Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed after the last chapter, and special thanks to the reviewer who wished me luck with my test. You must be magic because our professor decided to drop our lowest test score so I ended up passing the class easily. In other more relevant to this story news, I want to thank everyone who reviewed and mentioned that Hermione didn't get Crookshanks until third year. I had completely forgotten and have fixed the last chapter so that it makes more sense, and will fit this story better. Thank you so much again. Hope you enjoy the latest chapter and are having a lovely day/night! :)
Chapter 8 - The Library and Holiday Plans
The rest of the week passed uneventfully, and the next week was going by just as quickly. Suddenly it was time for Harry's study date with Hermione. After classes the pair had agreed to meet in the library, Harry passing on the message to Blaise and Draco if they were still interested. As Harry arrived he was pleased to see Hermione looking through the stacks for some new reading material. She seemed to gravitate toward the Charms section, as well as Tranfiguration.
"Hey Hermione," Harry called out, getting him an immediate SHUSH from Madam Pince, the librarian. He cringed a bit, "Sorry, hey Hermione," he said a bit softer.
The witch grinned at him, "Hey Harry. I was just looking for something new to read. Did you bring that Charms book with you that has the softening charm in it?" Harry nodded and held out the book to her, "Brilliant! Thank you so much Harry, I'll try to get it back to you by the end of the week."
"Great. No rush though, I've already finished it. So what did you wanna study today?" Harry sat down and began pulling various books out of his bag, Hermione watching them unshrink with interest, her eyes wide.
"Oh, er, I was thinking we'd get some work done on our Transfigurations homework that's due after break," Hermione sounded nervous. Usually people didn't like it when she suggested getting a head start on homework.
Harry nodded, "That's a great idea." He was glad that Hermione seemed to let out the breath she'd been holding.
"Oh look," she said suddenly, "There are the others." She pointed over Harry's shoulder as Draco and Blaise arrived at their table.
"Hello. So what are we studying today," Draco asked as he took the seat next to Hermione. Thankfully his father had finally owled him back about what to do with Potter. He had agreed that a friendship with the boy might be beneficial in some way, and told Draco that it would be a good idea to go ahead and initiate one. Draco had felt surprisingly relieved, surprised at himself that he had begun to find his time with the boy-who-lived rather enjoyable. He decided he wouldn't mention anything about Miss Granger. There was no way father would approve of that debacle.
Hermione smiled at him, "Hi Draco. Transfiguration is what we will be focusing on. We're going to try to finish the two foot essay due by break's end."
Draco nodded as Harry had, "Good. I don't want to have to spend my break worrying about this essay anyway. Any idea what you'll write on yet? I was thinking about doing some research on imaging techniques and intent techniques and which is more important."
Hermione's smile grew, "Actually that was my idea as well. Let's go look for some books over in the Transfiguration section. I've already found one or two that might be helpful, but I'm sure there are some more relevant ones somewhere here."
Draco followed Hermione over to the stacks while Blaise turned to Harry, "Any idea what you'll write on? I'll probably just settle for writing a personal journal of what I find works best, the imaging part of Transfiguration. I thought it'd be original but now that they're both choosing the same topic..." Blaise trailed off and tipped his head toward the pair in the stacks. The two seemed to be bickering quietly over which books would be most helpful.
"That sounds like a cool way of writing about it. I'm sure Professor McGonagall will like it," Harry replied. "I think I might be interested in researching a bit more about why we can't always transfigure the content of things, like the inside of books, or the actual footage for a movie. It's surprisingly interesting."
Blaise nodded, not wanting to let it be known that he had absolutely no idea what a 'movie' was. "Well, let's get going then. Only another 2 hours before dinner and I want to be able to have this at least halfway done before then."
By the end of their work time, Blaise had proudly accomplished his goal, and had finished half of his essay. Harry had completely finished, using only his experiences as research, and writing about his own theories and conclusions. Hermione and Draco had both finished halfway as well, having spent most of their time researching and looking at experiments to see which was more helpful, intent or imaging.
Harry was surprised at how well Hermione and Draco had been getting along. He wondered if the boy knew that the witch wasn't a pureblood... or rather, from a family of recognition. If he did, he certainly didn't seem to care as much as Harry thought he would have. The four of them made their way to dinner happily, content with their progress on their essays. His smile faltered for only a moment when the slight jingle from his wrist reminded him that this wasn't all fun and games.
