Here we are! Book two of the Slytherin series. This book follows Hermione and her friends through their second year at Hogwarts, and is titled The Legacy of Slytherin. Review and let me know what you think of the first chapter!
Hermione Granger tugged her trunk through the barrier, pushing it out of the way of a few incoming children before scanning Platform 9 and 3/4. A flash of blonde hair alerted her to the fact that the Malfoys were somewhere to her right, but she couldn't spot the Greengrasses or Blaise's curly hair anywhere. Tracey had been staying with the Greengrasses for a few weeks, so there was no point in looking for her.
"Hermione," a voice greeted her happily.
Hermione turned around to see Susan Bones waving at her. "Hey Susan," she greeted. "How was your summer?"
"It was nice," the petite redhead responded. "Auntie let me practice dueling with some of her aurors."
"I'm so jealous," Hermione sighed. "Did she drop you off?"
"Uh-huh," Susan nodded. "She was called into work early. I've been here a while."
"Hey, have you seen Padma?" Hermione asked.
"No, but she sent me a pretty bracelet from India," Susan said, holding out her wrist. A pink and gold bangle dangled next to a simple gold chain.
"I got a similar one in blue," Hermione nodded.
The two girls stood in silence for a few minutes, taking in the hustle of the platform.
"I'm going to go get a compartment," Hermione said after a few minutes. "Do you want to come?"
"I think I'll wait for Hannah," Susan said, shaking her head.
Hermione waved goodbye and headed for the train, snagging an empty compartment and dropping her trunk inside.
"Is this seat taken?" a familiar voice asked in a heavy accent.
"Blaise!" Hermione exclaimed, jumping up to give the Italian a hug. "Your voice!"
"This always happens after two months in Italy," Blaise grumbled, but he smiled at Hermione. "How was your summer?"
"Uneventful," Hermione responded. "Mum and Dad wanted me home the whole time, after losing me for a whole year. We went to France for a few weeks, and I worked at family friend's shop for the rest."
"And the...project we talked about?" Blaise asked, his eyebrows raised.
Hermione nodded slowly. "Harder than we thought," she admitted. "His aunt wouldn't let him leave the house when I sent her a letter. He never responded to any of my letters either."
Blaise frowned. "That's weird."
Hermione shrugged in response. "I'll find him soon and ask about it," she said, careful not to use names. With the open compartment door and students running through the hall, you could never be too careful about eavesdroppers.
"Hermione!" Tracey squealed, appearing in the doorway of the compartment and launching herself at her friend.
"Hi Tracey," Hermione laughed, hugging the girl back. "Daphne. Have a good summer?"
"Not bad," the blonde replied. "Yours?"
"Good," Hermione said. "Did Astoria drive you crazy?"
"Yep," Daphne said, popping the 'p'. "And Jade made Head Girl."
"There wasn't any other choice," Hermione declared. "Who else would they pick?"
"Apparently one of the Gryffindor prefects," Daphne said in a hushed voice. "Professor Snape visited. He told us that Dumbledore tried to overrule Jade, but all four heads of house disagreed with him."
"Wow," Hermione muttered. 'Because of last year?" Daphne looked at her solemnly.
"Why are we talking sad matters?" Blaise interjected, putting his arms around his two friends' shoulders. "Look, the candy trolley is here. Do you girls want anything?"
~ Slytherin ~
Hermione hadn't realized how long the Sorting took. Last year, when she was standing nervously by the stool, time had flown by in a matter of seconds. Now, her stomach grumbled as each new first year slowly made their way to the stool.
"Finally," she huffed as Ginny Weasley was sent to Gryffindor and the last girl sat down on the stool. She was sure that Dumbledore stood up and said some nonsense, but Hermione didn't pay any attention to the aged headmaster, instead choosing to dive into the platters of food that had appeared on the table.
"9 new Slytherins this year," Tracey said in the middle of bites of her shepherd's pie.
"Is the girl over there your sister?" Millie asked curiously.
Tracey shook her head. "Violetta's a distant cousin. The family likes her better because her dad married a pureblood, so we've only met once or twice."
Hermione frowned slightly. She didn't really know much about Tracey's family, only that they were slightly separated from the main branch of the Davis family, and that Tracey was a half-blood. Blaise had mentioned some drama with the rest of the family once, but she hadn't given it much thought.
"A bunch of foreigners this year," Daphne was saying when Hermione turned back into the conversation. "There's the french girl, and we all thought the Carrows were staying in France with distant relatives."
"Guess Dumbledore allowed them in," Blaise said. "Apparently we stole one from Durmstrang as well."
"One of the boys?" Hermione asked curiously. Blaise gave the first years a quick glance.
"Nah, they look too comfortable here," he replied. "I'd say it's the dark haired girl with the gloves in her pocket." Hermione looked over and noticed that one of the girls did indeed have a pair of gloves half-tucked into her pocket.
"She was the last to get sorted, wasn't she?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed.
"Lilith Zagon," Blaise confirmed.
Hermione hummed in response, reaching for her cup.
~ Slytherin ~
The Slytherin dorms hadn't changed much over the summer. A few new cushions had appeared here and there, but the chair Hermione had claimed was as comfortable as it had been last year. She didn't recognize either of the new prefects, but Jade spoke, confirming her role as Head Girl and introducing herself to the new first years. And just like last year, she was wearing a small silver ornament on the top of her head. It wasn't a crown, in fact, it looked like one of the mini tiara clips some of the younger girls in her neighborhood liked to wear. Granted, Jade's was much smaller and looked much more expensive, but Hermione could recognize it for what it was.
When Jade dismissed the first years, Hermione waved to the older girl, who she considered to be a friend, before heading up to her dorm with the rest of the girls in her year. She would have to speak to Jade soon, but tonight wasn't the night. The older girl had already moved to her usual circle of chairs, the sixth and seventh years flocking around her. It wouldn't do to interrupt the little court meeting Jade had set up. Not when Hermione didn't have all the information herself yet.
Tomorrow, though, she'd go to the library.