The Muggle Project

The Deputy Headmaster

We finally made it up to the castle and into the Great Hall where we waited for the first years to be brought in for the sorting. It didn't take long as they weren't far behind us. When they walked into the room my eyes held on them until I realized they weren't being led by Headmistress McGonagall. Instead, it was a male with dark hair.

When the student lined up along the side of the Great Hall, by the stage I sat back and let my mind wander. I wasn't interested in hearing the first years that would be part of Hogwarts since this was my last year.

Only when McGonagall called attention to the room did I focus.

"Welcome..." She began. "Welcome back to Hogwarts, to those that are returning for another year at Hogwarts, and welcome to those that are just beginning. I know, a lot of you may still be recovering from the dark times that happened inside these walls just a year ago but I can assure you, the danger is no more. Voldemort is gone, forever." She paused, letting the words she spoke sink in.

"And now, I would like to introduce the newest additions to our staff. Please welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Art's Professor and Deputy Headmaster, Viktor Krum." She finished.

If I were a cartoon I was for certain that my jaw would've hit the floor. With a scrap of a chair against the stone floor, Viktor rose to his feet and beamed at the room before him.

Viktor.... my Yule Ball date, Viktor Krum was now my Dupty Headmaster.

Almost all the room was cheering, I believe for the fact that he was once a well known quidditch player for a very popular team, and now he was our staff.

"Thank you, all for the varm velcomes you 'ave given me. This is definitely a change in scenery for me, 'aving been a quidditch player. But that is me no longer, I am your teacher." He held his arms open, embracing the room before he sat down.

"And lastly, I would like to welcome our new Muggle Studies Professor, Andromeda Tonks." Another scraping was heard before a woman rose from her chair.

The second my eyes sought her face I felt my heart began to pound rapidly in my chest as I started to sweat. I looked around the room, wondering if anyone was seeing who I was seeing, but no one seemed to acknowledge a thing.

I brought my hand to my chest as I tried to focus on my breathing.

Relax, Hermione you are safe. You are safe.

Then I closed my eyes to shut out the room and focus. But it was the wrong move.

I was back in Malfoy Manor, lying on the floor, Bellatrix was on top of me.

"You're lying, you filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell the truth, tell the truth! What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or, I swear, I shall run you through with this knife! What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"

I gasped, as I fell from the bench at the table in the Great Hall, landing on my back. Then I felt the pain I felt back in the Manor as Bellatrix used the cruciatus curse on me.

I began writhing, screaming in pain as if she was here right now.

"I didn't take anything, I swear!" I screamed, the sounds piercing through the air. "Please-please.... NO!!!!!!!" I screamed again as the memories of the pain riddled through my body, causing my back to arch up towards the ceiling as if someone was pulling me up by a string attached to my navel.

"Hermione," A voice whispered somewhere in the distance. "Hermione!" I felt hands on my shoulders, shaking me. "Hermione, vake up, Hermione, vatever is in your mind is not real. Open your eyes."

It isn't real? It isn't real...

I took a deep breath, forcing my mind away from the darkness that threatened to take it over.

It isn't real, it was just in my mind. They were memories, meaning they were from the past. The past wasn't the present meaning I wasn't in Malfoy Manor and Bellatrix wasn't torturing me. But then, where was I?

I was in Hogwarts, Voldemort was gone, I was safe.

After much rationalization towards my flashbacks I finally gained the strength to take back control of my mind. When I opened my eyes I saw several people standing around me. Instantly I cringed away, their unexpected closeness threatening to open the door back to the flashbacks of Malfoy Manor, but I quickly quashed them.

"Hermione, dear." Professor McGonagall said, taking my trembling hand into hers. Her eyes held such worry, as she looked into mine.

"I- I am fine, Professor." I tried to force a smile onto my face but it was useless. It almost hurt to smile.