The weeks passed by uneventfully, and soon it was Halloween. Harry grimaced as he thought about the day to come. He would have to do his yearly ritual to remember his parents. He had started doing something in his fifth year and had done so each year since. He didn't think it helped really, but it was something he knew he needed to do. Something about lighting the candles and matching the constellations with his magic felt invigorating. What Harry was dreading, however, was the troll.
Now that Hermione was good friends with himself and many others, he doubted she would be crying in the girls lavatory that night, so Harry felt a bit relieved. Maybe this time he could just focus on directing attention toward Quirrell himself.
Thankfully, when dinner rolled around Harry saw Hermione sitting happily at the Ravenclaw table, discussing her Transfigurations essay with a third year who seemed interested in the topic.
Harry waited patiently, moving the food around on his plate, appetite lost on the one night of each year that only left sour memories in his mind. Then the doors to the great hall burst open and Harry heard the clanking of forks and knives being dropped to the side in shock, the other students watching as Professor Quirrell ran into the room, "Troll! There's a TROLL in the dungeons!" The room was entirely silent for a moment before the man finished lamely, "Thought you ought to know," and promptly fainted on the spot.
The Hall erupted instantaneously in a panic. Students screamed and teachers tried to yell for calm and quiet. Only Dumbledore's sonorus charm seemed to silence the children, "QUIET! Now, prefects will accompany their houses back to the dormitories, teachers will follow me, to the dungeons." The students and teachers scrambled to obey while Harry watched Snape slip out the back door. Honestly, the man had acted highly suspicious, it wasn't surprising Harry and his friends had suspected him of trying to steal the stone in another time.
As the students filed out, Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her into an alcove, "We don't have much time. Come with me." Hermione looked like she was about to protest but Harry silenced her, "Hermione!" His whisper sounded too harsh to his own ears, and he lightened his tone, "This is important. We need to go back into the great hall."
Hermione nodded once, quickly, confused but willing to do anything for her best friend. "All right."
Harry led Hermione back into the hall and over to the quivering body of Professor Quirrell. The man got up slowly, straightening his robes. "What are you two d-d-doing here? Sh-shouldn't you be at th-the dormit-t- dormitories?" Quirrell looked down at them, completely taken aback.
Harry laughed, "Oh but Professor we thought it would be best to stay with you. We wouldn't want you left alone and passed out, not with a troll on the loose. I wonder how it even got in in the first place." Harry narrowed his eyes at the man. "You know Professor, tonight is a very special night. It's terribly bad luck, not to mention horribly rude, to help a troll into the castle on tonight of all nights."
Quirrell's confusion melted into a look of malice, "Ahh, Potter, I don't know what you are implying, but perhaps I should see you both back to your rooms. It isn't safe out here right now. Come with me," the man grabbed them both by the back of their robes and pulled them along.
Harry threw Hermione a look, trying desparately to tell her that it was okay, they weren't in trouble, in fact Quirrell was about to be the one in trouble. Hermione just whimpered, and Harry remembered that here they were, after all, only eleven. The girl was brave, but the situation seemed to be too much for her to work through right now, just as the troll had been the last time around.
The two first years were pulled up the moving stairs, up and up and up, and for a moment Harry thought the man might actually be taking them to the Ravenclaw dorms, where Hermione should've been just then. Then Quirrell stopped in front of a familiar door on the third floor. Harry glanced around. Where was Snape? The man had been waiting here for Quirrell last time.
As if answering a calling, the shadows seemed to separate as the potions master came forward, "Quirrell, what are you doing to those students?" The man's eyebrows rose dramatically.
Quirrell spun around, "Oh, S-s-Severus, I didn't s-s-see you there. Th-these two were tr-trying to get in the door h-here." His stutter was back full force and Harry glared at the man.
"No we weren't, Professor Snape, sir! Professor Quirrell dragged us up here after we checked on him in the Great Hall." Harry looked straight into Snape's eyes, as if daring him to look into his mind, "Hermione's really scared. We don't understand what we did wrong."
