Here is part 10 my loves! Enjoy!
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Chapter 10
Hermione breathed in the familiar scent that Grimmauld Place had, and she heard the chatter around her.
It was her 15th birthday, which in some way was very insignificant, but her father insisted that they celebrate with the whole family, and who was she to deny her father his happiness?
She smiled gracefully at all the passerby, many guests gracing her with tight smiles, and congratulations on finally becoming a woman, although she felt like such a child, so little in such a big world.
She couldn't spot Regulus anywhere, and it was their last day before they were due to head back to Hogwarts to finish their fourth year. The rain outside slammed against the windows in harsh bullets, and Hermione felt like she couldn't breathe with all these people surrounding her, talking to her, telling her how much she's grown, and that she should see their sons who are standing in that corner over there, what an excellent husband they'll be, and what a beautiful wife she would be.
Hermione finally spotted the familiar head of black hair and quickly made her way towards Regulus, gripping his arm and dragging him towards one of the empty corners in the rather large living room.
"Reggie, do save me from this shite. I've barely had time to myself, with half of these pureblooded bitches trying to claw their way into my social life, trying to see if I was single, and whether or not their sons could be introduced to me." Hermione was babbling, and Regulus raised one eyebrow in amusement, placing his arm around her shoulder and bringing her into his embrace.
"Oh Hermione, its very rare to find a beautiful, and sane Black woman. They're probably thrilled, it's not everyday this happens. An example would be Bella, who at this very moment is following the lead of a mad man who has our friend in his clutches, and plans to kill people like my brother's best mates girlfriend, who also happens to be the love of the life our best friend. Bask in the glory while you can cousin, these things will be the least of your worries once we're forced to endure the mark and it's duties." Regulus leaned towards her as he spoke, his voice a mere whisper, but Hermione only rolled her eyes, trying to make light of the rather harsh truth that he spoke of.
"Come off it Reg, the more we whine like little babies about this mark, the more we'll look suspicious. I've grown to accept the very obvious future we both will have to lead. Hopefully you will too, I can't continue speaking of it like I'm scared, he doesn't scare me, and he shouldn't scare you either. He is after all, merely a man with strange and dark ambitions, and no sense of human empathy, but a man nevertheless." Hermione turned to face Regulus, and she caught him staring ahead, a small smile on his face at the way she merely pushed the idea of the dark mark, as if it was nothing, and he thought that this was the only way she could cope with the situation, he preferred stressing out about it, because at least then he would seem somewhat normal, Hermione just seemed a bit off her rocker, which is not a strange sight for a fellow Black family member.
"Hermione! Darling, come here. There's someone I'd like for you to meet." Her aunt Druella called for her, and Hermione's hand tightened on Regulus's arm, her nails digging into his robes, and he had to pull her hand off, giving her a knowing look before telling her to go, aunt Druella was not fond of waiting, patience is a rarity in this Godforsaken home.
Hermione approached her aunt, who was accompanied by her Uncle Cygnus, and another couple who had a young man standing before them, chest puffed up and his stance oozing arrogance and a pureblooded upbringing that made her want to vomit all over those expensive dragon-hide boots of his.
However, appearance was everything and Hermione merely curtseyed, greeting the couple with a feminine and delicate smile, one that was fake but bright enough to woo them.
"Hermione this is Tyron Nott and his wife Isla. Their son, Theodore is two years above you in Hogwarts." Hermione turned to the boy, who despite his arrogance seemed just as bored as she was, and was rather handsome, with blue eyes and dark hair, he was rather nice to look at, and she couldn't complain.
"Lovely meeting you." Hermione gave them a small nod, and the elder Notts smiled at her, before stating that they should go speak to the Crabbes, telling Theodore to keep Hermione 'company' before walking away with Aunt Druella and Uncle Cygnus, leaving the two teenagers to themselves.
"I believe that my parents and your aunt are trying to set up a marriage contract between us, if am not mistaken." Theodore drawled, and gave her a lazy smirk. Hermione couldn't help but return the small smile before turning to face forward once again.
"Yes, subtlety does not run in the Black family. Aunt Druella was practically pissing herself with excitement, she most likely has our children's names written down already." Theodore threw his head back with laughter at her comment, and Hermione turned to grin at him.
