Unforeseen
Note: I apologize in advance if you encounter some grammatical errors and misspelled words.
"I swear to Merlin, Sirius," Hermione growled, closing her Hogwarts: A History with a snap. "If you place your head on my lap one more time I'm going to hex you!"
After the train left the King's Cross their small group had made themselves comfortable and focused on their own entertainment to pass the time on the train.
James sniggered across them. He's playing chess with his twin brother Harry, who's wearing a frown at the both of them.
Their compartment door slid open revealing the just relieved and now composed figure of Draco Malfoy. His coiffed platinum blonde hair now tidy and slicked that Hermione thought it glinted. What's most prominent in his current appearance is the heir ring he's wearing.
A while ago when she left the boys alone to take a bathroom break, the twins and Sirius instantly crowded over Draco to look over the heir ring and began having conversations about it. Hermione obviously didn't hear what they were talking about, but she did assume that it has to do with their duties as future lords of house and obviously what might the Malfoy heir ring encompasses.
Hermione knows that wearing such a ring symbolizes Draco's status among his peers, and she wouldn't be surprised if the other three wear the same ring by next summer. Well, that'll depend on which Potter twin will wear it. But Hermione suspects it's going to be Harry.
Draco looked around their compartment noting the tense atmosphere, before his eyes planted on both Hermione and Sirius in a heated argument with Hermione trying to tell Sirius off and Sirius being his usual self, not budging at all.
He glanced at Harry when the boy shot him a begrudging look over his shoulder and sighed with a shake of his head, before taking a seat beside him since Sirius took most of the space beside Hermione by lying horizontally and placing his head on her lap.
Hermione didn't see this exchange as she was busy berating Sirius, and as expected she shoved him off of her lap, causing the black-haired boy to topple over to the train's vibrating floor making James laugh out loud. His voice resonating around their compartment.
Harry shook his head in amusement as he makes his war-freak bishop move killing James' miffed queen. Draco snorted.
"Harry!" James exclaimed when he noticed his queen in pieces. Harry just smirked up at him, his emerald eyes twinkling, before looking back down to the chessboard. Draco took a peek over their board and tutted before returning his attention to open another piece of a chocolate frog he bought from the trolley lady on his way back here.
James's eyes narrowed at Draco, glancing back down to his chess pieces.
"You're such a savage, woman," Sirius scowled, yet his eyes and tone say the opposite; playful and mocking. He rubbed his elbow piteously and caught Draco's eyes. "Isn't she, Draco?"
Draco graciously made the right decision in remaining silent and continued munching on his chocolate frog; bored.
Sirius scowled.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, one finger out, pointing at his face, "you are despicable Sirius Black! Don't even include Draco with your shenanigans," she said, her voice trembling with contained laughter at how Sirius peer up at her like a puppy. "And may I remind you that I am in no way a savage!"
Carina, who's tucked on her other side, hissed at Sirius.
"Even your kitten is a beast," Sirius added smoothly, warily eyeing the kitten, which amused Hermione a lot causing her to laugh a little. His eyes narrowed when Carina actually hissed viciously, "you both are totally a match. Seriously, you complement each other's personalities."
"Thanks but you're still insufferable, Black. And if you don't stop what you were doing, I'll let Carina have on you!" She doubled in laughter when Sirius hilariously grabbed his Hogwarts robe wrapping them infront of his body as a shield.
"You won't dare, woman!" He cried, then glanced over the kneazle/kitten preparing to pounce.
Carina hissed in reply.
Hermione grinned from ear to ear and cooed on her Carina. "You're such a fierce kitten, little Carina. Definitely my partner in crime," she smiled when Carina meowed in agreement, "ah, I adore you a lot, lovely."
Hermione grabbed Carina close to her and shifted their position so they're now facing Sirius who's dramatically cowering at the end of their seat, opposite to them. "If this boy ever treated you badly in any way and never listens to your needs," she paused and looked over at Sirius who's looking slightly scared at the small kneazle. Her eyes teasing, "you may use your claws."
"Checkmate!"
James grunted in defeat.
"Told you," Draco said from his position. He's now reading a transfiguration book that's covered in their curriculum. Though the boy still kept eating chocolate.
