When the Stars Fall

EIGHT: Sleight of Hand

The house sorting went by agonizingly slow. Once the last first year, Rue Baine ("Slytherin!") was sorted the feast commenced. Still, Harry, Ron, and Hermione barely touched their plates, which was highly unusual for Ron. Hermione kept looking over at the Slytherin table, and Ron and Harry couldn't help following her gaze. Malfoy was the center of attention at the Slytherin table. They wanted to know where he was and what he did over the summer holiday. He just looked at them all in contempt and refused to tell them anything.

The attention, however, soon turned from Malfoy to the staff table, as there was a great commotion. It appeared as though McGonagall and Snape were having some sort of heated discussion. McGonagall looked furious, her expression sharper than usual, and Snape's face was twisted in rage. He looked like he wanted to grab something and rip it apart. Whatever happened ended when Snape stood up, his chair clattering to the floor, and stalked out of the Great Hall.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged a look, all three of them dreading their first day in Potions class. She heard Draco's voice in her mind, and looked across the hall to the Slytherin table. Keep quiet in Potions tomorrow. Don't raise your hand, and don't help Longbottom. Tell Potter and Weasley to do as their told and keep their mouths shut. He's going to be looking for a reason to call you three out. Don't give Snape that reason, Hermione.

Suddenly Harry's voice filled her mind. Thanks for the warning, Malfoy. It's very decent of you.

What are you going on about? If you and Weasley start in on Snape you'll drag Hermione right into the middle of it. And how in the bloody hell are you getting into my mind? Oh, Weasley, send your mother essence of honeysuckle. Tell her to brew it in green tea. It should help with her cold; now stop worrying about her so much, because I can't think straight with the Weasley's woes in my head!

Ron stood up, anger evident on his face. Harry put a firm hand on Ron's shoulder and told him to sit down. Malfoy raised an eyebrow at Ron as all attention was directed toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione looked at Ron and blushed in embarrassment.

"With everything that's been going on, I forgot to ask why you mother didn't see us off. He was right about the essence of honeysuckle," Hermione said and then both of her eyebrows rose in suspicion, "And we need to talk in the common room. I know why I have a telepathic connection, but I am curious about you two, and I don't like your intrusions into my mind."

The feast came to an end, announcements were made, and then the students were dismissed to their houses. The students crowded the hallways heading towards their houses, all seemed to be speculating over what had happened between Snape and McGonagall. Ron, Harry, and Hermione reached the portrait of the fat lady in the pink dress and Hermione said the password ("Addle brain"). She'd learned the password during the prefects' meeting on the Hogwarts' express.

They walked into the Gryffindor common room and took the comfortable plush red velvet chairs by the fire. There were four chairs, one was left vacant as the three sat down and began a heated discussion in hushed tones. The other Gryffindors knew to stay out of the conversation. As further precaution, Hermione used a spell to make sure their conversation wasn't overheard.

Hermione wanted to know what happened to Ron and Harry and why they could transfer thoughts. Ron and Harry looked at each other and shrugged. Harry then told Hermione how they had been looking in the Weasley's attic for an old portrait of Ron's great, great, great grandfather, when the ghoul in the Weasley's attic came out of nowhere and pushed Ron and Harry out of the attic window.

"During the fall we hit our heads and were unconscious for a very long time. That's why we didn't send you any letters. When we woke up we could transfer our thoughts and listen to what other people were thinking if we concentrated hard enough, or if they were thinking loud enough. It will be useful in Snape's class. We can pick his head clean and ace all of the exams," Ron finished for Harry.

Hermione gave them a stern look. "You most certainly won't! This is a rare gift and you're going to use it to cheat? Whatever happened to studying and hard work? Maybe we should tell Professor McGonagall that we're thought-readers..."

Ron nearly choked. "Are you mad? If the teachers knew they would put up thought shields in their mind, and if anyone else knew that we're thought-readers they would avoid us like the plague. Bloody hell! Mione, you might have the brains, but your priorities need to be straightened!"

"Fine, but no cheating! I mean it Ron. You too, Harry," Hermione spoke huffily.

"We won't cheat. Now, about Snape. Did you get anything from him?" Harry asked and looked from Hermione to Ron.

Hermione blushed. "He was angry about something and I could have sworn I heard him think something about his son. I didn't even know he had a son. He was too emotional for me to get anything clearly."

"Hey, I heard something like that. He wanted to asked McGonagall about something that happened nearly eighteen years ago, and it involved his son," Ron shuddered and then continued, "The heir of Snape. Who would have ever thought that was possible? What woman would ever... Bloody hell! That man is a father!"

"Ron, keep your voice down, you'll create an echo in the sound barrier I put around us," Hermione snapped and then continued, "It's not so impossible, look at me and my current situation. His son could be anyone who was adopted or abandoned by their father. What if he's here at Hogwarts? He would be a seventh year like us. He could be in any of the houses."

"My money would be on Slytherin, if I had any money to bet with. The heir of Snape is bound to be a Slytherin," Ron interjected.

Hermione looked crossly at him as Harry spoke up, "Who do we know that looks or acts like Snape?"

