Chapter 13
Hermione woke early, thankfully back in her normal headspace. She vanished the nappy she’d requested the previous evening with a quick wave of her wand, thankful that it had been dry.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” Marlene said, entering the room from the sitting room that was attached to her quarters. She’d already gotten dressed for the day, hair pulled back in anticipation of her first day teaching.
“And big,” Hermione added, stretching as she stood.
“Well, before you get dressed, I have something for you.”
Hermione turned and looked. Standing still as Marlene approached with a necklace. It was a simple silver chain, with a pendant stamped with the Gryffindor lion crest. Marlene fastened it around her neck.
“I heard about a very clever girl who started a student group that had coins which heated when a new message was sent out,” Marlene said, causing Hermione to blush, “and it gave Sirius and I an idea. We have similar pendants, though I’m charming mine to be concealed just to be less obvious. If you drop, or if your magical signature detects distress, it lets me know, and burns with an intensity to match how badly you need help.”
Hermione looked down at the pendant, taking it in. She had to admit, it was a smart idea, in case she or Harry dropped too quickly.
“Will it burn me?”
“No, love,” Marlene said, “just me. And Harry’s will burn Sirius, and even then it won’t be a bad burn, just enough to let us know to check in when we’re able or to get to you immediately. We also told McGonagall, who is having one made for every Little and Caregiver/babysitter pair that we’ll have.”
“What if I need you and you’re in class?” Hermione asked. Her schedule had plenty of free periods, as a 7th year, but Marlene’s wouldn’t have nearly as many.
“If it’s very bad, I’ll dismiss my class early or get someone to cover,” Marlene promised. “For everything else, there’s Krafty.”
As if on cue, Krafty the house elf popped in, standing before the pair. Hermione gave her a once over, noting that the elf wore a proper outfit instead of sackcloth.
“Hello,” Krafty squeaked. “Krafty is pleased to be helping with the Little students! If Little Miss Granger need anything, please ask Krafty, and if Little Miss Granger needs help, Krafty will help find a professor!”
“Thank you, Krafty,” Hermione said kindly, looking between Marlene and the elf. She was conflicted at the idea of a house elf being assigned to her, but Marlene held up her hand.
“Krafty, like all school elves now, is a paid Hogwarts employee, and she volunteered specifically to work with Littles, specifically you and Harry.”
“Krafty was a friend of Dobby,” the elf squeaked. “We take jobs in his memory, to be free like Dobby. Krafty wants to help Little Miss Granger and Little Master Potter, because they were friends to Dobby.”
“I am very grateful to Dobby,” Hermione said. “And I appreciate it, Krafty. I’ll let you know if you need anything.”
“Krafty and the other elves that are helping Littles are all tuned into your necklace as well, so that they can help find you help in case I can’t get to you,” Marlene finished.
Hermione nodded, thanking Krafty once again as the elf popped away, possibly to introduce herself to Harry.
“Now,” Marlene said, “finish getting dressed because I’m willing to bet Ginny is waiting outside right about now to meet you for breakfast.”
Sure enough, as Hermione exited Marlene’s quarters into a large hallway near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Ginny was leaned against the wall, waiting patiently.
“Ready?” Ginny asked, and Hermione nodded and followed her to the Great Hall, chatting excitedly about their first day of classes together as they sat down and began to eat breakfast. Hermione had just finished her toast when she saw the Heads wandering around the Hall.
Charlie Weasley walked around the table, handing out timetables to each of the Gryffindors. He paused to throw an arm around Ginny in greeting before passing schedules to her and Hermione.
“Bad luck having potions today,” he said, dropping to crouch between them. “I have spoken to Professor Malfoy, and I do think it truly is safe, but if there’s any problems do let me know immediately and I’ll take care of it.”
Hermione nodded, gritting her teeth. McGonagall said it was okay. She wouldn’t let a Malfoy teach if she wasn’t sure it was safe, right?
Still, Narcissa watched her get tortured by her own sister, and she did nothing. But then again, Voldemort had her son, so what could she do?
“Oh go on, Mione,” Ginny said, elbowing her lightly. “We have classes with Sirius and Charlie today too, so it shouldn’t be all bad.”
“I’ve also got Ancient Runes,” Hermione mused. “So I’ll be busy, at the very least.”
“That’s the spirit!”
Hermione finished her glass of pumpkin juice just as Neville came and sat across from them, looking over his timetable as he did so.
“Not a bad first day,” he mused, and Hermione remembered that he had dropped potions the first chance he got.
