Chapter 4.3

They had to send bloody Dementors on the train. To a train full of magical children. It was easy to see that children hold no court in the wizarding world. First they put Harry in such a high pedestal then they condemn him for not meeting their ridiculous expectations. And now... NOW they think it wise to send bloody fucking soul sucking fairies to Hogwash!

'Language dear'

'How do I stand a chance of surviving this year with mother fucking Dementors?!" She lamented depressingly.

'Well you could always do what I did.' His voice almost like a hiss it invites her in.

'And? Please do go on, as I cannot think I would last a week in that bloody castle without dying first.'

'You're overly dramatic child.'

'Oh Please! I got that from you..'

Little alfalfa was curling tightly in her robe pocket, distressed at the turn of events. Ron had to throw a fit at her for bringing along a tiny snake to Hogwarts and Harry as usual took his side. What utter nonsense. She might have dangled the mangy rat out their window, but that was neither here nor there. The train wasn't even moving then. If ugly Scabbers can go to Hogwarts, so can Lil' Alfalfa.

The boys were grating on her nerves and she just had to get out of that compartment. Unfortunately for her, when she thought the boys would come looking for her, Dementors did instead. Still Hermione has always hated feeling helpless, and she did not need the boy who lived to come save her arse.

'So what did you do Old Man?'

'Well ask yourself this Hermione, how can a Dementor rip your soul when you have none.'

'Crikey! You want me to become an Inferi?'

'Nay child. That is counterproductive. What I meant to say, that there are… certain magic that can ensure your safety not just from Dementors, but also from what you call – ending up dead in Hogwarts.'

'Is… is that what you have?'

'Yes. But what I made was not perfect, there was no one to guide me. You however, you will flourish from the errors of my way.'

'What do you want from me?'

'First you'll need a sacrifice.'

'A… a life?'

'Yes. A life to call onto the the Olde Gods. A ritual, a life energy to encapsulate yours.'

'A-and what is that?'

'You my child, shall make your very own Horcrux.'

"Hermione! I'm so glad you're okay." Harry hugged her before entering their carriage. The boy seemed paler than usual, and the gang was hanging behind with equally distress looks.

She didn't trust her voice to quiver and just nod at her friends. His hands were locked with hers as Ginny was trying to narrate what happened to them at the train. However, her mind was floating elsewhere. Something sinister was bleeding into her, and she doesn't know if she likes it all.

"A Horcrux, my child, will help you achieve immortality"

"Not really interested in living forever..."

"But I'm not also interested in dying young. Tell me then, what is the first step?"

The warmth of pride he emanated overwhelmed her. At that moment it didn't matter if she's pursuing a sinister path, she felt all too willing to abide.

"Then come my child." He extended his hand to her. Her bright hazel eyes gaze into his. She always knew she had her father's eyes, only thing was the Granger's were blue and hers were hazel. As hazel as his own.

"Coming Father." For what else could he be. She took his hand without hesitation and followed him into twilight.

And follow she did.

"Ninna Nanna, Ninna Oh..."

And when she was inside his memory. For the first time ever, Hermione felt scared of him. But when he touched, oh so lightly her shoulders. A small pressure digging on her skin, she suddenly realize, she is just like him. And what he is, is also her. And so, there truly was nothing to be afraid of. Her smile that day looked eerily like his.

Hermione was not one to jump head first at a project. She may be too enthusiastic with her classes at Hogwarts and the added lessons from researching and experimenting with the old man, but she will never start a project without having to counter check every information she can find.

So with a renewed sense of purpose, a colour-coded jam packed schedule, a magical piece of device for time-travelling, and a cute lil' slithering friend on her left arm, she sets off for Potions.

"JESUS FUKIN' CHRIST 'MIONE! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"

"I was right behind you Harry." She rolled her eyes. He was quite jumpy today.

"No you weren't! I saw you going to Ancient Studies!" Harry hissed harshly at her. He looked deranged, what has he been up to that makes him look so worked up.

