Hermione rubbed her head, and let the gentle rocking of the train relax her. She was surprised she was here. She had been convinced that her death in the previous world would be the end of her. She wouldn't have even minded. At least in that world she had known Bellatrix.
Obviously she had misjudged the way she travelled between worlds. The time turner had done something to her, especially since she had travelled to another world while not wearing it anymore. They didn't let you keep time turners in Azkaban.
The time turner….
Hermione reached up to her throat. She was definitely wearing something around her neck. She pulled on the chain gently. She had it back. It was the same one too, it felt the same. Feelings were a stupid metric to make the judgement on, but Hermione had learnt as an Unspeakable that feelings were just as acceptable in a report as actual facts. In hindsight, she had no idea how she had lasted as an Unspeakable for as long as she had. She'd dealt with things that weren't meant to be understood, and things that humans just couldn't comprehend. So feelings became an acceptable ways of categorising phenomenon. It drove her batty from frustration.
Hermione held the time turner in front of her. She didn't know much about this world yet. This Hermione's past seemed to be pretty close to her original past. Muggleborn. Daughter to Jean and David Granger. Both dentists. Better with books than people.
It would make sense to spin the time turner, see if she could get back to her own world. It would make sense.
Would it really matter if she did it now or later on though? Maybe after the first holidays. She could see her parents again. Merlin, it had been so long, and they were in England, not Australia.
Hermione tucked the time turner back under her shirt. She would wait a little bit. Just a little bit.
If she waited of course, that raised several other questions. Should she help Neville find Trevor? That's how she met Harry and Ron in the first place. Oh, that thought made her feel sick. She could still picture the anger on Harry's face, and Ron's glassy eyes staring up at her. No, perhaps it would be best to stay away from them for a little bit.
It's not like they ever found the toad on the train anyway.
/
Neville found Trevor just as they were about to get on the boats. Boats that Hagrid had summoned with his wand. That was different.
Hagrid chatted happily as he led the first years up to the castle. Draco mocked him quietly, while Harry stared happily up at the half giant.
Hermione stuck to the back of the crowd, and hoped that no one would notice she wasn't as impressed with Hogwarts as all the other first year students. It was just as beautiful as she remembered, but after her time in Azkaban, all Hermione could manage to feel was utterly tired. Tonight she couldn't fake her amazement.
They followed Hagrid up the stairs and were met by Professor McGonagall. She introduced herself and quickly entered the Great hall again
"You must be a Weasley." Snapped Draco.
Hermione had been ignoring most of her fellow first years, but Draco's shout had caught her attention. Despite her best efforts, Hermione didn't manage to completely suppress her giggle. Draco sounded so much like his aunt.
A Weasley? Well that just doesn't count! No one cares about Weasleys.
She wondered if this Draco knew Bellatrix.
Professor McGonagall gave her speech about the sorting hat and Hermione found it hard to concentrate on her. She was finding it hard to concentrate in general actually. Her mind wandered so easily. Azkaban had taught her to not focus on her surroundings.
They all moved forward as the large doors opened and most of the first years stared up in amazement at the Great hall ceiling. Hermione just smiled to herself. It almost felt like being home.
She glanced around the hall, taking in the throngs of students around the four banquet tables. She could see Fred and George nudging each other and looking in Ron's direction. Cedric Diggory, though a young version of him sat alive and well surrounded by friends. What a strange feeling. It was like seeing someone risen from the dead.
Hermione turned her attention to the teacher's table and froze. She recognised all of them, but where she had expected to see Professor Quirrell, was Bellatrix. Hermione stood transfixed much longer than she'd like to admit.
Bellatrix was beautiful. Not that she wasn't always a wild beauty, but life had never been kind to her. This life obviously wasn't a cake walk either. Bellatrix scowled and generally looked annoyed, but it wasn't the sunken eyes and translucent skin that Hermione remembered. She'd had an easier life. Good. She deserved it.
Hermione peered down at her wrist, edging the cuff of her jumper up to reveal her soul mark. It was just starting to darken as it permanently etched itself into her skin. This was going to be hard. She was an adult in the body of an eleven year old, and her soulmate was her teacher.
Merlin, she was going to have to go through puberty again!
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione's head shot up and took in McGonagall's expectant look. She made her way up to the sorting hat. The hat was placed on her head and Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes. She'd almost had a hatstall the first time and this time wasn't likely to be any different.
What was different was the hat's monologue. It no longer considered her for just Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, but all houses. Bravery, smarts, cunning and loyalty all proven by war.
The hat debated in her ear. It praised her different virtues and Hermione would have been pleased if her mind hadn't started wandering again. This time to Bellatrix. Did the other woman even know she had her soul mark now? Was it on the back of her neck like the other Bellatrix? All she wanted from this life was to be close to her soul mate.
"Really? Well that makes it easy then." The hat hissed in her ear. "Slytherin!"
Hermione's eyes widened and the hat was pulled off her head. Her new house clapped politely like they had for every other new Slytherin, though a few looked at her with suspicious gazes. She had hatstall, and Slytherin was notorious for having students barely touch the hat before being sorted.
It wasn't like she had the monumental task of living as a muggleborn in Slytherin, and didn't need the extra attention or anything. Damn hat.
