How the Mighty have Fallen

A/N: Another very late update! Unfortunately, that will be the pattern as my school work has been monopolizing much of my time. A thousand thanks!


October 11, 1971: Afternoon

The sun’s rays felt heavenly on her skin. And the gentle breeze was bringing a sense of calm she hadn’t felt since before the war had begun. Even the loud chatter of the younger years had very little effect on her now peaceful mood. The serenity that had enveloped her burst as quickly as a bubble in a child’s grasp when she heard young Sirius taunt Severus with the moniker ‘Snivellus’.


It was one thing not to interfere after the fact, but Hermione would be damned if she stood back and did nothing in the face of such relentless, brutal bullying. Grabbing her wand, Hermione listened for the threats to begin and was somewhat surprised that they were all one-sided, in Sirius’ favor; her surprise melted away when she came around the corner, three on one she noticed. Incredulous couldn’t even begin to describe her feelings on the matter, though she hardly should have been surprised. Honestly, they were supposed to be Gryffindors! She would ensure they acted the part Hermione thought with grim satisfaction.


Stepping out of the shadows, Hermione raised her wand and directed it towards the haughty boy.


“My, but what do we have here? Three brave Gryffindors, “Hermione mocked in her best Bellatrix impersonation.


Pettigrew preened at the seeming praise until James elbowed him sharply and hissed, “She’s taking the piss.”


Hermione openly goggled at him, astounded at his idiocy.


Her thoughts were interrupted by Sirius’ own version of the entitled Black drawl, “Look Snivellus, mummy’s come to rescue you!”


Severus was becoming incredibly uncomfortable with the whole situation. Try as he might he couldn’t catch Hermione’s eye, to let her know to drop it, as she had eyes only for Black. At this past barb, Severus noticed, Hermione become even stonier in her anger.


Smiling bitterly, Hermione replied smugly, “Of course not. Severus can fight his own battles. I’m here to ensure that the fight is fair; we must maintain that elusive Gryffindor honor, as three on one certainly isn’t brave.”


Severus couldn’t help but smirk at that pronouncement.


“Go on then, since you’re itching for a duel,” Hermione prompted Sirius tauntingly.


Keeping one eye on Sirius’ friends, Hermione gave Severus an encouraging smirk and nodded as Sirius nervously stepped forward into an imitation of a dueling stance.


Clearly Severus had more magical skill than any of his tormentors. And now that the fight was fair it was almost guaranteed that he would prevail. As a misaimed hex nearly ruined her skirt, Hermione affectionately chided Severus, “If you wreck my skirt I’ll hex you myself!” His answering smile was proof enough to ensure that he realized she was teasing; though he gave no further reaction to her joking as he was fully engaged in winning the duel.


Unfortunately, as Hermione was simultaneously watching the duel and the unwilling spectators she failed to notice an irate Professor McGonagall coming up the rear.


“What exactly is going on here?” she questioned so fiercely that the dueling ceased immediately and Hermione stiffened noticeably.


“Detention, the both of you!” she roared at the misbehaving boys.


“Professor,” Hermione interrupted Professor McGonagall’s approaching tirade, “it was my fault; I put them up to this.”


And all at once, Professor McGonagall’s frigid stare landed solely and squarely on Hermione’s anxious form. Just then, Hermione could not remember when Professor McGonagall had been so angry with her.