The boy glanced at her from over the top of a well-thumbed book. Who was this strange girl wearing strange Muggle clothes? And why was she here, at Hogwarts?
The Muggle walked over to him, probably looking to ask for directions.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know how I got to Hogwarts so early... Is there any way to get back? I haven't even packed yet, you know, and-"
"Who is the Minister for Magic?"
"What? Oh, it's... Cornelius Fudge."
This was... odd. His senses were telling him that the girl had told the truth- or thought she had. But he had never heard of any Cornelius Fudge... "I'm sorry, I believe you are mistaken. Unless you can prove that you have some magical talent, I'm going to have to escort you off the grounds and-"
Hermione Granger whipped out her wand.
"Clearly," the boy continued, unruffled, "I have made a most dreadful mistake. Please forgive my... ignorance. I will show you in now, if you like." He gathered his books in one motion and gestured towards the castle, then set off towards it without waiting for a reply.
--
"Coma monoceres," the boy commanded, and the portrait swung outward.
"Actually I'm not from this House, and I don't think I should go-"
"Hermione, from what you have told me, I don't think you are from this time. But I have influence in Slytherin, and I find that you have a will to learn, just as I do. We are alike, Hermione, and for that reason I am going to help you."
The Gryffindor girl shook herself. This boy had a way of talking... perhaps it was that underlying snake feeling... It was… hypnotizing… And maybe just a little scary… Oh stop being stupid, Hermione, she thought to herself, it's just a Slytherin thing...
--
"Whosanwkid?" a Slytherin asked, taking his feet off the table but not bothering to stop chomping away at a muffin.
"That's disgusting, Crabbe. Stop it please." the boy spoke, ignoring the question, perhaps because he hadn't understood it.
Hermione struggled to smother a laugh. Even Crabbe's father- or grandfather, as she had no idea where in time she was- was a pig.
Crabbe swallowed a painfully huge chunk of muffin. "Who's the new kid?"
Only Hermione noticed the boy's hand go to his wand. "Oh, she was here all along, Crabbe. Don't you remember?"
"...Yeah..." Crabbe replied, a dreamy look on his face as the muffin dropped to the floor. "I do..." Other kids, who had turned to look at the Muggleborn, were now nodding their heads in agreement.
"Did you just perform a Memory Charm on your entire house?!" Hermione whispered fiercely.
"Oh, something like that," the boy replied, a smug grin flitting across his features.
Hermione sighed. The damage was done now, and she suspected only this boy could put it right again. This boy...
"Oh, I forgot to ask... You already know mine, but what's your name?"
"Uh... Thomas." Hermione failed to notice the way his eyes were darting back and forth a little nervously now.
"Thomas...?" She trailed off expectantly, waiting for a surname.
"Just Thomas."
hope you like it so far! i tried to keep them both in character, but i don't know how it turned out... R&R please!
