Chapter 5

Usually, it was the teachers who noticed the absence of students from their classes. However, this time it was the students who noticed the glaring absence of Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. The last one rarely missed any lessons, much less lessons taught by Severus Snape. Despite the fact that Gryffindors and Slytherins were consumed with curiosity, the Slytherins didn't dare to ask a question. They had too much instinct of self-conservation to dare ask their gloomy professor about this fact. However, Gryffindors, at least in most cases, did not have this quality. One such Gryffindor was Harry Potter.

"Professor Snape, where is Hermione Granger?" - the boy asked the question just as the professor started talking about the use of potions in avoiding exposure to the hostile effects of memory spells. - "Since you took her to meet the new student and Headmaster Dumbledore, she hasn't returned to our common room."

The Potions Master, to his surprise, felt a strange sense of satisfaction, he knew that Miss Granger wouldn't return to the Gryffindor Common Room. What's more, she will live in the middle of a snake lair. - "Mr. Potter…" - he sighed before continuing. - "Miss Granger with her friends and Mr…" - The wizard stopped as he remembered that the aforementioned witch was now spending time with two members of one family - "...Draco Malfoy were on the Quidditch pitch. On special terms, she was granted a pass to spend the day without participating in school activities."

"Hermione?" - Ronald Weasley interrupted the conversation unasked. "On the Quidditch pitch? She can't even fly on a broom."

"If you don't stop trying to discuss this situation, I'll take your points away. If we weren't in exceptional circumstances, I would have done it now. Mr. Weasley, according to Headmaster Dumbledore, Miss Granger's abilities in this regard are more than satisfactory."

Severus Snape ignored the murmurs of the Gryffindors at his statement and went back to discussing the topic of class.

xxx

Hermione felt right at home on her broom. If she was being honest with herself, she would have to admit that she owed it to Tom Riddle. After another lap over the pitch, she decided it was time to get down to the ground. She glided down to the lawn and jumped off her broom with a smile on her face.

"Brax, I missed this." - She turned to the blonde who landed right after her. - "And you?"

"You are..." - he approached her and, taking her in his arms, kissed her on the cheek. - "…wonderful. It's only been a week for me, but I still miss you. It's not the same without you."

"Who taught you to fly?" - Draco, who had just landed, couldn't help but ask her - "You're really good."

Theodore chuckled. For the first time, he heard Draco openly complimenting Hermione. Maybe the trigger in the form of the unexpected appearance of his grandfather will result in his friend finally making a move to get closer to his dream girl. Especially now when he knows that his feelings are returned.

"The captain of the Slytherin team." - A wide smile appeared on Hermione's face. - "The training sessions under his guidance were hellish. In particular, you could only be in the team if you had all O's in your exams. How it was? You're at Hogwarts to study. The game is just an add-on. If you're not doing well in your studies, you don't deserve the game." - she giggled as she remembered Tom and Avery's discussion bout Avery's grades.

"Grandfather, who was the captain of the slytherin team?"- younger Malfoy heir asked with curiosity in his voice.

To the surprise of Hermione, Abraxas and Malfoy, it was Theo who answered the question - "Tom Marvolo Riddle. I'm beginning to think you have something to tell us. It's impossible for the girl who helped defeat Voldemort to be so positive about young Tom Riddle... Unless..."

Horrified, Hermione interrupted him - "If you're going to say it, don't say it in a place where we might be overheard." - Her voice was hard and determined. - "Some things aren't what they seems."

xxx

In his office, Albus Dumbledore wondered if he had done the right thing. Common sense told him that returning Abraxas Malfoy to his time had to be successful. After all, he had no memory of the Slytherin's mysterious disappearance. His heart told him that if he stopped Lucius's father, he could annihilate the family that had been a thorn in his side for so many years. If the price of this was the return or rather the lack of an end to Tom Riddle's reign, he might accept it.

xxx

Harry Potter stared impatiently at the clock hanging above the entrance to the study located next to the Potions classroom. He wanted the classes to end because he had to see his friend sitting on a broom with his own eyes. He tried many times to teach her how to fly. He considered this ability to fly not only as a good pastime, but also for a common skill useful to every witch and wizard.

Not only the boy regarded as the savior of the wizarding world watched the clock. Both Slytherins and Gryffindors were in agony as they waited for class to end. They were torn between finding out who the Draco Malfoy-looking boy was and seeing how Hermione Granger fared on a broomstick.

This situation started to amuse the Potions professor. Watching the torments of his students, he decided to extend the classes. Severus Snape turned to the blackboard, a wide smile on his face for a moment. The man was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from laughing out loud. If only Lucius could see him now...

xxx

He didn't know what was going on. He wondered if everything he knew about this girl was a lie or if she was just so focused on saving her friends that she forgot about herself.

"She's even more wonderful than I thought..." - Draco caught himself speaking out loud, hoping no one heard him. He miscalculated.

Hermione's cheeks flushed pink and she said with a smile, "Thank you." - before taking his grandfather's hand she started towards the castle.

xxx

Out of the corner of her eye, the Gryffindor noticed Draco rubbing his left forearm nervously. She knew what was there. Not just from testimony at trial. Not only because she had seen such a mark on Severus Snape's forearm when she happened to see him half-naked in the bathroom at Grimmauld Place 12. She was wearing the original version of that mark. She wouldn't take the current one, but that one? It had a rather noble use.

xxx

February 12, 1945

She watched as Tom put his wand to her skin. She thought for a long time whether to let him. She had a bad experience with it. It was a sign of hatred, death and violence. When she told this, the Knights were horrified at how much the sign's meaning had changed.

"Who invented the spell?" - she asked uncertainly.

Abraxas ran his fingers through his hair and smiled. - "I. I was looking for a way so that we could quickly notify each other of the danger. Then the nearest Knight could apparated to the person who needs help."

Hermione was impressed. She knew Draco was talented. Now she knew it was in his genes.

"And why is the spell in Parseltongue?" she asked, not directing the question to a specific person.

The Head Boy of Slytherin replied without hesitation. - "It's easy. To avoid overhearing and using the spell against us." - The dark-haired wizard smiled. "Done. Do you like it?"

The girl looked over her shoulder and saw a green snake moving. Fascinated, she watched as the drawing looked for its place. After a moment, it wrapped itself around her wrist, imitating a bracelet. - "Yes, Tom, I like this. Does every mark look like this?"

Nott looked very surprised. - "Of course not. It's a functional sign. It isn't intended to be used for our identification only to help in emergencies. Should we wear a mark that would act as a product logo? It's not serious."

xxx

I hope you liked this chapter as much as I did. Regards, Katie Krum