Hey, thanks for all the reviews, story alerts and favourites for this story. This is my first time writing a Harry Potter story, so I wasn't sure how it will be received. And now, to answer a few questions. To midnight glade, I'm not angry, so don't worry. I admit that I've probably made Hilda a little too OOC for your liking, but she had been brought up by Ethan, a rather eccentric and kind-hearted vampire, but still a vampire nonetheless, and thus, she will be very different from canon. Also, I'm very much aware that I've practically transformed Hilda into a completely different person because of the blood ritual, but trust me, it's required for the story. You'll see why later. And I've never really liked Dumbledore because of all the manipulations that I've felt he had been doing throughout the entire Harry Potter series, and there will be bashing for him in this story…a lot.
Also, as to why Ethan told Lucius and Severus about Hilda…as a vampire, and not just any vampire, but the younger son of the High Lord of a vampire clan, he could sniff out lies and read a human and some vampires like an open book, and he could tell that he could trust them both. Furthermore, Hilda is a good judge of character, and he trusts Hilda's judgement completely, and thus, those were just some of the reasons why he told Lucius and Severus about Hilda. And not to mention that he knew that those two aren't avid fans of Dumbledore.
As for the House, actually, I was thinking of putting Hilda in Ravenclaw with Hermione, but majority of you voted for Slytherin. The Hilda of my story will be rather neutral right from the beginning, not exactly on either side until something major happens down the road, and if I put Hilda in Slytherin, it will be like she will be siding towards Voldemort's side right from the beginning. Hilda's personality in this story is a little like Hermione: a bookworm and avid reader, always having a book with her, yet she'll rather keep out of the spotlight in class and rarely talks unless it's with her close friends or family. Also, to all Cho Chang lovers, I'm very sorry, but she's going to go through some major bashing when she makes an appearance during Hilda's third year. You'll see why.
And to EDelta88, I hadn't heard from you for some time now, and sorry for not updating one of my stories recently which is one of your challenges. Thank you for your review, by the way, and yes, I've read the entire Twilight series…which is like nearly a year ago. Why?
Warnings: Dumbledore bashing. Weasley bashing. Siding with Voldemort fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me
Chapter Two: First Friends
Starlight's Hall
Knockturn Alley
"Excuse me?" Hilda Evans looked incredulously at Ethan as she was busy cleaning some wine glasses with a cloth. It was closing time for Starlight's Hall, and the house elves were cleaning the bar whilst Ethan and herself were cleaning some glasses and plates for the customers the next day.
Ethan Nightwing looked rather sheepish as he repeated his sentence. "I would like to invite Lucius and Severus to the Samhain festival held in another two weeks which will be held at the Dark Forest this year," he said. "Father and Eric would like to see two of my human friends, and I know that they can be trusted to hold their tongues about what actually happens during the Samhain festivals. And Lucius wanted to introduce you to his son. He mentioned something about telling his son about you, and that it's about time that his son had some friends his own age."
Hilda was silent as she resumed the cleaning of the glasses and plates. The meeting between them and Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape was nearly four months back, and they have practically gotten on like a house on fire with the two men. The raven haired girl knew as well that Lucius had a son around her age, and the blonde man had mentioned that his son was extremely shy and quiet, and didn't have many friends – scratch that, he didn't have any friends.
The children of Lucius' friends were more interested in sucking up to the Malfoy heir which is something that Lucius' son could see from a mile away, and thus, the boy didn't have any friends his own age which is the reason why Lucius had wanted to introduce his son to her for months now. But every single time that he wanted to introduce his son to her, it's either that his son couldn't tag along with Lucius to Starlight's Hall, or Hilda happens to be away from the bar on some errand and couldn't manage to meet him. Hilda had also met Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius' wife, and the blonde woman had taken a liking to Hilda and is quite fond of her.
Privately, Ethan had thought to himself that Lucius had something else in mind when he wanted to introduce his son to Hilda, but they were still too young for that! Or maybe Ethan is just thinking too much about things…
"Are you seriously sure that it's okay bringing humans to the Samhain festival?" asked Hilda at last. "It's the night when the bloodlust of all vampires were at their strongest. They'll be snack for them if they're not careful. Literally."
The Samhain festival is commonly known as the 'festival of the dead', held when the moon is at the highest in the sky, and every year on this day, vampires from all over would gather together to 'party' or something, and it also serves to know exactly who is the High Prince of Princess of the individual vampire clans. It is also the night when the powers of the vampires were at their strongest, and unfortunately, their bloodlust is at their strongest as well.
