Chapter two – Just Like You?
That very next morning Hermione awoke from her slumber, she had a blissful sleep, she always did when at Hogwarts – this place acted more of a home then her own home in London. Hermione's eyes flicked open, she sat up to pull the curtains back that surrounded her bed to give her a little privacy. Her eyes scanned the whole dormitory – no one was in here put herself. 'Where is everyone?'She thought. Hermione lifted her wrist to check what time it was, the wrist watch read '7:43'. Hermione sighed to herself and dragged her limbs to her draws; she then began to get dressed, this time placing her new grey pencil skirt. It was a skirt that her mother had chosen, because she thought it would suit Hermione's curvy figure. Hermione had to hand it to her mother, she had been right; the skirt clung to Hermione's hips, showing the elegant slight curves she had. The grey skirt material started half way across her stomach, it ended just above her knees; the skirt was not too short, it came three and a half inches above her knees. Hermione stared in the mirror and smiled slightly, she had decided it was time she wore a little bit of make up – it was only subtle. She wore: charcoal black eyeliner, that made her eyes look soft and stand also, she had lip gloss on; a nude shade. Once she had applied the make-up she headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, she was hoping to find Harry and Ron to scold them for leaving her to sit with Snape on the train. Hermione examined the Gryffindor table to see if she could spot Harry or Ron. 'Finally, I have found them, buggers!' Hermione thought. Hermione stalked over to the where they were sat, ambushing the pair of them.
"Ron, Harry! How dare you leave me to sit on the train on my own, I had to share a carriage with Snape yesterday." Hermione complained in a whiney tone. The boys' eyes rolled, they were happy to see Hermione but they did not want to hear her moaning. "Hello to you too Hermione," Ron sarcastically said, shaking his head in annoyance.
"Hermione, you know we waited for you. We gave up after half an hour – got on the train and found a carriage. Sorry, you had to sit with Snivellus..." Harry responded, Ron sniggered and looked over to where Snape was sat. Hermione sighed and sat down on the wooden bench next to Harry, she gave Ron a cold stare – things were awkwardly complex between them ever since the Yule ball last year; Ron always resented the fact Hermione had gone with Viktor. Hermione blushed at the thought of Viktor; he had been the first person she kissed. Ron sighed, and decided he was not going to speak to Hermione and carried on eating his breakfast. Hermione briefly glanced at the teacher's table; she looked at Snape and smiled – a small smile at him. Snape eyes briefly glittered, and he nodded in acknowledgement of her smile, he then looked away.
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Their first lesson of the term was with the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, she looked as if a cotton candy machine had attacked her; with the amount of pink she had on. She had a fluffy, large pink jumper on that just made her look as if she were an over-sized pig. Her face looked an exact replicate of a toad's. Hermione sniggered to herself as she sat down at the solid wooden bench.
"What you laughing at?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing Harry," Hermione exclaimed sweetly. Hermione turned her head to focus on her work, the lesson was dragging, and they were running through the book 'Dark Arts Defence: Basic for Beginners', this was a book the Ministry of Magic supplied to the school; hence why Professor Umbridge was teaching it.
"What is wrong with her lately? She is acting weird" Ron muttered quietly to Harry.
"Yes, I know Ron. Maybe she is a little upset about the Yule ball – still and we did kind-of leave her to sit with Snivellus. Would you be happy if you had to do that?" Harry claimed; he was right of course. Hermione heard them discussing her but decided to ignore them – she was focusing on whatever Umbridge-toady-face was saying, Hermione knew she needed to improve on this subject. It had never been her strong point, but then again there were always rubbish teachers that taught this subject.
"Mr. Harry Potter, detention!" A sharp, posh, unpleasant voice shrieked; interrupting Hermione's thoughts, it made her jump a little. Umbridge's eyes evil stared through Harry, she had a screwed up face that was very hard no to laugh at; Hermione bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Harry stared back looking quizzical at Professor Umbridge's face; he did not dare speak or argue. Umbridge evilly glared at Potter before walking back to her desk. The lesson was finally drawing to a close; they all had learnt nothing really. Hermione's intelligence level was far more then what Umbridge had been teaching the class. Umbridge lacked enthusiasm and knowledge of the Dark Arts; she had spent all the lesson reading from the text book about vampires, Hermione could have taught this lesson to the class herself and have done a much better job. Hermione hoped the rest of the day would not drag on like this; she was already having an awful day. Once the lesson was over, everyone was dismissed one-by-one, Umbridge made sure Harry stay behind the rest so that she could shout at him more. Hermione and Ron stood waiting for him outside the classroom; there was a very awkward atmosphere between them both. Ron was the first to break the ice.