"Malfoy acts just like him. They have the same attitude, personality, dining habits, gestures, mannerisms, and Malfoy has a talent for Potions," Ron cut in.

"To be perfectly honest, I would rather have Professor Snape as a father-in-law. He would be much better than Lucius Malfoy. At least Snape is on our side. But do be realistic, Ron," Hermione's voice was filled with exasperation.

Hermione removed the sound barrier spell after a while and then they headed off to bed. Hermione to her dorm and Harry and Ron to their dorm. The boys waved at her and then went into their dorm at last. They could already hear Longbottom snoring. The pulled off their uniforms, put on pajamas, and got into bed. As Harry was pulling the curtains closed around his bed he noticed Ron looking at him.

"What is it, Ron?"

Ron sighed. "She really did it Harry. She married the ferret. I wanted to rip him apart. She chose him, of all people, over me! I would have understood if it had been you, but not him. I..."

Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I know. You love her. Remember we had this talk over the summer. I'm sorry Ron. I love her too. It doesn't seem right, but what can we do? We're still her friends, and she needs us to be there for her, even if that means taking Malfoy's side every now and then."

Ron shook his head and took a deep shuddering breath. "Harry, I don't love her like you do. I'm in love with her. She's all I ever wanted."

Harry didn't know what to say to that.

Ron seemed to realize it too. "It's all right. None of it's your fault. Just have to adjust. Just help me. If he says anything I'll go off the bend and start hitting him, and I don't think I'd ever be able to stop."

Harry nodded. "Okay. I'll keep you in check. Now try to get some sleep. Snape's got it in for us and tomorrow is our first day in Potions."

Ron merely nodded and then began to crawl under the covers. Harry pulled his bed curtains shut and then curled up under the covers. He sighed and felt like he was home. Hogwarts was his home. He couldn't help wondering about what would happen in the near future. He only hoped that it wouldn't be too bad. He fell into a troubled sleep...

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The next morning breakfast seemed to end too quickly. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had Potions with the Slytherins right after breakfast and they weren't too happy. Their hearts plummeted with each step they took toward the dungeons where the potions class was. Hermione was at the door when Draco came from behind her and brushed past her. The movement was so quick that she almost missed the kiss, when his lips brushed hers for a bare moment. She blushed and then took a seat. Draco sat at his usual place. Harry took the seat next to Hermione and Ron sat by Neville Longbottom, the most forgetful boy at Hogwarts. Neville was also, coincidentally, Snape's worse student.

Draco kept stealing glances at Hermione and every time she caught him looking at her she would quickly look down at the table so her hair obscured her face, because she was blushing so profusely. Ron watched in disgust, and Harry just shook his head, wondering where Snape was. Usually Snape was at the front of the room awaiting the arrival of his students.

The bell finally rang and that was when Snape made his entrance. He walked out of his office and went to stand behind his desk, preparing to make his usual welcome back speech and slew of insults. He gave the class one glance over, his black eyes roving over each student, and then his attention fixed on Hermione. Dread ran cold through Hermione, as she wondered what Snape was planning. He just stared at her and then turned his gaze toward Draco, luckily Draco was no longer trying to look at her. He was busy looking slightly bored and awaiting instruction.

Snape again turned to face Hermione. She held her head high, mentally preparing herself for his next move. She turned a worried glance to Harry and Ron, and then turned to look Snape dead on in the face. He raised a black eyebrow at her challengingly. She took a deep breath and nodded in acknowledgement. The room was filled with tension.

Suddenly Draco's voice filled her mind. What's going on? What's he playing at?

Snape turned toward Draco again. "Mr. Malfoy, I've heard rumors of your exploits over the summer. I think I will need to see you after class. As for the rest of you, I assume you've read chapters one through four from A History of Alchemy in the Dark Arts. Get out your quills and parchment. It's time for your first test. Longbottom, don't even bother, if you're forgotten your quill, we all know the sort of grade you'll make."

Before she could stop herself Hermione stood up and said, "Professor, that is highly uncalled for! I am sure Neville did his homework, and who are you to judge someone's work before they've even started?"

All heads turned to Hermione. Harry, Ron, and Draco's mouths were hanging open in shock. Hermione, however stood her ground, as color rose in Snape's face. It had been apparent when he walked into the classroom that he was in a foul mood, but now he looked positively seething.

"Miss Granger, this is my classroom, and how I choose to speak and judge those who are in here is my concern. You've certainly become braver since last year. I would have expected something like this from Mr. Potter, perhaps even Mr. Weasley. But you've always seemed to be brave on Mr. Longbottom's behalf. I would suggest that you bite your tongue next time, however. As it is, for defying me in my own class room, twenty-five points from Gryffindor, and not another word or I'll make it fifty!" he snapped, then he smirked, "And I'll see you after class to discuss the terms of your detention."

Hermione's eyes widened in outrage, but before she could say anything, Draco's voice was in her head. Stop before you make it worse! Just keep quiet! Why did you have to say something? He's in a nasty mood. What were you thinking?

