Chapter 8
Chapter 8 of 17
nogod1215After nearly being killed by her husband, Hermione returns to Hogwarts. (Ultimately a SS/HG, but starts out a little different.)**NOW COMPLETE**
ReviewedDISCLAIMER::: Everything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I just love them so much I wanted to play with them a little.
Summary::: Hermione gets a date.
New Beginnings
Chapter Eight
In the first week of February, the Headmistress announced, during the after dinner staff meeting, that there would be a ball on February 14. It seemed that Valentine's Day would fall on a Saturday this year, and she wanted to celebrate it as Professor Dumbledore would have, which meant Hogwarts was to have a fantastically outlandish dance. All of the staff would be required to attend, along with the entire student body. Of course, her proclamation irritated the Potions professor.
“I see no need for my attendance, Minerva,” Professor Snape said testily, “and I’m certain the students would agree it would be a more festive affair without me.”
“Now, Severus, it would not be fair to the other professors if you did not attend,” Minerva McGonagall said, trying hard not to smile. “Besides, it would hardly kill you to chaperone just this once.”
Under his breath, Professor Snape muttered, “It just might, Minerva, it just might.” With that he stood and swept out of the room, robes billowing behind him dramatically.
“That man is such a drama queen,” chuckled Madame Hooch, and the rest of the staff smiled in agreement.
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Following the announcement of the Valentine's Day ball, the teaching staff had difficulty holding their classes’ attention. The students were so preoccupied with arranging dates and discussing what to wear that they ignored their professors’ efforts to teach them anything. This situation only fazed Hermione for a few days, though. By the Wednesday after the ball was declared, she had given up on her scheduled syllabus and instead used the ball as a practical lesson in clothing Transfiguration. Remembering the awful get-up Mrs. Weasley had sent to Ron in their fourth year, she particularly focused on helping students faced with a similar situation. For this, many of her students were extremely grateful.
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Professor Snape was sitting in his office two nights prior to the ‘horrid affair’, as he called it in his own mind, when a knock came on his door.
A little startled, as it was after his normal office hours, not that any student ever took advantage of his office hours anyway, he called out, “Enter!”
Looking up as the door opened, he watched as the newest member of the staff entered and walked slowly up to his desk. She was glancing around with an odd look on her face. He wondered if it was because the last time she had been in his office she had been a student in trouble or if there was an entirely different reason.
“What can I do for you, Professor Granger?” he inquired. “I assume, from your expression, that this is not a social call.”
Meeting his eyes, she said, “That is correct, Professor Snape. I came to see you because of something I overheard during my rounds this evening.” Taking a deep breath she continued, “I believe that one of your Slytherins, Mr. Greyadder, is planning on acquiring his date for the ball in an unethical way.”
Interested in anything concerning a member of his house, he asked, “And just how do you think he is going to do that, Professor Granger?”
“I believe, from what I have heard, that he is planning on giving a student, from a different house and a different year, a love potion.”
“And what gave you that idea? Did he tell you this? Are you now an expert on love potions? Or are you just assuming that no Slytherin would be acceptable to a student from another house without resorting to such drastic measures?” Snape found himself becoming quite angry.
‘How dare she accuse a student of MY house of plotting to dose another student!’ he thought, fuming.
“Professor, I am sure that any of your precious Slytherins could talk a veela into dating them, if their heart so desired, but when I hear a seventh year student talking about getting more Ashwinder scales for his potion, then I have to wonder what he is doing. Furthermore, I become curious when I know that said Slytherin has asked the same fifth year Gryffindor, Miss Docker, to go with him to the ball no less than six times with the same negative answer each time.”
“You mean to tell me that a Gryffindor turned down a Slytherin six times,” Severus muttered with disbelief. “That is truly amazing.”
“Amazing! What do you mean amazing?” Hermione huffed indignantly. “You think that no Gryffindor could resist a Slytherin’s advances? That is just preposterous!”
“Will you go to the ball with me?” Severus asked.
“Yes, yes, of course,“ she said, still so outraged she didn’t really hear his question.
“Excellent! I will be at your chamber door at seven,” he said, smirking. He knew he had caught her off guard and was enjoying her reaction.
“Wait… what did you just say?”
“I said that I would be at your chamber door at seven. Are you losing your hearing, Professor Granger,” he inquired politely. “Perhaps you should see Madame Pomfrey.”
Hermione blinked before asking, “Be at my door for what exactly?”
“For the ball, you silly Gryffindor. I asked you to the ball, you accepted, so I will be at your chamber door at seven. Please do not make me repeat myself a fourth time.”
With that he went back to the parchments he had been reading before she entered.
“Oh, umm… what do you plan to do about Mr. Greyadder?”
“I was already aware of his potion. I caught him just two hours ago trying to sneak into my private stores to steal the ingredient.” Smirking he added, “He, unlike a Gryffindor I used to teach, is not very good about sneaking into places he is not allowed.”
Hermione blushed. “You knew about that?”
“Of course I did. To whom do you think Madame Pomfrey came to find out when the Polyjuice was likely to wear off?”
“Why didn’t I get detention for it?” she asked. She was certain she should have gotten detention for stealing from a Professor.
