Many weeks followed and many professors had been wow'ed by the young Black Heir and the Malfoy girl. It had been many, many years since they had had students like these two. They excelled in every single one of their classes.
One day, Professor McGonagall had been teaching the first years in Transfiguration and they had both made the same mistake, yet they didn't seem put down as she had experienced with so many other years. It felt like their mistake had been somehow staged. Coming from two very proficient magical families, she wasn't surprised that they had a firm grasp in their classes, but the sheer amount of classes with near perfect marks was surprising. Andromeda and Bellatrix were far from having the same level of grasp and Lucius had been proficient in Potions and charms, but lacked in Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn had one day found the single class that Miss Malfoy didn't excel in. Flying.
Later that day, they would stumble upon an interesting sight.
"Hermione, why didn't you tell me you disliked flying?" Fred had asked Hermione after they flying class.
"Well, I'm ashamed of it. What kind of witch can't fly?" She mumbled lowly as she entered the great hall for lunch. "I'm not like you, or George, or Charlie or Bill. I greatly dislike heights." She said in a whisper. She watched Fred raise a brow and look at her curiously.
"You re not the only one who hates flying." Fred told her. "My dad hated flying. It was mum who absolutely loved it." Hermione laughed at the image of Molly trying to get Arthur on a broom.
"Mini! Over here!" Antonin, a few seats down, waved them over to his area of the table.
"Mini? Since when is he calling you that? George and I used to call McGonag-" Fred snorted as Hermione slapped his arm. "Oh come on! I'm just playing." Hermione rolled her eyes as they approached their fellow snake.
"It's only a nickname Fred." She mumbled a few things under her breath, Fred laughing a bit. The two Slytherins sat cross Antonin at the table.
"How was flying class? Sorry I missed it." Antonin picked up a bowl and began taking a few pieces of meat from the platter in the center.
"Ah, Hermione didn't fly." Fred snickered beside her, earning another slap from Hermione on his arm. "Ow! Not so hard!"
"Then stop telling people I didn't fly." pouted Hermione. "Not everyone needs to know."
"Not a fan of heights?" Their friend asked curiously, covering his mouth to block their view of chewed up food.
"No. Lucius might play chaser in Quidditch, but it doesn't mean I like to fly." Hermione shoved a piece of fruit into her mouth and chewed.
"What's this I hear about you not liking flying?" Hermione and Fred jumped a bit in surprise at the deeper voice behind them. They both turned and saw Lucius with his books in his hands, smiling down at his sister.
"Oh... Yea... " Hermione tried to look away but her brother simply replaced himself in her line of vision.
"Want some help with it?" He asked her curiously. "You don't want to flunk it Do you?" Those words resonated in Hermione's soul. She would never flunk any class, Divination being the special exception. "Cant would love to help, Rodolphus too." At the mention of his two closest friends wanting to help, Hermione thought about it.
The three Slytherins played Quidditch for their house together. Lucius and Rodolphus were Chasers and Cantankerus played Keeper, which meant they obviously knew what they were doing on a broom, and she knew Fred would try for the team as soon as he was allowed to. Being a Beater had been imbedded in Fred s very being while he was at school and he hated not being able to play.
He was often found flying around the pitch, doing laps or even just watching how his new House played. The captain, a sixth year, had approached Fred one day and informed him that he could try out as soon as second year began, and if he was adamant enough on joining the team, be a reserve player in case of an incident for the current year.
Fred had shown his complete dedication for Quidditch and had secured himself a spot with the two other reserve players as a Beater. The captain was surprise just how knowledgeable he was and well trained for the position that he had allowed the Black Heir a spot barely hours after he had shown his skill.
Later that night Fred had finally told Hermione that he had became a reserve Beater and he seemed ecstatic about it.
Now he, too, was offering his help to teach her how to fly. Four Quidditch players were offering their help in teaching the young girl to fly.
"If we see you really don't like it, we'll stop." Lucius assured her. We won t force you into anything too advanced. Hermione groaned, reluctantly agreeing to the little help session.
That afternoon, the five Slytherins were at the pitch, each with their own brooms. Rodolphus and Lucius were flying around on their brooms, racing each other with a Quaffle while Cantankerus and Fred explained a few tips on overcoming her fears.
"Would you like to practice flying with me on mine? We'll hover around to get you used to the wind and the height." The Nott Heir told her. "I'll be with you on the broom so if anything happens, I'll take control." Hermione nodded anxiously, watching the broom and feeling her heart rate increase. She really didn't want to do this, but her fear of flunking a class the second time around was stronger.
Cantankerus sat on his broom and let it hover barely a foot off the ground, allowing Hermione to take a seat in front of him. "See, doing just fine." He told her. "I'm just going to put my hand around you here so I can take the handle if I need to."
