A/N: I'm actually really impressed with myself. I got this chapter out in one day, guess that's what presidents day as well as a giant-ass snowstorm will do.
The cacophony of teenage girls frantically trying to put together a "first-day-of-school outfit" awoke Hermione, punctuating the quiet, calm break of dawn. She could hear clothes being carelessly tossed about and her roommates chattering excitedly.
A groan escaped Hermione's lips as she reluctantly greeted the day. As much as she held a deep-seated love for education and the world of knowledge it offered, the prospect of shaking off sleep's sweet embrace was a daily struggle she would rather avoid.
With a deep sigh, she parted the heavy curtains that shielded her bed, allowing the morning's bright light to intrude upon her sleepy gaze. There she sat on the edge of her bed, observing the spectacle of chaos unfolding in front of her.
Violetta, full of an energy that never seemed to wane, was busily parading an array of outfits in front of Melania, who was just as busily trying to wield her wand over her hair, attempting to mold it into perfect curls. The dark-haired girl barely paid attention to Violetta's fashion show, offering just occasional grunts and nods of approval. Unfazed by the lukewarm response, Violetta continued her enthusiastic display undeterred.
In contrast to the loud chaos that was Violetta and Melania, Callista already looked pristine, the picture of sophistication. Her hair was meticulously styled, not a single strand out of place. She sat perched at the end of her bed, ankles primly crossed just so, quietly observing the whirlwind of activity around her.
Meanwhile, Elsie, with a serenity that belied the early morning rush, was methodically leafing through the closets of the other girls, intent on putting together the best ensemble from the combined wardrobes.
Hermione always found it amusing to watch other girls get ready, especially when they were so obsessed with looking perfect. Hermione had never really been one to care too much how she looked, she much preferred to direct most of her efforts towards learning.
"Come on, Hermione, get ready or you'll miss breakfast!" Melania's voice sliced through the morning air, her energy alarmingly high considering the earliness of the hour. Hermione couldn't help but marvel at her roommate's spirit.
Finally dragged herself to her feet, Hermione set about getting ready for the day. With a yank of a brush through her notoriously rebellious hair and a swift change into a plain blouse and skirt topped with her school robes, she declared herself ready.
Melania frowned at Hermione's minimalist approach, "That's it? No makeup, no outfit planning?! Well, we'll have to rectify this later, but for now, let's head to breakfast. Can't have you late on your very first day!" Her grin had an unmistakable Slytherin charm.
DMHGTR
Upon entering the loudly buzzing Great Hall, Hermione sat down at the end of the Slytherin table next to Malfoy and Ron. Her roommates threw her a disappointed look, wondering why she didn't want to sit next to them.
Casually, she turned to Malfoy and Ron, "How was your evening?" Her voice was laced with curiosity; she wanted to know what it was like to live amongst those who would someday grow up to attempt to kill her and Ron. (Or in Malfoy's case, his future compatriots).
"Bloody awful!" Ron's blurted around a mouthful of food. "I couldn't sleep, what with those snakes circling around me, waiting to strike."
Malfoy scoffed in response, "Quit being dramatic, Weas-Winch," he recovered, "They were perfectly civil and kept to themselves. Also please drop the 'bloody' you've only been here a day. You aren't quite a brit yet." He tacked the latter part on as a reminder to Ron to keep up their American cover story.
Ron's annoyed retort was swift, "Of course, you would be quite comfortable surrounded by your own kind!" His voice held a venom he reserved only for Slytherins.
Caught up in the growing hostility, Malfoy's face turned a deep shade of red, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles blanched. But before the tension could escalate further, Hermione intervened.
"Ron!" Hermione's voice carried an unmistakable warning, "Knock it off. We don't need to be fighting amongst ourselves; we already have enough problems as it is."
"Whatever," Ron muttered, sulking and turning his attention to refilling his plate. His appetite seemed entirely unaffected by their current situation.
Hermione locked gazes with Malfoy, and she was startled to find a hint of hurt lurking behind the simmering anger in his eyes. Seeing her sympathetic gaze, he quickly looked away. He was unwilling to accept her silent offering of comfort.
Their breakfast continued in a largely cordial silence, the undercurrents of tension fading into the background as their minds wandered.
Their schedules at hand, Hermione was the first to speak, "I have Ancient Runes first!"
"I do as well," Malfoy responded, not quite mirroring Hermione's obvious academic enthusiasm.
In contrast, Ron merely shrugged, "I don't know why you do that to yourselves. I have a free period, I think I'm feeling a nap in the room of requirement."
Hermione gave him a mildly disapproving look, "You should study, that would be the responsible thing to do."
Ron barely registered Hermione's advice, his attention already drifting elsewhere. As the great hall began to empty, Hermione stood, "Come on, Malfoy, we don't want to be late." With that, she led the way out of the hall.
DMHGTR
Their first class, Ancient Runes, was tucked away in a deserted wing on the sixth floor. As they stepped inside, Hermione immediately made her way to the table nearest to the professor, a somewhat more reluctant Malfoy trailed after her quietly and settled into the seat beside her.
