Power in All Its Glory
Chapter 13: According to Plan
Hermione rushed into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Good. The class hadn't started yet.
She was determined not to get detention, at least not yet. She refused to let Severus Snape control her. He was just trying to use her in his childish grudge against Professor Black. Not that Sirius would give her detention for just being late. In fact, she wasn't sure he would give her detention at all. She would have to…
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted as she slammed into someone, causing her to bounce backwards. Firm hands caught her before she could fall, and she looked up into Draco Malfoy's blue eyes. Hermione waited for the scathing remark that was sure to come from the Slytherin's mouth.
"Granger, I didn't see you there." And then he gave her a small smile. It was an actual smile, not a smirk.
"It was my fault, Malfoy. I wasn't looking where I was going." Hermione couldn't help it. She smiled back at him. He then released her from his grip and walked to his seat.
Hermione shook her head. What was going on? Was everyone acting strange? At least the boys didn't witness the exchange between her and Draco Malfoy. Not that they would believe it, even if they did see it. She hurried to her seat next to Neville.
Harry leaned forward and whispered. "Hermione. What did Snape want?"
Hermione suddenly realized the absurdity of the whole situation. She could just see herself telling Harry, "Snape just wants me to get detention with another professor, preferably your godfather."
Okay, maybe not.
"Oh, he just wanted to talk to me about something that happened this morning."
"You mean at breakfast?" Ron decided to join the conversation.
"No," Hermione clarified. "When I was in the library with Neville."
It was Harry's turn to ask. "What happened?"
Hermione decided she'd had enough lying. Not that she would tell them everything, but...
"I guess he thought my kissing Neville in the library was inappropriate."
Ron and Harry stared at their closest friend in shock. Luckily, at that moment Professor Black decided to make his entrance.
"Today, we are going to learn about the Patronis Charm," he began. "Can anyone tell me what it is used for?"
Hermione's hand shot up. "It is the spell used to fight off the Dementor's attack." This was something she learned first hand, not from a book.
"Correct, Miss Granger. Now I know many of you already know how to use this spell. However, it is usually taught in the seventh year, so we will learn it today. Everyone gather around so that you can see how this spell is cast."
They all gathered around Professor Black to watch. Hermione was usually near the front but since she already knew how to perform this spell, she decided to stay toward the back.
Someone pushed into her, and she turned around to see Pansy Parkinson glaring at her.
"Watch it, Mudblood."
Hermione gave her an evil look and turned back around.
Unfortunately, Pansy was just getting started.
"I know what you are up to."
Hermione turned back and gave her a confused look. "What?"
"I know you've been sneaking around to meet him," she continued accusingly. "I've seen the way you look at him."
Hermione felt a moment of panic. Had Pansy followed her? Did she know about them? Not that there was a 'them'.
"He is mine, Granger. So you can just stay away from him."
Now Hermione was really confused. Snape and Pansy Parkinson? Couldn't be.
Hermione must have looked as bewildered as she felt.
"Just leave Draco alone."
Of course! Hermione laughed. Her and Draco. That was really hilarious.
"Something funny, Granger?" Now Pansy really looked angry.
"It's just, there is nothing going on with me and Draco. I swear, Pansy, you have nothing to worry about." She tried to reassure the girl without laughing in her face.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
There really wasn't a good way to answer that question.
"Yes," Hermione answered. "But that really isn't relevant at this point."
Pansy was shaking with fury but she would not be sidetracked. "I saw you, just a few minutes ago. I know something is going on."
Hermione gave up in annoyance. What was the point? She clearly wasn't listening to her.
"You're right, Pansy. Draco and I have been sneaking around. You are obviously not woman enough to keep him. Draco needs someone who can satisfy him physically and intellectually."
"You bitch!" Pansy pushed her, hard.
Hermione felt all the frustration of the last few days overwhelm her. She was really tired of being pushed around.
Unfortunately for Pansy, she was on the receiving end of all that anger. Hermione drew back and punched her. Pansy went down. Blood spurted from her mouth as she sat there staring at her unlikely attacker.
Hermione suddenly noticed that the class had grown quiet.
"Miss Granger?" The voice of Professor Black reached her. She turned toward him, holding on to her now aching hand.
"Meet me in my office, tonight at 7 p.m."
"Detention?" Hermione was astonished. She had tried so hard not to get detention. "I can't believe you are giving me detention."
Professor Black looked at the young girl in exasperation. He really only wanted to talk to her. She was acting very strange. However, she was leaving him no choice.
