"Slytherin!"
Ginny Weasley trembled underneath the Sorting Hat, and all of Hogwarts stood still. The silence was only broken by the sound of Hermione's fork clinking against her plate as she collected pieces of her pork chop. This was obviously a wizard thing, and obviously a stupid thing, because Ginny Weasley was just a brat and nobody special. To be fair, she was Ron's sister- however bratty- but Ron still had an adorably relieved expression on his face, and if her Ron didn't think it was a big deal then it couldn't possibly be a big deal.
Actually, upon review, this was a blessing. Hermione would have taken it as a sign from the fates if she believed in such superstitious nonsense. Her future with Ron had seemed quite grim when the conniving Sorting Hat had placed him in Gryffindor, but Ginny would be the bridge that brought the two of them together. A clever, muggleborn Slytherin and a gallant, pureblooded Gryffindor, their love would surely transcend the silly house feud. They'd be like Juliet and Romeo, but they wouldn't die in the end, for Hermione was far too clever and magical to do something as foolish as die.
Hermione chewed on her pork chop. Quite good.
The Great Hall was still silent. Ginny shivered under the semi-redeemed Sorting Hat.
"I won't accept it!" Malfoy shouted, finally breaking the silence. "Make the Sorting Hat give it another go. It's clearly broken."
"Yeah!" Shouted a pair of red-headed, identical twins from Gryffindor. Twins? Were those the horrid twins that had been bullying Ron? Hermione crossed her arms and glared at them.
"Enough Draco," said the greasy, dark-haired man, putting a hand gently on his shoulder. "There will be no resorting." The man strode to Ginny, ripped the Sorting Hat off her, and led her to the Slytherin Table by her ear. The rest of the Slytherins slithered away, and the girl sat miserably next to Hermione.
"There, there," said Hermione, patting the girl on the back, and offering her a strip of bacon. "We still get to be witches, even if we weren't sorted into the house we'd have li-" Her housemates were staring at them. "I'm sure you'll come to appreciate Slytherin. It's not like you were trying to get into Harvard and forced to go to Brown after all. Chin up."
"But I have to be in Gryffindor," Ginny said miserably, bits of bacon flying from her mouth. "All my family's Gryffindor. Even Ron."
Even Ron, Hermione huffed. What was that supposed to mean?
"How could this have happened?" Ginny continued. "I did everything I could, I even told the hat I'd hex it if it didn't put me where I wanted, but still… Why couldn't it have at least put me in Ravenclaw? Even Hufflepuff would have been better. Why'd it have to be Slytherin?"
The whole table was glaring at Ginny. Hermione supposed it was time to stop the girl from digging her hole any farther.
"I'm sure your family will still love you," Hermione said kindly. "You're only in different houses. You can still visit them whenever you like. I'll even come with you for support."
Ginny started, as if waking up from a trance, and glanced at Hermione. "Why do you want to see my family?" She asked neutrally. "What are you getting out of it?"
"Oh you know. We met on the train. It was quite fun."
"You're saying you want to see Ron. Ron?" Ginny asked suspiciously, before chuckling, and shaking her head. She turned, and started to pile some mashed potatoes on her plate. "I see how it is. Fine. Come along when I visit Ron and Harry Potter. Fair's fair. May the best girl win."
Ginny seemed to have regained her appetite, shoveling food in her mouth like some sort of rabid animal- or worse, a boy.
This whole thing was just… Ugh… Gross… Hermione felt a little sick to her stomach. Well she'd prepared herself for the fact that incest would go hand in hand with blood purity but just…
...Hermione would be open-minded, she decided. It's not like Ginny's incestuous feelings towards Ron hurt anybody, even if they were wrong and disgusting, and she supposed Ginny could hardly be blamed with a brother as impressive as Ron. Hermione would be kind to the girl, but gently nudge her in a healthier direction. Perhaps to that Harry Potter boy, he'd seemed nice, he'd be a perfectly acceptable mate for Ginny.
After the feast the Slytherin prefect Gemma Farley shepherded them to their common room. Malfoy sidled next to her. "I heard your story about Peter Pettigrew from Nott," he said. "I'm not convinced. You seemed too eager to snivel up to that family of blood traitors. Who else but a muggleborn would ever try to subordinate themselves to a Weasley? Watch yourself Granger."
