The Sorting Hat
Hermione stood wearily on the platform with her brother on one side, and her Papa on the other. The morning had reflected Hermione's mood quite perfectly, she thought. Dark and gloomy.
While Hermione had been looking forward to Hogwarts during her first life, she was incredibly hesitant this time. The last time she's seen Hogwarts, Death Eaters were storming the impenetrable castle. Headmaster Dumbledore had died. The Malfoy's agreement with The Order had been solidified when the younger Malfoy had sent out a signal about the impending doom. Harry, Ron and Hermione's lives had been changed irrevocably.
Hogwarts was no longer associated with the wondrous magic and endless opportunities. It was no longer something she could think about without being riddled with nightmares. It was no longer home. In a sick twist of fate, Hermione was destined to call the manor in which she was tortured, home. Malfoy Manor had become her sanctuary in this timeline. Her heart longed for the blanket of the Manor's familiar, familial wards engulfing her and keeping her safe. She had rarely ventured outside of the manor, excepting playdates with only a rather specific group of children, and pureblood parties.
Lucius had taken her trunk, along with his, to put inside the train. "I'll find you before we board, Hermione," the boy had told her mechanically, his mask intact for the public to see. Hermione nodded, almost timidly. How she wished Eudora was here to calm her. Alas, Eudora Malfoy was stuck in the French Villa caring for sick Grandmother Ursula. Once Lucius left, Hermione turned to her father with a small frown gracing her face, only to find Abraxas looking down knowingly at her.
"Don't think about them," Abraxas said imperiously, his pureblood upbringing showing through the commanding tone. "You'll only make yourself sick, Hermione."
Hermione only nodded her head, resisting the urge to fidget under her papa's eyes. Abraxas gave her another look. "Did you drink your draught of peace this morning? I can have your elf deliver it now, if you'd like some more." The mention of her personal elf, Whimsy, seemed to bring Hermione back from her stupor. Hermione only narrowed her eyes at Abraxas, saying, "I did. Whimsy made sure of it."
Abraxas allowed a small smirk to intercede his carefully crafted mask. "I hope you won't give the elves at Hogwarts any more grief, lovely. You know better now, don't you?" Abraxas asked to distract her instead, his smirk flickering to a smug smile just long enough for Hermione to catch it. Hermione huffed, suppressing a shudder at the memory of all the Malfoy elves congregating in her personal receiving room, lecturing her on bonds and elf welfare. It lasted for four hours, Hermione remembered. Four Hours . They wouldn't even let her ask questions until the very end or have a parchment to take down notes of key things to remember.
"I did drink the draught after breakfast, Papa. And I know better now than to start S.P.E.W. lest I get lectured by the elves in the manor again," Hermione answered primly, focusing on correcting the lilac silk, tailored-robes. Abraxas only hummed in response. "Whimsy will be available at any time should you ever need her while in Hogwarts. If not, call for Primplet or Strauss for assistance," the man reminded Hermione once more. "Should you ever wish to come home, owl me and I will personally come and get you, Hermione."
Hermione gave him a sweet smile and nodded. His reminders seem to alleviate some part of her anxiety, and she was immensely grateful for it. "I know, Papa."
Abraxas gave her a swift nod. "And you remember that spell your mother taught you?" He asked carefully, his eyes flickering to her left arm briefly. His eyes were filled with so much concern and sorrow every time the attempts to remove the scar backfired. "Yes, papa," Hermione answered softly, reaching out for her Papa's hand and squeezing it. Mum, Eudora, had taken to teaching her all sorts of beauty spells. Along with it, she taught Hermione the very specific, obscure glamour charm and healing spells for her mangled arm. There were times that her arm would randomly bleed and it worried her Malfoy parents greatly. Eudora even taught her the highly advanced numbing spell for the red-purplish scar on her abdomen, courtesy of Dolohov. It was one of the few remaining scars that are taking a long time to heal, and even longer to fade. Abraxas squeezed her hand back, letting a rarely-seen in public, soft smile slip.
