Belle woke up early that Sunday morning, eager to continue learning more about this new world she'd been exposed to. Belle took a look at the schedule Professor McGonagall had given her the other day. According to her schedule, she didn't have anything in particular she had to do that day. On Saturdays and during the week she had extra lessons with professors, but as Professor McGonagall said, she had Sundays off.
Everyone else in her dorm room was asleep so Belle decided to read, while she waited for Ginny to wake up. That's what she'd done the previous night. She'd sat in a cozy place by the fire and read through some of the books she'd been given by Ginny, who had been hanging out with some of her other friends. Ginny had invited Belle to join them, but she'd declined, opting for reading. Ginny had laughed and told in a whisper Belle that was a perfect imitation of Hermione.
As Belle had suspected, her Field Guide had a bunch of new pages for Belle to explore. She was really starting to feel more equipped to survive in this magical world. Of course, she didn't know what she didn't know and there would be plenty of new surprises, but it felt less overwhelming now that she had the book and Ginny and the professors to support her.
Belle wondered about this homework that Hermione mentioned and how she might work on it. Belle supposed it was something to ask Ginny.
In the meantime though, it was morning and Belle was ready to get started with her day. She supposed she could go down to breakfast on her own, so she wouldn't disturb Ginny. With her Field Guide's map, she should be able to navigate down to the Great Hall just fine. Not knowing how long Ginny would sleep in nor how long breakfast was served, Belle wasn't keen to miss it.
Belle dressed and descended through the now familiar staircase through the Gryffindor Common Room and the portrait hole into the corridor.
She retraced her past steps as best as she could remember so far. Her eyes caught on the moving portraits and paintings that adorned the walls. Each one seemed to tell a story, their colors vibrant and their subjects animated.
Belle realized she could stare at each portrait for hours, but she probably shouldn't do that at this time. After all, Hermione was supposed to have been here for six years, so nothing should have been new for her.
Lost in her mesmerization of her surroundings, Belle turned a corner and found herself in a corridor she didn't recognize.
Belle realized she'd forgotten to use her map and now had no idea where she was. Pulling out her map, she found the dot indicating her location. It appeared she was near somewhere called the faculty tower. Belle whispered, "I'd like to go to the Great Hall." A dotted line appeared, showing her a path.
Belle began to follow the path. She didn't get very far before she heard a familiar male voice from behind her.
"Granger," said Draco Malfoy. "What are you doing here on a Sunday?"
Belle froze. She had no idea what to say. She knew that Harry, Ron, and Ginny didn't think she should associate with him. Belle also suspected that Draco Malfoy found her suspicious.
Belle was in a tough situation, precariously on the edge of her secret being revealed.
"I took a wrong turn," Belle murmured. "On the way to breakfast."
"That's quite the wrong turn," Draco Malfoy said. "Well, I'm heading there myself. I'll accompany you."
"Oh, there's no need," Belle said.
"Look, didn't we call a truce at the start of term?" Draco asked. "I don't expect us to become friends necessarily, but walking to breakfast together can't hurt."
"I suppose not," Belle said, squirming inside. What was she supposed to do? She didn't know the way to the Great Hall. He would notice.
Belle set off in the direction that she'd been about to head in, hoping that looking confident at the start would help hide her insecurities later on. Belle was starting to regret not waiting for Ginny. What was she thinking? Belle had wanted more independence and to not be a burden for Ginny.
Draco fell into step beside Belle. "So…how are classes going?" he asked, after an uncomfortable silence.
Belle hadn't been to a class yet, so she had no idea. "Well enough," she said, hoping she sounded normal. She paid careful attention to her surroundings but felt completely lost. She didn't think she'd ever been to this part of the castle before. How did she get herself in this situation?
"That's it?" Draco asked. "You're not going to expound upon the merits of this subject or that professor?"
"Is that something I'd normally talk to you about?" Belle asked, thinking it was a genuine question. From what she'd heard, Hermione didn't get along with Draco.
"Fair point," he said, leading the way down another passageway. "I suppose you have no reason to talk that way to me, but as long as I've known you, you never fail to talk about your classes."
"I'm not used to you being friendly to me," Belle said, thinking it might be what Hermione might say in that situation. She was really stretching herself but felt like she was holding her own so far.
"Another fair point," Draco said as they descended a flight of stairs. "That is something I'd like to change."
"How can you change years of dislike?" Belle asked. Perhaps if she kept asking questions and deflecting him, she could avoid suspicion.
Draco was silent for a few moments. He led them through another corridor and down several more flights of stairs before responding.
"Time and effort," he said. "I have to prove to you that I'm interested in, well, if not a friendship, but a cordial relationship. And I hope you'll let me."
"And why is that?" Belle asked, curious to know the answer.
Again, Draco was silent as they navigated more passages. "I've been reevaluating a lot of things," he said. "And I'm tired of the hostility. So I'd like to get things back on a more amiable track."
Belle nodded. "That sounds reasonable."
They entered into a familiar large hallway. Belle recognized it immediately, feeling extremely relieved to know where she was at last.
"Ah, we're here," she said and walked determinedly through the open great doors that led to where breakfast was being served. Draco stayed by her side until they reached the tables.
"I'll see you some other time," Draco said and walked towards the staff table.
Belle made her way to the Gryffindor table. To her surprise, she saw Ginny sitting there alone looking anxiously at her. Belle made a beeline towards Ginny.
"Belle!" Ginny cried quietly when Belle reached the table. "Are you all right? I was worried about you. When I saw your bed empty, I hoped you'd just come down for breakfast, but then I didn't see you here."
"I'm fine," Belle said. "I'm sorry to make you worry. You were asleep and I don't want to be a burden for you…" she trailed off.
Ginny placed her hand over Belle's. "You'll never be a burden," Ginny said. "I'm happy to help look after you and help you fit in."
Belle squeezed Ginny's hand in thanks. Ginny withdrew her hand and began piling her plate with food.
"Oh," she said. "Why did you come in at the same time as Malfoy?"
Belle sighed.
"I took a wrong turn and ran into him," she said. "I don't think he figured out I wasn't Hermione."
"That's good," Ginny said. "But be careful with him. What did you talk about?"
Belle filled Ginny in on their conversation.
"You did well," Ginny said, impressed. "It's interesting he wants to be friends. Or friendly. I wonder what that's about."
"No idea," Belle said, taking a bite of toast. "Say, Ginny, what is homework?"