Raised with Magic
Chapter Eighteen: Books
It took eight days for the three packages of shrunken books to arrive. That week had been nothing but repetitive. Mum had been barricaded in her lab working tirelessly on her potion with the occasional appearance of Professor Snape. Over half of Dad's staff were sick, so he too was swamped with work. Luna and I spent these days working on our muggle schoolwork. She also spent a lot of time helping me perfecting my levitation abilities. Because control was important to make me not dangerous, and it was also really fun.
Mum had asked Uncle Albus to come and help me with my new book collection. I found this weird, the mental image of my dear aged godfather helping me move books was odd and seemed mean. I really think I need to get used to the idea of magic for everyday situations. Uncle Albus had happily agreed and had been as impressed as Mum at the contents of the collection.
After the first hundred books I had mastered being able to shrink and enlarge objects without a wand. Mum is a good teacher, Luna is a fabulously entertaining partner but Uncle Albus is an amazing teacher. Uncle Albus had also enchanted my bookcase with many difficult and impressive looking spell work, so that everything fit nicely without taking up the mass of space it would have taken up otherwise. He also told me that a sister bookcase would be in my room at Hogwarts and I would have access to my collection there as well. Magic really is the greatest thing ever. I'm sure of that.
I had spent a good deal of time with Uncle Albus getting my bookcase functional, resizing the books and organizing the entire collection. Even so, I would have liked to spend even more time with him. However, a meeting with the school's governors called him away to play his part as Headmaster. I don't think he likes that part of being in charge much.
I took down an aged book on the early methods of potion making that had been one of the many books to grab my attention when we had organized them. I decided on reading down in Mum's lab.
Professor Snape was there, working on something, but my mum was no where in sight. I didn't want to break the Professor's concentration, especially because he was using a level eight stirring method. So I sat down, out of the way, to read. Apparently, I had lost track of time, because when Professor Snape addressed me I was halfway through my book.
"-access to her library."
"Excuse me?" I hadn't heard what he had said. I was so focused on my reading that it had taken me a few seconds to draw myself back into the real world.
"That is a very valuable book. It is careless to allow you access to it without her permission and supervision."
"I was unaware that it was valuable." I replied, not understanding how that mattered and also missing completely the second part of his statement. Not liking being confused, I went back to my reading.
A deep growl startled me and made me look up as I calmed my magic. "Listen to me when I am talking to you girl!" Severus Snape had scared me and I hadn't thought that he ever would do that to me again.
"I'm sorry?" I asked, completely confused and trying to stop my heart from racing. "I'd be glad to give you want ever response you are looking for if you clarify." I added sincerely. I was seriously disappointed, I had kind of believed that Professor Snape liked me. I didn't think so anymore. The fact that I had become defensive with complicated words proved that.
"You should ask permission before reading your mother's books!" He snarled, snatching my book out of my hold.
"I do ask permission from my Mum." I replied and I always did, even after she had insisted I didn't have to. My answer had not pleased the professor and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what in the world was going on.
"Am I to believe that your mother would give permission to a five year old to read a priceless book." He glared and I stared at him like he was crazy.
"Sir, I have no idea what you are talking about. And I would thank you to remember that she is my MUM." I responded, feeling my eyebrows pull together and the brush of my hair on my neck caused by moving my head.
"Leave, let me work!" He ordered, I was dismissed. He was angry.
"Fine, sir." I spat, very unhappy about being thrown out of my Mum's lab. "May I have my book back?" My tone was harsh and my words sounded more like an order. I wondered when I had grown so mean.
"I will give your mother her book when she gets back." Suddenly, it all made since and I laughed. This made the professor mad, but I was angry and didn't care. I held my hand up and called the book into my grasp.
"SHE IS MY MUM!" I yelled at him, leaving the lab without looking back and with my feet harshly hitting each step. Before Snape had the chance to follow me I flooed to the Weasley's calling to Dad where I was going as I left.
"Hermione?" Mister Weasley asked entering the room as I arrived in unannounced and on my butt.
"Sorry to just come over like this, Mr. Weasley." I rushed, egar to say sorry as I quickly got up from the ground.
"Not a problem at all. I'm afraid that the kids went with their mother to Diagon ally today." He looked at me more closely and he must have seen the mist in my eyes, "What 's wrong, Hermione?" He was concerned and my face must have looked unpleasant.
He convinced me to sit down at the kitchen table. I don't remember how, it was clearly the use of skill built by raising seven children. He had me explain everything to him and seemed to think it was funny. However, he did tell me that I was welcome over any time even if it was just for a place to read. That made me feel better.
"Thank you Mr. Weasley."
"Not a problem. Now go on and find a place to read, I am sure that book is calling to you by now. " I winced guiltily, but returned his hug anyway and followed his advice.
My location of choice was a rope swing in the garden. Again, I lost myself in MY book.
"Boo!" I jumped but I didn't scream and luckily my magic didn't flare. I hope that this was because it recognized Bill. I would love to know that my magic wouldn't prove to be a threat to those I care about. I refused to think about how if flared earlier.
"Bill, what on earth are you doing?"
"Well, you didn't pay attention to me!" He defended as he laughed.
"So how was your trip to Diagon ally?" I asked as Bill started pushing me on the swing. My book was securely closed and safe on my lap.
"Pretty good. We leave for Hogwarts in a few days. Are you going to miss me?"
"Nope." I responded honestly.
"Ouch."
"Honestly, Bill!" I laughed realizing he hadn't connected the dots that I had. "I have my own room at the school. The headmaster is my godfather and the staff I know are always trying to get me to visit. If I miss you I'll come visit!" Because sometimes things really are that simple and that truth made me feel better.