Hey guys! I know it's been a while, but I have a new chapter for y'all! I'm very satisfied with this chapter, and I hope y'all are too. Enjoy!
Hermione met Rose's eyes across the room and they shared a smile. Rose nodded to her and Hermione knew she was telling her that everything would be alright. Hermione smiled sadly and nodded back, showing her reluctant acceptance. She was just happy that they both at least had a friend in their houses. Hermione shot Theo a smile and his lips quirked into a small smile, and Hermione knew that's all she'd get. Hermione looked away and observed those in her house. She sighed. For now she'd let her worries wash away and enjoy tonight with her new classmates.
Dean nudged her with his shoulder and she turned to him with a wide smile.
Albus Dumbledore stood on his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide in greeting.
"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down and everybody clapped and cheered. Hermione and Dean shared a bewildered look.
"Is he - a bit mad?" Harry asked Percy uncertainly.
"Mad?" said Percy airily. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes." Dean snorted and Hermione elbowed him in his side. "Potatoes, Harry?"
Hermione looked down at the table, confused, and matched Harry's gasp. The recently empty dishes were now filled to the brim with food. There were all kinds of different foods; roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and even peppermint humbugs.
"Food," Dean moaned happily and started to pile his plate. Hermione mumbled something about boys and rolled her eyes before putting some food on her plate as well.
"Pass the ketchup, mate?" a brown haired boy said beside Dean.
Dean passed him the ketchup with a grin. "Here you go."
"Thanks," the boy said. Hermione and Dean both watched as he smothered his roast beef in ketchup.
"I take it you like ketchup," Dean teased lightly while smirking.
The boy looked at them with a large grin. "What gave it away?" he joked and the three laughed. "Seamus Finnigan's the name," he said.
"Dean Thomas. And this is my friend Hermione Granger."
"Hello," Hermione said softly.
"Hello, pretty lass," Seamus said with a wide smile. Hermione blushed and looked away, not quite knowing how to respond. Dean smiled, amused. "So, what's your stories?" he asked.
Dean quirked an eyebrow. "Story?"
"Yeah, your story. Your first burst of accidental magic."
"Oh," Dean said in understanding. "I sent a pack of fire ants on a bully at my school and they burned all of his clothes off before they burned him."
Seamus whistled as he looked at him with wide eyes. "Dang, mate," he said, impressed and Dean smirked. Seamus looked over Dean to Hermione. "What about you, pretty lady?" he said innocently.
Hermione blushed again and cleared her throat. "Uh, I made a sandbox explode and all the sand stuck to these three mean girls that had been making fun of me. It took them a week to get it all off."
Seamus whistled again. "I'd hate to be on your bad side," he laughed good heartedly.
Hermione smiled shyly, her blush slowly going away. "What about you?" she asked as she started to cut her bacon and steak.
"Well," he started after swallowing what was in his mouth, "nothing as big as the two of you. My first spout of magic blew up the pipes in me home. Our whole house flooded with water," he chuckled. "Mum was raging mad, but she knew it wasn't something I could have controlled." He turned to the two. "What about your family?"
"That does look good," a voice interrupted. The three looked up to see a ghost watching Harry cut up his steak,
Harry looked up in surprise. "Can't you -?"
"I haven't eaten for nearly four hundred years," interrupted the ghost. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"I know who you are!" said Ron suddenly. "My brothers told me about you - you're Nearly Headless Nick!" Hermione wrinkled her nose at his rude bluntness.
"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy -" the ghost began stiffly, but Seamus interrupted.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?" he asked curiously. Hermione groaned at his blunt question as well and mumbled something again about boys, which caused Dean to chuckled quietly and Seamus to grin.
Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed, and Hermione felt bad for him.
"Like this," he said irritably. He seized his left ear and pulled. His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge. Hermione looked away immediately. She could feel the bile rising in her throat. Remus had told her about Nearly Headless Nick and his story, but seeing it for herself was another thing. He looked immensely pleased at the stunned looks on their faces and Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck. It took all of her strength not to throw up when she heard the 'plop' of his head falling back into place. He coughed awkwardly, and said, "So - new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row!" Hermione almost groaned, knowing that would go to Rose's head. "The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable - he's the Slytherin ghost."
Most of the kids turned to look over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood. He was right next to the Malfoy boy who didn't look too pleased. Rose, who was on the other side of the ghost, was talking to him enthusiastically while the Bloody Baron just looked at her blankly.
"She scares me sometimes," Hermione whispered to Dean, who chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"How did he get covered in blood?" asked Seamus with great interest.
Dean looked at him with a smirk. "Ever hear the saying 'curiosity killed the cat'?" Seamus didn't reply, but matched Dean's smirk.
"I've never asked," said Nearly Headless Nick delicately before floating away.
"Bye to you too, mate," Seamus joked and the kids laughed. He turned back to Dean and Hermione. "Back to the topic, what about your family?"
"I'm muggleborn," Dean said. "To simply put it, dad left when I was five, mom remarried, and I have five younger siblings." Dean shrugged as if it was no big deal, but wouldn't meet anyone's eye.
Seamus smiled sympathetically before turning to Hermione, wanting to get the attention off of Dean. "What about you, love?" he asked charmingly.
Hermione coughed awkwardly. "Uh, I'm also a muggleborn. I found out about the wizarding world when I was eight. After my accidental burst of magic a friend of my family, who's a wizard, explained everything to me. He's now dating my mom, so I've been learning about the wizarding world for a few years now."
"What about your dad?" Ron asked through a mouthful of food.
Hermione looked down uncomfortably. "Uh, he died," she said quietly, pushing her food around on her plate. Those around her fell silent. Her eyes connected with Dean's understanding one's.
Dean sent her a reassuring smile and turned to Seamus. "What about you?" he asked, diverting everyone's attention to the Irish.
Seamus nodded in understanding and his wide grin came back. "I'm half-and-half," said Seamus. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mum didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."
The others laughed, but Hermione couldn't help but feel like that could have gone horribly wrong.
"What about you, Neville?" said Ron.
Hermione tuned out the rest of the conversation at that point, still pushing around the food on her plate. It's been awhile since she's thought of her father's death, and she felt both guilt and sadness crawl into her body. She tried to push the feelings away, not wanting those thoughts to cloud her mind right now.
At that moment the food disappeared off their plates and the desserts appeared. Hermione's eyes widened as she looked around at all the goodies. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate eclairs, jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding, and so much more.
As she scooped some ice cream onto her plate, Hermione turned to her left and listened as Percy raved about classes this year. She immediately perked.
"I do hope they start right away," Hermione excitedly added. Percy turned to her in surprise, "there's so much to learn. I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be very difficult一"
"You'll be starting small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing," Percy told her.
Hermione pouted a little, but her excitement didn't deter. "Well, it makes sense. You can't start beginners off with something too hard. But I am excited to get started. I just hope i'm not too behind everyone else."
Dean laughed as he turned into their conversation. "Trust me, Hermione, I don't think it's possible for you to be behind." Hermione smiled at the teasing compliment.
"Besides," Percy added, "Every first year starts off their classes knowing just as much as another. Whether you're a muggleborn or a pureblood, everything Hogwarts teaches you is new to everyone."
Hermione sighed in relief at this. Being behind all of the pureblood first years was a major worry that Hermione had had.
"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed, clapping a hand to his head. Hermione looked at him, startled.
"What is it?" asked Percy.
"N-nothing," Harry stuttered.
Hermione's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity and worry, but decided not to comment.
"Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" Harry asked Percy.
"Oh, you know Quirrell already, do you? No wonder he's looking so nervous, that's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to - everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job. Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape."
