She went into the Great Hall somewhat in high spirit. She missed classes, missed knowledge, thirst for knowledge.
Her little tirade was met by the Rawenclaws surprisingly well. It was as if they waited to see any sign of her belonging to the house of intelligence and felt content when she showed it. She couldn't help but think that the Gryffindors wouldn't have taken so lightly to her actions. Like it happened with Ron… Her mood soured a bit when she thought about them but she was fast drowned out of her thoughts by a voice.
"So, Jean, you are good at Transfiguration and you've earned us points", said someone sitting at her side while she was helping herself with potatoes and sausages.
It was Celia and she looked rather pleased. She had a plate full of vegetables.
"Not good, brilliant I'd say seeing how she turned this lion into a Ravenclaw", laughed another girl joining in the conversation. "I'm Julianne Abbott, by the way, and thank you for helping me out there".
"Jean Wells, nice to meet you Julianne", she said.
"Julianne is a genius when it comes to Arithmancy but Transfiguration, well…"
"Hey, one cannot be good at everything", Julianne said defensively. "Of course if one is not Tom Riddle, that is", she added.
"Oh that", Celia looked at Hermione. "I was surprised he didn't see you to the class", she said and Hermione stiffened.
"I said I was good on my own", she answered.
"But why? Tom takes his duties very seriously and you could have lost, you know"
"Hogwarts is overwhelming, I guess I just needed some time on my own", she said hoping that this will explain everything.
"Well, your loss, really", Julianne said. "I mean, Tom Riddle rarely pays attention to anything if it's not somehow his duty".
"Julianne!", Celia said reproachingly.
"It's true, though. It's a crime he's in Slytherin. I mean with his intelligence you'd expect him to secure a position in Ravenclaw and we would have had a chance to hang around".
"He's never been uncivil", Celia defended the man.
"Yes, but he never showed any inclination that he wanted to go beyond civil interactions and that's a pity".
Celia sighed and shook her head as if saying that this conversation really shouldn't take place.
"Don't you think so, Jean?", Julianne insisted.
Hermione felt speechless. So, brilliant Tom Riddle was a civil Head Boy who made students want to be in his close proximity. She wished to stay as far away as possible.
"His brilliance is undeniable", she said finally, trying to find the words that would convey her thoughts on the subject. "But as I've heard Slytherin is not exactly the most scrupulous of the houses".
Celia chuckled and Julianne followed.
"That's an understatement", she said.
"I'd say I prefer Rawenclaws", Hermione said with a smile that earned her pleased looks.
"And that's what I call clever!", said a guy sitting opposite to her. He had hair that was almost red but somehow managed to look refined. Unlike Ron or his brothers, he looked well-groomed. "Joseph Jared is the name", he said inclining his head.
She looked at him suddenly remembering that it was Joseph Jared who invented the potion for werewolves.
"You must be great in potions", she said stunned, and felt the urge to shake his hand vehemently.
"Not really, I prefer Herbology", he answered quizically. "Why would you say that?"
She recoiled fast.
"I've read a book by your ancestor".
"Oh, Harold Jared was indeed a potion genius, and since I lack his talent I'll just try to earn myself a name in Herbology", he said and sounded a bit unsure.
"You will", Hermione said reassuringly, and the boy smiled.
"I'm surprised you've heard about his grandfather", Julianne said. "I remember in our first-year professors would ask Jared if he was related to the man and we didn't really understand what fascinated them. Are you two somehow related, perhaps?", she asked glancing from Jared to Hermione.
"I don't think so, I'm a muggleborn", Hermione replied.
This drew attention and Celia coughed uncomfortably.
"There are not many muggleborns here at the moment", she said. "I would recommend you for your own safety to conceal this fact from Slytherins".
Hermione eyed the students who looked uncomfortable as well trying to avoid her gaze. Was this time less accepting of muggleborns?
"It's Grindewald", Julianne explained gloomily. "With him on the rise, all sort of accidents happen to muggleborns even here at Hogwarts".
"She's right, it's not that we treat muggleborns differently, please don't think so, it's just we'd hate it if anything happened to you", Joseph said.
"And by happened we mean that in the previous year there were attacks on muggleborns and one of them died", Celia added unenthusiastically.
"Well, Myrtle died because of Hagrid and it was an accident", Julianne interrupted.
"I can't understand why everyone believes it", Joseph cringed. "The boy was harmless"
"Well, his little acromantul wasn't!", Julianne said stubbornly and heavy silence ensued at the table.
"Look", Celia said after a while turning to Hermione, "Whatever happened to Myrtle is horrible, but my point is you shouldn't for your own well-being let Slytherins know you are a muggleborn".
"Guess it's too late then", Hermione replied nonchalantly and put the fork in the mouth. I've already told Riddle, Nott, and Dolohov", She ignored desperate stairs from the table and neither of them felt it reasonable to give further comments. They thought her fate was sealed from now on.
Hermione knew better – her fate was sealed long before.