A/n: So, you've figured out the 'u' patterns on the chappies yet? hehehe. Well, here's chapter 4, where Vivien and Hermione get in a particularly interesting ordeal. Hope you like it!! Please read and review!!!
His Sister?!
Chapter 4: Unbelievable
The next couple of weeks with Defense against the Dark Arts went on smoothly. Professor Malfoy sure knew what she was doing, she knew all about the Dark Arts alright, and how to overcome it. She treated Draco as her student, and didn't give much preference. That's what Hermione admired about her. She was fair, humble and extremely clever. However, she didn't sound like she swallowed a textbook (like Hermione), there was always her opinion along with the facts. Although she was teaching a very complex subject, she still found a way for the students to enjoy while learning.
One day after a D.A.D.A class, Hermione stayed behind to talk to Professor Malfoy.
"Er…Professor," she started awkwardly. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure, Ms.Granger." the young Professor plainly. "What would you like to talk about?"
"Well…it's about, um, how you- ,"
Professor Malfoy held up a hand and said slowly, "Hermione, I may not know Legilimensia, but I think I know where this is going."
Hermione blushed scarlet for being addressed by her first name.
"You doubt my relationship with Draco-,"
"It's not that I-," Hermione reasoned but the Professor continued as if not interrupted.
"-and your friends think I'm a fraud and not really a Malfoy."
"I..." Hermione's voice faltered and remained in awkward silence.
"Hermione, you're a very clever witch, I can see that." Professor Malfoy explained kindly. "But you've got to learn to trust someone. Be prepared to risk it. That's what defeating the Dark Arts is all about. You've got to have not only vigilance but instinct of whom to have faith in." She smiled kindly and turned to leave.
"Um, Professor, it's not only that."
"Yes? What is it?"
"I need your help." Hermione said in a whisper.
Professor Malfoy smirked enthusiastically and said, "See me at my office at 7:00 tonight."
Hermione merely nodded, and she left the room.
"What took you so long, Hermione?" Ron whispered in Potions.
"I-I, had a conversation with Professor Malfoy." Hermione replied uncertainly.
"About what?" Harry muttered inaudibly while chopping up his ginger roots.
"About Dark Arts stuff." Hermione retorted. "Never you mind."
Harry and Ron knew better than to press on to the topic and continued to brew their Wit-Sharpening potion.
During dinner, Hermione seemed to be in a trance every now and then. She kept staring into nothing and coming out of her daze momentarily to check the time.
"Hermione, is there something you're not telling us?" Harry hesitantly asked.
"I'm going to meet Professor Malfoy at seven o'clock." She said sternly.
"Why?" Ron interjected.
"I-I, I'm going to ask her about yesterday's homework, I think I didn't do it quite right."
Hermione felt stupid for having to lie to Harry and Ron. Besides, why would she want to hide that Professor Malfoy was going to help her in defending herself. She was too embarrassed about being too vulnerable. She was going to help defeat Voldemort wasn't she? Then she had to work hard to strengthen herself, and now wasn't the time to hear Harry and Ron's snide remarks about Professor Malfoy. In her own opinion, Hermione thought the Professor was quite nice.
At the struck of seven o'clock, Hermione bid goodnight to Harry and Ron and went up to Professor Malfoy's office. She knocked three times and heard a whisper of come in from inside. She went in, and like Draco, was astonished by the room (even more; because of the books)
"Wow, Professor, I didn't know you liked books." Hermione said brightly.
"Are you kidding? I adore them!"
"Me too!!" Hermione exclaimed.
"They're just so…"Professor Malfoy wondered out loud.
"Fascinating." They both said at the same time. They chuckled at each other's analogous choice of words.
"You know, I see a lot of myself in you, Hermione. You're very brave and awfully clever. And of course, you tend to be such an insufferable know-it-all."
"You seem to know a lot about me, Professor." Hermione muttered awkwardly.
"My brother is quite fond of telling tales about you, actually." Professor Malfoy marveled out loud.
"Did he really say all those things about me?" Hermione muttered, awestruck.
"Well, actually, those are my own interpretation of what he had said. It was quite perplexing, really. First he compliments you without noticing it and when he realizes what he is talking about; quickly goes on to insulting you."
"Really?" Hermione muttered absent-mindedly scanning the room. He found the portraits that hung on the wall. "Is that little boy in the portrait, Malfoy?" Hermione inquired, gesturing towards a portrait with a little boy who looked absolutely adorable, even though he wasn't smiling.
"Yes, that's him when he was five." Professor Malfoy reminisced for a moment before looking at Hermione as though waiting for her to say something.
"Um…Professor Malfoy I-,"
"You could call me Professor Vivien if you like. I know that you clench your teeth while saying Malfoy with Professor. I know you loathe my brother." The young Professor grinned cheerily at Hermione.
"Yes, Professor. I just wanted to ask a favor."
"I know you do. And I'm going to help you defeat him."
"How did you-," Hermione muttered, dumbstruck.
"It does not matter. I know you would ask that question. I've seen you perform in class, and I'm sorry to say that you're reflexes are too slow and murmuring a couple of defensive spells isn't everything you need to help defeat Lord Voldemort," Hermione was surprised that Professor Vivien was not afraid of saying His name. "You'll need cunning and stealth in order to get into his mind. I understand that being a Gryffindor you're supposed to be noble and brave and never back out in any fight, but that's only going to make you attack him and you will not be able cast an able defense."
"I understand that, Professor, that's why I'm asking for your guidance. I want to learn more spells and jinxes. I want to help Harry defeat him with spells he is not aware of. We want to bolt from the blue, when he least expects it."
"You will. Because I'm going to train you."
