Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Hermione	By : SweetHoney Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 7785 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the HP series and am not profiting from it in any way

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
After Hermione realized that she was actually meeting the Harry Potter, she became nervous and uncomfortable. She wanted to leave but her feet wouldn't let her. Rooted to the spot, she began speaking quickly and blurting things out. Luckily she caught herself when she said she knew everything about him, and covered it up by saying she got the information from books. She could hex herself for almost telling him that she and her uncle had researched all they could about him. She left the compartment shortly after asking them about which house did they think they would be in, and didn't wait for them to answer. Her mine finally won the battle over her feet and she raced away the first chance she got.

The witch pretended that she had left but in truth she was hiding close by and listening to their conversation. While there she heard Draco, along with his bodyguards, trying to intimidate Harry and Ron. She didn't want Draco to get into trouble before they even got to Hogwarts - it would embarrass the family! When she heard someone yelling and screaming, Hermione threw her voice, making it higher, to prevent the incoming duel, and greeted an imaginary prefect. Draco heard her and commanded Crabbe and Goyle to leave.

She watched as Draco retreated, followed by Crabbe, and Goyle, who was nursing his wounded hand. She had known the wizards, Crabbe and Goyle, ever since their mothers brought them over to play with Draco a month before they entered Hogwarts. The first thought Hermione had, when she first saw the large boys were that they were very unfortunate. Draco thought of the two as toys rather than playmates and treated them as such. To him, they were merely one level above the House elves in their manor.

Hermione care for the overgrown boys to a certain degree; they were Draco's friends after all. She returned to Harry and Ron's compartment to scold them because she was upset that someone was injured.

%

"Gryffindor." Hermione said to Lavender, after Neville excused himself and left for the lavatory.

"What?" Lavender stared at Hermione, confused.

"We will be in Gryffindor House." Hermione told her point blank.

"Gryffindor House?" Lavender repeated, "Why?"

"I saw him."

"Him?" Lavender asked, arching her eyebrow at Hermione.

"Him."

"Him? - Oh HIM!" Lavender gasped, "As in him, him."

"Yes him and he's with a Weasley."

"Weasley? Isn't that the name your uncle's always complaining about?"

"Yes and I saw him sitting in a compartment with a Weasley. They seem quite friendly."

"Oh?"

"He will want to be in Gryffindor with the Weasley. All Weasleys are in Gryffindor." Hermione answered Lavender's unasked question. "The Weasley is the first friend he's made. I'm sure he would want to stay with his friend."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"He turned down other offers of friendship, though I don't blame him." Hermione sighed, "Draco..."

"What about Draco?"

"Draco offered his hand to Potter in friendship, but Potter turned him down." Hermione told her, "What did Draco expect after acting so arrogant and superior?" she said more to herself.

Lavender nodded in agreement, then asked, "What's he like? The Boy Who Lived?" She was curious to know if he was like what the books she had read about him said.

"Half blood."

"No." Lavender shook her head, "I mean his personality."

"Odd."

Lavender wrinkled her nose at this. "What do you mean as in odd?"

"He seems surprised by almost everything."

"And that makes him odd?"

"Yes." Hermione replied. "I suppose the Muggles who raised him didn't enlighten him of our world."

"Hmm..." Lavender hummed.

The Hogwarts Express train finally reached its destination and came to a stop. Lavender stood behind and watched as Hermione led Neville away. Hermione told Lavender, when they were in the storage room, that they should keep their distance in the presence of other people while they're lived their double life. Hermione said it would aid in her plan in destroying her Uncle Lucius's scheme and encase something went wrong; no one could tie them together.

Lavender understood Hermione's reasons for them not being together. It showed that Hermione truly cared and worried about her. The thought made her swell with emotions of overwhelming joy, but the joy was equally mixed with sadness. She was depressed, because she felt like she was losing her best friend in the world. It wasn't fair... She met her first! Lavender thought as she cried.

Was it not she, who stayed by Hermione's side ever since they first met. She stayed with her against her father's objections and frightening rumors flying around. It was she who made Hermione finally smile – before she barely showed any emotions!

"Veralidaine." said Hermione as she sat next to the weeping witch.