"So, Theodore was it? I don't believe I've seen you that much, and how strange that is, seeing as we're both in Slytherin." Hermione commented, her index finger wrapping a thick black tendril around it, she regarded him with cool, calculating grey eyes, and Theodore found himself staring at the beautiful girl.
"Please, call me Theo. And it isn't that strange, you are always with Severus and your cousin, Regulus. You enjoy secluding yourself from the rest of us snakes, and I don't blame you. They're all rather dull and daft, if you ask me." And Hermione giggled, shaking her head and turning to fully face him now.
"Theo, I must say, you wouldn't happen to be the worst candidate for a courtship. In fact, I would say you're the best. Crabbe over there kept blushing and muttering things to himself, while Goyle kept talking about himself and gave me no room to introduce myself. Mulciber is vile beyond repair, and Macmillan wouldn't utter a word, regarding me as if I was beneath him, which we both know is untrue. You've got Avery who kept telling me about how much he hates Mudbloods, and it gets rather old, bloody purity and all that shite, and Malfoy is already engaged to my cousin, Narcissa, not that that's a loss either." Hermione leaned backwards, her hands clasped in front of her in an elegant manner, and she watched as Theo looked at her with an amused glint in his eyes, before chuckling and shaking his head.
"You are unlike any other pureblooded witch I've ever spoken to Miss Black, and I'd say it's rather refreshing." He grabbed her hand, leaned forward and placed a small kiss on it, before slowly letting it go, and Hermione let her arm fall limp by her side, a small blush forming on her cheeks and she shook her head.
"Theo, you are like every pureblooded boy I've ever met, only smarter of course." And he sent a smirk her way, before they continued to converse for the majority of the night, Hermione enjoying the conversation like she would with any old friend, of course romantic feelings were out of question, but Hermione could see herself living somewhat okay with a man like Theodore Nott.
"I'd say I wouldn't mind it if you courted me Theodore Nott." Hermione spoke at the end of the night, as Theo and his parents were heading out the door, and he turned to look at her, a small smile on his face and that familiar amused glint in his eyes.
"Well then it's settled, I would like to take you out on the first Hogsmeade weekend once we're back at Hogwarts. You've intrigued me Hermione, and I must say, you looked divine tonight." He leaned forward, placing a small kiss on her cheek before bidding her a goodnight and walking out the door.
"Well, you both looked rather cozy." Hermione turned to face Regulus, rolling her eyes and pushing past him.
"He's not so bad, better than the majority of the pureblooded prats who were walking around." Hermione released her hair from the pins that held it hostage and they fell down in a wavy mess, before she turned to Regulus and smiled at him.
"I've agreed to a date, of some sorts, with him once we're back at Hogwarts. I'd rather him than anyone else Reggie, they're all so vile, so much like Bella and her brainless husband." And Regulus could only nod his head, knowing that Nott wasn't the worst of the bunch.
"I trust you Hermione, you know best after all." And she could only smile at him, before finding her father, and telling him she was ready to go home.
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The train ride to Hogwarts was just as boring, but Hermione decided to leave the compartment when there was an hour left before they were due to arrive, to find the food cart and grab some pumpkin pasties.
She found that the cart was all the way on the other side of the train, but her stomach was practically growling at her to feed it, and so she made the trip all the way till the end, where it was no surprise that the cart itself was parked in front of none other than the Marauder's compartment, as they bought half the treats, if not all of them, off the snack cart.
"If you lot haven't already bought every possible item on the cart, I would rather like to purchase some pumpkin pasties. I am rather famished." Hermione stood there, leaning against the compartment door, providing a lazy grin at her cousin and his friends, and the boys only looked up at her, food stuffed in their pockets and mouths. Joining them today, were Lily Evans, Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene Macdonald, the other curly-headed blonde was missing, what was her name again? Ah yes, Marlene McKinnon.
"Hello Hermione" It was Remus who first greeted her, his soft blue-grey eyes staring at her, regarding her with a gentleness she'd never experienced before, and she felt her heart skip a beat but ignored the feeling almost entirely, before she sent him a small smile.
