Hermione and Slatius Chapter 1

The title is only temporary until I can come up with a better one. Feel free to offer suggestions! In no way does my story follow the guide line of the original Harry Potter Series. Some of my Character I make up for the pure purpose to entertain you. All other characters do belong to J.K Rowling and are not being sold for profit. For a general knowing of what is going on, Hermione, Harry, and Ron are in their seventh year. Dumbledore is not dead, Sirius is still alive, and Snape is still teaching potions. This is just for those who are tired of waiting for the seventh book to come out and are getting bored from re-reading the books (though I don't know how you could!) Anyway hope you enjoy this new story of mine which is a romance between two characters. One you know One you don't. Along also in this story will be smaller romances between other characters. Enjoy ~Lady Eclipse 1

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"Fresh crop of new Gryffindors this year, And don't they look up to snuff! We have a good chance of keeping the house cup out of Slytherin again this year!" Sir Nick the Gryffindor house ghost whispered aside to Seamus and Harry who were seated next to him. 3

Harry glanced up at the staff table and saw the seat to the right of Dumbledor empty. He leaned to whisper to Ron and Hermione. "Who do you reckon the knew DADA teachers going to be? I don't see him anywhere." 4

Hermione nudged his shoulder and pointed at a new comer who had just entered the Great Hall. He looked to be a distinguished fellow, Tall and mysterious looking. His hair was a dark black going silver at the temples. Many would call him handsome and by the students looking at him now Hermione noticed allot of admiring glances from the girls. He was wearing dark black robes of the finest quality. When he passed their table to go to the staff table they could all see his eyes were that of the lightest silver. 5

"Bet that's him..." Ron whispered as the man passed their table and interrupted Hermione's thoughts. She watched him approach the staff table and shake Dumbledors hand and then seat himself. 6

"He looks like a vampire I tell you! All dark and mysterious like that. You don't think Professor Dumbledor would hire a vampire do you Harry?" Ron asked still staring at the man seated to the right of Dumbledor. 7

"Could be Ron, I mean come on it wouldn't surprise me any if he was a vampire, Dumbledor has hired Werewolf's and Half-giants why wouldn't he hire a vampire as long as he trusts the one he hires and knowing Professor Dumbledor it's not all that surprising" Harry told him also looking at the new comer. 8

"Attention Please, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words before we begin our start of term feast." Professor McGonagall shouted above the noise in the crowded hall interrupting their conversation. She sat down as soon as it had quieted and then turned expectantly to Dumbledore. 9

"Welcome to all our new students and to our old ones, welcome back. Another year at Hogwarts, Another year to learn all you have forgotten and all you have yet to learn. We face hard problems and even harder times. Some of you know of what I speak and others have yet to except it. Remember the bonds of friendship run deep and the bonds of love deeper still. I ask you new students and old to open your minds and put differences behind you. That is all I plan to say on this right now." Dumbledore told the students who were watching him with bated breath no one daring to speak because they wanted to hear what he would say next. 10

"Do you think something has happened?" Hermione whispered at Harry not taking her eyes away from Dumbledore. 11

"I think it's just a warning Hermione.. You know like the one the sorting hat always gives." Harry whispered back at her but they both went silent again when Dumbledore started to speak again. 12

"On on a lighter note I have a few start of terms notices that I must give out. First years should know that the Forbidden Forrest is forbidden to all students and some of our older students should heed that warning as well." His gaze seemed to rest on the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables before he continued. "Mr. Filch, our caretaker would like me to remind you that you are not to use magic in the hallways between classes and the list of forbidden objects within Hogwarts grounds can be found on the door to Mr. Filchs office which now is a total of eight hundred and thirty-two objects. Now I would like to introduce our new Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher, Please give a nice round of applause to Mr. Vadimir Slatius who has kindly consented to fill in the post." 13

Mr. Slatius stood to a huge round of applause which by a look around all the tables was being done louder by the girls then by any of the boys. Once he sat down again Professor Dumbledor once again claimed the attention of everyone by a simple raising of his hand. 14

"Also our Care of magical creatures teacher Hagrid has taken this year off in the event of his recent marriage." He paused his kind eyes twinkling as he looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione who smiled back at him. "Please a round of applause for Professor Agatha Barton who will be teaching for this year." Once again the house tables broke into applause as a witch Hermione had not even noticed stood up and took a bow. She had dark blond hair but not a very outstanding presence. Young though, barely out of school age so Hermione suspected it would be her first year teaching. Just then Dumbledore once again started to speak. 15

