Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter—JK Rowling is the brilliant one deserving all credit.
A/N: I am so sorry it's been so long since my last update! This week has been a crazy one and hopefully I'll be back to updating every day for next week. This is the longest chapter I have written so enjoy!
Chapter 6: The Train
The week before Hermione went to Hogwarts flew by in a whirlwind of commotion. She still had to train with her fellow Death Eaters and Voldemort had called for her every day for updates on her mission. Along with that, Severus was taking every opportunity to pull her into their bedroom for some much need, stress-relieving sex—who know how much time they would be able to spend together when they were both at Hogwarts? The night before they would both leave for school, they discussed what would happen between them at Hogwarts…
Severus and Hermione were in bed together; Hermione was lying next to Severus with her head resting on his chest while Severus stroked her hair.
"Severus," Hermione began, "are you going to stop sleeping with me while we are at Hogwarts because you'll be my teacher?"
Severus chuckled at this. He still loved her bluntness and found it funny that she asked. "Hermione, I have already taught you everything that the 7th years will be learning this year. In my opinion, you aren't coming to Hogwarts as a student but as a spy. Our relationship isn't just sex; sex is just part of our relationship. I'm not giving you up because you're coming to Hogwarts—we will need to be careful not to get caught though.
"Good," Hermione murmured as she began to fall asleep, "because I like the sex."…
Now, Hermione was walking through the crowds at Kings Cross Station, making her way to Platform 9 ¾ . Even though Severus said she had already learned everything in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, she was excited to attend different classes and show off her knowledge. She reached the barrier and walked through, finding herself in a whole new world.
She scanned through the crowd and saw many students with their parents, saying their final farewells. Off to her left, she saw Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius saying their goodbyes in a very non-emotional manner. The Malfoys would never show emotion in public. She turned right to avoid them and decided to search for Harry Potter. She circled the platform with her trunk rolling behind her but didn't see him or any of the Weasleys. Two minutes until 11 she found herself at the barrier again and was about to go board the train when she saw many people with red hair make their way onto the platform. Harry was with them.
"Hurry up, everyone," a flushed Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "I still don't know why we had to make this a family affair. You all almost made Harry, Ron, and Ginny miss the train!" There were five red haired men with her—Hermione recognized three of them from her visit to Grimmauld Place. Hermione watched as Harry said good-bye to all the Weasleys, getting two hugs from Mrs. Weasley and exchanging many handshakes and pats on the back with Mr. Weasley and his sons.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny turned to make their way onto the train and Hermione followed behind them. Hermione decided she needed to meet Harry Potter on the train ride so that even if she wasn't in Gryffindor she would still have a chance of being his friend once they were at school. With her wand at her side, she pointed it at his backpack and whispered a spell to unzip it. Once it was open, she Accioed one of his textbooks and made it fall to the ground.
Hermione went to pick it up and yelled out, "Excuse me. I believe you dropped your textbook."
Harry turned around and saw that Hermione was talking to him. He reached his hand out to take the book and had almost turned back around when he stopped, looking confused.
"Wait a minute," Harry said looking at Hermione curiously, "I've never seen you before but you are definitely not a First year. What House are you in?"
"Actually," Hermione replied, "I'm new to Hogwarts. I used to go to a private school and I had been trying to transfer here since my third year."
"I've never heard of someone trying to transfer to Hogwarts," Ginny said suspiciously.
Hermione remembered Severus telling her that Harry and Ginny were dating. She had had a crush on him for years and they had finally begun dating in the middle of Harry's sixth year. Hermione looked at them closely; Ginny's hand was tightly wrapped around his arm and seemed to be pulling Harry away from Hermione. A little too clingy, Hermione thought.
"I was a special case," Hermione explained, "Last year parents moved to England and they wanted me at a school a little closer. Since I had already tried transferring, Professor Dumbledore was well aware of my high grades and the many activities I was President of and said he would be happy to admit me."
Harry released his arm from Ginny's grip, reached his hand out and said, "Well, I'm sure you'll love it at Hogwarts. It's very nice to meet you, my name is Harry Potter. What's yours?
Hermione shook his hand and said, "It's nice to meet you as well, Harry. I've obviously heard great things about you. My name is Hermione Granger."
"Would you like sit in a compartment with us, Hermione?" Harry asked her. Ginny looked horrified. Ron looked excited.
"That would be great, thanks," Hermione said, smiling. So far, her plan was working.
The group traveled to the end of the train and slid open the door to the last compartment. Finding no one in there, they went inside and started to put their trunks above the seats. Harry helped Ginny put hers up and then turned to Hermione to help her as well. Harry and Ginny sat next to each other while Hermione and Ron sat across from them.
"So," Hermione began, "what is Hogwarts like? I'm really excited for classes to begin."
Ron laughed, "That's the least exciting part. The best part is definitely Quidditch. And then the food. The house elves make amazing food and the feast tonight will be absolutely wonderful. Hermione was slightly annoyed by this statement. She wasn't interested in flying or food. Ron seemed immature and not very serious to Hermione.
Hermione looked at Ron and said, "I never really got into Quidditch. I'm more interested in academics than sports. My favorite classes are Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"At Hogwarts, Harry is the best at DADA. No one can beat him; he even started his own dueling club," Ginny bragged, "Also, you won't like Potions at Hogwarts—not with Snape teaching it."
Hermione now really didn't like her. Sure Severus can be a bastard sometimes, but he was an amazing teacher. Since she couldn't say that, she turned Harry and said, "Well, I would love to duel you sometime. I think I'd have a chance against you."
