Higher Learning

Higher Learning--Chapter 1

*****

Hermione Granger, about to start her final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as Head Girl, surveyed her reflection in the mirror. Nothing much had changed since first year. She was still a short, big haired, rule enforcing, stuffy bookworm. Ron even called her 'Percette' sometimes. Sure, Hermione's teeth were normal sized now because of that incident in fourth year, but it was a small comfort.

"Come on, Hermione, its time to go!" Hermione's mother called up the stairs. Hermione grabbed her trunk, made her way down the stairs and loaded her trunk into the car. Soon they were off to King's Cross station.

When she got to Platform 9 ¾ Hermione was ambushed by her best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They enveloped her in a hug, cutting off her air.

"Let me go!" shrieked Hermione, giggling. "I can't breathe!"

"Sorry, 'Mione," said the boys, letting her go. Hermione looked up at them. Both of them had sprouted over six years and now they both towered over Hermione.

"How was your summer?" Hermione asked.

"Okay, I guess," replied Ron. "It would have been better if either of you could come to the Burrow."

"Sorry, Ron," said Harry. "Dumbledore wouldn't let me leave Privet Drive until today."

"Mum and Dad wanted me to spend my last summer before Hogwarts at home," said Hermione. "They almost didn't let me leave this morning!" Just then the train's whistle blew, and the three friends headed to the train.

"So, who do you think made Head Boy and Girl this year?" asked Harry. "I'm only hoping it's not Malfoy."

"It is," said Hermione. Harry and Ron groaned.

"Wait a sec, how do you know who the Head Boy is?" asked Ron.

"It said so in my letter telling me I'm Head Girl," replied Hermione, taking her badge out of her trunk and pinning it to her robes. The boys grinned at her.

"Knew you'd do it, Hermione," said Harry.

"Oh great, we have another Percy!" wailed Ron, which earned him a playful whack on the shoulder. A fourth voice joined their conversation.

"I heard my name," said a red headed person, who had just stuck his head in the compartment. "Is anything the matter?"

"No, Percy, everything is fine. We were just joking with 'Mione that she was destined to be the next Percy," Ron replied with a grin. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him.

"So, you made Head Girl?" Percy asked. Hermione smiled and nodded. "Good for you! I should be getting back to the teacher's compartment. See you at the feast!" With that, Percy left the three seventh years and strode down the corridor.

"You never told us Percy was teaching at Hogwarts this year!" exclaimed Harry.

"Never came up in the letters," said Ron with a shrug.

"What's he teaching?" Hermione asked.

"History," Ron replied.

"What, did Binns finally cross over?" asked Harry. They had learned about why ghosts haunted last year in Defence.

"Guess so," said Ron. "His unfinished business was that he couldn't make anyone like his class. As soon as he could, he would leave."

"How do you know all of this stuff?" asked Hermione.

"Percy told me, and he got it from Dumbledore," Ron replied. He abruptly changed the topic to Quidditch, and Harry joined in. Hermione ignored the both of them, taking out one of her textbooks and reading for a while. The food trolley came around, and the three of them purchased sweets to share.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potty, Weasel and Mudblood," drawled a cold voice from the door. Draco Malfoy leaned on the doorframe, sneering at the trio.

"Go away. Malfoy," said Hermione calmly. Malfoy snickered.

"What are you going to do, Granger? You can't take points because I'm Head Boy and you are just a lowly Prefect," he sneered. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

"Didn't you read the rest of the letter McGonagall sent you?" she asked.

"No. I got all I needed to know from the first line," Malfoy replied.

"Well, if you had, you would know that the Head Girl position was given to me," Hermione replied smugly. Malfoy didn't get a chance to retort because Percy came by.

"Is anything the matter, Mr Malfoy?" he asked.

"No, Professor," Malfoy replied innocently. The Gryffindor Trio rolled their eyes.

"Then move along, Mr Malfoy," Percy said. Malfoy stalked off down the corridor to his own compartment. Once he was out of earshot, Percy said, "I don't know how I'm going to get through the year with him in my class."

"Percy!" exclaimed Hermione, shocked. "You shouldn't say that about your students."

"A student reprimanding a teacher and addressing him by his first name? I could give you detention for that!" retorted Percy. Hermione blushed.

"Sorry, Professor Weasley," mumbled Hermione. Percy grinned.

"It's all right, Hermione. Just don't let it happen again," said Percy. He then made his way down the train.

"Do I sense a little crush?" Harry teased.

"No," replied Hermione quickly, her face growing redder. She was lying, but Ron and Harry didn't tease her further.

Hermione had looked up to and admired Percy ever since their Transfiguration discussion at Hermione's first Welcoming Feast. Ever since then, Hermione had wanted to be a top student, just like he had been. Hermione guessed her feelings towards Percy had turned into a crush in her third year, but she couldn't be sure. All she knew is that she liked him now. Of course, nothing could happen because he was Ron's older brother and only saw her as another younger sibling.

The train finally slowed to a stop at Hogsmeade station. Students flooded out of the train and were met by buckets of rain falling on their heads. Harry, Ron and Hermione ran across the platform and clambered into a waiting carriage.

"I don't fancy sailing across the lake in this weather," said Hermione, referring to the ceremonial voyage the first years made across the lake. Harry and Ron agreed with her wholeheartedly.

When the carriage shuddered to halt in front of the school, the trio hurried out and ran up the stairs and into Hogwarts. Even though they ran as fast as they could, Harry, Ron and Hermione still looked like they had swam across the lake instead of just running up the stairs. They made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat down in their usual seats.

"I really pity the first years," said Ron as he took off his shoe and dumped the water out onto the floor. Just then McGonagall strode into the hall, followed by a double file line of soaked eleven-year-olds.

And so the Sorting began. Harry, Ron and Hermione clapped and cheered when a new Gryffindor joined the ranks, but it was still extremely boring. When the last student was sorted, Dumbledore stood.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we befuddle ourselves with this delectable feast, I have a few announcements. The first years please note that the Forbidden Forest is just that, hence its name. A few of our older students would do to remember that as well. We also have a new teacher joining the ranks. Percy Weasley has kindly offered to fill our History of Magic post. Although he is young, I expect you to treat him with the same respect as you would any of the other professors. Now, let's eat!"

The food appeared on the plates, and the feast went uneventfully. Hermione had taken to 'Percy-watching', which went unnoticed by the rest of the school. When the feast was over, Percy came towards her.

"May I walk you back to your tower?" he asked. Hermione nodded and they left the Great Hall together. They walked in silence until about halfway to Gryffindor Tower, when Percy broke the tension. "As I said before, congratulations on making Head Girl. You really deserved it."

"Thank you Percy, but I really don't think I do. My record is less than perfect," replied Hermione, shuddering at the thought of how many rules she had shattered to pieces over the years.

"I'm sure they wouldn't have chosen you if they didn't think you deserved it," countered Percy.

"I guess you're right," said Hermione. They had reached Gryffindor Tower.

"This is your stop," said Percy. "Come by my office after classes on day for tea one day. I want to know all that's been happening after I left."

"Okay," said Hermione. She turned and went to Gryffindor Tower. As soon as he knew Hermione was safe inside, Percy left and headed to his office.