Hermione returned to the compartment, in search of the ever missing toad, and found Lavender's face pressed to the glassed window as she sobbed. She entered the compartment and locked the door. Taking Lavender in her arms, Hermione patted her back to soothe her.

"I'm an - an - an AWful perSON!" Lavender sobbed.

"You're not."

"Ye-ye-yes I am!" Lavender stuttered, "A...mo - me - ment ago - I - wish we never m - et Ne-Nevi-Neveille! He - he's taking you from me!"

Hermione cupped the witch's trembling chin and forced her to look into her eyes. "Veralidaine, listen to me. Hermione is Neville's friend, for now, but Lyra will always be yours. Always."

Comforted by Hermione's words, Lavender ceased her melancholy thoughts and was ready to enjoy the experience of living a double life. Maybe this time around, she might be more popular than when she was at Drumstrang. Last year, Lavender knew that she was disliked by many people - besides the teachers - and the only reason why anyone would ever acknowledge her existence was because she was Lyra Lestrange's friend. But, now she's not the four eyed bug, people use to call her behind her back anymore. She got rid of her large glass and charmed her dark skin light, changed the color of her eyes to brown, and her hair to waves of blonde. She was beautiful! And she knew it.

As Hermione stood in the entrance hall waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin, she couldn't help but laugh at the rumors fly about how they were going to be sorted and into which house. Some said they had to perform a number of spells successfully, while others thought they had to do battle with a troll.

She and Lavender shared a smile; they already knew how they were going to be sorted in their house from her Uncle Lucius. The Sorting Hat was a sentient Hogwarts artifact which magically determines which of the four school houses each new student was to be assigned to. During the welcoming ceremony, first-year students are lined up as the Transfiguration professor read their names aloud, alphabetically form a list. Each then, takes a seat on a stool and the dirty, old hat - with a horrible smell - was placed on their heads. After a moment of consideration, depending on their personality and best traits, the dirty, old hat announces its choice aloud for all to hear, and the student joins the selected house. The hat has the ability to read its wearer's thoughts, which was why Lucius made Hermione and Lavender take out their memories and put them in a pensive before they left the manor.

Lavender eyes widen, her mouth agape, at the sight of the ceiling of the Great Hall as they entered. Though, Hermione wasn't surprised at the scene at the least bit since her uncle and aunt already told her what to expect; but she was still in awe at the beauty of the enchanted ceiling.

"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside." Hermione whispered to Lavender, "I read about it in Hogwarts a History."

While Professor McGonagall prepared the hat and stool, everyone stared at the elder witch with curiosity; Hermione pulled on Lavender's sleeve to get her attention.

"Do whatever you can. Make the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor." Hermione whispered to her.

Lavender nodded as they waited with the rest of the first years for their names to be called. Since her last name was Brown, Lavender knew that she would be the first to go before Hermione.

"Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor," Lavender chanted in her head, trying to pursue the hat, and forget about its disgusting smell."Please, Mister Hat, put me in Gryffindor." she begged it.

"Gryffindor? Hmmmm..." said the hat. "Are you sure? You're more suited for Ravenclaw, with your thirst for knowledge and -"

"Gryffindor! Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryff -"

"OH! All right! Gryffindor!"

Lavender smiled, and took her place at the Gryffindor table.

"If you'll please be so kind, would you put me in Gryffindor?" asked Hermione, when it was her turn to be sorted.

"Hmmmm...Since you asked so nicely."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione smiled, pleased with herself. While walking down from the stool, to join the rest of the Gryffindor at the table, Hermione thought of Hogwarts and how different it would be from Drumstrang. With the desire to know more about the school and schoolwork, she seated herself next to a wizard, obviously a Weasley, with a prefect badge to inquire about her upcoming lessons. She cleared her throat to get his attention.

"Excuse me, sir." Hermione said politely. "I'm new here and I'd like to ask you about the school's lessons to see how they differ from Du - the Muggle school I use to attend." Hermione ended her question by smiling. What was wrong with her? Why does she keep forgetting that she's supposed to be a Muggle born? Hermione mused.

"I'm a Muggle born you see." Hermione confessed, then she repeated the words she had said to Harry and Ron when she met them on the train, "Nobody in my family has magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean." she nervously added. "Hogwarts, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard -" She paused as she heard Neville's names be announced and turned her attention to him.

