Higher Learning

Higher Learning--Chapter 2

When Hermione got through the portrait hole, she made a beeline across the common room to where Ron and Harry were seated.

"What did Percy want?" Ron asked, not looking up from his Quidditch magazine.

"Just wanted to congratulate me again for making Head Girl," Hermione replied. "And it's Professor Weasley now."

"Sorry, forgot," said Ron. Ron was a good friend and all, but Hermione could never see him from a romantic point of view. He was too Quidditch-oriented, and wouldn't have a time for a girlfriend anyway. Besides, Hermione liked intellectuals, like Percy.

"What do you think history is going to be like this year?" Harry asked.

"Hopefully much more interesting now that we have a teacher that is actually alive," Ron replied, still not looking up from his magazine. He changed the subject. "I wish I could play like that." He pointed to a photo in the magazine of a Beater whacking a Bludger at the opposing Seeker.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Is Quidditch all you think about?"

"You've known me for seven years, 'Mione. You tell me," Ron replied.

"I guess I should have known that," Hermione said with a laugh. "I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late."

"Don't worry, Mum," said Harry good-naturedly. Hermione just smiled and went up to bed.

*****

Percy sat in his office, trying to finalise his lesson plans. However, his mind wouldn't let him. It kept straying somewhere else. More specifically, someone else.

Percy couldn't stop thinking about Hermione ever since he had seen her at the Yule Ball in her fourth year. He thought she had looked do beautiful, too beautiful for that Krum fellow. Percy never let his feelings manifest because she was his little brother's best friend, and he felt wrong about it. Plus, at the time, Hermione was only a girl of fourteen. Now, however, she was a girl no longer.

In Percy's eyes, Hermione was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. She had a sort of natural beauty that didn't need to be enhanced by make-up. She had a mind to rival his own, and a sharp tongue. He wondered what else she could do with that tongue...

'Bad Percy,' he chastised himself. 'I can't be lusting after a student! Granted, she's a very pretty student, and she is of age...'

'No! Okay, Perce, you can do this, concentrate on your lesson plans...'

*****

The next morning, Hermione headed down to breakfast, alone. Harry and Ron weren't even up yet, and they would be late if they didn't soon. Hermione was lost in her own thoughts and wasn't watching where she was going. Suddenly she was stopped by something solid, and very warm.

"You might want to watch where you're going, Hermione," said an amused voice above her. Hermione looked up and groaned slightly when she saw Percy grinning down at her. She didn't want to deal with her 'crush' this early in the morning.

"Good morning, Professor," said Hermione softly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't even look Percy in the eye.

'She looks rather pretty like that,' he thought. 'No, evil thoughts, shouldn't be thinking them!'

"See you later then," said Percy, and he walked off. Hermione let out a sigh of relief when Percy was around the corner and out of sight.

"Aww, the little Mudblood has a crush," said an amused voice from behind Hermione. She whirled around to see Malfoy leaning against the wall, an amused smirk on his face.

"Sod off Malfoy, I'm not in the mood," Hermione said. She had decided to not take any of Malfoy's crap this year. Sure, he had proved to be anti-Death Eater, but it still didn't mean he was a nice guy.

"You know, this could ruin your school career," Malfoy said, his smirk widening.

"But I know you don't have the balls to tell anyone. Besides, I see those glances you shoot at Snape every so often," Hermione said triumphantly. Malfoy glowered at her and slunk off into the shadows. Hermione, smiling, headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.

*****

Hermione's first class was History. She headed to the back of the room so she could watch Percy unnoticed. But the fates had other plans. Harry and Ron sat on either side of her.

"Why are you sitting so far back, 'Mione?" asked Ron with amusement in his voice.

"I just want to," Hermione replied.

"Would it be that you have a little crush on our dear Professor Weasley?" Harry asked, mirroring Ron's amusement.

"No," Hermione said quickly, her face going red. She recovered quickly when Percy entered the room.

"Welcome to another year of History of Magic," he said brightly. He wrote his name on the board. "I am your teacher, Professor Weasley. This year we are going to study Hogwarts' history." A groan rippled over the class. Percy ignored it and continued.

"Now, I'm sure all of you know this, but who can tell me who founded Hogwarts?" he asked, scanning the classroom. Maybe it was because it was early, or maybe they didn't know the answer, but no one's hand was in the air. Percy decided to pick on someone. "Hermione?"

"What?" Hermione asked, jumping slightly when she was addressed. She wasn't paying attention, but instead had thoughts running through her head that were a lot like: 'Percy looks so handsome standing up there'; 'I love the way his eyes sparkle'; 'His voice is so sexy...'

"Could you tell us who founded Hogwarts?" Percy asked again, sounding a little disappointed because Hermione wasn't paying full attention.

"Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin," Hermione rattled off. Percy beamed.

"Correct. Five points to Gryffindor," he said. Hermione reverted to 'Percy-watching' until a piece of parchment was slid under her arm.

*Are you sure you don't have a crush?* was written across the parchment in Harry's untidy scrawl.

~Yes~ was all Hermione wrote in return. She didn't want to be caught passing notes.

<Are you positive?> was Ron's even untidier scrawl.

~Yes.~

*Absolutely?*

~YES! ~

<I don't believe you.>

~Fine, if I tell you, will you leave me alone? ~

*Maybe*

<Maybe>

~Fine. I like Percy. Have since third year. Are you happy now? ~

*Yes*

<You like my brother?>

~Yes, Ron, I like your brother. Is that so hard to believe? ~

<EWW!>

They couldn't write anymore, because Percy came by and confiscated. He read it over, but didn't read it out loud to the class, like some other teachers would have.

"Five points from Gryffindor each. Hermione, see me after classes," was all he said, disappointment evident in his voice. At that moment the bell rang, and the entire class bolted from the room. Hermione packed her bag slowly and left for Arithmacy.

This was going to be a long day.