Hermione nodded, thanking Malfoy for the warning. After going to Madam Pomfrey and getting her large front teeth shrunk so she could look pretty for Ron and destroy evidence of her fictional heritage, she spent the night reading up on curses.
She needn't have bothered.
To her surprise, the other students hadn't seemed to have bothered opening up their textbooks at all. In Charms she was the only one who could perform alohomora, in Transfiguration she turned a match into a needle while the rest of the Slytherins waved around their wands like dunces, and in Defense Against the Dark Arts she demonstrated a perfect flipendo jinx which knocked Pansy Parkinson out of her seat. The rest of the Slytherins hadn't seemed pleased.
After Hermione had finished her second readthrough of Magical Drafts and Potions and went up to bed, she found Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis huddled together on a bed, giggling.
"She thinks she's so smart, just because she can do a few charms," Pansy whispered loudly.
"Professor, professor, pick me, pick me." Tracey mocked, waving her hand in the air. "I'm so smart. Look at me."
"That really is what she's like," Daphne whispered, giggling.
It didn't bother Hermione. She was used to people being jealous of her. She tossed her hair, and started preparing for bed.
"Enough of this nonsense." Millicent grunted irritably, in a loud voice. She pounded one of her hammy fists on the bed, bouncing all four girls a foot in the air. "Whispering to each other ain't gonna do no good. Look, she's halfway smirking at us. If you want to put her in her place just let me give her the ole one-two."
Hermione gulped, and tightened her grip on her wand. Petrificus Totalus. Petrificus Totalus. She needn't worry about brutes like that anymore. She was a witch.
"That's not how we do things Millie," Pansy whispered. "We're witches."
Daphne smirked cruelly. "Oh Ginerva," she sang. "Why don't you come join us?"
"Go eat some troll bogeys Greengrass," Ginny said, putting down her used copy of Magical Drafts and Potions. "Leave me out of your petty games. I'm not like you lot; I haven't given up on beating her."
The girls sat in stunned silence. Then started whispering amongst themselves about how Weasleys should never be sorted into Slytherin.
Hermione found herself looking forward to Potions. Slytherin and Gryffindor were paired together so she'd finally get to see Ron again. Ginny seemed intent on impressing Ron as well, her nose constantly buried in her used copy of Magical Drafts and Potions. Hermione did quite enjoy a challenge, so she went ahead and checked out the years 2-6 Potions textbooks for some light advanced reading. To make things fair, Hermione offered Ginny her copy of the newest version of Magical Drafts and Potions.
"I'm not some charity case," Ginny snapped angrily. "My textbook is fine!"
Hermione raised her hands innocently, but let the matter drop. It was to her advantage she supposed, and she really did wish she'd never brought it up. The rest of the Slytherins only now noticed Ginny's used textbooks, and found it quite amusing. Hermione couldn't quite follow how Ginny's parents having less money than their parents made them better than Ginny. But then, these were the type of people who believed that a long, incestuous line proved their inherent superiority so she supposed a rational argument was a bit much to expect from them.
And finally it was Friday. Potion's day. Ron day. Unfortunately, Hermione found herself sandwiched between Malfoy and Ginny, and not at all close to Ron who was sitting next to the lucky Harry Potter. Also, the dungeons were a bit muggy, and Hermione wished they'd get on with it and install some air conditioning in the castle. Honestly, there were only ten students in each house, shouldn't they have more double and triple classes to promote interhouse romanc- friendships? Well, she'd just have to prove herself superior to Harry so Ron would ask to be partners with her instead.
Professor Snape strode into the classroom, his dark cloak billowing behind him like he was an evil dark lord. He took roll, until he stopped on Harry's name for some reason.
"Ah, yes," Professor Snape said dryly. "Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity."
Some of the Slytherins snickered, until Ginny harshly sh'shd them. Hermione scrunched her eyebrows together, thinking hard. Harry, a celebrity? For what?
Why for being the best friend of Ron Weasley of course. Hermione nodded to herself. Yes, that made perfect sense.
"Ron Weasley," said Professor Snape.
