AN/ This Plunnie came to me after reading Educating Draco - "Hermione was surprised at how innocent all of this actually felt. It oddly reminded her of when she had been seven years old and one day out of curiosity, she and her cousin Bobby had agreed to show each other their reproductive parts. Granted, she wasn't seven anymore, Draco wasn't her cousin and they weren't just looking (not anymore at least), but still... it didn't exactly feel at all as sexual as Hermione thought it would feel."
The whole innocence of their entire encounter really struck me and reminded me of Wendla in Spring Awakening (the musical not the book where Melchior rapes her), Sue and Woody's agreement in Puberty Blues season 2, and stories of girls who "practice" kissing with each other before they have boyfriends. But Draco and Hermione being eighteen jarred me. Especially Hermione having only just started to notice her sexual urges. So I wanted to write something with the same overall sense of innocent exploration, but set at an age where their innocence was more all encompassing like Wendla. This is set the summer between 3rd and 4th year, making Hermione a few months shy of 15 and Draco just 14. So fair warning - this contains underage sexual activity.
Also they have special exemption from the underage magic ban whilst they are part of the summer program.
Prologue"Miss Granger, thank you for coming to see me, please have a seat"
Professor McGonagall gestured towards one of the straight backed chairs that graced her office. Hermione took a cautious seat, anxiety rippling off her as she tried desperately to hold back tears, racking her brain for what she could possibly have done to be called to see the deputy.
When she was seated the Professor continued. "How do you enjoy Potions Miss Granger?" the professor asked mildly.
"Uh, Potions. Um I… I…." Hermione stammered thrown by the seemingly benign question. Only maybe it wasn't benign, it was no secret that Professor Snape seemed to detest her, what if he had accused her of cheating or something equally horrid. Hermione began to tremble.
"Calm down child" McGonagall interjected kindly, "you are not in any trouble, nor will anything you say be repeated to Professor Snape"
"I'm, I'm not in trouble?" Hermione queried hopefully.
"No my dear, whatever gave you that idea?"
"Oh" Hermione replied somewhat shocked, "um then, ok. Breathe Hermione, breathe" she added uttering the last bit under her breath.
Professor McGonagall gave the girl a few moments to collect herself before asking again. "So how do you enjoy potions Miss Granger?"
"I really like the work, I love it actually, it's just…" she trailed off unsure how what she wanted to say would be received.
"Yes" the professor prompted
"Um, well, Professor Snape…...I don't, I don't think he likes me very much, and he never calls on me or seems to think i've done a good job." Hermione gushed into her lap, afraid to look a teacher in the eye whilst complaining about another teacher.
"I see." McGonagall replied revealing nothing. "Do you think that has an impact on your ability to perform in class?" she continued.
Hermione bit her lip in concentration, thinking her answer though. Eventually she nodded. "When I've made potions outside of class, I find I am able to enjoy it a lot more, I don't feel like I have to prove myself so much, and I'm able to do much more difficult work."
"How much more more difficult?" the professor asked with restrained interest, though of course she knew the answer.
Hermione was once again panicking slightly on the inside, she had broken into Snape's store cupboard for the ingredients after all. She decided she'd better be vague in her response. "N.E.W.T. level, and beyond" she replied meekly.
"And how long have you been capable of producing such advanced potions?"
"Uh, um. Second Year" Hermione squeaked.
"I see" the professor replied placing her steepled fingers against her lips to hide her smile.
"I would like to nominate you for this" the Professor continued, pushing a sheet of parchment across the desk towards Hermione.
Hermione picked it up and read over it her eyes lighting up as she scanned the contents. 'This' was a summer school placement studying potions under the tutelage of the esteemed potioneer Damocles Belby, inventor of the Wolfsbane potion. One Hogwarts third year student was chosen each year by the Hogwarts Alumni. "Oh yes. Please" Hermione replied nodding furiously.
"Excellent. You may go Miss Granger." The Professor said retrieving the paperwork and beginning to fill it in.
Hermione left the office in a daze daydreaming about everything she could learn at such a program.