Hermione got more than a few stares from the first years. Hagrid however, lit up upon seeing her and hugged her tightly.

"Hello, Hermione, I almost didn't recognize you, what with yer new hairstyle and all."

"It's good to see you, Hagrid," she said.

"What brings yeh over here?" he asked. "Shouldn' yeh be with the older kids?"

"Oh, no. I have to be re-sorted so I'm entering with the first years."

"Well, it's good to have yeh back," he said and turned to the gawking first years. "Everyone here? Let's go!"

Hermione almost felt like a giant herself. Everyone around her was so small. Was she ever that tiny? She hung around the back so she wouldn't block anyone's view of the castle. She didn't need to worry about anyone falling. Sometime in her time gone, there was now a really, long, wooden ramp zig-zagging down to the pier where the boats were. Part of her wanted to just zip along the lake in otter form, but figured that might not be such a good idea, especially at night.

Waiting for them along the bank was a team of Aurors.

"This won't take too long," said the leader. "We just want to make sure that everyone is who they say they are and to make sure no one is bringing dark objects inside the school."

One-by-one, they were lined up. Scanned, searched. Hermione felt uneasy. She looked up at the wards. There were more than there used to be. She'd have to take a trip to the anchor stones and find out what was there. She knew there wasn't anything blocking anyone with the dark mark from entering. Otherwise how could their dear former Potion's Master who is a known Death Eater and hates children with a passion enter a place full of vulnerable adolescents?

"Aren't you a bit old to be entering with the first years?"

Hermione stared the Auror in the eye. "I'm eleven and three-quarters."

A couple firsties who heard her conversation with Hagrid began giggling.

"I know yer a bit scared o' the water, Hermione, so why don't you ride with me?" Hagrid suggested.

She wasn't scared of the water anymore, but she was touched that he remembered her fear.

"Thank you, Professor," she said.

Soon enough the boats were off, sailing across the glassy lake. The clouds hadn't obscured the waning moon and Hermione trained her camera on Hogwarts. She knew her camera had been souped up enough to show things clearer than other cameras, but she wasn't sure how well this would show up. She'd have to see about getting a day shot.

"Will yeh be taking my class this year?" asked Hagrid.

"No, I'm sorry," she said regretfully. "Compared to all the wonders I've seen up close at Castelobruxo… Dragons, Qirins, Ursa Majors, and the like, things like Glumbumbles and Diricrawls are… tame."

"You got up close with dragons?" he breathed. "How close?"

"Close enough that a Peruvian Vipertooth mistook me for a baby. She picked me up, carried me to her nest, and kept me there for hours. I've got the scars on my back from her venom to prove it."

"Blimey… I reckon the wizards running the sanctuary had a hard time separating yeh."

"Actually, they assumed I was dead and had sent notice to my family. I escaped myself. I felt bad, of course, all she wanted was a baby. I was relieved when they gave her a little wyvern that had been abandoned. Did you know Peruvian Vipertooths are the most maternal of all dracones? Ironbellies come in second."

"There is no way you faced a dragon and lived," said a first year. "Clearly you're a Muggle-born making it up for clout!"

"Oh, no. The words I speak are very true," she said.

"Prove it."

"Right, like I'm going to give you the pictures I took over the lake. No, you just have to wait until Documentary Domingo."

"Domingo?"

"It means Sunday in Spanish," another first year piped up.

"I like alliterations." Hermione turned back to Hagrid. "Anyway, what's been up with you?"

"Well, I imagine Cedric told yeh about me brother, Grawp?"

"Yes, he mentioned it. How is your brother?"

"Oh, Dumbledore found 'im a nice cave up in the mountains. He won't bother no one and I've been schoolin' 'im. Thinking of makin' him my teaching assistant one day. You should come by and meet him, I think he'd like yeh."

"Definitely," said Hermione. She wasn't sure if Grawp would be interested in S.A.M.B. but she could at least give it a try.

"But we can catch up on me later," said Hagrid. "Tell me more about them dragons."

