Chapter 14: Transfiguration
Hermione was lost, she had no idea where the transfiguration class was. She had spent the day before shopping for the supplies she needed, and her head of house, Professor Snape, had kindly helped her with the things that were studied during the lessons that day. However, she had forgotten to ask him about the location of the transfiguration classroom. Hermione knew she was already late, and was trying to find someone to help her, but the corridors were empty as if everyone had vanished.
Hermione's heart raced as she searched for any signs indicating where the Transfiguration classroom could be. Suddenly she heard footsteps echoing through the hallway. She looked up to see a group of who she thought to be last year's Slytherin students passing by. Desperate for help, Hermione stopped them. "Excuse me," she gasped, "I'm looking for the transfiguration classroom, could you please help?"
One of the students, a tall and intimidating boy, gave her a quick, scrutinizing glance before pointing in the direction of the classroom. "It's that way," he said sharply, "but you are late, so don't expect any sympathy from Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you," she whispered in a small voice and took off in the direction indicated, racing towards the classroom door. Breathless and red-faced, Hermione finally arrived at the door. She nervously poked her head inside, hoping that she wasn't too late. To her relief, it looked like the professor hadn't started the lesson yet.
"Ah, Miss Granger," McGonagall said sternly, as she transformed back from her animagus form. "It seems I have to remind you of the importance of punctuality. You should know that here at Hogwarts, we expect our students to be on time."
A few of the students from Gryffindor tried not to laugh and Malfoy had never looked so gleeful as he did at that moment. Hermione felt ashamed, but she was also seething from anger, this was completely unfair. "I got lost, professor," Hermione mumbled and looked down at her feet. She could feel that her fellow Slytherin students were scowling at her.
"Maybe I should transfigure one of your fellow Slytherins to a map then? Maybe then you will find your way to the right class?" McGonagall scolded.
Hermione felt insulted, and as she was about to reply two Gryffindor first-years barged in, it seemed as if they were late as well.
"What about them, Professor? They were late as well," Hermione argued, surely they would be scolded in front of the class too.
"Potter, Weasley, stay after class," McGonagall snapped, "and 10 points from Slytherin for such cheek. Take your seat, Miss Granger, surely you will find your way there."
Hermione felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she slumped into her seat. She knew it was unfair of McGonagall to punish her and not the Gryffindor first-years, but it seemed she couldn't catch a break from her snarkiness today. Throughout the rest of the class, Hermione tried to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept wandering about the unfairness of the situation. She couldn't wait for the class to be over so she could talk to McGonagall and try to explain herself.
When the class was finally dismissed, Hermione hesitated for a moment before approaching McGonagall. "Excuse me, Professor," she said trying to keep her voice steady and calm, "I'm sorry for being late to class, but I really did get lost. Professor Snape forgot to tell me where the transfiguration class was. I didn't mean to be disrespectful."
McGonagall gave her a withering look. "Miss Granger, do you take me for a fool? I find it hard to believe that Professor Snape would have forgotten to tell you something that important. Maybe you should listen to him next time so that you don't get lost in the corridors again."
Hermione's jaw dropped in shock at the sudden hostility from her teacher. "But... But I really did get lost and Professor Snape forgot to tell me!" she stammered feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. This couldn't be happening, what had she done to Professor McGonagall?
"Excuses, Miss Granger, that's all I'm hearing from you," McGonagall snapped "I won't stand for this kind of behavior in my class. Be on time in the future or suffer the consequences."
"Severus you could have warned me about Miss Granger and her behavior," Minerva snapped snatching The Daily Prophet out of his hands.
Severus raised an eyebrow. "And would this have anything to do with the fact that she came crying to me about how you have been treating her unfairly?" Severus replied his voice quiet and silky, a sign that he was unimpressed with his colleague's behavior. When he had heard what had happened from Miss Granger and saw the looks of pure hatred her classmates were giving her, Severus was seething with anger. And the next class that arrived at potions got to feel his wrath.
