A/N: I do not own HP.
Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and sorry it took so long to post!
Chapter 16: As time goes by....
The following Monday found Hermione, trudging, if not tentively to her first class, Advanced Potions. After a rather quiet and uneventful remainder of the week where she was subjected to many visits from her two closest friends, as well as Ginny and Neville, Hermione found that she was itching to begin her day as as normal as she so desperately desired.
Although she has yet to have felt the upcoming (and so far unavoidable) aging process, she could not help but to be apprehensive for the days ahead. Knowing they draw nearer and nearer....Hermione shoke her head of such thoughts and tried to concentrate on her small steps ahead of her.
As she wandered to the Potions Classroom, after spending a quiet breakfast (or there-lack-of as she just pushed around some eggs and nibbled on toast) in her rooms, she debated the situation she was in and how the school of Hogwarts would react to her sudden advancement in age. She knew that the Gryffindors, through thick and thin, would stand with her with only a few jeers and comments (and perhaps cat-calls from Seamus?), Hermione was sure.
The Ravenclaws would silently analyze her situation and perhaps spread a few, if not the most hurtful rumors. Hufflepuff would likely agree without saying to much to Hermione but Slytherin, she sighed. Slytherin would likely give her the most trouble.
She knew that her precarious position as 1/3 Gryffindor's Golden Trio would elevate her status as the center of intrigue. But with her sudden aging, this would cause much disturbance in the more prodominant and influencial Jr. Deatheaters and Co (to use a Muggle term, she thought on a whim) and would put her in a more dangerous position than she was already in as Harry Potter's best friend.
Hermione glanced above the ceiling as she gathered much needed strength. The little she had gained over the past few days has only given her the force needed to go forth, continue her education as if nothing has or ever will occur.
Carrying her books and texts, she passed by the alcove nearest to the classroom, wishing she could only just sit there for the remainder of the morning reading 'Hogwarts" A History' but Professor Snape, she knew, would not have anything of it. He encouraged her to be 'as normal as necessary' to avoid undesired attention from his wards.
Luckily , she was the first to arrive in the classroom (applauding herself for keeping her good habits) even before the darkened Professor had yet to arrive. She chose a seat nearest to the front (as per her usual, she mused) and arranged her texts just so.
As everyone started to trickle in, including an 'Oi, Hermione!' from Ron and a shoulder squeeze from Harry, she glanced over to a nervous Neville Longbottom and gave him a small, but tentative, smile.
'You'll be fine, Neville. Just read the instructions and don't worry so much.' Hermione said, as was her regular reassuarance to her friend. Confident that he was somewhat subdued, Hermione looked ahead (and forward) to her lessons.
As Professor Snape stormed into the classroom with his billowing mass of black robes (when has it changed the last six years? mused Hermione) she felt a twinge through her right arm and a painful gasp was heard as the class peered over to a doubled-over Hermione Granger, who vainly attempted to stiffle her outburst. Professor Snape stopped close to the desks as he regarded the classroom's response.
'Here the Mudblood goes again,' snickered Draco Malfoy as he elbowed Nott in humor, while eyeballing his intellectual nemesis. Severus Snape chose to ignore his Godson's juvinile attemps at comedy as he regarded his pupil with concealed concern, while stalking towards the disturber in question.
'Missssssssssss Granger.' hissed the Potions Master as he eyed the bushy-haired student. (Tread carefully, thought Severus). 'If you are unwell to attend classes, I HIGHLY recommend you go to the infirmary until you have been cleared (by me, he added quietly).
Glancing up to his dark eyes, Hermione understood through her glossy and pain-streaked eyes what needed to be done and gave a swift, promt and quiet 'Yes Sir' before packing up and slipping (no so graciously) from her chair and out the classroom door. Pausing only slightly to catch her breath, she continued out into the hall and out of the Potions Master's viewing range. Glancing back at her companions, Professor Snape was surprised to see faces of understanding as they also eye-balled their friend silently out the door.
'They must have been informed,' thought Snape as he stalked back venemously but slighly relieved, to the chalkboard. Hoping that he could continue through the remainder of the the class uninterrupted, he couldn't help but feel a little concerned for the Gryffindor Princess as she trudged back up through the castle unattended.
'I should summon Albus after this lesson to see she is watched by the paintings, just in case...' Snape thought moments later as he visciously berated Neville Longbottom for completely destroying another cauldron in recording timing. Why am I always looking out for the Gryffindors?
As he pondered Hermione's predicament, the student in question slumped over in the nearby dark alcove, after passing out while dropping her most loved text on the stone cold floor beside her tiny, shaking frame.
tbc...
A/N: Has she aged? Stay tuned! ;)