Lost Sister

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 9

Hermione was right about one thing. It was stressful as she woke up the next morning. It had started with Rose and Harold, trying to make sure that food was cooked and car packed. Only to hear her mother gasp about cleaning ghosts. Before she remembered, her two daughters were witches.

Then there was Petunia, who came rushing into Lily's room. Making sure that Lily had packed everything she had needed. Hermione just raised her wand and called for everything that was out of her trunk, to go back in it. Only to see a book flying out of Lily's nightstand.

"Oops, I had forgotten that I had taken a book of yours," Lily blushed out.

Then Lily had cast her spell for her stuff to go into her own trunk. Only to cancel it, once her bed tried to fly into her trunk. But other than that, everything seemed normal, as they made their way downstairs. Hermione grabbed a cup of coffee and served one to Harold, before she sat down.

"Nervous about starting school," he asked her.

Hermione smiled softly. "Maybe, a little." She was screaming in her mind. She may have wanted to change the world, but she had wanted to do it from the shadows. But Tom has been Minister for Magic, the papers had her face next to his, since his winning.

The papers had penned her, 'Tom's supporting rose.' It was not the worst thing to be called. But she wanted to be a shadow, now she couldn't even if she had tried. Everyone had known of her, long before she started Hogwarts. They had even gotten a hold of her test scores. So she couldn't downplay her smarts, not even in class.

Once, the Evans sat around the table and ate. Then piled everything and everyone in the car. Harold then drove to King's cross. Then walked through the wall of nine and ten, where Hermione saw the grand red engine.

On the platform, many faces had turned towards them. Many had called out a hello to Lily, while many others were looking towards Hermione. Making her feel a bit uneasy. Only for Marlene and Mary to rush at her side. Each wrapping an arm around her.

"Gryffindor, Lady Bodyguards at your service, ma'am! We are here to protect you, while we guide you to the train, my lady," smiled Marlene.

Severus snorted behind her. Singling that he had joined their group. "Mya," he had been calling her for a month. "You didn't tell me you needed to be guarded? I feel quite left out."

Hermione glanced over her shoulder at him. "Well, I could use a Slytherin negotiator on my side, Severus."

After Hermione had wished, not just her parents, but also Eileen goodbye. Before she was led into the train and into a compartment, and sat around the benches. On one side was Hermione, Severus and Lily. With Marlene across from Hermione and then Mary and Alice.

It wasn't before long when some boys tried to come into the compartment. Only for Hermione to wave her wand and ward the door from the inside. No matter how they tried, they wouldn't be able to come in. Everyone had turned to Hermione with raised eyebrows.

"What," she shrugged her shoulders, as she read her book. "One of them looked like Potter. After an episode with him, I don't have the energy for part two."

It was enough for everyone to relax. But they had heard James yell, "That twin of Evans is in there and I hate her with a passion!"

"Watch it, Prongs," they heard Sirius Black. "They say that love and hate is a thin line to start any relationship."

"Why didn't you say that when I was against Snape!" Causing everyone within the compartment to giggle.

"Because, like most people, I wouldn't think that you would ever want a thing for him!" Only to cause an uproar of laughter. Mainly from the women folk.

Hermione turned to Severus and patted his hand. "Don't worry Severus. I think he became aware of his feelings for you."

She saw his smirk, as he patted her own hand. "There, there, Hermione. I think he woke up to how he feels for you, too."

Hermione shook her head and laughed with the rest of them. "Yeah, but I am no lady material that he is looking for."

The few hours that it had taken for them to get to Hogwarts. Everyone had gotten into their uniforms. All but Hermione were sporting their house logos and colors. She knew that she would have to be sorted into a house that night. She just hoped that the headmaster wouldn't try to get in her head. Not only that, but she had too many things in her head for him to try to dig around for.

'I have been forgetting, I have not really met Sirius Black or Peter Pettigrew. I am not ready to face either of them for different reasons.'

Hermione was heartbroken for Harry, when he had lost Sirius. Back when they had stormed the Ministry of Magic. When Lord Voldemort had used an image of Sirius to draw him out. Only to cause the man's death. It nearly broke Harry from not wanting to come back to the Wizarding World.