"The Potter's are coming our way, Papa," Hermione whispered, spying the boisterous man with unmistakable Potter hair. Over this last few months, Abraxas and Lord Charlus Potter had become more cordial, if not bordering friendly, with each other. Despite sharing the same year at Hogwarts, Abraxas and Charlus had never gotten along. She didn't exactly know why they started forming this tentative friendship but she was quite glad over this. The more dark families that form friendships with the light families, the better.
"Abraxas," Lord Potter greeted with his usual pep. "Charlus, Dorea. Lovely to see you again!" Abraxas replied evenly, adopting a more relaxed stance. Hermione spied James Potter skulking behind his mother, fidgeting with a golden snitch. "Where is Eudora today? She is still coming for dinner tonight, I hope?" Dorea asked him. Abraxas nodded once while Hermione tried to keep the surprise out of her face. Dinner? Neither her mum nor papa had mentioned anything about dining with the Potter's tonight. "Yes, she is. Unfortunately Eudora's presently taking care of my mother until the live-in healers arrive, so she can't see the children off." Dorea smiled, accepting the answer. "Well I look forward to meeting her tonight. Exciting things are coming, I believe!" Dorea smiled easily, though Hermione could swear she saw the woman winking mischievously at her.
"Hermione, it is lovely to see you again. I shall dearly miss your presence in our weekly get togethers," Dorea spoke. Hermione smiled at the lovely woman. "Yes, I will miss it too, Auntie. I hope it's alright if I send you letters, once in a while?" The woman beamed at her, taking the younger girl into a hug despite what proper decorum insists. "I would be delighted, darling. Merlin knows Jamie will not send me letters unless it's about something truly bad or if he wants for something. Oh, yes! You simply must send me letters, dear." Hermione giggled along with Dorea at James's grumblings.
"I believe James is interested in becoming a lion, like his father?" Abraxas asked the group. "Oh, yes! I swear that boy gets nothing from me," Dorea laughed, though it sounded strained. Charlus seemed a bit tense at Abraxas' question as well but quickly fixed his posture. "Not an ounce of Slytherin in that boy," Charlus quickly replied, following Dorea's laughter. Abraxas nodded, chuckling, not acknowledging their company's unease. "I believe I know heartily what you mean, Charlus. Hermione is rather set on being a Ravenclaw," Abraxas replied, diffusing the mounting tension.
"Or a Gryff, Papa!" Hermione told him teasingly, to which the adults laughed. Abraxas only rolled his eyes in amusement. "She lives to defy," he commented, eliciting a chuckle. "Hermione should definitely not be in Slytherin," James piped in, mischief colouring his smile. "Slytherins are slimy snakes and Hermione, no matter how annoying,-" Hermione stuck a tongue out at the boy, "-is most definitely a Gryffindor, like myself!"
Hermione huffed at the boy. "You're a lot more annoying than I am, James! Very raucous and loud!" Hermione retorted, inwardly cringing at a lack of better response. James threw his hands out dramatically as if saying, 'see what I mean?' James then shook his head. "I'm convinced that half of the words that Hermione speaks is made up," He told the group seriously, enticing another round of laughs and chuckles.
"I am a proud Slytherin, if you must know, James!" Dorea commented. James, Hermione observed, immediately noticing the way his body language change from confident to awkward. The boy shrugged, "you're my mum, though. Not slimy at all. Even Mr. Malfoy is not slimy. The rest of the Slytherins though," he answered. Dorea only shook her head fondly at her son.
"Well, you better go sit inside the train now. I expect it'll be departing very soon," Dorea announced to the group.
The anxiety in her stomach swelled and now she felt nauseous. Abraxas immediately reached for her, taking her into a tight hug then kissing her forehead. "Be brave, my Hermione," he whispered in her ear, a sentiment rarely shared and spoken by Slytherins. "Remember, I will always be proud of you no matter what. You have changed our family for the better, Hermione." Hermione fought off the urge to cry and nodded at her papa. "I'll write you and mum every week," Hermione promised. "I love you, papa," Hermione hugged him again, tighter. "I love you too, poppet. It's time to go now," He told her, and they parted. It seemed proper decorum went out the window when sending children to Hogwarts as she noticed a lot of pureblood families sending their children off with teary smiles.
