Make Or Break (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5: The Missing Teacher

(Hermione's POV)

I was so embarrassed that Ginny, Pansy and Nathalia saw all of that. We just had a conversation about it and I think I knew where Ginny was headed with it. That's why I changed the subject quickly. I didn't want to listen to her talking about how me and Draco this... and me and Draco that... It would be quite annoying. 

Even worse would be if Draco walked in and heard everything. I began cleaning up the mess that we made in there and sighed as I threw away the now burned food. "It's alright, I wasn't too hungry anyway." he chuckled. My stomach twisted in knots at the sound and I had to tell myself to calm down.

"I can make you something else if you really want it." I suggested. 

"Nah... it's all good." 

 We continued cleaning the kitchen in an odd silence. Finally he decided to break it so that it wouldn't be so awkward. Thank goodness for that.

"So...  I have a question that's been bugging me." he said.

 "What?" I asked. 

"How did you know my laughter was genuine?" he asked. I whipped my head around to stare at him. There's no way he could have known about that. How did he know that?

"How much did you hear?" I asked.

 "Not too much. Just how you were describing... whatever it was... as different in a good way. I knew immediately you were talking about me though. Quite cute." he chuckled. I glared at him and finished cleaning my area.

"Because of your eyes." I stated.

 "What?" 

 It was his turn to be confused. "When we were fighting and you were laughing and smiling, your eyes were shining and the skin near it crinkled. That's how you know if it's truly genuine or not." I said.

 "Huh. Yours did the same... does that mean you enjoyed it as well?" he asked.

"You know the answer to that." I replied, rolling my eyes. 

"So do you like me?" he teased. 

"As if. How could I like someone like you?" 

 "How do you mean?" he asked. 

"Well someone so... so... arrogant. Annoying. I could never be with someone like you unless I was forced... which I guess I am." I said. I don't know why saying that hurt me but it did.

Draco shut up and turned away. I wondered what he was thinking and hoped I hadn't hurt him too badly. Then I mentally kicked myself for thinking such things. He remained silent for the remainder of the time we were in there.

We finally finished cleaning up the kitchen and prepared to go to our classes. We had Defense Against the Dark Arts today and that was it. It was sort of strange that it was our only class though. We would be getting a new teacher but no one knew who it was yet.

Ginny made her way over to me before we left the Common Room. "Who do you think the teacher will be?" she asked.

 "I have no idea. No one does." I whispered back.

 "It's strange really. It is our only class today and it's with a teacher that no one knows." she said. 

"I guess it is a bit odd isn't it?" I asked. She just nodded as we came to the door. On it there was a note in scribbled writing.

Dear class,

I am sorry but I could not make it today. There have been some pressing matters and no one was able to fill in today.

 Behind this note you will find an envelope with your names written on it. Enclosed in it is your assignment for the night. I will see you as soon as I get back. 

Sincerely,

Your Professor.

It was even stranger that he hadn't written his name down. So we still didn't know who he was. Of course we didn't, why would we?

Ginny and I shrugged and handed out the envelopes before heading back to our Common Room to get it over with. A few hours later we were done and had relaxed on the sofa. "I wonder what was so important that made him leave." Ginny said.

 "I wonder why no one else filled in." I muttered.

"Probably because everyone thinks that, that position is cursed." Ginny said. 

"What?" 

"Well, think about it. Nobody has been here longer than a year due to Voldemort. First year was Professor Quirrell. Second Year wasn't actually because of Voldemort but still, Lockhart. Third Year, again wasn't Voldemort, but Lupin. Fourth was Madeye. Fifth Umbridge. Sixth was Snape." she said.

"Okay." I replied confused. What did this have to do with anything?

"No one was in that position for more than a year because it was Jinxed by Voldemort long before our time. Since then there has been a new teacher every year for that position. People stopped coming because they realized that it was a cursed position and they still believe that it is even though curses are usually undone with the death of that person." she said.

"Oh." I muttered. Now I really wanted to know who our new teacher is. Soon it was getting dark and I showered before lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.

 "I'm going to go take a shower." Draco muttered. I nodded as he walked in to the bathroom.

My mind still kept wandering about. I couldn't help but try and figure out who our new teacher could be. Ginny was definitely right. It was extremely strange.