We All Have Both Light and Dark Inside of Us
Chapter 2 - We All Have Both Light And Dark Inside Us
"We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are."
– Sirius Black
September 1st 1976 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scottish Highlands
As Hermione walked into the Great Hall with her brother behind her, she could feel some curious looks, particularly from the Ravenclaws and Slytherins. Her brother had a hand on her arm and was guiding her, which she thought unnecessary. Evan walked her to the Ravenclaw table and sat her down next to Barty. After a few more painful moments of him fussing over her, he reluctantly left to the Slytherin table. Barty gave Hermione a reassuring smile and turned to focus on the headmaster's words.
“Before we begin the sorting,” he began, “I am pleased to introduce Hogwarts’ first transfer student. Miss Hermione Rosier, from Beauxbatons!” The crowd erupted into polite applause, with a few people whispering to each other around the room. Those who hadn’t noticed her before definitely did now. Hermione blushed prettily at the attention but inside she groaned, how was she meant to keep a low profile now?
At the Gryffindor table, the Marauders were uncharacteristically silent. This was mostly due to the fact that James Potter, the loudest of the group, was preoccupied. The other three watched him in fascination and worry as he stared at the French witch sitting at the Ravenclaw table. He was in a trance.
James knew that what he felt for Hermione was different to what he felt for Lily. Six years of undying love for the redhead had ended the moment his eyes landed on her. He felt his heart skip a beat when her gaze landed on him, although it was admittedly only for a second as she scanned the Gryffindor table.
It seemed those around the young wizard noticed his unusual behaviour. It had already been thirty minutes into the feast and James had made no attempt to speak to or serenade Lily Evans, the pretty redheaded witch who glared at him through narrowed eyes. “He’s probably planning something big,” she told the blonde witch beside her, who immediately nodded in agreement.
James was brought back to reality by Peter as he was the first to speak up. “James.” He began seriously, “Have you gone mad?” James blinked in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t actually given up on Lily have you? For the new girl? She’s Death Eater spawn!” Peter cried. James frowned.
“Sirius knew her growing up, she can’t be that bad.” He defended.
“I’m not so sure, mate…” Sirius began uneasily, “look at her cosying up to my brother, clearly she’s not the same as she was.” The sight of Hermione laughing happily with Slytherins stirred something inside of James. Perhaps it was jealousy, or him coming back to reality, but his gaze darkened as he looked at her. How could he have these feelings for someone who associates with snakes?
Isn’t that what Lily did? A voice inside his head whispered. He tore his eyes away from the Ravenclaw and ignored it.
“Where’s my Lily-Flower?”
Hermione’s cheeks hurt from the smile she kept plastered on her face. Since she had sat down, she had been introduced to many new faces and her mind struggled to remember their names. Alice Greengrass, a blonde witch in her year with kind brown eyes had stood out to her. Something about her was comforting, familiar. Hermione could tell that she was going to be friends with her.
Despite all her memories of her past life, Hermione couldn’t find it in herself to dislike young Barty Crouch Jr. In 1995, he was a psycho, maniac Death Eater, however in 1976, he was a loud energetic boy who was not yet affected by war, and it brought a smile to her face. She sighed inwardly, she really needed to stop her habit of collecting strays.
Halfway through the meal, Regulus Black and Rabastan Lestrange joined Hermione and Barty at the Ravenclaw table. The friendship between the three boys seemed to be strong and reminded Hermione of Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini from her past life.
At first, Hermione was unsure of what to expect from Regulus Black. She had held respect for him ever since learning of the sacrifice he made to steal the Dark Lord’s horcrux and also from hearing the stories of how well he treated Kreacher. While his appearance was similar to Sirius, their differences were quite clear. The Sirius that Hermione knew before was loud and unafraid to speak his mind or break rules. This was also how the Sirius that Hermione knew now appeared to be, as she glanced at him talking enthusiastically with his friends. However, Regulus was more reserved and sophisticated. He spoke and behaved exactly like a proper pureblood should, and wore an emotionless mask most of the time, rather than letting his feelings show on his face like his brother did.