"Wasn't that a God damn awful lesson," Ron expressed his feelings. Hermione nodded in agreement. Luckily Harry came out looking a little red faced and clearly upset, this stopped Hermione from speaking to Ron.
"You alright mate? She is a bitch that one," Ron babbled looking at Harry as all three of them began to walk down the castle's hallways, next they had a Potions lesson with Snape; Hermione was actually excited about this lesson – could even say she was looking forward to it. Harry answered Ron's question "Yes. I am fine; she is nothing but pure evil! She said I was like my father..."
"Umbridge's out burst is clearly to deter the rest of the class not to annoy her, but there was no need for that from her. You did nothing wrong Harry. "Hermione stated the obvious truth; they were all now approaching the dungeons, they were a little late. Hermione hoped that Snape would not be on time otherwise they were stuffed. It was utterly freezing in the dungeon hallway, Hermione was relived seeing their class stood outside the classroom; Snape had not arrived yet. All three of them stood in the line and waited for Snape, Hermione leant against the stone walls wanting to do nothing more then sleep – a sudden shout from Draco Malfoy made Hermione jump.
"Filthy Mud blood, you really should not be at our school. It is meant for Wizards and Witches, not Mud bloods like you! Why do you not go back to Muggle land?" Draco began to manically laugh as he saw Hermione's smile drop, her expression had moulded into a scowl; a very angry one at that. Crabbe and Goyle joined in laughing, the clipping sound of a person's heel was echoing throughout the hallway; Snape had finally arrived. He was not impressed from what he had heard all the way as he was approaching the dungeons. He walked straight into the Potion's classroom and signalled for the class line to follow him into the room, except for Draco. All the class sat down at their desks pulling out the text book 'Magical Drafts and Potions', awaiting Professor Snape and Draco to re-enter the classroom. A faint shouting could be heard outside the door, Hermione strained her ears to hear it.
"Godson or not Draco, you think it is acceptable to go around calling a fellow student a 'Mud blood' is simply not expectable! I want you to apologise to Hermione then go to the headmaster; you can explain this to him!" Yelled Professor Snape, Draco's Shoulders slumped, he shrugged and trotted of to Professor Dumbledore's office. Draco refused to argue with his Godfather.
Snape walked into the lesson and looked over at Hermione; he mouthed "Have my apologies Hermione," he gave her a small smile. This instantly made Hermione feel a little more cheery, she did not know why. She began to smile with glee as Snape began to babble on about the Moonstone potion – she had already taught herself about this potion, and when Snape decided to tell them all he wanted to write an essay on it Hermione whizzed away writing it with speed. Ron and Harry looked on dumbstruck, like usual. They had no idea what they were supposed to do and Hermione as refusing to help them this time.
"You should have been listening to Snape's explanation... I need to get on with my work," Hermione said then looked down to continue with writing her essay. This lesson seem to go rather quickly for Hermione, it had in no way been boring. She had finished her essay way ahead of everyone else in the class, she handed it to Professor Snape; she wore a smug grin on her face.
"As always Granger you are being the know-it-all, I trust this is a potion you revised in the holidays? Well anyway, can you stay behind after class I need a word with you." Snape's tone was cold; he wore his usual straight faced, hard lip expression. He turned on his heel and paced back to his desk ready to start marking the essay Granger had given him.
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It came to the end of the lesson, everyone filed out rather quickly. It was break time, so everyone was eager to get away from their lessons quickly. Hermione told Ron and Harry to go on without her; she would see them later on – probably in another lesson. Hermione approaches Snape's desk with caution, he was still marking essays. He may not have looked up but he knew Hermione's presence was standing in front of his desk.
"Right Miss. Granger, firstly I am impressed with your essay – you really have done you homework on this. I am sorry for Draco's out burst earlier," Snape muttered, he looked up to hand Hermione back her essay, his eyes glowing a light shade of brown; his expression was soft. "And also Miss. Granger, I spoke to Poppy-erm Madame Pomfrey; I mean. About you being interested in Wartime healing, she agreed to let you begin to shadow her out of school hours; if you are interested? You really could learn a lot from her – she is an extraordinary healer, you would learn a lot from her." Professor Snape near smiled at Hermione. Hermione's smile arose once again; she could not believe what he was telling her. "Really? Sir, why would you do that for me?" Hermione spoke lightly.
"Just because I can Miss. Granger," Professor Snape smirked lightly "Well Granger off you go – go and see Madam Pomfrey, delight her with your company." Snape used his hands to point to the door. Hermione took the hint and grabbed her bag heading towards the hospital wing; to find Madam Pomfrey.