Then there was Pettigrew, who started to kill off his friends. Starting with James and Lily, along with their son. Who ended up living. That alone was enough that she wanted to kill the rat herself. But she was also working with the Dark Lord, herself.

'What should I do, about the near rat problem? None of them would believe me, I don't imagine Lily would believe me either. She knew Peter for many more years. While I had shown up one day and was told, this is your kidnapped sister. All is bright as rain, as it should be. NOPE!'

Severus, ever since the boys had tried to crash into their compartment, has been watching her. She knew that Severus was the kind of guy who would not allow things to be. No, he is the kind that will be by her side, all because she holds the cards to everything. He would want to have the shared knowledge and power, only to show Lily, he was still worthy. Hermione had taken a deep breath, it was time to merge into 1978, with everyone at Hogwarts.

Once the train had stopped in Hogsmeade. They had piled out onto the platform. Hearing a large man down the track, "FIRST YEARS AND TRANSFERS, HERE!" It was going to be an embarrassing night.

Lily grabbed onto her, giving a quick hug. "Please, Hermione, I need you in Gryffindor."

Hermione knew that hat would listen. But she had no idea where she really belonged. Not until she can find out for herself. But she had mixed feelings about Gryffindor, since the marauders were there. 'And they are a bunch of snoops!' At least, from what she had heard from Remus, about their good old days.

Hermione tried to give her an easy smile. "Lily, we both know that the hat makes the final decision." She then hugged her one last time. "I have to go." Before she made her way towards Hagrid.

As she made her way towards the half giant with the first years. She had started to hear whispers about her.

"Is there an older first year?"

"She must be a transfer student."

"I have never heard of a transfer student before."

"Dumbledore almost allows anyone in, these days," she heard someone say. Only for her to turn and look towards him. She nearly faulted, once she realized it was Regulus Black, who had said those words.

'Him and Sirius are nearly identical. Regulus may be younger, by a year. With eyes a shade of blue different from Sirius's gray. Along with Regulus being an inch or two taller. I hate the Bloody Black's, they are too good-looking to be sinful.'

Another boy next to him, in Ravenclaw color robes. Sticking his tongue out like a whipped frog. "Yeah, but you have to admit, she is a wild beauty on the eyes."

Hermione then zoned out on them. She may be a lot of things, but a 'beauty' of any kind is hard to imagine. She is a bookworm, she knew that. Furthermore, she valued knowledge, above anything else. Beauty is skin deep and would decay in time.

Once she had reached Hagrid. He had given her a petty look, and she hated seeing it on his face. "You must be the plus one for the seventh year? Call me, Hagrid."

"Hello, Hagrid," she smiled warmly up at him. "My name is Hermione, and I am Lily Evans' sister."

"Oh," he smiled, as he showed his teeth. "She loved to come to my garden to help out. She misses doing it with her mum."

Hermione remembered a lot of things that Hagrid had said to Harry. But she never heard him say that Lily had helped him in the garden. Then again, Lily seemed to be a carrying person to help others. Even go as far as help with a garden, decorate, and cook.

'Lily can be a goody two shoes, but her heart is in the right place. I just don't want anyone to take advantage of her.'

After Hermione had helped the first years into the boats. She had climbed in, with a shy little girl with blond pigtails in her hair. She told Hermione that her name was Sarah Miller.

"Do you know anything about Hogwarts?"

Hermione smiled wholeheartedly. "It was built by four powerful mages, a long time ago. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The founding four…"

Hermione told Sarah, as many others were overhearing her. Telling them that the castle was built to provide protection, as they learn. Since the muggle world was never safe, because of war and misguided belief that magic was evil.

Sarah sighed softly, "My parents were afraid, because they didn't want anyone to hurt me. I love them, knowing that they care."

Hermione nodded her head in agreement. Just as the boats had turned around a corner and saw the castle. Causing many to mumble in surprise.

"Does Hogwarts ever get attacked," asked a boy, in a nearby boat.

Hermione had taken a deep breath. "Not as many as you would think. But Hogwarts does have its own magic to protect us from that. Even during the World Wars. Nothing has ever destroyed it."

Hermione had remembered bits and pieces of the second Wizarding war. How the castle was broken off, where it was barely holding onto itself. No, a nightmare like that, was never going to leave her lips. Because she was never going to allow something like that to happen again. It was not worth any child to worry about.

