A/N: Hello my lovely readers. Here is the latest installment of Not the End. My goal is to update once a week, I am relying on you all to keep me to that. Please don't forget to review the latest chapter; it gives me fuel to keep writing!
Dumbledore gave Hermione permission to go into Hogsmead the following day, in order to pick up essentials; so armed with the piece of parchment, a pocket full of gallons, and a list, Hermione went to tackle the small wizarding town. She picked up some good quills and a few different colors of ink, for taking notes. She stopped into the bookshop and picked up a few out of print books that she had been wanting, but hadn't been able to find in her own time. She picked up some essential clothing, that Dumbledore hadn't had on hand, and on a whim she ducked into the pet store. She missed Crookshanks a great deal, but knew that he was safe and happy with the Weasleys. The tiny shop was warm and dark, hooting came from above, and the soft but bracing smell of animal permeated the entire place, and did a great deal to relax Hermione.
She went up and down the aisles looking at all the potential familiars, telling herself she shouldn't get one, she didn't know how long she would be in the past, and as such, shouldn't take responsibility for a life, if she didn't know how long she would be around to care for it. But when she saw the tiny black kitten, tucked up in a corner away from all of the other cats, its tiny sad eyes watching her, she knew she had to give it a home. She would just have to convince Dumbledore to keep it after she left.
Hermione checked the parchment, just in case it had any objections, before calling over the shop girl.
"Are you sure?" the shop girl asked, pulling the tiny cat from its hiding place. "He's very small; he probably won't make a very good familiar."
"I'm sure," Hermione glared at the rude girl. "A very wise man once told me that the best things come in the smallest packages." Her father had told her that often.
"Well, I'll be happy to get rid of him," the shop girl told Hermione, oblivious to the other girls annoyance. "It's next to impossible to get rid of the runts."
Hermione did her best not to glare at the stupid girl, instead she gave her, her best 'bite me' smile, bought the kitten and some pet essentials, and left the shop.
Hermione settle herself into the seventh year girls' dorm, letting her new familiar 'Max' survey his new domain. She checked her watch and the parchment, which still only had three instructions; and settled in for an afternoon of reading, before the Welcome Feast.
She tried not to think too hard about who she would be sharing her dorm, though it being seventh year, Lily and James would be in the head girls and boys rooms, Professor Lupin and Sirius Black would both be haunting Gryffindor Tower, and so would Peter Pettigrew, whom Hermione would rather steer clear of. Also, given her schedule, she would be sharing Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology with the Slytherins; i.e. Professor Snape, Bellatrix Black, and Narcissa Black. She gave an involuntary shudder as Bellatix name crossed her mind. It was going to be difficult not to react around the girl.
Hermione placed her Potions book down on her bedside table when she heard the Hogwarts Express coming into the station. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and made her way down to the Great Hall.
Dumbledore stood behind his podium, just as he had every year Hermione had come to the Opening Feast, the Sorting Hat on the stool beside him, silent and still.
"Ah, good evening Ms. Gardener," Dumbledore addressed her. "Please take a set, the rest of the school should be along shortly."
"Good evening, Professor," Hermione smiled at the Headmaster and settled herself at the Gryffindor table, closest to the Head table. She watched as the students filed into the Great Hall, filling the large room with laughter and shouts of hello. Hermione couldn't help but feel left out, feeling the emptiness that Harry and Ron had always filled. For the first time since she had started on her mission, she realized how truly alone she was, and couldn't help the few tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes.
A pretty red head plopped herself down next to Hermione, followed by a ructions group of boys. At first Hermione didn't look up from the book she was thumbing through, resigned to be alone, at least for the time being, but a hand entered her field of vision.
"Hi," the red head said her bright smile infections. "I'm Lily. Professor McGonagall told me we had anew seventh year in Gryffindor."
Hermione took in the site of her best friend's mother, a very pretty red head with Harry's tell-tale green eyes, and a wide smile. Hermione instantly liked the girl, whether it was because of whom she was, or the aura the girl exuded, she wasn't sure. She shook the other girl's hand, her smile widening. "I'm Hermione."