Giving and Taking

Thoughts of the future began to flood Hermione’s brain as she walked to Potions class. These were not new for her. After all, she was in her seventh year and graduation would occur sooner than anyone could expect. While climbing down the cold stone stairs to class, she again began to wonder what would happen next year. With Voldemort gone, there was a chance for living a normal life again. As if normal meant anything anyways.

Ron opened the heavy door leading to the dungeons, and the trio took their customary seats in the middle of class. They were a couple of minutes early, and Professor Snape wasn’t in sight. Therefore, they could talk freely without any fear of reprimand. Ron started the dialogue:

“Harry, did you see what Alicia was wearing at Hogsmeade last weekend? Bloody good figure that witch has, don’t you think?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, again. All she had heard about on the way to class was last weekend in Hogsmeade, which she had missed. She gave the excuse of having too much homework, but she had lied. It was still early in the term, and she didn’t have nearly as much work as she claimed. The truth was, she sometimes tired of always being with Ron and Harry. They were great friends, but sometimes she longed for something more when she was with a person. She couldn’t name it, but the desire was there.

Harry continued, “Ron, is this some sort of trick Ginny put you up to? You know quite well I wouldn’t dare look at another girl while dating your sister. She has the best figure I’ve seen on a witch, if you don’t mind me saying so, mate”

Ron looked incredibly uncomfortable at that last remark and started stammering loudly, clearly embarrassed. Hermione felt an intervention was necessary before awkwardness ensued. Unfortunately, she didn’t notice Professor Snape silently enter the class at this point.

“Oh boys, honestly not this again! Must I always hear about girls from you two? Would it kill you to talk about something else for a change, something actually worth it? Something intelligent like books or history or…”

“Would it kill you to be quiet for once and talk about potions, Miss Granger?” Professor Snape interrupted, with a look of annoyance.

Hermione apologized meekly with a whisper.

Professor Snape walked to the front of the class room and started to lecture.

“Today’s lesson will be concocting the potion used for burn healing. This should prove to be extremely useful for those foolish enough to constantly create some sort of conflagration while brewing other potions. The instructions are on the board”

With a flick of his wand, the words magically appeared on the board. Professor Snape continued:

“Follow these instructions carefully. Timing is especially crucial”

And with that, he gave the class of Gryffindors his usual glare and they began.

Potions was that one class where Hermione utilized all of her focus. It wasn’t mindless like Charms, nor just common sense, which Care for Magical Creatures required. She loved the push that Potions gave her, that demand for her to read and apply, all with the extra pressure thrill of timing. She began preparing her ingredients with Ron and Harry, lost in her own intellectual haze, completely unaware to the fact that Professor Snape was observing her concentration from his desk.

“That determination, that intense focus, how insanely attractive yet maddening. She takes the task at hand and does it, putting all of herself in it. Those eyes that scan the page in the books how I wish they would…Oh stop it Severus. She’s not even half your age, you pervert. This has got to end. Obsessing about a student, honestly, it’s been over two weeks now…She’s so intelligent, but she’s so beautiful at the same time. Yet, she has those mindless primates for friends. She’s capable of so much for her future, but she’s held back by Potter and Weasely. It’s entirely unfair, that potential being wasted….”


Hermione began to work with Ron and Harry, and the topic of conversation switched back to Hogsmeade.

“I’m telling you mate, that Alicia…I wouldn’t mind showing her I’m much better off my broomstick than on it, if you know what I’m saying…”

Harry added, “Come on Ron, you know she’s been eyeing Seamus, give it up, will ya? Katie’s still hot for you, she might not have the ass but she has…well she has…I’m sure she’s got a great personality!”

Both boys laughed at the prospect of dating someone for the sake of personality. Hermione got more and more frusterated. Not only was she feeling left out, but she was doing all the work for the potion. She was losing her focus and accidentally added too much essence of murlap than required. The potion began to boil viciously. The boys looked up. Ron questioned?

