There were many questioning glances thrown in Hermione's direction as she walked into St. Mungo's with her permanent visitor's pass. She didn't notice them until the elevator, and a healer was staring at her badge. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it was rather odd. Usually, there were a bunch of hellos and how are you's being asked. The fluttering thought of a death looming might be the reason why everyone was off.
She got to the fifth floor and walked straight to the desk to sign in. The receptionist frowned at her and Hermione was now officially offended.
"Is there a problem, Rebecca?"
"I'm sorry, have we spoken before?"
Hermione stopped signing her name and let out a snort, what game was she playing?
"Okay, very funny. Are Harry and Ronald already in there?" she pointed to the door and then frowned at the nameplate next to it. It read Elliot Snape. That wasn't right.
"Did you call before arriving? I don't have anything scheduled for today."
Hermione looked around the room and then back to the receptionist she had come to know well. It started to become blurry why she was there. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she looked at the name again by the door. It was familiar. But from where?
Snape was a teacher, but his name is Severus.
"I'm Elliot."
The face of a young dark-haired boy was shaking her hand at the table. It was a different view of the front of the Great Hall.
"I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to be here." She nodded her head and left before getting interrogated about knowing her name, which now she wasn't sure she knew.
She rushed out of the hospital and as soon as her pace slowed, the memory started in her mind. It took over her vision. Hermione was sitting in an empty cart.
"Mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."
She saw the way Theo sat across her and watched as she refused his hand when introducing himself. Who the hell was she? Old Hermione would have jumped at the chance for any new friend.
"What's your name?"
"Hermione."
"I'm Theo Nott."
"Pleasure."
It was rare that Hermione didn't feel the need for approval. Being outcasted in muggle school for years made her first couple of months at Hogwarts embarrassing. She was needy with whatever person gave her attention, and then it backfired. Again, if it weren't for her encounter with the troll and the boys, she would have been alone.
She never had the luxury of being the one to choose who to friend. This Hermione could, and with her ending "new" memory, it looks like she picked Elliot over Tom. Hermione was curious who in the world would give Snape the time of day.
It then rewound to her sorting. Hermione audibly gasped, causing several people who were walking by her to look in her direction oddly. She wasn't even in Gryffindor. Harry was still sorted there, but the most shocking was Ron Weasley being sorted into Slytherin.
This was it, the turn of events.
Tom walked into to Potions prepared for the annoyance that has been placed since their first day at Hogwarts. His usual calm and collected demeanour he so hard kept in place were being tested by the one thing he never expected at this school; Hermione Granger.
She refused to speak to him, choosing to be holed up in the Ravenclaw tower with Elliot. He hated Elliot from the beginning. Half-blooded acceptable or not, that boy was a disgrace to everything Tom thrived on. He wasn't allowed in the group, and while Elliot had been absent from the Manor, he somehow managed to get Hermione on his side here.
It was a torturing thought; does he undo everything his parents did, or does he leave it alone, letting Hermione slip through his fingers? She was so upset about this secret he didn't want to keep.
Professor Black started to give out instructions on the board. Tom remembered him from the parties; he was a second cousin to Draco. Regulus Black was well known for his bloodline, school achievements, and his brief quidditch career. It was illegal with how smoothly Professor Black made things look. He took over for Professor Slughorn.
"Alright everyone, today we will be brewing a simple potion since it is the day before the weekend. Your homework is to write me an essay, one 12 inch parchment long, about which brew you are most curious about. Your instructions are on the board, and you may all now get your ingredients, calmly."
Tom sent Draco to get their ingredients, and he just watched Hermione walk over by the crowd of students. Elliot was behind her and whispered something in her direction. Her giggle for response mad Tom furious.
"Here you go." Draco plopped down their stuff, double of everything and he followed his gaze. "I don't know why you bother; she isn't even a pureblood."
Tom wanted to retaliate; if it were just him and Draco, he would have. But with Pansy, Ron, and Blaise at the table, he needed to be composed.
"Drop it." Tom started to read the instruction on the parchment and focused on that instead.
Professor Black was walking around, looking into the cauldrons, making sure they were following the instructions as correctly as they could.
"Can anyone tell me what you are brewing?" he said out loud, and four hands went up.
He shook his head at the eagerness of Hermione, his easily favourite pupil. He then noticed the calm and collected curious case across the room.
"Remus Lupin indulge me."
