By breakfast time, most students were digging into the scrumptious breakfast the castle graciously provided, with the exception of a certain snoring ginger and a hibernating brunette.
"She's still asleep?" Lavender asked as she exited the bathroom in her school robes, Parvati standing bored at the door, bemused how the girl managed to sleep with half her body hanging from the bed, blanket nudged off her and strewn haphazardly on the floor, much like her limbs.
"She's an odd one."
"Tell me about it, I've already tried shaking her awake, but she won't budge!" Lavender was irritated by this point and decided to take action. Taking a cup and going to the bathroom, she filled it with a little water, and promptly poured it over the brunette's head, to which the latter sprung up spluttering and looking around startled.
"Oh look, you're awake. Good morning. Breakfast is only on for around half an hour." Parvati stated bluntly, unable to hide the amused grin at the brunette's comically dazed expression.
"S-sorry for not waking up earlier, thanks anyway." She sheepishly smiled and waved at the two giggling girls before wiping her face and trudging to the bathroom to change.
By an hour, she finished her plate, and sneaked some to the ever stealthy Natsu. She then checked the time table for the first lesson of the day: Transfiguration.
She was on time and managed to find a seat somewhere in the middle, uncaring that she sat beside a Slytherin student who went on the defensive at the sight of the irritating red and golden colors.
Pansy Parkinson scowled at the brunette, recalling her last name was Granger. 'A mudblood then'. One that sat so casually beside her and was about to glare when said girl turned to her and greeted her with a nod and a neutral, if not slightly friendly expression, to which the Slytherin refrained from glaring, opting to do nothing, mostly due to her confusion.
'Doesn't the daft girl know we're enemy houses…?'
Both girls turned their attention to McGonagall who explained the concept of turning a matchstick into a needle before distributing them one each to transform.
Deciding to ignore the brunette for now, she decided to focus on her task to win house points.
Meanwhile Hermione eyed the tiny piece of wood curiously, and mulled over the professor's explanation before nodding to herself.
She held her wand gently but firmly and performed the movement minutely while muttering the spell, making sure her intent was directed at the appendage, and watched it lengthen, sharpen and change color until it was well and truly a needle.
Looking around, she realized none of the students were anywhere near making a needle out of their matchsticks and sighed bored. She looked to the short black haired girl beside her and noticed she was too tense trying to bend her will into that matchstick. She was about to nudge and help when she was interrupted by the professor.
"Miss Granger, you've already done it!?" The witches tone was slightly incredulous and quite intrigued, to which she responded with a nod. She gave her another matchstick and watched her expectantly.
Hermione once again performed the spell and handed the old woman a fully formed needle.
"Excellent job Miss Granger, 20 points for Gryffindor! You may be the fastest 1st year to perform that spell in a while." The professor graced her with a rare smile to which she replied with one of her own small abashed ones.
She looked to her left to see her classmate slightly upset at her lack of progress, and gently nudged her. She faced the hesitant brunette with a scowl.
"What is it M-Granger?" Why was she holding back from insulting her? I made her uncomfortable to hurt the brunette, unsure why she felt that way.
The latter pointed at her wand hand and mimicked the moves.
"The movements are right, but you're gripping your wand too tightly and choking your will… maybe it'll help if your tried it gentler." She suggested quietly, her tone free of any arrogance. After mulling over the advice, Pansy reluctantly loosened her hold on the bow and calmed herself before repeating the spell, shocked the matchstick became pointier and took on a gray color, looking halfway like a needle.
"I-it worked!" McGonagall took notice and assessed her work.
"You're nearly there Miss Parkinson, well done. 5 points for Slytherin." Said girl smirked, proud to gain her house points and that only she and Hermione had managed it. Speaking of which, she glanced at said witch and nodded at her without any animosity she'd usually reserve for Gryffindors, Hermione mirroring her action.
Hermione liked this class, it sparked an idea in her: to make her own violin, which felt like the next step in being a violinist, for her. Storing the thought for later, she headed to her next class: Potions.
She dared a glance into her backpack and grinned at Natsu who stared back up at her coyly.
"Good job staying quiet girl… keep it up and I'll give you a good treat tonight." She muttered, playfully scratching its head before shutting the satchel loosely and making her merry way to the dungeons.
