Hermione
The amount of alphas that presented over the summer has me stunned. A lot of fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth years shot up since the last time I'd seen them and grew into their awkwardly lanky selves. The dining hall is ripe with various pheromones that make my head dizzy. It's overwhelming.
After the sorting, the headmistress introduced the new Gryffindor head of house. Professor Cora Onyx. She is another stern-looking woman with her black hair framing her pale face. Her eyes are almost white with how light blue they were. Headmistress McGonagall also mentions there are new rules that our heads of house are going to go over with us once we get to our common rooms.
Of all the first years placed in Gryffindor, only a handful approach me to introduce themselves, to thank me for my help in the war, or to ask for my autograph (which I politely decline each time).
Once we are dismissed, I make a beeline for the Gryffindor tower. The pheromones are staggering and I just want the safety of the Gryffindor common room. I come to a halt in front of The Fat Lady painting and spit out the password, "Strix's Spit."
"Welcome back, Miss Granger," she nods to me as she swings open.
"Thank you," I murmur and enter the cozy room. I'm one of the firsts and wave to the few students who beat me. As I start towards the armchair close to the fire, I hear a meow from the stairwell. Glancing up, I see Crookshank trot towards me and weave between my legs. "Why hello there," I coo and pick him up and settle us into the armchair. He curls up on my lap and purrs softly as more students start to filter in.
Everyone is waiting in the common room, chatting excitedly amongst each other and catching up when the door opens and Professor Onyx walks in with her billowing crimson robes.
"Hello everyone. As Headmistress McGonagall announced, I will be Gryffindor's head of house and I look forward to getting to know each of you. Before I retire for the evening, I would like to go over the new rules put in place by the Ministry and Headmistress." Her eyes scan the room for a moment, "first and foremost, there is to be no brewing potions in the confines of your room. It has been deemed unsafe. Any and all brewing must be done in the potions appointed areas that will be monitored."
She continues to speak but I'm spiraling. No brewing in our rooms? I specifically asked McGonagall for a private room in the tower so I could brew without any questions. It is one of the only times I used the "I saved the wizarding world" card. I need to brew in my room.
"Also, to encourage house unity amongst all the houses, Slytherin will be taking more courses with Gryffindor than in the past. For our special eighth-year students, we are combining all the eighth years in one curriculum so you will be having classes with students from each house. Not just one or the other. Have a wonderful evening."
I trudge up to my room, Crookshanks over my shoulder. "What am I going to do? I could ask Winky to send me potions but this potion requires constant attention…" I shut the door behind me and set him down to wander off to the window seat.
To hell with it all. I've spent my entire career at Hogwarts breaking rules, why should this year be any different? I open the chest sitting at the foot of my bed and pull out the extra small cauldron I brought and set it up in my closet and cast an advanced disillusionment charm on it.
Once it is set up, I sit in front of it and carefully add the ingredients and set it to a low simmer. Satisfied, I unpack the rest of my luggage and change into my softest PJ shirt and start making my nest. Humming softly, I carefully arrange the pillows and blankets and bring out the extra nest items I brought from home.
I climb into it and start to purr softly. Crookshanks hops down from his spot and comes to cuddle with me. "First day of classes tomorrow," I sigh and stroke the soft fur once he curls up next to me. He purrs in response and a small smile touches my lips. "I'm excited," I whisper to my fluffy familiar and kiss the top of his head, letting my eyes close.
My alarm goes off and I sit up, rubbing my eyes. The sun filters into my room and I can't keep the smile off my face. After doing my morning routine, I get dressed. Clipping on the nude lace bra from The Dreaming Flower, I pull on the matching panties and thigh highs, clipping them into place with the garter belt. Instead of my Mary Janes or boots, I step into black leather pumps that were enchanted to keep them from getting uncomfortable. I only feel a little silly in them. This is a part of my rebranding , I remind myself. I shrug my black Hogwarts robe on and give Crookshanks a kiss before heading down for breakfast, my book bag on my back.
Ginny is already seated when I arrive and sit next to her. Once again, the pheromones bombard me, leaving my head swimming.
"The ending of the war really was good for you," she teases and pokes my side, "you look hot as fuck."
I blush, "well, now that I assume I won't be running for my life, quite literally, I feel I can dress the way I want to and not the way I have to." I ladle myself some porridge and give her a smile.
"Heels and all!" She gives my thigh a light smack.
