Chapter 12: Learning the Ways of Slytherin

Shyla Granger awoke that fateful day in October with her stomach in knots, and her brain not far behind. In her eleven years of existence, this was the most important day ever. Two events were on the horizon; one she looked forward to, and one that she dreaded with every fiber of her being. But the second she knew was inevitable, and was going to occur sooner or later. Today was parents' day, and Shyla knew her mum wouldn't miss it for the world. It had been a week since Shyla had seen the Daily Prophet, with her mother's face plastered on the front page, along with Viktor Krum. Eva and Keelee were there for her, especially when the question came up if Krum could possibly be her father.

Shyla had ignored all of her mother's owls since, avoiding confronting her at all costs. Yet, she found that she had been able to talk about the situation with her head of house with ease.

"The woman who wrote that article is horrible. She creates lies and manipulates the truth." He had told her. "I have had my fair share of dealing with Rita Skeeter. There were rumors that surrounded my family. Some were true, and some were vicious lies. Skeeter spied on us, and created even more false rumors. I wouldn't worry too much about what she says. Chances are, they're lies."

The words of comfort had helped Shyla to an extent. But she couldn't help but wondering if she was the daughter of the Quidditch star.

At breakfast, Shyla made her way to her normal spot with Eva and Keelee. She stopped when the captain of the Quidditch team, Payton Jones, called her over. "Granger! It's a game day. We eat together." Shyla gave a small smile to her two friends, and took her seat with her team mates.

Two weeks prior, Shyla had stormed onto the Quidditch Pitch during the Slytherin team's normal practice time. "I want to try out." She demanded. She had seen all of them around the common room, but that was all.

"You must be Granger." A tall boy with tanned skin and dark hair replied, laughing.

Shyla nodded, trying to remain confident.

"What position, might I ask?" He said, walking towards her.

"Seeker." She heard herself say. While she could play the other positions as well, she found that being a seeker was her strong point.

"We already have a seeker." Shyla realized this boy must be the captain, Payton Jones.

"I heard he wasn't very good." Shyla smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"From who?" Payton glowered, as the rest of the team began to gather around.

"You." Shyla snapped. The team laughed, minus one boy who was becoming red in the face, obviously the current seeker. "I overheard you talking in the common room. Seeker tryouts were a disaster this year, weren't they?"

Payton narrowed his dark eyes, "Fine. Malfoy said if you pass tryouts, he will allow you on the team. That's an if, Granger. Prove yourself, and we'll talk."

"Jones, she's a first year, come on." Another boy called out.

Payton smirked, "What have we got to lose, Storm?" He borrowed the one other female's broom and handed it to Shyla. "Besides, this could be really entertaining. No time to suit up, Granger. You try out now."

The boy that currently held the seeker position was scrawny, with brown, curly hair. "Jones, I was already given the position. You cannot seriously be considering letting a first year GIRL tryout."

The other girl walked up to the boy and flicked him on the ear. "Oi! Have something against girls, Miller?"

"Ow! Dawson! Merlin, that hurt! And I only have a thing against first year girls who think they can just come onto the pitch, after probably never playing Quidditch, and demand a tryout!" Miller snapped.

"Hey!" Payton called, "Malfoy's head-of-house, he requested that we at least let Granger try out. Malfoy pulls the strings here, don't forget that." He scoffed and turned back to Shyla, "Ready, kid?"

Shyla smirked, "I've been ready." She mounted the broom. It was a little larger than her broom at home, but still had a sleek feel to it. "I'm not here to waste your time."

Payton laughed, "We'll see about that." He turned to Miller, "If you want to stay on the team, catch the snitch. Otherwise, we may give Granger a chance after all."

Miller mounted his broom and glared at Shyla.

Shyla waited for Payton to blow his whistle, before kicking off the ground. She guided the broom upwards, getting a clear view of the pitch. Miller wasn't a strong flyer, that was evident. She scanned her eyes in every direction, trying to catch a glimpse of the small object in the sunset. Soon it would be dark, making it near impossible to locate the snitch.

Shyla glided around casually, not letting her face betray her, by relaying what her stomach was feeling. Nerves. That was when she saw it. A glittering ball, reflecting the light behind her. It was just past Miller. She would have to get around him without him catching on. Shyla forced the broom downwards. Allowing herself to fly just under Miller, she came up on the other side, where he began to scramble in the same direction. Shyla was not going to let him steal her opportunity. She leaned forward, gaining speed. Miller grabbed the front of her broom, pulling her off course.

"Hey!" Shyla shouted, kicking at her competition's broom. She had to give the Weasley's that, they played fair. She flew the broom sideways before flipping it around and enclosing her fingers around the snitch. That was it, she caught it. "Which embarrasses you more, the fact that a girl beat you, or the fact that I'm a first year?" Shyla mocked, before leaving Miller in her wake.

