A/N: Hello all! First I want to say thank you to all the new followers! It means so much you want to see where the story is headed! As you can tell this a slow burn story so be patient with me! Also, thank you for the lovely reviews- they really do encourage me! Without further delay- the next chapter!
Hermione walked into the Transfiguration classroom, Tom hot on her heels. After her display in DADA, she was adamant about not being a spectacle in this class as well. If only she had known the subject matter before she made that promise to herself, she would have known it to be impossible.
Just as Tom and herself sat down, again in the back of the classroom, Dumbledore stood from his desk and commanded everyone's attention. Once everyone quieted down he began, "Ok students, as I'm sure every teacher so far has reminded you, this is OWL season. This test indicated what classes you can take your last two years of school to get you ready for your chosen career. Being an important year, you are going to get some increasingly difficult magic thrown at you. This not only prepares you for the exam but also allows you to preview what's to come so you have a better understanding of what your interests are and can narrow down any potential career choices." He clapped his hands joyfully before continuing, "Today we are starting our unit on human transfiguration. Does anyone know what an animagus is?"
Again no one but Tom and Hermione raised their hands. Hermione got the worst feeling of Deja vu when Dumbledore called on her to answer.
Hermione cleared her throat, "An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can elect to change into an animal. They must complete various complex steps in order to become one. This differs from the natural birth skill of a metamorphamgus and the involuntary transformation of a werewolf. The Witch or Wizard doesn't get to choose which form they take on however as it is determined by their personality and innermost traits."
Dumbledore nodded, "This is all correct Miss Granger, take 5 points for Slytherin."
As Dumbledore continued to talk, Tom looked over at Hermione again, "Let me guess you can do this as well?"
Hermione shook her head no, she would never let Lord Voldemort know of her animal form. He would use her without a second thought just as he used Pettigrew in her time. No one, save the Dumbledore of her time, knew Hermione had accomplished this task the summer after her 4th year. After the debacle with Rita Skeeter, she received special permission from Dumbledore to perform the little of magic every day needed to complete the task. By the end of July, Hermione had completed the process and where she once stood now stood a small brown cat. Hermione was sure that she would have been an otter- just as her Patronus was- but this was far more practical so she was pleased.
The lesson was over and the rest of the students began shuffling out after receiving homework- one parchment roll on the steps to become an animagus and the difficulties that come with- Hermione smiled at Dumbledore in goodbye and followed tom out the classroom and towards the great hall. It was time for lunch.
Tom didn't speak until they had sat down, "So you are pretty advanced for your age."
Hermione was immediately on the defensive, "Yes well I was homeschooled, not a strict curriculum to adhere to when it's just me and my books."
Tom nodded and looked thoughtful, "you misunderstand my tone Hermione, In two classes you managed to get Slytherin 50 points, you are an asset to our cause."
Hermione noticed two things in his statement, one that it was one of the first times he had used her given name. It felt uncomfortably informal and made her uneasy. The second was that he had used the term our cause- instead of house. That made Hermione even more uneasy. She didn't let it show on her face as just smiled and turned towards her plate, desperate for any reason to stop this discussion.
She didn't have to wait long as the other members of Tom's group approached and sat down, this time with her and Tom. Druella sat beside her," Hermione that was amazing! Even that old codger Dumbledore awarded you points and he hates us Slytherins. You have to study with us girls sometime."
Hermione recognized this for what it was. An invitation to be part of the group. This is was what Hermione was waiting for. She smiled and nodded at Druella, "I would like that. I'm so used to studying by myself and I can't tell you how boring that got."
This seemed to be the right thing to say. Druella and Walburga smiled and began eating their lunch as well. Hermione stayed quiet as she observed Tom talking in low but casual tones with some of the other males at the table. Before she knew it, lunch was over and they were on to their second last class of the day, history of magic.
Hermione walked with Tom and the rest of the 5th year populace of Slytherin to the History of Magic class on the first floor. Upon entering Hermione noticed a younger man at the helm of the class. She surmised that this must be before Professor Binns had begun teaching here. Secretly she was glad, although being one of the only ones to stay awake during his class, she still found it mind bindingly boring.
