Chapter 4- Outburst
Shit. That was what I thought when I opened my eyes in the morning.
I smirked to myself slightly, of course I would go and screw everything up in one night. I wasn't cut out for all this sneaking around. I was just an ugly bookworm, I wasn't made for the spy life.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud at that thought. I pulled the covers under my chin and looked around, expecting to see all my fellow Gryffindors in their own beds. The room was completely empty, and it only took me a second to remember that I still had two weeks until term even started. That depressed me a little. Maybe I should have just stayed home and continued studying for n.e.w.t.s this year.
I suppose I could just hide around until Harry and Ron get here, or maybe Dumbledore will have them come early too. After my mistake with Severus, I needed all the distractions I could get. I wasn't even going to think about what happened with Malfoy. That was just mind-boggling.
I threw the covers off my, now sweating body, and went to the bathroom, intent on showering. I was just after eight in the morning, an acceptable time to wake up when I didn't have class. I could go down for breakfast, assuming Dumbledore was having it severed. I wasn't sure if they served breakfast to the staff in the Great Hall or not. I guess I would find out. After I ate could head to library to research …life debts. There had to be a way out of it without ….doing what happened last time. I wondered if anyone had this happened to them, but I hadn't had any time after the death eaters infiltrating the castle last year. I was surprised that Dumbledore even started the year with a smile. He was very cheerful, but I noticed how his eyes had stopped that irritating twinkling. He didn't seem all knowing anymore.
I had planned out my whole day, avoiding all human beings completely of course, and was pulling off my shirt to get in the shower. After my attack and arguments all night I hadn't had energy to shower. I reached behind my back to unsnap my bra, when a booming voice echoed from the stair in the common room.
"MISS GRANGER!"
I didn't stop to think about my state of undress, I just ran to the bottom of the stairs, my chest heaving. Severus and Malfoy stood at the bottom, though Severus looked thoroughly pissed, while Draco was remotely calm. At least until he spotted me. He just stared with wide eyes after that.
"What in the name of Merlin are you thinking? I thought someone was attacking!" I reprimanded. Severus calmed enough to realize how bare my upper body was. Malfoy had been staring the whole time, but I'd been to angry to be embarrassed. I knew that while my face wasn't the most attractive, my body certainly was.
Severus's eyes widened. Great Malfoy opened his mouth. Here come the sexual comments. He didn't disappoint either.
"Well, Granger, there isn't anyone in the school who would be in a state of undress with you, so I can only conclude that you were having a party of one up there."
My jaw dropped in astonishment. He really just said that in front of a professor? Incredible.
"Actually, Malfoy, I was just about to get a shower when our beloved Potions Master screamed bloody murder. So no, I wasn't having a part of one, any party of mine would consist of at least five."
I was too insulted to think about how petty our argument was. What could I say? He gets under my skin.
Malfoy looked surprised at my come back, and opened his mouth to say something equally vulgar when Severus spoke.
"Perhaps you should finish …your party of one, and then we'll speak later."
I had no idea that I would snap at that . I would have expected him to be professional no matter, he had my respect after all, but he was almost worse than Malfoy. I was so angry that I had a magical outburst. I didn't mean to of course and I hadn't had one since I was 9 years old. I learned control easily, but this new power level wasn't something I was used to.
The magic spiraled out of my body and shattered the glass windows, that were charmed to not break under any crash. I checked in Hogwarts, a history once. The windows used to be broke so often that a few centuries back the headmaster put up the unbreakable charms. Those charms might have not even been there at all.
The walls shook slightly and I felt the room sway before my eyes. I gained control just as quickly as I lost it and repaired the windows with a wave of my hands. My whole body was shaking with the strain of the magic. My body just couldn't control it well enough yet.
"Miss Granger?" Severus said uncertainly. I could detect fear in his voice. Good.
"Get out. I'll be in the library if you don't value your life, come and speak to me. If I were you I would send Malfoy. Good day Professor."
I turned and stalked up the stair, aware that my body was quivering strangely. That had been so unexpected.