"She is unvell, let me take her to the hospital ving for some rest." It was Viktor.... Professor Krum that spoke now.

I shook my head as I looked at him. "No, I swear, I am fine." I moved to push myself up into a sitting position, only to collapse.

The fit I experienced when I had my flashback drained me of my energy. I was exhausted. Too, exhausted.

"She needs the hospital ving." He didn't say another word, or wait for my permission as he scooped me up into his arms. "I vill see to it that she makes it safely there. Continue, Headmistress." He said as he moved to the Great Hall doors.

Once we were in the seclusion of the corridor, he began to speak.

"Vat happened to you?" he asked he began to climb the stairs, heading towards the third floor corridor.

I closed my eyes, doing my best to feign an exhausted slumber but I knew he wasn't fooled.

"Hermione, please tell me vat happened to you. Vhy vere you screaming?" he pressed, looking for answers.

I didn't bother opening my eyes as I decided to answer him. "I was having a flash back of when I was captured by Death Eaters and taken to Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix tortured me because she thought I had taken something precious to her from her vault, when I didn't." I replied, my voice very frail.

When I finished replying to him, he tightened his grip on me, holding me closer to his body. But he didn't speak another word as we walked the final set of stairs that led to the Hospital Wing.

"Madam Pomfrey, I have Miss Granger here, she is ill." He said as we entered into the room.

"Bring her over here and set her down." I heard Madam Pomfrey say.

I felt myself being carried across the room before I was being laid onto a hospital cot. I listened as footsteps faded into the room next door before returning. Then I was being forced to drink a potion that tasted like black licorice and a second that reminded me a bitter tasting butterbeer.

"Now you need to rest, you will feel better when you wake up dearie."

I didn't want to rest. In fact I was eager to get ready for my classes tomorrow. But I was growing tired, really tired. Why was I getting tired?

Seconds before I had succumbed to a slumber did I realize the second potion Madam Pomfrey had given me was one of her sleeping potions.

When my eyes opened I knew it was the next day as the sun was shining brightly through the windows of the hospital. It took me a few moments to realize where I was, only then did I begin to panic.

"Oh no... oh no!" I said, panicked as I pushed myself up and clambered out of the bed, onto my feet. "I'm late, damn I am late. I've never been late in my life." I searched hurriedly around the room for my robes.

"Miss Granger-" I froze, gulping nervously as the voice of Professor McGonagall called to me.

"Professor-" I began, turning around to face her. I was so ashamed of my tardiness that I couldn't even look her in the eyes. "I didn't mean to miss my classes and I am ready to take responsibility for my actions. How long is my.... detentions." I wanted to cry as I spoke that last word. Detention, I never had detention.... Unless you counted Umbridge and her torture chamber when Dumbledore's Army had been caught and forced to slice words into our skin.

I shook the thoughts from my mind as I didn't want to remember. Those memories would just lead to others.

"Miss Granger, you haven't missed a thing. That is why I am here to talk to you personally. A new law has been passed by the Board of Governors that states any O.W.L.S that you received an Outstanding on, you mustn't have to take this year."

"But I can still participate in class, right? If I want to, I mean." My heart began to pound. I couldn't not go to class.

Professor McGonagall nodded her head. "You can still go, but it isn't required for your N.E.W.T.S. I am sad to say, the one class you need to attend is Defense Against the Dark Arts. It seems you failed to be effective against the boggart."

Of course. That was the class I received an Exceeds Expectations in. That stupid boggart took the form of Professor McGonagall telling me I failed all my O.W.L.S and I couldn't handle it.

"When is my Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" I asked, hoping I wasn't late for it and that I had an adequate amount of time to get ready.

"It is just after lunch which will be in ten minutes time. But before I let you go I must give you this permission slip for your Muggle Studies Class. In order to graduate you must pass it."

"I don't under stand. Why must a wizard pass a class about Muggles in order to graduate?" I asked.

