Anatomy of a Cobra

“You know Hermione,” his voice was hardly above a husky whisper, “they say the cobra can take the form of your true hearts desires.” Taking a step back his body began morphing before her very eyes. Before she could even blink, he had turned into a cobra.

-x-

Fanfiction in collaboration with CherryWolf-Chan

-x-

“Tell me, does the sorting get boring every year or is it just me?” A rather bored Ron Weasley grumbled quietly to his two best friends: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. His comment received snickers of agreement. Harry grinned in acknowledgement of Ron’s comment yet Hermione hadn’t said anything.

“Lance Whitehurst.”

A young boy, trembling with fear, approached the Sorting Hat. McGonagall placed the hat atop Lance’s head and the hat began working.

“Ah, very courageous,” The hat whispered to itself before taking a deep breath and roaring out: “GRYFFINDOR!”

The Gryffindor table burst into applause as Lance grinned, jogging towards the table of his new home. He sat down beside Seamus Finnegan, who had shaken his hand in congratulations. Ron leaned over to greet Lance, with Hermione and Harry following suit.

“Alec Carrington.” Before the hat hit the boy’s head, he was sorted as: “SLYTHERIN!”

“Reminds you of Malfoy, doesn’t he?” Harry whispered over to his two other companions. Hermione nodded.

“Looks like him too- kinda, think they’re related?”

Ron snorted as he chewed on his thumbnail, “I doubt that. Carrington— I would laugh if the Malfoy’s allowed that kind of surname into their family tree.”

“Point taken,” Harry whispered, “they’re way too proud.”

Hermione and Ron, since Harry’s back was facing the Slytherin table, witnessed Draco congratulate Alec on joining the Slytherin house. Hermione rolled her eyes as she saw Draco smirk over at them.

“He’s way too proud,” She amended Harry’s earlier comment. The sorting commenced as the first years were sorted to their rightful houses. As the last student (a Ravenclaw) took her seat, Dumbledore took his position on center-stage, eyes scanning the youthful eyes of his students.

“Another year,” he began his traditional speech, “and another new set of adventures. A warning, from the caretaker, Mr. Filch, any environmental disturbances will result in punishment by Argus Filch himself.”

Mr. Filch with his cat, Mrs. Norris, nodded as they stood at the back of the Great Hall.

“As always, the Forbidden Forest is—forbidden. The gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, as well as many creatures within the forest will keep an eye out for trespassers.” Specifically, Dumbledore eyed Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco before resuming his speech. “Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is Alastor Moody.” A few students, who were aware of the fourth year mishap, quickly glanced at the Dark Arts professor walking out of the back room. “We have taken proper precautions to make sure that this is the real Moody, so no concerns need to be voiced.”

Ron and Harry exchanged glances as Dumbledore continued his speech, “Have a wonderful year, full of mischief and surprises and good luck,” glancing over his half moon spectacles, “to all of you. Alas, we feast!!”

Food appeared magically onto the tables and instantly, hungry students dug in. Hermione picked up a baby carrot stick, eyeing it dangerously, “Do you think elves cooked this up?”

A collective groan erupted from the Gryffindor table, “Get over it Hermione!” Seamus said as he chewed on a chicken drumstick.

“I refuse to digest food prepared by helpless elves.”

“They’re employed,” Ron rolled his eyes, “that’s like saying you refuse to go to Potions because a helpless Snape is teaching it.”

“What a bad analogy,” Harry coughed as everybody snickered. Ron blushed in embarrassment but chose to retaliate.

“You love Nike, still, Hermione.” He accused, “Even after that big Ministry investigation that children were being bewitched to, speedily, make the line of clothing articles. Kind of hypocritical, aren’t you?”

Hermione blushed before sipping on her pumpkin juice. Neville raised an eyebrow, “Wow, you just shut Hermione Granger up.”

Trying to get the others to forget about Ron’s accusation, Hermione switched the topic. “What’s the Fat Lady password?”

Parvati, who was enjoying a mango salad, looked up. “Alohamora.” She stated as Hermione raised an eyebrow.

“The unlocking spell? How ironic is that?”

Parvati giggled, “That’s what I said when I found out.”

“The Fat Lady is losing her charm in creating passwords,” Colin Creevey commented.

“Pray the Fat Lady loses her charm in singing, so we can get some peace this year.” Seamus put in and a few of the students giggled. With Seamus’s comment, the conversation died as the Gryffindor students enjoyed their dinner.

-x-

“Potions,” Ron spat, “with the Slytherin’s?”

“Quit complaining, Weasley.” Draco’s voice resonated behind Ron, “It isn’t charming that we’re in the same room with the likes of... you...”

“Shut it, Malfoy,” Harry scowled, looking up from his seat beside Hermione. Draco sneered.

“How cute, Potter is defending Weasley. A touching friendship, really.”

Crabbe and Goyle laughed on cue behind Draco as the trio walked to the table immediately beside Harry’s table. Smirking wildly, Draco winked at Hermione. Raising an eyebrow, Hermione subtly licked her lips, catching Draco off guard. Not losing his composure, he slowly looked down at his pants before looking back at Hermione, lips smirking.

Hermione raised an eyebrow before glancing at Draco’s pants. Slowly, her eyes locked with his and she bit her bottom lip. Draco smirked before blowing her a kiss...

“And what was that?” Ron demanded upon the end of the sexual encounter with Malfoy and Granger.

“That, Ronald, was called flirting,” Hermione grinned, “Webster’s defines it as: to make playfully romantic or sexual overtures.”

