The Beginning of the End

Chapter Four: First Lesson

Hermione didn't want to get up the next day. And so, she didn't. For the first time in her life, Hermione Granger purposely missed class.

She wrapped her arms around her sides and hummed softly. It was the tune her mother used to hum to her whenever Hermione had been feeling bad. It used to make her feel better, but now it brought along memories and pain of years ago. She closed her eyes and hummed softer to herself, wishing that yesterday had never occurred.

The portrait in her room gazed sadly at her. He was a tall wizard with dark blue hair and silver eyes. His name was Sapphire on account of his hair color. Without a doubt, he was delightfully handsome, almost beautiful. Sapphire shook his head at Hermione and whispered, "But it has only just begun."

Hermione looked at him with moist eyes. "Sorry?"

"It has only just begun," he repeated.

Curious, she stepped off her bed and wandered to him. "What do you mean by that? It's the end."

"You have it wrong," Sapphire insisted. "This is merely the beginning. Do you think it will stop now?"

"I mean it's the end for me," Hermione whispered. "There's no beginning anymore. My beginning was taken away yesterday. Excuse me, I have to get some tea."

Sapphire nodded as she walked away. "She doesn't understand," he murmured to himself. "It's the beginning for her, along with many others."

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"She never came to class," said Ron, feeling the need to point out the obvious. It was lunchtime, but the two had decided to skip lunch to go to their common room to talk.

"No, she didn't." Harry sighed and sat in the chair across from the redhead. "I wouldn't though, if I were her. I mean, those were her -parents-. Besides, the others weren't in class either."

"What do you think Dumbledore has in mind? Does he honestly think that we can pretend that nothing's work and keep working diligently?" Ron asked. He didn't know why he asked though, for he knew that Harry didn't have the correct answers. He just needed to ask somebody these questions that ran in his mind.

"No, I don't think he's trying to distract us... That just wouldn't be him. I know he has a plan. But I think he doesn't want us to panic. Once we stop panicking, I'm positive he will tell us something," he raised his index finger up at Ron, who was opening his mouth to attack him with an onslaught of questions, "but I don't have any idea what it is."

Ron closed his mouth. "Do you suppose 'Mione would mind us visiting her now?"

"She will visit us when she feels like it," answered Harry. "She knows we will always be there for her."

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Hermione sipped the cup of tea absently as she made her way to Professor McGonagall's office. She had an idea and had briefly wondered if it could be put to use at the school. Only one way to find out. She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Hello? Professor?" Hermione opened the door wide enough so she could slide in.

"Ms. Granger, please sit down," McGonagall said, smiling lightly at her favorite student. "Do close the door too."

Hermione closed the door and sat down in the worn ruby chair, looking down at her tea.

"I am terribly sorry to hear about your parents, as I am sorry to hear about the other's," McGonagall said, lowering her voice slightly.

"T..Thank you," mumbled Hermione. "Thank you very much."

"And I noticed that you weren't in class today," continued the professor.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I wasn't. I--"

"I understand. So what is it that you wish to speak to me about?"

"I had a thought. The students already know of You-Know-Who's uprising. I was just wondering, perhaps you can ask Professor Dumbledore if he can ask all the other teachers to advance their studies to something more...fitting."

"Fitting?" repeated McGonagall. "Go on."

"Yes, fitting for this time. We students do not wish to be unprepared for him. I believe I speak for the majority of the students when I say that we wish to learn the more complicated spells--even the first years. We -need- to know them in order to protect ourselves. We can't stay oblivious to this impending danger," Hermione said softly. "As much as I would like to be completely oblivious of the Dark Lord, I know I can't."

Professor McGonagall looked at the young lady in front of her. "Professor Dumbledore had that in mind."

"Indeed?"

"But he cannot proceed with it quite yet. He knows the students are still mourning their losses and it would be impossible to teach these spells when they aren't feeling better. But do not worry, Ms. Granger, we will commence the activities as planned. It is simply a matter of time. I suspect a month or so until everyone is over the incident."

