A/N: Reviewers:
AquaCherry66 - I'm going to let you in on a secret (come closer) I was worried about how slow the story was moving, but you've relieved my anxiety. Thanks for the review and the relief! Oh, and every time you review, it makes ME smile.
Tokyo no Ecchi - Not quite Voldemort/Hermione... well, I guess it is, but the YOUNG Voldemort. So keep reading if that's what you like... thanks for the review.
404 - Yes, quite the character. He's going to become even more of one here in the coming chapters... read on and thanks!
All-American Vampire - Too bad it was boring. It sounded interesting the way you described it... maybe you should rewrite one the way you described it. I would for sure read it! But, thanks for reviewing and stuff.
Gaerwen - Well, here's the meeting and yes, I believe Hermione should put Tom in his place, but she won't always be able to. Remember, he's got his times too. Thanks for the review!
shadowglove - Your review SO made me laugh. Male Trelawney. That was highly amusing. Oh, and speaking of highly amusing, those proverbs and such in your bio were hilarious. But anyways, thanks for reviewing.
ButterflyOnna77 - Well, it appears that you didn't have to wait too long, am I not right? I think it was about, what, 20 minutes? Haha. But thanks for the review and I hope that about 24 chapters is long enough. But don't hold me to that because I'm not ENTIRELY sure.
Welp, enough babbling from me. Happy reading...!
Chapter 10 – The Meeting
"Isn't this exciting?" Sandie practically squealed. "Finally another Gryffindor girl in the Slug Club!"
Hermione and Sandie were headed down the hall just after leaving Dumbledore's office. They were headed for lunch, and Hermione was trying to keep from laughing at Sandie's antics as they went along their way. She was so excited about this Slug Club thing, Hermione could barely believe it.
"So, what do you guys do in this Slug Club?" Hermione asked, trying to appear curious and slightly excited herself.
"Well, it's nothing but the brightest and best students in the whole entire school. We sit around Slughorn's private office discussing all sorts of intellectual things," Sandie replied with a fondness in her voice.
"And stuffing their faces with expensive sweets and laughing at the expense of us less apt and more stupid students of Hogwarts who weren't fortunate enough to make it into the Slimy Slug Club," came the joking voice of Tiffany.
Hermione and Sandie turned around and were greeted by the sight of the other seventh year Gryffindor girl. She smiled at them as she walked up next to them and tossed her arms about their shoulders. Sandie glared at her momentarily before shrugging her arm off and speaking once more.
"Tiffany... you shouldn't speak on things that you know nothing about," she scolded.
"Oh, I know what happens at those meetings," Tiff laughed. "And don't let her fool you, Alice. Slughorn doesn't just pick the smartest people... he picks school celebrities and those related to celebrities."
"Oh, he does not," Sandie hissed.
"He doesn't?" Tiff laughed incredulously. "Then how did Arnold get into that stupid club? He certainly doesn't have the grades or the charm," Tiffany pointed out as she nodded down the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall where Arnold sat in the middle of a large group of students.
Arnold had a large golden bowl raised to his face and people were chanting. Hermione grimaced as Arnold lowered the bowl, his face covered in what looked like kidney bean soup. He stood up and threw his arms in the air in triumph as another boy across the table lowered an identical bowl to the one Arnold had just held. His face was also covered with the soup and he looked rather sick.
"He's the Chugging Champion," Tiffany bragged. "Holds the record for chugging anything. You put it in front of him and challenge him, he'll beat you."
"Disgusting," Sandie sniffed. "It's totally-"
"Pointless?" offered a boy who sat down next to Sandie. His face was covered in boils, but he had eyes like Hermione had never seen before. The irises were midnight blue on the outer edge and they faded into gray before turning black in the pupil.
"Exactly," Sandie agreed as she turned to the boy. "Alice, this is Brian Covington. Brian... this is Alice Granger."
"You're the new girl," Brian acknowledged as he held out his hand.
"Yep," Hermione replied as she shook his outstretched, thin hand.
"So, Brian," Tiffany broke in with a broadening grin. Hermione had a feeling this wasn't going to be good as she noticed the apprehensive glances Sandie was giving to Brian and Tiff. "How's the boil cure coming? Any... breakthroughs yet?"