She talked to him about the dracones sanctuary until they reached the shore. The first years were growing nervous, so Hermione led the way, humming to herself. It was strange to be here again. Her heart twisted in her chest. She never should have left. If she hadn't left, then Cedric would be sending her a letter telling her how much he was loving his new job, how much he missed her, and that he was excited to see her over the winter holiday. Or, better yet, she'd be in a home study program and just a floo away from him.

They wouldn't get that now, but she would try her damndest to make sure nothing like that ever happened within these walls again.

The doors opened to Professor McGonagall.

"Hello, Professor," said Hermione.

Her former Head of House fought back a grin in an effort to look stern in front of the newbies. In the end, she failed and gave Hermione a warm smile.

"It's good to have you back, Miss Granger," she said and looked at the camera. "What is that?"

"Well, you see, I thought it'd be nice if I could record the Sorting and then we could send them to the parents so they can actually witness this ceremony. We'll call it a courtesy from the journalism club."

"Well, as long as it doesn't create a distraction then I see no problem with it." Professor McGonagall stepped aside so everyone could come inside. Hermione recorded her giving her spiel she normally gave to the first years.

Then they all went into the side room.

"Oh, Professor," said Hermione. "I would appreciate it if when you call my name, you call me by my birth name: Herminia Lotulelei y Sanchez."

"Of course, Miss Granger," she said. "Now, since you have done this before, you will not be called at the same time as everyone else. You will be called upon last."

"Alright, that's fine."

"Behave yourselves, I will be right back to fetch you."

There was a scream and Hermione whirled around ready to fight, only relaxing when she saw that the ghosts had come in.

"Hello Sir Nicholas," she called. "Myrtle. Friar Simon. Duncan. Lady of Ravenclaw. Bloody Baron."

"Miss Granger, it's good to see you," said Sir Nicholas. "I was wondering where you had gone."

"Studied abroad, but now I'm back and ready to wreak havoc," she said. "Though from what I hear, they're still finding glitter in places."

"Peeves was beside himself," said the Fat Friar. "Disappointed he would never create chaos so great."

"A side note for you newbies," said Hermione. "Peeves is the castle poltergeist. He'll go out of his way to ruin your day or week. Just keep your guard up."

"What sort of school is this?" the boy next to her whispered. "Ghosts… poltergeists… chaos incidents?"

"Well," she said, "would you prefer to deal with one Poltergeist who likes a good prank or a hundred little caiporas that will empty a dumpster into your dorm if you litter?"

"Everyone is ready for you."

When Hermione entered, there was definitely chatter. And a vast majority avoided eye contact with her. Yeah, they all thought they were so tough beating up on a boy who couldn't fight back, but what would they do against a girl who wasn't afraid to?

She readied her camera, making sure it had zoomed in properly on the Sorting Hat. She looked at the teachers and was shocked. Dumbledore. He used to be a pillar of energy. As much as she disliked him, there was no denying how powerful he was but now… now he had as much power as the eleven-year-olds around her. Cedric did mention that he made Dumbledore cross his heart that he would tell Harry the whole prophecy and that he, Cedric, would not be caught stealing the prophecy. This was the price he paid for not keeping his promise.

The hall had hushed and she realized the Sorting Hat had opened its mouth to sing.

I was made so long ago

That day I well remember

When Founders four enchanted me

To handpick each new member

Their arguments have long since past

I wish we'd all move on

Be kind to each other dammit

The time to fight is gone

Long ago, the Founders four

Had a vision all the same

We'll build a place to teach and more

Our kind forever safe

Still a place to belong is what you desire

So listen close and listen well

But please have no ire

Gryffindor might be for you

If you are brave and daring

Or Hufflepuff if you believe

Magic is just for sharing

Ravenclaw is exclusive to

Those who wish to learn

And Slytherin is suited best

For those ambitious fame yearn

All these traits for better or worse

They are for you to decide

Dear children I am tired

Please do not divide

Your house is full of friends

That's true

But that is not the end

We are still one school you see

So let's support each other please

Wow. The Sorting Hat was not playing around this year. Guess the message from last year was too vague and the hat decided to try again. As the hall erupted into applause, she had to wonder if they actually listened to the song or just heard it. No matter, she wasn't about to let any kid's Sorting look bad.