“Blimey, Hermione! Careful! Don’t you know 2/3 of the grade for this is ours? Don’t want to screw it up for your pals, do ya?”

Hermione could barely control her anger, the steam from the potion was only adding to her rage. Still she managed to hold in her emotions, again. She did love her friends, and knew that with out her, there was a real shot for them not graduating. She tried in vain to rectify her mistake, but the potion began to bubble more dangerously. Professor Snape snapped back to reality when saw what was happening, and always happy to point out the faults in Gryffindor, rushed over, eager to chastise.

“My, my, what a mess we have going on here…surely someone in the precious dream team was to careless to notice that instructions were meant to be followed, not altered”

Ron exclaimed “Professor Snape, the potion is just so complex! Hermione is working as carefully as she can, but maybe if you weren’t so hard on us, Hermi…I mean we, wouldn’t have to worry about perfection”

“Oh, but Mr. Weasley” Professor Snape said dangerously, “You aren’t implying that Miss Granger is doing all the work? Surely your brain is capable of processing something minimally productive to this class. Tell me, Weasley, what is the first ingredient the potion calls for?”

Ron stammered, obviously unable to answer the simple question. Professor Snape glanced over to Harry, but received a blank stare. Groaning in aggravation, he looked over to Hermione. The steam from the cauldron had not only pasted her hair to her face, but also made her blouse cling just a bit tighter over her torso, outlining her curves. Professor Snape internally yelled at himself for noticing the extra emphasis this added to her large breasts. For the second time in the past two minutes, he had to tear himself back to reality.

“Will, it looks like Miss Granger is again saving the dream team from the usual dreadful performance. Tell me, Miss Granger, is it fun for you, doing all the work while your two friends sit idly back, and still demand credit?”

Hermione swallowed her anger and said,

“Professor Snape, I’m just helping Ron and Harry out. It is a difficult potion, its true. They just need someone to get it started and then they jump in”

“Miss Granger, don’t lie to me. You simply want all the credit. You refuse to let your friends participate, although this is a group project. Clearly, Hermione, if my demands aren’t challenging enough, I’m sure I could change them for you, so you can show off not to your friends, but to the whole class!”

Professor Snape knew he was being unfair but he wanted to see her angry. He wanted to see her passionate. He wanted to see if she would realize what power she was capable of, if only she could stand up for herself.

“Professor Snape!” Hermione replied, finally succumbing to her anger, “You know perfectly well I am not a showoff and all I am here for is to do what you’ve written on the board. I don’t care if I was doing all the work or not, I’m simply following your instructions. And for your information, they’re challenging enough!”

The class grew quiet at this uncharacteristic outburst from the characteristically quiet and docile Hermione. Professor Snape recoiled. He wasn’t expecting this much emotion but he was pleased at what had happened. He now had the perfect opening to create an opportunity for him to discuss her academics. He worried that perhaps he might have gone too far with his provocations. After all, he only wanted what was best for her, to help her achieve her full academic potential. He had driven the girl close to tears but he reminded himself it was for her own benefit. Still, the words came rushing out of his mouth with a typical smirk,

“Well, Miss Granger, since you obviously feel like showing off your feelings to the class, perhaps a detention tonight would help you vent some of your steam?”

Hermione sighed in defeat. She began working on the potion again, with occasional silent help from Ron and Harry. It was true they were inept in the class but she believed they truly meant well towards her. She couldn’t help but feel a tiny thrill during her discourse with Professor Snape. It was unexplainable, but she couldn’t deny the feeling. Puzzled, she disregarded it.

Professor Snape smiled with satisfaction about his plan as he returned to his desk. He would finally get the chance to tell Hermione candidly that she was capable of much more, if only she eliminated the distractions around her. He wanted her to succeed, but he didn’t know why. He was attracted to her mind and intellect and all the possibilities contained within it. It was unique, unlike anyone he had ever encountered. He ran his hands through his black hair absently.

Now, if only he could forget about the rest of her body he was attracted to.

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Hey guys, this is my first fic, so any comments are welcome! Hope you enjoy!