Hogwarts Exposed

Chapter Three

A New Year, A New Beginning

Sunday, August 31, 2003 12:10 PM

"Hermione, please have a chair. I asked you to stop in because I wanted to have a discussion with you about one our new first years."

Hermione had been edgy as to what Severus had wanted to speak to her regarding and was relieved to hear it was something associated with her new position.

Snape continued, "Her name is Caitlin Garrison. She was twelve yesterday. The girl came very close to not ever celebrating her birthday or attending Hogwarts. While she was at summer camp in July she was attacked and sexually abused."

"The poor dear. How awful." Hermione was both sadden and revolted at the thought. Her own attack was floating back to her thoughts for the second time in the day.

"Unfortunately it gets worse," Severus continued. "The attacker, in order to avoid being identified, tied the naked girl to a tree and left her to die of starvation and exposure or be killed by wild animals."

Hermione shook her head, a look of anguish on her face.

"Somehow she survived the night tied to that tree. The next morning a group from the near by boys' camp found her unconscious body while hiking. She was rushed to a medical facility where she was treated for shock, exposure and injuries consistent with sexual assault and rape. She was..."

"No, Severus, please don't say it. Who could do such a thing to an innocent little girl? Did Caitlin know her attacker? Have they arrested the bastard?

Severus looked at Hermione. His eyes were moist. "Caitlin knew who the attacker was and the scum has been arrested, but unfortunately I'm afraid the perpetrator will go unpunished."

"How is that feasible? Why scot-free?" Hermione was gnashing her teeth to think such an individual would not suffer for what they had done to that unfortunate child.

"When the case goes to trial it will be one person's statement against another. The accused has acquaintances in the Ministry and is fairly well known and liked. Caitlin is a little girl who made no secret of the fact that she didn't like her instructor. Caitlin will lose and a few months from now another young girl will be attacked." Professor Snape just shook his head in anger and repulsion.

"Severus is she alright? There must be something that can be done to aid her?" Hermione wiped her hands across her face as if trying to wipe away the mental picture of what that young girl had gone through.

The headmaster sighed, "Physically she is satisfactory and should be capable of conceiving and giving birth when the time comes for such things, but she is definitely scared mentally. As to what we can do to help, I'd suggest we both testify against the attacker."

"Huh, why? We weren't there?' Hermione asked confused.

"No, we weren't but,..." Severus paused knowing that this would be a difficult subject. "Hermione, it was Madam Hooch."

"Madam Hooch? Are you saying Madam Hooch did such a horrifying thing?" Hermione stared at Severus in astonishment.

"I'm not saying it," responded Severus. "Caitlin is, but after what that fiend did to you, I can categorically believe Hooch competent of such an act."

"Are you suggesting that I be a witness at the trial?" Hermione seemed somewhat panicky.

"No, I'm not suggesting; I'm asking. I would readily collaborate your story. If you don't, Hooch with goes free. She will be allowed to come back here to teach. In time another girl will be attacked, but she may not be as fortunate as you and Caitlin. She may not survive to tell about it."

Suddenly Hermione was racked with guilt. If only she had listened to Severus and contacted the authorities when she was attacked, possibly this conversation wouldn't be taking place.

"I can't do that Severus," Hermione was quick to counter. "It's not the trial or the publicity. Although I'm sure the press would have a field day with me. It's facing that girl and her parents. None of this would have happened if I had listened to you and gone to McGonagall."

"You don't know that Hermione." The Headmaster had been sitting on a chair behind his desk, but now got up and moved around to the front thereby eliminating the barrier between the two friends and colleagues. He sat on his desk and looked caringly at Hermione.

"Hermione, the average Wizard lives to be slightly over two hundred years old. In that many years you make a hell of a lot of decisions. Even the smartest witch alive is going to make a few bad ones. Hindsight is perfect. Could you now experience again that appalling night, I'm sure you would make a different decision, but we can't relive the past. We can only ask forgiveness of those we have hurt and hope they will grant it. Although we can't change the past, we can alter the future. You can't take away the hurt that poor girl suffered or the memories that will haunt her, but perhaps we can prevent it from happening to someone else. Please, think about it and give me your answer at the feast tomorrow evening."

