Weighted Hearts & Gilded Feathers

The first few weeks of school passed quickly, with all the responsibilities and drama, Hermione was beyond exhausted by the time she made it to her dorm each night. 

Umbridge had gotten progressively worse, Hermione had noticed words etched into Harry’s hands with a blood quill after one of his detentions with the toad and forced him to tell McGonagall, who then approached Umbridge on her disciplinary practices. That prompted a full-blown spread in the Daily Prophet, naming the pink menace High Inquisitor of Hogwarts. 

 It started small, just sitting in on a few classes with other professors, but it went downhill fast when she started putting “educational” decrees on the wall prohibiting all kinds of things. 

Those few extra weeks of Umbridge, were enough for Harry to be convinced by Ron to allow other people to train with them in the room of requirement. Luna had invited a few Ravenclaws and Neville had invited Hannah Abbott from Herbology who then invited other Hufflepuffs. The group had grown exponentially but there wasn’t one Slytherin in the group. 

Hermione didn’t exactly tell anyone but she’d spelled the sign-up sheet, essentially locking the signer into a magical contract not to divulge any information about the group or any participants. She had good cause to be nervous, unregistered wands were illegal, especially at their age. While Hermione was now technically of age, she didn’t want to go fight the Wizenganot or get Harry into more trouble. 

Umbridge had recently placed a ban on study groups making it even riskier to gather for meetings of what they now called Dumbledore’s Army. Harry thought it was ironic since the ministry clearly thought Dumbledore was trying to make them into soldiers. Funnily enough, her response to this paranoia was to create the inquisitorial squad, which held even more power than the prefects. 

Unsurprisingly the majority, if not all of these students, belonged in Slytherin house, including one Mattheo Riddle. 

Hermione had to admit she’d been surprised by him in the last few weeks, he could be bothersome, yes, and tended to try to joke around but he was also studious and intelligent. 

She could manage to carry an intellectual conversation with him. She wondered who he really was, he seemed to show so many different faces to so many different people. He hadn’t been outright rude or tried to stir conflict with Harry, as Draco did often. He was charming but also reserved, charismatic but sombre. Hermione found herself more and more interested in who he was as a person, regardless of his parentage. She didn’t want to judge him based on that, and though she knew it would be better to keep her distance from him, she found herself at ease in his presence. 

It was Tuesday and they’d made plans to meet in the library for a class project. Class seats were permanent after the first day and whoever your deskmate was, also had the privilege of being your partner in projects for the rest of the year. Tuesday was one of the only days of the week Hermione actually had extra time, so they’d agreed to meet once classes were completed for the day. 

Hermione found him waiting outside the library for her, hair touseled and tie undone, she tsked at him and he gave her a questioning look, “Inquisitor and breaking the rules, what is the point deduction for that?” 

He let out a short laugh “Can prefects take points from Inquisitors? I didn’t really pay attention during the induction, I just thought people might stop looking at me like I’m the antichrist if I was seen to be getting involved around the castle.” 

Hermione was at a loss for a moment and felt ashamed because she knew she’d looked at him the same way, still did at times, before his presence started to naturally calm her. A soft and warm gale of wind seemed to surround the two before easing off. She looked up questioningly at Mattheo who shrugged, “That wasn’t me” 

“Oh, apologies! I’ve had a couple of small bouts of accidental magic the last few days, Luna says it’s the nargles or something. I don’t really pay attention to what she says, and now I’m rambling awkwardly so let’s just start the project.” 

Mattheo shook his head and followed her into the library where she led them to a table set in an alcove between two large windows. They worked in relative silence for a while, but Hermione kept getting distracted her thoughts wandering, she hung her head, curls falling in front of her face and quill between her lips. 

“You can ask if you want to, I don’t mind.” 

Hermione peeked through the curtains her hair had created, before pushing her hair out of her face, grabbing the quill, and looking at him directly. His jaw was tense, and the grip on his quill was so tight his knuckles were white. 

“I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you already are in my presence, if you have a question just ask it.” 

She was surprised by how devoid the tone of his voice was like all the mirth from earlier had been leeched out. 

“It’s none of my business, I’m sorry,” she responded in a soft tone. 

Mattheo sighed, finally lifting his eyes from the parchment he was writing on, and looked out the window “I was fostered in Bulgaria by a family friend, attended Drumstrang, and then was told to pack up and move here a couple of months ago. I know my Father has done terrible things, but I am not him, and I do not wish the content of my character to be determined by his actions. We have no choice in who births us into the world. I thought you would understand that,” he finished looking at her, and began to gather his things to leave. 

“Wait! You don’t need to leave, it’s just hard… I can’t imagine what it must be like for you, it’s just… Harry is my best friend, I would do anything for him. He was my first true friend and I can’t help but feel like I’m betraying him in some way.” 

“For what? Showing someone kindness? Not all things are as they seem Hermione, and books don’t always carry the answers you’re looking for. Remember history is written by the victors,” he’d finished packing and swung his leather bag over his shoulder “I’ll see you in class.”

