35 Grangers Concerns

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Hallway near Transfiguration)~~~

~~~(Date: September 3rd, 1991)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:50 AM)~~~

Granger and I leave Malfoy and his group in boiling anger. We follow the hall and continue down it until we turn a corner and can have a private conversation. We stop, and Granger has a serious look.

"What's your relationship with Daphne Greengrass?"

That's out of left field. I don't have a relationship with her. We are nothing more than acquaintances. I completely understand the hostility towards Slytherin. All houses have it.

However, not all people in Slytherin are bad. I'm still learning about Greengrass, but so far. She's a nice, ordinary girl.

I fold my arms and lean against the wall. I'm a couple of inches taller than she is. So I'm looking down right now.

"Listen, Hermione. Greengrass is just a person I've talked to on occasion. Yes, she's from Slytherin. I don't think that should determine your immediate impressions of her. If you gave her a chance, you two would get along."

Granger's eyebrows fold a little, and her nose scrunches a little. The mere thought of hanging out and trying to be friends with Greengrass produces that reaction.

She gets over her frustration and straightens up.

"You need to watch out, Alex. If you're not careful, you could end up being tricked by her. She could be playing you on Draco's orders. She could be trying to get close to look for a weakness."

Her concerns are legitimate and valid. However, I don't know Greengrass enough to say that about her.

In addition, Malfoy isn't that smart.

She isn't an open book like Malfoy. She isn't easily readable. She isn't going to bow down and accept the orders of another noble and pureblood either.

Greengrass is also a family in the sacred 28.

I think this entire situation between Greengrass and Granger should have nothing to do with me. Yet, they insist on dragging me in the middle of it.

"Okay, Granger. I'll keep an eye open for Greengrass; now, is that all you wanted to talk about?"

Telling her what she wants to hear is the quickest way to end this conversation. Her body language changes and she relaxes a little more. Losing the stiff back and raised chin. I can tell she wants to talk about something else, but she's having difficulty getting it out.

She decides not to speak and walks toward her next class with extra energy. I'm skipping the rest of my classes today. Before I forget, I need a favor from Granger.

"Hermione!"

She stops and turns around with a slight glint in her eyes.

"Can you get extra copies of the assignments for me? We share the same classes."

She sighs and nods her head. At least she isn't on my case about skipping class.

"One more thing."

She stares, waiting for me to continue.

"Thanks for the help and for looking out for me."

Even though her concerns are not based on evidence, I've never had another my age watch out for me. She's still going out of her way to ensure I'm safe. It's that's not a friend; then I don't know what is.

"You're Welcome."

She replies in a small and quiet voice. A small smile appears on her lips. She turns away in embarrassment and quickly gets out of sight. At least I've made a friend.

I think.

Now it's time to head to The Room of Requirement. I have spells that I want to practice, and that's the safest place to do so. My progress with Summa Exitium is slow going, and the little time I had to practice with it is proving good.

I'm going to keep it hidden from Albus and anyone else. It's the most important trump card I have. It's the only trump card I have. A spell to destroy. Be it a Dementor, an object, a person, or a creature.

I theorize it can also destroy any Protego Spell and the user, but that requires further study. That's going to be a tricky thing to test. The dummies in The Room of Requirement can only do certain spells.

Protego isn't one of them, and I'll need to find a way to test this. Sooner rather than later.