A/N (Something we can never do without): This chapter took really long to write. Why? Homework gets in the
way. A lot. I am very sorry. I hope it's worth all the time it took to write. Please tell me. Review, I beg you! Need
reviews. I won't continue unless I get ten new reviews. Selfish, I know. Just review like a nice reader. If there are
any grammar or spelling mistakes, sorry... again. My proofreader went on vacation. I think that's it. Enjoy.

Always and Forever

by Scarlet Witch
 
 

Chapter 3
And The Plot Thickens
 

After Malfoy's... unexpected comment, to say the least, Hermione didn't get much sleep. Although it
wasn't entirely his fault, she was also quite nervous about her first class with Professor Cannery. She
tried to focus on the fact that Harry and Ron would be right there with her, but she found that that didn't
comfort her much. She would've much rather had Vinterica or Izabella with her. She finally managed to
get some sleep thinking about her new acquaintances.

The day passed quickly in her more familiar classes. They weren't nearly as difficult as she remembered,
and to her pleasure, most of her homework assignments were fairly simple. Potions with the Slytherins
wasn't as bad as she remembered, either, though Neville managed to loose five points and Malfoy managed
to gain twice that. Afterwards, She, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lavender headed to the Great Hall for lunch.

"I'm going to be up for the next four days trying to figure out all my homework," Ron said, grinning at
Lavender.

"I'll make sure your not. If you need any help, feel free to ask," Lavender replied slyly.

"He always needs help," Ginny added, then burst into giggles. Lavender shot her a look, Harry laughed
with her and Hermione just stared.

Wanting to change the subject, Harry asked, "Anyone else catch Malfoy's new trick?"

Ron looked disgusted. "Ten points for that? Can you believe it?"

"He didn't do anything, just made that weird blue stuff." Lavender was just as disgusted.

Hermione felt that she needed to say something. "That weird blue stuff happens to be Anniox Ytel. Do
you know how hard that is to make? I'm not even sure on the fifth ingredient."

Ron and Harry's jaw dropped. Ginny stared. Lavender asked, "And why are you defending ferret-boy?"

Hermione had just been thinking the same thing. "Well... because I think he deserved the points."

By this time, they were all seated and had their lunches in front of them, though none had been touched
much since Hermione's statement. "Yeah right, and Neville can play Quidditch," Ginny said, though
immediately apologized to Neville. The rest of lunch was eaten in silence.

Hermione finished as quickly as she could so she could wander around to clear her mind. Defense Against
the Dark Arts was next and Hermione couldn't be any more nervous. So many possibilities. Cannery could
be evil. Cannery could be nice. Cannery could be "though but fair." The list went on and on. Hermione
was also lost in wondering why she had defended Malfoy. She kept telling herself that it was just because
that potion was hard to make, but somehow her mind didn't believe it.

'Ten minutes.' She thought as she strolled through a hallway. She kind of hoped to run into Vinterica. The
Ravenclaws already had Defense Against the Dark Arts. Vinterica could tell her about Cannery. Her hopes
were almost answered, for she did come upon someone, but not someone she was fond of. Draco Malfoy
was standing in the middle of the hallway, staring at a painting. He looked almost... normal. He obviously
hadn't noticed her or else he would have accused her of something or made a shot. She wondered whether
she should say something or keep going. Her mind told her to keep going, but somehow she couldn't move
her feet anymore. She just stared.

"You know, it's rude to stare. Do Muggles know anything about etiquette?" Malfoy said in his usual tone,
but without turning his head.

"I am very aware of the many rules of etiquette. I just couldn't help-" Hermione began.

"But stare at the gorgeous Slytherin Seeker that is me? I know." His expression didn't change and he still
refrained from turning.

"But wonder why you are staring into space like a cat. Honestly, can't you just be one animal?" Hermione
found herself disappointed that the verbal weapons had been drawn. She just wanted to know about the
painting.

Malfoy shrugged. He also seemed disinterested in their usual bombardment of insults. "Do you know anything
about this painting?" His voice was tranquil. A tone Hermione had never heard from him.

Hermione stepped up behind him, keeping her eyes on the painting. "Yes, a bit. It was painted in 1587 by
a... witch named Jahara Turasi. What exactly she was painting is still a mystery to everyone. Jahara painted
this when she was 16. She died two years later from a Muggle disease."

"Really? A shame to waste all that talent. I fathom she was quite..." A sly grin crept over his face, then
disappeared, "Something."

"Indeed." Hermione was not amused with what she thought he was thinking. Another thought struck her.
"Did you have Cannery already?"

"Yes, why?" Malfoy kept his gaze.

"What's she like?"

