My Professor

Chapter 1

Hermione Jean Granger was the brightest witch of her age, had been since the day she became a student at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and had continued to blossom each year. She'd managed to wiggle her way into the hearts of many Hogwarts teachers, even Severus Snape had a soft spot for the polite, hardworking intelligent witch he'd never admit of course, but that's not where our story lies. Our story lies with the unimpressed, always in a bad mood, joy killing, student scaring professor of Defence against the dark arts. The only professor who's not once praised the girl for her brilliance, not even when she's the only student who manages to get the spell right, or gets 100% out of those little pop up tests she likes so much to spring upon her students. Nope not once did she pay the witch any attention, and Hermione did try exceedingly hard to get the woman's attention.
Out of all the teachers Hermione found it was only her opinion that matters, only what she has to say, what she thinks is what matters.
It always has been, and Hermione didn't quite understand why, didn't quite understand how this woman has planted that seed in Hermione's head.

Not even being praised by Minerva Mcgonagall makes her happy anymore, it used to, but now...
It needed to be her, she needed to be noticed by the dark witch. So she studied DADA for hours every night, got up extra early to study DADA, she needed the woman to notice her like she notices Harry or Ron, like she notices Draco and his goons, she needed that, she wanted that.

"Hey 'Mione" Ginny smiles taking a seat near the girl who had her head buried in a book.
"Hmm, oh hey Ginny." Hermione smiles.
"You know, studying will be the death of you, right?" She nudges the brunette.
"Well at least I'll die doing something I enjoy." Hermione shrugs.
"That's just sad." Ginny looks at Hermione.
"What?"
"That you think studying is fun, there's so much more to life than this." Ginny points at the book in Hermione's hands.
"I really could do without one of your speeches right now Ginny, I need to get this before next lesson with Black." Hermione turns back to her book.
Ginny sighs.

"Why do you try so hard to impress her? Nothing impresses her." Ginny leans back in the chair.
"Because if I impress her she'll pay more attention to me."
"Pay more attention to you? She always gives you extra homework, how much more attention do you need?"

Hermione sighs
"That's not the point Ginny, during class its as though I don't exist, it's always Harry or Draco or even Ron, and they don't even know the answers half the time! I just want her to notice me, and my capability."
"And you wonder why people think you're a teachers pet." Ginny rolls her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione looks at her friend.
The red head sighs.
"Well let's be honest Hermione every professor at this school loves you, even Mcgonagall and Snape, and they're pretty hard to impress, Snape especially."
"Black doesn't."
"Black doesn't like anyone, as I said nothing impresses her, and to be honest why would you want her attention anyway, she's scary." Ginny shivers.
"Oh come on she's not that scary, only when she's angry." Hermione rolls her eyes.

"Hey 'mione, Ginny what you talking about?" Harry smiles as he approaches.
"Hermione's obsession in getting Black to like her."
"It's not an obsession!" Hermione snaps
"Sure it ain't." Ron said sarcastically.
"I haven't time for this." Hermione sighs as she gets up and leaves the group to discuss among themselves. They didn't understand anyway, they never could understand.

"Mental that one." Ron nudges Harry
"Doesn't stop you from fancying her though." Harry smirks.
"Shut up." Ron nudges his friend.

***

Hermione makes her way towards Black's class
"Right, you've got this." Hermione sighs as she knocks
"Come in." Came the voice of her Professor.
Her professor, Bellatrix Black a dark beauty with luscious long raven locks, Snow White skin and huge bambi like eyes. She was certainly a picture to look at, though she could tear you apart with words alone in seconds, leaving you a scattered mess on the floor. Hermione had seen that tongue of hers in action and thankfully it wasn't her on the end of that nasty word slashing, nope it was in fact the caretaker. Though Hermione had never actually seen her speak to a student in such away almost everyone was afraid of her, a few very small exceptions for instance her Nephew Draco Malfoy, and she couldn't quite fathom how Ronald Weasley wasn't afraid of her but anything else, like a tiny four legged creature he'd crumble in minutes. Harry didn't appear to be that afraid of her either, Ginny however didn't like her at all. Neville surprisingly often stayed behind to have chats with her, much to everyone's surprise, but no one really asked about that.

The witch took a deep breath and shook her head of all the intrusive thoughts.
Hermione opens the door and walks in, Bellatrix didn't even bother to look up. The woman was far more interested in the current pile of paper that occupies her large solid oak desk. Hermione hesitantly placed her homework on the desk, not daring to breath too loudly during the silence.
Finally the woman looked up,
"You're late." Hermione swallows, already feeling her hands becoming sweaty.
"Only, only by a minute." She avoids to look at the woman.
"Ah because a minute isn't that important is it?" Bellatrix folds her arms.
"If A patient is a minute late, it's no harm on their part but for the doctor it's a minute or two late for their next patient, who could be in need of serious help. Due to his first patient who arrived late he could there for be late for a very important operation on someone who's life depends on it, and that minute or two could be vital, but he can't get it back because it's gone. My point is every minute counts." Bellatrix folds her arms.
"S- sorry." Hermione lowers her head about to take her paper, but Bellatrix placed her hand on the paper and snatched it from The witch's grasp, Hermione looks up at her.

"You're lucky I'll still mark it, now run along little Granger." Bellatrix turns back to her papers.
"Thank you." Hermione nods before quickly making her exit.
"I'll break you yet Miss Granger." Bellatrix mutters to herself.
Bellatrix saw Miss Granger as a pushover, someone who would easily give into submission, and decided that she would be the one to break the girl. No doubt the girl was exceptionally brilliant, but she was constantly seeking praise and approval, she had this need to be liked by everyone, and she lacked self confidence, and Bellatrix was just the person to 'help'.