Dislaimer: All familiar characters belong to J.K. Rowling
Chapter 4: The Bigger War
The curtains were charmed open, letting streams of sunlight into the bedroom causing Hermione to sit up swiftly, eyes wide alert, wand trained on Rosaline threateningly while she casually browsed her wardrobe and dropped items on to the bed ready to wear.
"Honestly dear that's the third time."
"Well you should really learn to knock!" Hermione growled stalking off to the bathroom sleepily to relieve herself, then emerging with a toothbrush in her mouth to glare at the woman who seemed to think she was her personal mannequin.
"And I don't need you to come and dress me every morning either." She was barely intelligible through the toothpaste foam in her mouth.
"We've been through this darling." Rosaline waved her hand dismissively. "I don't understand you. When I was your age-"
Hermione re-emerged from the bathroom, face scrubbed clean as Rosaline dusted her pinstriped Georgiana frock of imaginary lint.
"Rosaline. You're only a few years older than me."
Hermione grudgingly lifted her arms up so Rosaline could take off her nightwear and dress her in a white shirt with a sharp collar trimmed with black lace, deep red v-necked sweater and a calf length straight charcoal grey skirt cinched in at the waist with a wide black leather belt. Rosaline handed her a black felt cap, leather wrist gloves and a standard Hogwarts cloak. She was thankful for the one practical element of her outfit, her black ankle boots. She planned to rid herself of the oxygen restricting belt as soon as Rosaline left. She smiled at this small act of rebellion.
"I expect to see you Friday afternoon for tea as soon as you finish your last lesson for a catch up." Rosaline kissed her cheek fondly and handed her a black school satchel before walking her out of her quarters.
"Shoo now, off to breakfast and do smile dear or you'll scare your classmates away!" She laughed shutting the door behind a scowling Hermione.
GRINDELWALD INFILTRATES THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
The long anticipated attack on the ministry of magic occurred in the early hours this morning by Grindelwald. Garick Grindelwald had warned of using force after inviting the British Ministry to join his cause on his crusade against the statute of secrecy. Yesterday he made the threat a reality as his troops managed to break into the ministry, bound and gagged the guards and left his manifesto on the Minister's personal desk. "No one was harmed but the message is clear. Britain must plead it's allegiance. No longer can Britain remain neutral." commented Diggory. (Continued on page 3)
In the first Monday of the second week of November there were three notable events that the students of Hogwarts were engrossed in. The well publicized attack on the British Ministry by Grindelwald, the suspicious circumstances of Druella Rosier's injuries and the new Griffindor Hermione Prince.
Hermione Prince had attempted anonymity by arriving at the Great Hall early with her nose in her Potions textbook. She failed miserably. A new seventh year beginning at the end of term was gossip worthy apparently. Hermione grumbled as she caught another Griffindor staring at her conspicuously. "No shame." she hissed under her breath as she stuffed her mouth inelegantly with scrambled egg. Someone chuckled beside her. Hermione almost snapped her neck to detect the culprit.
"Woah hold the fire love." A girl with a Scottish lilt held her hands speared with a sausage over her plate. The girl observed Hermione with great interest and Hermione felt she was being x rayed under those deep blue eyes of hers.
"And what, pray tell, do you find so amusing of my being hawked at like fresh meat?" Hermione scathingly asked.
"Your reactions, my dear, are extremely droll." Her voice heavily dripped with mockery.
"Alexandra Moody. Call me Xander." She grinned, dropping the false accent.
Hermione shook her hands briefly "Hermione Prince." and turned back to her breakfast. She had worked through a plate of sausages, eggs, hash browns and baked beans, waffles topped with banana and chocolate syrup and now turned her attention to the porridge. She sighed as she stuck a spoon into the creamy mixture.
"For a little lady you sure do eat a lot." Xander commented as she scanned her eyes down an article in the Daily Prophet.
"I'm trying to regain weight."
"Ah you don't hear that often from the mouths of ladies."
"I'm not a lady."
"Is that why your hair's so short?"
"You talk a lot."
"Perhaps, you talk too little."
Hermione concluded the conversation with a glare, or so she thought. As she stalked to her first lesson Xander followed her from behind.
"Godric, learn to take a bit of jest."
"So… headed off to potions?" Xander tried again.
"Yes."
"How come you already know your way? I was hopeless most of first year." Xander chuckled.
"I've been here a week."
"Xander!" a jovial voice called from behind them. They both stopped to turn waiting for the boy with a shock of red hair to catch them up. "Please tell me you did your- ah! Hermione Prince!"