Hermione shook her head at this and turned her attention to the twins, leaving Carina and Sirius to size each other up.
"You didn't even say anything!" James groused. Watching Harry arrange the chessboard that was gifted by their father to them.
Harry waved a black bishop and pointed it over him, "he did hint that you're losing anyway."
"That wasn't a hi—"
Their compartment door burst open with a bang and uncovered a girl with disheveled red fiery hair.
"Have you seen a toad? A boy named Frank Longbottom lost one," she asked, irritatingly fixing her tangled hair.
"Oh," James murmured. His eyes fixed on the newcomer.
Harry and Draco smirked when they recognized the girl, making Sirius look confused. "Am I missing something?"
"It's Frank Longbottom that's missing something, Sirius," Hermione cut in before anyone could reply. She smiled when Sirius stuck out his tongue at her witty response.
"Have you asked any prefects for assistance?" Hermione asked, standing up from her seat and carefully placing Carina on the soft cushion.
The girl shook her head. "No, I didn't even think about asking for their help," her face blushed prettily as she stammers an answer.
"What's your name?" Hermione smiled kindly at the familiar girl.
"Lily," the girl replied, "Lily Evans."
Hermione gave her hand and waited for the girl to shake it, "it's nice to meet you Lily, I'm Hermione."
Lily took her hand and held it firmly. "It's nice to meet someone who's not prejudiced," Lily stated her tone dubious.
Hermione frowned at her, wondering how many kids their age or above, has attacked her with slurs she didn't even deserve.
Her confusion must have been obvious because Lily began speaking again. Their hands remained connected, although Hermione could admit that Lily's firm hold on her hand was a sign she's in deep need of acceptance— or not.
"You see, my friends and I received visitors in our compartment asking our names, and well, whenever we give it, we either receive a look of disgust or a parting message calling us some inappropriate words I can't comprehend." Lily continued, her hazel eyes that's speckled with green stared back on her own amber ones with intensity Hermione could read the warning in her eyes.
She guessed Lily's daring her to say something impolite and expects to react the same like those bigots she'd encountered first hand.
Harry and Draco's attention were immediately heightened at them, making Hermione consider how can they possibly do that; feeling her worry.
"I'm not like those people, Lily," Hermione said kindly. Soothing the girl's anxiety.
Lily exhaled, extremely relieved. "Right, sorry if I was a little presumptuous on you," she apologized and released her hold on Hermione's hand gently. "It's just…"
Hermione realized they weren't alone when they both heard someone clear their throat. Lily looked behind her, her mouth forming a soundless 'oh.'
Hermione scratched the back of her neck before standing beside Lily to introduce her own friends to her.
"Sorry boys," she apologized and shot Lily a sheepish glance mortified at her forgetfulness. Clearing her throat, "Lily, meet Sirius Black, from Ancient and Noble House of Black."
"Pleasure to meet you milady," Sirius bowed dramatically in greeting.
Lily looked incredulously at what he did and stared at Hermione for help on what to do. Hermione took pity and reprimanded Sirius.
"Sorry," Sirius apologized and winked at Lily. Causing the lovely girl to blush.
"It's fine," Lily said. Not really sure of what to do.
"Don't worry. I could tutor you in Wizarding Traditions and Social Etiquette," Hermione offered kindly. "Anything really. I'm more than willing to help you."
Lily nodded her head gratefully.
"This is Draco Malfoy, heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy," Hermione continued.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Evans," Draco nodded politely. His eyes looking pointedly at Hermione when he noticed her rolling her eyes at him.
"And those two, are the Potter twins," she gestured over the last two boys. The other one looking at Lily wistfully, while the other watches his brother amusedly. "The boy with dark brunette hair is James, and the emerald-eyed boy is Harry."
When she called Harry's name, she wasn't prepared with the look he sent her way that created electric shocks she can't quite discern. She wondered if Harry's trying to tell her something she should know. Hermione did try glancing at Draco and wasn't at all surprised to see him looking at her with expectation painted on his alluring features.
Then suddenly a light bulb went on. The letters! They were waiting for her to have a conversation with them.
Their small bubble of moment popped when James stood up from his seat and approached Lily with contained excitement, which seemed obvious because the girl took a step back.
