I Dream of Sin
Chapter Three: New Horizons
One year later...
"You know, that problem's not really hard if you've read the Starlord's texts, page 1,896."
Harry jerked his head up from where he had been studying his astronomy books in vain, trying to explain why certain stars had more pull on different species of plants, people, and animals, and what those effects were. His searches had been, thus far, sorely lacking. And it showed in his perpetually furrowed brow, which only became more furrowed in confusion at the stranger approaching him.
The young brown haired girl walked up to him, casually leaning over his book like it was the norm for them to do this. Ron's eyes followed her motions from where he sat in front of Harry at the wooden table in the library, struggling over his scrolls as well.
"Professors don't really mention the Starlord's texts because they expect you to find it on your own. But the passages are deep in the book and you wouldn't know where to look if you didn't take the time to read all of the book with a fine toothed comb." The girl flipped forward to the correct numbered page and tapped down on the page where the textbook was open to an image of several constellations. "Canus Major is said to influence dogs more generally, thus it's association with it. Sirius is it's most notable star and should it be on it's third rotation which only happens every three thousand years or so, every single dog can go wild and attack those around it until the night passes."
Her finger moved to the next, tapping on it. "Ursa Major. This one unlike it's name, does not influence bears, but the forests of the northern hemisphere and it's rotations can be attributed to heavier snowfalls and harsher winds."
"And this, is Bellatrix. The star found in the constellation of Orion. That which guides the vices of men and women alike." Her tone became a bit more hushed, reverent, at this part. "It's the star that radiates power to make those of hot blood easily turn to violence. Those born under it, will also have immense magical power, though muggles are more often the ones affected in terms of mind going awry, given their...weaker constitution," she finished on, smirking at the last sentence.
The two boys were in awe at the information that spouted from her pink lips so easily.
She arched a brow, waiting for a response. "Oh, my bad. I'm Hermione Granger. Just transferred into Hogwarts this year. Nice to meet you. And you all are?" She stuck out a hand, waiting on introductions.
"Er, I'm Ron," the red haired boy rushed forward to say, shaking out of his stupor like one shakes water out of their ears. "And this is my friend, Harry. Harry Potter."
"Nice to met the both of you," she smiled.
"You don't know who he is?" Ron asked, a bit shocked she hadn't reacted to hearing Harry's name like everyone else did- either with admiration or fear.
"No. Should I?" she inquired, tossing them a lightly puzzled look which made her nicely shaped brows upturn and her pink lips pucker.
"He's famous. Killed the dark lord as a child."
"Ron, there's no need-" Harry said, hissing like a balloon deflating from air. His cheeks colored.
"Sorry. He doesn't like the attention," Ron amended, explaining to Hermione.
"I'm sure he must be tired of it." Hermione pulled out a chair and sat down primly in it, right next to Harry. "I used to be a bit famous in my old school too before I came here."
"Famous for what?" Ron leaned in, forgetting his homework, hungry for yet another famous person to add to his name drop count.
"Well, being smart of course. I was top of everything. But then when I learned I was a witch I dropped out and took homeschooled witching lessons before I came here. I've never been in a magical school before. It's quite nice," she gushed.
"If you're so smart, why aren't you in Ravenclaw?" Harry asked, though he quickly back tracked. "Not to be rude, of course." He was looking at the red and gold colors she sported pointedly and with subtle curiosity.
"Of course," Hermione affirmed, to let him know no harm had been done. "I chose not to be in Ravenclaw. They're all full of boring snobs. Noses forever stuck in their books. I much prefer adventure and not just learning from a book. I find hands on experiences are so much more fun. Don't you agree?"
"I suppose," Harry mumbled while Ron nodded his head.
"I'll let you get back to your work, but should you need help, I'll only be three tables away," she said, sensing this conversation was at an end. She flounced off to where she was working on something with some younger Gryffindors.
Ron's curious gaze lingered on her, and ever so often it would drift back to her table when small peals of laughter came from the table.
"I never knew Harry was a Quidditch player. And such a good one at it," Hermione commented as she found a spot by Ron. "Why don't you play?"
Ron was distracted by the soaring players over his head and it took him a while to answer. "I dunno. I just..." he shrugged. "Never tried out?" He was confused by his own answer, as if only now realizing that he hadn't tried out and that he could have this whole time. But not sure why he hadn't.