Hermione wondered how long she could keep it a secret. She wouldn't be able to play a pureblood, but it wouldn't be too hard to pretend to be a half blood, surely? Voldemort, and Snape were both proof of that. A muggleborn born father, hence why no one knew her last name and a half-blood mother? Yes, that would work. Her previous life had left her with a cruel streak. Years of being pushed aside an ignored had created a Hermione that didn't mind the odd prank. At least she'd fit in better with Slytherin now.
She sat down with her fellow Slytherins and a few gave her polite nods. Once the sorting was done, and dinner served, it didn't take long for introductions to be forced out of all the first years and questions of their heritage to come up. Hermione stuck to her story, and while her father's supposed status caused a few sneers, nothing was outwardly aimed at her.
Now she just needed to get through seven more years of schooling that was sure to bore her. Perhaps she'd try to read every book in the library.
/
Bellatrix stared blankly into the great hall. The Gryffindors were telling stories, the Hufflepuffs were catching up, the Ravenclaw we're sharing what they'd learnt over break, the Slytherins were teasing each other and Bellatrix was trying to ignore Dumbledore chattering away beside her. At least Severus looked equally as put out. Sometimes Bellatrix wondered why she remained as a teacher. It was a far cry from her days as a bounty hunter. It was a lot less dangerous unless you considered stupidity to be contagious. With each new wave of student she taught, she sometimes wondered if it was.
The first years flooded into the room, all huddled behind McGonagall. Bellatrix's neck started to itch uncomfortably. She rubbed at it and felt the slightest raised edges in her skin. Oh.
Oh!
All she could hope was that it wasn't what she suspected. That would be mortifying and honestly far too much trouble.
Bellatrix somehow got through dinner without another word to anyone. Then again, it wasn't unusual for her to snub her fellow professors. They'd all gotten used to it eventually.
As soon as it was feasible, Bellatrix disappeared from the great hall. She made her way through the castle and straight to Severus' room. She spent the next half hour pacing while she waited for Severus to head back from dinner. He was probably taking so long because he was sulking around, pouting about Lily and James Potter's kid starting this year.
"Finally!" Bellatrix snapped as soon as the door opened.
Severus paused in the doorway, and Bellatrix could see him seriously consider just shutting the door and leaving. She flicked a hand out, causing the door to smash open and jerk Severus fully inside the room.
"Don't even think about it!" Bellatrix growled. "Get in here and have a look at something for me."
Severus sneered at her. "Perhaps you should go and see Poppy then?"
"Shut up and get over here." Bellatrix said as she sat at his desk.
Severus rolled his eyes but did as Bellatrix asked. They were friends, even if it was just so they had someone to complain to about all the other teachers. He stood behind her.
"What is it?"
Bellatrix wrapped her hands in her hair and twisted it together. Gently she pulled her hair up and out of the way of her neck.
"Oh."
Bellatrix groaned. "It's my soul mark, isn't it? What does it look like?"
"It's a sword, with a crown resting on the hilt." Severus said softly. "Bella, when did this happen?"
Bellatrix sighed and let her hair fall back around her shoulders. She slumped forward onto Severus' desk.
"Today."
Severus didn't say anything and Bellatrix knew he was waiting for her to elaborate.
"When the first years came in."
"Oh. Bella. I…"
"I don't want your pity, Sev!"
Severus sighed. "Bella, you need to tell Dumbledore and we need to figure out who the student is."
Bellatrix groaned. "I know. But not tonight. Tonight I'll get drunk and take it out on the second years tomorrow."
Severus chuckled. "Go to bed, Bella. I'll let you tell Dumbledore when you're ready."
"Ugh. Fine, Dad! You ruin all my fun."
/
Hermione followed the Slytherin prefect, Flint. He was a tall boy, but had a face like a particularly ugly troll. Hermione vaguely remembered him. Something about quidditch. They made their way down into the dungeons, past the potions classroom and eventually stopped outside of a blank wall. Hermione took in the surrounding statues and wall mounted candles. She could imagine a few first years got lost trying to find their common room each year. She wouldn't be one of them.
"Pure-blood."
Hermione rolled her eyes. What a terribly unsecure password. The wall turned into a doorway, and Hermione saw the Slytherin common room for the first time. She was disappointed. The room itself was fine, though a tad overwhelming with the carved stone everywhere. There were plenty of chairs, tables and couches for everyone to be comfortable. The lights however let out a green glow that was atmospheric, but terrible to see by. She'd never be able to do homework there. It was rather frustrating.
Draco instantly had all the attention drawn to him. Even some of the seventh years introduced themselves. Probably wanting to be able to call on their shared year together later, once everyone was in the real world and a connection to Draco Malfoy could mean good business.
Hermione secluded herself in an armchair off to the side and twirled her wand in her fingers. What was she to do? It was unlikely that she'd learn much this year. She could probably sleep through most of her classes and still get good marks. No, that wouldn't do. She still wanted to be top in the year level. Still, she had an advantage. It wouldn't do to become complacent. Especially since Bellatrix was likely to be an … interesting teacher.
Soon enough it drew late and Snape stormed in, welcoming everyone to Slytherin and telling them to go to bed in the same breath.
Hermione happily complied, closing the curtains around her bed and casting a silencing charm. She'd had nightmares from the war back in her own world, and she couldn't imagine they were any better now after her time in Azkaban. At least in Azkaban she'd had Bellatrix to hold her. Here she had no one.
