A/N: Obviously, I am not the author of the Harry Potter series. If I were, I would probably be in St.Tropez partying my ass... Ehem, anyway I am really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really sorry for being err months late… See I was flunking history and French so I had to work really hard… I promise next chapter will be posted soon… PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I AM A REVIEW HUNGRY FAN FIC. WRITER! Honestly, if I were feeding on reviews I would have starved to death! Thank you my gorgeous readers who reviewed.
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Chapter 4: Feast, New Teacher & Dungeons
"Wonderful" said Hermione in awe; taking Harry's offered hand and stepping out of the carriage. "Hogwarts never seemed this fascinating before!"
"That's probably because you had never been a senior before." Harry said.
"Yeah, probably."
"Guys can you believe you're not returning to Hogwarts after this year!" Ginny said dreamily, looking at the mighty castle of Hogwarts.
"Sad" was Ron's only comment.
"Anyway, I'll come back" Ginny said grinning evilly.
"You're mean Ginny" Hermione smiled, "and as a reminder you're not going to have your best friend with you,"
"…or your boyfriend" Harry added. Ginny's evil grin turned into a shocked remembrance.
Well this is it, my final year at Hogwarts. After this year no more homework, no more history of magic, no more weird creatures, no more restricted section of the library, no more Lavender and Parvati gossiping, no more Draco obnoxious child of privilege Malfoy, no more S.P.E.W, no more bacon and eggs for breakfast at the Great Hall, no more walks near the lake, no more Dobby… Oh my God! What will I do; this is my life, my home! My comfy four-poster bed, my reserved library corner, and my friends! But I am not ready to give those up yet! I am going to fail all of my N.E.W.T's, I will not be able to find a job and I will have to live with my mother forever! I will never find my true love and will never get married, stay at home with six cats and talk to my owl!
"Hermione!" Ginny said, raising one of her eyebrows to her best friend's panicked expression. "Are you okay?"
"Ha? Yes, yes. It passed."
"Not one of your I'm-nothing-in-this-life-I-suck-to-hell phases, is it?"
"What? What are you talking about? I don't get into phases like that!" blushed Hermione.
"Yeah, you never!" smiled Ron, imitating Hermione just before their O.W.L's arrived, "I know I failed everything, I know I failed everything. Hey" Hermione smacked Ron on the head.
Harry tore his eyes away from Hogwarts Castle and squeezed Ginny's hand. "I think it is time to get in. We have a feast to attend."
Harry, Ron and Hermione went inside as Ginny went to help first years as a prefect. Ron being Ron ditched it.
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"Gin, over here!" shouted Hermione to the redhead. Redhead joined her friend at the Gryffindor table.
"Those first years… Troublemakers, the whole lot of them! Dumbledore should let Filch handle them, a good torture will do!" fumed Ginny.
"Hogwarts need more troublemakers since Fred and George are long gone and we are leaving." said Harry matter-of-factly.
"True, this place has become dull with all these stuck-up Ravenclaws and nasty Slytherins." agreed Ron.
"Ginny you smell horrible!" shrieked Hermione suddenly.
"Really? I thought dungbombs smelled really nice!" Ginny said sarcastically.
"They threw dungbombs at you?" asked Hermione in shock but trying to stop the coming laughter.
"Worse, they bathed me with dungbombs, literally."
"Ugh, sister, not trying to be mean but you smell like gnome shit" said Ron.
Ginny became red with anger but said nothing. Harry tried to calm Ginny by assuring her no matter how she smelled he loved her. This seemed to work, though Harry was holding his breath while he was too close to Ginny. Professor McGonagall brought the stool and everyone became quiet.
"Witch or wizard whose name I'll read will come here to be sorted." she said.
Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, definitely Slytherin… Hermione kept guessing which first years would be sorted into which house as Prof. McGonagall continued on calling them. While Prof. McGonagall called a chubby blonde girl to be sorted, Hufflepuff Hermione guessed, a tall blonde woman with a face that resembled Malfoy's mother slid into the empty seat at the teachers table as if she did not want to attract attention. New DADA teacher Hermione thought. At the end of last year, Snape fled Hogwarts as death eaters deciphered his place in the war.
Last year Death Eaters raided Hogwarts. Although Dumbledore's charms protected the school, Montague, an ex-Slytherin student, told his father about the vanishing cabinet. They attacked very cleverly, leaving the staff and the students in surprise. In the end- with a little help from Harry's Felix Felicis, DA meetings and the quick appearance of the Order members- school was victorious. Fenrir Greyback bit Bill Weasley in his human form. He now ate a lot of semi-cooked meat. In addition, Severus Snape had to go into hiding because he helped the light.
Hermione saw that most of the students were eyeing the newcomer. Annoyed, Prof. McGonagall screeched "Parkinson, Thorne" getting back the attention of everyone. Hermione's eyes flickered back at the sorting. It was Pansy's brother. He had broken her mother's Egyptian vase at her 10th birthday party. Sorting becomes boring, though next year I will miss it. When 'Zenith, Anwen' was sorted into Gryffindor Prof. Dumbledore raised, his injured hand still recovering. He stiffened to make his annual speech.
"Welcome newcomers, welcome back old students. This will be a year of hard work for most of us. Our seventh years will enter their N.E.W.T's and our fifth years will taste examinations first time with O.W.L's. And for all of us this will be a year to hunt down the darkness that surrounds us and bring out joy and hope to our lives, as we need them now the most. Too much said, now it's time to be fed."
"At last" Ron said. He was sitting near Hermione. "I thought he would go on forever." He grabbed the chicken wings and attacked it as if he had not eaten for ages.
"Umm, Ron. Oil is flowing down your chin." Hermione said a little disgusted. She wiped it with a napkin.
"How come you waste it Ron! How can you let it get out of your mouth!" Ginny mocked Ron. Se was sitting beside Harry, or if Hermione's eyes were not mistaken, on top of Harry. Hermione blinked still staring and saw that she was indeed mistaken. She started eating her meal neatly. Throughout the meal, Harry did not speak much. He and Ron spoke about Quidditch for quite some time but other than that, he preferred to stay quiet. Hermione knew he was thinking about something important but he did not interfere. They were eating their desserts when Dumbledore stood up again.
"So that we are finishing our dinner I will take some of your precious time for the start of term notices. First years should realize that Forbidden Forest is indeed forbidden, it would be good if older students remembered too. Anyway, Mr. Filch asked me to remind you that magic is not permitted between corridors between classes and some other things, which you can look up from the list on Mr. Filch's door. Quidditch practices will be held sometime in the middle of October. You can learn the actual dates for your house from your common room boards. This year we welcome Professor Silverblood as our new DADA teacher." Blonde woman, Prof. Silverblood, stood up and gave an elegant nod. "Last but not least, I present you your head of years. Our very own Ms. Hermione Aurelia Evangaliste, as Head Girl from Gryffindor-" Silence and whispers followed, than came the clapping. "And Mr. Draco Lucius Malfoy as our Head Boy from Slytherin. You may leave for your common rooms. Goodnight and sleep tight."
Hermione gasped. Malfoy! What the fuck! Oops… I meant what in the Merlin's beard. Next thing I know Malfoy is the new minister and Voldy concurs the world. I think Dumbledore totally lost it; he always missed a couple of marbles.
"Malfoy!" squeaked Ron in agony.
"I know! Try to look on the bright side…" Harry snorted. Hermione sighed.
"…it can't get any worse. Come on Ginny, Ron. We've got to guide first years."
"Not so fast Ms. Evangaliste" interrupted McGonagall. "You are coming with me."
Quattro gave each other curious looks, than stared at McGonagall asking for a reason. Seeing this McGonagall said, "If you want to go to your room you very well need me Ms. Evangaliste to show you the way."