"Ginny! Stop," my cheeks get redder and I bump her thigh with mine. "Ready for the quidditch season?" I ask, switching topics.
"Yes, tryouts are next week. I can't believe I was made quidditch captain this year," she shakes her head and takes a bite of eggs. "Mum and dad are coming for the first game!"
"It'll be lovely to see them!" I smile, focusing on eating my porridge.
"You should try out," she teases.
"Come off it," I laugh, "you and I both know that would not end well." I shake my head and pick up half a piece of toast.
"Never know," she shrugs and sighs, "I have to meet up with a couple of teammates actually. I'll see you," she smiles and waves at me as she gets up and leaves. I watch her leave and look around at the people in the dining hall. Malfoy's and my eyes meet for a brief moment before I catch Theodore Nott's gaze.
Our eyes hold each other's and I feel glued to my spot. There's something enigmatic about him. Always has been.
Theo has always been handsome. His dark curly hair suited his fair skin and dark eyes. Theo is another alpha that grew into himself. He's at least 6'2 now. His shoulders broadened out and any baby fat he had around his face is gone. I know he's smart as well. I can't help but wonder what he smells like.
My face warms and I break our eye contact. I need to get to arithmacy and I want to be early to get a seat in the front. Pulling on my backpack, I leave the Great Hall.
Draco
The last thing I expect to see is Granger in heels . She holds her head high and her shoulders are held back. Her robes are open and I watch her breasts bounce with each step until she sits next to the weaslette. Excellent posture , my alpha growls out in my mind. Ignoring my unfiltered thoughts, I focus back on my breakfast and half listen to Blaise and Pansy argue. Theo is silent next to me with Astoria silent across from me, her ankle hooked around mine.
"Fuck, look at Granger," Blaise whisper-yells to me and Theo, letting our section of the table overhear. Pansy begins to lay into Blaise for it and I feel a headache coming on.
I give Blaise a look before looking at Astoria and take a sip of my coffee, "Astoria, how are you settling in?"
"Wonderfully. I'm excited to be back and graduate," she scoops a piece of grapefruit and eats it, light blue eyes on mine, "I'm glad you came back Draco."
Not like I had much of a choice . I hum in response and give her a wink before sipping my coffee again. I notice Granger scanning the hall and we hold eye contact briefly before I refocus on Astoria.
I feel Theo stiffen slightly next to me. He remains rigid until Granger gets up and leaves the Great Hall. I'm only slightly disappointed I can't watch her walk away. No, I'm not .
"What do you think, Drake?" Astoria glossed lips pucker in a pout.
"I'm sorry, dove. What was that?" I give her an apologetic smile.
"Can we get dinner when we go to Hogsmeade next? A little date?"
"Of course," I nod as I stand, "it'll be lovely to go out. I'm off to arithmacy. I'll see you lot there. Theo, Blaise, Pansy, don't be late. Or you'll be stuck with whatever seats are left." I remind them. Astoria blows me a kiss and I give her a smile, starting towards class.
As I walk through the halls towards class, students avoid me like scrofungulus and shoot glares at me. Better for me, it keeps my path clear on my way to class. I enter the room and Granger is standing at our professor's desk, discussing the upcoming class.
"I have a note from my muggle doctor excusing me during my menstrual cycle as the symptoms I experience are very severe and basically make me immobile. I will not be asking for extensions and will be turning in things before my cycle." Her words are confident but shy. Menstrual cycles, she's obviously a beta .
"Oh, of course, Miss Granger. All of the professors have the note. Thank you for speaking with me regarding it. If you do need any extra time or need to turn something in just a little late, I'm happy to make that arrangement for you." Professor Drach gave her a small smile.
"Thank you so much for understanding, Professor, I appreciate it." She says earnestly before turning to look at the intruder in her conversation.
I'm setting my books down at the table next to hers and nod slightly before sitting down.
"Mr. Malfoy, I've got assigned seats and yours is next to Miss Granger's. Please move your belongings." He flicked his wand and name placards appeared on the table, "both you and Miss Granger get top marks so it makes sense to place you two together."
I ignore the way Granger's face pales and I move my stuff to the seat next to hers.
Granger sits next to me and is sitting up straight in her chair, eyes forward.
"I assume you've already read the book?" I ask, pulling out parchment for notes during our first class.