She landed in front of Payton and tossed him the snitch. "So? Am I in?"

Payton smiled slightly, "Nice job. I'll have my answer in the morning. We've already started the season, and it's going to be a challenge training anyone new."

Shyla nodded, catching her breath. "Thanks for the tryout, at least." She turned to the girl they called Dawson and handed her the broom. "Here's your broom back, thanks." She began to leave the pitch before turning back to Payton, "Told you I wouldn't waste your time."

Shyla had been too nervous to speak the remainder of the night, and went to bed early. She hoped that by sleeping early, the morning would come that much faster. After hours of tossing and turning, and dreams of Quidditch, she finally gave up on sleep.

After pacing the girls dormitory for a good thirty minutes, she got dressed and glanced at a clock. 6:30. another half an hour until breakfast would begin. She sat back on her bed and stroked Wiskers' fur gently. The large black cat looked up at her and mewed, followed by soft purring.

Finally she plopped onto Eva's bed. "Eva." Shyla whispered, shoving her friend. "Wake up."

Eva groaned and rolled over, "Go away, Shyla. It's too early."

"I can't sleep anymore. Come to breakfast with me." Shyla begged.

"Why?" Eva's voice was cracked from her recent slumber, and her hair knotted.

"I find out this morning if I got onto the Quidditch team." She shoved Eva again, "Come on!"

"Granger!"

"Malfoy!"

Eva glared at the girl next to her, "I hate you."

Shyla grinned, "I know. Now come on!"

After arguing further, Shyla had finally won, and the girls were on the way to the Great Hall. Shyla ate slowly, waiting for Payton's arrival with his decision. It wasn't until 8:00 that he arrived. Half of the Slytherin Quidditch team in tow.

"Granger." He greeted dryly.

"Jones." Shyla responded, matching his town.

"We've discussed this unusual situation. If we let you on the team, you would have to attend extra practices to get you ready. Have you even seen a match?"

Shyla rolled her eyes, "My uncles took me to the Quidditch World Cup when I was eight."

Payton nodded in acceptance. "Alright. You're in."

"Cool." Shyla said, trying to contain herself. "When's practice?"

Payton played beater, and was quite good at it. Shyla knew Fred and George were beaters in their day, and admittedly still had high respect for the position. Payton's younger brother, Alec, was also on the team. He played chaser along with Tripp Browning and Drew Arlington. Terry Storm played the second beater position. And then there was the keeper, Matilda Dawson. The queen bitch.

Matilda was a sixth year with long brown hair and hazel eyes. Her skin was nicely tanned, fitting well with her slim and athletic figure. She was every boy's fantasy, and that of some girls. Matilda was openly bisexual. The Slytherins all stood behind her, willing to fight anyone who messed with her. But, she didn't anyone's help. In her third year she managed to manipulate a group of Ravenclaw girls into hating each other. Even after it was discovered that Matilda was behind it all, too much damage had been done, and they could not seem to reconcile. That was the extent of what Shyla knew of the situation. But most importantly, she knew to stay on Matilda's good side.

"Oh, Shyla! I'm so glad there's another girl on the team!" Matilda laughed playfully. "These boys were seriously starting to rub off on me."

Shyla laughed, and began to tear small pieces off the biscuit that she had picked up. "I'm so nervous!" She admitted.

"You are eating more than that, right?" Tripp asked. He was in his fifth year. While students in other houses saw him as a jerk, Shyla had taken a liking to him. He was charming and good looking. Shaggy brown hair that generally found its way into his dark brown eyes.

Shyla shrugged, "I don't even know if I possibly could!" She shuddered at the thought of eating anything at all. She clutched her stomach hoping to gain some form of sympathy.

The entire Slytherin Quidditch team turned and stared at the young girl. Tripp shook his head and laughed, "We've all been there. But eat. We have a big game this afternoon. Besides, if you think you're nervous now, just wait."

"Wow, Tripp. Over protective much?" Alec Jones scoffed. In general, Alec was quiet. He and Payton looked a lot alike, with their tanned, Italian skin, and dark hair. Even their eyes were the same shade of a deep brown. But while Alec was often labeled as snobbish, Payton was loud and obnoxious. He enjoyed pushing people to their breaking point.

Tripp smirked and laughed playfully, "I've adopted you! You're my new sister!" He nearly shouted, turning back to Shyla.

Shyla watched as her teammates added pancakes and fruit to her plate. There was no way she could eat all of it, even on a normal day.

"Ugh... That guy is the definition of annoying." Matilda sneered.

Shyla turned and saw a pimpled faced boy with curly brown hair.