Lucius reached their group and final goodbyes between him and Abraxas were exchanged. Then, the fourth-year student whisked both her and James inside the train. Hermione briefly caught the side of an irate Walburga Black berating Sirius. To his credit, Sirius only looked annoyed at the woman. When she caught his eye, a silent understanding formed between them. He'll sit with her, they agreed. It was hard to ever meet Sirius Black anywhere other than a party, where conversations were stilted and eavesdropped on. Walburga had barred Sirius from the public, aside from during galas and the like - where there's proper company, and rarely ever accepted the playdate invitations Eudora sent (only ever accepting when it wasn't a mixed playdate). Hermione and Sirius had begun a tentative friendship ever since she rescued him from Walburga's ire during that very first Black Party she attended. Now, whenever there are any parties that they both attended, Sirius would seek her out by default, and by extension, her group of friends. James and Sirius had never spoken to each other at the parties though and now Hermione found herself curious if the Hogwarts Express was where they became friends.
James appeared to notice the direction where Lucius was directing them to - the unofficial Slytherin territories. "Lu', must we really go this way?" He whined. Hermione hid a chuckle at the scowl Lucius immediately wore. It was Hermione's nickname for her brother that most of her friends had adopted to tease the older boy that irked him so much. "You will need to sit with proper witches and wizards," was Lucius' answered. Hermione's mind instantly shrieked in alarm. "I swear to Merlin, Lucius, if if you make me sit with Megara Parkinson, Eurydice Fawley, and Jezebel Strober I will hex you, brother," She threatened. "I'll help," James chimed in, equally fierce. Lucius frowned at the two children in front of him. "Utter menaces, the both of you," he grumbled. "Fine. Go sit with your usual group of friends. Rosier is already settled with Urquhart in the Slytherin's cabins. Perhaps Alice Greengrass and Lavinia Bones will be a suitable enough influence on both of your stubborn heads. Do you know where your friends are?" He asked them. "Vinnie is sitting with her cousin but Alice said that she'll snag the compartments at the other end for us," James answered to which Lucius nodded. As Lucius was about to leave, Hermione stopped him. "Will I see you after the Welcoming Feast, Lu'?" She asked hesitantly, feeling foolish and small.
Lucius gave his sister an indulgent, small smile. "If not after the Welcoming Feast, I will see you tomorrow during breakfast." Hermione nodded at his words and just as she was about to leave, Lucius spoke again. "And please, for the love of Merlin, don't get sorted into Gryffindor, Hermione." James snorted while Hermione giggled.
During the whole time spent tracking their friends, Hermione and James bickered about something or other. It was playful banter and James had toned down his obnoxiousness considerably.
Hermione found Alice in a compartment with Sirius Black. Though, Alice seems to be lecturing the boy already. When the young brunette spotted them outside of the compartment, Alice immediately opened the compartment door to let them in. "Oh, thank Merlin, you're here!" Alice sighed, throwing her arms around Hermione to a desperate hug. "Sirius Black will give me gray hair soon, I reckon!" The witch wailed.
Hermione stifled a giggle and got Alice off of her. "I understand what you mean completely, Allie," looking at a sheepish James pointedly. Alice only groaned seeing the young Potter's face. "I fear for the day Sirius and James decided to team up on us, 'Mi! Oh, we have to escape while we can. Come, to the trolley we go!" The brunette dramatically announced, making a show of dragging Hermione away. Hermione laughed again. "Of course, we do. Do you boys want anything?" Hermione asked both Sirius and James, both looking at the other wearily.
"Cauldron cakes, if they have any," came Sirius' answer. "Chocolate frogs," James told her.
Hermione nodded her head. "All right. Please don't explode our compartment while we're away," with that parting remark, Alice dragged Hermione towards the trolley lady who was only a few compartments away. Alice had bought an outrageous amount of all things chocolate while Hermione got a few cauldron cakes, chocolate frogs, and jelly slugs. "It's to share, Hermione!" Alice had defended her purchase with a pout.