Hermione shook her head in disbelief.
"Gideon Prewitt, my lady" Hermione's eyes widened as he kissed her still too thin hand. What is with this decade and their obsession with ladies and chivalry and impractical long bloody skirts.
"Hello." Hermione responded bluntly.
"Eh Prewitt I'd be careful with this one, she's feisty." Xander chuckled.
"A true lioness. I approve." Gideon grinned.
As the three Griffindors walked down to the dungeons Hermione wondered how she'd forgotten she'd have to interact with the people of 1942. Occupied with thoughts of dealing with baby Voldemort, Grindelwald's antics and a terms worth of school work she'd let slip the new people that would inevitably enter her life. The thought overwhelmed her as she watched Xander and Gideon laugh merrily and banter easily. Those days were over for her.
They entered the Potions room and Hermione noted that it was the same dreary space furnished with large oak tables and the walls lined with books and various ingredients. The class trickled in and Hermione sought a free seat. Unfortunately there seemed to be empty seats of the Slytherin half of the classroom. So much for undercover Hermione sighed as she took a seat in the back near a boy who had unnervingly perfect white-blonde hair. Hermione touched her own excuse of a mane self-consciously.
The boy with the perfect hair turned as she settled down and she was met with a smirk worthy of a "Malfoy" the boy was saying. "Abraxas Malfoy." She was taken aback by the friendly gesture and suspiciously shook his hand. His eyes were the exact grey of her old rival's except there was a kindness in them Draco Malfoy seemed to disguise. His lips were bigger, his cheekbones stronger- he was a masculine version of Draco Malfoy as she slyly noted his forearms. Hermione pondered the ferret boy's reaction to her suggestion that he was feminine.
"Hermione Prince." She replied.
Looking forward she took a sharp intake of breath as she saw the handsome profile of Tom Riddle chatting amiably with Professor Slughorn. She narrowed her eyes and curled her hands around her new wand. She could feel her magic crackle around her. She popped a mint flavoured boiled sweet and sucked hard, trying to ease her fury. Oh how she hated him! There, a few feet away, stood the man responsible for the brunt of her suffering. The darkest wizard of all time. She refused to close her eyes in fear of the flashbacks that haunted her nightmares. The example made of muggles hanged publicly outside Whitehall, the Ministry of Magic up in flames, Ron's blank eyes, flashes of green as the order dropped like flies, Lestrange's hot wicked mouth, Harry's head decapitated from his body-
"Hermione?" Malfoy reached her shoulder with a comforting hand.
She opened her eyes and instinctively erected the familiar walls of Occlumancy, shielding her mind from not only others, but herself.
"Just a little nervous." she mumbled at Malfoy who looked concerned still. She was pulled into those enchanting eyes. Attractive on him, cruel in Draco's.
"What a splendid morning!" boomed Slughorn. Hermione thanked the gods for the interruption.
"Today we will begin brewing a classic NEWT potion." He tapped the blackboard and there appeared a list of instructions on the brewing of the blood replenishing potion. "You may begin." He looked fondly at his class, his ridiculous blond moustache twitching with excitement as he found Hermione Prince at the back of his classroom. He bobbed towards her and Hermione grimaced at him, badly attempting a timid smile.
"Ah, Ms. Prince! Edward mentioned you. I expect great things from you."
Hermione weakly nodded at the attention he lathered on causing a few glances to her table, including Tom Riddle's. He walked off as she busied herself with lighting her cauldron his great belly bouncing despite the snug velvet jacket he wore. She pretended not to have seen Riddle and got on with fetching the ingredients required for the fairly complicated potion.
As she searched for a Griffin claw she listened closely to the two whispering Slytherins beside her. "Druella said she tripped on the stairs." the black haired Slytherin scoffed. "Yeah because those bruises were a result of an accident." the blonde whispered. "Believe you me, it was anything- may I help you?" the black haired witch watched Hermione with narrowed eyes. Blasted Slytherins and their astute nature. Hermione smiled sweetly at the pair and walked back to her table. Interesting. A supposed accident. Well, she had a visit to the hospital wing to make. She grinned wryly.
"Oh Madam Pomfrey I feel so ill." Xandra cried.
Hermione shook her head at the incredibly awful acting. She lifted the complex wards of the filing cabinet and searched through the weeks records. Prewitt, Lestrange, Abbott… Ah. Druella Rosier. She touched the page with her wand and folded the duplicate into her robe pockets and cautiously closed the office door. Satisfied she walked back to the bed Xander lay dramatically across, a frustrated healer waving her spell without effect. "Ms. Moody I-"
"Look at that! I am recovered!" She jumped to her feet eyeing Hermione from the corner of her eye. Hermione nodded.
