Chapter 7: Lessons
A/n: Sorry for not updating, very long chapter ahead. Like 3,311 words long.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HP!
Hermione's/Grace's POV:
Hermione was always an early bird as her parents used to call her, she got up well before all her friends, and she took a shower, and got ready for the day while trying not to wake the others. As she headed down to the common room, she decided to wait before trying to befriend Tom Marvlo Riddle. In the meantime, I think I'll read a book she thought. Hermione grabbed a cup of tea from the kitchen, (Yes, the Ravenclaw common room has a small kitchen) chose a book from the large bookcases, and sat down on a chair beside the always burning, magical fireplace. Not too long after, the rest of the House was awake and preparing for the day, grabbing books extra parchment, quills and other necessary equipment.
"Hey guys! You're finally up" Hermione commented.
"How long have you been up then?" asked Allison.
"Since 6:00." Hermione said cheerfully.
The girls went silent, "How do you do it? You mean, you're not tired at all?" asked Trisha.
"No not one bit, and I guess it's normal for me, I've always been an early riser." Hermione answered, "Come on, I want to go down for breakfast." she said, putting her book carefully back on the shelf."
"Yeah, I am starving," moaned Katie, and they all walked down to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement, apparently, there was a dueling contest taking place for training against Grinwald's dark supporters. I guess this is what everyone gets excited for these days, well maybe with the exception of the Balls, Hermione thought.
"Grace...Grace!" said Ashley, "Do you want some bacon?" she asked, effectively disrupting Hermione's thoughts.
"Oh, um, sure" she said as Trisha piled some onto her plate, "Thanks."
The five friends, along with a moody Allison, finished up their breakfast while looking at their timetables, they were all in the same classes together.
"We have DADA first!" cheered Katie. "I'm really excited for the duels!"
"Oh no, double Potions with the Slythrins again, I'd rather puke nonstop for a week then that." moaned Jennifer.
"And don't forget that we have a History of Magic lesson too, the most boring lesson of all of Hogwarts." said Allison.
"At least we have Professor Dumbledore's Transfiguration lesson," added Trisha.
"Yeah, what's his class like?" questioned Hermione.
"Oh, Dumbledore's? Well I've always thought of him as a bit nutty, but his classes are always great fun." answered.
"Professor Dumbledore's class, is about the only one that doesn't make me fall asleep, "chimed Jennifer, " and coming for me, that's a lot!"
Hermione grinned; she was really pleased that she found some nice people to hang around with so quickly.
" Who are they?" asked Hermione, she pointed to Riddle, his gang, and tow girls that she had never seen before.
"Oh, you don't want to cross them, the dark haired girl is call Wanburga Black and next toe her is her best friend, Olive Hornby. They're both in seventh year too" said Trisha
"The guy in the middle withe the dark hair, the pale skin, the amazingly gorgeous electric blue eyes..." crooned Jennifer.
"Okay we get it, you like him. The guy that Jennifer was describing to you, that's Riddle, Tom Riddle. No one calls him that though, only Riddle. Sitting around him is his friends, of as we call them, Riddle's gang," replied Ashley. For such a quiet girl, she sure made her opinion of hating Tom Riddle known.
Hermione nodded, "So avoid them at all cost?" she confirmed.
"At every cost.' Katie, Trisha, Ashley, Jennifer, and Allison said together.
"I guess we should go, most people are leaving," said Katie, once all of them had finished their breakfast.
"Let's go." agreed Hermione.
All of the girls went up to the Ravenclaw common room and got what ever they need for Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts a.k.a DADA, and went to the DADA classroom.
Inside, there was lots of space and a few desks pushed to one side of the wall. The curtains were all closed and the only source of light were the=e candles, giving a mysterious effect. They were having DADA with all the seventh years of the school.
"Lumos Maximus." Hermione muttered, a strong glow of light emitted from the tip of her wand, allowing everyone to see the room clearly. Hermione's friends jumped away from her, the light blinded most of the students.