Rabastan Lestrange had surprised Hermione. During her time with Harry and Ron, Hermione had only encountered him briefly, however, considering he had been present while his sister-in-law tortured her and carved a slur into her body, Hermione had a less than positive opinion of him. This Rabastan was a well educated and quick witted young man. His conversations with Hermione were intelligent and interesting and she felt a sense of appreciation towards him for his knowledge. It felt nice to be able to have a decent conversation after being subjected to listening to Evan’s boring stories all summer.
When Hermione settled into bed that night, she couldn’t help but reflect on how different her life was now compared to when she was born in her old time. For as long as she could remember, she had trouble separating her memories as the muggleborn to the ones made in her new life. Yet today felt like she was finally beginning to have a sense of control over her mind, and the differences between Hermione Granger and Hermione Rosier could not be more clear.
Aside from physical differences, Hermione had completely transformed following her rebirth. Hermione Granger had always struggled to make friends in primary school, and that struggle did not stop when she joined Hogwarts. She was a know-it-all bookworm which didn’t exactly make her popular. However, while Hermione Rosier wasn’t exactly popular as a child, she had connections, meaning that she had friends even if she didn’t make them. She still had her love for books of course, but instead of using her knowledge from them to correct people and answer every question in class, she focused it on more useful things, such as her plans to change the future and to enhance her magic.
Hermione Granger had been scared of heights. After technically being through a war though, Hermione Rosier’s perspective on life changed and she decided to try new things and actually enjoy her childhood. As a child, she had played Quidditch in the garden with her brother and found flying as a new comfort, a way to clear her head. It also felt like a way of honouring Harry; Quidditch would always remind her of him. Towards the end of her time at Beauxbatons, she had joined the Quidditch team as a seeker (after some serious peer pressuring), and not to brag, she had been brilliant. Maybe it was the years of watching Harry play that made her so good, she thought. Nevertheless, she knew he would be proud if he could see her now.
Hermione’s heart ached as she thought of Harry. She could not deny that her life as a Rosier had been much easier than her life as a Granger, but she knew she would give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant that she could see him one more time.
The pain of losing him was still fresh in her mind, even after fifteen years.
She cast a quick tempus to see the time, 2:46am , it read. Sitting up, she glanced around the dormitory. There were four other girls in the room with her. It seemed like a lot more people in a dorm compared to Beauxbatons, when in reality there were only two girls more.
Hermione’s thoughts began to drift to her old school. Beauxbatons Academy was a beautiful building and it offered many things that Hogwarts couldn’t. There were only three houses one could be sorted in; Ombrelune (Hermione’s own house), which was for those with ambition, curiosity and logic, Papillonlisse, whose students were known for their kindness and good nature and Bellefeuille, where students had bravery, sensitivity and compassion.
Ombrelune was like a mixture of Slytherin and Ravenclaw, and Hermione met her closest friends there.
Louis Mercier was an intelligent French wizard with a wicked sense of humour. Hermione met him on the first day and since then they had been inseparable. He was constantly getting into trouble and reminded Hermione so much of the Weasley Twins, particularly Fred.
Another of her close friends was a wizard named Sebastian Beaumont. It seemed Hermione was destined to find two boys to be her closest companions, both in her previous life and this one. Sebastian was less energetic and confident than Louis, but he and Hermione had a shared love for books and thirst for knowledge.
Hermione’s closest female friend was a kind and generous Belgian witch named Melanie Renard. The pair had shared a dormitory since First Year, which meant they had an extreme level of trust towards one another. Hermione liked Melanie as she wasn’t a gossiping, boy-focused girl like the ones she had encountered so many times. She didn’t talk badly about anyone behind their back as many young witches tended to and while she was a sweet girl, she took no nonsense from anyone.
Their third dorm mate was an adventurous Spanish witch named Daniela Reyes. She had been the one to convince Hermione to join the Quidditch team, as a Chaser herself. Many wondered why she was sorted into Ombrelune rather than Bellefueille, but it became extremely clear to Hermione when watching Daniela plan her Quidditch tactics. Her plans were on point and she was definitely on track to become Quidditch captain next year.
