Filch's grip tightened on Hermione's petite wrist. She knew that this is something he lived for – getting students in trouble, watching as they were given detentions. He just about reveled in anything that made Hogwarts students miserable.
'Causing trouble in the open, eh Granger? Well, we'll just see about this!' he said with a sneer, and a bit of excitement in his voice.
You two,' he said, looking down and squinting at Harry and Ron, '-and you as well,' he said, looking at Draco, '-come with me…I do believe there will be some detentions to give out tonight, eh?' he said, flashing a smile full of yellow enamel and missing teeth.
Draco began to argue with Filch, but he would have none of it. It was futile to resist – Filch was in his element, and once you were caught…you were caught. The Trio, along with Draco Malfoy, walked along with Filch towards the dungeons. Argus Filch loved getting students into trouble. It did not matter who the student was - a detention or punishment made Filch fulfilled, in a morbid sort of way.
The four students soon arrived at the shabby-looking and mildly frightening door to the Potions classroom. The lighting was scarce, and Hermione thought that the hallway looked particularly creepy in the dim shadows. Filch pushed forward to bang on the door with the back of his fist, an old, rusty unlit lantern swinging in the other hand.
Within moments, they heard someone bellow the word, 'Enter.'
They walked in to find the Potions Master sitting at his desk. Papers were strewn about the desk in a somewhat neat fashion. There were two quills upon the desk, and a third that the Potions Master currently held in his right hand. Towards the front edge of his desk sat three bottles, two of a rather small size, one a bit larger. All were empty, clear of their contents. Seeing them reminded Hermione of the bottle she had received earlier. She made a mental note to thank Snape for his kind gesture.
'Professor Snape,' Filch drawled as he approached the older man, acknowledging the Professor behind the desk. 'I caught these four causing trouble out by the Great Hall.' He paused to look at Hermione. 'Particularly this one,' he said nodding towards Hermione. Hermione gave him a sneer that was truly priceless.
'How…unfortunate,' said Snape not even bothering to look up from his work, obviously annoyed that the students and Caretaker were interrupting. He continued writing for a few seconds, and finally looked up at the four students standing before him. Draco Malfoy was on the far left, mouthing something inappropriate and degrading to Ronald Weasley. Hermione stood next to Ron, glaring at Filch. Harry stood to the far right, next to Hermione, biting the inside of his cheek. Why Harry had a sandwich and a pear in his hands, Severus was not certain.
The students stood quietly in front of Snape, awaiting their punishment. Filch's eyes shifted back from student to student. He smiled an evil grin, and all of a sudden turned around. They heard a shuffling of feet on the stone floor, and the door slam behind them, signaling that Filch had left them alone with the Potions Master.
After a few moments of silence, the Potions Master carefully put his quill down and sat back in his seat, crossing his arms.
'Mister Malfoy,' he said, looking up at the blond haired boy, '-you may leave.' Severus put his head down, picked up his quill, and continued marking papers.
'But Sir-' Harry interjected, looking at the Potions Master, and then turning towards Draco, who had a smug look upon his face.
'Quiet Potter...I did not say that you may speak,' said Severus in a deadly tone, continuing to scribble on a piece of parchment.
'But Sir! He…he started the whole-' Harry interjected, pointing at the now smiling Slytherin boy.
Without even bothering to look up, Snape spoke.
'5 points from Gryffindor…I thought Miss Granger was the only one who couldn't keep her mouth shut…I daresay I was…mistaken…' he said, his voice trailing off.
Draco put his hands in his pockets. He turned with a grin and began walking. The Trio turned around as well to face the blond haired boy as he strutted towards the exit. Harry glared at Draco. Hermione sneered at him. Ronald gave Draco the finger, which in fact made the Slytherin chuckle.
'See you later guys,' waved Draco mockingly, exiting backward towards the entrance to the classroom. He then narrowed his eyes and spoke to Hermione.
'Til then...Mudblood,' he said, in the most hateful of tones.
Hermione turned around in a flash and grabbed an empty flask that sat on the edge of the Professor's desk. She turned and hurled it with all her might at the Slytherin boy, who ducked and closed the door just in time to avoid getting plummeted with a face full of glass. The flask hit the door straight on, and crumbled to pieces. The impact echoed about the room, leaving Harry and Ron with wide eyes and open mouths, staring at the woman who stood between them.
Hermione stood there silently and stared at the door, breathing somewhat heavily. Half of her didn't believe what she had just done. And as for the other half…she felt rather empowered…and justified. It was worth a detention. Worth losing fifty points for all she cared. Next time, she thought, Draco would not be as lucky….not lucky at all…
And while still facing the shabby looking door of the Potions classroom, staring at all of the glass that lie on the floor, she heard a deep voice behind her utter a single phrase:
'Nice aim, Granger.'