Hermione tucked her wand under her pillow, within easy each and prepared for what was likely to be a poor night of sleep.
/
The next day was one of firsts. Pansy, Millicent, Daphne, and Tracey all introduced themselves in their dorm room, but all Hermione could manage was a tired smile.
"Nightmares?" Asked Daphne.
Hermione looked away and nodded. "I'm good at silencing charms though, so don't worry."
It was Millicent who put a hand on Hermione's shoulder and squeezed gently. "Happens to the best of us."
None of her roommates spoke of it again, except the few times they asked her for a charm while they were still learning it themselves.
No one questioned her knowledge, or called her a know-it-all for knowing a complicated spell before classes had even started. They just accepted that she knew, and that the reasons why were her own. She'd find out later that Pansy had been given her first wand at five, and that she was a better dueler than Hermione had ever know. Daphne knew a shockingly large amount about make up spells. Hermione guessed their were some benefits to being a pureblood.
The next first was watching Harry lose points in potions. She sniggered with the rest of the Slytherins and it was oddly therapeutic. For once she hadn't put her hand up to answer Snape's questions. Neither did she in charms, or herbology. She slept through history of magic and had to be woken by a giggling Theodore Nott. She'd been the only one brave enough to do so on their first day. She hadn't meant to, but with her nightmares it seemed inevitable. History of magic was interesting, just not the second time around.
"Calm yourself, Nott. It's not like history changes, I can read up on it all later."
Transfiguration had been interesting. It had always been her favourite, though some of that was down to Professor McGonagall. She was a good teacher, a mentor even. Hermione wondered how much that would extend to a Slytherin.
She entered the classroom straight after lunch with the rest of the Slytherin first years. They were sharing the class with the Gryffindors. Hermione smiled shyly at Neville and while he looked a little shocked, he smiled back. Hermione was the last Slytherin in, and she paused as soon as she reached McGonagall's desk at the front of the class. She had forgotten this particular lesson.
Hermione stared at the cat on the desk, and the cat stared back. It had small black marks around its eyes, and Hermione could easily see them as the glasses they were meant to represent.
Hermione nodded at the cat. "Professor." She muttered quietly. She sat with the rest of the Slytherins.
"Talking to cats, now are you Granger?" Draco sneered.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, I wanted some intelligent conversation and the only other option was you…."
She let her sentence hang and the other Slytherins snickered at Draco.
Harry and Ron burst in the doors late, drawing attention to themselves. For the first time Hermione couldn't ignore them. They were right there, and she couldn't help but feel sadness, irritation and a deep longing for what had been. It quickly turned to amusement as McGonagall shifted from her animagus form in front of them. Harry and Ron were told off, and the class started properly.
Much like her previous classes, Hermione didn't raise her hand to answer McGonagall's questions, but her stunt of greeting the professor while in animagus form had obviously attracted McGonagall's attention. More than once she called her out to answer a question, and everytime Hermione had the right answer she was rewarded with a small smile.
Flying had been a disaster as expected. She would likely always be bad at flying. She'd gotten better over the years. At least the broom moved when she said 'up' this time. Then Neville broke his arm, and Hermione scooped up his rememberall before Draco could.
"Give it here, Granger."
Hermione looked between the rememberall and Harry. She slipped the rememberall into her pocket.
"No. Get lost, Potter."
Harry drew his wand. Hermione just stared him down.
"Don't be stupid, Potter. You don't know enough spells to even try and duel anyone. If you did, your glasses wouldn't be broken."
Harry and Ron both spluttered at her, while the Slytherins sniggered.
She ignored them for the rest of the class, only remembering that this first flying class was where Harry proved himself to be good on a broom later that night.
Between classes, Hermione made a stop at the hospital wing. Madame Pompfrey gave her a strange look when she asked to see Neville. This was what it mean to be a Slytherin, Hermione realised. No one quite trusted you. Neville hesitated when Hermione handed him his Rememberall.
"I'm still the same person you met on the train when you were looking for Trevor, Neville." Hermione said softly with a smile.
Neville smiled back. "Yeah, I guess you are. Thanks."
Hermione nodded. "I've got to get to class, see you later."
Hermione arrived to Defense Against the Dark Arts just in time. Just in time was obviously late if Bellatrix's scowl was anything to go by. Hermione pursed her lips, trying not laugh at the look she was being given. It was hard to take Bellatrix seriously. Afterall she'd shared a cell, and a life with her. All Hermione could think was that Bellatrix's scowl was cute.
Hermione's DADA education had been spotty at best. Quirrell, Umbridge, and Lockhart had been useless, though all in different ways. Lupin had been decent for learning about dark creatures, and Snape had actually been a knowledgeable teacher, even when he was grumpy and as unpersonable as always. Moody had been downright terrifying, which made sense when you took into consideration that he was a death eater in disguise, but he had also been a bad teacher. There was no flow to his lesson plans and that year they'd missed huge chunks out of the textbook to learn about the unforgivables.
Hermione was looking forward to having a teacher that would likely last more than a year, even if that teacher was her soulmate and that made everything kind of weird.
The Slytherins and Gryffindors shared DADA, and Hermione was sure it'd prove to be an interesting experience. Especially since Bellatrix would be very pro Slytherin, or at least, pro Draco.