There are always humans at the Samhain festivals, but those humans are brought as 'meal' for the vampires to feed on. Very few humans are actually invited as guests to the festivals as the vampires like to keep their rituals quiet and known only among their own kind. So far, Hilda is the only human who knew the ways of the vampires' inside-out as she was brought up by one. Hilda had been to every single Samhain festival ever since Ethan had found her as it is the one festival that Ethan couldn't miss out on, but as technically, she was 'blood adopted' by the Eastern vampire clan, no vampire can touch her, and according to Ethan and Eric, her scent is 'dark' as well, like she's half-vampire or something, and thus, no vampire will feed on her.
"Father and Eric wanted to meet them," said Ethan with a shrug. "I think that they'll be alright as long as they stick close to my side. Like Eric and my father and the members of the other royal vampire clans, I can control my bloodlust pretty well. As long as they don't wander off by themselves, it should be alright."
Hilda sighed. "I don't know about that," she said hesitantly. "Only Lucius and Severus?"
"And Lucius' son." Ethan piped in.
Hilda sighed.
XXXXXX
Draco Malfoy looked around with wide gray eyes, all the while clutching at his father's hand tightly with his godfather standing on his other side. All three males were dressed in their finest robes so as to not offend the vampires who were normally known as a very proud race.
The surroundings were pretty impressive.
Ethan Nightwing, the vampire owner of the inn-cum-bar that his father had often brought him to in the hopes of introducing him to a new friend which had unfortunately failed each and every single time, had met Lucius, Draco and Severus at the entrance of some unknown village before he had taken them deep into the Dark Forest by the path that only the vampires can see before leading them to where the Samhain festival would be held.
The homes and territories of the vampires have always been kept hidden by some ancient vampire magic so that no human or wizard will be able to see or find it unless the vampires will it otherwise. It had been especially true after the war when the non-humans were practically hunted down by wizards.
Just over the treetops of the surrounding trees, Draco can see the distinct outline of a castle which his father had told him was the home of the Eastern vampire clan. Several trees were cleared out in this part of the forest that they were currently in, and it reminded Draco awfully of some campfire dance that he'd only seen out of fantasy books that he'd read when he was a little younger.
A gigantic bonfire was set up in the middle, and there were also four silvery-blue columns set up in each corner of this part of the forest that they were in, shining mysteriously in the moonlight, representing the power of the moon and the vampires. There were also a couple of humans mingling around. A few were the 'meal' for the vampires that night, but a few of the humans were dressed in formal robes which Draco knew represented their ranks as Potions Masters or Mistresses, and a few were even Master Sorcerers, Mind Walkers or even Master Necromancers. In other words, highly-skilled wizards or witches who were well-associated with the powers of the dark and the moon.
The vampires were all gathering now, and Draco was a tad bit nervous as several vampires glanced at him hungrily, their crimson orbs shining in the glare of the fire and the moon before spotting Ethan with him and his father before looking away quickly.
"Ethan."
The adults all turned as High Lord Elton and High Prince Eric of the Eastern vampire clan approached Ethan, Lucius and Severus. Like Ethan, Elton and Eric were both dressed in black cloaks with silver clasps, and beneath it, they wore a long sleeved black shirt and black pants with boots made out of dragon hide, though there were silver markings to the cloaks of both Elton and Eric to signify their status, and Eric bore the mark of the Eastern vampire clan on his cloak to signify his status as a member of the royal vampire clan.
"Father." Ethan crossed his right arm over his chest as a form of greeting to his father before nodding to his brother. "Eric."
"Ethan." Eric nodded to his younger brother before a smile broke out on his face. "Welcome home." He then took glances around before turning back towards his brother. "Where's Hilda? I don't see her around. She's usually with you."
"She's at the lake," said Ethan. "Where she usually is during the Samhain festivals."
"I would like to see her though," said Elton thoughtfully. He then noticed Lucius and Severus before smiling a very small smile. "And who are these gentlemen?"
"They're my friends," said Ethan. "Misters Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape."
"Ah yes. You've mentioned them more than once," said Elton, turning towards the two startled men and nodding to them. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My son has nothing but praises for you both. Welcome to the Samhain Festival."