When they had reached the staircase that would lead them into the castle, from the cove. She helped Sarah out of the boat, along with a few others. Then followed them up the stairs, as Hagrid led them on. Once there, Hermione had to hide her happiness of seeing Professor McGonagall again. A younger version of herself, but still her beloved teacher.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," after she dismissed Hagrid to go inside. Explaining the four houses and how each house could be their home. "You can earn points, and lose points. By the end of the year, your house could win the house cup." Then told them to wait, as she went to see if they were ready to be led inside.

Hermione stood behind everyone, with Sarah Miller at her side. The other children looked restless. Mainly due to the excitement and hunger. Since she heard, a few stomachs had rattled a bit. But as for the very few, they were too shy to face the castle full of people.

Hermione could relate. She had told people about the facts of the castle during her first night. As well as yelling at herself to relax. She was a nervous wreck that night, even when she had met Harry Potter, which had made her nervous. Since Professor McGonagall had come to her home, telling her parents that she was a witch.

Hermione remembered when her parents had gone to get some tea, as they were in shock. Professor McGonagall had slipped Hermione an old newspaper with a picture of a baby on the front. The Boy Who Lived, titled on the front. Her new professor leaned down and whispered.

"He may have been born into the Wizarding World, but he was raised as you were. He is going to need a friend like you, Ms. Granger. I have heard that you seek knowledge, like no one else has, and he is going to need you as a friend. Not someone to cheat for him. But someone to lean on, when he has no knowledge to lean back to, as he journeys throughout our world."

Hermione knew that was a cryptic message, but she knew she had to be Harry Potter's friend. She had a feeling that he would get himself killed, which in the end, he had. She had never told anyone about Professor McGonagall and her own meddling ways, not even to Harry. Not only that, but she could see why her professor had done that, after seeing Headmaster Dumbledore was doing things that had nearly gotten Harry killed. Starting with the night of the Sorcerer's Stone, where he left the castle, under false pretenses.

'Why would a headmaster leave the castle, during term, when there are students and artifacts at play?' It was something that made her angry. Along with a Basilisk, a runaway murderer, tri-wizard competition and fake teachers, and allowing children that turned into Death Eaters into the school. It was a few of a growing list that stood against the aging judgement against the headmaster. 'He is too old to run a school. There is no law for the headmaster/mistress to die on their post, in order for someone else to take over.' Even if there was, Hermione was going to change that.

Once Professor McGonagall had come back, they were led inside and into the Great Hall. Where her friends had been waiting for her. Only to feel Sarah grabbing her hand, as they walked inside. Once they had gotten inside, Hermione glanced up to the Head Table, not expecting what she saw. She was beside herself, she had expected many things to happen at Hogwarts this year, but not this.

The headmaster did not look too happy, to start with, no. He looked like he was going to murder someone at the table. The very man that won the election during the summer months.

The headmaster stood up, before the sorting could begin. "As everyone could see, we have a guest at Hogwarts this evening. Many of you know who he is, but the few that don't, this is Mr. Tom Riddle. He is the Minister of Magic. He is here tonight, helping out with our need for a Defense of the Dark Arts Professor, who he appointed Alastor Moody from our Aurora division from the ministry to send someone over." He was openly glaring at Tom.

Hermione had just wanted to sit down and eat dinner. She was tired and not in the mood for Dumbledore's mood swings.

"This year, we have Charlus Potter, joining our staff for the year."

This caused Hermione to look towards the man and towards the Gryffindor table. She could see the father and son, they looked alike. Even with Charlus graying hair, with very few wrinkles on his face. He was an aging gracefully kind of man. The kind that every person had hoped to achieve.

As Hermione's eyes were looking on James. She saw a broken boy, the kind that was left behind, after realizing the world was not your plaything. Gone was the high and mighty, stuck up boy that she had seen at the clothing shop. Only to see the hurt and betrayal, as his own eyes land on his father.

'Something tells me that Headmaster Dumbledore had tried to keep James at his posts. Even after he had a talk with Mrs. Potter.'

Tom stood up, making the headmaster take a seat. "There are a few changes that we must voice, before the sorting begins. As for this year's head boy, it goes to Severus Snape of Slytherin. While Lily Evans, of Gryffindor, is still head girl. Along with Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, that title goes to Marlene McKenna."

