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The next morning Hermione was gently shaken awake by Astoria and Pansy. Even though the three girls had only known each other for less than 24, a deep bond was already forming between them. The same could not be said of Tracy Davis, who still was rather snotty with Hermione. "Time to wake up "Mione. Go on take a shower." Pansy said with a kind smile. Hermione smiled back at her friend, grabbed her towel and robe and went to take a quick shower. Ten minutes later she returned to her bed and found that her school robes were trimmed in emerald green and silver, and that the school robe had the Slytherin house crest emblazoned on it. Astoria, seeing her friends confusion, came over and explained "Once the sorting hat announces your house at the sorting ceremony, some kind of magic takes over and changes your uniform to your house colors." Hermione nodded as she finished putting her uniform on. After all the girls were dressed Tracy Davis sneered at her again "Can't you do anything with your hair?" Hermione shrugged "It's always been untameable." Shooting Tracy a nasty look Pansy handed Hermione a green headband "Here put this in your hair." Hermione did as her friend bade and tucked her hair behind the headband and sprayed her hair with hair spray which tamed her hair for the time being.

After a wonderful breakfast feast Professor Snape handed out the first years timetables. Hermione was expecting normal classes like; math, English, writing and social studies. But was surprised to see her schedule consisted of Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against The Dark Arts and herbology. "Oh wow! These classes look much more exciting than regular muggle classes." Draco smiled at Hermione and helped her up from the bench at their house table "Come on, our first class is Potions with Snape." Together the first year group of Slytherin's made their way to the dungeons and inside the Potions class room. Hermione, Draco and Blaise took a workstation together in the middle of the room; while Astoria, Pansy and Vincent sat directly behind them. Slowly but surely the rest of the class slowly filed in, but Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were some of the last to arrive. Hurrying inside they took the last two available seats in the front row, not before scowling at Hermione and the rest of the Slytherin's. Refusing to be bullied, Hermione stared right back at them and the boys backed down almost instantly. Draco bumped her shoulder slightly and gave her a small smile "Just ignore potty and weasel. They will hate us just because of our house."

Hermione started to reply but was silenced as Professor Snape came into the room, black robes billowing behind him. She was enthralled at the Professor's first words, listening to his every word with enthusiasm. She passed a note to Blaise that said How does one put a stopper in death and Brew glory? Her friend smiled back at her while rolling his eyes but put a finger over his lips, indicating her to be quiet. "Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Harry shook his head, while a young girl with blonde hair raised her hand in the air and waved it "I don't know sir." Snape smirked "Let's try again, what is a Bezoar?" Again Harry said "I don't know sir." "And finally Potter, what is the difference between Monkshood and wolfsbane?" "I don't know sir. I think Alice Cyrus does, why not ask her sir?" Blaise and Draco both had to physically restrain Hermione from putting her hand in the air "But I know the answer!" she hissed. Draco shook his head "It doesn't matter, Professor Snape is humiliating potter right now. Just wait." Snape smirked again "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming here eh, Potter? Clearly fame isn't everything. Five points from Gryffindor. And I don't believe I asked Miss. Cyrus, I was asking you. Put your hand down you foolish girl!" Alice put her hand down and hung her head in embarrassment. Hermione looked at Draco who nodded, Hermione thrust her hand into the air. "Perhaps another student knows, Miss. Granger?" " Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." Hermione finished in a rush. Snape nodded "Clearly everyone in here isn't a dunderhead. Take ten points to Slytherin." Hermione beamed as all her housemates gave her a thumbs up.

After Potter had been successfully humiliated, Snape set them all to brew the cure for boils. Hermione, Blaise and Draco all worked out of the same cauldron. Hermione had bought a special edition of their potion's book that gave extra hints. One of the ingredients was phosphours beans. Reading through her book it said Crush the beans, as it lets out more juice. "Why are you doing that Hermione?" Draco asked. "It let's out more juice, making the potion better." She was proven right when, after crushing the beans, a significant amount of juice dropped into the cauldron. Draco and Vince nodded. The main ingredient in the Cure for boils is slug slime, add five slugs instead of three. Hermione dropped in the extra slugs as she explained "This is the main ingredient, it will make the cure more potent. Also add a bundle of knotgrass, it will balance the potion and prevent it from became on explosive mixture." Draco nodded as he stirred the potion and shortly after it was the perfect shade of lilac. Snape came around and observed everyone's potion. "A complete failure, Potter and Weasley. That'll be another five points from Gryffindor." Alice spoke up again "Please Professor Snape, the potion is still salvageable. I could help them fix it." Snape ignored her as he waved his wand "Evanesco" "Quiet Miss Cyrus, I wasn't asking for your opinion. That's another five points you've lost for Gryffindor."