Hermione was aware of every movement around her. She felt Nott's arm go loosely around her waist, despite his arm barely touching her, her mind stuck to the bit of contact.
Despite being physically 11 years old, her mind was still that of an adult. She knew this wasn't flirting or courting, but her mind kept annoyingly reminding her and informing her of the possibility at every possible time. She really wanted to curse her brain for the last few weeks.
"Now, just pull up. Gently." He told her, emphasizing on the last word. She pushed down one of her laughs and pulled up as softly as possible. "Yea. Just like that." Her arms were shaking as they slowly levitated off the ground. She pulled up a bit more and felt Cantankerus flinch at the surprise, but he stayed where he was nonetheless. "Perfect." He told her. "Want me to take control?" She nodded even before he could finish his sentence.
He removed his arm that was around her waist and took the broom as she let go. She looked up and saw her brother coming near her, Lucius coming to hover beside them, and Fred taking off with his broom from the ground.
"Who knows! Maybe she'll replace Seeker Yaxley!" Hermione looked back passed Cantankerus' head and saw Rodolphus flying overhead, body hanging off the broom upside down. Still firmly sat on his broom, he let it shaggy, sandy hair hang down.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Lucius laughed. "Let's start slow and we'll see from there."
Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn watched, from the higher levels of the school, the group of Slytherins helping out their junior.
"And you said we don't work well together." Horace teased his comrade. "I think they'll make a fine group."
"Let's hope they don't go after the other houses. I would love for there to be peace this year." She said, frowning at the thought of how the other years would do exactly that.
"They'll be fine students." Horace reassured her.
"May I sit here?" Hermione asked the girl seated at the table.
Later that afternoon, after her impromptu flying lesson, Hermione decided she would go study in the library. The cool Autumn air had chilled her bones while she was on the broom and now all she wanted was the comfort of books around her.
Sitting at her usual table, was two Hufflepuffs, both in her year. One girl, blonde and blue eyed, was Annabelle Abbott, future aunt of Hannah Abbott. She was kind and resembled her future niece like two peas in a pod.
The boy was Alexander Smith, whom she first assumed might have been the father or an uncle of Zachariah Smith, also in Hufflepuff in the old present, but his apparent lack of knowledge of the Wizarding World had made Hermione assume he was either half or Muggleborn, contrary to Zachariah Smith who had been a Pureblood.
The two looked up to her in surprise and almost scrambled to get their books out of the way. "Oh I'm sorry. We didn't realise this was your table." Annabelle stuttered, getting ready to pick up her books.
"It's not my table. I'm just wondering if I can sit with you." Hermione said softly, letting the girl place her books back down. "You both seem nice."
This little compliment seemed to catch the two off guard as they turned pink and laughed nervously. "Er... Thank you Miss Malfoy." Annabelle smiled, trying to fix her hair behind her shoulder. "Of course you can sit with us." Hermione gratefully took a seat in front of the two Hufflepuffs who looked almost hesitant to speak with her.
"If... If you don't mind me asking... But why is a Malfoy such as yourself sitting with us?" Alexander asked carefully.
"Well, I wish to make friends in Houses other than my own." Hermione answered simply. "You both seemed nice."
"N-no other reason?" Annabelle raised a brow, a bit suspicious. It was no secret that some Slytherins purposefully pretended to want to be friends only to stab some in the back once their trust earned.
"Nope." She popped the p.
"And you don't care I'm Muggleborn?" Alexander lowered his voice to a secretive tone.
"Your blood status hadn't even cross my mind, Smith." Hermione smiled. This greatly surprised Annabelle, who knew how the Malfoys were concerning Blood supremacy. Seeing this, Hermione continued. "I don't care much for blood status." This seemed to make them relax.
"Well, thank you." Alexander thanked her. He seemed to relax his entire body before introducing himself. "I'm Alexander, but everyone calls me Alex."
"Annabelle." They both shook hands with Hermione with bright smiles.
"Hermione." She answered back as she let go of their hands and opened her books. "Now, what are you both reading?" she asked them curiously.
Alex immediately started talking about their subject of study and Hermione's interest was peaked. Comfort and Healing spells. Alex happily discussed how the older Puffs loved to share spells to help make the others feel more at home with each other. It didn't surprise Hermione very much to find out that the elder students helped the younger ones.
It wasn t until they started to do their homework that they were approached by a Gryffindor Prefect.
"This Slytherin isn't bothering you, is she?" A female voice asked. Hermione turned and froze when she saw the eyes that she had grown up around for six years.
"No, Prefect Prewett. Miss Malfoy is just studying with us." Alex covered for them. "She's not bothering us in the slightest."