"When I call your name please come up for the sorting," said Professor McGonagall. "Armstrong, Heidi."

Hermione kept her camera floating so she could clap for each student regardless of where they were sent.

"And now, though rare, occasionally students must be re-sorted," said Professor McGonagall. "Sorting for her sixth year: Herminia Lotulelei y Sanchez."

"I'll go ahead and say it now," said Hermione as she approached the stool. "I will only answer to Nia or one of my last names from my peers." She stepped up and took her seat. The hat fit her head much better than it had six years ago.

"Back again, I see," the hat said inside her mind. "You have changed much. So unsure of yourself and yet now, even Hogwarts has accepted you as host. I don't think even the Founders could have achieved such a great feat. Only witch who dared before you was Morgan le Fay."

Is that why her portrait leads to the anchor stones?

"Yes. Hogwarts cared for her deeply and favored her wishes and whims as they were in the best interest of the school over personal vanity. Just as she does for you."

I don't mean to be rude, but the crowd is looking a little hangry out there. What will it be this time?

"I placed you in Gryffindor, yes?"

Yes.

"I think I was too hasty. Perhaps you would have done better with your friend in Hufflepuff. If you wish, I could place you within the same House as before. Your bravery and sense of justice is unwavering. However, your ambition and hunger has grown as well. There is no doubt of your intelligence. Your loyalty… I see that you follow your heart and your cause, but you are unafraid to break ties if someone proves no good for you. Slytherin would have been intrigued by you…"

I know, I know, I'm not a pureblood, I'm not even a half-blood. Slytherin would have hated me.

"He never hated them. Not really. He feared them. Feared what they were capable of. Feared they would destroy the world he worked so hard to build. Feared they would harm his pupils as they had harmed his dear sister. Gryffindor's wife died terrified and childless.

Hermione choked. "His what?!"

The crowd laughed at her outburst.

"If he had seen how times have changed…"

There's no changing the past.

"No… change the past, we cannot. Do you trust me?"

I will go wherever you want me to, Yoda.

"Are you certain?"

You know why I came back. Whatever house I'm in doesn't matter as long as I can get the job done.

"Very well." The hat cleared its non-existent throat. "HERE ME, HOGWARTS FOR HISTORY WILL BE MADE IN THIS MOMENT!" The hall fell silent, holding its breath as one. "The reasons Slytherin had for keeping his House pure no longer stand the test of time. He was terrified of Muggle-borns being followed by their non-magic families and putting the rest in danger. However, this way of thinking has kept a rift in our society for centuries and I will end it right here and now. From this moment on, all students sorted into Slytherin will be there due to ambition and cunning, not due to circumstances of birth. Behold Hogwarts, your first squib-born, Muggle-raised SLYTHERIN!"

"What?" Professor McGonagall gasped, dropping her parchment.

"WHAT?!" the Great Hall echoed.

Hermione calmly stood and placed the hat back on the stool. She swept her hand and the purple on her clothes changed to green. Astoria, Daphne, Shaylyn, and Gracie rose to their feet and clapped. Looking behind, she saw Professor Vector and Professor Slughorn join. A few others joined but it wasn't a lot.

"She can't be a Slytherin!" Pansy yelled, standing up.

"Miss Parkinson," Professor McGonagall scolded, finally recovering from her shock. "The Sorting Hat has spoken and we cannot go against the wishes of the mouthpiece of the Founders."

"It's okay, Professor," said Hermione, putting her camera away. "I'm sure she's just getting hangry and Dumbledore still has to make his speech." She hopped down the steps and made her way over to Daphne.

"Welcome to Slytherin, Nia," said Shaylyn, shaking her hand. "Don't worry, I'm Head Girl this year, so if anyone gives you a hard time I can put a stop to it."

"Thanks, I appreciate that," she said.

"Just so you know, this is the kosher and halal section so there's no pork or cheese in this area," said Astoria.

"That's fine, I think I might be a little lactose intolerant anyway."