"Hello Remus, lads, ladies, lovely seeing you after a rather long and dull Winter break. How was your vacation? Mine was filled with marriage proposals, and courtships, rather interesting if you ask me." Hermione sarcasm oozed into every word she uttered. Remus felt his inner-wolf growl at the thought of anyone marrying Hermione, touching Hermione, having Hermione.
"Oh Hermione! Happy belated birthday, I got you something!" Sirius stood up, wrapping his arms around her, tightly holding her in his embrace, and Hermione returned it, rather tired to put on an act of disgust, they still had time before they were marked, they could be nice for now. It won't be too bad.
"Sirius, you didn't have to get me anything." But it was as if she was speaking to a brick wall, and the rest of the compartments guests told her a big happy birthday, smiles and thanks passed around, before Hermione turned to Sirius who pulled out a small box.
"It's just a little something I bought, thought of you as soon as I saw it." And Hermione opened the small box, her mouth gaping slightly, she felt tears tug at her eyes, and she had to compose herself before grabbing the small pin out of the box, it was decorated with a small golden Lyra, like her middle name, with two diamonds indented to either side.
Hermione gripped it tightly in her hand and turned to Sirius, her eyes showing more emotion than he'd ever seen, and he felt his heart burst with love and happiness as she wrapped him into a hug, thanking him in a small whisper and he only nodded his head before they finally got out of their embrace.
She pinned it to her already worn school uniform, and gave Sirius a small smile as she ran a finger over the small object, love coursing through her veins.
"None of you did ever tell me how your winter holidays were. Much better than mine I hope, no pureblooded gits talking about themselves?" and they all laughed, Hermione grinning.
"I can safely speak for everyone and say that our holidays were all rather boring, relaxation our main goal." Remus spoke, and the others nodded.
They were interrupted however, when a rather pretty blonde came in behind Hermione, her lips painted with a bright red gloss, her eyes coated with a blue shadow, and her lashes almost dozed in mascara.
"Remus! I've been looking for you everywhere." Hermione watched, as if in slow motion, as the blondie bounded towards Remus, seating herself on his lap, and placing a rather loud kiss on his lips.
Hermione found that she was not the only one shocked with what just transpired.
Remus seemed rather flushed, and embarrassed as his friends sent him questioning looks, and Hermione just stood there with a rather blank look on her face.
"Everyone, this is…Michelle Vance. She's in Gryffindor, a year below us." And Sirius only grinned like a fool, while James and Peter snickered at Moony's misfortune.
Michelle Vance was a nice enough girl, but rather loud and obnoxious, in fact, she was not the girl that everyone would've seen Remus with. They were opposites, but you know what they said about those.
"Lily, Dorcas, Mary! How are you girls? How were your winter hols?" and the girls all looked rather speechless, still shocked by the girl who was seated on Remus's lap unapologetically.
Hermione had to cough awkwardly because the tension in the room was rather suffocating, and Lily seemed grateful for this.
"Oh, and who are you?" Michelle asked, her voice still very loud.
"Hermione Black." And Hermione watched as the girl's face blanched slightly.
"Oh. Sirius's cousin then?" Michelle seemed to have changed her stance, she seemed a lot more defensive, as if Hermione were to pull her wand out and hex her.
"Yes, are you alright? You seemed to have gone a bit pale." Hermione was concerned for the girl; she'd never spoken to her, so there was no reason for her to be so afraid.
"No, no I'm alright. Just shocked that you'd be speaking to any Gryffindor that's all, you are a Slytherin after all." Hermione wanted to be shocked, but this stereotype against Slytherin's shouldn't come as a shock to her, she was so very used to it by now.
"Oh dear, this house rivalry is of such little importance for me. Gryffindor, Slytherin, hippogriff, I don't have much care for it all." And Michelle found that Hermione's tone had become very cool, very blank of any emotion and she found that she was rather scared of the young Black, because she seemed far more dangerous than any other person she'd come across.
"O-of course, I was just saying." And she leaned further into Remus's embrace, and Hermione's eyes followed the girl's actions, her teeth grinding slightly against each other, the silence in the compartment reflecting everyone's discomfort.
