Chapter Two
The next morning, Hermione awoke before the two twitter birds and snuck out to have a shower before heading down to breakfast. Grabbing her bag she started to head for the prefects bathroom. Halfway there she stopped suddenly when she heard a sound coming from the next hallway. Being head girl she thought that she should check it out. Pulling her wand out of her bag, she crept up to the intersection of the hallway. Silently she turned the corner and there was the Head Boy and the bane of her existence – Draco Malfoy. Sighing she lowered her wand slightly.
'What on earth are you doing Malfoy?' she asked, after noticing him jumping up and down on one foot. 'Practicing for the Ballet? Because if you are you're not doing a very good job' Malfoy stopped his hopping around and turned to face her, a sneer on his face.
'As if you would know about Ballet, mudblood.' retorted Malfoy. 'Ballet is a highly respected form of entertainment for people of noble and pure blood.' Hermione sighed, another quip about her blood, she was getting sick of it.
'For your information Malfoy, I went to a prestigious ballet school when I was younger, so I think I would know more than you do about Ballet.' He sneered again.
'Prove it.' Hermione was shocked. He wanted her to dance in her nightgown in the middle of a hallway?! Well there was one trick that she could do that she learnt in ballet.
'Fine, Malfoy. Watch this.' And with that Hermione kicked off her shoes and stood barefoot on the cold stone of the hallway. She slowly raised her feet, heels off the ground; she was now standing on her toes. She started to grin; she hadn't done this in a long time. He yawned.
'Anyone can do that Mudblood.' Her grin slipped slightly.
'Keep watching Malfoy.' Slowly she started to raise herself higher and onto the very tips of her toes. Pain started to creep into her muscles but oh was it worth it! The look on Malfoy's face was priceless. He huffed and stormed away. Hermione dropped back onto her feet and quickly gathered her shoes before continuing on to her shower.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall for breakfast not long after her refreshing shower. Her legs were still a bit sore after her little 'ballet lesson' in the hallway with Malfoy. She spotted her two friends sitting at their regular spot at the Gryffindor table. She walked over and sat in her seat opposite them. She was quite happy after her little stunt in the hallway.
'Good Morning Harry, Ron.' She smiled at the two boys stuffing their faces. They would never change but at least Harry had better manners.
'Morning 'Mione. Did you see the Ferret this morning? He looks like he swallowed a lemon.' Said Harry. Hermione turned and looked that the Slytherin table and sure enough there was Malfoy with a sour face. She laughed at him.
'He does too.' She said to Harry, picking up a slice of toast and started to spread some raspberry jam on it.
'I wonder what made him so sour. He's more sour than usual. I wonder if Parkinson finally didn't give him any in bed last night.' Wondered Harry aloud. Ron was still stuffing his face, not wanting to get involved in any conversation about Malfoy, but was listening in.
'I know why Harry. I was passed him on the way to the prefect's bathroom this morning and I saw him hopping around. I think he stubbed his toe. So I made a comment about him trying to practice ballet. He didn't like that and made another one of his 'purebloods-are-better-than-mudbloods' comments. So I said that I knew more about ballet then he did and he asked me to prove it. So I did by showing him one of the more highly advanced ballet moves. Needless to say he stormed off not saying another word.' Harry and Ron burst out laughing, food flying out of Ron's mouth and part of Harry's drink out of his nose. Any reason to laugh at Malfoy being bested was good enough for them.
'Finally someone put him in his place!' laughed Harry. 'I know I've tried to over the years but I think you finally knocked something into the ferret.' It was then that flapping and screeching was heard coming from the rafters. The mail was coming.
Harry and Ron got parcels from Hedwig and Pig – things they had left behind at the Weasleys. Hermione received a letter and a small parcel from her mother and the Daily Prophet. The three friends were quiet as they read over their mail while nibbling at the last of their breakfast. After reading part of the Prophet, Hermione opened the envelope from her mother, ignoring the parcel to read the letter for the moment.
Dearest Hermione
How are you dear? Did you have a good trip back to school? Like every year I have nothing that you left behind to send you. There is one thing that I want you to have. With this letter I have sent a parcel which contains a necklace that was given to me from my mother. I think it is time that you have it.
Hermione slowly unwrapped the parcel. Inside there was a necklace box, just as her mother had written. Hermione opened the box and inside on a black velvet backing sat a large blue heart shaped pendant on a diamond chain. 'It's beautiful' thought Hermione reaching to pull the necklace off and held the necklace up, letting the light reflect off the stone. 'And heavy.' She replaced the necklace and went back to reading the letter.