"The pleasure's all mine," said Lucius, bowing politely to Elton to show his respect to the vampire High Lord. "Ethan has helped me and my friend out several times. It's an honour to be invited to the Samhain festival."
Eric laughed, and even Elton smiled slightly. The High Prince then glanced skywards before turning back towards his father. "Father. We should begin the festival soon. It's the witching hour."
"So it is," remarked Elton, glancing skywards at the moon before turning back to his son and his two wizard friends. "Ethan. Gentleman. I shall take your leave." He nodded to them. "May the Goddess watch your steps."
"And may she guide you in the shadows." Ethan replied, bowing slightly to his father before both his father and elder brother departed.
"So that's High Lord Elton," said Lucius as Elton and Eric departed. "I can see why he's the leader of one of the most influential and powerful vampire clans in existence. He's…fairly intimidating."
Ethan laughed. "Everyone who meets him for the first time says that," he said.
Severus then happened to glance around just then before freezing in shock and turning towards Lucius. "Lucius. Where's Draco?" he asked urgently.
Lucius' eyes widened in shock before glancing down at his side only to notice that his son was no longer by his side clutching at his robes which is what he had been doing several moments earlier. "Draco?" Lucius looked left and right, panic visible in his eyes. "Where is he? I told him not to leave my side!"
"Lucius, we have to find him quickly," said Ethan urgently whilst looking around as well. "If he wanders around without a vampire escort…he might very well get mistaken as 'snack'. We have to find him. Quickly."
Lucius and Severus both nodded before tagging after Ethan as they weaved in and out through the hordes of vampires gathered around, listening to Elton's speech as he addresses the gathered vampires before the festival actually commences.
"…My friends. A new night has come. A new Samhain. Another night during which the shadows will roam the earth freely…"
Draco Malfoy was lost.
He had gotten bored as his father and godfather have both conversed deeply with the vampire High Lord and the High Prince and had wandered off by himself, forgetting his father's strict instructions to not leave his side unless he wants to be 'eaten'.
And now, he was truly and utterly lost, among some of the vampires who were listening to the speech of the vampire High Lord as he said something about Samhain and shadows which Draco do not understand. And as he was looking around for his father and godfather, he caught what the High Lord was saying:
"My friends. The time has come. The witching hour close approaches. The time when the powers of the dark and the moon of the vampires are at their strongest. We have all waited for this day. Now, my friends. Let the feast begin!"
Draco froze. Oh shit.
Even though he's currently only nine years old, he knew enough about the wizarding world and the vampires to know that 'feast' meant 'feeding on blood' in vampire language. And if he doesn't get out of here fast, he's going to be their meal.
Draco looked left and right frantically, searching for an escape route, but to no avail. As he was seriously about to convulse, he then felt a tug on his hand, and turned only to see a raven haired girl with red-blue eyes around his age standing behind him, wearing a white long sleeved shirt with a black shirt worn over it and black jeans with blue and white sneakers, and unlike most of the people currently present, she don't seem to be a vampire.
"Come." The girl instructed, keeping her voice low.
Draco stared. "You're…"
"Don't say anything," said the girl in a low voice. "Keep quiet and follow me."
Draco nodded meekly and followed the girl. What other choice does he have? If he doesn't listen to the girl, he will be treated as 'snack' by the other vampires.
The girl led him away from the site of the Samhain festival where the sounds and cheers grew softer until Draco could barely hear them, and it was then that the girl stopped, also releasing her hold on his hand. The night view in this part of the forest that the girl had brought him in was beautiful with the hundreds and billions of glittery stars in the velvety night sky, and a lake was even visible, with the reflection of the stars shining in the dark waters of the lake.
The girl sighed and turned towards Draco. "Are you Draco Malfoy? Lucius' Malfoy's son?" Draco nodded dumbly, wondering how in the name of Merlin did the girl knew his name. "I'm Hilda. Hilda Evans. I guessed that your father did mention about me?"
Draco can only stare. So this is the girl that his father had wanted to introduce to him for months now. She don't seem at all like all the other girls that he'd met so far who only wanted to befriend him for his family's wealth and name.
"So…you're Hilda Evans?" he asked slowly. "N-Nice to meet you."
Hilda nodded. "Likewise," she said. She then sighed. "You shouldn't be wandering around the Samhain festival without a vampire escort. You would have died had one of the vampires lost control of their bloodlust and fed on you. Tonight is the night when their bloodlust is at their strongest."
