Raised with Magic

Chapter Sixteen: Watching

Apparently, I had fallen asleep crying because when I woke up I was in my new room. I was wearing my pajamas and was deeply burrowed into the blankets and pillows of my bed. This was the first time I had slept without having to levitate something for an hour first. Levitating something, or really any use of my magic for a while, makes me sleepy. Always.

Changing didn't take me long and not knowing what I was supposed to do, I went into the common room. Aunt Minerva was seated in one of the chairs working on something. I assumed that this would normally be something she did in her office, but she might have thought she needed to stay close to me. I felt grateful but guilty. I don't like when people change their plans for me.

I may be a little kid but I am a smart little kid. I know not to stab myself with pointy objects and not to talk to strangers. I know how to keep my self entertained and am a good judge of what I should and shouldn't be getting myself into. As far as babysitters go, I'm very much so self-sufficient. The thing is, I'm five. Some people just don't know how to determine what cancels out what.

"How did you sleep Child?" She asked gently urging me to eat something off the breakfast spread on the table. I started to nibble on a muffin before answering her as I eyed the pumpkin juice. Luna was the one that introduced me to pumpkin juice. Actually, I think I might have had some in the hospital but if that was pumpkin juice it was nothing like what I drank once I was set free.

"It feels like I only closed my eyes for a moment." I confessed. Aunt Minerva looked at me with pity in her eyes and I hated it. Maybe I should have lied, again. "I think I'm going to go find Hagrid. Thank you for everything Aunt Minerva." I was out the door before she could protest. I hope she doesn't fret over me but I couldn't stay there without jeopardizing any relationship existing between us. I can only lie so many times before things are entirely too false to be real. Then I flee.

I really should have gone strait to Hagrid's, but I found myself exploring. I had no doubts that Uncle Albus would know exactly where I was if he wanted to. So I didn't worry for too long over Aunt Minerva's reaction to me leaving.

The castle fascinates me. The structure, paintings, staircases, secret passages ways, everything in her greatness. I had countless conversations with portraits, ghosts, and suits of armor. They were all unlimited sources of information and they wanted to share what they know as much as I want to hear it all. They are like talking, moving books which are brimming with life. I don't think I could ever tire of this place. I can see why the professors are so willing to make their lives here.

I learned about the Unicorn Protection Acts, Dragons, The Headless Hunts, the different houses, the locations of many of the passageways and other miscellaneous information that thrilled me. I wonder if students take the time to learn about the school, because the paintings did seem to eye my weirdly, because of my attention, I think.

I was about to talk to a painting with a pretty lady in a sky blue dress when I heard a familiar voice. An unhappy voice, "Miss Granger, what are you doing!" Professor Snape called sternly. I had just finished talking with the portrait of Felipe Monroe, a former charms professor. Who had gladly demonstrated different wand movements.

"Hello Professor, I was just doing a bit of exploring before I head down to meet with Hagrid."

"So it would seem." He drawled unhappily. "Did it ever occur to you that you may be too young to wonder the school unaccompanied?"

"No. I assumed that the portraits would report to Uncle Albus about my activities and location if he asked. Or if I somehow got myself into some trouble."

Professor Snape raised his eyebrow in that way that I am beginning to become very familiar with. "And tell me Miss Granger why would you assume that?" I could tell I am correct, he just wants my reasoning. Maybe I should have instead told him that I would never get myself into any trouble on purpose. But that would probably be pointless, because really, why would anyone go looking for trouble?

"Because it would be completely stupid to entrust only a handful of adults with the responsibility of hundreds of students all experimenting with magic. The portraits and ghosts are too valuable a resource to not use." I wish he would let himself smile because he might have just then. I felt far more pleased than I should.

"Come Miss Granger, it is time you meet with Hagrid." The Professor started to lead me towards the main entrance way. I will have to talk to on of the paintings about entrances, there must me more then that one, especially because the term main indicates that there are others as well.

I think that he likes me, Professor Snape that is. Why else would he walk me there himself when I just explained how it was basically unnecessary. "Professor, may I ask you something?"

"Very well."

"I was reading about Sarnia Crowell," I knew he would know everything with only the name. So I only offered my confusion. "and I don't understand how the noxarian potion actually works." He knew what I meant. The potion was the only known potion which used pepper due and lacewing flies together without dangerous and negative results.

"Crowell was a unique potion mistress. I assume you are aware that your Mum combines potions and charms for her experiments." I nodded and carefully stepped onto a staircase. "Crowell was similar, however, was much more reckless and mixed potions with transfiguration. Had she focused less on controversial potions, her methods may have been accepted." I didn't need want to ask about what potions she brewed. My book barely spoke of a few of hers and I could tell by the way it avoided her others that it would not be pleasant. Sometimes, curiosity is best left alone. I don't like unpleasant things. "She would use transfiguration to alter the material of the cauldron during the brewing process. As you know, it is greatly frowned upon to brew in a un-pure cauldron."

"Un-pure?" I asked, the term had never come up in any of my readings. I only knew that which material used for brewing is particularly important. Also, that it is extremely important to test the material of a cauldron no matter where you buy it because sometimes people try to rip you off, or are plain stupid, and many potions really need to be brewed in the right material, or BOOM.

"A cauldron that is not naturally composed of the required material."

"So, the lacewing flies and pepper due worked together because a pewter cauldron was transfigured into gold?"

"The process only worked once. Do not attempt the potion Miss Granger." He was deadly serious about this and I knew that I would not question his judgment. In a way it seemed like he cared. For some reason, that was important to me.

"I wont Professor. I was only wondering about the theory and why the book had left that bit vague."

The rest of the walk down to Hagrid's was completed in silence. It worked for us I suppose.

"There yeh are Hermione!" Hagrid called as we approached. Once we met on the path, Professor Snape nodded and left. "well, come in, come in! I'll get us some tea." I was shuffled into the cozy hut and climbed into a giant sized chair as Hagrid made the tea. To my amusement a puppy leaped onto the chair, struggling to get on when he only grabbed the edge. He had managed and snuggled into my lap, licking my hand and face cheerfully.

"That there's Fang it is."

"He's cute." I spoke scratching him behind the ear.

"Fang's on'y four weeks but he is goin' to be a big fella." and he would grow up to be a very large dog. At four weeks he was already up to my belt in height.

"Thank you Hagrid." I accepted the large mug given to me.

"course Hermione. Now, I was think'n we could go inter the forest and I can introduce yeh ter Fierenze."

"Fierenze?"

"He's a friend of mine. Centaur too."

"Sounds great." He was so eager to introduce me that we left as soon as I drank a few sips. I was glad that he was so excited, because he forgot to offer me one of those cakes he had out. They looked terrible and I really didn't want one. But had he offered, knowing myself and knowing how little I wanted to hurt his feelings I would have ate the thing, no matter how gross it was. I would have said thank you too.

Fierenze is really friendly and it didn't take long for us to get deep into a discussion about centaur culture and beliefs. Before a nearly bored Hagrid told me it was time to leave, Fierenze told me that I had a deep connection to magic and the Centaurs would always be around to help me follow that connection. I'm not too sure I know what he means but it is certainly something I'll remember, hopefully.

The sun was starting to set and it amazed me how quickly the day had passed. Hagrid walked me to the Headmaster's office before leaving to tend to a sick Unicorn that he stumbled upon when Fierenze and I had been talking. "Hermione, I trust your anxious to hear what I discovered about your cousin so lets get right to it, shall we?" I nodded vigorously. "It would seem that your cousin and his Grandmother on his father's side are both magical, as was his father before his passing."

I breathed deeply and waited to hear more.