That was not to say that Bellefueille didn’t have outstanding Quidditch players. Hermione had a close relationship with one of their chasers, a handsome Albanian wizard by the name of Carlos Vieira. She didn’t really have any proper boyfriends when she was Hermione Granger, so had nothing to compare her relationship to, but it was definitely fun and she was sad to see it end.
However, she knew dwelling on the past was useless, and it would be much easier for her to let go of her life at Beauxbatons and focus on the future. Therefore, she closed her eyes and tried adjusting to the silence of the dormitory - completely different from the late night conversations she had with Melanie and Daniela - and shut her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep.
September 6th 1976 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scottish Highlands
Hermione slumped into the empty seat next to Barty as she yawned. Her uniform was slightly creased and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she didn’t get a good night’s sleep. Barty smiled in amusement as he looked at her. “You aren’t used to waking up so early, are you?” She shook her head.
“Why do Hogwarts classes begin so early?” She groaned, “If I was still at Beauxbatons I would have another hour to sleep.” Barty laughed and Evan approached the table with a slight hint of worry on his face.
“Mione? Are you okay?” Slowly, she lifted her head up from where it had been buried between her arms. Her face looked blank as she blinked at her brother with no reply. He lowered his voice and sat beside her. “Nightmares?”
“I’m just not used to waking up so early.” Hermione assured her brother with a small, tired smile. He returned the smile and stood up, heading back to the Slytherin table.
Professor Flitwick made his way down the Ravenclaw table, handing out timetables. As he gave Hermione hers, he paused for a second. “I didn’t have a chance to welcome you yesterday, Miss Rosier. I am glad to have you in Ravenclaw; Professor Dumbledore informed me of your previous test results.” Hermione smiled and blushed slightly at the praise, muttering her thanks before turning towards Alice who was sitting diagonally opposite her.
“I have Potions with Slughorn first,” Alice said, “what about you?”
“Me too. Barty?”
“Same.”
They finished their breakfast and headed towards the dungeons for potions. Hermione was excited to see if their classes would be different, considering the last time she was taught fifth year potions it was by Severus Snape. As the students entered the classroom, they were ushered by Slughorn to stand to the side rather than taking a seat. He fixed the fifth years with a stern look.
“I have learned my lesson by allowing you all to choose your partners for potions,” he began. “It is O.W.Ls year now and I need you all to focus. Therefore, I have assigned you partners myself.” There were groans and protests around the room but Slughorn shushed his students and began reading out names.
“Alice Greengrass and Alyssa Fawley.”
“Pandora Avery and Jason Abbot.”
“Rabastan Lestrange and Bartemius Crouch.” The pair shared a look of victory as they moved towards a potions bench together.
“Hermione Rosier and Regulus Black.” Hermione looked towards the youngest Black sibling. This could present an opportunity for Hermione to start changing the future sooner than she thought. He didn’t look pleased but he didn’t look completely disappointed. The pair took the potions bench closest to Rabastan and Barty and waited for Slughorn to finish assigning pairs. Regulus turned towards Hermione and began to speak.
“Comment vous adaptez-vous à l’Angleterre?” He asked, in perfect French. (How are you adjusting to England?).
Hermione blinked in surprise. “Vous n'êtes pas obligé de me parler en français, je parle anglais.” She mused. (You don't have to speak to me in French, I speak English).
Regulus nodded at that before changing the subject.
“I suppose these potion labs are disappointing compared to the ones you’re used to.” She looked around and realised he was right. The dark cramped atmosphere of the dungeons was nothing compared to the potions labs they had at Beauxbatons. They had both indoor and outdoor ones and each lab was fully equipped with ingredients or supplies needed to make any potions on the curriculum.
“You’re right,” she agreed, “but I am curious to see what potions they teach about here, I heard they’re different from Beauxbatons.” Before he could reply, Slughorn began explaining their task.
“Today we will be making Dizziness Drought. Can anyone tell me the key ingredient to make this?” He scanned the classroom before his eyes landed on Hermione.
“Ah, Miss Rosier, perhaps you know the answer?” She took a deep breath as the attention from the class shifted to her.
“Asphodel, Sir.” Slughorn’s face lit up.