James carefully grabbed her petite hand and pressed a light kiss at the back of it, "it's so lovely to finally be able to meet you, Lily." He said demurely.
"What do you mean by again? Have we met before?"
James stared at Lily for several seconds, his face masked with reverence, before replying, "you were that girl in Diagon Alley with lots of muggle-borns."
"I don't even know you," Lily stressed. "I never even saw you during our shopping trip."
Hermione's eyes widened at this, and then at Harry who's blatantly trying to hold the laughter threatening to make itself known. Same with Draco and Sirius, who's now cradling the purring Carina. Hermione choked on air at this image and apologized profusely when everyone—except James—snapped their focus at her.
Sirius stuck his tongue again at her when he noticed he's the cause of that.
"As what these friends of mine have repeatedly said," Harry started. Grabbing his brother on his shoulder and promptly pushed him beside Draco to sit. "It is nice to meet you, Miss Evans."
Lily stared at Harry for a long moment, her cheeks inflamed with mortification or coy, Hermione didn't know.
"I-it's nice meeting everyone too," Lily stammered. The red on her face slowly affecting her neck, that Hermione thought the girl was turning into human lava. All red in her glory.
"Okay, okay, enough with all these formalities," Hermione said, saving Lily from her predicament. The boys immediately recognized her tone and resolutely waited for her next words. Which made Hermione pause for a moment and consider this. "Seriously, do I really have that upper hand on you?"
Hermione amusedly watched the boys' cheeks take a pink color at this insinuation.
"You are scary sometimes you know," James bravely stated and shrugged. "Sirius even agrees with me, right?"
Sirius shot James a dark look for implicating him before chancing a glance at Hermione who—with a relieved sigh from Sirius—was not looking at him with hostility.
"Well you are definitely a savage," Sirius trailed off. Repeating the same words he said a while ago while petting Carina who's belly is up. "Your aura sometimes flares when you're tensed or mad or something, I dunno."
Hermione took note of that and just nodded in acceptance.
"I really should go back helping Frank locating that toad he lost," Lily blurted in, breaking the silence that overcame the compartment.
"I'll join you in searching for his pet," Hermione said firmly with no room for any arguments.
She and Lily went outside of the compartment but before Hermione could close the door, she gave the boys a warning look.
"You better take care of my Carina. And do not do anything stupid while I'm out helping Lily and Frank find this toad!"
"Frankly, Hermione there's no point of you stressing over yourselves on us. We can take care of ourselves," Harry said in appeasement, yet Hermione could detect the underlying mischief in his tone. He gave the other boys a look, "right gentlemen?"
A round of agreements flowed inside the compartment. Hermione rolled her eyes at them and gestured for Harry to come closer.
Since the boy was left standing in the middle of the compartment, it was no problem for Harry to give Hermione his undivided attention and move closer.
"We could have our conversation after our sorting," Hermione whispered to him. She gave a charming smile that confirms his and Draco's suspicions.
Harry nodded his head, "sure, and do be careful out there, yeah?"
Hermione's whole being buzzed uncontrollably inside her. She felt her magic thrill at their mates' worry. Even her soul rejoiced at the notion of Harry caring for her.
And her bloody stomach fluttered with lots of butterflies, causing her to feel all mushy.
She mentally cursed herself for this.
'Too young, too young," Hermione thought.
"Of course I could take care of myself," Hermione scoffed terribly failing to hide the reddening of her cheeks.
Harry merely grinned and gave a shrug of indifference, "we know." He replied and glanced at Draco who just joined them. Both of them sharing a knowing look.
"Return to this compartment an hour before we arrive in Hogsmeade, Hermione," Draco drawled. One brow raising when a rebuke was about to release itself from her mouth.
Hermione harrumphed and flipped her soft curls behind her. Collecting them to create a messy bun. Seriously, who is he to order her around?
"Fine, father," she replied sarcastically and swiftly left after poking them both at the same time on their chests with her point fingers.
Hermione found Lily two doors down from her own group's compartment. She promptly slid her left arm with Lily's right and pulled her close beside her.
Lily looked at her in surprise, giving out a small laugh at the way Hermione smiled at her. "You're really a unique girl, Hermione."