"Also quidditch try outs are to be held later this month just ask the quidditch captains of your house to know the exact date. They are Erika Slater of Ravenclaw, Bella Gates of Hufflepuff, Draco Malfoy of Slytherin and Harry Potter of Gryffindor." when Harry's name was mentioned Professor Slatius had glanced at the Gryffindor table to stare directly at him then back at Dumbledor. "Now I know you all are just waiting for me to finish so you can fill your empty stomachs so without further ado..." And with a wave of his left hand their golden plates and goblets filled with food and drink. 16

Hermione turned back to the table and started to fill her plate. "Could you pass the bread Seamus?" 17

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"Man am I stu---ff--ed" Ron yawned stretching his arms above his head. and then grinned at them. "Tired too!" 19

"Yeah lets go on up to bed. See you at breakfast Hermione." Harry told her. "Goodnight Ginny.." He whispered to his girlfriend and also Ron's sister. He gave her a quick kiss goodnight with Ron staring pointedly away. And then they went on up to their dormitories. 20

"Ready for bed Hermione?" Ginny asked as they watched the boys disappear up the staircase. 21

"Not really, I mean we have a full hour before curfew I think I'm going to go check out a couple of books from the library. Want to go with me?" 22

"Yeah I need one on hexes. I got the bat-bogey one down and would like to check out some others." 23

They made their way down to the library entering as quietly as they could so they wouldn't get kicked out for making to much noise. A few other students were scattered around sitting at tables and reading books. Hermione and Ginny separated each going to a different section. 24

Hermione found what she was looking for but it was at the top most shelf and she couldn't reach it. She was just about going to go find the small step ladder when a voice just behind her made her jump. 25

"Allow me." 26

Hermione watched an arm reach up and grab the book she had been trying to get. She turned around slowly and looked up at the new defense against the dark arts teacher. 27

"Professor Slatius.. Umm thank you." She mumbled kinda flustered standing this close to him. 28

"You are very welcome, and your name is?" He asked. Hermione could detect a faint accent which she thought sounded a heck of a lot like Scottish. 29

"Hermione Granger, I'm in my seventh year." 30

"A pleasure it is Ms. Granger." He told her staring directly into her eyes and bowing a little. He was really handsome up close and young to, Hermione thought he only looked to be in his middle twenties. It was the silver at his temples that made him look much older but Hermione knew that even some wizards went gray early just like some muggles did. 31

Hermione saw him glance at the title of her book before he handed it to her and smile. She groaned because she knew that he now knew what she was getting that particular book for. 32

"Vampires, Warlocks, and Wizards And How To Tell The Difference by Alectra Diction." He read aloud causing Hermione's face to flame with color. "It's alright Ms. Granger you and your friends aren't the first to suspect I'm a vampire, but let me save you some reading time. My father was a vampire my mother a witch from their union came me and I assure you I'm full wizard since my father never bit my mother or me. I'm told I have his presence though and that I can be either quite charming or quite intimidating." 33

"Uh Professor..you..don't.." 34

"Quite alright, quite alright. But I must leave you now I suspect I'll be seeing you in my class sometime this week. Until then." And with a swish of his black cloak he whirled around and strode from the library. 35

Hermione put the book back on the shelf with her wand not wanting to go and find the ladder now. Instead she grabbed a book on dark creatures of the forest and a witches romance that looked like it would be an interesting read, then went to find Ginny so they could check out and go back to their dormitories. 36

"Was that the new Defense teacher I saw you talking to Hermione?" Ginny asked as they made their way onto a staircase that was moving from one floor to the other. "Was he just as Handsome up close as he was far away?" 37

"I'm not sure Harry would appreciate that sigh Ginny!" 38

"Think so, A girl can look cant she as long as she doesn't touch." Ginny grinned then asked. "Well was he?" 39

Hermione laughed a little. "Yeah really handsome, don't think I'll be looking forward to hearing Lavender and Parvati giggling the whole class as they shoot coy glances at him." 40

"Well it shouldn't be that bad, Lavender is dating this cute boy from Ravenclaw I think his name is Garret or Jarret something like that, and Parvati has been going with Dean ever since I broke up with him." 41

"Won't stop those two though will it." 42

"I suppose not." They stopped talking when they reached the fat lady. 43

"Well you two made it with five minutes to spare on curfew. I suppose you'll be wanting inside then. Password?" 44

"Oddiebumblekins!" said Ginny and then her and Hermione crawled through the hole and into the common room. They made their way up to the door that led to the girls sleeping quarters. Hermione going to the door at the farthest right and Ginny going in the one right next to it, since Ginny was a year younger then them she slept with the sixth year girls. 45

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"So Harry how many players do you need for the house team this year?" Hermione asked watching out of the corner of her eye for Professor Slatius. The class sheets had yet to be passed out so they didn't know what classes they were going to get today. 47

