1st September 1976 - Evening



Hermione was not sure what she should do. Should she help him or just pretend that she did not notice what happened? She kept her eyes on Snape as if in a trance, while he continued to glare at Lily and James. Without another thought Hermione jumped out of her seat and rushed over to him. At first, Snape did not notice her.

Hermione cleared her throat, bent down, then started to pick up some of his books. “Let me help you,” she offered quietly.

When she caught the look in his eyes, as she glanced up at him, she immediately froze. Snape’s eyes were narrowed and his fists were balled up tightly. He did not say a word, but stared at her for an uncomfortable amount of time.

Hermione kept her gaze locked in his and felt goose bumps form on her arms due to the glare he gave her. What in the hell am I doing? Say something, Hermione! She gulped. “Er – That was – What they – I saw what happened,” she stammered.

Snape’s eyes widened briefly before his expression returned to the unfriendly mask it was a moment before. He looked at her like she was a different species.

“Who are you?” he demanded, quite harshly.

Hermione flinched, stood up quickly and extended her hand. “Oh,” she said. She felt her face heat up, she was mortified. “I’m sorry,” she continued. “I’m Hermione. Hermione Devereux.”

Snape looked down at her hand in disgust and then back into her eyes. Hermione remained completely still, her hand outstretched. She maintained eye contact. She felt like she approached a dangerous animal and did not even dare to breathe.

Hermione’s arm started to shake from holding it out for so long, but she did not lower it. She was determined to make headway with him. Snape’s head cocked a bit to the side as he looked down at her hand once again, then rolled his eyes. He quickly turned his back on her, snorted, and bent down to pick up his belongings. Hermione dropped her arm and stood there dumbfounded.

“I didn’t ask for your help!” he spat at her from the floor, which caused her to jump.

Oh this is going fantastically well, she thought sarcastically. She took in a deep breath, exhaled loudly and joined him on the floor.

“Yes, I know. It’s just - I saw what happened and thought it was terrible.”

She did not actually lie. She knew that James and Sirius did not get on very well with Snape, but the whole exchange seemed completely unprovoked and it bothered her terribly. Hermione hated seeing anyone bullied or mistreated for seemingly no reason. She was more than aware of how that felt.

Snape grunted. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion either,” he mumbled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Well this is going to be quite fun getting to know him. “I’m sorry. Have I done something to offend you? I just thought you could use a hand,” she snapped. Great, Hermione. Start shouting at him. I’m sure he’s going to take that well. She watched Snape’s shoulders tense up and heard him let out a deep breath.

“I don’t need your help, or anyone else’s. Just – Just leave,” he hissed. Snape still had his back to her. He seemed determined not to look at her for some reason.

She flinched again at his words as she clutched tightly to three of his books that she held in her hands. Her heart dropped and she felt an irrational surge of anger at his bitter tone. She couldn’t understand why he was so cruel to someone who tried to be nice to him. The way he treated her...it was as if she were the one who had just knocked him to the ground.

She stood up slowly and walked over to Snape, who was still crouched down. She watched him stiffen as she neared and bent over to hand him his books. He looked at her hands only, quickly snatched them away from her, and returned to gathering the rest of his things. He did not thank her.

Hermione shook her head sadly then turned around and noticed some of the students looking at her in blatant disbelief. “Yep. You’re welcome,” she whispered sarcastically as she walked away.

She returned to her seat at the Ravenclaw table and ignored her housemates who openly gawked at her. As she chanced a glance over towards the Gryffindors, she saw Sirius nudge James, whisper something in his ear and, at the same time, they both looked right at her. Immediately she looked away and focused her attention on Dumbledore, who now stood up to address the returning students and the anxious first years.

Hermione felt hurt, angry and a bit disappointed. Her first exchange with Snape went even worse than she imagined it would. She could not concentrate on what Dumbledore was saying, or what the Sorting Hat warbled, but she knew that it didn’t really matter. Dumbledore always saved the important information for after the sorting, and whatever warning the hat may have given was irrelevant to her. She knew of what was to come.