Hermione pressed her lips together in a frown, while everyone laughed at Neville as he ran off the stool, still wearing the hat. After he jogged back and gave it the Professor McGonagall, Neville took his seat next to Hermione, where she reassured him that it was perfectly normal and everyone gets nervous while being sorted. Hermione comforted him with a warm smile and completely forgot what she was asking the prefect, since her full attention was now on Neville. She asked him about his family and how he felt about being in Hogwarts. Neville shyly answered her, and then went silent as did everyone else in the Great Hall, when they heard Harry Potter's name announced.

Hermione, nervous at the sight of the scared wizard for an unknown reason, took deep breaths and placed her hand over her racing heart to calm it. Then, she felt for the silver locket around her neck and gripped it in her other hand. The locket was a gift from her mother. She recalled her mother saying it was a gift to her from her father. Hermione seldom wore it since the day she was returned to her Aunt Narcisse's manor, because she didn't want to be reminded of her parents and what they did. She took it off her neck and hid it under her bed in a small box, but the next morning, she found it lying beside her on her pillow.

At first Hermione thought it was enchanted to stay with her and decided to test the theory, since the thought frightened her more than she would ever admit. It didn't take her long to find out that the House elf, which was in charge of cleaning her, found the locket and thought she lost it and placed it on her pillow. She scolded it and told it not to do that again. But after a while, Hermione realized that the locket was an inanimate object that she despised just because it was a gift from her parents and it was ridiculous. It was an object, soulless and un-murderous. She took it to Hogwarts with her because to her the locket was a representation of her parents and the love they gave her, and at this point; Hermione believed that she needed all the encouragements she could get.

"I do hope they start right away," Hermione continued her conversation with the prefect, where she had left off after searching her mind about what she was speaking to him earlier, "there's so much to learn, I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be difficult -" In truth Hermione and Lavender, already mastered the basics of most of the magical subjects, while spending that one year in Drumstrang.

"You'll be staring small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing." Percy, the prefect, told her.

Hermione nodded and inquired him about the rest of the subjects there, which he gladly answered her.

%

Hermione composed her letter to her uncle as Lavender closed the curtains around her four poster bed for privacy. No one noticed; since they were too busy sorting through their belongings.

Dear Dad,

My first day of school was very exciting.

I got to meet the Harry Potter on the train, along with his mate Ronald Weasley.

They seem quite close.

I spoke to him once before, while we were being fitting for our new school robes in Diagon Alley.

Which I smartly reminded him of.

I tried to be nice and extend my hand in friendship to him, but he seems unpleasant towards me and my two mates and ignored us.

His rejection upset me greatly, but hopefully I could redeem myself in his eyes.

Seeing as we are in the same House.

Love Always,

Hermione

After Hermione finished her massage, she rolled it up and tied it to a school owl and sent it off. Her massage was simple enough for her uncle to understand that she was informing him of Draco's behavior. She left hints about meeting Potter in the robe shop, which Draco did, because after returning home he whined about the odd boy who traveled with Hogwarts Gamekeeper. And with the clue about her two mates, it was obviously Draco, since Hermione only had one mate with her. In her letter she also informed her uncle of Potter's dislike of Draco and that Potter was now in Gryffindor House, with Weasley being the clue.

%

Hermione and Lavender's days in Hogwarts were what they thought were déjà vu, since they already learned these subjects. But unlike at Drumstrang, Lavender didn't boldly flaunt her intelligence to the class, seeing as it made people prone to pull cruel pranks on her. (Until Lyra put a stop to it.) This time around, Lavender decided to sit back and pretended like she didn't know what she was doing, like the rest of the first years. But it seemed Hermione had other plans.

Was I really that annoying? Lavender asked herself as she watched Hermione franticly wave her hand up and smugly answered the professor's questions. For a brief moment, she forgot that Hermione was actually her best friend, Lyra, and felt the sudden urge to slap her hand down from the air. Gods! No wonder they bullied me! She thought. I was soooo irritating!