Hermione heard everything that the her headmaster and friend was saying to her, but as soon as she had heard about that poor girl's ordeal, her mind had started to replay in graphic clarity the events she had tried so hard to put behind her.

* * * * * *

It started on her first day at Hogwarts as a teacher. No matter how much she told her no, Madam Hooch wouldn't acknowledge Hermione's feelings. On every opportunity that presented itself, she insisted that she could pleasure her better that any man alive.

One evening during her first year as a teacher Hermione had retired early to her quarters. She had slipped off all her clothing and was preparing to take a shower after which she was going to read for a few hours. She then realized the book she was currently reading wasn't on the nightstand. Thinking back she could remember having it last in her classroom. She quickly slipped on her robes. Not bothering to dress underneath because she knew all the students would be in their dormitories by this time.

Hermione rushed through the empty hallways to her classroom. After giving the password and opening the door, she quickly retrieved the book. As she turned to proceed back to her quarters after locking the door, she nearly walked right into Madam Hooch. "Oh! Excuse me," Hermione said. "I didn't see you standing there."

The older woman immediately began pleading. "Hermione, please! Please give me a chance to show you how much I love you. Please! Just spend one night with me. No one will know. I'll do anything that you ask. If you still want to go back to" them" afterwards, I won't bother you ever again. Please at least give me one chance!" Madam Hooch actually had tears in her eyes.

Hermione looked into the woman's desperation strained face. She recognized that look. This woman actually loved her. She felt a combination of fear and pity. Pity for this forlorn woman who cherished her so much and fear that she would weaken because of her compassion and let her have her one night. Now Hermione had tears in her eyes. "No, no, I won't, I can't. Please I have to go." Hermione hastily turned ready to run down the hall. Madam Hooch, frantic not to lose the woman she loved, just as quickly reached out and grabbed at Hermione's robes and in doing so simultaneously ripped the robes open and turned the girl to face her.

For the briefest moment both women froze; one because of fear and embarrassment and the other in awe of the beauty that she now beheld. Hermione felt like a deer caught in the glare of an on coming car as the other woman lunged at her, throwing her arms around the young girl's body while inserting her head between Hermione breasts. As Hermione struggled to free herself the older woman struggled to find a nipple and take it in her mouth.

Hermione was stronger and Hooch began to loose her grip on her. The older woman fell to her knees regaining a hold on Hermione's buttock, but as she had fallen to her knees the woman had bitten Hermione nipple extremely hard in an effort to not lose her hold. Hermione screamed in pain. Hooch released the breast and allowed her head to slide to Hermione's private region at the same time sinking her hands deep between Hermione cheeks in order to not lose her grasp on the struggling girl.

The young girl twisted and turned as the older woman attempted to show her how she could be 'loved'. Finally Hermione lifted her knee catching the older woman under the jaw with enough force to cause her to lose her hold. She turned to run as the older woman lunged for the hem of her robes. Hermione struggled to run for a few meters while dragging the other woman, but in desperation finally reached her arms back and allowed the robes to slip from her shoulders.

Hermione was free, but completely naked. She ran down the corridor as fast as her legs would allow, tears streaming down her face. "What if someone sees me? Two months as a professor and I'm streaking the halls of Hogwarts. Please God help me. What have I ever done to deserve this? Please let me make it to the faculty area, please." Finally after what seemed like hours but in actuality was only a few minutes she reached the staircase to the faculty area. " The portrait, I've made it." Hermione gave the password and was in the staircase that led to the faculty quarters. "Almost there," she said with relief as she ran down the last hall and turned the corner to her room only to stumble over Severus Snape who had leaned over to pick something up off the floor.

