Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

145

The day's periods were long. They first had History of Magic, learning about Giant Wars, then on their way to Potions, they happened to run in with Cho. It was obvious Cho wanted to talk with Harry alone but Ron just happened to ruin it by fussing about Cho's Quidditch team. 

While in potions, they were working on the Draught of Peace when Snape began to taunt Harry because he accidentally forgot to add the drops of syrup of hellebore. However, before Harry's mood began to shift into a seething rage, a loud explosion rang throughout the room. At first, everyone thought it was Seamus (due to his history with exploding potion) only to find Malfoy standing behind his broken cauldron covered in a slimy substance. After class, it became clear what had happened. Jordan, who was sitting a table away from Malfoy had been able to fling an extra moonstone into his cauldron. 

"I tell you, I'm in love with her!" Hermione overheard Ron mumble to Harry, who nodded in agreement, on their way to Division. As Hermione entered the Ancient Runes classroom, she found Jordan leaning over her charts and books. Jordan shot her head up then motioned for Hermione to sit by her. Just as Hermione sat down, Jordan began talking. 

"Thank you for sitting by me," Jordan said while she pulled out her spider and set it on her books, "It's either you or that priss Pansy and I didn't want to deal with Pansy screaming because I have Fuzzy out." 

"Fuzzy?" 

"My spider. He's kind of like my Calming Draught. You seem more okay with him then the other Slytherins." Jordan said, gently petting the bottom half of the spider. Hermione knew it was impossible, but she could have sworn the spider had actually purred. 

On the way to Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Hermione and Jordan struck a conversation between each other's favorite novels. Hermione learned Jordan was into learning about books about myths, animals and monsters and that Jordan wanted to become a magizoologist and to live on a Magical Creature Reserve that was a few miles from her house. Hermione never thought she would ever be friendly with a Slytherin after all the ones she had met. 

However, their cheery conversation came to a halt when they saw Professor Umbridge standing in front of her desk with her creepy, twisted grin as they made their ways to their seats. 

"Good afternoon," she said when everyone had sat down. Only a few people mumbled "Good afternoon'. 

"Tut, tut, that won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!" 

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge." They chanted back at her. 

"There, now," Umbridge said in an eerie cheery tone, "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please." 

Hermione shared a look with Jordan before she put her wand back in her bag as Umbridge began to talking about. 

"Your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it? The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year." She paused before she began to pace between the rows, "You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following-- AH!" 

Umbridge burst out screaming when she reached Hermione's and Jordan's desk as she pointed over at them. Hermione turned to see Jordan's spider was back roaming across the desk. 

"Kill it! Someone kill that monster!" Umbridge shrieked, pointing at the spider. 

"No! Don't!" Jordan screamed, wrapping her hands around Fuzzy and clinging him to her chest, "he's my pet."