Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Most of her summer was spend at Leila's house, researching in her library, or sometimes even just lounging in the backyard, sitting in the warm sun while her friend flew around, practicing with a bludger.
The blackette flew back towards her, landing on a tree branch above her head.
"Why do you like quidditch that much, Leila?"
"I just like it as a sport really. Great way to exercise and it's pretty fun. Not that I'll play it professionally or anything like that. I'd rather be an auror!"
"Hmm." Hermione hummed.
Silence filled the air as they both enjoyed the summer afternoon.
"Harmony, there's something I'd like to tell you. Or warn you, really." Leila said, her tone serious.
"What?"
"Harmony isn't your real name, right? You don't appear on any genealogy tree and Goodwill isn't an actually family, at least not in France. You seemed to have appear out of thin air."
"...What do you plan to do with that information?"
"Absolutely nothing. Whether you should be here or not, you're still my friend and a pretty good person. I have nothing against you. It just doesn't hurt to cautious, ya know? It also answered why you're looking up time-travel. Could you at least tell me when you were born?"
"Can I trust you?"
"I guess it is a bit early to be trustworthy, but I promise nothing bad will come out of this."
"...It wouldn't hurt too much."
"That's the spirit. So, when were you born?"
"September 19, 1979. I'm 17."
"Hmmm. Two years older than me, huh? Anyway, my warning is that if I was able to discover this, anyone else with knowledge in genealogy can as well. So, here's my deal. Tell me your real name and I'll create a fake record for you. I'll be able to slip it in with my dad's authority"
"Why would you do that? And what is your dad's job?"
"For whatever reason you are here for, you certainly don't seem to be here by choice. It wouldn't hurt to have someone on your side, right? I'll say it as many times that I have to, but I wish to help you. It just feels right. And my dad's an unspeakable. He has connections. He owes me a favor anyway."
"I don't see why I have to tell you my name."
"It would be a symbol of trust, though."
"...It's Hermione Granger."
Leila jumped down from her branch, landing right in front of Hermione.
"Pleased to meet you, Hermione Granger!" she exclaimed, bowing her head.
The brunette scoffed.
"Lift your head, Leila."
"Just a way to show respect to an elder." she chuckled.
"Wanna go to the library? I gotta write your records, after all."
"Let's go."
Another day was spent at the library, two more weeks until school starts.
"Do you think Riddle suspects something?" Leila asked, looking over at Hermione from her desk in the library.
"Yes. But he backed off at the end of the year, so I think he lost interest. At least I really hope so."
"Hmm. I won't ask why, seeing as it probably has to do with the future. Speaking of which, do you think you being here created an alternative universe?"
"I won't deny the possibility, but that's a subject that's, even for me, too complicated to answer. The only way to know is when I go back, If the past is the same, with only the mention of Harmony Goodwill in Hogwarts's records, then no. But if it's different, then yes."
"Messing with time is never a good idea… But the concept is just so interesting!" the blackette exclaimed, eyes lighting up.
"Yes, it really is."
Silence fell, each of them working on their respective tasks.
"What are you going to do if you can't find a way back? Just live your life in this time period?"
"That would be the worst case scenario… But if I had to, I'd try to change the future. Mine's pretty bleak, to be honest. That's a last resort though.I might even erase myself somehow by trying."
"Hmmm. Well, I'd be right by your side in that case. Sounds like the most adventurous way of life." she grinned, her canines prominent.
"You certainly seem to be looking for danger."
"Life's boring without risks, ya know?"
"Is that why you're a Beater?"
"Pretty much. Add the fact that it feels great to fuck with the other team, and it sealed the deal for me." she laughed out.
As the days passed, their friendship seemed to grow.
Walking together, they both boarded the train and sat down in the last compartment.
Hermione took out a book that she had bought at Diagon Alley, and Leila took out a sketchbook and started absentmindedly drawing a cat. The snack trolley passed by, the blackette buying a few chocolate frogs and Every Flavor Beans.
"Wanna do Russian Roulette with these beans?" she asked.
Hermione closed her book, a bookmark magically marking her page.
"Alright."
Their train ride ended with them changing in their robes and riding the thestral chariot to Hogwarts.
Once in the Great Hall, Leila pulled out a pin.
"Guess what, Harmony?"
"What?"
"I'm the fifth year Prefect!"
"Congratulations!"
"Don't get into trouble now, I'll give ya detention!" she laughed.
"What a coincidence. I also received a pin." A smooth voice says behind them.
Turning around, they were face to face with Tom.
"My, what a trustworthy partner!" Leila smiled, slightly forced.
Once the first years were sorted, Tom and Leila lead them back to the common room.
Entering their dorm room, the blackette plopped down unto her bed face first.
"I have to do rounds with Tom Riddle of all people? I mean, he was a guaranteed choice for it, but me? Plus, I have Quidditch practice on top of all this!"
"I'm sure you can manage it. I'll help with our studies, it's not that different from my time in terms of difficulty."
"Urggggg, OWLs…."
As the days go by, Tom was silently observing their interactions with each other.
The girls were potions partners, would study in the library together, be paired together in DADA, Harmony would sit in the stands during Leila's Quidditch practices and they would sit together at the diner table.
And then, one night.
"You seem quite close to Harmony now, Lightwood."
Tom and Leila were on one of their rounds around the 2nd floor.
"Yeah, we're pretty good friends now. What of it?"
"I was just wondering why she suddenly let someone close. She was pretty cold to everyone."
"I guess I grew on her. Our friendship feels pretty natural."
"Yes, it would seem. Haven't you noticed anything… strange about her?"
She frowned.
"No, nothing in particular. Why?"
"Oh no reason. Just curious."
"Uh-huh…"
Night turned to day, and breakfast was served.
"Harmony, Riddle seems to be interested in you again."
"Seriously? That's a nuisance." she sighed.
"I want to hurry up and go back to my time…" the Chosen one whispered.
"We could go do more research later."
"Yeah, but we've been hitting dead end after dead end!"
"Failure is the path to success and haste makes waste."
A few days later, after classes, Tom approached the two girls on the common room.
"Lightwood, mind giving us some privacy?"
She looked at Hermione, mouthed "Scream if you need help.", then stood up and left.
"You know, I'm really curious about you and your past. You never did explain where your scars came from."
"You want another trip to the Hospital Wing? I'll gladly do it again."
"That would only drag both of us there again. But I'm only here to talk civilly."
"I already told you about where I'm from. What else could you possibly want to know?"
"You interest me to the point that I wouldn't mind knowing all about you. Not everyone suddenly appears and enrolls into Hogwarts."
"That can't be your only reason."
"Well, you also appear to… not quite belong here. It's like you shouldn't be here."
"You're making me not want to be here, in any case."
"My company's not enough for you? I'm wounded."
"I'm sure you'll survive."
"I always get what I want in the end, Harmony. You'd best remember that."
She scoffed and watched him leave. Leila was by her side in record time.
"What did he want?"
"Just a talk about knowing more about and how I don't belong here. And a warning."
"Well, it's true you don't belong, but that just sounds rude at this point."
Dropping into silence, the girls went to their dorm room and promptly went to bed.
Soon enough, the leaves changed colors and gradually fell, welcoming Halloween.