"I have," she clears her throat and shifts to face me. Her dark lashes are coated with mascara and her freckles seemed to be highlighted by blusher. "I don't know how much you heard from my conversation with Professor Drach, but my menstrual cycle is very painful and I'll be missing classes from time to time. I'll make sure to have-"
"Okay. Sounds good, Granger." I nod and write the date on the top of my parchment. "I trust you'll have your shit ready when we need it to be." It is easy to trust the Gryffindor Princess when it comes to coursework.
"Thank you," she mumbles and pulls her own parchment out.
More students start to filter in and their excitement dies down a bit as they notice the name placards.
"You all might be wondering what the placards are for. This is to ensure the houses are properly working together and, of course, based on merit to avoid unbalanced teams. Everyone, find your spots and I'll start the lecture."
Halfway through the class, the lecture is interrupted as Professor Onyx sweeps into the room. Her heels click along the stone floor and all the students turn to face the intrusion.
"Professor Drach, I need to borrow Miss Granger," her stern voice thunders across the silent room.
"Of course, Miss Granger, if you please," he gestures from Granger to Onyx.
I never thought anyone could come across sterner than McGonagall, but I've been proved very wrong.
Fear is evident on her face but I'm not sure from what. Granger couldn't possibly be afraid of a professor. It's the first day of classes, she's the top student at Hogwarts, and she helped win the war. The war that started within Hogwart's walls because of me.
"I'll be back," she mumbles.
"Bring your things, Miss Granger." Professor Onyx curtly says and exits the room as swiftly as she entered it.
All eyes are on the blushing Granger as she packs her book bag.
"I'll give you the notes in our next class," I mumble to her and watch her leave with everyone else.
Hermione
She already caught me , I'm convinced as I follow Professor Onyx. She did a random room check and saw my cauldron . Anxiety unfurls in me, but still, I march forward. Only the sound of our heels clicking off the stone walls around us.
Professor Onyx leads me to her office and gestures for me to sit, "coffee? Tea?"
"No thank you," I feel ill. There's no way I can stomach anything right now. "Is something the matter, Professor?"
"Unfortunately there is." She gives me an apathetic look, "I was reviewing your transcripts while I was helping set your schedule and assist the professors in placing you with various classmates when I noticed you've not completed your flying requirement," she looks up from the paper she's reviewing.
The blood drained from my face, "Madam Hooch and I came to the agreement that I could write several papers to cover the class, and former Headmaster Dumbledore and current Headmistress McGonagall signed off on it." Flying terrifies me and I can't even get off the ground without the broom literally dropping out from under me.
"I understand that, but unfortunately writing essays isn't quite enough to equate to a flight credit. I checked with the headmistress and she left the judgment up to me as I'm overseeing Gryffindor's house now… Your graduation from Hogwarts is dependent on you gaining this flight credit."
My mouth dries as she speaks. "I'm happy to write as many scrolls as possible to cover this credit. I'm happy to take extra courses, I'm–"
"Miss Granger, this credit isn't about your knowledge of the ability to fly. It's about your actual ability to fly. I've already made the decision." Professor Onyx's tone leaves no room for argument.
But I'm not going to go down without a fight. "Professor Onyx, I respect you highly for being in such a wonderful position. As someone who fought alongside you during the war… I'd think that you'd show a little more grace considering what we've contributed."
"Please tell me you're not asking for preferential treatment due to your contribution to the war, Miss Granger?" She looks down her nose at me. "I understand that you have gotten a private room for that reason but that's where the preferential treatment ends."
I blanch, "no." My mind scrambles for a moment before grabbing onto my last ditch hope, "Flying takes place during my–"
"I'm aware," she breathes out. "So it'll be at your discretion. Unfortunately, I can't let you pick your tutor either. There is a list of students that are required to complete community service hours during their eighth year at Hogwarts." She gives me a humorless, tight-lipped smile. "You've been paired with," she looks back down at her parchment, "Mr. Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" My voice goes up a pitch.
"Yes," she gives me another humorless smile, "Mr. Malfoy will be informed by Professor Slughorn today. You need to clock fifty hours by the end of the year. You'll be tested at the end of the spring term. Mr. Malfoy is to sign this parchment," she lays it in front of me, "it's enchanted so no forgery can take place."
Part of me is offended that she accused me of such a thing but I did just try to pull the "hero of the war" card. "Wonderful," I respond flatly and pick up the parchment, "is there anything else you need from me, Professor Onyx?"
