Chapter 4: Broken Ranks

"What if he wasn't trying to pull anything?" Ron whispered to Nevile.

"Ron, he's a Black. It's not in his genes," Neville whispered back.

"You can't just judge the apple by the tree. What if he was really trying to help? I didn't even know half of that," Ron countered.

"You knowing is one thing, but Hermione. This could just put a target on her back. She will have to bear this knowledge and not tell a soul about it. She didn't need that." Both boys glanced over at the girl currently laying on a cot.

"But why would he bring us in there too, if it was all about putting a target on her? And he offered to have you tell it…"

"Manipulations. Blacks are trained in them from day one. Think about it, if it all came down and something bad came of it, he could claim he was only trying to help. He could say we were there and we saw it. And why do you think he never hangs out with us? The only time he was ever seen by anyone to be with us was either in our own house or at meals and classes."

"Exactly. I mean maybe we're not the people he's manipulating, but rather those who would be watching. He's a Black, like you said, maybe he has to save appearances."

"Maybe. But something is off about him and we do not need that."

Hermione's mind came into focus, but she evened out her breathing. She wasn't ready for them to know that she was awake yet. The boy's shoes squeaked as they took a few steps away and then two chairs groaned as they settled in. Hermione focused on trying to organize and process the information. Slowly the main points stuck out like they were written on a chalkboard in her mind.

-The magical world suffered at the hands of muggles and muggle-borns so they don't trust them and have kept them down for ages because of it

-Two wars has left the wizarding world even more fractured—including many gaps in jobs and education

-Some avenues are cut off from me because I am muggle-born

-Still, with enough skill in a field I can still excel because they will need it

-I have to keep this to myself and stay out of trouble

-Haydrien left

'Haydrien,' she repeated in her head with a slight sting in her chest. She thought they were friends, but he walked away and somehow she doubted he was just going to waltz back. They were yelling before. Neville seems to think it's best if he stays away.

Hermione opens her eyes slowly. Neville leaps from his chair across the room.

"Hermione, how do you feel?" Neville asked.

"Where am I?" she replied.

"In the hospital wing. You fainted. Pomfrey said it was a bit of an overload that you magic just zapped your energy," Ron offered.

"How do you feel?" Neville pressed.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Hermione answered.

"Well, Pomfrey said you should sleep here tonight and she'll check on you in the morning. We'll take notes for you if you can't make it to class."

"Miss class?" she said horrified.

"It's not exactly a usual thing that you magic would react that way…"

"Oh."

"Hey, get some rest, I'm sure you'll as good new in the morning," Ron piped in. Neville still looked a bit unsure standing next to him. "We got to get to our house, mate. Curfew is in twenty minutes and it'll take that long if we hurry." Neville nodded but was still looking at Hermione.

"Go on. I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said throwing in a smile. They both nodded and said good bye before Ron dragged him out of there.

'Neville, I don't need a knight to slay my dragons. I need a sword,' Hermione thought before drifting off to a dreamless sleep.

~XxXxX~

Ron found Neville sitting in the common room the next morning, eye trained on the portrait hole.

"Did you get any sleep, mate?" Ron asked.

"Haydrien didn't come back last night," Neville answered, not looking away.

"Let's get some breakfast."

"I just can't believe he did that. I'm not surprised her magic reacted like that. She was so excited and then suddenly she's told that she's a second class citizen at best, will never make it anywhere and has no choice in the matter."

"It's not all that bad for muggle-borns," Ron said with a shrug.

"I know. But that's how he made it sound. Throw in a couple of wars with torture and murder and are you really surprised she ended up in the Hospital Wing?" Neville looked to Ron.

"Come on," was all Ron said as he led him to the Great Hall.

~XxXxX~

When Hermione opened her eyes again, the sun was shining through the window and a motherly looking witch with a white apron was bustling around the Hospital wing. When her eyes caught Hermione's, she lept over to where she lay.

"Morning, dear," she said as she started tracing complicated patterns with her wand over the young witch. "Seemed you had a bit too much for you first day of classes. I always told them there should be some introductory….Hmm, that's odd."

"What is it?" Hermione said, fear tainting her words.

"Well, you seem to be doing fine now. After an overdose like that you should have been off your feet all day…" she mused.

"So I can go to class?" she asked, perhaps a bit too hopeful. Pomfrey's lips pursed.

"Well I guess there isn't any reason you can't," she replied slowly. Hermione jumped out of bed and grabbed her bag.