“Where’s Harry?” Ginny asked, looking around. Hermione glanced around as well, noticing that Sirius was curiously absent from the head table, even as everyone else was filing in.
“Went to go see Sirius,” Neville said. “Spent half the night raging at Malfoy’s mum teaching, wouldn’t shock me if he’s dragged him straight to McGonagall.”
“Wonder if we’ll have class today,” Ginny said, nodding up to the head table. “Still haven’t seen her.”
Hermione hummed, remembering her conversation with Marlene earlier that summer.
“Not all professors live here, apparently. Marlene told me. So she may just not have come in yet this morning.”
“Or one of her students is already scheduled for classification,” Neville shrugged. “Apparently there’s already a few starting this morning, ones that showed signs of not being Neutral.”
“Either way, Mione, your Ancient Runes class is starting soon,” Ginny prodded. “I have a free period, want me to hang out nearby?”
“No, it’s okay, I’ll be fine,” Hermione said, and she meant it. She felt herself, her old school mindset already taking back over as she gathered her things and walked the halls towards her first class. She was able to stay focused and engaged throughout Ancient Runes, and it felt like everything was back to normal.
Transfiguration went surprisingly well with Sirius teaching, as she seemed shockingly competent. He started off the 7th year lesson with a discussion on Animagi, the long process, and even an explanation of the process of registering with the Ministry. Hermione and the others hung around for a few after class.
“Since when do you care about registration?” Harry grinned.
“Since Minnie threatened a year’s worth of detention if I helped any student through the process without going through the legal procedure,” Sirius said, a twinkle in his eye.
“Does she know you’re still calling her Minnie?” Hermione asked.
“No, and I’ll thank you lot to keep it that way.”
Lunch proceeded as normal, Harry and Ginny talking Quidditch while Hermione worked on a translation assignment, ever eager to get ahead. The afternoon’s Care of Magical Creatures class was uneventful, as Charlie spent the entire lesson on safety regulations.
“Ministry insisted,” he later told them, as others packed to leave. “Apparently they were horrified this class had a textbook that bit people. Fancy that.”
Hermione was in a jovial mood until it was time to approach the dungeons. Her stomach turned to knots at the thought, though she shuffled forward, Ginny taking her arm to lead her while Harry walked behind.
“It’s going to be alright,” Ginny murmured, “for both of you. McGonagall wouldn’t let this happen if it wasn’t safe. And I’ll help if anything happens.”
“Me, too,” Neville said, appearing suddenly as they all moved to take seats at the back. He slid into the chair next to Harry. “I went and talked with Charlie, and they’re allowing me to take class this year and try for my NEWT.”
“Really? Why would you want to, mate?” Harry asked. Neville shrugged.
“May as well know how to use the plants I grow to their fullest extent. Besides, might be good to keep an eye on things.”
Hermione bit her lip, keeping her eyes trained to the board ahead. The handwriting on it suggested that Narcissa had taught earlier that day, taking away her last hope that maybe the woman hadn’t shown.
A hush overtook the classroom as the door opened, and in waltzed Narcissa Malfoy. She looked better than when Hermione had last seen her; clearly she’d finally gotten some rest, safe away from Voldemort. The woman looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each student, and when she got to Hermione her expression softened, as if sad.
Hermione felt blue rise to her throat. Her chest was tight, she couldn’t breathe. She’d seen that exact look before, in Narcissa Malfoy’s house, when her sister—
Her sister—
“We’re going,” Ginny said quietly, standing and taking Hermione’s arm. “Come with me, come on, let’s go,” she said, leading them out.
Hermione thought she heard Ginny say more, but none of it registered. She let herself be led out of the classroom, making it down the thankfully empty hallway before her legs gave out completely and she collapsed to the floor. She buried her face in her arms, hearing a crack and some talking, but she couldn’t focus on it.
The only thing she could hear and process was Bellatrix. Her voice. Her own screams. Looking around during the torture for help, for anyone to make her stop. Meeting Narcissa’s eyes, watching even Narcissa flinch in response to her torture—
“Come on,” Ginny murmured, lifting Hermione entirely. Hermione went limp in her arms, sobs tearing through her body as she was carried. She briefly wondered if anyone in the castle saw her, but she couldn’t stop, her chest ached, she couldn’t breathe. Bellatrix was on her, putting her weight in her ribs, pinning her down—
“I’m here, little love.”