"No, you can return to class. Coordinate a time with Mr. Malfoy, you'll need to get started on this right away." She waves her finger and the door to her office opens. "Oh, and Hermione dear? Please don't take it personally, all students are the same in my eyes and they should be treated as such."
"Of course, Professor. Have a good day." I nod to her.
"See you in advanced transfiguration," she gives me a wry smile, and the doors shut behind me as I walk out.
Shit.
Draco
"Any questions, Mr. Malfoy?" Slughorn gave me a wide grin.
"No, Professor." My gaze stays on him, my face expressionless. He found me right before DADA and dropped the bomb that I am to tutor Granger through her flying lessons. When I tried to get out of it, he was quick to remind me of the mandatory community service hours I have to serve while in school, " beggars can't be choosers, Mr. Malfoy" .
"You and Miss Granger are to come up with a time that works for both of your schedules. See you both in advanced potions." He stood and left me to go to his quarters off his office.
My alpha is keen to be close to Granger again which makes no sense to me as she's a beta . Maybe the guilt I have around what happened to her in my parlor has manifested in my alpha caring for her.
I walk into DADA late and the spot next to Granger has been left open. Name placards. Again. I set my stuff down and float the note excusing my tardiness to the professor's desk. Reaching into my school bag, I pull out the scroll of notes from what she missed in arthimacy, "here's a copy of the rest of the last class."
"Here's for the beginning of this class," she slides a scroll over to me.
"Thanks." I pick up my quill, poising the tip over where she left off.
Once the class is dismissed, she's slow to pack her things and I get the feeling she wants to speak to me.
Instead of letting her sit in the awkwardness around her plucking up the courage of what she's trying to bring up, I say it first."Slughorn pulled me in before DADA… he–"
"Yeah, that's why Professor Onyx pulled me from Arithmacy. You're to help me with my flying credit." Her face is a light shade of pink, "do you want to compare timetables to see when we have a free hour between courses and coursework?"
All business with this witch. I pull the copy of my timetable out of my bag, "here. Slughorn gave me this for you."
Granger plucks it from my hand and her eyes fly across the paper, "looks like we each have time before dinner. Oh! You're taking advanced astrology too," she says a bit surprised.
"Yeah. I'm particularly fond of it." I admit, "so, we'll meet after–"
"My Herbology V class," she nods, "I think you'll be in… muggle studies." Her voice drops a bit at that and her wide eyes meet mine.
Another requirement from the ministry to avoid legal infractions. "I'll be taking sped-up courses for muggle studies one through five," I explain even though she doesn't ask.
"So we'll meet up after our classes and before dinner." She puts her backpack on her shoulders and gives me a tight smile, "bye Malfoy. Thanks for the notes from arthimacy."
I want to comment that we're headed to the same class, History of Magic, but let her go. Not wanting to make Granger feel nonsensical, I take the long route to the class so she arrives first. She's already in her seat when I enter the classroom. My eyes narrow at the person occupying the spot next to her before flitting to the placard, " Theodore Nott ". I watch Theo out of the corner of my eye while pretending to look for my name placard.
His back is straight but he's facing her. I'm sure if I really cared , I'd eavesdrop on what he's talking about so enthusiastically that has Granger leaning towards him in her chair with a shy smile on her lips but eyes wide with engagement.
I feel like a bloody git for feeling any sort of way about this, especially when it's not even flirting . It's two swots bonding over history. Also, I'm betrothed and Granger is a beta –she and I aren't even friends nor are they!
Even though demeaning their interaction makes me feel better, it does nothing to soothe my alpha. Jealousy tears through him and bleeds into my conscious mind. Feeling like my hackles have come up, my jaw clenches. What the fuck? I shake my head a bit trying to find a grip on my reality, desperately trying to build up my occulmency against my alpha. Finally, I see my name placard and sink into the chair next to the Patil Ravenclaw. She doesn't give me a greeting and focuses on setting her parchment up for notes. Can't say I blame her. Her twin is dead because of me. That sobering thought gives me enough clarity to get the foundation of my occulmancy built.
My eyes are glued to Granger and Theo, watching how she interacts with him. Theo says something and she laughs . She's not tense around him. She's not afraid of him. Something deep in my soul aches and I immediately dismiss it. Irritation replaces the ache. My clenched jaw twitches and my neck tightens. My fingers drum against the desk and I try to focus on the rhythm of the taps to trap my alpha behind my occulmency.
My alpha is a fucking idiot.