"But Professor McGonagall, Gryffindor tower is that way" she said pointing the Gryffindor tower.
"Really, I haven't noticed Ms. Evangaliste. I'm here to take you to your own room as Head Girl." Hermione stared confused.
"You're bloddy lucky Mione." Ron gasped.
"… And sometimes -like today- you can take a friend with you if you wish," she looked over her glasses to Harry and Ron, "preferably a girl."
Hermione giggled. "I want Ginny to stay with me tonight." A high-pitched eek came from Ginny, attracting attention from passers by.
"Decided than. Come with me girls. Mr. Weasley kindly escort first years to Gryffindor tower. Password is dragonpox." She started walking towards the Entrance Hall. Girls waved at the boys and followed Prof. McGonagall merrily.
"I'm taking you to the West Tower. Your place is on the top floor, great view I might add. Here this way."
They did not talk until they came in front of a portrait that contained an old man with very long white beard. Prof. McGonagall stopped, than turned to the girls. She simply lifted her wand towards Ginny and said "Muffilato". With a single flick, Ginny started to scratch her ears.
"Sorry, needed to be done. Password is only for you to know. It is 'alpineloch'. The portrait revealed a huge room. McGonagall lifted the spell from Ginny.
"What was that for?" Ginny snapped.
"Sorry dear but I am only to tell the password to the Head Girl. It's procedure."
Silence.
"Ms. Evangaliste, this is Mr. Merlin your chamber protector…"
"No, no Minerva…" interrupted the portrait, "…it is not Mr. Merlin! It is just Merlin! How many times do I have to tell you? Others arrived by the way."
"Others?" asked Hermione curiously.
"Follow me." Ordered McGonagall. "We are late enough!"
When Hermione and Ginny entered the common room, a door opened and out came Snape and Malfoy. Hermione shrieked. Everyone looked at her. She blinked a few times but still believing that this is a nightmare and that she is still asleep she pinched herself. She winced- that hurt.
"Pardon my rudeness –actually don't- but what the hell are you doing in my room!" Fumed Hermione. Malfoy frowned at her; he was not content with this also.
"Ms. Evangaliste, such language from my own student. 10 points from Gryffindor." Hermione looked at her still fuming. Than, she looked at the surprised Ginny Weasley from the corner of her eyes.
"It was generous Minerva. She deserves a lot more. Ms. Evangaliste, as much as this is your room, it is Draco's too. Understood? Head Dorms? Does that ring a bell?" said Snape. Hermione merely nodded.
"Great. We should go Severus." said McGonagall, tugging Snape along as she left. When the portrait door closed, Hermione turned to look at Malfoy, who was already gone and with a loud crash, his door closed. Sound of valuables crashing was heard. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other, and frowned.
"Stuck with a psycho-ass like that? Gee, thanks." Said Ginny trying to lighten the mood.
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"…He trashed everything in his room. And in the morning we didn't see him." Ginny was telling everything about Malfoy to Harry and Ron.
"So he's not bothering you, is he Mione?" asked Ron.
"At least not yet. Oh, here he comes. Ferret!"
It was the first day of school and as usual they were seated at he Gryffindor table eating some bacon and eggs –though Ron's eyes were on Harry's plate. Hermione was still angry with Malfoy, Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore! What- what was he thinking? What was she thinking 'Head Dorms'? She should have guessed! Nothing worse can happen my ass! Also she wanted this year to be special. Wasn't this the year she revealed her true self? And slowly it came to her. Marauders!
"Guys, I got it! Marauders. This will be a great year. I'm going to the library." She stuffed a donut into her mouth –so much for healthy eating. "First lesson is Charms. See ya there. Bye Gin."
As she ran for the library, she heard Ron say, "What library? We didn't even attend a class!"
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Hermione checked out the books she were reading and rushed to the charms class. She reached the class just before Flitwick entered. She sat between Harry and Ron, who were giving her questioning looks.
