Hermione's eyes fluttered open and she experienced a sudden wave of disorientation. The world passed by in flashes of scenery through the cool window pane, which her head had been resting against. The Hogwarts Express was as empty as Hermione had ever seen it. There had been several faces missing from the platform. She, Luna, Ginny, and Neville had taken a compartment together near the rear. She was Head Girl this year. She had been informed the day before she and Ginny left for the train via post. She had tried not to be surprised – although she genuinely was, she was a Muggle-born, after all – when she received the notice written in Professor McGonagall's elegant green script, to which Ginny snorted and rolled her eyes over exaggeratedly. Nevertheless, Mrs. Weasley, in the attempt at behaving normally, baked a cake to congratulate her.
This would mean she would have her own room and other duties added to her usual responsibilities this year. Normally, the news would have been the biggest honor, but things have since changed. Secretly, she worried if her new responsibilities would interfere with her research plans for the boys.
Across from her, Ginny stared blindly out the window. Since Harry, Ron, and Draco had left, the youngest Weasley had withdrawn into herself; her usual fire now much more subdued. It saddened Hermione to see her friend like this.
Beside Ginny, Luna sat quietly, completely engrossed in reading the newest edition of the Quibbler. The front page sported a rather fantastic caricature of Voldemort as a snake-like figure – more so than he truly was – slinking through the shadows as Harry performed Lumos and lit away the darkness; Voldemort burning away like the Muggle version of vampires with the headline "Stop You-Know-Who from Hiding in the Shadows: Help Harry Potter!"
As much as she appreciated the support given to her friend, she worried that the Lovegoods were being too vocal about their distrust of the Death Eaters. Beside Hermione, Neville held his newest plant safe to his chest as he watched Luna read, a small smile on his lips.
Suddenly, the train lurched; Ginny and Luna nearly crashing against Hermione and Neville on the other side of the compartment. The train came to a halt and the four friends shared inquisitive looks.
"Have we broken down?" Ginny asked, peering out the window.
A dreadful cold seeped into the compartment, the air chilled and the window frosted over. A horrible sense of déjà-vu came over Hermione, and she could see that the others felt much the same. In the distance, the friends watched as cloaked figures slowly approached the train.
"No," Hermione said quietly. "They're looking for him."
Loud voices sounded from down the train – from the panicked yelp of first years to the gruff growls of someone who definitely was no longer a student.
Neville stood abruptly from the bench and pushed his plant into Hermione's arms. Flinging the door open, the tall young wizard stepped into the corridor with a straight back and broad shoulders.
"Hey, losers!" he called to the Death Eaters stalking the train. "He isn't here. So stop scaring the first-years."
"I bet you'd like us to listen to you, boy. But we've got our orders and we're not going to stop for the likes of you," was the rough response from a rather rugged Death Eater. "So sit back with your girlfriends and shut up before you regret it."
"Neville, sit down," Hermione hissed, dragging her friend back into the compartment and shutting the door firmly. "They're just looking for Harry; they won't hurt anyone."
"But Hermione, someone's got to do something! We've got to stand up to them and fight back!" the boy argued, his face red with rage.
"We will do something, Neville, we are! We just have to wait for the proper moment."
The feast was a rather solemn affair. The hat sang a melancholic tune of snakes hiding in the grass, of angels disguised as rats and the four houses becoming one under a night of falling stars.
The Great Hall's silence was disturbing at best. The students gave polite claps to the sorted first-years, but all stayed extraordinarily silent for the first meal back at Hogwarts. So many of them were missing, Hermione noticed. Dean wasn't seated with Seamus this year – no one had heard from him in some time. He was supposedly on the run, refusing to return to a Hogwarts where Snape was in charge. The Patil twins were also absent, along with many faces Hermione came to recognise throughout her years.
The Professors' table, Hermione was glad to see, was full of familiar faces and remained much the same as in previous years. Her stomach twisted at the sight of Snape seated in the Headmaster's chair but was relieved that Professor McGonagall had kept her post. Professors Slughorn, Sprout, all the rest and even Trelawney were present. Hermione grinned widely and waved to Hagrid, whom she was glad to see was still Professor of Care of Magic Creatures.