“Very good, Miss Rosier, ten points to Ravenclaw.” He turned and began explaining the recipe as Rabastan chuckled beside Hermione. She turned to him questioningly.
“He is definitely inviting you to his club now you caught his attention.” He began to explain, “Slughorn likes collecting students who he thinks have potential and he regularly hosts get-togethers of sorts. All three of us are part of this ‘club’.”
Hermione had memories of attending awkward dinners and parties during her sixth year and shuddered at the thought of reliving them. Barty, as if sensing her dread, assured her. “They’re not really that bad…though Potter and his lot are invited as well. It seems Slughorn takes their insolent pranks to mean they have potential.” That didn’t really make Hermione feel better but she shrugged and turned back to the potion.
By the end of the lesson, Hermione and Regulus had successfully brewed a Dizziness Drought. She supposed she should feel grateful that her past self memorised the scribbles in the margins of Snape’s old potions textbook, as they definitely proved useful. As Rabastan suspected, Slughorn seemed very impressed by Hermione’s potions skills and offered her an invitation to the Slug Club party he was hosting the following week, which she accepted somewhat reluctantly.
After she left the classroom, she met with a downcast Alice who’s hair seemed to be slightly singed. “I’m hopeless at potions,” she explained, “the only reason I pass my exams is from my boyfriend’s tutoring.”
“Boyfriend?” Hermione inquired. Alice never mentioned anything before about a boyfriend. She nodded absentmindedly and she observed the damage done to her hair.
“Yeah, he’s a Gryffindor in the year above. His name’s Frank Longbottom.” Realisation dawned on Hermione as to why Alice felt familiar all this time. She was Neville’s mother! Looking at her now, it was clear that her son inherited her eyes and potions skills. It brought a smile to Hermione’s face to be reminded of her friend from her past life, but this new realisation saddened her, knowing what Alice and Frank Longbottom’s fate is. Immediately, she decided that was another part of the future she needed to change, and mentally made a note to add it to her brown leather notebook.
The pair left the dungeons, with Alice excitedly chatting about her boyfriend and how Hermione needed to meet him, and headed towards the courtyard for break.
Later that day, Hermione was properly introduced to her dorm mates. “This is Isla Davies.” Alice said, gesturing to a slim, mousy haired witch. She had soft features and seemed alright, but she giggled at everything which was quite annoying. She was sitting on the bed closest to the door on the right, with another girl.
“Vanessa Selwyn.” Vanessa was a tanned witch with dark blue eyes and chocolate brown hair, her features were aristocratic and her nose seemed to be permanently upturned, looking down on those beneath her. Hermione immediately recognised her from the few Pureblood events she attended in England as a child, and remembered how haughty and insufferable the family was.
Finally, Alice introduced the last girl in the dorm. Pandora Avery was a platinum blonde witch with porcelain skin. Her face held a dreamy smile and her features were so delicate she looked almost like a doll, with sparkling light blue eyes and pink lips. Hermione instantly knew that this was Luna’s mother; the resemblance was too similar for any other explanation.
The girls briefly greeted Hermione, before returning to what they were doing. Isla and Vanessa gossiping and Pandora reviewing what must’ve been a Divination assignment as it looked like a dream chart. Hermione took this time to observe the Ravenclaw dormitory. The ceilings were high and the walls were painted in a light cream colour, the four windows in the room all had navy blue curtains with delicate copper embroidery.
As the dorms were in a tower, the room had a beautiful view of the Quidditch Pitch which looked especially breathtaking at night.
There were five four-poster beds with deep blue silk bed covers and each witch's school trunk stood at the end of each bed.
The Ravenclaw Tower in general had beautiful architecture throughout the dorms and common rooms. Each window showcased an astonishing view of the Hogwarts grounds; the ones of the Great Lake and Forbidden Forest being Hermione’s favourite. The common rooms had bookcases that towered over the students, reaching from the ground to the ceiling and having thousands of tomes with information on almost every subject imaginable (not horcruxes though - Hermione checked).
While part of Hermione believed nothing could compare to the warmth and cosiness of the Gryffindor common room, the bookworm in her was perfectly happy in Ravenclaw.
