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Italics- Narration in the past

Chapter 14

Understanding and simplification

Transfiguration was one of Hermione's favourite lessons. It had nothing to do with how McGonagall treated her, she treated them all the same she argued with the boys. She couldn't help it if McGonagall like her. Ron after all had set fire to her class room, endangering them all simply because he winged the pronunciation of the set spell and Harry had nearly caused irreversible damage to one of the Patil twins because he was too busy laughing around with Ron to focus on his aim. Of course her attitude differed between them, but she never acted on this. McGonagall was a professional and never let personal feeling interfere with her teachings. The boys had always been dramatic regarding the teachers; Hermione knew she couldn't change that.

She watched the two chatting in front of her while she waited for the class to begin excited to discuss her homework after the lesson with McGonagall as she often did. They were humorously arguing over what they would do if they could correctly cast an engorging spell, the beginning of the conversation bringing giggles as they imagined Malfoy with a head the size of a blimp. Before long to Hermione's expectation the boys conversations turned towards the gutter and Hermione withdrew with a tut and roll of her eyes. Neville took the sear beside her and she smiled in greeting glad of more mature company.

Malfoy and his cronies came in soon after and the three of them couldn't help but burst into laughter much to Malfoy's confusion and anger. It took McGonagall's entrance to stop the fight that nearly broke out between the two houses. Hermione couldn't understand how the situation escalated so quickly and so dangerously but one witty and Hermione couldn't deny it, hilarious comment by Ron and one cruel quip from Malfoy had everyone on their feet wands drawn bar Hermione.

She stared up at everyone amazed and realised she was not alone in sitting. At the far side of the room another boy was watching the others with a bored expression; his eyes however were alight with excitement and expectation. Blaize Zabini, Slytherin she remembered. She wondered why he wasn't protecting Malfoy's honour along with the rest of the idiots of his house. Her attention was stolen when Ron pointed his wand at Malfoy and began to hex when McGonagall strolled in. Hermione groaned chastising herself for not breaking up the fight when she had the chance.

One detention and long lecture later the class settled into the lesson, while Ron muttered under his breath about favouritism.

The girls were in a giggly girly mood again as Hermione dubbed it. Parvati was playing with Lavender's hair while Ginny painted her toenails. A mud mask was essential to join in apparently, cucumbers optional. Hermione felt she had walked into an eighties chick flick. Ten minutes later she was forced to join them on Lavender's bed, keeping her Muggle Studies book in return for letting them plough the white mask onto her face. Ginny had one of her feet in a vice like grip pondering whether to use the red or pink polish while Parvati was allowing Lavender to now explore more exotic hairstyles on her. Hermione promised to never let the girl near her hair. Ever.

"Dean" Lavender said, "yes or no?"

Parvati smiled with a shrug, waving a flat hand up and down either side. "Sometimes, when he doesn't go on about that muggle sport and being a pillock with Seamus"

Ginny nodded, "he did look nice at the ball" Hermione looked at her in surprise before turning back to her page not wanting to make her reaction noticed by the other two gossips. She had wondered how Ginny was feeling towards Harry; she hadn't spoken about him in a while.

"What about Neville?" They all burst into giggles.

Hermione swallowed her smile with a soft reprimand; he was after all a nice boy and such behaviour was cruel. "Gin I can't feel my face is that normal?"

It was a basic game they always played, brutally judging the boys they knew, the ones they didn't. Hermione thought they had all gone through it enough that every boy in Hogwarts must know what the Griffindor girls felt about them. Hermione of course was above such triviality but sometimes she couldn't help but be sucked in when chocolates and smuggled in butterbeer were passed around, not that she participated in over drinking. It was nice to be one of the girls for a short time, even if she wasn't as truthful as the others.

"Yes, stop touching it! Now, Malfoy we won't count coz he's a ferret and therefore excluded on grounds of bestiality" Ginny continued. Hermione couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips behind her book and cringed when the mask cracked.

"Hermione agrees. Moving on!"