Alice sulked as Snape continued around the room, he came to a pause in front of Hermione, Draco and Blaise's table. "I've never seen a cure for boils potion come out so perfect on the first try." Vince smiled and put his arm around her shoulder "That would be thanks to Hermione here!" Looking at her down his nose, Snape asked "What did you do to the potion Miss. Granger?" Nervously Hermione said "I crushed the phosphorus beans instead of cutting to get more juice and added five slug slime instead of three to make the potion more potent. Also to balance out the potion we added a bundle of knotgrass, so it wouldn't turn into an explosive." Regarding the small group for several seconds Snape finally said "Ten points to Slytherin. If you are interested I am offering extra potion lessons every Thursday after dinner." Starring with her mouth open, all Hermione could do was nod "Yes of course, I am interested!" Snape barely nodded "Then I will see you Thursday after dinner." After class all the Slytherin's left together "I can't believe you changed the potion Hermione, that's so dangerous!" Hermione looked up from the small journal she was writing in "It wasn't that bad. I got a special edition potions book that explained all the ingredients. It was common knowledge after that. Plus it worked out in our favor, points for our house and extra potion lessons for me!" Draco laughed "Only you would be excited about extra lessons. What are you writing in that journal?" "I'm writing out a better way to brew the potion we did today, and I am going to do that with every potion we brew at Hogwarts. Then I will take the notes to the editors." Pansy laughed as she linked her arm with Hermione's "That's our girl, already out to change the world!"

Their next class was Transfiguration, taught by Professor McGonagall. "Transfiguration is one of the most complex and difficult forms of magic that is taught here at Hogwarts. If you do not have discipline and determination, things can go horribly wrong." Taking her wand McGonagall turned her desk into a pig. The class was transfixed, but it soon became clear it would be a long time before they were changing furniture into animals. Giving them a toothpick she set them the task of turning it into a needle. By the end of the hour all Hermione had managed to do was turn hers into metal, even though it was still in the shape of a toothpick. Draco's was pointy like a needle but still made of wood. After Transfiguration, came charms. Taught by Professor Flitwick a very small wizard "One of a wizards most fundamental skills is levitation. Or making objects fly. Don't forget the swish and flick, and enunciate Wingradium Leviosa." Instantly all the students were attempting the spell. Ron Weasley was just waving his wand wildly, not trying to say the incantation correctly. "Stop stop it! You are saying it wrong and you are not waving your wand right!" "You do it then, if you are so clever. Go on!" Pushing up her sleeves Hermione said "Wingardium Leviosa" along with the swish and flick of her wand. Instantly her feather began to levitate gently above her head. Professor Flitwick squealed with excitement "Excellent! Everyone, Miss. Granger has done it! Oh Well Done! Five points to Slytherin!" As she as gathering her things at the end of class Weasley bumped into her and caused her books to fall out of her hands "I didn't ask for your help. You MudBlood." Continuing to walk out as if he had never spoken, Ron disappeared. After class, instead of going to dinner, Hermione went straight to the common room and started to cry.

"Where's Hermione?" Blaise asked as he looked around the great hall for her. "I'm not sure. You know I havent seen her since the end of Charms class earlier." All of them wrapped several sandwiches up in their napkins as Draco said "Let's go find her." The small group wondered around Hogwarts for a little while before heading down to the dungeons, towards their common room. It was there that Draco, Astoria, Pansy and Vince found her there, sitting on the leather couch and silently crying. Sitting beside her, Draco rubbed her back and then embraced her in a hug. "What's wrong 'Mione? Why did you skip dinner?" Wiping the tears from her eyes Hermione said "After charms class, Ron called me a mudblood." Instantly everyone in the room gasped and cursed their enemies name. "Why didn't you tell me that?" Draco asked quietly. "I didn't want to bring attention to it. I was embarrassed. I mean he is right, I got caught up in all my pureblood friends that I forgot who I am." Astoria took her hand "Hermione listen to me. No matter what Weasley says you are not a mudblood. Mudbloods are people like Alice Cyrus, who have no respect for wizarding tradition. You never will be one." Hermione smiled a watery smile at her friends and gobbled up the sandwiches her friends had brought back for her.