Entering, she saw half the class filled, and sat by a nervous Harry and a bored Ron, sparing both a brief smile before readying her supplies.
"Hey, Hermione… earlier in the train, when you said your name… well are you the—"
He was interrupted by the door slamming shut with a bang and a dour greasy haired professor with dramatically flapping black robes making his ominous entrance.
'He's got flair at least… how is he doing that thing with his robe?' Hermione frowned curiously before looking up and focusing on his drawn out words.
She held back a yawn, seeing how he hasn't been eyeing her house too kindly.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" He fired a question Hermione realized wasn't even first year material. Seeing his frozen expression, she pretended to test her quill and discreetly scribbled the answer; thank goodness the boy was aware of his surroundings, for he answered it after an awkward pause.
"You get the drought of the living dead."
"…That is correct, Mr. Potter… don't keep the class waiting next time."
He continued his lecture while Harry turned back to her and mouthed his thanks. He looked like he wanted to finish whatever he was saying beforehand, and Hermione wasn't sure how to feel about that; she didn't expect magical people to know of her muggle talent.
'That reminds me, I need to find a music room soon… Why doesn't this school have a music teacher?' She sulked for a few moments until they were instructed to prepare a boil cure potion. She headed towards the cabinets and took her time making sure to pick the best ingredients. This, Snape noted in a positive light as he regarded the students' work down to every pinch of powder or stir of the spoon they made.
Whilst working on their potions, Hermione halted abruptly, seeing that they had to use a knife to finely cut ingredients. She urged Ron, who was handling the mixing of the cauldron, to switch with her, much to his confusion. He agreed regardless, and did a pretty satisfactory job. Looks like helping his Mum cook for a couple of years had its perks.
The three were done and handed in the potion earlier than expected, to which Snape held back a sneer, especially considering the solution had an accurate color and odor.
She walked with the boys to lunch, knowing Harry had some questions to ask.
"Are you Hermione Granger the violinist in the muggle world? I never saw your face back then, I could only listen to your auditions through the radio" He was so hopeful the brunette didn't have the heart to lie to him.
"Yes…" She replied, hesitant of his reaction.
"You're amazing, you know, and, well…Thank you…" Hermione didn't know two words could be filled with so much depth and gratitude until this black haired boy uttered them so sincerely; she didn't understand why tears sprung to her eyes either, but she quickly wiped them away and nodded, hoping she'll understand what he meant someday, the two opting to walk silently while Ron stood baffled at the exchange before running to catch up with them.
"Who knew plants could be interesting." Harry mused, dusting some dirt off his shoulder while Ron nearly tripped over a vine that latched onto his ankle.
"More like deadly…" He mumbled irritated at nearly becoming a particular Venus flytrap's appetizer. It might make it on his lists of fears, below spiders of course.
"Hermione doesn't seem to think so." Harry replied with fond amusement, both boys glancing back at the brunette who was merrily tending to some vines, to which Professor Sprout commended her, alongside Neville who took a great interest in this subject.
"Let's go before we miss lunch!" The ginger perked up, dragging along his friend.
"Ron there's still an hour left…"
"That's barely enough time!" Harry would fortunately soon learn Ron only held such passion for food and Quidditch, already doubting if he can handle those alone.
Hermione had just finished and packed her bags walking along through the terrace admiring the quaint weather that rarely rolled by this season, staring up at the clouds to make out some shapes. However in her whimsical venture she failed to look in front of her and bumped into a student, falling flat on her bum with a small yelp.
"Watch where you're going will you. Wait a minute…" She muttered the last part recognizing the person that bumped into her.
"I'm sorry." She opened her eyes and saw an outstretched hand, gratefully grabbing it before dusting herself off, she looked up to see forest green eyes, darker than Harry's pure emerald ones, and noticed the green and silver colors she adorned with near perfect posture, somehow without seeming arrogant.
'She's tall…'
'She's tiny… She looked taller on stage…' The straight haired blonde regarded the cute brunette curiously before speaking once more, having anticipated this moment for a few days now.
"It's alright, I was a bit distracted as well. I'm Daphne Greengrass. Pleasure to meet you."