"You should. I don't see why you can't play the sport too and be good at it."
He turned to look at her at this. "You really think so?"
"I know so," she smiled fully, letting her dazzling grin enchant him. "And then both best friends would be on the field."
She stayed with him to watch the rest of the game, he filling her in on what was happening because she was a tad confused as to what was going on entirely.
When it ended she walked with him. "How do you like Hogwarts so far?" he questioned, putting his hands into his pockets, the two of them picking their way carefully through the crowd.
"It's nice. A much more interesting world than being homeschooled that's for sure. I have a chance to have friends. To see new places. Taste some wizarding candy. Those are spectacular I must say. I love the ones that change your voice."
"You've missed out a lot on the wizarding world than. How much do you know?"
"Not a lot. I've tried to catch up with the papers but all they talk about is this Voldy-mort kinda guy and his struggle with Harry. What's that all about?"
"The bugger's got it out for Harry," Ron said, his face turning grim. "There's a prophecy or something about it. I'm not really sure."
"Can you tell me more?"
He shrugged. "I'm not really sure I should."
"You can. You can trust me. It's not like I'm going to go tell anyone about this. I just need to understand things better."
He didn't look certain but he caved at her pleading smile. "Alright, this is what happened..."
By the end of story, the two of them had caved into laughter over some silly joke or another, slowing their walk as they came up to the entrance of Hogwarts. Ron had taken Hermione to sit by the lake so they could talk and now they were back here, where a livid Harry was waiting.
"Ron, why didn't you wait for me after the game? We were supposed to go to Hogsmeade to get a drink," he frowned, changed out of his sports gear.
Ron flushed red. He looked guilty. "Blimey, I forgot-"
"It was my fault," Hermione placed a hand on Ron's arm, stopping him. "I ended up taking Ron's attentions away. I really needed his help with something and I didn't bother to ask if he had anything else to do after. I hope I haven't made a mess of things too badly between the two of you," she simpered, batting her lashes.
"Er, no. I suppose it's okay," Harry said, his anger relaxing now that it wasn't thrown at Ron.
"I'll let the two of you be on your way. I have much work to catch up on," she threw them a delighted smile before rushing upstairs to her room, a special room only for her, where to her annoyance, she found Ginny sitting on her bed, munching on an apple loudly.
"Why are you still here? It's been a month into the school year. You need to leave." Her friendly and high pitched British accent dropped to her more comfortable American one.
"Why are you getting answers out of Ron instead of me? I've been around both him and the scarred dolt. I know the struggle between him and the Dark Lord," she replied instead.
"You don't know it like Ron does. Ron who has been on the quests to help Harry. On the very front-lines of every encounter. He has seen it with his own eyes."
"Then why not just get the memories out of him using a piensive?" Ginny suggested breezily, taking another huge crunch that made Hermione's eyes twitch.
"I'm afraid his brain of mush wouldn't hold up under the spell. Plus, I was instructed to blend in and to get close to them and nothing more. I don't even need to extract such information out of him," she said, rolling up her sleeves and taking off her robe to put it up on her desk chair.
"But you are anyways because you're curious. Too curious. You know what happens when you are too nosy." Ginny made a snipping noise over her nose, mimicking with her forefinger and middle finger the motions of scissors cutting down.
Hermione rolled her eyes, slumped down in her chair as she loosened her tie with one hand, and hefted up a book in her other. "Shut up and get out of my room."
She threw the book at Ginny's head but the witch was faster and rolled out of the way, dumping the core of the apple on Hermione's bed before leaving the room as requested.
"Slob," the brunette muttered out under her breath, flicked her wrist to levitate the apple into the trash, and turned to her desk so she could do some work.
By the time the leaves had turned brown and red and orange, Hermione had settled into a routine at Hogwarts. Being at such a huge magical institution was exciting to her and she still couldn't believe her luck to be here, to be among her kind. Ever since she had learned she was a witch, she aspired to come here. And it was all possible thanks to her mentor. And to the people she worked with.
Due to her stellar training and quick uptake on material, retaining it like a sponge that never got too wet to hold liquids inside, she was able to come to Hogwarts, entering right into sixth year, with only having to take a couple of summer remedial classes before the year began.
