Downside of Aging Potions - Chapter Nine
"Higher, she can keep you loaded,
Feeding you whiskey and wine.
Fire, the devil's on the phone,
He laughs and says you're doing just fine."
-Eagles, A Good Day in Hell
She walked behind him to Charms, and then stopped him to ask, "What exactly did you do back there?"
He shrugged, "I just froze the spell so it wouldn't hit you. It only works for simple spells really, so I was surprised it worked. But it will only freeze for about ten seconds. Did you want to get hit?" He asked, tease at the corners of his mouth.
"No, no, of course not. But I...I don't know..." She said quietly. She was still overwhelmed by what Malfoy had said. She was lucky he never mentioned Diagon Alley. But was that what the school thought too? She had been with sleeping with... Snape?
This was a disaster; it could ruin her reputation forever.
She sighed, "Let's go."
He opened his mouth to say something, but then changed his mind. He followed her to Charms class.
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They were the first one's there, thankfully. Hermione was talking to Professor Flitwick and Snape was looking at everything with distaste and loathing.
He had hated charms when he was in school, and he hated it now.
People started coming in, and whispered stuff to their friends when they saw 'Sloan' and Hermione, who were sitting next to each other. Again.
If a teacher weren't present...
"Don't let them get to you." Snape said quietly to her. She realized her hands were clenched in her lap.
It was funny how the tables had turned after Malfoy's little encounter.
She relaxed some at the sound of his voice, but when Malfoy strutted into the room, she boiled with anger again.
Class started.
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The class didn't go over so well, everyone was still whispering things when they looked at Hermione or Snape. She was getting very annoyed.
Finally, when class was over, she and Snape left for Care of Magical Creatures early.
Dumbledore set it up so they had all their classes together except History of Magic, which Hermione with the other Gryffindors and with the Ravenclaws while Snape would have Muggle Studies.
Hermione was dreading that class. She didn't know what she would do if they ganged up on her or something and Snape wouldn't be there to 'save' her.
Luckily, History of Magic was the last class of the day and would be later.
She greeted Hagrid. "Hi Hagrid."
"Hello Hermione, who is that?" He gestured towards Snape.
"My name is Sloan." Snape said before she could answer.
She frowned and said, "I can't wait until class starts." Then the two of them sat down by the lake. They still had about seven minutes until class started.
"How come you didn't let me tell Hagrid your 'name?' Afraid I'll slip?" She teased.
"Yes." He said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Hermione looked indignant, "I will not!" She insisted.
They sat looking at the lake for a few minutes. It was calming and she was forgetting about Malfoy.
And all that was ruined when, "Aww, look at the two love-birds." The sneering voice came from behind them.
Hermione turned around, "Go away, Malfoy; I don't recall us saying you could join us." She snapped.
"This is my class too, Granger. I can be here if I want." He said childishly.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"If you hate us so much; why do you bother to talk to us?" Snape challenged.
Malfoy seemed to not have a response, until he said, "I don't hate you...Sloan, was it? No, see, you are a Slytherin. I have a few questions I need to ask you." Malfoy said in a business-like voice.
"Ask away; but I can't promise you an answer.
"Not with the Mudblood present." Malfoy drawled.
In less then a second, Snape was on his feet, wand already in hand. He looked beyond angry, nearly livid.
"Say that again, Malfoy; I dare you." Snape said dangerously. Hermione stood slowly.
It reminded her so much of when he was yelling at someone in potions for doing something wrong.
Fear was easily seen in Malfoy's face. He didn't even cover it up. He stared at Snape's wand like it would explode. "Nothing to say? Then leave." Snape said.
Malfoy turned walked away like a puppy with his tail between his legs. Crabbe and Goyle followed him.
Snape put away his wand glaring at Malfoy.
"Professor..." She was lucky she whispered it because they had another crowd.
He turned to face her, "Come on. Class is starting." She followed him. She thought it was better not to say anything until he cooled down.
She knew better than to bug him in a mood like this.
Class passed tensely, awkwardly. Malfoy was scared stiff of Snape, as well as just about everyone else. At least the whispering had stopped; they probably figured 'Sloan' would blow their brains out if they said anything.
Defense Against the Dark Arts next.
She wondered what would happen in this class.
All she knew was: if everyday classes went like this, she and Severus would get into serious trouble.
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