*****

Monday, September 1, 2003 4:00 PM

Hermione Granger stood at the window watching the sunset and waiting for the carriages to come up the road from the Hogsmeade train station. This had become a first day tradition since her initial year as a professor. She loved watching the first years in their boats crossing the lake and the older students arriving in carriages. She enjoyed seeing the happy faces as friends were greeted with handshakes and hugs. It transported her back to happier times when she was with Harry and Ron.

This year she was unable to get into the celebratory spirit of the day; Her mind was preoccupied with making a choice. A choice she had to give Severus this evening at dinner. She had struggled since after lunch yesterday and was no closer to solving her dilemma.

She hadn't heard Harry approaching her until he spoke. "May I please speak with you?"

Her response was sharp and biting. "Now is not a good time Harry. I have a tough decision to make. I'm sure Ginny would love to talk to you."

Harry looked at the cold expression on her beautiful face. He heard the anger in her voice. I've lost her. I waited too long to return. Mayb,e it would have been best to just stay away. No, I deserve to be hurt. I deserve to suffer. He couldn't turn his eyes from that face; the face that he had missed so much. Suddenly tears filled his eyes. "Hermione, please, please just give me seven minutes. I know I don't deserve it, but please."

Hermione took one look at his face and the tears in those beautiful green eyes; the ice in her veins began to thaw. Seven minutes, he's asking for, one minute for each year we spent together as best friends. They were the most wonderful years of my life. Hermione felt her own eyes tearing up and turned away from Harry so he wouldn't discern. "Okay, seven minutes," she said.

" Hermione, I'm so sorry. I've been a fool and an idiot. A friendship like the three of us shared is incredible. Most people will never experience it in their entire life and I walked away from it. I tossed it aside like it was insignificant when in actuality it meant more to me than life itself. I blamed myself for the death of your parents, but instead of beseeching you to forgive me; I ran away like a coward because I didn't have the backbone to face you. I've learned you can't run away from your mistakes. Doing that only compounds them."

"We all make mistakes, we're human, but we must accept the responsibility for our mistakes and instead of running away ask forgiveness; try to correct them. Sorrowfully, there was nothing I could have done to bring your parents back, but I should have been here for you and I wasn't. Maybe, if I had been here, I could have prevented what happen with Ron. Maybe, I couldn't have, but I should have been here to try and I wasn't."

"The seven years we were together were the happiest years of my life. I remember meeting you on the Hogwarts Express: fighting the troll; you saving Ron and I from the Devil's snare; so many things. Remember how frighten you were to fly the Hippogriff to save Sirius? Sometimes I think holding onto me frightened you more than flying. I remember how beautiful you looked at the Yule Ball and how proud I was to be your boyfriend the following year. It wasn't always smooth sailing, but we were always there for each other."

"Hermione, I don't want to live in the past with only memories to keep me company. I want my best friend back. Please, forgive me. I'm so very sorry for hurting you." Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the boy who had the courage to face Voldemort and conquer him. Harry Potter was crying his heart out asking his friend to forgive him.

Hermione had listened without saying a word. He had hurt her when he left. No one had ever hurt her to such a great extent, not even Ron when he had shagged all those girls. Deep down inside she knew back then that she didn't really love Ron: she loved Harry. Now here he was after five long years admitting how mistaken he was to have left and imploring her forgiveness. Like her, he had been living in the past; living with what used to be. Could they regain the friendship they once had? Hermione didn't know, but she knew she was going to try her best. Even if he didn't love her, she loved him.

Hermione had her back to Harry as he spoke so he hadn't seen the tears flowing down her face. After he had finished, Hermione hadn't stirred; hadn't whispered a word. Harry dejectedly turned and began to walk away.

Upon hearing his movement, Hermione spun around yelling, "Harry." He stopped in his tracks and as he turned, Hermione threw her arms around him. Harry wasn't sure if she was trying to hug him or crush him. "Harry, I've missed you so much and of course I'll forgive you." Harry returned the hug and they stood there embracing each other.