Hermione ignored the stares she was getting. The majority really didn't seem to know how to react and were looking to each other. If Malfoy was still the bigot he used to be, she was sure he'd be leading the protest, but he just sat between Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott with his head down. When he did look up he sent her a nasty glare as if accusing her of asking to be placed in Slytherin just to get in his business. She guessed she couldn't hold that against him. The more bigoted were giving her evil eyes and seemed to be mouthing threats, but Hermione never really was good at lip reading. They didn't scare her anyway. She'd seen much more frightening things in her reality than they would ever face in their nightmares.

Dumbledore rose to his feet and Hermione noticed he didn't quite stand to his full height, instead leaning on the table. "I would like to mention a new staff member. If everyone could please give a warm welcome to Professor Horace Slughorn who will be returning to his former position as Potion's Master. Taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts is Professor Snape. Anything else that must be said can wait until after the feast. I imagine all of you are quite famished and will be much more open to further news once your bellies are full."

He waved his hand and the table filled up with the feast.

The food was delicious. More delicious than usual. Perhaps she did have a taste for British fare after all. Or maybe she was just that hungry. Or perhaps she liked kosher/halal foods and there was something in the haram foods she didn't like.

"How was your summer, Nia?" asked Shaylyn politely. She and Hermione had never really had a proper conversation, but Shaylyn was one of the ones who liked her tour group idea and, really, Hermione could use all the friends she could get. She wasn't about to be rude to the Head Girl.

"About as well as it could be," she said. "Nursing a broken heart and all. What are the chances I get smothered in my sleep tonight?"

"Mm… keep your door locked. It's only two or three per room. So you and Daphne will be in one and the rest will be in the other. I hear there used to be single rooms, but too many students were skulking off by themselves and, you know, we Slytherins really only have each other. Maybe that will change now that you're here."

"I doubt it. People hate me as it is."

"Firebolt incident," said Daphne and Shaylyn grimaced.

"Mm… well, it's a start. Next year, we'll be getting more and you'll be able to be here as a model for them."

"Yeah… Maybe I should have been sorted before the first years."

"No, this is better," said Daphne. "By next year, they'll have gotten used to the idea. Also, anyone would be mad to try and hex you."

"I can think of a few who'd try."

"Yeah, well, Pansy is mad."

Hermione grinned and looked across the hall. Harry and Ron still looked shocked that she was sitting over with the Slytherins. What, did they expect her to reject her placement? If she could do that, she'd reject all four, create her own House. Call it Derf. She'd sit at a Playskool coloring table for meals, her flag would be a Lisa Frank copycat. Her House colors would be hot pink and lime green.

She rocked from side-to-side thinking her thoughts when Nearly Headless Nick floated over to her. It wasn't common for ghosts to wander over to tables not belonging to their house, but this time there was an excuse. Even so, Baron… Baron… Hermione was sure she knew his real name at some point. For some reason Elizabeth kept popping into her head, but she didn't think that was right. Either way, the Bloody Baron seemed miffed that his territory was being infringed upon.

"Miss Granger," he said, tipping his head politely, though he went so far that it swung off and caused a first year girl to faint briefly into her pudding, leaving a smear of marzipan on her brow.

"Aloha, Nicky, howzit?" Hermione asked cheerfully.

He stared at her a long moment before continuing on with whatever he had wanted to say over responding to her nicety.

"There's been much talk," he said. "And it seems incredibly rude to talk of rumors when you can speak to the source."

"Yeah, it's true I dated a Troll," said Hermione. "He gave me this cool rock, but his brother asked me out first. I was still seeing Cedric then, so it wasn't likely to happen."

She held up the stone Alejandro had given to her, which had been turned into a necklace for her by her abuela. Daphne snorted and covered her face with her napkin while everyone looked over incredulously trying to determine if she was joking or not.

"I… Miss Granger, that is not the rumor I am talking of."

"Then isn't it better to open with the rumor than make a person guess?"

"Er… I suppose. It is of the events on May the Third. Though no one really seems to agree on the conclusion, I am considered something of a Potter authority; it is widely known that we are friendly. It is widely agreed that he is the Chosen One, but no one quite seems to know exactly how the community had come to that conclusion. After all, the only person who knows what exactly happened in the Department of Mysteries is young Cedric Diggory, and given that you two are so close I—we hope that you might be able to clarify some facts."

