Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

77

"What a load of rubbish, you don't really believe a word that Professor Trelawney was saying do you Harry?" Hermione tried to brighten Harry's spirits on their way to Transfiguration class. But it seemed that Harry made up his mind about the whole thing. 

"It's easy for you to say, 'Mione. You heard what Professor Trelawney said about your future. Sure you have some danger in your path but you also have a love ready to bloom and you'll be able to choose who you will spend the rest of your life with." Ron pointed out as they entered into the classroom. They sat quietly in their seats as Professor McGonagall began to teach them about Animagi, who are wizards that could transform at will into animals) and transformed herself into a tabby cat. 

"Really, what has got into you all today?" McGonagall asked, while turning back into herself, "Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from class." 

Hermione could feel everyone's gaze was now on Harry, which made her sigh before shooting her hand up in the air to drift everyone's attention onto her so Harry could be left alone. McGonagall pointed at her as Hermione began to explain about Divination class. She hadn't finished when McGonagall spoke up again. 

"Ah, of course... which of you will be dying this year?" she asked, looking almost annoyed. 

"I am," Harry blurted out. 

"I see-- then you should know, Potter, that Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school. None of them has died yet, I assure you. Seeing death omens is her favorite way of greeting a new class. If it were not for the fact that I never speak ill of my colleagues---" she paused before she went on, calmly, "Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic. I shall not conceal from you that I have little patience with it. True Seers are very rare, and Professor Trelawney---" she paused again, taking in a deep breath, "You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in." 

Hermione laughed as she saw Harry look like he was feeling much better about his odds. While they were heading for lunch, Ron proceeded to argue that there was some truth about the Grim and Harry's fate with death. 

"This is all rubbish, Ron. I just think witches and wizards are so stuck with the idea that if they see the Grim that they just die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!" Hermione shot at Ron, who snorted at her. 

"You just don't like being bad or worse wrong about anything, Hermione." Ron growled at her. 

"If being good at Divination means I have to pretend to see death omens in a lump of tea leaves, I'm not sure I'l be studying it much longer! That lesson was absolute rubbish compared with my Arithmancy Class!" Hermione stated before stalking away from them. 

"What is she talking about, Harry?" she could hear Ron shrieking, "She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet." 

Oh but how wrong he is, Hermione thought to herself as she remember sneaking away and turning the Time Turner so that she could go to her Arithmancy class after Divination. It was sort of weird but at the same time brilliant as she scurried away in the other direction. She just had to make sure no one saw her or have her see herself. She remembered her Grandma's warning about messing with time. It was almost like she had restarted the day while everyone was still going to class without her being noticed. She enjoyed this new found freedom actually... but she enjoyed being the only one who knew about it. 

Hermione proceed down to Care of Magical Creatures. She was eager to have a class where she can secretly practice her gift as well. She ran into Harry, who she gladly greeted, and Ron, who she gladly ignored as they made their way to their class. Hagrid was waiting at the door of his hut for the class to form. 

"C'mon now, get a move on. Got a real treat for you today! Great lesson coming up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!" Hagrid told them as he strolled of around the edge of the trees where they made their way to a kind of paddock. 

"Everyone gather round the fence here! That's it-- make sure you can see-- now first thing you'll want to do is open your book---" 

"How?" said Malfoy, coldly. 

"Eh?" 

"How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated as he took out his book that was tied with a length of rope just as others were pulling their copies out with similar features, some with belts other crammed them inside tight bags or clamped them together with binder clips... all except Hermione, who's book was just purring like a kitten as she kept stroking the cover. 

"Hasn't... hasn't anyone been able to open their books?" Hagrid asked, looking crestfallen until his eyes landed on Hermione, "oh! Hermione great job! I'm sure you can tell them how you did it?" 

Hermione darted her head around as she was left dumbfounded for the first time in front of everyone. 

"Um... well... it... it just came like this." Hermione mumbled while she gently patted the book, wishing she could just disappear. 

"You've got to stroke them," Hagrid stated, "Look--" 

He took hold of Harry's book as he gently ran his finger down its spine. the book shivered then fell open and laid quiet in his hand. 

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy sneered, "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess?" 

"I-- I thought they were funny," Hagrid said, uncertainly to them. 

"Oh, tremendously funny! Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!" Malfoy shot at Hagrid. 

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry said quietly. 

"Well... right then-- so you got your books and-- and-- now you need the magical creatures. Yeah, I'll go and get them. Hang on..." 

He strode away from them into the forest and out of sight. 

"God this place is going to the dogs," Malfoy said loudly, "That oaf teaching class, my father'll have a fit when I tell him--" 

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry repeated himself. 

"Careful, Potter, there's a dementor behind you--" Malfoy jeered. Hermione felt her blood boil, wanting nothing more than to punch Malfoy in the jaw. 

"You can get rid of him..." 

Hermione jolted as her eyes wandered around. She could have sworn she had heard a voice. Not a loud voice, but a eerie whispering voice that she couldn't put a face to. 

"Say it... say the right words... and he will never... never again bother you..." the voice spoke again. Before Hermione could find out who it was, Lavender Brown squealed, drawing their attention to see what she had spotted... but Hermione still could hear that voice in her head.