"We are brewing Pepperup Potion," Remus smirked.
"Yes, ten points to Gryffindor. Miss Granger, what are the warnings for this potion when brewing?" Regulus looked at her, and she smiled, clearing her throat for a dramatic effect. Tom rolled his eyes when she looked in his direction to speak.
"Fire seeds must be added slowly one at a time and at three-second intervals to avoid overheating. If it is overheated, it will scorch the brew and render it null, giving off a dark red vapour." She replied smugly, and Tom was clenching his teeth, trying to stay calm as she kept her gaze.
"Yes, fifteen points to Ravenclaw for that detailed answer." Regulus turned towards a different table, "Susan Bones! Tell me how many times we stir this potion total?"
"Six, sir."
"Ten points to Hufflepuff. Now for my final question, Draco Malfoy, what does the Pepperup potion do and what side effects does it have?"
"It is a potion that cures a common cold but also causes steam to come off the drinker's ears for a few hours." Draco smiled smugly.
"Ten points for Slytherin."
"Now, as you guys are about to go to the second part of the brewing instructions, I need to warn you all to please be careful. I had a Gryffindor student yesterday somehow blow up his potion for the third time this week. Follow the directions exactly how they are written! These aren't from your textbooks, which means the person who wrote these, knows what he is talking about."
Many giggles went about the room, and the Gryffindor table was cracking up out loud. They all knew which the first year was going around blowing things up in various classes since the beginning of term.
It became quiet as they all went back to brewing, Tom added the three sprigs of English Thyme and stirred clockwise four times. Then came the five drops of Salamander blood, two more stirs anti-clockwise. The next step was the fire seeds, and he hovered his fist holding them over the cauldron; he added one. One… two… three, dropped a second fire seed.
One, two, three…
His eyes diverted to Hermione, laughing and Elliot joining in. He glared at them and then realised he was supposed to drop another one in. He opened his fist, forgetting that there were still two in his hand.
The fire seeds hit the potion, and the top set a flame. It immediately smoked, the potion evaporating within seconds. Tom stared at the red vapour angrily.
"It's alright, Thomas, you can try again. We have plenty of time." Regulus waved his wand and cleared up the mess, leaving a clean cauldron.
Hermione looked over at Tom and suppressed the smirk as she was waiting for the minute to be over to let the potion set. It was rare that Mr Perfect made mistakes. She wondered what he did wrong.
"Professor Black?" Hermione shot up her hand as well did Elliot.
"Are you both done?"
"Yes, we are."
"Excellent. This is perfect." Regulus looked into both of their cauldrons. "Five points each for finishing first."
Elliot looked over at Hermione excitedly but was met with her profile as she was focusing on the Slytherin across the room.
Tom finished just in time to clean up before class let out. Professor Black asked him to stay behind, and so he was waiting by the desk while the students filed out one by one.
Hermione glanced back, and Tom glared, receiving a frown from her. Elliot called out her name, and she followed him out of the classroom.
"I know it's only been two months, Thomas but are you alright? You're usually one of my first to finish." Professor Black crossed his arms and leaned against the desk. Tom felt his anger brew but placed a soft smile. He needed to be as charming as possible.
"I released two fire seeds by mistake; it won't happen again," Tom replied and kept the smile in place.
"Do you and Miss Granger get along?" Regulus pried noticing the boy's posture stiffen and the fists clench. If this boy was anything like the Gaunts were in the past, Hermione was definitely a sore subject.
"Yes. We attended muggle school together." Tom revealed. He needed to be nice. It was like having acid in his mouth as each word left his lips.
"Oh?" Regulus had no idea they knew each other prior. That was interesting but explained the unspoken competition between the two. Two brilliant children in the same year along with his baby cousin trailing behind with Lupin's kids. This year definitely will be exciting.
"We had no idea the other had magical abilities. We are in a bit of a tough spot, but all will be resolved. Hermione can be stubborn."
Regulus raised an eyebrow at how he spoke of her, possessive with a hint of protection. That was a tone for an adult, not a child.
"Just wanted to make sure you were fine," Regulus told him, and Tom nodded his head, turning on his heels to exit the room.
He walked into the Great Hall and went to sit at the Slytherin table. It was taking everything in him to not look in her direction. She was frustrating, stubborn, mean, rude, a brat, the list could go on. And it did as he ate.