Hermione just shrugged at her statement, "so I've been told many times."
It took the two girls one whole hour to complete their journey. Though it ended with no good news and definitely unpleasant experiences; some students didn't even bother hiding their aversion on them but despite this, it didn't deter the girls from accomplishing their task.
Unfortunately, their mission in searching for the toad on every compartment failed terribly. Lily and Hermione never found the mysterious pet toad of Frank Longbottom. And the occupants weren't even helpful at all.
They even asked for help from the prefects' but the summoning charm didn't work either. Lily figured Frank lost his toad in the station.
"Maybe the toad was magical?" Hermione wondered loudly, as they walk down the length of the Hogwarts' Express back to where they came from.
They just passed her boys' compartment and saw them playing Exploding Snaps, with Carina now sleeping on Harry's lap. She knocked on their door and waved when they saw her.
They returned her greeting at them and she pointed down the corridor telling them where she's going. Draco gave her a thumbs up while Sirius hollered over from behind the closed door saying: "okay, Hermione!"
Lily and Hermione giggled at the way the other boys cringed at the volume of Sirius' voice.
With one last glance at them, she let Lily grab her hand and be led to her own group's compartment.
"What do you mean by toad being magical?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, right. There are toads that are magical. For example, there's a toad that could jump up to 4 feet in height and apparate when hunting," she started and smiled at the way Lily's face scrunch in confusion at the word apparate. "Apparate is a wizard term for teleporting," Hermione explained patiently.
"There are also rare toads that could apparate at a long distance. Though usually these kinds of toads are often seen bonded to a magical person. Magical toads aren't really common to be bonded with. Especially with the rare ones, since they're quite picky in choosing whom to treat as their master," Hermione paused as they gave way for trolley lady some space to move. "So maybe, Frank didn't know he's bonded with a rare toad."
"That could teleport without him knowing?"
Hermione only shrugged, "to be honest I barely know anything about them. I assumed the toad knew where his bonded wizard is going anyway and went ahead of him. Oh and that kind of toad is called Kermit."
Lily looked at her gobsmacked. "You mean to say…"
Hermione laughed, "yes! I know! Isn't it weird and astonishing that a muppet's namesake came from a magical toad?"
Lily joined her in laughing, ignoring the curious look they're garnering from students inside each compartment as they pass by them.
"Wow," Lily said breathlessly, once they collected themselves. "You know this whole magic thing is very new to me, I don't even know where to start learning everything about it."
Hermione could see that Lily has full of questions and was only too shy to spell it out all at once on her.
"As I said a while ago Lily, I can help you with anything," she reminded her again soothingly. Offering her assistance so Lily could better acquaint herself in their world.
"Yes, right," Lily sheepishly said. "Can we be friends?"
Hermione stared at Lily surprised at her instant offer and noted that the girl was barely concealing the faltering confidence she has in her.
"Disregarding what house we're sorted into?" Hermione asked. "Of course Lily! I'll be honored to be your friend!"
Lily beamed at her and excitedly pulled her towards the very last and secluded compartment inside the express.
"Hey guys," Lily said upon opening their own compartment. Hermione was greeted with two boys on each seat books in their hands.
"I have a friend that I would like you to meet," Lily declared eagerly. Lily pulled her into their compartment and smiled at the other occupants shyly. "This is Hermione…"
"Hermione Granger," she supplied for her. "I'm charmed to meet you, Lily's friends."
The thin boy with sallow skin and hooked nose on her left wore an all-black attire that hides almost all his skin, except his hands and face. The boy opposite him on the other hand already wore his Hogwarts robes that looked second-hand due to its fading color.
Hermione also noted this boy's scars that were hardly concealed by magic. She wondered if his mother tried hiding the ugly scar on his face for fear he'll be a victim of not so pleasant greeting from his peers.
"I'm Remus Lupin," the boy she's currently observing said. Remus nodded over the glossy-haired boy across him, "that's Severus Snape."
The compartment door opened again and Hermione was welcomed by the sight of another boy with dirty blonde hair and disheveled appearance, his cerulean eyes wide and sparkling.
"Frank!" Lily exclaimed and blatantly stared at his hand. Hermione also looked down at his hand and saw a kermit croaking as though it's greeting them.