Hermione sat in a chair next to Millicent, and ignored the impatient huff Bellatrix made. She noticed Draco sitting up straight, his text book on his desk and his quill and parchment ready. Hermione had almost expected him to be sitting lazily in his chair like in every other class. No, she supposed Bellatrix had already had words with him about how to behave in her class. Despite how much Hermione was sure that Bellatrix loved her nephew - and she was sure after her time in Azkaban, that Bellatrix had doted on Draco while she was able - she wasn't likely to play favourites in her class.
"I'm Professor Black and this is Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Bellatrix waved her hand dismissively and leaned back against her desk.
"This year I'll be teaching you a few spells, showing a you a few of the more common dark magical creatures in our world, giving you a brief history on dark magic use, and teaching you the basics of dueling."
Excited mutters echoed around the class at the mention on dueling. Bellatrix scowled.
"Let me make one thing clear. I am teaching you the basics of dueling. There will be no actual dueling, and if I see a single first year attempting to duel, they will have detention with me everyday for a month." Bellatrix growled out.
Several students shuddered. Hermione hid a smile. It looked like DADA would keep her on her toes.
/
Christmas came quickly. Between trying to read every book in the library, and editing a huge amount of essays, Hermione often felt like she had no spare time. DADA was the only class that challenged her, though listening to McGonagall and Flitwick lecturing was soothing. McGonagall was warm to her, though perhaps not as encouraging as when Hermione had first been at Hogwarts, back in her own world. Perhaps it was because she was in Slytherin, or maybe it was because she still didn't put her hand up in class, or write essays nearly as long as she used to. It meant she didn't stand out quite as much, though she did have to put effort in to making it look like every spell wasn't as easy as it was. The temptation was there, of course, but this time around Hermione had better use of her time.
Like writing other people's essays.
She'd stumbled across a fifth year girl in the bathroom having a break down after failing a charms essay on the same day as her parents owled her about her arranged marriage.
Hermione couldn't fix the marriage, but Flitwick had given the girl the chance to rewrite her essay, and that was something Hermione could help with. They'd sat in the bathroom until dinner while the girl unloaded her emotional baggage, and Hermione edited her essay. Hermione didn't see the girl for another three days until she was approached in the Slytherin common room. The girl showed her the much improved mark, introduced herself as Vanessa, and gave Hermione five galleons for helping her.
"You're smart for a first year." Vanessa said with narrowed eyes.
"I read a lot." Hermione tucked the galleons into her robes. She could use the money, afterall. "Pleasure doing business."
From then on, Hermione had been bombarded by request to help with homework. She decided quickly that she wouldn't write anyone's essays for them, but she could edit them. She'd never do essays for anyone in her year level either, which had pissed Draco off to no end.
He'd grown to dislike her, that much was clear. Hermione wasn't sure why, but she figured it had to do with her not pandering to his every whim like the other first and even second year girls did. The Malfoy name bought him a lot of leeway, and a lot of attention, even if he wasn't any of the girl's soul mates. Pansy was particularly bad about it, and as Draco's dislike for Hermione grew, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle followed suit. It was a good thing that the others in their year were mostly independent thinkers, and they didn't follow Draco's moods.
Though, it was possible that he hated her friendship with Neville. Or possibly because she never failed to take the chance to make fun of him. Really, it was his own fault for making it too easy. Draco was too easily flustered. He could outwit Harry and Ron, but the moment someone could keep up with his sarcasm, he didn't know what to do. It was a little like taking candy from a baby, Draco really had no chance. He didn't know who he was going up against, and Hermione had years of experience outwitting him, and people much smarter than him. One did not become an Unspeakable by being stupid, after all.
Hermione packed her trunk with quick flicks of her wand. Christmas break was upon them, and there was little she needed to take back home, but it was always best to leave everything packed away and locked up. She cast a few charms around her trunk. Locking charm, repulsion charm, and a nasty little hex that would leave anyone who managed to open her trunk with bright pink hair.
Hermione tossed everything else she might need into a leather backpack. She had put an undetectable extension charm on it earlier in the year, when she'd decided to read the entirety of the Hogwarts library. It had become hard to move all of the books she checked out without it.
Millicent opened the door to their dorm room.
"Are you ready, Hermione? Everyone's getting ready to leave."
"Thank you, Millicent. You're staying, aren't you?"
Millicent nodded unhappily. She obviously wanted to go home, but from what Hermione had gathered her parents travelled a lot, and didn't bother with things like Christmas and Yule. Unfortunately, because they travelled so much, they also hadn't made connections like the Parkinson's had. Pansy would be staying with Draco all Christmas. She'd been talking about nothing else for weeks.
Hermione almost wished she could invite Millicent to hers for the holiday, but it just wasn't going to happen. Not while Hermione was lying about being a half-blood. Maybe she'd send her a present. Millicent had been nothing but kind to her, even though it didn't always come across that way. Even when Pansy's opinion of Hermione soured along with Draco and the other girl made it her goal to turn the rest of their year level against Hermione. Millicent had never really cared what people thought of her and so happily kept talking to Hermione. In return, Millicent was the only one who didn't have to pay to have her essays edited.
Hermione threw her backpack over her shoulder.