Crabbe and Goyle are real stunners" Hermione quipped in getting into the fun of it as Ginny motioned for her other foot.

"I'm beginning to think it's a Slytherin trait. I think the sorting hat sorts by looks as well as characteristics", Partvati put on a deep voice, "arrogant, stupid, bit of an ass… oh ugly as a gnome, better be Slytherin!"

Ginny nearly fell of the bed laughing at this, Hermione's quick reflexes saving her as she grabbed a flying leg. Parvati sat ginning smugly at her joke as she waited for the others to settle down.

"What about the Italian one, is he Italian, Greek? He's in your year isn't he? I've never heard him speak, brown hair-"

"Blaize Zabini" Lavender interrupted, "Italian Rosie told me. Ravenclaw and Slytherin's have charms together on Thursdays."

Ginny raised her brow with a smirk, "that's a lot of information Lav".

"What! He's cute, it's not like we can go up to him and ask. Ravenclaw's are the only house the snakes don't seem to target, they can actually hold decent conversations apparently, well according to her anyway"

"I think he's might be the Slytherin exception, what do you think Hermione?" Parvati asked.

Hermione shrugged, "he's alright I suppose. For a Slytherin anyway"

"He's more than alright Hermione!"

Hermione grinned shyly, "Yeah I guess so". This sent the rest of the girls into fresh giggles.

"Ooh I know, Justin"

None of the boys the next morning could understand why the girls were so noisy the following day. Ron had given up trying to find out after Parvati had openly laughed uncontrollably in his face looking at Lavender unable to breathe. Harry was once again confused why Ginny suddenly avoided him like the plague cheeks red while Hermione seemed interested in individuals around the hall, a small smile on her lips refusing to answer any of their questions.

Double potions was never fun, especially when Snape found his afternoon fun in assigning pair work. Hermione found herself with Seamus and couldn't help but groan as he grinned at her. She reminded herself to tie her hair up and make sure she stood back in protective gear during his part of the task. In front of her Harry was moping beside a Slytherin girl who looked as thrilled as he did and Ron had his head on the desk across the room while Goyle loomed stupidly beside him attempting to look threatening but losing momentum every few seconds without Malfoy's direction.

Neville whimpered on the desk beside hers as he was joined by Blaize Zabini. Hermione guiltily wondered which of them would fare better as she tied back her hair checking her goggles were secure, her or Zabini.

An hour and a half later she walked out with eyebrows, Zabini did not.

"You shouldn't have done that" Mae whispered slowly turning to Hermione.

Hermione's gaze snapped to her heatedly. "I don't care anymore" she spat venomously, striding out of the kitchen. She stormed past the utility room where the staff was being addressed by Kate. They were all silent and staring at the open doorway as she strode past. Hermione realised that her defiance of Blaize had been louder then she realised. She knew that what she had done would come to affect her with both Blaize and the staff but at that moment she just did not care.

It was still and quiet when Hermione crept from her bed that night. She had spent the day and night in a monstrous rage continuously repeating what had occurred that day in her mind growing ever frustrated by her imprisonment inside her room. Her anger had gripped her for most of the day slowly dimming after she had ripped her bedding from her bed, threw the contents of her trunk on the floor and smashed a vase. Gradually she fell into silence, lying on the carpet staring up at the ceiling.

Hermione had always appreciated quiet when she needed to think. It allowed her to hear herself. As she calmed she forced herself to no longer think of Zabini and the wave of loathing he brought her. She had more important matters to dwell on and decisions to make. She thought about the upcoming gathering, wondered who would be present, how many would come. Would she know anyone? Had the Deatheater's grown in numbers now that Voldemort reigned?

She thought about spells, all the breaking charms she could think of. Protecting spells, disillusion charms, unforgivable curses.

She tried to think about these things but after the minutes dragged by her thoughts kept reaching conclusions that she could not continue from without further information and facts, her mind constantly wandered to her rage for Blaize.

