Higher Learning

Higher Learning--Chapter 3

Hermione mechanically went through her classes, worried about what Percy had to say. Ever since 'Harry Potter's Secret Heartache' was published in Witch Weekly, Hermione was usually careful about notes being passed in class. Not that she passed notes regularly or anything.

After classes, Hermione slowly and dejectedly made her way to the History of Magic classroom. She timidly knocked on the door and waited. A moment later, Percy flung the door open.

"Come on in, Hermione," he said. He stood aside and Hermione strode in. He closed the door and went to his desk.

"Professor, before you say anything, let me explain," she said quickly. Percy looked a little confused.

"Explain what, Hermione?" Percy asked. Hermione blushed.

"Never mind," she said. I guess he didn't get to read the note after all. Harry must have been writing on the Marauder's Map or something.

"I've been thinking that you would benefit from private lessons in history," said Percy. "I thought that you would be bored to tears by my planned curriculum because you've memorized Hogwarts: a History."

Hermione was surprised. She came into this meeting thinking she was going to get a detention, but instead she got an advanced class. She was worried about one thing, though, and she let this be known.

"Professor, I've also memorized what I've learned in past years from Professor Binns," she said.

"I've thought of that as well. Since you are a Muggle born, I was thinking you would enjoy classes in Muggle history," Percy replied. Hermione's face lit up at the prospect.

"Really, you mean it?" she asked. Percy nodded and grinned. "If you weren't my Professor, I would hug you."

If I wasn't your professor, *I* would hug *you*, Percy thought. No, no, no, BAD Percy!

"Well, I bet you'd want to tell Harry and Ron the good news," said Percy, shoving his inappropriate feelings out of the way. Hermione's face faltered slightly.

"They won't care. All they think about is Quidditch," she said. Percy could understand what she was going through.

"Well, they will care if you tell them that you are excused from regular history classes," Percy said. "They'll be pretty upset if they can't copy your notes."

"Thank you Professor Weasley," said Hermione. Fighting the urge to peck him on the cheek, Hermione fled to her rooms that she shared with Draco Malfoy. He wasn't there, which was fine with Hermione, so she sat on the couch and thought.

Just thinking of Percy put a goofy grin on her face. But then the reality of what she had agreed to have began to sink in. What the hell did I agree to? she asked herself. You agreed to it because you wanted to spend more time with Percy, said a nasty little voice. That little thought put another goofy grin on her face, and that's how Malfoy found her when he arrived ten minutes later.

"Why are you so happy?" Malfoy asked. He plopped himself in a chair in front of the fireplace and lit it with his wand.

"Why do you care?" Hermione asked.

"I want to know so I can crush your good mood," Malfoy replied with a smirk.

"Whatever you say can't crush my bad mood, so I'm going to tell you why I'm in such a good mood," said Hermione. "I'm getting private lessons in Muggle history with Professor Weasley because I've already memorized Hogwarts: a History."

"Why would you want to learn about a bunch of dirty Muggles?" Malfoy asked disgustedly. "I know, because you are one!"

"Grow up, Malfoy. As much as you dislike it, I am more powerful than you and there's nothing you can do about it."

Malfoy scowled because his insult didn't work on Hermione anymore. He decided to poke fun at something else.

"Have you finally worked out your crush on our red-haired Professor?" Malfoy asked, trying to dig for more information that he could tease her about.

"I told you before, I don't have a crush on Professor Weasley," said Hermione haughtily, knowing she was lying to herself and to Malfoy. "Besides, you like Snape."

Malfoy paled, if that was possible. "No I don't!"

"Fine, deny it, see if I care. I'm going to dinner," Hermione shot at him. With that, she left their shared common room and went to dinner at the Great Hall.

*****

At dinner that night, Hermione sat between Ron and Harry, who were eating as if there was no tomorrow.

"Do you two have to eat so fast?" she asked.

"No, we only do this to bug you," Ron replied after he had swallowed.

"Oh, I feel so loved," said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"So, what did Professor Weasley want?" Harry asked.

"He gave me an offer that I couldn't refuse," replied Hermione. "I'm taking a different history class than you two."

"So, you're not in trouble?" asked Ron. Hermione shook her head.

"But if I were in trouble, I would have skinned you two alive," she said. She laughed at Harry and Ron's shocked expressions, and catching a certain redheaded Professor's attention at the same time.

Percy had been watching Hermione ever since she had arrived in the Great Hall for dinner that night. He had, in fact, seen what was written on that piece of parchment, and had laughed at his brother's reaction to the news Hermione had told him. But a little voice in his head kept on nagging him.

You know you won't be able to control yourself. You'll be willing to risk your job to be with her! Imagine the disgrace you'll bring to your family. After your illicit affair with a student, it'll be back to the dead-end boring-as-hell Ministry job that you hated.

There was another voice in his head that was trying to quash the pessimistic voice.

You'll be able to fight it, I know you can! After all, you've been able to control yourself before! Just think schoolwork and you'll be just fine!

Percy must have looked like he was constipated, because Dumbledore leaned over to talk to him.

"Are you all right, Percy?" he asked, fixing the young Professor with an even, blue-eyed gaze.

"Oh, yes, just fine," said Percy in a strangely high-pitched voice. Dumbledore just smiled.

"I'm only going to tell you this once, young Percy," he said. "Follow your heart."

"Excuse me?" Percy asked, confused.

"Follow your heart," Dumbledore repeated. "I've seen too many young witches and wizards loose what could be the best thing that could happen to them." With that, the wizened Headmaster gazed longingly briefly at the other end of the table where Minerva McGonagall was sitting. He sighed before turning back to Percy.

"I'll remember what you said, sir," he said, returning to his dinner. Dumbledore smiled again before getting up.

Did he just give his consent for me to pursue Hermione? he asked himself when his employer had left. 'What did that look at McGonagall mean?'