Hermione looked up at the teacher they were talking about and cringed. He was a lanky man with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow, pale skin. His black, beady eyes were cold as he stared down the teacher beside him wearing a turban on his head.
"Well, doesn't he look pleasant," Dean said sarcastically and Seamus snorted.
Everyone went back to eating their desserts and chatting animatedly to each other, getting to know their housemates. Finally the desserts disappeared too, and Dumbledore once again stood.
"Ahern - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's eyes flashed to the Weasley twins, who shot him innocent smiles. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Hermione's eyes widened at the blunt statement, wondering if he was joking or not. A few awkwardly laughed, but Hermione couldn't find the amusement in it.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore.
"Sing?" Dean groaned, hoping he wasn't serious. Hermione looked around the hall, noticing the fallen expressions, and had a feeling he was very serious.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the lyrics. She looked across the hall at Rose, who had a pained expression on her face, along with most of the students in the hall, and she laughed again.
When they had finished, Dumbledore was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
With that said everyone rose to follow their House Prefects out of the hall to their common rooms. Hermione smiled at Rose once more in the hall, which she returned before following her fellow Slytherins to their common room. Hermione sighed. She knew this was going to be hard, but it wouldn't be the first hard thing she's had to get through.
Hermione smiled as an arm wrapped around her shoulders and looked up at Dean, who grinned down at her.
"Let's go home," he said softly.
Hermione nodded, her smile growing. "Let's go home," she repeated.
Together they walked over to where Seamus was waiting for them, and all three of them trailed up the steps to their new home for the next seven years.
xxXxx
Hermione groaned and stretched as the morning light hit her eyes. She sat up and looked around groggily, forgetting for a moment where she was. When her eyes found the red walls and two other beds the events of last night hit her and she smiled. She was at Hogwarts.
She sat for a moment and just looked around, remembering how amazing it had felt walking through the castle and how beautiful the Gryffindor common room was. Knowing that Remus had once called Gryffindor his home, Hermione felt a comforting presence as she entered through the Fat Lady's portrait, as if he was here with her.
Hermione looked at the clock and saw that it was six in the morning. Breakfast started at seven and classes didn't start until eight. Hermione looked at her two roommates, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, and sighed. She didn't think they'd be close friends. They reminded her too much of Marissa and her two cronies. Not that they had been mean to her, but they were too girly, giggly, and boy crazy for her tastes.
Hermione rose from her bed and started getting ready for her first day of classes. She was beyond excited to start learning everything that she could. She practically bounced around the room, taking a quick shower and getting dressed before trying to contain her bush of hair. After a minute of trying she gave up and just let the wild curls fall around her shoulders. After checking her bag to make sure she had all that she needed she grabbed her tie and skipped out of the room. She never learned how to tie a tie, much to her annoyance, so she'd just have to ask Dean when she saw him.
Speaking of the devil, as she descended the steps to the common room, much to her surprise, her friend was sitting on the couch looking at a magazine.
"What are you doing up?" Hermione asked in surprise.
Dean turned to her with a cocky grin. "I pegged you as an early riser," he said as he stood and stuffed the magazine in his bag. "So I decided to get up and walk with you to breakfast."
Hermione smiled warmly. She couldn't believe how thoughtful he had been. "Aw, you didn't have to do that."
Dean smiled and threw an arm around her shoulders as they began to walk out. "Friends have to stick together in this big, great world," he said dramatically. "Plus, remember this when I need help with my homework."
Hermione's laugh rang through the common room as they exited to the halls, beginning their trek to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Luckily for Dean, Hermione had a great memory. They made it to the Great Hall in no time.
"Remind me to never go anywhere without you, okay?" Dean laughed as they took a seat at the Gryffindor table.
Hermione grinned as she put some eggs onto her plate. It was nice to be around someone who actually wanted her around. After having Rose as her only friend for a few years, and before that having no friends at all, it was great to be making another great friend.
"Good morning!" A chirpy voice said and both Hermione and Dean looked up in shock as Rose took a seat across from them. They continued to stare at her as she piled food onto her plate. Finally she looked up and smirked at their surprised faces. "What, no 'Good morning, Rose. How are you?'" she asked teasingly.
"Good morning, Rose!" Dean said cheerfully, getting over his shock. "How are you?"
"I am fantastic, Dean. Thank you so much for asking," Rose said just as cheerfully.
Hermione snapped out of her shock and shook her head. "You just couldn't help but break the rules on your first day, could you?" she asked as she took a bite from her bacon.
Rose shook her head and swallowed what was in her mouth. "There's no rule that says students can't sit with other Houses at meal times. I asked Kingsley before we came. It's only mandatory at the start of the year meal and the end of the year meal," she said matter-of-factly, and smirked smugly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her best friend, but was happy that she was there.
"So, how was it with the Slytherins last night?" she asked.
Rose rolled her eyes and sighed. "Annoying. They're all either really gloomy and cold or egotistical and self-centered."
Dean smirked. "So you'll fit in great," he said slyly, and ducked as she threw a roll at his head.
Rose stuck her tongue out at him before turning back to Hermione. "You'd hate Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass. They're both terribly like Marissa and her cronies; mean, nasty, and self-obsessed," she growled, ripping of a piece of her sausage with her teeth.
Hermione cringed. "You'd despise Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. They're like Marissa and her cronies, too; girly, giggly, and boy crazy."
Both girls shivered at the same time.
"Oh, did they say anything about me?" Dean asked excitedly. He was met with heated glares and shrunk away. "Bloody hell, nevermind."
Both girl smiled, satisfied.
"Oh yeah, and I already got into a fight with someone," Rose said nonchalantly.
Hermione placed her fork down and pinched her nose.
"Who?"
"Draco Malfoy,"
"Why?"
"He was being a prick."
"Language. How?"
"He was ranting about how muggleborns are disgusting and was saying all this bad stuff about Gryffindors and about Harry Potter, and I wasn't having it."
"What did you do?" Dean asked, his expression serious.
"I told him to shut up because he was a dumb little boy who didn't know what he was talking about. I told him how most muggleborns have an IQ that's bigger than his and his friends' combined. He got in my face and asked why I was defending 'such disgusting creatures' and I told him because one of my best friends is a muggleborn and that she's outstanding and smarter than he'll ever be. I then warned him that if he ever did anything to you or any of my friends I would make his world hell and destroy his will to live." She said all of this very casually and when she finished she continued to eat her food as if nothing happened.
Someone whistled behind Hermione and suddenly Seamus appeared in the seat on her left. "Who knew a snake could be so feisty," he chirped happily. He held out his hand. "Seamus Finnigan."
Rose looked surprised at his sudden appearance, but took his hand. "Rose Wriley," she responded with a warm smile.
Seamus grinned. "Feisty, nice, and warm. Slytherin or not, you're okay in my book." He turned to the other two and said. "Good morning Dean, pretty lass."
Rose quirked an eyebrow as she watched the Irish boy pile food on his plate. She then turned to Hermione with a smirk. Pretty lass?, she mouthed to her.
"Thanks for standing up for me," Hermione said loudly before Rose could comment on anything.
Rose smiled cockily, but let the subject pass. "Always."
At that moment Hermione noticed how much the Hall was starting to fill up with students and the stares Rose was getting from the Gryffindors and Slytherins.
"You always were one for attention," Hermione said, shaking her head.
Rose didn't need to look around to know what she was talking about.
"The eyes are usually attracted to the most beautiful thing in the room," she joked.
"Or it could just be the fact that you're a snake sitting with the herd of lions," one of the Weasley twins said as they sat beside her.
She rolled her eyes as she looked at them. "I have a name you know, and it's not snake."