"I wouldn't try to get into my trunk, Millie. But if you see someone trying, I suggest watching if you want a bit of a laugh."
Millicent smiled at her and followed Hermione down to the common room. Millicent's hand gently squeezed Hermione's shoulder, and with that Hermione was gone to the Hogwarts Express. It was a long trip, made even longer by the excitement she felt at seeing her parents again. Still, she sat quietly and read, making sure she was the last one off the train.
Most families had left by the time she greeted her parents with an enthusiastic hug. She didn't bother to stop the tears the sprung to her eyes and worried her parents.
"I just missed you. So much."
/
Severus gave her three months before he started bugging Bellatrix about her soulmate. When he eventually got out of her that she still hadn't figured out who it was, he had threatened to go to Dumbledore. She'd chased him out of his own office with a flurry of curses and hexes.
Which was why they were both seated in front of Dumbledore while Minerva hovered behind them. It reminded Severus of his later years as a student at Hogwarts. He often got into altercations with other students, but it was only ever with Bellatrix that Minerva caught them. She'd caught them this time too, though so had most of the teachers and remaining students. Perhaps running through the Great Hall hadn't been his best idea.
Bellatrix was slumped down in her chair, her robes riding up as she glared at her knees.
Severus scoffed. "You look like you're sixteen again."
"What a surprise, you just as fucking annoying as you were back then too." Snapped Bellatrix.
She sighed heavily and slid further into her chair.
"I feel like I'm sixteen again. It sucks."
Dumbledore looked between the two of them and glanced up at Minerva.
"Why exactly have two of my staff been dragged up here as if they've earnt themselves a months worth of detention?"
Minerva pursed her lips together and looked down at her two ex students. They'd been a handful then, and they were a handful now.
"They thought it a good idea to run through the Great Hall during dinner cursing each other."
"To be fair," Severus piped up. "I wasn't doing any cursing, I was more focused to running and dodging."
"To be fair," Bellatrix mocked. "he deserved it."
"I was only…"
"Threatening to tell our colleagues personal information that does not concern them. Information that I told you in secrecy."
Severus paused. "When you put it that way, I can see why you tried to curse me."
Dumbledore glanced between the two of them.
"You have been on edge this term, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix groaned and sat up in her chair. She looked at the ceiling so she wouldn't have to look at any of the people in the room.
"I got my soul mark. It's a student."
A hand rested on her shoulder. Minerva. Not many people knew that the women had a soft spot for each other. Then again, not many people knew that Minerva and Druella, Bellatrix's mother, still talked regularly. They had been friends at Hogwarts, despite their different houses, and Minerva had even delivered Bellatrix's, Narcissa's and Andromeda's acceptance letters personally.
Bellatrix turned her head and found sympathetic eyes gazing down at her. Sympathy, not pity. Still, had it been anyone else, there might if been curses. Again.
"A first year?" Dumbledore queried.
Bellatrix nodded.
"And do you know who your soulmate is?"
"No." Bellatrix said with a sigh.
"No one … takes your fancy?"
Bellatrix crickled her nose and sneered at Dumbledore.
"Don't be disgusting. They're children. The lot of them. Merlin, they're Draco's age."
Dumbledore smiled like she had passed some sort of test.
"Well, there's nothing to be done now then. You can give us a description of your mark, and we will all keep an eye out. If we figure out which student it is certain restrictions will have to be enforced, but until then, there's no use worrying."
/
Hermione was a little disappointed to come back and find no one with bright pink hair, but that didn't diminish the feeling of happiness of having seen her parents.
The rest of the year sped by. Hermione breezed through most of her classes, still only paying full attention in DADA.
Bellatrix had shown them doxies, imps and gnomes along with a variety of curses, hexes and jinxes. Each spell was taught only after the class had mastered the counter curse, and Hermione thought that Bellatrix enjoyed cursing the students in order for them to learn the counter curse just a little too much. It was mostly harmless though, and who was she to judge. She did manage to skip her turn as test subject with a well timed notice-me-not charm on Bellatrix's class roll.
The course work for DADA wasn't too difficult, and Hermione was well versed with every spell they'd been taught so far. But Bellatrix spoke with passion. It was one of the few classes Hermione bothered to ask questions in, and unlike Snape, Bellatrix didn't sigh and begrudgingly answer. She considered each question carefully and gave exact, and full answers. Unless it was a stupid question, then Bellatrix gave a slightly different answer. What does a body-bind curse do, indeed. It only took a few stupid questions from Gryffindors trying to get a laugh, and Slytherins trying to prove themselves before everyone learnt that Bellatrix did not suffer fools.
There was only one major incident that Hermione was sure solidified Draco's hate for her.
He cornered her on the way back from the library. It was late, but still before curfew. Most students were in their common rooms, chatting with friends. It wasn't exam time yet, so the library was generally empty later at night.
Hermione walked around a corner and found herself face to face with Draco. She held three rather large books to her chest an another five in her bag. It was to be her week's worth of reading, though Hermione was concerned she'd have to up her reading schedule if she wanted to finish the whole library by the time she graduated.
"Granger." Draco snarled as he moved into her path.
"Malfoy." Hermione replied calmly. "A bit late to be going to the library, isn't it?"
He drew his wand. Hermione didn't.
"I suggest you put your wand away, Malfoy. Professor Black made it quite clear that she would give detention for first years dueling."
