Nothing.
After hours of searching through the Hogwarts Library, Hermione had found nothing of use against the seemingly absolute castle wards. Resting against the arm of a sofa in the Ravenclaw common room, the girl slammed the book in her lap shut with a huff of distinct agitation. A deep weariness had settled in her bones, one she hadn't felt in quite some time. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, but Hermione had forgotten what it felt like to be constantly on edge. The Ravenclaw Manor after all was well hidden from view, especially from those who wished to control them. Now though, she had slipped to far and led them straight into Dumbledore's hands. Grunting in frustration, she tossed the book across the room where it thudded against the wall and landed on the floor.
Her heart clenched as she grasped at her scalp, where her hair was already coming undone from it's tight bun. She had looked for ages already, and still she was no closer to getting them out of here then before. Harry must think I'm utterly useless, right now. She thought to herself, running a hand across her tired eyes as she slumped further against the sofa. It was navy, as was most of the upholstery, and god she hated the color navy. Staring instead at the brilliant orange gold of the crackling fire, she pursed her lips and worried them till she tasted copper. She never wanted to get Harry into danger; running away had been her idea all those years ago. Would he have been better off staying at the Dursley's, and being introduced to the Wizarding World properly? After all, the main reason they left was because of her. It was all her fault; them getting trapped here, having their wands taken. Feeling the tears welling hotly in her eyes, Hermione pulled her knees to her chest.
She couldn't stop the sobs. They came so freely now, alone in the glow of the hearth, the owl clock just above her head counting the minutes till dawn. She kept imagining Harry, having friends and learning magic. She could see his smile; it was so bright and wide. Hogwarts could've been his home...his sanctuary. But she was so selfish. Hermione could imagine her own life, alone. No one would envy her, no matter which ivy league University accepted her. She could've gone to Cambridge or to Harvard in the States. She could've been the queen of a grand Oxford library, surrounded by more books then even she'd know what to do with. But then...within those shelves she'd be standing alone, without Harry Potter at her side.
Placing the flats of her palms against her forehead, Hermione tried to stifle her cries lest she wake someone up. Already they were strangers here. It had been a long while since Hermione had been surrounded by so many people, least of all witches and Wizards. Harry was treated like a king; his scar made him famous. His story made him famous. She was treated more like a stray, something that was taken in simply because it was convenient. It was the same feeling she had living with her parents all those years ago, the feeling of being unwanted, invisible...forgotten.
To busy wallowing in her self pity, Hermione didn't notice Snuffles coming down the stairs to the boys dorm, stride in stride with a haughty orange cat. She felt Crooks come to sit on her lap, mewling softly at her. She could sense Snuffles come to lay at her feet, tail thumping rhythmically. She didn't even notice the person standing there till she felt familiar arms around her, pulling her close as Harry scooted his way so she was all but sitting in his lap.
There, in Harry's arms, she cried softly. It took a while for the grief to stem, dwindling down to choked, hiccuping sobs as the boy ran a hand up and down her back, his chin on her head as they waited for the sun to rise again.
"What's wrong, 'Mione?"
Glancing up into his green eyes, Harry was alarmed and worried. But he was still gentle, and she knew he wouldn't push her if she didn't want to tell him. Harry was like that.
"I wonder...if I don't belong here." She croaked finally, using the back of her hand to wipe at her runny nose. Her feet had fallen asleep from the weight of Snuffles on her toes, but she couldn't find it in her to move quite yet, "I wonder, if it would be best to...to go back..."
"Never." Harry insisted, squeezing her tightly, "I won't let you go back to them."
"But Harry, you could be so happy here. This is your world. These people...they know more about you then I ever could."
"Hermione, please don't say that," Harry mumbled against her scalp, pressing a kiss to it as they stared at the fire which was low and dying off, "you make me happy. It doesn't matter where I am as long as you're there."
"But Harry..."