In the potions class, Lavender, and the rest of the class, couldn't help but notice their professor's dislike or hatred - was more like it - of Harry Potter. Professor Snape was throwing numerous questions at him - only him - without mercy! And when Neville messed up on his potion, causing boils to appear on his skin, Snape blamed it on Potter? At that moment, Lavender glanced at Hermione who mouthed the word, later, indicating that she will tell her after they are done with class.

Hermione started at Neville as he was taken out of the classroom. She wanted to volunteer to go with him to the Hospital Wing to make sure he was okay, but decided against it. By the looks of Snape; he would say no to everything and anyone. And her uncle told her that Snape was not one to provoke when angry.

"He hates him. A lot." Hermione told Lavender, after the class was over and they hid in a dark alcove in the corridor. Being cautious, Hermione casted a silencing charm around them, even though the corridor was near empty.

"I can see that." Lavender said. "Why?"

"From what I heard: Potter's father stole Professor Snape's girlfriend, during their Hogwarts days."

"Oh my!" Lavender gasped, "And he's been harboring a grudge ever since?"

"As you've witnessed."

"Wow! I mean...He must've really loved her...After all these years..." Lavender said, thinking back to Snape's cold eyes, glaring at Potter. "Did you know how she was like?" She asked, curious at what kind of woman would a person like Snape fall in love with.

"A red headed Muggle born, my uncle says." Hermione replied, translating from what her uncle actually said. The red headed, Mud blood whore shattered Snape's heart to bits...

"And her personality?"

"I wasn't told much else. But..."

"But what?"

"I heard," Hermione paused, "it was Potter's mother."

"REALLY!" Lavender exclaimed.

"Granger!"

Both witches jumped, then turned around and spotted their Herbology professor advancing towards them.

"Leave." Hermione commanded.

Without a word, Lavender disappeared down the corridor before Sprout reached Hermione.

"Hello professor." Hermione kindly greeted her.

"I need you to give this to Professor Quirrell." She said, handing her bucket of garlic and left.

Hermione figure she was in a hurry to do something, that's why Sprout told her to make the delivery instead. As she entered the classroom, Hermione couldn't help but cover her nose from the offending odor and it wasn't just the garlic. At that moment, Hermione realized something as she held up the bucket of garlic and stared at it. Was the garlic's scent meant to cover up something in the room? Now that she thought about it, there was a rumor that Quirrell stuffed his classroom, as well as his turban, full of garlic to ward off a vampire he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days. She didn't believe any of it. Her uncle taught her to not believe everything she heard without solid evidence.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Hermione closed the door behind her and placed the bucket on his desk. She hid herself under a student's desk and waited for him to come and receive the bucket. After waiting a few minutes, Professor Quirrell emerged from his private quarters. He spotted the bucket and grinned.

Hermione watched as his hands reached for the bucket and then his entire body went stiff. Right before that, Hermione thought she heard something, a voice maybe?

"C-Come out, I k-know you're there."

Seeing as she was she caught, Hermione crawled her out from under the desk and dusted her robes.

"Sorry, sir." She apologized, staring at her feet. "I was curious, that's all."

"I-It's a-all right." He said, smiling down at her, and waving her off. "N-Now off you go." He told her as his eye twitched.

Hermione nodded and left the room, but returned seconds later when she realized she had forgotten her school bag.

"Who was it?" Hermione heard a high pitch voice asked, more like hissed.

"A nosy little Mud blood." Quirrell answered clearly, without his usual stutter.

Hermione opened the door just a creak to see who Quirrell was speaking too, but the angle she was at didn't allow her the view.

"You fool! She's at the door!" Shouted the voice.

Hearing the voice, Hermione shut the door and tried to make a run for it. But Quirrell caught her by the sleeve and pulled her into the room and violently threw her on the floor, slamming the door shut. He took out his wand and pointed at Hermione.

"Kill her!" screamed the voice, but no one else was in the room and it seemed to be coming from Quirrell himself.

"You're a Death Eater aren't you?" Hermione asked as she sat on the floor, her gazed instantly fell on his wrist for confirmation.

He didn't bare the tattoo as Hermione's parents and uncles did, but at this moment Quirrell's cold, amusing eyes reminded her very much of her Uncle Barty's whenever they played Hangman. She always wondered why he loved the game so much then… but she knows why now. He was a lunatic.

