Some Hermione bashing. Not gonna last long, since 'Mione's gonna have a pretty much important role in in this story. But, oh well..
Proud.
That what Harriet Potter was.
Proud, and powerful, and respected, and loved.
How was it fair?
Chapter Two :
A Look InTo The Plan
"The Girl-Who-Lived? You mean, Harriet Potter?" Hagrid said pleasantly when asked, "how best to describe her - a good girl, that what she is. Kind hearted, with a sharp mind, and a big heart. Quite smart, I might add."
Said girl grinned maliciously whenever she heard the proud tone of voice the half-giant employed. It was nice...and repaired the damages she knew would come. Everyone -and when she said everyone, she only meant half the school, but it was sort of surprising how gullible these people were- thought her to be the stereotype of heroine she was not.
Hagrid hated the Dark and Evil, and loudly loved the Light and Goodness. Winning his loyalty had served in getting accepted by every single soul that would have otherwise doubted her.
Purpose achieved.
The pink wolf barked. Ronald Weasley laughed, and high-faved an amused Harry.
"That's - how - incredible -" spluttered the normally composed Professor McGonagall as she stared at Harry's work in wonder. "Amazing - goodness, truly amazing! I dare say, Mrs Potter, that no one ever achieved such a- a grandiose stipulation in their very first try."
She smiled again, this time rather cheerfully. Ignoring Hermione Granger's jealous glare -this was to be expected- and the curious and awed looks she received from her camarades, she thought of the rather easy task the transfiguration professor had required.
It seemed that this one subject was not difficult at all. All she had to do was to imagine the results - and ka boom. Though it was rather tiring..
"You certainly inherited your father's knack for Transfiguration," she continued knowingly, her eyes oddly brilliant. "Always top in my class , that one was. Fifty points for Gryffindor!"
Gaining fifty points in their first lesson was something rarely achieved before, thus it made Harry more popular than she already was. Even the Slytherins were interested in her talents now - or, well, appeared to be- and thought her worthy of their precious time.
As if defeating the Dark Lord did not-
But gaining fifty points from a spluttering Professor Minerva McGonagall made her still shocked classmates and the upper-years write their parents all about her achievements, with a big touch of exaggeration. However, Hermione Granger was still glaring daggers at her.
Harry nodded at Draco, signaling an empty classroom at the end of the corridor. He followed closely and glanced around, beliewereded.
He hesitated. "So-?" he asked tersely.
She smiled in response, and he relaxed. "Good," he said, "good, I thought for a moment-"
"It was nothing if not successful," she said, "did you know that it is a certain Miss Toiyer, that is in charge of the Hufflepuffs?"
"Toiyer?" repeated Draco, "you're talking about plump, short Elena Toiyer-?"
"The one and only. Please her, and all of the Puffs are looking forward to call you one of their own."
Draco raised a incredulous eyebrow. "Noted. Ravenclaw?"
"Got the house in my pocket. They seem to hate not knowing things-" she pointed a finger at herself, "and look who's the most interesting mystery there is?"
"And with the talent you showed off in Transfiguration," he said, smirking.
"It was draining," Harry told him, "I need to get used to this big amount of magic-"
"Right," Draco said, "I forgot. You've been living your whole life in the Muggle World. To be in the presence-"
"Yeah."
A pause, then. "The Slytherins are still neutral," he declared, "but with me being the Prince of the house.."
Harry giggled. "The Prince of Slytherin," she repeated, shaking her head. "Ridiculous."
"Oi!"
"Then show your true influences, Your Highness," she said, bowing mockingly, "and bring glory upon my powers and my very self -"
"I might do just that."
"Wanna take a bet, then?"
His predator smile grew wide. "Give or take four weeks."
"Three weeks."
"Four."
Harry grinned. "Three and half."
"Deal."
They shook hands.
"What of Dumbledore?"
She tilted her head. "I'll take care of it."
The Predictable Mistake
"Hello," greeted the bushy haired girl.
"Hi," said Harry, not looking up from her book.
There was a long silence, then. "What is it that you want, Miss Granger?"
"I saw..you."
She stared at her blankly. "Try again."
