Sisters by choice. Twins by blood.

Aquaria Sawyer.


Right when they stepped off the train, Hermione could hear Hagrid's booming voice. It brought her a sense of nostalgia, a sense of familiarity.

"First-year! This way to the boat! Come on, don't be shy! Hurry up!" A younger Hagrid shouted. While every other first-year opened their mouths in surprise, Hermione smiled fondly at her half-giant friend. He was not aware of who she was currently, but Hermione promised herself to visit Hagrid soon. Perhaps she could convince Elisabeth to join her. Noticed her sister was also smiling at Hagrid, Hermione doubted that the task would be impossible.

Hermione was pleased that Remus joined them on the boat as well. Hopefully, they would have a closer relationship here than theirs in the future. They have been good acquaintances, often talked about books and the Orders, but that was it to their association.

A short, gawky boy already occupied on the boat they headed. His skin was tanned, and his hair reached his chin, almost long as Sirius' but lack the curls. Hermione squinted her eyes, quite sure that she has seen that face somewhere before. She was to introduced herself when the boy beat her to it.

"Benjy Fenwick. Nice to meet you all!" He said, waving his hand at them.

Oh! Benjy Fenwick. Order of Phoenix. Viciously murdered in the War. Blown up to pieces by Death Eaters. Pieces of information came to her mind, filled her in on what his future was supposed to be like, and dammed Hermione if she let it happened this time around. Not on her watch! She slammed her Occlumency shield up to try and hide away her shock. She gave him a genuine smile instead.

The introduction went around comfortably for the four, especially for Remus. Hermione could hear chatters coming from other boats as well. Everything went silent suddenly when the sight of the magnificent Hogwarts castle appeared in front of them all. Hermione's face broke into a wide smile then, mixed with relief or happiness; she was not sure. The last time she saw the castle, it was full of crumbles and bodies. But now, Hogwarts was full of life, and Hermione couldn't help and admire it fully.


Exactly like her first year, Professor McGonagall lined up all the new students in front of the Great Hall, preparing for their sorting. It was strange, seeing the younger version of their Professors again. The last time Elisabeth saw them, they were each dueling multiple Death Eaters by themselves, protecting the students and Hogwarts. She vowed to help make the future a better place for them. Before she could wander in her thought, Professor McGonagall began her speech, almost identical to the one she said in her time.

As Professor McGonagall left them to wait outside the Hall, chatters rose around everywhere, mostly about the sorting they were about to go through. Somewhere in the back, she could hear James Potter prattled on about fighting a dragon for the sorting. Elisabeth could also overhear the 'ooh' and 'ahh' and even the nervous clatter, accompanied after his statement as well. Just as she heard Sirius boisterous laugh, Professor McGonagall came back.

"Settle down, please. Now, get in two lines and follow me. We shall get you all sorted in a minute."

Nervousness began to fill Elisabeth when almost every person in the Hall turned to look at them. Took a few deep breaths, she forced herself to relax and move her focus elsewhere, namely, the enchanted ceiling. She remembered clear as day how impressive she has been, looking at it for the first time. Even now, it still filled her with a sense of awe.

They gathered around as a group in front of the stool, to where the Sorting Hat promptly sat. It was a batter Hat that certainly has seen a better time. But Elisabeth knew better than to judge by its appearance. Elisabeth was quite sure that she heard a groan of disappointment somewhere, probably James Potter. Little did they knew how much knowledge the Hat must hold; she almost signed in an annoyance of whoever idiocy. It has been on many people's heads, even those who might have traveled back in time like them. Elisabeth promised herself to do more thorough research on the Sorting Hat once this ordeal was over.


"Amelia Bones." Just as the Hat reached her head,

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat yelled out immediately. Polite claps erupted around the Hall, most excited from the Hufflepuff's tables.

"Sirius Black." The Hall quieted down instantly. Everyone waited in baited breaths to see where the Black heir would go. The Slytherin, above all, observe the sorting with silent anticipation as if the Black heir could go to any other houses.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat cried out. No clap, no one made a sound for mere minutes. Finally, the Gryffindors clapped wholeheartedly, cheering their new member. Many Slytherin was shocked but quickly hid behind their cool masks. Many made a silent promise to write homes about this new development.

Hermione and Elisabeth observed everything with knowing eyes. Both were nervous about their sorting, though. The possibility of not being in their previous house was high. But as they cheered themselves with the prospect of a new chance in changing the future.

"Pandora Beaumont." A small girl with blonde hair that rival Malfoy with the demeanor that screamed Luna stepped to the stool with no hesitation. The two sisters shared a look. Mostly because their grandmére, or now mére's maiden name, was Beaumont. For this mean, Pandora and Luna were their distant cousins. A fascinating development, indeed. They nodded subtly to each other, agreeing on befriending the girl, their family. Neither was surprised when said girl sorted in Ravenclaw.


After the sorting of one Greta Catchlove, Professor McGonagall called out her name. The participants in the Great Hall watched with interest, mostly due to her unique hair. Elisabeth forced herself to calm down by taking a deep breath. Hermione squeezed her hand in comfort, and she returned the gesture. Even though it was quick, for her, it felt like forever until the Hat clouded her eyes from the Hall.

"Elisabeth Derwent...Hmm, not in the time where you are supposed to be in, aren't yer? Kind enough for a Hufflepuff, but also have enough courage to be put in Gryffindor. What to do with you, I wonder? The last time I put you in Ravenclaw, I see. You sure have the wit to be placed there again, but no, it won't be suiting."

"Why so, dear sir?" Elisabeth asked curiously.