Hermione was reading the chapter for next week's lesson, chewing her food slowly. It was acceptable at this table to have your nose in a book as you ate, and it made Hermione delighted. Back at muggle school, she was teased and reprimanded for wanting to read during a time meant for a break. She never felt reading was a chore; nobody understood that. Except for Tom.
She sighed and shut her book. The memory of having Tom reading to her was in her mind. They took turns reading in the evenings. It was after they finished homework that Hermione got to pick something for them and during breaks they would meet in the mornings to read before running around for the day.
Her eyes slowly went over to the table on the far end. It didn't matter that there were many students in the way, she spotted him quickly. It was frustrating to not talk to her best friend.
"Hermione?" Elliot followed where she was possibly looking but then looked down to his food. He was tired of Tom getting everything. Hermione deserved a better friend than the pureblood loving monster everyone else hasn't seen. He wished Hermione was able to remember everything. Pretty sure she would be paying attention to his friendship than Gaunt's.
"You said my name?" Hermione broke her glance.
"Yeah, was just wondering if you read the homework already but then saw your book."
Hermione smiled and started to eat again. It stayed silent for a bit and then she looked over to Elliot. He didn't look very much like Professor Snape. He had a lot of people demand how he was the evil Professor's son. It didn't matter to her, but she felt terrible for him.
"So have you heard about Quidditch?" she asked him, and he nodded, smiling in her direction.
"My dad says he'd rather I not play, but mum says I can so I'm trying out." Elliot's smile grew, and then he raised an eyebrow to her.
"Well, first years aren't allowed to try out, are they?"
"I'm not sure. But when I am allowed to try out, I'm going to. I'm just excited to get back on a broom."
"Me too!" Hermione replied, excitedly.
"You've been on a broom before?" He looked at her surprised she remembered her time at Draco's. She shook her head quickly, berating herself silently.
"Uh, no. I meant like to get on a broom in general," Hermione said a little less enthusiastic.
Elliot frowned but kept his comment to himself. If Hermione remembered being on a broom, what else is she remembering?
"Have you heard about Potter?" Elliot continued the conversation.
"What about him?"
"His father is asking for permission for Harry to try out this year in a private time slot so he could come. Potter's dad was a famous chaser."
"I don't know who that is, but I can't imagine Headmaster allowing something like that." Hermione frowned and looked in the direction of the Potter boy. He had messy dark hair and green eyes, eating like a monster with his friends.
"Well, there's a lot of parents making special requests. Malfoy's was demanding private quarters at first, but Aunt Cissa said my uncle was ridiculous."
Hermione was still trying to figure out how Elliot was related to the Malfoys. Tom didn't like him which either one, it was solely for the fact that Elliot was a half-blood or two, Tom was threatened. It was still unclear. Maybe a memory that hasn't resurfaced yet.
"Malfoy is a piece of work." Hermione decided to see if maybe one of the Slytherins will indulge her with some info on Elliot Snape.
"So, when do you find out you had magic?"
Hermione chewed her food and thought it over, trying to think of when to tell him. Elliot didn't seem to be one to betray her, but she figured sticking to her McGonagall story would be best. If someone else heard, it would be easy to spread and reach Tom. Somehow her mind lock was undone when she arrived, and she wasn't sure how.
"When I was being told about Hogwarts by Professor McGonagall. I only knew the accidents around me were always not my fault, and she just confirmed everything. I didn't want to sound stupid and say it was magic."
Elliot nodded his head, accepting her answer as he only could. It would be hard to convince someone that didn't seem to remember all the events in their childhood the way they were supposed to be. Hermione smiled in his direction, and he smiled back.
The next morning Hermione arrived in DADA class by herself. It was one of the lessons she didn't have Elliot. This class was paired with Gryffindor and some Hufflepuffs. Hermione hated the obnoxious group she was near. One of them was the cocky yet famous Harry Potter. She tried to ignore their loud talk and pulled out her wand.
"Mind if I sit next to you today?"
Hermione looked and saw Remus Lupin smiling at her. She usually sat alone in the back to avoid the teacher at all costs. He didn't seem to like her, and it was discouraging to have a teacher disapprove of her answering questions. So after two weeks of blatantly ignoring her, Hermione went to the back.
"I suppose not."
He plopped in the chair, and Hermione caught the smirk he was giving her. She didn't particularly care for the obnoxious attitude all of Gryffindor seemed to sport.
