Granted, it was early, but Hermione still needed to get her school books. In the back of her mind there was a small problem arising. Who was she going to sit with? There was always the boys but...she thought she should be meeting new people. They were literally the only people she knew at Hogwarts as of this moment. She could skip breakfast... for a day. Her stomach rumbled slightly. The morning was cold and dense with a thick white fog. She stopped for a moment and gazed at the grounds that were so familiar to her. She recalled many mornings such as this one.
Hermione made way her way to the library at a normal pace, not too fast but not taking her time either. For some reason she expected see a different librarian but no it was the same Madame Pince, with slightly longer, more colored hair. She was about to greet her pleasantly for Hermione had come to somewhat of friends wit Madame Pince because of all the time she spent in the library but stopped, realizing her mistake. Madame Pince had yet to meet her so it was rather shocking as you can imagine when an annoyed voice came from somewhere near by.
"Would you be an Emily Chanlier?" Madam Pince said the name as if reading from a list of many, which, as she glanced up, Hermione saw that she actually was. The books were collected in short order and as she pushed the door open Madame Pince reminded her that the books were only temporary and that she would have to soon buy her own. Hermione nodded and left. Well, at least it seemed like short order. Apparently, she discovered after glancing at a large maple grandfather clock that she had taken nearly an hour. She started walking down the hall quickly, at a loss of what to do for the moment. No breakfast. Already got the books. It would suffice to say that her attention was turned else where. She almost ran straight into the people that she had been secretly avoiding.
"So what classes do you have for this week?" asked Remus. The three boys looked over her shoulder at her schedule.
Monday
Transfiguration
Charms
Potions
Defense Against The Dark Arts
Tuesday
History of Magic
Potions (double)
Transfiguration
Wednesday
Charms
Defense Against The Dark Arts
LUNCH
Transfiguration
History of Magic
Thursday
Charms (double)
LUNCH
Free Period
History of Magic
Friday
No school due to wizarding holiday
Her first class was transfiguration which she had with Sirius, next was charms which she had with everyone, then she had Potions with Remus. Last she had Defense Against Dark Arts with James. She had a feeling that Dumbledore had something to do with it but it was only a suspicion.
"Class, today we are going to learn how to transfigure a cloak into a dagger." A much younger but not much different McGonagall explained. Sirius sat beside her listening on with interest. It really was an interesting lesson considering the precise wand movements involved. Hermione didn't exactly have it mastered but she had a pretty good idea of what to do. Her homework was to practice and write and essay which would be quite simple. The rest of the class groaned slightly at the required length but she was ready. Sirius was actually very good at this spell and almost mastered it. She didn't pay as much attention as she probably should have but... it was fun and she still managed to get all the notes. Charms. A single word couldn't describe how much she enjoyed that class. Charms was one of her least favorite subjects but being surrounded by everyone in such good cheer made it one of the best lessons she'd had for a while. Hermione was reluctant to admit it but it was a nice feeling, knowing that for the moment there was no constantly lurking threat, no Voldemort, no fights between Harry and Ron, and no prophetic dreams of death and injury from Harry that set her on edge and made her fear for his life every time. Harry was an exceptional person and so was Ron, they're her best friends but it was just so nice. In the back of her mind she knew that Voldemort was out there and a few years James Potter would be dead, in about 16 years Sirius Black would be dead, and Remus Lupin would be an underfed were-wolf with no job, no matter how brilliant his mind. All these thoughts, these facts that were to happen were in the deepest darkest corner of her mind. She was content knowing that for a time they were happy. All three were such good friends and she was welcomed into the group so easily. Charms was a relatively simple class so she didn't have much of a problem adapting although it was NEWT year the teachers were really cracking down. In a few days, she guessed, it would be a lot worse then OWLS. Hermione could not recall one Charms lesson that provided so much enjoyment. She really did put her best effort into her work though.
Some of the spells that they were learning this year Hermione had learned one year earlier, reminding her once again of the colossal time difference. As she walked towards her potions class, she vaguely wondered who her teacher would be. She sat down at an empty double table with a cauldron already set up in the middle. As she stared idly at the round edge of the pot, Remus sat down next to her. She didn't notice. He politely tapped her on her shoulder. Her head turned and she found a smiling Lupin sitting next to her.
"Oh, hey Remus. What are we doing in this class today?" the teacher walked into the class as she finished her sentence. Remus just simply pointed at him. He began writing instructions on the board. It read:
Partner up and make a N.E.W.T. level potion
Once you choose one, come up to me for clearance
and then begin your brewing.
The teacher turned around and she almost had to do a double take. It was Slughorn. She got over it pretty quickly, and turned to Remus.
"What would you like to do? We have a little over a month so our options are wide."
"Well let's find a book and maybe we'll be "inspired"." They went over to a large miss-shapen bookcase. Remus picked out a particularly thick book and they went back to their table. Remus was idly flipping through the pages when he came to the Polyjuice potion. Hermione agreed and they went to the store cupboard. They began the potion and left together to dinner.
"Well today went by fast, maybe considering it was my first day here though." Hermione began a small conversation with Remus as they waited for the others to get there. Moments later they came through the hall. A thought suddenly struck her. Where was Peter? That rat bastard! She thought to herself secondly. Should she ask? How about in a secret way? As they sat down with her and Remus She asked a simple and completely not obvious question.
"Do you guys have any other friends? Like any regulars?" They looked at her for a moment, it was a random question.
"Yeah, our friend Peter. He was taunting a Snapper Dragon and well, it got mad and bit him. He's been in Saint Mungo's for about a week, he's still got at least a month to go. They won't release him until he is completely drained of the venom. He's okay, just restrained at the moment." Sirius answered. Hermione was trying very hard not to laugh out loud at this. He deserved worst is the only thought she could think at the moment. They idly chatted through dinner and were one of the last people to leave the hall.