Chapter 1:

The storm outside was a downpour. The windows shook with each boom of thunder. Yet there in that room the air seemed to hum with electricity.

"Does she know my Lord, does she know who she is." The man stepped closer to the center of the room. His long blonde hair nearly white against his black cloak.

"She does." The figure seated hissed out. "Nagini has come to her, she has disclosed the truth."

"Why don't we bring her here then my Lord, to you, to us?" Another man asked, stepping forward. More portly than the others.

"Because of the prophecy Nott, the snake must grow in the den, as it has been foretold. We have hidden her away in the muggle world for 11 years, we've kept her from those who would have used her for her power, and from that old kook who would have made her disappear. She has a role to play, and cannot do it from the inside yet." The figure stood. His milk white skin shining in the fire light.

He paced in front of the fire, his black cloak whisking about his ankles like smoke.

"Those of us who have children in school, do you wish them to seek her out my Lord? My own son will be starting school this fall as well." The white haired man asked.

"No Lucius, she will draw out those dear to our cause automatically, the younger ones may not see it right away, but the elders will. She will be brimming with raw power, but she cannot be coddled or favored. She understands her role." He answered.

Lightning flashed outside and the room was illuminated. The rows of dark figures in robes have one last nod before disappearing in a cloud of dark smoke.

She laid there in the grass in the back of her property. Owning land just because was a rarity but she was lucky enough to be adopted into an upper class family. Adopted. That still seemed foreign to her. She hadn't known until last year when she met a snake in the grass.

She had always been different. Able to do things science and logic couldn't explain. At first she thought it was her imagination that the garden snakes would scatter when she asked them to, but when the large snake approached her to say hello she realized she had a unique gift.

Every day since she would escape out to the grounds and speak with her new friend Nagini. The snake told her all about who she was and where she came from, and what it meant that she was a witch, and had powers. She tried to act surprised when an older witch came by on her 11th birthday to inform her parents of her abilities. Her 'parents' had lied to her for 11 years, they knew she was adopted but never told her. Nagini suggested she keep that knowledge to herself until she needed it. And she would.

Laying her head back on to the snake she sighed.

"What's wrong little love?" The snake hissed as it snuggled closer into her neck.

"I leave tomorrow for Hogwarts. What if I don't get sorted into Gryffindor like I'm supposed to? My father will be so disappointed in me." She whined.

The snake rubbed her face against the girl's curls. "Don't you worry little love, you will be fine. Your father knows you will make us all proud. And I will be there with you too, remember I'll be in the forest anytime you need me I can come to you. Remember to just grasp the necklace your father sent you, and I'll be there."

"Thank you Nagini. I'm so glad I have you." She curled into the snake.

"And I you, Hermione."

Chapter 2:

The amount of people on the platform was nerve wrecking. Parents yelling at kids, kids yelling at everything, the steam engine; it was deafening. Hermione had said goodbye to her 'parents' at the street and walked through to the platform by herself. She didn't want them exposed to any more of the wizard of world than they needed to be.

She stood next to the train with her trunk and eyed it wearily. The trunk was too heavy and the compartment was lifted so not only would she have to drag it, she would have to lift it as well. There was too many people around to do magic, Nagini reminded her she shouldn't show it off before she got to school. She was going to leave to find a worker when two older boys stepped up and threw their trunks into the compartment.

One was medium build with shaggy dark hair, while the other looked like a modern day viking. Large frame with flowing blonde hair. She saw an opportunity.

"Excuse me!" She called out to them trying to make her voice cut through the noise. Thankfully they heard and turned to her. Both having to pivot their neck down to look at her.

"Do you think you could help me please, I cannot lift my trunk into the compartment and I haven't seen any workers to help me." She asked either of the two.

"první rok" The dark haired man rolled his eyes as he started to turn back around.

First years... like that was her problem.

"mluvil jsi česky?" She asked him, hands on hips, letting him know that speaking Czech wouldn't go unnoticed by her.

This made the man pause, he turned and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Do I speak Czech, of course I do... why do you? Who are you?" The boy asked rudely.

"What do you mean why do I. Do you ask everyone you meet why they speak English. What an odd question." She huffed. "And I'm obviously someone who needs help lifting their bloody trunk."

The blonde laughed heartily. His booming laugh cut through the noise of the platform and caught her off guard. She looked at him to see his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well Excuse us princess, please allow me." He gave a faux bow and lifted her trunk effortlessly.

"Thank you." She smiled at him.

"No, no, thank you princess. It's not everyday someone puts old Toni in his place." He laughed and swatted the dark haired boy on the back who was still glaring at her.

