Title: 1.3 : Mirror of Erised : No House
Author: itsjoshua
Rating: M (NC-17)
Word count: 3 562
Status: edited, but not edited at the same time ... if that makes sense ...
Summary: Hermione Granger faces a terrible dilemma when she accidentally travels through time and somehow comes into an unusual creature inheritance. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Hermione depends on a person she knows will only bring trouble.
Disclaimer: Eh, do I own Harry Potter? Maybe - just kidding. I don't. I wish I did, but that would be too good to be true.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
I freeze.
I fucking freeze.
It is impossible for me to believe that the handsome man before me is the future Dark Lord. This is almost a bigger shock than finding out I'm in 1944. I never seen Tom Riddle for myself, only Harry and Ginny know what he looks like. I never understood how they could so blindly trust him, but now I understand. He looks so innocent, so goddamn innocent, but at the same time there is something just lurking in the background, waiting to be released. A bloody beast, perhaps?
Now that I think about it, Voldemort would have been 15 turning 16 in just a couple of days. How could I forget such an important thing?! Then again, a lot has happened in just a short amount of time. I did, in fact, just find out I'm a mermaid.
"What is your name?" Riddle asks.
"Hermione," I respond swiftly in a clipped tone.
"Yes, I know that, but what is your full name? Perhaps your last name?" Riddle says in a mocking voice though it is uniquely disguised with a calm tone.
He needs to leave, he needs to go, he needs to die, my mind screams.
I blink a few times as I try to control both my nervousness and slight burst of anger. I look into Riddle's curious gaze and I feel like childishly pocking him in the eyes. I bite my lips slightly in great annoyance. Why wouldn't he just leave me alone?!
He hates my kind! I cannot just simply introduce myself as Hermione Granger! He will know I am a muggleborn. As soon as I utter the first syllable of my last name, he might as well Avada Kedavra me. Next thing you know, I'll become like Moaning Myrtle, crying about all my problems and unfair treatment.
"I don't remember," I state and he simply raises an eyebrow at me.
He takes slow measured steps towards me, his hands hidden behind his back, possibly hiding his wand. Nothing about this situation makes me feel comfortable.
I raise my wand and position myself, ready for a fight.
I do not like this, not one bit.
His thin lips tug into a smirk and something akin to triumph flashes through his eyes before it is masked behind a calm expression once again. However, he continues to stalk towards me until my wand is poking him in the chest.
"Make your move, Hermione," he sneers and I glare at him hatefully.
I tense my wand hand, thinking of how many jinxes and curses that I could use within a single second. It's on the tip of my tongue, burning, searing it, but - but I can't.
A moment of silence passes between us, and I slowly lower my wand in defeat.
His smirk widens and I want to punch him so badly. Make him feel the pain that he caused everyone in my time to feel. I want him to suffer and die a painful death that will haunt him even in the deepest depths of hell.
"You're a liar, Miss Hermione," Riddle says after awhile and my breath catches in my throat. How - no. He doesn't know. He can't know ... could he?
"How so?" I ask, playing along with his tricks.
"I can see it in your eyes. There is something there ... something that you're keeping from Dippet. However, any fool like him would buy your white lies," he hisses.
"Gee, and is he the same way with you?" I look down to his golden Head Boy badge that glitters in the dim light. "Surely as being Head Boy, Dippet doesn't see any of your flaws." I sneer and I knew if Draco was here, he would applaud me for my Slytherin-like efforts.
Draco.
Where was he now? Is he - ?
No. Now's not the time, think about the current matter at hand.
I focus my attention back on Riddle, and he looks even more amused than he did before.
"My flaws?" He questions as if it is impossible for him to have any. "And what exactly, are my flaws, Miss. Hermione?"
I open my mouth ready to sprout a whole list of what his flaws are, only to realize that - bloody hell - I'm not supposed to know anything, including his flaws! This is going to be a lot harder than I thought.
