Hello All,
Here's the next chapter. Thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favorites. I had to take this down yesterday, after I found a huge mistake. So sorry for the trouble.
Now at the end of this chapter I am putting a note about the TIME LINE.
I have gotten reviews over it, so read the note at the end if you want to know all about my time line. If there are any other questions, please PM me. I would love to talk about any concerns anyone can think of.
Now on with the story...
I own nothing.
Chapter Eight
Hermione once again found herself waiting nervously for Abraxas' arrival. She had had been restless the night before, constantly tossing and turning. Then when sleep did finally find her, she dreamt of deep grey eyes and a smile that made her insides flip. When she finally woke up, she quickly showered and dressed for the day. She was wearing a sleeveless pink dress with her hair braided to the side and ballet flats. She applied some make up, but not too much that it looked caked on. She was ready physically but mentally she was a mess.
Hermione was still worried that this thing between them had gone too far. Even though she made her choice when she agreed to meet him that afternoon, she was still weighing the pros and cons in her mind when she heard a knock at the door. Her heart rate accelerated as she floated across the room to open it. She took a deep breath and opened the door. It's going to be okay, just breathe!
Abraxas Malfoy stood in front of her in a green button down shirt, tucked into his tan linen pants, and brown beetle boots. His black hair combed to perfection and his grey eyes highlighted by the shirt he was wearing. Once again the man looked amazing, and he was giving her that smile that made her weak at the knees.
"Good Afternoon Hermione, as always you look well." Abraxas said while stepping inside the house as she ushered him in. Well? She looks fucking fantastic. Damn, look at those legs. Easy, you don't want to scare her off!
"Good Afternoon to you too, and thank you. You look good as well." She said with a blush as she stood in front of him.
"So what would you like to do today?" He asked putting his arms behind him and gave her a questioning look.
"I don't know what would you like to do Abraxas?" She shrugged, as she really hadn't thought about what they could do that day. She had been more worried about his arrival. Great, he's here and we have nothing to do. Wonderful.
"I haven't the foggiest idea what we should do, what would you like to do?" He said with a smirk. She looks frazzled, she must not have thought of anything.
"Oh for the love of Merlin, we are not going to start that are we?" Hermione said exasperated.
"Start what?" He answered, confused at her tone.
"The whole,' I don't know what do you want to do?' bit, and then we only get more frustrated." Hermione said. She remembered all the times she had watched her parents do that and it drove her insane. Not to mention it always ended up with them angry, and she didn't want to be angry with the man in front of her.
"I'm not following you." He said. What is she talking about? Is she angry with me?
"Never mind it's something my parents do. Okay let's think." She said and began unconsciously pacing in a small line in front of Abraxas. He had to fight a laugh at watching her pace. She's adorable.
"We could go eat, go to the bookstore, stay here, go see a movie, uhm…." She stopped mid-pace to bite her lip and try to think of more things to do with him.
"Wait what? A mobie?" Abraxas asked. What is she talking about?
"I said a movie." Hermione replied, looking at Abraxas' confused face, and fought back a giggle. It was peculiar to see such an aristocratic man so confused.
"What's a movie?" He questioned looking at her amused face and raising an eyebrow at her.
"It's a moving picture with sound, and actors playing a part. It's like a play, only its not live, it's on a screen. It's a muggle thing, but my friends and I went to the movies all the time back home." Hermione said, remembering all the times that she had gone to Cinema with her friends.
"So you sit like it's a play, but it's on a screen?" Abraxas asked, still confused.
"Yes, people film the movies and then they are replayed on the screen." Hermione said, trying to dumb down this concept as much as she could without offending him.
"Okay, lets go to see a movie." Abraxas said with confidence. Try it; maybe you'll enjoy it. Maybe you'll even get to put your arm around her like you could at a play. Hmmm… He smiled inwardly at the thought of being closer to her.
"We don't have to, we could always just stay here. I can always think of something else." Hermione said not wanting to pressure him.
"No, I want to do this with you. You'll have to be my guide, I've never spent much time anywhere outside of the Wizarding World." Abraxas said with a smile.
"Okay, there's not really much to know. It's the same as anywhere in the Wizarding World, there's just no magic there. So keep your wand in your pants and you should be fine." Hermione said, blushing at the last part of her statement. Abraxas sniggered and his smile grew wider at her blush. As he offered her his arm so they could apparate.
