CHAPTER FIVE

Hermione ran a hand through her hair and stared at her course list. Potions, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Herbology, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was quite to course load, but she was more than up for it. She noted the absence of Divination and almost made to ask about it before thinking better of it. She wasn't about to tempt fate asking about a class she wanted no part of anyway. Also not listed was Astronomy, but again, she wasn't going to say anything. More sleep for her! Besides, while she understood how the position of the stars could affect magic, it wasn't something she wished to pursue. Just as Hermione's mind went into schedule making mode, a slender witch with slightly unruly black hair sat down beside her and began to talk her ear off.

'Hi! You're Hermione, right? I'm Andromeda Black. We'll be sharing a dorm, so I thought I would come over and show you the way. Slughorn's already given you your time table, yes? May I see it?' At Hermione's nod, Andromeda took the parchment and looked over it briefly before continuing. 'Well, a bit of a bookworm, huh? This looks like a schedule Lucius would have. No matter. We'll sort you out. Besides, it isn't as if spending all your time with Lucius would be a bad thing. Not exactly hard on the eyes, that one. It's too bad, really,' Andromeda said, taking Hermione by the elbow and leading her toward the dungeons. 'If only I had been a year younger, it could have been me.'

Hermione was a bit confused by this statement and simply asked why before Andromeda's mouth ran away with her again.

'Well, I'm actually the middle daughter of three, you see. My mother produced all girls, made our father angry to not have any male heirs, so they went out of their way to arrange decent marriages for us. My older sister is already married to a Lestrange. Just had the bonding ceremony last month! The Lestranges are a very old and powerful pureblood family and the match with Rodolphus and Bella – erm, Bellatrix, but we call her Bella - seemed like a good one. A lot of lucrative business deals were confirmed with their union. I was actually set to marry the younger Lestrange brother, Rabastan, but that fell through when we were young. I think I was three when that contract was dissolved. Instead I'm to marry Walden Macnair,' she admitted with a groan. 'His family has ties with the Ministry and will help my family gain more standing there. My younger sister is the lucky one.

'The Malfoy's are all about tradition and propriety, and it isn't proper to have a wife older than her husband. Since I am older than Lucius, his parents immediately vetoed any attempt at a contract between us. At one point, my father thought that he had old Abraxas ready to sign for me, but it never happened. That was actually when my contract with Rabastan fell through; my father thought he wouldn't need it anymore so he let a few stipulations go unmet and the contract voided. Anyway, a few months later, my younger sister was born and Mr. Malfoy and my father were able to easily reach an agreement. So Cissy gets to be the next Lady Malfoy and my family gets more money and prestige.' Then she turned to Hermione. 'So, who are you to marry?'

Blood running a bit cold, Hermione knew she had to do a bit of quick thinking. Now that she was in Slytherin, it would be assumed by all those around her that she was also a pureblood, and apparently things like arranged marriages were still highly common. She'd heard some of the Slytherin girls from her own time talking of contracts and dowry's, but always played it off to herself like they were joking around. Apparently, they weren't. So Hermione reached into her brain and pulled out the smallest lie she could tell without getting herself into more trouble.

'My contract was dissolved with my parent's separation.'

And there it was. She hadn't really lied, as it was the truth that she didn't have a contract, but the fact that there had never been a contract wasn't something she was anxious to reveal. A part of her had wanted to continue on, stating that this was one of the reasons for her return to England and that she hoped she would find a good match for her and her family, but that would only be digging herself deeper into this hole she was excavating. Simplicity was the best in this case. Let them form their own opinions.

She was also happy to learn that Bellatrix Lestrange wouldn't be matriculating with her. She had seen that woman up close in the Department of Mysteries less than a month before… Well, it was less than a month to her, whereas in this time, it had yet to happen. These little time differences were beginning to turn her headache into a raging migraine. She would have to remember to get a Pepper-Up Potion as soon as possible! In any event, headache or not, not having to deal with the lunatic that was Bellatrix was a plus for Hermione. She knew that she could probably avoid Narcissa fairly easily, as the youngest Black sister was a few years younger than she was now. Escaping Andromeda, on the other hand, would be more difficult.