As they turned to walk back towards the compartment, a young lanky boy with long black hair and a big nose shoved Hermione to the side thunderously after coming from their compartment. All the sweets on Hermione's arm were strewn everywhere as she grasped the window to avoid a fall. "Hermione!" She heard Alice shout in concern, immediately dropping her purchases on the floor to help her up. "Oh, that awful boy!" Alice grumbled. "Are you alright, 'Mi?"
Hermione dusted her robes, patting them down lightly with her hands. "I'm alright, Allie," Hermione replied with a small smile, only a little bit subdued at the sight of her previous Potions professor. The girl made quick use of her wand to gather all the sweets for both her and Alice to pick up. "Come on, then. It's not worth making enemies before we get to Hogwarts," Hermione told the brunette, tugging her towards the compartment. Alice shook her head, "if you're sure..."
"-arrogant toerags, the both of you!" a shrill voice screamed, and out came a redhead with furious green eyes from the compartment. Hermione and Alice narrowly avoided the girl walking with self-righteous fury. Lily Evans, Harry's mum, Hermione's mind supplied. With that recognition, Hermione wilted a little bit more. "Oh, what have they done now?" Alice sighed.
"Maybe I won't be in Slytherin?" Hermione heard Sirius say, his aristocratic voice laced with hopeful determination. "Choice should account for something," he continued. "Yeah, you're alright enough to be a Gryffindor," James answered just as Alice opened the compartment door. "What did you say that made that awful boy so furious?" Alice immediately demanded as she entered. "Who?" James asked.
"That thin boy with black hair. He shoved Hermione, you know. Almost made her fall!" Alice told them. With this James frowned while Sirius's face twisted. "I'm fine. Please, let's not make enemies before we even reach Hogwarts," Hermione told the small group before the boys could ask. Alice only shook her head. "Lucius and Evan would be furious if they ever find out," Alice said, pointedly looking at Hermione. Hermione shrugged, "what they don't know can't hurt them."
Hermione handed out the sweets she and Alice had bought, effectively ending the discussion, and the rest of the train ride went smooth sailing.
Hermione knew she probably should seek out Remus Lupin so that he can join them, but she doesn't know him yet. It would be quite odd for her to suddenly befriend a boy she's never previously met before and bring him to her friends. Alice would demand an explanation, knowing Hermione well enough to understand how hesitant she is with new people.
Hours upon hours later, they finally arrived at Hogsmeade station. The small group had exhausted any form of games that they had brought along with them and was excited to finally get out of the train. Everyone was dressed in their black Hogwarts uniform now, ready and excited to be sorted into their houses. "I bet we have to battle a dragon or something!" Hermione heard James telling a group of other first years while getting in line to get to the boats. Their eyes widened comically, and Hermione had to resist the urge to laugh (like Sirius and Alice) and pulled on her annoyance for James instead. "Don't listen to him," Hermione piped in. "We're being sorted using The Sorting Hat, it's not painful and you definitely won't have to fight a dragon off."
The girls sighed, relieved, while the single boy listening was nodding, still nervous. James chuckled at the three of them. "My name's James Potter, and she's Hermione Malfoy. You are?"
The girls smiled. "Matilda Caruso," the girl with short blonde hair replied. "Mary Macdonald," the girl with bob black hair followed. "Tilly and I found out we were witches together!" Mary supplied. Hermione bit back a grimace at the blatant telling of blood status and smiled pleasantly instead. The boy with brown hair and blue eyes looked at the two girls with poorly guarded disgust. "You're mu-muggle-borns?" He asked, his voice pitchy. The girls proudly nodded their heads. "This is Peter Pettigrew," Mary told James and Hermione. Hermione had to bite her tongue to stop herself from lashing out at the boy. "He sat with us throughout the whole train ride," Mary continued.