“I never reported the theft. I was too impressed that you had successfully brewed Polyjuice, and in your second year, no less. I couldn’t tell Dumbledore about it, or Minerva would never have let me give you such bad grades in my class. Even if it was necessary for my cover.”
“I see, well, I guess I can tell Miss Docker that Mr. Greyadder will not be asking her to the ball anymore. Thank you.”
Hermione turned to exit the Potions professor’s office. Just as she reached the door, she heard him say, “Seven o’clock sharp, Professor Granger. I will not be kept waiting.”
Smiling, she exited the office, thinking, ‘What ever shall I wear?’
TBC
AN::: Once again I would like to thank my fabulous betas, Pixie, Allison and Piper. I would also like to thank everyone who has left a review. In the next chapter Hermione goes to the ball with Professor Snape.
AN2::: IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE BEING ABUSED Physically,mentally, or emotionally you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799 SAFE (7233)
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Latest 25 Reviews for New Beginnings
237 Reviews | 5.8/10 Average
So sorry to read that you had to write this from real life experience. Nobody should have to go through anything like this. This story is so plausible it is frightening, and I guess we now know why. I hope writing this helped you and very glad to see you are not in that relationship anymore. Thanks for a compelling read and my thoughts go to you for love and healing for the rest of your life.
Wow! Great story! I wish this kind of thing happened in real life as well - where the abuser/rapist was given the harshest possible sentence and the woman was protected by all means necessary. I like your world in which that happens. Too much of the time of course, the judge gives out a useless restraining order or worse, doesn't believe the person making the charges and she gets killed by her abuser. I can't wait to finish this story. Thanks for writing it.
Very well written! Congratulations for having the courage to leave your ex! That takes a LOT of strength and determination to do, so kudos to you!
Missy/LovesRickman
ii do love when ron gets smacked down i have always felt JKR never shouldhave married ron and hermione!
Thank you so much. It's a great story and really well written. I had enjoyed it up to the point that you mentioned your personal experience. That knocked the wind out of me to be honest.
It's hard to believe how cruelly people can treat each other. Hope writing brings you some relief. x
Really liked the story, just one thing bothers me greatly. On your warnings list, you have BDSM listed, and nothing in your story is true BDSM. I would ask that you research what true BDSM is before trying to pass off rape and sickness as something that has nothing to do with it. Yes, BDSM is different than regular sex, but everything is consentual, no one is taken against their will and forced into acts they don't want to be in. There are numerous safety guildlines used in almost all places, and while, yes sometimes things happen, and someone gets hurt, its not rape, not anger or hate or violance in any way shape or form. BDSM gets a bad rep because of luntics that use it as an excuse to be sick and hurt others without their consent, and polute something that can be truely beautiful. And yes, there are a lot of things claiming to be BDSM, that are not really truely about the power exchange that happens in a BDSM relationship. So again, please consider researching BDSM and try to understand why rape and violance has nothing to do with healthy BDSM. Thank you for a wonderful story.
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
,Thank you for your comments in your review. I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but I kinda lost the password to this acct and it took me forever to find it again.As far as your concerns about me equating BDSM with rape, I would like to first say that No BDSM isnt rape when performed in its proper fashion. However, there are many people in the world who see tieing your girlfriend to the bed posts and have consentual sex with her as just as perverse as rape. I personally am not one of these people.Second, I am sure you have come across authors who over rate and over warn just to be on the safe side. This is what I have done. I would rather warn someone of BDSM to prepare them for something they might not be interested in then to not warn them for it and get blasted or even removed from the site by the mods.I am sorry you feel that I was demeaning a lifestyle and those who participate in it. I did not mean to offend, just to caution.Thank you,nogod1215 
Response from AlanaVawn (Reviewer)
Thank you for clearing that up. I understand over rating a story rather than underrating and getting the story pulled. I feel strongly about this, because I've been on both sides, raped and in the lifestyle. They couldn't be more different. It would mean the world to me and other if you would be willing to write a note at the bottom, disclaiming that what was written isn't bdsm, it's pure rape. This would again, mean alot to me and also clear up any possible confusion. :) Thank you again!Alanavawn
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
,I changed the warnings to not include the BDSM warning. If the mods want to contact me about it I will deal with it then.nogod1215
Response from AlanaVawn (Reviewer)
THANK YOU! I really appreciate that you did that! I didn't want to ask you to do that, simply because I understand why authors have to be careful about not reporting things, but that's so wonderful of you! Thank you!!!!! :)Alanavawn
A heartfelt Thank you or providing the DV Hotline here. Why not see if anyone around here knows the UK equivalent since we have so many from the Old Country as readers and autors here?
The description of Ron 'giving up' on a job and deiding to booze to make up for it sounds eerily like Marvolo and Morfans Gaunt. Hmmm. Did you pictue that while writing this?
That was a very intense story. Some aspects of the characterization were way off. I don't mean canon off, as in real life reactions off. However, looking beyond that, this was a very intense story.
And so we have reached the end. An excellent story, and painful. both you and I as well as billions of women and millions of men have been through abusive relationships.