And then it hit her: Andromeda Black? Tonks! This was Tonks' mum! This was the witch who had fallen in love with a Muggleborn and married him, shirking familial responsibility and getting herself blown off of the Black Family Tree at Grimmauld Place. If there was anyone in Slytherin House with her now that might be a bit sympathetic to her, it would most certainly be this witch standing next to her, still droning on and on about the unmatched males of respectable breeding. Perhaps it was just for show? Maybe Andromeda didn't know where Hermione's opinions laid and was taking the safe route by portraying the proper pureblood? Either way, Hermione knew this woman's future, even if she didn't know the circumstances surrounding it, and she knew that if push came to shove, she had at least one ally in Slytherin house.

Hermione hadn't realized it, but they had made their way all the way down into the dungeon's and were now standing in front of a portrait of a rather regal looking knight standing before a moat. Andromeda made to give the password, but heard the unmistakable chatter of the incoming first years and decided to wait a moment. Sure enough, Lucius Malfoy came around the corner, leading a group of twelve new Slytherin's behind him. Stopping just before the portrait, he turned to address the youngsters, including Hermione in his speech by occasionally making eye contact with her.

'This is the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. The password is currently "Astute" but that can change at any time. If you'll all follow me…'

His voice trailed off as the portrait clicked open and he and Andromeda made their way in with Hermione and the first years close behind. Once they were in, the first thing Hermione noticed was the greenish hue that seemed to permeate the common sitting area. When her eyes fully adjusted to the dim lighting, she was able to take in the opulence of the furnishings before realizing that every seat was taken, every corner filled with students. Andromeda took Hermione by the elbow and led her over to an empty space near steps that Hermione presumed must go down to the dormitories. Leaning against the wall, Hermione watched Andromeda take her place beside Lucius while the latter addressed Slytherin en masse.

'A few announcements: Our Head Boy and Head Girl this year are from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, respectively. Do try to stay out of their way, especially Smythe from Gryffindor, as he has made a habit of needlessly docking us house points in the past while a Prefect. Jones is a bit more of a bleeding heart, so you may be able win a few points by being helpful and polite, should the need strike and you notice her about. Be ever mindful of the caretaker, Mr. Filch, along with the house ghosts and Peeves the Poltergeist. Most of the ghosts should pay you no mind, but all will turn you in for misbehavior, Peeves most certainly dropping a few Dungbombs on you in the process.

'First years, please note the announcement board to the left of where you entered. Any and all pertinent details of life here at Hogwarts will be listed there for your knowledge. It is your responsibility to check the board daily, if not more often than that, as things often come up and the password to our Common Room can and will change without prior notice. Should you find yourself in a position where you are unable to enter, you will simply have to wait for someone with the current password to come along and let you in.

'If an issue arises between you and a fellow Slytherin that cannot be mutually resolved, feel free to approach any sixth or seventh year Slytherin for assistance. Should something come up that involves someone from any other House, you are to come directly to either myself or Andromeda Black. We are your Prefects and are able to handle anything you can throw at us. In the highly unusual circumstance that neither of us can be reached, you are to contact Professor Slughorn, as he is head of Slytherin House. As a rule, Slytherin issues are dealt with inside Slytherin, so whenever possible, try not to involve any other House.

'Your things have already been brought down, so all students under fifth year are excused to your dormitories for the night. Do not forget that breakfast is served beginning at six in the Great Hall.'

Lucius paused to let all the younger students leave the common area for their beds. As the space opened up a bit, Hermione found herself reeling a little. The way the speech had gone had left little doubt in her mind about the private nature of this House she had been sorted into. When she had first arrived at Hogwarts at age eleven, they were told that they could go to any Prefect or staff member to sort out any issues. Professor Dumbledore himself had even encouraged them to simply stop him in the halls should they need to discuss something with him. The words she had just listened to sounded more like a survival guide than a welcoming speech and that worried her a bit. Before she could think any more on it, all the younger students were gone and the room fell silent in expectation.

'Fifth years,' Lucius began, 'your O.W.L.'s are going to take up a rather large portion of your time this year. Should you wish to escape the commotion of the Common Room, there is a private library located down the hall to the left of the fireplace. It is the first door on the left and contains books relevant to your studies. If there is a particular text you require that isn't already located there, simply summon a Hogwarts house-elf to fetch it for you. None of you have any need to set foot in the main Hogwarts Library this year. Seventh years, your private library is directly across the hall from the fifth year library. There is also a communal potions lab through the portrait of the prancing ponies directly across from the Common Room entrance.

'Please note that should you take any potions from our private cabinet, you are required to make documentation of what you took and when so that the elves can replenish our stores. This is especially important in regards to the Pepper-up and Contraceptive potions. If we do not know you took it, we cannot replace it. Also, any alcohol consumption done in witness of the younger students is punishable by the revocation of your right to imbibe. Please keep all drinking to the lounge. While we all do our best to look out for one another, it is still up to your own discretion. If you are found to be the one who ruins the privileges for the whole, you will be suitably punished.'