"Oh?" said the other twin. "Well, we are truly sorry, m'lady, and what would that fair name be?"
Rose quirked an eyebrow at his dramaticism. "Rose."
Both twins smiled. "Nice to meet you," they said.
"I'm Fred," said the one who had first spoken.
"And I'm George,"
"No," Hermione immediately shook her head, drawing all the attention to herself. She blushed, but continued. "You're George," she pointed to the first one, "and you're Fred," she said pointing to the second one.
Both looked truly surprised, but Rose just smirked.
"How did you know that?" Fred asked.
Hermione turned a darker shade of red, and shrunk back a little into her seat, embarrassed. "Well, I have an eidetic memory. I remember from on the train who was who and remembered the little physicalities that one of you had but the other didn't. Like Fred has a tiny mole on his neck and George has more freckles on his nose."
The twins stared at her for a moment, making her squirm. Finally they grinned widely.
"And who, may we ask, are you little lady?" they asked together.
Rose started at them. "God, that's gotta get annoying," she muttered, and they shot her a quick smile before turning back to Hermione.
"Hermione Granger," she said more confidently.
They grinned even wider, causing Rose to cringe. "Well, welcome to Gryffindor," they said together once again. "We're assuming she's with you," they said, looking at Rose.
Hermione smiled and nodded while Rose looked at them with a challenge in her eyes.
They nodded, "Then welcome to Gryffindor," they said to Rose, who quirked her eyebrow again.
"Thanks," she said cautiously.
At that moment Harry and Ron made their way to the table, slightly out of breath.
"What happened to you two?" Dean asked them.
Harry plopped down beside Rose with Ron on his other side. "We got lost three times," Ron heaved out as he started piling his plate with a large amount of food. Hermione rolled her eyes. Honestly, it wasn't that hard to find their way to the Great Hall.
It was then that Ron noticed Rose.
"Hey, what is a Slytherin doing here?" he asked with disgust.
Rose turned to him with a defiant stare. "She has a name, and she is sitting with her best friend."
Ron looked truly confused. "What Gryffindor would be friends with a Slytherin?" he asked as if it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Hermione glared at him. "I am," she practically growled.
"Me too," Dean glared.
"Me as well, mate," Seamus added.
"Us too!" the twin exclaimed happily.
Rose looked smug as she glared at Ron.
Harry looked at Ron warily. "Come on, mate, it's not that big of a deal. She's their friend."
Ron continued to glare. "No, it's not allowed! It's against the rules for her to sit here!" he said angrily.
The twins rolled their eyes at their dramatic little brother.
Rose laughed, not at all taking the situation seriously. "Until you get me a rulebook that says such a thing, my butt will be at this table as many times as it so pleases. Until then, I highly suggest shutting your piggy mouth because obviously you don't know what you're talking about."
Everyone around them stared at her wide eyed, not expecting that. The twins snorted as she shut their brother down, agreeing with the fact that their brother was being ridiculous. Hermione just continued to eat calmly, knowing how her friend was and being used to it already.
Ron looked shocked while Harry looked down at his plate. Harry didn't agree with how Ron was acting, but didn't have the courage to speak up to his new friend either.
"Butㅡ" he started again, but was interrupted by McGonagall's arrival. Ron smirked, believing that Rose was about to get into trouble.
Rose smiled up at her teacher. "Good morning, Professor," she and Hermione said at the same time.
McGonagall nodded to them both. "Girls," she said, handing Hermione her schedule. "And how was your first night in your Houses?" she asked as she continued passing out the schedules to the other students.
"Great," Hermione smiled.
"Okay," Rose shrugged.
McGonagall nodded. "Well, I hope it gets better, Miss Wriley," she said. Rose nodded in thanks. "Oh, I almost forgot," McGonagall said, reaching into her robes and pulling out two envelopes. "Miss Granger, I have a letter here from Remus for you. He asked me to inform him of how your sorting went." Hermione beamed brightly as she took the letter. "And Miss Wriley, I also have one here from Kingsley for you." Rose smiled and took the letter.
"Thank you," they both said.
McGonagall nodded. "I shall see you both in class." And with that, she swept away to hand out the rest of the schedules.
Rose smirked at the flabbergasted expression on Ron's face as he watched her walk away. "Problem?" she asked innocently.
Ron growled before turning away and mumbling into his food.
Hermione giggled before opening her letter, smiling at the familiar handwriting.
Hello Love,
McGonagall informed your mother and I of your sorting into Gryffindor. We are so immensely proud of you. Mind you, we would have been proud wherever you were placed, but I can't lie and say a small part of me wasn't wishing for you to be put into Gryffindor. I had the best years of my life in that House, and I can only hope that you will too. Now if I know you as much as I know I do, you are probably fretting over the fact that Rose was sorted into Slytherin. I will not lie to you and say that it won't be hard because there will be people that judge your friendship and try to tear it apart. But your friendship is too strong for that. You girls are too strong for that. So just fight through it because a friendship like yours is one worth fighting for.
We wish to hear how your first day goes today, little one. Your mother is a worrying mess over here. I will admit, I slightly am too. But we know you'll be okay. We hope the kids are nice and that you've made some friends. Please try to socialize, yeah? There's a whole world outside of your books just waiting for you to explore. (But you know, keep a few books nearby too. For safe keeping).
We wish you luck, our little lioness.
We love you,
Mooney and Momma
Hermione smiled sadly as she finished reading the letter. She missed her family so much. She's never been so far away from them.
"Everything okay?" Dean whispered to her.
Hermione turned to him and nodded. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
A throat cleared and they all turned to see Theo standing behind Rose.
"Theo!" exclaimed Dean excitedly. "Big T! Snake man! Silent killer! My main mate! I thought you had forgotten all about little ol' me! What is good?!"
Theo stared at him like he was crazy and Dean laughed.
Hermione shook her head and smiled at the boy sweetly. "Good morning, Theo."
Theo's lips quirked. "Hermione," he said gently.
"Oh, I see how it is!" Dean said, throwing up his hands. "I thought we had a bond, Theo, but you can't even say 'hello' to me?!"
Theo shook his head. "Hello," he said quietly.
Dean let out a big breath of air and deflated on Hermione's side. "Good lordy, I can breathe now," he said, and laughed as Hermione tried to push him off of her.
Rose laughed and turned back to Theo. "Have you come to join me?" she asked, moving over and teasingly patting the spot next to her.
Theo raised an eyebrow, looking at the Gryffindors apprehensively, especially the ticking time bomb Ron.
"I just came to give you your schedule," he said smoothly, handing her the piece of paper.
Rose shoved the paper in her bag before patting the empty seat again. "I think you should join me." Theo looked at her warily. Rose placed a hand on her heart and gave him an innocent look. "I am a lone Slytherin in a pit of Gryffindors. Are you really going to leave me to fend for myself?" she asked, batting her eyes at him.
Theo rolled his eyes, but still looked apprehensive. He looked over his shoulder at the Slytherin table. Hermione looked over and saw Draco Malfoy glaring at them, especially Theo and Rose. It was then that Hermione realized that if he sat with them, he was sealing his fate. He'd forever be an outcast of Slytherin and forever be on Malfoy's bad side. Rose already knew what she did by sitting with us, now it was Theo's turn to decide.
Hermione stared at him, slight hope in her eyes. She liked Theo and didn't think she was ready to lose him yet.
Theo turned back around and met her eyes. Everyone watched him, waiting to see what he'd do. He stared at her, and she met his eyes head on. He stood there for a moment, seemingly trying to find something in her, before glancing at Ron. Suddenly his expression hardened before going blank again. Hermione wondered what that was about before he met her eyes again and sighed. Slowly he moved forward and cautiously sat down beside Rose.