The next day an incident happened in flying class. Neville Longbottom, a Gryffindor, had fallen off his broom and broken his wrist. While gone Draco and Harry Potter had gotten into an argument, resulting them flying when they weren't supposed to be and Harry Potter being put on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as a first year. Draco was ranting and raving about it all week "He's a first year! Granted we were both in the air, we both broke rules. I'll admit that, we should've got detention. But NO! Harry Freaking Potter gets to be on the Quidditch team." Hermione looked up from her potion's essay she was writing while everyone was eating lunch "I know Draco, it's not fair. But I do applaud you for admitting you did something wrong." Draco flopped down beside Hermione and bumped her shoulder "Thanks for listening to me "Mione. I know it's probably not easy listening to me go on and on about this." She shrugged "You're one of my best friends and I care about you. I'll listen to you about anything." Blaise walked up behind them "You are not going to like this Draco. Potter got a Nimbus 2000." At this news Draco exploded with rage "WHAT!?" Hermione sighed as he went off on another tangent, but smiled as she listened to him; enjoying that he was so passionate about Quidditch.

The first month of life and classes at Hogwarts went by rather smoothly. Hermione was soon the top student in her class, closely followed by Draco. The only thing she wasn't excelling at was Flying and her relationship with her parents. She had written them a few letters, but had yet to get a response back for them. The one response she had gotten back was not very friendly "Hermione, see if you can stay at school during the Christmas Holidays. We don't want to be around the magic."

But one weekend day in September Hermione woke up to all her friends standing around her bed. Once they noticed she was awake they all screamed in unison "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERMIONE!" Tears welled up in her eyes "You guys remembered my birthday?" Astoria and Pansy hugged her at the same time "Of course we did, we are friends!" After going down to breakfast, the group settled out in the courtyard; sitting in the grass and on the stone benches. "Open our presents "Mione!" From Astoria she got a new set of makeup, including makeup brushes. Pansy had gotten her a set of earrings in the shape of serpents, where the tail curled up the side of her ear. Blaise had gotten her some new books about potion's to help with her advanced lesson's with Professor Snape. The last present was from Draco, which he had waited to give her until after Astoria and Pansy had went back to their common room. Hermione opened the small square box and she was amazed at what she found there . It was a small crystal bracelet, every bead was translucent except for one that was a rich emerald green. Putting it on her wrist she hugged him tightly "Its beautiful, Draco. I love it!" Draco seemed to release a nervous breath "When we are older, I will give you a real one." Hermione spent the rest of the day enjoying time with her friends, it was the best birthday she had had in years. Once back in the common room Hermione took the bracelet back off and put it in her box and put it in a secret compartment in her school trunk. Draco seemed rather dismayed she had taken her bracelet off "You know you can wear it everyday if you want." Hermione hugged him "Of course I know that. I really do love it, but its so gorgeous and I'm sure expensive that if anything happened to it I would hate myself." Draco seemed to relax at her words "Ok I understand. I'm glad you enjoyed your present."

Over the next few months the homework got more and more intense. Even though they were only first years, they were being set vast amounts of homework. Hermione was doing her best to help all of her friends cope, while keeping up with her own work and taking her advanced potion's lessons with Snape. "Did you just hear Potter and Weasley say that Hagrid has a dragon?" Hermione asked the group. An evil smile spread across Draco's face "Why no Hermione I didn't. And I didn't hear them say that Weasleys brother was coming to collect the Dragon tonight at midnight." Catching on, Hermione nodded and went to the potion's classroom. "Professor Snape? We heard that Potter and Weasley are helping Hagrid smuggle out an illegal Dragon tonight at midnight from the top of the Astronomy tower." "Leave it to me Miss. Granger." Later that week in her private lesson, Hermione was boiling the pepperup potion. "Miss. Granger, did I tell you that I found Potter and Weasley breaking curfew in possession of an illegal dragon? They were given detention with Hagrid in the forbidden forest. Where Potter claims he was chased by hooded figure that he can't identify?" Hermione rolled her eyes "That boy, he is always out for some kind of attention. There are hundreds of species of animals in the forest and I am sure that there are still some undiscovered species in there." "While I agree Miss. Granger, there is a question I would pose to you. What are the uses of unicorn blood?" Rather surprised Hermione recited from memory "The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch for death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenseless to save yourself and you will have but a half life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips. But professor, only an already evil being would be willing to do something like that." Snape nodded almost imperceptibly "Yes That is right Miss. Granger. Now what creature would be willing to do something like that, to come back to life as it were?" Hermione gasped "Professor Snape are you suggesting that it was…" Cutting her off mid-sentence "I am suggesting nothing Miss. Granger. And of course somethings that are discussed here are best only repeated in the company of trusted friends. Now remove your potion from the fire before adding the porcupine quills." And that was that.

