Toward the end of April was the last game for the Badgers. If they beat Slytherin, they would get the Quidditch cup, and vice versa. Despite the Slytherin team being grouchy about where the Swallow received his broom, no one in Slytherin seemed to be bothering Draco…and he wasn't talking.
Hermione was getting manic about end-of-year exams, and with Harry spending so much time practicing for the Quidditch 'final' (there would be another game after, but honestly it didn't matter), no one was able to calm her down. Hermione spent every waking moment in the library, and was completely out of control again.
Hermione was furiously pouring over an assignment in the common room when she was approached by the 5th year female Prefect. "Hermione?" She was greeted coldly by the Prefect.
Hermione looked up at the prefect and said "Yes?"
With a frown the prefect said that dreaded phrase, "The SETT would like a word."
Hermione's heart starting beating fast, and Susan sitting next to her whispered, "Good luck."
Hermione again stood next to the hated spanking bench, and curtseyed, "I present myself as requested."
Tonks was not smiling, "Hermione, do you know why you are here?"
Hermione getting more frightened by the second replied timidly, "I suspect it is to address my need to write complete assignments."
Tonks replied, "Yes, Madam Sprout had refused Professor Snape's request to paddle you for your essays, despite lines and detentions not dissuading you from ignoring instructions. However, when Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick mentioned that your assignments have reached double requested length, she decided something needs to be done. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Hermione going for broke admitted, "There is just so much to learn! The more I learn, the more I find I don't understand! I understand, that my answers are too complex for a 1st year, but they are not too complex for me! I'm trying to give the professors the information necessary to direct my education, as I want to go as far as I can!"
Tonks sighed. She understood Hermione, she really did, however this wasn't going to work. Tonks then asked, "Do you understand that this is a school, and not an apprenticeship? Why do you not do your own research and just answer the questions asked?"
Hermione cried plaintively, "But I do answer the questions asked! I just know so much more than most of the other students!"
Tonks realizing this wasn't getting anywhere, stopped arguing. She then stated, "I'm done arguing with you Protectee Granger. The professors require you to return to last term's requirements. Effective immediately, all essays will be 110% maximum. Repeat your requirements, and give your vow."
Hermione, with tears falling down her face, cried out, "No! It's not fair!"
Tonks looked furious, and turned to the 5th year prefect. "Please inform Madam Sprout that Protectee Granger needs suitable encouragement to take her vow."
She turned back to Hermione, "This is on you Protectee Granger. Change your mind now, or it will be changed for you."
Hermione was wailing and didn't respond.
After 15 minutes, Professor Sprout came in. "What's this I hear about refusing to vow?"
Tonks pointed at Hermione and stated, "Hermione is hysterical and can't respond."
Sprout turned to 5th year. "Go get a calming potion and Master Pomfrey, she's hysterical."
While waiting, Tonks relayed to Madam Sprout how the conversation occurred. Sprout just said, "Typical, these brilliant ones often crack under the strain, especially at year end. She is obsessive."
Once Pomfrey had arrived with the potion and spelled in into her, as she was unable to follow commands, Hermione calmed down, but was still in distress.
Madam Sprout asked, "So, now that you can think again will you vow?"
"It's still not fair!" wails Hermione.
Angrily, Sprout explained, "Life isn't fair! Where did you learn such nonsense? The professors are tired of you failing to follow instructions. One of the parts of the assignment is being concise! You ramble and add useless facts completely unnecessary to the question!"
More calmly with an air of command, "I order you to vow. Will you do so?"
Hermione shook her head no.
Sprout commanded, "5 pants, immediately! Remove your robe and skirt and get on the stool!"
Hermione blubbering, slowly removed the required clothes and placed herself over the stool. The magic of the stool bound her arms, back and legs in position.
She received the 5 strokes with the paddle, screaming by the end. She wasn't let up when done.
