Hermione knew that it would come in time but, she saw the two blondes sitting up at the table. Golden blonde at that. Briefly it reminded her of Professor Lockheart, though they didn't seem to be as flighty as he. Was one of them going to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Would they even be having that class? Hermione hated to admit it but, at the current moment, it seemed a little pointless for any of the 6th and 7th year students to take that class.
"Now, I would like to take a moment to make a few announcements. As always, the Dark Forest is strickly forbidden. Students may not enter without the company of a teacher, and expressed written permission by myself personally." Hermione didn't miss the glare their Headmistress shot at the two boys across the table from her. "I would also like to introduce you to, two of your teachers. Professor Carry Langdon," The young woman stood, a smile on her pretty, oval face, her green eyes glittering as she looked out among the students. ", She will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for 5th years and below, for 7th years she will be offering a special class for N.E.W.T preparation as well as career options. This class is mandatory for all 7th years." Hermione heard a few groans around her, from all the tables, though she remained excited.
"Our second new addition is Professor Allistair Langdon, he will be your new Transfiguration teacher." A ripple of gasps escaped from all the tables save from Slytherin. Though the look on their faces, made Hermione positive that they were also shocked. McGonagall had given up her beloved position? "Quiet now. Quiet." She never raised her voice, though all the students silenced immediately. "I have personally chosen both Langdon's and I assure you Allistair is more than qualified to teach you Transfiguration." Hermione couldn't be positive but she felt an undertone of jealousy in McGonagall's words.
Pushing away from the table Hermione felt full, impossibly full, as if at a moment's notice the button of her skirt, beneath her robes, would burst open. Fly out, hit someone in the eye and she'd have the shame of admitting why that was. How long had it been since she'd eaten that much? Wednesday. Hermione almost forgot. Molly had forced them all to attend the feast for Arthur.
Personally Hermione hadn't wanted to be around all the ministry officials, many of which tried to convince her Harry, and Ron, to go ahead and join the Ministry. Help build it back up to what it was. For Arthur though, and his family, Hermione would do just about anything. Looking at her speckled best friend, she knew that it rang true for him as well. Patting her stomach she sighed wistfully, looking at the table before her.
Even if she didn't enjoy the way house elves were treated, outside of Hogwarts at least, Hermione very much still appreciated their skills in the kitchen. They'd made a beautiful turkey, her favorite, now her big hazel eyes felt heavy, impossibly hard to keep open.
She'd just wait, drift up to the Gryffindor common room, snuggle into her bed. . . Hermione's eyes snapped back open. She couldn't just go up to the tower! She was Head Girl, surely McGonagall would have something to tell her. Their responsibilities, passwords, living arrangements, they needed to choose their deputies.
Hermione bit her lip, positive that Neville would name Harry but, her eyes widened, who would she name? Pavarti? Hermione looked at the pretty girl for a moment. Parvarti seemed a little out of the question, simply because that meant Lavender would be in on everything while she held no ill feelings towards Lavender she wasn't overly fond of the girl. If she named Ginny, who would make a wonderful deputy, Gryffindor would be at a great advantage over the rest of the school. If she didn't name Ginny though, the girl might not understand. Hermione sighed knowing that whatever her decision it wouldn't be fair to someone.
"Now, before we end our feast, there are a few things I would like to say. First Years, you will be following your 5th and 6th year prefects to the your houses. Stick to them carefully," McGonagall's eyes shout over them all. ", they have been with us for a great while, they'll help you not to get. . . lost." Hermione didn't notice and Harry and Ron both visibly paled.
"Bloody hell. Woman doesn't forget anything." Ron muttered to Harry who agreed readily. With a glare at her beloved ginger, Hermione sent him a swift 'nudge' under the table. "Ow Hermione!" He whispered furiously, though she'd already turned her head, a small smile curving on her full pink lips.
"Also, I need all the 7th years who volunteered their services to Hogwarts over the summer, to stay behind. There are things we still need to discuss still." Hermione had all but forgotten about that. Ginny had made them all agree to it. From the amount of groans she heard, Hermione felt as if a few Gryffindor's found themselves suckered into agreeing to volunteer by Ginny some how. The girl was adamant that they give back to the school that'd saved their lives.
"I hope you all enjoyed the wonderful meal. Prefects, lead your houses to your common rooms! We're going to have a wonderful. Classes begin promptly at eight tomorrow. I expect to find that all of you were on time." With a clap of her small hands the plates before them disappeared, slowly people around them got to their feet. "Volunteers." McGonagall beckoned them forward, towards the teacher's table.