I turned on the cold water and stepped under it, hoping to cool of my sweating body. I was still dress in my bra and jeans, but I could feel the magic barely under my control. My finger tips were tingling, just wanting the magic out. I wouldn't let it, though. It wasn't safe to let it out, I knew that much. The cold water was working just like I hoped and my body was cooling down enough that I was shivering. I stepped out of the shower gave up properly washing my hair. It was wet anyway. I pulled on knew clothes, wishing I hadn't slept in my favorite jeans. Oh well, I had more pairs just like them.
When I was decent and my hair in a to braids I gabbed my books, pencil and paper. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I needed them too. I needed to know what was happening to me. It wasn't fair that after what I thought had been a good thing was now biting me in the arse. It wasn't right.
I stomped down the stairs and realized I didn't have shoes on. I got so used to not wearing them at home. I guess it didn't matter, I at least had on my socks. Granted they had red and blue stripes on them, but socks nonetheless. I pushed open the library door, or tried too. It was locked. Damn. I was hoping Dumbledore would have unlocked it for me when he decided I could come to Hogwarts early. What did he expect me to do for two weeks?
I knew I should go to breakfast and then ask him to let me in, but I was impatient now that I knew I didn't have perfect control over my magic. I wanted to make sure I didn't hurt anyone. I could have easily shatter Severus instead of the windows. He probably already told Dumbledore about my extraordinary power by now, so I had limited time until I was questioned about it. That's why I took down the ward that would let Madam Pince know if anyone broke in and used a simple, Alohomora, to unlock the door.
I slipped inside silently and went to the restricted section, breaking through those wards easily. I set my things on a near by table and went skimming the shelves to find something that looked promising. Life debts wouldn't be on the reading list for sure. What student would even have a life debt? Except me and Draco Malfoy of course. I guess Harry had one, but that would be why he was powerful. He owed his mother his life and he received increased power when she died in his place, protecting him. He had more power than normal, but I had much more and I didn't understand why. The life debt I'd invoked shouldn't have given my so much power.
I shook my head hastily. I didn't need to remember that right now. I needed to understand before I went reliving anything.
I pulled down three book and returned to my table and began reading. I didn't get very far when I heard footsteps. I thought it might be filch , but when I connected to the wards I saw it was Severus and Malfoy.
I put the books away, committing their names to memory and started drawing in my journal, calming my nerves. Severus really shouldn't have come.
"Miss Granger, kindly refrain from injuring anything and come with us to see the headmaster." Malfoy looked troubled, but didn't say anything. I put my things in my bag and stepped in front of him to go out the door first.
"He is in his office." Severus added suddenly, as if I didn't know that. Well, Severus didn't know that I really did know where everyone was. I wanted to take my stuff back to my room, but knew Severus wouldn't like my detour. I let him say the password, Lemon drops, and followed him up the stairs that led to the headmaster's office. My socks were thinning out from so much walking, so I muttered a thickening charm and a cleaning charm, because I was sure they were black on the bottoms.
"Granger, what in the world are you wearing on your feet?"
"Socks, Malfoy, surely you know what socks are?" I said sarcastically. It wasn't my fault that I didn't have on shoes, I hadn't planned on seeing another human being today, if you could call Malfoy or Severus human. They were both very, private and complex people. People I didn't have the patience for today or any other day in the near future.
Malfoy was about to say something else when we walked into the headmaster's office.
"Miss Granger! Nice to see you. Thank you Severus for bringing her. Mr. Malfoy would you have a seat? You too, Miss Granger."
He was faking his happiness, that much was clear. He looked overtired and older than usual. I sat down as asked and waited for him to speak.
"Severus told me what happened this morning."
I sighed and looked out the window. I was bored really. I knew what Dumbledore would try and do. He would want to use me in the war. He would do anything to save Harry, and I would think that was wonderful, if he didn't go to such extreme measures.
"Your point? I'm not saying a word about it." I said firmly.
Dumbledore stared at me in surprise. " Hermione, I don't think you realize-"
"That would be Miss Granger, Professor." I said sharply. Everyone fell silent, not that anyone besides us had been talking. The silence was tense for a moment before Dumbledore continued speaking.
