Your Hidden Past

From what she could see out of the vast, ceiling high window in the Hospital Wing, today wasn't going to be a very cheerful day. The blue of the sky was entirely obscured by a grey curtain of clouds, which angrily let out their loads, turning the great, grassy lawn of the castle into a sloshy mess.

'I see we meet again, Miss Puckle.'

The voice startled Hermione a great deal. She swivelled round, her eyes wide, her heart seemingly beating out of her chest. She sighed in recognition when she saw who had come to visit her, however.

'Professor Dumbledore, sir, I hadn't expected you,' said Hermione as politely as she could, though she could feel a pang in her heart from seeing him so contently, so happy, when –

'I trust Professor McGonagall took you to Diagon Alley?' Professor Dumbledore interrupted her thoughts, and she nodded. 'Yes, sir, I do wish you would – I mean, I couldn't possibly let you pay for my clothes and books.'

Professor Dumbledore merely stroked his silver beard, and gave her an amused smile. 'Nonsense, Miss Puckle, the school has a fund for the students that are not able to purchase their needed school supplies.'

'Oh,' replied Hermione, feeling rather foolish. 'Thank you, Professor.'

Professor Dumbledore nodded, and continued to stroke his beard, as if it was a habit he'd recently acquired. 'Professor McGonagall will arrive in several seconds to show you around Gryffindor House and introduce you to your fellow classmates.'

He stood up and smoothed out his cloak which, Hermione now noticed, was a rather violent shade of turquoise. 'Do keep in mind Miss Puckle, if you are having any trouble –'

His sentence was cut off by the sudden appearance of Professor McGonagall, who marched into the Hospital Wing briskly, her green hat dangling rather lopsided on her bun.

She didn't seem at all surprised to find Dumbledore sitting with Hermione as she nodded in greeting, putting her hat on straight. Hermione slung her bag over her shoulder, gave Professor Dumbledore a smile, and followed the Professor out of the Hospital Wing.

'Afternoon,' said the portrait of the Fat Lady when they reached the common room. Hermione was glad to find her looking exactly the same as she had when she had hurriedly left to go to class two days ago.

'Nescio,' said Professor McGonagall promptly and the portrait swung aside to reveal a large hole leading to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione blinked, raising an eyebrow. What a very peculiar password.

'The password is chosen weekly by either the Head Boy or the Head Girl, who are both in Gryffindor this year,' said McGonagall, as they both clambered through the portrait hole. 'If you have any trouble with classes or a fellow classmate, for example, don't hesitate to ask for their help. Now, without further ado,–'

''Fraid James is on the Quidditch Pitch, Minnie,' said a voice from their right, and they both turned round. Sirius Black was sprawled over a fancy red arm chair, his legs dangling over the side, as he studied both of them intently.

Seeing him sitting there, alive and well, Hermione suddenly had to suppress the urge to go over there and hug him. This was certainly going to be strange.

'Black, how many times do I have to tell you not to sit with your legs on an armchair?'

'Oh, Minnie,' grinned Sirius, winking saucily at her. 'You know that you love me.'

There was a faint hint of a blush on Professor McGonagall's cheeks, but she glowered at Sirius. 'Do you happen to know where Evans is?'

'Probably with James, scolding him for breaking some rule only she knows of,' said Sirius, shrugging.

Professor McGonagall sighed. 'All right, follow me, Puckle.'

'Puckle?' Sirius repeated sceptically, laughing. Both McGonagall and Hermione ignored him as they left the common room.

The rain had stopped, and one could now clearly seea red-robed figure zooming around the Quidditch Pitch.Even Hermione, who wasn't interested in Quidditch at all, had to say that the Head Boy flew very well. In fact, she was quite sure she'd seen that way of flying before...

'Potter!' barked McGonagall, and the figure immediately halted in mid-air, turning round. When he saw who it was, he speeded towards them, landing smoothly on the stands, slinging his broom over his shoulder.

Hermione bit down on her lip, hard, to stop herself from screaming. The boy in front of them was almost identical to Harry. Sure, his cheekbones seemed to be a bit different, and he had a slightly longer nose, but Hermione couldn't stop herself from shuddering.

'Potter, who's with – Professor? What are you doing here?' said a voice from behind Potter, who stepped aside to reveal a girl with auburn hair, and dazzling green eyes. Harry's eyes. Hermione's eyes quickly flitted back to Potter, who looked at her politely. There, hazel eyes. How –

'Potter, Evans, this is Jane Puckle. She's just transferred here from France, and she's in your house. Now, I expect you both to make her feel welcome, and show her around the school a little bit.'

'No problem, Professor.'