Hermione tried her hardest to be the last one to rise, looking across the great hall, trying to see who all had agreed to volunteer, the young woman saw immediately why she hadn't been the last to rise. Slowly, as if in emmense pain, Malfoy pulled himself to his feet. His movements mechanical as he strode towards the teacher's table. Her eyes narrowed. Him? Why had he volunteered? Did he think it would put him in better standing with the teachers? Hermione snorted. Fat chance of that. He let them in! Though, Hermione looked away, not wanting anyone to see the thought forming. They would have done it without him, of that Hermoine remained positive.
McGonagall quickly read the list of names that had volunteered for this little experiment. Lavender Brown. Hermione Granger. Astoria Greengrass. Daphne Greengrass. Neville Longbottom. Luna Lovegood. Draco Malfoy. Theodore Nott. Harry Potter. Ginerva Weasley. Ronald Weasley. Blaise Zabini. Looking up, cold blue eyes fixed upon those in front of her. McGonagall remained surprised when a majority of Slytherin's seventh years had volunteered but, Langdon had assured her, that would only make it better.
"Now," McGonagall could see the disgruntled looks on the boys and girls faces as they looked at whom stood beside them. ", boys if you could please follow Professor Slughorn," McGonagall gestured towards a door off to her left, the same one Harry had gone through in Fourth Year. All six of them followed the hefty man through the door. When they were out of the room, McGonagall took a step back, as Proffessor Langdon, Carry, stepped forward a smile on her face with a wave of her wand a table appeared with six clear goblets on it each with a different liquid in it.
"Now ladies, step forward come, come." Carry ushered them all to step up to the table. "Before you, there is six goblets with different liquids in them. All I want you to do it pick the one that is the most appealing to you. It's fine if you each choose the same goblet but it's prefered that you pick different ones." Immediately Hermione's hand shot into the air. Professor Langdon's brow rose, though she smiled.
"You don't have to raise your hand Miss Granger." McGonagall said, an edge of irritation in her voice. "You are free to speak here." Hermione felt the heat rise into her cheeks and she dropped her hand.
"I'm just curious Professor, what does this have to do with anything?" Hermione asked looking over all the goblets, each of the girls had already begun to eye one. "How does this help Hogwarts?" Hermione's eyes fell to the goblet in front of her. The liquid inside looked like molten mercury, swirling deliciously hints of peppermint, and something dangerous, akin to electricity, hit her. It was quite intoxicating.
"It's going down in our studies for next year Miss Granger." Professor Langdon explained a devious smile on her face, though none of the girls saw it, they were already staring into a goblet. McGonagall worried for a moment, knowing which goblet Hermione was already beginning to wrap her delecate fingers around. Carry had assured her though, none of the girls would choose a goblet that didn't appeal to them beforehand somehow. It didn't dawn on any of the girls to ask what the boys were doing. Instead Hermione looked up as Ginny nudged her.
"It's the exact shade of Harry's eyes." Ginny whispered picking up a goblet and taking a drink. The girl almost melted in front of Hermione, her eyes rolled in the back of her head for a moment, a dreamy smile on her face. "Try it! It's delicious!" Ginny insisted pushing the goblet at Hermione. As the green liquid came near Hermione's face McGonagall's eyes widened and she turned to Carry for a moment, to stop what was going to happen. Carry held up a hand though nodding to the girls.
Hermione looked at the liquid and her stomach notted. The liquid, while green, only reminded her of snot. Politely smiling at her best friend, Hermione chose the silver goblet.
"Thank you Gin but, I really want to taste this one." She said and quickly took a sip. Immediately warmth, though it didn't burn though. It tingled and made her lips feel as if they were on fire, electricity tingled under her skin though her breath was cool like a glacier of mint. She exhaled quickly, from the looks on the other girl's faces, they hadn't experienced the same thing as her. She felt sorry for them really. Taking another drink, just to see if the feeling would happen again, Hermione wasn't let down, before her the shimmering, silver liquid, seemed to take on blue tints. It was then that Hermione looked up at Professor Langdon who smirked.
"Professor, what are the boys doing?" Hermione asked to which she only received a bigger smile.
"Why Hermione, I figured you would have guessed that already!" The woman was honestly surprised. McGonagall bragged about Miss Granger all the time. "They are choosing their own goblets."