In Wisdom's Creed

OK here's Chapter 9 as promised because of editing the previous chapters!

I've not got a title for it yet! Or a quote! I really am getting bad at that!

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Hermione ran past the common room door, ignoring Ron and Harry who were just getting back from Quidditch practice.
She went straight to her room, locked the door behind her and cast a silencing charm on it.
Then, in sheer desperation she jumped into bed and pulled the covers over her head.

After her breathing calmed she realised what a childish thing that was and peered out over the duvet at the room.
She hadn't even turned the light on, but she could feel Crookshanks headbutting her legs for attention. The room felt a little creepy without the light on, but she guessed that if Professor Snape came looking for her, at least he'd think she wasn't in.

She sighed deeply and got out of bed. She turned the lights on and headed into the bathroom to start the bath running.
She couldn't avoid him for ever, she had Potions to go to, and no doubt he could find her if he wanted to. At least she could have a nice long hot soak before being condemned.
A frustrated meow grabbed her attention and she went back to sit on the bed and stroke Crookshanks.
"Sorry Crookshanks," she sighed, "I know you just want some love."
Crookshanks purred happily and settled down on the bed.
"I did something really, really stupid tonight Crooks," she sighed again and rolled onto her side, burying her face in his fur and sobbing.
"He's going to kill me!"

"Who is?" came a soft, comforting voice from near the door.
Hermione jumped up and stared at Nearly Headless Nick who looked ridiculous with just his head poking through the door.
"Nick!" Exclaimed Hermione, "What are you doing?"

Nick stepped completely into the room and bowed. "I'm terribly sorry to intrude Hermione, but your friends were rather desperate to find out what was wrong, and they, not being able to get into the room, called upon my Gryffindor sense of duty to make sure the damsel in distress was not lying dead on the other side of the door."

Hermione chuckled softly, letting out some of her pent up energy.
"Ok, ok," she said, standing and walking over to the door. She opened it to see Ron, Harry and Neville standing outside looking worried.
"I'm ok, I'm not dead... but I am going to have a bath soon."

"What happened Hermione?" asked Harry cautiously.

Hermione sighed. She couldn't tell them why Snape was mad.
"Oh he was just horrible... and..." she bit her lip and stared at a knot in the wood of her door.

"What did he do to you?" Demanded Ron.

Hermione giggled suddenly, "Oh he didn't, Ron... I.. umm..." she let out a peal of laughter, "I told him he was a..." she paused to remember correctly, "a cold, bitter, twisted git... oh and I said he was too damned petty to get over himself!"

She laughed again... and then trailed off and started to sob.
"He's going to KILL me!!"

Harry, Ron and Neville were standing with their mouths wide open staring at her.
"Umm... told who?"inquired Nick quietly.

"Snape!" squeaked Hermione.

"Oh!" said Nick, "Umm.."

"Oh my GOD Hermione!" said Ron slowly, then he opened his mouth and shouted loudly, "You're a HERO!"

Harry started to laugh and chimed in, "We should tell people! Even our bookworm is brave enough to stand up to Snape! That's excellent Hermione! I wish I'd done something like that..."

Only Neville remained sober. "Umm... Hermione... what did he say?"

Hermione gulped slightly, "Well... I didn't give him time to say anything... I ran..."

Neville bit his lip and said nervously, "He's going to be mad..."

Hermione nodded slightly.

"Ahh who cares?" Exclaimed Ron, "What can he do, other than give you detention? You're a hero now! We need to tell everyone!"

Hermione sighed deeply, she knew that for the boys detention wasn't much, but to her, it was a lot. And Snape would go out of his way to be horrible to her in detention. She was also worried about how it would affect Lucius. Snape wouldn't want to help her with curing him, so would he really put any effort into it?
No surely... he couldn't put himself before a cure for the Imperio Curse... or could he?
She knew how much he hated Lucius now; enough to make her life hell just for trying to help him. Could Snape really be petty and jealous enough to not find a cure to the Imperio curse because of Lucius? Possibly now that she'd angered him.

She looked up to realise that her friends were staring at her.
Ron waved a hand in front of her face. "Hermione?" He asked.

She smiled, "Sorry, I was just thinking... anyway, I need to go and have that bath."

The boys smiled at her, and Nick bowed.
"OK, it's kinda late too, so I guess we'll see you tomorrow?" Harry asked her.

She nodded and smiled, "Yeah, if Snape hasn't found me and killed me before then," she half joked.

Harry and Ron laughed, though Neville just looked concerned.

Hermione closed the door and headed for the bathroom.
A long hot soak would make her feel better, she was sure.