The vice on her lungs let off a little pressure, and Hermione could breathe. The sobs still rolled, she couldn’t see through the tears, but she reached for the source of the voice and buried her face in it, wailing loudly.
“It’s alright, my darling, I’m right here, and you’re safe,” Marlene soothed. “No one’s going to get you, love. I’m right here.”
Hermione gripped on to Marlene’s robes until her knuckles were white, sobbing so hard she’d have to stop and cough. Marlene carried her and soothed her while she walked, whispering affirmations as she did so. By the time Hermione had calmed enough to look up, she saw that they were seated in the big squishy armchair in Marlene’s quarters.
“There’s my girl,” Marlene cooed, using a thumb to wipe Hermione’s tears off her cheeks. “Did something happen to scare you?”
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but no words happened. She made a strangled noise, before Marlene just nodded in understanding and kissed her forehead, summoning her dummy and popping it in her mouth.
“Narcissa just walked inside the class,” Ginny said, and Hermione looked up, surprised to still see her there. “Hermione had been nervous, but Malfoy just looked around and she…I don’t know if she dropped, or just panicked, honestly.”
“Both,” Marlene sighed. “It’s a panic drop. It happens to Littles when they’re suddenly very upset.”
“She, um…she did wet herself,” Ginny said softly. “But I vanished it and cast a cleaning charm before anyone else noticed, I promise.”
Hermione wailed at the thought, burying her face in Marlene’s robes once more, humiliated at the thought of Ginny cleaning up after her. Marlene rubbed her back, standing gently with Hermione in her arms.
“Thank you for taking care of her,” Marlene said. “We’ll be right back, I think we’ll both be more comfortable out of these robes and in softer clothes.”
Hermione stayed hidden as Marlene carried her into her bedroom, summoning out a soft set of pajamas and a nappy for Hermione. She changed her quickly, while Hermione kept her face hidden in her hands, muffled wails escaping from behind her dummy.
“It’s alright, little love,” Marlene soothed. “It’s normal to drop far when it’s a panic drop. You’re alright, sweet girl, and Ginny isn’t mad at you. She wants to help and make sure you’re okay.”
Hermione whined, rubbing her eyes as she did so. She hated how Marlene knew what she was thinking, and hated more that Marlene had to be wrong. She was too Little for Ginny. She had to be.
Ginny was still standing awkwardly in a corner when Marlene brought Hermione back in, rubbing her arms as she waited. She looked up and smiled hopefully at Hermione as Marlene pulled out her wand, transfiguring the armchair into a sofa so they could all sit.
“It’s alright now, little one,” Marlene said, pulling Hermione in her lap as she gestured for Ginny to join them. “No one is mad at you, sweetie. You’re safe here. No one is going to get you.”
“Too Little,” Hermione whined.
“Never too Little for me, darling,” Marlene promised. “And Ginny is still right here too, I don’t think you’ve been too much for her.”
“You can be as Little as you need to be, Hermione,” Ginny promised. “I just want you to feel okay.”
Hermione whined again, and Marlene soothed her, holding her close and summoning her bunny for her to cuddle while she calmed down. Once the tears and whines calmed down, Marlene pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Hermione, would you like a bottle, love?”
Hermione nodded, yawning despite herself. She hated dropping fast. It was always exhausting. She hated how many naps she took in headspace.
“Panic drops make you sleepy, hm?” Marlene said softly. “Krafty?”
The house elf popped into the room, offering a small bow on her arrival.
“Krafty, can you get a warm bottle for Hermione?”
“Right away, Miss Marlene!” Krafty cracked away and reappeared a moment later, warm bottle in hand.
“Thank you,” Marlene said, dismissing the elf. She held up the bottle for Hermione when Ginny cleared her throat.
“Can, um,” Ginny said, “can I try to help? I’ve never given a bottle, and, uh, well, in case she ever drops and you’re teaching, I want to know how to take care of her, too.”
Hermione watched as Marlene’s gaze softened, before she looked back down to her.
“What do you think, little one? Can Ginny help you with this bottle?”
Hermione didn’t answer, just hugging her bunny for a moment in thought before wriggling out of Marlene’s lap, moving to drape herself across Ginny’s and spitting out her dummy in anticipation.
“There’s your answer,” Marlene chuckled. “Here’s her bottle, make sure you angle it up…”
Hermione snuggled in, pleased that she felt as secure in Ginny’s arms as she did with Marlene. She closed her eyes as the bottle’s nipple entered her mouth and began to drink. It wasn’t long before the exhaustion completely took over, and she drifted off to sleep.