"Well regardless, thank you. You gentlemen have a lovely day." She said her nose in the air as she strolled away to board to train. Never looking back despite the repeat boom of laughter that erupted in her wake.

They stood silently in the great hall waiting to be sorted. She had met a few people on the train. None that stuck out to her enough to make a lasting impression. She did meet Harry Potter, and was able to show some of her abilities by fixing his broken glasses. Unfortunately he was sitting next to a Weasley boy who was most impolite and even a bit dirty, she tried to not stay long.

The hat took its place on the bench after it sang a song and the professor stepped up with a list of names. Alphabetically they read the names out to be sorted. She tried deep breaths until she finally heard her name called.

"Hermione Granger!"

Slowly she took to the dais and had a seat upon the stool. The older professor carefully sat the hat on her head as it started deliberating.

"Ah we've been waiting for an heir to return to Hogwarts. It's been years. It's easy to decide what to do with you, after all it's your birth right..."

"SLYTH-" the hat said aloud

'Wait wait wait' she thought hard. 'Do not put me in slytherin. I HAVE to be put in gryffindor, you must put me there.'

"Hmm if you say so." The hat was still speaking out loud and the students and staff were each confused with the stall.

"Then GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled and the Gryffindor table erupted in applause. She looked up to see quite a few confused faces around the hall. Never once has the hat changed his mind mid announcement.

At the end of the sorting. She found herself sitting next to Harry Potter, she took a deep breath and smiled. She did it.

Chapter 3:

Classes had been much easier than she expected. She had already read through the course books twice before school started, but it was obvious no one else had done the same. She was disgusted with how little the rest of her class seemed to know.

So naturally it didn't take long for her to gain a reputation for being a know it all, resident swot. Whatever else they wanted to throw her way. She didn't care. She spent most evening in the library. It wasn't imperative for her to make friends. Although Potter was never out right rude to her, he more just went with the crowd, but was kind when he was alone. Then there was the Longbottom boy, he was kind to her as well, so she offered him help whenever she could because he struggled more than most.

She enjoyed potions class, yet probably would have like it better had she not be in Gryffindor. It seemed Snape had it out for the lions and even when she got all the answers correct he would sneer at her. She had seen him giving her strange looks after she brewed each potion correctly on the first try, but she shook it off. If he wanted to be rude, that was his problem.

On the topic of strange professors. Then there was her DADA class. Their teacher was new this year. Rodolphus Lestrange.

He had stared down every member of the first years when they arrived for his class. Minutes spent in silence as he walked around looking everyone deep in their eyes. Most shied away or cringed but she couldn't resist the urge to raise an eyebrow at him as he closed in on her. When he noticed he raised his as well, and started a intense stare down. When neither of them cracked after five minutes, Professor Lestrange gave her an appreciative nod and moved on.

Unfortunately the appreciation from the professor ended her in the situation she was now. This morning he called Hermione up to volunteer to demonstrate the simple disarming spell. Problem was apparently it was simple for everyone. She went through nearly half of the class without so much as raising her heart beat. The professor called another up.

"Nephew, surely you can come up here and hold your own." Lestrange called out to the class and confidently Draco Malfoy stood from his seat.

There were whispers in the room, apparently their relation wasn't common knowledge for those outside of Slytherin.

"Of course Sir, Id be delighted to." Draco drawled as he made his way to the front of the room. Giving Hermione an evil smirk as he took his mark.

"You'll forgive me if I don't catch her wand though Professor. I would rather not be exposed to her filth." He sneered. The Slytherins and even some of the others in the room snickered.

She felt her eyes narrow and her blood pressure rise. It was one thing to ignore her, but to disrespect her in front of the whole class and the Professor would have to be dealt with. He would learn who his better was.

She couldn't fight the cold smile that formed on her face as she took her spot on the stage. She looked at the professor and nodded, he gave the command to begin.

Loudly Malfoy shouted the disarming spell which she easily blocked with a quiet Protego. The beam ricocheted off the shield and landed noisily on the wall beside him. He looked up to glare at her and she just shrugged. Before he could cast another charm she lifted her free hand and non verbally called for his wand.

The crowd fell into hushed awe as his wand shot out of his hand and into hers. She turned to her Professor with his wand extended in her hand.

"Professor perhaps you can disinfect this before you return it to Malfoy. He obviously needs it to practice more."

Professor Lestrange took the wand while eyeing her in appreciation. A smirk playing on his lips. There was mumbling in the class but she looked up to see some faces were looking at her with a new found respect. Potter and Longbottom were both almost bursting with glee. Both reaching a hand up to help her down from the platform.