Hermione was slightly surprised that he had been sticking so close by her and Ron, considering he was a Death Eater and was supposed to want them both dead. She supposed it only made sense though, he knew no one here but them. She had been trying to feel him out all morning, to see how far this truce went and if he was still disgusted by her muggle blood. So far however, she'd had little success, he was a closed book.
"Ancient Runes is my favourite class! I hope the professor won't just go over things I've already learned," Hermione chirped, her excitement coaxing a slight upturn of one side of Malfoy's mouth.
As Hermione's excited chatter continued, the rest of the class started to trickle in. The small group consisted of ten students in total: four Slytherins, including Hermione and Draco, three Ravenclaws, two Gryffindors, and a lone Hufflepuff. Riddle and his follower, Avery, were among them, but the rest were faces unknown to Hermione.
As the students settled, the classroom door opened once more to reveal a much younger-looking Professor Babbling. Hermione's heart warmed at the sight; she had always admired the professor's teachings.
"Alright class," the professor declared, striding confidently towards the front of the room. "I hope you're not too comfortable because you probably won't be sitting where you are for much longer."
The entire class let out a collective groan; assigned seats were rarely a popular decision.
Ignoring their protests, Professor Babbling continued, "You will be seated with your partners—which I have assigned—for a year-long project."
The class shared a collective gulp of apprehension, each student wondering who they would be paired with for the foreseeable future.
The professor started to explain the project, her words painting a picture of a year-long experiment that would bring them into uncharted territories of runic magic. The assignment involved carving specific runes into the stone floors of the vacant classrooms in the wing.
Hermione could hardly contain her excitement as she whispered to Malfoy, "This is so exciting, they'd never dare do such a thing in our ti—at our old school." She caught herself, barely managing to avoid revealing their time-travelling secret.
"Each of you will be assigned a specific goal for your creations. It is then up to you to do the research to find the appropriate layouts and runes to use. As most of you probably know, for certain types runic magic to work it must be carved into stone, under the cover of darkness. Because of this restriction all of you will be given passes to be out past curfew."
She paused at the excited whispers, "and if I hear of any of you abusing this privilege, you will immediately fail my class."
"Now on to pair Assignments, first off—Potter and Macmillian!" The professor gestured at a table. A boy and girl stood up and walked over to the table, with small smiles, they were obviously already friends.
Hermione looked up and stared at the boy with messy black hair and a lean build, he looked so much like Harry. She knew she should be feeling something, seeing nearly the ghost of her dead best friend. But there was nothing other than slight interest and curiosity. The occlumency was working well.
"Next—Mercon and Avery."
She heard Malfoy let out an almost imperceptible groan next to her and could see a flash of fear in his eyes as he regarded the dark-haired boy. Hermione found that rather surprising, she was sure that Malfoy was well acquainted with Avery's future self.
She wondered if this was a case of personal dislike between the two or if perhaps Malfoy's relationship with other Death Eaters was not as rosy as it seemed.
Hermione spared another glance at Malfoy and already the brief flash she'd seen had disappeared. Malfoy had put on his pureblood mask, slipping into his perfectly cultivated role of an arrogant and calm wizard.
"Gamp and Strews" The lone Hufflepuff sat next to a Ravenclaw boy.
"Riddle and Hurwit,"
Hermione started. Well. That was unexpected, although with such a small class size it probably shouldn't have been.
Raising her eyes to meet his, Hermione offered him a small smile. "Miss Hurwit," he acknowledged her with a polite nod.
"Please call me Hermione," she responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course, only if you pay the same respect and call me Tom," he replied, his smile charming and disarmingly friendly.
A tingle ran down Hermione's spine. His allure was undeniable, and it was easy to see how one could get caught up in his charm. Still, she could sense the underlying sinister edge that lurked beneath the surface of his polite demeanor.
She opened her mouth willing something equally charming to come out, but nothing did.
Thankfully, Professor Babbling interrupted them and told the class, "I'm handing out a sheet of parchment with the basic spelling runes on them. Regardless of your assignment you will all need these basics. I expect you all to meet me in this wing tonight at 9 O'clock sharp. You will spend 3 nights a week for the next 3 weeks carving the basics, all the while doing your research during class time during the day. After that you should be able to start on your group's assignment."
"Class will be ending early today, but don't forget: be here at 9 tonight."
With that dismissal, the students gathered up their things and started to file out of the classroom.
Overwhelmed by her thoughts, Hermione barely noticed a concerned Malfoy trailing behind her as she left the classroom. She had to figure out how to spend so much time alone with the young Tom Riddle, who was destined to become the most feared wizard in the world.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! I'm so excited, things are starting to happen! :D
This is my longest chapter yet, woohoo! (kinda pathetic, but I'm happy lol)
Please leave me a review telling me what you though they really help inspire me so I can churn out chapters faster.
*Edited Jun 11 2023