"...you are everything and more that Sir Godric admired in his prefects. I know you will not disappoint, Ms. Granger. "
Hermione Granger reread Professor's Mcgonagall's letter, bubbling with growing excitement and nervousness each time. Given all the shenanigans that have happened in the four long, trying, years of her time at Hogwarts, she has finally caught some semblance of a break. While others may find the accruement of more duties at school a questionable definition of a 'break', Hermione would wholeheartedly embrace her new rank.
Hermione gently picked up the badge and marvelled at it under the lamp on her desk. A shield with a red background and two golden lions, flanking the left and right of the large golden 'P' in the center. At that moment a thought crossed her mind; were the lions cowed in submission or prepared to pounce? Just like that, a lid popped from a jar embedded in the furthest reaches of her mind. Its contents rushed to the fore like a rising wave.
It was no secret that prefects didn't possess the most sterling reputation among the students. Although Hermione never earned the infamous 'prefect power trip' that most of her year received, she could admit that some took their role a tad too seriously. It is one thing to keep the students of the school in line, another entirely to harass first years to the point of tears for forgetting the common room password in the middle of finals.
Hermione knew taking this position would change how others would look at her, especially in her house. Though remarkably mature for her age, Hermione Granger was still a fifteen year old girl; while not a delinquent by any standard, certainly not in the same house that has the Weasley Twins, she secretly enjoyed being privy to the harmless pranks that lit up the often precarious castle of wonderful horrors that was Hogwarts.
While she never lacked a sense of self-worth, Hermione always believed that she belonged in the wizarding world. Admired and accepted among the brave and bold; a stark contrast to her elementary school days in the muggle world…unpleasant memories which would, on occasion, rear its ugly head in the forms of an insufferable bleached weasel and an overgrown bat. She proved herself an academic exemplar and prided her keener understanding of the wizarding world than those born into it.
But there was always an invisible barrier between her and her classmates. While not the only muggle born witch in the castle, Hermione felt a sad sense of alienation whenever some strange wizard custom was bandied around her friend circle. Like for a moment, they forgot she was a muggle born. And though she never believed they did this intentionally, she could not help but wonder if any of them would notice how her eyes would unconsciously narrow and 'scan' her vast trove of knowledge for this missing piece of custom.
Her mind flashed to a tableau in her first year, where Lavender and Parvati asked her if she played Gobstones. Of course, having read Hogwarts a History, she knew of the game and its club! When they sat down in the astronomy tower courtyard, Lavender asked her what her favorite variation was. See, when Lavender and Parvati played the game as young kids, playgrounds all over magical Britain would have different styles and rules, obviously. While one could lose their marbles understanding all the variations, a good four or six major ones emerged.
And there she was, both girls looking at her with confused looks when she froze and sternly stared at the cobblestones of the courtyard, eyes engaged in their own game of socket squash. They kindly explained their favorite variation of Gobstones to her after a few awkward moments of silence, but Hermione never forgot that day. Now another barrier would divide her and her friends.
These thoughts have always lingered in her mind; for if she were allowed to indulge in some sense of vanity, she knew the prefectship would be hers for a while now. Professor Mcgonagall was never short of praise for the young witch and some part of Hermione knew she was steering her to this position. While the professors rarely hid their favoritism to certain students, some due to family connections or flattery; Hermione felt her's was earned from years of hard work and proud displays of personal character. And though those fears of further alienation remain and sometimes creep forward, they have all been sealed and sent to the back of her mind...in light of current events.
Hermione pushed herself away from the desk, badge still in hand and made her way to the small window nook that overlooked the bleak London street before her.
The harrowing conclusion to the Triwizard Tournament lit a fire in Hermione. With the return of You-Know-Who and his followers, she threw herself to her studies. Professor Lupin, whenever he would stop by 12 Grimmauld Place happily assisted her and by August, Hermione improved her knowledge of poisons and their antidotes, the various creatures used by You-Know-Who in the First Wizarding War, and several curses and hexes favored by the Death Eaters. She especially took pains to review her history of magic, a subject often neglected by her peers. With the Death Eaters on the rise once again, it only made sense to note the alliances they made, their tactics and support networks.
The ancestral home of the Blacks, though certainly spacious, was a buzz of activity and heated discussions once the Order had started using it as a headquarters a few months prior. Soon the Weasleys arrived and finding a practice area for wand work was increasingly difficult. Hermione was also worried that a flurry of spells in this house, conjured by an unknown source, might make certain Order members nervous and act rashly. There was a growing tension in the air as the summer passed by, whispers of 'accidents' concerning both muggles and wizards. The unrest surrounding the events of the Triwizard Tournament and the Ministry's feverish insistence of normalcy, vindicated Hermione's desire to prepare herself. She understood from her studies in recent history that..he is always building his forces and banking on his opponent's inertia.