It was apparent that Tiff was trying to hide laughter as Brian simply looked at her with an unemotional expression. He ignored her completely as he turned back to Sandie who smiled awkwardly. Hermione was instantly reminded of her trouble with Ron and Krum at the Yule Ball and how she kept having to apologize to Krum on Ron's behalf.
"So, are either of you ladies trying out for the play?" Brian asked.
"I don't think I will," Tiffany replied as she buttered some bread.
"I wasn't asking you... I was talking to Alice and Sandie," Brian remarked stiffly.
"Ah, either way, I'm not trying out. I'll be too busy with Quidditch," Tiffany continued as though she had ignored Brian's comment. "You should try-out for that Alice. It's quite a bit of fun, you know."
"Well, isn't that a shame," Brian chuckled as though he knew something she didn't. "I don't believe she'll get to, and I don't believe you'll get to play either."
Tiffany caught this as she stopped buttering and looked up at him. Her expression was slightly confused and almost curious. She stared at Brian through narrowed eyes before speaking up.
"What do you mean 'isn't that a shame' and 'you won't get to play either'?" Tiffany inquired as she mimicked Brian's voice with the last words.
Hermione tried not to snort into her pumpkin juice as she raised her glass to her lips to hide the smirk on her face. Whether it had been nice or not, Tiffany's imitation was had been quite amusing.
"There won't be any Quidditch this year," Brian stated simply.
"WHAT!" Tiffany shrieked. This caused every head in the Great Hall to turn to them. "No Quidditch! Who's ludicrous freaking idea was that?"
"Dumbledore's. He's the one that set up for the play... with Dippet's permission, of course. Letters were sent home to parents today about it. He said there will be no Quidditch due to the play's immense demand of practices and such," Brian explained.
"This is outrageous! You can't stop Quidditch!" Tiffany gasped. Hermione was instantly reminded of one Oliver Wood yet again. Harry had told her about his outrage in their second year with the canceling of one single match. Harry said that Oliver ranted for weeks that that match could have been their victory which helped them toward the Quidditch House Cup.
"You'll have to argue that point with Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet," Brian half laughed as he served himself some potatoes. "But, you'll have trouble since the school board – and parents like mine – back this decision fully."
"Well, no one care-," Tiffany began angrily, but Sandie cut her off nervously.
"Brian! Did I tell you that Alice will be joining us at the Slug Club meeting tonight?" Sandie queried.
"No, you didn't," Brian said politely. "Congratulations, Alice. We look forward to having you."
"Thanks," Hermione mumbled as Tiffany sat next to her grumbling something that sounded like 'pompous git.'
"C'mon, Alice!" Sandie yelled up the girls' dorm stairs to Hermione who had been sitting in silence studying.
She had been in the common room, but there was just too much noise. People were gabbing and talking excitedly about the upcoming try-outs for the play. Hermione would be happy once the parts were cast, then there wouldn't be so much noise about the lot of it.
"I'm coming," Hermione yelled back as she tossed her books into her trunk and raced down the stairs.
"Hurry, or we'll be late," Sandie added as Hermione caught up with her at the portrait hole.
"Where's Brian?" Hermione asked.
"He went to meet his friend, Leo," Sandie answered as they rounded the corner and started down the many sets of stairs.
"Leo?"
"I think you'd like him. He's awfully sweet and pretty funny, too. Moderately smart," Sandie informed. "He's a Hufflepuff and very helpful... all the qualities found in a Hufflepuff really."
"Oh," Hermione breathed as she and Sandie entered the castle dungeons.
"Almost there," Sandie said as she pointed at a picture of Slughorn.
"Since when has that been there?" Hermione pondered aloud. She hadn't remembered seeing that in her time.
"What?" Sandie asked sounding taken off guard.
"I uh- I didn't see that this morning," Hermione covered.
"Oh, Slughorn put that up at the beginning of the year. He does every year. It's the entrance to the Slug Club's secret meeting room. You probably didn't see it because this is the first meeting since the one on the train ride to Hogwarts, so he just put it up today. Takes it down every year and takes it home with him," Sandie educated.
"I see."
"Password?" Slughorn's picture twin roared happily.
"Slughorn's Slugs," Sandie stated clearly and proudly. 'What a name!' Hermione laughed inwardly.
