So, three updates in three days? Can we say MIRACLE? But, I hope you enjoy.
I do not some of the scenes aren't exactly canon, but I pretty much just binge-watch the movies and try to get a similar timeline for them. If I sat down and read the books again, I'd never get a chapter completed this fast. So, apologies to the die hard fans who know the canon seriously well.
A guest pointed out I never addressed the newspaper articles so I hope this chapter clears that up. It was an oversight on my part and I apologize.
Enjoy.
-X-
Hermione sighed, staring out the window of the train and embracing the comfort the passing countryside provided her. Draco was chatting amicably with Ginny, their family feud shoved aside for Hermione's sake. Once Draco's standoffish nature had dissolved away, Ginny realized the Slytherin wasn't too terrible.
He was still a pompous ferret, but no worse than Ronald and Harry these days.
If Ginny can looked past her differences with Draco, why can Ronald and Harry get over their hang-up about me being His daughter. Ginny and I weren't even that close, but here she sits talking to Draco about Quidditch and school work after defending me at the meeting. Are they really so jaded they cannot see it's not my fault who my parents are? I saved their arses countless times yet somehow I'm inclined to betray them – and the Order?
"Hermione," Ginny called sheepishly, bringing Hermione from her musings. "Have you seen the newspapers?" She was clearly worried about the Gryffindor's safety, knowing full-well that her dorm mates were not going to be kind. Not that they ever really were.
The brunette leveled a glare at the contrite Slytherin. "No, I have not. I wasn't even aware of it until B –" she cut herself off, "Until Narcissa informed of it two days ago. I had no idea that claiming my inheritance meant everything became public record."
"Wait," Ginny balked, "You spent break with them?" She glanced at Draco. "No offence, mate."
Draco shrugged. "None taken."
"Someone had to become my guardian," Hermione admitted, "And considering the Order wants nothing to do with me, Narcissa stepped in and offered. She was rather kind to me and I saw no problem with it so I moved into Malfoy Manor."
Ginny hummed thoughtfully. "That makes a lot of sense, actually."
"It hasn't changed you at all, though," Luna observed, "You're still you - and I think that's great."
Hermione smiled gratefully at the eccentric blonde.
"I think you should see what the Daily Prophet's been writing," Ginny said somberly. "If anyone brings it up, you need to be prepared."
"How bad is it?" Hermione groaned, absently leaning her head on Draco's shoulder. The comfort her best friend provided calmed her racing heart. It wasn't close to how Bella's made her feel, but it was better than nothing.
Ginny slipped out of the car for a moment before returning with a copy, passing it to Hermione. She accepted it with trembling hands, her eyes flickering along the front page.
Her picture was plastered across the front page and captioned: Hermione G. Riddle: The Next Dark Lord?
She swallowed down her apprehension and started scanning the article, Draco following along over her shoulder.
Is Hogwarts' "brightest witch of her age" the leader of the next Wizarding War? Hermione Riddle, the fabled daughter of You-Know-Who himself, has recently come out to claim her family's fortune and, in it, has instilled an old fear in everyone's heart. This young witch has had countless problems with authority over the years, breaking numerous rules at Hogwarts and finding herself in the middle of trouble. Has it all been staged and her true ties always lied with her late father? Is she going to be this generation's Dark Lord?
She's…
Hermione could not read anymore and tossed the newspaper to Ginny, burying her head in her hands as she tried not to hyperventilate. Her mind swam with unanswered questions. Would I become him? Is the Prophet right? This prophecy…
"It's going to be okay," Ginny whispered, coming to kneel in front of Hermione and grasp the Gryffindor's wrists, carefully prying them from her face. "I know that trash is completely bullshit and so do Fred and George. Your blood does not define you, Mione."
Hermione nodded, but the ice did not retreat from her veins. Being soulmate to the most notorious Death Eater and being the only heir of Voldemort himself meant there was some sort of darkness trapped within her. She felt it during her duels with Draco; the urge to disable her enemies threatening to overpower everything she knew.
Would she give in and turn her back on everything – and everyone – she'd come to love? She couldn't imagine hurting Ginny or Luna, but doubt was creeping into her bones.
Am I going to become Him?
-X-
When the train stopped, Hermione became well-aware of the whispers from her classmates; their accusations and snide remarks clear as day. They didn't care if she heard – in fact, it seemed as though they wanted her to hear it.
Locking arms with her fellow Gryffindor, Ginny started toward the castle with Draco close behind. She refused to let one of her best friends get swept up in the gossip. She had a feeling she'd be a buffer between Hermione and all of the Gryffindors – not that she minded, they were assholes she didn't want to associate with if they were going to be so prejudice.