Sprout walked around to the front. While Hermione looked up at her anxiously, still crying, Professor Sprout asked ominously, "Now, will you vow, miss?"
"Why are you doing this to me?" she wailed plaintively, with tears falling down her face.
"Because, Merlin take you, it needs to be done! You have too much potential, to let you waste it! You need to learn how to stay at the required length, and you refuse to try! Using your intelligence, and academic aptitude, as an excuse to ramble will severely weaken your academic future!" She then commands, "10 pants immediately!"
"Nooo!" Hermione cried.
She then received 10 more hard swats with the paddle. She was howling the whole time, and by the end she was blubbering. Once completed Sprout made a gesture and the stool released Hermione.
"Stand up!" Sprout commanded.
Hermione, slowly moved herself off the bench, and rubbed her bottom still crying loudly as she stood.
Sprout looked at her seriously. She then said slowly, "I will ask you again. If you deny me, we will call Professor Snape and it will be 10 bare. Is that what you want Hermione?"
"Snape??" she said with horror.
Sprout then exclaimed, "Yes, Professor Snape! While he enjoys seeing the students punished more than I prefer, he is a brilliant academic. It was he who explained to the staff just how much potential you possess. You are brilliant, but you are also driven and obsessive." She sighed, "He explained if we could curtail this early, it will be much easier for you to learn the academic discipline needed to write concise and appropriate parchments. Something every successful academic needs!"
Hermione looked terrified! She was shaking like a leaf, but managed to curtsey poorly (her bottom hurt too much to do it correctly), and said at a whisper, "Professor Sprout, I will vow."
Sprout then snapped out, "Do it, duration indefinite!"
Hermione then oathed, "I Hermione Granger of new House Granger, protectee of House Longbottom swear to complete writing assignments at no more than 110% of the requested maximum length given by the Professor as maximum length for assignment. I so vow."
Sprout looked curious, "Why the extra clause?"
Hermione then replied, "Professor Snape goaded, and tricked me before. If he gives a range for the assignment, he could interpret I needed to be 110% maximum of minimum length, not maximum length." Sprout was unhappy a student believed a professor would 'trick' her, but couldn't deny it.
Sprout then explained sadly, "Hermione this will be for the duration of your schooling at Hogwarts. Don't worry, all assignments through NEWTs are given the proper length to answer complex questions, but it's much harder to keep them appropriate as the years advance. It's why you need to start learning it now. We usually don't get strict about this until 4th year, but you are already writing at 3rd year level. When you get an apprenticeship, and Professor Snape believes you will, your Master will be in charge of the length of your assignments…and the punishment for failure."
Sprout thought for a minute, "Here is your doom. If you violate your vow, you will be punished on the scale for that year's punishment. It will reset each term. Since this term is almost concluded, and you felt it necessary to test me to third violation, you will start at 3rd violation punishment of 10 bare! It will reset next year. If you understand repeat the price."
Hermione was still crying, but was able to say, "If I violate my vow, I will immediately suffer 10 bare for first offense. It will reset next year."
Sprout warned her, "I suggest you look up the punishments which upgrade at 3rd, 5th, and 7th year as you will be vulnerable to them each year. You did this to yourself. Go."
Hermione ran out crying.
That night, she had to tear up and rewrite 2 essays due the next day, one for potions. She didn't get any sleep that night. Harry tried to console her, but she wouldn't talk to him or anyone else. Harry was gutted.
The next morning at breakfast, Ron was heard saying, "Wow, look at Granger with an obviously sore bottom. Looks like she was up all night, dealing with the fact the professors and students, are tired of her thinking she knows everything."
Neville looked thunderous and moved to get up. Harry held him down as he stood himself. One look at Harry's face, and Neville decided it wasn't worth insisting on his 'rights' as Hermione's Lord, Harry looked murderous. Harry rose and slowly approached Gryffindor, his eyes and ring turned black as magic started gathering around him. All talk stopped in the hall, as everyone felt the gathering magic, and turned to see a Black with the dreaded Black eyes. The 4 heads (Dumbledore is never at breakfast) quickly came down but stayed back, in the hopes this wouldn't escalate. They were ready to intervene if wands were pulled.