Her eyes were then drawn to a very familiar figure – almost too familiar now, due to recent events. Professor Black sat on McGonagall's left, surprisingly; the rivalry between the two powerful witches had always been known by the students. Her long curls, black as night, were piled high on her head; a charm no doubt keeping most of it in place, with only a few strands escaping to brush against her pale cheeks. Her posture spoke of her boredom, but her eyes never rested. The black orbs roamed tirelessly throughout the hall, constantly vigilant; her wand lazily tapping the polished tabletop or her chalice. The ex-Auror gave off an air of hostility to any student up to no good and often went out of her way to cause mischief for the usual troublemakers. As fierce as McGonagall was with her students, no one wished their enemy to cross Professor Black on one of her bad days.
Hermione had always held the professor in high regard, especially since the invasion of Umbridge as Ministry Advisor to Hogwarts in fifth-year. The professor had blatantly refused to conform to the new regulations on teaching and even went as far as to call the hag a cow to her face during one of their frequent heated arguments. For that, she had nearly lost her position. Despite the brave acts of nonconformity of certain professors, Hermione had still taken matters into her own hands and formed Dumbledore's Army to focus specifically on defensive and the occasional offensive forms of magic.
There were, however, two new faces Hermione did not recognize seated at the professors' table. Snape, as new Headmaster, introduced the two new members of staff. Alecto Carrow would be taking the place of Professor Burbage for Muggle Studies and her twin brother, Amycus, would be teaching a new class – The Art of Dueling.
"Death Eaters," Neville whispered in Hermione's ear. "Some of the worst, from what I heard. Like most, they're the 'curse first, ask questions later' type."
"Brilliant," Hermione said despondently. "Suppose they'll not fancy students stepping out of line."
"Most likely not. You'll have to watch out; they'll have a special eye on you."
Folding her arms, Hermione sunk lower onto the bench. She hadn't been keen on this arrangement from the beginning, and now, she found herself envious of the freedom of the three boys. I'll just have to outsmart these Death Eaters, then. Hermione Granger, there's nothing you love more than a challenge.
Black eyes surveyed the room with a careful, practiced look of indifference. Bellatrix had made an art of watching those who didn't know they were being watched. Years of practice as an Auror built one's skill level for subtly and stealth.
Bellatrix tried not to grind her teeth as she felt Minerva tense up beside her. The older woman would give herself a stroke before the night was through if she didn't relax – it wasn't like Snape would curse the students in the Great Hall! The man was far too clever and sly for such things.
The rest of the professors' table was restless. The disappearance of Burbage caused an unsettling mood to fall over all of their heads. Of course, they all knew what had happened; it was only a matter of time before Voldemort needed to make an example of what happens to Muggle-lovers. No one else had gone missing from the staff, thankfully. She was curious to see how long Hagrid would last before he was driven off or worse. She also wondered how much freedom the professors would be allotted in their own classrooms. Umbridge had been one thing – a fluffy, pink butterball full of over-sweetened tea and hot air was hardly an imposing figure compared to the magnificent power of the Dark Lord.
The students were all anxious this night as well, and even the Slytherin table's cheer for their new Headmaster was surprisingly restrained. There were fewer students than she had anticipated. She suspected the news of a known Death Eater as Headmaster had deterred many parents from sending their children back into the fold of Hogwarts.
And now, she thought, there are two more of them to worry about. Bellatrix watched as the Carrow siblings each stood and took a small bow in recognition of Snape's introduction. She remembered the twins from her years at Hogwarts. She would willingly admit that, in her youth, she had a rather bitter nasty streak as a bully and in her sixth year, she has started a rumor that the two were very close, even for twins; that the nature of their bond seemed at times almost unnatural. These rumors were neither confirmed nor denied by the two. They, however, were two individuals who would definitely curse students in front of a crowd.