He was as stiff as a board, but he was there and that's all that mattered to Hermione as she beamed at him. Dean whooped excitedly as Rose laughed and the twins and Seamus cheered. Theo looked extremely uncomfortable as they drew attention to him, but smiled slightly. He had to admit, the atmosphere was a lot warmer at this table than at the Slytherin table.
"Two snakes in one morning? What a great beginning to a great school year!" Fred exclaimed and they all laughed while Theo smirked. With the new additions they all began to talk and get to know each other more.
Hermione spotted Theo looking at her tie on the table and blushed in embarrassment. At his curious look she responded, "I have no idea how to tie a tie."
Theo smirked in amusement and reached for the tie. Leaning over the table he looped it around her neck and began tying it for her. She looked at him shyly as he continued, not use to a boy being so close to her. He shot her a quick smile as he finished and sat back.
"Thank you," she said, touching the perfectly tied tie.
Theo nodded and continued to eat.
Rose smirked at her and she narrowed her eyes in warning.
Rose grinned. "So, who's ready to head to class?"
xxXxx
To Hermione, classes had been amazing. There was so much more to magic than just waving a wand and saying a spell. Just like muggle school students had tons of paperwork to do and chapters to read, much to Hermione's enjoyment. They studied stars in Astronomy and worked with plants in Herbology. They learned about the history of the wizarding world in History of Magic, which was one of Hermione's favorite classes. Sure, Professor Binns was pretty boring, but what he taught was so fascinating. Rose didn't agree. History was one class that the Gryffindors had with the Slytherins and Rose was knocked out ten minutes into the class.
Hermione found her Charms class and the teacher to be interesting. Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk, something Dean and Seamus couldn't stop laughing about. At the start of their first class he took the roll call, and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight. This, of course, led both Dean and Seamus to fall into another fit of laughter.
Transfiguration, Hermione had decided, was by far her favorite class. Not only because of Professor McGonagall, who, Hermione couldn't lie, was her favorite teacher, but because the subject itself was very interesting. She loved the fact that she'd be able to turn one thing into another totally different thing with just one spell. After taking a lot of complicated notes, they were each given a match and started trying to turn it into a needle. By the end of the lesson, only Hermione had made any difference to her match, much to her happiness and excitement. Professor McGonagall showed the class how it had gone all silver and pointy and gave Hermione a rare smile. Dean and Seamus patted her on the back as she beamed proudly. She couldn't wait to write to Remus later about it!
Defense Against the Dark Arts was a complete joke to Hermione. She's never hated a class before in her life, but she was on the verge of hating that class. The classroom itself smelled strongly of garlic, which, rumor said, was to ward off a vampire he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days. Hermione was skeptical about this, but in the wizarding world anything was possible. His turban, he told them, had been given to him by an African prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, but they weren't sure they believed this story. For one thing, when Seamus Finnigan asked eagerly to hear how Quirrell had fought off the zombie, Quirrell went pink and started talking about the weather. The rest of the class droned on. His constant stuttering made it hard for them to follow along with what he was trying to teach them, and half the time it didn't seem like he knew what he was talking about. Hermione reminded herself to visit the library later to double check his facts.
Potions was their last class of the day and Hermione both loved and hated the class. She loved it because the art of potions itself was unbelievably fascinating to her. She hated it because Professor Snape was just as horrible as everyone had described him, and it didn't help that they shared the class with the Slytherins, who he favorited beyond belief. The class itself took place in the freezing dungeons, giving it a creepy air on top of all the disgusting ingredients floating around in jars around the room. When Snape started taking roll call he paused with a nasty glint in his eyes when he reached Harry's name. Hermione was appalled when Snape started to unfairly ask Harry questions that no first year would know...except for her, of course. So she raised her hand, hoping to take the attention off of Harry and show Snape that some first years did read ahead. When Snape ignored her and snapped at her to sit down it took all her might to keep Rose seated.
That was another problem in itself. Malfoy and the other Slytherins had been none too happy with Rose and Theo's friendship with the Gryffindors. They called them blood traitors because apparently hanging out with muggleborns was dirtying their perfect blood. All Rose responded with was if she hung around Malfoy he would dirty her brain with stupidity, so she'll take her chances.
The rest of the class was just a disaster. They were put into pairs and instructed to make a potion. Luckily Hermione had been put with Dean. Their potion was going great and they were ignoring Snape's boasting about Malfoy's potion when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. They had turned to see that poor Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs. Hermione wanted to jump of her seat and help him, but didn't want to risk getting hurt herself.
"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" Hermione watched with wide eyes as Snape yelled at Neville. That was no way to talk to a child! If the situation wasn't so serious, she would have laughed as she thought about how her mother probably would have slapped him for talking to a child that way.
Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose.
"Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape spat at Seamus. Dean's frown deepened at the way his new friend was spoken to. Snape then rounded on Harry and Ron, who had been working next to Neville.
"You - Potter - why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor."
Hermione, and all the other Gryffindors, thought it was so unfair! Harry opened his mouth to respond, but someone beat him to the punch.
"That's so unfair!" Rose exclaimed. She looked quite funny, standing on her stool with her hands on her hips, looking like a disapproving mother. "He had nothing to do with the accident! You can't penalize him for that!"
Snape looked absolutely shocked that a student, a Slytherin no less, was standing up to him.
"Sit down, Miss Wriley," Snape snapped.
"No," Rose said, crossing her arms defiantly. "It's wrong for you, as an adult, to yell at a child like that, no matter how much they mess up. Then to blame someone else for another's mistake? So not cool!"
Hermione looked at her best friend with wide eyes, but she couldn't help but smile. Rose was very outspoken, and you were going to hear what she had to say whether you wanted to or not, no matter who you were.
"Shut up, Wriley!" Pansy hissed from her seat.
Rose whirled on her with a hot glare. "Tell me to shut up again, I dare you," she snarled. Pansy shrunk back into her seat and Rose turned back around, satisfied.
Snape's frown deepened as he met her eyes once again. "Miss Wriley, sit down and mind your business."
"It becomes my business when a teacher treats some of my good classmates unfairly. First throwing Harry difficult questions you knew he wouldn't know. Then snapping at my best friend when she wanted to answer the questions. Then yelling at a poor boy who caused an accident, which could be expected in a group of first years who had never touched a potion before. And now you're once again targeting poor Harry who had nothing to do with that accident. You're a bully!"
"Miss Wriley, detention for a week!" Snape roared.
"It's a date!" Rose yelled right back at him. At that moment the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
"OUT!" Snape bellowed and everyone, except for Rose, rushed out of the door. Hermione, Dean, and Theo waited outside and a minute later Rose confidently strolled out of the classroom. Together the four of them headed up to the Great Hall.
"Detention on your first day of school."
"Yup,"
"That's got to be a record,"
"Uh-huh,"
"You know you just sealed your fate with him for the next seven years, right?"
"I regret nothing," Rose smirked.
xxXxx
Dear Momma and Mooney,
I was so very pleased to hear from you. I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to reply, but this week has been so crazy.
Classes are great. I love almost all of them. Transfiguration is by far my favorite. I guess like father like daughter, right Mooney? Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrell is kind of a joke. Honestly, this man has no idea what he's talking about. Almost everything he teaches us is wrong, so I have to go to the library and get the proper facts from books. Not that I mind, but it is quite frustrating having a teacher that can't teach their own subject. And then there's Potions. Professor Snape is just awful! He favors the Slytherins so much and it's so not fair! Just this week Gryffindor has lost thirty points for the smallest reasons. But sometimes it's worth it because Rose makes it a point to let him know how stupid she finds it. I'm sure by now you've heard of the incident that happened on our first day. She's been scrubbing cauldrons all week because of it, but she says it's worth it.