"What my aunt doesn't know won't hurt her."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "It's not her who should be worried about getting hurt. She knows how to duel, you don't."
Draco sneered at her and flicked his wand out.
"Stupify!"
Draco didn't notice Hermione's finger twitch as she cast a wandless, non-verbal shield charm. It was one of the first spells Unspeakables were made to master in field training. Being able to defend yourself without a wand, and even potentially gagged was important. The spell bounced back at him, and within seconds, Draco was knocked back and stunned. His wand clattered to the ground.
"What is Salazar's name is going on here?"
Hermione looked up from Draco to find Bellatrix storming towards them.
"Professor Black." Hermione greeted softly. "Mr Malfoy tried to cast a spell at me, but it seems to have backfired. I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that."
Bellatrix glared down at her. "I'm sure."
Hermione made the effort of obviously shuffling her books to the side so she could flick her wand out of her sleeve. She offered it to Bellatrix.
"You're more than welcome to test my wand. I believe the last spell I used was Wingardium Leviosa. We've been going over it in charms."
Bellatrix muttered the charm to reveal the last spell Hermione cast and nodded slowly to herself. She handed Hermione her wand back with only a little less suspicion on her face. Hermione supposed it was nice to not be underestimated, even if it would make her life a little easier right now.
"Best get to bed, Miss Granger. It's almost curfew."
Hermione nodded and glanced down at Draco. "Will he be okay?"
Bellatrix snorted. "He'll be fine."
Hermione turned and made her way to the Slytherin common room, a small grin curving over her face. It was childish, but as annoying as Draco was being, at least he kept things interesting.
Hermione could only just make out Bellatrix casting a rejuvenating spell, right before she tore into Draco.
"What were you thinking? A stupify! You're lucky I was the one to find you, but you'd better believe you'll be doing that month of detention. And I will be writing Cissy!"
/
Once again, Hermione waited to get off of the train. She was the last one off and greeted her parents just as happily as she had at Christmas.
The holidays started out exactly as Hermione expected. Both of her parents had organised to have three weeks off, and they travelled to all the nearby museums and libraries as had become tradition.
It was during one of these trips that Hermione vaguely wondered if they'd go overseas next year like they had in her own world. Then again they'd only gone away to help Hermione deal with having been petrified. She'd needed space to deal with that particular trauma, and she had considered Spain was enough space.
Hermione's hand tightened around the book she was holding. Her father gave her an odd look, and she managed to smile back.
She'd need to investigate. There was no Lord Voldemort in this world, though Tom Riddle likely existed. Quirrell hadn't shared a body with him, and Harry had no lightning bolt scar. Did that mean the Chamber of Secrets hadn't been opened anytime recently?
Hermione claimed tiredness once they arrived home. She hid herself in her room with Hogwarts: A History and poured through the section on ghost.
Moaning Myrtle had been mentioned, if only briefly in the book in her world. None of the facts had been right about her though. That book had stated that her death was from an unknown cause, and no perpetrator had been caught. Hermione knew that was a lie. Myrtle had died less than a lifetime ago, Voldemort's earliest victim. Dumbledore had seen it happen, and yet her name was forgotten and she was not given a proper memorial in Hogwarts: A History. Just a footnote to warn against being a loner, as if that had been Myrtle's biggest problem in life.
At least in this world it seemed to have worked out a little better for Myrtle. There was no footnote, and Hermione could only assume that meant the chamber hadn't been opened. At least she wouldn't have to peer around every corner with a mirror this year.
/
Three weeks went quickly and Hermione found herself bored two days into week four. She didn't have the Hogwarts library to entertain her, and she had yet to get her second year gear from Diagon Alley. Her parents had asked that she stay at home, but had given her permission to wander to the local shops for a browse if she really needed to get out.
It took Hermione all of ten minutes to decide that a quick trip to Diagon Alley wouldn't hurt anyone. She quickly gathered the money she had made by helping with homework and picked out one of the few plain black cloaks she had. Most had the embossed Hogwarts symbol on them, and that just wouldn't do. She could get away with Muggle clothes under a cloak as a supposed half-blood, but wandering around Diagon Alley as if the only robes she owned were her school ones was a sure fire way to be outed as a muggleborn. That just wouldn't do, not yet anyway.
Hermione tucked her wand into the sleeve of her jumper, donned her cloak and headed outside. She stood at the side of the road and and put her wand hand out. It took mere second for the Knightbus to arrive.
Hermione took the Knightbus to the Leaky Cauldron, and quickly passed through the Leaky Cauldron until she disappeared into the crowds flowing through the streets. As with most things in Diagon Alley, Hermione eventually found herself dragged in front of Gringotts.
An idea sparked and she moved inside. The bank was bustling, like always. Hermione quietly waited her turn in line, being oddly glanced at by a few of the adults who were probably wondering why she was alone. Eventually it was her turn, and Hermione waited patiently while the goblin working above her pretended to be too busy to serve her. She'd found out from another Unspeakable that if you had the time to wait for goblins, they'd eventually have to be the ones to speak first. Time was money after all, and goblins did not like wasting money. It had become a hobby for Hermione to make the goblins she dealt with wait even longer if they tried those sort of stupid power plays with her.
The goblins in her last world had come to view her as an equal who didn't need to be messed around with. It had made banking at Gringotts much easier.
