A/N chapter 4, here it is!

Morning quickly turned to evening as the three time travellers sat with the old professor is his red and gold draped office.

Backstories were hashed and rehashed out until they had them down pat. No one knew how long they would be here, but it wouldn't do for one of them to slip up and reveal that things were not exactly as they may seem.

Finally, as Hermione gazed out of Dumbledore's office window, watching the setting sun glint gold of the shiny rings of the Quidditch pitch, the final iterations of the story were completed.

Dumbledore clapped his handly together and gestured to Hermione. "Alright, let's run through it a final time. Hermione, my dear, please tell me about yourself."

"My name is Hermione Hurwit, and I am a transfer student from America," Hermione began, confidence coating her words. "My parents sent me to Hogwarts due to the escalating crisis of the Werewolf Uprisings that are slowly spread out from their nexus point in the Appalachains. I'm an only child, from a secluded wizarding village in Virginia. I was educated at home by my parents and the other adults of my village. As for my lineage, I am pureblooded and have a lifelong friendship with Ron and Draco—my neighbours from childhood."

Dumbledore inclined his head, a tacit approval. He turned to Ron, "And you, Mr. Weasley?"

With a short nod, Ron took over. "I'm Ronald Winch, sharing a similar history as Hermione's. We grew up together and were educated by our parents in the village. I am also of pureblood heritage."

Draco, not waiting for his turn, chimed in. "As for me, Draco Mercon. Another pureblood," he added with a touch of arrogance, "Ronald, Hermione, and I, we grew up side by side. We're here to escape the grim state of affairs back home."

Acknowledging their stories, Dumbledore added, "Perfect timing, indeed. The term is about to start, and you'll join the Sorting ceremony after the first-years, introducing yourselves to the school."

"But, professor," Hermione interjected, bringing up the matter for the 4th time that day, "You said it's imperative that we claim to be purebloods, but isn't that deception? I'm proud to be Muggle-born and this just does not feel right to me."

Dumbledore sighed gently. "It's a different time, Ms. Granger, you must understand. Blood prejudice is more prevalent than you're used to. It will ease your integration and lessen suspicion, especially if Mr. Malfoy once again finds himself in Slytherin."

Draco scoffed, as if he could end up anywhere else.

Hermione sighed and conceded, albeit grudgingly, "I understand, though it doesn't sit well."

"An additional point to consider," Dumbledore pivoted, turning to Draco. "Your grandfather, Mr. Malfoy, is in his final year here. The Malfoy Family resemblance, particularly your hair, is striking. Would you permit me to alter your hair colour to a darker shade?"

Malfoy hesitated for a brief moment, his hand instinctively running through his hair.

Ron snickered at his discomfort and obvious vanity, only to receive a sharp elbow from Hermione.

Ignoring them, Draco addressed Dumbledore, "If it's a necessity to help us blend in in this time, I suppose I have no option. Go ahead."

With a swift spell, Dumbledore transfigured Draco's hair to a colour between dark blond and light brown.

Hermione couldn't help but observe how this change brought out his features, softening his harsh exterior. He seemed more... approachable, less like the Draco they knew. It was impressive how a slight change in the colour of his hair easily obscured the Malfoy family resemblence.

"And finally," Dumbledore flicked his wand at each of them, "the matter of your accents. There, now you'll blend in seamlessly."

They all tried out their new voices, the words sounding foreign in their mouths.

"That's... bloody brilliant," Ron exclaimed.

Hermione, was in awe, "It's incredible. Despite the extensive reading, I've never come across such a spell."

Dumbledore chuckled, "'Blood brilliant' indeed, Mr. Weasley. However, may I recommend dropping the British-isms. At least for now, you haven't been here long enough to have 'picked them up' naturally." His eyes twinkled as Ron flushed.

Dumbledore stood up. "I must proceed to the Great Hall. The first-years will arrive soon. You should wait in the Entrance Hall until you're called in, I trust you know the way and I shall see you there.."

With that, he departed, leaving the trio to head out alone.

Hermione waited with Ron and Draco in the Entrace Hall. They could hear that inside the Great Hall, the Sorting ceremony was drawing to a close, the sorting hat call out names that started with 'S'.

Awkwardly, Hermione, Ron, and Draco maintained their distance, each lost in their thoughts, unsure how to break the silence in such bizarre circumstances.