"You know what I meant. Now come on, let's go see what's playing." Hermione said, grabbing her beaded bag off of the floor and took Abraxas' arm. With a crack she apparated them to an alleyway in muggle London a few streets away from the Cinema.
"Okay we could go see, The Manchurian Candidate, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, or Doctor No." Hermione said thinking. Her father had told her about these three movies so she definitely did not want to see the second one, so it was between a war movie or Sean Connery as James Bond. She was going to let Abraxas decide, though she hoped he didn't pick the war movie.
"Poppet, I have no clue what any of those titles mean. You decide what I might like." Abraxas said looking at her blush at his term of endearment for her. He really didn't have any idea what the movie would entail, so she would be the best judge of character.
"Okay well, I don't think you'd like the second movie, or a muggle war movie. So I guess spy action movie it is." Hermione said honestly and took his arm so that they could get tickets.
Abraxas sat in his chair and continued to look at his surroundings. He was sitting in a black cloth chair at the very back of the large theatre. It looked like any play would, except instead of a stage, there was a large white screen in the very front of him. The room was done in deep red curtains, and was adorned with the occasional light, creating a romantic glow.
Hermione sat to his right and she was also taking in her surroundings. It all looks so vintage, but it isn't. Well not right now it's not. Seeing the movie theatre made her realize just how far back in time she was, and how much she didn't belong there. She sighed and turned her gaze to the man sitting next to her and let out a laugh. He looked so cute, with his wide eyed expression. It was heart warming to know that even a man like him could still get that look of wonder in his eyes.
"What's so funny?" He said with a bemused expression.
"You are. You look like a child in his first year at school." Hermione said.
"Well this is all new to me. Unlike you, I don't have friends who are interested in these kinds of things. Well besides Jack." Abraxas said. The men he had as friends or acquaintances wouldn't be caught dead in a Cinema, let alone muggle London. Hermione didn't seem bothered at all, and it only made him more fascinated by her.
"Well that's a shame. You need better friends is what it sounds like to me." Hermione replied bluntly.
"You are mostly right on that front my dear. However, I am happy to keep this new experience between just you and I." He said with a smirk and a wink as Hermione blushed.
The lights began to dim until the room was black and the screen came to life. Hermione stifled a laugh at jerk of surprise Abraxas gave as the movie began to play and the familiar theme of James Bond filled the theatre.
It was about half way through the movie that Abraxas began to feel comfortable in the new environment. On the screen he watched as the man named Bond interrogated the other man named Dent. The movie was interesting and he was glad Hermione picked this one. He looked to the woman on his right and he watched her for a moment. She was completely concentrated on the screen in front of her. Her big brown eyes never wavering from the screen, her brow furrowed, and her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. It was a beautiful sight, and he had to be closer to her.
He faked a yawn and stretched his arms upward letting his right arm fall slowly around her shoulder and pulled her in close to his side. He silently prayed to Merlin that she didn't shrug his arm off. She radiated warmth and as he inhaled his nose filled with her intoxicating smell. Mmm … she smells delicious. He groaned inwardly and could sense her eyes on him, but stared straight ahead. If he looked down at her, he might do something she wasn't ready for. The heady combination of her smell and warmth was doing him in, but he was grateful for the contact between them. Abraxas was slowly making progress and he was reveling in it.
Hermione was staring at Abraxas in shock. She couldn't believe the man beside her had pulled such a move on her, if she wasn't so shocked she might have laughed. His arm was wound around her shoulder and their sides were touching. She could feel his warmth and his sides moving as he breathed. She continued to stare at him, but his gaze never wavered from the screen. Sensing he wasn't going to look at her, she turned her head back to the screen, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. The smell of Abraxas invaded her nose, and her eyes almost rolled back. It should be illegal to smell this good.
They both leaned into each other's embrace and continued to watch the movie on the screen. If either of them would have looked at the other they would have seen the small smile of satisfaction written across both of their faces.
After the movie, Abraxas and Hermione apparated back to her temporary home. They had walked out of the Cinema still in their embrace. Hermione hesitantly slipped her arm around his waist and blushed at the small chuckle she heard and felt from Abraxas. She wasn't used to the contact he was giving her.
They were now again at Hermione's front door, laughing at something Abraxas said about the movie. Hermione was over the moon that Abraxas had enjoyed the movie; she was terribly afraid he wouldn't have enjoyed himself.