The portrait swung forward and admitted Hermione and Sandie to a large circular room where a fire was crackling with a bright liveliness. Students were seated on couches and chairs of all sorts from wooden to chinz and there weren't many seats left open. The two Gryffindor girls made their way across the room, Hermione noticing that there were quite a few Slytherins as she took in the surroundings.
The ceiling was high and domed and the floor was stone with a large circular carpet in the center of the circle in which the students sat around. There was a dark oak wood desk with a lamp upon it and shevles upon shelves of books and awards. 'Slughorn's private stock no doubt' Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione continued to observe the room's occupants. Of the twenty-five students, four were Gryffindors including Hermione, seven were Ravenclaws, thirteen were Slytherins, and one was a Hufflepuff. That Hufflepuff had fiery-red hair and a blank expression. He looked about the room like he felt out of place, his constant scanning of the room his only emotional give-away. Hermione recognized him from earlier that day and realized that he was Leo.
"Sandie! There you are," Brian called as he stood up. "I saved you a seat," he said as he pointed to a chair on his left.
Hermione frowned as she noticed that there was only one chair to Brian's left and nowhere for her to sit. She was about to sit on the floor near Sandie when the Hufflepuff boy, Leo, spoke up.
"You can sit here," he said politely as he pointed to an empty chair on his right. "No one's going to sit here."
"Thanks," Hermione spoke softly as she took the seat.
It wasn't long before Slughorn himself entered the room and looked around with a glowing pride. His large round stomach bounced before him as he walked forward. His slightly red face turned from side-to-side, taking in all the faces sitting before him.
"I see everyone has made it on time. Terrific!" Slughorn boomed as he pulled up his own chair at what seemed to be the head of the circle of students. "Now, who's hungry?"
Hermione watched as Slughorn called forward Abraxas Malfoy, a Raveclaw girl, and Leo. He handed Leo and the Ravenclaw each a box filled with sweets in brown wrappers, and he gave Abraxas a tray of drinks. 'Apparently Tiffany was right' Hermione thought to herself as she passed up the box in which the Ravenclaw girl was offering her.
"Arnold, my boy... you seem to be extremely hungry," Slughorn laughed loudly, turning everyone's attention to the Gryffindor boy. Arnold had his cheeks packed with sweets and a handful ready to be shoved into his mouth once what he was chewing was gone.
Hermione grimaced and looked away as the Slytherins shook their heads and Sandie let out an embarrassed sigh.
"So, how is your brother, Arnold?" Slughorn quizzed.
"'E's... goop," Arnold answered through the mouthful of sweets. Hermione tried not to laugh as Sandie pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
"Chocolate?" Leo offered as he came around to Hermione.
He smiled down at her as he removed one of the wrapped morsels from the box and handed it to her.
"This one is the best," he whispered as she took it from him with a smile.
"Excuuuuse me," came a snide, rude voice as they shoved Leo out of the way. It was Abraxas Malfoy, and the tray of drinks that he was carrying jarred when pushed Leo aside. One drink teetered on the edge before dropping and spilling in Hermione's lap.
She gasped and jumped up, the glass clattering to the ground as the Slytherins let out snickers. Hermione glared up at Abraxas who tried to look innocent as he backed away with an evilly triumphant smirk on his face.
"I'm sorry," Abraxas apologized, though not very sincerely, Hermione could tell.
"I bet you are," she grumbled as she looked down at her soaked skirt.
"Are you all right, Miss Granger?" Slughorn inquired as he came forward.
"I'll be fine once I go and get cleaned up. Thank you. Excuse me," Hermione remarked before disappearing out of the portrait hole while catching Tom's eye. His eyes glinted in an amused manner that angered her more than anything. "Jerk," she grumbled as she stalked up the dungeon corridor.
She entered the girls' lavatory on the second floor and grabbed some paper towels. She ran water over them before heading off to a stall. She slipped off her skirt and tossed if over the top of the door to hang as she cast a drying spell on it. She wiped off her legs and put the skirt back on. On her way out, she stopped and looked in the mirror at herself.
"No more nice Hermione," she whispered dangerously to the air around her as she continued out of the bathroom.
"Whoa! Hi," Leo gasped as Hermione came stalking out, almost hitting him with the door.
Hermione jumped back, slightly startled by his appearance.
"I'm sorry!" she gushed. "What are you doing here?" she continued.