"I've gotten my pumpkin pasties, and should really get going. Thank you again for the gift Sirius, and for the birthday wishes everyone, and lovely meeting you…"
"Michelle" Michelle muttered, and Hermione nodded her head, a tight-lipped smile on her face before turning away from the compartment and making her way towards her own, where Severus and Reggie were reading their books in silence.
"She was rather strange wasn't she?" And Sirius only shook his head; not liking the way Michelle spoke of Hermione.
"You did assume she was a type of personality just because she was in Slytherin Shelley, I mean, I'd be a bit defensive." Mary muttered, and Lily nodded her head.
"Hermione's a good kid, just quiet." James spoke, and Sirius offered him a smile, knowing that defending his cousin meant a lot more to him than he'd show.
And just like that the conversation ended, and everyone turned to whatever they were doing previous to Hermione and Michelle's arrival, however this time, Remus was preoccupied with the rather pretty girl on his lap, but his mind on a black-haired beauty with storm-grey eyes and pink luscious lips.
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Hermione was seated at the Slytherin table, enjoying a rather delicious vegetable stew, and her other hand holding onto a potions book, her eyes scanning the words, making mental notes and at times placing the book down, taking a bite of her food, and then scratching a side-note into the margins of her textbook before moving onto the next page.
She was rather preoccupied with her work to notice that there was a presence next to her, and she turned to see a rather good-looking Theodore Nott gracing her with a sweet smile, and she put her book down, marking the page she was on and turning to him, and returning his nice smile.
"Hello Theo, long time no see?" and Theo only chuckled, before fully facing her, and asking her how the train ride was.
"It was alright. Theo, do you know anything about a Michelle in the Gryffindor house?" and Theo turned to look towards the table, his eyes wandering for a while, before he found the familiar head of blonde hair.
"Yeah, she's a pretty little thing, bit of a slag, known for her little escapades with the Ravenclaw boys, some of them are my mates and they've told me a few stories." Hermione merely nodded her head, before returning her attention to Theo, and they conversed for a while, Regulus and Severus sitting in front of them, talking amongst one another but eyeing the two every now and then, Severus trying to shoot questioning looks but not saying much.
They were soon joined by Celia and Tabitha, the latter blushed at the sight of Regulus, who only grinned in return, and the conversation now consisted of the six Slytherin's, promptly after the two girls were introduced to Theo.
Conversation flowed easily, and there were meaningless things discussed, books they've read, political views and such, and it was rather interesting. Hermione could even say she enjoyed it, and she laughed quiet a lot when she was Theo.
Her eyes glittered as he spoke to her, his eyes regarding her softly, and she could see herself wearing that piece of jewelry that would make it rather obvious that they are together, and when dinner was over Hermione bid Theo a goodnight before going off with Celia and Tabitha, Regulus telling her that he'll see her later tonight, or tomorrow morning as he and Severus walked slowly behind the girls.
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The following week consisted of boring classes, and mindless chatter.
Regulus found himself focusing on the mousy brown-haired girl who was always with his cousin.
Tabitha Rowle was a pretty girl, not gorgeous like Marlene McKinnon or Mary Macdonald, but she was pretty nevertheless. She was kind for a Slytherin, and it was shocking that she was even in the house of snakes to begin with, but she was a refreshing part of his day, and he rather enjoyed her presence.
They usually found each other in the library, and sat next to one another, hands brushing against one another as they worked on whatever homework they were given, and today they had stayed at the library longer then usual, and they got to talk about things that went further then the ingredients of Drought of Living Death.
Regulus liked the sound of her voice, it was soft and nice, soothing even. And as she spoke of her life at home, of her winter holidays, and just little things, Regulus leaned forward, his face now only inches from hers, and he could hear her breathing pick up, she stuttered until she became quiet and they stared into each other's eyes, her blue eyes staring into his grey ones and before either of them could think, Regulus leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips, and he heard her gasp, instantly swallowing her soft sounds and gripping her waist softly, pulling her closer and her hands came up to his neck, cupping his face and deepening the kiss.