Tom smiled at everyone within the castle. "I hope, with these couple of changes, that the year could go very smoothly. I wish for a very happy year for you all." He then sat down. Not caring about the glares aiming at him. Mainly from Headmaster Dumbledore.

Then, with sore feet, the sorting had begun. Over the course of the event, Sarah Miller had gone on to Hufflepuff. Before too long, it was Hermione's turn, as she was the last one standing. With a heavy heart and a heavier sigh, she made her way to the stool and Professor McGonagall had placed the hat on her head.

'Oh goodie, a time traveler and one with history to boot. What would the founding four say? Each one of them would have fought for you. You are loyal, beyond measure. You have wit that none would ever strive for. Brave, like any highlander has ever had. Along with cunning, not in a way that you fear, child. No, yours is a mix of wit. You don't want another war, and from what I could see in your head. Neither would I. But the hard part is to place you…'

Hermione Evans bit her lips in thought. If she was honest with herself. If there was a choice. Why should she be in one house, why not all of them. Showing them that she belonged. But without the politics that many had brought on to each house. The founders had never brought any of that to Hogwarts. No, they were friends and wanted to teach children.

'I…this has never happened before. But I was told by the four that this could happen.' The hat opened his rim and spoke out to the Great Hall. "I, the sorting hat, evoked the founder's four! I call upon the ghosts of the children of the four!"

Everyone within the hall looked worried, each of them looked confused. Before Hermione noticed Bloody Baron, who she had learned was Baron Salazar Slytherin and Helena Ravenclaw. Before seeing Sir Nicholas and the fat friar coming towards her.

"Identify yourselves and voice the words of the founding four," spoke the hat, once more.

Sir Nicholas floated forward. "I, Sir Nicholas Gryffindor, son of Godric Gryffindor, declare Lady Hermione Evans as Gryffindor!"

The friar floated forward. "I, Howard Hufflepuff, son of Helga Hufflepuff, declare Lady Hermione Evans as Hufflepuff!"

Helena glanced over towards Hermione with a harsh, knowing glare. Before Baron had risen up to the platform. "I, Baron Salazar Slytherin, declare Lady Hermione Evans a Slytherin that would make Salazar Slytherin proud!"

Hermione was shaking in her seat, 'Can they do this?'

'Yes, as I had called them for the founding four's children. They will do what is required of them.'

Helena then came and floated and turned towards the students. "I, Helena of Ravenclaw, daughter of Romena Ravenclaw, declare Lady Hermione Evans, not just Ravenclaw but Hogwarts own!"

Everyone looked lost, just as Helena turned towards the High Table. "From this point forward, Lady Hermione isn't of one house, but all four. Making Hogwarts to be her house."

Just as the words had left Helena's lips. Hermione's plain black robes turned purple, sporting the Hogwarts symbol for her house. Her tie turned purple and gold. 'Mum had said these colors had looked good on me.' Then another banner graced the Great Hall with a point system under it.

Hermione turned towards Tom, only to see the disbelief on his face. Before the hat spoke again. "From this point onwards, Lady Hermione is Hogwarts, and she can be a part of any house as she wishes, but also a house of her own. The founding four's heir, as she is all four with their shared gifts. Which only shows up on the second born, because the first belongs to their family."

Helena turned towards the school. "We expect great things from her and in conclusion the school as a whole. From this point forward, Hogwarts will have its own house and Lady Hermione will be its house founder, as it will start with her."

Baron spoke up from that moment. "Hogwarts has always been a place to make history. As you have just seen, we have made history once again. The founding four had wished for this, hoping for this. Waiting for the one to do just that. It starts a new wave for the school, and we support it." He then turned towards Hermione, as the hat was taken off of her. "Go, Lady Hermione, and be the change that we know you can be."

Then the ghosts left the hall. Hermione was waved for her to pick a table, only for her to sit next to Lily. Only to see her sister's mixed feelings in her eyes. Anger, disbelief, hurt and fear. Only to see Lily with worry and fear for her.

"Hermione," she hissed softly. "What the Bloody Hell just happened? I was hoping for a quiet year."