After a few minutes of hugging Hermione looked at Harry and said, "Of course you do realize that if you ever leave like that again I will send the wolfhounds after you and hex you to within a inch of your life"

Harry looked down into her face and said, "If I'm ever that stupid again I deserve the worst hex you can conger."

The happiness of their reunion overtook them both. Together they stood there, holding each other, thinking of the lost time, and the time they now had together. Neither of them noticed a cloaked figure, storm off angrily after watching their exchange. For Hermione and Harry, at that moment, only the two of them existed.

* * * * * *

Monday, September 1, 2002 5:00 PM

"Oh! Harry lets watch the arrivals."

Harry had never seen this before. He looked toward the village. Off in the distance he could see the dancing lights of the carriages as they started their procession down the winding road leading to Hogwarts. Then looking out over the lake he saw more lights. These were the sixteen lights of the boats carrying the first years. The trip by carriage was much faster .The first years had barely begun their journey across the lake when the carriages began arriving at the castle with the older students.

As the carriages arrived and the students spilled out, more and more reunions took place. Suddenly Hermione pointed at a group of three students that had just exited their carriage and were now walking across the grounds toward the castle steps arm in arm.

"Does that remind you of anyone Harry?"

Harry looked at the trio. Suddenly he pictured another trio from his past. He looked over at Hermione and smiled as she returned the smile. Hermione said, "We'd best be getting down to the Great Hall for the sorting. Thank you Harry."

Harry looked at her as if to say "thank you for what."

As if reading his mind she said. "Thank you for being you and helping me make a decision I've been wrestling with. You're right. We can't change the past, but we can ask forgiveness and try to improve the future. I only hope the person I've hurt will forgive me. Lets go, I have to talk to Severus."

Harry wondered to himself exactly what Hermione had done to Snape that she was now asking forgiveness for. She hadn't been involved with the headmaster had she? When Harry had hugged Hermione he had wanted so much to kiss her, but knew she didn't think of him in that way. He would have to settle for friendship, but at least he was back in her life.

As they silently walked the distance to the Great Hall, Harry turned his head slightly to look at Hermione. His smile grew even larger as he saw her grinning back at him. Gazing at her, his mind filled with thoughts. I love you. I've always loved you. If only there wasn't someone else in your life. I'll always be here for you. I'll always be your friend, but I want to be so much more. If only you loved me as much as I love you.

Hermione couldn't help herself from smiling. She had thought him lost forever, but now as she looked deep into his green eyes, she made a number of promises to herself, not knowing that Harry had been thinking much the same thing at the same time.

When they entered the Great Hall through the door behind their table they realized they were the last professors to arrive. The only chairs empty at the teacher's table were one next to Headmaster Snape and one between Professor Sprout and Ginny Weasley. The returning students were beginning to filter into the Hall.

"I have to speak to Severus and then meet the first years," Hermione quickly informed Harry. "Maybe we can talk more after the feast."

Harry nodded his head and then watched as Hermione went over to converse with Professor Snape. After a few moments she departed the Hall. Harry watched Severus, who suddenly had a very pleased look on his face. Is something going on between them?

Harry headed to the teachers' table and took the seat next to Ginny. Neville who was sitting to Ginny's left was not pleased when she immediately struck up a conversation with Harry.

* * * * * *

Professor Charlie Weasley knocked three times on the castle door. The door swung open at once. A beautiful witch in emerald -green robes stood there. Although she tried to look stern, there was something about her that looked very kind and loving.

"I would like to present the first years, Professor Granger," said Charlie.

"Thank you Professor Weasley. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door open wide. The students looked in wonder at the magnitude of the entrance hall. Flaming torches lit the walls and the ceiling seemed miles above. Facing them was a fabulous marble staircase that led to the upper floors.