I know you haven't seen this necklace before, and that was because I kept it hidden from you until the time was right to give it to you. It was given to my mother, Mary, by her mother – your great-grandmother Elizabeth, who in turn was given it by her mother, your great-great grandmother, Nastya. Mother used to have a name for the necklace: 'La Coeur De la Mer' – The Heart of the Ocean - I think it was. Your grandmother used to say that her mother was given the necklace by her father, who we don't know. The story my mother told me was that he died on the voyage on Titanic and that her mother almost didn't make it out alive. Somehow I don't think that your great-grandmother was really on Titanic.
I'm looking at my grandmother's photograph while sitting here writing to you. It was taken when she was about your age. If I didn't know any better I would say that you are your great-great-grandmother. I always said that you looked more like her then I did.
There is a reason why I am sending this to you Hermione. I didn't want you to worry while you were here on holidays but…
'Miss Granger.' Hermione dropped her letter and looked up to Professor McGonagall who was looking at her slightly bemused.
'Sorry Professor. I was distracted.' The professor hid a smile.
'I can see that Miss Granger. All I wanted to do was to give you your timetable and to remind you that you and the rest of your year have to stay behind after breakfast for your information session for History of Magic.' Hermione nodded and thanked the professor who handed her Hermione her timetable.
She looked over her NEWT schedule. Most of her classes were advanced classes. Advanced Potions, Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, History of Magic, Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, Advanced Arithmacy, Advanced Herbology and Astronomy. Hermione was happy with how her classes had turned out. She had worked hard for six years to be in them and now she was finally there.
Hermione looked at her watch. She would have History of Magic straight after breakfast on Mondays but since the year had to stay behind she didn't mind nibbling a bit more at her toast. While doing that she packed away the necklace, letter and schedule into her bag so she was ready to leave for class as soon as the meeting was over.
The bell rang in the distance and all the students minus the seventh years left the hall to go to their classes. Once the great doors were shut the Headmaster stood from his chair and beckoned the seventh years closer to the dais, that way he didn't have to call across the hall.
'Seventh years, Welcome back. Now I must say; your year has always been an interesting one. It has come to my attention that almost no one listens in History of Magic. Goodness knows that in my school years no one did either, so you are not in trouble. I have come up with a way to try to make this class more appealing to some students, although I must say that I did have help with the task. As I said last night you will all participate in a practical component which will go towards 25 per cent of your final marks. Since your year has shown an ability to handle tough situations, the staff and I have chosen your year to trial this new addition to the curriculum.' Dumbledore paused for a moment and reached for his goblet while the students tried to understand what was being said.
'Starting tonight and ending in a month, you and a partner will go back in time to relive a past life.' Whispers started between the students. 'This does not mean that you will not have a task to do. When you arrive back to the present day you and your partner will be required to present a speech to the class about your experiences in the past. Now I understand that some of you will not be wizards or witches in the past, this doesn't matter for now.
'Since we are dealing with time travel there are some rules that will need to be followed. These are outlined in your booklets.' Dumbledore waved his wand and a booklet flew to each seventh year. 'It may look like there are a lot of rules but most of them are just common sense. Now are there any questions?' Hermione's hand instantly rose as well as a few other hands, Neville Longbottom's amongst them. Even though she started the idea, she didn't know everything about the practical.
'How are we actually going back in time?' asked Neville.
'When you come back here tonight you will all have a mouthful of a potion. This potion is highly dangerous if not made correctly. I do not recommend that you try to make it. However we have a perfectly made batch waiting for you to use tonight. I assure you that it is not poisoned. The potion has already been tested.'
'Sir, how will we know who our partner is?' asked Hermione. Dumbledore smiled and motioned for Madam Pomfrey, who was free from the infirmary for the morning, to come forward. She was carrying what looked like a dirty rag, but the students knew exactly what it was – the Sorting Hat.
'I am sure you all recognise the Sorting hat and know what to do. You will place the hat on your head and the hat will read your mind and your past. When it tells you to take it off it, please do so. Unlike the sorting you will not be told your partner straight away but will wait till everyone has worn the hat. Now, shall we get started? Hufflepuff first I think. Miss Abbot if you please.'