"L-likewise, Hermione Granger." She smiled at the stoic girl who smirked.
"Oh I know. I'm a fan of your work." Confusion shone in the brunette's chocolate eyes, before realization dawned, and her cheeks burned red.
"Oh… Th-thanks." She looked down embarrassed to which Daphne smiled.
'Who would've known the girl that radiated such confidence on stage is so shy now?' She gestured they keep walking to the great hall together, to which Hermione nodded before picking up their pace.
"I… didn't realize wizards would know, especially purebloods."
"Not all purebloods are disgusted of all things muggle." She spoke in mock irritation.
"My apologies." She sheepishly replied.
"No worries, a lot of people assume so. I'm impressed you picked a Beriot concerto. The man is as capricious as his French nature. I personally prefer Telemann, but to each their own."
"Telemann…" She whispered to herself, pondering the composer.
"You play an instrument?" She asked moments afterwards, not missing the proud smirk she wore.
"The viola. Have been for years. I bet i'll be good enough soon to accompany you." She sounded smug, but hope and slight trepidation underlied her tone, which Hermione detected.
She grinned at the unsure blonde and nodded eagerly, much to the Slytherin's relief.
"I'd like that… I haven't played chamber music in a while…" She muttered wistfully, before looking back up, glad to have found another musician. They arrived to the halls at this point and merrily parted ways to their respective tables, the brunette oblivious to the blonde's erratically beating heart.
'I can't believe I just met Hermione Granger! And she agreed to play with me! I can now die happy.' A goofy grin adorned her lips for a moment before she slipped back her ice queen mask on.
"Greengrass, why were you talking to a Gryffindor?" Malfoy addressed her, disdain tainting his voice. Daphne turned her nose up to him.
"That's none of your business, Malfoy." Both momentarily glared at each other before they childishly harrumphed and turned away, their attention on their delicious lunch.
With the days passing, Hermione adjusted gradually; she managed to wake up without being drenched thanks to an alarm she set on her watch, and mostly familiarized herself with the castle and its grounds. She was proud to say that her awkward self successfully hung out with Harry, Ron and Daphne on several occasions, and conveniently omitted to herself that they did most of the talking.
She also found it strange to constantly find a dark straight haired Asian Ravenclaw within her field of vision.
She smiled at her once and was thoroughly confused when she squealed faintly and fled.
'Did I do something wrong…?'
Nevertheless, there was one thing that irked her. No, not only did it irk her, but it bubbled inside her and threatened to burst into an ugly mass of nerves and irritability.
She couldn't find anywhere to practice playing her violin.
She can only do so much with just practicing fingering without using her bow and learning her music sheet inside out, but she needed to play the notes, exercise her ear and feel them smoothly roll off her powdery rosin coated bow.
She had to find somewhere, and fast.
"I'm losing my mind…" She whispered, grasping her lightly bushy hair in a death grip.
"Did you say something?" Ron inquired as she and the two boys walked back to their dorm.
"N-no, nothing at all." She slipped him a strained smile, to which he shrugged with a skeptical expression and kept on walking. She swore she heard him mutter 'mental' along the way, much to her chagrin.
Once they arrived, Hermione ascended to the room she shared with the gossipy yet mildly friendly Parvati and Lavender, and decisively grabbed her violin case. Natsu, who was languidly napping on her bed hopped onto her shoulder, sensing another one of her escapades coming up.
She descended the stairs through the dorm, glad it was empty for the most part and exited with her mind at ease. She had finished her homework for the following week, and had no classes left to attend today.
"Granger Danger! Wacha-"
"-Up to, tiny 'Mione?" The twins met her walking with a spring in her step, ever the curious and mischievous minds.
"Exploring." She spoke as seriously as her borderline squeaky voice would allow her, which amused and endeared the twins who grinned their Cheshire smiles and gave her a thumbs up.
"Best of luck, then."
"Do tell us-"
"When you find something of interest." They mock bowed, and ruffled the hair on top of her head knowing it annoyed her, before going on their merry way.
She waited for the stairs to shift and got off, walking ahead. She then halted abruptly, Natsu nearly falling off her shoulder.
'This isn't the first floor… It's the third 'forbidden' floor.' The stairs already shifted away from her, and she had nowhere to go but forward.
