Venom and Velvet

Transfiguration

7. Transfiguration

Hermione was one of the first people at breakfast on the first day of classes. She was sitting alone memorizing the parchment with her schedule when someone sat down beside her. She knew Ginny was still sleeping, planning on skipping breakfast to catch up on her rest before classes started. She looked up to see Neville. He smiled his toothy smile.

"What classes do you have today?" He asked.

"Advanced Transfiguration, History of Magic, Arithmancy, and Potions," she replied. It felt strange to be here, thinking about her classes for the day, after everything she'd experienced since her last year here. "You?"

"I spend all morning in Herbology. Then after lunch it's Charms and Astronomy tonight," he replied. Then, he looked up at the door. "Here comes Malfoy. Do you think he'll sit here again?"

Hermione considered this. As far as she knew, no one from Slytherin had come back to complete their seventh year except for Malfoy. She supposed he didn't really have anyone. This was probably the reason he had been alone on the train as well.

"I'll ask." She stood and walked over to the tall, blonde man in the entryway. "Draco, would you like to sit with me for breakfast?"

Her voice seemed to have startled him, or perhaps it had been her question. His grey eyes looked into hers questioningly, and she saw how tired they looked. They were puffy and slightly bloodshot. She took a step back, taking him in. His posture was slouched, his hair was not slicked back as it had once been. Instead, he wore it in its naturally messy state, which reminded her somewhat of Harry's.

"Malfoy, you look awful."

"Geez, Granger. If you want a breakfast date, you should be complimenting me, not insulting," he said, clearly trying to distract her from her thorough examination of his appearance.

Hermione flushed but rolled her eyes. "I just don't want you to have to sit alone."

"What makes you think I'd be sitting alone?" He challenged, sneering at her.

"Fine, Malfoy, do what you want, but there's a seat for you if you need it," she said, turning her back on him to return to her breakfast.

She picked up her parchment once again and resumed studying it. She took a bite of her toast, then felt someone sit at the table. He had taken her up on her offer but left a seat between them. He picked up a green apple from the bowl of fruit on the table and took a bite.

"Take a picture, Granger. It'll last longer," he said, smirking.

"Please. My camera would combust if I tried to take a picture of you with it."

"Probably, I'm too sexy for cameras."

"Keep telling yours-"

Hermione was saved from finishing her lame retort by Neville clearing his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

"We were talking about our classes today," he said intentionally. "What've you got?"

Draco looked at him, evidently trying to decide whether or not to answer. Yesterday he had seemed so different, but being back at school must have brought back some of his old tendencies.

"Transfiguration, History of Magic, Ancient Runes, then Potions," he finally said. "I'm taking as many classes as I can."

Neville looked at Hermione then back at Malfoy. "You're starting to sound like Hermione," he said. Then he turned back to Hermione. "You better not let him beat you in any of those classes. His head will get even bigger." He finished his sentence with a grin to show he was teasing. "Don't worry, Malfoy. I'm only kidding. You could never beat Hermione."

"We'll see," Draco smirked. Then, he looked up at the ceiling and his smile slid off his face, replaced with an emotion Hermione couldn't place. They finished their breakfasts in silence before heading off to their first classes.

Hermione waved to Neville and walked after Draco down the wide corridor and up a narrow set of stairs towards the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione realized as they were walking that she didn't know who would be teaching Transfiguration. After all, Professor McGonagall was the Headmistress now.

Her question was answered when they stepped into the familiar classroom. A pale, thin woman with wispy black hair was standing at the front of the classroom. Hermione recognized her as Hestia Jones, a member of the Order who she had seen a few times at Grimmauld Place. She was not old, perhaps in her thirties, and she was smiling nervously at the students as they filed into class.

When they had all settled into their seats, Hermione next to a seventh year Hufflepuff girl, she cleared her throat and addressed them.

"Well, here we are. I apologize that I missed the start-of-term feast last evening, but I had a few last-minute matters to attend to. At any rate, I'm sure you're all wondering who I am. My name is Hestia Jones, I will be teaching Transfiguration now that Professor McGonagall is too busy with her duties as Headmistress," she paused, her hands shaking. "You'll have to forgive me," she chuckled nervously. "I've never been the strongest public speaker. However, I am genuinely looking forward to my part in furthering each and every one of your educations. Now," she took a deep, steadying breath, "Let's begin."

The first class was spent with Professor Jones wandering through the aisles as she watched the students perform various spells on random items and small animals she placed on their desks. She had said she wanted to see how creative they could be with their transfigurations. Hermione thought this was a very silly method of teaching, but she had fun in spite of herself.

At one point during the class, all the students began to "ooh" and "aah." When Hermione turned to see what they were all looking at, she found Malfoy moving his wand slowly as a white fish that appeared to have been made of a feather danced through the air. She smiled at it. It was very beautiful.

She was most proud of her looking an old iron key on her desk and conjuring an ornate doorknob to unlock with it. When Professor Jones saw this spell, she smiled widely and gave five points to Gryffindor. It was strange to Hermione, how naturally school life had come back to her. She had spent a year as a fugitive, and here she was again being awarded house points. Very strange indeed, but she was happy because of it. It felt amazing to feel safe and protected once again inside the walls of Hogwarts.

After Transfiguration, Hermione made her way to the History of Magic classroom and set out her ink bottle and parchment. She sat and waited for class to begin, watching the other students as they filed through the door. She checked her watch. Two minutes until the start of class. Hadn't Draco said he had History of Magic now, too? He should've been right behind her. Certainly he wasn't already skipping classes. It was literally the first day.

Professor Binns began his slow, monotonous drawl. Hermione shook her head and dipped her quill in the ink, starting her notes. It was a full five minutes into class when the door creaked open and Malfoy tried to sneak in. It wasn't unheard of. Occasionally students who were late wouldn't attract Binns' attention if he were deep into his droning lecture. Malfoy was not successful.

"... So it was that when the warlocks invaded the fortress on the east... Thank you for joining us, Mr. Malfoy. Take a seat. Five points from Slytherin... that the wizards snuck out of the west side of the fortress and down the mountain to safety..."

Malfoy grimaced and sat down next to Hermione on the front row, as this was the seat closest to the door.

"How did you manage to be late? We were in the same class," she whispered harshly.

Draco looked at her.

"Why do you care?" He said.

She rolled her eyes and focused her attention again at the ghost in front of them, scribbling more vigorously at her notes than she had been before.