Eventually the goblin cleared his throat. Hermione glanced up at him.
"Oh. Right. I'm Hermione Granger."
She stared up at the goblin expectantly. It was an unnerving staring contest that Hermione eventually won. The goblin sighed.
"I am Flinttaker."
"Well met, Flinttaker. I'm looking to deposit some money in my vault, and talk to someone about some minor investments."
Flinttaker nodded and rung the small bell on his desk.
"Wand please."
Hermione handed over her wand to be inspected. By the time she was handed it back, another goblin had appeared next to her.
"Griphook. Take Miss Granger to her vault, and once she's done there escort her to Ironscroll."
Griphook nodded and headed off, not waiting for Hermione.
Hermione took her wand back and nodded to Flinttaker. She followed Griphook down to the carts. The ride was silent. Hermione couldn't help but think of the version of Griphook who betrayed them in the bowels of Gringotts. While this Griphook wasn't the same, he didn't exactly have a pleasant demeanor.
Once the cart stopped she left Griphook outside of her vault. She cast a few charms around the door to her vault. Intruder charms, permanent tracking charms that would follow anyone who entered the vault, and a few nasty hexes which would stop anyone from staying too long in there.
Her trace might trigger, but it would be impossible to track one underage magic user in the whole of Diagon Alley. They probably wouldn't even try.
Her vault consisted of a small pile of coins that her parents had deposited last year. They'd put enough in her account for school fees and supplies, as well as a little extra for hidden expenses. Hermione promptly turned her bag upside down and let the galleons fall onto the small pile.
The upside to being sorted into Slytherin was that most students came from old money, meaning they had plenty to spend. Plenty had been spent on Hermione's editing services. Five galleons had seemed steep to Hermione, but ever since Vanessa's first rather public payment, the price and just been assumed.
Once the undetectably extended backpack was empty, Hermione exited her vault.
"Come on Griphook, I have investments to make."
/
The investment office was small, and utterly covered in gold plated finery. Hermione supposed it did encourage a certain sort of confidence in investing. There were a few fancy chairs in the outer office, not that Griphook had bothered to tell her to sit. He'd left as soon as he possibly could. Opposite the seat Hermione choose were a large stack of pamphlets. She looked at them for a few long seconds before heading over and digging through them.
There were a few generic ones, explaining some of the more complicated terminology and process of investing. Hermione gave them a quick once over, reassuring herself that she knew all she needed. She'd realised quickly that her homework help wouldn't be enough. She'd leave herself with no spare time, and not nearly enough money to try and woo Bellatrix. Her soulmate was a Black, after all. She deserved the best.
There was a weird loophole in wizarding law that meant while the greater wizarding world considered Hermione a minor until she was seventeen, the goblins already considered her an adult because she had her own vault. Her parents couldn't own a vault since they were muggles, so one had been opened in her name. Therefore she could make her own investments.
Investing in businesses that Hermione knew would do well either in her world, or the previous one seemed like a good idea. She still had six years of schooling after all, and six years was plenty of time to let a small investment grow. Plus, it'd be nice to be able to buy new books a little more frequently. Maybe she could get a subscription to one of the Mastery magazines, like Transfiguration Today.
Hermione paused while looking at a particular pamphlet. Something about it seemed familiar. She flicked through it a few times before the name of the investment company finally tickled an old memory.
Coldstone Adventures advertised themselves as a getaway for the rich and famous to find rare and valuable artifacts with real archeologists. The artifact find would be credited to whichever witch or wizard paid to be there, but the artifact itself would be sold off with the profits going to the investors.
Hermione frowned. One of Ron's brothers had invested in the previous world. Bill perhaps. Yes, definitely Bill, because he had been lucky enough to not lose all his money to it. Fleur had taken one look at the contract and forced him to sell his shares. It was a good thing too, as six months later the company declared bankruptcy.
"Are you interested in investing in Coldstone Adventures?"
Hermione jumped, started at the voice next to her. She hadn't even noticed the goblin and the witch exit one of the surrounding offices.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you."
Hermione waved a hand. "It's not a problem, I should have been paying more attention. To answer your question, no. Coldstone is a useless investment. I give them five years before they're bankrupt."
The goblin quirked an eyebrow, but it was the witch with him who spoke up.
"What makes you say that, my dear?"
The witch was tall with long, platinum blonde hair piled on top of her head. She was dressed well in sleek black robes, and wore several expensive looking rings on her fingers. Hermione was sure the woman had mastered the haughty pureblood look, but right now she was smiling down at Hermione softly.
"Lady Black, I'm sure you have more important business to attend to."
Lady Black's smile disappeared and she glared down at the goblin.
"All of my business is important, and right now I want to know what this young lady has to say."
The goblin nodded and looked away. Hermione found herself beibg watched by two pairs of interested eyes.
"It's a fine idea, and it's got the potential to make money, even if it's a bit infrequent and randomised in payout. It also has a substantial loan from Gringotts, on the condition that any goblin artifacts be offered to the goblin nation first." Hermione sighed. "It's a good deal, and honestly in my opinion, it should all go to the goblin nation regardless."
Lady Black raised an eyebrow. "You've yet to point out a problem."
Hermione flipped the pamphlet over and showed her the photograph who two rather sour faced individuals.