Then Draco spoke, his voice barely above a whisper as he kept his eyes trained on the stone floor, "We're in the same year as the Dark Lord, do you realize that?"

Hermione nodded. "I did the maths earlier, but I didn't know how to broach the subject."

Ron looked at both of them, his face turning pale, "What?!"

Before they could process the enormity of the situation, the distant applause from the Great Hall signalled the end of the Sorting ceremony.

Dumbledore's voice echoed, though somewhat muffled, "Now, before we feast,"—groans echoed around—"we have some transfer students to introduce and sort."

That was their cue. Hermione flexed her fingers, trying to loosen them up from their tightly clenched fists. She made eye contact with Draco and Ron and all three exchanged nods. It was show time.

The trio walked into the Great Hall, heads held high, ignoring the whispers and inquisitive glances of their new peers.

The insistent need to occlude dogged Hermione with each step, but focused on deep breaths and putting one foot in front of the other. She fought hard to project confidence to the watching student body.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached the front.

"First, introductions," Dumbledore announced, "then the Sorting."

The three stood awkwardly next to the stool as Dumbledore held the Hat.

"These three are transfer students from the States and will be joining our Sixth year class. This is Hemione Hurwit, Ronald Winch, and Draco Mercon. As many of you have read, the Werewolf Uprisings in the Appalachains are starting to reach concerning heights and so these 3 brave students have chosen to continue their education at Hogwarts where it is safer. I ask that you all give them a warm welcome."

Polite applause echoed through the hall.

"And now, the Sorting," Dumbledore directed them to the stool.

As they all hesitated, Draco lazily raised his hand, volunteering to go first, "Let's get this over with."

In ten seconds, the Sorting Hat declared, "SLYTHERIN!"

"Shocker," Ron muttered under his breath.

Ignoring him, Hermione watched as Draco took his place at the Slytherin table, his new housemates clapping—especially the girls.

Ron was next, sitting confidently on the stool. After a tense 45 seconds, the Sorting Hat announced, "SLYTHERIN!"

Shocked, Hermione could barely register the sight of Ron, red-faced and clenching his fists, stomping over to sit beside Draco.

Gathering her composure, Hermione sat on the stool.

The Hat spoke in her ear.

"Well well, we've another wanderer. Tsk Tsk, so far from home. Oh well, might as well make the most of your time here. Seems as if you were a Gryffindor, hmm also an exceptional mind. But that's not where you belong this time..."

"No, not Slytherin," Hermione thought with a shudder.

"Trust me, this is how it's meant to be."

Then, the Hat shouted out loud, "SLYTHERIN!"

With a shaky stance, she made her way to the Slytherin table, feeling a bit dazed. Despite polite introductions from her new housemates, she couldn't process their words. Names went in one ear and out the other.

Glancing at her fellow time travellers it was clear on their faces—they were all shocked from the sorting.

The feast ended soon, and the first years departed immediately with the 5th year Slytherin Prefects. As the rest of the students dawdled, they feigned confusion, pretending not to know the way to the dormitories.

A young man approached them, startlingly handsome, with a perfectly coiffed dark brown hair. "I'm Tom Riddle, a Slytherin Prefect. Let me show you to the dormitories." He said smoothly with a charming smile.

Hermione and Ron's shoulders tensed up, almost simultaneously.

Unfazed, Draco reached out, "Draco Mercon, that would be excellent, thank you for your assistance."

Ron, albeit stiffly, shook his hand too, "Ron Winch." he ground out.

There was a beat of silence, and Hermione's resolve broke. She had to occlude. It was no longer an option. She felt the solid walls pop up and shoved her doubts and fears into a box in the back of her mind.

Instantly she felt the sweet relief of cool detachment flood over her.

Hermione instantly pasted a relaxed smile on her face and gave him a small curtsy, "Hemione Hurwit, it's lovely to meet you Tom".

Tom Riddle returned the smile, it should have sent shiver down her spine, but she felt nothing. "Nice to meet you all. Follow me, please, and I'll show you the way to your new accommodations."

A/N: Had a nasty case of writer's block as well as finals, but here it is, chapter four! Not quite as long as I'd have liked, but hopefully I churn the next one out soon. I could do longer chapters but it might take me longer to post, as I'd like to publish a chapter every couple days.

Don't forget to leave a review, they really help motivate and inspire me! Also I'm new at this am I supposed to reply to reviews? Or only if its a question? lol

*Edited Jun 11 2023