Quickly, I came up with something that is clearly transparent, but will hopefully keep him at bay. "Why Mr. Riddle, within the last five or so minutes, you haven't exactly treated me with a friendly attitude." I say and it isn't really a lie, now that I think about it. He's been nothing but an absolute git from the start.
"Is that so?"
I nod my head slowly in response.
"Well then, Miss. Hermione, please accept my apologies. I didn't realize my attitude offended you." He gives me a charming smile.
"Wha - ?" I question stupidly and he continues to smile at me with his sudden mood change. Which is definitely weird. He went from being a suspicious git to absolutely charming within the blink of an eye! He's either an extremely good actor or he's just bipolar. One or the other.
"With this I shall take my leave." With his final parting, Riddle sidestepped me as I can only stare at him with confusion in my eyes. It isn't until the doors snaps closed, that I am able to take my eyes off of Riddle's retreating back.
I run my fingers through my knotted hair as I replay what just happened over and over again in my head. I try to make sense of it, but I can't. It is then, of course, that I realize I should have approached the situation differently.
This was sort of like test, a test to see how I can handle Riddle. This only shows me that I need to be more prepared, especially if I want to survive through this era.
I shook my head and slowly inched towards my bed in deep thought.
This is not good, not good at all.
For someone who just encountered the future Dark Lord, I fell asleep quite easily. In fact, I feel almost giddy with the new set challenge. Which is strange. I should be frightened. However, than again, what kind of Gryffindor would I be, if I was?
"Good morning, Miss Hermione," Head- I mean Professor Dumbledore greets me, and I smile as I shake his outstretched hand. "Ms. Melancolic tells me that you are feeling well," Dumbledore states and I nod.
"Yes, a lot better than yesterday and last night," I say in response.
"I am glad," he says, but a part of me know's that isn't entirely true. I can still see the mistrust present within his eyes.
"Would you like to join me in my office? We still need to get your paper work done," Dumbledore professes and I nod my head in agreement. The sooner we can finish it, the better.
At that moment, Ms. Melancolic steps out of her tiny office and into the main part of the infirmary. Her gaze catches Dumbledore in shock and places a tray of potions down on a cabinet not too far from her.
"Oh, Albus, you're here already," she blusters. "I thought you would come by much later," she says as she fusses over me. Her attitude almost reminds me that of Madame Pomfrey as she made sure everything is okay.
"Yes, I fear that something came up in my schedule for later today. I thought it would be best to come now," Dumbledore says kindly and Ms. Melancolic huffs with slight annoyance as she eyes Dumbledore.
"Fine, but please do not over exert yourself, you just came into your inheritance. Your body may still be a bit weak," she says to me in a motherly tone. I simply smile at her genuine concern and I promise not to over work myself. Plus, I'm only just signing a couple of documents, how hard can it be?
A small smile of Ms. Melancolic's own started to appear as she is appeased with my answer. "Take some potions and I'll give you something a bit more flattering than that awful hospital gown," she says as she bustles her way towards the cabinet that held the potions.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and let them dangle as I wait for Ms. Melancolic to reappear. When she does, she holds three distinctive potions in her hands.
"For pain relief," she says as she hands me a lilac coloured potion and looks towards the bandages around my neck. I uncork the small bottle and chug down the bitter tasting ingredients. I shiver slightly as I hand back the empty bottle. A dull ache, that I didn't even know existed, disappears from around my neck, making me feel less stiff.
"To keep you hydrated, my dear," she states as she hands me an aqua blue potion. I do the same thing as I did with the last one though the taste is more preferable and makes me feel a lot more stronger.
"Because you're a water creature the less hydrated you are, the weaker you are," she states matter of factually and I nod my head in understanding.
"Lastly, a replenishing potion," she smiles sadly as she hands it towards me. Seeing my questioning gaze she expands. "You lost quite a bit of blood from last night. Gave Mr. Riddle and I quite the fright. I gave you one earlier when you passed out, but you'll need another," I nod my head slowly and drink it. I grimace at the copper taste, but swallow as much of it as I can.
