She was running through a field of corpses trying to escape a bunch of death eaters when she tripped and fell. Bellatrix Lestrange's laughter rang through the air and Ron's lifeless face came into her view.

"Ron" Hermione screamed.

"Maya" a voice called. "Maya wake up" Hermione snapped her eyes open to find Madam Whittaker's face hovering above her. She threw of the damp quilt and sat up wiping the sweat of her forehead. It had seemed so real like she was back in her own time but it had just been a nightmare. "Bad dream" the woman said patting her on her back and she nodded. "Get ready, you have 30 minutes left" she got out of bed and headed towards the Ravenclaw bathroom. A few girls stared at her but they didn't say anything. She ignored them and carried on as normal. Back at the hospital wing she pulled out her uniform and got dressed. She ran the comb through her hair a few times trying to make it look as neat as possible and then she picked up her bag. She had packed the bag yesterday with fresh parchment, ink pots and quills. Before she left Madam Whittaker ran out and engulfed her in a hug. It terribly reminded her of Mrs Weasly and she almost felt tears forming in her eyes. "I'll hardly ever see you again" Madam Whittaker said releasing her.

"I'll come back later"

"You have a good day"

"You too" she said cheerfully and stepped out making her way towards the great hall. She could hear the sounds of students talking and she stood in front of the great Oak door feeling nervous.

"What do we have here" a loud voice suddenly said and Hermione turned to find Slughorn making his way towards her. "First day, no need to be scared Maya" Slughorn pushed the door and held it open for her. She stepped into the great hall to find it almost identical to the great hall of her time. The room full of people became quieter as they stared at her. They started to whisper and then talk loudly as Slughorn led her to the staff table. "Armando should be here soon, just wait here"

She didn't recognise anyone on the staff table expect Dumbledore and he was gazing at her intensely. She immediately looked away, he was obviously trying to enter her mind and the less eye contact the better. She could block undeveloped Tom with her basic skills but Dumbledore was too advanced for her to handle. Dippet arrived a minutes later and silenced the great hall with a wave of his hand. He reminded the students of a few key rules and made other announcements until he turned towards her. He gestured for Hermione to come and stand next to him and she moved nearer.

"I would like to introduce a new transfer student from America. Her name is Maya Granger, she is a seventh year and she has been sorted in Ravenclaw. I hope you will all make her feel welcome." Dippet then pointed towards the Ravenclaw table and whispered to her that she should go and sit there. Feeling nearly everybody's eyes on her she sat at the unoccupied edge of the table. "A round of applause for your new member of the house" The Ravenclaw table clapped a few times but they didn't really seem too happy. "Have a good day everyone and keep up the hard work" he said sitting down at the staff table.

Food started to appear and everyone started to eat. Hermione picked up a toast and stared at it feeling uncomfortable. Everyone on the table was looking at her strangely and whispering to each other. She looked away towards the other house tables. The Gryffindor's were chatting away and not to bothered about staring at her. Those that caught her eye gave her a friendly smile and she smiled back. The Hufflepuff's were the same but when they caught her eye they immediately looked away like they didn't trust her. She finally looked towards the Slytherin table. Most of them seemed uninterested but a few were looking at her curiously. A particular group of people in the middle of the table stood out. They were all kind of huddled together trying to listen to a person in the middle with long blond hair tied in a pony tail. Hermione had no doubt that it was Draco Malfoy's grandfather Abraxas Malfoy and from the looks of it he appeared to be the leader of the group.

She scanned the table for Tom and after a while she found him. He was sitting alone right at the end of the table with his face buried in a book. One of his hands held a glass of orange juice and he occasionally took a sip as he turned a page. She chewed on her toast as she continued to stare at him. Something about what she was seeing didn't seem right. Shouldn't Tom be sitting with his bunch of death eater friends and why was that blond aristocrat looking like the group leader instead of him. It could be that he liked being alone most of the time and he had ordered them not to talk to him. Maybe he didn't want their associations to known to the whole school, after all Dumbledore was supposed to be keeping a close eye on him. He put the book away and started to eat a bowl of cornflakes. Milk dribbled down the corner of his mouth and he reached for a napkin. Why couldn't he just wipe his mouth with the back of his hand like everyone else? Other people on the Slytherin table were using the back of their hands to wipe away crumbs and splatters. Abraxas Malfoy, the high society pureblood was even talking with his mouth full so why did he still feel the need to follow strict rules of table manners. Still staring at him she reached for her glass of orange juice only to knock it over by accident.

"Don't worry I got it" a girl said moping up the spill with a wave of her wand. "By the way I'm Susan Brewer" the girl said moving closer.

"Her—ahem, Maya Granger" she said hoping the girl hadn't noticed her slip up.

"So glad to finally have someone normal join the house, I never thought the day would arrive"

"What do you mean normal?"

"You know the kind that thinks theirs more to life than just studying"

"What makes you think I'm that kind?" How could the girl assume she was that type by just looking at her?

"Well for starters, you were staring at Tom Riddle for like the whole time you've been sitting here and that proves your normal" What was wrong with this girl? How on earth did that prove she was normal and it wasn't good that she had noticed her staring at Tom.

"What----I wasn't looking-- -"

"Look I'm not accusing you of anything. Come on Maya we're girls for Merlin's sake, its only natural to stare at a good looking guy"

"I guess" she said uncertainly, not sure what the girl was trying to prove.

"You know everyone in this house is all study and no life. They don't even bother looking at a boy, let alone talk about one." Hermione just smiled in response. Susan's definition of normal really didn't apply to her. She hadn't been staring at Tom because she thought he was drop dead gorgeous. She had only been observing her potential victim. "Its not like I don't have a brain, otherwise I wouldn't even be in this house. But just because your intelligent doesn't mean you can't have a life. The girls in this house won't even talk to me and I have to spend 90% of my time with them"

"Well I don't think they really like me" she said looking at the expressions of the other Ravenclaw students.