The kiss lasted for a minute, and when they pulled away they were both breathless, eyes shining with something new, something beautiful and when they packed away their things, Regulus grabbed her hand, linking his fingers with hers and they made their way back to the Slytherin Common Room, letting go of each other's hands at the entrance, bidding each other a shy but promising goodnight and making their way into their respectful dormitories.
Regulus grinned to himself stupidly, and found that Severus was awake, and so he decided to bore the older boy with the details, and Severus listened but only rolled his eyes at the lovesick state that his best friend was in, before they turned the lights off and fell asleep.
Tomorrow seemed more promising than it had before, and perhaps it had to do something with the mousy-girl named Tabitha, or the way her lips felt against his.
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It was the first Hogsmeade weekend, and Hermione got up earlier than usual, washing up, running a comb through her thick black hair, and rummaging through her trunk for something presentable to wear.
She decided on a simple pair of black jeans, a maroon woolen sweater, and black boots. She tied her hair up in a lose ponytail, and placed a hat on her head before making her way down to the Great Hall, where Regulus and Severus were already seated, munching on breakfast and conversing amongst one another.
She greeted them and scooped some eggs and bacon onto her plate before taking a seat, and munching on her breakfast, listening into Severus and Regulus's conversation, including herself every now and then.
"Regulus, did you inform Hermione that you've managed to snog her little friend who always blushes and mutters things to herself?" Severus raised an eyebrow as he drawled, sipping on his pumpkin juice and looking expectantly at Regulus, who only blushed and glared at his best friend.
"I was just about to mention it, thank you very much Sev. You always know how to bring about good news." Before turning to Hermione.
"Tabitha and I…we kissed and it was rather lovely. I'd like to see where it goes." And Hermione could only smile brightly before throwing her arms around Regulus.
"Congratulations Reggie! She's a lovely girl, don't break her heart alright?" and then she turned back to her food, before she felt a shadow loom atop of her and she looked up to see Theo dressed nicely, black sweater, black pants and black boots, a grey woolen scarf wrapped around his neck.
"Good morning Miss Black, I'm rather looking forward to our little Hogsmeade escapade. Are you done with breakfast?" he seemed more handsome today, almost beautiful. He really was a sight to look at, and Hermione realized that she had enjoyed his company so far, and he'd fit into her circle of friends quickly. She was unsure of whether or not she would ever feel romantically towards him, but she did know that she was physically attracted to the man who stood before her, and his sense of humor was enough to get her through the day.
Hermione nodded her head, and wiped her mouth before she stood, and Theo offered her his hand, and she gripped it, his fingers interlacing with hers and she smiled at him, her cheeks slightly tinged with pink.
And they made their way out of the Great Hall, not once noticing the eyes that burned into the back of her neck.
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Remus watched as Hermione stood from her seat at the Slytherin table and gripped that Nott git's hand, before making her way out of the Great Hall, and he watched as they talked and she threw her head back in laughter, and he smiled down at her.
They looked like they were happy, care-free, the perfect pureblooded couple and he felt his wolf thrash within his mind, and he wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed, but he promised Michelle that he would take her to Honeydukes today, and then to the Three Broomsticks for some lunch, and he always kept his promises, regardless of who they were made to.
"Didn't know Mione was seeing that Nott kid." Sirius commented, his eyes too following the retreating figures of the couple, and Remus found that he tasted bile on his tongue at the thought of them being a couple, of Hermione being with someone that wasn't him.
"Yes, neither did I." Remus muttered before shaking his head and eating the rest of his food, watching as Lily and James made their way towards them.
"Hey Sirius, just saw Hermione with Theodore Nott, they looked rather cozy, know anything about that?" James commented as he took a seat, Lily sitting across from him and next to Remus.
"Knew nothing of it, but Nott isn't the worst Slytherin. Arrogant git, yes, but he isn't borderline insane like Mulciber or Avery." And James nodded his head in agreement.
"Well I just think they happen to look cute together." Lily said, her voice firm. And James merely rolled his eyes, in which Lily slapped his chest and he kissed her on the forehead, before they moved on to another argument.
Remus only muttered to himself, a foul mood setting over him, and he hated the power the little witch had over him. He hated it, but loved her.