The trek to the castle was a quiet one, each lost in their thoughts. They hurriedly situated themselves in their rooms, sorting through their belongings. Hermione had brought of few of her mother's books, those that wouldn't be frowned upon and tucked them under her bed.
Merlin knows her roommates would find some nefarious reason that they were in her possession.
Ginny was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, a sour expression marring her beautiful features.
"What's wrong?" Hermione inquired, linking arms with Ginny as they left the common room.
Shaking her head, Ginny simply rolled her eyes in response. "Just Ron being a prat again."
"You shouldn't be fighting with your family over me," Hermione sighed, "He's your brother."
"I don't care," Ginny argued, "He's a dick. He's got his head shoved up Harry's "Golden Boy" ass and he needs to realize that you saved them more times than I can count. You clearly aren't a threat to them. Besides, Harry shares a connection to the Dark Lord, yet no one distrusts him. He's more inclined to reveal secrets than you are."
Shrugging, Hermione couldn't help but agree. The entire time she was at Malfoy Manor, there had been no discussions or pestering about telling them what she knew about the Order. They only talked about his plans for the future and missions he sent his Death Eaters on. No one asked her to betray her former friends and she never felt the urge.
"So," Ginny continued, "Until they get over themselves, I can and will remind them that they are pricks." The smile that beamed forth made Ginny laugh.
The Great Hall was alive with chatter, but the dirty looks shot at her were nerve-wracking. Her fellow Gryffindors clearly weren't welcoming so Ginny steered them toward Draco and his friends. Pansy opened her mouth to comment, but a sharp glare the blonde sent her way shut her up.
"Mind if we join you?" Hermione wondered, settling beside Draco before anyone could answer.
Ginny flopped down next to Hermione and started filling her plate with chicken wings and so much of the mash potatoes that the brunette was positive there was no room for anything else.
Eating in silence, Hermione wondered what her life had come to. In the span of a few months, her world was tossed upside down and now the only people she felt comfortable with were Slytherins. Her best friend was the boy who'd tormented her since first year and the only Gryffindor she could rely on was the sister of her former best friend.
"So, does this mean you're going to cheer for me during Quidditch?" Draco laughed, dragging Hermione from her thoughts. He wasn't dumb; they'd suffocate her if they began spiraling into the unknown.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione grinned. "I hate Quidditch."
"But I'm your best friend," Draco whined, nudging the Gryffindor playfully.
"She better cheer for me, if we ever get to play again," Ginny groused, shooting him a mock glare. "I've known her longer."
Draco capitulated. "I guess you can cheer for Gryffindor."
"Thank you for the permission." Hermione smirked, poking Draco in the side teasingly. "I'll remember this."
Someone cleared their throat nervously behind Hermione and she glanced over her shoulder. Neville stood before her, wringing his hands anxiously as he studied her.
"I-I heard about…" he trailed off, "But your blood doesn't change who you are. A-and if you want to sit with the Gryffindors," he peeked at Draco, "Y-you're welcome to sit with me."
"Thank you, Neville." She smiled in appreciation and patted his shoulder.
Nodding, he scurried back to his seat and ignored the pointed looks, returning to his food as if nothing had occurred.
Hermione smiled at her plate, sharing a knowing glance with Ginny. At least she wasn't completely abandoned – aside from Ginny, she would be alone in her House but if Neville could overlook her blood status…
The tension at the Slytherin table dissipated and the conversation began to flow freely. Everything was okay.
-X-
The first few days passed by with little incident. Ron and Harry avoided her like the plague and she'd been informed that she was no longer welcome in Dumbledore's Army by Nigel, who trembled with fear. She'd kindly said she understood, but inside her blood boiled – though it was not his fault.
The damn idea was mine!
Ginny offered to leave the DA, sighting that Hermione was far nicer than those judgmental arses, but she waved off the offer.
"Stay. You need to learn to protect yourself. Eventually you may need to know it," Hermione replied ominously, a faraway glint in her eye.
Her brows furrowed, but Ginny did not refute the statement. It wasn't her place to ask, though she'd willingly listen whenever Hermione wanted to talk. She smiled apologetically as she slipped away from the Gryffindor and toward her next class.
Hermione was slightly grateful for the reprieve, taking in the silence of the hall as she walked to Potions. It'd be nice to see Severus again; he'd been absent since the New Years Eve ball at Malfoy Manor and she realized that she kind of missed the stoic professor.
"Well, well, look who's all alone," Lavender sneered, "I didn't think your little groupies would ever leave you."
Hermione spun on her heel, her hand instinctively reaching for her wand. "Lavender."
"Riddle," she spat the name as if it were heinous – a disgrace for any wizard to be associated with something so foul.
