Two weeks slowly passed, Hermione left the idea alone about Harry teaching Defense magic, though she thought about it constantly.
In the meantime she did her homework, which she'd lately been going to the library more often to complete. That's because Vipers been going there to do her homework and general reading as well.
Hogwarts wasn't quite how she'd imagine it to be. Her fellow Slytherins talk to her but, it was clear they thought of her as a lesser, because she officiates with lessers. Ones they considered lesser anyways, Viper liked the group, even some of the other students from other houses. She met a complete strange girl, just last week, Luna Lovegood. She was very peculiar, but was very much open for conversation, even if she did stray mentally every so often.
A part of her felt like it was wrong, a part of her she was not willing to admit, or even give the time of day. She'd always just blame it on her housemates and their misguidedness.
But despite her minor problems with her Housemates, the little meetups with Hermione brought the girl some company and comfort. Even if they did their work in silent, as Hermione was deep in thought about the state of things. Viper could see the things troubling her, and Hermione wanted to talk to her, to tell her. She felt as though she could trust her, even if she was still fairly new, but she needed to wait, everyone knows it's best to play the long game, no matter how never-ending it may seem.
She knew she could trust the girl, she knew that the day she said she didn't know where Hagrid is, even if evidence didn't really look good in her favor, she just knew the girl was good. And, was this not what the Sorting Hat wanted? For the Houses to be united? She was going to get Ron and Harry to see having her on their side was a good thing, even if they don't get any information, the very least they had gained a friend, right?
One afternoon, while in the library the lot of three were gathered, and they looked awfully busy, so Viper simply waved and sat down at a table, her wand up as she carries the stacks of books in the air before resting them on the table. If she was going to catch up on things around her, she had to keep up with her school work, and do plenty of reading. The collection here was outstanding, though, somewhat familiar. She recalled the collection her mother had, and it wasn't nearly as great as this.. so.. why does she feel like she's learn most of this already? Mother did always like to talk.. She shook her head, almost smiling, but couldn't bring herself too. She loved her mother, she really did, but she couldn't help but suddenly feel a small pang of.. of resentment. It made her guilty for even feeling such a way. She had been forced to do her studies at home, studies she's still proud of and cherishes forever but.. she couldn't help but think.. all that.. just to leave her on her own. Her mother was all she had, and now she's gone. Her only person was gone, and she was thrown into a random year of school, not even starting on time as the others had either. It was kind of embarrassing, more so as the Hat catching fire still sometimes came up whenever she'd pass by.
Hermione looked at the girl who frowned into her books, for once never seeing her so.. upset. Usually she remained tall, composed and up for the challenge if needed be. She seemed to shake whatever was bothering her, before she sat up some, seeming to actually be focusing on the words rather than just staring at them.
Hermione slowly, gently brought up the topic of Harry teaching Defense against the Dark Arts, asking if he's given it some thought. Of course he has! That's all he's been able to think about, that and Sirius's silence. He was worried about teaching, what was he going to teach? How to be lucky and hope you don't die? A, good luck? Yeah, he's gonna need more like that. But it wasn't that simple, because to him that was how he won every time. Luck, help, and pray you don't die. That's it.
"But all the same, there's no point pretending that you're not good at Defense against the Dark Arts, because you are. You were the only person last year who could throw off the Imperius Curse completely, you can produce a Patronus, you can do all sorts of stuff that full-grown wizards can't, Viktor always said-" This caused a side conversation, Ron taken back she was writing to someone, and someone who was writing back to her. After Hermione and Ron's back and forth for a minute she turns back to Harry. The question remained. He gives in, just her and Ron, right? Wrong.
Hermione tries slowly to introduce another idea, not wanting to trigger him. What if he taught... anyone who wanted to learn? Harry considered it, and was rather quick give in. He figured why not, who would want to actually learn from him anyways? Everyone thought he was a liar anyhow. Bonkers.
"Well, I think you might be surprised how many people would be interested in hearing what you've got to say, look, you know the first weekend in October's a Hogsmeade weekend? How would it be if we tell anyone who's interested to meet us in the village and we can talk it over?" She suggests. Ron makes a face.
"Why do we have to do it outside school?"
"Because.. I don't think Umbridge would be very happy if she found out what we were up to." The two agree, seeing she was probably right. Hermione thought for a moment, daring herself if she should push more onto them while they're all there, and Harry seemed to be in a good mood.
"Also.. I was thinking.. Maybe, we, I could invite Viper..?" The two look up at her with a curious brow.
"You've been talking with her!" Ron accuses. She gives him a flat look, looking to Harry. If he was truthful.. he wasn't sure how he felt about the girl, especially with his godfathers reaction, she saw Hagrid.. She made his scar hurt. That one he tried to push away the most, it only hurt once, and it was the tiniest little shock of pain really. But still.. he couldn't be too sure, she still was a Slytherin after all. We all knew how Slytherins grew up to be. Death eaters, and followers of the Dark Lord, Voldemort himself.
He shook his head at the thought, Hermione taking this as a no.
"If only you'd two give her a chance." She mumbles sadly. Harry frowned, turning his head to subtly look at the girl. He didn't know why he was so conflicted.
She looked evil, but.. not at the same time. She looked insanely powerful, but not at the same time. She was smart that was for sure, in Professor Snapes and McGonagall class anyways. She's a Slytherin. She's a friend.
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