"I saw you," she repeated slowly, "with Draco Malfoy, today."
Hermione smiled cheerfully. Harry narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah, so?" said Harry, "I fail to see how it does concern you."
She made a show of grimacing mockingly. "It kinda does-"
"I'm sorry- what?"
Hermione's smile flattered. Her resolve, however, did not. It was sort of admirable...If it hadn't been used to tarnish her reputation.
"Gryffindors do not interact with Slytherins!" exclaimed Hermione, attracting most of the room's attention, "or at least, cannot be friends with one of them."
"Oh?" Harry echoed. "Pray tell me, why is that so?"
"You can - I don't know - betray Gryffindors' secrets to them," she said, looking very satisfied with herself. "Or give them the common room's password."
"Truly?"
"It makes you a traitor," she added sharply. She ignored the gasps her statement brought. "I'm sure you told Malfoy some pretty important-"
"Oh be quiet," snapped Harry, gripping her wand menacingly. "First of all, I will calmly explain to Miss Granger here that I have every right to talk with every single fucking person I want."
"Not a Slytherin-"
"The House of Slytherin is just that - a house. It insinuates that the person sorted in is clever and ambitious, nothing less, nothing more. Now, I can't to see what in Earth is your bloody problem-"
"She holds a grudge 'cause you prefer talking with a snake over her," yelled someone in the crowd that was already forming.
"Perhaps," Harry considered it. Hermione winced, and opened her mouth in outrage -
"Miss Granger," continued the girl softly, "you have no right to dictate me as you please. Is that understood?"
"But-"
"I said, is that understood?"
"Yes. I didn't mean to-"
"But you did all the same," said Harry grimly. "Wanting to humiliate me - is it envy, Miss Granger, that prompt you-?"
"I'm not-"
"Draco Malfoy was my friend long before anyone labeled him as evil because of an insignificant house. Tell me, are you familiar with the term?"
Hermione felt her cheeks redden, and she shrinked when her classmates started chuckling. "I-"
"I'll take that as a no," said Harry. "You see, my dear, this does not concern you. Though, I am in difficulty because of you - do you honestly think I did not notice you following me around ?"
"I was not-"
"-My friendship with Draco Malfoy would result a truce between our two houses. He and I are trying to show all of the blood-purists, as those cannot be limited only in Slytherin, that their ideology is at fault, and that they should think of learning how to best cooperate -"
"Listen, now, Harriet-"
"But how can they, tell me, when you are one so new and yet so pretentious ?" she shook her head, "our plan -for Draco is not without ideas- held so many promises, and now the surprise we worked to perfect is lost to us."
"As I already said, you find me in difficulty solely because of you," Harry continued coolly, "the surprise is no more that. And not only that, but I am named a traitor! By one who lacked all the facts!"
Hermione wiped the tears out of her eyes. "I called you that -"
"Are you aware that the Potters are the descendant of Gryffindor?" she demanded seriously, "that you are dishonoring my Ancient and Most Noble House as you stand-?"
"I knew not-"
"Of course you didn't," said Harry gently, as if speaking to a stupid young child. "And as proof of my mercy, I choose to ignore the accident. But remember, Miss Granger, that I will not forget. In such, the invitation that was sent to you to attend the Bones' in honor of the Yule Ball is no utterly voice."
Hermione gasped. "Was it- it was you -"
"Yes," Harry replied simply. "Now, get out of my sight. I wish to resume my reading."
Lies travel faster than the truth, and it was especially the case within Hogwarts' walls. The same very night, everyone knew that the muggleborn Hermione Granger dared humiliate not only a Heiress, but their precious Heroine, and was made a mockery of.
"She shouldn't have done that," sneered Draco. "She was jealous, and envious of the attention they freely gave you - you should have done something if you suspected her-"
His words fell short. "You planned all that," he said in surprise. "You wanted the whole school to know -"
"They will forever hold me dear in their heart now, isn't it?" she smiled, "they will never suspect a thing if they saw me talk with a Slytherin, or a Ravenclaw, or whomever I choose-"
All he did for a long minute was gaping at her. Then, he grinned.
"You ingenious-"