Mudblood No More

A New Hermione

She was met with silence through the corridor. Most people were in class, and the others were smart enough not to be wandering the hallways, lest they encounter Filch or his cat. 

Hermione knew that running into them was not going to go well; she was breaking so many school rules by doing this. Not that she hadn't broken more in one go before, but this time, she was displaying it for everyone, and she wasn't doing it for any noble reason. She was doing this as a rebellion. She wanted to prove it. 

Everyone was going to look at her as Bellatrix's daughter as it was, so why not give them something that showed them she was? She shouldn't have to hide from it. It was who she was, deep in her bones, and she didn't want to fear it (except she did, a tiny voice told her. She assumed it was the old Hermione). This was her, and she was going to show it. 

Within a few more minutes, she arrived at the doors that led to McGonagall's classroom; taking a deep breath ("This is it.. Are you sure you want to do this?" the tiny midget of a voice asked her), she pushed them open with grandeur, reveling in the fact that she'd gotten everyone's attention. 

They were all speechless. McGonagall herself looked scandalized. Hermione Granger, late to class and not even dressed properly? 

"Miss Granger!" She exclaimed, when her voice returned. "What do you think you are doing?" 

She was clearly flabbergasted, and inside, Hermione was pleased. 

"What, professor?" She asked innocently, though she was smirking. 

"Miss Granger!" McGonagall repeated, and the rest of her speech was incoherent. 

"Sorry professor, what was that? I didn't hear it." Her mocking smile grew larger; she was pleased in the most twisted way. 

"One hundred points from Gryffindor!" She forced out. "Go back to your dormitory and change, and when you arrive in appropriate attire, you will take a seat, and not disrupt my class again! We will discuss this later all later!"  

Hermione, to her credit, did not shrink back. Instead, she pulled herself up to her full height, and smiled again, fearlessly (though the small part of her was appalled by her behavior). 

"But professor, I wouldn't want to miss anymore of class, would I? After all, education matters," her grin did not fade. 

Students were staring at her in shock, eyes glued as they waited for McGonagall to respond. What had happened to the Hermione that they knew? Confusion at its height, they waited silently, unwilling to interfere. 

McGonagall did not stand down, either. Instead, she said forcefully, "Detention, Miss Granger! I suggest you leave before you embarrass yourself any further. Once you are in your appropriate uniform, report to the Headmaster's office!" 

"Oh, professor," Hermione tsked. "Alright. I'll play along. I'm bored as it is. I'll pay Dumbledore a visit. I don't, however, think that I will be changing out of my clothing."

Grin still plastered on her face, she all but pranced out of the classroom, leaving an astonished group behind. 

"If you will cease your gawking, we will continue with today's lesson," McGonagall directed. However, even her face bore slight shock, mirrored by the students' own expressions. 

***

Once again, the hallways were empty, and Hermione reached the gargoyle rather quickly. Unfortunately for her, she was not given the password. 

"Damnit!" She growled, her mocking facade wiped off. 

Even worse for her, Filch had been walking by, hungry for punishing a student.