She found her professors intriguing. Snape lead potions class and he had a very dry way of teaching, robotic almost, with a voice she could sleep to. It was also quite easy to ruffle his feathers, when she raised a point that the potion of sleeping drought could be made using truffle feathers instead of dove tears and the effects would be better if not faster to hit the user.
He had been offended she knew better than him and points had been take off the house cup. Which, apparently was something all students cared immensely about but which she could give a fig less about. However, she was supposed to be blending in with the students and so she kept her sharp retorts from spilling from her mouth. Though she did take pleasure in brewing potions using methods he had not approved in class.
Specific methods, that Hermione had been instructed to use. It began to drive under his skin, until of course, he had asked her to stay behind after class was over.
"So, you're the newest witch of their team," he said, assessing her with unimpressed eyes. "I received a note, but no specifications."
She leaned against the desk, hands flat on it in what she had learned was a power move. Get in other people's personal spaces and they get uncomfortable. She liked making others uncomfortable. It was handy to be able to do so when needed. A trick she had learned from being a victim of bullying for far too long.
"I hope you don't stir up trouble. The last one did and was swiftly kicked out."
"I'm not here to do anything but to learn, professor," she said his title mockingly which made him glare at her. She didn't quite care if he liked her. She only cared for one person's approval in her life now; everyone's elses opinions could go to shit. "I only hope I can count on you to not give me trouble."
His lip quirked up. "I would watch your tongue, you insolent brat. I am still your superior."
She backed off but didn't say anything more to that. Let him have his safety in his lofty titles of false power. She had more important things to do.
She took her bags and left.
Her other professors were hum drum. Same old same old. One was a dwarf, which was funny. She could imagine her mentor using jinxes to trip him up for jokes. She was tempted to do the same but didn't. After all, she was merely a student right now and she felt she deserved a little break to be normal from the great destiny resting on her shoulders.
One that outshined the boy who lived's one, not that anyone knew. But soon they would.
The head of Gryffindor, McGonagall could turn into a cat. That was interesting. Hermione wondered if she could learn to turn into another animal. Probably if she put her mind to it, she could.
The only person she was wary of was Headmaster Dumbledore. The man could not be trusted. Behind his facade of bumbling old man, lay years of knowledge and skill that even Hermione could not surpass with her magic. She needed to be careful with him. Needed him thinking her but an over eager student that desired nothing more than to learn. He must not know who she was working for. Or what she was working on.
And she was walking towards that goal right now, twirling a red leaf between her fingers. Red was such a lovely color. It was why she had coerced the Sorting Hat to put her in the house of red and gold. Of course there were other reasons behind her want to be here, and the hat had refused, telling her she didn't belong in this house at all. But she wouldn't stand to be in another house. It would ruin everything.
"'Mione," and there it was, tumbling from his thin lips, that Merlin awful nickname.
"Ron," she smiled through the indignation of it all. "Harry."
They were off to study.
Hermione was to help them, naturally. As she was the smartest of the three. She had managed to worm her way into their duo, charming them with her quick wit, ability to accept jokes, and to help them with their homework. Apparently, being the boy who lived, didn't give Harry much time to learn. He was often swamped by sports practice, having to worry over a destiny he knew nothing about, and going along with Dumbledore's manipulations.
Ron. Well, Ron just didn't like to study. And he wasn't the brightest in terms of book smarts. Though he did have wizarding street smarts as he liked to call it, whatever that meant.
Hermione found herself coming to like them. It was nice to have friends, even if they abused her knowledge to further their own grades. They cared for her given the way they defended her when others threw the slur mudblood at her, or made fun of her for being too smart. They shared jokes and secrets with her, and came to rely on her as a pillar of support and knowledge.
It was almost ridiculous how easily she befriended them. And after all those years of being friendless, it felt nice to have such relations. It made it easy to forget who she was or what she was doing here. She'd find herself staying up in the Gryffindor common room, laughing with the other students at some stupid story. Or playing wizarding chess with Ron and losing. Or stealing food from the kitchens with Harry. Or even playing pranks on the Slytherins.
The days became a warm comforting cycle of studying, hanging out with friends, and wandering the halls of Hogwarts. It was how her life should have been for many years and she regretted not learning of her witch destiny sooner. And she knew her witch destiny was different, different from the ones at school for when she asked the girls about their dreams, none of them could talk to other witches like she could.