"He just appeared in front of me while I was in the loo," he explained earnestly at Lily, showing off his toad that's almost the size of a soccer ball.
"That's… wow… I actually never saw a kermit before," Hermione stared at the toad dumbfounded. It definitely don't look like the muppet she and Lily knows. "Are they really this huge?" and ugly? she asked herself.
Frank stared at her in shock and blushed adorably, "yes, they do in fact get huge like this. This is already their maximum size."
Hermione frowned in thought, "aren't matured kermits poisonous?"
Frank nodded his head and was about to reply when a drawling voice answered instead. Hermione could almost imagine Draco's approval by achieving such a feat.
"Yes, they are poisonous to those who aren't bonded to them," Snape provided, "due to the rarity of their species, kermits evolved to be extremely poisonous as ever without experts knowing how they did it. They assumed it has to do with their usefulness in potion-making as kermit's tongue and eyes are often used for dealing in increasing the potency of few selected well known dark brews such as poisons."
Hermione pondered at his words, "so you mean to say that kermit are sentient beings? They somehow developed a way to make themselves unattainable by making themselves more poisonous upon touch?"
Her question was answered by a loud croak.
Snape stared at her and the toad questioningly, "I guess so," he drawled and went back to his reading.
"Potioneers all over the world had expressed aggravation at the difficulty of hunting kermits. Any spells or charms that would summon or ensnare them are almost ineffective," Remus added.
"Oh yes, I read something about that discussion in one of the old editions of Potion Pioneers Periodical. It was also reported that kermits shows a spiraling rainbow color when someone successfully did catch them and uses these colors to hypnotize the person by touching them to be poisoned," Hermione added further, "I hope you won't do that to us mister kermit. We promise not to hurt you."
The toad croaked in response making Hermione laugh a little.
"Aren't you Hermione Granger?" Frank asked her, his tone held distinct esteem.
Hermione nodded though she's curious how'd he knows her name.
"The Potter twins are my friends," Frank responded when he recognized her puzzled look, "we meet once a month with other kids like the Bones, Abbotts, Greengrasses, and the new addition, the Malfoys."
"They never mentioned anything to me about this," Hermione murmured. "How'd you know me then?"
"Harry and Draco often mention your name yesterday, so clearly it got me curious and asked them to describe you," Frank answered with a shrug.
"I do hope they were delightful words," Hermione said dryly. Slightly embarrassed at the notion of being a topic for discussion.
"They were actually, and now that I finally met you personally, you definitely are beautiful in your own way," he said.
Lily voiced out her agreement. Remus nodded shyly at her suddenly noticing Hermione Granger.
"Do everyone in your group get along well?" Hermione violently shoved that discussion at the very back of her mind. Hiding this piece of memory under the pillow.
Longbottom seemed not bothered by the hasty change of subject. "Yes, well... You see, it's not every day we meet anyway, and truthfully some barely tolerate each other," Frank shrugged and carefully placed his toad in a carrier that amused Hermione.
"Especially those Greengrass ladies and their cousin McKinnon," Frank added with a scowl.
Everyone except Snape, who's too busy reading, shared a look of confusion by this statement.
"So what House do you think you will be sorted into, Hermione?" Remus asked after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, I forgot to ask you about that," Lily said beside her, bumping slightly on Snape's right arm as she turns to face her. She ignored his irate look and just silently returned his attention to the book infront of him.
Although, Hermione is certain his attention wasn't purely on the book he's currently reading, but on the conversation happening around him.
Hermione shrugged as an answer because truthfully she has no idea, "I do have a distinct feeling that I'll be either in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. I'm not really sure."
"Why Hufflepuff?" Remus asked, "I mean you look like an epitome of Gryffindor."
"How could you say?" she asked, piqued.
Remus just gazed at her intently, "your aura says so."
"You see auras?" Lily was the one who asked this.
"No, but I can sense them," Remus said in a meaningful way, causing Hermione to gaze back at him with intensity like she's studying a new subject.
Snape's involuntary flinch wasn't lost to either her and Remus too. Though Hermione did notice the scarred boy cringed at his reaction and let his eyes wander at the darkening sky. Hermione mentally took note of this and pushed it further back behind her walls.