I know you guys have been worried about me making friends, I was too, but I've made so many! First there's Dean Thomas, a muggleborn that I had actually met in Flourish and Blotts over the summer. He was sorted into Gryffindor with me. We're almost always together. He's super funny and sweet. Momma would love him. Then there's Theodore Nott, a pureblood that Dean introduced Rose and I to on the train. He was sorted into Slytherin with Rose. Theo is really quiet, but not in a shy way. More of a 'he just prefers to watch and observe than speak and be seen' kind of way. He and Rose always sit with us at meals, which kind of made them the outcasts of Slytherin, but they don't seem to mind. Seamus Finnigan is another friend that we've made. He's in Gryffindor with Dean and I. He's...very strange to say the least. In a good way, though. I don't think there's anyone quite like him out there. And lastly there are the Weasley twins, Fred and George. They're two years ahead of us, but for some reason they like to hang around us from time to time. They're the big jokesters at Hogwarts, always playing pranks on anything that moves. Kind of like the Marauders, Mooney! Rose absolutely loves them, sometimes helping them with their pranks. Watch out for them! I'll never admit this to them, but they really are quite intelligent with the stuff they come up with. And that's it for now! I'm quite surprised that I made this many friends in one week!
Guess who I met Mooney? Harry Potter! I remember all the stories you told me of his parents and vaguely of what happened the night they died, but you didn't tell me we'd start Hogwarts the same year! He's really sweet, Mooney, though the company he keeps isn't. Ronald Weasley and I don't get along too well. He doesn't agree with my choice of friends (Rose and Theo), and I think he's jealous of how smart I am. But that sucks for him because I'm not changing any time soon, so he'll have to learn to deal with it. Anyways, they're already getting themselves into trouble. At Flying Lessons today Draco Malfoy, being the bully that he is, took Neville Longbottom's Remembrall after he got hurt. Harry, trying to get it back, flew after Malfoy on his broom, after Madam Hooch SPECIFICALLY told everyone to stay on the ground. Long story short, Malfoy threw the Remembrall, Harry caught it, and now Harry's the new Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. The first ever first year to make the team, might I add. Though I am highly impressed, I am also absolutely dumbfounded by the stupidity of these boys. Do you know how many points they could have cost their Houses?! And to top it all off, Malfoy challenged Harry to a duel tonight, and guess who stupidly agreed? Yup, Harry Potter! And Ron is supposedly his second! I tried to reason with them about how this is a bad idea, but they just brushed me off. Boys, I swear! They're going to lose all of the points I earned for Gryffindor. Slytherin can't win again this year, i'll never hear the end of it from Rose! Don't worry though, i'll stop them one way or another.
Anyways, how is everything at home? How's Calvin? I miss him terribly. I wish I could have seen him off to school. Please tell him I wish him luck and to write me soon! And tell Aunty Armelle that I love and miss her too!
I know you guys were really worried about me, but you can rest now. I'm having a great time here. Sure there were little incidents with other students here and there, but nothing I can't handle. Plus I have my friends to back me up. I'm okay, guys.
I love you,
Hermione
xxXxx
Jocelyn teared up as she read her daughter's letter out loud to Remus as they rested in bed. She put the letter to her heart and sighed in relief.
"I'm so happy she's having a good time," she said as she rested back against Remus' chest. "And that she's made so many friends, She made friends, Remus!" she said joyfully. "Oh, I can't wait to meet them all!"
Remus' chest rumbled as he chuckled. "Don't go scaring them off, love," he joked lightly, and laughed as she swatted the arm that was wrapped around her waist.
She looked up at him and noticed his far off stare. "What's wrong?" she asked gently.
Remus sighed, knowing that there was no way he'd be able to lie to her. "She met Harry...James' Harry," he said quietly. Jocelyn's eyes lit up in understanding as she finally connected the dots. "It totally slipped my mind that he'd be starting the same year as her."
Remus felt a twinge of guilt in his heart that he had totally forgotten about Harry the past years. The thought of Harry would sneak up here and there, but he always pushed them away, not wanting to recall that horrible night. He felt guilty for doing so, feeling that he was dishonoring James and Lily in the act, but it was the only thing he could do to help himself move on.
"Don't do that," Jocelyn warned, knowing the turmoil that was happening in his head. "It wasn't your fault what happened and it never will be. You fought for him, but in the end the Ministry and Dumbledore won. I'm sure he's in safe hands. Just be glad that he's at Hogwarts where our little Hermione is watching over him. Okay?"
Remus smiled down at her, thankful to have such a beautiful soul in his life. "Okay," he whispered. He took the letter from her and read it again. He didn't say anything, but he couldn't stop rereading a specific line that made his heart jump for joy. I guess like father like daughter, right Mooney? She had called him her father. He wondered if she did that on purpose or if she didn't even notice that she wrote it. Either way, his heart warmed at the thought of her thinking of him as her father. He sure looked at her as his daughter.
Jocelyn smiled and lightly kissed him on the lips before taking the letter back. "I'm so happy she's doing okay," she whispered.
Remus held her tighter to his side as he looked at the letter over her shoulder. "I knew she would," he said gently. "She's Hermione Granger. She can do anything she wants to."
xxXxx
Hermione huffed in annoyance as she watched Harry and Ron run off with what was obviously a new broom for Harry. After last night's events with her trying to stop them from going to that stupid duel, trailing after them to that stupid duel, and then realizing that the stupid duel was a set up to get the stupid boys in trouble, and then almost getting caught by Filch because stupid Ron angered stupid Peeves and lastly almost being eaten by a stupid three headed dog, Hermione was a little annoyed. Everything had just been so...stupid. And what do they get for their stupidity? A freaking stupid broom.
"It's ridiculous!" She exclaimed as she watched them exit the hall. "They break so many rules and almost get us killed, and they're rewarded!" she hissed quietly to Rose, Dean, and Theo.
Rose shook her head in both disgust and anger. "I can't believe the school has a three headed dog hiding here. What were they thinking?! Seriously, in a school full of children that could walk in on it at any moment?"
"And locked with a simple spell like 'Alohomora'," Dean scoffed in disbelief.
Theo looked thoughtful as he stared into his goblet. "You said there was a trap door under the Cerberus, right?" he asked, finally looking at her since she told them what happened. Hermione nodded, wondering what he was getting at. "Okay, then, like you said earlier, it's probably protecting something. But, to have something so big and so dangerous in a school full of children just to protect whatever is under the trap doorー"
"Means there must be something extremely important under that door," Hermione realized.
Theo nodded. "So the only question is, what's under that trap door that's so important?"
xxXxx
Hermione hated Halloween. No, that was a lie. She loved Halloween, but she hated celebrating it without her family. Halloween has always been a special night for Hermione's family. When it was just her, Jocelyn, Calvin, and Armelle, they would all decorate the Granger house weeks before with all the creepy Halloween decorations they could find. On the Halloween morning Jocelyn would make Hermione pancakes that looked like pumpkins, something she did since the day she was born. Later at night Jocelyn and Calvin would take Hermione out trick or treating all over town, while Armelle stayed behind to hand out candy. Then they'd return home and eat all of the food they had made beforehand while watching movies until Hermione fell asleep. When Remus, Rose, and Kingsley joined the family it just became a greater day to celebrate. It was Hermione's favorite holiday, but at Hogwarts, without her family and their traditions, she just wasn't looking forward to the day as much as she usually did.
Hermione stared at the plain pancakes on her plate and quietly sighed sadly to herself. She had never felt so homesick in the two months that she's been here.