Hermione couldn't help but show her controlled anger. "I didn't ask or wish this, Lily. If you could remember, it was the hat and ghosts doing it. Not mine," she hissed out.

Lily rolled her emerald eyes. It hurt Hermione to see that, but not from Harry, no. He only closed his eyes to hide his feelings. But not Lily, at least she didn't hide her feelings. But at that moment, Hermione wished she could.

"I don't care about the added house, there should have been one. But for you to start one and to be away from me. It just hurts," whimpered Lily.

Hermione turned and glared at Lily. "You are being a Bloody hypocrite, you are a head girl, with her own set of rooms away from Gryffindor." Causing many to turn towards them, as they were talking a little loud. "You and I wouldn't be in the same dorm, would we, sister?"

Lily's eyes flashed harshly. "What is this about, you being the heiress of the founders?"

Hermione closed her eyes. "Is that why you're angry with me? Something I can not control! In Wizarding World costumes, the firstborn is heir to their family. While the second born can inherit her mother's inheritance. Which I am, because Uncle Tom has no children. This is the same concept, Lily."

"Is that all," Lily growled out. "I am overlooked, because I am the first magic born child. Even though I am the second born in our home, because of Petunia." She raised her shoulders in anger. "I get nothing?!"

Hermione Evans sighed, she wasn't upset with Lily, just disappointed in her. "What happened to my sister, when I told her about Uncle Tom? When you didn't react to him giving me his things."

Lily Evans had taken a deep breath. "Tom had spent a long time looking for you and didn't start a family of his own. So, I thought, why not. He did find her and all. Then this!"

Hermione Evans had seen the ugly side of Lily a couple of times. Until, Hermione had used the money she was given to fund her things, mainly clothes and books. "If I did get something, other than my own room, would you want me to share? Like books and other types of things."

Lily had brightened up, after she heard that. Seeing as Hermione could tell, that is what Lily felt left out in knowing something. Or being a part of discovering something. 'I had no idea, Lily was this kind of diva.'

After a while, dinner was served. Then desert and everyone was led out of the Great Hall for bed. But Hermione was led by Professor McGonagall to the North Tower, where she had learned had once belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. At the entrance, it had the painting of the founding four. Where they saw their descendant stood before them.

Rowena smiled, "Welcome child, what is your name?"

Professor McGonagall had left her to them. Hermione had smiled at the painting. "Hermione Evans."

"And what password would you like," asked Godric Gryffindor.

Hermione had thought about what she would like. Then only to come up with, "Hogwarts, the harmony of magic," she whispered softly. "Allow no one but me to use this password." She had a feeling that she was being followed by those with an invisibility cloak. Then she was allowed to slip through the painting.

Out in the hallway that she had left behind. Were three boys, two under the cloak and one behind the corner of a hallway.

"Did you hear the password, Moony," asked one boy under the cloak.

The boy in the hallway huffed, "No, Padfoot, I didn't. My hearing was muffled by stone walls."

The cloak was pulled off by another boy. "She has some nerve to make my Lily flower angry. She had even called me out in a shop with my mother. Along with another girl, in front of my sweet Lily."

"Prongs," sighed Padfoot, angrily. "Red doesn't have a thing for you. Nor would she, since she knows how arrogant you are."

"Hey, stop using my mum's words against me!"

"Speaking of," the boy in the hidden hallway asked. "Why is your father here?"

"Other than Moody ordering him to, mum had voluntold him. Saying I need supervision at school, especially after my mum had learned what I have been doing for the last six years, here."

A whistle left the other black-haired boy, as a smile graced his lips. "She was a hairpin away from lashing out in her Black family anger, James. You are darn lucky that she doesn't follow the Black family tradition of discipline, as my own mother would have. Skinning the cat is not an empty phrase in my house."

"Come on, we don't want detention on our first night." The boy in the hidden corridor spoke up. Dragging two of his friends behind.

Hermione had seen through the painting, separated between her common room and the hallway. She may not have seen Remus, but heard him. Then seeing James and Sirius, as teenagers and alive. It was shocking to say the least. But James, still going after Lily, was not.

Hermione was tired, anything could be solved after some sleep. Drama and stress was something she hated with a passion. Nothing could be solved by having those in the mix of things. 'First, sleep, then prevent those boys snooping.'