When she looked over she saw the look on Malfoys reddened face. Pure fury and hate. A promise that retribution was coming.

The lunch hall was lively as ever for dinner. News of the dueling first years had reached each house by now and people were quick to put their two cents in.

When Dolohov reached the table he saw the red faced Malfoy sitting with the first years fuming with rage. He was glaring at the Gryffindor table with such hate he was surprised it hadn't caught fire.

"Thor what's the deal with baby Malfoy?" He asked the Viking of a wizard sitting at the table across from him. He answered with a large smile.

"Remember that first year from the platform?" He asked and when Dolohov nodded he continued. "Apparently she put ickle Drakey in his place today in DADA. Beat the whole class and then insulted him, asking Lestrange to return his wand so he could practice." The hulking blonde barely got the sentence out before dissolving into a fit of laughter.

He wiped his eye. "Oh man, I wish I was there to see it."

Dolohov stared at the boy who was gripping his fork in rage. "So she's better than him, why is he so mad. I get his has the Malfoy ego, but still it's only been a month, he can get better."

Thor wiped his eyes again. "Oh don't you know, that's the best part. Apparently the princess is a mudblood. And besides beating him in a duel she already leagues ahead of the others in ALL the classes. Can you imagine the look on his father's face when he finds out. And no doubt Lestrange has already sent an owl."

Dolohov followed Malfoys glare to the Gryffindor table. He saw the tiny first year girl sitting there as if she wasn't being murdered by his glare. The Potter boy sat next to her and had said something that made her smile. She didn't seem to notice the danger she was in.

"He's going to kill her." It was the only answer he thought of.

"Oh he's going to try, that's for sure. Part of me wants to interfere but I think I want to see what happens. There's something different about her. After the way she acted towards us on the platform I would've bet my wand she was a pure blood." Thorfinn rubbed his chin looking over at the girl.

"It explains the hat stall." Dolohov added. At the raised eyebrow of his friend he continued. "She was the first year that the hat stalled on remember, it tried to put her here but at the last second chose Gryffindor. It must've realized she was a mudblood."

Thorfinn saw her in the library that night. He was going to return a book when he saw her slip between the stacks leaving the restricted section. He chuckled to him self.

"Well well well princess. Where have you been?" He teased leaning up against the stack.

She froze for a second but turned around and gave him a smirk.

"Hello older boy who lifted my trunk. How are you this evening."

"Now surely you know my name princess?" He goaded.

She crossed her arms and looked him up and down. "Are you some kind of superstar or something?"

He laughed. "Or something. Thorfinn Rowle your highness" he bowed.

She moved her hand up to her chin and made a thinking face. "Hmm. I think I like superstar better.."

He smiled at her and she couldn't help but return it.

"So princess, what is a first year doing exiting the restricted section?"

"Just some light reading. Usually no one notices me, not that you would ever know this since your built like a Viking... but there are a few benefits of being small." She shrugged.

"What are you doing here. I thought people like you didn't even know the library existed." She teased.

He placed his hand on his heart is mock concern. "Princess you wound me. I have you know I came in to study, but unfortunately ran out of time and now I have to return this book and won't be able to finish my essay. Mcgonagall will have my bollocks I'm sure."

"Professor Mcgonagall, and if you are writing a NEWT level essay you don't need to use this book anyways. These are the basics, you need this-" she reached behind him and pulled a smaller tome from the shelf.

"Now she tells me..." he rolled his eyes in jest. "Won't do me any good now princess the library is closing and these can't be checked out."

She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Are you not a wizard?"

She pulled out her wand and cast the Gemino charm on the book creating an exact copy. Then she waved her wand once more and shrunk the extra copy. She grabbed it and stuck it in the pocket of his robe before putting the other book back on the shelf.

"Now, don't say I never did anything for you." She winked playfully and went to walk past him. Still too shocked to respond Thor stood in the aisle for a second longer before gathering himself to leave.

"Princess wait up!" He called after her jogging to catch up. "Thank you for that." He said once they were side by side.

She waved him off. "No need. You helped me on the platform, I helped you here. We're even." They stopped walking where their paths would split. "Have a good night superstar." She smiled at him turning to walk away.

"Witch you know Malfoy is our for blood right?" He didn't know why he brought it up but there was something about the little spit fire that drew him to her.

"I'm not afraid of Malfoy." She shrugged.

He smiled at her in awe. "No, I imagine your not. Get some sleep princess."