"I came to see if you were all right. I told Slughorn I was coming to check on you," Leo answered. "I know what Abraxas did was not an accident. So, are you okay?"
"Fine," she replied shortly. She would have rathered not talk about it.
"We don't have to go back... if you don't want to," Leo offered.
"I don't want to keep you-"
"You won't be keeping me. I'm proud to be part of the Slug Club, don't get me wrong, but I don't like to be there," Leo muttered.
"Why do you go at all, then?"
"I guess for something to do really. So, speaking of something to do," Leo said in a more upbeat way. "What shall we do now?"
"How about you show me around the castle?" Hermione suggested.
"Great!" he said enthusiastically. Hermione was not only surprised with his answer, but with the way she had been so forward about it. Was this really herself?
"No, I'm not that good a flying," Hermione laughed. She and Leo were still wondering the castle corridors. They had been missing from the meeting for a half an hour and they could care less. They were enjoying each other's company more than they could enjoy anything at the meeting anyways.
"You look like you've got the body for it," Leo said without thinking. Hermione looked over at him quickly and he blushed. "I'm sorry. That was out of line."
"It's fine," Hermione giggled. She actually liked that comment strangely enough. "So what is the ideal body for flying?"
"Well, a thin fra-"
"Why haven't you two returned to the meeting?" came a voice from behind them.
Hermione and Leo whipped around and stared at none other than Tom Riddle. He had his arms crossed and looked like high authority as he stood there.
"Professor Slughorn was worried. He sent me to bring you two back," Tom informed. "So, if you'll just follow me-"
"I don't want to go back there," Hermione cut in.
"Too bad, Alice, you have to," Tom hissed. There it was again, he had spat her name out like it was poison in his mouth.
"You can't make her," Leo said, stepping forward with uncertainty.
"I'm Head Boy, don't forget that, Mr. Witte," Tom snapped.
"Maybe we should head back, Alice... just so that you don't get into trouble," Leo mumbled as though defeated.
Hermione frowned and nodded, she and Leo following Tom. The trip was quiet, and Hermione would have preferred that she could have been swallowed up by the earth. How many more times would she have to walk down the corridors of Hogwarts with Tom Riddle? At least this time Leo was with her, but he did seem to be afraid of Tom. Then again, who wouldn't be?
They made it back to the meeting. Heads turning as they entered.
"Ah, Alice... Leo... I was worried you had gotten lost," Slughorn chuckled.
"Alice?" whispered some of the people.
"Yes, all," Slughorn continued. "This is Alice Granger. The girl found by our very own young Tom Riddle."
"So, what happened? How did you turn up in Hogwarts anyways?" one of the Slytherins asked.
"I uh-"
"Yes, Miss Granger. Please regale us with your story," Slughorn urged.
Hermione stared around nervously and tried hard to remember what she and Dumbledore had concocted. 'Harry' she told herself. 'Grindelwald.' She sighed heavily and looked around the room at the expectant faces. One in particular caught her eye. Tom.
He was staring at her through narrowed slits. She could just barely see his eyes which were strangely darker. They were no longer an olive green, but a darker color. A forest green even.
"Well, I lived with my mother and father in Belgium. We lived in the country and I was home schooled by my mother because we were under the protection of a secret spell upon our house. Somehow, Grindelwald found out and came after my parents," Hermione explained.
"Are they dead?" asked a Ravenclaw boy.
"Yes, they are," Hermione replied as she bowed her head. She looked over at Leo who gave an encouraging smile that was sort of lopsided and goofy.
In an instant, she was reminded of Ron and felt tears well in her eyes. She swallowed them back as best she could and cleared her throat. She looked up at everyone before continuing in a jerky manner.
"They died trying to fight him off. He had chased me and we scrappled. I just barely made it out of the house to Apparate. I went to the only place I knew was safe with a friendly face. Here to Hogwarts with Dumbledore who was good friends with my parents. I Apparated outside the gates and made my way up to the castle," Hermione accounted. "By this time I was really weak. I was searching for Dumbledore's office in the school when I fainted."
"And that's when I found you," Tom concluded. "Weak and barely alive on the first floor corridor." When he said that she had been weak, it was almost like he was characterizing her. In his eyes there was a dark, challenging gleam that scared her deep down.