Let Me In

Chapter Three

It was two weeks before the Christmas holidays and McGonagall was going around taking the names of the students who had elected to stay at Hogwarts. Hermione immediately put her name down, her enthusiasm striking Professor McGonagall as quite odd but Hermione quickly explained she wanted to take full advantage of the library being empty. That answer seemed to satisfy McGonagall and she thought nothing else of it.

Obviously, it wasn't the empty library that excited Hermione; it was the empty potions laboratory that she'd be able to accommodate all day for the next two weeks. Also, she was sure Professor Snape had to be getting better now. He'd nearly been down there for two months.

It was a Tuesday afternoon and Hermione was in her last lesson of the day: Defence Against the Dark Arts, she wasn't really paying much attention to Dumbledore. Instead, she was writing up her reports from yesterday in the infirmary, of all the pupils she'd assessed, and how she had chosen to treat their ailments. Lately, she seemed to prefer her healing assignments much more than all of her usual lessons. She looked at the clock, only two minutes until the end of the lesson and she could just hear Dumbledore telling the class to pack up their things.

"Miss Granger, may I have a word at the end of class?" She looked up, that surprised her, Professor Dumbledore never asked to speak to her. She nodded quickly and her palms began to sweat as she lingered behind whilst all of her classmates piled out of the room

"Is there a problem, Professor?" She asked, approaching his desk where he sat with his hands folded neatly in front of him. She still didn't like her Headmaster, but even somebody as hard-headed as Hermione Granger could admit he was bloody intimidating

"No, Miss Granger, not exactly a problem, merely an observation. Many of your Professors, including myself, seem to think that quite recently; your classwork doesn't seem quite up to par with your usual standards." She blinked a few times, her mouth slightly open. She didn't really know how to respond. The first emotion she felt was anger. How dare he insult her work? She was never anything less than brilliant.

"Sir?" She questioned, not really trusting her quick tongue to say anything else.

"Your work, Miss Granger. As of late, you seem... distracted, I think is the best word for it and, it is becoming quite noticeable in your work. Usually, as you already know, you always go above and beyond with every piece of work you do. Your assignments are always at least a foot longer than required and your work is normally at least a month ahead of everybody else. I'm concerned, miss Granger."

"With all due respect Headmaster, I disagree. My works is still up to standard, is still always on time and, actually, still a lot better than everybody else's. There is no real cause for concern within any of my work and, honestly, I am quite insulted you would imply otherwise." The headmaster sighed

"Very well Miss Granger, but, before you go, I must ask you. This new position of yours in the hospital wing, it wouldn't have anything to do with that night you came to me with concerns for Professor Snape, would it?"

"Of course not, Professor, healing is something I've always been interested in learning and Madame Pomfrey is very grateful for my help"

"Very well, you're free to go Miss Granger." Hermione turned and left the room, feeling as though she hadn't breathed since Professor Dumbledore first asked her to stay behind.

It was the last day before the Christmas holidays and everyone at Hogwarts was noticeably excited. Nobody seemed to be dreading exams for the moment, the hallways and classrooms were filled with laughter, even the Professors seemed happier, all apart from one, Hermione thought, one that should be here, but isn't.