Professor

{6}

{6~Roadblock}

Her classes that next day included third years, fifth years, and sixth years, but she had the sixth years first. Hermione was very intrigued now by teaching, and she had her sixth-year sheets stacked and at the ready for when they arrived that morning. This time, Hermione was in the classroom before students were, and that put the brunette witch at ease.

"Hello Professor Granger," the first girl to walk into class said brightly. "I'm Ellie Grinnendale."

By the shiny silver and green of her patch, Hermione thought the girl to be quite chipper for a Slytherin.

"It's nice to meet you, Ellie."

"Ellie is short for Eleanor, that's what will be on the roster."

Hermione let out a small laugh, enjoying the bright girl's company.

"Thank you, Ellie, I'll keep that in mind."

"I hate to say this, Professor, but I really admire you. Truly. I'm sure you hear it all the time, my parents said you did, but I couldn't mean it more."

Hermione felt flattered, the kind girl's words making her day. Surely she had much of her day to go, but it wasn't often that Hermione got genuine emotion to a compliment. The girl was refreshing, and everything about her made Hermione rathe excited for this class.

"Thank you, Miss Grinnendale."

The girl smiled brightly, pushing her sunshine-yellow curls over her shoulder.

"Well if it isn't the know-it-all," a boy's voice came into the classroom.

Hermione diverted her attention to look at the boy, and she immediately was reminded of Draco. Simply in his old demeanor, however, by no way of appearance. He had dark skin, and his hair was short and kept. A Slytherin as well, but his robes hung loosely open.

"Shove off, Haar, no one asked you," the blonde replied.

"Aw, what's it to you, Grinnendale?" The boy replied obnoxiously, taking the seat next to the blonde who grabbed her stuff and scooted away from the Slytherin boy. Luckily, he was alone, and he didn't have cronies like Draco had. "Can't ask a pretty girl how she's doing? Oh wait, that would require someone who is actually pretty."

"That's enough!" Hermione scolded the boy finally. "Who are you?"

The dark-skinned boy grinned and leaned back in the chair he'd plopped into, running his eyes over Hermione. She nearly could have hexed the boy, but that was against protocol.

"Felix Haar, Professor."

The smug look didn't slide from his face at all. No, not even as Hermione looked sternly at him and gave him the look that sent Ron running all those years ago.

Other students arrived as Hermione began to reprimand Haar, but it all went over his head regardless. She felt awful that nothing else could be done as class had to start, but separating him from Grinnendale was the best Hermione could come up with until class was over. Plus, she'd rewarded him with a detention, one that he took with a scoff and the roll of his eyes.

When class was over, Hermione pulled aside the girl that Haar had quite nearly harassed and had her stay late. Luckily enough, she didn't have a class next and Hermione didn't feel bad for making her miss anything.

"Is something wrong, Professor?" The girl asked with large eyes, ones that looked like they wanted to know everything.

"Yes, but not with you," Hermione said quickly, easing the blonde.