Draco can only stare. "W-What?"
Hilda sighed. "Tonight is the Samhain festival," she explained. "The festival of the dead. You're lucky that I managed to get you away in time, or you would be snack for the vampires. Literally. It's also a time when the various vampire clans introduced their High Prince or Princess to the other vampires. Think of them as the future rulers of their individual clans. The position of High Prince or High Princess of a vampire clan comes with power and responsibilities. The stronger that they are, the more powerful that their clan will be."
Draco nodded slowly, having heard about this from his father. Something struck him just then, and he looked at Hilda. "You don't seem to be a vampire as well," he said. "Wouldn't they attack you?"
Hilda laughed and shook her head. "Don't worry about it," she said. "They wouldn't dare hurt me. I've been coming to the Samhain festival for years now. I'm blood adopted by the Nightwing clan – the rulers of the Eastern vampire clans."
Draco nodded slowly. His father had told him about this girl: that she's supposedly the missing Girl-Who-Lived. Why his father had told him this, he'll never know. But he knew enough to keep his big mouth shut, especially because Albus Dumbledore is still searching for her, and his godfather had told him that the Girl-Who-Lived who is known as Hilda Evans now isn't exactly a fan of Dumbledore and the Light. He might be young, but he's definitely not stupid.
Besides…
Draco had taken quite a liking to this girl despite only knowing her for a few minutes, and hoped that they could become friends. Despite how much he refuses to admit it, he is extremely lonely, and had been longing for a friend who would befriend him because of what he is rather than who he is.
"It's pretty here," said Draco, looking around him before blinking as little balls of lights could be seen floating around them just then. At first glance, he had assumed them to be fireflies before he studied them closely and realised just what they are. "Are those…faeries?"
Hilda smiled and nodded, holding one hand out, and one of the balls of light landed on her fingertip. "That's right," she said. "I'm surprised that you knew of them. Being able to see the faeries is a rare sight. Especially because the faeries don't really like humans. I'm an exception as I've practically grown up with the vampires."
Draco nodded slowly, having heard about this from his father. He stared as the ball of light on Hilda's hand floated off, and she sighed before turning towards Draco. "Let's go and find your father and godfather," she said. "I'm sure that they must be worried."
"Draco! Where have you been?"
Draco Malfoy winced as he was suddenly engulfed into a bear hug by his ashen-faced father who is acting extremely…un-Malfoy-like. And who could blame him? If your one and only son had came close to being 'eaten' alive by vampires, you would be scared and frightened too.
"I'm sorry, Dad." Draco tried to apologise. "I was bored, then I just wandered off—"
"Don't you ever do that again!" Lucius Malfoy said, his face paler than normal. "You practically took ten years off my life with that stunt of yours!"
"I'm sorry, Dad," said Draco. He then brightened up. "But I'm alright now, aren't I? Hilda helped me out back there."
"Hilda?" His father and godfather blinked, and Hilda stepped out from within the shadows behind Draco, smiling slightly.
"Lucius. Severus." Hilda nodded politely to the two men who nodded back.
Before either man could say anything, Ethan came up just then. "So you found him?" said the vampire, looking rather relieved at having seen Draco safe and sound. He then seemed to remember just what he's here for and turned towards Hilda. "Hilda, Marie wanted to see you. Something about some ritual involving Blood Magic."
Hilda nodded. "Okay," she said before she turned towards Draco. "May the Moon watch over you, Draco Malfoy." She said before crossing her right arm over her chest. "I shall now take my leave."
Severus looked at Draco and a very small smile graced his lips as he saw his godson smiling happily. He had never seen Draco smiling like this before, and was glad that Draco had met Hilda. There is something special about that girl that simply attracts people to her. Lily was the same way as well.
"So Draco," said Severus. "What do you think?"
Draco smiled at his godfather. "I think we can be friends," he said, smiling happily. "My first friend in fact."
Ethan laughed at hearing this.
XXXXXX
Two Years Later
Starlight's Hall
It was early morning, and dawn was just breaking over the horizon as Hilda headed down the stairs of the inn-cum-bar of the second floor of Starlight's Hall which is where the bedrooms of Ethan and Hilda were located. The house elves were already cleaning the tables and chairs and the floors, and were setting up for business. Ethan was looking through the account books at the bar counter, and Hilda glanced at the tree tapestry on the wall, and gave a sigh of relief as none of the numbers were glowing orange which is a sure sign of the alarm seal in the individual inn rooms going off whenever one of their customers – usually a werewolf – had lost control and had gone berserk during the night. The tree tapestry is one way for them to monitor the state of their customers and to make sure that they can help them during their stay here.
