𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦 {𝐡.𝐣.𝐩}

VI- Big Bad Boggart

Sure, she knew why he would've gone mental over Harry, Sirius bloody Black was looking for him, but her? Why had he said that Harry and Evergreen shouldn't be out past dark? It simply didn't make any sense to the young Lupin.

It's not like Black was after her.

Sure enough, when everyone was done, Snape called, "You should have finished adding your ingredients by now. This potion needs to stew before it can be drunk; clear away while it simmers and then we'll test Longbottom's..."

Crabbe and Goyle laughed openly, watching Neville sweat as he stirred his potion feverishly, Hermione telling him the last of instructions he needed to get the correct potion. Evergreen packed away all of her unused ingredients and moved to the stone basin in the back corner to wash her hands and ladle. Coincidentally, Harry and Ron were washing up as well.

"What did Malfoy mean?" Harry muttered moodily to Ron as Evergreen moved in between them. She sent him a questioning look as she stuck her hands under the icy jet that poured out of the gargoyle's mouth.

Harry shook his head as if to say, 'I'll tell you later'.

The end of the lesson in sight, Snape strode over to Neville, who was cowering by his cauldron.

"Everyone gather round," said Snape, his black eyes glittering, "and watch what happens to Longbottom's toad. If he has managed to produce a Shrinking Solution, it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I don't doubt, he has done it wrong, his toad is likely to be poisoned."

The Gryffindors watched fearfully.

The Slytherins looked excited.

Snape picked up Trevor the toad in his left hand, and dipped a small spoon into Neville's potion, which was now green. He trickled a few drops down Trevor's throat. There was a moment of hushed silence, in which Trevor gulped; there was a small pop, and Trevor the tadpole was wiggling in Snape's palm.

The Gryffindors burst into applause, Snape, looking sour, pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his robe, poured a few drops on top of Trevor and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown.

"Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape, which wiped smiles from every face. "I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed."

Evergreen, Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed the steps to the Entrance Hall. Harry was quickly explaining to Evergreen what Malfoy said while Ron was practically seething about Snape.

"Why would you want to go after Black?" Evergreen asked. "Malfoy was just trying to get a reaction out of you."

"Five points from Gryffindor because the potion was all right! Why didn't you lie, Hermione? You should've said Neville did it all by himself!"

Evergreen rolled her eyes, waiting for the bickering to start again, but Hermione didn't respond.

Ron looked around. "Where is she?"

Evergreen and Harry turned, too. They were at the top of the steps now, watching the rest of the class pass them, heading for the Great Hall and lunch.

"She was right behind us," said Ron, frowning.

Malfoy passed them, walking between Crabbe and Goyle. He smirked at Harry, winked at Evergreen (which sent both boys' teeth on edge), and disappeared.

"There she is," said Harry.

Hermione was panting slightly, hurrying up the stairs; one hand was clutching her bag, the other seemed to be tucking something down the front of her robes.

"How did you do that?" said Ron.

"What?" said Hermione, joining them.

"You were behind us one minute, then the next you were ahead of us," Evergreen explained, watching Hermione curiously.