Viridis Cum Laude

Hermione woke to her wand vibrating. She had learned a simple alarm spell and set it the night before.  As she opened her curtains, she saw most of the other girls were also awake, with the exception of Tracey, whose curtains were still pulled tightly shut.  

Hermione pulled on her robe, and made her way into the washroom with her bathing products.  To the right Pansy and Daphne were drying and setting their hair, and Milly was exiting the shower.  

The showers were wonderful, fully heated floors, and varying water pressures that would be perfect after a long day spent hunched over a book. 

Once she was dressed in her new robes, realizing that all her ties had turned Slytherin green overnight, Tracey, who had since woken up, came over and offered to teach Hermione a few spells to help manage her curly hair.  Although Tracey’s hair wasn’t quite as bushy as hers, using her combination of drying and setting charms tamed the mane considerably and allowed her curls to take on a more defined coil and hang down her back.  

Shortly before 7:30 the girls all made their way to the common room to meet Gemma and the rest of the house for breakfast.  Along the walk Greyson and Gemma pointed out tidbits, such as “watch out for Peeve’s he’ll make your life hell if you’re already running late, and annoy you on the best of days,” or “be careful what you say in front of the ghosts and portraits, they’re all terrible gossips”.  

Once settled in the great hall, a dark haired professor began handing out schedules.  Hermione gave him a smile when she received hers, which the man did not reciprocate.  

“How’d your night go with the boys last night?” she asked as Harry sat down next to her. 

“Fine, they explained quidditch to me, and Theo fixed my glasses for me,” he answered grabbing the plate of sausages and pulling it toward himself. 

Just then a swarm of owls flew in and began circling the tables.  A large eagle owl landed across from her in front of Malfoy, who removed the large parcel from it’s leg and offered him a piece of bacon.  Hermione watched as he tore open the letter, his eyes scanning it quickly before he handed it to Theo, who read it before handing it back.  

“Hey Hermione, I bet you’ve never had a sugar quill before have you?” he asked, he asked looking up at her, while Theo rolled his eyes and grabbed two candies from the package, popping one in his mouth.  

“Uhm, no I haven’t,” she responded nervously.

“Here try one,” as he handed her the blue quill.  Hermione tentatively put the end of the quill in her mouth, slightly wary of sugar this early in the morning.  Her parents were still dentists, and they would never forgive her if she managed a cavity her first term away from home.  

Her eyes grew as she sucked on the quill, the burst of sugary flavor quickly surpassing any sweet she’d had in the muggle world.  Theo caught her eye and laughed, “Yeah? That good?” and grinned.  

Hermione giggled, as Draco handed her a package of the multicolored quills, smirking at her.  She almost protested until she looked around, realizing that almost every first year had been given some sort of sweet out of Draco’s parcel, even Harry was munching on a cake alongside his eggs.  

“What do you think has Weasley’s wand in a knot?” 

The question made Harry look up, only to see the redhead glaring at him from across the hall.  

“I’m sure he’s mad I’m here in Slytherin,” he shrugged.  “He was going on and on about how Slytherins are evil and Gryffindor is the only house worth being in.  I think he assumed because of what happened with my parents I’d be there with him.” 

The boy on Draco’s other side snickered, “Yeah because we’re all really hurting over here, with robes that aren’t threadbare.” 

“Zabini, be nice, didn’t your mother teach you manners?” Theo laughed. 

The group left the great hall chattering about their upcoming classes, not noticing the other students until Hermione was knocked into Draco. 

“Watch it, Granger.  I’m sure Malfoy would want a mudblood touching him.”  She looked up to see the sneering face of Ron Weasley.  

“You better not let me hear you call her that again Weasley,” glared Malfoy.  

“Way out of line there mate,” Harry reasoned.  

“Not your mate, I can’t believe you, you’re siding with them, you traitor!” yelled Ron as he stepped back in shock.  

Theo took one of her arms and led back down to the dungeons, Blaise on her other side with Draco and Harry bringing up the rear, both muttering under their breath, while Theo explained what “mudblood” meant and why it was so out of line for someone like Weasley to be throwing that world around.  

As she settled next to Theo in the potions classroom, things became clearer.  These people, while maybe their parents had chosen a side that didn’t approve, had lost, and her classmates, her friends were standing by her.  The hooked nose man glided into the classroom, black robes billowing behind him, sneering at them all.  During roll call he paused at Harry’s name, glancing up and seeing him sitting next to Malfoy, scowled and finished role.  Spitting out a question on asphodel which Hermione’s hand shot up to answer.  Theo pinched her arm pulling it down. 

“Ouch!” she hissed.  “I know the answer!” 

“It doesn’t matter, don’t be that girl. If he asks you, go ahead and answer, otherwise just do your work” he whispered.  Hermione grunted at this but followed his direction, and when the curly blonde in Gryffindor sputtered in response to his question, Snape rolled his eyes and without looking at her barked out, 

“Miss Granger, maybe you can help out Miss Brown and explain the difference between Monkshood and Aconite.”  

“Yes sir, they are the same plant, also known as Wolfsbane,” she recited.  