"How did you do that?" asked Allison, she and Hermione had made some kind of silent truce.
Hermione shrugged, "The electricity went off a lot in my old house, and my mother always used this when it was super dark." she explained.
"Show me." Jennifer commanded.
Extinguishing the light, Hermione quickly made the light appear before everyone got used to the darkness.
"Wow! Can you teach me?" asked Katie.
"Sure," Hermione said cheerfully, "Just say Lumos Maximus to your wand."
Soon, all Hermione's friends had managed to produce the charm correctly, the other students blinking in the light.
"Turn them off, just leave one on." called a Hufflepuff.
Trisha turned her light off first, followed by Katie, Allison, and Ashley. Only Hermione left hers on.
"Good morning class!" said a happy Professor Merrythought.
"Good morning Professor!" everyone chorused back.
"Who casted Lumos Maximus?" she asked.
Hermione and her four friends shyly raised their hands.
"Good job," complimented Professor Merrythought, "20 points to Ravenclaw."
Hermione smiled, she was sure that this would be a great lesson.
"Please put away your books and take out your wands," she said.
After they had done as she asked, Hermione looked around. Most wands were made of different kinds of wood; none of them had a silver wand like her. Hermione got envious looks from Wanburga and Olive. Sighing, Hermione turned her attention to the teacher.
"So today, we will be starting our dual torment. Any Unforgivable Curses and forbidden and that student will face suspension for tow months, you have been warned" Merrythought said. "Now I will pick the first partners..." she looked down the list. " Jennifer and Oliver, please come up here," All of the watchers clustered around to the front.
"Sep back everyone, give them some room." she said, Jennifer and Oliver got in their starting positions, "On the count of three, you tow will dual, winner goes on, loser is disqualified, ok?" she asked
"One...two... THREE!" she shouted.
"Expelliarmus!" yelled Oliver
"Protogo!" replied Jennifer.
Oliver was embarrassingly hit by his own charm and lost his first match.
Most of the duels had lasted only a second, and all of Hermione's friends had lost.
"Our next Duelers will be Mr. Riddle and Ms. Coloumbe!" called Professor Merrythought.
Oh great, I'm going to die! Hermione thought. Oh, wait. He cans odd Legimency too! Close your mind Grace...close your mind...
"Prepare yourselves!" said Professor Merrythought.
Breathe...breath, concentrate, she told herself.
"One...two..." Merrythought paused, "Three!"
What happened next was a series of curses, spells and light.
"Petrificus Totalus!" muttered Riddle.
"Protego! Stupefy!" Hermione answered back.
"Rictusempra! Serpensortia"
This duel lasted 30 minuets until Tom Riddle had suddenly had been able to disarm Hermione. Both breathing hard they half-heartedly shook hands.
"Well done you two, that was the best duel I've seen in years! 50 points to Slytherine and Ravenclaw!" Professor Merrythought praised, "I never thought you would be such an amazing dueler Ms. Coloumbe." she muttered. She spoke to the class, "For all your hard work, I have a small Honey Duke's chocolate bar for each of you. Come up to the front to get one." she said.
Hermione walked down to the dungeons nibbling on her chocolate. All her friends had been amazed about how well she did in the contest.
"Let's go Grace! I really want you to see our hilarious potions Master." called Jennifer who was a few steps in front of Hermione.
"Coming!" she answered.
The potions Dungeon was dim, there was potions brewing, giving off strange scents insides cauldrons of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There were worktables and glass phials containing ingredients and already brewed potions.
Just like back home, Hermione thought.
"Good day class" said a walrus looking Professor.
"Good morning Professor Slughorn." they echoed back.
"Well I must say that I heard about your class duel. Congratulations Tom!" he said.
"Thank you Professor, but it was really thanks to you that I won. I was remembering all the spells that you taught me last year." Tom said in a polite tone. Professor Slughorn looked away form Tom and turned his attention on Hermione.
