"Hermione, come on. We are going to be late," Pansy yelled, bursting into Hermione's room.
Hermione looked at her journal. I have to go. Pansy is yelling at me. I'll let you know when I'm on the train.
Hermione shut the journal and tucked it into her bookbag. "Calm down Pansy. I'm ready to go."
Hermione's trunk sat on the bed, waiting for Pansy's mother, Celia, to shrink it down. "Good. Mum was starting to get worried. Leave your trunk. The house elf will bring it downstairs and Mum will shrink it for you."
"I need to learn that charm," Hermione said thoughtfully. She mentally added it to the list of things she needed to do when they returned to Hogwarts.
Pansy laughed. "I'm sure Professor Snape will be willing to teach you. Let's go!" Hermione wasn't entirely sure if that was true but she didn't comment.
Hermione followed her friend downstairs. Celia was waiting for them in the entryway. "Are you girls ready?" Celia asked. Both nodded. "Good. We are running a bit behind."
Celia shrunk down their belongings and held out her hands. "We will be apparating to the platform. This may be a bit uncomfortable. Hold on tight."
Hermione wasn't sure what to expect when she took the woman's hand. She felt as if she were being sucked into a vacuum. She squeezed her eyes shut. The feeling was making her sick. Suddenly, the feeling was gone. When she opened her eyes, she was on the platform.
"Deep breaths Hermione," Celia said rubbing her back. "The nausea will fade. You did remarkably well for your first time apparating."
Hermione took several deep breaths. Celia was right. The nausea was fading away. Apparating was not her favorite mode of transportation. "That was not fun," Hermione muttered.
Celia laughed. "Yes, it takes some time to get used to." She passed a potion over to Hermione. "It's a stomach soother."
Hermione gulped down the potion. "Thank you."
Pansy glanced at the clock on the wall. "Mum, we need to go."
Celia nodded. "Have a good term girls. Hermione, you're welcome to spend Christmas with us."
"Thank you, Mrs. Parkinson," Hermione said gratefully. "I appreciate you letting me stay with you this summer."
They crossed the barrier into the platform. While Pansy said goodbye to her mother Hermione made her way to the train so she could get a compartment. She levitated her trunk into the compartment and climbed out to wait for Pansy.
"Did you ever write back to Potter and Weasley?" Pansy asked once they were settled into their compartment. They had yet to see Theo and Draco, but they weren't too worried. There was no way their parents would let them miss the train.
"No," Hermione answered. She felt a little guilty for ignoring them, but Harry hadn't been able to look at her before they left for the summer. "Ron invited me to stay and Harry didn't say much, just that he was staying with Ron, and something about a house elf."
"A house elf," Pansy repeated. "That's strange. House elves don't typically leave their homes to talk to wizards. Did Potter say anything else?"
"No, nothing," Hermione said. "Do you think he was lying?"
Draco and Theo chose that moment to slip into the compartment. "Hey Pansy, Hermione," Theo greeted. "How was the rest of your summer?"
"It was great," Hermione exclaimed. She had spent the first part of the summer with Theo at Nott Manor before going to Pansy's house for the rest of the summer.
"Mother made sure Hermione was well trained in the ways of purebloods," Pansy laughed. The lessons were entertaining for Pansy to watch, especially since she wasn't the one subjected to it.
"Are you excited for second year?" Draco questioned.
Hermione shrugged. "From what I've heard third year is better because we can pick electives."
"We still have plenty to learn this year," Theo pointed out.
"True," Hermione agreed. She grabbed her bookbag so she could pick out one of her many books.
"Tell them about Potter's letter," Pansy encouraged.
"What about Potter's letter?" Theo questioned.
"Harry wrote to me and said a house elf had come to him and told him not to return to Hogwarts," Hermione explained.
"A house elf," Draco repeated. "Did he say a name?"
"No," Hermione answered. "Just that the elf told him bad things were going to happen at Hogwarts."
"That is strange," Theo commented. He tapped his chin. "I wonder who the elf belongs to. Whoever it is, they need to be careful. This elf seems to be going to extreme lengths to go to Potter. I'm pretty sure his owner would be furious if they found out."
Draco frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. Having such a disobedient house elf was dangerous. He would have to speak to his father and make sure none of their elves were capable of such disobedience.
"You okay Draco?" Hermione asked her best friend.
"Yeah fine. Was just thinking I need to talk to Father about making sure our elves can't do anything like this," he answered. Both Theo and Pansy agreed that it was a good idea. They planned on owling their parents tonight.
The train ride was silent. They all picked a book and settled into their seats. When the trolley came by, they each bought some sweets to share with the group.
After first making sure her friends weren't paying attention to her Hermione pulled out her notebook, quill and ink. What do you know about house elves?