"Harry don't be a dolt! How can I go to Ancient Studies and be at Potions at the same time?" How could she? But Harry just narrowed his eyes at her. Poor boy had his heart speeding.

Inwardly Hermione was snickering. Oh she's having too much fun with the turner. One of her is taking a pop quiz in Ancient Studies, and another shall we say might be exploring a very musty and disgustingly wet part of the castle. And now her current self, is here well rested, freshly showered ready to take on whatever concoction Professor Snape has in store for them.

Thank Hecate for Magic. She was just all too glad to have acquainted herself well with the turner during summer, she would've burn out by now if she's just getting used to propelling herself hours backwards in time. If it weren't for the old man, she might've forgotten to schedule a break in between, but he was insistent to break down her day and insert a nap time or two. Self indulgence can sometimes be self care, and she wholly agrees.

Double Potions went well for a class of Gryffindor with Slytherins. Surprisingly the Professor is not as intimidating as before, it was well good that Neville seem to take Potions better too, no exploding cauldron and mixed up ingredients. Glad to see the hat saw this Neville before anyone else and placed him in the house of Godric.

When Potions was well over, their tables cleared. She set off for a well deserved break to the kitchens. She took off even before Harry, Ron and Neville could get a hold of her, not wanting to join the boys in whatever trouble they find. She can find one on her own anyway.

"And where are you off to again?"

"To the library Har…. Oh, it's you." Her smile fell. Great, when she thought she could escape this git.

"Yes, it's me!" The taller boy hissed. It seems she's the only one not growing fast enough. What were these pureblood eating that makes them grow absurdly fast.

"I thought after getting petrified last year you'd be wiser to know now not to wander around the castle. Alone." Malfoy asked with such sincerity she almost thinks he cares.

"What is it to you Malfoy? Shouldn't you be getting your pureblood head busy with something else?" She tries to turn away but the boy lingers in her presence.

"Funny thing Granger. How can you really be in Ancient Studies and Potions at once. Not to mention disappearing from the first floor's restroom… aackk Granger!" She twisted so fast on her feet that her hair whipped to his face, getting a mouthful of her curls.

"Ouch Malfoy! Stop eating my hair!"

"Well then stop shoving it down my throat! You mu-" But Draco stopped short as a wand was pointed right at his face.

"Has that pureblood brain of yours seized working? Don't be daft Draco…"

He was caught off guard that's for sure, she was small but fast, like a snitch. But he won't stop at finding out her secret. He has a secret of his own anyway.

"Really Granger. See, this pureblood brain of mine has an idea to know where everyone is in this castle. And trust me Granger, it baffles me the same as Potter as to how you're not just not in two, but three places at once." Oh his smile was condescending that's for sure, and it just kept getting bigger as she gets paler and slowly set down her wand. Ha! Secret discovered, now to uncover.

"If I make you a deal, you let me in whatever trick you're doing. And perhaps I can exchange with a trick of my own- one where I happen to know where everyone else is, including your second and third counterpart." He cockily said.

The boy was good, that's for sure. However Hermione will not eat-up whatever shit offer he has, even with such an enticing trick like that. But the boy has potential. Well Bonnie's heart is wild, let's see if this Clyde can run with it.

"You've got yourself a deal Malfoy. Let's see how you'll fare 3 hours before now." When he smirked that cocky Malfoy smirk, she had to narrow her eyes at him. Oh he is smart. He got the gist of what she's implied and that all too cocky smirk fits him well. Git.

"Draco." He stretch out his hand to shake. "I think we should call each other that at least."

"Hmmm.. I'm still calling you Malfoy." Hermione said as she accepts his hand. His pale grey eyes saw an interesting armlet, a loose bangle on her left wrist connecting to a ring on her middle finger. But most interesting was the circular trinket on the underside of her palm, a sand clock in its middle. Tricky witch has her own TimeTurner.

And in a swish of colour, the couple are off, chasing mischief and trouble on their own.

Bonnie found her Clyde.