"Wait," she called when Hermione was almost to the door. She turned, trying for her best puppy dog face. Pomfrey summoned a muffin from across the room then waved her wand over Hermione. Her clothes were suddenly not wrinkled and smelled and felt as if they were freshly out of the dryer. Pomfrey handed over the muffin.

"You won't have time to go to the dorms or for breakfast," she smiled, "but there you go, dear." Hermione smiled brightly at her. She reminded her of her mum.

"Thank you," she called as she raced out of the tower and on to Charms.

~XxXxX~

Neville and Ron both gave Hermione bright smiles when she entered the classroom seconds before it started and took her seat. Haydrien didn't look at her once. The professor was excitedly going on about the spell they would be learning about today. Hermione was enjoying the class much more than she did yesterday, without all the other information getting in the way.

As class was dismissed after two hours, Hermione turned to try and catch Haydrien's attention, but he was gone. She sighed as Neville and Ron bounced up to her.

"Feeling better or did you just bug Pomfrey until she let you out?" Ron joked. Hermione smiled.

"I was given a good bill of health," she replied.

~XxXxX~

When entering Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione was a bit surprised at the demeanor of the teacher. Professor Snape, for all his wonderful teaching skills, still knew his potions. She wasn't sure you could say as much for Professor Quirrell. Then again, maybe knowing enough about Defense Against the Dark Arts would make anyone a little jumpy.

Hermione glanced around for Haydrien, but he wasn't here, though he left before them. When the bell rang, she glanced around again and there he was, tucked into the back corner.

Neville rubbed the top of his forehead with his hand as Quirrell nervously lectured. He hadn't had headaches like this in a long while, something that might be worth writing home about. Quirrell studdering didn't inspire confidence and seemed to grate on his nerves, only causing his head to pulse more. Of course Neville had already learned and mastered the curriculum for this year. His tutor had made sure of that.

~XxXxX~

The rest of the day continued just the same. Meals between Neville, Ron, and Hermione were fun, but Haydrien never showed up. During classes, Hermione was never able to catch his eye and he was gone before she could get to him after.

Finally returning to the dorm after dinner, Hermione emptied her book bag on her bed. She had homework from yesterday and today to do. As she sorted the books-transfiguration is first thing tomorrow, so she should start there-a small black book with a leathery cover drew her attention. She picked it up and flipped through the pages. A small paper fluttered to the ground. Hermione read the neat writing.

~XxXxX~

Hazel, this is one of the book from the Black library. It's how I was taught the basics. Thought you might find it useful in getting ahead. Let's keep this just between you and me, could get me in a bit of trouble. Let me know if you have questions

-Haydrien

P.S. Feel free to ignore the darker references. See you at breakfast.

~XxXxX~

Hermione smiled involuntarily at the note. Breakfast? Probably meant today, but she was still in the Hospital Wing. She decided to thank him the next time she saw him, before diving into reading the small book he provided.

~XxXxX~

Catching up with Haydrien proved to be harder than originally thought. He was never at meals. Hermione was never able to catch him coming or leaving the common room. He seemed to slip into class at the last possible second, leaving no time to talk. He somehow also disappeared from class before she could get out of her seat. At this point it was just getting frustrating.

Hermione tried once to force him to sit next to her, making sure to leave the seat next to her open. Yet, he was in a seat on the other side of the room when class started that Hermione was sure was already taken. She sat by the door, but he still manage to slip past her on both his way in and out.

Hermione even slumped so low as to try whistling. She thought she might have felt someone, but he was nowhere to be seen.

If it hadn't be for the interesting coursework and homework to keep me busy, Hermione would have lost her mind after a week. Still, by the end of October, she was at her wits end.

~XxXxX~

Neville rubbed his head and slipped down the stairs. Another headache had woken him in the middle of the night. His Gran had written back to monitor it and that they would look into it more when he came home at Christmas. Still he wasn't going to get anymore sleep tonight.

Huddled in a ball on the couch in the common room Hermione slept, a book nestled against her chest. Neville sighed. He tugged gently at the book, then marked the page and set it to the side. Gathering up the blanket that had fallen to the floor, he covered the sleeping girl.

This wasn't the first time Neville had found her asleep in the common room in the middle of the night. In Gryffindor, he need not worry that anyone would hurt her at least. The witch in question seemed more subdued since their little history lesson. She fought hard to be at the top of the class, yet hardly raised her hand. As far as Neville was concerned, Hermione falling asleep studying every night was just another crime to lay at Haydrien Black's feet.

