Hermione's POV
3 hours before
Ron, Harry, and I were in the library. The former of the three working on homework I had finished earlier in order to do research now that I finally found the time. Everything about the Professor is either rumors or strange occurrences in or around the vicinity of the professor. So, I made a list:
· Can transform into a dragon Animagus
· Has a familiar that is a dragon
· From a very very old wizarding family
· Knows or at least acquainted with the house ghosts and house elves
· Powerful enough that a magical stone glows bright gold before it shatters
· Either bold or stupid to outright reject the Ministry
· No one has figured out which house Emrys is or would be in
I figured to start with the easiest, meaning family history. I slid out of my seat and made my way to the back of the library to the books that had to be held together with magic in order to still be able to use them. I found my way to Wizarding Families Through the Ages and stopped to take Animagus Forms & What They Mean, and Rarities of the Wizarding World on my way back to my seat.
An hour and a half later and not much to show for it. The Emrys line is lacking in detail with the only thing anyone agrees on is that they are reclusive and if one was lucky see one every hundred or so odd years. The part that is most controversial is whether or now the line is descended from Merlin. Interestingly enough in the second book I read it was stated that the Emrys line is the only known wizards and witches to have a dragon as their Animagus form. For the next hour I comb through the last book, making me want to tear my hair out. 'Finally!' I thought.
'Familiar's can bond with witches or wizards that impress them. While most take the shape or cats, dogs, wolves, or Rare birds, there are exceptions. For instance, the Dumbledore line is said to have Phoenixes when someone in their family tree is in need. Another rare rumor states that Merlin was said to have a dragon as a familiar, but is speculation seeing as how dragons are wild creatures that cannot be tamed.' I huffed that only tells me that it's possible that Professor Emrys is descended from Merlin. I look up to see Harry and Ron looking at me.
"What!" I snap. They glance at each other before Harry speaks up.
"Are you okay, you've been huffing for the last hour." I give an apologetic smile.
"Yeah, Sorry. Just not able to find what I wanted."
"Is this about Professor Emrys?" I'm about to speak up, but Malfoy comes out behind a bookcase.
"What are you saying about Professor Emrys?" I give him a curious look, he didn't say it mean and snarling like usual, just in a bored voice with an undertone of curiosity. Harry and Ron Frown.
"What's it to you?" Ron getting defensive.
"Nothing, just hope you understand not everything can be found in your books, you should ask instead of trying to snoop through someone's life." I contemplate what he says, of course I didn't mean to snoop, I just get caught up in the thrill of figuring out the puzzle that is the Professor. I answer before Harry or Ron act rash.
"Right, do you know where the Professor is then? "Draco shrugs.
"I assume his classroom." I nod and drag the boys with me past Draco, ignoring the glares from Ron and Harry directed at Malfoy. What I don't expect is Draco following behind us, thankfully the boys don't mention it and Draco looks lost in his own world. As we turn the corner we freeze as Umbridge makes her way out of the professor's room with a smile that could only be described as shark like.
Emrys follows out a few seconds later walking briskly and looking livid. Harry decides to follow which spurs the rest of our group into following Harry. We pick up the pace when the professor does, leading us to the forbidden forest. After about small trek we find the trees splintered and fallen. We quiet down and tiptoe at the sound of the professor's voice. We hid behind the trees, not sure what to do when he lazily waves a hand and the trees straighten and reform as good as new. I cover my hand over my mouth to stop the squeak that comes out at the powerful display of magic that was carelessly done.
We listen to the professor rant about Umbridge until Harry steps on a twig cutting him off mid-sentence. Knowing we were caught I come out from behind the tree as the others follow my lead. The professor clears his throat.
" Well, I suppose we all have some explaining to do." Yeah, I think, understatement of the century.
Aithusa gives a snort?
While I look back at Draco who has what can only be explained as I-can't-believe-you-didn't-notice-us look. What was that about?