Harry smiled sheepishly, "Sure, that sounds fun. You can come to our dueling club if you'd like." Ginny didn't look very happy about his offer.
"Do you have any idea what House you'll be sorted into?" Ron inquired, "All of us are in Gryffindor."
"I have no idea," Hermione said, "I've read up on all of them and I think I would like to be in either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor."
"Good choices," Harry said, "I wonder how they will sort you. They do the Sorting for First years before the feast. Maybe you'll be sorted then. We'll cross our fingers and save you a seat at the Gryffindor table."
"Thanks," Hermione said, "It would be great to already know a couple people in the same House as me."
They continued to chat about different teachers at Hogwarts and who would win the House Cup this year. Ginny stayed mostly silent, playing with her hair and gripping Harry's hand like it was the only thing keeping her alive. Harry seemed annoyed by her attitude.
There was about thirty minutes left to the train ride when the compartment door slid open and Draco Malfoy appeared at the entrance along with two burly boys Hermione didn't know. She assumed they were Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione and Draco had talked about how they would treat each other while around other people and Hermione thought their hateful interactions would be quite fun to act out.
"Well what do we have here," Draco began, staring at Hermione, "Does Potter got himself another girlfriend? Or is she just an admirer. Not much to look at; her hair is quite bushy.
Before Harry or Ron could retort, Hermione said, "At least my hair isn't platinum blonde. Is that oil or gel in your hair, anyways?"
Draco turned red with anger but Hermione noticed the look of amusement in his eyes. She had said that to him many times before, always playfully. Harry and Ron laughed and even Ginny smiled at that.
"Think your funny, do you?" Draco snapped back, "Why are you here at all? You don't go to Hogwarts."
"It's none of your business but my parents moved and I transferred here," Hermione replied.
Draco said, "So are you are you muggle born or half and half. If you were a pureblood I would already know who you are."
"Muggle born," Hermione said. Draco smirked and Crabbe and Goyle laughed.
"So we have another filthy mudblood coming to attend Hogwarts. How unfortunate."
Harry stood up at this and pointed his wand at Draco's chest and said, "That's enough, Malfoy. You better leave before I curse you."
"I'll take care of it Harry," Hermione said, while pointed her wand at Draco. With a flick of her wrist Draco was sliding backwards as if he were on ice, bringing his goons with him. Once he was out of the compartment Hermione swished her wand and the door closed with a slam.
Harry and Ron looked at her amazed.
"How did you do that?" Ron asked, "I will remember to never get on your bad side."
Hermione grinned. "It's a spell I created. It's very useful in times like these."
"Cool," Harry replied, "I'll have to be on the lookout for it when we duel."
"You bet," Hermione said.
They changed into their school robes and waited for the train to stop. Hermione was getting more excited by the minute. She wished she could forget her job as a spy and just be a student for a year.
When the train finally slowed to a stop, Hermione jumped up and exclaimed, "Let's get going!" She quickly grabbed her trunk, slid open the door, and walked toward the exit. Harry and Ron quickly followed with Ginny bringing up the rear.
Once they caught up to her, Hermione asked, "So do we ride in the carriages with horses to get to Hogwarts?"
Harry, Ron, and Ginny all stopped and stared at her.
"You can see the thestrals too," Harry sad sadly, "If you don't mind me asking, who do you see die?"
Shit, thought Hermione. She couldn't believe she had slipped up like that.
"Oh umm," Hermione said slowly, "one of my friends died in a car accident. I was in the car with her. It was a long time ago though."
"I'm sorry," Harry began, "It's horrible to watch people you love die."
They continued to walk towards the carriages in silence now. They climbed in and waited for the carriages to depart. A couple minutes later, a boy with a plump face climbed up into the carriage and said, "Hi Harry, Ron, and Ginny! How was your sum—oh I'm sorry. I didn't know you were with anyone else."
"That's quite alright," Hermione said sweetly, "there's plenty of room for you in here. What is your name?
"N-n-neville L-longbottom," he stammered, shocked that this unknown stranger was speaking to him.
His name hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. She had heard stories about the horrible things Bellatrix had done to a couple named Frank and Alice Longbottom. When she was younger, they told her that they were bad guys, but know she knew better. Hermione knew that this was their son and felt horrible that he was practically an orphan.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Neville. My name is Hermione Granger." Hermione promised herself she would help him if he ever needed it. She felt she owed him that much.
They all began to talk about their summers and Hermione just listened quietly, absorbing all the information. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance to Hogwarts. Hermione thought it was absolutely beautiful. They walked up the stairs and through the doors. They had made it no more than ten feet when a very strict-looking woman approached Hermione.
"Ms. Granger, I am Professor McGonagall. If you will follow me, I will explain to you how you will be sorted."
Hermione waved good-bye and followed Professor McGonagall into her office. She sat down in the chair in front of the desk and waited for McGonagall to speak.
"These are very strange circumstances, Ms. Granger," Professor McGonagall began, "No one has ever transferred to Hogwarts but Professor Dumbledore was very adamant."
"Yes, I know. I am very grateful to Professor Dumbledore for letting me come. I am very excited to finish my last year here."
"All right then," McGonagall said, "You will walk into the Great Hall with the First years and will be sorted last. Once you are sorted, join the table that you belong to. I will make sure that a Prefect will show you where your dormitory is."
"Thank you very much, Professor," said Hermione as she stood up and followed Professor McGonagall out of her office. She saw the nervous group of First years waiting by the door and went to join them. Professor McGonagall then opened the doors and Hermione stepped into the Great Hall for the first time.
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