"Well Abraxas, I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. I was afraid you'd hate it. Do you want to come inside?" Hermione asked. The sun was just beginning to set and for some reason she didn't want him to go just yet. You're digging your own grave Granger, one shovel full at a time.
"As much as I would love to join you inside, I'm afraid I have a family dinner to attend. We have one every month and unfortunately that is today." He said deadpanned expression. In all honesty he didn't want to go, he wanted to follow the beautiful woman inside. However, he knew his father wouldn't be pleased with him if he didn't show up to dinner. Damn it.
"Oh, well I hope you enjoy your family dinner then." Hermione said trying not to sound too disappointed by him leaving. Stop it Hermione, you're going to end up hurting yourself.
"Thank you I am sure dinner will be… interesting for lack of a better word. So I'll see you sometime next week? Assuming you're not busy?" Abraxas asked.
He had seen the small disappointment on her face before it turned impassive and he felt somewhat guilty. He wanted to see her the next day, but didn't want to come on too strong. He had to approach this thing that they had together at a slow pace. He knew if he came on too strongly, she would cower away from him. All good things come to those who wait. Just be patient Abraxas.
"No, I'm not busy. Just send me an owl or stop by." Hermione said with a ghost of a smile.
"Alright, well be on the lookout for an owl, or a knock at the door." Abraxas said while grabbing one of her hands in his.
"Okay I will be on the lookout." Hermione said staring into the deep grey eyes of the man in front of her and gave the warm hand a squeezed.
"See you soon Poppet." He replied with a smile and kissed the back of her hand before letting her hand fall.
"See you soon Abraxas." She said with a smile. Hermione watched as he turned on his heel, walked away, and apparated out of sight with her watching his every move.
It had been a week since Hermione had seen Abraxas and a month since she had been thrust back in time. She knew it would be better for the both of them if Abraxas stopped pursuing her. Yet, she couldn't help but be a little hurt from him not coming over or owling her.
The truth was she missed him. She missed his smell, his ability to make her laugh, and his overall presence. Deep grey eyes still haunted her dreams and thoughts of him kept her awake until wee hours of the morning. He was the only person she felt comfortable around in this time period besides Albus and Minerva, but she rarely saw them. She had enjoyed spending time with him. So for days she tried to keep busy and not wait by the door or for an owl.
The only owl Hermione had received was one from Dumbledore, asking her to come to Hogwarts that day to discuss what he had found out about the time-turner that had sent her back. Hermione threw on some maroon colored robes, grabbed her bag, and apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts.
What Hermione didn't hear was the sound of three sharp knocks at her front door.
It had been a week since he had seen her. A whole damn week. He had to forcibly stop himself from writing to her that next day, or showing up at her doorstep unannounced. He had to give her space and time to miss him. He just hoped she missed him as much as he had missed her, because Merlin knew he had. So know here he stood like an ass at her front door, hoping she would answer. He was too eager to see her and hadn't bothered owling her first.
He knocked on the dark wood door, and waited for an answer.
And waited.
And waited
However, after about ten minutes he gave up hope that she would answer. Where the hell is she? He knew she went out for books, but other than that he didn't know why else she would be gone. What if she went back to America? His stomach turned at the thought. Calm down you idiot, she is just probably out of the house. He closed his fists so tight, that his knuckles were threatening to bleed.
He needed to vent out his frustration and there was only one place he could go to achieve that. So with a crack he was gone.
Hermione arrived at the front gates of the castle and began to make the long journey to Dumbledore's office. School for the children of this generation had begun only a day ago, but luckily enough classes seemed to be occurring so Hermione hadn't seen too many students.
She made her way through the familiar hallways and finally arrived at the gargoyle and muttered the password to ascend the stairs. Halfway up the stairs she remembered to put up the walls in her mind and continued up the stairs.
The door was open when she reached the top of the stairs, and saw Dumbledore sitting in the chair behind his desk in stylish purple robes with a matching hat.
"Hello Hermione it is good to see you. Please have a seat." Dumbledore smiled at her and waved for her to sit in the chair in front of his desk.
"Hello Albus. It is good to see you as well." Hermione said with a smile. Albus? That still sounds weird coming out of my mouth.
"Lemon Drop?" He asked with his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Ah, no sir. Thank you for asking." Hermione said politely. Fourty years in the past and the man is still offering lemon drops that no one ever eats.
"So Hermione how have you been this past month?" Dumbledore asked with his hands folded in front of him.
"I've been fine sir, I thank you again for your hospitality." Hermione replied.