"But nothing, Hermione," Harry seethed, "until we get to the ocean, you are my sanctuary. You belong here, and I don't mean just at Hogwarts. I mean here with me, just like we promised."
Letting the words sink in, Hermione felt her eyelids burn again as she nodded, snuggling further against the boys warm, safe chest. They often slept like this on their travels, close and ready to go at a moments notice. In the Manor, they slept together to chase away the bite of the winters chill. But here, now, they slept together to feel safe and wanted. That's how the Prefects found them the next morning, and though it was improper, no one had the heart to wake them.
"Harry? Hermione?"
The two stirred as Luna rested on the back of the sofa, looking down on them from above. She had her radish earrings on, whitish hair pulled up into an unusual, flowery style, "you both are clear of Whackspurts this morning," she commented, "a fog has lifted."
"Morning to you to, Luna," Harry grumbled, his chest vibrating under Hermione's cheek as she groaned and moved to roll over, "oh no you don't, we are going down to breakfast."
"Just five more minutes."
"C'mon," squeaking as Hermione was suddenly lifted off his chest, she was dangling over the boys shoulder like a sack of potato's. When did he get so strong?
"Harry," Hermione whined, "put me down."
"No,"
They didn't even bother getting changed. Hermione herself had fallen asleep in her school robe, just as Harry had apparently. They got a few odd looks on their way to the Great Hall; Luna Lovegood leading Harry Potter down the moving staircases, with a very irate Hermione Granger still tossed over one shoulder. By the time they actually got there, Hermione and Luna were having a conversation about the transfiguration of stones to shoes, while Harry still carried her without issue.
He finally released her to a bench far enough away from the other Ravenclaws, who were looking at them funny. Grunting as her legs met the bench, Harry immediately began to fill her a plate.
"You're acting like Molly Weasley," she complained lowly to him, furrowing her brows at the pure amount of food Harry insisted on filling her plate with, "you don't have to coddle me. I'm fine."
"You need to eat," Harry announced, "we don't leave until you eat it all."
"But Harry..."
He gave her a pointed look as she sighed wearily and picked up her fork, starting with the perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs and bacon bits. When he was satisfied that she was going to eat, Harry set about making his own plate, while Luna sat across from them with a bowl of porridge. Further down the table, girls in periwinkle blue uniforms chittered amongst themselves. Behind them, at the Slytherin table, strong, dark looking boys in cloaks ate in stoic silence amongst the snakes. One of them was looking pointedly in Hermione's direction. One of the blue clad girls was looking at Harry.
Both were oblivious to the stares.
"Harry,"
Glancing up, Cedric Diggory appeared at Harry's side of the table. Other then the fading patches of burn scars up and down the side of his face, Hermione thought him to be quite handsome.
"Hey Cedric," the black haired boy greeted, "you're out of the Hospital Wing?"
"Finally, what do you think? Wicked cool, right?" Extending his neck to show off the burns, Harry nodded in agreement as Cedric's eyes fell on Hermione, "and this is your friend. Hermione, was it?"
"Yes."
"Cedric Diggory; Hufflepuff. How's your head?"
Extending his hand, Hermione shook it wearily as the boy beamed at her. He was a bright sort; and from what Hermione knew of the four houses, Hufflepuff seemed to suit him well.
"I'm fine now, thank you."
"Brilliant, I'm glad to hear it," Cedric admitted, turning back to Harry, "I came over to see if you wanted to have a fly with me later? Say a bit before dinner? I've been in that hospital wing so long I need some airtime."
"Wicked. I'd love to. But I don't have a broomstick."
"No worries about that," Cedric waved off, "you can use one of the school Cleansweep 7's. Not the best brooms I'm afraid, but it should get you in the air. Hermione, you're welcome as well of course."
"Oh, n-no, I don't fly," Hermione stuttered quickly, "but I'd be happy to come and observe,"
"Brilliant. You could even throw some stuff for us to catch. Maybe I'll pull out some of the practice balls. Anyway I gotta get to class, but I'll see you both later?"