"Morning Ethan." Hilda greeted, and Ethan nodded without looking up from the account books before Hilda grabbed a broom in the corner and pushed opened the door to head outside the bar, the bell tinkling somewhere inside the bar.
The morning mist hadn't lifted yet, and several shops weren't even opened yet. As such, Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley were extremely silent. Hilda breathed in the fresh morning air, stretching her arms out before stretching, wondering if Draco will come over later.
Draco and herself have became fast friends after their first initial meeting at the Samhain festival two years ago when he had nearly gotten eaten alive by the vampires had Hilda not been there to drag him away. After that, Draco had sometimes gone with Ethan and Hilda to the Samhain festivals whenever his father and godfather were invited, but he was never far from Hilda's side which all adults think is a good thing.
Draco is always popping by Starlight's Hall with or without his parents, and Lucius and Narcissa have both grown accustomed to the fact that Draco was always over at Starlight's Hall practically the entire day until Lucius and Severus headed over to the bar every night for their usual drink before taking him home. In fact, Draco was so often over at the bar that Narcissa had jokingly said that Starlight's Hall is a second home of sorts for him. The blonde had often helped Hilda with her jobs at Starlight's Hall as well – mainly the sorting of potion vials in the potions cabinet which Ethan had set aside for the customers if they are in need of any.
But seeing as it's barely seven in the morning, Hilda can only guess that the blonde is still asleep in his bed at Malfoy Manor, and will probably pop by a little before afternoon. Unlike how he looks, the blonde could really sleep when he wants to.
Hilda yawned a little as she rubbed her eyes with one hand, sweeping the leaves away from Starlight's Hall with the broom in her hand. She is expecting her Hogwarts' letter any day now, and Ethan had actually taken her to some wand maker friend of his a few months back to have a wand commissioned for her instead of actually getting a wand at Ollivander's as a commissioned wand works better for a wizard or witch, despite the fact that Hilda is actually quite skilled at wandless magic. But as she didn't want any unnecessary attention on her, she agreed to Ethan's request to get a commissioned made wand.
With her morning duties done, Hilda opened the mailbox which is just beside the door of Starlight's Hall and took out all the letters and a copy of that day's Daily Prophet which Ethan had made a mail order for. Hilda was never fond of all the bogus news that the Ministry made day after day, especially with that fool of a Minister in charge, but Ethan preferred keeping himself up-to-date with the Ministry than being kept in the dark.
Hilda looked through all the letters as she took the pile of it out of the mailbox. Bill. Bill. Bill. Another complaint letter from the Ministry which Hilda set aside, intending to burn it in the fireplace later. Merlin knows, they get at least one complaint letter from the Ministry per week because of the nature of the bar, though most of those letters were written by a certain toad faced woman with both a last and a first name, and those names were Dolores Umbridge.
A letter from the head goblin of Gringotts. Probably a bank statement.
And…
A letter bearing the crest of Hogwarts.
Miss H. Evans
The Bedroom
Starlight's Hall
Knockturn Alley
Hilda sighed, staring at her letter. Well, here is the letter at last. And this is where things will really begin.
XXXXXX
"Hey Ethan!" Draco Malfoy greeted, entering Starlight's Hall, with the door closing shut behind him, the bell tinkling somewhere in the bar as it did so. "Where is Hilda?"
It was mid-afternoon, and half of the tables in the bar were occupied with vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, Veelas as well as the occasional wizard or witch wearing robes that identifies them as high ranking Necromancers or Potions Masters or Mistresses. The house elves were running about ragged, taking the orders of the customers as well as delivering them.
"Afternoon Draco." Ethan greeted, mixing some drinks together – doing some experimenting to come up with a new drink again. It is something that he did at least once per week so that the menu will always have something new for regular customers to look forward to. "Hilda's in the back room. She's sorting out the potions cabinet."
Draco nodded to Ethan before heading to the back room of the bar which isn't far from the kitchen where he found his childhood friend standing before a table on which was laid several empty potion vials, and she was busy pouring some potion concoction from a cauldron into those vials.