Which could only mean she was special as were the ones she could talk to. It made her ego only bigger. But of course, there was that one dark mark against her happy times. And his name was Draco Malfoy. And he was a bully.
She'd seen bullies before. Dealt with them. Suffered with them.
She wasn't about to go down that road again. Especially not if he was hurting Harry and Ron. Picking on them because he was jealous of Harry's fame. And because now Hermione was included in the duo, he thought he could mess with her too.
Except, unlike her bullies in the past who liked to make her suffer out of the public eye so they could get away with it, Draco liked to make a show of it.
Hermione had been walking down the halls, hurrying to her next class. She barely noticed Draco even walking down the opposite end of the hall with his side kicks Crab and Goyle. Until they began to hoot and holler her name.
"Where are you going mudblood?" Draco called out, coming to block her path. She huffed up a strand of hair, coming to a stop. Did he seriously think she would allow herself to be late to class? Or that she would be scared by him?
Already murmurs were coming down the halls of those students who were eagerly waiting to see what would happen, all almost Slytherin. As normal, no one would stand up to stop this. She would need to take matters into her own hands.
Or, she wouldn't even have to use her own hands. Her magic had a habit of not liking to be constrained to the wand. And she found she didn't mind.
"To class," she answered genially, smiling at him a grin of full teeth. It was her warning grin. He didn't notice.
"I've noticed you've been hanging out with Potty boy and his friend the weasel," he started slowly.
"And?" she popped a brow. "What are you going to do about it?"
He did not like that challenge. He shoved his hands into his pockets, striding closer. Crabe and Goyle pounded their fists into their palms. "We'll show you what kind of privileges come with being his friend."
They had the intention of beating her up and humiliating her in public. And naturally, no professors in sight to do anything about it. Magical teachers were just as useless as the muggle ones. He pulled out his wand but it hung limply in the air when his sidekicks let out grunts of surprise, getting lifted and pulled up by their ankles.
Their robes dropped around their panicking faces as they hung there, suspended at the top of the ceiling which was a good drop. If they fell. Which she was seriously considering. While Draco was distracted, Hermione grabbed his wand while it was still in his hand and filled it with her magic. In bolts of white it zapped through it and into him. With a booming noise he was flung backwards, crashing through some students and taking them down.
She released the hold on the wand, and the ash reminder of it fell to the ground. She stepped over it and towards him, where he was moaning on the floor, clutching his hand which was red from where the magic had entered him. His hair was static and frizzy. There was fear in his eyes. He tried to slide on his back away from her but she stepped on the end of his robe and he was held there. She leaned down, giving him a good hard look.
"If you ever, EVER, try to pull that kind of nonsense with me, you will sorely regret it. Do you understand?"
He nodded his head frantically. He was just a big coward after all, it seemed. Weren't all bullies, in the end? She leaned down a bit further.
"No, I don't think you do," she concluded coldly. She was aware in the background that someone had run off to get the professor. She didn't care. No one was going to ever bully her again. Ever.
"And until you do," here she dropped down, patting him on the knee like she was just telling a joke, like she was telling a joke to a friend, "you're going to need to watch your back." And she left on that promise, Draco shivering on the floor, sniveling, and his two friends still upside down, going red in the face.
She managed to make it to class, only two minutes late. Naturally, a professor came for her, demanding her presence in Dumbledore's office. She rolled her eyes. How annoying. He was undoubtedly going to chew her out. She kept her head lowered, because she needed to act like she was just a scared girl. When she got to the office, the password was pronounced. "Lemon drops."
That was good to keep in mind. She was lead into the office where Dumbledore was already sitting, his blue eyes gleaming behind his half moon spectacles. "Miss Granger, sit down. Candy?" he offered her a wrapped toffee which she declined. They sat in silence, Dumbledore trying to decipher her. She knew he could read minds so she acted demure. Scared. Filled her thoughts with nothing but worries of detention.
"May I ask what happened in the hallway this afternoon?" he inquired gently.
"I was approached by Malfoy and his two horrid friends. They wanted to teach me a lesson they said."
Dumbledore's eyebrows went up. Was he honestly surprised? Did he not know about what was going with his students? For a man professed to be so great and all knowing, he really wasn't on such matters.
"Why was that?"
"Because I was friends with Harry Potter."
"And then what happened?" he pressed.
"I used magic on them to get out of danger."
