Hermione found herself standing in front of the Archbishop of the Church, her hands pressed firmly at her sides. She was unsure of how to proceed from here. The woman standing in front of her was an enigma, a complete mystery to her. Although regal and seemingly very gentle, Hermione had a unsavory feeling welling up in the pit of her stomach. She knew nothing of this Church or this religion. She had absolutely no idea what to expect. Thoughts of witch trials and religious persecution filled her head.
After she had been pulled from the lake, and she had rambled about her situation, she had immediately been taking up to the Monastery.
"My Child." Lady Rhea spoke. "I see that you are greatly troubled." She did not smile, not really, but Hermione could sense that same charisma that she often felt when hearing Dumbledore speak. "As am I. Lady Edelgard is a valued member of our school, and I am deeply troubled by this development."
She turned to the green haired man standing next to her. "Has her House head been notified?"
"Yes, Professor Byleth is on his way."
She nodded, and then turned back to her. "There have been many strange things afoot in recent months, Lady Granger." She said. "This is troubling indeed, but I sense no malice from you. As you came straight to me and reported that you are not Edelgard, I see no reason to hold you accountable for her disappearance."
Hermione let out a sigh of relief.
"However." Rhea continued. "We must take certain precautions regardless. Until we understand exactly what has transpired here, you will be under watch closely. Many strange things have been afoot here, and I'm sure that you are anxious about your situation. However I assure you that if you cooperate with us no harm will come to you."
She spoke regally and clearly. Hermione felt a little intimidated by her manner of speech. She was not Dumbledore. Beneath that exalted exterior lay something quite different. What that was, she could not say.
"Thank you." Hermione said cordially, unsure of how to address the Archbishop. "Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated."
A noise came from behind her. Rhea's head tilted upward.
"Ah, Professor." She said.
Hermione turned to face the new arrival. Considering the conversation they had just had about the Monastery and the Academy, she knew that she would be escorted to her quarters by her head of house.
Her head of House was not she expected.
"Yes?"
The young man stood besides Hermione stoically. She stared at him, taking in his youthful features and blank expression. This was… Professor Byleth?
"Have you been briefed on the situation?"
"I have." He said. His eyes flickered towards Hermione. She shirked back somewhat. "You are not Edelgard." He said flatly. His eyes ran up and down her body, taking in her stance, her posture, the way she held her hands. Hermione felt almost like she was being looked through completely.
"It is obvious just by looking at her that this is not Edelgard." Byleth said, turning away from her. "What happened?"
"We do not know." Rhea said gravely. "And until we do we have lost a valuable asset."
"This could cause an international incident-"
"I'm aware." Rhea said. "News of this must not leave the Monastery. I would suggest that perhaps that the students should not be made aware either-"
"Perhaps the other Houses." Byleth said. "But I think the Black Eagles would very quickly realize that something is wrong with their Head of House. If we were to keep it a secret from them they may come to the incorrect conclusion."
Rhea nodded. "A wise assessment." She said. "I will leave it to you to decide who can be trusted with this information. I suspect that you have much to consider, with your Head of House out of commission."
"As you will."
He turned his head towards Hermione, and she felt herself taken aback as he spoke to her. "Please follow me." He said. "We have much to discuss about your stay here."
"Yes sir." She said formally, folding her hands in front of her. He stared at her for a moment longer. She had the distinct impression that Edelgard, whoever she was, would have said or done something differently. They must have had wildly different personalities.
She followed behind him, out of the Hall where they had met Rhea to the outside area.
"This is the Garreg Mach Monastery." Byleth explained to her, waving his arms absently around the area. "It is the Headquarters of the Church of Seiros. It also serves as an Officer's Academy."
"Officer's Academy?" She repeated, bemused. "Like… a military school?"
"Yes." He said. "You- that is to say, Edelgard- is the student head of her House, the Black Eagles. She is also the heir apparent to the Adrestian Empire, the country that that house is tied to."
He frowned at her. "Are you following along with me so far?"
Hermione instantly found the discomfort of the situation make way to excitement. "Yes, of course!" She said. "Tell me more… about the Empire, the Monastery, the Academy… what do you typically learn here? Did you say the houses are divided by country? What is the history of these countries? What-" he was staring at her.
She stopped herself, shaking her head, bright red. "Um, perhaps some light reading will do." She murmured. Byleth nodded.
"We have a library." He said. "I will arrange for you to spend a significant amount of time there tomorrow, if you wish. But I must ask that you introduce yourself to your House and explain your situation. Edelgard is a beloved member of the House and her lose will worry her classmates. I must ask you to support them."
He paused.
"Particularly Bernadetta." He said, a little grudgingly. "I must say I'm concerned she may not come to Class without Edelgard…"
"Of course." She said quickly. "I'll do whatever you want. Thank you."
They came to a large, wide door.
