Taking a Nap (Open)

[Hermione Chambers]

It had been well over 2 weeks since my breakdown at home and I'd been a much happier person since then, much more reminiscint of myself when Josh was still alive. I still felt pangs of sadness when I thought of him, but I was finally really moving on and not pretending any longer.

I was also out of my brace since my leg had healed properly faster than expected. But then again, I bit back my pride and went on crutches shortly after my breakdown and silently did my paperwork. It had made my investigation go much more smoothly. I was getting closer, so close I could almost taste the victory.

But today, was one of my days at Hogwarts. Since I didn't have a class today, I just had to be available for office hours. Deciding to take a break, I opted to stay in my office rather than try and keep away from students.

Propped up in my chair like normal, I was dressed in normal auror attire sans the red overrobe, which was hanging nearby my desk. None of my fellow T.A.s were in the room so all the other desks were empty. Carefully balanced, I allowed my eyes to droop so that I could get a little bit of rest. At least until someone decided to disturb me.

[Horace Slughorn]

Black robes billowed behind me as I walked into the TA Office in search of my TA. Anya had been off again and I was left to fill in as Acting Deputy Head - which I had to do on top of my own duties. However I did not mind. I liked the idea that she was getting rest since the time was approaching soon for her to give birth (3 months from now).

My eye's found my TA's desk which was empty, I looked up and not only was hers - but all other TA's as well (all expect from Hermione). I took a sheet of paper from my robe and looked on it. The master timetable of the teachers and their classes. "I guess everyone is on timetable today then, expect you" I said to Hermione as I strolled over. Our past meeting had been rather tense - but I let it go. "How have you been Hermione?"

[Hermione Chambers]

Long ago, I'd learned to master the art of half-sleeping. Basically, I was still getting rest, but at the same time I was aware of everything going on around me. Therefore, when Horace entered, I was tracking his movements in my head. We'd never really gotten along since we both had alpha-type personalities. In addition, he had a bad habit of backing down when challenged.

I was a bit surprised when he decided to address me. I figured after our last exchange some months ago that he would have left me alone by now. Though it seems as if the man was a bit persistent. To be honest, I didn't dislike the man, but I got entirely too much enjoyment out of picking on him.

Deciding not to even open my eyes, I replied, "As well as can be expected." I refolded my arms and continued to relax in my chair wondering how Horace would take the brush-off.

[Horace Slughorn]

"Good to hear" I said as I looked at the timetable which I took back out of my robe pocket. Celeste has the first years, then she is off timetable till this afternoon. I also noticed from a glance that Hermione did not have any classes. "You don't have any classes today Hermione, should you not be at the Ministry or at home resting that leg?" I questioned her, wanting to at least make decent conversation before I left.

I shifted in my position as I held the timetable in my arms, arms folded. My wand dug a little into my side but I did not pay much attention to it. The office was rather quite apart from the ticking of a large cloak on the wall, ticking by as it told of an afternoon time.

[Hermione Chambers]

He's a bit thick isn't he? No brace means that my leg is fine. I let out a bit of air from my nose in what sounded like a mix between an exasperated sigh and a growl. "My leg is perfectly fine. Good as new for several days now."

I cracked open one of my eyes, letting a tiny sliver of blue show as I considered Horace. "Actually, since I teach limited number of classes, I'm required to be here for office hours to make up for the lack of classtime. But you should know that, shouldn't you?"

[Horace Slughorn]

"This is true, but you do not seem to be putting the time to good use sitting with your feet on the chair and resting" My tone changed as I spoke. This time more defiant and questioning. "I suggest of you want to make good use of your time you leave napping for your own time - this is school time" I said, simply as I shifted in my position.

If she was here to do work then she had a funny way of working. I looked at the cloak on the wall, it ticked by again and again. The silence between the two seemed to linger.

[Hermione Chambers]

Looks like someone's grown some bollocks finally. Well done chap, too bad I can't compliment him. Let's see how far he can go. I sat forward a little, allowing the chair to come back to its normal position as I brought my feet down.

I purposefully let out a breath to make it seem like I was more irritated than I was before I stood. I may have been a more diminuitive 5'5", but I knew how to maximize my stature. "Do you have some extra senses that I don't know about Horace that lets you see students that I cannot? Do you somehow see paperwork that I haven't yet finished that warrants my attention. If you can't then I suggest doing your own work than trying to make phantom work for me."

