What I've become

Hermione soon started to wish that she had not been assigned to this job, after three teachers she was feeling down hearted.

The next class she was in was professor Philips the muggle studies teacher and she had been trying to tell her class that a can opener is what Muggle’s used to cut there toe nails.

Hermione wished she didn’t have to write it down but knowing she had to, she wrote down that she felt the teacher was inexperienced.

Hermione was even more surprised when Lucius stepped forward and said, “That is not what a can opener is used for.” Professor Philips turned to Lucius her expression worried.

“A can opener is used for opening cans” said Lucius his voice malicious at being able to show up a teacher of Dumbledore’s. “Hence the name ‘can opener’.”

Hermione shot him a scowl as they left the classroom to head for there next class.

“What?” Lucius asked innocently shrugging his shoulders.

“Nothing…I just think it’s amazing how you hate Muggle’s but you know what a can opener is used for,” replied Hermione knowing she had hit Lucius in a sore spot as she saw his face turn into a scowl.

“Keep your enemy close,” Lucius said quickly knocking Hermione of guard.

“So I’m your enemy am I…so why did you get me a job with you…when you know full well my parents are Muggle’s?” Hermione shot back with a smile.

“Like I have said before…I think there is more to you,” Lucius replied, Hermione slowed down and watched his retreating back.

“That’s the second time he has said that…what is going on?” her mind pondered before she rushed to keep up with him.

Arriving at the next class Hermione was a little surprised to see Professor Snape was still teaching Potions.

Hermione had to admit that he knew how to teach a class, not one student failed to follow his instructions.

“Well I see you have not lost your ability to teach a class Severus,” whispered Lucius as he passed him but Hermione could hear him as she was stood in front of Snape as he spoke and she knew Lucius had not hidden it from her on purpose, it was then that Hermione remembered that Lucius believed Snape was on his side but knowing different Hermione gave Snape a sly smile before turning her attention back to the class.

Her attention was caught by a group of Sylitherin’s who were sniggering in the far corner and had a sneaky suspicion that they were up to no good.

When the class was coming to a close and Lucius and Hermione had inspected enough of the class they turned to leave, when suddenly a great explosion filled the classroom when a student’s cauldron shattered and the contents sprayed the class.

There were many screams as students jumped to their feet with boils breaking out on their skin where the potion had hit them.

“Charlie Gardener!” Snape boomed at the boy who was in front of what was left of the cauldron.

“Did I not say at the beginning of the class that extreme caution was to be taken when making this potion?” Snape snarled he clearly was not happy about Lucius having seen a student fail his class.

Charlie was soaked in the potion and was trying desperately not to cry from the pain as his Potions master shouted at him.

Hermione could see the same group of Sylitherin’s sniggering in the corner as they pointed at the boy, Hermione instinctively knew that they had done something to the potion without any body seeing it.

“Excuse me Professor…” Hermione began as she went to the boy’s aide until she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, looking she saw that some of the potion had splashed on her and was now burning though her cloak and onto her skin.

Moving quickly Hermione tore off her cloak and threw it to the floor followed by a bemused look from Lucius.

“Ouch” Hermione hissed when her fingers brushed scorched flesh on her neck, Snape had turned back to the class and was now sending all of the ones who had been hit badly by the potion to the hospital wing.

“I thought you two were leaving!” Snape barked at Lucius and Hermione.

“Yes…we have all the information we need,” Lucius said snidely, Snape glared at him with loathing.

“See you at the next meeting…brother” Lucius added before turning and leaving the classroom Hermione close behind him.


After the last class Lucius and Hermione made their way back to Dumbledore’s office to go back to the Ministry.

“So…did you like your first assignment?” Lucius asked as they walked, Hermione turned her head to look at him but quickly wished she had not when pain stabbed in her neck.

Hissing, her hand went back to her neck were she could feel the wound swelling.

“Are you ok?” Lucius asked stopping in his tracks as he looked at her.

“I’m fine,” Hermione replied defiantly putting on a brave face.

“Maybe you should go to the hospital wing…let me have a look at it,” Lucius said softly taking Hermione’s wrist he pulled it away from her neck, Hermione stood in shock as Lucius brushed the hair away from the side of the neck and held it gently at the back of her head.

Lucius leaned close to her neck to examine the wound, feeling his breath on her neck Hermione shifted uncomfortably.

“It looks pretty bad…but you will live,” Lucius said, he had not missed her unease at his closeness.

“Like I said, I’m fine,” Hermione said pulling her head away from Lucius, it was then that he spotted something unusual at the back of Hermione’s neck, tightening his grip slightly Lucius turned Hermione’s head forcefully to the side so he could get a better look.

There at the back of Hermione’s neck was a small patch of dark colored skin but it was not that which caught his attention it was the shape it formed…the shape of a snake.

“Wha…what are you doing?” Hermione stuttered trying to pull away from Lucius but he held her still.

“What is this mark?” Lucius retorted his finger brushing the mark to make sure it wasn’t dirt

“It’s…my birthmark” Hermione cried trying to pull away again this time being successful.

Lucius stared at her dumfounded his mind racing for something to say.

“We’d better get going,” he said quickly, then turned and swept down the corridor just as students came filing out of the many classrooms engulfing Hermione in a sea of cloaks.