~XxXxX~

Neville, Ron, and Hermione entered the detected out Great Hall for the Halloween feast. Hermione's eyes naturally scanned the tables, all of them, for any sign of a certain boy. She let out a frustrated growl at her findings.

"You ok, Hermione?" Ron asked. "You seem to be getting more…er…pissy lately." She turned to him with a death glare to which he appropriately stepped back.

"I swear I am going to kill that boy when I finally get my hands on him," she said. Ron paled slightly.

"Who?" Neville asked.

"Haydrein." The frustration in that one name spilled over from the last two months. But it was too late to stop her now. "He's never at meals. He is only in class for the mandatory time and always slips in and out no matter what. I can never catch him the common room. Where the hell has he been?" The boys looked a little startled at her rant.

"Er…Hermione, I don't think he's been in the common room," Ron said. Hermione turned to him, fire in her eyes.

"What?"

"Yeah…he hasn't been…staying in the…dorms…"

"Are you saying I've been staying up late and waking up early for NOTHING."

"I…I think Fred needs something," Ron said before scurrying away. Hermione turned to Neville.

"Well?"

"No, he hasn't been there and frankly it's for the best," Neville said, with a I-stand-by-my-choice look.

"That's your opinion. I, for one, would like my friend back. So if you'll excuse me…"

"Do you not remember what he did to you?" Neville whispered urgently at her.

"What he did to me? What are you talking about?"

"He manipulated you. Hurt you. That's what Blacks do. You didn't see yourself. Maybe you don't remember, but I saw how you pulled away from him. Don't you tell me he didn't hurt you." Hermione recoiled from his words.

"Hurt?" she spat the words into his face. "I wasn't hurt. I was overwhelmed. I was shocked. Maybe a little panicked. But. He. Didn't. Hurt. Me." She punctured each word with a pointed finger at him, but the last word was accompanied with seven candles breaking over the tables on either side of them. Flakes for wax drifted down and a few students laughed at the "prank." Neville just started at her with…surprise, realization, or horror…she didn't know. But he knew it was her.

Hermione turned and ran from the Great Hall, passing started students and a professor making his way in. She just kept running until she found an empty bathroom and sought refuge inside.

The tears came fast and hard. She couldn't shake the look on Neville's face. She wasn't even sure what it meant, except that he knew it was her.

'And that's not even getting into the whole Haydrien problem,' she thought helplessly. 'He probably thinks her hurt me just as much as Neville thinks he did. And I pulled away from him? God, what am I going to do now? If I could just talk to him, explain…' Hermione let out a soft whistle then held her breath.

She heard a pounding in the hallway. A little too hopeful, she bounce to the door and pull it open. Perhaps there is something wrong with her, but the only thing she could think was, 'Haydrien has sure changed.'

~XxXxX~

Neville watched Hermione run off for half a minute while indulging in a bit of self-pity. 'You really screwed things up this time,' he thought. With a deep sigh, he set out to find her and apologize. However, before he could exit the Great Hall, Quirrell burst in.

"There is a troll in the-the dungeon," Quirrell shouts. Dumbledore stands and his voice is like a cannon.

"The students are to stay in the Great Hall, no one is to leave. Professors McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick, if you'll please come with me to handle this matter. The rest of the professors please stay her to look after the students. Hagrid, take guard at the door." With that the professors designated left through the side door by the teachers' table. Hagrid started down to the door.

Ron appeared at Neville's side.

"Hermione doesn't know about the troll," Ron said a hint of panic in his tone.

"It's in the dungeon, but we should still warn her to get back here, just in case," Neville replied.

"Now or never," Ron said. Hagrid was close. They both slipped out the door. They turned up the corridor. Neville saw a flash of black hair out of the corner of his eye, but when he looked no one was there. He could feel someone watching them though, just beyond where he could see.

"Haydrien, we need to find Hermione," Neville said as he recognized a general shape in a the shifting shadows. Ron looks around.

"Neville…there's no one-" Ron started.

"I'm actually surprised you knew I was there. So why would I help you find your master?" Haydrien's voice cut through the shadows. Ron jumped away in shock. Neville gritted his teeth at him.

"Hermione ran off and she doesn't know there's a troll roaming the halls," Ron blurted out. Haydrien stepped out of the shadows.

"This way," he said and took off running, the two others trying to stay on his heels. Ron whispered to Neville,

"How did you know he was there?"

"Later," Neville snapped back.

Suddenly, Haydrien stopped, both boys swerved to avoid running into him.