He was the strangest man she had ever met. She wished more than anything she had paid more attention to him back in school. He thought of her as a possession that was clear. How could anyone think they owned a person? It was sickening, he was sickening. Yet he treated her humanly, with a greater familiarity then the other staff. But then he knew her from school, but not conversationally! They were never friends, but then she never considered him an enemy. As a Deatheater why did he treat her so protectively, his kind loathed her blood, her people. He was a man considered the right to Voldemort, who had yet to lift a finger against her or anyone else that she had seen, a man who rarely raised his voice and whom was willing to hide her away when he had the perfect opportunity to show her to the rest of his evil horde.

Deatheater's were killers, why was he so different? So awkward, had so many faces? She wondered what he was like with Voldemort, was he able to play with the dark lord like he did with her? Who exactly was Blaize Zabini? The reality scared her. She had dealt with Deatheaters for half of her life, she knew many of them were half mad with the notions Voldemort spun them. Many younger members she knew were enrolled through fear or brainwashing. Blaize she felt fitted into neither of these categories. Instead she had decided he knew exactly what it was he was doing and that he was indeed a psychopath. A man that appeared to be sane and logical but in reality had the ability to commit atrocious acts without any hint of morality. The haunting ability to switch his humanity on and off. She had seen his kind, human side when he was with his sister. She wondered what he was like when he wore his Deatheater robes.

She was getting angry again. She needed to be calm to think. To plan. To escape.

She silently crossed the room, barefooted, eyes watching Becky as she opened the door and stepped outside. Nothing would stop her finding answers no matter how small. She was running out of time. She would either kill Voldemort if he came to the gathering or escape if he did not. Simple

It was dark outside in the hallway, no light brought from the outside, thick cloud covering the moon and stars. With a frown and chewed lip Hermione shuffled slowly down the hall eyes straining to see. Struggling down the cold stairs she wished her heart would settle and not tremble at every noise.

With relief she reached her floor and peeked out. All was dark and silent. She walked slowly ever fearful of being caught. She knew her destination and was glad it was now close. Slipping into the kitchen she began her search.

She jumped violently with a muffled yelp when something brushed against her legs.

"Is everything alright miss?" a voice mumbled. Hermione clutched her chest forcing herself to calm down and stop behaving foolishly. She had found what she was looking for. A house elf.

"I need a candle and matches. Miss Collins has ordered that I read a book by tomorrow and I don't want to keep Becky awake, she said that it would be alright."

"Yes miss", she heard the little voice reply. A lit candle was suddenly in her hand and she saw the elf holding up a box of matches. She blinked stupidly staring down at him. She had expected a bigger fight then this. After all they were not Hermione's to take; she expected a ban on all things she asked for, especially dangerous things.

"Do you need anything else miss?"

"No… go back to sleep", the elf nodded and scuttled back to the pantry. "Thank you" Hermione whispered realising too late. She sighed feeling a little guilty about lying to the innocent creature.

Blowing out the candle she made her way back to the staircase and onto the next floor. As she moved she wondered what would happen if she set the mansion on fire. Without Blaize there was no charm keeping her captive here. What stopped her from taking a knife now and slitting his throat? Or threatening him to give her a wand?

Fire was too unpredictable, uncontrollable; she might kill the whole house, if there wasn't some charm on the house to protect from fire to begin with. And getting close enough to Blaize to cause him harm? Well, she knew she wouldn't have a chance. A man didn't get to where he was by sleeping soundly in his room unprotected.

She edged to her final destination, the main bedroom. If she could find the wand she would be unstoppable, she still had confidence in her casting, and she knew she could fight well if it came down to it. If not, all it would take would be two spells. One breaking, one apparition. Simple.

She used to be a woman of plans, the little details. Now she simply hoped her winging it would not get her killed. Simple.

She gripped the handle and almost cried when the master bedroom door opened. Hurrying inside she closed the door. She sighed in relief. Hard work done.

Moving to the centre of the room she pulled free the matches and lit her candle. The room came before her in the warm light. She was relieved that her expectations were correct, due to the large size of the room the light was not to invading; her existence in the room had to remain hidden from outside as much as possible. She couldn't risk being caught not now.

