Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N- I will be trying to update as much as possible, I know how annoying it is when you get halfway through a story and then have to wait ages just for the next chapter, so I promise I will be aiming to update once every week. Ramyfan- I can promise you that the ending will be of your satisfaction ;) keep reading... there will be tragic moments but overall the ending will live up to your expectations... got to go through the bad times to appreciate the good ;) Scarlet dewdrops - I will update as regular as I can :) Scute girl - thank you! Iamacritic- THANK YOU Pipitoo - as they are only in their first two years, it hasn't got to the point where I would class it as a punishment. The fact that Hermione is in slytherin isn't a punishment as such... more just to teach her that not everyone had a choice in the war... keep reading, im sure u will like it more later on :) Also thanks I will be better at editing... Glen- Thank you that means so much to me you have no idea! Please keep reading and reviewing ... Clarabelle - thank you for sticking with me through the whole of this, I hope you are still enjoying it, it means so much :D JOLIVE - I will try and update as soon as I can. Donaj13- haha thank you :)
Climbing off the train and onto the Hogsmead platform, Draco looked around in search for the bushy haired girl. He looked down at his arm when he felt cold fingers wrap around it. Pansy stood there with a small yet evidently smug smile plastered on her face.
Blaise had ignored her the whole journey, why his friend had taken the situation to heart so much he did not know. Afterall she was just some mudblood to him. It isn't like he actually cared...right?
Someone barged past him, causing his thoughts to dissapear and look up. There she was, that blonde bushy hair strutting off past them. Blaise moved as if to go after her, but was quickly stopped.
"It's not a good time Blaise, let her calm down first and then talk to her." Goyle muttered behind them. Nodding Blaise slowed his pace to match theirs and the group began to move towards the carriages that were pulled by invisible creatures, little did everyone know that he once was able to see them to. However, even though he was the same person, it seemed that because he hadn't yet seen death in this life, he once again couldn't look at the strange looking creatures but instead just watched the carriages move on their own.
Sighing the group made their way to the castle, nothing was really said on the journey except Blaise muttering things under his breath, assuming no one would notice.
Hermione climbed onto the nearest carriage and sat to herself as they made their way through the dimly lit road through the trees up to the castle. When they arrived she hastily made her way to the great hall. Hugging her robes closer to her against the autumn breeze. The great hall comforted her slightly, letting her relax. The warm coloured candles illuminated the large stone room. Moving with the crowd she went and took her seat at the Slytherin table. Holding her breath she watched Pansy, Goyle, Crabb, Blaise and Malfoy all walk in. They sat around her, Malfoy and Pansy opposite and the other three next to her. She tightened her fist fighting off her emotions when professor McGonagall tapped her goblet with her silver and gold tea-spoon.
Silence drifted over the students as she sorted the younger year into the houses. She wasn't really paying attention untill a certain name was called.
"Ginny Weasley." The red head made her way up to the seat and the moment the hat was placed on her it shouted the house, one that surprised her gently. "RAVENCLAW!" Hermione found this strange, but didn't question it. She liked to think of the term 'butterfly effect' when one thing changes, no matter how small, a lot of things change.
Sitting in silence she picked at the food on the plate untill she felt a sharp pain in her arm. Blaise had nudged her.
"What is it?" She said a little to harsh, causing the boys expression to change.
"I just want you to know that what Pansy said isn't entirely true..." He began
"I get it Blaise, you're trying to apologise, whatever."
"No, Hermione...I'm being serious. I never want to hurt you, yes it is true my mother told me to spend time with you, but believe me this past year has ment a lot to me. I don't want to loose you as a friend Hermione." Blaise said, reaching out for her hand. His warm fingers drapped over hers and she froze slightly. She noticed someone else draw in a breath, who it was she didn't care.
"Thanks Blaise." She stated a little more softly before withdrawing her hand from his grip and placing the fork back on the table. He nodded a few times before eating some more. Sighing lightly she stood from her position and left the hall.
Walking down the corridor towards the dungeons, the wind blew around her. This is one thing she definitely didn't miss, the lack of heating through Hogwarts' corridors. A few drops of water would fall on her every so often. You would have though, with the use of magic and everything, they would have found a way to make this place a bit nicer in the autumn/winter time. She thought to herself untill she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She could hear footsteps and they were coming towards her. Two pairs of feet, making their way closer. Taking in a breath she moved into the shadows, waiting for the two figures to pass, but as they came closer she relaxed.
"Harry! Ron.." She said happily and relieved.
"Hermione, what are you doing on your own in the corridor?" Harry asked lightly before giving his friend a gentle hug.
"Oh, I fell out with a few house mates, don't worry I was just going back to my Dorm, why aren't you two at the feast?" She asked, although she already knew the awnser.
"Oh, er..well Ron is better at explaining this.." Harry began. The ginger rolled his eyes before speaking.
"Well, we ...er crashed my Dads flying car into the whomping willow... and er then we got caught. Don't worry though! We weren't expelled, thankfully." The boy muttered.. Hermione plastered a false shocked expression on her face then laughed lightly.