Matilda raised her nose slightly before continuing, "He's a Muggle born in Ravenclaw. Seriously, they come into our school, thinking they're all special. All because they're new to magic. Then they walk around here acting like they're better than the rest of us." She looked at Shyla and smirked lightly. "You're lucky to be a first year. So innocent to the world's problems."

Shyla nearly laughed as she smirked back, "I grew up believing I was born a Weasley, only to find out that my dead father was never even my father. And the real one doesn't even know I exist. I think I can say that I have some idea of the world's problems."

"Oh, snap!" Tripp laughed whole heartedly.

"Touche, Granger. Touche." Matilda smiled at the first year.

The team laughed together as an older boy approached their table. Shyla had seen him before, but didn't know who he was. "There's a rumor you've gone soft, Payton."

Payton rolled his eyes at the allegation. "Oh?"

"Two girls on the team, AND one is a first year? Come on." The boy nearly laughed.

"Look, not that it is any of your business who I put on my team. But, Granger will prove herself. Just as Dawson already has. So you can go back to the Gryffindors and tell them they're going down today." Payton responded strongly.

"I think it's time for Granger's initiation." Drew spoke up. Terry nodded in agreement.

After they finished breakfast, and stuffing Shyla full of breads and fruits, the team made their way to the court yard of the school. Shyla had not considered an initiation process. Seeing her nerves flare up at the idea, Tripp and Matilda pulled her aside.

"Look, we're not going to haze you, or anything of that sort." Tripp explained. "You just have to prove yourself as a Slytherin."

Matilda nodded in agreement, "Pick an easy target. Preferably a Gryffindor, or a Hufflepuff is acceptable too. Make them feel like the trash they are." Her voice almost had a hiss to it, as she told Shyla the conditions.

Shyla nodded, understanding the challenge. She allowed her eyes to wander the grounds. It was a beautiful day, with the skies clear and the sun bright, proving to be enticing by the number of students that were in the courtyard that day. "Him." She finally said, gesturing to a Gryffindor boy with wavy blonde hair and thick glasses. "His name is Toby Franks. He's a first year Muggle born, and an absolute dunce in class."

"P. Jones!" Tripp shouted, motioning for the remainder of the Quidditch team to follow. Shyla made her way towards Toby. Realizing that he was standing with Ali and Thomas. She refused to care at this moment what her ex-cousins thought of her.

"Look who it is. Toby Franks, is it?" Shyla sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. She looked him up and down with disgust. "I do wish they would have some form of regulation about the quality of students they allow in this school. Honestly, Franks. You ask some of the worst questions in class. Do you not know anything?"

"That's enough, Shyla." Ali warned.

"I'm just getting started." Shyla snapped at Ali, rolling her eyes. She turned her gaze back to Toby, whose face was now flushed and his eyes staring at his shoes. "Maybe we could actually learn something in class if you weren't such a filthy little mudblood. Infact-"

"Shyla Jane Granger!"

Shyla felt the blood drain from her face, and her throat begin to tighten at the sound of the voice shouting her name. It was her mother. And she was early.

Tripp and Matilda gave Shyla a sympathetic glance, as the group of students turned to see Hermione Granger standing before them.

"Mum? What are you doing here?" Shyla choked out. The Gryffindor students began to laugh at the sight of Shyla. Even Toby was snickering, to which Shyla shot a deathly glare.

"Did you forget it was Parents Day?" Hermione replied, trying to remain calm, despite her desire to severely punish her daughter. "Maybe it's a good thing I came early. You know what, Shyla? I'd like to speak to you alone."

Shyla looked to Matilda, and then to Tripp, for a way out. They looked at each other and shrugged.

"Sorry, kid. You're on your own when it comes to mothers." Tripp said with an air of sympathy.

Matilda nodded, and patted Shyla on the shoulder. "Be at the pitch an hour before the match." As she walked away, she leaned down and whispered, "Good luck."

Shyla swallowed hard and turned her gaze to her mum. "Why are you so early, anyways?" She spat quietly.

Hermione turned away from her daughter, and crossed her arms over her chest. Slowly she turned back to Shyla. "How could you say such horrible things?" Her face looked drained of energy. "I know that I taught you better than that."

Shyla adverted her eyes. Today was the last day she wanted to deal with her own issues. Not when the Quidditch team counted on her so much. "Why were you with Viktor Krum?" Shyla demanded, changing the subject.

"This is not about me! It is about you calling a boy the worst possible name!" Hermione protested quietly, stepping closer to her young daughter.

Shyla sneered and rolled her eyes. "How can you say that? Your face was plastered all over the Daily Prophet!" She had promised herself she wouldn't bring it up, but as most eleven year old girls, she had trouble controlling her emotions.

"Shyla! Do not make a scene!" Hermione snapped quietly. Her eyes grew wide with anger.

