Hermione headed for the nearest empty chair. This was a lot to handle in one day.
Again, had she heard correctly? Was Nicola related to Valloriey! The same Valloriey that wrote the book that was her ticket to the past?
"Wow..."Hermione mumbled as she sat.
"Oh, you shouldn't worry about Nicola. She may be a bit awful but if you just leave her alone she's harmless. And like I said her sister Valloriey is really nice. But you'll get to know them both really well in the dorm." Albus tried to sooth her nerves.
Hermione nodded and turned her head to look at Valloriey. Somewhat surprised to see that the girl had stayed in the common room when her sister left, her smile almost faltered, as she looked the girl over. While almost identical to her sister it was easy to see that she didn't hold a candle to the command and respect Nicola was given and craved.
She sat by the fire, a book on her lap, reminding Hermione of herself, as she studied intently. She never looked up, she hadn't even seemed to notice when her sister had said her name. Hermione watched her as she quickly brushed a stray hair out of her face. Valloriey, in the easiest way to say it, looked frumpy. Her skirt was a mess and looked too short with her legs sticking out in front of her. Her shirt was wrinkled and her schools robes were bunched up around her sides. Unlike her sister's, Valloriey hair was pulled into a braid that hung down her back. Bits of hair hung in her face like she had been in a rush that morning.
Hermione turned back to Albus. "She reminds me of me. She isn't very social, is she?" Albus shook his head.
"No, she's really quite friendly but once she begins a book, there's no way to interrupt her until she's completed it. Looking at the book she's reading now, I say she will be done by dinner. Maybe after dinner, if she doesn't take it with her to the Great Hall."
"Would she be angry if I went over to introduce myself?"
"I don't think she'd even register that you were standing next to her. So I would wait until after dinner." After giving Hermione a moment Albus offered her his hand. Smiling she took it and allowed herself be lead to the other end of the common room where a group of boys were waiting.
"Hermione this is Murphy Vaughnlaun." He gestured to a boy who had round thick glasses and a mop of brown hair. His face was extremely round and pudgy but the rest of him was gangling and thin. He smiled timidly.
Next to him was another boy who was unmistakably Aberforth Dumbledore. He and Albus had the same hair, the same eyes, and the same face. The only major difference was height (Albus was at least a head taller then his brother). Another difference that was important to Hermione was that Aberforth's eyes had no sparkle to them. He didn't seem happy, he was just there. Next came a blond boy named Samel Lastings. His hair was corn yellow and he had bright blue eyes. When he shook Hermione's hand she noticed how calloused it was, and that there was dirt under his fingernails.
'Must have come from Herbology.' Hermione thought as she turned to look at the last boy.
Jared Sojoker. He had a bright smile; laugh lines seemed imbedded around his mouth. Although he also seemed to be a bit jumpy, as he was always fidgeting with his hands. He had black hair and dark eyes and was easily the tallest in the group.
Hermione smiled cheerfully to each of the boys. They seemed like a nice group.
"You'll have to sit with us at dinner then..." Jared was saying.
"Right, right..." the others voiced their agreement.
Smiling again Hermione voiced her consent. "I suppose that I don't have a choice now do I?" amusement in her voice.
"You showed her the Great Hall, right Albus?" asked Samel.
Elbowing Albus in the side, Jared proved to be the joker of the group, "Or did you show her other places? Perhaps, let's say, the boys dormitory." Albus shook his head flustered at the thought, while Hermione turned a bright red.
"I did nothing of the sort." Albus mumbled after a moment still obviously embarrassed.
"Right..." Jared said causing the others to chuckle wholeheartedly.