Forbidden Paths

Chapter 1

Hermoine Granger walked into potions class as usual, but with one change, Harry and Ron were nowhere to be found. This is because Harry and Ron had both received less than Outstanding on their potions O.W.L.S. and were now no longer taking potions. Hermione however had passed her potions final was was now taking N.E.W.T. preparatory class.

Draco Malfoy was looking at the door of the potions classroom when he saw Hermione Granger stroll in her head held high and a triumphant smile on her face. Surely the Mudblood Granger didn’t pass her Potions O.W.L. The Potty and The Weasel didn’t and she almost always helps them study, he thought to himself. Draco Malfoy was no longer flanked by his cronies Crabbe and Goyle because they too had not done well on there potions final.

Draco wasn’t the least bit surprised about this either they were, how do you say, stupider then Wendelin the Weird, who like being burnt at the stake so much she let herself get caught a lot of times.

He accidentally caught Hermione’s eyes and he quickly sneered and looked away. But as his eyes roamed the classroom he noticed that all the seats were filled accept for the one next to him. Dammit he thought, if she sits next to me I will surely die because of her contaminating the air around me.

Hermione’s eyes glanced through the dark classroom intending to find a seat as far away from Malfoy as she could but she had no such luck so she slowly put on her game face a strode toward Malfoy so she could take the seat next to him.

“Yeah right Mudblood there’s no way in hell that you are gonna sit here with me,” Malfoy said putting his books on the chair next to him.

“Get stuffed Malfoy you actually thing that I want to sit next to you, the Amazing Bouncing Ferret that has Death Eaters for parents? I think not,” Hermione saw that she had hit a nerve as his face blanched and he moved his seat as far away from her as possible and reluctantly moved his books.

“Good Afternoon class,” said Professor Snape as he strolled in, his black robes billowing behind him, “I’m both Pleased and Displeased that so many have returned to take my class,” his eyes drifted over to Malfoy and Hermione as he said these words.

“I’m also going to inform you that the seats that you have chosen to day are going to be your permanent seats of the year. I will not tolerate people talking about nonsense in this class,” he eyed Parvati and Lavender as he said this, “So the seats that you chose are for work purposes and they shall remain that way.”

Miss Patil kindly join Mr. Macmillan and Miss Brown I’m sure Miss Parkinson will be pleased to make your acquaintance. Now on with the class,” he said as a disappointed Parvati bid Lavender good bye and moved her to her seat with Ernie, “This year you will be working with partners on homework, projects, and potion concoction. This is mainly so you don’t mess up too badly and to make sure those of you that chose partners unwisely will fail, as you should,” he added with a smirk.

Hermione knew that her ears must have been deceiving her. Had professor Snape actually said that she had to work with this pompous prat all year long? He had to be kidding. She shot a look at Malfoy who had the biggest look of disbelief on his face as Professor Snape finished his start of term lecture. It was like the whole time Professor Snape had been speaking in Gobbledygook and Draco hadn’t understood a word of it.

When class was dismissed Draco cornered Hermione before she could leave and said, “Let’s get on thing straight if you so much as breath a word of this to anyone I will curse you like there is no tomorrow.”

“What makes you think I would actually want to tell anyone I ashamed of having to work with an arrogant git like you.”

Malfoy’s nostrils flared and he said, “Just keep it quiet Mudblood if you know what’s good for you.”

Hermione turned on her heel and stalked away.