Right as dinner first appeared, Hermione turned around to look at the Slytherin table. She scanned up and down until, finally, her eyes rested on Snape. He had his head down, sat away from the rest of his housemates and had a book opened next to his plate. She couldn’t help but to feel sorry for him as she watched him sitting all alone. No wonder he was so miserable. He doesn’t have anyone, does he?

Suddenly, Snape looked up from his book and locked eyes with Hermione. Oh bugger! He’s going to think I’m a nutter! Once again, he did not look very welcoming towards her. His nostrils flared and his eyebrows looked like they became one. Not knowing what else to do, Hermione offered a tight smile – although it looked more like a grimace – and she turned around hastily.

Come on, Hermione. He’s obviously not a very open person. You need to take this slowly with him, she scolded herself.

“I can’t believe you actually went over to help Severus Snape. He’s honestly not the nicest person,” a girl whispered beside her, which caused Hermione to nearly fall out of her seat. She hadn’t even noticed the short-haired brunette.

The girl giggled softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” she apologized.

After the shock had worn off, Hermione fixed a smile on her face. “No, that’s alright. I guess I just didn’t realize you were there.”

“So it seems,” she laughed. “I’m sorry, how horribly rude of me. I’m Amelia Bones.”

Hermione felt a sting of sadness as she looked at the young woman in front of her, with her short bob haircut, warm brown eyes and full lips, which were turned up in a friendly smile. She knew that Amelia was brutally murdered – presumably by Voldemort, himself – the summer between Hermione’s fifth and sixth years. Her death had been very public. It even made the Muggle news. She tried as hard as she could to push those thoughts away for now.

“Pleasure to meet you, Amelia. I’m Hermione Devereux,” she introduced herself.

“Lovely to meet you as well, Hermione.” Amelia smiled kindly. “I don’t believe we’ve ever received a transfer student before. What brings you to Hogwarts?”

And it begins, Hermione thought, before she told Amelia the lie which would be her life there. She explained how she was home-schooled in France, her parents were on business in The States, she was now a sixth year and how her – she cringed – Uncle Albus agreed to let her attend Hogwarts for the remainder of her Magical Education.

When Hermione mentioned she was Dumbledore’s niece, Amelia’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

“Wow… You’re related to Professor Dumbledore?” she asked in awe.

Hermione knew that would not be the last time she would see that look of utter astonishment at the mention of she being his relation. Until that moment, she never realized how uncomfortable it truly would make her feel.

“Yep,” she responded, her mouth popping on the P.

Hermione quickly stuffed a large forkful of potatoes in her mouth to avoid further conversation for the time being.

“Well it’s lovely to have you with us,” Amelia said kindly.

Hermione nodded her thanks as she continued to eat the way Ron usually would and she would scold him for. The comparison made her smile sadly.

As she ate, she realized just how famished she was, since all she had eaten in the last two days had been the sandwich she had that afternoon.

Amelia must have taken the hint that Hermione did not wish to carry on and the two girls ate in mutual silence. Although, it seemed that they were the only two who were eating quietly. The Great Hall was just as loud as it was in her time; lots of chatter, laughter and silverware clanging on plates. Despite the scene being so familiar to her, she had never felt so out of place and alone. Soon the noise died down and Dumbledore rose to address his students.

“Good evening to you all!” he greeted warmly. “Now that you all are well fed and hydrated, please excuse me while I bore you with some start of term notices,” Dumbledore announced with the familiar twinkle in his eye. He went on with the usual information; the Forbidden Forest was off-limits, a list of banned items, when Quidditch tryouts would be, and when Apparating lessons would begin for all of those who would be seventeen on or before the 31st of August. Hermione knew she would be skipping out on those as she already knew how to Apparate and would risk being splinched if she tried to pretend she did not know how to do it.