"So, Hermione, is it? Where's your boyfriend?"
"My boyfriend?" She side-eyed him.
"Snape's spawn or is it Gaunt? I remembered you being Tom's friend."
"You remember me?" Hermione asked, stunned, laying it on thick to appease him.
"Of course, I remember you. You knew everything, and Tom just stroked your ego. You both were so annoying during the holidays, Mr and Mrs Know it all."
"Holidays? I celebrated with my parents." Hermione lied.
"Wait, what? You don't remember your holidays?" Remus looked at her shocked, and then he looked forward to the other two Gryffindors, "SHE DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER US!"
"What are you going on about? I don't even know who you are!" Hermione snapped and was trying hard to hold her giggle in.
"You're Hermione Granger. You're friends with Thomas Gaunt?"
"Yes, he was my neighbour. But he went away for the holidays, I think. I only know I celebrated with my parents. Who knows what anyone else was doing."
She looked towards the sound of a door slamming, Professor Snape stormed in, and he demanded everyone stand. All the desks were removed and sent to the side towards the wall. And then went to the chairs.
"Today, we will start duelling lessons. I have special permission to allow students to start practising defensive spells. Only… defensive spells."
A murmur broke out as the students became excited. Hermione rolled her eyes as Remus elbowed her arm, his eyebrows going up and down.
"Care to be my partner, Granger?"
"No, I'd like her to be mine. Last time she beat me."
Hermione looked towards the famous young wizard and crossed her arms. She couldn't respond with how she'd like. It was hard holding her tongue when she knew everything.
"I have never duelled you before, let alone met you."
"Maybe this time, I'll win and make you remember." Harry sneered, and Snape instructed everyone to get into pairs.
"Quickly. I do not have all day."
Harry linked his arm to Hermione's, and she stayed still as everyone paired with whom they liked. She was debating about letting him win since technically, she didn't know about magic till two months ago. Hermione smirked and decided it would be her death day when Saint Potter beat her. Tom would love that she used the nickname Draco had for him.
"I want you all to start with a simple Expelliarmus. It is to make the opponent lose their wand." Snape drawled, and Hermione held her wand at the ready. Last time they duelled at Black Manor gardens, they didn't stop till the other was unconscious. She wondered what the limit was here at the school.
"On my count."
She gripped her wand tightly and felt nervous as Harry was also ready. They weren't equally matched, but he did have luck on his side when it came to duelling.
"One… two… three."
Hermione flicked her wand and outshot the red jet of light. Harry blocked it and sent one back, they started to duel, back and forth. There was only one other pair who were also continuing their fight, which was the Lupin twins. They were also aware of the don't stop till the other drops rule.
She continued to block Harry's shots one after the other, moving left and right effortlessly. She didn't think as the other's students watched. Harry was quick, shooting out spells verbally; his natural athletic abilities were showing as he moved nimbly out of her shots as well.
Amelia and Remus were on the other end of the class also dodging each other's shots, but they were throwing in taunting words, their sibling rivalry clear as day.
Harry started to laugh as Hermione almost got hit by one of his shots. She became angrier and began taking steps towards him, shooting her spells wordlessly and faster than she should have. Hermione was supposed to be a beginner but was duelling as she had practised for years. And that's because she had.
Tom was relentless in training his closest friends. Sometimes it involved the other side of the family that were deemed blood traitors. Hermione went to a Christmas ball that the Black brothers hosted, she remembered it ended in a horrible way. Tom kept apologising, and when they got home, Hermione was told that she couldn't go again.
The Gaunts knew Hermione was a witch, and they vowed to help keep her secret. She was stepping towards Harry still, and the memory of Tom telling her she could no longer know was on show again. It was fueling her anger, her vision blurring red from it.
My parents don't think it's safe for you to be at Hogwarts.
She finally dodged Harry's shot and yelled, "Alarte Ascendare!"
Harry was shot into the air, and Hermione watched and pointed her wand, "Stupefy!"
It was one of Tom's favourite combinations that were the least lethal. Harry was thrown across the room and landed roughly. Hermione was breathing hard and was staring at him, making sure he was still breathing.
"Ugh! Hermione!" Harry forced himself up and winced in pain, his hand going to his shoulder. "I think you dislocated my shoulder!"
Hermione finally came to and looked around. She never lost control so quickly. It took a lot for her to let her anger take over. She and Tom worked on keeping calm, but Harry irritated her; always had.
