Third Year Starts
Hermione was sitting in the first potions class of the year, beaming. For once she was having a good start to the year. Her trip to France had been fabulous, and once she got back she had even found a few extra days to see Harry and the Weasleys. Ron was even being relatively civil. Best of all, Professor Dumbledore had found a way to work out her ridiculous request for courses. Hermione was taking everything. Literally. And today, after potions, she would use her time turner for the first time.
Hermione smiled at Professor Snape, and Snape smiled back. Malfoy sat across the room and watched the two of them, baffled. Snape never smiled like that. Even when Draco saw him outside of class, he didn’t. Something was going on.
Hermione continued making her potion, chatting with Harry and Ron, and ending with a perfect result, which seemed to bother Ron just a little. After class, Hermione approached Professor Snape.
“Excuse me, Professor. I had a question about today’s potion.”
Hermione rattled on as the rest of the class filed out. Draco Malfoy left the class room, but hung back behind everyone else to see what was going on. He slid into a shadow in the corner, waiting for Granger to come out.
Once the classroom was deserted, Severus pulled his daughter into a hug.
“How was France?”
“It was fantastic.” Hermione smiled and hugged Snape again. “And I’ve got all the classes I want this year, and everything is great.”
Severus was glad to see her happy. She was growing up, and get over the little trials of childhood. She hardly cared when Draco teased her now: she was no longer full of spite. Things Severus never had gotten rid of.
“How was your summer?” Hermione asked.
“Relaxing and plain. Just the way I like it. Shouldn’t you be getting to your next class?”
“Oh, I guess I should. It’s the first time I’ve used this.” Hermione pulled the time turner out and held it between her fingers. “Professor Dumbledore said not to tell anyone, but I’m sure the teachers are already aware.”
“I’ve heard mention of it. But, you shouldn’t show anyone else but myself and Dumbledore. Is that clear?”
“Oh, alright.” Hermione hugged her dad one more time. “I can see you any time now, though. I can just wind it back and no one will notice I’ve gone.”
Snape smiled, “That would be nice. Now get to class.”
Hermione turned the little knob once around, and vanished.
Draco slouched against the wall, waiting, but Granger never showed. Two minutes to his next class, he gave up and made his way to Transfigurations. As he ran into the class, huffing and puffing, he nearly collapsed at the sight of her. Hermione was sitting next to Harry and Ron already. How had she gotten past him?