"But I.."
"Cured me. Keep up the good job." She smiled sweetly and exited the hospital wing.
"Your parents are aurors!"
"Oh you got what you needed didn't you? Anyway stealth is wasted on that woman."
Hermione grumbled at the girls cheek.
"So are you going to tell me why you were snooping in Pomfrey's office?"
No answer.
"Thought not."
Hermione looked at Moody who now had a piece of parchment in her hand.
"My parents are aurors." She winked, unperturbed by the threatening look in Hermione's eyes.
"How did I get stuck with you?" she muttered. Well, she had killed. This must be the punishment.
"Ouch." Commented Xander.
Hermione scanned the list. Infliction of dark magic. Bruises on her wrist and neck. Signs of crucio spell. This is no innocent school prank. Ouch indeed. It had death eater written all over it. If her gut instinct was right she'd need to speak to Rosier herself. Riddle spared no witnesses.
"That Rosier is a conceited piece of shit but this is…" she trailed off. "Why did you look for her medical record?"
"I overheard some Slytherins talking about how her injuries had apparently been an accident. I make it my business to know suspicious events."
Xander raised an eyebrow and stared a little hungrily at her.
"I knew I liked you for a reason." She put her arm around Hermione's shoulder and dragged her joyously to the Great Hall for lunch.
Riddle sipped his soup one eye on the door awaiting a curly haired Griffindor to show her face. He'd heard the rumours. But not for one second had he connected the mysterious student for the corpse he'd been haunted with a few days ago. Yet the short hair, the scar, the skelatal frame- though he had to admit she seemed to have eaten since then.
"Master" snivelled a voice from his right. Riddle stiffened.
"Dolohov" replied Riddle smoothly. He'd have to teach the idiot a lesson for calling him master in public later. It wouldn't do at all. He had a reputation to uphold.
"The meeting tonight" he began.
"Midnight. Common room." Riddle replied, his voice as cool as ice.
Wisely Dolohov skulked off just as Prince walked in the hall, looking bemusedly at the girl who had her arm slung around her. Riddle involuntarily tremoured. That beautiful look of death was unnatural and here she was, brought back from the dead, cheeks pink with colour, eyes glowing with health, yet still there was a look of lingering death about her.
"Tom." A soft voice whispered seductively in his ear.
"Rosarie." He replied without emotion his eyes still fixed on the miraculously recovered Griffindor who now heaped a gluttonous amount of food onto her plate. Druella narrowed her eyes as she followed the direction of his attentions. "An ugly little thing isn't she." Rosier's sweet voice dripped with disapproval. "Her manners are simply preposterous."
Riddle raised one perfect brow at the jealousy flaring in the beautiful Slytherin.
"That Prince girl? Tell me about it! She was snooping around us in potions clearing eavesdropping."
Riddle inwardly groaned. Walburga Black was a nasty gossip. She had her uses but it came at the cost of listening to her and her faithful sidekick Eliza Parkinson.
"There's something off about her. It's like she appeared out of nowhere."
Riddle looked at Parkinson surprised at the accuracy of her statement.
"She looks positively barbaric." Rosier added as the girls agreed. Riddle quietly concurred. She had a wild aura about her.
"Grindelwald attacks the ministry and all you girls are concerned with is the new Griffindor addition?" Lysander Nott's voice was laced with disapproval as she joined the gossiping trio.
"Ooh!" squealed Parkinson. "Yes I did hear about that actually."
The Slytherin's were accustomed to Lysander Nott's scathing beratement.
"I don't approve his methods. Infiltrating the ministry in such a way was uncouth."
"It was a warning about what he was capable of." Riddle challenged Nott intrigued with her informed view on the attack. Nott merely met his gaze and explained almost arrogantly "A warning that will force the MInistry to pick a side. We can no longer be personal after such a clear offensive strategy."
Riddle tilted his head slightly before nodding.
"And we all know what a mudblood sympathiser Diggory is."
"So the ministry will begin open defiance against Grindelwald inviting public support."
How had he overlooked Nott before? She was clearly a talented strategist. Pureblooded. As he looked her in the eye Nott cowered a little at the hungry look in his eye.