"This is Edelgard's room." Byleth told her. "Please wait here for me until I return in the morning. I will send food to you, please give me a chance to explain your situation to the others before they meet you."
"O-of course." She stammered. "Um, she doesn't have roomates her anything, does she?"
"She stays here alone." He told her. "Please feel free to relax."
He turned and walked off into the night. Hermione watched him go, a little troubled. He was so young for a Professor. She turned to the room and stepped inside.
She took in the surroundings, somewhat impressed. Edelgard seemed to have the freedom to decorate her room however she liked, and it resulted in a grand sort of elegance.
An Imperial Princess… the thought worried her. She understood what Byleth meant when he suggested that Edelgard's disappearance would lead to a political issue. What would her parents think?
She let her curiosity get the better of her and perused Edelgard's things. She stepped up to the desk and her eyes fell on a small sketch of what seemed to be Professor Byleth. Her lips twitched upwards as her eyes fell on Edelgard's personal mirror.
She had expected Edelgard to be attractive. She had not expected her to be the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Long, flowing silver hair fell down her shoulders. Her eyes were a striking violet, and her face was perfectly shaped. She was smaller and thinner than Hermione was as well.
Hermione could not tear her eyes away from her new body. She, like most girls, had at one point fancied herself a Princess. Even in her wildest fancies she had never thought she could look like this. Edelgard was the sort of beautiful she wished she could be. Then maybe Ron would-
She drove the thought out of her mind, her mind drifting off to Fluer Delacour. Edelgard somewhat resembled her, but lacked that magical allure that made men love her and women despise her. Edelgard seemed to be a perfectly ordinary person.
Hermione found herself wondering what she was like. She knew that Edelgard was nothing like her. How could she be, being an Imperial Princess that looked like this? She had been told that Edelgard was beloved by her Housemates. Were they her servants?
Time would tell. She thought to herself as she turned to the bed. What this situation would bring for her.
…
Edelgard found herself sitting up in the Headmaster's office, conversing politely with Dumbledore. He had sent for Hermione's head of house, Professor McGonagall to arrange plans her treatment. She appreciated the notion, although she was already growing agitated. She could not afford to be away from the Monastery for any extended length of time. She hoped that Hubert would be able to handle most situations without her direct involvement. If what Dumbledore assured her was true, Hermione Granger was a very reliable young lady and would do what she was told. Edelgard hoped it was true.
Hermione, as it turned out, was somewhat younger than her, and a commoner attended a prestigious magical school. Edelgard had been impressed to hear that she was the top of her class and all around a bright student. It was not an Officer's Academy, Dumbledore had explained to her, but a general education school to teach magic. The magic taught in this school was very different than their own. It seemed to have more utility than the magic taught back home. Edelgard was already thinking of the potential military uses for conjuring up an unlimited supply of fresh water or food for troops when a knock came at the door.
In stepped Professor McGonagall, followed by two younger boys. Edelgard's eyes fell on them, unsmiling, and they stared back at her, seemingly somewhat put off by her. She wondered who they were.
"Edelgard, this is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." Dumbledore said, smiling. "These are Hermione's closest friends."
"Ah, I see." Edelgard said, noting that they were both boys. She wondered whether Hermione had a Dorothea type disposition when it came to dealing with men. "A pleasure to meet you both." She nodded. "Which one of you is which?"
They seemed somewhat taken aback by this. Edelgard understood why completely. It must been extremely odd to see their good friend speak to them this way.
"I'm Harry." The black haired boy said. "And this is Ron."
She looked at them both, committing their names to memory, and nodded. "I see." She said. "A pleasure." She was not taken with either of them, at least at first sight. They seemed gangly and awkward. Perhaps it was because they were so young, still children, but she wondered whether it was due to their upbringing. The red headed boy, Ron Weasley, was rather shabbily dressed. Harry's clothes were much nicer.
"Edelgard." Dumbledore said. "While we're trying to resolve this situation, you will be free to use this castle and its facilities at your leisure. Ron and Harry have already agreed to look after you during your stay with us. We hope that you find your visit to be satisfactory."
She nodded. "I hope that what we will resolve this situation quickly." She said. "I feel I must remind you that it is imperative that I return as quickly as possible."
Dumbledore nodded. "I understand your concerns." He said. "This is a very unnerving situation for you, I'm sure. I must say that I think you're handling the situation remarkably well, all things considering."
"Hm." She said. "You have been nothing but kind to me Headmaster. The situation could have ended a lot worse for me. Truth be told I'm mostly concerned about Miss Granger… my situation is very delicate. I suspect that a stranger inhabiting in my body could lead to disaster."
"I understand." Dumbledore said quickly. "We will do what we can."
"Thank you." Edelgard said quietly, as she slowly rose to her feet. "Shall we go?"
…
A/N
I was really pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest this story got! Especially after my Disney X Final Fantasy thing sort of flopped. Thank you all so much for the support!