"Leave me alone," Hermione growled, "I haven't done anything to you."
"Yet," Lavender snipped, a nasty sneer bunching her face in a way that reminded Hermione briefly of her old neighbor's ugly bulldog. Sweetest dog she'd ever come across, but very unfortunate to gaze upon.
Leveling her wand at Hermione, the blonde smirked. "Sorry, Riddle, I can't take any chances with you. Stupefy!"
Easily deflecting the spell with a quick flick of her wrist, the Gryffindor stood confidently before the bewildered girl. "I'd watch yourself if I were you, Brown." Dark energy crackled around her, illiciting a shiver of fright from Lavender. "I'm not the meek bookworm that you've enjoyed taunting over the years."
Lavender's grip on her wand tightened, her lip trembling with dread. She should have realized coming after the witch alone was a horrible plan.
"Get away from me," Hermione snarled, taking a menacing step toward Lavender, who was quick to scramble away.
Rage washed over her like the ocean's tide. She could not contain the fury that trickled through her veins, a molten disdain burning just beneath the surface. Her heart pounded in her ears while a quiet, sinister voice egged her to chase after the frightened Gryffindor and show her who she'd challenged.
Storming to her classroom, Hermione shoved open the door and strolled briskly to her seat. She flopped down beside Neville, who nervously scooted his chair away.
"How kind of you to join us," Severus greeted sarcastically, though he examined her carefully. "You have the luxury of staying after class so we can discuss your tardiness."
Hermione's jaw tightened, her irritation blooming and nipping at her lips, threatening to escape if she wasn't careful. "Yes, sir."
Class continued without incident, leaving Hermione to stew in her rage. She completed the potion in record time, spending the rest of class glaring irately at the wooden table. Her normally brown eyes were black and intimidating, hands clenched in tight fists. Merlin, she wished she'd knocked Lavender's teeth down her throat.
Hermione stayed in her seat when the others filed out, already gossiping about her entrance – and the hatred swimming in her eyes. Neville had patted her shoulder sympathetically as he went, leaving her alone with Severus.
"What's happened?" he inquired, stepping closer to the enraged Gryffindor.
"Lavender Brown," she grunted as she stood and began pacing along the tables, "She tried to hex me. Me! What in Merlin's name have I ever done to her? Bloody hell, before Christmas I helped her pass her fucking midterms!" She threw her hands up in exasperation.
Severus balked. He'd never heard such foul language coming from the brunette, but he refrained from chiding her. She was clearly in no mood for a chastising.
"I mean, attacking me in an empty hallway is downright cowardly! If she wanted a fight, it should have at least been proper! Blindly flinging a spell at me – one measly little spell at that – only serves to piss me off! Bloody dumb bimbo! I mean, really?!"
She turned on her heel, the fight slowly draining away. "What have I done to deserve this, Severus? Why me? Why did that fucking Rita Skeeter have to get ahold of my records?" She dropped into a nearby chair and covered her face with her hands. "Why?"
Severus sighed. "I do not know who tipped off that horrid woman, but your guardians are looking into it. They have been since the first article was written."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I just –"
She was cut off by the potions room door slammed open and Draco rushing inside. "Hermione!"
"Draco," Hermione greeted in relief, "What are you doing here?"
"Ginny heard about what happened and Longbottom was kind enough to tell me where you were." Remembering himself, he glanced at Severus. "Sorry, godfather, I did not mean to burst in like this, but I was worried."
Severus waved off the apology with a nod. "I understand you are to keep each other safe. I'd be disappointed if you hadn't come searching for her. You are dismissed, Hermione, though you may want to write to her about this," he advised.
Nodding, Hermione rose from her seat and followed Draco from the room.
"What happened?" he demanded.
Sighing, Hermione recounted the event to him. By the time she was done, Draco's usually pale face was flushed with anger.
"That little…" he sneered. "Of course she would try something so underhanded. I bet Weasley put her up to it. Those two are the only ones stupid enough to try something like that."
Hermione shrugged in resignation, exhausted from the encounter. It was only lunch and all she wanted to do was climb into bed.
"Come on," he ushered her, "Let's get some lunch. You look ready to drop."
"I am," she moaned, "I just want this day over."
-X-
"Are you alright?" Ginny wondered, giving the girl an onceover. "I heard what happened."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione sat across from the worried Weasley. "I'm fine. It's Lavender; it's not like she can do much harm."
Ginny shook her head in disgust. "I can't believe her! Feeding into the bullshit the Prophet writes. I mean, it's you! You're the same girl who helped Ron study for his OWLs. Hell, you helped Lavender with her papers last semester!"