Hermione was conflicted, she didn’t want to judge him on his parentage, just as she herself didn’t want to be judged by hers. He hadn’t been raised by the man, he hadn’t tarnished his soul at least not yet. He was a charmer though, and she had no idea most of the time if she was getting the truth or a mask. 

She’d made it back from practice with the DA when she realized she hadn’t seen Crookshanks since the day before, worried, she went to the common room to ask if anyone had seen her ginger furball but no one else had seen him either. Afraid he’d found himself on the bad side of the new familiar occasionally seen throughout the corridors she rushed out of the common room. Disregarding the disgruntled comments of the portraits, annoyed by the lumos she had cast, it was firmly late evening now, and she’d have to hurry to avoid the prefects on duty or the inquisitorial squad. 

Hermione had searched all of Crookshanks’ usual haunts to no avail, there were no longer candles lit in the halls, and the portraits were getting increasingly annoyed with her, she’d just checked behind the statue of the old hag when she heard a throat clear behind her. Turning, her heart sunk to her stomach when she realized she’d been caught by none- other than the Slytherin she’d insulted earlier today, her face heated in embarrassment, and she gripped her wand. It took her a moment to notice he was patrolling with Blaise Zabini, shocking her, even more, was the sight of her familiar copied up with Mattheo’s snow leopard. 

Blaise shook his head “What are you doing out wandering the corridors, Miss Granger? You are aware it’s past curfew, aren’t you? You’re a prefect after all, or do the rules not apply to you?” 

“I was looking for Crooks” she replied pointing to her half-kneezle. 

Before Blaise went to respond Mattheo held up a hand, “I’ll escort her back to Gryffindor tower, you can continue patrolling I’ll meet up with you after.” 

Blaise stalked off leaving just the two of them standing there, Hermione went to apologize again but Mattheo cut her off “You’re a terrible pet parent you know,” he joked. 

“I most absolutely am not! Crooks is just adventurous” 

“He’s been attached to my leopard Evan at the hip for a full day. Slept with him in our dorm and everything. You must not be feeding the poor beast.” 

“Have you seen him? He’s well-fed. The elves are always leaving him treats!” 

“Then why is he stalking the halls?” 

“Because he’s still half cat, it’s in his nature.” 

“My familiar isn’t stalking the halls” 

“That’s because he’d be stalking for small firsties, not pests” 

Mattheo covered his mouth in faux shock at her reply “How dare you, Evan’s perfectly domesticated” 

The snow leopard chuffed at that comment before nudging Mattheo with his head, “ I suppose he’s ready to get to bed. I’ll head back to the tower now. Thank you for looking after Crooks.” 

“ I’ll escort you.” 

“That’s not necessary, you can go resume your patrol” 

“Would you rather lose house points?” 

“Why you little snake!” 

“I’ll have you know, no part of me is small. If you catch my drift,” Mattheo winked with a smug look on his face. 

“Ugh, disgusting! Follow me if you must. I’m going back to the one place on campus you can’t follow!” 

“Don’t be so sure of yourself Mia, I’m sure I could find someone to let me in” he replied jokingly. 

Hermione, having started back towards the tower stopped in her tracks, “Did you just call me Mia?” 

He smiled at her but continued walking turning, around to walk backward so he could watch her expression, “Yeah, I decided we are going to be friends.” 

“You realize I’m a muggle-born…” she said surprised at his declaration. 

“And?” 

“I don’t think the members of your house are going to approve of that, or your, you know…” 

“Well my housemates need to worry about what I approve of not the other way around, and I told you I just met the man, he doesn’t get to dictate who I spend my time with. He’s already dictated enough in the short time I’ve known him.” 

“Well, okay I guess.” 

Once she made it back to the Gryffindor common room Harry and Ron shot up from the couch in front of the fireplace, “Blimey Hermione, where have you been we were worried,” Harry exclaimed. 

“I went out to search for Crooks, he was with Mattheo, and stayed with him last night apparently.” 

“What do you mean he was with Mattheo and since when are you guys on a first-name basis” Ron asked. 

“ I was checking behind the old hag statue when Blaise and Mattheo found me. Mattheo escorted me back to the tower so I wouldn’t have to lose house points.” 

“Have you lost the plot? Have you forgotten who he is? Who his father is?” 

“I haven’t forgotten anything, I’ve just decided it’s not fair to judge a kid on the actions of their parents.” 

“Hermione… I’m not saying this because I am jealous, I learned my lesson last year but it is dangerous for you to befriend him. His father wanted to irradicate muggle-borns and enslave muggles.” Ron said gently. 

“That has nothing to do with him! It’s not right to judge him based on his father’s actions.” 

Harry was nodding and stared off into space, clearly something was running through his head. Hermione grabbed both their hands, she looked Harry in his eyes searching them, pleading with him to trust her. “I will always love you, both of you,” she paused looking at Ron now “Please, just try to trust me. Trust that I would never do anything to hurt or compromise you in any way.” 