Hermione tensed. If Harry Potter had been such a commotion, then what would happen with Ron Weasley?
"Here," said Ron.
"Ginny Weasley," said Professor Snape.
"Here," said Ginny.
"Blaise Zabini," said Professor Snape.
"Here," said Blaise.
Hmm… Hermione felt stumped for the first time in a while. So Harry was famous for something other than being Ron's best friend. Could it be for stopping Voldemort as a baby? No, no, it had to be something else. Voldemort's downfall had obviously been caused by some sort of trap setup by Headmaster Dumbledore with baby Harry as the spring, so what could it be?
Hermione tapped her wand against her lips thoughtfully, as Professor Snape gave the students an intimidating speech.
"Potter!" said Professor Snape suddenly, breaking Hermione from her reverie. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Hermione raised her hand. Ginny hesitated, then raised her hand too.
"I don't know sir," said Harry, looking small.
"Tut, tut - clearly fame isn't everything."
Ginny squeaked indignantly, and Hermione quite agreed. That was an inappropriate use of the cold-calling technique, the question was too difficult, so it wouldn't incentivize Harry to pay attention. Most likely it would only make him angry, and what was the point of that? She'd expected less clumsy instruction from the head of her house. There was a difference between discipline and cruelty, and frankly this was embarrassing to be a part of in any capacity.
"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar."
Hermione raised her hand higher, desperate to put an end to this shameful farce.
Harry shrunk further into his seat. "I don't know, si-"
"In the Forest of Dean sir," Ginny answered bravely. And wrongly.
Professor Snape glared, and reluctantly turned to face Ginny. "Loud. Reckless. Thoughtless. Just what I'd expect from a Weasley. But you are correct," Snape tapped his long fingers on Harry's desk. "You can find boar in the Forest of Dean. You may notice, however, that I asked Potter to find a bezoar. A subtle difference- not one I'd expect a Weasley to pick up."
Ginny paled, and shrunk into her seat. Hermione huffed. That was completely uncalled for! Ginny had been studying hard for this class and nothing she'd seen from Harry suggested that he deserved this kind of treatment either. She'd put a stop to this.
Hermione raised her hand. Snape ignored it, and turned back to Harry.
"A bezoar is a stone found in the stomach of a goat," Hermione whispered to Malfoy. "It can be used to cure most poisons."
Malfoy started in surprise, and raised his hand, smirking.
Snape stood still, his lip spasming. "Yes," he said reluctantly. "Draco."
"A bezoar is a rock in a goat," Malfoy drawled. "It cures poison."
Snape shook. "Correct," he said finally. "Ten points to Slytherin. Good work Draco. Send your father my regards."
Harry sighed in relief, and shot Hermione a thankful smile. Hermione waved him off. It wasn't a big deal.
"Some of us have actually opened our textbook Potter, you might try it," Malfoy said smugly.
Hermione fed Malfoy answers for the rest of Potions class.
"You've proven yourself Granger," Malfoy said magnanimously, after they'd successfully brewed a potion to cure boils. "I still have trouble believing that you're Peter Pettigrew's long lost daughter, but I suppose you must be. You're far too clever to be a mudblood."
Hermione hummed thoughtfully. Sometimes bigotry worked out.
"Miss Granger, a word," said Snape. The rest of the Potions class filed away until it was just the two of them alone in the classroom. "You are clever. You outmaneuvered me in my own classroom and earned Draco Malfoy's approval. Now you will be accepted in Slytherin. So then. What was your mistake?"
Um… Hermione squirmed. "I'm sorry sir, but what you were doing to Harry wasn-"
"Do you think I am a dunderhead, Miss Granger?" Asked Snape softly.
"No sir."
"Peter Pettigrew. Eileen Prince. So convenient, aren't they?" Asked Snape easily, leaning on his table. "An unknown parent, mysteriously vanished, that reveals yourself to be an acceptable halfblood."
Hermione was starting to understand her mistake.
"If I were a dunderhead, I would threaten to reveal your heritage," Snape whispered. "But Miss Granger, I know that while that would be inconvenient, it would not hurt you." He leaned in, so he was whispering into her ear. "No. Nor will I threaten you directly. You see Miss Granger, I understand that if you want to hurt someone, you go after their heart."