"Think nothing of it, now you must want to know why we have summoned you here today."Dumbledore said.
"Yes I do." Hermione said nervously.
"Well, we have not found a way to send you back just yet. I have a close friend looking at your time-turner and he is growing closer to an answer. He has been able to figure out a few things like how you got here and how you ended up at Hogwarts."
"Okay. It has been confusing to me that I did end up here, and not that I am ungrateful at all. I just thought that I would have ended up in the ministry where the time-turner was set off. I also thought that it was broken like the rest of the ones in the case. So any information you can share with me, I would be happy to listen." Hermione said in a determined manner.
"Well it was as we thought, the rebound of the spell you cast at the man that night caused the turner to spring to life. You got to this time period because the time-turner had already been turned back enough times to bring you here. Whomever had it before you stumbled across it, must have turned it back."
"Now, for how you came to be here is a different story. Like I said when we first spoke, this time-turner came to me shortly before you arrived. Since it has been here, the castle had imprinted on it. The magic in this castle has claimed it, and has done so several times with various items. So that means no matter where you are, this time-turner will always return back to it's home." Dumbledore said proudly.
"So it returned here because it is it's home?" Hermione said still confused.
"Yes."
"So if and when you can return me to my own time, I will arrive at Hogwarts?"She asked trying to connect the dots in her mind.
"Based on our research, yes you will." He replied.
"And the blast made the time-turner go off? So that means it wasn't broken in the first place?" Hermione mused.
"Yes, it was and is still fully functional. It is just tricky trying to send you forward in time Hermione. I don't want to send you too far into the future and I also don't want to send you not far enough. Plus I've never dealt with this kind of time-turner so I want to have all of the facts straight before I try to send you into the future." He said with a small smile.
Why would it have been in that glass case if it weren't broken? She silently mused.
"Well if there is anything I could do to help, I would love to." Hermione said.
"Not that I wouldn't appreciate your help Hermione, I don't want you to have to worry about this. Just leave it to us, we will get you home." Dumbledore said with a determined look on his face.
"Okay sir I trust you. Is there anything else?" Hermione asked while questions were shuffling around in her mind.
"Just one more thing, Minerva couldn't be here today because she is teaching. She wanted me to invite you to tea with us, Saturday at noon. Will you be able to join us?" Dumbledore said with a genial smile.
"Of course, I would be happy to." Hermione replied while rising from her chair.
"Well then Hermione, it's been a pleasure. I hope to see you on Saturday." He said with a familiar twinkle in his eyes.
"Of course, I shall see you Saturday." She replied.
And with that Hermione gave Dumbledore a smile and left his office.
Jack was about ready to strangle his own brother, at the moment Azkaban was not his biggest problem, Abraxas Malfoy was. He had come to him in a right state, muttering unintelligible things and then began to pace around his laboratory. Every time Jack had tried to talk to him, Abraxas just flailed his arms and began to mutter to himself again. It was driving him crazy, and he couldn't get Abraxas to stop moving long enough to tell him what was wrong.
"ABRAXAS LUCIUS MALFOY! WHAT THE DEVIL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Jack roared from his seat, hoping that it would snap Abraxas out of his madness. It did.
Abraxas stopped dead in his tracks to look at his brother, and sighed. "Sorry." He said looking at the anger on Jack's face.
"Yes well, apology not accepted until you tell me why you show up here, and start ranting around the room like a madman. Now sit down, don't touch anything, and tell me what is going on." Jack said while kicking out a stool from underneath the table for him to sit in. Abraxas plopped down on the stool and looked at his friend.
Jack was dressed in black robes with his shaggy dirty blonde hair was brushed back, with his bangs out of the way so he could see his deep emerald eyes filled with concern for his friend. Abraxas sighed and began to tell him his problems.
"It's Hermione." He said with a weary tone.
"Okay? What did she do?" Jack questioned. He's this upset over a woman? She must be something special.
"She didn't do anything." Abraxas said. I should of owled her, now I'm here and he's going to think I'm a teenage girl. Brilliant.
"Abraxas what did you do to her?" He questioned. Please say he didn't shag her and leave her. I don't think I have enough patience for that.
"Well last week we spent some time together, we went to a movie a…" Jack interrupted Abraxas.
"Hold on, you went to a movie?" Jack said with his eyebrows raised in surprised.
"Yes? Is that a problem?" Abraxas asked.
