Shades of Grey

Bella's Room

It had been three weeks since that night in the library with Bellatrix. Hermione was surprised how willing the other witch was to learn about her family. They spent a few hours that night in the library with Hermione just telling tale after tale about her parents and her home life. They had only made it as far as accidental magic and her Hogwarts letter when they went their separate ways. Hermione had left that night feeling confident that Bellatrix had no ulterior motive to helping her.

There had really been no other opportunity to meet with her professor since that night. Hermione was caught up in her own studies as well as teaching. She was in love with her students. They were all so welcoming and receptive of her lessons. She was teaching first, third and seventh years on Tuesday and the other years on Thursday. Hermione tried to make her classes informative as well as fun. She had been teaching them about muggle history but also introduced all levels to fun things such as transportation and muggle entertainment. Watching her students try to figure out how to work a television was quite entertaining.

"Okay class. That's time for today. I would like you to pick out a Muggle novel from the library up here and start reading it. I expect a book report when you come back in two weeks time." Hermione called out to the class with a smile. She sat down behind her desk as her eager third years rushed to pick the best book possible.

"Will you be going to Hogsmeade this weekend, Professor Granger?" a third year named Billy asked.

"Well I'm not one of the scheduled chaperones this time around but yes, I do plan to do a little shopping of my own."

"Awesome. Maybe we will see you there." He said waving as he dragged his friend from the class.

"It seems you have yourself quite a little fan club, Professor Granger." A voice said from beside the classroom door.

"Bellatrix. I didn't see you come in. Yes, some of these students are a little overzealous." Hermione said blushing slightly.

"That's an understatement. When those third years come to my class, all they can talk about is lets' see... how do they put it... oh yes how 'cool and pretty and smart' their muggle's studies teacher is." Bellatrix said back with a big grin on her face.

Hermione was blushing ferociously now and couldn't stop it. "They are probably just excited to have someone who isn't ancient teaching them new ideas to integrate into their world." Hermione said trying to curb her blushing.

"Sure that's it. It has nothing to do with and I quote a fifth year girl on this one... 'how she fills out her dresses'. It must be the lessons." Bella winked at Hermione. Hermione was flustered and just looked down shuffling her papers back and forth.

"Was there something you wanted Bellatrix?" Hermione asked with an annoyed tone to her voice.

Bellatrix walked over and took a seat at the desk directly facing Hermione. "Well yes. I was wondering why you haven't come back to finish your parent's story and to get on with the project. I thought we left everything in a good place." Bella said sounding a little unsure of herself.

Hermione smiled softly. "We did. I just got so busy with my own course work and it's time consuming planning all of these classes on top of my own courses. I wanted to work extra to get ahead. I have prepared all of my classes now until the Christmas break and I'm caught up on my own course work."

"Smart thinking... I also have all of my lessons planned until Christmas."

"So I was thinking, it's the first Hogsmeade weekend. Maybe we can get together sometime this weekend to continue our work?" Hermione asked looking hopeful at the older witch.

"Hmm... Maybe you need a chaperone while you are in Hogesmeade so that randy group of 5th years don't hunt you down."

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you." Hermione said rolling her eyes.