She looked around the room carefully, all was spotless and tidy. She checked the shelves and the tops of the cabinets. And found nothing. She then began checking the draws, taking care not to move the belongings, returning things if she had to in the same position she found them in. Unsuccessful she moved to the wardrobes. Inside, like the draws contained nothing interesting or useful, simply rich things for rich people. She was moving a silk dress when a flash of light from outside caught her attention.

Closing the wardrobe she extinguished her candle in panic and hurried to the bed. Dropping to the floor she pulled the duvet up and crawled. She cursed silently when she hit something hard with her face and head. She had forgotten the storage under the bed. She heard the door open as she scrambled under, moving the belongings around her. She had just finished pulling the duvet and last box behind her when light burst into the room. She froze. Who was it and did they know she was here? She became acutely aware of the smell the smoke from the candle left. She felt a cold sweat form on her brow. Soft footsteps on the carpet before her stopped and the sound of a draw opening echoed around the room as its contents was rummaged through.

The minutes crawled by while Hermione laid there, hundreds of frightened thoughts flitting through her mind. Her body began to tremble in exertion from her awkward position.

Just when she felt she could stand it no longer the footsteps vanished along with the light, the sound of a door closing along with it. She remained still for as long as she could manage, ears searching for any noise, but none came.

She collapsed with a sigh of relief face down in the thick slightly dusty carpet. Her sudden luck was holding out.

She tapped a wooden chest just encase of jinxing herself before slowly crawling back out. Dare she continue? What if the person came back? No she had to finish, had to be sure! She returned to the wardrobe and began her search once more. Quicker this time, the scare increasing her focus, her determination. A short while later after checking under the bed she came up empty handed.

She would have to leave soon; she had tempted fate too much. She thought of the unknown person in the room, what had they wanted? She went to the draws and pulled them open. Two were little altered, the contents moved around. The middle one however was locked. Something important had been protected inside. It had to be the wand! It just had to. The person must have been Mae. Perhaps she had removed the wand earlier out of fear Hermione would take it? Blaize's mother was returning tomorrow perhaps Mae was returning it for then? With Mrs Zabini home perhaps Mae's protection would no longer be needed, the draw open? What if it was taken out by then?

There was little she could do no now however. She was no lock breaker or master thief, hairpin or not.

A sudden plan formed in her mind. The gathering. She would steal it then, if the draw was still locked she would simply break it open through force. If they were downstairs no one would hear her surely. Perhaps it would be opened once Mrs Zabini returned; she hoped her luck would hold out, she did after all feel she was owed some after all this time.

She prayed now that she thought about it that the draw actually held a wand and that she wasn't making all this up in her head. No the signs pointed to the existence of a wand in this room, the only place secure, that draw. It was logic, a problem, she was good at those, always had been.

She blew out the candle and slipped back out into the darkness. She did not relax until she was under her own blankets shivering, not just from the cold. Needless to say she did not get much sleep that night.

What do you all think I know it's not as long as previous chapters but I realised for pacing that I needed something in between the next chapter which I wrote up forever ago and the previous one. Pacing can really be a pain, especially as I'm trying to be realistic about changing emotions and drama etc maybe you guys feel different, let me know? I wasn't sure how to pad this chapter out which is why I thought some flash backs were a good idea, to show a little positivity coz I know this story can be a 'little' dark! I'll post the next chapter soon once I've read over it and possibly gotten some feedback on this chapter :D *nudge nudge, wink wink, to top 50 reviews would be a dream* Thank you so much for my previous reviews, favourites and alerts and to all new readers. Every single one means a lot! :D

Screamaahhh96- thank you so much! I hope this doesn't disappoint :-), WhipmyHair24- sorry I didn't PM back I've been internet less, I thought an update would be better , divinehyperactivity- thank you, not much drama in this chapter but I think you'll like the next one ;) Your questions may be answered later…, Elle' Kelly- thank you! I'll try my best :D, ladyruby1897- hope you like this chapter , ShimmeringWater- not much character intersection in this one but I think you'll like the next one :D