Chapter 4:

At quidditch someone tried to hex Harry's broom. The options were numerous considering that they were playing Slytherin and also people were upset a first year got approved to play. The broom toppled left and right flinging Harry from side to side. He barely had a grip on the stick as he was dangling hundreds of feet in the air.

Hermione noticed the snickering of the Slytherins and moved her eyes around the crowd to see who was casting the incantation. Her eyes stopped as she saw Professor Snape sitting next to what could only be the oldest Malfoy. Both were moving their mouths silently, one must've been trying to stop the other but she didn't know which was which.

She turned to the Weasley to let him know and told him to wait at the bottom of the pitch to help Harry if he needed it. She snuck over and created a small fire on their robes. Causing them both to jump up and stop the assault on Harry's broom. He made it safely to the ground. Even catching the snitch on the way down.

Once she met the boys on the pitch to her surprise they both embraced her. She wasn't sure who to thank, Snape or Malfoy, but she had finally made friends.

She had gotten her first detention. Being out of bed and out in the grounds after curfew. At least that's all they could convict them of, thankfully.

She had been deep in study in the library when Harry ran in, Ron breathlessly following behind.

"Hermione, come quick we need your help." Harry panted when he reached her table.

"What's wrong Harry?" She asked looking up from her book.

Harry tried to whisper despite his lack of air. "That rock Hagrid has, turns out it not a rock at all. It was an egg!"

Her eyes widened in shock and she gathered her things to follow them out. None of them aware that Malfoy was in the stacks behind them listening.

They had just given the baby dragon to Charlie Weasley and were crossing the grounds when they were caught by Filch and Mcgonagall. The latter of the two looking extremely disappointed. With a smug looking Malfoy behind them.

Besides the obvious loss of house points they were each, yes even Malfoy, given detentions for that week. The first five days they spent cleaning cauldrons and trophy cases, but tonight they were to meet at Hagrids hut.

And as luck would have it, it was a group detention. Apparently everyone who was due to serve detention tonight was meeting there by the hut. 1st through 7th years in a group waiting on the edge of the forest. She groaned when they walked upon the group.

"Princess! What a surprise to see you here!" The Viking of a boys loud voice cut through the night. He was smiling at her his blue eyes sparkling in the firelight.

She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Superstar, I didn't realize they gave celebrities detention?"

"Ah your boy Potter here proves that wrong.. but alas it seems there are somethings done in broom cupboards that are just inexcusable to Ol Filch." He shrugged with a laugh.

She snorted pointing a finger. "Is that why Dolohov is here then?" Wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

Dolohov shot her a cold look with a sneer. Thorfinns jaw dropped.

"Now wait a minute. How do you know his name when you didn't know mine?"

"Careful Superstar you almost sound jealous. Besides everyone knows Dolohov. Tall, dark, handsome, batshit crazy." She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. Meanwhile Harry and Ron were staring at her as if she grew another head. "His reputation precedes him."

Dolohov just raised one eyebrow at the tiny witch. Not knowing wether he wanted to be offended or not. He just shook his head going back to stare into the forest.

Thorfinn chuckled coming up to ruffle her hair. "You are a trip princess. One day I'll figure you out." He turned to walk back to his friends.

Hagrid arrived with filch and they split them into groups of three. Hermione found herself in a group with Malfoy and Dolohov. Harry and Ron tried to send her encouraging smiles as they too were separated. Harry was in a group with Thorfinn and a third year Ravenclaw, while Ron was with two sixth year Gryffindors. Thorfinn shot her a smile before she moved to stand next to her group.

"Don't worry princess, I'll look after him for you." He laughed as he patted Harry on the back making him jut forward.

She rolled her eyes. Taking her spot next to Malfoy and Dolohov.

"What. An. Idiot."

Each group was handed a bucket. Their goal tonight was to collect Waitomo worms. They were special worms that would glow two days before the full moon, and only then. They stores in the castle were very depleted so they needed as many as possible, thus the reasoning behind the group detention.

Each group set off roughly 100 yards apart. They were told to send up a flare if there was any trouble. They weren't even 20 feet into the woods yet when Malfoy started whining.

"I can't believe that big loaf sent us into the forest at night, under a full moon none the less. My father will be hearing of this."

Hermione looked up at Dolohov and rolled her eyes.

"Kakoy rebenok.." she muttered lowly about what a cry baby she found Malfoy.

Dolohov couldn't help but snort.

"Da.. razdrazhayushchiy" he replied that he was, and an annoying one at that. And she laughed along.

"sledi za svoim shagom" she warned him to watch his step pointing down at the roots that were growing up along the pathway that seemed to reach up towards their feet.

