Disclaimer: All the following characters, settings etc belong to J.K Rowling.
Hermione felt her headache building as Snape and McGonagall were discussing the details of what was to happen during Hermiones upcoming 6th year at Hogwarts. A change, a massive intolerable change.
"They won't be accepting of her into their territory, and I most certainly won't be either Minerva. You should know this, they'll crucio her before even thinking about it if they see her there."
"Albus' wishes, Severus and I must go along with what he has ordered," the elder witch began in a normal tone before switching to a more hushed voice, meant only for Snape to hear, "We both know what he's planning to use the boy for, and we both know the vow you made. She could help save him, this may be the only way to have it work."
McGonagalls words had an obvious effect on Snape, as his face showed a look or defeat as he sighed and began to agree to the terms of which the change was to follow. After discussing a few more things in hushed voices, Snape turned to speak to Hermione directly.
"And you. I don't know what Dumbledore is thinking sending you into the dungeons" he started, walking closer to Granger, "But I cannot and will not ensure you the corporation of my house, or that I will make them corporate with your presence, or blood status, but I do expect you to be good enough of a witch to defend yourself if needed. Welcome to the house of the serpent Miss Granger" Snape finished in his usual, dreary voice. and with that, he turned on his heel and exited the room.
"Miss Granger, you do know this is for the best?" McGonagall started, "And I can ensure you I will try my best to keep you unharmed during this event. " Hermione simply nodded at the elder witch as they entered the great hall.
McGonagall had been worried ever since Albus had come up with this idea. He was well aware of the Dark Lords plans to use Draco to kill him, and evidently be the inside help he needed to attack Hogwarts, but Dumbledore also had his own idea of getting inside help.
"To our first years, Welcome to Hogwarts! And to our second years and up, welcome back!" Dumbledore exclaimed to the great hall on their first day of the new school year. "Now, first I'd like to address something new that has been decided to happen this year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began as the great hall suddenly began to fill with anticipation, "There is no question that there is tension going on between all houses at this point in time, therefore, to promote house unity a member from each house has been selected to switch houses for the school year.". With this there was a sudden uproar from the crowd, some students excited cheering, others protesting.
"Settle down," he began again with a smile "The students who will be switching have already been informed and were each picked for individual reasons. Starting tomorrow, the students that have switched houses will act as if they are a complete part of the house they are put in for the year, no matter how temporary that house is or not. And with that, enjoy your feast!"
Hermione suddenly felt uneasy hearing Dumbledore's 'reasoning' for the switching of students into other houses. While Hermione knew Dumbledore did want house unity, that was just a facade he put up so his speech didn't sound like "Draco Malfoy is giving the Dark Lord inside help and had been ordered to kill me, so I'm sending Hermione to the dungeons for the year to keep us and the Order informed, and to try to change Draco's mind and prove him wrong" she could only imagine the up-roaring that would cause among the Slytherins and Gryffindors.
After the feast and catching up with her fellow Gryffindors, the golden trio headed up to the common room for the rest of the evening. Hermione had slowly zoned out of the Quidditch based conversation and had retreated to her own thoughts. She was going into the snakes lair, unprepared and unprotected, unless you consider McGonagalls 'reinsurance' that she'd try to keep her safe protection.
Not that Hermione was typically one to doubt the elder witch, but she had seemed very worried for Hermione, and how could she protect Hermione while she was in the dungeons anyways?
Slowly zoning back into the conversation at the sound of her name, Hermione turned to face her two best friends "What?" she replied, not hearing the first part of Harrys sentence. "We were talking about how we're going to need to get back at Malfoy for that stunt he pulled on Harry on the train" Ron answered her, "You alright 'Mione?" he asked when he got a good look at the worried expression she had painted on her face.
"McGonagall and Dumbledore picked me to switch houses" she said with a worried tone. "Oh, well that should be interesting. What house do you reckon you're going to? Ravenclaw?" Harry asked with the trace of a smile on his lips.
"No.. they're sending me to Slytherin" Hermione said slowly.
"They'll kill you, that nasty bunch of snakes!" Ron said angrily, getting red in the face "They're putting your life at risk here Hermione you do realize that? You can't just go along with this like nothings wrong."