"Pleasure," Hermione bid, just in time for their group's turn to get onto the boat. Sirius helped her in, placing her at the back end, while James helped Allie on the front end. Seeing Sirius's nervousness spurred her anxiety. "No matter what houses we get sort into, we'll still be friends," Hermione said to the group. Alice immediately echoed the sentiment, and while James was more hesitant, Hermione's and Alice's levelled glares were enough to make him agree.
The boat ride was done with loads of 'oooh's and 'aah's, children marvelling over the castle's beauty. Hermione, though, could not stop herself from seeing the castle from her past, seeing the green mark floating over the astronomy tower. She sighed inwardly, hoping her plan would work today. It was the second step in her long list of 'To Do's to prevent the war and bring about Voldemort's demise, for good.
As they reach the castle, Professor McGonagall led them to the waiting area, a small empty chamber to the right off the Great Hall. Hermione could hear the chatters of hundreds of voices from a doorway that led to the Great Hall. Hermione noticed the number of first years - it was considerably greater than the number of her own classmates back in her original timeline. Affects of the war, she supposed. Adults would be reluctant to bring children into a world at war, therefore reducing the number of magical children in her class. This time though, there are at least 50 children, gathered close together, unlike what they would have done normally.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. Hermione, having heard her speech once already, took the time to survey her year mates. She could spot Lavinia Bones standing by Dorian Urquhart and Evan Rosier. Vinnie's cousin, Amelia, was a year above them and in Slytherin, so it would make sense for Vinnie to stick with Dorian and Evan. Just a few steps to the right was Megara Parkinson, Eurydice Fawley, and Hyperion Greengrass - Alice's cousin. Slightly to the left of Hermione, a few paces front stood Lily Evans and Severus Snape. Behind them, she saw was Xiu Chang (Cho's father) and Priyanka Patel. Hermione shook out of her stupor when Alice grasped her left arm. "Come on," the girl whispered. "Professor McGonagall said that the Sorting ceremony's about to start."
The first years were directed to form two lines, and the doors to the Great Hall was thrown open dramatically. Hermione could hear the awed, whispered chatters of her fellow first years.
Hermione sought her brother out as she walked, finding him seated in between Narcissa Black and Andromeda Black (Hermione could not be more gleeful than when she learned Bellatrix had already graduated from Hogwarts the year prior). Hermione was distinctly familiar with the sane Black sisters. Andromeda frequently visited the manor with Lucius's usual group of friends, Narcissa often tagging along. Andromeda and Lucius were in the same year, whereas Narcissa was a year younger than Andromeda.
Hermione felt odd as the group of first years came to a halt. Hermione stood right beside the furious redhead, Lily Evans, from earlier today. She was looking at the ceiling, which did not look like a ceiling at all, oddly. Hermione hid a fond chuckle as Lily wore a pensive expression, which Hermione was all too familiar with. "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts, A History," Hermione whispered to Lily. Hermione couldn't help herself - remembering the first time she said those words. The redhead's green eyes widened just a fraction before nodding at her words. "It's beautiful," came Lily's reply.
There was utter silence for a few seconds before the sorting hat came alive and sang the same song she's heard at least six times before. Hermione found Sirius's hand on one side, and Alice's on the other. "Remember what we agreed on," Hermione whispered. They squeezed her hand back, and that was that.
"Abbott, Eugene," and thus began the sorting. "HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat roared to the rowdy applause of the Hufflepuff table and polite claps from the other houses. This would take a while, Hermione knew. Sirius was sorted to the Gryffindor house to the utter bafflement of the Great Hall, and so she, Alice, James, and by extension, Dorian, Lavinia and Evan, cheered him on. The rest of the hall soon followed, albeit reluctantly. "You should make sure Sirius won't open his mail in public tomorrow morning. I expect Lady Black would have words to say about this," Hermione whispered to James and Alice. They immediately agreed, having the displeasure of meeting Lady Walburga Black once in a party. She was already miserable enough when not spewing profanities.