"Miss Granger."
She looked up to the Professor looming over and became nervous. Another accident but this time, she couldn't claim innocence. It was a magic school, after all.
"I would like for you to stay after class, for now, please take a seat as you clearly are far more advanced than the rest of the class."
"Yes, Professor."
Harry was instructed to go to the hospital wing, Amelia was to take him, and the others continued their attempt at duelling. Many of the students were continually looking over to Hermione, and she kept her head bowed, trying not to be upset that she lost control.
Tom will be furious once he hears that she hurt Harry with a spell combination he taught her. She buried her head in her hands, frustrated that she told on herself.
Back at the common room, Elliot was sitting by the entrance waiting for Hermione. He heard about her duel and that she won. Harry was bragging about how he let her win, but Elliot remembered that Hermione was one never to lose so easily. He knew she was withholding information. If she remembered flying and duelling, that means she recognised him.
It was several hours later that Hermione finally decided to go back to the tower. She stayed in the furthest corner of the library, thinking it's best to remain hidden. Her duel spread quickly since the famous Potter was hurt during it. He was receiving a lot of praise, but the girl who injured him wasn't.
Headmaster had asked her many questions, starting with her skills at duelling. Hermione lied and said she was an athlete and just applied her skills to duelling. Studying the spells wasn't hard, and Dumbledore took her word for it. She was stunned when he didn't push her into a better explanation as her other teachers had done.
She answered the riddle and entered the common room, annoyed to see a sleeping Elliot on the couch. She didn't realise it was past bedtime since she didn't feel sleepy.
Hermione walked over to the couch and poked Elliot's shoulder repeatedly until he smacked her away.
"Go to your bed." Hermione snapped and started to walk away, and Elliot sat up at her voice.
"Finally, you're back!"
"I don't want to talk about it." Hermione kept walking towards the stairs.
"You remember me, don't you? You knew this whole time who I was." Elliot called after her.
Hermione kept her back to him and stared at the stone stairs in front of her. She didn't know what to say and most importantly, didn't want to speak. It will only confirm everything and then she'll have to deal with the consequences. She was sure Tom put the two together as well, and she had Transfiguration with him first thing in the morning. That was not going to be fun, but Elliot will also be there so it wouldn't get out of hand. Hopefully.
"Yes, I remember you. I remembered everything when I got on the platform for the Hogwarts Express."
"How is that possible?"
"I didn't know at first, but I just read in the library what happened," Hermione answered.
"Okay, so what did you read?" Elliot asked impatiently.
"There are many protection spells on everything to protect the platform entrance, including revealing spells. It washes away any advanced magic on the muggle-born or any witch and wizard trying to hide something. Most memories were starting to resurface when I got on the train. The whole way here it was three years of lies in my mind being revealed. The Gaunts modified everything and locked my mind so I wouldn't remember. They would have gotten away with it if I never came here."
"Tom, did this?"
"His parents," she corrected hearing Elliot's anger.
"I knew something was off when you gave me a weird look when I sat next to you." Elliot rolled his eyes.
"I had to pretend. If I knew you, that means I had to know everything from Malfoy Manor too. Theo didn't realise I was the same Hermione either, thinking since I didn't remember him, I was someone else."
Elliot let out a snort, "Theo is the more oblivious one."
"Now, you know. I didn't want anyone to know, but now everyone does." Hermione turned towards him and saw her eyes starting to fill tears.
"It's alright. No one is going to care. Right now, everyone knows you as the girl who hurt Harry Potter."
Hermione snorted hearing that as she thought back to the Hufflepuff girls talking about Harry and his well being. Maybe this will teach him that she can't be beaten so easily.
"I should visit him in the hospital wing and apologise."
"Hopefully his father doesn't get too mad. Tryouts are happening, and if Harry doesn't make it, he'll blame the injury. My dad says Potter's dad is a pratt."
"Tom said they used to bully your dad, Mr Potter and Mr Black. Is that true?"
"Dad won't say anything, but mum said when they were here, there were four of them who teased him. They embarrassed him by making him float and took his pants off."
Hermione frowned, hearing the story differently. Tom said Snape deserved it and was not at all the actual victim of a group of bullies.
"Don't repeat that. Mum told me that in secret."
Hermione pinched her fingers and glided them on her lips, mimicking zipping them together. She smiled, and they both made their way up to their dorms.