"And welcome to Hogwarts Ms. Colombe! How are you enjoying Hogwarts my dear?" he asked.
"Oh, It's going really well. Thank you for asking." she replied.
"Enough with my chit-chat, Let's get down to work. Who knows what these Potions are?" he asked, gesturing to four potions the counter.
Tom Riddle was lazily put his hand up to answer, but Hermione beat him to it.
"Why don't we let Ms. Coloumbe try?" he chose
"The one on the far left is called The Draught of Living Death, it places the drinker into a very deep sleep. They are still living but still dead. The ingredients are asphodel in an infusion of wormwood, valerian roots and sopophorous bean. The next potion is called A Calming Draught, it calms thee drinker when they are in a panicked or stressed state. The next is the very complicated Poloyjuice Potion; this potion can change the drinker into another for temporarily. Should you get it wrong, disasters will happen. You need Lacewing flies (stewed for 21 days) Leeches, Powerederd bicorn horn, Knotgrass, Fluxweed (picked at the full moon), shredded boomslang skin, a bit of the person you want to turn into (most likely hair) and Cherries." Hermione said." The last on is called Amortentia, it's the strongest love potion in the causes a powerful infatuation or obsession in the drinker. It has a distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from it in characteristic has a different aroma for everyone who smells it, reminding each person of the things that they find most attractive, even if the person themselves don't acknowledge or are unaware of their fondness for the object of their affection. For example I smell fresh cut grass, new parchment, and spearmint tooth paste." Hermione recited.
"Well done! 30 points to Ravenclaw!" he smiled, "Now you will all have to brew a Draught of Living Death, the person who is closest will win this." he held up a small phial, "Can you tell me what this point is Ms. Clolumbe?"
"It is called Felix Felicis or liquid luck. Felix Felicis makes the drinker lucky for a period of time, depending on how much is taken, during which everything they attempt will be successful. It is meant to be used sparingly, however, as it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence if taken in excess. Felix is highly toxic in large quantities and is also a banned substance in all organized competitions." Hermione smiled.
"20 Points to Ravenclaw!" Professor Slughorn said, " You all get one hour and your time starts... now!"
Everyone was rushing to their ingredients, and flipping through their textbook pages. Hermione got all her ingredients and turned to the right page.
Now if I could just remember what the Prince's book said, Hermione thought. Oh right! You have to squish the bean instead of cutting it and you have to stir the potion counter-clockwise seven times and clockwise once.
Getting down to work, Hermione's finished product resembled a smooth, black currant-colored liquid at the halfway stage then turned a light shade of lilac, then clear as water, after she stirred the it counter clockwise seven times ad clockwise once.
"Your time is up!" said Slughorn, "Let's find the winner!"
Professor Slughorn went around the room looking at potions then dropping a small leaf into it. He was frowning or muttered a "Better luck next time," or "Nice try." When he got to Tom Riddle's potion, he almost burst with pride.
"Tom, this is wonderful. I believe we have our winner!" he called
He didn't even check anyone else's and claims that Tom's the winner? Not fair, Hermione thought.
"Professor?" she asked, "I'm sorry, but you haven't checked my potion yet."
"Oh all right Ms. Coloumbe, what do you have for me?" he said grudgingly, expecting nothing. As he looked down and place the leaf in the potion. The edges of the leaf suddenly looked as if it had been burned, then the leaf shriveled up. Professor Slughorn was speechless; nobody had ever made a potion better than Tom. Professor Slughorn grinned,
"I believe I an mistaken, this potion is perfect! Are you by chance related to the famous Rem Colombe?"
"Err, sorry professor, but I'm from France." she said puzzled.
"Oh well, meet me after the class leaves." he said.
Of course professor." Hermione answered.
"Class dismissed! For homework, a two inch essay on the Draught of Living Death." he called.
Hermione packed up all of her things then waited for Professor to finish talking to a student.
"Grace? You coming?" asked Trisha.