The students followed Professor Granger into an empty small chamber off the hall. It was disturbingly confining in the chamber, which added to the apprehension of the first years.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," said Professor Granger. "The first course of business this evening will be to sort you into your houses. There are four houses each with it's own splendid history. The houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. This ceremony is very important because the house you are sorted into will be rather like your family for the next seven years. You will have classes with your housemates, sleep in your house dormitories and spend the free time you have in the common room of your house."

"You will earn your house points through your triumphs and lose points for any infraction of rules. The house with the most points at the conclusion of the year is awarded the house cup, an immense honor. You should all do your best to be a credit to your house."

"I will go check to see if they are ready for us. In the mean time please wait quietly. You might want to take the time to smarten yourselves up as best you can." The Professor left the room.

After she had gone the nervous students theorized on what the ceremony would be like and into which house they would be sorted, but mostly they talked about Professor Granger. "She seems quite nice," one girl commented.

One of the boys spoke up. "I thought the female teachers would be old hags. She's beautiful enough to be in Playwizard magazine."

The shocked girl next to him responded, "Do you know who that is? That is 'the' Hermione Granger. She is the smartest witch alive and one third of the Covenant that defeated Lord Voldemort. She would never pose nude for one of those smut magazines."

Just as the boy was preparing to respond, Professor Granger returned. "They are ready to start The Sorting Ceremony. Please form a single line and follow me."

They left the chamber and walked across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. The huge room they entered was lit by thousands of candles that were just floating in mid air. There were four long tables in the room laid with golden plates and goblets where the other students were seated watching them as they entered. At the front of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Professor Granger led the first years up to the front so that they formed a line facing the students, with their backs to the teachers. There was a four-legged stool in front of the first years with a patched, frayed, dirty hat sitting upon it.

Jamie Zacherley sat at the Gryffindor table listening intently as the hat sang its song. Jamie loved The Sorting Ceremony. She was always excited to see who would be sorted into her house. Jamie was starting her fifth year at Hogwarts and had been selected to be a house prefect. The boys' prefect was her best friend Alex Ward, who was seated to her right. On her left was, her other great friend, Amanda Pierce. These three had been inseparable since first year. Rarely was one seen without the other two being close at hand.

When the hat had finished its song, Professor Granger stepped forward; she was holding a long roll of parchment.

"When your name is called, please step forward, put the hat on and sit on the stool in order to be sorted," she announced. "Aldinger, Ronald"

A chubby little boy with unruly hair stepped forward and put on the hat. After a short pause--

The hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table clapped and cheered as their new member took a seat.

Jamie sat watching the sorting, becoming as nervous as the first years. Six students had been sorted and not one had been placed in Gryffindor.

Then it seemed to Jamie that Professor Granger's voice trembled as she announced the next name, "Garrison, Caitlin."

A petit little blonde girl hesitantly walked toward the stool. She had no more than touched the hat to her head when it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR."

The Gryffindor table exploded with cheers as the little girl shyly approached it. Jamie was the first on her feet, putting her arm around the girls shoulder and saying, "Welcome to our house, I'm Jamie; glad you made Gryffindor."

As the other Gryffindors shook her hand and patted her on the back, Caitlin looked at Jamie's eyes. Those eyes showed sincerity and caring. She didn't know why, but she felt she could trust this girl. For the first time in weeks Caitlin face broke into a smile and she said, "thank you," as she took a seat.

Hermione had been watching Caitlin approach the Gryffindor table. A feeling of guilt tugged at her stomach and she wiped away a tear that came to her eye. That's it Jamie. Look out for her. She needs a special friend.

"Hallowell, Michael," went to Gryffindor too. Once again Jamie was the first to greet him, but she had learned from past experience that the boys preferred a firm handshake to a hug from a girl at this age.

The sorting proceeded at a fast pace. Jamie remembered how nervous she had been waiting till the very last to be sorted. Having Zacherley as a last name definitely came with some disadvantages, but she won't trade her name or the parents that came with it for anything in the world.

