Does Hermione have Tom Riddle's diary? Keep reading to find out!
Thank you all for your kind words and support. They mean a lot to me. It really makes my day to see them.
I am doing NaNoWriMo this month, and so I will probably not update as frequently. However, I will do my best to update Discovering Death soon.
November 7, 1992
It had taken a couple of days to arrange, but today was the day Hermione would get her drawing from Dean Thomas. The two had decided to meet in the library, with Parvati acting as an intermediary.
"Granger," Dean nodded when she approached the table the two Gryffindors were sitting at.
"Thomas," Hermione replied respectfully. "Parvati."
Parvati acknowledged the Slytherin with a quick jerk of her head. "Should we get on with this? We all have a Charms test tomorrow."
"They're very easy," Hermione protested, waving her hand dismissively. "It's not like anyone has to study for them."
Dean fixed her with a look. "You're the best in our year, right?"
"I am," Hermione admitted cautiously.
"Then as payment, I would like Charms tutoring," Dean said decisively.
Hermione shot a quick glance at a smug-looking Parvati. So she had been teaching Dean something useful after all. "One session of tutoring before every test in addition to the money payment."
"And a double session before the final," Dean added. "And for any future drawing work, you come to me first."
"Deal," Hermione nodded sharply. She held out her hand and Dean shook it. "May I see the crest?"
Dean opened up a leather-bound notebook and slipped out a small folded piece of paper. "I did it in pencil sketch," he explained. "When I go home for the winter break, I can use my oil pastels or paints to make it bigger or something, but I don't have any fancy supplies here."
Hermione studied the crest, pleased. "You will paint me a large crest," she ordered. "One now, and one when we come of age. I will pay you for both the crest and your time."
Dean looked nervously at Parvati, and nodded after the Indian made a motion of approval. "Yes. Deal. Alright."
Hermione held out a hand, and Dean placed the drawing in her palm. "Should we do the tutoring now?"
"I can't," Dean shook his head. "I told Seamus I'd meet up with him to do the DADA homework. Does 7 work?"
"7 is good," Hermione replied. "I will see you then, Thomas, Parvati." She inclined her head to both of them before walking away. Only once she was seated at her regular table did Hermione unfold the paper and gaze at her new family crest. As she had wanted, the background was a pretty shade of purple. Dean had added some silver and iridescent flecks, which neatly matched the edged border. A rose took the place of honor, so detailed that Hermione could see each and every shade of red the Gryffindor had used. And per her wishes, each petal of the rose tipped up into a triangle shape. To most outsiders, it would simply be a geometric rose with iridescent flecks, but Hermione knew better. She studied the rose carefully, tracing the small tiara on each petal with her little finger. Yes, it would do nicely. Hermione turned her attention to the loopy letters, swirling at the bottom of the crest.
Continuez toujours à monter
Always keep rising, always keep going up. A fitting motto for a Slytherin, and a very fitting motto for herself. As someone who would accept nothing less than excellence, it would shape her family for generations to come.
Hermione pulled a small leather book from her bag, the expensive dragon-hide giving the cover a glossy black sheen. Running a finger over the cover caused the tiny scales to ripple under her fingertips, as proud as the girl who now owned the book. A small 'g' was embossed into the cover, the product of a muggle craftsman's hard work and labor. He had been very excited when given the book, to work with the new material, and Hermione had reluctantly handed it over. But since the wizarding world was very lacking when it came to art, she had no choice but to turn to the muggle world. It was a risk that had paid off, however.
Hermione flipped open the book to its first page and dipped her quill into its inkwell. Never had she been more thankful for her mother's insistence on calligraphy lessons as a child. Going slowly as not to make any mistakes, Hermione carefully touched the quill to the page and inked her first letter. G-R-A-N-G-E-R - her last name filled a good third of the page. Above, Hermione added three small letters and blew on the ink lightly, waiting for it to dry. After a couple of minutes, she continued her painstaking work of art, intent on creating something which would be revered for generations. Once she had finished with the left page, Hermione turned her attention to the right side. She carefully wrote the motto that Dean had drawn onto her family crest, before tapping her finger against her side as she waited for the words to dry.
A few minutes passed before she was able to continue her calligraphic writing, four more words joining her motto on the page.
Continuez toujours à monter
Continuez toujours à gouverner
Always keep rising, always keep ruling.
The second of the motto would be kept secret from all those not in her House. The real motto would be passed down from generation to generation, telling the real purpose of House Granger. Yes, she wanted to rise as high as she could. Yes, she wanted to see how far she could go. Hermione Granger had only one place in sight for her landing - right at the top. And she perfectly intended to stay there.
Hermione ran a gentle finger over the words, nodding in satisfaction when her hand came away clean. Her eyes scanned over the words on the page once more before she closed the cover and replaced the book in her bag. The words may have been out of sight, but they were etched so deeply into Hermione's brain that she would never be able to forget.
The Granger Family Grimore
Always keep rising, always keep ruling.