Snape turned to her, eyes appraising.  “5 points to Slytherin, maybe this year won’t be completely full of the dunderheaded nitwits I normally am forced to teach.”  She smiled at Theo, glancing at Draco who smirked at her.  

“While none of you will likely need it, we will begin with brewing a Forgetfulness Potion,” he flicked his wand and the directions appeared on the blackboard, “the ingredients not found in your potion making kit can be found in the storage cupboard.  You may begin.” 

Hermione felt pleased with herself by the end of the lesson.  She’d earned 10 more house points which had her friends grinning and Ron glaring at her from across the room, which might have been the reason that his potion was currently orange and spewing sparks while on their side of the room most cauldrons had the varying shades of the baby pink they were supposed to obtain.  Well all except Greg who’s potion was magenta.  

As the group left, Brown scowled at her own light red potion as she cleaned up.  

“She’s a menace, there’s no way any of us should have known those answers,” she sighed as Ron nodded his agreement trying to bottle his own sample without burning himself. 

- 

“Come on Hermione, you promised to come!” begged Blaise.  The rest of the boys standing behind him looking pleadingly at her.  

She rolled her eyes, not bothering to close her book.  But I don’t even like sports, I don’t see how quidditch will be any different.” 

“It’s our first match, you have to come,” reasoned Vincent, passing her an extra jumper, “Here you can even wear this.”  She took it as Blaise and Theo each took an arm and pulled her off the couch.  Harry grabbed her book before she could reach for it, tucking it under one arm.  

“If you want this back you’ll have to come to the match,” he said passing it to Draco who smirked at her.  She huffed shaking free of their grip, and linking arms with Daphne.  

“Let’s get on with it then,” as she turned to leave the common room, taking Daphne’s arm. 

She sat squashed between Harry and Greg watching the Slytherin vs Hufflepuff match.  As she looked across the stands she could see Hannah and Ernie sitting cheering for their team in matching yellow and black scarves.  Greg and Blaise kept up a running commentary of explanation, mostly for Hermione’s benefit, but Harry seemed keen on learning the finer points of a live game and was animatedly asking questions on specific moves. 

“Higgs gets the snitch, Slytherin win 350 to 130!” 

“That game went on for hours,” whinged Hermione on the way back up to the castle.  She couldn’t help that her lips twitched upwards a bit, it felt so good to win. 

“Quidditch can go on for days if no one gets the snitch,” grinned Draco, “but you know that was only 2 hours right? You still have plenty of time to read this afternoon.”   

While she could put up with quidditch games for the boys, flying class didn’t go well.  For the first time in her life she was one of the worst in a class.  At least Neville was worse, he actually broke his arm falling off the broom.  

Harry and Draco were naturals even tossing Nevill’s remembrall between them midair when he was escorted to the Hospital wing, while Pansy cheered them on.  Blaise attempted to give Hermione pointers, all of which failed her, when she could barely make it off the ground.  

“Wow I guess it goes to show that muggles can’t fly!” called Weasley loudly from his circle of Gryffindors. 

Hermione pulled her wand and cast a quick spell causing his broom to shoot out from under him, and Ron to fall a couple feet to the ground, landing in a heap.  

“You’ll regret that Mudblood!” 

She didn’t even think while she crossed the space between them, giving time for him to stand, and punched him squarely in the nose, causing him to collapse back to the ground.  In an instant Draco was at her side pulling her onto his broom and flying to the otherside of the courtyard. 

“That was brilliant!” he laughed as he hugged her, spinning her around.  She grimaced at him. “What’s wrong?” he pulled away immediately. 

“I think I broke my knuckle,” she explained, showing him her hand which was indeed starting to swell.  

“Zabini, Potter, over here,” he called out to them, “we need to get Granger to the Hospital wing. 

“No they’ll know I hit him if he goes as well, I don’t want detention,” she cried holding back tears. Her hand really did hurt quite a lot.  

Theo made his way over then, “I can fix it if you want.”  

She blinked at him, “Really? You can fix a broken hand?” 

He just smirked at her holding out his hand.  She cautiously placed hers atop it waiting to see if he was serious.  The other gaped at him, not knowing what to think. 

“Brackium emendo” And with a flourish of his wand and a soft light of her hand, Hermione felt a searing sharp pain and then nothing.  She gasped as she stretched the hand, clenching and opening a fist and feeling along the knuckle.  

“Theo! You did it!” She hugged him tightly.  

As he untangled himself from her arms, he sighed, “Of course I did, I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure I could. What do you take me for? A Gryffindor?” She laughed. 

“You really should give that back,” she scolded Draco, who was playing with the remembrall.  “Neville’s never done anything to you and he’s a nice boy, even if he’s not that bright.”

“Why do you even care?” he asked, tossing it back to Harry. “Got a crush on Longbottoms?” 

Hermione rolled her eyes, “I’m just saying he’s bullied by his own house,” there were hisses of outrage from her classmates at this, “and he’s quite nice, I’ve been tutoring him in the Library, so just leave him alone yeah?” and she stalked off back up to the castle, the boys following in her wake.