She continued to scan the room; her gaze expertly seeking out the deepest shadows and seeing each nervous twitch of the students. She noticed her nephew was missing from the Slytherin table; she assumed the Dark Lord kept him back in the ranks of his army now that he no longer needed a spy to keep him informed on Dumbledore's movements. Further across the room, a shock of red hair at the Gryffindor table notified her of the presence of at least one Weasley.
At the far end of the Gryffindor table, a small group of older students sat somewhat separated from the rest. Longbottom, the Weasley girl, and Granger sat alone; the absence of Potter and Weasel from the group was nearly palpable.
In her years of teaching the Golden Trio, Bellatrix had rarely seen Granger without the two boys. It gave her a very odd feeling as she watched the girl wallow in her loneliness, even amongst the two others. For what reason would Granger be here and not the others? Where were they, what could they be doing without the brains of their little club? Whatever it was, she presumed Potter thought he was following up on some grand master plan for ridding the world of Voldemort.
The common room flames burned low in the grate. The warm glow caused the reds and golds of the room to come to life, like the room itself was a giant warm hearth. Hermione sat alone in a seat she used to occupy with Ron and Harry whenever they sat together. By now, the common room was empty save for her and the journal she held in her lap.
Outside, clouds covered the moon and stars, and a breeze colder than it should be for September first, shook the window panes. She found herself grateful that Harry had taught them how to perform Patronuses, what with Dementors roaming the grounds as security now.
Opening the journal and pulling out a self-inking quill, Hermione began to write.
At Hogwarts. Common room is empty… There are fewer students than I thought there would be. Most of the original staff has returned – Hagrid is safe! We have two new professors, however. Fraternal twins, the Carrows. The sister is teaching Muggle Studies in Professor Burbage's absence and Snape started a new class for the brother – the Art of Dueling. We have no idea what to expect yet. They've been named Deputy Headmaster and Headmistress and are in charge of discipline. Neville said they're Death Eaters; I seem to recall reading about them in old newspaper clippings about the first Wizarding War. They have Dementors roaming the grounds now. Snape calls them security. I will be starting research tomorrow. Keep me updated. Stay safe. My love – Hermione.
Hermione sat back and waited. She never knew if the boys would answer her right away or several hours later. Often, it was Harry informing her that they had no news yet, but they were working on a plan to break into Gringotts.
The night of the attack at The Burrow during Bill and Fleur's wedding, Hermione had rushed into the house as soon as she was able to check the diary. She had wisely packed a rucksack for the boys with an Undetectable Extension Charm and magically made it small enough to fit in Harry's pocket before the wedding.
Upon opening the book, she found a few short lines written in Harry's penmanship.
We're safe. Apparated to King's Cross, then went to Grimwald Place. Ran into two Death Eaters as we left the train station; took care of them. Malfoy used Obliviate just to be sure. He says Voldemort's name is Tabooed. Best not to say it out loud. Be careful. We'll talk soon. Keep yourself and the others safe. Love – Harry and Ron.
At the bottom, Hermione was touched to find a third signature written in a script she didn't recognize.
Kind regards – D. Malfoy
She found it awkward and silly that the young man would be so formal towards her in the journal, but she appreciated the sentiment all the same. It made her optimistic as to their blossoming friendship.
She waited another five minutes before deciding it was time for bed and she would check the journal in the morning before class. As she did routinely every time she put the journal away, she cleared away the traces of their conversations. With three Death Eaters in the school, she wanted to take no chances that the journal would fall into the wrong hands and give away valuable information as to the whereabouts of her friends.
She made her way to her private room and, after casting a few minor wards for good measure, dressed for bed and climbed under the covers. Tomorrow, classes would start. She had Muggle Studies after lunch and, although dreading the inevitable confrontation with the Pureblood supremacists, she was curious to see how the class would change to favour their opinions. She knew nothing good would come of it for her. Mostly, she looked forward to all her regular classes. As much of a fuss as she had put on, she was glad to be back in a place she knew so well. Perhaps her professors would let helpful information slip. She longed for the library. Finally, the brunette fell asleep, with predictions for the morning running rampant through her dreams.