“And finally,” Dumbledore continued, “I would like to welcome two new faces to Hogwarts this year. First,” he inclined his head towards a young-looking, stocky wizard with short black hair, thick-framed glasses, a toothy grin, round face and wide nose, who sat to the right of Professor McGonagall. “Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor; Professor Leonard Crabtree.” Dumbledore paused while a round of light, polite applause broke out across the hall. Professor Crabtree bowed his head in acknowledgement and smiled jovially.

“Yes, welcome, welcome, Professor,” Dumbledore said as the clapping died down. He waited until it was silent once more and went on. “Next, as I am sure all of you have noticed by now, we have a new student.” He looked directly at Hermione. Now that Dumbledore had acknowledged it, it seemed like every student felt they had permission to turn and stare at Hermione. She had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. She slouched down in her seat; her face felt like it was on fire. “Hermione Devereux – my niece – has graciously agreed to join us here at Hogwarts for her final two years of schooling. Up until this year, she had been home-schooled by her parents. I trust you all will welcome her with open arms and help her become settled in, to the best of your abilities,” he said lightly.

“Oh, it would be my pleasure to help her to the best of my abilities,” Sirius yelled out across the hall.

Most of the students erupted in laughter and Hermione felt like she would be sick. She looked at Dumbledore, who was obviously not very amused by Sirius’ outburst at all.

“That will do, Mr. Black,” Dumbledore scolded sternly.

Hermione was completely mortified. She watched Sirius smirk smugly, James and Peter laugh and Remus shake his head. She then turned around and looked at Snape. He was giving Sirius death glare and looked like he was gritting his teeth. She knew that he didn’t like Sirius, but she couldn’t understand why what he said about her had made him appear so angry. It’s probably because Sirius didn’t really get in any sort of trouble for that. Dumbledore basically just gave him a slap on the wrist for that comment. Snape then glanced towards Hermione and saw her looking at him. His eyes opened widely and he shook his head as if silently asking, “What?” She turned back around and was now convinced he thought she was mental.

Dumbledore said a few more things, but she was not listening. Her plan of remaining unnoticed went completely wrong for her. How would anyone forget something like that happening at the Welcoming Feast?

“Hermione, are you alright?” Amelia asked and looked very concerned for her.

She nodded. “Yes. I’m fine. That was just a bit rude, that’s all.”

Amelia let out a short laugh. “Don’t pay attention to Black. And don’t let his good looks fool you, either. He may be very charming, but he’s a slug. He’ll only show interest until you show it back, and then he’s finished with you. He must run through a dozen girls each year.” She shook her head. “You would think they would wise up by now.”

Hermione noticed she sounded quite bitter and wondered if Amelia had been one of those dozens of girls at some point.

“Well, I really couldn’t be bothered. I’m not here to date. I’m here to finish my education,” Hermione lied smoothly.

Amelia looked surprised and very satisfied by that response. “Seems like you have your priorities sorted out quite well.”

“Not always,” Hermione laughed. She couldn’t help but be amused by that comment when she had been told the opposite by Ron and Harry so many times throughout her life.

While the girls were talking, Dumbledore must have dismissed everyone for the evening. The students all rose and the prefects called out to the first years.

Amelia stood up first. “Come on, Hermione. I’ll show you to the common room if you’d like,” she offered.

“Oh – Well. I arrived last night, so I do know where it is. But I would love some company for the walk up,” Hermione said.

As the girls walked out into the corridors, they heard someone yell behind them.

“Devereux! Hey, Devereux!”

Hermione’s stomach churned. She knew exactly who that was. This cannot be happening to me.

Amelia looked behind and groaned. “Ugh, it’s Black. Just keep walking, Hermione. Maybe he’ll go away.”

“Here’s to hoping.” Hermione laughed uncomfortably as the girls continued on.

“DEVEREUX!” Sirius bellowed.

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked a little more briskly. She had a feeling something like this might happen. Just like she thought earlier that day, she was an oddity. Of course she would spark interest in the students. Why did Dumbledore have to introduce me that way?