"We need two new chasers, and two beaters so all around just four. Ginny and Ron are going to help me with try outs they also know what to look for so they can help me choose. How about it Hermione going to try?" Harry asked her grinning. 48

"Very funny Harry, you know I hate flying. But good luck and why don't you let the first years try out too I bet some of them will be great." 49

"Not for beaters, but maybe I will look into them for a chaser since their all small and light and can probably move faster on a broom. Thanks for the suggestion Hermione. You wanna come watch try outs next week?" 50

"Yeah I probably will" She answered back but just then Professor McGonagall was walking up their table handing out class sheets. 51

"Uggh Double Potions right after lunch, what a let down." Ron groaned scrunching up his freckled face in a look of utter disgust. 52

"Whole mornings free though all term that should be nice getting to sleep in and all. And oh look after Potions we have Double Defence against the dark arts , and then Double Transfiguration for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday, and Thursday we have Double Charms and History of magic in the morning and Early afternoons and we get later afternoons and evenings free. Well you guys do anyway I also have Arithmency and Ancient Runes in there to and it alternates for every other day. 53

"And you're excited about this Hermione? Excuse me if I don't join in on the excitement." Ron told her causing Hermione to frown. 54

"Well you do have your N.E.W.T.S coming up." She harrumphed at him. 55

"Enough come on Ginny lets go outside for a walk while these two bicker over classes." Harry told Ginny grabbing her hand and pulling her outside. She gave them a wave then turned and followed Harry. Hermione and Ron changed the subject and decided to pass the morning with a game of wizard chess. 56

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Entering the potions classroom Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the last row in the chair furthest away from Professor Snape. Since it was the Advanced Potion class and only the people who needed and could get in were taking it Hermione saw that with addition to Slytherins and Gryffindors there were also some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs there to. 58

All through class Snape was being his usual nasty self, Complimenting the Slytherins work and making snide comments about every one elses potions. Hermione of course had the best potion making ability but Snape just ignored hers and continued walking around the class throwing out praise or comments where ever he pleased. When he passed their table a second time and was once again making his way around the room Hermione turned to whisper to Harry and Ron. 59

"Heard from Snuffles lately?" She asked Harry. 60

"No not for a while, Dumbledors got him down in Albania trying to get information out of a couple of Voldemorts followers. Will you two quit flinching every time his name is mentioned." he hissed at them because both Ron and Hermione had sucked in their breath upon hearing Voldemorts name. 61

"Pass me the doxy eggs will you Ron, my potions looking kinda gray instead of the silver it's suppose to be." Hermione asked him and frowned when Ron rolled his eyes but still passed the small bowl of eggs. 62

"You three either stop talking and work or I'll separate you!" Snape told them from his desk which was at the front of the room. They quieted immediately because none of them wanted to be separated for the whole of the term in Snapes long boring class. 63

Finally at the end of class they gathered up their cauldrons and books and left the classroom heading back up to Gryffindor tower to collect their DADA books. They had about fifteen minutes before class was to start but they wanted good seats so decided to leave early. Like their potions classes DADA, Transfiguration, and Charms would all have a variety of Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors the only one that wouldn't was History of Magic which they would most likely have with the Ravenclaws. 64

When they reached the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom Harry and Ron sat in the front middle desk and Hermione took the one behind them waving at Neville to sit next to her who appreciated that because without Hermione he probably wouldn't even be there. 65

By the time all the kids showed up Professor Slatius hadn't so they sat talking amongst themselves taking out their wands and books. He came five in three minutes late with a huge glass cage in his arms with a sheet covering it so they couldn't see inside. He walked to his desk and put the cage on a desk set against the wall. 66

"Good Afternoon. As you all have guessed my name is Professor Slatius, I will be your new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher here at Hogwarts. Quite an honor I must tell you, also quite a surprise I was an assistant teacher in America at a muggle school no less, to improve my knowledge of their school systems when Dumbledore contacted me to teach my own class here at Hogwarts. Now he tells me a new teacher for this class is nothing new for you guys since your quite use to it!" He paused taking a breath then continued. “Now would you please divide into groups of two since there are only eighteen in our number" 67

Hermione smiled at Neville and asked him to be her partner since it was a forgone conclusion that Harry and Ron would be partners. After everyone had gotten in their group Professor Slatius asked them to go to the front of the room and then in a sweep of his wand the desks slid silently to the far side of the classroom. 68

"Now I have been told that you were taught how to duel in your second year. Almost all of you can even cast spells without saying a single word. But what were going to be doing is blocking spells while our backs are to are opponent's." He stopped when several hands went into the air. 69