"You were the one who made a scene!" Shyla shouted. "You embarrassed me in front of my friends!"

"Friends?" Hermione could not contain herself, and let out a short burst of laughter. "If those kids are who you are making friends with, then I really should not have allowed you to join the Quidditch team!"

Shyla's face grew red with anger. "You ruin everything!" She stormed away, leaving her mum to stand in the wake.

Hermione felt a desperate need to see a friendly face. Lupin and Tonks had come with her to see Shyla's first quidditch match. Her thoughts returned to her own days at Hogwarts, and the memories began flooding. Her feet began towards the happiest place they knew. Hagrid's hut.

Moments later, Hermione found herself in the company of Hagrid, Lupin, Tonks, and Luna Lovegood. It was strange to be an adult, sipping a fire whiskey in the hut that she spent a lot of her time as a child. At that moment, she found herself missing Harry and Ron more than ever. After so many years of repressed memories, she couldn't help but feel them all come flooding back. "You know, I caught Shyla calling a boy a mudblood..." She finally said quietly.

Their eyes shot to Hermione with pure shock. "Wow." Tonks finally said through the thick silence.

Hermione let out a small laugh, "Remind you of another young Slytherin trying to find their way?"

"Hermione?" Luna said softly, "You should really talk to Malfoy. He has grown up a lot since our days at school. Plus, he might have an idea as to why Shyla is acting out so much."

Hermione nodded, "You're right. We have parent-professor meetings after the Quidditch math. I'll speak to him then."

Shyla walked to the Quidditch pitch with Eva and Keelee. Her stomach twisted in knots, and her hands shaking.

"Good luck, Shy!" Eva nearly squealed, giving her friend a quick hug.

Keelee did squeal. "You are going to be amazing! I overheard Payton talking, and you're the best seeker they've had in years. Plus, Gryffindor has been struggling with their own seeker. Have you had the misfortune of meeting Kale Finley?" Shyla shook her head, so Keelee continued. "He is Gryffindor's seeker. He's fast on his broom, but he doesn't stop well. Oh, and there is a rumor that he is in dire need of glasses, but won't get them."

Shyla got the drift of what Keelee was telling her. "Thanks, I should go get changed. I'll see you both, after?" Before they could respond, Shyla ran into the changing area. Her nerves were getting the best of her. The green and silver Quidditch robe hung on the wall, with 'Granger' printed on the back. Below her name was the a large, silver 4. She changed into the robe, breathing deeply, in attempts to calm herself.

When she stepped out of the small changing area, her stomach flipped. She ran to the opening of the tent and began to vomit. Her hands were shaking, and she felt tears begin to stream down her face. She felt a gentle hand hold her hair out of the way, and the other hand, gently rubbed her back.

"You okay, kid?" Tripp asked quietly.

Shyla shook her head vigorously. "I don't know if I can do this." She finally managed to choke out.

Tripp sighed, and summoned a water bottle. "We've all been there. Matilda's first game, she got a bloody nose, and managed to get it all over her robes. Alec was so nervous to live up to his brother's expectations, that he passed out before the match even started."

Shyla sniffled, and took a small sip of water. "What about you?"

Tripp chuckled, "I'm far too cool for all that." After laughing a moment more, and noticing Shyla's look of disbelief, he continued, "I cried... Yeah, Tripp Browning cried. I was a third year, and I had just found out that my parents weren't coming to my match. All of the stress finally got to me, and I sat in the corner of the tent, and sobbed." He sat Shyla down on a bench, and continued to rub her back. "But, we're Slytherins, we don't allow people to view us as weak. So, even though we were dying on the inside, we put on our game faces, and played the hell out of the games."

Shyla nodded, understanding that she too must make the Gryffindor team believe she is always confident. "Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked bluntly.

"I told you," Tripp smiled, "I've adopted you. You're my new little sister." He laughed. "Besides, Payton would not have placed you as seeker if he did not have insane amounts of confidence in you. Trust us, you're better than you know."

She smiled up at Tripp, "Thank you."

"Ugh! Gross!" Drew coughed as he noticed the smell lingering in the air. "Granger, are you the puker?"

Shyla rolled her eyes, "Shut up, Drew! If it hadn't been for that fourth pancake you piled on my plate, I would have been fine!"

Drew smirked at the girl, and performed a cleaning spell to rid the tent of the vile smell. "We've got this game. Gryffindor is going down."

A/N: Hello hello! I know you have all been waiting for some major Draco/Hermione interaction. And I can promise that the next chapter will be filled with it! I was really proud of this chapter, but I love the next one even more. I have the next two chapters written, and I am debating on combining them into one. Either way you'll get a new chapter soon! As always, please review!

~PurplePygmypuff