A few seconds later, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She immediately froze and gave a panicked look to Amelia, whose eyes turned to slits.

Amelia turned around quicker than Hermione would have thought humanly possible.

“Leave her alone, Black,” she hissed. “Haven’t you already embarrassed her enough?” She drew herself up to full height and placed her hands on her hips.

Hermione brought herself around to face Sirius and could not believe what she saw in front of her. Everyone had been right, he really was quite stunning. She thought he was good-looking when she saw him earlier, but up close, he was even more handsome. Regardless, she could tell he was an arrogant arse and that did not sit well with her. Plus, what he did during dinner was completely unacceptable.

“May I help you with something?” Hermione asked sharply.

Sirius looked a bit shocked by her tone, his eyes went wide and he opened and closed his mouth a few times before he finally spoke.

“I – I just wanted to apologize and introduce myself.” He ran his hand through his hair and arranged his face back into a cocky grin.

Wow. He really thinks quite highly of himself, doesn’t he?

Hermione sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. Let’s hear that apology then.”

“I am so very sorry for the way I behaved,” he said with phony formality.

He’s really laying it on thick.

“And if you’d let me, I would love to make it up to you sometime.” He winked at her.

Amelia laughed and quickly covered it up with a cough. “Oh, get a grip,” she muttered. Sirius shot her an irritated look and then brought his attention back to Hermione, who was staring at him in disbelief.

He hasn’t even told me his name yet, and he’s trying to pick me up? I can’t believe he was like this before…Azkaban.

Thinking of how he looked after he spent twelve years in prison wiped all feelings of annoyance from her. Now she was filled with sadness and a bit of pity.

I shouldn’t be too hard on him, she sighed. He only has a few good years left before his life is turned completely upside down.

She looked into his clear grey eyes and smiled slightly. “I’m flattered, but I don’t date.” He opened his mouth, presumably to argue with her. “And, don’t you think it’s a bit rude to hit on me without even telling me your name yet?”

Amelia full out laughed at that and Sirius stared at her like she was a new challenge. He raised an eyebrow and smirked mischievously.

“How horribly inconsiderate of me,” he said with an air of utmost regret. “The name is Sirius Black.” He puffed out his chest. “I’m sure you’ll hear all about me.”

“Oh, please!” Amelia scoffed. Sirius quickly told her to hush and Amelia stuck her tongue out at him.

Be nice, Hermione. Remember, he has a long, hard road ahead of him, she reminded herself. “Pleasure,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Oh no.” Sirius took her hand. “Trust me. The pleasure is all mine,” he crooned.

Hermione hated to admit it, but he was pretty charming. Yet he really did not have any effect on her. She found the whole ordeal rather silly more than anything else. She pulled her hand out of his, shook her head and laughed.

“Come on, Hermione. Let’s go.” Amelia tugged on her arm and shot Sirius one last icy glare. “Goodbye, Sirius.”

Sirius chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. See you later, Bones.” He winked again at Hermione. “Hopefully I’ll be seeing much more of you.”

“Well as we both attend the same school, I don’t believe that is out of the realm of possibilities, Sirius,” Hermione said dryly.

The two girls turned around and Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. Snape was right in front of them. He glanced behind Hermione towards Sirius and then looked her up and down. “Typical,” he sneered and walked away quickly.

Great. Lovely. Just fantastic, she thought bitterly as she watched him hurry away.

When the girls entered their common room, it seemed like every member of Ravenclaw was in there, waiting for Hermione to arrive.

“How wonderful. A welcoming committee,” Amelia mumbled sarcastically. “They’re really not that bad though, Hermione.” She smiled apologetically at her.

Hermione squared her shoulders and prepared herself for the initial meeting of her housemates. She was not looking forward to it at all, not after all that had just happened. “Come on. Let’s get this over with so I can go to bed.”

A mix of sixth and seventh years were all sitting around the bronze fireplace and all smiled widely at Hermione. It looked like they all were bouncing with excitement. Hermione, on the other hand, wanted to melt into the carpet.