Bidding Cedric goodbye as he jogged off towards a few of his mates, Harry was buzzing with excitement at the idea of riding on a broom again. That excitement was quashed through as a pink haired menace practically appeared from thin air next to Luna. The girl didn't even jump, merely blinked her big stormy eyes at the new arrival.
"Wotcher, Harry, Hermione," Auror Tonks greeted, "you both look like hell."
"Language, please," Hermione chided on instinct, annoyed by the very presence of the overly zealous young trainee, "but yes, we both didn't get much sleep last night, unfortunately."
"Well buck up then, you've got classes to attend this morning."
"Classes?" Eyes widening at the idea of learning from real magical professors, Tonks nodded and pulled twin papers from her sleeve, holding them out, "it's not much, but it's enough to keep you lot busy for a while."
Accepting the paper quickly, Hermione opened it, her heart and mind racing.
Transfiguration (Year 4) - Prof. McGonagall
Charms (Year 4) - Prof. Flitwick
(Break)
Hist. of Magic (Year 1) - Prof. Binns
Herbology (Year 1) - Prof. Sprout
Potions (Year 4.) - Prof. Snape
"Harry..." turning to the boy, he didn't look half as excited as her. His face held more trepidation then excitement, but he managed a smile for her sake anyway.
"I know."
And so it went. Bidding goodbye to Luna, who was only in her 3rd year and had her own classes to attend, Tonks escorted them to their first Transfiguration class and handed each their wand. There were stares and whispers as they took the last open desks, but Professor McGonagall thankfully didn't draw attention to their appearance in her class. All the while, Hermione's mind was whirring with everything they had, and even hadn't learned in their self-taught classes back at the manor.
Transfiguration was easily her favorite class, but Charms was a close second. Both these classes they shared with fellow Ravenclaws, therefore they sat with Luna who was often by herself. Harry struggled a bit with the practicality of it all, but she was glad to see him open up more after their break. Potions was a right mess though from the minute they stepped through the door. This was the only class they apparently shared with Gryffindor and Slytherin as the regular Ravenclaw classes were full up, and both Hermione and Harry could feel the burning tension in the room.
"Well, well..." Professor Snape, the greasy haired potions master, sneered, "our own, new, celebrities. Finally come to join the real world, Potter? Granger?"
Hermione glanced at Harry wearily, as he merely blinked and frowned at the man's unsubtle hatred of them both. Whispers sprouted up against Harry's name, and he knew by dinner the while school would know he was here. Thankfully Neville shared this class with them, and allowed them both to share his cauldron in the back corner so the pair didn't have to deal with the staring and whispers.
"Don't take it personally," Neville mumbled to Harry as they sat beside the boy, "Snape doesn't like anyone outside of Slytherin House."
And their attentions turned to the lesson at hand. Being the last of their short day, Harry was fully uninterested in the intricacies of potion making. Neville was interested, but simply not very good at it. And Hermione simply followed the instructions given by Professor Snape, creating a perfect light memory draught which made the man sneer as he came to have a look.
"Tonight's assignment," Snape announced before the final bell, causing the class of Gryffindors and Slytherins to groan, "six inches on the Polyjuice Potion. Page 567 in your textbooks. No outside material is to be used for this research."
Not having books of their own, Neville slid his own book over to share as Hermione glanced at the potion in question and her brain illuminated. Polyjuice Potion...essence of another human being...change for a short amount of time.
"Bloody hell," Hermione whispered under her breath, causing both boys to snap their eyes to her in wonder. After all, Hermione Granger didn't swear...at least, not without reason. Before she could explain herself though, the class was dismissed and Tonks came to collect their wands again. Harry tried to get her to speak on what her exclamation in potions was about, but she said nothing, far to busy thinking about the usefulness of becoming someone else for a while.
She may have just figured out how to get past the Hogwarts wards.