"Yes, I am." He replied, his wand never wavering from her small form. "Very clever of you Mud bl-"

"Pure blood." Hermione corrected him.

Quirrell inclined his head and stared at Hermione as she lifted herself off the floor and causally dusted her robes as if she was use to being in the presents of a Death Eater, which she was.

"Pure blood?" Quirrell repeated. "How are you a pure blood, Granger?

"Lestrange." Hermione stated before she could stop herself, pulling the chain from under her collar she revealed to him, her locket for verification. "My dad's."

Quirrell gazed at the silver locket without recognition and kept his wand pointed at her.

"Slippery Lucius." The voice suddenly chuckled. "Very sneaky..."

"Master?"

"It's true. She's a Lestrange."

"Lestrange?" Quirrell said as the voice continued to laugh. "Lestrange!" he shouted, his eyes widen as he looked down at Hermione. "I-I didn't know!" he stuttered, quickly putting his wand away. "Your parent!" he exclaimed as he took her hand and shook it. "Wow! A Lestrange!"

Hermione arched her eyebrow and wanted to take a step back, but didn't, because she didn't want to appear cowardly to this Death Eater, who was obvious was a fan of her parents... A big one...

"I-I can't believe this! I got to meet a Lestrange!"

Hermione pressed her lips together and studied the professor. He was beaming, and excited at having met a person of the Lestrange family. Hermione took a step back, since he looked about ready to do cartwheels. I hope he doesn't... She'd raced out of this room in a heartbeat if he does.

"I-I'm sorry about earlier. I-I didn't know!" He said, giving her a toothy smile.

Hermione smiled back to be polite and she didn't want to provoke him. For she knew that if she were to ever meet anyone, anywhere, who's a fan of her parents; he or she was clearly dangerous.

"It's all right." Hermione said calmly.

"I should have known - you're so intelligent and -"

"Couldn't have come at a better time." replied the voice.

"Yes master, yes!" Quirrell said excitedly, "She can help us."

%

As she prepared for their first flying lesson, Hermione thought back to what Quirrell ordered her to do. No matter what, she had to lead Potter to a chamber on the third-floor, where Dumbledore was hiding an item he was planning to get. She wasn't told what the item was, only that she had to take Potter there. Sighing, Hermione sat on her bed, waiting for Lavender, who signaled to her from across the classroom that she needed to talk to her.

"I saw them - Potter and Weasley - walking to the hut, the Gamekeeper's hut, near the forest, and followed them." Lavender told her. "They were complaining about Professor Snape at first - the Game keeper knows about Professor Snape and Potter's mother and didn't want to tell them. Towards the end, Potter was talking about a piece of parchment he found on the table. Then he said, "That Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday! It might have happened while we were there!" I'm not sure what that means, any ideas."

"None yet." Hermione answered honestly. "But I think these things are connected."

"Connected? What are you talking about?"

"Professor Quirrell's a Death Eater."

"What?" Lavender exclaimed, "Quirrell? Death Eater? How?"

"I don't know." Hermione shrugged. "But he is. Tried to kill me earlier, when I caught him talking to..."

"Oh my! He tried to kill you?"

"Yes. But as soon as he knew my surname..."

"Why? What did he do?" Lavender grabbed Hermione's arms and examined her for injuries.

"He's a fan of my parents."

Lavender released Hermione and stared at her. "HE'S DERANGED!" As soon as she said it, the witch covered her mouth and quickly apologized. She was indirectly insulting Hermione's parents in saying what she did.

"He is." Hermione agreed.

Sighing in relief, Lavender nodded. "And then what happened?"

"He wants me to aid him and...The Dark Lord...in retrieving an item in the third-floor for him."

"The third-floor? You mean the forbidden corridor there that Professor Dumbledore told us not to go to?"

"Yes." Hermione said, and without a hint of an emotion she said, "I think you should leave this school."

"What?" asked Lavender, uncertain that she heard her right.

"I want you to leave this school."

"I - I - NO!"

"He is here. In the school, hiding somewhere." Hermione told her.

"So?" inquired Lavender, anticipating what Hermione was about to say.

"No one, except us, knows about you. You can leave without suspicion and fake a death and return to your life." Hermione held up the empty flask and offered it to Lavender to put the memory, of what she just revealed to her, in. This was so that if ever someone tries to see into their mind by using Legilimency he or she could not, because the memories were already taken out.