Finally, "Young, Matthew", went to Slytherin. The sorting was complete.

Severus Snape got to his feet and raised his hand. Suddenly the room became hushed. "Welcome. Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. I'm sure you are all starved after that long train ride so we will start the feast momentarily. First, however, I would like to introduce some new members of our teaching staff. If you would please stand as I introduce you. First to my left is Professor Weasley.

There was immediate applause, but as Ginny stood to her feet quite a few whistles indicted the approval of the teacher appearance.

The Headmaster frowned. "That will be quite enough of that. Although I can appreciate your enthusiasm, whistling will never be an acceptable way of greeting a teacher at this school."

Ginny blushed. She wasn't quite sure whether it was because of the wolf whistles or because of Severus' comment.

Hermione, smiled. Thinking back to her first year as an instructor and being introduced by then Headmaster McGonagall. It was probably the most thrilling and at the same time most embarrassing moment in her life.

Hermione was being introduced as the new Transfiguration Professor to a roomful of students that except for the first years had been her classmates the previous year. Would they accept her as a teacher? Then there was her newfound celebrity status. Since Harry, Ron and her had defeated Voldemort in June it didn't seem a day had gone by that their pictures weren't in the Daily Profit. Just as it looked like the world was going to let her go back to a semi normal life; Playwizard magazine made public the information that they had approached her to appear in their publication. Despite the fact she immediately turned them down, polls had appeared on the Wizard net. The polls had indicted that the majority of the Wizard World wanted to see her naked. Now here she was being introduced as a new Professor at Hogwarts.

As McGonagall spoke her name the students had risen to a standing ovation. Not one of those where a couple people stand up and then a few more until those seated feel guilty and join, but an ovation where everyone simultaneously jumped to there feet. Minerva had halfheartedly tired to get the students to sit down, but then looked at Hermione shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Minerva then whispered in her ear. "You deserve it; every bit up it," as she began to applaud herself. Hermione had stood there smiling from ear to ear, tears flowing down her cheeks. The only thing that was missing was her best friends. She wished so desperately that Harry and Ron were here with her.

"If only Harry had been there it would have been perfect."

Snape continued, "Ms Weasley joins us as Professor of Muggle Studies. To my right I have a former student who excelled in class and I'm sure will do a fine job teaching you the subtle science and exact art of potion making. Professor Malfoy will be your new Potions Master.

The applause this time instead of being mixed with wolf whistles was interspersed with oohs and ahhs from the females and you could hear many comments about Draco's looks.

Up until this time Harry had gone relatively unnoticed. A few students had questioned friends if that was Harry Potter, but were laughed at. The normal answer being, "What would Harry Potter be doing here? Its just some want-to-be with black hair and glasses." It had been five years since Harry had appeared in public. His face was no longer on the cover of every wizard publication.

"And lastly," Snape said, "I would like to introduce the new instructor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He has little experience in this field, but I'm sure he will try his best." Snape smiled as he alluded to Harry. "Professor Harry Potter."

For a moment, a very brief moment the hall was completely silent and then suddenly the cheers and applause were deafening. "It s him! It's Harry Potter! We're going to be taught by Harry Potter!"

Harry just stood there in shock. After all this time, he had never expected such a welcoming. He looked over to where Hermione was standing. She was applauding as hard as anyone in the room as tears streamed down her face. Ginny grasped his hand and squeezed it. "They love you Harry; we all do."

Snape looked out at the hall full of students and didn't even try to silence them. He knew that would be impossible.

Although they were standing and applauding, Draco and Neville didn't seem nearly as thrilled as the others. Neville kept staring at Ginny's hand firmly holding on to Harry.

Jamie wasn't applauding. She was crying. Her head was buried in Amanda's shoulder and Alex had his arm around her shoulder. Between the sobs she muttered. "It's him! I can't believe it's him! I still cringe when I think about that night. What if...? Now he's my Professor."