Strange

Detention with Delinquents

A/N: Don't miss out on the exclusive art for this story, available on both Wattpad and AO3! It's a visual treat, offering a glimpse into the 8th year corridors, dorms, and entrances as featured in the chapters. Highly recommend checking it out for some immersive visuals! You can find them at the end of each chapter!

Mondays were the bane of Hermione Granger's existence. Detention on Mondays, however, were a special kind of torture. Sharing her time with a band of troublemakers who took pleasure in making her life miserable was hardly her idea of a pleasant start to the week. She sighed and cast her gaze at the new schedule she'd picked up during breakfast in the Great Hall. Her class schedule remained unchanged, save for the addition of three detention slots on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in the morning. Hermione was grateful to Professor McGonagall for not meddling with her studies, but it still felt grossly unfair to be part of this preposterous program.

As she nibbled on her toast and sipped pumpkin juice, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what misdemeanors the other students had committed to warrant this punishment. Given their reputation, she knew it had to be something illegal or morally reprehensible.

Finishing her meal, she made her way to her final class of the day: N.E.W.T.-level Potions with Professor Snape, who also taught Defense Against the Dark Arts at the same level. Another professor handled the ordinary level classes, but Hermione was more intrigued by the advanced spells and potions Snape offered. Surprisingly, he turned out to be a rather competent teacher when he wasn't being entirely acerbic. His classes were tough, demanding, and exactly the sort of challenge Hermione relished.

Stepping into the dungeon classroom, she took her usual spot next to her best friend and fellow Gryffindor prefect, Neville Longbottom. They exchanged smiles and swapped notes about their homework. Hermione couldn't help but notice Neville's nervous and pale demeanor, a constant before their Potions class. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and whispered, "Don't worry, you'll do fine. You've improved a lot since last year." Neville managed a weak smile and thanked her. Despite now dating Luna Lovegood, Neville still struggled with his confidence. Hermione wished she could do more to bolster his spirits.

Preparing for the day's lesson on brewing a Shrinking Solution, Hermione opened her textbook and began gathering her ingredients. It was a relatively straightforward potion that temporarily reduced the drinker's size, but it demanded precision in measurements and timing. She had faith in her ability to brew it to perfection, as she had in the past. Her only concern was whether Neville could follow her instructions without a hitch.

Glancing around the classroom, Hermione noticed that it was predominantly filled with Slytherins also taking N.E.W.T.-level Potions. Some of them were familiar faces from upcoming her detention group: Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, and Michael Corner. The latter, a Ravenclaw, had briefly dated Ginny Weasley in their fifth year before parting ways. Now, it seemed he had set his sights on Pansy Parkinson, who appeared to openly accept his attention.

Determined not to be drawn into their drama, Hermione immersed herself in the lesson as Professor Snape entered. His monotone lecture on Shrinking Solutions resonated through the room, punctuated by warnings about under-dosing and the treacherous consequences of ignoring instructions. After outlining the steps, he unleashed them on their potions, his watchful eyes roaming the room like a prowling gargoyle.

Following her textbook to the letter, Hermione chopped, weighed, stirred, and measured with meticulous precision. Her watch became her compass, guiding her through the delicate process. Occasionally, she peeked at Neville, his tense posture and damp forehead betraying his anxiety. She occasionally offered words of encouragement thrown across the cauldron flames.