"Ya know Ron's right Hermione, you can't be living with the snakes all year, who knows what they'll plan against you." Harry said with a concerned look on his face.
Hermione started to explain the plan to Harry and Ron much as McGonagall had when she first told Hermione that she would be switching over the Slytherin for the year, and how badly they needed her help.
After an hour or so more of discussing plans to get Hermione out of being a Slytherin for the time being, they then went on to discussing plans of all the horrid things Hermione could do to Malfoy whilst living among him and the other Slytherins.
The time passed by much faster than she had wished for it to, seeing as this would be her last night spent by the warm Gryffindor fire with Ron and Harry, and that starting tomorrow, she would find herself in the cold, Slytherin common room with intolerable Slytherins.
Hermione was awake by Professor McGonagall earlier than the rest of Hogwarts, apart from Hannah Abbott, Luna Lovegood and one of the Carrow sisters, who were also meant to be participating in the switching of houses. Along with them were the other heads of houses.
"Now, all of your belongings are currently being transferred to your new dormitories and should be there when you arrive. These," she said as she handed all 4 girls new robes "Will be your new robes. Wear your new house colors with pride" she finished. Hermione made a mental note of the robes each girl received. For Hannah Gryffindor robes, Luna received Hufflepuff robes, the Carrow sister received Ravenclaw robes, and for Hermione, Slytherin robes. "Now, if you'd please put on your new robes and follow the head of your new house to your new common room." As McGonagall finished, Hermione found herself struggling to catch up with Snape, who was hastily making his way toward the dungeons.
"Miss Granger" he said with a head nod, making note of her presence behind him. Snape stopped at a portrait and turned to Hermione, "I expect you're a smart enough of a girl to memorize the password. I don't expect anyone in my house to be willing to tell you the password if forgotten, let alone, let you back in." Snape said in his usual dull tone. Snape turned on his heel back to the portrait "Caldis", and the portrait swung open to reveal the common room.
Despite the fire that was currently in the fireplace, the Slytherin common room was much colder and far more gloomy than Hermione had pictured it. She then realized why Slytherins were so nasty; they had to live in here.
"The 6th year girls dormitory is up those stairs, and to the right." Snape stated before he quickly left, seeming eager to be absent of Hermiones presence.
Hermione followed the spiral staircase up and to the right as Snape had instructed her. She slowly and quietly entered the 6th year girls dormitory. She tiptoed over to the bed at the end of the room, which held her trunk in front of it, and a letter waiting on her new bed.
Miss Granger,
I am most sorry for having to put you in this situation, and am very grateful you understand why this is a necessary. What is also necessary is that I have set up certain precautions to keep you safe during your stay with the Slytherins.
Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall.
Just as Hermione put the letter away, she became aware of the time. The rest of the girls would soon be getting up, and she wasn't ready to face the Slytherins more than needed. Hastily, she grabbed her things and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Hermione soon found herself in the Great Hall for breakfast, sitting alone at the Slytherin table. There hadn't been many others from her year at the table when she arrived, besides the other Carrow twin and Theo Nott. Sitting as far away from them as possible, but not too close to the 7th years, Hermione began to read one of her books and eat, hoping nobody would disturb her. Across the hall, she could see her Gryffindor friends chatting happily to their new addition to the Gryffindor table, Hannah Abbott. Hermione mentally wished that she could have switched with more friendly people, then maybe she'd feel more comfortable about switching houses for the year.
Slowly, the Slytherin table began to fill with the rest of the house. Hermione found herself awkwardly across from Daphne Greengrass, and next to Blaise Zabini, who was the only barrier that was between herself and Malfoy.
Malfoy was itching just from her being so close to him. He could almost feel her making his pure blood infested with her dirty blood. He wasn't sure how he was going to put up with Granger this year. It was bad enough having to see her around the school and in his classes with the Gryffindorks, but this was intolerable. And to make matters worse, Snape had actually asked him to play nice with the little mudblood for the time being. Draco snickered to himself, wondering if he was even capable of playing nice with any Gryffindors, let alone the bushy-haired book worm.