"Is everything okay, love?" Seamus asked gently, noticing her forlorn expression. Hermione smiled slightly, used to his terms of endearment by now.
"Yeah," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She pushed away her plate and stood, not really wanting to look at all of the Halloween decorations in the Great Hall. "I'm going to head to class early. I'll see you guys," she said with fake cheer, and quickly made her way out of the hall before they could say anything.
Rose watched her leave with a sad expression. She knew today would be a hard day for Hermione. Don't get her wrong, she wasn't too much in the mood for Halloween this year either, but Hermione had been celebrating those traditions since the day she was born.
"What's wrong with her?" Dean asked worriedly.
Rose sighed. "Halloween was always a big holiday for us and our families. Especially hers though, because they've been celebrating it big since the day she was born. They have all these traditions that they do."
Dean nodded in understanding. "She's homesick," he clarified.
Rose nodded. "Bad."
The rest of the day dragged on for Hermione, and she never wished for Halloween to end so much before. All of her classes just droned on and as the day went on she found herself becoming more and more irritated. She just wanted to go to her room and go to sleep.
Fortunately it was time for her last class of the day; Charms. Unfortunately they had to work in pairs to practice the 'Wingardium Leviosa' spell and she was stuck with the person she disliked the most; Ron Weasley. If she wasn't in a bad mood already, she sure was now. She hadn't spoken to neither him nor Harry since the incident, and hadn't planned to either.
After Flitwick showed us how to do the spell he left us to our own devices, which is where Hermione's aggravation with the world grew. It was obvious that Ron had no idea what he was doing as he pronounced the words wrong and flung his wand around in the air like a madman. When he almost hit Hermione in the face with another failed attempt she finally snapped.
"Stop!" I snapped loudly, snatching his wand out of his hand and almost throwing down on the desk. "You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long," she explained irritably. Honestly, it wasn't that hard.
Ron glared at her. "You do it, then, if you're so clever," Ron snarled.
Hermione met his glare head on and rolled up the sleeves of her gown. Flicking her wand, she said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Their feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads.
"Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick, clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!"
No matter how horrible of a mood she was in, she could help the swell of pride and smugness that swelled inside of her at her teacher's praise and Ron's angry expression.
When the class ended she was slow in packing her things, telling Dean and Seamus to go on without her. She didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, knowing they'd want to talk about her mood. She was the last to exit the classroom, trailing behind Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville.
"It's no wonder no one can stand her," she heard Ron say to them as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, "she's a nightmare, honestly."
Hermione stopped and suddenly she couldn't see clearly. That was the last drop that broke the dam. Before she knew it tears were rolling down her cheeks at rapid pace as all of her frustration and anger that had built up that day finally broke her down. She sucked in a sob as she pushed her way through them, rushing down the hall. She heard Dean and Seamus call out to her as she ran away, but she didn't stop running. She just wanted to get away from everything and everyone.
Dean watched in horror as Hermione ran away with a stream of tears falling down her face. As she rounded the corner and ran out of site Dean's horror turned into anger and he whirled around to face the idiot red head that dared to make his friend cry, especially today. Dean walked forward until he was inches from his face and growled, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
The boys looked shocked at his tone and language, except for Seamus, who looked just as mad.
Ron snapped out of his shock and glared heatedly. "What? Did she finally notice that no one likes her?"
Dean growled and pushed him so hard that if Harry hadn't caught him he would have fell on his butt. "Are you serious?" he snarled, hot, ferocious anger building inside of him.
"Are you that dumb, mate?" Seamus asked in disgust.
"She has people who like her. She has friends, way more than you do. Besides Harry and Neville can you name anyone else who even likes you? No, you can't. And that's because you're a bloody prick who is mean and rude and no one wants to be around someone like that. Hermione has people who love her and that are true friends. Me, Seamus, Rose, Theo, Neville, your own brothers. The sooner you realize that you're just jealous of her the sooner you can move the hell on and stop being a prick that nobody likes," Dean yelled in his face, absolutely stunning him.
Dean had had it with Ron's attitude. His constant mean comments to Hermione, the sweetest girl he's ever met. His rude and hostile attitude towards Rose and Theo just because they were Slytherins. Those were his best friends that Ron was messing with, and he was done letting it happen.
Dean stepped into Ron's space again. "You are going to leave my friends alone from now on. If hear one negative thing about any of them come out of your mouth again, next time I won't be so nice to let you leave without a mark," he warned the red head in a threatening tone, Ron's eyes widened in slight fear, not used to seeing the usual cheerful boy so angry.
Seamus put a hand on the visibly shaking boy's shoulder and pulled him away. "Come on, Dean. Let's go fine Hermione, yeah?"
Dean let out a heavy breath and nodded. "Yeah," he agreed. With one last glare towards Ron he turned and started running down the hall in hopes of finding Hermione.
Oh, Hermione, he thought, where are you?
xxXxx
Rose and Theo looked around at all of the empty seats surrounding them at the Gryffindor table. They were at the Halloween feast and it was unusual that all of the Gryffindor first year boys would be missing from such a big meal.
"Where is everyone?" Rose asked worriedly. She hadn't seen Hermione since that morning and was growing worried that neither her or Dean and Seamus were there. She just hoped nothing bad had happened.
At that moment Ron, Harry, and Neville rushed in and plopped down a few seats away.
"Hey, do you guys know where Hermione and the boys are?" Rose asked them. Neither she nor Theo missed the looks they exchanged, from Harry's accusing look, to Neville's worried one, to Ron's slightly guilty one. Rose narrowed her eyes as they all shook their heads. "What happened?" Rose demanded.
"Nothing," Ron snapped.
"You're lying," Theo frowned. He knew Ron would be trouble eventually.
Just then Dean and Seamus came rushing into the Hall, looking around frantically. When it seemed that neither had found what they were looking for their faces fell in disappointment. They made their way over to the group and Theo could see Ron visibly pale as they got closer.
"We can't find Hermione anywhere," Dean growled, glaring at Ron, who didn't look up from his plate.
Rose's eyebrows shot up as she stared at Dean. "What do you mean you can't find Hermione?"
Dean continued to glare at the red head. "This idiot was a jerk to her and said no one liked her and she ran off crying. After I told him off Seamus and I went looking for her, but she's nowhere to be found."
Both Rose and Theo turned to look at Ron with the deadliest glares that they could muster.
"Nothing happened, huh?" Rose hissed, shooting out of her seat to tower over the pale boy, Theo slowly following her lead. Rose knew the deep insecurity Hermione had when it came to others liking her. All she ever wanted was to be accepted, and just when she finds a group of friends that do, Ron Weasley just had to tear her down.
"No," Dean demanded, placing his hand firmly on her shoulder. "Now is not the time. Our best friend is somewhere in this castle, an emotional wreck. She needs us right now. If you blow up right here, right now, you'll get kicked out of the Gryffindor table and get in trouble and that's the last thing Hermione needs. I already handled him. Now we have to go find her and reassure her that everything is okay and that she does have people that care."
Rose listened to what he had to say and reluctantly nodded. But this wasn't the end of this. As she left her seat to follow the boys out she leaned down and whispered in Ron's ear, "I will destroy you." Ron shivered and Rose smirked. She turned to the boys and nodded, telling them that she was ready to go.
On their way out of the hall they crossed paths with a worried looking Padma Patil, who had just entered the hall. Her eyes brightened when she saw them. "Oh, guys! I was just about to come see you. Hermione is in the girl's bathroom, crying. She locked herself in a stall so I couldn't get in to help her."