"Do excuse me" he politely smiled, nodded respectfully at Nott and followed Prince out of the hall. A few students walked between them heading to the library. Yards ahead Hermione was well aware of Riddle's presence. Would he ambush her? He had found her on the edge of death after all. Get a grip of yourself she remonstrated herself. She was armed, he had no idea where her loyalties lay and whatmore she had the Prince name to mask her true blood status. There was no reason for him to hurt her. Anyhow, this was inevitable. There were two ways she could keep an eye on Riddle. From a distance as a stranger or up close as an ally.
She walked briskly to the Herbology section pulling out a few books for her assignment on underwater plants before seating herself on a table by the window. A few moments later Riddle joined her table. Hermione shuddered as looked up and for the first time saw Riddle up close. She was tempted to reach out her hand and touch him to see if he was real. Would his face peel and reveal the snake like monster he would metamorphosize into later, the darkest wizard of all time, Voldemort?
Riddle smiled charmingly at Hermione who feigned a look of polite indifference.
"May I help you?" she asked proud of her steady voice. Riddle smiled charmingly at Hermione who feigned a look of polite indifference.
"Could I share the books you've sourced? I'm writing up Professor Sprouts assignment too."
"Of course." she pushed the books to the centre of the table.
"Thank you. Tom Riddle by the way." Riddle seemed to purr with charm.
"Hermione Prince." She smiled shortly before returning to her essay. What had she decided? She had no idea. She was mustering her self-control between adava kadavering his ass and running the hell out of there before he cruciod hers. His classic beauty was even more unnerving. What a pity he turns into snake face in his pursuit for immortality. She snickered softly.
The two students worked studiously side by side, uninterrupted in their corner during the lunch hour. Every now and then they would glance at each other but not once did their eyes meet. Hermione was extremely paranoid that the next time she looked up she'd see crimson eyes, a snake like nose and a lipless leer. Riddle watched her as she browsed expertly through the books, poised her quill and wrote in a flurry. As the lunch hour came up she had written well beyond the four feet the professor had requested. She dried her parchment with a wave of her wand and sealed the scroll. She stowed away her belongings and headed to the History of Magic classroom as quickly as she could without looking suspicious hoping Riddle couldn't smell her fear. It really wouldn't surprise her.
Hermione found Xander waiting outside in the corridor with the rest of their History of Magic class. Xander smiled at Hermione and introduced her her friends who looked politely at her with interest. It was a welcome change to the blatant hawking she'd been getting.
"Girls this is Hermione. She'll be joining us in our dorm from tonight."
"Hello Hermione." A beautiful blonde girl smiled genuinely at her before kissing her twice on her cheeks. Her blue eyes were framed with long curling eyelashes, her cheeks rosy and her lips painted in a vivid scarlet. "I'm Anastasia."
"Jaqueline" the girl with short blonde hair greeted her with a firm handshake.
"And I'm Sophia" The middle eastern girl took her hand with both of hers and kissed them. It must be a cultural greeting.
"Hello." Hermione said and then attempted a smile. There was an excriciatingly awkward moment before Xander broke the tension.
"Godric you all look so formal. Lighten up." The girls laughed good naturedly. "We call Jaqueline Jackie, Anastasia Scarlett, that's her sir name and Sophia's plain Sophia."
"What brings you to Hogwarts Hermione?" Scarlett asked.
"My parents were killed by Grindelwald's troops in France." This was the story she'd rehearsed with Professor Prince.
Scarlett suddenly engulfed her in a tight embrace. Hermione closed her eyes and melted into the show of affection. Her eyes glazed with tears at the first real concern shown by a person over the loss of her parents.
"I'm so sorry love." she murmered into her hair.
"Get off her Scarlett, you'll crush her." Xander rebuked her softly.
"Apologies, Scarlett has little understanding of personal boundaries." Jackie smiled sadly as Scarlett released her.
At that moment the Professor walked in saving her from a sticky social situation yet again.
"Ladies." He nodded at the Griffindors as he held the door open at them. Sophia's eyes gleamed mischieviously. "Thank you Professor Diggory"
Hermione stood politely by Diggory as the class took their usual spots. Riddle was in her class yet again. All the better she thought grimly. As everyone settled she took the last seat which was Riddle's. How convenient.
"Prince." He acknowledged her with a nod.
"Riddle." She replied in the same manner.
Not being able to rid herself of the thought that lord voldemort was inches away from her she brought her books out, parchment, her quill and ink. And she had been looking forward to this lesson ever since she'd found out Binns wouldn't be teaching this lesson.
"Good afternoon class. I'd like to firstly welcome our new student Hermione Prince. I hope you will enjoy your education at Hogwarts." Hermione looked at the man who possessed the same Diggory charm. Blond wavy hair, deep brown eyes and a cheeky dimpled grin.