"But a month is so long and time is so limited," Hermione pointed out wisely. "Many things could happen during the timespan."

"That is true," the professor acknowledged, sighing. "Perhaps I can talk it over with Professor Dumbledore, and see if we can have a separate class for those wishing to learn the advanced spells. If you wish, you may spread the word to the other students."

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"Harry, Ron."

"'Mione!" Ron exclaimed, standing up from his chair. "We were worried about you when you didn't show up in class today."

"How are you feeling?" Harry interjected.

Hermione forced a grin at the two young men. "I feel okay. Not better, but okay. Almost...numb. But, listen you guys." Harry and Ron leaned closer to her. "I just talked to Professor McGonagall about upgrading some of our classes to more difficult ones--"

"Aren't they difficult enough as it is?" interrupted Ron. "Why on earth would we want them to be any harder?"

The brunette silenced him with a look. "Do you not wish to improve our skills? Do you -want- another attack to happen again? Do you want to be unprepared?"

Ron's ears turned red. "No, of course not! I want us to be prepared for anything, even the worst."

"Then you can see where I'm coming from."

"Yes, but 'Mione, what time will we have for this? I barely have enough time for Quidditch practice as it is," Ron said.

"Easy. We get rid of one class."

In spite of himself, Ron began to grin. "One class, huh? I, for one, would like to Potions, once and for all!"

"We can't get rid of Potions. It's a requirement for all seven years," Harry spoke. "What can we take off?"

"Oh, some elective, I suppose," she answered, biting her lower lip. "I guess I'll get rid of Astronomy for now."

"We'll get rid of Divination, then," said Harry and Ron simultaneously.

"No more Trelawny..." Ron grinned.

"No more death predictions..." Harry joined in.

"No more Divination!" They finished together, high-fiving.

"Boys," groaned Hermione, but she laughed along. It felt good to laugh.

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"Mr. Malfoy," Professor Snape called out.

Draco glanced up from his potion to look up at the older man. "Yes, Professor?"

"I need to have a word with you," Snape said. The other students looked up at Draco and Snape, wondering why on earth would he want to speak to Draco. "Outside." They turned their attention back to their potions.

Draco stood up and followed the professor out of the door, also wondering why he wished to speak with him.

Snape cleared his throat. "Well, Mr. Malfoy. Professor Dumbledore has announced this morning in the teachers' room that some of the students are going to be changing their classes."

"Sir?"

"You're going to be one of them."

Draco had a blank face. What does he mean by changing classes? His classes were normal, weren't they?

"You have to decide on an elective you want to dispose of and then you will have another class to replace it. It will be like another Defense Against the Dark Arts, if you will, but much more advanced. You will be learning highly advanced charms and spells."

The blond allowed himself a small smile. "Really, now. In that case, Ancient Runes. When does the class begin?"

"Some time next week," answered Snape. "I ask a favor of you, though. Try to spread the news around to some of the more skilled students of the school, say, someone like Blaise Zabini."

He nodded. "I will."

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Over the week, news of the new class was being spread around. Some students immediately went to their head of the house and requested the class, while most shook their heads, proclaiming it too dangerous for their liking.

By the time Dumbledore had actually made the announcement, over eighty-five percent of the students had already heard about it.

"It will be the held after lunch today in the Great Hall. Those who wish to sign up please see your respective head of the house during lunch," Dumbledore announced that morning. "We have enough room for everyone who wants to join the class."

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At lunch, the students who requested the class waited impatiently in the Great Hall. The chairs and tables had been removed from the hall, and the students wandered around freely, talking to each other.

"I wonder who the teacher is," Harry said thoughtfully. "I hope it's not Snape."

"He has a class now. I don't think it would be him. Do you think...Dumbledore himself will teach the class?" questioned Ron.

"Dumbledore? I don't know. I would like to see some of his magic though," responded the dark-haired boy. "And he should know a thing or two about protecting ourselves."