"I'll explain it later." She said dismissively.
"Yeah you better should. I mean library? Is that a code for snogging or something?" said Ron unbelievingly. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave her attention to Professor Flitwick.
"This year darlings," he paused to get the attention of the whole class, "is not only your last year but your N.E.W.T. year also. Therefore, I expect all of you to be attentive. When you need to be, be all ears, otherwise be all eyes!"
Hermione knew all of this. She was busy thinking how to make best of her last year. She got the idea to prank. Maybe even a prank war. This was their final year and they did not know how much time they had with old Voldy on the loose. Hermione nudged the boys and when she got their attention, she whispered:
"Marauders." Both boys looked at her like she was speaking Mermish.
"What about them?" Harry asked.
"Look guys, I know you love pranks and I think if we'll make a little of research we can make the best of this year." Ron's eyes widened with glee, Harry grinned.
"Mione, this is soooo bloddy cool. I mean do you know what we can do to those Slytherins?"
"Thanks Ron and I like imagining also." She said wickedly.
For the most of the class, they discussed this issue and it seemed as though most of the cruel ideas were focused on Parkinson and Malfoy. Hermione thought that she would put the pranks aside as they had a lot of time in front of them.
"Ms. Evangaliste, are you listening?" Hermione lifted her head from the desk and came face to face with Professor Flitwick.
"Uh-uh"
"Good," he looked at his eerie watch –which had a hand that whirled like crazy-, "anyway the class is dismissed." Ravenclaws and Gryffindors rushed to their next class.
"Erm, we have, uh… Here, I found the paper. We have DADA with Slytherins. Ugh." Ron said taking out a crumpled paper from his bag.
"Have you noticed how she looked like Malfoy's mother?" said Hermione.
"That Silverblood woman? Yeah, she didn't look like she had dung under her nose though." Harry said.
"Do you think she attended Hogwarts? I really would like to know which house."
"I think she might be a veela!" Ron said.
"C'mon mate, for you every girl with blonde hair is a veela!" teased Harry. "Next thing we know Mione's one too." Ron glared at him; Hermione chuckled.
"Don't worry Ronniekins. I'm not." Smiled Hermione.
"You better not" he said and started walking ahead of them. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and burst out laughing.
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When Harry and Hermione entered the DADA classroom they found Ron sitting on a chair at the back of the classroom, arms folded. There was Zabini from Slytherin and Neville, already seated. They nodded to Neville and sat beside Ron. Instantly Harry and Ron started talking about Quidditch. Like they do not have anything else to talk about huffed Hermione and saw that Neville was looking lonely and nervous. She took her bag and walked towards Neville's desk. She scowled when the boys did not notice her departure. Idiot Quidditch maniacs.
"Neville, may I sit with you?" she asked politely.
"Of course Hermione" Replied Neville.
"So, what did you do this summer?"
"Nothing out of ordinary. But oh…" he had a huge smile on his face, "my dad recovered," than his smile faded, "my mom's still unstable though".
Hermione smiled weakly. Although having Mr. Longbottom recover is brilliant news your mother giving you empty sweet wrappings is not that charming.
"Your father is fine now, that means your mother will recover soon. Don't worry." Desperately wanting to change the subject she asked what she was longing to ask.
"Do you know Professor Silverblood?"
"Infact, I do remember her." Hermione's face lit with happiness.
"From where?"
"That I can't remember" he blushed. "Sorry"
"Oh, don't be. Here she comes anyway."
There was a rush of students and when everyone was seated sound of clicking heels were heard, coming closer. Professor Silverblood was wearing midnight blue satin robes, which swayed along with her loose blonde hair. She went to the front of the class and faced the students. Most of the boys were looking at her lustfully, including Ron –who noticed Hermione's absence and shot her a curious look when he saw her sitting with Neville.