“Well that definitely was a bit of sexual suggestions.” Harry muttered as he glanced over at Draco, “And why are you flirting with him? You possessed by Voldemort?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “I am not. Sometimes—you should just have fun.”

“Sexual innuendo is not fun.” Ron muttered.

“And you would know how?” Draco’s voice floated over, “Do you even know what sexual anything feels like?”

Ron turned bright red, “As a matter of fact I do!”

“Yeah,” Draco muttered loudly to Crabbe and Goyle, “With Potter I bet.”

“Settle down,” Snape’s voice echoed across the dungeon walls. He walked in through the back doors to the Potions room and all the students immediately settled down. Ron sent a dirty look towards Hermione and she merely rolled her eyes.

“Honestly,” she whispered, “it was shameless flirting. Can’t I even do that?”

“Not with him.” Ron muttered back...

“Getting down to business,” Snape began immediately, “this entire term will revolve around a single project. In pairs, you will concoct an effective potion with the only ingredients I allow you. There is a master ingredient and the more subtle ones. Class will only meet every Mondays and Wednesday and every other potions day you will be working on the assignment. The final exam will be testing your potion—and the taste testers are you.” Snape crossed his arms, “So you had better not mess up—unless you wish to be placed six feet under.”

Ron, Hermione and Harry glanced at each other before turning back to Snape. He continued: “I have predetermined the partners based on previous grades—you may not enjoy your partner but there can be no changes. Anybody bothering to ask me to change their partner fails automatically and will be reduced one hundred house points. Understood?”

The groan that sounded from the students was enough for Snape to know that they understood. Snape pulled out his wand and waved it in the air four times before letters began appearing. Formulating names, the students realized that Snape was listing the names of the partners for the year-long project.

The names were in no particular order: “Ronald Weasley with Pansy Parkinson.”

“FU--...”

“Weasley—five points for profanity.” Snape cut off Ron as he was about to curse like a sailor. Snarling, Ron slouched in his chair and didn’t even dare to turn and look at Pansy.

Rotten Snape...

“Harry Potter with Millicent Bulstrode.”

“... I’d rather face Voldemort over a pit of fire...” Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione. Hermione giggled but Ron knew exactly what Harry meant.

“I’d rather face Voldemort over a pit of fire without a wand.” Ron amended as Harry nodded. Daringly, Harry looked over at Millicent who scowled in his direction. Glancing away quickly, Harry joined Ron in the slouching-chair position.

More names were listed before Hermione’s name finally appeared.

“Who do you think you’re with?” Harry nudged Hermione who shrugged.

“No idea...”

Hermione Granger with Draco Malfoy...

Hermione’s eyes widened as she instantly shot her head towards a smirking Draco. He winked at her before she turned back to the name, wondering if she misread. No way!!

“Consider it a sign,” Ron muttered, “for flirting with him so openly and shamelessly.”

“Shut up, Ronald.” Hermione snarled, “I can’t be with Malfoy!!”

“And why not, Miss. Granger?” Snape inquired, overhearing Hermione’s comment. Hermione looked at her professor before clearing her throat...

“It’s just that—Malfoy and myself are... incompatible in every way possible.”

Snape raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? You two are the smartest students of your year—it would be unfair to the... other students to pair either of you with them... I should see that your potion be excelling in nature...”

Hermione groaned loudly as she did not dare look at Malfoy. Her earlier flirting moments were just for fun... but to face Malfoy for a year-long project? Deadly.

“He’ll probably rape me or something,” Hermione muttered, “you never know with Slytherin’s.”

Draco rolled his eyes, “You can’t rape the willing, Granger.”

“Shut up, Malfoy.”

“Come and make me,” He smirked.

Hermione chose not to respond as she turned her undivided attention to Snape. “Ingredients can be found in the Potions storage except for the special ingredient. Written work should compose of research on the main ingredient. Potions need to be edible, effective and must work within the first six hours of consumption. Ingredients will be send through owl to each member of the group. Dismissed.”

Hermione launched out of her seat and ran out of the dungeon room, Harry and Ron closely following suit.

“This is unfair! Snape did that on purpose!!” Hermione complained. Ron snorted.

“I agree fully. Greasy baboon blot.”

Harry sighed, “There’s no way of getting out of this, is there?”

Hermione shook her head, “There isn’t...”

Harry was silent for a while as Ron recited the Fat Lady password: “Alohamora.”

Swinging aside, the Fat Lady allowed access to the three 6th year students. Hermione trudged over to a sofa and plopped down, trying to relieve her body of the damn stress it gain within the first day of classes. Harry sat down beside her: “So is there anything going on between you and Malfoy?”

Hermione’s eyes widened, “No!!”

“Then what was up with all that flirting?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

Hermione sighed, “It was in the moment—I don’t know why I did it. We aren’t secretly dating!!”

Ron snorted, “I’d bet.”

Hermione’s eyes shot towards Ron, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.”

“No! Say it!”

“This is just like the Vicktor Krum episode,” Ron spat out, “you give yourself to anybody who remotely looks attractive.”

Hermione felt like she was slapped. Getting up, without saying a word, she retired to her room. Harry frowned. “That was uncalled for, Ron.”

Ron shrugged. “Whatever, mate.”

Without saying anything else, Ron followed Harry to their dormitory, both preparing themselves for sleep.

-x-

Hermione is slightly out of character but that’s so much more fun than a prude attempting to flirt...