"You, dear girl, are not desired for knowledge for their mere fascination anymore. You have a purpose for it, don't you? Very vindictive and cunning if provoked. I see great potential and opportunities for you in Slytherin."

"If you said so." Elisabeth relented. After all, it might as well provided her the chance to get an in with those future Death Eaters.

"Very well...SLYTHERIN!"

The Hall broke out in polite claps; it is an almost-hat stall, after all! The Slytherins seem more interested than others. The Derwent was not as Ancient or Noble, but they were generally a well-liked and well-respected family. Elisabeth Derwent could be a good asset for them and their house. Hermione gave her a soft smile and a small thumbs-up, a promise for a talk later in her eyes. Only the three future Marauders were surprised. Remus Lupin only widened his eyes, but he held judgment for later. The girl has been genuinely friendly so far, even declared to be his friend, and he would not just turn his back to her like that. However, James and Sirius gaped openly, question evident in their eyes. They couldn't make out how such a nice girl was sort in Slytherin!

Elisabeth focused on walking to her new house, with a cool mask adorned on her face. Inside, nervousness filled her, but she did not allow it to show. It felt like old-time when she has to wear her 'pureblood mask' to those dire tear party. She was then seated next to the Head Boy, Lucius Malfoy, with his intended, Narcissa Black, on his side. Malfoy looked at her with that haughty look on his face, merely a hint of acceptance in his eyes. She only nodded cooly and gazed back to the sorting, worried for her sister.


The Great Hall watched in curiosity as the Professor called out Hermione's name. Some because of her hair(it now adorned with silver-almost blonde streaks), or because it meant that she and Elisabeth were twins and twins were rare. What got Hermione unnerved was that Dumbledore also watched with unmasked interest. He undeniably has heard of her owning the Pheonix wand. She slammed her shield up with all the power she has.

"My, my, Hermione Granger, welcome back. Or is it Hermione Derwent now? Now, I could put you in Gryffindor again. Do you wish to follow your twin, though? I can give you that choice. You certainly have enough cunning and ambition."

"You don't seem convincing that I will suit in Slytherin?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Better than Gryffindor? No. You can fit in good enough, however. I do see greater possibilities for you in Gryffindor, though. Said choice is yours to make." The Hat said. With the answer clearly in her mind, the Hat cried.

"GRYFFINDOR!" As she removed the Hat, it quietly said in her head. "You two should come to visit me." Before she could delve on it further, the loud claps and cheer from most Gryffindors broke her thoughts.


Elisabeth quietly observed her new house. Unlike the other tables, filled with chatters and laughter; the Slytherin's only filled with polite murmurs here and there. Exactly like the last time, everyone who was sort into Slytherin was sort into Slytherin. Those included Mulciber, Wilkes, and Severus Snape, and of course, the two girls from Parkinson and Greengrass. If she looked closely, she likely could doubtlessly point out who would become a Death Eaters, and that was despair thought to have. Elisabeth promised herself she would reserve her judgment until there was no hope for them this time either. She wished dearly to converse with Severus and tell him that would be fine. Said boy was silently brooding, and she wanted not to draw more attention to herself, so she kept her quiet.


It was like no time has changed at all. The Gryffindor table was just as noisy as Hermione remembered it to be. She has half a mind to expect seeing Fred and George messing somewhere down the table. It turned out to be Fabian and Gideon Prewett instead. They, just like their future nephews, were pranksters to the core, it seemed. Hermione sympathized with Professor McGonagall. It must be tough dealing with three pranksters generation continuously. She was broke out of her musing due to Sirius' question.

"How come are you okay with your twin sorted in Slytherin, Hermione?" He asked curiously, no doubt thinking about his brother.

"Elisabeth can be extremely cunning and ambitious when she wanted to. I am not surprised. We are Derwent, after all." Hermione explained softly. The 11-years-old Sirius looked thoughtful for a mere moment but went back to eat right after.

"But Hermione...surely you know that those who sorted in Slytherin are evil?" James asked, almost surprised at her. While Hermione might have agreed once upon a time, she knew better now. They have been through so many wars because of prejudice. Even those that directed at the Slytherin was not justified anymore.

"Elisabeth is my twins, and I assure you that she is not and will not be evil, James Potter." She answered defensively. "Besides, surely you know not all Slytherin are evil, yes? My father knows your mother, said she was a pleasant lady, and she was in Slytherin, wasn't she?" She quipped almost in a bossy tone that Harry and Ron sure would recognize.

James opened his mouth as if to said something back. But gruntingly admitted that she was right and kept silent. It was Remus's turn being thoughtful. Lily looked almost adoringly at her, undoubtedly thinking about Hermione's future Professor. She granted them a small smile, proving that she was not angry.

Hermione moved her gaze to the Slytherin table, looking for her twin. It proved to be a simple task, given Elisabeth's hair. Said girl was quietly eating next to Lucius Malfoy and the future mother of Hermione's pain in her arse. Elisabeth caught her staring and turned her head to a side, questioning. Hermione gave her a smile, which she returned. Hermione could felt her old DA coin heated up soon after. She tried her best to be as discreet as she could and looked down at the DA coin. It read:

"RoR?" Hermione tentatively grasped her necklace to give her answer.

"Midnight." It appeared on the other coin.

Elisabeth nodded covertly from the other side of the Hall, never broke eye contact with her plate.


Author Note: I tried to stick to the canon as much as I could. But I love it so much, having Dorea Black as James' mother. She would make an appearance later on, and I can't wait! On another notice, I am sorry for the late update. Our wifi connection has been so unstable lately. I even had trouble attending my online classes. T^T