Shaking my head slightly at the awful taste I hand her back the empty bottle and slide off the bed.
"Is that all?" I ask politely and Ms. Melancolic nods her head as she grabs hands me a white dress.
"It's my daughter's," is all she said as gestures for me to use the bathroom. Giving her my thanks, I head into the bathroom that is located not too far from me. As I walk into the bathroom, I close the door behind me. The bathroom is dark, with very little light. I turn to the window and throw open the curtains to let in some light, but it doesn't do much.
Taking what I can get, I turn to look in the mirror and gasp slightly as I stumble back.
No way.
This cannot be happening.
Staring at me is a familiar face that isn't mine, but the one I would see in that strange mirror. The golden eyes, sharpened teeth, long loose curls, everything that I had seen in that mirror is now me ... Impossible.
I turn on the taps of the sink and splash some water on my face hoping that I'm just seeing things. However, as I look up to the mirror again, I notice that small distinctive areas of face were now pale pink scales. I look at my hands and I realize they too are now scaly.
"When you were found, you were in the form of a mermaid, but you transformed back into a human after a short while of being out of the water," Dippet states.
Is this what my inheritance includes? That the moment I touch water, I turn into a scaly freak?! A part of me wants to scream and the other part of me wants to study this more thoroughly. I touch the scales on my face to examine them. They're smooth to the touch, but at the same time, they're rough, how is this possible?
I take in deep breaths as I try to calm myself. I turn away from the mirror and slip out of my dressing gown. It feels nice to not have to wear it. I never really liked being in the infirmary. I realize that I'm taking quite awhile to get changed, I pull on my the white dress that Ms. Melancolic lent to me. It fits perfectly and soon I turn to the mirror to face my image. The scales had all but faded and I'm glad to know that it doesn't last very long.
What will I do when I have to take showers?
I feel myself bite my lip in worry, but I decide to save that question for another time. Right now, Dumbledore is waiting for me. I open the bathroom door and walk out into the infirmary. Dumbledore smiles and gesture towards the door.
I step to follow him, but pause to say thank you once again to Ms. Melancolic who only smiles and waves me off.
I follow Dumbledore out the large room and into the hallway of Hogwarts. The hallways are surprisingly empty and I look around wondering where all the students were. They couldn't be on holidays already, could they?
Seeing my wandering eyes, Dumbledore gives me a knowing look.
"They are all in Hogsmeade," Dumbledore states and I quickly remember that I shouldn't know what that is.
"Hogsmeade, sir?" I ask and Dumbledore explains to me that it's just a town outside of Hogwarts. I nod my head as if this is all new to me and I mentally pat myself on the back for my quick thinking.
We walk down several flights from the fifth floor to the second. At first I trail behind him confused because the Headmasters office is in the opposite direction. However, I remember that Dumbledore is not Headmaster yet, but only Deputy Headmaster.
Our slightly fast pace walk gradually gets slower as we approach a solid wooden door. Dumbledore waves his wand and the door opens with a soft click. We enter the quiet room filled with several desks and random knickknacks.
"This is my classroom," Dumbledore says almost with a hint of pride."I teach Transfiguration to fourth years all the way to seventh," Dumbledore notes and I nod my head in understanding.
Dumbledore leads me to a second room that I assume is his personal office. As he pushes open the door, I am stun to see a room that looks like the miniature version of his office in my time. It is just as cluttered and fascinating as ever. I take a moment to look everything over and take special note of a certain bird missing.
Dumbledore walks further into his room and sits at his desk. He gestures for me to take a seat and I do.
He pulls open a drew and lifts out a small bundle of parchment. He places it on the desk in front of me along with a elegant quill that looks smooth to the touch.