September 17th 1976 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scottish Highlands
Hermione decided to indulge her brother by sitting with him at the Slytherin table during lunch. She could not say that she found his and his friends’ conversations interesting, but they made an effort to include her which she found nice. Her mind refused to stay focused on their discussions though, and her thoughts kept drifting to the Marauders.
Her interaction with them on the train was brief and while Hermione would’ve liked it to have been longer, she knew that was for the best.
Despite barely talking with them, she could see reflections of the wizards she knew (or would know) in the future in each of them - besides James Potter. James looked almost scarily similar to how Harry looked at his age; there were only a few small differences. For example, James had bright hazel eyes which sparkled with mischief compared to the empty look she found in Harry’s eyes. James also appeared to have far better eyesight than his son as he was often seen not wearing his glasses. That was quite helpful Hermione supposed, as if he wore them she couldn’t be trusted to not run up to him and hug him with tears in her eyes - mistaking him for her Harry.
Remus and Sirius were more outspoken as their younger selves. They didn’t have to carry the burden of the losses they had suffered and the trauma of being trapped for twelve years either in Azkaban or drowning in grief.
Peter was far different than what Hermione was expecting. He was chubby but couldn’t be considered obese. He was handsome in his own way with sandy blonde hair and slightly watery blue eyes. Peter also wasn’t a meek sidekick of the Marauders who followed them around and did whatever they asked, like she expected him to be. Instead, he contributed in conversations and made his own jokes and remarks to his friends. He still wasn’t on the same level as the rest of the group though - according to Hogwarts students. While Peter got his fair share of attention from girls, it wasn’t the same amount the other boys received.
In conclusion, that group drew far too much attention to themselves and Hermione knew her parents would definitely disapprove if she was associated with them. They still strongly held their fear of the Dark Lord discovering her “visions” of the future and even considered homeschooling Hermione, an idea which she made sure was quickly dismissed.
However, wanting to fulfil both her parents requests and her own goals, Hermione made a list of rules for when she attended Hogwarts:
- Do NOT be sorted into Gryffindor
- Avoid the following people: James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, Severus Snape (if possible)
- Befriend Regulus Black
- AVOID DUMBLEDORE AT ALL COSTS
- Do not intentionally disrupt the timeline - unless horcruxes are involved
The last point was personal, as Hermione had a terrible habit of always getting involved, whether it was to share an opinion or point out an injustice. This was definitely a Gryffindor trait and one she needed to overcome. Getting involved with people like Snape or Potter would definitely result in changes to the timeline, however small, and totally ruin her plans.
Speaking of Gryffindor, switching the red and gold out for blue and bronze had certainly opened Hermione’s eyes to the bias shown towards her former house. It did not go unnoticed when Gryffindors were rewarded for “creativity” when they pulled insolent pranks and broke about a hundred school rules a week while Slytherins were punished for practically breathing the wrong way.
Though Hermione supposed this wasn’t particularly unexpected from Albus Dumbledore. He had already decided which of his students were destined to become “dark” wizards or witches and he needed to begin building his future Order of the Phoenix after all.
Unwillingly, her eyes drifted to Regulus Black.
She knew he became a Death Eater at some point before he graduated Hogwarts and defected sometime during his sixth or seventh year. Hermione didn’t have exact knowledge of when he learned about Voldemort’s horcruxes - only that he died retrieving the locket in 1979. This gave her a maximum of three years to build a close enough friendship with him that he would confide in her when he discovered about the locket.
That shouldn’t be too hard, Hermione hoped, as they were close when they were younger.
As children, Hermione tended to keep mostly to herself. She kept to the small circle of people throughout her childhood; Narcissa, Regulus and Andromeda. Sirius drifted from interacting with them to being stuck with his parents during events due to his disobedience. His interactions with Hermione were typically brief and Sirius instead spent most of his time with her brother, Evan. This gave Hermione and Regulus opportunities to bond as they watched the bond between their siblings.
Sirius and Evan had an extremely strong friendship as children. One that could potentially rival Sirius and James. However, that all changed when they entered Hogwarts for their first year.