"Yes Mr. Thomas?" Professor Slatius asked Dean who was one of the first with his hand in the air. 70

"Well sir. Why would you need to learn a defense spell while your back is turned to your dueling partner, It wouldn't be very sporting for someone to attack while you weren't looking. Would it, sir?" 71

"Good question Mr.Thomas, Can any of you answer Mr.Thomas's question?" 72

Hermione immediately put her hand in the air. 73

"Ah Ms. Granger great to see you again. Do you have the answer to Deans question?" Professor Slatius asked his eyes glinting with pleasure that she should know the answer. 74

"We would need to learn this particular defense spell because if we were involved in a duel with say the wrong person like..." Hermione visibly gulped but forged on with only the slightest hesitation. "Lord Voldemort or one of his death eaters it's almost certain they would show no honor or mercy and would attack when our backs were turned with out the slightest hesitation.." 75

"Exactly, ten points to Gryffindor. You see Mr. Thomas not everyone follows the rules." 76

Hermione felt Harry put a soothing hand on her back and knew that he was giving her support from having to say Voldemorts name. She smiled at him to let him know that she was alright, then tuned back into the lesson. Professor Slatius told them that in order to block a spell you couldn't see someone perform you had to be able to have a sense of surrounding, to know when someone that means you harm is in the vicinity. 77

"Okay lets practice, would Seamus and Dean please join me in the center of the room. Okay you both can perform silent spells right?" He waited until they nodded the affirmative then went on. "Dean turn around and walk ten feet away. Stay there. Seamus think of a hex but a minor one and shoot it at him." 78

They saw Seamus scrunch up his forehead in concentration then looked at Dean when his legs locked together and he fell face forward. After that demonstration to which every one laughed good naturally Professor Slatius told them to each practice with their partners while he walked around the room and observed. 79

After Neville had fallen over six times they switched places but his hexes kept missing Hermione and hitting Ron who was standing a few paces behind them. 80

"Switch Partners with someone else now." Professor Slatius yelled to the whole room and Hermione was secretly glad. 81

"Hey Hermione take Ron's place." Harry said to her while Ron paired with Neville. "I'll hex you try to block. 82

Hermione tried to clear her mind but at that moment Professor Slatius stopped to observe them so it wasn't much of a surprise when the hex came Hermione fell head first but instead of hitting the floor she was caught by Professor Slatius. 83

"Thank you Professor." She stammered, was she always to be flustered in his presence. 84

"No problem Ms. Granger, keep trying.." He said out loud but then he leaned in closer and in a whisper only she could here he said. "I suspect I was the reason for your fall, But I'm not sorry.." He stood her back up then and moved onto the next two people down the line. Once again Hermione was flustered. 85

By the end of class only two people had come close to mastering the defense Harry and Terry Boot of Ravenclaw. Hermione suspected she would have been included in that group if she could have stopped staring at Professor Slatius. 86

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After a really hard Double Transfiguration where they were doing human transfiguration's on each other under the supervision of Professor McGonagall Harry, Ron, and Hermione decided to go down for an early supper. There were only a few teachers at the staff table. Dumbledore hadn't arrived yet only the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher and Professor Snape. They ate slowly not in any hurry but as soon as Harry was done he and Ginny went off for some alone time. Hermione would have liked to gone off alone but didn't think she could be rude to Ron. It turned out though that she didn't have to because not long after Harry left, Ron decided to go and write a letter to his brothers Fred and George begging for a skiving snack box and other sweets. 88

Hermione finding herself quite alone looked up at the screech of an owl that was flying strait for her a letter clutched in it's beak that the eagle owl dropped in her lap. It was addressed to Harry, Ron or Hermione so she opened it after offering her pumpkin juice to the slick looking eagle owl. 89

Harry, Ron or Hermione- 90

Everthins fine here. Olympe setled rite fine into marriage. Havnt herd from you three in a while wanted to know what you was up to. Hows the young'ns likin the new magical creatures teacher. Heard you got a new DADA teacher as wel. A Mr. Slatius I was told. Never met the chap myself but anyone who knew has nothin bad to say about him. Oh afore I close this letter I want ya to know Olympe and me are expectin. well got to go. Take care of yerselves and write me back soon. . 91

-Hagrid and Olympe 92

Expecting! Expecting! Hermione couldn't get passed that part. Hagrid going to be a father. She shoved that thought away deciding to discuss it later with Harry and Ron. Noticing that the staff table was full now and most of the students were eating Hermione quickly finished deciding to head to the library and get started on her homework. 93

She was once again trying to reach a book on the top shelf when a hand reached above her and grabbed it for her. 94

"Ms. Granger we have got to stop meeting like this.." 95

To Be Continued 96