Pushing aside this line of conversation, Hermione answered Remus's question instead so they could go back to their original topic.
"Both of my parents were sorted in Hufflepuff. I can't just eliminate the possibility of being sorted there," she replied, flicking a lint of thread on her skirt. "My parents are both muggle-borns."
"So what does that make you?" Lily asked curiously.
"Half-blood," Hermione simply replied.
"Like Severus," the red-haired girl said and glanced at Snape over her shoulder. Their eyes connecting for a second before Snape broke them. "His mother was a pure-blood witch, and his father is a non-magical."
Snape sighed exasperatedly, "when did you offer your services in telling anyone my life story on my behalf?"
Lily just smirked at him, "you know that I adore you right, Snape?"
Snape's dark inquisitive brow raised itself almost touching his hairline at Lily's declaration.
"How about you all? What house do you think you'll be sorted into?" Hermione threw back. Her amber eyes eyeing both Snape and Lily oddly.
"Slytherin," Severus responded dryly, still staring at Lily's side profile. Though the girl looked oblivious to the stare she's receiving from him.
"Gryffindor for sure," Remus said in confidence. Frank even offered one palm open for a high five.
"Same," Longbottom grinned.
Everyone looked expectantly at Lily, "Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, not sure but we'll see."
A knock on their compartment startled everyone from their conversations and saw an emerald-eyed boy standing, smiling over them but his eyes were solely on Hermione.
Hermione looked at her wristwatch and saw they only have thirty minutes left before the express reach the Hogsmeade.
"Right, everyone, we better change into our robes now since we've obviously lost time," she announced as she stood up, "we only have thirty minutes, so we better prepare in creating the very first chapter of our lives in Hogwarts."
Everyone agreed and soon after Hermione introduced Harry to the others with Frank clapping his back as a brotherly greeting, they left.
Once she arrived at their compartment, Hermione nodded in approval when she found the boys already in their Hogwarts robes. She promptly kicked them out of the compartment and changed privately, making sure the blinds were sealed shut.
She wandlessly arranged their trunks and urged Carina gently inside her carrier. Hermione also did one last look at her reflection on the darkened window, fixing her bun, sighing exasperatedly at the stubborn strands.
"Hermione, we're almost there," Sirius knocked, breaking Hermione's focus on her curls. "Are you done, yet?"
Hermione waved her hand over the compartment door, allowing it to slid open so the boys could get in.
"I still don't understand why women take so much time in preparing themselves," James muttered beside Sirius as they collect their respective trunks."
Hermione glared at him because honestly, he's lucky that a prefect stopped her from a potentially long and witty comeback.
"You may leave your trunks here in the express, it'll be sent up to your respective Houses once you're sorted," a girl with long black hair and badge that has a huge 'P' pinned on her left chest said, and swiftly left to announce the same thing on the next compartment.
Hermione heard Carina calling her attention.
"I'm sorry dear, I have to leave without you," she cooed over the kitten, "don't worry dear, I'll be with you soon tonight and we'll sleep together."
Carina meowed again, but softly this time. Rubbing her adorable face on Hermione's right knuckle purring in understanding.
The occupants of the compartment heard the train make its final whistle and felt its motion come to a stop.
They finally made it to Hogsmeade.
"I can't believe that stupid boy," Lily hissed beside her. "Why is he in our year?!"
Hermione glanced at the fuming Lily to the smug Warrington boy.
"How dare he even call me that—that foul name," Lily wailed quietly beside her, barely containing her arousing anger. "He even has the audacity to declare it to our year mates that I'm a muggle-born and not deserving of magic."
"Just ignore him, miss Evans," Draco droned on Hermione's left, staring coolly at the disappointing boy. "Don't waste your breath over him."
"Boys like him don't deserve your absolute attention, fair lady," Sirius droned from his leaning position on Hogwarts' stone banister, buffing his nails. "His more fouler than you. Knowing the background of his family," he scowled as his eyes flickered from his hand to the boy they were discussing, "he's probably also dark and vile."
"That's ironic coming from you Black," Snape scoffed.
"What do you mean by that Snivellus?" Sirius straightened and stared at Severus with warning.