"Miss Granger, I don't think you realize the amount of power it would take to shatter those windows. The charms are strengthened by myself and Minerva at the end of each year."
That was surprising, but I'd figured the charms had to be powerful.
"Professor, I understand, really, I just don't want to discuss this. It's of no concern to you, no offense."
Severus wouldn't agree I was sure.
"You could have injured Mr. Malfoy or myself earlier today Miss Granger."
"Do not tell me what I could have done. You lost my respect this morning, Professor and I really don't think I can take another argument with you today without damaging anything else. I'm learning control, please don't ruin my efforts."
I was just so angry with him. I had trusted Severus so much, and I still did to an extent, but that comment was so degrading and hurtful from him that I just reacted badly. I was still reacting badly.
"Lost your respect? I didn't do a thing. You came down on your own the way you did. I it wasn't a fault of mine."
"No it wasn't. I expected the comment from Malfoy, but you just tagged along. You're an adult, you should know better."
"What comment are you talking about?" He really looked clueless.
"You said, verbatim, ' Perhaps you should finish your party of one and then we'll speak later.' I think you should remember that."
"I don't recall saying that." He said stiffly, and he was lying. I could tell from his tone.
"Lair." I snarled, and my arms started tingling.
"You dare call me a lair?" He hissed angrily.
"Yes! I may lie, but at least I have an unselfish reason for doing it. Your just trying to save your own arse."
No one said anything until Dumbledore's glass vase exploded suddenly. I didn't even realize I'd done it until Malfoy was cursing. A piece of glass had lodged itself in his arm. I had a moment of déjà vu, before I walked to his side.
"Can I help?" I whispered so only he could hear. He nodded curtly, and I didn't blame him for being angry. The piece of glass was pretty big and lodge deep in his arm. I grunted when I viciously ripped it out. I always thought faster was better. Beside if I'd magically removed it, I could accidentally take something else with the glass. I sealed the wound over and returned to my seat. I could see Severus healing his own small injury and Dumbledore, of course wasn't injured in the least.
"Sorry about that, Professor." I muttered angrily. I really was sorry I'd ruined his vase, but I was still upset with Severus who still refused to admit to saying what he had.
"Well, I think we all need a break. I'll speak with you all another time."
I couldn't wait to get out of the room, but I froze when I touched the door knob.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" I exclaimed. I heard Malfoy snort and Severus muttered disapproval. I couldn't listen to that though. I opened the door and took off running. My bag hit against my side painfully, but I kept running until I was back in the restricted section and alone. It was all a test, Severus wanted to show Dumbledore how unstable I was. It worked too. Dumbledore could have me leave the school or even turn me into the Ministry. God, I thought I was smart! I should have known the moment he came into the library. Malfoy looked uncomfortable with whatever was going on then. It was so obvious now. I sighed and sank down into a nearby chair. My stomach growled and my head throbbed with the magical outburst. Two in less the three hours. That was insane!
"Granger, I could hear your stomach five miles away."
"Piss off, Malfoy." I groaned, cursing myself for not checking the wards to see if he followed me.
"That is not a very nice thing to say to some who owes there life to you."
I flinched. Why in the hell did he keep bringing that up!
"I knew it. I knew a life debt had something to do with what was making you so bitchy. So, come on, tell the exciting story about how you became super girl."
"You should not stick your ungodly face into other people's business, Malfoy." I snapped, but my heart was racing. How did he figure it out! It took me weeks to figure it out!
"My face is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen and we both know it. Now, I wont ask again."
I looked up finally and frowned at him. He could really think I would tell him.
"I hate do this to you, I really do." I said softly.
He hesitated before looking around. " Do what?"
I took the anti apparation wards down and sent him through them and into his room. I put the wards up again quickly and checked to make sure he hadn't been splinched.
He was fine and I just felt like I needed to sleep again for weeks. Why couldn't anything be easy?
A/N: I worked harder on this chapter, I hope things are starting to make more sense. Reviews are appreciated!