"No, it's just odd. You're a pureblood, and you went to a movie? I'm a half blood and I haven't even been to one." Jack said with surprise still evident in his tone.
"Well it wasn't my choice, but she suggested it. So I went, and I'm glad I did." Abraxas said, thinking about his arm around her and her delectable smell.
"Okay you've lost me. Explain." Jack said folding his arms across his chest.
Abraxas told Jack all about their day at the movie, and then about what happened before he came in a rage to Jack. Jack uncrossed his arms and wiped a hand across his face after hearing why Abraxas was upset. He's going to be the death of me, I just know it.
"So you're upset because she wasn't at home waiting for you?" Jack said with an indifferent expression.
"No, I'm upset because I think I fucked up. I should have owled her or shown up sooner. I've been telling myself for days that I need to give her space, but that is the last thing I want to be giving her. Then I showed up at her doorstep and she wasn't there, it just hit me that I might have lost my chance. I know I'm being terribly melodramatic, but I just can't help these damn feelings and they're driving me up the walls. You know me; I've never pursued a woman. I need help and Malfoy's don't do help." Abraxas said running both of his hands through his hair.
"Do you want me to tell you the truth or something that will make you feel better?" Jack said rolling his eyes at Abraxas comment.
"The truth." He mumbled.
"Well, you should have owled the woman sooner. Since you didn't, that is why she was probably out of the house. Plus you didn't owl her before you showed up, so how was she suppose to know you were coming over? After you leave here, you should owl her immediately or go to her house in the morning and apologize. As I recall, you said she wanted someone to be forward with her, so that is what you should do. Right now you are playing a game with her and she hates games. So wizard up, and tell her how you feel." Jack said staring into the cool grey eyes of his best friend.
"Hmmm… that just might work." Abraxas said pondering the idea. Yes, I'll just go over tomorrow morning and apologize.
"Of course it will work. Have I ever steered you wrong?" Jack said with a smirk.
"No, none that I can recall. Except for you abysmal taste in Quidditch teams." Abraxas smirked; he knew what he was doing.
"Oh for the love of Merlin! The Ballycastle Bats are an amazing team and you know it!" Jack said while glaring at his friend.
"Yes, but…" Abraxas continued to bait him.
"If you even utter the word Falcons in this laboratory, I will hex you where you sit. They're just a bunch of morons who like breaking bones if they don't win. Abraxas I love you like a brother, but I question your sanity when you try to talk to me about the damn Falmouth Falcons." Jack spat with a sneer as he watched his friend chuckle.
"Yes well call me crazy, but it is quite entertaining to see you all riled up." Abraxas said still chuckling.
"Oh yes very entertaining until you get hexed my friend." Jack said with a dismissive hand wave as he rose to check on his cauldrons.
"So what are you brewing?" Abraxas asked from across the room.
"Potions for Madam Pomfrey, and the far right one is Polyjuice." Jack said distractedly as he checked his three potions.
"Polyjuice? Why are you brewing that?" Abraxas asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's on my list of things to complete for apprenticeship. I can also use it for my research project I have to do and get that over with." Jack replied.
"What are you doing your research project on?" Abraxas asked as he stood and walked over to the three cauldrons.
"The effects of using an animal hair instead of a human one." Jack said absentmindedly as he stirred one of the cauldrons.
"Wouldn't you just end up as that animal? Like an animagus?" Abraxas asked looking at the potions.
"You see I don't know about that. Even though Polyjuice has been around for a while, I couldn't find any books on what would happen if I put in an animal hair. So either it's been done and nothing has happened or the total opposite." Jack said with a furrowed brow.
"No research at all?" Abraxas asked.
"None in a language I can read." Jack said remembering all the old English and Egyptian texts he had tired but failed miserably to read.
"Well you have to let me know when it's ready. I would love to see what happens." Abraxas said with a crooked smile, thinking about his best friend as a squirrel.
"Yes, I will let you know. I know I've been out of touch as of late and I'm sorry, I'll start owling more regularly now that I'm back at Hogwarts." Jack said as he stopped to bottle the two potions that were ready.
"It's fine, I know you have a lot going on right now. I was planning on coming here tomorrow, but the need arouse sooner." Abraxas said leaning on the table watching his friend move around the area.
"I noticed. So I need to run these potions down to the hospital wing and then I'm headed home. Do you want to join me?" Jack asked while cleaning up his workspace.