Time to lie.

"Ay, dios mio!" she said loudly. "How stupid are you people?"

Conversation in the Great Hall dwindled, even the teacher's table. Hermione kept her gaze on Sir Nicholas but spoke loud enough that there would be no mistake in her words.

"May the Third was a full moon," she said. "All the pictures show Cedric in his human form. And I know for a fact that he wasn't even in England on May the Third. He left the country as soon as Umbridge tried to blame him for the suicide of Bailey Todd, whom I'm sure would not have appreciated his death being used to prosecute an innocent! Of course he left, he has a Kiss on sight order! What kind of horrid person would ask a person who had been through as much as him to go wreak havoc at the Ministry and steal a prophecy that had nothing to do with him?"

She looked over at the Head Table straight at Dumbledore before looking back at the stricken ghost. Nobody was speaking now.

"I couldn't even be afforded a proper goodbye from my best friend, and unless this stupid warrant for his arrest is overturned, I will never see him again!" She stood up and jammed her fork into the table, when she released it, it stood upright. "Yeah, maybe the prophecy that Cedric impostor stole was about Harry and maybe that makes him the Chosen One, but I think it's pathetic to rest the fate of our society on the shoulders of a teenager. Really makes you wonder why adults never get assigned the magical destiny." She finally turned to look at the rest of the student body. "If having a Chosen One to save all of you is what makes you sleep easier at night, go for it. But change comes from the united strength of many, not the burdens of one."

"I apologize Miss Granger," said Sir Nicholas. "If I had realized what a painful subject this was for you I would have asked in a much more private setting."

Translation: Why would you make a scene and make everyone feel uncomfortable?

Hermione rolled her eyes and left the Great Hall. Nobody stopped her, but they did whisper at the gesture. She turned to get down to the kitchens. She tickled the pear and entered the kitchens to quite the sight. The elves… they were wearing clothes. They were very Greek looking, tunics or dresses made from one or two sheets of fabric and held out of the way by a thick belt, but they were unmistakably clothes and not the tea towels the creatures once wore. They looked much happier, singing and chattering. The pots and pans from cooking the feast had been cleaned up, so the elves sat at the four long tables with their own meals, drinking milk from mugs while dirty plates sat in front of them.

"Well, looks like things have changed a lot since I was here," she said.

"Miss Hermione!" Rikki and Tikki leapt from their seats and ran towards her. Most of the older elves got up and bowed, but the younger ones gave her the finger guns she had requested a couple years back. The two Hermione were friendliest with, however, had leapt into her arms and hugged her tightly.

"It's good to see you, too!" she said. "I take it the strike was successful then?"

"Oh, yes!" said Rikki. "Tavi was right. Freedom does suit elves!"

"Some of us have gone abroad," said Tikki. "To confirm that it is as she has said!"

"I'm thrilled to hear it," said Hermione. "Were all your demands met?"

"Not all," said Meenie, approaching her. "But enough for now. We can spend our wages in the shops at Hogsmeade. With Miss Hermione back, we can fight for the right to build our own homes! No more cramped quarters!"

The elves murmured in agreement.

"I'll see what I can do," said Hermione. "Though I doubt the new Minister isn't as scared of me as Fudge was. I might not be able to get everything for years."

"We know Miss Hermione tries her best," said Meenie. "Have you finished dinner?"

"Yes, I had my fill," she said. "I just wanted to see how all of you were doing."

"And we are doing well," Meenie replied. "We know Miss Hermione will not forget us."

"It'll be easier to visit now that I live in the dungeons," said Hermione. "I've been sorted into Slytherin."

This led them to fall silent.

"But Miss Hermione is not born of witches," said Rikki.

"Not exactly, but the Hat decided it was time to change all that." Hermione shrugged. "Or perhaps Hogwarts did."

She paused. Hogwarts. She had bonded. Could the mirror that held her runic circle still be in the Lost and Found? Perhaps she could do the reverse and contact Cedric through one of their mirrors? Worth a shot.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I have to check something, but is it alright if I come by after class tomorrow?"