"Indeed you did. Spells that are not commonly used. Spells that can be dangerous."
They weren't dangerous. They were nothing compared to what Hermione could truly do. But he didn't need to know that.
"I...I only read the spells in a book of some sorts. I can't quite remember which book." She fidgeted with her hands, tried to look pensive.
"And they said you used wandless magic. That's something quite rare," he explained patiently, like she didn't know this already.
"I didn't. I had my wand in my hand. It was just hidden up my sleeve so they must have not seen it." She let her chin wobble. She needed to seem repentant. "Are they- are they hurt badly?"
"They'll be fine. A bit shaken, and Mister Malfoy with some burns, but fine otherwise. Nothing magic can't fix."
"I didn't mean to do it. I was only protecting myself. I was scared of them."
"And you have a right to protect yourself. I just don't want anyone getting hurt. If they bother you again, I want you to tell someone. Do not take matters into your own hands. Especially with spells you find in random books. You don't know the affects of them."
"Yes sir. Of course," she nodded her head, pretending to really think this over.
"You can leave now."
She stood up and left, dropping the sniveling act as soon as she was out the door. She wouldn't worry about using magic on Malfoy again. She had a feeling he wouldn't be coming after her any time soon.
When she got to her room, she found a note there. It was on a black card, golden script detailing a place and time to meet.
Great. Now what was it? She took out a polyjuice potion from her secret stash and pocketed it. She made way off into the basement of Hogwarts and out to the village of Hogsmeade, swallowing a mouthful as she left the dark exit so she would no longer look like a student. Walking through the border around the town, she was finally in a place she could disaparate and did so, ending up in a dingy bar in the back of some little ventured street in London.
There in the back of the shady bar, Hermione saw the person she was supposed to met. They were wearing monk robes, a rope around their neck and the hood pulled low. In front of them was a plate of fries that looked soggy and cold.
Hermione sat down in front of the figure, her borrowed facial features turning into ones of exasperation. "Oh don't tell me you've come to scold me too. I already got enough of that from the old git."
The hooded figure in front of her only leaned in, their tense shoulders becoming more tensed.
"You do not harm Draco, ever again. Do you hear me?" came the whispered threat as a hand clamped around her upper arm, nails biting in. She could not see the hooded person's face under the heavy cloak, but she knew they were angry. But not why.
"He was being a dick to Harry and Ron the whole time, as well as me. And I'm supposed to protect them."
"It doesn't matter if he's an arse to you, or to Harry or Ron. You do not harm him. He is an important member's son and though he does not know the cause, you are not to harm him. Do you understand me?" they shook Hermione's arm roughly.
Her face was grim. "You know how I feel about bullies."
"Then don't think of him as a bully, but as a man who is too important to touch."
"I didn't hurt him. Much," she rolled her eyes and the hooded figure let out a growl.
"I entirely do not like your attitude."
"Too bad, because it's here to stay," her British accent slipped and her American one shone through. "You were the one who told me to be like this. To take because the world would not give."
The hand let go, though Hermione knew she would have red marks there tomorrow. "Just don't do it again, or you'll have far worse things to worry about than me."
The voice was a bit defeated but still held a menace to it. That just because they were conceding, did not mean anything.
They sat in silence a bit before Hermione raised her hand to put it on the back of the figures only for them to draw the hand back quickly. "What are you doing?" they hissed.
"I haven't seen you in forever," Hermione's brows dipped up, mouth pouting. She had missed them dreadfully. Every waking moment that wasn't crammed with school knowledge was filled with longing.
"We're in public. We can't do this. Besides, if you have nothing to report at school, I must take my leave." They rushed to stand up. Hermione's words paused them.
"There is one little thing I haven't sent in the mails. Ginny's hanging around the castle. Did you put her there?"
The hooded figure let out a snort and shook their head. "She's like a stray cat. She comes and goes as she pleases."
"So, she's not there on your orders?"
"No. I think she might like you."
"And that doesn't make you jealous?" Hermione fluttered her lids, teasing.
The figure didn't say anything, and Hermione realized she had pushed too hard. Sullenly she grabbed a cold fry, munching on it. She was in a terrible mood herself suddenly and she didn't want to think on why. Without another word the figure left, sticking her with the tab.
A/N: Updates for this series will be once a month, on the third day.