"But shouldn't this class be Professor Rudinolf?" Seamus said. "After all, he -is- the Defense Against Dark Arts professor. It would make more sense if this class took place of that instead."

At that moment, Professor Dumbledore and an unknown teacher walked in the hall. The students became quiet, wondering who the person was. He was tall with medium length black hair tied back with a velvet ribben and deep-setted grey eyes. He looked around twenty-four. A majority of the girls smiled appreciatively at the teacher and a couple even began fanning their faces with their hands. There was no doubt about it--he was undeniably good looking to the female population. The males simply snorted at the females, rolling their eyes.

Professor Dumbledore smiled brightly at the students.

"This is Professor Valentine," he introduced simply.

Parvati and Lavender giggled. Pansy began smoothing her hair. Ginny looked from Harry to the new teacher repeatedly. Hermione didn't even bother to look at the teacher.

Professor Valentine nodded. "I am going to be here for a couple of months to teach you about advanced spells to harm and protect. But before I begin, do you have any questions?"

Megan Jones from Hufflepuff blushed brightly and raised her hand up.

"Yes?"

She tucked a strand of chestnut brown hair behind her ear and looked at her friends. They urged her to talk.

"Um...I'm just wondering... Where are you from?"

Professor Valentine smiled slightly. "I am from America, but my mother is from here and my father from France."

Justin stole a glance at Megan and then Professor Valentine. He poked Seamus in the side and whispered bitterly, "She just likes him because he's good looking."

Ron and Harry smirked at each other, remembering when Hermione herself fell head over heels in lust with Lockhart. They were glad she was over that now. Hermione suddenly turned her head their way and whispered, "I'm glad I'm not like that anymore." The three shared a silent laugh.

Hermione then raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"What sort of background do you have that makes you capable for this job?"

"Ah, wonderful question. I work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as an auror," he responded. "Anyone else?"

They all shook their heads.

"So we can begin. First, find a partner to work with," he said. Then he turned to Dumbledore. "Do you have any partners you want them to work with?"

"Oh, yes. We're trying to achieve some sort of harmony with the different houses..." Dumbledore explained.

Professor Valentine nodded. "All right, then. I'll partner you guys up instead." He raised his wand up. "Particula Differens*."

The students found themselves walking to the members of the other houses. Harry found himself face to face with dark-haired Blaise Zabini, Ron with the sandy-haired Susan Bones, and Hermione with the silver-haired man in front of her.

"You," she hissed.

He merely scowled at her, the memory of the week before still not forgotten.

"First off, I would like one of you to do the disarming charm, Expelliarmus, and the other to try the Petrificus Totalis, the full body bind," Professor Valentine said. He narrowed his eyes dangerously at the group. "If you try anything other than that, I myself will bind you."

"You disarm, I bind," Draco said.

"No, let me do it."

"Okay, fine. You bind. I disarm. It doesn't matter anyways."

"Do it whenever you feel your partner is off guard and keep continuing until I tell you to stop. If your partner has been binded, please raise your wand and shoot a spark up, so that I can restore him or her," the professor instructed.

Hermione watched Draco carefully, especially his wand. She knew he was fast when he wanted to be and she couldn't let her guard down at all. She licked her lips, waiting for him to move. He took a step forward and she took a step back. He place a foot on the left, and she immediately placed one on the right. She saw his gaze waver for a second, but that was all she needed.

"Petrificus Totalis!" she yelled, pointing her wand at him.

It missed him completely. In fact, he wasn't even standing in the same spot anymore. She turned her head wildly, looking for him. Where did he go? What happened? No one could possibly move -that- fast, not even him!

She felt a presence behind her and she jumped forward, turning around rapidly.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted.

She ducked and it hit the wall.

"Petrificus Totalis!"

Again, she missed. Then she heard Ron give a shout of surprise and she turned around, only to see Ron put in a full body bind. It was a mistake to turn around, though.

"Expelliarmus," the silver-haired man said as soon as she had turned her attention elsewhere. She immediately flew backwards and hit the wall lightly.

