longer than she anticipated for him to ask, "So what did Sutton want? I've never seen him so nice with a student before."
She shrugged, "He wanted to know my plans post Hogwarts and let me know that if I needed help to come to see him."
Tom looked thoughtful, "What are your plans after your schooling is complete?"
She shrugged again, "I don't know yet honestly, I have too many interests. Sutton wanted to make sure I wasn't going to abandon career for a husband though."
Tom looked at Hermione, "that is a valid concern, no matter how smart you are, if your husband doesn't want you to work and wants you to stay home with children you won't have much choice in the matter."
Hermione snorted, "as if anyone could tell me what I can and cannot do. I am not that type of person."
Her sentence ended just as they reached the classroom door. She pushed it open and walked in ahead of Tom so she missed the smirk on his face and the determined gleam in his eye. He had decided to get her to do just that.