"The whole thing is being headed up by the Carrow twins. There isn't anyone I trust less in this situation. They're elitists, with no regard for anyone who isn't a pureblood witch or wizard, and to top it off, they're both as dumb as rocks. All that means is that when they eventually do find a goblin artifact they'll keep it for themselves, but be stupid enough to store it in their Gringotts vault, making sure they are caught red handed. Gringotts calls for immediate payment of their loan, the Carrows declare bankruptcy, and all the other investors are left out of pocket."
Lady Black gazed at her thoughtfully.
"You raise a few good points. I take it you know the Carrows, then?"
"Only in passing." Hermione answered quickly. "I doubt they'd remember me. I was much younger at the time. Their reputation precedes them however."
"Well, Miss…" Lady Black let her sentence hang questioningly.
"Granger, Hermione Granger."
"Miss Granger. I must say, you certainly seen to have a grasp on the Carrow twins. Terrible people, better than their parents though."
The goblin looked startled.
"You really think that, Lady Black? That they'll go against the terms of their loan?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you think I refused to invest?"
Then Lady Black swept from the room leaving one concerned goblin, and one slightly put out Hermione.
It wasn't the worst first impression one could make with their future mother in law, but it wasn't exactly stunning either.
/
Bellatrix was three glasses of elvish wine into the annual Black ladies night and as far as she was concerned, it wasn't nearly enough.
Once a year all the living Back women got together, no matter what, and usually got raging drunk. It was a long time family tradition from well before Bellatrix was even born. Every Black woman, no exception. Andromeda had been quite confused the first time Druella had sent Bellatrix to pick her up after Andromeda's 'disowning'.
"Besides," Druella had said with a wave of her hand. "I never filed the paperwork your father gave me. You're still technically a Black."
Andromeda and Nymphadora came to most family gatherings, Ted only being allowed once Cygnus had died. His portrait still complained about it regularly.
At this ladies night were all three Black sisters, their mother Druella, Nymphadora, and Great Aunt Cassiopeia, who despite pushing one hundred and fifty, still drunk the rest of them under the table. Thankfully Walburga was long dead and no one but Regulus had to deal with her anymore. Even then it was just in portrait form. They sat in one of the more private sitting rooms in Black Hall, Cassiopeia's house. The fire crackled and was a selection of snack food, and an even bigger selection of alcohol.
They had considered opening the night up to a few more of the distant cousins, but had gone against the idea when the realisation that including Lily Potter meant including Molly Weasley. Molly wasn't bad, per say, she was just a lot to deal with. Especially when drunk. There were stories.
Bellatrix poured herself another drink, but paused when she noticed Cassiopeia watching her.
"What?"
"You're drinking." Cassiopeia pointed out with an amused smirk.
"Yes, that's what we do on ladies night." Bellatrix almost snarled.
She hadn't noticed that they were pulling everyone else's attention to them, but Cassiopeia had.
"We get shit faced and complain about the idiots that we're surrounded by." Bellatrix continued. "Then we all go home to those idiots and ward off questions for days. All while we deal with a headache because no hangover potion really works against elvish wine. So excuse me for doing just that, and getting shitfaced!"
"Bella!" Druella admonished, only slightly scandalised by her eldest's language. She had raised her after all, and knew Bellatrix swore like a sailor when she wasn't teaching.
Bellatrix groaned and took a healthy swig of her wine when she realised she had attracted everyone's attention. She rubbed her hand over her face and tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling.
"I got my soul mark."
She didn't see the grins she knew were there. She already knew everyone was happily smiling except Narcissa. Narcissa had always understood her better than anyone else. Bellatrix ignored the voices congratulating her until she felt cold hands take hers. Narcissa knelt in front of her, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears. Everyone else had stopped talking.
"It's a student, isn't it? A first year?"
Bellatrix sighed and downed the rest of her wine. She pulled Narcissa up and into her lap. She hugged the sister that was always there for her, that was always understanding of her life choices.
Father hadn't been pleased when she blew Rodolphus off to become a bounty hunter. He'd even taken it rather personally when she bagged the Lestrange brothers and wrapped them up in a nice bow to be sent to Azkaban. Narcissa had stood up for her and thrown quite the fit when Cygnus suggested disowning Bellatrix. He'd been forced to stand down or face Narcissa refusing to marry Lucius. At the time Cygnus had no idea they were soulmates. Bellatrix had been the only one Narcissa had confided that fact too.
Bellatrix tucked her head against Narcissa's shoulder.
"Yes. Some kid the same age as Draco is meant to be my soulmate. I don't even know who it is, and I'm not sure if I want to. Is it better to know and be forced to teach them anyway, or not know and spend the next six years wondering who it is, only to probably never see them again?" Bellatrix explained miserably.
"Well fuck."
"Mother!" Andromeda snapped in shock.
"Sometimes you just need to swear, dear." Druella said calmly. "No matter what, Bellatrix, you are my daughter. I will admit that I didn't do as much as I should of when Andromeda found Ted, but I won't make the same mistake again. We are all here for you, and you had best believe that we're here to stay. As unfortunate as the timing is for meeting your soulmate, the important part is that you have one."
Cassiopeia cackled. "This is why you're my favourite, Bella. You don't do anything the easy way."
"Oh shut up, Aunt Cassi."