The first person to approach her looked vaguely familiar. She had tight blonde curls, green cat-eyed glasses, bright blue eyes and vivid red lipstick on her thin lips. She looked at the girl’s calculating eyes, as they seemed to take in Hermione’s every feature with a hungry curiosity. Suddenly, it clicked. She knew exactly who it was. Oh no. It – It couldn’t be…

The girl held her hand out for Hermione to shake. “Hello, Hermione. Rita Skeeter – sixth year. It’s a pleasure.” She introduced herself with such false politeness, it made Hermione’s skin crawl.

“Lovely to meet you,” Hermione lied as she returned her handshake.

The boy who she knew as her professor in her second year – Gilderoy Lockhart – walked over and snaked his arm around Rita’s waist. Rita looked up at him with sickeningly loving eyes. Hermione almost wretched.

“And this is my boyfriend, Gilderoy Lockhart,” Rita nearly purred.

Lockhart flashed Hermione another brilliant smile and shook her hand as well. “Don’t forget, love,” he said to Rita as he pointed at his chest. Hermione saw the badge he was proudly displaying. “And Head Boy,” he chuckled.

Hermione could only imagine how he must have lied and cheated to earn that title, if he was anything then like he would eventually become. She plastered a fake smile on her face.

“Congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment.” Hermione forced the words out to sound as genuine as possible.

It had all begun to become a bit much for her. First Snape, then Sirius and now Rita and Lockhart? She had no idea how she would get through it all.

After the first two, she was introduced to the rest of their friends. Besides Amelia and Rita, her other dorm mates were Alice McKinnon and Dorcas Meadowes. They were both beautiful girls. Alice was very petite with long dark hair, large green eyes, a tiny nose, and perfectly crafted, arched eyebrows. Docras was tall and thin with shoulder-length blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a perfectly straight, white smile. They seemed friendly enough, but almost bordering on phony. She didn’t take to the three girls as well as she had already with Amelia.

Next, Amelia introduced Hermione to her twin brother, Edgar. Edgar was just as kind as Amelia, but Hermione could tell, a bit more outgoing. He was very muscular, Keeper on the Quidditch team and looked a lot like Amelia. They each had the same shade of brown hair, brown eyes and full lips. Edgar’s two best friends were introduced to her after that; Otto Bagman and Sturgis Podmore. Otto was Ludo Bagman’s younger brother, Captain and Chaser on the Quidditch team, very loud and overly friendly. Instead of the typical handshake, the curly blond-haired, blue eyed, stocky boy pulled Hermione in for a hug, which completely shocked her. Sturgis – who was another Chaser on the team – was tall, lean and soft spoken with hazel eyes, a squared jaw and thick, straw-colored hair.

Hermione was mildly overwhelmed with all of the introductions, although everyone seemed nice enough so far.

Hermione yawned loudly. “Well, it was absolutely wonderful meeting all of you, but I’m actually pretty exhausted,” she announced to them all.

“Aw, don’t tell me you’re going to bed already? We’re just getting started!” Bagman complained.

“Yeah, Hermione. Stay up with us a little bit longer,” Edgar tried to convince her.

Just as Hermione opened her mouth to decline, Rita spoke up. “Oh, let her go to bed if she wants to! It’s not like she will be missing much.”

Hermione couldn’t help but notice the slightly jealous tone in Rita’s voice. Oh well isn’t she just as lovely as a teenager.

“Guys, leave her alone. She’s not going to suddenly disappear overnight. You’ll all see her tomorrow,” Amelia spoke up for her and looked at Hermione. “I’ll come with you if you want,” she offered.

“That would be lovely, thank you.” Hermione honestly felt pretty comfortable with Amelia already and genuinely did not mind her joining her. “I’m sorry, everyone,” she said to the room again. “It really was nice meeting you all. I guess I’ll see you all in the morning.”