"Yes, Miss Granger, detention." Then he added, "Miss Parkinson, you are excused to go to the hospital wing."
***************
Severus Snape stared at the class in front of him. He was in a foul mood. Things were not going as planned. Or rather, they were going according to plan and that was the problem.
The class waited patiently for the Potions master to speak. What else could they do? They were used to his moods and used to waiting.
"The ingredients for today's potion are on the board." He waved his hand toward the board and words appeared. "Begin."
As the class hurried to do his bidding without incurring his wrath, Snape thought about what had happened that morning. Although Hermione was following the plan, she was also being foolish. She was kissing Neville in front of a professor. Never mind that the professor was himself. She needed to be more discreet. And now she was being linked to Draco Malfoy. What the hell was wrong with the girl? Didn't she have any sense at all?
She did get detention, though, didn't she? He had to give her credit for that. Black had been upset (or pretended to be!) and gone straight to McGonagall during lunch. Obviously, Granger had been in a fight with Parkinson over Malfoy. Not that it was much of a fight. Miss Granger had taken her down with one punch. He wasn't sure what that was indicative of. Did she have feelings for Draco Malfoy? The thought made him furious. This was the problem. She had done everything he asked, and he was consumed with rage. Why?
He looked over at her. She was sitting close to Neville Longbottom as they worked together on their potion. Snape watched as Neville leaned in closer to say something to her. She put her hand on his face and smiled at him. Even though the contact was miniscule, the scene looked very intimate. In the middle of Potions class!
He stormed over to them. "Miss Granger, Mister Longbottom! Do you think you could finish this potion without the need to touch each other?"
It was not a question, but a command.
"Yes, sir." They both answered at the same time as Hermione hid a smile. She didn't know why but she loved antagonizing Professor Snape.
Draco Malfoy walked out of his Divination class with his friends, Crabbe and Goyle. He had spent the time in class trying not to look at Professor Trelawney and listening to the other students, his friends in particular, mimic the other-worldly professor. He would usually join in; hell, he would usually be the one to instigate it. He found that now he could not. Not that his friends noticed. He had to admit they were a bit thick. Handy to have around though.
About halfway back to the Slytherin common room he stopped. "Guys I forgot my book bag." They looked at him stupidly and he clarified, "I need to go back to the classroom and get it." They finally looked as if they understood. "I'll meet you back at the dorm."
Draco made his way back to the Divination classroom, contemplating what he was going to say. He had come up with a plan to help her through the interview with Professor Snape. He thought it was a good idea. He originally thought of using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate her but he was afraid his head of house would see right though it. He also didn't relish the thought of turning himself into a woman.
As Draco entered the classroom, he saw the Divination professor cleaning away the teacups. He walked over to his desk. She looked at him.
"I forgot my book bag." He explained to her.
She nodded her head at him and withdrew her wand. She waved it at the door and muttered a few words. She then walked over to where he was standing.
"I've put a silencing charm on the door. I cannot lock it or even shut it, as it would look out of place. We will be able to hear someone approaching but they will not be able to hear us until they are well into the room."
He smiled at her in admiration. She was intelligent, but it was usually well hidden by her spacey demeanor.
"I think I have a way to help you with Snape's interview."
She looked hopeful at his words. "I don't suppose you can get me out of it?"
"No, but the next best thing. I will be there with you."
"An invisibility cloak?" She hazarded a guess.
He smirked at her. "Not quite." Draco then held out what looked like two small pebbles. One was like a rosy red one and the other was a speckled blue. She took one from his hand. It was not hard but soft and squishy.
"What are they?"
"Something I got from my father." He took it from her hand and held them both up. "You put the red one in your ear and I will put the other in mine. I will be able to hear what you hear. You, on the other hand will only hear me."
"Do they work? Have you tried them?"
"My father told me they worked so I know they do. I do think we should try them out though. Tonight at dinner. Now remember that every time I talk, I will not necessarily be speaking to you. If I am, I will address you by name. At that time I will be whispering so no one else will hear."
Professor Trelawney shook her head, indicating that she understood. Her wild hair flew loosely around her face. "It will be quicker and easier, then, if you call me Sibyll." She smiled encouragingly at him.
"We won't need to communicate much, just enough to see if they work." He returned her smile. He mentally shook his head. He seemed to be smiling a lot lately. He was going to have to work on that. He couldn't risk ruining his reputation as the spoiled, mean, horrible son of a Death Eater.