September 1st 1971 - Kings Cross Station, London
The Black Family were an unmistakable presence at Kings Cross Station. What with their ebony black robes and perfect posture as they elegantly strutted towards Platform 9 and ¾ . For the first time, Orion and Walburga Black were accompanying Cygnus and Druella as they sent Sirius and Narcissa off to Hogwarts for their first and sixth year, respectively.
It was the first appearance of the House of Black following the disownment of Cygnus and Druella’s oldest daughter, Andromeda, over the summer. Her running off to marry a muggleborn had brought a massive amount of shame and affected the reputation of the Blacks immensely. However, if you saw them on the platform it would seem like all was normal as they held an air of superiority over everyone, as if daring someone to slander the House of Black over Andromeda’s unfortunate choices.
Cygnus and Druella had dragged the twenty year old Bellatrix to send her sister off to school and the curly haired witch looked less than pleased to be there. Her engagement with Rodolphus Lestrange had recently been announced and the couple were set to marry the following summer. This was extremely beneficial after the contract between Andromeda and Edward Selwyn was broken. To be fair, it was understandable why she would not want to marry him.
Orion and Walburga had both their sons, Sirius and Regulus, with them and were speaking to them in hushed tones. Mainly Walburga was speaking, no doubt instructing Sirius on how to behave and warning him of consequences if he didn’t, while Orion looked around with an emotionless expression.
Across the platform, he made eye contact with Felix Rosier, who gave him a small smirk which was returned. The Rosier Family was also preparing to send their oldest child, Evan, to Hogwarts for his first year. Along with Felix and Evan, Juliette and Hermione were with them. Hermione looked around the platform sadly, knowing she wouldn’t be attending Hogwarts next year. She had begun attending Beauxbatons Day School when she was eight but a large part of her still longed to go to Hogwarts.
Vinda Rosier was also in attendance, and was extremely enjoying the appreciative looks she got from wizards on the platform. She was a very beautiful witch for her age, though she was only in her sixties. Her black curls were pinned up into a high bun with a few strands framing her face and she was wearing stylish navy robes with a matching hat.
After the family had said their goodbyes, Evan met with Sirius and they boarded the train together. Walburga and Juliette were glaring at each other in a silent argument, Druella and Felix were listening to something Vinda was saying and Cygnus and Orion were talking quietly. Bellatrix was busy snarling at every muggleborn and halfblood that looked at her. Hermione looked over at Regulus and squeezed his hand reassuringly with a small smile. She knew his parents and therefore knew that being alone in that house with them would be challenging.
On the train, Narcissa was leading Sirius and Evan, the former complaining about having to sit with her friends and Malfoy, a pale wizard with long, platinum blonde hair who was betrothed to Narcissa. The blonde witch sighed before turning to her cousin, “You know the consequences if your mother finds your companions unsuitable. I’m just helping you, but if you’d rather find your own compartment then be my guest.” She turned to the other wizard, “Evan, you’ll join me, right?” Evan offered Sirius an apologetic smile before following his older cousin.
It didn’t take long for Sirius to find another compartment where he met James Potter. The young wizard grinned at him and offered him a seat. James immediately began asking him about his favourite Quidditch team and before long the pair had made a friendship which would, unbeknownst to them, last for years.
Their conversation about Quidditch was interrupted when a pretty redhead with freckles entered the compartment and threw herself down on one of the seats. She didn’t spare either of the boys a glance and it was clear she had been crying. Soon after, a pale boy with greasy hair entered after her and sat beside her.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” she said in a constricted voice.
“Why not?”
“Tuney h-hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore.“
“So what?”
She threw him a look of deep dislike. “So she’s my sister!”
“She’s only a – “ He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him. “But we’re going!” he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. “This is it! We’re off to Hogwarts!”
She nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself, she half smiled.
“You’d better be in Slytherin,” said Snape, encouraged that she had brightened a little.
“Slytherin?”
One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked around at the word, and saw James: slight, black-haired like Snape, but with that indefinable air of having been well-cared-for, even adored, that Snape so conspicuously lacked.
“Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?” James asked the boy lounging on the seats opposite him, and with a jolt. Sirius did not smile.
“My whole family have been in Slytherin,” he said.