"A bitch. Dreadful woman. Hates everyone. Assigns homework even I don't understand. She didn't use
to be a dark witch, she is one. You have her next, eh?"

"Y-yes." Hermione was now thoroughly frightened. Before she got the chance to say any more, the clock
tower bell rang, signaling that lunch was over and it was time to meet her doom.

"My time has run out. Have a nice death." With that, Malfoy stalked off toward whatever class he had next.

Hermione slowly trudged through the hallway, hoping that Harry and the rest of her Gryffindor friends
didn't find her. They never did. She entered the classroom and took a seat in the middle somewhere. Much
different from the front where she usually sat. Most of the Gryffindors were already seated and before she
could note where her "friends" were, Professor Cannery entered.

Professor Cannery marched up to her desk and went through some papers. It wasn't quite time for class
and the students knew it, for they were all chatting away nosily. Harry and Ginny entered and sat in the back
somewhere. Hermione purposely hid behind someone so Harry wouldn't sit by her. Ron and Lavender
entered a short time later and found vacant seats to Harry's right. Hermione sat up straight and got out a
piece of parchment and a quill. Ron shot her a "why aren't you sitting here" look, but she pretended not to
notice. Finally, Professor Cannery began to speak.

"All right, Gryffindor. Enough socialization." The class immediately quieted and everyone took a seat.
Professor Cannery grinned. "As you have already been informed, I am Professor Cannery. I currently have
no expectations of you for the simple reason that I have no idea how you usually behave. Later in the year
you can be sure that I will be... a bit more educated as to whether or not you are... let's say, incandescent
or dim. Today I will be giving a lecture. Tomorrow, the fun begins. Your homework is located on the floating
wall to the left of the exit. You don't turn it in, five points off your house. Two days in a row, that amount is
duplicated. And so on. I don't suggest you try anything, for you have no idea what charms might have been
placed on this room."

The rest of the class consisted of plenty of notes and Ron being moved away from Lavender. Malfoy had
lied. Professor Cannery was actually very nice. She explained everything in technical and lament's terms so
everyone could understand. She was a lot younger than Hermione had expected. About 25 she guessed.
Her blonde hair was placed in a ponytail and even so it draped down to her thighs. Her crystal blue eyes
shown with a childish playfulness, but her persona was delightfully mature. Hermione made up her mind to
go tell Malfoy off as soon as she could. She had one more class after this one and then she was free to do
as she pleased. Cannery dismissed the class and Hermione hurried out as fast as she could and decided to
go the long way to her next class so her now not-so friends wouldn't find her.

Her last class seemed to last forever. She was so anxious to go yell at Malfoy and meet Vinterica in the
Library that she couldn't concentrate. Her hand still wrote down everything essential and she managed to
contain her excitement until the class was dismissed. She saw Harry making his way to her, but she quickly
headed out pretending she didn't notice. He stopped when Ginny ran up to him and started babbling about
Quidditch and Cho Chang. Hermione guessed that Ginny had just found out about Vinterica and was now
going to put every Gryffindor against her. She had half a mind to go tell Ginny off, but she decided that that
would not be wise. Halfway down some hall, she discovered that she hadn't the slightest idea where she was
going. How was she supposed to know where Malfoy was? Her plan had been foiled for now, but he was
going to get it when she saw him next, she told herself. She figured that getting her homework done would
be the best thing to do right now and, for fear of running into Harry and company, went to the library instead
of the common room. Then, she wouldn't have to go anywhere and risk being late to her meeting with
Vinterica, not that she'd be late anyway.

Homework was like it normally was at Hogwarts and Hermione finished in a couple of hours. So much free
time. She placed all of her things in her room and made her way to the Great Hall to see if anything interesting
was going on. Nothing. The Hall was deserted. A lone figure sat at the head table, head down, quill in hand.
Hermione stood in the doorway for a moment, trying to figure out who this person was. Her question was
answered when, without looking up, the figure said, "Come in, Hermione."

Hermione entered the room and began to apologize, "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt whatever it
is you're doing. I just-" She was cut off.

"Save it. It's fine," Professor Cannery said, "What can I do you for today?" She put down her quill and smiled
that genuine smile that had attracted Hermione to her.

"I was bored. Just wondering if anyone was in the Hall," Hermione started, "I did all my homework."

"Of course you did. I expected that. You really are some piece of work, Hermione. Or would you rather
Miss Granger?"

"Erm... either is fine. What are you doing?" She asked but quickly added, "If you don't mind me asking."

"I do mind in this particular matter. It's kind of private."

"Sorry," Hermione made a move to go, but then decided then and there that she must know, "Why did you
do that?"

"Hmm, do what?"