They all brightened, relieved to finally know where Hermione had been hiding out. "Thank you so much, Padma," Rose said gratefully as they started to make their way quickly out the door.
Padma nodded as she watched them leave. "Of course. I hope everything's okay!" she called after them.
Rose and the boys ran through the halls to get to the girl's bathroom. When they arrived Rose rushed in while the boys stopped short outside the door. They looked at each other awkwardly as they tried to decide whether or not to go in or leave Rose to it.
Suddenly the door swung open again and they were met with a frowning Rose. "Oh, bloody hell! Get your arses in here!" she snapped before walking away. The boys scurried in after her, both wanting to see Hermione and being scared of Rose's wrath.
As they entered the bathroom they could hear small sniffles coming from the last stall that Rose was standing in front of.
"Hermione," Rose said softly, "please let me in."
"No!" Hermione sobbed. "Please just leave me alone."
"Yeah, probably not going to happen," Theo drawled as he sat on the ground and leaned back against the stall. The others followed his lead, sitting in front of the stall.
Hermione let out another choked sob and Dean became angry again, remembering why she was crying. "Hermione, Weasley is a jerk. He's jealous of you, of your intelligence, of the friends you have. All he has is Harry. He's a jerk that shouldn't have said those horrible things and doesn't deserve your tears."
"It doesn't stop it from hurting!" Hermione sobbed. "You don't understand how hard it was being me growing up. To be the girl that nobody liked, that everyone picked on. I was the town's freak. I didn't have a single friend growing up until Rose came along, and even then I only got to see her a couple of times a week. It took me a long time to accept who I am because I always felt like I couldn't be me and have friends. When I came here and met you guys who accepted me for me I thought the impossible had finally become possible. It was surreal. I was so happy, but there was always that fear in the back of my mind that eventually it would all end and that you guys would leave me to find a better friend. I love you guys so much and I know you could do so much betterー"
"Stop," Theo demanded, and silence filled the bathroom. "Stop speaking like that Hermione Granger. You have no idea how much of a privilege it is to have a friend like you. You're such a kind person with a big heart. You accept everyone around you. You're intelligent beyond belief. If some dumb little kid can't see how great you are then he lost out on the greatest friend anyone could have. Who cares if you didn't have friends in your hometown, you have friends now. We'll never leave you for someone better because there is no one better than you." The bathroom was filled with deafening silence as Rose, Dean, and Seamus stared at Theo in shock, hardly ever hearing him speak more than a few sentences, let alone show so much emotion. Hermione's sobs had ceased, now there were just small sniffles echoing from inside the stall.
"There's no one quite like you, pretty lass," Seamus whispered quietly. "And luckily for us, we're fortunate enough to have you to brighten up our lives."
"We love you, Hermione," Rose said. "We always will."
They sat in silence as Hermione's sniffles slowly died away and they could just hear her heavy breathing. Suddenly there was a slow scuffling noise coming from inside the stall and they all quickly stood and backed up. Slowly the stall door creaked open and Hermione's tear streaked face and shaking body appeared. She looked at them all sadly before locking eyes with Rose.
"Today has been awful," Hermione said softly. Rose looked at her sadly before moving forward to embrace her in a tight hug. The boys quickly joined, surrounding the girls on all sides and making a group hug. "I love you guys. Thank you," Hermione whispered.
They stayed like that for a while before suddenly a loud BANG! rang through the bathroom. All five of them jumped in surprise as they turned towards the commotion. Their eyes widened in horror at the sight before them. Twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull, granite gray, it's great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long. It was a troll, the ugliest troll one could imagine.
The troll stopped when it spotted the frozen group of kids and started grunting lowly. No one moved, petrified of what would happen. The troll's grunting grew louder as he dumbly studied them.
"How did a troll get in the school?" Rose asked frightenedly, making sure not to move anything but her lips.
"I have no idea," Theo responded, not taking his eyes off of it.
"What do we do?" Hermione whimpered.
The troll suddenly let out an angry sound and started advancing towards them. He swung up his club and slammed it down hard onto the sinks, smashing them into little pieces. He picked up his club again, and this time pointed it towards them.
"MOVE!" Dean screamed and everyone ran in different directions with a scream of terror as the club came smashing down on the spot they had just vacated. Theo and Dean ended up near the door, Rose skidded under the remaining sinks, and Seamus and Hermione dived into an open stall. The floor cracked under the force of the club and the kids all gasped in terror.
"What do we do?!" Dean yelled, causing the troll to swerve in a circle towards him and Theo.
"Distract it!" Rose yelled, causing the troll to turn towards her this time. He raised his club again, and Rose screamed and scurried away towards the back wall before the club came crashing down and smashing the sinks she had just been hiding under. "Confuse it!"
They all got the hint and started yelling at it at the same time and throwing objects at it. The troll turned in circles, trying to figure out where to go and what to do. Rose took the chance to run towards the exit where Theo and Dean were.
"Oy, you ugly brute! Over here!" Seamus yelled at the troll in order to let Rose get through. Fortunately she was able to get to the other boys. Unfortunately that put the troll's attention towards Seamus and Hermione.
"Oh no," Hermione whispered.
The three by the door started yelling in hopes to stray the trolls attention, but their attempts failed this time. Before anyone could see it coming the troll raised his club and swung at the stalls. Seamus barely had enough time to push Hermione as hard as he could out of the stalls and near the others before the stall walls smashed and fell into pieces around him and on top of him. Before their eyes the lower half of Seamus' body was buried under concrete walls and he screamed out in pain.
"Seamus!" Hermione screamed, and tried to run to him but Rose quickly ran forward and grabbed her arm, dragging her to the rest of them. "We can't just leave him there!"
"And we're not, but we can't just run in there without a plan and get everyone, including him, killed!" Rose yelled, looking toward the obviously pained Seamus, who looked like he was trying his hardest not to cry.
It was then, as Dean watched one of his best friends suffer in pain while the troll slowly advanced on him, that Dean came up with the bravest, dumbest plan anyone could think of. With a deep breath he took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll's neck from behind. He heard the girls scream his name in fright behind him, but focused on the task at hand. When the troll took no notice of him he did the first thing that came to his mind; he shoved his wand as far as he could up the troll's nose.
Howling with pain, the troll twisted and flailed its club, with Dean clinging on for dear life; any second, the troll was going to rip him off or catch him a terrible blow with the club. Seamus laid as flat as he could on top of all the ruble to avoid being hit with the swing club.
As Hermione watched the flailing club in horror an idea popped into her head. She had no idea if it'd work, but it was better than standing there not knowing what else to do. She whipped out her wand, pointed it at the club, and screamed, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Everyone watched in shock as the club flew suddenly out of the troll's hand, rose high, high up into the air, turned slowly over, and dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner's head. The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble, bringing Dean down with it with a shout.
The room stilled in silence as they all took a moment to realize what just happened. Hermione snapped out of her stupor and rushed straight to Seamus, Theo and Rose following soon after. Dean shakily stood. He bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll's nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue.
"Ugh, that's just gross," he groaned, wiping it on the trolls back. He pocketed his wand and joined the others in trying to get the rubble off of Seamus with no success.
"Is it dead?" Seamus asked weakly, his eye fluttering.
"Don't you close those eyes, mate," Theo muttered. "And no, just knocked out."
"What were you thinking?" Hermione asked as she tried with all her might to push the heavy rubble off of him.
Seamus smiled weakly at her. "I couldn't let anything ruin that pretty face of yours," he joked.
"If you get out of this alive I'm going to ruin that little pretty face of yours."
Seamus smiled cheekily. "So you're admitting my face is pretty?" he teased. Hermione shook her head incredulously, not believing that he could joke at a time like this.