Lavender stared, wide eyed at Hermione, shocked at what she was saying.

"NO!" Lavender declared, "LY, LY PLEASE!" she sobbed, hugging her, "I want to stay with you! Please don't make me leave!"

"Veralidane." Hermione said, her eyes softening for a moment before they were cold and emotionless once again, "Stop. You can stay, but remember this. From now on, you must be more cautious than before and don't let anyone find out what you know."

%

As Hermione made her way to her first flying lesson, she thought of where the darkest wizard who lived was hiding. He was in the dungeons that she was certain of. But she wanted to know where he was when Quirrell was speaking to her. Hermione vividly remembered hearing the high pitched voice coming from Quirrell, but that couldn't be. Quirrell couldn't be...No definitely not...then where is he? The more that she thought about it the more confused she became.

Pushing the thought away, Hermione focused her mind on Draco. He must be excited at the chance to fly and show off his abilities but, now, he's upset because his father owled him and ordered him to return the broom he had sneaked into Hogwarts, home. Lucius claimed it was because he didn't want Draco to get caught and given detention, but in truth he was punishing Draco for his ill behavior with Potter and the fact that he wasn't able to make him his friend. Hermione felt bad about tattling on Draco, but it was all she could do to distract her uncle from the lack of information on Potter she had. But, as of now, Hermione could give her uncle non-Potter related information that she was sure he would want to know. The Dark Lord had returned.

"Well, what are you all waiting for?" barked Madam Hooch. "Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."

Hermione did as she was told and glanced at her fellow schoolmates. They were nervous; all of them, even if some of them were trying really hard not to show it.

"Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say 'Up!'"

Lucius Malfoy always complained about Hogwarts' broomsticks, saying that they were used by the ancients and was of poor quality. Hermione could see what he meant, her broomstick simply rolled over on the ground when she tried to direct it up. Her Uncle Lucius had wanted to purchase a new broom for Hermione to take with her, in case the old brooms cause her any accidents, but he changed his mind and told her to not use the broomsticks there at all. She was supposed to be a poor Muggle born, who knew nothing of good quality magical broomsticks, at least that was the image she was going for.

%

Lavender gasped as she saw Neville fall face down on the ground. She turned to Hermione who appeared to be in shock. Hermione eyes were opened and staring at Neville's battered form. Lavender was worried, for she had never seen that look on Hermione's face before. It was a look of pure terror and disbelief. But as soon as the look appeared it disappeared as Hermione blinked and shook her head.

"No!" Hermione caught herself before she got lost in her outburst. "Madam Hooch told us not to move - you'll get us all into trouble."

But no one seemed care what Hermione was saying, except Lavender. As everyone was distracted by Harry and Draco's little flight; she made her way to Hermione and took her hand.

"I'm fine." Hermione whispered to her.

Lavender shook her head. She doesn't believe her. "Was it about your parents?" she guessed.

"Yes," Hermione replied. "I'll tell you about it later." she promised her and signaled for her to return to her spot on the grass as Professor McGonagall ran toward them and took Harry away.

After Professor McGonagall left the Slytherins began wondering out loud about how she would punish Harry. Hermione was far lost into her own thoughts to pay them much attention, as did Lavender, who was trying to figure out what Hermione was thinking.

%

"I envisioned them," Hermione told Lavender, after their disastrous flying class was over and they were alone. "Neville's parents."

Lavender hugged her. "What happened in the past has nothing to do with you. You are not them."

Hermione remained silent as she let Lavender comfort her.

"I cannot bear to face him..."

"Just don't think about it." Lavender kept repeating to her.

Hermione was silently, forcing herself to forget the image of her parents and uncles, torturing nameless faces out of her mind. Hangman… was what Uncle Barty called it. While her father and uncle called it target practice…

Hermione pulled away from Lavender and took the new violin her Uncle Lucius had purchased for her out of its case and begin drawing the bow across the tightly tuned strings.

Normally, whenever Hermione would play an instrument; it would leave the listener to feel relaxed and soothing. But at the moment, Lavender could only shuddered as the hair in the back of her neck raised and the feel of cold, icy winds brushed past her spine as the music echoed through the room. She didn't have much knowledge of music, but Lavender could tell that Hermione was channeling her emotions through her violin. And it was eerie, frightening...and chilled her to the bone. She was freezing, though she was wearing a cloak.