"No, I have to talk to Slughorn. I'll meet up with you at Transfiguration." she replied.
'Okay, meet you there." Jenn called over her shoulder.
", I have a small group of...well lets say talented students, I was wondering if you might like to join. They are coming over to my office in the next two-week for my annual Christmas party. " He explained.
"Of course Professor, I would love to join." she concluded after a period of time.
"Good! Now off you go. You have Transfiguration right now." Slughorn commented.
"Oh thanks Professor!" she said and headed out the door.
"Look for my owl!" he shouted.
Sprinting up the stairs and up to Ravenclaw tower, Hermione dropped her potions books and rushed downstairs again, Panting, Hermione made it just as Professor Dumbledore started.
"Welcome to Transfiguration!" he said cheerfully.
Professor Dumbledore's class was very interesting; He kept the classes interest by asking for volunteers and saying random stuff.
"Now you can have the chance to practice changing thing into goblets. See if you can do it on these crows" he said as he passed each one of them a crow. Hermione tapped her silver wand over her crow three times and said,
"Vera Verrtro!"
Immediately, her crow turned into a beautiful sliver goblet with jewels in the sides.
"Well done! I award 10 pionts to Ravenclaw." praised Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione swelled with thanks and pride, this was one of the few times Dumbledore had complemented her. The rest of the students managed to preform the spell, earning at least 5 House points. Sitting down to Lunch, Hermione and her friends decided on what to do.
"We could go down to the Lake," suggested Ashley.
"It's too cold and windy outside though." complained Jennifer, "I vote that we should stay inside and take a nap, I'm' tired" she yawned.
" I don't feel tired, I guess we could go practice Qudditch," said Katie, she loved that sport and already had her eyes on being the Qudditch Capitan for Ravenclaw."
"Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm' going back to the Common Room to take a break with Jennifer." said Alison.
"How 'bout we paly a game in the Common Room?" suggested Trisha.
The friends decide to spit up and do whatever they want to do, alone or with a friend. Ashley went down to the Lake, Jennifer and Alison went back to the Ravenclaw common Room.
"What are you going to do?" asked Katie.
"I'm not so sure guys, I think I just want to get my homework done, I'll be in the Library if you need me" said Hermione.
" Okay, I'll be at the Qudditch Pitch." and then Katie ran off.
Running to the Library, Hermione put her things down in her favorite spot. It was a small table near the big windows. Across form Hermione's table was a small desk that looked exactly like it only it was near the fireplace, a person sat at the desk reading a book and then scribbling something down on a piece of parchment. Taking out her eagle feather quill, Hermione started to write things down for her essay on the proper uses of the Draught of Living Death. After an hour of writing Hermione decided to save the essay and make a copy, just in case something happened to the original, she was almost done anyways. Hermione placed her copied work and the proceeded to write. Not too long after, Hermione was tapped on the shoulder.
"Coloumbe, I couldn't help but notice that you spilled ink all over you page." Tom said politely.
Surprised, Hermione looked down and saw that her inkbottle had been knocked over her homework, creating a big mess and a huge ink puddle that was seeping through her page.
What? How did that get there? I only looked up for a minuet! Oh well, at least I have another copy.
Waving her wand, Hermione cleaned up the mess before the younger looking Madame Pince saw. Looking at Riddle, he seemed slightly amused at her expressions, but quickly hid it.
" I could help you," he offered.
Realizing it was Riddle that had spilled the ink, Hermione scowled.
"It's fine, I have another copy." she replied coolly, and started to put away all her supplies.
Looking surprised Riddle said,
"Really? Many normal people in Hogwarts would clamoring for the chance to work with me." he shot back, "I could help you turn that essay into and O." he asked again, not giving up.
As Hermione cleaned up her working place, she said,
"Well incase you haven't noticed, I'm not a normal person, I prefer, different." and with that, Hermione stormed off from the Library, annoyed.
How dare he try to ruin my work and then try to work with her!