"Well at least the two of you aren't hurt... it explains that blue thing in the sky that I saw earlier today though..where is it now?" She smiled. The two boys looked at each other for a moment.
" We kind of ..lost it...Well, we better get going catch you later Hermione." Ron said before grabbing onto his friend's arm and dragging him towards the place Hermione had just come from.
Turning around she called behind her, "Oh Ron, you do know sticking your wand back together with tape won't fix it." She said laughing softly when she heard him reply.
"How did she know that " Before they made their way into the great hall. Hermione began again to make her way to her dorm in order to get an early night.
The next morning at breakfast Hermione was sitting opposite Malfoy in silence. Pansy was still wrapped around his arm and unless she disappears, Hermione had no intention of trying to talk to him. Suddenly a flock of owls came swooping through, but what surprised her the most was the familiar black owl that stopped in front of her plate. Draco was staring at it with a furrowed brow.
"Good morning, Lightening, what do you have for me?" Hermione whispered to the owl before her. It made a funny noise before lowering its head and sticking its leg out for Hermione to untie the letter.
"It's not going to reply you know. There is no point in talking to a stupid bird, people will begin to think you are mad." Pansy said spitefully towards her. Hermione ignored her and undid the letter.
"Thank you Lightening." She whispered again.
"Freak." Pansy said under her breath. This time it didn't go unnoticed. The black owl turned and flew at Pansy's face, clawing at her cheek before it flew away. Hermione looked up to see Pansy squawking about dangerous animals and Draco using his fist to cover his mouth in order to suppress a laugh. Hermione couldn't help but let the corner of her mouth turn up slightly.
After breakfast, Hermione made her way to the greenhouses for Herbology, one of the few lessons she spent with Gryffindor. Luckily she stood in front of Harry and two of the smiled at each other before a short, plump woman wearing green wooly robes and a red face walked in.
"Good morning everyone." When no one replied she picked up a small spade and tapped it on a plant pot. "GOOD MORNING EVERYONE." This time getting the groups attentions.
"Good Morning " They called back.
"Well, welcome to Greenhouse number three, second year. Now gather round everyone." She said motioning them all to come closer. "Today we are going to re-pot Mandrakes, can anyone tell me the properties of a Mandrake root?" She asked and looked around the room for hands.
Smiling Hermione raised her hand, catching Harry's eye in the process. "Yes, Miss Granger."
"Mandrake or Mandagora, is used to return those who have been petrified to their original state." she stated. Draco rolled his eyes but she didn't care. "it's also quite dangerous, the Mandrakes cry is fatal to anyone who hears it,."
"excellent, ten points to Slytherin." Professor Sprout called out, causing a few groans and happy mutterings under Peoples breath. "Now as our Mandrakes are still only young, their cry won't kill you, yet. But, they could knock you out for several hours which is why I have given each of you a pair of ear muffs for protection. So can you please put them on, right away ...quickly!" She hurried everyone along. Soon enough everyone was ready and looking towards the professor for the next instructions.
"Now watch me closely, you grasp your Mandrake firmly, you pull it straight up, out from the pot-" At this point the greenhouse was filled with cries, even Hermione had forgotten how painful it was and clasped her hands over her ear muffs for a more secure protection. "now you dump it down into the other pot, and pour a little sprinkling of soil, to keep it warm." The mandrake continued screeching and everyone turned as a loud thump sounded next to Harry.
"Great, Longbottom has been neglecting his ear muffs." The professor said. Draco turned and smirked towards Crabb and Goyle.
"No ma'am he's just fainted." Seamus said looking down at Neville.
"Yes..well...just leave him there. Right off we go, plenty of pots to go around. Grasp your mandrake, and pull it up!" Sprout instructed. As Hermione did so, she followed the original instructions and was done quickly, looking around the room she sighed. Ron was holding his sideways and closing his eyes as if not wanting to touch it. Harry looked more confused than anyone and beside her stood Malfoy. He was laughing smugly and poking a finger in and out of its mouth. Suddenly it bit down on his finger and Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
That evening Hermione was sitting in her room, beginning a potions essay when she remembered the letter. Pulling it out of her robes she looked around the room. Ruby was sitting across from her on her own bed also doing an essay. Hermione smiled gently and looked at the neat handwriting before opening it.
Hermione,
As you must know the Quiditch tri-outs will be held soon, your mother has just finished the potion and you will have it by next week. Do your father proud, I believe in you sweetheart, I don't mind what position you come, I know there is no way they would let a second year become a seaker, but I am determined for you to at least become a beater. Don't dissapoint me. I also know Lucius's son will be taking part in the tri-outs. Don't let him beat you, Hermione. You MUST get on the team.
Either way, I hope you are well, write me as soon as you become part of the team;
Father
Hermione sighed, looks like i will be trying out for quiditch this year. she thought to herself. She hadn't expected him to be so blunt, I suppose Pride is a big part for purebloods.