Harry nodded his head slightly and pulled Hermione into a tight hug, “You’re my family Hermione and while I don’t understand, I won’t stand in your way. Just don’t expect me to befriend the bloke, his father is still trying to murder me.” 

Hermione pulled back to search his eyes again, but Harry pulled her close again “I love you too ‘Mione, always” 

Finally, Hermione let go of Harry and went to Ron, “I know that you’re just concerned about me and I appreciate it but he’s not bad, from what I can tell, I think he’s lonely and I feel bad for him. He reminds me of myself before I had you guys, and something about him just feels familiar, I don’t know.” 

“It’s your life, Hermione, just be careful yeah?” Ron gave her a half hug and turned to sit back down on the sofa. Hermione smiled at him and took the spot in the middle of the boys on the couch. 

_____________

On the other side of the castle, portraits had been reporting back to Dumbledore all night, first reporting Hermione being out past curfew and then that she had been seen talking with the Riddle boy. Dumbledore was perplexed, he didn’t want to alienate the child, but it was risky for the two of them to be near each other. 

He shouldn’t be too surprised considering the circumstances, he thought her distrustful nature would reign supreme, as well as her protective instinct for Harry but the seals they had placed on her magic must not have been enough to completely smother their twin-bond.

He knew there was a chance the seals he’d placed on Hermione could begin to damage her magical core, she had just turned magically 17 due to the time-turner, the year of magical inheritance, that combined with Mattheo’s presence, and her magic would undoubtedly try reaching out to his. 

Dumbledore was conflicted, he’d never wanted to harm the girl, but now he was at a crossroads, he couldn’t risk her finding out and changing sides due to misplaced loyalty, or anger at him for displacing her. But he’d have to wait for them to deteriorate in order to shore up the seals again. 

He’d been too distrustful of Tom while he was a student, believed him dark from the moment he met him at Wool’s Orphanage, he’d reminded Dumbledore too much of himself and Grindelwald in their youth, and that had scared him, so he pushed that orphan away and avoided him. . He’d asked himself if anything he’d done could’ve changed the outcome for them many times over the years, maybe the British wizarding society wouldn’t be on the brink of a third war in less than a century. 

He’d tried a different method with Hermione, opting to place her in a non-magical home and seal her magic, he didn’t expect her to get placed in Hogwarts at all, but despite the ritual her name showed up in the book of names at eleven just like the muggle-borns. 

He worried for Mattheo, the boy may as well have been a lost cause at this point though it was possible Hermione might be able to get through to the boy. He’d most definitely been raised by someone Tom had trusted, and therefore most likely corrupted depending on who it was. The order had searched for him after Tom had dissipated at Godric’s hollow, but it was to no avail. 

They should’ve taken him when they took the girl, but they believed her to be the bigger risk to them so they prioritized Hermione, and left the sobbing newborn in his mother’s bed. 

He wondered at times if all of this could’ve been avoided if he’d painted a target on the back of the Potter family by involving Lily in the mission that September night. 

The next afternoon he requested Hermione’s presence in his office after morning classes, when she arrived she looked wary and nervous, he wondered if it was because she knew he suspected her budding friendship with the Riddle boy or if she was afraid to get into trouble for something else entirely. 

“Have a seat, Miss Granger, I assure you there’s nothing to worry about, I just wanted to check in with you.” He’d placed a special batch of lemon drops in his candy bowl on the desk, laced with veritaserum. He didn’t want to have to try and invade her mind again after she shook him off instinctively at the Order meeting before school started. He offered her a lemon drop and waited until she’d eaten a couple. 

“How are you finding your classes, Hermione?” 

“They are going well sir, It’s already been a busy year and we are only a few weeks in.” 

“Ahh yes, I suppose it will be very busy for you won’t it, O.W.L.s this year.” 

“Yes sir” 

“Hermione, I’ve heard from one of your professors that you are partnered with Mattheo Riddle for the year, how is that going?” 

She was taken aback by the question, Dumbledore had always been a mentor to Harry so he’d been involved with the trio more than other students at the castle over the years but never independently of Harry. “It’s been fine professor, he’s surprisingly studious for someone with such a debonair attitude.” 

“He hasn’t given you any trouble?” 

“Oh no, he jests sometimes but it is usually good-natured. Am I in trouble professor? I know you told us to steer clear of him, but I can’t help but feel some kinship with him. He seems lonely.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, obviously not having wanted to be so candid about her feelings towards the boy. 

“All is well Hermione, you aren’t in trouble, but if you see or hear anything suspicious in your dealings with him I request you bring your concerns directly to me,” he nodded reassuringly. 

“Of course! I would never do anything to compromise Harry, he remains my number one priority aside from O.W.L.s of course.” 

Dumbledore chuckled at her, she really would’ve done well in Ravenclaw he thought to himself. “Very well Hermione that is all,  you may return and get back to your schedule for the day” 

“Thank you, Headmaster.” 

Once she left the room Dumbledore rose from where he sat behind his desk and walked to the cabinet where he kept his pensive, grabbing an empty vial and pulled a copy of the interaction from his mind, pouring the silvery wisp into the glass.