Lavinia Bones was sorted into Hufflepuff, as most Bones were. Soon came Alice's sorting, which predictably landed her in Gryffindor with Sirius. Sirius was the first to welcome her, immediately pulling her into a hug. A few droll minutes later, it was Lily Evans' turn to be sorted into Gryffindor, much to Snape's disappointment. Snape, it seemed, had not learned the art of masking his expressions, allowing the whole world to see the sadness that emanated from Lily's sorting. Remus Lupin's was shortly sorted into Gryffindor, too.
"Malfoy, Hermione," Professor McGonagall called.
Hermione primly walked towards the stool, and Professor McGonagall lowered the Sorting Hat onto her. " Oh, my, my! It seems like we have a time traveller in our midst. Welcome to 1971, Ms. Granger," The Sorting Hat spoke into her mind. "It's Malfoy, please," Hermione answered inwardly. " Yes, you have settled into your new family quite well, Miss Malfoy. I see you have done us a great service in your past life, for that, I must thank you. The road you lead is long and winding. It will come with more than a few heartaches and battered bones. It will be lonely and involve many sacrifices on your part. Are you prepared for that, Miss Malfoy?" He asked. " I am," she answered. The hat hummed. " Perhaps, I'll put you in Gryffindor, like your old self. You retain her qualities."
Hermione refused to be sorted into Gryffindor.
" I will need to be in a house where I can freely speak to both sides. Somewhere neutral. Put me in Ravenclaw, Mr. Hat," Hermione pleaded. "I have to save them. All of them."
The hat was quiet for a few long seconds. " I wish you great luck, Miss Malfoy. May the stars above be with you every step of the way. You are destined to do great things but you must remember that you are not alone in your journey ," the hat told her. " RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione was pale-faced as she walked towards the Ravenclaw table. She caught several of her friends' faces, all happy for her. Hermione took a seat next to Matilda Caruso, who greeted her. Across from her was Pandora Maestro, looking eerily like Luna Lovegood, and a girl with straight brown hair. "I'm Iridessa Diggory, but please call me 'Riri'. It's nice to see you, Miss Malfoy," Iridessa, the girl with straight brown hair, said to her, shaking her hand. "Please, do call me Hermione, Riri. It's a pleasure to meet you, as well."
Hermione paid attention to the sorting ceremony diligently. It was almost the 'P' surnames.
Priyanka Patel was sorted into Hufflepuff. Megara Parkinson, predictably, into Slytherin. "Pettigrew, Peter," McGonagall called, and Hermione's heart stopped. Remembering all her lessons from Abraxas Malfoy, and channelling her magical reserve, Hermione did not break eye contact with the sorting hat. It was time to enact the second step of her plan. Wandlessly and nonverbally, Hermione shot a confundus at the Hat. She hoped to the Gods above that the spell worked.
Peter Pettigrew cannot be friends with James Potter, her mind chanted. She felt slightly guilty of depriving Peter of a loyal friendship, but Harry Potter, her best friend, had to come first. Harry needs his parents to survive, and that meant putting Peter Pettigrew, the rat, out of the equation.
Swallowing her guilt, Hermione stared straight at the scene in front of her. Any moment now, the hat will announce his house. Please work .
Hermione's heart was pounding rapidly against her chest, she doesn't know if she looks any paler or not. She kept her carefully-crafted, pureblood mask (that her Eudora had taught her) up. She cannot risk this going awry.
Peter Pettigrew cannot be friends with James Potter.
The hat twitched, and the rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth. "SLYTHERIN!" The hat screamed, and amongst the elated crowd, she let a relieved sigh out. Her ears rang a high pitched sound as the blood in her seemed to slowly circulate once more. Had she really truly prevented Pettigrew from becoming a Gryffindor?
Hermione watched as Peter Pettigrew walked towards the Slytherin table. She kept on watching, up until he sat by the other first years.
Peter Pettigrew cannot be friends with James Potter.
Her heart steadied, and a small smile slipped out.
Peter Pettigrew cannot be friends with James Potter.
Hermione let a small sigh out as she turned her head back towards the front of the Great Hall. It was James's turn to be sorted. Reminiscent of another boy's sorting, the hat barely touched his head when it screamed out, "Gryffindor!"
All was well tonight.