"A new peace treaty has been formatted between the Minister of Magic and the Muggle Prime Minister. It was necessary, after the attacks by Death Eaters and Voldemort on the muggle society."

I nodded my head.

"So this paper?" I continued.

Professor McGonagall waved her wand and a paper appeared in her hand. "This paper gives details on the class, which must be signed and handed in to your muggle studies teacher in order to participate. Good day Miss Granger." She said before she turned and walked out of the room, leaving me to myself.

Class: Muggle Studies

Taught by: Andromeda Tonks

Course Description:

This year long course is developed to encourage muggle culture appreciation. The passing of this class is required upon preparing to graduate Hogwarts.

This course was published post War of Hogwarts and has no academic prerequisites. However you should be prepared to complete all weekly quizzes, take-home essays pertaining to the course reading materials, a mid-term and a final exam. This will not be on the NEWT.

Special Notes:

All students will experience restricted adult-material during lessons in this class so all students must sign the permission form. No signature means no graduation.

I gulped. In order to graduate I had to pass this class.

But it dawned upon me moments later, I was raised as a muggle for the first 11 years of my life and I lived like one when I went home during the holidays and breaks. How hard could it be for me to pass.

I quickly dressed into my robes and checked my appearance in the mirror before I grabbed my satchel to retrieve a quill. Then I signed.

Hermione Granger

Putting away my quill and permission form I left the hospital wing and headed up to the Gryffindor Common Room. When I reached the portrait of the Fat Lady I realized I didn't know the password.

"Please let me in." I begged.

The Fat Lady slowly shook her head, "I am sorry, only those that have the password to Gryffindor Tower are allowed to enter."

I stomped my foot, impatiently. "That is my damn Common Room and you know it, Lady!" I jabbed frustrated at the portrait. "I've spent 6 years coming and going through this door and you aren't going to let me in this one time."

"I am sorry Miss Granger, but rules are rules."

I groaned as I turned to take a seat on the stairs, only to come face to face with Viktor Krum.

"Merlin, you frightened me Vi-" I paused, blushing from an almost embarrassing moment. "Professor Krum."

"I vas told you 'ad just left the 'ospital ving and vere headed to Gryffindor Tower and since you don't know the passvord I figured it might be a bit difficult for you to enter." Professor Krum spoke to me.

"You know the password?"

"You seem surprised 'Ermione. I am the Deputy 'Eadmaster, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and I also 'Appen to be the 'Ead of Gryffindor 'Ouse. The passvord is Godrics 'Ollow."

"Godrics Hollow?"

I heard a click behind me and turned around to see the portrait door swing open. "Welcome back Miss Granger." The Fat Lady greeted.

As I entered into the Common Room I went straight upstairs to my dorm to get my books for my two classes of the day.

" 'Ow are you feeling today 'Ermione?" Professor Krum asked me as he entered into my room.

After I put all my books into my satchel I stood up and turned to look at him.

"How are you even here right now?" I asked him.

He grinned at me, "Vat do you mean? I am very qualified for this position, 'Ermione."

"The Deputy Headmaster and Defense Against the Dark Arts professor I can understand. It's being the Head of House that I don't understand. You went to Durmstrang. In order to be a Head of House you had to have been in the house during your time at Hogwarts."

"I know and I Vas."

"You went to Hogwarts?"

He nodded his head. "Of course, it vas my mother who vanted me to go to 'Ogwarts. I vas sorted into Gryffindor and finished my first year. Then my parents split vhen my father grew interested in the Dark Arts. My second year my father enrolled me into Durmstrang and that is vhere I stayed."

"You were a Gryffindor?"

He nodded his head. "I am still a Gryffindor, 'Ermione. Once a Gryffindor, alvays a Gryffindor. Now lets go and get lunch."

I couldn't disagree with this since I hadn't had the opportunity to eat dinner or breakfast. I was starving.

"Lunch." I repeated as my stomach began to growl.