Feeling the mounting tension, Hermione quickly dispelled this by loudly clearing her throat. Staring pointedly at Sirius.
"Can we not ruin this night? And could anyone of you please, avoid starting some petty fight over name-calling?" She said this intently at Sirius, "your action was uncalled for Sirius and extremely impolite. Better apologize to Severus, now."
"Bossy witch," James muttered beside Harry who—has kept his mouth shut over the whole ordeal—smacked him upside the head for the inappropriate timing of his comment.
Hermione didn't let this bother her and simply stared at Sirius intensely, one brow raising. Waiting.
Sirius grumbled and slowly approached Snape, who's warily looking at the proffered hand outstretched infront of him.
"I apologize for calling you that name. I didn't mean it," Sirius mumbled.
Snape stared at him and his hand dubiously before reluctantly giving his hand a firm shake in acceptance.
"Judging someone because of the past actions of his forefathers doesn't define his character," Hermione softly said, her eyes staring at Snape's obsidian orbs, "I assure you, Sirius won't be doing the same mistakes as what his ancestors did," she smiled when Sirius gazed at her gratefully. "But please do avoid judging someone without knowing them first."
Snape glared, "but what about the thing he said about me?" His tone accusing.
Hermione was shocked when Lily pinched him hard on his side, "you provoked him, so expect him to return the same reaction to you."
Severus rightly looked chastised and reluctantly nodded his head in acknowledgment. Hermione wondered if Severus and Lily were friends before entering Hogwarts.
After they made it to the Hogsmeade station, a half-giant named Rubeus Hagrid called over the firsties to follow him into a different direction, away from the upper-class years.
They were led to a slippery and muddy slope and soon revealed a dark lake with small boats and one big boat, waiting on the dock.
Since Hagrid told them that only four students can ride the boat, the boys decided on playing rock-paper-scissors to make out who'll be riding the boat with her. Hermione insisted that she join the game but the boys were unyielding that they even forced her to ride the boat first to wait.
They first matched themselves into pairs to determine the first pair of winners. Once the winners were identified, they then need to fight again whoever the first one to join her. Same thing with the ones who lost, but in this match, the winner will have to fight the one who ranked second.
Hermione obviously watched this interaction in amusement. She even noticed some of their year mates, even Lily's group, watched on with hilarity. Same with Hagrid who allowed them to play.
The first pair who won were James and Sirius. And in their match, Sirius was the very first to join her. Next to fight James, was Draco. Everyone laughed when James still lost. Draco smirked at her as he climbed carefully in the wobbly boat.
Now the famous Potter twins. Everyone waited with bated breath as to whoever will win. Hermione though even initiated betting with Draco and Sirius, and they gamely agreed to her suggestion. Hermione grinned ear to ear at them, amused.
In the end, Sirius won two chocolate frogs and five sickles from both Hermione and Draco because James won the spontaneous match of rock-paper-scissors.
Everyone laughed and clapped hilariously. Hermione even joined the others in laughing watching the boys congratulate James, while at the same time teasing Harry with his loss.
Harry only shook his head and gave her a salute before promptly riding another small boat that's occupied by two girls and one slouching mousy brown-haired boy.
Once the short spectacle ended, the boat surged forward surprising Hermione with a jerk. Draco had to place a hand at the middle of her back to keep her from falling backward. She gave him a grateful smile before focusing her attention forward.
As they began their voyage, the only thing Hermione could hear were whispers from students and the gentle waves of the lake created by everyone's moving boat.
They entered a dark cavern that's filled with earthly scent. Hermione could also make out from the light offered by their boat's respective lanterns the green mosses and vines.
When Hagrid suddenly boomed and told them to duck their heads, breaking the peaceful journey, they did. But only to her befuddlement, she realized that there was nothing to duck from.
Hermione shared an amused glance with Draco, thinking the same thing.
"Woah," Sirius said breathlessly behind her.
"Yeah, this is Hogwarts," James murmured in agreement behind Draco.
Yes, Hermione couldn't agree more when her amber eyes planted on the sparkling grandness of the Hogwarts Castle. Feeling its sentient magic welcoming them each with caress on their magic. Guiding them with gentleness like a mother's touch as they voyage through the waters, approaching her.