Hermione watched Molly's expression become sour and filled with doubt at the two Hufflepuffs words. Hermione had never seen that expression directed towards her, and it hurt more than the time during her fourth year with the articles from Rita Skeeter. "Oh really? Miss Malfoy, you say?" She said, skepticism coating her words thickly. "From Slytherin?"
"Yes, from Slytherin, Prefect Prewett." Hermione answered her. "I am indeed in Slytherin. It wouldn't cause a problem, would it, Miss?" she asked her, keeping her tone even as Molly narrowed her eyes suspiciously before turning back to the two hufflepuffs.
"Be cautious around the Slytherins. You never know if it's a ruse." Molly sneered at Hermione and ignored the expressions directed at her. "Good day."
As she left, Hermione heard Annabelle grumble. Confused, she asked her to speak louder. "She's prejudiced. I hate it." Annabelle no longer looked like the kind girl she was a few minutes before. "She's clearly prejudiced against Slytherins and it drives me mad."
Hermione understood where Annabelle and Alex were coming from with the prejudice. No matter what, everyone was prejudiced one way or another, whether it was against another House, blood status or even name. Even Molly Prewett, soon-to-be Weasley, was prejudiced. Hermione knew back in the Old Present that she was, but she hadn't known to what extent. She had to tell Fred about that. No doubt he knew, having lived with her for his literal entire life. It was no longer a secret how Ron came to be with his attitude towards any Slytherin.
The question now, was if Arthur Weasley was as prejudiced in this time as he was before. No doubt he was a bit with the way he behaved around Lucius in the Old Present. Hermione wondered just how he d react to her, seeing as she was a Malfoy now.
That night, at dinner, Hermione constantly felt the eyes of the female Gryffindor prefect on her back as she ate. Fred, across from her at the table, couldn't help but notice her discomfort. Lucius had caught on to the rumour mill that one of the prefects had bugged his sister but he hadn't done anything due to the lack of names.
"You look uncomfortable." Fred noted, pushing a piece of beef onto his place.
"It's nothing."
"Lucius isn't the only one who listens to rumours, you know." Fred chewed a piece of food. "Which prefect bothered you?" Hermione sighed before leaning into the table and whispering very lightly to Fred, who had also leaned in.
"Your mother," Hermione watched in interest as Fred's eyes grew wide like saucers. "She's incredibly prejudiced against Slytherins." she informed him.
"Sounds about right." Fred chuckled. "I would never in eternity say it to her face but she is, whether she want to admit to it or not." Hermione picked up a bun and chewed it. "Dad was more discreet about it though. Most people wouldn't be able to tell unless they knew him well."
"I wouldn't think you'd just say it out there." Hermione laughed. "I'd have thought you knew better."
"Oh, I do know better!" He said, raising his voice a bit as he attempted to contain his laughter. He lowered his voice once again and stopped laughing. "Since I'm no longer a... You know..." He subtly pointed in the Gryffindors direction, implying his old family name. "I can say whatever I want without having them breathing down my neck." He wore his signature grin. "Within reason, of course."
"You'll still be careful, won't you?" Hermione raised a brow, a smile growing slowly on her lips.
"Of course I will. Now finish up, I have something to show you." As he told her this, Bellatrix came and sat down primly beside her twin, sticking closely by his side.
"Freddie!" She greeted him happily. "I haven't seen you all day!" she looked at him expectantly, waiting for a response. It was Saturday so they had been allowed to roam the halls freely. "Where have you been?"
"Ah, Bella, I've been at the pitch."
"All day?" Hermione didn't know how to classify the look in Bellatrix's eyes. It seemed to be a mix of disbelief, exasperation and adoration all at the same time. "I'd have kept you company. You just need to say the word." Bellatrix sat closer to Fred and ate her dinner.
"What have you been doing all day, Bellatrix?" Fred asked her, Hermione just watching as the two siblings interacted.
"With Urquhart in the courtyard." She said. "But we didn't see Miss Malfoy anywhere today." Bellatrix looked to Hermione, an expectant look directed straight to her. It wasn't a happy expression, nor was it a angry one. "So, where were you?"
"I was in the library." Hermione mumbled, trying to look away from the intense stare from her dark eyes.
"A book lover. Like Cissa." Bellatrix pursed her lips and looked back to Fred. "Tomorrow, we should do something together."
"Perhaps another time, I have Homework to do." Fred told Bellatrix, Hermione tried not to smile at the pain she saw in Fred's eyes from the words he spoke.
"Malfoy! We can done something together then! How about it?" Bellatrix almost jumped over the table into Hermione's face as she asked/shouted at her. She almost fell off the bench to avoid the dark curls from hitting her in the face.
"I... er... Had plans with a few other friends." Hermione mumbled. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes and back off onto her seat and observed Hermione for a few more seconds.
