The Amonrae Spell

Chapter 8: Just Sparks?

"Done," Snape announced, showing his students his newly made potion. "This is called a 'Protective Potion.' It's supposed to protect you from any spell that someone may throw at you. Of course, this is the first time that I have made it in this class, so we'll have to test it. Any volunteers?"

The students lowered their heads in fear while he went from desk to desk.

" Miss Granger," he concluded, showing the bottle to Hermione, who looked puzzled.

" I beg your pardon Professor?"

"What do you think Miss Granger? Drink up," he barked, giving her the bottle.

"But Professor I..." she stammered, trying to give the bottle back to him.

" Don't start with your stupidities Granger. You're Head Girl, so you drink up.

And for goodness sake, don't start your crying, or bickering."

"But Professor..."

"I said drink it! Or I'll make you drink it!" he shouted, grabbing her arm to stand her up. Hermione drank it in half a minute.

"Good girl," Snape said, suddenly taking his wand out.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked. By now, she was terrified. She knew that Snape had never been able to criticize her class work, so he would do anything to get back at her.

" Inmovimento!" Snape cried. As a reflex, Hermione ducked, avoiding said spell.

" Miss Granger, you're supposed to stay still, damn it!"

"What? Why? But..." Hermione stammered again.

"Because I say so! " he pointed his wand at her again.

"Professor..."

"Atare!" Snape shouted.

At this incantation, a rope came out of Snape's wand and directed itself at Hermione.

"Do not worry Miss Granger, I won't kill you I don't think that Dumbledore would appreciate his students dying in class," he stated coolly.

"That's comforting," Hermione thought.

But to her surprise, the rope broke at contact with her robes; although she wasn't there to witness it, for she fainted.

****

" Miss Granger, wake up!" Snape shouted, giving soft palms at her face.

"Harry?" she moaned.

"Do I look like Potter to you Miss Granger?! Snape shouted again, making her jump.

" I beg your pardon professor, I..."

"Oh, shut up. Once you start talking, you don't stop."

"Where is everybody?"

" The class was over ten minutes ago, but you fainted. Good news, the potion worked. You're immune to any spell. I'd give you the antidote, but I thought that it might come in handy. You may go." He opened the door for her. She tried to say 'thanks', but Snape shut the door on her face.

Meanwhile Harry was practicing the Summoning Charm. He figured it might come in handy for the Tournament. He had begun conjuring up small things. It worked out great, the only problem was, he had run out of things to conjure.

"Let's see. What can I call? Actio..." he began twirling his wand.

It was then that he saw Hermione passing by with her usual amount of books, and remembered that she had fainted in Potion's

" Hermione!" he called her, without remembering he had pronounced 'Actio' first.

"Harry, what? Whoa!"

She literally went flying into his arms, dropping her books on the way. But in trying to catch her, he tripped and fell on top of her.

"Hermione, I'm so..." he tried to whisper, but she looked so beautiful, and the way her body felt against his... he just wanted to kiss her.

"Harry? Would you get up?" she yelled. He immediately got up and offered her

his hand. She took it and stood up. "What were you doing? You're supposed to conjure up small things, not human beings!"

"I'm sorry. It was an accident."

"It's fine Harry, don't worry about it."

"How are you? You fainted and..."

"I noticed. So far, so good. Let's go. We can make good use of our free period in the common room. See how you domain the Summoning Charm."

They strolled down the hallway having a pleasant conversation. Unfortunately, a not so pleasant person intercepted them.

"Potter. And Mudblood. Oh, and here comes Weasel too, how nice," Draco smirked with a sarcasm that only he could pull off. But, it was true. Ron was coming their way.

"Hey," he greeted them.

"Hello yourself," Draco barked.

"I wasn't talking to..." Ron started, but Hermione held him.

"Ron, don't. Let's go," she said. Ron quieted and turned around.

"Oh, Weasel does what Mudblood says. What's the matter Weasel, not man enough? Or is it that you pity Mudblood here?"

"Leave her alone Malfoy!" Harry interrupted.

"Potty too, how nice. Big problem you got here Mudblood. Two admirers. How to pick one?"

"Go to hell Malfoy," Hermione answered coolly.

"You know Mudblood, I could give you a spell that could help you decide. It makes you like your best friend, and quite a few things more. What do you say?" Draco sneered.

"You wouldn't dare," Ron, said determinately, but Harry knew better than to mess with Draco.

"Ron, shut..."

"Amonrae!" Draco shouted. Sparks flew from his wand and crashed onto Hermione, who landed on the floor.

"Malfoy you..." Harry went to punch him. But Draco held up a hand to stop him

"Uh, uh. I'd be worried about Mudblood if I were you Potter," Draco said,

turning around and leaving.

"Hermione! Get away Ron! I mean, back up a little! Let her breathe!" Harry commanded desperately, settling himself at Hermione's left side and taking her hand while Ron went to the right side.

"Harry?" She looked at him, her eyes still a little lost from the abrupt fall.

"Hermione, are you all right?" Harry asked her with concern, getting her on her feet.

"I'm fine. I didn't feel a thing," she affirmed, "Don't worry."

"Are you sure? I'll take you to Madam Pomfrey," Harry offered, trying to lift her

into his arms.

"Don't bother Harry, I'm fine."

"Are you really sure?"

"Yes! Let's go to the common room, " Hermione suggested.

"We can practice later. You go rest, just in case," Harry replied.

"You're sure?" Hermione asked.

"Positive. You go rest. I'll take you if you want."

"No, I'll take you," Ron insisted.

"That's not necessary. I'll go myself. I'll see you." Hermione took off unworried.

After all, Snape had given her a protective potion. But would it work? More exact,

would she allow it to work?