"Welcome to Defence Against Dark Arts. My name is Professor Crystal Silverblood. My intention towards this lesson is to get to know each other. Now if you would each tell me your name and your favourite Quidditch team… Lets start from this row, shall we?" she said, pleasantly yet distant.
"Patil, Parvati Patil. Tutshill Tornadoes." Ron sniffed from the back of the row. Hermione arched her brow at him.
"Lavender Brown. Lav for short. And ofcourse Tornadoes" This time Ron snorted. Hermione swung her head and glared at Ron. She knew he had a thing for Tornado fans but this was their first lesson with Professor Silverblood, there was no need to attract bad attention.
"Seamus Finnigan. Seamus for short." Mocked Seamus grinning. Lavender glared and looked away. "Wimbourne Wasps."
Professor Silverblood was listening apprehensively as if she learned more than their Quidditch teams.
"Dean Thomas. Not much of a Quidditch fan. I like football, West Ham."
"Uhm, Nev –Neville Longbottom…" but Neville was cut by a snide comment.
"Nev for shorters huh? Great nickname short brains" came Malfoy's hideous voice –well not hideous but it was not pleasant either. Slytherins laughed. Professor Silverblood paled but acted as if she did not hear him. She implied Neville to continue. When Neville did not say a word Hermione nudged him.
"Oww, umm, Wasps." He quickly sat back.
Hermione rose, "Hermione Aurelia Evangaliste-" Hermione thought she saw something in Professor Silverblood's eyes as she told her name but gave it to her imagination, as this became somewhat a habit, imagining things.
"Although I think Quidditch is dangerous-" she continued, but was once again stopped as Ron spat, "You have a bloddy Thunderbolt!" Boys gaped at her and some whistled. Hermione smiled. "Although I have a Thunderbolt and although I think Quidditch is dangerous I support Montrose Magpies."
It was Harry's turn. "Harry Potter-"
"The-boy-who-just-won't-die" Malfoy cut in, barely a whisper so that Professor Silverblood would not hear. Hermione looked at Harry and Ron with her special look she pleaded for them to ignore him. For her sake they did. Harry continued. If there was another cut Hermione made a mental note to scream her guts out.
"I support Montrose Magpies also. Sorry Ron" he grinned. Ron shrugged; at least it is not Tornadoes he thought.
"Ronald Weasley. Chudley Cannons 'till the end."
"What other team could a looser support?" snorted Malfoy. Before Hermione got to shriek Professor Silverblood's voice growled with anger.
"ENOUGH! This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. You may become a ferret once but you are human now! So act like it!" Malfoy's eyes came out of their sockets –not literally ofcourse-, along with the rest of the classes. "I tried to ignore you sir but this! Who are you to decide is someone is a looser or not! If any of you-" she looked at the whole class but mostly Slytherins, "act as uncivilized as this boy from now on," she sighed, "will be treated so."
What the hell! She looks like she is going to rip Malfoy's head off. He deserved it… She knew about Malfoy's ferret history. Who is she? Where do I recognize her from? She surely acted like a veela but she cannot be.
As Hermione was deep into her thoughts, it was Malfoy's turn. He got up offended and arrogantly.
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. Montrose Magpies." He said curtly and sat with his nose in the air. Hermione looked at him in disbelief. How could someone still act this arrogant? Hermione knew that this was not a Malfoy trait, not all Malfoy's at least.
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"How was your day Gin?" asked Hermione while putting some pasta to her plate.
"Lame. Except for DADA. She was boring at first, getting to know each other crap and all, but than she told us about the time she faced two unfriendly vampires. It was bloddy hilarious. She is fun!"
"Really?" said Harry in doubt. "She was so distant in our lesson. She asked about our teams and all but still..."
"Probably because of Malfoy. I mean he was really rude." Stated Hermione.
"What did he do?" asked Ginny.
Ron answered, "He was being himself. Malicious Arrogant Lame Fucking Obnoxious… well I couldn't find something for Y."
