Chapter 5
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Turns out we were both right, I thought absently, while sending a Bat Bogue jinx towards one of the girls while I rush out of the bathroom. It hits one of the girls with the longer black pigtails. I rush to the dining hall, hair frizzed as always. Before taking my seat next to a curious eyed Ben.
"Hungry Hermione? You look like you ran over here"
"Yeah well, I guess I ran into some trouble." At his raised eyebrows, I explain. "Two slytherins girls questioned me in the bathroom. It did not go so well."
Ben took stock of the girls around our table. "What did they look like?"
"Tall. Both of them had pigtails, oddly enough...and"
It seemed that was enough for him to come to an immediate conclusion, "The Parkinson girls. One's a seventh year and the other a fifth year. Patty is the brash older one and Daphne follows her lead. But they both equally love Tom Riddle."
Ben gave me a low whistle and a shake of his head. "At least you look fine Hermione. I am just hazarding a guess that they weren't following proper dueling protocols."
How did he know we even dueled? I vocalized my thoughts.
Ben gave me a withering look. "Puh-leasee, I have been here for six years. I had plenty of time to get to know the students. Especially those siblings"
I couldn't stop from grinning at his antics.
He winked at me then. And it gave me my first genuine laugh since landing here in this time.
"Any tips for then?"
He looked deep in thought for second before firing off in rapid bursts.
"Avoid the West wing girl's bathroom especially before or after lunch. Avoid the platinum blonde girl, Aleissa Malfoy, she's the number one when it comes to Tom's fan club. And uh, try not bait Tom in class with points." Ben paused, "He is brilliant and a great head boy but also competitive. He has been clearing every single class, they say he is going to be the one to break the OWLs and NEWTs record."
I almost rolled my eyes at the awe in his tone, but just nodded instead.
I shoved a broke a biscuit in half and shoved in my mouth. Well I can at least attest; the biscuit recipe will not change in the next 30 or so years. Still crispy and buttery.
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I was right about the Malfoy in Potions class. Haughty with long platinum hair. Straight nose with a pair of permanently narrowed eyes. I found out his name was Abraxas. Winner Winner, 1,000 butterbeers for me. I rolled my eyes. I wondered at the stress that lineage had with having fair haired offspring. It was a recessive gene, for Merlin's sake! How was it possible that every single one of them could have blonde hair. Did one of them ever fall in love with a dark haired girl, or did they suppress that down and drown it. Too enamored with their vanity to let their feelings get in the way. They were just one brunette girl away from complete aesthetic ruin. I smirked at that. I watched how Malfoy smoothed a hand down his hair. It was odd how his build made him appear mainly but… that long hair. It a weird manly but feminine mix when he tended to his hair.
I noticed the twitch in Tom's face in my peripheral. My eyes went to him in curiosity as the glower in his eyes got more intense. He was not exactly looking at me. Surprised I faced the front of the classroom towards Slughorn. I did not dare meet his eyes right now. What was the matter with him?
He had been consistently sitting next to me in potions much to my dismay. It was a weird atmosphere. On one hand I had been helping enlarging the gap between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw in House points, however on the other hand my familiarity with Riddle was effectively making some witches angry. It helped that some saw it just as competition and not some flirtation endeavor.
But Riddle made it a point to greet me to force me to acknowledge him. Eyes narrowing when I wouldn't call him Tom. Cranking up the antics. Trying to reinforce the visage of the always courteous and perfect Head boy. It was grating on my nerves. It made me look like the bad person, the surly transfer.
Luckily class today ended without any mishap. Although Riddle was noticeable stiff next to me.
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There were biscuits for lunch again. I snacked at one while sitting next to Ben and another sixth year Slytherin student. Her name was Lou and she seemed to be a sensible witch. I had seen her around Ben a few times, but this was my first time sitting next to her.
"Hermione isn't it? How are you enjoying it here." Lou had a quiet but firm way of speaking. She had lovely almond shaped eyes that were sharp but not unkind.
"Its been going well, as well as it can be. It is much different from what I was used to" I shrugged my shoulders. I thought ironically that it was exactly the same environment but a complete different situation.
She nodded in assent. "It must be hard to come to a new school in the middle of your education. Have you been studying for your NEWTS yet?"
"It is a bit challenging" understatement of the year "-but I also see it as a fresh start. I always loved learning new things. I have been keeping up with my classes, so I hope the NEWTS will not be terrible dreadful."
Lou slightly shook her head. It was a barely there movement of thick long black hair.
"I am in your potions and charms class, but you may not have seen me since I sit in the back. It tends to make for a fun show watching, especially during Potions class", she finished by leaning back with a raised eyebrow.
Although I was taken back by her blunt words, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She was letting me know exactly how conspicuous Tom and I were being. There was no malice or envy hidden in her words. She seemed to just be enjoying the spectacle. Thank Merlin. It would be a pain to watch out for another of Riddle's fans.
Although, I thought I was doing a good job of not aggravating him by not competing against him for points. Even if there was still a part of me that wanted to prove my worth and best him.
Ben who was listening in on the conversation contributed with, "That's the talk of the common lounge yesterday. Couple of us lost a good sum of galleons yesterday since you didn't get any points."
I rolled my eyes. "Slytherin still got 15 points by the end of Potions class and we are already leading by 50."
I did not want to explain that it was in part due to Riddle's tense behavior. I had a nagging suspicion that if I were to make any sudden moves or gain any points on him, he would snap.
Looking around I saw that mealtime was ending, and I had Charms next with Madam Ludwig. Lou looked like a nice enough person. She did not seem the type to be catty.
"We are going to be late. Did you want to go to Charms with me Lou?"
She nodded, folding her napkin on the table and rising slowly. She reminded me of how royalty would eat. No crumbs or residual food on her face or clothes.
I took a cookie from the platter and headed out with Lou. Waving back at Ben who distractedly waved back as he was still quickly eating his food.
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O/O hello all. I sEe some of you reading this, let me know how you feel! What do you think is gonna happen.
I introduced a few OC characters. i dont mind if people pm ideas