Hermione Granger and the Chamber of Secrets (Completed)

Chapter 9 - The Quidditch Match

Hermione didn't understand why they were going to ask Professor Lockhart out of all the Professors. However, she went through with it as she thought she couldn't think of any reason why another teacher would be better than him

Unusually, Hermione was barely listening as Professor Lockhart described one of his more exciting adventures, with a little help from Harry, who was acting out some of the scenes. In what Hermione thought was a lot less than an hour, the bell rang and everyone packed up
“Homework — compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf!" Professor Lockhart called over the hubbub "Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!”
As everyone else left, Harry walked over to where Hermione and Ron were standing at the back of the classroom
“Ready?” he said through the corner of his mouth
“Wait till everyone’s gone” said Hermione, anxiously fiddling with her school shirt “All right...”

Shaking from head to foot, Hermione walked over to Professor Lockhart’s desk, holding the official permission slip needed to take out Most Potente Potions
“Er — Professor Lockhart?” she said, clearing her throat “I wanted to — to get this book out of the library. Just for background reading” she placed the permission slip on the desk “But the thing is, it’s in the Restricted Section of the library, so I need a teacher to sign for it — I’m sure it would help me understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms —”
“Ah, Gadding with Ghouls!” said Professor Lockhart taking the slip and giving Hermione a wide smile “Possibly my very favourite book. You enjoyed it?”
“Oh, yes,” said Hermione eagerly. “So clever, the way you trapped that last one with the tea-strainer —”
“Well, I’m sure no one will mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help” said Professor Lockhart warmly, and Hermione felt herself go red. Professor Lockhart pulled out a pretty peacock feathered quill. Ron was staring at it with an odd expression on his face
“Yes, nice, isn’t it?” Professor Lockhart said “I usually save it for book signings”
Hermione felt very proud as Professor Lockhart wrote his signature on the paper. He handed it back to Hermione, who put it in her bag, pretending not to be listening to the conversion Professor Lockhart was having with Harry
“So, Harry” Professor Lockhart said “Tomorrow’s the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you’re a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces-" Hermione didn't understand how one man could be so talented "-Still, if ever you feel the need for a little private training, don’t hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players...”
Hermione thought Professor Lockhart was being very generous with that offer, but Harry seemed less than impressed and followed Ron and Hermione out of the classroom

“I don’t believe it” Harry said incredulously as him, Hermione and Ron examined the slip outside in the corridor “He didn’t even look at the book we wanted”
“That’s because he’s a brainless git” said Ron rudely “But who cares, we’ve got what we needed —”
“He is not a brainless git” Hermione interrupted, going scarlet again
“Just because he said you were the best student of the year —” Ron started, but was forced to stop talking as they entered the library

Hermione showed Madam Pince, the strict librarian, the permission slip
“Moste Potente Potions?” she exclaimed, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. She attempted to take the slip off Hermione, but she didn't want to let go
“I was wondering if I could keep it” she pleaded
“Oh, come on” snapped Ron snatching the paper off her and giving it to Madam Pince “We’ll get you another autograph. Lockhart’ll sign anything if it stands still long enough”
Madam Pince seemed to do some kind of test on the paper, before walking into the shelves and coming back with a large old book, not unlike the alchemy book Hermione had borrowed last year. Hermione took it and put it in her back before the three of them, trying not to look too suspicious, hurried back out of the library
"We need to find somewhere to read this where we won't be disturbed" said Harry. Hermione smiled
"I know just the place"