He glared over at her. "Next time, you shouldn't be watching other people. And be grateful that I didn't put more into that charm."

Hermione winced as she pulled herself up. Stupid Hermione, she chided herself. She would have to tune the other people out. Gritting her teeth, she walked back over to Draco.

"Ready when you are," he said, smirking.

Hermione quickly advanced to her left and said, "Petrificus Totalis."

Draco jumped back and snickered. "You have to do better than that to hit me. Expelliarmus!"

The brunette scrambled away as soon as she heard him yell the first syllable. She then felt his presence behind her again.

"No you don't," she muttered. She went to her knees and tripped him. He fell without a sound and Hermione pointed her wand at his chest. "Petrificus Totalis. You shouldn't do the same things over and over again." Shooting a spark in the air, she took a step away from him and waited for him to move again.

"I'll keep that in mind, Granger," he growled as he stood up, dusting his robes. He had a malicious glint in his eyes.

"Switch roles!" Professor Valentine called.

Draco didn't waste any time. He smirked and yelled, "Petrificus Totalis!"

Hermione, however, was ready for a sudden attack. She ducked again and moved backwards, but she suddenly felt an arm around her waist. She froze.

"You shouldn't run backwards as often," Draco whispered in her ear. He pointed his wand at her back. "Petrificus Totalis." He dropped her on the ground.

"It's a shame that I have to send sparks up," he told her unmoving form. "If I didn't have to, I would just leave you like this." He lazily sent up a spark.

Hermione eyed him from the ground, still not moving. He was so confident in himself! Well, this would teach him not to be so confident... Still on the ground, she slowly pointed her wand at him. "Expelliarmus," she whispered.

Draco was blown back and he the wall with a satisfying smack. Hermione pushed herself off the ground and smiled. Arrogant bastard.

"Now, it's a free for all with those two spells," shouted Professor Valentine.

Draco lifted his head and grinned widely at Hermione. If she wants to play rough, fine, he'll show her rough. "Nice shot, Granger."

"I do what I can," she replied, eyeing him.

He smirked. "I bet you do." Then he dashed at her, a sudden blur of black and silver-blond.

Hermione's eyes widened and she tried to run to the side, but she moved a fraction of a second too late. He had tackled onto her and she fell on the hard ground with his legs on top of hers.

"You're so slow," he said, looking down at her.

Hermione had dropped her wand in the fall and she tried feeling around for it. There was no way she was going to let him get her in this round! She couldn't find it. But she had an idea. She slowly placed her hands around Draco's, until it was over his back, but not on it.

"I am not slow," said Hermione.

"Petri--"

She pushed his back towards her. His eyes widened at the sudden push and his upper torso fell on hers. Hermione winced at the sudden impact of his chest, but wasted no time in grabbing his wand.

"Petrificus Totalis!"

She shoved him off her, grunting slightly. Merlin, he sure was heavy for someone who looked so slim. She then picked up her own wand, which twenty centimeters away from her. Panting a bit, she shot a spark in the air.

Draco stirred on the ground.

"All right. The class is over for today. You've done a great job. Don't forget, you will have this class for the next couple of months, so I expect to see you all tomorrow," Professor Valentine said.

Hermione handed Draco back his wand before leaving to find her friends. Ron wasn't hard to miss with his distinctive red hair, and she found him in no time.

"How was it?" she asked.

"Remind me never to underestimate a girl again," he groaned. "I only managed to hit Susan once!"

Hermione laughed. "You need more practice."

"You're telling me," he muttered.

They spotted Harry on the other side of the hall, talking to Blaise. They waited for Blaise to walk away before going up to him.

"Blaise's...-good-," Harry told them. "He moves like a cat. I could hardly keep up with his moves."

"So, who got hit the most?" Ron asked.

"Me. Only one more, though."

"Better than being beaten by a -girl-!" Hermione laughed.

Ron's ears turned red. "Hey, it's not my fault that I slipped on her robes!"

Harry chuckled.