"I know," Hermione said quietly, "But everyone seems to believe I'm going to become You-Know-Who."
Suddenly, Fred and George were settling down on either side of her.
"Are you okay?"
"We heard what happened."
"Lavender's saying you attacked her."
"But we both know that's not true." Fred clapped her on the back.
Shrugging, Hermione kept her attention on her plate, though her stomach churned. The idea of eating anything right now made her sick.
"We can slip her some Puking Pastilles if you'd like," George suggested, biting into his turkey leg.
"If you do that, somehow it'll somehow come down on me."
Fred pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Well, there has to be something we can do!"
Shaking her head, Hermione dismissed the idea. "Don't. Should she come for a fight, she'll get one but I refuse to stoop to her level."
"We have your back," George promised with a firm nod. "You're Hermione, our annoying little know-it-all and that hasn't changed."
"Thank you," Hermione murmured, peering at Draco whose concern was apparent, though to others he seemed perfectly normal.
"We've got to ask though," Fred started.
"Are you dating Malfoy?" George inquired, glancing over at the Slytherin table.
Hermione snorted, startled by the question. Hysterical laughter bubbled past soft lips and before they knew it, she was clutching her stomach. Tears filled her eyes, bewilderment and amusement flooding her stiff body.
"Draco? Ha!" Hermione giggled, trying valiantly to compose herself. "No, not at all. We grew closer over the break but he's definitely not my boyfriend." She glanced about. "Can I admit something to you?"
"Of course."
"We won't tell a soul."
Biting her lip, she admitted, "I don't actually like boys…like that."
Ginny's mouth fell into a perfect "o" while the twin cracked up. They were clearly thrown by the revelation, but it made sense when they thought about it. The only boy they'd ever seen her with - romantically - was the Bulgarian Viktor Krum. And that only lasted a short time.
"But Viktor…" Ginny trailed off curiously, a brow arched in disbelief.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione shook her head. "Viktor was sweet, but definitely a mistake. We were much better off as friends."
"Huh…" Ginny hummed. "Well, I'm happy for you." She became serious, firmly staring at the witch, "But I get to approve your girlfriends. Best friend rights and all that."
Hermione blinked, but nodded her consent. She should have known the youngest Weasley would take her confession in stride. She was definitely becoming her best friend - behind Draco, of course, though they had equal places in her heart.
If only she knew…
-X-
The library became her safe haven. There, no one was around to bother her or throw snide comments in her direction. Draco was back in his House, having been commanded to leave her. She appreciated his concern, but tonight, she simply wanted peace and quiet. Ginny was off with the DA, doing Merlin only knows.
Being part of the Inquisitorial Squad, Draco was off chasing "leads" for the DA's whereabouts and the members, though Hermione had confided in him where they were. He was under direct orders not to mention it until that horrible toad of woman figured it out. She never inquired what they were, but Draco assured her that she would be kept from Umbridge's wrath.
Slipping a vial from her bag, Hermione hurriedly downed the potion before shoving it back in its hiding spot. It was the only place she could take it without prying eyes following her every move. She'd earlier seen Harry and Ron rushing toward Hagrid's hut and it stung, knowing that the half-giant would side with them. She had always loved going to see him, but now…
Shaking away her spiraling thoughts, Hermione searched for her special quill and ink and a sheet of parchment.
My Dearest Panther,
I know it has been only a week since I've seen you but I already wish to be back in your arms. Hogwarts is horrid. The Gryffindors have all but shunned me – aside from Ginny Weasley and her twin brothers. Neville Longbottom has been quite nice, but I do not wish to burden him with the same disdain that Ginny has suffered. She's lost so many friends by just associating with me.
Today, Lavender Brown attempted to hex me. Don't be alarmed, I used what you've taught me and protected myself. Do not try and exact revenge on that terrible troll. She's nothing more than a blithering and I refuse to let her win. Should she wish for a fight, I am ready. I hate rooming with her, though. She makes it very obvious I am not welcome there. I've taken to hiding in the library until curfew.
I so badly want to be curled up in bed with you, not trapped in a room with people who obviously wish I didn't exist. When everyone thought I was simply muggleborn, they looked down upon me. Now, they fear me and yet, I still receive the same dirty looks, just with different insults.
I miss you dearly.
All my love,
The Brightest Witch of Her Age.
She pressed a kiss to the paper and tucked it away. She would wake earlier than her House mates and head to the owlery before breakfast. Absently, she stroked her ring when a thought passed her mind.
Bella, can you hear me?
Silence was her only response and she sighed dejectedly. Of course not. I really do have horrible luck.
Fishing out her homework, Hermione delved deep into her schoolbooks and hoped to forget about her terrible day. She couldn't wait for summer.