-

As the air turned chilly, Hermione was wrapped in a green and grey quilt on one of the couches with Theo and Daphne, both attempting to explain a Pureblood dinner party.  

“To have a proper party, the same number of male and female guests must be in attendance, not including children of course,” explained Daphne.  “And the level of formality matters, but if it’s a formal event black is the only acceptable color, aside from a wedding of course.”  

“And even for a non-formal dinner, men are expected to stand at the entrance of the lady of the house, or someone due respect,” chimed in Theo.  

Hermione groaned, “There are so many rules for everything. And there aren’t books.  How am I supposed to learn everything so I don’t make a fool of myself? There should be a class, it’s not fair you grew up with all of this,” she half sobbed into her hands. 

Tracey and Blaise who were sitting nearby studying charms looked up.  

“It’s okay Hermione, I didn’t really grow up with it either,” comforted Tracey, “my mum was half blood so she didn’t think to teach me the customs. But it’s okay, people will mostly be understanding, just follow our lead, we won’t steer you wrong, promise.” She smiled at Hermione who wiped her face and turned to Theo. 

“Well what about Yule? I’m sure there are rules about gifts?” She asked, knowing she needed to start her shopping soon.  

Theo glanced at Daphne, “It’s fairly straightforward, no jewelry unless you’re engaged or have an understanding,”

“An understanding? Like for marriage? Hermione squawked.

“It doesn’t happen at our age so much anymore, but yes that kind of understanding,” interrupted Daphne. “So something simple is better if you’re worried.” Theo nodded his agreement. 

“Right well I’m headed to bed before I accidentally engage myself to blaise by asking for a quill or something,” she called as she headed for the dormitory.  

The group chuckled.  “What was that about?” Harry asked as he and Draco made their way through the common room with windswept hair.  

“Just a round of pureblood etiquette lessons,” shrugged Theo, passing Harry a piece of parchment with the bullet points on it.  

“Thanks mate,” Harry grinned, “I owe you one.”  

-

The rest of term was spent studying late into the night.  Hermione tried her best to stay in the quiet room, but was usually dragged out by her friends either for a mandatory break or to help one of them with their own revisions.  

“Hermione please can I see your potions essay?” begged Greg from behind a pile of Charms books Hermione had piled up on her left side.  

“Fine Greg, just don’t copy it,” she handed it over, turning back to Theo and Draco as they went over the transfiguration homework.  Hermione had quickly learned that while most of the group was competent in lessons, Theo shared her love of learning and could easily keep up, and while Harry and Draco performed well, neither of them cared much for the theory and would rather go flying or discuss quidditch tactics.  

Harry and Daphne were working on Charms at the table over, and Pansy was revising a Herbology essay with Blaise’s help.  Vince, Millie, and Tracey had given up for the night and were playing a game of exploding snap in the corner of the room, likely so Hermione couldn’t scold them for not working.   

As exams approached the stress level rose in the group.  Many of their parents expected reasonable showings in their marks, not to mention that it boosted house morale when Slytherin’s came out on top.  The boys took turns forcing Hermione to bed at night, while the girls would lock her trunk and charm her curtains not to open until 7 so she was forced to get a reasonable amount of sleep.  One thing was sure, Slytherins took care of their own, and as much as she might grumble, Hermione was grateful to all of them, which she showed by helping them all with their revising.  

To everyone’s horror, Hermione created a formal study group with permission from Snape and required all Slytherins in their year to join her in the Library every Thursday evening going over the most frequently tested subjects.  Neville had approached on the second evening asking if he could attend, and on the third he brought along Hannah and Terry Boot.  

As expected, Hermione came out on top of the class, with Theo right behind her.  Even Harry and Draco managed to make the top 10 of the class, beating out several of the annoyed Ravenclaws.  

“Wow,” Hermione exclaimed leaving breakfast once scores were posted, “imagine coming from a Pureblood house with 17 brothers and still placing near the bottom of the class. I’m sure mummy will be proud.”  Ron Weasley only glared at her, his nose had been set back in minutes by Madam Pomfrey.  

Draco had smirked approvingly at her, but took Pansy’s hand as they made their way back to their common room to pack for the holidays.  

-

Hermione begged her parents to go to Diagon Alley once more before Yule to finish her shopping.  She had bought the girls muggle makeup and magazines as they seemed to be obsessed with fashion, but picked up some specialty candies for Greg and Vince, a new book on healing for Theo, a handsome eagle feather quill for Blaise, and a quidditch theory book for Harry, but was struggling with a gift for Draco.  Keeping in mind what Theo and Daphne had said she stuck to the quidditch shoppe, choosing a pair of fur lined broom gripping gloves, and mailed her gifts out via the post office.  

He sent her a hair clip.  Not an heirloom, but it was beautiful, silver with white and green glass crystals decorating it.  She wore it to her grandmother’s society party to ring in the New Year and was showered with compliments.  

She packed it away in her trunk but didn’t wear it to the platform.  Even with the explanations on Yule gifts, she wasn’t sure what it meant.  If it counted, or what it would count as.