With those final words spoken in a tone that brooked no argument, the group began to disperse. Most of the students meandered off to bed, but a small group of boys closed in on Lucius who, much to Hermione's disappointment, was headed her way. Fortunately, Andromeda sat down next to her just before the boys got to her.

'Gentlemen,' the blond wizard said, 'allow me to introduce Hermione Granger. She is new to England, having been homeschooled in Paris for her prior education. I trust you will all treat her with the respect due a fellow Slytherin.'

'I'm Jupiter Wilkes,' began a dark haired boy just to Lucius's left, extending his hand for her to shake. 'You're from France? My family has a nice villa on the Riviera.'

A slightly taller blond boy stepped around Wilkes to make his own introductions. 'Don't listen to Wilkes. He thinks a six bedroom shack qualifies as a villa,' he said, making Andromeda chuckle from beside Hermione. 'Galerius Avery. It's a pleasure.'

'Rabastan Lestrange, my lady,' stated a lanky boy with almost black hair. 'Your name is Hermione, yes? A bit of a mouthful, that one. Mind if I just call you Mione?' he asked in a flirting tone.

'So long as you don't expect me to answer,' she snapped back. Rabastan momentarily looked as if she'd slapped him, but Hermione was saved any comeback when the others started laughing. Then Andromeda took her hand and stood with her.

'While I'm happy you all are attempting to play nice and get along, I'm a bit tired and would like to be heading off to sleep now. Hermione,' she said, dragging the other girl away from the boys, 'I'll show you to the dormitories.'

Hermione allowed herself to be removed from the crowd, bidding them a good night, and followed Andromeda down some stairs and through a solid oak door. The light in this room also held a bit of the green hue, but it was much more subdued than the main common room. There were sconces along the walls and five four-poster beds dominated the space. Hermione's trunk sat closed at the foot of the bed farthest from the door. Making her way over, she tried to be mindful of the other three sleeping figures in the room and make as little noise as possible. After putting on her night clothes, Hermione slipped into her bed and bid Andromeda good night. Then she drew the curtains and began to contemplate her day.

She really shouldn't have been surprised to see Lucius Malfoy in a position of power. Somewhere along the line, she seemed to have recalled someone telling her that he was a Prefect during his later years of schooling. She also expected the cool aloofness that he often exuded. What she hadn't expected was how nice the other Slytherin's were being toward her. Never in her time at Hogwarts had any member of that particular House treated her with anything other than disdain. Then again, she remembered, she had been a Gryffindor. And she was a known Muggleborn. Neither were the case now.

But how had she ended up in Slytherin? Harry had once told her that the Sorting Hat had considered Slytherin for him, but upon Harry's emphatic request had placed him in Gryffindor instead. Hermione had never really considered asking for a specific House, so she had let the Hat reason out its choice. But why Slytherin? Sure, she realized that some of the things she had done in the past could be construed as Slytherin, but she had always thought it more altruistic than anything. She had certainly felt a bit of selfish pride when she discerned Snape's potions riddle during her first year. Brewing the Polyjuice Potion in her second year had fed not only her ego, but also her pride, knowing that she could accomplish such a complicated potion at such a young age. It didn't matter to her that she had ended up in the hospital wing as a result. That was nothing to do with her and everything to do with Millicent Bulstrode's cat. Her Time Turner adventure had been to save an innocent man…and an innocent hippogriff. Fourth year, she was simply trying to keep Harry alive. This last year, she was trying to help keep them all alive. Besides, it wasn't as if she was Ireally/I breaking the rules. Hogwarts itself had refused to recognize any authority from that toad Umbridge. And she most certainly got what was coming to her for trying to use an Unforgivable on Harry, Hermione figured. Then she spared a moment to wonder where the Centaurs had taken the older witch.

None of that mattered now. That was in the past, or rather the future, depending on how one looked at it. For the time being, she was stuck in 1971 with no idea how long she would be there. Her course load was rather large, so hopefully she wouldn't be forced to mingle with her fellows. She would be able to secret herself away to do homework and essay's, all the while keeping the truth of her identity safe. Hermione's final thought before sleep claimed her was that of Harry and the others, back in her own time, stuck frozen in a battle with some of the very men she now shared a history with, no matter how innocuous she planned on that history being.