Snape narrowed his eyes at the boy, "Well you're out of your rooms, for starters" he hissed. "Which means" his silky baritone paused, "That I will escort you back to your rooms now. And I think a detention for you two is in order for not following simple directions, to be served with Filch, tomorrow night. You'll accompany him to Hagrid's hut, who will have something for you to do. Professor Quirrell can accompany us back to your rooms. With a troll in the castle... who knows what sort of danger could be lurking behind the corner if we don't, ah, group up."
Quirrell sputtered, "I-I suppose it w-w-would be prudent indeed."
The four set off toward the Ravenclaw dormitories just one floor up. Hermione sniffled as Harry pulled her along. He whispered in her ear, "It's okay Hermione. We're safe, it's all right. Professor Snape is here now." Harry chanced a glance at the dour professor. The man looked so much younger than Harry remembered him. His last time seeing the man alive he had looked so strained, regret marring his smooth face. Harry imagined his own face had looked similarly just after viewing the man's memories.
The man was still an unimaginabley cruel bastard, but he had earned Harry respect, whether he knew that or not.
Hermione's whimpers had grown silent by the time they had reached the Ravenclaw common room entrance. "H-Harry? What was all this about tonight? I feel like you were accusing the Professor of -"
Harry sighed and quickly cut her off, "I really did just want to check on Quirrell tonight. It seemed dangerous, just leaving him there passed out in the Great Hall with a troll on the loose. I'm sorry, I didn't think he'd get all aggressive suddenly." Harry looked over at the two teachers who were eyeing each other warily before turning back toward Hermione. He didn't like lying to the girl but he couldn't tell her, not just yet. She was new to magic still, and there was no way she would believe him.
The young Ravenclaw wiped her eyes, "Okay. I'm sorry, Harry. I'll... I'll see you in class."
Harry nodded and gave the girl an encouraging nudge toward her dorms and a small smile. "Good night, Hermione. So," he began as he turned back to the two older men, "ready to go down to the dungeons?"
Quirrell paled, "Actually, I th-think I have some b-b-business with the headmaster." The man quickly scurried down the moving stairs. Neither Harry nor Severus moved until the man had made his way down at least to the second floor.
"Let's go Professor," Harry started, smiling as he made his way down the stairs as well.
The potions master scowled at him, but followed, his long strides catching him up to the boy immediately. "Potter! What were you doing out of your dormitories tonight? You were told expressly to follow your house prefects back to the Slytherin common room." The man's acidic voice caused Harry to wince.
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape, sir, but Hermione and I wanted to check on Quirrell, just like I said before." Harry didn't look at the man, he didn't want to see those cold eyes staring back at him.
"And I'm saying," Snape muttered, "That I don't believe you. You're clearly a trouble-maker, Potter!" The pair had almost reached the Slytherin portrait now and Hary finally turned and looked at his professor.
"Since it's quiet down here I'm going to assume Dumbledore took care of the troll, so we can talk for a minute. Listen up Professor Snape, cause I'm only gonna say this once."
Harry ignored the sharp "Professor Dumbledore, Potter!" and continued: "I know you think I'm some pampered little golden boy, but I'm not. I'm far from any of that. I know you probably won't believe me, and I know you hate me because of who my dad was, but that's not me. I'm Harry, just Harry. I'm not gonna beg you for any kind of respect, since I really haven't earned it yet here, but please don't think that I go looking for trouble. I'm so tired of people thinking that." Harry sighed and leaned down to brush off his pant legs. They'd gotten a bit dusty from the antique atmosphere of the third floor corridor they'd been down.
Severus Snape was shaking with rage. The boy had the nerve to lecture him! "Why you good for nothing little swine! How dare you lecture me? Of course you're just like your miserable lump of a father who-!"
Potter's expression caught him off guard. Was that pity the boy looked at him with? "You know, Professor, it's okay it you hate me. It really is okay. Just know that I don't hate you. No matter what you've done, you'll always have my respect." Harry gave the man a small smile, "And there isn't much you can say that will hurt me now."
Harry turned around and said the password to the Slytherin portrait, "Goodnight Professor Snape." He completely missed the look on Snape's face as he left the potions master alone in the corridor. So much for making some good memories this Halloween.