Looking once more at the badge in her hand, she tightened her grip around it, fierce determination gazing back at her from the golden 'P'. While she would not neglect her duties as a prefect, she was going to make the most of her new position. And there were a surprising amount of benefits with prefectship.
For the first time, she would be officially tasked with finding suspicious activities around the school! Gone were the days of sneaking behind her professors' backs. After it was revealed how easily Barty Crouch Jr. infiltrated the school, Hermione started growing increasingly wary of the supposed impenetrable security of the castle. And after Harry revealed how many secret passages lead in and out of Hogwarts, Hermione would pay extra attention to memorizing the grounds. The Marauder's Map was an invaluable tool, but one that could easily be taken away or left behind in a moment of pressure, like the invisibility cloak.
'Constant vigilance,' she thought, with a sardonic grin.
From her window, Hermione saw two kids across the street. A young girl was crying, her knee evidently scrapped on the slippery autumn pavement. The boy kneeling beside her acted rather quickly; propping up one of her arms around his shoulders, he carefully helped her up and they made their way down the street. She noticed a mischievous smile on his face as he seemed to crack a joke to his friend, who in turn, though hurt from the fall, smiled back. Hermione felt her grin soften to a small smile; she'd wished everyone had someone like that boy in their lives, a protector.
'Harry…'
The smile immediately fell at the thought of her best friend. She could still see the look in his eyes, wild and clouded with tears as he gripped, with whatever remaining strength he could muster, the freshly murdered body of Cedric Diggory. Never in her life had Hermione seen Harry so distraught. She lost him in the sea of screaming spectators that rushed to the front of the maze. When she found out that he was almost killed by Barty Crouch Jr. , she swore she would never let her guard down again, never let Harry down again.
Hermione had always carried a protective streak around Harry. At first it was in part a debt to be paid, for saving her from a most horrible death at the hands of a mountain troll. But as she got to know him that same year and later on, she noticed how equally alienated Harry was in this strange new world. While Hermione never lost her parents, she found a companion in confusion with Harry. Over time, whenever their lives weren't in danger, they'd learn about the wizarding world together; Harry's eyes filled with that innocent childlike wonder that made Hermione smile every time. Harry was one of the few in Hogwarts that could truly appreciate how amazing and sometimes frustrating their world was compared to the muggle world. They were each other's anchors, and would go to great lengths to make sure they were okay.
Harry was a great wizard, or at the very least had the potential to be one. Hermione always believed that even though Harry never did. The Triwizard Tournament only confirmed her belief. Harry didn't just survive, he excelled in nearly all the tasks required. He spent countless hours practicing his summoning charm with her, and though Dobby may have helped him with his second challenge, his performance and heroism in the Black Lake was all him. Need anything else be said in besting You Know Who? Again? In her eyes, Harry possessed a keen mind, when he needed it, a compassionate heart and a character that embodied the chivalric courage that Gryffindor valued.
Which is why they'd be perfect together-
'For the prefectship!', Hermione chided herself, the ghost of a blush rising to her face.
She knew that Harry was going to be her fellow prefect. He had to be. Surely both Professors Dumbledore and Mcgonagall could see the same benefits that she had. Hermione and Harry would need to be prepared for any threat that will come to the school. It wasn't a question anymore of if; Harry was here, the danger was going to come to the castle. What better way to keep him safe in school than to be actively searching for threats instead of always being the victim to them? The dorms weren't safe anymore, given how easily Sirius broke in two years ago. Sending him home was not only unthinkable to Hermione's emotional state, but severely detrimental to Harry's wellbeing! He had to come to Hogwarts, so he may as well have all the advantages with him.
She'd be with him, and he can help her with some of the advanced spells he knew. She'd be with him, to share all she studied over the summer to help protect him and the school. She'd be with him, and not lose her mind wondering why he hasn't emerged from the maze yet.
When they'd find their rhythm, familiarize themselves with the school grounds, learn new defensive spells, and perhaps pay closer attention to certain houses that had connections with the Death Eaters…they could start teaching others. Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean were natural candidates to start with. Hermione was sure she could make Harry see that though they'd be ready and competent, perhaps he needed more allies than the old guard in the Order.
Harry was going to be brilliant as a prefect. It had to be him…right?
In fact, Hermione was so sure that the logic worked out perfectly that she rushed over to Harry and Ron's room, badge gripped and placed over her chest.
Of course he was going to be her partner.
Of course she and Harry would keep their friends safe.
Of course they were going to be perfect together; Hermione was analytical and a schemer, Harry was daring and powerful. She knew how to maneuver around the professors, he knew how to work with people. He would bring her back down to Earth, and she would urge him to greater heights.
She reached the door of her best friends' room, heart pounding and eyes wild with anticipation as she reached for the handle. As she barged in, hair flying around her in the mad rush inside, she saw Harry holding a letter and…a badge in his hand.
Hermione let out a shriek of unadulterated delight.