"Miss Hermione is welcome any time she pleases," said Meenie.

Hermione nodded and gave Rikki and Tikki another hug before running off. She took the fastest route to get to the Room of Things and asked for the room the D.A. had been using. When she entered it was ransacked, but the mirror still reflected the runic circle she used to connect herself to Hogwarts. Hermione took out her sharpie and drew the combination on her arm.

"Show me: Cedric," she declared and stared at the cracked mirrors expectantly.

She was hit with a wash of chattering voices layering over each other. She couldn't make any of them out. She didn't even go into the mirror like she used to. This was the right spell wasn't it? She wasn't sure. Her mirror had the combination, but this one was close, wasn't it? Perhaps… perhaps it just wouldn't work like that.

"I'll never see him again, will I?" she asked.

Feeling tears well up, Hermione dropped to her knees and sobbed. She buried her face in her hands so she wouldn't have to see her features blur in the mirrors surrounding her. She'd never let anything like that happen again. Ever.

Getting a grip on herself, she wiped her face clean and went down to the unused office with the secret passage to the Slytherin Common Room. The office had undergone a transformation, now clean, a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, and she could sense that the adjacent quarters were ready for use as well. It probably would be best to learn the actual password for the Slytherin Common Room, but for now, she didn't want to run into anyone from Gryffindor. She marched down the stairs and entered the Common Room.

Julie Andrews crooned 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' a reminder of the prank Cedric and the twins had pulled. Thankfully, the glitter had decomposed, but there was still a sweet scent in the air like her Mom's shop on the Big Island. Rather than go on to find her room, she sat down in one of the leather armchairs. It was comfortable and the leather was buttery. She inhaled and exhaled softly, putting her feet up on the pouf.

Everyone should be turning in by now.

"Well, she'll have quite the time getting in!" said Pansy snidely, entering the Common room with her crew behind her. "I certainly won't tell her the password!"

"I hope you're not talking about me," said Hermione. "Otherwise this will be awkward."

They all froze in shock.

"Why are you all wet?" she continued.

"It's the strangest thing," said Daphne, shoving past Pansy. "Dumbledore was talking about tryouts for Quidditch and commentators when it began to rain. Inside the Hall!"

"Weird. Was it a prank?"

"Must have been," said Shaylyn. "Though I don't think Peeves could have managed the entire hall."

People exclaimed in disgust as Artemis shook wildly.

"Ughhh! She's still here!" Draco spat, stomping over to the fireplace.

"What, did you expect me to leave after my rant?" Hermione demanded.

"Not you," he retorted and pointed to the ceiling. "Her."

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, Julie chirped.

"I can make it stop," said Hermione, turning to look at the Slytherins. "If I get a unanimous 'welcome to Slytherin'. Just the words are fine. Those who shake my hand will get a drying spell."

Daphne, Astoria, Gracie, and Shaylyn were first in line and were instantly dried. The first years followed after, already awestruck by her. To her surprise Blaise Zabini approached her next.

"You're spiteful," he said. "I can appreciate that. And your taste in clothing has vastly improved."

"Thanks." She dried him off.

She got quite a few handshakes but even more 'Welcome to Slytherin's. Not all of them were sincere, but she didn't ask for sincerity, did she? All that was left was Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, Millicent, and Tracey. Tracey looked at Pansy, then to Hermione and walked forward.

"Tracey!" Pansy squawked.

"Oh, come off it!" she replied. "I want this music to stop, and whether I like it or not, Granger is the only one who can do it. So… welcome to Slytherin."

"Thanks, Tracey. Good to be here," said Hermione, shaking her hand and drying her off.

Tracey snorted and rolled her eyes.

Pansy kept where she was, arms crossed. Hermione stared at her for a long moment then hummed.

"Well, I won't punish the many for the inactions of a few," she said and went over to the bookcase. She climbed up the ladder and focused on the magical energy in the section.

"We already checked there," said Linton Seward.

"Humor me." Hermione pulled down several books, using a levitating charm to keep them nearby. She pushed on the panel and it swung open, revealing a cubby where the Walkman was hooked up by several magical wires and six cassettes so that it would play through all of them on an endless loop. She tugged on the lines of magic and the music stopped. She took out the Walkman and cassettes. "Who wants a free Walkman?"