"Introduce me then." Bellatrix let crack a small smile, one that made Hermione uneasy and Fred could see it in her eyes. He almost snorted as Bellatrix continued "I'll play nice."
Hermione simply blinked. Introducing Bellatrix to two Hufflepuffs seemed bad enough, but to learn that one of them was Muggleborn and both despised blood supremacy with a passion would be a downright nightmare. She had seen it that morning when Molly had shown up, she couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like if Bellatrix of all people was there.
"Perhaps another time." Hermione told Bellatrix, who let out some sort of noise from her throat, one that was probably along the lines of disappointment but Hermione was sure she was hearing things.
"I'll see if I'm busy tomorrow. Andromeda, you and I could do something together." Fred distracted Bellatrix from Hermione, who was shifting uncomfortably from Bellatrix's undivided attention that stayed on Hermione.
It took another long moment of silence and Bellatrix staring straight into Hermione s eyes before she smiled and almost jumped Fred. "Alright!"
She happily skipped away, leaving her half-eaten dinner there.
"Well, I guess I have plans tomorrow."
"Anything to get away from homework, eh Fred?" Hermione shook her head in disappointment while trying not to smile, Fred shrugging his shoulders with a look of satisfaction. The two finished their food and left the hall together.
That night, while Andromeda roamed the school halls after curfew for some fresh air, wanting something different than the humid atmosphere down in the dungeons, something else was happening in the first and second year's dorms.
Hermione had been relaxing on her bed, a thick defense tome laid out on her comfortable green blankets, and smiling to herself as she read the many details in the pages. She wouldn't need to read this particular book until much later, probably third or fourth year, but she had read so many books in the library, and she hadn't read this one yet.
Hermione felt at peace in her little world, surrounded by words on the pages, quills and little rolls of parchments with her notes on them. The only thing that could ruin her perfect world at that moment, was the door opening abruptly before being slammed shut, rapid footsteps of one Bellatrix Black approaching.
"Drop your books. We're going to have a chat." She told her standing in front of the other first years bed. "Girl-to-girl." At those words, she rapidly moved her books into a stack and placed them on her nightstand. Hermione hadn't even realised it, but the words Bellatrix had just spoken had caused Hermione to shake a bit, an unpleasant memory resurfacing with a small, almost unnoticeable physical reaction.
"What do you wish to talk about?" asked Hermione carefully, trying to hide her shaking as best she could from the eldest Black daughter.
"This." She motioned to her shaking. "You don't talk to me, if you do you shake like a leaf. You don't look at me, if you do it's only when you need to, and I haven't done a single thing to you." Bellatrix crossed her arms expectantly. "I don't understand why."
Hermione wasn't sure how she was supposed to respond to that. It wasn't as if she hadn't asked some sort of question. She wanted an explanation. She wanted an explanation Hermione couldn't give her.
"Is it that you've no backbone?" Bellatrix raised an eyebrow.
"No! I most certainly do have one!"
"Other Houses coming after you?" A threatening tone seemed to be hidden in her voice. "I'll take care of the-"
"No! The other Houses haven't done a thing!"
"Then what is it? Tell me!" Her straightforward and harsh words that came out as a demand made Hermione flinch. Bellatrix took a step back at the noticeable reaction
Hermione seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking up. "Can I ask you something?" Bellatrix nodded almost immediately. She was not a patient person and it was evident, but she could be more lenient depending on the person and she had come to learn that over the last few weeks. "Why do you want to know?" A few moments passed as Bellatrix stared at Hermione. She now thought that it had been a horrible idea to ask her that of all things. Making her justify her actions now seemed like a horrible idea. But she never expected the answer that she gave.
"Well, you're evidently powerful, for one." she began. "And my brother obviously has a liking to you which means you're trustworthy," At the mention of Fred, Bellatrix's face lit up with happiness, much like when Ginny would hear that Bill or Charlie was coming home. Hermione deduced that this had to have been before the insanity started. "Andromeda and everyone else seem to enjoy your company," Bellatrix paused for a second, which Hermione wondered if it was actually hesitation. "And I wonder why I don't get the same. I've not done a single thing to you, not that I know of."
"Well... The reasoning is quite personal and I haven't told Lucius about it... But perhaps we could start by being friends." Hermione hesitantly said. Bellatrix seemed to think it over for a few moments before nodding in agreement.
"Sounds alright to me." She said, extending a hand. "From the beginning, then?"
"Hermione Malfoy. A pleasure to meet you." Hermione took Bellatrix's hand.
"Bellatrix Black. And a pleasure to meet you as well." the two girls smiled and shook their hands.
The next morning, many of the first and second years were surprised to see Hermione Malfoy and Bellatrix Black talking avidly together as if they had been friends since the start of the year. And as planned, they both hung out with Andromeda and Fred, Antonin joining them halfway through the day after serving his detention.