Lavender wanted to leave the room, but did not want to leave Hermione alone, fearing what the angst witch might do. She knows that Hermione constantly focus her mind on other things to force thoughts of her parents away – no normal child could play so many songs on the lyre before they turned nine as Hermione could. She wished she could help Hermione in this predicament of hers. Things have become quite complicated by Hermione having met the darkest wizard who ever lived, and now they don't know how long they have to continue with their double lives.

"I have to find a way to make Potter go to the third floor." Hermione said as she neatly placed the instrument back in its case.

Lavender knew that Hermione was powerful witch, but she never imagine her having such magic. Just by playing her violin, Hermione was able to decrease the temperature in the room, literally. She could see her breath in the air and the room was blanket in a thin line of frost.

"Y - Y - Yes," squealed Lavender, trying desperately to rub some warmth back in her arms.

%

At first, Hermione couldn't think of any way to make Harry go to the third-floor, but as dinner approached she was met by an out of breath Lavender in the middle of the corridor, who had some very interesting bit of information to tell Hermione.

"Seeker?"

"Yes!" Lavender said, trying to catch her breath, "I... just... heard..."

"Draco will have a fit when he hears this." Hermione said the first thought she had at this news, and then, a sudden idea popped in her head. She took out her quill and a piece of parchment and began drafting her letter to Draco.

"What are you doing?" asked Lavender.

"I found a way for Potter to go to the third-floor." Hermione said as she moved aside for Lavender to see what she was writing.

Dear Draco,

Hello my dear little cousin. I hope you are well in your new school.

Tell me, how are you enjoying that Comet Two Sixty – your trophy - uncle purchased for you?

I am quite enjoying my new Moontrimmer – my trophy. It does fly higher than any one on the Quidditch team here, as promised.

Uncle wouldn't let me join the dueling club that just opened. He fears the wizards here would accidently injure me. How unreasonably unfair of him to love me so much!

I'm very distressed that I have nothing to do but sit around and polish my Moontrimmer, my trophy, and fly it around the castle.

Love you always my future husband

Lavender giggled as she read the last line. "He's going to have a fit for sure."

"That's what I'm hoping for." Hermione said as she folded the parchment.

Every sentence in her letter was meant to provoke Draco in one way or another. The first line was an obvious indication. Draco hates it when she calls him little, just because he's a hair shorter than her. She reminded him of how scared he was of going to Hogwarts, and his Comet Two Sixty, which was recently taken away from him, was sure to cause him to have a few nasty tantrums. And she made certain to rub in the fact that she was enjoying her new broom and how much his father cared for her. She wrote of a made up dueling club to plant the idea in his head to challenge someone to a duel. She also used the word trophy multiple timesto make him think of the trophy room, which is on the third-floor.

%

Draco had never disappointed Hermione. She and Lavender watched as everything went according to plan. Now, all that's left was for her to make sure Harry goes to his appointment.

"Excuse me." Hermione said, getting Harry and Ron's attention.

"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?" said Ron, but Hermione ignored him, focusing her attention on Harry.

"I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying -"

"Bet you couldn't," Ron muttered.

"- and you mustn't go wondering around the school at night, think of the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's selfish of you." Hermione said in the bossiest and whining tone she could muster.

The boys rudely departed from her annoying presence and left her at the table. Hermione's eyes light up at the determined look on their faces. If Draco ever taught her one thing; it was that the more you try to stop a boy from doing something, the more he'll want to do it.

%

"A three-headed dog?" Lavender gasped.

Hermione nodded. "Yes."

"So that's why it was forbidden." Lavender said to herself. "The professors are keeping a dangerous indoor pet away from the students so they can train it for -"

"Lavender." Hermione stopped her before her mind began to wonder to non-related subjects.

"Yes?"

"The dog is kept to guard something." Hermione said, bring out a cut off article of the Daily Prophet from her bag, "I believe it has something to do with this."

Lavender took the parchment and read the article. "The break-in in Gringotts!"