"Now, a little recap for Miss. Prince perhaps. What did we learn last lesson?" He selected Sophia whose hand had shot into the air.
"The founders creation of Hogwarts sir."
"Can we expand?"
Jacqueline spoke this time "The end of the conventional home schooling for magical students and it's impact on the magical world. Most importantly the creation of a more organized Ministry of Magic whose first act in power was the establishment of the Stature of Secrecy."
"Five points to Griffindor." Professor Diggory smiled at her as Sophia elbowed Jacky in her ribs.
"Today we will be looking at each of the founders in detail, particularly the legendary dispute between good friends Salazar and Godric."
The lesson was deeply informative. Diggory went beyond the textbook, delving in details that brought the story to life. For once Hermione wasn't the only student awake and scratching away on her parchment. The whole class was wide awake as they were lectured by the professor.
"Your assignment for next lesson will be to compare the philosophy of Salazar Slytherin to Garrick Grindelwald in regards to the stature of secrecy. I expect a substantial length which covers an angle of your choice. Class dismissed."
"Fascinating debate don't you think." spoke Riddle for the first time. Hermione's ears pricked up at the opportunity to quiz RIddle about the reasons behind his own prejudiced opinion.
"Yes. Invigorating."
"Would you like to research this assignment with me? Diggory encourages team effort."
Hermione didn't pause in her answer. She'd made her mind up. This was the chance to cross analyze the most powerful dark wizard in history. See into his twisted mind. She'd become his tentative ally so when the time comes she could stab him in the back. For the greater good she thought sadly.
"I'd like that very much Riddle."
"Please, call me Tom."
"Ok... Tom. When are you free?"
"Tomorrow evening? After dinner in the library?"
"See you then. Tom."
He shot her a smile that unsettled her bloated stomach.
"Why is Riddle smiling at you?" Xander hissed at Hermione dragging her off to the Griffindor common room.
"We're going to work on the essay together."
"No your not. Not a good idea." She shook her head vigorously. Hermione frowned at the possessive way Xander seemed to clench her hand.
"This might be news to you Moody but you can't tell me what to do."
"Your new so I get it. You aren't the type to listen to silly gossip mongers. But it's me." She snorted. "Just trust me. He's not one of the good guys."
"Well then Alexandra, trust me. I can take care of myself."
"Stubborn lass." She sighed.
In an hour she was settled in her new room. Xander has insisted on helping her transport her belongings though there weren't very much of it. It was identical to her old quarters. She even had the same bed by the door.
"Time for dinner" Xander took Hermione's hand and she followed her out reluctantly. She was stuffed. She'd been eating double recommended intake for her height and it was taking it's toll but at a price. She felt drowsy and heavy by evening. As she glimpsed her reflection in the Common Room windows she sighed, she had a long way to go.
Once seated Scarlett, who Hermione was increasingly warming to, introduced her to the group of boys they'd sat next to. Damion Potter looked remarkably like Harry. Hazel eyes, black messy hair and trademark glasses albeit his ones were much trendier. She noticed the way Damion had wrapped his arms around Scarlett's waist possessively. The Potter's seemed to have a thing for beautiful women. Next to him sat Lyall Lupin, Alphard Black and the Prewitt twins. She laughed at the card fate played her. Here were the marauders and weasley twins' doppelgangers.
"Damion what was that I heard about the robbery at your manor?" Xander asked.
"Oh it wasn't a robbery. A break in but nothing was missing. No one hurt. Father's really paranoid. Top auror break in and all that." He drawled perfectly in that assured pureblooded manner.
"Pft I can imagine. If it was my parents they'd probably go underground." Xander rolled her eyes.
"Woah woah your family are a whole different story!" Potter objected humourously.
"Tell me about it." Laughed Xander. "A stray managed to breach the wards during the summer and the whole family was called to the garden in anticipation for combat. The dog was blasted by three stunning spells."
Everyone around the table flinched.
"They must have been looking for something. Did they leave anything behind?" Hermione asked thoughtfully.
Damion met her thoughtful eyes "No, it was a perfect break-in. The only trace was the freezing of the wards for an hour at midnight."
What had they been looking for? Hermione wondered if there was a link between the attack at the Ministry and the break in at the Potters. It occurred on the same night and neither perpertrator was caught. But one thing was certain. Tom Riddle was not the biggest threat right now. Grindelwald was active and dangerous. First things first. She had to get her hand on that manifesto. Know one's enemy after all.
Disclaimer: Any familiar characters belong to the queen that is J.K. Rowling