Abuse is a sneaky thing and starts out like a small virus. It can be little things at first, Jealousy, extra overprotectiveness, OBSESSION with most, if not ALL aspects of ones life, then it progresses faster from there, usually manifesting in physical abuse. But dont forget! Abuse can be Physical, mental and emotional. Even spiritual (Think REV. JIM JONES) AND men, YES men can be victims too! It does not have to be your partner. It can be a friend, relative etc. Domestic Violence charges can be filed against ANYONE who has abused you in any way. One does not have to be involved in a sexual relationship or even living with the person. Once again the National Domestic Violence Hotline Toll-FREE number is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233). If you or someone you know are being abused or suspect that you or they are, CALL. Help is out there! PLEASE, take it from me and the author of this story's footnote. Remember if they are violent, especially extremely violent, like RON was in here, DO NOT CONFRONT THEM ALONE! It will incite more anger if you are threatining them with leaving or calling the police and could get you seriously hurt or (sorry to say) killed. Wait until you can slip away (but dont wait long!! I left when my EX husband passed out drunk and left that day. He woke up in jail with a lifetime restraining order from me. But mak3e sure once you are gone, you get a close support network of family friends etc. to check up on you until the person gives up or you know its finally over. Unfortunately, a piece of divorce paper and a restraining order did not stop a lady in my town from being shot in the head by her boyfriend. I apologize for being so blunt, but its necessary. Peace be with you.
IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE BEING ABUSED Physically,mentally, or emotionally you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799 SAFE (7233)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
I have added this information to the author notes for each chapter... I hope it helps!nogod1215
Ummm, 8 wizards with 8 wands, most of them extremely skilled and they need Harry to trick the resident in #1 to buzz them into the flat? THEN they use the Alohomora to get into #3? Tsk, tsk. The shame! I'm kidding with you!
(figured I could use Ginny for Bill Cos the long hair and another set of redheads for Arthur and Charlie!
Once again the number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
Once again the number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
'The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
Once again, if you are being abused emotionally, mentally or PHYSICALLY, you DONT have to put up with it! There is help out there. The number to The National Domestic (and you dont have to be married or residing together for it to BE domestic violence, it could be your own mother in some cases!) Anyway The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
~The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-SAFE (7233The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-799-SAFE (7233)~I agree. Bill would be the best of the Weasels and he DID save her life a few times, and got his bro exiled, BUT it was about ten years too late, dontcha think? Anyone decent wouldnt watch that continue. I like this story because I know how it goes, but I have always had a couple of problems with it. First of all, it is waaaay too OOC for Hermione (even under threat of death, or misguided love) I would know I was abused by 2 different men, that she would have stayed with him after the second beating. Maybe even the first. Her persona is right I just dont find her sticking with Ron feasable. Maybe dull it down to a couple years instead of 10 and have it start out with mild abuse if you want to make the beginning situation more in character. 2. (okay I really have 3 problems:] ) HARRY would NEVER let her go through this for 10 years or even one. He would kidnap her himself just to 'play the hero' or kill Ron in her defense. 3. I DO NOT believe half of the Weasleys would have let this go on at all. Since you need Molly to be a bitch (in canon she would KILL her son herself!!) I understand, BUT Arthur, Bill, Charlie (whenever he's around) maybe the twins and surprisingly but DEFINATELY stick up his arse PERCY would have never let this go on. Percy is so to the letter of the law he would have 500 feet of parchment in notes to hand the minister and lock Ron up himself, just to get ahead!!! OK Im done picking at you. But I have something to say: *TO ALL WOMEN OUT THERE: IF YOU ARE BEING HIT, or called terrible names, or your mate doesnt like you to even go to the store SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP! THERE ARE PLENTY OF HOTLINES FOR BATTERED WOMEN, The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-799-SAFE (7233)~~YOU DONT HAVE TO UP AND CALL THE POLICE TO GET HELP, EVEN IF HE/SHE THREATENS TO KILL YOU. I have been there. Dont stay with an emotionak/mental abuser or anyone who hits you, in MY opinion the emotional abuse is worse. PLEASE get help.* AND REMEMBER: Emotional/mental abuse is STILL abuse, it just takes longer to heal from and statistically wont kill you, but I cut my wrists and a friend saved me 5 YEARS after I left the jerk!
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
I know that canon Hermione would never put up with something like this, but using the Harry Potter characters was a therapeutic way for me to fight my own demons of spousal abuse.nogod1215
not to be a nettle in your side, cos it is semantics, so it does'nt matter: ME<------GRAMMAR FREAK! Hagrid always said 'yeh' when referring to one or more individuals. JK Rowling never had Hagrid use the old english (which I know you weren't meaning it that way, just making his garbled hackney accent) 'Ye'. There was always an 'H' on the end. Sorry Im a butthead, but the story is great, Ive read it once.
Glad to see that Ron got what he deserved.
Gosh, the things that Hermione has put up with, but I know that she is strong and that she will through it--at least I hope so.
I just knew that Ron had to the one to nab Hermione, and I cannot get over Molly helping her git of a son. Wonder chapter as always!
Another awesome chapter! I just knew that Bill was a good man, however, his brother, Ron... not so much.
