A/N Sorry I haven't updated in forever! I've been studying for some major exams, but hopefully this chapter will make up for it :)
Hermione woke to the buzzing of her wand alarm, sitting up she took in a deep breath and tried to process her new life. She settled with Tom just fine, but she had no clue what to think about the pure-blooded princesses surrounding her, nor the green and silver she would have to don. Slowly, she stretched out her arms and climbed out of her four-poster, absent-mindedly wandering into the bathroom to brush her teeth and utilise the new hair charms that Violetta had taught her the night before.
"Someone's learning." came the clear voice of Casseopia, Hermione turned to see the girl appraising her slightly.
"Yes, well, I'm quite thankful that I've been taught how to deal with the uncontrollable curls now!" Hermione responded politely. Casseopia nodded at this, and then linked arms with her, "I believe we shall be fast friends Mia." Inwardly, Hermione smiled at this, her job will become miles easier if she seamlessly slots herself into the lives of the Slytherin girls. With this, the girls strolled to the common room, making polite small talk, both wary of sharing too much personal information with an unfamiliar girl.
Tom was waiting for her in the common room, his hands clasped behind his back, with a blank mask on his face. When he caught Hermione's eyes his gaze softened slightly, and he allowed a ghost of a smile to creep onto his face. Hermione felt her own smile grow in response.
"Good morning, Tom." she muttered, unsure of why she suddenly felt so shy, which was highly contrasting of her usual confidence and borderline abrasiveness. Casseopia stood back and observed the two, trying to decide whether there was something more than friendship between the two reserved Slytherins. Violetta and Belvina made their way towards the trio of housemates, gaping slightly when they saw silent and moody Tom Riddle in quiet conversation with their new dormmate. Tom and Hermione remained oblivious to the looks of the girls and made their way towards the common room entrance, heading to breakfast to fill their stomachs and receive the schedules for the year. The Black cousins and Violetta followed them out silently, their eyes flitting between the orphans in front of them and each other, none of the girls knowing what caused the sudden 180 in Riddle's personality.
As they entered the Great Hall, Slughorn waddled his way towards the group, class schedules in hand.
"Tom m'boy! I'm so glad to see you made prefect this year!" he winked with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, obviously having put Tom's name forward for Slytherin prefect that year, "here is your schedule for the year, and of course you have an invite to all of the Slug Club meetings and parties!" Slughorn stood there for a second, before remembering the group his prized pupil entered the hall with. "Ah, Miss Smith, our newest addition, here is your schedule, my dear, and of course if this one here", he nudged a disgruntled Tom with his elbow, "does not invite you to the parties as his date, then I am sure there will be a place for you on my invite list! Nothing like a mysterious new fifth year to get the important ministry officials to come along and mingle!" He passed off the rest of the schedules to Belvina, Casseopia and Violetta, then wandered off back to the staff table without another word.
"God, I do not like that man." Tom mumbled under his breath, causing Hermione to giggle slightly before sitting down and piling fruit into her breakfast bowl. Tom slid in beside her, with the girls taking their seats on the opposite side of the table. Conversation flowed smoothly and politely between Hermione and the girls, with Tom just nodding non-commitally along with a few of the comments made.
Transfiguration
The Black cousins settled themselves into the seats behind Hermione and Tom, with Violetta seating herself next to Abraxas on the desk to Hermione's right. They were sat in the very front row, both Tom and Hermione sharing looks of apprehension about facing Albus Dumbledore again after their frosty interaction during the summer. Dumbledore strolled into the classroom in a, quite frankly offensive, bright teal and orange robe, blue eyes twinkling over the tops of his half moon glasses.
"Good morning class, hopefully you have all had a," his eyes settled on the duo in front of him, and they flashed coldly for a second, "refreshing summer, and you are all ready to tackle your OWL's at the end of this year." Hermione shivered slightly at the look in Dumbledore's eyes, causing Tom to take her hand under the table and squeeze slightly. She relaxed slightly, nodding towards him in silent thanks, before dipping her quill into the ink pot in front of her and starting her notes on Gamp's Laws.
The class was smooth sailing after this, however any answers the Slytherins gave were met with little enthusiasm from the teacher, and no points were awarded. Hermione knew that the old fart had always favoured his own house, but had figured it had gotten worse in his senility and old age, but the blatant favouritism even 50 years prior to her own time made her feel sick to her stomach. She would have to do something about Albus Dumbledore. Soon. He was the reason that the frighteningly intelligent boy sat beside her had never known companionship, and she would be damned if she ever let him go down that path to darkness again.
A/N Dun. Dun. DUNNNNNN. What's Hermione's plan going to be? Poor Tom never stood a chance at a happy life with Dumblewhore breathing down his neck for his whole school life. There have been little comforting interactions now, so I reckon the romance should start to amp up some more soon, my lovelies! Until next time!