"Stare at me like that. At the banquet. Malfoy too. With all due respect Professor Cannery, that kind of
creeped me out and I want... need to know."

Professor Cannery smiled again. A different smile. One of sinister nature. A smile that she had seen on only
one other person... "You will know," She began, her voice lower, sharper, "When you need to. Things are
happening again. Here. This time, the trial is yours." With that, Cannery got up and left out a side door with
her papers. Hermione's head was swimming with new thoughts. Nothing had been cleared up, just made
more foggy. She started toward the library, her head still swimming... drowning in thoughts.

Upon entering, she saw Vinterica at a table, chatting with another girl. Izabella was seated and reading a
book. Hermione made her way over. "Hello... everyone."

"Hermione, babe, friend, amigo... etcetera. Could you help me out?" Vinterica pulled Hermione over next
to her. Izabella started laughing. "Oh you shut up," Vinterica said in mock-annoyance. "Hermione, Rachael
and I seem to be having a dispute and I was just wondering what you thought. Maybe you could knock
some sense into my friend here."

Hermione figured out that Rachael must have been the other girl, now planted in front of her. Rachael was
short but very thin. She had very dark hair and brown eyes. Along with her chocolate skin, Rachael seemed
to stand out quite a bit from the cream-colored carpet. She was also quite a contrast from Vinterica, who
had her famous scarlet hair and sea-green eyes. Vinterica was tall and had broad shoulders. Hermione
almost laughed with Izabella. "What exactly is it that you want to know?" Hermione finally asked.

"Mmmkay, Teri, don't you need to introduce me to the Gryffindor bookmaggot first?" Rachael said in a tone
similar to Vinterica's.

"Be nice, Chel, Hermie's my friend. Hermione this is Rachael Winters. Rachael, this is Hermione Granger."
Hermione and Rachael shook hands.

"I was just playin' wit' ya, ya know? You're cool. You and me are gonna be good friends, I jus' know it."
Rachael said rather nicely. Hermione smiled broadly at the fact that she had just made another friend.

"I'm sure. Now, I'd like to know what your problem is?"

"My problem? Excuse me, Miss Manly-Shoes, but you is the one with the problem." Rachael said in
mock-anger.

"Chel, stop now, it's gettin' old." Vinterica said.

"All right."

"Now, Chel and I were just arguing about who we think is the hottest guy in the school. I vote it's that
beater on the Hufflepuff team. Don't know his name. Rachael says that it's Draco Malfoy." Vinterica stuck
out her tongue at Rachael.

Hermione's mind flashed with a picture of Malfoy. She shoved it out of her mind. "Well... I don't think it's
either. Physical appearance doesn't matter to me."

"Told you." Izabella interjected.

"And I told you to shut up. Okay, I get it, hot guys don't exist in Hermione's mind. Just hot books. Tell you
what, Chel, we'll call it a draw. deal?"

"Deal." Rachael said, shaking hands with Vinterica. "Now what?"

"Why do you have nicknames for everyone?" Izabella asked, her voice muffled from her book.

"Nicknames?" Vinterica asked back.

"Like "Chel" and "Hermie" and "Teri" and "Belle."

"I dunno. Just habit. You don't like being Belle?"

"I don't mind, but "Hermie" is pretty weird."

"So is "Hermione", but she's not complaining."

"Hey!" Hermione said. "I rather like my name, and Hermie is just fine with me."

"Then that settles it. Got it, Belle?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"It's late. We have classes tomorrow. We should probably get to bed." Rachael said.

"Ew, Chel, I'm not into that." Vinterica retorted.

"Yes you are," Rachael started for the door with Vinterica, then added, "See you tomorrow, Hermie."

"Tomorrow? What's going on tomorrow?" Hermione asked.

"We're going to meet again, aren't we?" Vinterica asked in mock-outrage.

"Oh, yes, of course."

"Kay, see you 'round, Hermie." With that, they left.

"I'd better be going too, Izabella." Hermione said with a yawn.

"Okay, tomorrow then. I'm going to be up for a while. I have a test tomorrow on this." She held up
her book. "A day after we learned it. Weird. See you."

"Bye." Hermione made her way toward the common room, tired out. Her evening with her friends had
really calmed her nerves. She would have stayed calm but she found herself, after taking an unfamiliar
staircase, lost. She kept walking, but the hallway was getting steadily darker as it progressed and she
was beginning to get scared, mostly of running into Filch or Mrs. Norris. She had no interest in loosing
any points for Gryffindor. She came upon a part of the hallway that seemed familiar and regained some
of her confidence. She turned a bend and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight that befell her.
 
 
 

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Chapter 4