A wave of collected 'aww-s' and 'ahh-s' surged over their batch as they watch the massive glinting castle.
"It's truly magical," Hermione said.
It is really, she can see that despite the foreboding presence of Hogwarts', Hermione could recognize its own unique beauty that made the place famous to the whole wizarding world. Not only it is one of the finest institutions existing in the wizarding world since the 10th century, but it is also notable due to the old magic it carries that captivated a lot of creatures to live near Hogwarts' presence.
Hermione read it in Hogwarts: A History.
When their boats finally reached the boathouse, one by one the students carefully unmounted the boats.
Draco offered his hand to her and smiled. She returned his smile and allowed him to pull her on stable ground.
"Remember the story that I shared with you?" A squeaky voice of a boy asked, "that's the mudblood that touched and stole some of my magic back in Diagon Alley," he said conspiratorily while pointing at Lily's back who stiffened.
Hermione immediately approached Lily's group and swiftly grabbed the girl with her to follow behind the retreating back of the half-giant, letting the boys trail behind them as she heard them introduce themselves to one another.
A strict-looking old lady in emerald robes and tight bun announced their presence to them. Behind her, the huge double doors of the Great Hall are opened a tiny bit, sounds of peals of laughter and conversation seeping through the small space, hinting the first years that all in the upper years are in the Great Hall awaiting the start of the yearly Sorting Ceremony.
"Good evening children, welcome to Hogwarts. Before I say more, let me introduce myself first," she paused and looked over the first years, "my name is Minerva McGonagall. I'm the current Head of Gryffindor House and your Deputy Head Mistress and Transfiguration Professor."
Hermione could now place a name on this witch. That's why she looked familiar, she's the professor who assisted the muggle-borns with their school shopping last time she went to Diagon Alley with her mother.
"Now, in just a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses," she paused pursing her lips as she scans every first-year student with intent, "they are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
Hermione aspires to have a presence so graceful and commanding at the same time. The heavy silence oozed with respect over the old witch as everyone listens to her attentively. She decided that Minerva McGonagall is her favorite professor now.
"Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule-breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."
Professor McGonagall stopped her speech and once again, let her eyes wander, but this time it stopped over to where her group was.
Hermione had counted the number of first-year students attending this year. She'd counted twenty-one: 14 boys and 7 girls.
She does in fact feel a little odd being surrounded by a lot of children her age, especially those students who came from well-known families. She's so definitely blaming Hermione Jane Granger and the fates for putting her in this situation.
Seriously, why can't her life be simple?
Hermione tightened her walls when their Headmistress made eye contact with her. Carefully masking her face devoid of emotions despite the excitement and anxiety she's currently feeling as they patiently wait for the moment to be sorted.
When the Headmistress instructed them to prepare for the ceremony and returned inside the Great Hall, her year mates around her vibrated with the same emotions as Hermione.
"Now, who's in for a bet?" James asked smirking at them, his hands rubbing together.
"Is this even the right time to gamble?" Lily sniffed, before turning her focus on Hermione. "Honestly?"
Hermione could only shrug and left the boys to bet on each other who's going to be sorted in.
Lily was even more flabbergasted when Severus joined the boys' impromptu gamble. Hermione couldn't blame her, really.
"Don't be a bad influence," Hermione remarked in singsong. James, Harry, and Sirius snapped their heads at her and grinned. Draco even made a furtive shushing gesture and promptly went back placing a bet.
"Everyone's ready for you," Minerva declared, her sharp eyes zooming to the boys behind her and Lily who are still huddled together. Lily immediately noticed that they got the Headmistress's attention and called over the boys with a hiss.
"Follow me."
You recognized it didn't you? Yes, I did copy the script from the movie and added some descriptive words in between, and slightly revised it. Except for the sorting hat's song.
Sorry for the late update by the way. I've been very busy lately because my parents acquired me a new laptop and I have been organizing and transferring certain files into it.
This time, however, I'll be scheduling when I'll be posting my next chapter: May 2, 2021
Once again, thank you for staying with me and showing lots of love to my story! I'm still open for beta/s who are willing to help me improve my works~
All rights reserved to J.K. Rowling