Of course later that evening Hermione repeated word for word to her friends what Professor Snape had told her in confidence. Everyone had a rather grim expression on their face "I think Snape was suggesting it was the Dark Lord." "But wasn't he destroyed eleven years ago, when he went to attack Harry Potter as a baby?" Draco shrugged "They never found a body or his wand. Honestly no one knows what happened to the Dark Lord." Hermione was being rather quiet, and honestly she looked scared. Draco hugged his friend "Don't worry "Mione, all this is only a theory. Everyone will work to keep each other safe."

Christmas came and went, Hermione of course spent Christmas at Hogwarts, not wanting to go home to her parents. Upon hearing that she was staying, Draco promptly signed up to stay with her. "You don't have to do that Draco, I'll be fine. I'm sure your parents are expecting you at home." Shaking his head Draco smiled "I don't want you to be alone for the holidays. Mother and father will understand." Hermione and Draco spent the whole of the holidays together; working on their homework, reading ahead in their text books and studying for the end of year exams. But of course it wasn't all work and no play; they had snowball fights and Draco taught Hermione how to play wizards chess. "I'm terrible at this." She said as Draco once again took her knight. He laughed as his piece destroyed hers, and then the broken pieces fixed themselves "Don't worry Hermione, you can't be perfect at everything." Hermione stuck her tongue out at Draco, which made him laugh even harder. Christmas morning Hermione woke up to Draco pounding on the girls dormitory door "Wake up "Mione, we've got presents!" Throwing on her fluffy robe, Hermione ran down the stairs to see Draco standing in front of one of the leather couches next to two piles of presents. He pointed at one "That one is yours!" "I've got presents?" Draco nodded "Of course, come on! Open them with me." Draco received new dragonhide gloves, a book on quidditch tactics and a set of new robes that were waterproof for the cold wet months that were ahead. Hermione received a few new perfumes, a cleaning kit for her wand, a new book on astronomy and a homemade pan of fudge from Draco's parents. "Your parents sent me fudge..Why?" Draco looked at her with a confused look "Because they know you like it, of course. I've told them all about you and how much you love mother's baking. They already adore you and can't wait to meet you." Hermione's heart swelled at his words. "From what you've told me about your parent's I already adore them too. And I can't wait to meet them."

But also Hermione decided to do some research on things that could make you live forever, after learning that something was feeding off unicorn blood in the Forbidden Forest. After days and days of research, Hermione found the answer she had been looking for "The Sorcerer's Stone. It creates an elixir that can make you live forever. Whatever was drinking the blood of the unicorn, is trying to get at the Sorcerer's Stone." Blaise was confused as to the recent findings "But why would the stone be here in the school? And why would a possible evil entity risk trying to get into the school?" The group pondered for several minutes before giving up. "It doesn't matter" Hermione said "The end of the school year is coming up, we need to focus on studying and revising." And even though the exams were still a few months away, Hermione made all of her friends start revising their notes and everyone started studying over the material from the first part of term. When Blaise complained, Hermione shut it down "These may be first year exams, but the scores are still important to our classes next year." That had shut Blaise up, as it was expected that everyone do their best. Draco's parents had continued to send homemade fudge for Hermione. Every single time one of their packages arrived, Hermione felt like she belonged more and more.

As the end of the school year loomed their professors stopped assigning more and new homework, they started assigning revision. Almost every class was doing just pure reviewing, except Professor Snape who was still setting them potions to brew in every class "These are first year potion's you should be more than able to brew and still review for your exams." The professors all seemed to have the same idea as Hermione, that even though they were first years the exams were still very important to their future's at Hogwarts. Almost everyone was handling the stress well; except for Neville Longbottom, first year Gryffindor. He was a nervous wreck, he was constantly being seen in the great hall surrounded by books and parchment; just trying to keep up. Pansy snorted with laughter as Longbottom broke down once again "How he got into Hogwarts, I'll never know. He may be a pureblood but he barely has any magic abilities at all." All the Slytherin's laughed, including Hermione.

As the snow melted and winter gave way to spring suddenly exam season was upon them. Each exam lasted about two hours, sometimes even longer. For an entire week they sat exams in the morning and in the evening. An annoying habit that Hermione had picked up was wanting to talk through every exam after it was finished. "Did you write a small essay on the incantation for the levitation spell? I wanted to emphasize that if you don't stress the right part of the word, the spell won't work. It may have been overkill on my part, but I think it should suffice." Draco rubbed his eye's sleepily "Mione, I am sure you did fine. Now please can we stop reviewing? The exams are over." Holding in her lecture she was getting ready to go over on potions, Hermione agreed and leaned against Draco's side and promptly fell asleep.