"I'll take it!" said Daphne, raising her hand.

"Knock yourself out." Hermione tossed it to her and put everything else back as it was. She jumped down from the step. "Okay, where's our dorm?"

Daphne led the way and Hermione half expected Pansy to jump in the way to stop her, but she didn't. They walked down the corridor to their room. It was bigger than the other dorm rooms, elegantly done with wood floors and panels over the stone so the heat wouldn't be all sucked away. There were two double beds on opposite sides of the room, each had a side table and a desk at the foot. On the wall opposite the one with the door were two wardrobes for clothes and a side door leading to a private bathroom. Set in the center was a pillar with a warming stove. Hermione wondered where the exhaust pipe went so they wouldn't get carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Nice," she said, going over to her side of the bed. Her trunk was there and Crookshanks had already made himself at home on the bed. No doubt Stephen was cozied up in the Owlery. "Mind if I decorate?"

"Not at all," said Daphne, opening her trunk to unpack.

The fancy sconces on the wall were candle lit, but Hermione replaced them with her own baubles so they wouldn't have to strain to see. The windows in the room were much like the portholes of a ship looking out into the lake. It was inky now, but no doubt during the day it would filter soft green light.

"It'll be nice not to hear the wind howling all night," she commented as she put up her posters of Selena, Nichelle Nichols, Marilyn Monroe, Stevie Nicks, and Keanu Reeves.

"Yeah. Did Harry mean it?" she asked. "Do you really act strange at three in the morning?"

"Sometimes," Hermione admitted, moving on to tape up pictures of her family and friends. "It wasn't as bad once I got my memories back, but since Cedric… I just don't want to think about him. I'll probably stay up all week and sleep all weekend. If it bothers you, I can put up curtains and stuff."

"Mm… we'll see." Daphne took out two silver candlesticks and set them up on a shelf along with a kiddush cup. "Maybe you'll find peace down here."

"Maybe." Hermione took her toiletry bag to the bathroom and placed it on a hook. It was a nice bathroom. Perhaps due to the leaning of rich families towards Slytherin they paid for nicer dorms for their kids.

She was personally a fan of the private dorm setting, but could see how that wouldn't be feasible in this castle, especially in the towers. When she was done brushing her teeth and had changed into her pyjamas, she sat down in her desk chair to massage her scalp and roll her locs so they wouldn't grab onto a friend or come untwisted. When she was done and had put on her satin-lined cap, she took off her splints and placed them in her jewelry box—she only wore her Larimar ring while she slept—and put on her braces.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just can't wear my splints while I sleep," she said and held up her hands, now stiff and unmoving. "Good thing I'm not bunking with Pansy. I'm helpless like this."

"Might be best to put an enchantment on the door then," said Daphne, drawing her wand and casting the proper spells.

"Good idea." Hermione climbed into bed and settled down. "I'm thinking about becoming the new Quidditch commentator."

"Really? Do you even know anything about Quidditch?"

"Look, as much as I give Harry and Ron a hard time, I made it my business to know," she said. "Besides, even if I didn't, I'm the only one with a soundboard."

"True." Daphne sat down on her bed and plaited her hair. "I was never allowed to fly. My parents are very… overbearing. I guess I can't fault them considering our family curse. They never knew if I would be affected. I do adore Quidditch, though."

"Want to co-commentate?" Hermione asked. "Fill in what I don't know?"

Her friend got a ghost of a smile. "I think that would be very fun. We'll tell Professor McGonagall at breakfast."

"It's a plan."

Crookshanks climbed onto Hermione's chest and purred. She stroked him, even though she couldn't feel his fur and closed her eyes. Daphne finished readying for bed and doused the lights once she had climbed into her own bed. Hermione thunk her thoughts. She was a Slytherin. The first No-Maj born Slytherin ever. There would probably be a big fuss about it, but the Sorting Hat—and therefore Hogwarts—made their decision and it could not be overturned unless Hermione, herself, demanded a re-sorting.