"Ron, get a life! Seriously." Ginny said.
"Yeah mate, did you like worked on it for some time?" grinned Harry. All of them laughed except for Ron.
Dinnertime was passing quickly as they joked and mocked each other. Well mostly Ron, as it was easy to get to his nerves. When Hermione looked at her watch she saw that it was time to go back to the common rooms and when she saw that almost everyone in the hall had left she decided to go back to her room before patrolling the corridors.
"Guys we should go." Hermione said.
"Why it's dinner time!" said Ron.
"Oh yes? So can you tell me why there is no food on the tables anymore? Be quick or I will have to give you detention!"
"Fine. Alright, don't get your knickers in a twist." Said Ron.
"Don't you worry I won't. Harry and Ginny already left." It was true, when she told them it was almost curfew they got up and went silently. Lovers, Hermione sighed how she whished to be in love.
"Are you happy now? I wasted a piece of apple pie there!" Ron was showing the pie he left with violent gestures.
"Live with it! Now shoo!" Hermione sent Ron away. She heard him mumble something about goody-two-shoes and bossy-two-shoes. Hah! Bossy-two-shoes! At least it is original.
Hermione went to her common room and sat on the comfortable sofa, put her legs on the table and closed her eyes. The second she was feeling relaxed she was disturbed by an unfriendly voice.
"Evangaliste. Evangaliste! Wake up pillow-head! As if it's not bad enough that I have to spend time with you patrolling I have to spend extra time by waking you up!"
"Shut up Malfoy!" whined Hermione, a minute ago she was so calm and relaxed.
"What was that? Yes, I know, a confession, right. I know darling that's the confession a girl has to make at some point in their lives."
"Only confession I have for you is the want to kill you. By the way, pillow-head? I mean c'mon! Pillow head! Are you seven?"
"What can I say, I have a young soul. Besides other than pillow-head I could have called you morning glory but I didn't think it would suit the occasion."
Hermione shrugged and got off the sofa. She went out of the room followed closely by Malfoy. They agreed to part their ways and patrol the school individually.
Thank Merlin he is gone. I cannot stand being in the same place with him. He is absolutely annoying. However, he was funny when he woke me. Still, he is a prat. Gee- is that Terry Boot and Hannah Abbot making out? Eww…
"50 pts from Hufflepuff for your inappropriate behaviour, 50 more for being outside at curfew." Hermione shouted. They ran like psychos. Hermione was satisfied. She enjoyed the power she held in her hands. "Thanks badge" she mumbled looking at her Head Girl badge. She walked down the dungeons. She thought Draco would already patrol the dungeons but she wanted to make sure that he did not treat other Slytherins differently. Just as she was returning to the stairs, she heard whispers.
"I told you how many times, if you do over dose you'll-" Hermione stuck out her head to see who's talking. She saw two boys, one facing her had raven coloured hair but she was unable to see his face. The other boy had curly brown hair. She took her head back, her heart pumping mad.
"What?" said the other boy.
"Shh! Someone's there!"
Hermione heard footsteps coming closer so she hid to the first place she could find. She opened the door right behind her and dived straight in to the classroom, locked the door with a spell. She was shaking; this was not her territory –the dungeons. She heard it was dangerous but she was the Head Girl! She should have kept her cool and given them detention but what was she doing? She was in a classroom hiding. Just as she was going to find a place to escape –she hated herself just by saying the word- the doorknob began to shake. Shaking became more violent each minute. Hermione heard voices outside the door, angry voices. The door began to shake by force used on the doorknob. Hermione was standing in the middle of the classroom, stunned, covering her mouth with her hand, trying not to shriek. Than everything went silent. Door stopped shaking and Hermione let out her breath. 'BAM' Suddenly the door opened, revealing a petrified Hermione.
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A/N: Who do you think it is? Hmm? Do I hear- No that's not it! Please review, it really boosts my wanting to write more)) Or I will send Mrs.Black to haunt you…