"Nothing was missing, because the vault was emptied right before the robbery. I believe the item was placed in Hogwarts and it is what the dog is guarding and what he wants."

"I don't understand." Lavender muttered.

"You don't understand what?"

"Why the greatest dark wizard," she quoted from most of the articles she had read about him, "can't get the item himself? Why does he need Potter?"

"I think Potter is meant to be back up. In case he can't get the item, he uses Potter as a hostage and threatens Professor Dumbledore to give it to him. Or he kills him." Hermione finished nonchalantly.

Lavender would have been unsettled by this, if she wasn't so use to Hermione's nonchalant tone, when speaking of unusual subjects.

"By the way, I received a reply from Draco." Hermione said, giving Lavender the parchment.

Dear Evil cousin,

Why are you owling me?

Stop it.

D

Lavender burst into laughter at Draco's words. "Bet it took him all night to come up with this!"

"Probably." Hermione shrugged, "Think I should reply?"

"Defiantly!" Lavender exclaimed. She loved how easily Hermione could rattle Draco up.

Hermione took out a quill and began composing her reply.

Dear Draco,

Do you really want me to start calling you that? D?

If that's what you want, from this day forward I shall call you Little D, or do you prefer Big D?

Reply soon,

PS: I prefer Supreme Evil cousin, if you'll please.

Minutes after Hermione owled her letter, she received Draco's reply.

Dear Supreme Evil cousin,

I HATE YOU!

Don't reply,

PS: Call me Draco.

Hermione and Lavender held their sides as they laughed.

%

"End of lesson, class dismiss." announced McGonagall, waving the students out.

Hermione waited until she saw the last person leave before she approached her professor's desk.

"Granger?" said McGonagall, looking up from her paperwork.

"Professor..." Hermione hesitated, "Is it all right if I..."

"Speak up, I can barely understand you." McGonagall said, gazing at Hermione over her glasses.

Hermione flushed and stuttered her words, "May-may I sp-speak to you about...about what had - has re-recently happened -"

"Yes, out with it. What is it that has happened to you?"

Hermione took a deep breath and asked, "Professor, I have some questions I would like to ask you, may I?"

"Yes." McGonagall answered her, "Lessons or homework?"

"Neither...I have questions of a...a feminine nature." Hermione murmured while staring down at her feet.

McGonagall stared at Hermione for several minutes before she began blinking again after she understood her meaning. She looked at the timid young witch and said, "I..." she coughed, "I think Madam Pomfrey - you should see Madam Pomfrey for those - um - questions of yours. She can explain them better than I."

"But professor...I want to ask you..." Hermione turned her gaze from her feet and looked up at the elder witch. "I've come so...so far from home...my mother...I want to ask her...but she isn't here - if only she were here. I can ask her but she's not - I don't want to ask her over an owl - I – you're the closet thing that I have to one." Hermione finished slyly.

The elder's eyes soften at Hermione's words; she took out piece of parchment. "Would you like to speak with your mother in person, dear?"

Hermione lowered her eyes and smiled anxiously, "May I?"

"Of course you may." McGonagall said, signing the parchment and handing it to her.

Hermione thanked her professor before she left the classroom. With the permission from her Head of House, Hermione could arrange a meeting with her Uncle Lucius and inform him of her meeting of his old dark lord.

%

Hermione studied her uncle's impassive face after she had revealed to him that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was not dead, and was hiding out in Hogwarts. He was shocked at first, but that disappeared as soon as it came and was replaced with his usual impassive one.

"He's back..." Lucius murmured, gazing down at Hermione, who was sitting in front of his desk.

"Yes," Hermione answered. "I didn't see him in person, but I heard his voice."

"How did you meet him again? Are you certain it was him?"

"I didn't meet him in person, but I heard his voice." Hermione repeated, "He was in the room with me, yet I couldn't see him… And he knew about you."

Lucius noticeably flinched at this knowledge.

"He knew, before I even said anything. Also, he wants me to help him retrieve an item."

"An item?"

"He has not told me of yet."

"Do as he says." Lucius ordered her, without showing a hint of worry for her wellbeing, "I am confident, he shall inform you of all the information you need, soon enough."

***

Some situations, events, and dialogue taken from JK Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" Chapter 7 - 9
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Hermione