Second-Name basis

Hermione stood outside Madame Malkin's shop, head high. She wasn't the type to be nervous while coming into a clothes shop. She had always disrespected the drama-lovers that shook while doing the slightest things. Not her. She oozed confidence.

The only reason Hermione Granger was waiting outside, was that the two measuring stools were full. It would be sheer stupidity to step in, only to wait for her measuring where the customers, her future peers, can see her. No, Hermione Granger did analysis secretly. And she was already searching for possible alliances and enemies for her first year in Hogwarts.

HERMIONE'S ANALYSIS #1

The black-haired boy has obviously grown in the muggle world, just like me. He is clueless as he is talking to the second boy. He seems quite uncomfortable, though. Probably holding back a secret, something that would grant him a different kind of attention. He seems quite uncomfortable with his fringe.

The white-haired boy is quite obviously a pureblood. The quality of clothes, the high-and-mighty aura, all matches. I am quite likely I already read half of these books. Judging by his white hair, he is probably a Malfoy. He seems quite a bragger, but I believe he is a politician underneath. We shall see, the clueless boy is leaving. Did he not think that reading a few books will help? Idiot.

POSSIBLE FAKE ALLIANCE: CLUELESS BOY

One of the boys started getting ready to go in the shop window. Better get in. Hermione didn't like, no, didn't value, getting caught analysing. Other people didn't value catching her analysing, either. She stepped in the shop, just on time for the clueless boy to step out of it, walking towards what seemed like a half-giant. Straining her memory, she remembered. The man was probably Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper. If he was here, then the boy was quite obviously a special case. She needed to get to know him, and quick.

She turned around to fetch her parents from the nearest display.

"I'm going in to the measuring, mum. You should probably stay outside, but I'd prefer if you were near the shop. Please?"

"Sure thing, sweetheart. I'm sure we will have plenty to look at while you get measured for robes." she was already inching towards the magical tape display in the window.

"I'm sure you will. I'll see you guys later." although her parents' behaviour sickened her, she could not help be fascinated by the tapes, which were currently busy urgently measuring the entire stand. By themselves. But she could not let her calm expression down. She was standing before a tactical opponent, who was assessing her skills at the very minute. Flows would not be appreciated greatly.

"Hello, Miss. I expect you want to be measured for Hogwarts robes?" Madame Malkin had startled Hermione, who was busy organising her thoughts.

"Yes, of course. Is it possible to do it right now?"

"Why, of course, my dear! Let me get my tools, and I will be back in a second. Try not to fight, you two, will you?" Hermione winced at the obvious answer. Look at her, asking the most stupid, oblivious questions she had ever heard. And all to get a woman out of a room without upsetting her. The boy did not seem to mind, though.

"Hello, Mudblood." he said, sniggering.

"How dare you call me a Mudblood?" Hermione replied promptly. She was now playing along.

"You obviously are one."

"And you obviously aren't, are you? Well, I see no problem with being a Mudblood, as you call it. It's all the same in Hogwarts."

"I expect you also really wish you will be in Griffindor."

"It's better than being in Slytherin, which is clearly where you're headed."

"Do you have any problem with me being in Slytherin?"

"Not really. Do you have a problem with me being in Griffindor?"

"Not much, no."

"I guess we're even, then."

"Until one of us proves otherwise."

"Indeed. My name is Hermione Granger. You must be a Malfoy?"

"Draco Malfoy, pleased to meet you, Miss Granger."

"You too, Malfoy." She bent over to shake his hand, which he could not move because of the pins pinning down measurements for his robes.

"I will see you on the train then, Granger."

"You too, Malfoy."

At that, right before Madame Malkin came back and silenced them, the two most intelligent students-to-be of Hogwarts made an unspoken pact, and when you don't speak, you can't lie.