"There all like that. They don't like to talk unless it's relevant and believe me they will bore you to death. But you don't have to worry if you stick with me. What do you say, friends?"

"Friends" she said feeling glad that she had at least someone to talk to even if they were starting to sound like Parvati.

"The Gryffindor's are quite friendly and I know a few people that I'll introduce you to later. Now that we're friends lets get down to the fun stuff"

"Fun stuff" she repeated confused.

"You know gossip, boy talk and all that" This girl was seriously starting to sound more and more like Parvati with each second.

"Sure" She poured herself another glass of orange juice and waited for her new friend to go on.

"Okay let's start with Tom Riddle. I know his nice but there are a few things you should know about him" Susan whispered.

"Like what" she leaned in closer.

"His a Slytherin and while they all act civil they aren't very friendly. Things can turn ugly if you get on their bad side or if they decide to pick on you. See that boy with long blond hair, his Abraxas Malfoy. His group are the worst known bullies ever but they always manage to escape the professors. Tom's head boy so his always on his best behaviour but there are rumours about him being not so very nice and there was that whole thing about a girl being killed in our fifth year"

"Killed" Hermione said trying to appear shocked. Of course she knew all about the Basilisk and myrtle ending up dead.

"Someone else was charged but people are still scared of Tom. All I'm saying is if you want to get further involved with him you should be careful, not that you'd have much luck"

"Why would you say that?" she unconsciously touched her hair. Susan made a face and rolled her eyes.

"I'm not saying you ugly Maya, its just Tom never hangs around with girls or anyone at all. Everyone knows his the only guy that has never had a girlfriend before and it's not like no one wanted him. The most gorgeous girls have tried and he just ignores them or politely declines their offer."

"Oh" she sipped her Orange juice. Well Dumbledore did say Tom was incapable of love so it shouldn't be to surprising to know he had never had a girlfriend or a friend in his life.

"Some people say he might be you know, queer" Susan whispered.

"You think" she said trying to mimic the gossip girly tone of lavender. She already knew the answer. Voldemort loved no one but only himself.

"Not really, I haven't seen him pay any extra attention to guys lately."

"Oh"

"But I'm all for it if your gonna try something"

"I think I should just concentrate on studying" She didn't want to make Susan think she was really interested in Tom. It would complicate things when he ended up dead and she didn't need anyone pointing fingers at her.

"I've put you off haven't I? Shouldn't have told you all those things"

"No it's just, I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now" she took another sip of juice.

"How can you not want him?" Susan said staring at Tom dreamily. Hermione could think of several reasons like murderer and psychopathic future dark lord but of course Susan didn't know that. "Hey Maya have you noticed his fingers. Look at how long they are and you know what that means" Susan winked at her.

"What" she started to empty her glass of juice. Susan brought her mouth close to Hermione's ear.

"Just imagine those long fingers penetrating you deep inside" She whispered seductively. Hermione immediately threw up the juice back into her glass and started to cough loudly.

"You okay" Susan said patting her on her back. What was wrong with this girl? Why did she have to say things like that?

"I'm fine" she said wiping her mouth. Her eyes wandered to the Slytherin table and she found Tom staring at her intently. She accidentally let go of the glass and it shattered to pieces and everyone turned to look at her. She quickly took out her wand and repaired it.

"I made your hands go weak, didn't I" Susan smiled at her. "Sorry I know it's too early to say stuff like that" Hermione smiled back weakly hoping the girl would never say things like that again. Even Parvati and Lavender had a certain level they didn't cross but this girl seemed to break all boundaries. "Maya his looking at you" Hermione briefly looked up to find him still staring at her. "This is great, Tom never stares at a girl like that." She hoped to God he didn't know what they had been talking about. Susan had been whispering so there's no way he could have heard. She must have caught his attention after shattering the glass but did he still have to carry on looking at her like that. "You know I think you might have a chance" Susan said excitedly. "Do you realise how big this is. No girl in the history of Hogwarts has received so much attention from Tom before. I can't wait to tell all the girls"

"No it's really no big deal" Great now Susan was going to let the whole of Hogwarts know about it.

"It is a big deal, you just don't understand" Susan was almost jumping up and down in her seat from excitement. Wonder what Susan would do if she knew about the roses he had given her last night? She would probably die from excitement. Suddenly an owl landed in front of her carrying an envelop with Maya written on it. Hermione tore the envelop open to find her timetable inside.

"We're in most of the classes together" Susan said peering at it. "Merlin, your in advanced level for all your subjects and Tom's the only other person just like that. Everyone has at least has one subject below advanced. You must be really intelligent"

"Not really, I make mistakes" she said thinking back to the disastrous healing attempt back at the hospital wing.

"We have double potions with Slytherin's" Susan said standing up. "Lets get moving or we'll be late" They both headed down towards the potions class room. "Professor Slughorn's very nice and if you impress him he'll invite you to his slug club"

"I met him earlier and his already invited me"

"Really, Tom's apart of the club too and that will give you a lot of opportunities to get close to him" Hermione did want to get really close to him but not for the reasons Susan was thinking of.

"I don't really care about getting close to him"

"Yeah right"

"He just caught my eye, there's nothing more to it" She said tying to sound serious but Susan's smile told her she didn't believe a word Hermione was saying.

Just in case some people didn't understand, back in the days the word queer meant gay (homosexual) and strangely gay meant happy or something like that. I wonder how a word that meant happy ended up to mean homosexual in this time? Now I have a medical immunolgy exam next week so I might not be able to update fast enough but maybe if I get enough reviews. I serioulsy need to revise or I'm going to kill all my patients.