The boys said goodnight to Hermione and Amelia while Rita and her other dorm mates remained in the common room. Hermione climbed the steps slowly; she wasn’t lying, she was exhausted. It had been an extremely long and stressful day.

They entered their dorm, each took a turn using the bathroom to change and wash up, then climbed into their beds.

“I need to warn you about Rita,” Amelia said from across the room.

Oh Amelia, trust me. You really don’t have to. “Yeah?” Hermione asked with feigned ignorance.

She heard Amelia exhale loudly. “Don’t trust her, Hermione. She’s been known to spread some awful rumors about people. And fairly often, they usually end up being true. Or – at least- partly true. I – I don’t know where she even gets her information.”

I might have a theory about that… “Thanks, Amelia. I’ll keep that in mind.” Hermione smiled.

The girls each got under their covers, Amelia pointed her wand at the lights and turned them out.

“So what do you think, so far?” Amelia asked in the dark.

Hermione almost laughed out loud at the thought of Amelia truly hearing her thoughts. She turned on her side and gave the best response she could think of. “It’s not so bad, I guess. Besides the whole thing with Black, everyone has been pretty nice.”

And Snape. Merlin’s Beard, was he a complete git. Well…Could you blame him? I mean, you did see how he was treated and how he sat all alone. It was like the rest of the Slytherins didn’t even acknowledge that he goes here. I’m sure anyone would be a miserable bastard if they lived like that.

“Hermione? Did you hear me?”

Hermione jumped. She did not pay attention to a word that Amelia just said. “I’m sorry, Amelia. I didn’t. What did you say?”

“That’s alright,” she laughed. “I suppose you are a tad overwhelmed today.”

You have no idea. “Yeah. Maybe just a little,” Hermione giggled nervously.

“I said, what made you go help Severus earlier?”

Oh you know. I’m just a lonely time-traveler who is here to try to save his life eventually. No big deal. “I don’t know, really. I just saw what Black and his friends did to him and how no one stepped in or did anything to help. I – I felt horrible for him,” she admitted.

“He didn’t seem like he took it very well,” she pressed on.

Hermione laughed. “No. Not exactly. I think his exact words were, I didn’t ask for your help,” she said in a deep imitation of his voice. “And then he kindly asked me to leave.”

Amelia snorted and then sighed. “Well, Hermione. There was a reason that no one helped him. He’s not exactly a warm and inviting person. I mean, I’m not excusing what Potter and Black did – they’re usually pretty vicious towards him, but Snape is rumored to be very much into the Dark Arts. He can be quite scary sometimes.”

“You don’t say,” Hermione responded sardonically.

“Just – Just be careful around him,” Amelia advised.

Hermione couldn’t help but wonder what Amelia would start to think of her if she eventually spent more time around Snape. Would she believe Hermione was the type of person who was into the Dark Arts as well?

“I will,” she said softly.

The girls said goodnight to one another after that. Hermione flopped onto her stomach, stuffed her arm under her pillow and thought about everything that had happened today. From her lunch with Rosmerta, the frightening encounter with Bellatrix and Lucius, meeting a teenaged Snape for the first time, Sirius and his arrogance, seeing Lily, Remus, James and Peter and meeting Amelia and the rest of the Ravenclaws. Today she had been on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Her mind ran wildly as she tried to fall asleep. She wondered if she would have any classes with Snape the following day and if she should attempt to speak to him again. She already assumed he thought she was a bit off her rocker, from all of the times he caught her staring at him. She couldn’t imagine it going well if she attempted to strike up a conversation with him again, but she knew she had to try.

The look he gave her, after her run-in with Sirius, was a worrisome. She could not understand what he meant by, Typical. Did he think she would be just another girl who fell down at Sirius Black’s feet? Because, she wasn’t flirting with him. At all. And why was she bothered that he thought she might have been? More importantly, why was he bothered by it?

Soon Hermione heard the other girls quietly enter the room, and not too long afterwards she fell into a deep sleep. All her worries about the following day were temporarily gone as she drifted off.