Once Harry was across the table from Ron he stopped. By this time, wild magic was swirling around Harry. His eyes were glowing black and the ring on his hand was glowing like a black star. It was terrifying. The students next to Ron and those between Ron and Harry melted out of the way. With a dangerous voice which carried throughout the hall, Harry growled "Hermione has had a difficult time and has been given a daunting task. This will make her a better student and academic, but like most worthwhile endeavors, there is a price. This came about because her desire and obsession to learn everything, led her to making a mistake. Since you have never sought to learn anything, or do anything of consequence, it surprises exactly nobody, that you could never understand being punished for being too thorough, or complete, on an assignment."
Magic continued to gather around Harry, "But I will tell you this, Mr. Weasley. I care about Hermione more than my own life, and certainly more than the lives of House Weasley. If you wish to watch House Weasley burn, by all means, continue to take such obvious enjoyment from her pain."
Harry then turned to Percy Weasley, "Mr. Weasley, I expect a letter from your Head of House. He can explain this boorish behavior to me, as well as why he stole money from my Gringotts accounts."
Many of the students gasped at the threat, and the information Harry was robbed. Percy slowly got up making no offensive moves, and bowed deeply "I will write my father, Heir Black. There will be no need to escalate this."
Harry looked at him, "We'll see Mr. Weasley...we...will...see."
As Harry turned away from Percy, his jet black eyes slid across the 4 Heads…without any signs of acknowledgement or even recognition. The magic started to fade as he walked back to Hufflepuff.
Ron, flushed with anger, started to say something as Harry turned away, Percy speed drew and hit him with Silencio. He then moved down the table and as he passed the twins, said angrily.
"Bring him."
The twins jumped up, grabbed Ron under each arm, and dragged him from the table.
Professor McGonagall said commandingly, "Prefect Weasley! I expect the four of you to be present and functional for lunch. You are all excused from classes this morning, but not assignments! While dealing with this strictly family matter, I'm trusting you to keep things…reasonable. Don't disappoint me!"
Percy snapped to attention and bowed to her, saying "As you command, headmistress. Do I have permission to use the Pride? It seems the appropriate location for our…discussion."
McGonagall nodded and said, "You do. Put everything back when you are done."
The four brothers left. Ron, still being carried by the twins, while he struggled to get away.
Harry, still with eyes blackest black, returned to Hufflepuff, not appearing to have heard any of this. The other students shifted away from him in obvious fear of Heir Black on the warpath. As he sat next to Hermione, he put his left arm around her and hugged her to him tightly. Hermione just tucked herself into his chest, and cried quietly, not at all afraid of the Black magics activated around Harry. It took many minutes for the black to fade and his green eyes to return. Not even Neville said anything to him during that time.
In potions, Snape collected the assignments. Moving in front of Hermione, and with her shaking in fear, he leafed through the pack until he pulled her assignment out and graded it.
He looked up at Hermione, "Impressive Miss Granger. You obviously wrote this last night. It appears you are capable of following instructions when motivated correctly. I will enjoy improving your skills in your endeavors over the next 6 years. And punishing you if you do not." He marked her assignment O+ and placed it back on her desk.
She just looked at him, confused.
Professor Snape snorted, "While I do enjoy the necessity of disciplining recalcitrant brats, I enjoy teaching those worthy of my time…more." He then walked away to start the lecture.
The rest of the day was better, as Hermione started to realize that even Professor Snape was trying to teach her, not just hurt her. Though, he obviously would enjoy disciplining her if she made it necessary, he made it clear he would not if she followed instructions. However, while he would not arbitrarily punish her without cause, he was not beyond tricking her with difficult instructions. Hermione realized it was a game. A game she intended to win.