"Afternoon Draco." Hilda said without even looking up, dragon hide gloves on her hands. "The spare gloves are in the cabinet. So if you'll like to give me a hand here…"
"I'm on it," said Draco grinning as he took the spare dragon hide gloves from the potions cabinet and strapped it on his hands before heading to the table which Hilda is standing before and assisting her to pour the potion concoction into the vials. "What are these by the way?"
"Calming Draughts," said Hilda, screwing the cork onto a potion vial before setting it aside. "We've used up our last stock yesterday."
"That fast?" said Draco, blinking, not losing his concentration whilst pouring the concoctions into the potion vials as well. "By the way, have you received your Hogwarts' letter yet? I've been meaning to ask you, but we somehow always got interrupted whenever we started on this subject. I've received mine last week. Mother will be getting my books for me today in Diagon Alley, I think. I'll be meeting her later."
"Yeah. I've just received it today," said Hilda with a sigh, glancing at her friend whilst brushing a lock of her hair out of her eyes. "I'm not exactly a fan of Dumbledore, and Hogwarts is actually the last place that I'll even want to be in, but as it stands, he runs the only magical school in Britain, and I didn't exactly have a choice."
Draco sighed. "Yeah. Dad didn't like him as well." He said. He then glanced at Hilda. "You got your books already?"
"No," said Hilda curtly. "I can't get away."
"'Can't get away'?" Draco repeated, blinking at Hilda. "Hilda, it's only for a few hours."
Hilda sighed before looking at Draco. "Draco, it's near the full moon night," she explained, and Draco 'oh'ed. "And there is only Ethan and I here save for the house elves. And you know that the house elves can't do most of the work here save for the cooking, serving and cleaning parts."
"Why don't you just hire more staff then?" Draco suggested. "It's not like your finances are tight or something. From what I could see, the bar is doing quite well, and you get a steady stream of customers for the inn rooms every single night."
Hilda snorted rather un-lady-like. "Oh yeah? And who will even be willing to work here? You do know what we actually do here, don't you? As well as the nature of this place?"
"Erm…"
XXXXXX
One week later, Hilda finally managed to get away from the bar for a few hours at the most to get her school books and her school uniforms, though she is told by Ethan to hurry back before sundown. It made Hilda wonder how Ethan is going to cope with the bar once she's away at school. He'll probably collapse.
"Afternoon Hilda."
Hilda turned around at the voice only to see an aged old man standing outside a shop with the words 'Borgin and Burkes' written across the signboard which is slowly peeling, indicating the number of years that the shop must have been here.
A small smile graced Hilda's lips as she nodded to the man. "Afternoon, Mr Borgin," she said.
The old man smiled kindly at Hilda. "Not at the bar tonight?" he asked.
"Not for a few hours," said Hilda with a shake of her head. "I'm going to get my school books and uniforms at Diagon Alley."
Mr Borgin smiled knowingly. "Ah. Starting at Hogwarts this year, are you?" he said. "How time flies. It seems just like yesterday that you're that small five-year-old who had just moved into that empty shop space with your guardian." He chuckled. "Well, I won't hold you up." He nodded to Hilda before entering his shop.
There was a slight hoot just then before Hilda could even move a single step, and the raven haired girl jumped slightly as a flash of white dropped down onto her shoulder, and a snowy white owl nibbled at her ear.
"Hedwig!" Hilda sighed. "You gave me a scare!" Hedwig hooted urgently, her amber eyes trying to tell Hilda something, and the girl frowned. "Trouble?" Hedwig hooted, and Hilda took that as a yes. The girl sighed. "Where?"
Hermione Granger was having the greatest and most terrible day of her life.
She was your every day practical girl who looked forward to having a proper education in a middle school, then high school, and maybe college before settling down in a proper job to support herself and her parents. Not very complicated right? Well, a certain letter threw an immediate wrench into her plans when she received an invitation to a school by the name of Hogwarts – really, who on earth will name a school that? – which states that it's a magical school, and that she's a witch.
Hermione and her parents have thought that it's someone's rather poor idea of a practical joke until a woman who had introduced herself as Minerva McGonagall had turned up at their doorstep five days ago wearing the strangest clothes with a pointed hat, and had introduced herself as the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
She had then taken a two hour interview with Hermione and her parents, stating that yes, magic is indeed real, and that yes, Hermione is indeed a witch with magical blood flowing within her veins, and that she was accepted as a student at Hogwarts where she is a teacher there as well. It didn't take too long to convince Hermione and her parents that she is a witch when McGonagall transformed their couch into a pig which Joanna Granger wasn't very pleased with until the witch had transformed it back.