"Although Headmaster Dippet and I came to the conclusion that you are of no threat, I still hold my suspicions. It is not very often that we have someone randomly appear within our wards," he says and I knew he is being very serious. "There will be a slight investigation into your ... predicament and hopefully we will be able to get your memories back and figure out who you are Miss Hermione." I know Dumbledore isn't telling me this for the fun of it. I can see a warning when given one. He's giving me one last chance to come clean about who I am, but I can't. It can only cause trouble if I do.
"I understand, sir," I say confidently, but deep down I'm not.
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore slides the documents closer to me.
"These are the necessary applications in order for you to attend our school temporarily. With Grindelwald on the rise many, including students, are temporarily seeking refuge within our walls. This is a similar form that they would receive, but slightly revised. Take as much time as you need to fill them out, but be sure to not leave too many blanks," Dumbledore said.
Taking the quill and flipping to the first page, I began to fill our the form.
First Name: Hermione
Last Name: unknown
Birthday: unknown
I pause. I cannot put my real birthday, especially since it hasn't happened yet. I leave it blank and skip to the next.
Age: Sixteen (16)
Hogwarts Year: Seven (7)
Gender: Female
The questions went as so and I fill them as thoroughly as I can without giving myself away. When I am done, I give Professor Dumbledore the parchment back and he hands me a single sheet with check-boxes.
Subjects of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
All students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are required to take the following subjects:
Transfiguration
Charms
Flying (first years only)
Apparition (sixth years only)
All students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are required to choose a minimum of four (4) courses from the subjects below:
Potions
History of Magic
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Astronomy
Herbology
All students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are required to choose a minimum of two (2) additional subjects from the following list:
Arithmancy
Muggle Studies
Divination
Study of Ancient Runes
Care of Magical Creatures
I check off almost every box except for Divination and Herbology. Those were my least favourite subjects and I already vowed to never take Divination again after receiving seven prophecy of deaths that never happen. I sign my name off at the bottom the sheet with a quick flourish and slide it back to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore takes the offered parchment and looks over it with a bit of surprise. I guess even in this time, it's not very often someone chooses as many courses as I do.
"Is that all for today?" I ask.
"Yes, I believe so. A timetable will be prepared and ready for you at the beginning of the day tomorrow. Tonight you will be introduced to the school at dinner."
A freeze at that and look at Dumbledore with slight shock. Introduce me to the school? To me that is the worst thing to happen to me. My plan is to remain invisible within these school walls, not be put on show.
"Must I?" I ask with a slightly pleading tone.
"Yes." Is his finally answer and I almost feel like pouting.
Almost.
"With that Miss Hermione I will escort you back to the hospital wing and -"
"Where will I stay? I mean, once I'm out the infirmary where will I go?" I question.
"Ah, yes. Since you're only a temporary student, you will have no house -"
"House?" I inquiry. Another thing I'm not suppose to know.
"Ah, yes. Hogwarts is composed of four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin," Dumblredore says curtly and I get the slight feeling that he's trying to get rid of me, but why?
"As I was saying. You will have no house, but you are expected to eat with the students during meals and attend the classes with them too. A room will be prepared for you by the time Ms Melancolic says you can leave the infirmary."
No house?
No hat?
No Gryffindor?
No red and gold?
The thought in itself is strange. When they said I could stay here, I thought that I was going to be sorted into a house. However, no more being a Gryffindor seems too strange to me.
"Now, if that is all the questions Miss Hermione, I will escort you back to the hospital wing."
Author's Note:
So here's another chapter. Sorry for not updating in the last couple months. I've been unexpectedly busy.
The Mirror of Erised is the same mirror that Harry Potter saw in Philosopher's Stone, but keep in mind that Dumbledore told Harry not tell anyone about the mirror, thus Hermione doesn't really know what it is besides the fact that it's a mirror.
Er, I'm not sure how the relationship between Hermione and Tom will progress, but there will be a lot of interactions between the two throughout the story (obviously). However, rated-M stuff *wiggles eyebrows* probably won't happen for another few chapters (haha sorry).
Anyways, please be sure to let me know what you think. I really do appreciate everyone's reviews, it means a lot to me :)
- itsjoshua