Luckily at that moment they heard the sound of loud footsteps nearing the room and Professor McGonagall came bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart. Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at all of them. Hermione had never seen her look so angry. Her lips were white and her hands were shaking.
"What were you all thinking?" McGonagall hissed. Snape finally looked at them and quickly made his way over. The kids quickly moved out of his way as he stopped in front of them and flicked his wand. Suddenly the rubble disappeared from on top of Seamus, and the boy hissed in pain. Hermione couldn't look at the sight of his mangled legs and the blood surrounding them. McGonagall conjured a floating stretcher and flicked her wand towards Seamus, causing him to slowly float in the air and onto the stretcher. Seamus let out a pained groan, not looking down in fear to see how bad the damage was.
"Quirrell, if you wouldn't mind taking Mr. Finnigan down to the Hospital Wing. Quickly," Snape drawled, not taking his cold eyes off of the remaining four children.
Quirrell quickly stood and made his way out, the stretcher floating after him.
McGonagall and Snape stared down at the shaking children who were dirty and coated in sweat.
"What happened?" McGonagall demanded.
Rose glared at them. The build up of mixed emotions from the long, awful day were starting to overflow. Her anger towards Ron, worry for Hermione, fright for all of them, and the terror from the troll was just too much for her to handle and finally, she snapped.
"What happened? What happened? I'll tell you what happened! That idiot Weasley boy was a raging arse to Hermione after the already shit day she was having and made her run here and cry in the stalls. So we came here to comfort her and lo and behold, in strolls a freaking troll! We, a bunch of eleven year old kids might I remind you, then had to fight for our lives! That boy you just floated out of here risked his life to save Hermione's! Dean had to jump on the trolls back to stop it from hurting Seamus anymore and Hermione used that floating charm to knock the troll out with its own club. And through all of this where were you?! Huh?! Because you sure as hell weren't here!" Rose screamed her heart out, tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks. This was not how her first year of Hogwarts was supposed to go. This wasn't how Halloween was supposed to be. She wished she and Hermione were home, having a normal, happy Halloween with their family. But no, instead they were here almost getting beaten by trolls.
McGonagall's expression turned shocked and sad, not having expected such a reaction from the young girl. Snape's expression didn't change, but they could tell he was a little shocked as well by the way his eyes slightly widened a little.
McGonagall studied all of them and for the first time truly noticed their appearances. They were all shaking in the aftershocks of their fear. Dust from all of the rubble covered them head to toe and they had little marks here and there. Suddenly McGonagall was no longer mad, but appalled by what they had just suffered through.
"I am sorry that you children had to experience this," she said sympathetically. "Five points each for bravely working together to defeat a full-grown mountain troll. Not many could. You are dismissed," she said softly.
The kids all looked at her in shock, not believing what they just heard, but the scurried out before either teacher could say anything else. No one spoke. Instead they ran through the halls and didn't stop until they reached the Hospital Wing. They rushed inside and looked around until they spotted their Irish friend resting peacefully on a hospital bed to their left. Both of his legs were in thick casts, but the rest of his body seemed to be fine.
"Seamus," Hermione whimpered, hurrying to his side and throwing herself onto him and hugging him tightly. Seamus grunted at the impact, but tightly returned her hug. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Seamus shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Hermione. I pushed you out of the way. And I'd do it again."
Hermione separated from him and smacked his arm. "Don't you ever do that again," she ordered, and he laughed. Her face softened. "Thank you, though."
Seamus smiled. "Anytime."
Dean came to stand on his other side. "I'm glad to see you're okay, mate," he said. He looked at his legs. "What's the verdict?" he asked.
Seamus sighed. "Shattered." They all flinched. "Yeah, luckily Madam Pomfrey gave me some Skele-Gro to grow my bones back. By tomorrow afternoon they should be as good as new, but it'll be a painful night."
Rose smiled slightly. "Well, we're glad you're okay." The others nodded in agreement and Seamus smiled.
At that moment Madam Pomfrey entered from her office and stopped when she saw them.
"I am sorry, but visiting hours are over. It is late and you children should be in your commons. Out you go," she shooed them.
They all said goodnight to Seamus before heading to the door. As the others left Hermione quickly turned and rushed back to Seamus to give him another quick hug. Before letting him go she pecked him on the cheek and whispered, "Thanks again, Shay," in his ear before scurrying out of the room. Seamus' face turned red as he watched her leave, bringing a hand up to touch his cheek and smiling contently.
Outside the Hospital Wing Hermione was met with only Theo. She looked around confused, wondering where the others had gone.
"I urged them to go to their commons," he said quietly. "I figured you might not feel like facing everyone that would still be up having the Halloween feast in your common room. Plus I wanted to show you something."
Hermione smiled sweetly at how thoughtful he had been. He was right. After the day she'd had all she wanted was some peace and quiet, and who better to get that from than Theo?
She followed him as he led her into the dungeons. She looked around curiously, wondering where he was leading her. They stopped in front of a random painting of a fruit bowl. Her eyebrows furrowed as he reached up and started tickling the pear.
"What are you doing?" she asked. Before he could answer she heard a small giggle come from the pear and watched as it squirmed around in the bowl before transforming into a green door-knob. Theo shot her a small smile as he twisted the door-knob and pulled open the painting. "Oh my," Hermione gasped at what she saw on the other side.
She was met with the sight of a high-ceilinged room with five tables identical to the ones in the Great Hall above; they are also in the exact same position. There are large quantities of pots and pans heaped around the stone walls, presumably on counter-tops or stoves, and a large brick fireplace at the other end of the hall from the door. Scurrying around the room were about a hundred little big eared and wide eyed creatures.
"Welcome to the Hogwarts Kitchen," Theo said gently.
"Oh my gosh," she said quietly, stepping into the room and taking in her surroundings. "Who are they?" she asked.
"Those are house elves," Theo stated. "They're magical creatures that are born to serve a person or family. They're immensely devoted and loyal to their Masters."
"Masters?" Hermione asked in disgust. "Are they slaves?"
"Not really," Theo said, unsure of how to explain it. "They do have to follow everything their Master says unless they are freed, but they were born to work. They enjoy it. If they don't work then eventually their magic fades away and they die," he said sadly. Hermione looked around at all the little creatures and noticed that they do look happy. It still didn't sit well with her, but for now she'd let it go. "Why don't you go sit down and I'll have one of the house elves bring us some food."
Hermione nodded and went to take a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table. She smiled at the house elves that were nearby, a gesture they all returned joyously. Theo soon joined her and sat across from her.
"I can't wait for this day to be over," Hermione said softly.
Theo looked at her sympathetically. "It will be soon. I'm sorry that today was so awful."
Hermione smiled. "Well, hopefully tomorrow will be better."
One of the house elves scurried over with a covered platter and two plates. Theo thanked him, causing the house-elf to squeal happily as he hurried away.
"Well, I didn't think your favorite holiday should end on such a low note, so…" Theo said as he took the cover off the platter to reveal a platter of pumpkin designed pancakes.
Hermione teared up when she laid eyes on them. They looked just like her Momma's. Her heart swelled with so much joy at the thoughtful gesture that she almost cried out. That's all she's wanted all day. A little piece of home. Her brown eyes met his green ones across the table and no words needed to be said for her to communicate how thankful she was. He nodded slightly, telling her that she was welcome.
Together they dug into their food, leaving the day behind them and preparing themselves for the next to come.
What did y'all think? I hope Ron pissed you off as much as he pisses me off. I love little flirty Seamus. You'll definitely be seeing more of him. I hope to get the next chapter up soon.
Please review and let me know your thoughts!
Love,
Oliviaa Rose