[Horace Slughorn]

Hmm, she seems to be challenging my authority again, not this time!. I thought as she spoke. I simply frowned. "If this is the case then I see no reason why you are still here when you have no work or classes. Hogwarts is not a half way house, Hermione, where you can just come to relax. This is a school - keep that in mind!" I snapped. I was not going to have anyone challenge me on my grounds.

I stood looking down at Hermione, waiting for her to talk back or at least make a move. "I'm sure you have other work at the Ministry to be getting on with, other than using Hogwarts as a resting place. You have a home for that!" I continued. This time my voice raising a little.

[Hermione Chambers]

He's really thick, isn't he? At least it seems he's grown a bit of a backbone. Normally by now he'd be out of here in tears. Unfortunately, he's got no ground for complaint with me, otherwise I'd back down. I arched an eyebrow as I crossed the room into his personal space and put myself into it, using every bit of my menacing air.

"How thick are you? Or do you just have a problem listening? I already told you that I'm required to be here. Whether I have something to actually work on is irrelevant as I have to be available. So before you decide to get your knickers in a wad over nothing, perhaps you should clear out your ears and actually listen for once. Now don't you actually have work to do?"

[Horace Slughorn]

How does she think she is talking to?. "Let's get one thing straight Hermione, I would watch who you are speaking to. And if you have to be here as you say - then I would appreciate it if you did not use your office space as a lounge. Your an adult now, not a pupil so having your feet on chairs is out of the question!" I snapped, trying to keep my cool.

"And don't concern yourself with my work - I would be able to get on it if I did not have to remind staff that their office space is not a lounge and try to get them to act more professionally. Without their feet on school property" I said, standing their ever more defiant.

[Hermione Chambers]

Now he's starting to just get irritating. I poked him in the chest to emphasize my next few points. "Yes, let's get a few things straight here. I *poke* am here at the request of Professor and Chief Potter. I am *poke* not here under your authority. What I do on *poke* my time alone is none of your business. Let's also not forget that I am only *poke* six years younger than you, so do not use the high and mighty act with me."

With my piece said, I returned to my seat, rocked back just slightly and slammed my feet on the desk, defiantly. "Perhaps you should worry about yourself over trivial matters of other people."I crossed my arms defiantly. "I know that we don't get along. I don't fit into your perfect little mold of an obedient little girl like you'd like, but you rub me the wrong way as well with your superiority act. People tell me I have a stick up my arse, but you must have a tree or something up yours."

[Horace Slughorn]

I simple looked at her as she proceeded to poke me. I could almost have laughed. "Take your feet of that desk right now. It is the property of this school" I said simple, and ever so calmly. After all, it was not how you treat other people's things. "I do not like the attitude you seem to be showing Hermione and be under no illusion that there is no high and mighty act with me. As part of the Senior staff here at Hogwarts and at the moment Acting Deputy Head I suggest you heed my warning and learn to treat others, as well as school property with a little more respect!" I snapped, still not moving.

I did not utter another word. The woman had a cheek on her. There was no authority with her, and by the looks of things she did not care or give a damn for others - only but herself. If she thinks things are hot now, it is nothing compared to how hot things will get. "Remove your feet from the desk now"

[Hermione Chambers]

"I got a better idea, why don't you go back to your office and clean your desk if you're so in love with it. Because it certainly seems that no one has been loving you recently because something's twisting that tree up your arse. Again, like I said, I'm not under your authority. I hold the position of T.A. as a convenience. I'm here only on a personal favor to the headmistress herself. I am not like all the other T.A.s that will fall around and kiss your feet because you're in a position of authority with them."

I closed my eyes, effectively dismissing the man. "Now go be an insufferable prat away from me. I have better things to do than listen to you bluster about respecting furniture because you said so. I'm sure there's a puppy a student brought here wandering around for you to kick somewhere."

[Horace Slughorn]

I put my hands on my hips and look at the woman before me. So, the Ministry likes to put there workers in here only to have them disrespect the staff?. I looked down on Hermione and decided not to even keep the argument going. There was no point on arguing with such a stubborn and disrespectful woman. "Just remember you said that now Hermione. You are going to learn some respect for this school and its staff - and I will make sure of it!" I snapped.

With a turn of my heal I took my leave through the door, not even bothering to close it behind me. It outraged me how she thinks she could talk to staff members like that.