And so the pairing started. After all the Hufflepuffs had worn the hat, the Slytherins were next followed by the Ravenclaws and then finally the Gryffindors. The process was taking longer than Hermione suspected. She, and many other students, thought it would only take as long as their sorting did, but that was not to be the case.
'Miss Granger, if you'd please.' Called Dumbledore. Hermione walked up to the stool and placed the hat on her head.
'Ah yes. It's good to see you again Miss Granger.' Said the Sorting hat into her mind. 'You truly did grow into Gryffindor after all. But no matter, let me take a look at your mind. Ah, so it was you who came up with the idea for the history practicum, then again I shouldn't be too surprised. You were always a smart young lady.' Hermione blushed slightly at the complement and mumbled a thank you.
'Now lets go deeper…ah what's this I see? Could that be the La Coeur de la Mer? Well that is most definitely interesting. A grandfather paradox, well great-great grandmother in this case but it's still the same principal. However the circumstances are different, so I guess it isn't technically a Grandfather Paradox. Interesting.' Hermione was confused now. A Grandfather Paradox? She had heard of it before but she couldn't quite remember what it was. 'Don't worry Miss Granger; you're not the only one. There is one other who is in a similar position as you are. You may go back now.'
Hermione took off the hat and went back to the Gryffindors in deep thought. She would have to go to the library later to find out what a Grandfather Paradox was. But the sorting hat said someone was in a similar position to her….did that mean that they were also a Grandfather Paradox? And who was the other student? These thoughts plagued at her mind until the last person had worn the hat.
'Students! Now that the sorting had has seen into your minds and your past, it will now place you with your partner. When your name is called out you and your partner are to stand next to each other so we know who as been paired up. Sorting hat, if you please.'
'Hannah Abbot and Neville Longbottom.' The pair moved aside from the main group. The pair didn't complain, after all both secretly liked the other.
'Vincent Crabbe and Padma Patil' Padma looked horrified that she was paired with Crabbe. She looked sadly at her boyfriend Ernie McMillan.
'Justin Finch-Fletchley and Pansy Parkinson.' Pansy grabbed a hold of Draco Malfoy and started to act very overdramatic, crying and saying she didn't want to be pair with Justin.
'Harry Potter and Pavarti Patil.' Harry paled, he remembered the tragedy of the Yule ball in their fourth year and apparently Pavarti did as well.
'Ronald Weasley and Lavender Brown.' The couple looked happy about being paired together; after all they were going out. The paring continued and the group waiting was growing shorter. Those already sorted were starting to whisper to each other quietly.
'Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.' All chatter in the hall stopped so suddenly and a simultaneous gasping was heard around the hall you could have sworn that the entire seventh year had just been hit by a bludger. Hermione was just as shocked as the other students, but then again she shouldn't really be too surprised, he was head boy after all, she should have expected it. Not protesting, she moved to where the other groups were standing, waiting for Malfoy come and stand by her. Grudgingly he did, avoiding all contact with her, still sour about this morning's incident in the hall.
The sorting continued only very briefly since there were only a few people left. Once the sorting hat had finished pair the students, Madam Pomfrey removed the sorting hat and left the hall to go back to her infirmary. Dumbledore addressed the students once more.
'Now you have all been paired up. I must tell you that you cannot change your pairings. It is for your own safety. Now at 6pm you shall all make your way to the infirmary so you can take your potion. Before you do take it I highly recommend that you read your booklets. Now are there anymore questions before you all head of for your first class of the day?' Hermione's hand rose, other than the Grandfather Paradox that was bothering her there was one other thing. Dumbledore nodded to Hermione.
'Sir, what sort of fail-safe's have been put in place if we run into serious trouble or get into a situation that proves to be life threatening?'
'An excellent question, Miss Granger! If you are in immediate risk of serious harm or death then the potion will immediately be countered and you will be returned to Hogwarts. Hopefully you shouldn't be involved in a situation like that, but we have taken precautions just in case. If you do, however, return to Hogwarts earlier than October 2nd by purposely putting yourself in serious danger then you will receive a fail for the assessment. Be warned we will know if you are lying as you will be placed under a truth potion upon your return.' The students all looked a bit dazed at the idea that something could go wrong.
'You have nothing to fear students. Everything will be fine, you don't have to worry. Now since you have missed most of this morning's class you are all excused until lunch. I shall see you all this evening.' Dumbledore then dismissed the students from the Great Hall. Hermione grabbed her bag and said something to Harry and Ron about going to the library and to be sure to read the booklets before dashing off.