And thus, one Hermione Granger found herself with her parents on a bright Wednesday afternoon in Diagon Alley to get all her school books along with a few other books which the shopkeeper of Flourish and Blotts was kind enough to recommend to her for some introduction to the magical world as well as to get her school robes.
It was a great eye opener for Hermione, seeing as how she's seen several exciting shops whilst on her way to the bookstore, and she was about to head to the Leaky Cauldron where her parents were after she's gotten her books when she heard the sounds of crying, and her kind hearted nature couldn't just ignore a child in need, and thus, she headed off towards the direction of the sound which is down a rather less populated street than Diagon Alley.
And it is when a man with pale skin and a pointed face with untidy hair appeared in front of her that Hermione knew that something is wrong. The man was also wearing a black shirt which exposes his pale chest and black pants with no shoes.
"W-Who are you?" Hermione stammered, hugging a book to her chest, the rest of her books with her parents who were resting at the Leaky Cauldron after a whole day of running around Diagon Alley. "W-What do you want with me?"
The man smiled, revealing several pointed teeth before making a move as if he was going to leap at her, and Hermione closed her eyes before she heard a light thud as if someone had landed in front of her, and opened her eyes only to see the back of a raven haired young girl around her age, only about a head shorter than her standing in between her and that…man.
The girl turned her head slightly to look at Hermione, and the bushy haired girl was mesmerised by her red-blue eyes which had wisdom, sadness and several things reflected within those orbs before the girl turned her attention back towards the man who seemed half-afraid upon seeing this girl, for some reason.
"She's not your meal," said the girl in a soft voice, yet Hermione could detect a note of warning within it. "Hurry up and go."
The man trembled, fear in his eyes as he saw the girl, and took one step backwards, his body shaking as he did so. "E-Evans…!"
"I don't care if you hunt down some unsuspecting human in other places, Graipher," said the girl sharply. "But I won't have you having one of your 'episodes' in Knockturn Alley! We have a bad enough reputation as it is, and I won't have you smearing our name even more! Now leave."
Graipher gulped before he disappeared in a wisp of black smoke. The girl sighed before turning towards Hermione. "I'm glad that I've made it in time," she said. She then smiled at Hermione. "Are you alright?"
Hermione nodded, smiling weakly. "Y-Yeah. Thank you."
The girl glanced at the extremely thick book in her arms before her lips curled up slightly in amusement before turning back towards Hermione. "Are you starting at Hogwarts this year?"
Hermione nodded. "Yeah."
"What are you doing down here? You shouldn't even be in Knockturn Alley in the first place without your parents or the supervision of an adult wizard or witch," said the girl. "It's dangerous here. Especially for Muggle-born witches and wizards. Did you get lost?"
"Kind of." Hermione admitted. "I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you."
"Hilda Evans," said the girl, stretching out a hand which Hermione took. Hilda smiled. "I have nothing better to do anyway. I'll help you find your parents. Besides, you need an escort as you navigate through Knockturn Alley. It has quite a reputation for the 'Dark'."
Hermione blinked owlishly.
XXXXXX
Half-an-hour later, Hermione found herself in the populated streets of Diagon Alley and heaved a sigh of relief. All the way to Diagon Alley, she found herself keeping up a conversation about books and what is best to study to prepare herself for her first year in Hogwarts with Hilda whom she found is a person after her own heart. The girl loves books and reading as well. Not as much as Hermione, of course, but still, it's a rare change from having people poke fun at her for studying so much.
Hermione can't help liking Hilda as well. The girl was quiet and do not speak much unless spoken to or when asking a question, but Hermione felt…safe around her. And the bushy haired girl wasn't sure if it's her imagination or not as well, but she could sense something different about Hilda. She doesn't feel at all like all the witches and wizards that she's met so far.
Or maybe that it's just a magical thing.
"Here's the Leaky Cauldron," said Hilda, and Hermione blinked as they were currently standing in front of said inn. "Come on, let's go in."
