Changes Can Be Made

Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own the brilliant Harry Potter!

A/N: I'd like to thank all of those people who have inspired me that my work is not that bad. I'd like to give a special thank-you to the lovely Belladonna who really did give me great encouragement to continue writing this. So without further ado… ENJOY! ;P

Chapter 5: Don't slip up now

Hermione toward the Slytherins and was met with three peculiar sets of eyes. After realising who two were, she was dumbstruck.

'Attracting them? That wasn't expected… God I hope I can do this…'

Hermione, still in shock, gaped at the fact that she had caught the attention of not one… not two… but three sly Slytherins. To make matters worse, she recognised two as people she knew in the past… well future.

One was a handsome fair boy with almost white blond hair that was tied in a loose ponytail to his right side. He had a flawless face with piercing, cool blue eyes. He wore an arrogant smile of a noble boy. That smile would have left Hermione with distaste for the guy but really, she couldn't help but feel kind of attracted to him. Though he was young and very handsome she knew exactly who he was. Lucius Malfoy. His smile grew larger probably noticing her stare and gave her a cheeky wink. 'Gross! Draco's DAD is hitting on me from across the room! BLEGHHH!' Hermione disgustedly moved to the next pair of eyes.

These eyes were familiar. They were the same black void of coldness but this time they held a certain curiosity that she never saw before. His hair was pitch black and stopped just below his chin. It was straight and sleek. It suited his pretty boy face, even though he was emotionless in that area. Yes, she knew him… This boy was a 17 year old version of her former potions professor… Severus Snape, echoed in her head. Her blood boiled a little but she could figure out why she naturally didn't have anything against this version of the horribly mean potions professor. She gave him a friendly smile and his face immediately glowed red. He hurriedly forced his face to look at his somehow interesting meal. Hermione couldn't help chuckling to herself as she moved to face the last boy.

This boy was someone she had never seen before. He had beautiful royal blue eyes that had her blushing in no time. His face was fair and exquisitely beautiful, the tiype of face that could have every girl in the room fawn over him. She moved her eyes towards his hair and realised something. Like Severus , this boy had black hair. His though was not grown out; instead it was neatly styled and looked similar to Sirius Black's current look. In fact, this boy could pass as a second Sirius Black. Confused she continued to stare until…

"Ignore them Hermione. They're probably just interested in the first transfer student in all of Hogwarts history," informed Lily, as she pulled Hermione's attention back to reality.

Hermione smiled sheepishly as a question rose from Remus, "By the way, where exactly did you transfer from?"

All attention in the group focussed on her. 'Stay calm Hermione, everything will be okay… Be smooth.'

"Well, I um… I t-transferred from… well um, home!"

Everyone stared blankly at her as if she were crazy. 'Right, real smooth Hermione…'

"What?" they all said in unison.

"I mean I was privately tutored at home."

"Privately tutored? So you're muggle-born then?" asked a quizzical Remus.

"Yes, privately tutored and yes, I'm muggle-born."

"How did you find a private tutor if both your parents are muggles?"

"Dumbledore recommended one and my parents and I accepted," Hermione stated flawlessly.

"How did Dumbledore know you needed a private tutor?" Remus interrogated. The rest of the group, minus Hermione, watched as the two ping-ponged questions and answers back and forth.

"I wrote him a letter in regards to that on my parents' behalf."

"Why did you transfer to Hogwarts for your last year all of a sudden?"

Hermione stayed quiet for a moment. Everyone in the group said nothing, but watched Hermione as she composed herself for the answer. Hermione cleared her throat before she answered not once looking at them, "They were killed…" her voice trailed off.

No one said anything. They all stared horrified and sympathetic as she continued, "by death eaters… they were after me but they got my parents before they could get to me… I escaped that night and came here for protection that's why I'm living here now…"

"I'm so sorry Hermione… I didn't mean to upset you…" Remus said looking completely appalled by his own questions.

"It's ok, you didn't know," she replied smiling sadly at him.

'Neither did I… Truthfully I only recently obliviated their memories of me and besides, they're probably just getting together now…'

"Alright! I think that's enough questions for one night!" exclaimed Sirius obviously trying to move off the awkward tension in the group. Everyone basically turned into bobbly heads nodding away in silence.

The rest of the evening passed quickly. Dinner ended, in utter silence for the group that is, and they all headed up to the dorms. Lily toured Hermione around quickly on the way to the dorms. Hermione tried to look as curious and surprised.

'God! Who knew that feigning ignorance was hard.'

Once they reached the dorms, Hermione immediately excused herself to her room in exhaustion. As she reached her door and odd feeling occurred to her.

'Am I forgetting something?' she questioned but the answer remained blank in her mind. That was until she entered and discovered an owl perched on her desk chair with a letter in its beak. She took the letter gently from the owl and stroked its feathers before she directed it to the window and it took flight. She turned her attention to the letter. It was a cream coloured envelope with green calligraphy addressing to her. She opened the letter and it read,

Dear Miss Hermione Grace,

I do believe you have forgotten to meet me in my study due to exhaustion. One such as you, my dear, would be after such a day. You surely have forgotten that we were supposed to go to Hogsmeade to gather some casual clothing for you. Of course I understand you are tired… That is why I have decided that we shall meet in my study tomorrow during lunch and apparate to Hogsmeade to gather your necessary clothes.

Good night Miss Grace, sleep well and I hope that you enjoy your year here at Hogwarts.

Yours Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. Money is not a problem child. I shall take care of that, no need to worry.

After reading the letter Hermione felt horrible for forgetting to meet him and then glad that he understood. She put the letter away in the top drawer of her desk and took one last look at the photo of the Golden Trio.

"I'm gonna make things right for you guys… Trust me," she whispered to the picture.

Her eyes started to water as she continued to stare at it. She quickly blinked the tears away and safely tucked the picture in the drawer. She turned away from her desk at last and made her way to her wardrobe where she found a small cotton nightgown folded on a shelf.

Once dressed, she slid under the red covers and rested her head on a gold pillow. She took one last look at the word 'Mudblood' on her arm and whispered, "I'll make sure that Voldemort is stopped, so no muggle-born witch or wizard is hurt too Harry and Ron. Just wait, everything will be different there in 1997. Starting from tomorrow."

And with that she drifted off to sleep.