Hermione stared at the book but no reply came. She was about to put the book away when words started forming.
They are magically bound to serve their family. If their master gives them an order they must obey. While they can't directly defy their master, they can get around their orders if they're not 100% loyal. Why do you ask?
Harry says a house elf went to him and told him terrible things were going to happen at Hogwarts. He tried to get Harry not to come back.
Are you certain it's not a peer playing games with him? Hermione frowned. She hadn't thought about that. It would be easy for someone to order an elf to try and convince Potter not to come back. There are certainly plenty of people that would want that.
I didn't think of that. I suppose it is possible but Harry seems to think it was real.
Potter wouldn't know the difference. I'm sure he doesn't have much experience with house elves.
You're right, Hermione wrote. Thank you.
Anytime Hermione.
"You okay Hermione?" Theo asked. "You've been staring at your journal for a while."
Hermione sat the journal down. "Fine." She didn't say anything else and her friends didn't force it.
When it came time, the boys left the compartment so the girls could change in peace. Once the train pulled into the station the four friends left their compartment. Hermione made sure her journal was tucked into her robes before leaving.
It was strange, being in the Great Hall, waiting for the Sorting to start. She sat alone at Gryffindor table. For some reason Harry and Ron weren't there yet.
By the time the Sorting started Hermione realized they weren't coming. She was a little worried but figured they had done something stupid and gotten in trouble. If she didn't see them before she went to the dorm she would talk to Professor McGonagall. They never showed up for the Sorting or the Feast, and Hermione was convinced something happened.
Once everyone was dismissed Hermione made her way to the Head Table. "Professor McGonagall," Hermione called interrupting conversation between Professors McGonagall and Snape. She expected Professor Snape to snap at her but he merely looked at her and got up to help direct students to their dorms.
"Yes Ms. Granger?" Professor McGonagall said, letting her know she was free to talk.
"It's Harry and Ron Professor," Hermione began. "They never showed up and—"
Professor McGonagall raised her hand to stop Hermione. "They are both fine," she assured the younger girl. "They were sent to their dorm."
Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank you Professor," Hermione said.
"Granger," a seventh year Slytherin called as she made her way to Gryffindor Tower. She stopped and turned around. "What are you playing at?"
"I don't know what you mean," Hermione said honestly. Her heart pounded in her chest. For the first time since the troll she was truly scared.
He nodded toward the pendant. "Do you think it's funny stealing from the Ancient and Noble House of Black?" he snarled.
He pulled his wand out and pointed it at Hermione. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
She didn't hear what he attempted to curse her with. Before she could do anything Draco, and a sixth year Prefect Hermione recognized as Terence Higgs, appeared. "Protego," Higgs shouted. The curse aimed at Hermione bounced off the shield. "Flint. What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"
Draco went to Hermione's side. "Are you okay?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine," Hermione said hugging him. "How did you know?"
"We waited for you and when you didn't come, I came back," Draco explained.
"You're a disgrace to the Malfoy name," Flint spat.
Draco didn't even flinch. He took a step toward Flint. "Do you know why she wears a pendant from the House of Black?" he asked quietly. "It's because she's protected by the Ancient and Noble House of Black and in turn by the Malfoy family." Flint paled. "You better hope no one in my family hears what you have done or House Flint will find it's end sooner rather than later." He turned his attention to Terence. "Prefect Higgs, I would like permission to escort Hermione to Gryffindor Tower."
"I'll go with you," Prefect Higgs decided. He turned his attention to Hermione. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, "Hermione told him. "Thank you for your help."
Terence and Draco walked Hermione back to Gryffindor Tower. No one attempted to attack Hermione, in fact no one even tried to talk to her. She suspected that had something to do with the two Slytherins flanking her.
"Draco," Hermione said getting her friends attention. Terence slowed down a bit to give the two some privacy. "What did you mean about the house of Black? Why would this house protect me?"
"My mother is a Black," Draco told her. "You're my friend. Which means you have protection from both the Malfoy and Black families. Anyone who attacks you also attacks the Ancient and Noble Houses of Malfoy and Black. Most people aren't stupid enough to do that. Flint on the other hand…"
"Is a idiot," Prefect Higgs finished. "Most purebloods aren't stupid enough to attack someone under house protection, no matter who that person is. But to attack someone under the protection of two houses? That is unheard of. If the Malfoy's hear about this… Flint and his father will be lucky to survive."
Hermione looked to Draco. "Your dad would kill him?"
"He would," Draco confirmed. "But it's my mother he would have to watch out for. She would feel the most attacked since she is a Black and a Malfoy."
Finally, they were outside of Gryffindor Tower. "Goodnight Hermione," Draco said.
"Goodnight Draco. Thanks again for your help Prefect Higgs," Hermione said. She gave the Fat Lady the password and stepped into the common room.