"Hermione is close, she came this way. But so did the troll and I can't pick up her trail under the trolls," Haydrien said.

"What'll we—" Ron started.

"Shh," Haydrien said, then cocks his head to the side. After a second he grins, "Of all the times to listen to me." Then the smile disappears along with most of the color in his face. "Shit." He grabbed a sleeve of each boy and took off running, dragging them along. 'He's faster than before,' Neville thought, 'and strong enough to pull both of us with him. What are you, Haydrien?'

Haydrien was cursing under his breath. But then they all heard a loud CRASH and a scream. It was close. Haydrien released them, then pushed himself even faster around the last corner. Half the wall was missing. Haydrien saw the troll swing its club at the row of stalls. Many jagged pieces of glass were sticking out of the trolls skin, sickly black blood leaking from them. In the corner, Hermione was huddled in a ball. The troll raised it's club again. Haydrien grabbed a toilet seat from the rubble and chucked it at it. Neville heard the crack more than saw it as the toilet seat hit the troll's head.

The troll turned to see the cause of the offending object. Three boys stood in front of it. The troll roared at them.

"Ron, get Hermione out of there. Haydrien help me distract him," Neville yelled. Haydrien continued throwing things while Neville released spells that they hadn't learned at school. Neither seemed to cause damage, but the troll was staggering towards them. Ron ducked behind it and collected Hermione for her corner, before dragging her through the door and into the hall.

"Got any great ideas, Black?"

"I got an idea, but the troll most likely won't survive," Haydrien called back.

"Good. What do you need?" Neville replied.

"I need it's back to me and its focus on you for five seconds."

"Ok, let's end this. Black, on my count, close your eyes and disappear. I'll draw it out so you can get behind it. One, two, go." Neville shot a spell that blinded the whole hallway and bathroom for five seconds. The troll was still seeing stars afterwards, but swung his club blindly anyway. Neville kept sending spells at it, guiding it forward, but trying to stay out of swinging range.

Haydrien, in place behind the troll, grabbed a long piece of wood from what was the door that splintered into a point at one end. He took quick inventory of his route, then propelled himself forward. Using the rumble of the half destroyed wall as a springboard, he leapt onto the trolls back, digging his spike into the side of the troll's neck. The troll's roar was gurgled as it fell to its knees. Haydrien jumped away just as it fell over onto its side, the ground pushing the spike the rest of the way through.

For a second they just stood there, Neville and Haydrien on either side of the dead troll. Neville walked over to Haydrien then.

"Thank you," Neville said.

"Don't mention it. I mean like ever again," Haydrien replied. Neville's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, before he shook it off.

"About before…"

"The teachers are coming. I was never here," Haydrien said as he turned to leave down the hallway. Ron was behind him, with an arm around Hermione. He nodded to Haydrien as the later disappeared back into the shadows.

A clatter of footsteps drew their attention to the other end of the hallway where three professors and the Headmaster were making their way toward them.

"What has happened here?" McGonagall asked, waving her arms at the destruction and dead troll.

"Well….er…" Neville started rather unimpressively.

"Why aren't you in the Great Hall?" Snape snapped. Now here was one they knew the answer to.

"Hermione wasn't in the Great Hall when Quirrell came in and didn't know about the troll. We didn't want her wandering into its path so we were getting her to bring her back to the Great Hall," Neville explained.

"You see how well that turned out," Ron said. Neville shot him a small glare, twinged with a side of amusement.

"So you decided to take on a full grown mountain troll on your own?" Snape said with cold, calculating eyes.

"No, we decided to save our friend who it already had trapped," Neville said, staring at McGonagall. "There wasn't time to get help. If we could have escaped with Hermione we would have, but the troll was kind of against that."

"And how did the three of your kill the troll?" McGonagall asked.

"Well, I drew it away while Ron got Hermione out of there," Neville started. "Then I shot a bright light to blind it and then…er…"

"The troll slipped on all the water and stuff and fell. It ended up impaling itself on some of the wreckage. It's kind of funny if you think about it, the troll caused his own death," Ron rescued.

"You've got to be kidding me," Snape droned.

"They aren't exactly the most intelligent creatures," Neville pointed that out. Snape shot him a cold glare.

"Professor Snape, I think the children have had a rather rough day. Professor Flitwick, will you please escort them to the Hospital Wing so that they can be checked out," Dumbledore said. Flitwick nodded.

"Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall called. When they turned to look at her she said, "Ten points each will be taken for going against the express orders of the Headmaster." The nodded solemnly. "And fifteen points each for sheer dumb luck. Goodnight." The boys smiled and nodded before the three first years headed off in the care of Flitwick.

~XxXxX~

Hermione was starting to be more responsive by the time they had gotten to the Hospital Wing, the shock of it all wearing off. They heard voices as they neared the door.

"Perhaps it is best to stay out of the Forbidden Forest, Mr. Black," Madam Pomfrey said.

"Do you know somewhere else I can find an enchanted tree who would arm wrestle me? I was this close to beating him with this arm. He promised me the dame of my choice if I won," Haydrien replied.

"Really?" Madam Pomfrey deadpanned.

"Well it was either this or playing tag with the Whomping Willow. Do you think I should done that?" Hermione could hear his smile through the door before Professor Flitwick lead them in. Madam Pomfrey turned to them entered. For the first time, Hermione looked over the group as well. They were covered in dirt and grime.

"What happened here?" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.

"These students ran into a little trouble with a troll," Professor Flitwick said.

"Trouble? It was a bloody mess. Barely got out alive," Ron added, to which Neville rolled his eyes.

"And you thought I was bad challenging an enchanted tree," Haydrien said. Pomfrey turned to him, without the hint of a smile.

"I thought you said it persuaded you to arm wrestle," she said.

"Well it did. I just thought 'was persuaded to arm wrestle a enchanted tree with the promise of the love of a dame if I won' was a bit of a mouthful, but whichever you prefer."

"You may leave, Mr Black."

"Oh, but can't I stay? I think the dame of my dreams just walked in," Haydrien winked at Hermione before turning back to the Medi-Witch.

"Out." This didn't seem to dent Haydrien's spirits at all as hopped down and headed out the door with a single wink at Hermione over his shoulder.

Madam Pomfrey turn towards the students and started running diagnostic spells. Besides Hermione who had a few deeper cuts, there was nothing that would leave them more that a bit stiff in the morning. She quickly dismissed them back to their dorms, but not before Hermione offered an apology for Haydrien's behavior. Hermione couldn't quite decipher the small smile that tugged at Pomfrey's lips when she apologized for him.

~XxXxX~

The three hadn't left the Hospital Wing too far behind when they turned the corner to spot Haydrien leaning against the wall. Neville stepped forward, eyes narrowed.

"What's with ditching us to deal with the teachers, Black?" Neville said.

"Did you handle it?" Haydrien replied, unfazed. Neville continued to stare at him, unwilling to answer the questions.

"Yes," Ron offered politely.

"Then I wasn't needed," Haydrien said simply.

"That's not what I mean, Black. Why did you run off and have us cover for you?" Neville shot back. 'God, not all this again,' Hermione thought.

"Calm down, I thought everything was worked out while killing the troll," Haydrien answered.

"Not if you are going to keep lying and hiding everything from us constantly." Haydrien sighed heavily at Neville's words. Hermione could swear she could almost see him weighing the pros and cons on a scale in his mind.

"Neville, I don't expect you to understand, being who you are and where you're from. But as a Black, I have to uphold certain appearances. Having it know that I raced through a castle with the boy who lived to save a muggle-born would not work in anyone's favor," Haydrien's eyes lingered ever so slightly on Hermione before continuing. "I know what I'm doing. Though…behind closed door, I can attempt to answer any questions you may have. If you can't accept this, then I guess this is where it ends sadly." Haydrien stood straight and tall, perhaps as only someone brought up as royalty could. Still there was doubt and fear of rejection clouding his eyes.

Without a second thought, Hermione reacted as only a thirteen year old from the muggle world could, as she leaped forward and hugged him. Haydrien was stiff, but patted her back awkwardly until she stepped back with a wide smile. Neville offered his right hand, staring Haydrien in the eyes. Haydrien smirked, but shook it all the same.

"There are some questions I want answers too," Neville added while shaking still. Haydrien nodded before they both released their grip.

"Like how you got so bloody fast, mate," Ron asked, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Some of us are just born awesome, Ron," Haydrien replied with a lazy smile. Hermione could help her smile either, this is how it is supposed to be.

AN: Haydrien comes on very strong as an OC, however he is not violet in any way. He was raised with purebloods and knows all the ins and outs of the society. I know in some ways, the chapters create more questions than answers, but otherwise I would end up with endless tangents. Be consoled in that the answers are coming and you will learn about them with the characters. Please keep reading and let me know what you think. Thank you.