Author's Note: I only claim any original plot and original characters :) I hope you enjoy it!
Many of the people who had stayed to watch the duel cleared out soon after Daphne's announcement, looks of fear clear on many of their faces. Draco had reclaimed his position by Eli's side, being sure this time to keep all of his appendages to himself. He considered the girl across from him. The Hermione that he had known, the Hermione that he had thought that he had known, had always been something of a braggart, even if she hadn't realised it herself. Her hand had always been the first up in class, always the first to demonstrate, the first, the best and unapologetic with her knowledge and prowess. He'd also realised that one Hermione Granger had had something of a mean streak. He'd heard the stories of Marietta Edgecombe in their 5th year. Hermione and her bumbling idiotic duo had started their misguided efforts, Dumbledore's Army and one Marietta had been something of a snitch, as was evidenced by the jinx Hermione had blessed her with.
Who would cross Granger after the, birdy bullet thing with the Weasel, or the Skeeter incident, even he had given her something of a wide berth after that, although admittedly, he had been preoccupied with his assignment from her father. Looking at her now it was clear to him that this Hermione, the girl before him, was much like the girl he had always hated but magnified to gargantuan proportions. He'd gotten a chance to observe her more over the summer, having gone over to Riddle manner more often since her appearance. Watching her and Eli he'd realised that she was still a know it all, although that, like many other things, had calmed down considerably and she was still quite a bit of a nerd. If she and Eli hadn't been following each other around unknowingly she was sure to be found holed up in their rather expansive library.
He was startled out of his musings when he felt delicate fingers run through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Daphne sat perched on the arm of the sofa, looking at him searchingly. She didn't know what it was but she knew that this Katarina girl was trouble, apart from her obvious heritage. There was something about her that just didn't sit well with Daphne. Something about Draco. No bother, she and Draco had begun dating at the end of their sixth year. She had coaxed him out of his melancholy and he had stayed unwaveringly by her side.
At least that's what she'd thought until the Riddle twins had made an appearance. Elijah's words on the train and Draco's apparent affinity for Katarina had unsettled her. When Draco caught her hand and placed it on her lap her heart sank. Watching him now she could see that he was completely wrapped up in whatever it was that the twins were saying. She stayed for a moment longer, her heart yearning for Draco to notice her, before finally abandoning her post at Draco's side and going to bed.
Eli watched her carefully as she left, it was clear to him that his sister could not care less whether she crossed the girl or not. Furthermore, from the looks of it, Hermione was still absolutely oblivious that the blond boy who was engrossed in conversation with her was smitten by her.
Hermione was up ridiculously early the next morning, as was her custom. She was in and out of the common showers before any of the other girls in the dorm had even awoken. She took her time getting ready, while she still shared a common room and shower with the other Slytherin girls, this year she'd been afforded her own room. She and her brother's godfather had made sure that their final year at Hogwarts would be as comfortable and memorable as possible.
Standing in front of a long mirror she stared at the girl in front of her, she was often taken by surprise when she came across her reflection as of late. As a matter of fact she went out of her way to not look at herself when anyone was in her presence. In the solace of her own room she took herself all in. She'd finally mastered the riot of tight, kinky curls on her head, her mother having given her several products and detailed instructions. Right now, her hair was flowing. She'd painstakingly taken the time to detangle, moisturise and seal and she would be damned if she wouldn't reap the benefits of such a good hair day. But just to be sure she placed an anti-humidity charm on the finished style. There would be no risking of the mane today.
She felt more than a little odd seeing the green and silver tie hanging from her neck, the past 6 years having been inundated by maroon and gold but she gave it little thought. She was about to collect her things and leave for the day when her door flew open violently.
"Dearest sister, why am I not surprised to see that you're awake?"
She rolled her eyes in response. Trust the bumbling idiot that was Elijah to scare her near to death on the first day of school. He knew this was important for her, always had been.
He'd barely caught the manic glint in her eyes when he fell face first into the floor, his body bound in tight, scratchy ropes. He grunted in pain, trying to turn his face to the side as blood poured from his nose.
His violent threats were all but muffled in the plush carpet of Hermione's room. She didn't need to hear exactly what he was saying to know that he was threatening her life. Turning away from him she sat on her bed, repacking her bag for the fourth time that morning. She was well aware that all that she needed she had packed well in advance of coming to Hogwarts but she checked anyway.
Shouldering her bag she stepped over Eli's prone form, releasing him from the binds as she went. Right on cue a blonde, dishevelled head popped into the frame of her doorway, no doubt looking for Eli. Whatever question he was about to ask died on his lips when he saw her. Sidestepping him once more she went on her way.
He couldn't help but to watch her walk away, her curly hair bouncing with every step. After she'd disappeared from site he looked into the room. It was decorated much like the other rooms in the dungeon but there was no mistaking to whom the room belonged. She'd taken the liberty of bringing a book stand and had crammed all manner of books into it, a pensive that had seen better days sat on her dresser and the infernal mash-faced cat she called a familiar was curled up on her ridiculously large bed.
Before he could inspect the room any further, Eli pushed him out of the way, slamming the door behind him. His irritation was written all over his face. Draco had seen him clambering from the floor as Hermione had beat a hasty retreat. It would do him little good to even bother to ask what it was about. Knowing them it could be about anything from who was better at potions to who had eaten the last of the cookies that Desdemona had packed.
"You ready mate?" The blond boy asked.
He took the murmurs under his breath as he stalked away as a yes. Draco laughed to himself as he followed his irate friend. If nothing else having the Riddles at Hogwarts was sure to be entertaining.