Chapter 4

The story of Ron walking out of class had spread through the school faster than the mud that came in on students' shoes in winter, although Filch wasn't quite as angry, as the floors were still clean. There were two stories circulating. One obviously from the Slytherins, that Professor Snape had disarmed Ron out the door onto his ass, and the other from the Gryffindors, or rather Ron, in which he had deliberately made his potion explode as Snape leaned over it, before strolling out the door and locking it behind him by victoriously screaming 'Alohamora!' The first years were extremely impressed, however it was clear to the older students that a NEWT student should know a more effective spell. Naturally, the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students were left to make up their own mind on which story was most believable.

Ron felt the real hero as the young student's asked him to tell them the story over and over, some of them had not even had any of Snape's classes yet, but still looked on in awe as Ron 'recalled' his triumph over the Potions Master.

"Seriously Ron, that was silly." Said Hermione, "The fact that you got up and walked out of potions was bad enough, let alone that you're lying about what REALLY happened."

"But did you see Snape's face! He didn't know what to think!" answered Ron.

"Nah mate, I think he was trying to decided which curse to use," piped up Seamus.

"The point is…" said Ron, "that I don't have to do potions for the semester! No more cold, dank dungeons for this Weasley! And now I have a spare class!" Hermione shook her head.

"Ron, you know Professor McGonagall will give you another class in it's place?" Hermione answered.

In fact, Ron was now signed up for Herbology, it being one of the only classes with a space left. Ron was not happy. However Neville was over the moon.

"Ron, you can work with me if you'd like, this is great! None of my other friends did Herbology!"

"Yeah, great Neville." Mumbled Ron.

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The first week of school was soon over, and most of the students were enjoying the sun, and hanging by the Great Lake. But not Hermione. Not when there was work to be done. In her opinion, it was better to get ahead (or even further ahead), while life was quiet, because no doubt something would happen eventually, it always had. Yes, her own experience told her this was a good idea. Sure, Harry and Ron still thought he was crazy, but she was used to it at this point in her life. She had at least compromised, and studied under a tree by the lake for a while, but there were too many distractions and she needed books from the library anyway.

As she walked through the corridor to the library, and stood by the student board to check the house point's tally, she heard footsteps swiftly coming up behind her. Professor Snape.

"Miss Granger," he started as he reached her, Hermione prepared herself for a snide remark, but was shocked when he handed her some sheets of parchment.

"What's this?"

"You requested notes for advanced study…" Snape replied.

"Oh, thank you Professor." She squeaked in shock.

"Oh, and a note for use of the restricted section when you reach part three" Snape added, handing her another, smaller, piece of parchment quickly, before walking away abruptly.

'Well, that was random' thought Hermione, as she smiled to herself, looking at Snape's signature on the permission notice. This roughly written text gave her all she could have hoped for. She couldn't wait until part three to use the restricted section.

Ron and Harry only got more frustrated as the weekend went by, as Hermione would not pull her head out of an old large book with a thick, heavy cover.

"Hermione, I know you like reading, but this is ridiculous!" sighed Ron as he and Harry played exploding snap in the Gryffindor common room.

"Well, I'd be able to read quicker if those cards stopped exploding" replied Hermione half heartedly,

"In which case, you'd go and get an older, bigger book the second you'd finished that one" added Harry. "Seriously Hermione, put it down – let's go see Hagrid or something. Take a break." Hermione put the book down,

"Not a bad idea actually, my eyes are getting tired – I need some fresh air… Hurry up Ron, let's go!"

"Oh sure, the second Harry makes a suggestion it's a good one," Ron answered as Hermione closed the book and took it back up to her dormitory.