"Sure, but I don't want to walk all the way to the hospital wing. I'll apparate to your house and wait for you there. The wards haven't changed have they?" Abraxas asked. Jack was notorious for changing his wards randomly.
"Yes I've changed them, but you are still allowed through. So I'll meet you there in half an hour." Jack said while motioning Abraxas to follow him out into the hallway.
"See you then." Abraxas said, turning to walk in the opposite direction of his friend.
Hermione was coming down the stairs in a daze thinking about what Dumbledore had told her. She was silently questioning why in the hell that time-turner was in that case if it supposedly didn't work.
When she heard a loud squeal of horror she turned her head and saw Peeves fly over her head laughing. She smirked remembering all the pranks he had played on students during her time. Hermione turned her head back around as she rounded the corner and collided with a tall, warm body.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going! I hope I didn't harm you." Hermione said to the tall man in black robes in front of her.
"No blood no foul, besides I'm bigger than you are, if anything I should be asking if you are unharmed." He said with a smirk. He looked at the woman in front of him and took in her features. She wore deep maroon robes, with her long brown hair falling down the sides into ringlets. She had golden brown eyes, long eyelashes, and plump lips. She was pretty in a natural sort of way. Who is this woman?
"Oh, well I'm fine." She replied awkwardly as she stared into the deep green eyes of the man she had literally ran into. He had dark blonde shaggy hair that was combed away from his face, sharp bone structure, and confusion written across his face.
"Are you a new apprentice here? Headmaster Dumbledore didn't mention you if you are." He said in confusion. Maybe she took over the empty charms apprenticeship.
"Ah, no I am not a new apprentice. I am his cousin, Hermione Green." She said and held her hand out to him and she watched as recognition slipped over his face.
"So you're the famous Hermione Green? I was wondering when I would finally meet you." He replied with his eyes wide and quickly returned her handshake. This should be interesting. Abraxas will be pissed when I tell him he missed her.
She frowned. How does he know me? Who is he?
"I'm sorry do I know you?" She asked stupidly. Of course you don't know him, you're not from this time!
"No you do not Miss Green. My name is Jack Hawthorne and I believe you know my best friend Abraxas." Jack said with a crooked grin.
"Oh, well I'm happy to meet you. Please call me Hermione, Abraxas has had nothing but good things to say about you." She said.
"Well then call me Jack. He has had nothing but good things to say about you as well. Actually couldn't get him to shut up about you really." He answered with an amused sneer.
"Really?" Hermione said with shock. He talks to him about me?
"Yes he'll be quite jealous of me when I tell him he missed you. If you can just keep it between us, he was here not too long ago complaining that he might have messed up whatever you two have. He was in a snit, apparently he stopped by your house but you weren't there. I can only deduce that you were here." Jack said amused at her shock.
"Wait he was here?" Hermione said with a frown. He came by the house?
"Yes he was. I'm sure you will see him tomorrow. Are you walking to the front gate? I could escort you if you'd like." Jack said with fake innocence. She seems nice enough, if you walk her to the gates you could learn more about her and maybe why Abraxas is so worked up over her.
"Yes, I am. You escorting me would not be unwelcome." Hermione said as they began to walk to their destination.
"Alright then." He replied keeping up with her pace and opened the door for her when they reached it. She muttered a thank you and they kept walking.
"So you've been friends with Abraxas since your first year of school?" Hermione asked conversationally. The first night they had dinner, he had mentioned Jack but hadn't really gone into the many details of their friendship.
"Yes, we met on the train. I was sitting alone when he came bursting into my compartment, locked the door, and drew down the curtain. I thought he was crazy." Jack said smiling at the memory.
"Why were you alone and why did he come bursting in?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I was alone because all of the friends I had went to Durmstrung instead of Hogwarts. I also didn't mind being alone. He came in because he was hiding from Penny Parkinson, and I had the only empty compartment. We talked the whole train ride, and were sorted into the same house. We've been friends ever since." He said with a smile at the woman to his left and she gave him a small smile in return.
Parkinson? I just can't get away from them can I? Hermione scowled inwardly at the thought of running into Pansy's family member here in this time.
"So you two were sorted into the same house?" Hermione asked, she already knew what house Abraxas was sorted into because of the Malfoy history, but it surprised her that he was also a Slytherin.
"Yes, the hat wavered between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I ended up in Slytherin, and I have no complaints. You're family with Dumbledore, so I can imagine you know about the sorting process. Do you know what each house represents?" Jack asked with curiosity. I wonder what house she could have been in.