As they sat down tom leaned over, "this is thankfully the last year we have to take this class. HE started here a year ago and had been a complete nutter since." Thrusting this thumb in the teacher's general direction.
Hermione laughed a little and settled into her seat. The teacher turned around and clapped his hands together in anticipation, "Good afternoon students! For those of who do not know, I am Professor Binns and this is History of Magic! We delve into what once was to understand what is!"
Hermione was at a loss for words. This was Professor Binns. In her time where he was more reminiscent of a vacuum cleaner drone, now he had an enthusiastic energy.
As Hermione packed up her things, she still couldn't believe how off the wall professor Binns was. Harry and Ron would never believe her. She shook her head sadly as she walked to the door with Tom and the group of Slytherin fifth years. They divided in half for the next class where the females had divination Hermione and the others had Ancient Ruins. Hermione could see the confused look on Druella's face as she walked towards the Divination tower and Hermione turned around and walked towards the Ruins classroom.
As they walked Hermione heard Cantankerous whisper to Tom, "what is she doing coming with us? Doesn't she know it's a man's discipline?"
Just as Hermione was about to explode, Tom answered, "You saw her in classes today, does she really seem the vapid type, Nott?" When Nott shook his head in the negative the discussion was closed. Hermione felt an odd sense of gratitude towards Tom. Not something she ever thought she would feel. As they reached the classroom Hermione smiled in recognition. Professor Babbling was still the professor at this time. The familiarity made her feel at ease and it showed during the class. As Hermione already knew the professors teaching style she caught on easily. The air of ease during the lesson made Tom smirk at Nott who begrudgingly admitted he couldn't picture the girl taking divination anymore.
As that was the last class of the day, they headed to the common room to dispose of their books and to change for supper. Hermione met up with Druella, Walburga, and Philomena in their room. Druella questioned why Hermione hadn't come with them to Divination as most Slytherin females do. Hermione, as politely as she could, conveyed her distrust of the subject and preference of the ruins class. The girls shook their head at Hermione and smiled. She was an odd one but no one could deny she would be good for the house, and a Slytherin was nothing if not wise to recognize what would benefit them.
As the girls walked back to the common room, Druella began asking Hermione questions about her life before Hogwarts. Hermione answered them with ease, drawing upon her story and actual real-life experiences to answer the questions. None of them were particularly probing, typical society questions like who her family was and such. She alluded to being related to Hector Dagworth-Granger- which impressed the girls enough to overlook her " unfortunate relatives lapse in judgment" She had to bite her tongue when they said this.
The girls and Hermione walked into the common room where the men were waiting. They had overheard the last part of the conversation, where Druella was saying that even the purest families have to prune eventually and they too had asked her of her family history. Before she could answer, Walburga cut in, "Why miss Granger here is the family of Hector Dagworth-Granger! No wonder she is so good at potions. We were just reassuring her that it wasn't her fault her ancestor had been a traitor and she is on the right side of the coin now."
Hermione smiled but inside she was raging mad. She knew this wasn't the company that would appreciate her pro muggle stance so she left it alone as they all exited the common room and walked to the great hall.
As they walked, Tom fell back in step with Hermione, "you didn't tell me of your relation before."
Hermione looked at him with an innocent expression, "I thought with the last name it was obvious. I don't try and hide it nor do I boast about it."
He nodded and gave her a small almost genuine smile. She knew what he was thinking. He too had a famous ancestor that he doesn't talk about. It was another thing they had in common.
Once in the great hall, all talk turned to homework and classes. This discussion lasted throughout dinner and back to the common room where they got a start on all assigned homework. It was late by the time Hermione walked to her bed. The last one to turn in but she was happy with the progress she made on the essays she had been assigned. As she changed into her sleeping clothes and crawled into bed she couldn't help but think, that if it hadn't been for the change in colours around her- it was almost like being home with friends.