Hermione's eyes widened. Her heart hammered. And she realized something obvious: The Sorting Hat hadn't placed a muggleborn student in Slytherin in over twenty years. Snape was in his thirties. If there was one man she should never cross, it was him.
"I'm sorry sir," Hermione bowed. "I understand my mistake. I won't go against your will again."
Snape's lips curled. "Good."
Hermione ran out of the classroom. But in the end, her one-time performance in Potions was worth it, as Ron Weasley summoned her to see him at the Gryffindor Common Room on Saturday. She spent the morning trying to brush her hair before finally realizing it was hopeless. And so it was that she followed Ginny Weasley up to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione practically skipping.
Oh Ronald Weasley, Hermione thought dreamily as she walked. He's both unconventionally and conventionally attractive. I know that violates the Law of Contradiction, but I'd break my logic for Ron anyday.
The Gryffindor Common Room was revealed when a portrait of a fat lady swung open after Ginny said, "Caput Draconis."
The Gryffindor Common Room was warm and inviting, several students lounging by a fireplace. Of course, all the chatter stopped when the Gryffindors saw their silver and green robes.
"You!" Ron leapt from a sofa, glaring at her. "Scabbers is gone because of you! Taken to Madam Pomfrey's for inspection. He's to be tested for disease and curses. Malfoy said that they were going," Ron's voice broke. "That they were going to have him dissected. You did this Granger, I saw you whispering into Malfoy's ear in Potions! This is all your fault!"
"Oh come off it, you bloody idiot," said Ginny irritably. "You're so thick! This is why everybody picks on you, you know?"
Ron sniffed.
Hermione huffed. Who dared pick on Ron?
Ginny continued. "And you're always whinging about how fat and lazy Scabbers is. Before we went to Hogwarts you'd tell anyone who'd listen that you hoped he would just sod off and die already so you could get a proper pet."
Ron protested. "Hey-"
"But now that he's gone you decide to care," Ginny continued, railroading poor Ron. "Besides, this is all your fault anyways. You were the one who made up that stupid story to Malfoy about a spiteful ghoul cursing our family to have red hair. You've only yourself to blame."
"Yeah well, well," Ron screwed up his face. "Well you're a sneaky Slytherin. Trying to get me all mixed up."
Ginny took a step back, her eyes wet.
"Don't talk to her like that," Harry snapped.
Ron looked at the two of them unhappily. "I see how it is. Everyone's against me, just like always." Harry and Ginny met Ron's accusation impassively. Ron scowled, and looked like he was about to stomp off. "Fi-"
"Why don't we just go to Madam Pomfrey and explain the situation," Hermione said reasonably. "I'm sure we can get Scabbers back, Ronald. And for what it's worth, I am sorry that I got Scabbers into this mess. I'll try to make it up to you. If there's any homework giving you trouble, I'd be happy to help."
Ron blinked.
"Oh well…" Ron scratched his nose, sheepishly. "Um… Yeah, that sounds good. You don't need to help me with my homework. Ginny and Harry were right. This is my own fault. I was just mad was all." He sighed. "Ginny's right, I am an idiot."
"Nonsense," Hermione said primly, winning her a nervous smile from Ron. "If I hadn't botched that basic colour charm like a dunce, Scabber's would have a splendid yellow coat rather than that ghastly red. But I've studied up, and I shan't make the same mistake again. Don't worry. We'll get back Scabbers and I'll charm him a beautiful sunshine, daisy, butter mellow shade of yellow."
Ron's initial smile slowly transformed into a scowl as her speech went on, but he didn't say anything.
"I told you she was brilliant," Harry said happily.
Both Weasley's soured at that. Soon enough, they reached the hospital wing, but it was empty, and the doors to Madam Pomfrey's office were locked.
Hermione knocked, but nobody answered. Normally she would have just tried again, but she'd promised Ron that she'd get the situation sorted. Hermione knocked again. "We're coming in," Hermione said loudly. There was some rustling behind the door, but she didn't hear a no.
"Is this really a good idea?" Asked Ginny. "Just for a stupid rat?"