'I'll just wait for it to come ba—' Natsu chose that moment to jump off her shoulder, taking off a chase after a pesky mouse, leaving Hermione to groan and chase after it.
She didn't fancy getting caught and cast a silent silencing spell on her feet, running for a few minutes and already panting madly- she needed to work out- before stopping in front of a locked wooden door.
She barely grabbed a hold of the troublesome pet by the scruff of its neck before hearing Filch's unpleasant and threatening voice send a chill down her spine.
'I can't get caught!' She tried the door, and realizing it was locked, cast alohamora before entering and shutting the door quietly.
Sighing in relief, she slid to the floor and unhooked the violin case, setting it on her lap while Natsu innocently curled up by her side.
"Don't expect me to give you any rashers of bacon tomorrow little Missy." She whispered, grinning when the cat cutely scrunched up its face and rubbed its face into her side, trying to gain back her favor, much to her amusement.
Something snorted. She finally looked in front of her to see a dog. A huge dog. A dog with three heads and sharp teeth the size of her fore arm. A cerebrus. Thankfully, sound asleep, as long as she kept her mouth shut. Her hyperventilating didn't help the situation, though.
'Breathe, count to 10, look around, don't scream don't scream don't scream don't scream—hey what's that?' She perked up at the sight of a harp and noticed that the beast was resting on top of a piece of wood; a second glance told her it was a trap door. She preferred not chancing having her head bitten off and stayed where she was, despite the niggling curiosity.
Hearing Filch's heavy footsteps dissipate, she cautiously rose, relieved Natsu was her usual quiet self, and hooked her violin case once more before getting out of there like lightning. She sighed with relief and calmed her frantically beating heart before sneaking out of there like a bandit and taking a random staircase.
'Hmmm where to now…? Ugh I need somewhere to practice!' She grumbled in frustration, not realizing the staircase shifted on its own once more. She walked off unconsciously, absentmindedly petting her purring cat who was very much enjoying the touch of her soft and slender fingers.
After hours of wandering halls and going up and down dizzying sets of staircases and even stumbling upon many a secret passage, she huffed in frustration, grouchily plopping down on moss laden stairs. She didn't mind the plant- it acted as a cushion, and that particular spot gave her a stunning display of the moon and stars.
She could even make out a few constellations if her eyes weren't drooping so heavily.
'It's already this late…' She didn't notice she was succumbing to her sleep, and had, for a couple of minutes, until a cough demanded her attention and alerted her someone else was there.
She looked up to see the friendly headmaster towering over her with an ever curious and content expression etched on his face.
"If I didn't know any better, Miss Granger, I'd say you're camping here."
Hermione avoided his gaze after she stood up sheepishly, unable to say anything.
"It's a rather nice, quiet spot, I'll admit, especially with that view… but you may enjoy it before curfew." He continued with an amused smile at her embarrassed expression.
"Sorry Headmaster." She muttered, finding great interest in her shoes.
"It's quite alright dear, as long as there won't be a repeat of it. Pray tell, what are you doing at this hour of the night?" His voice soothed her, holding no reprimand or ill will.
"I-I…I was looking for a place where I can practice my violin playing." She replied with a low yet determined voice. Maybe the headmaster can help her.
"Ah yes, you're quite the prodigious player aren't you. I've been to many a muggle music audition I very much enjoy. There aren't many like you that can move hearts and wills nowadays."
She blushed beet red and mustered a thank you to the chuckling bearded man.
"Now, as for a place to practice…" He seemed to muse the question while stroking said beard before snapping his fingers in a Eureka moment.
"You're rather bright, so I'll give you a hint. If you find the room, it's yours to use at your leisure. It is hidden on the 7th floor, guarded by trolls, and will only appear when you are in need of it."
He looked down at the tiny girl who held her chin in contemplation, eyes narrowed, before looking back up at him and nodding seriously. He spared her a smile before ushering her off.
"Now, off you go, and make sure you don't get caught the next time."
"Th-thank you!" She turned around and stuttered out before running away with a spring in her step, her odd shadow coated cat silently trailing behind her. He was slightly surprised not to hear any footsteps from the girl either.
'A silencing charm…? It seems she's brighter than I thought.'