“Blimey,” said James, “and I thought you seemed all right!”
Sirius grinned. “Maybe I’ll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?”
James lifted an invisible sword. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.”
Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him.
“Got a problem with that?”
“No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy – ”
“Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?“ interjected Sirius.
James roared with laughter. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike.
“Come on, Severus, let’s find another compartment.”
“Oooooo…” James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed.
“See ya, Snivellus!” a voice called, as the compartment door slammed.
When they reached Hogwarts, Evan caught Sirius’ eye and made his way towards him. Sirius was standing with Potter and two other boys they had met on the train; Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Evan didn’t seem to notice them as he sent James a questioning look before turning his attention solely on Sirius. “Are you excited?” He asked. Sirius smiled at him and nodded. Evan continued. “I’ll have to introduce you to my friends; I met them on the train. They’re going to be Slytherin too.” Potter restrained himself from making a sarcastic remark and Sirius’ face fell.
“About that-” he began but was interrupted by a stern professor with grey hair pulled into a tight bun away from her face, and a large witches’ hat. She began giving the first year an introduction speech and the sorting began. It didn’t take long for Sirius’ name to be called and as he sat with the sorting hat above his head, he made eye contact with Evan, who grinned. From the corner of his eye, he saw Narcissa give him a reassuring, albeit unsure, smile.
When the hat called “GRYFFINDOR!” The Great Hall was so uncharacteristically silent that you could hear a pin drop. Nevertheless, Sirius held his head up high and walked confidently towards the Gryffindor table, who had begun cheering loudly. A smile broke out onto his face and he took a seat and continued watching the sorting.
When Evan was sorted into Slytherin, he received a polite applause and a kind smile from Narcissa. But as he recalled the enthusiasm Sirius received, he couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if he joined him in the red house, like the hat offered.
During that first month at Hogwarts, the “Marauders” (though they weren't called that yet) had successfully pulled their first prank. It was unsurprisingly against the Slytherins - the group of Gryffindors had not been shy about expressing their hatred towards the green house. After that, the relationship between Evan and Sirius had never been the same; they had drifted too far apart for it to be repaired.
September 17th 1976 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scottish Highlands
While Hermione had pretty much decided to avoid the Marauders as much as possible, Sirius was debating with himself whether to approach her.
When he was growing up, Sirius Black had been forced to attend many Pureblood events - balls, weddings, birthday parties. As a result of this, he knew practically all the Sacred 28 heirs, and who or whom not to avoid. However, he was still not quite sure about Hermione Rosier.
Sure they had a relatively strong friendship when they were younger, but as a child she had been sheltered by her parents. He noticed that her father seemed to almost hide her from society; she only made public appearances around twice a year before she moved to France. When people spoke about her, they spoke in hushed tones. There was definitely something off about her, Sirius thought.
Hermione had been one of the few Sacred 28 children to never openly express her views on blood supremacy. Yes, she never said it was bad, but she never called it good either. The friends she associated with were pretty much all pureblooded, however he couldn’t help but notice that her closest companion, Alice Greengrass, was more neutral, you could say, compared to the other people she associated with. Sirius knew Alice relatively well, as she was dating Frank, one of his housemates.
Sirius also observed that Hermione was sorted into Ravenclaw, rather than Slytherin as would be expected of her. It was clear that as much as Hermione was on the “dark side”, she was also on the light side.
The Black Heir sat back and observed the French witch as she conversed with her brother’s friends. The smile on her face was practised and polite and she fiddled with the delicate silver bracelet on her wrist. She looked uncomfortable.
Sirius decided to give Hermione a chance. He supposed she actually hadn’t done anything wrong - besides staying loyal to her family.
Something you never did , he was reminded.
His eyes landed on his younger brother, Regulus. He had grown a lot since the last time they had spoken and Sirius couldn’t deny the resemblance between them, though Regulus’ hair was slightly shorter than his and his uniform way more tidy. Watching his brother, Sirius set himself a goal to check up on him before Christmas Break.
Perhaps his childish days of placing house loyalty over everything was finally over. He might even stop targeting the Slytherins with his pranks - beside Snivellus of course.