Again Snape's attention turned to Draco. Hermione looked at Draco and then at Snape and realization dawned on her. Snape was a thought-reader. He could sense every time Draco sent a thought to her. He only looked towards Draco when Draco had contacted her. Suddenly Hermione stood up, walked to Snape's desk, drew her hand back, and then slapped him in the face as hard as she could. His head swung to the side sharply, but he was no longer looking at Draco. Snape turned to face Hermione, he was seething with anger and he was shocked that she'd had the audacity to walk up to him and slap him like that.

Silence permeated the air. No one dared move or speak. They were all staring at Hermione, one of the smartest students in Hogwarts, wondering why she'd just slapped the Potions Master. Harry was tempted to go get Hermione and drag her back to her seat, but he just couldn't seem to make himself move. The silence continued for a small eternity. Draco was staring at Hermione wondering what to do. He kept trying to send her thoughts, but Hermione was blocking them away.

Finally the silence was broken as Snape growled, "Miss Granger, my office now! As for the rest of you, class is dismissed, I want an outline of chapters five to ten by Thursday and write an essay on the uses of dragon's blood and hemlock, I expect it to be no shorter than two feet in length! That is all. LEAVE NOW! That means you too, Potter, Weasley!"

The class emptied, all save one, as Hermione followed Snape to his office. She went in first, took a seat, and jumped when Snape slammed the door. He walked to his place behind the desk and just sat there for a few moments, breathing hard, but gradually his breathing slowed to a normal rate. When he looked up at Hermione, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

"What cause did you have for striking me, Miss Granger?" his voice was perfectly calm as he spoke, but she could tell by his fathomless black eyes that he was waiting for his moment to strike.

Hermione gripped the arms of her chair, as she felt something like a cool breeze flowing through her mind. She could fell him trying to read her thoughts, and he was very strong. She was using a powerful shield to hide her thoughts. He glared at her and then said, "Well, do you have an explanation?"

She looked up and met his eyes directly. "How long have you been a thought-reader?"

He snorted and sneer lit across his face. For a moment she thought of Draco, but quickly squelched the thought. "Really Miss Granger, your power of perception astounds me, but I thought you would have come to that conclusion ages ago. That is a poor excuse for striking me."

She noticed how red his face was from where her hand had connected to his left cheek. He rubbed his face and then glared at her again. Taking a deep breath she answered him. "I cannot stand the thought that someone like you can just look into my mind whenever he pleases. The very thought disgusts me!"

"Oh, but what makes you think I was looking into your mind? I was trying to find out where Mr. Malfoy has been all summer. Why would that be your concern? What is in your cluttered head that would be of interest to me?" his voice was cold, sour, and also curious.

"You're not registered as a thought-reader at the Ministry either."

He smirked. "You're quite thorough in your research, but changing the subject will not help you. Now, what do you think your punishment should be? You know, I could have you expelled, but what would your parents say to that? I suppose an additional fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention will suffice for now. I never would have expected such a passionate outburst from you."

"There are a lot of things about me that you wouldn't expect..." she said and then added, "How is your son? Who is he Professor?"

All of the color drained from Snape's face, "How would you know about that? I don't... Who have you been talking to?"

"You should be careful about your emotional outbursts, Professor. You never know who might be listening in."

He looked her straight in the eye, and Hermione could feel the cool touch of his mind trying to look into hers. "It seems that I am not the only unregistered thought-reader. It's a rare talent, how could someone such as your self be able to read thoughts? Have you been practicing magic outside of Hogwarts?"

"No, I wouldn't want to compromise my education here. Could we please get back to the matter at hand? How am I to serve my detention?"

"You will come to my office at eight o'clock on Thursday night, and you will know more then. Oh, and do not say anything about my having a son. Rumors are a nasty thing to spread. That is all Miss Granger."

With that Hermione got up, walked to the door, opened it, and walked into Draco in her hurry to leave. Draco caught her as she almost fell back. He helped her up and looked her over. His hands lingered on her arms. He didn't want to let her go. She met his blue gaze, willing him to let go. Draco let go at the sound of Snape clearing his throat. Draco looked up and brushed past Hermione as he entered the office.

Hermione walked through the classroom as quickly as she could and took a deep breath once she was out in the hallway. She could hardly believe it. She'd slapped a professor. She also had a detention to look forward to. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as she leaned against the wall for support. Snape was going to have it in for her now.

She jumped at the pressure of a hand on her shoulder. Draco had just walked out of the Potions classroom and had put his hand on her shoulder. She let out a breath and sighed. She felt warmth, comfort, and relief course through her.

"I can't believe you hit him! What did he say?" Draco asked anxiously.

"He took fifty additional points from Gryffindor and I have detention on Thursday. He's furious. Oh, and he's a thought-reader, like us. So be careful Draco. Don't send any thoughts to me when he's around. If you do, he will grow suspicious. We can't have Snape nosing around and finding out about us," Hermione whispered.

He nodded and then leaned down, capturing her lips in a soft kiss. He smiled as they parted. "You're right, as always, but you'll still spot me a few answers in McGonagall's class right?"

She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and sighed before she said in an exasperated tone, "Boys."