"My cousin told me all about the houses when I was here as a child. I know all about the lion, snake, eagle, and badger. I know what all of the houses mean too." She said with a smile.
"So you know about the house Abraxas and I are from, and you are still here?" Jack asked. Most people avoided Slytherins like the plague, let alone walk them out to the front gates alone.
"Not all Slytherins are evil Jack." Hermione said with a determined tone as she continued to walk with him.
"Now why do say that?" He questioned with a raised brow.
"Because that would be like saying all Asians are smart, or all blonde's are dumb. It's a stereotype, and I don't care for stereotypes." Hermione said thinking about her own stereotype as a muggleborn. She hated it and tried to break the stigma every chance she got.
"Well neither do Abraxas and I. I'm happy we aren't alone." Jack said mulling over her words.
"No you are very much not alone." Hermione said with a smile.
"So have you ever tried on the sorting hat?" Jack asked, curious to know what house this woman could have possibly been in.
"Yes I've tried on the hat for fun." She said truthfully as they were nearing the front gates.
"So where did it sort you?" Jack asked. If she's a Hufflepuff, I will never let Abraxas live it down.
"It also wavered in my sorting too. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but it my courage that landed me in Gryffindor." She said with a smile at his expression of shock.
"A Gryffindor eh? Well it could be worse, you could be a Hufflepuff. Since we didn't go to school together, I can't exactly call you an insufferable bleeding heart. Perhaps you might be the only Gryffindor I could find redeemable." Jack said with a smirk and it was then he knew why Abraxas was so enamored with her.
She threw back her head and laughed without a care in the world. First, she had trusted a complete stranger to walk her out of the castle. Second, he had revealed to her that he and Abraxas were Slytherins, which it seemed she couldn't care less about. Lastly, he had just somewhat insulted her and she roared with laughter. No rude gestures, no looks of anger, and no retaliation. She just laughed and he found it refreshing. This woman was an enigma just as his brother had told him.
"Well I hope you can find it in your Slytherin heart to find a lowly Gryffindor like me redeemable." She said sarcastically as they reached the outside of the gate.
He let out a dark chuckle. "We'll I'm sure you wont disappoint Hermione. I guess this is where we go our separate ways."
"Yes it is. It was lovely to meet you Jack, maybe I'll see more of you in the future." Hermione said smiling.
"I would bet on it. Knowing Abraxas we will see each other again. Goodbye Hermione." Jack said with a ghost of a smile and with a crack he was gone.
Well that was interesting. She thought inwardly staring at the spot that Jack had just left. She sighed and pulled out her wand. With a flick of the wrist, she too disappeared with a crack.
Time Line Note
I've gotten reviews about the time period I've set this story in, so I am now going to put my two cents worth in, before I get any more reviews about it.
I made this fic 1962 for a reason. I am well aware that Lucius was born in 1954 and that all the Marauder's and Lily were born in the time frame of 1959-1960.
So this is my story, and for its purpose I have made key characters born between 1960-1965.
So in theory, instead of making Lucius older, I've made him the same age as the other main adults. For example, Severus and Lucius were the same age.
If you don't like it, do not read it. Here's my time line, you don't have to read it, but if you are someone who wants to know how the time frame will work out here it is for you.
1962-1963 ~Birth of Lucius and other characters.
1982-1983~ Birth of Hermione and other characters
1983~ Potter's death and Voldemort is defeated for the time being.
Like I have said before, I love reviews and am grateful for them so I am just responding, before I get any more about the time thing. I am happy to explain anything to anyone. I just wish that I could respond personally and not through an author's note, but oh well. I'm sure other people had questions.
Then again if you really have such a giant issue with the story, PM me. Don't leave a lengthy review, when a PM is so much easier to read.
I am not changing it to 1952; it's going to stay 1962.
Again, I have my reasons for this, and they will reveal themselves later on in this fic.
I have read or seen summaries of so many different fics where different authors have placed Hermione in circumstances like she was adopted at birth and was really a pureblood or even falls in love with Voldemort .There have even been fics that changed her hair and eye color.
Not my cup of tea, but it is other peoples and I admire the people that write them and the people that read them, they have an interesting way of thinking about things.
So I think that my change of the time line shouldn't be that big of a deal. Once again if you don't like my changes of the time line, then I'm sorry but you do not have to read this fic.
For the people who don't care, GREAT! I hope you are enjoying this story.
Thank you for reading and reviewing.