"She came late to my class and dared to lie she had got lost!" Minerva argued, her nostrils flaring.
Severus kept his expression neutral. "And what was the reason for her being lost?" Severus prompted, avoiding the urge to not snap at his friend.
"She accused you of forgetting to tell her where the class was as if you would forget such a thing," Minerva huffed.
"Did it cross your mind, that I might have been busy teaching her everything she had missed the day before and might have forgotten to tell? Or maybe you think that all Slytherins are liars and untrustworthy? Perhaps you don't trust me either?!" Severus snapped and stood up, his anger towards himself for forgetting to tell Miss Granger where the Transfiguration classroom was, was now targeted at his friend.
"I- Of course not!" Minerva replied and stood up too.
"Then why did you treat a first-year Slytherin as if she is beneath you?" Severus asked, his voice lowering as his anger was growing.
"I- Well- I didn't know the full story, and I assumed she was giving out excuses, I only had her word for it," Minerva pointed out.
"And that's something you need to improve on, Minerva. You should have spoken to me before accusing her of being a liar and jumping to conclusions," Severus replied in a stern voice, "Sadly the girl got the impression you hate her."
Minerva looked horrified, "I see your point, Severus. I apologize for my behavior towards Miss Granger. I will try to make it up to her," Minerva said, her voice filled with regret.
"I expect you will, she is an intelligent young witch," Severus responded calmly.
"Yes, Severus, you're right. I will make it up to her, and make sure she feels welcomed and appreciated in my class," Minerva said, her regret now turning into action.
"I don't expect you to cuddle her, believe me, that's the last thing she wants. An apology should be enough," Severus said in a serious but measured tone.
"As head of the Slytherin house, Severus, I think the responsibility of 'pampering' Miss Granger falls more on your shoulders than mine," Minerva jested, giving her friend a playful smile. After the playful banter, Minerva's expression turned serious, "But on a more serious note, Severus. Do you think Miss Granger needs any extra classes to catch up on what she's missed?"
"Minerva, you need not worry about Miss Granger falling behind. I made sure to cover what she had missed while she was away. She is intelligent and has a lot of potential and I am confident she has already caught up with the other students," Severus said with a hint of pride in his voice.
Minerva couldn't help but grin mischievously and she most definitely couldn't resist teasing her friend a bit more. "Severus, are you quite sure you covered everything? I seem to remember that your transfiguration skills during your own student years at Hogwarts were not err- so up to the bar."
Severus rolled his eyes and smirked in response, "Yes I do remember, Minerva. That's why I dropped out of your class as soon as possible. But I can assure you I've improved since the days of my youth."
"I also remember you working together with Miss Evans, she seemed to be more talented in transfiguration than you were," Minerva said.
Severus' face turned into stone, his eyes were fixated on a meaningless spot on the wall as Minerva's voice trailed off. For a few moments, he was so lost in his own thoughts, he was barely aware of Minerva's presence.
"Severus, are you alright?" Minerva asked after noticing the sudden shift in Severus' demeanor.
Severus' jaw tightened but he didn't respond, he was not willing to share his memories of Lily with anyone, not even Minerva, whom he respected and trusted more than most.
"I'm sorry Severus, didn't mean to bring up bad memories, your time at Hogwarts wasn't exactly nice," Minerva said sympathetically trying to cheer him up.
"And whose fault is that?" Severus snapped and gathered his materials. As Severus left the staff room without another word, his robes billowing behind him Minerva watched him go, feeling a pang of sadness for the man she had come to respect over the years. She knew that Severus carried the memories of his past and the pain it caused him like an invisible burden and at that moment Minerva hoped she had done more for him when he had been a student.
A/n: Severus and Minerva arguing... ah yes a scene I love writing. And in my opinion, they were besties who had a friendly rivalry between them. Hope you liked it, and I promise you Minerva will try to treat her better from now on. Feel free to share the fanfic and leave a comment, I love reading your comments