At the very end of exams Potter and Weasley broke into the forbidden corridor, battled past all sorts of difficult enchantments and had saved and destroyed the Sorcerer's stone from a "Evil Entity". Professor Snape had informed her of these events during their last advanced potion's lesson of the year. Hermione stared at her professor in bewilderment "And they weren't expelled?" Snape shook his head "Unfortunately no. Potter is Dumbledore's favorite and a Gryffindor to boot. He will be untouchable as his time at Hogwarts continues. Now enough questions Miss. Granger. Finish chopping and replacing the ingredients you used this year. Your work was barely acceptable this year, I expect you to be better suited to brewing by the start of next term."

It was finally here. The end of term feast. Slytherin had won the house cup by nearly two hundred points; as Potter and Weasley had lost over 100 house points for Gryffindor after the fiasco with the baby dragon. The entire great hall was decorated in the silver and green of Slytherin house. While Hermione was happy they had won, she was sad it was the end of term. I don't want to go back home, I want to stay here. But I will be happy and celebrate with my friends.

Professor Dumbledore stood up to address the student body "Another year has come and gone; it is time to award the house cup. In first place Slytherin with 562 points, second place Ravenclaw with 525 points, in third place Hufflepuff with 475 points and finally in last place Gryffindor with 425 points." The entire hall was silent as Slytherin cheered for it's victory. "Yes, Yes well done Slytherin. However recent events need to be taken into consideration. I have some last minute points to award." The cheering from Slytherin's house stopped instantly and they were all thinking the same thing; what was Dumbledore on about? "Firstly I would like to award 50 points to Mr. Harry Potter, for bravery and determination. Secondly to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best game of chest Hogwarts has ever seen, 50 points. Thirdly to Miss. Alice Cyrus, for cool courage in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house 30 points." The entire Slytherin table groaned as the rest of the hall held its breath; Gryffindor was up 130 points, putting them at 555, just seven points behind Slytherin. "And lastly it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more courage to stand up to your friends. So I award 15 points to Mr. Neville Longbottom." The entire Slytherin table groaned in despair, the last 15 points put Gryffindor at 570 points….and in first place. "Now if my calculations are correct, I believe a change in decoration is in order." Dumbledore snapped his fingers and all the banners were changed from silver and green to Gold and Red. "Gryffindor wins the house cup!" The entire hall erupted in cheers for Gryffindor, but everyone at the Slytherin table was silent with rage. "Bloody Gryffindor, Dumbledore's favorites. Of course he would fix it to where they win the house cup!" Pansy said as she seethed with rage.

The next day Hermione was safely encased in a carriage aboard the Hogwarts Express, headed back to London. "This past year sucked. I can't believe Potter and Weasley got away with all of those things." Pansy said. Blaise nodded "And with those last minute house points? He stole the house cup from us!" He said angrily. As her friends continued to rage about the past year of Hogwarts, Hermione was staring out the window sadly. "What's wrong 'Mione?" Hermione turned and everyone was shocked to see tears in her eyes "I don't want to go back home to my parents. They don't approve of my magic." Draco wrapped her in a hug while, Blaise patted her back "Don't worry, we will write you every week." Astoria and Pansy promised. "I'm going on vacation with mother and father this year to Paris, but I will see what I can do for you, ok?" Hermione smiled a watery smile at all of her friend. "Thanks guys, I'm glad I was sorted into Slytherin." All to soon the train came into the station at Kings Crossing. Draco and Blaise helped all the girls unload their trunks from the train and they all crossed the barrier back into the muggle word. Astoria and Pansy, instantly spotted their parents and went of towards them. But Draco dragged Hermione by the arm "Hermione, these are my parents. Narcissa and Lucius." Narcissa was a gorgeous and dignified as well as Lucius. "Miss. Granger? Ah yes, the little girl from Slytherin who likes the fudge." Mr. Malfoy said. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." Narcissa smiled kindly at her "Likewise Hermione." The adults chatted for a few minutes before Hermione spotted her parents "There are my parents. I should really go. It was great meeting you." "You as well Miss. Granger. Draco told us that you had to go start of term shopping by yourself. Perhaps you could accompany us when we take Draco shopping this year?" Hermione nodded enthusiastically "I would appreciate that very much sir." Mr. Malfoy nodded "Then we will come collect you when the time is right. We will see you soon Hermione." She waved goodbye to Draco and his parents sadly as she followed her parents outside to their waiting car, to a summer full of no magic. Nothing was said between her and her parents on that car ride home. And once Hermione got home she went straight to her room, where she planned on spending most of her vacation.