Hermione nodded before entering the inn, and the innkeeper, Tom, seemed both surprised and a little afraid to see Hilda for some reason which Hermione noticed and wondered at, mentally filing it away for future reference. And when she glanced at Hilda to gauge her reaction, she saw that Hilda didn't have a single emotion on her face at all, almost like she was used to it by now.
"Tom. Do you know where the Grangers are?"
Tom muttered something incoherent and pointed to a corner table where Hermione glanced towards and saw that her parents were sitting at said table, interestedly poring over some of Hermione's books which she's left with them.
"Thank you," said Hilda curtly before walking towards the Grangers' table with Hermione.
"Mom! Dad!" Hermione called out, heading towards her parents whom both looked up at Hermione's shout, and smiles broke out on their faces.
"Hermione! Back at last?" laughed John Granger. "I thought that we might have to be here until closing time."
"Dad!" Hermione whined. She then remembered Hilda and pushed Hilda forwards, the raven haired girl a little startled at this action. "Mom, Dad, this is Hilda Evans. She helped me out earlier when I…got lost earlier."
"Is that right?" said Joanna with a smile. "It's very nice to meet you, Hilda. Thank you for helping Hermione. I'm Joanna Granger, Hermione's mother. That is my husband, John Granger."
"Pleasure to meet you too," said Hilda, taking Joanna's hand in a brief handshake. She then turned towards Hermione with a smile. "I'll look forward to seeing you on the train on September first, Hermione."
"Oh. Will you be starting at Hogwarts this year as well?" asked Hermione hopefully, and Hilda smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. Me and my friend," said Hilda. "You'll like him." She then glanced at her watch and sighed. "Great. It's getting late." She then looked back at the Grangers. "I should probably get going now."
"Oh. Are your parents waiting for you somewhere perhaps?" asked Hermione, suddenly feeling guilty at having taken up so much of her new friend's time.
Hilda shook her head. "I'm an orphan."
Hermione's face fell. "Oh. I'm sorry!"
"It's okay," said Hilda with an assuring smile. "I live around here actually."
Hermione blinked. "Huh?"
Hilda laughed. "You didn't wonder what I'm even doing in Knockturn Alley in the first place?" she asked, and Hermione looked embarrassed whilst her parents looked confused. Knockturn Alley? What's that?
"Well…"
"My guardian runs an inn-cum-bar in Knockturn Alley." Hilda explained to the Grangers. "Starlight's Hall. We live in there as well. You should drop by once you have the chance." She took out a piece of parchment from her pocket and handed it to Hermione who saw that it's a map with directions to Starlight's Hall as well as the opening hours written on it. "Though…you might get surprised by our customers there."
"What do you mean?" asked John Granger, pleased at seeing his daughter having made a friend at last. His daughter was never popular with her peers because of her love for studying and reading, and barely has any friends.
"Our customers aren't exactly your regular 'people'," said Hilda with a smile. "Most of them are non-humans like the vampires, banshees, Veelas, goblins, werewolves and many others. Humans aren't our only customers. It's the nature of our bar which is the reason why we're regulated in Knockturn Alley."
Hermione nodded slowly, having heard about just what kind of place Knockturn Alley is from Hilda during their walk to the Leaky Cauldron. Yet she was interested to see just what kind of place Starlight's Hall is, and maybe see a real magical creature or two like a Veela or something that she's only read about in books.
Hilda sighed, glancing at her watch before looking back at the Grangers. "I'm really sorry, but I really have to go now," she said. "My uncle needs my help back at the bar. It's this hour of the day when we're at our busiest."
"Oh. We didn't mean to take up so much of your time," said Joanna apologetically, and Hilda shook her head.
"It's alright," she said. She then smiled. "You're welcome to come and visit us whenever you like. Though Hermione…" She glanced at the busy haired girl. "You'd best come with an adult's supervision."
Hermione looked embarrassed, but nodded. "And even if I can't go and visit your bar, I'll still see you on the train on September first, right?" she asked, and Hilda nodded.
"Naturally," she said. "Alright. I really have to go. See you on September first, Hermione."
Hermione smiled and nodded before the Granger family waved goodbye to Hilda, and the girl entered Diagon Alley once more. Hilda sighed to herself as she saw that the sun is setting soon, and glanced at her watch.
'Great. Looks like I have to come again another day to get my school books and uniforms,' she thought as she made her way back to Starlight's Hall. But she smiled as she remembered Hermione and her parents. 'But it looks like I've managed to make a friend at the least.'