"I knew it," said Ron angrily. "You don't care about Scabbers! None of you do, trying to sod off at the first sign of danger. It's probably because you're slimy Slythe-"
"Alohomora," Hermione said, waving her wand in a mirrored 'S' motion.
Ron scratched his nose sheepishly. "Erm, sorry about that. I've told you I'm a bloody idiot right?"
Hermione tried the door again but it wouldn't open.
Ron sighed. "I suppose we gave it our best shot. Thank you though, for trying. I was wrong about you Granger, you're all right."
Hermione blushed as Ron patted her back. What a beautiful, wonderful world she lived in! Surrounded by delightful, supportive friends. She could never have earned Ron's affections without the help of Harry- who was watching the two of them like a proud father, what a guy! And of course Ginny, wonderful Ginny, who was looking like she'd- uh, why did it look like she'd been sucking on a lemon?
"Oh sod off Ron," Ginny snapped angrily, although she was looking at Harry. "She didn't even do the charm right! Here let me try."
She pushed Hermione out of the way.
"Look, the door's clearly got an advanced locking spell on it," Ron said. "If Hermione bloody Granger can't unlock it, what good can you do? You need to learn your limitations Ginny. You shouldn't push yourself so hard, that's why you're always so wound up and unhappy."
Oh Ron, Hermione swooned at his gracious praise.
"Hermione Granger this, Hermione Granger that," Ginny spat. "I'm sick and tired of everyone acting like she's the next bloody Albus Dumbledore. She's just a nerd who spends all her time reading books and practicing spells. If you'd just get off your arse and study a little harder maybe you wouldn't have to go crying to her to solve your problems. You always give up so easily, that's why you can never accomplish anything Ron."
And with that Ginny Weasley tried the alohomora charm. She failed of course, Ron was quite correct, there was an advanced locking spell on the door. It was a good attempt, and the charm probably would have worked on a normal lock.
Ginny fumed. Ron stewed.
Hermione and Harry stood around awkwardly.
"So," said Harry finally. "I err… I hear your parents are dentists. I grew up with muggles too, you know? Do you ever miss the muggle world?"
"Oh well, I suppose the libraries, how they were organized, I quite miss the Dewey Decimal System. And I do miss my old computer. And the telly I suppose, I quite liked watching mysteries in the mornings."
Harry started. "Did you have any videogames? My cousin got one. Wolfenstein 3D. It was incredible, it looked just like the real world and you got to shoot Nazis with guns. Of course, I never got to play."
Ginny and Ron perked up.
"My parents wouldn't let me play that particular game of course," Hermione said primly. "Far too violent."
Ginny and Ron were definitely listening.
"But I did have a reskin called Tooth Fairy Fighter. Oh, a reskin is when all the characters have been polyjuiced to look like someone else. So instead of an Allied Spy fighting Nazis you'd play as a Tooth Fairy fighting plaque. I wasn't ever able to find the Elder Brush though."
Ron jumped up, followed by Ginny. "Hermione, you've got to show me what you're talking about. Can I come over-"
A shrill scream came from Madam Pomfrey's office, a flare of green flashed under the door, and the sound of a body hitting the floor. The four of them froze.
"Get that door open Hermione," Harry commanded. "Anyway possible."
Hermione smashed the door with her shoulder.
"With a spell," Harry suggested.
Right, right. There was a fourth year charm that would work, and she had practiced it a little, but-
"Now," Harry said sharply.
"Bombarda!" The door blasted open, and after the smoke cleared, Hermione gasped. Madam Pomfrey was on her back on the ground, eyes open and dull, staring at the ceiling.
Harry rushed to check on her. "She's still warm," Harry said. "The killer must still be nearby."
But the room was empty and Hermione felt suddenly cold. Her legs gave way, and she knew no more.
Author's Note: Inciting incident activated! Thanks for reading. If any of you know, I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know if there is a British 90's slang term for a nerd? Please follow, favorite, review, and most of all read chapter 3 (where we'll get a peek at what Hermione is capable of) if you'd like this story to continue. And now onto the review:
Bonnyfish - Well, I don't have everything in the story completely planned out but I do know exactly how and why Hermione turns into a Death Eater. Characterizations may change from cannon, but they'll be consistent throughout the story. I hope you keep reading, and thanks for the review!