He nodded at her and adjusted his stride and wand light to illuminate his path. She did the same. Malfoy on the other hand kept his wand raised to look ahead and not a minute later one of the roots grabbed at his foot and he tumbled down a small slope.

He stood up quickly dusting himself off. Loudly complaining and cussing the very ground he walked on. He sent a few sparks from his wand into the roots.

"Malfoy calm down!" She scolded him. "You need to be quiet. We are far enough in where we don't need to draw attention to ourselves." She hissed.

He raised his wand and pointed it at her.

"Why don't you shut your mudblood mouth. You don't tell your betters what to do." He yelled.

She rolled her eyes with a huff. "Well when I see a better I'll be sure to remember that Malfoy, but as it is you need to be quiet."

He had taken an angry step towards her when they heard the sound of branches cracking behind them. Then a long howl like sound.

Malfoy stumbled as he started to run up the slope. Trying to look around him at what the sound was. When the snapping sound came closer he tucked tail and ran screaming. Without so much as looking at the other two.

Hermione and Dolohov both watched him run off and turned to look at each other eyebrows raised. Hermione turned back around her wand raised high and Dolohov did the same. Illuminating the small clearing in front of them. Hermiones free hand came up to grip her necklace. Whatever was coming, they could use the back up.

Before they had any time to consider moving a figure emerged from the brush. A tall thick man with long black hair. He was rugged looking with scars and torn clothing. His beard was cut close but he had a strange glint in his eyes and when he saw them and smiled it looked feral, and his canines longer than a regular human. He stopped and took a long sniff in the air.

Much to his surprise Dolohov saw the small girl move in front of him and adjusted her arm as if to shield him from the beast. He was even more surprised when she spoke.

"What are you doing here wolf? This is centaur territory, do you have a death wish." Her voice was calm and clear. He couldn't detect any fear behind it.

The beast of a man sneered at her. His teeth reflecting in the wand light. He sniffed again.

"Would you believe I followed your scent little miss. There's plenty of younglings in the woods tonight, but not like you am I right? I recognized your scent almost immediately. It's awful dangerous for you to be out here so close to the full moon isn't it?"

She shrugged a little. "No, I don't think so."

He growled lowly. "Do you think you get a free pass then? Is that it?"

He took a few steps towards them but she didn't move. Dolohov went to step closer but she gave him a small shake of her head, and he didn't know why but he listened.

"I'd think again before you threaten me.." she warned and he growled again.

"Do you think you could take me on little witch?"

"Maybe, but do you think you are the only predator in these woods wolf? My familiar is here and you just threatened her master. If I was you I'd leave before she treats herself to dog meat." Her voice was so cold and calculated that Dolohov felt a chill run down his spine.

The wolf chuckled and went to take another step forward when a loud hissing filled the void around them. Dolohov thought the ground was moving when a large tree trunk sized shape moved behind them and wound itself into a raised position in front of the small girl. The snake was bigger than anything he had ever seen, nearly 20 feet long. The snake bared it's fangs as it raised itself up for the kill.

"This is your last warning wolf. Go on your way now and I'll forget tonight ever happened." Hermione called out to him.

He snarled at her. But took a step back anyways.

"I'll see you again little witch." He warned her turning back to disappear into the forest.

The snake waited till the wolf was gone from sight before turning to the small girl and rubbing its large head against hers. Hermione raised her hands and petted the snake while they hissed back and forth between the two of them. The snake wrapped around her as if it was checking for injuries and Hermione giggled much to the surprise of Dolohov.

Dolohov took a small step back and it snapped a twig brining the attention of both girl and snake to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry how rude of me. Dolohov this is my familiar Nagini." She said before hissing to the snake what seemed to be a introduction to him. The snake slithered over to him and circled him once before raising up in front of him flicking her tongue out and letting out a small hiss.

"She likes you!" Hermione clapped. "You can pet her if you'd like."

He tentatively reached a hand out and patted the snake on its head. Before bringing it back into his robes.

The snake and the girl hissed back and forth for a moment before the snake circled the girl again, squeezing her in what must've been a good bye before slithering off into the woods.

"Well, I guess we should make our way back, no doubt Malfoy has already caused a scene." Hermione said as she started to lead the way back.

"Want to explain to me what the fuck just happened?" Dolohov said stopping her forward progress.

She raised an eyebrow in question.

"Like maybe start with how you went toe to toe with a fucking werewolf and then maybe how your familiar is the biggest fucking snake I've ever seen, and then I don't know maybe how you can speak parseltongue!" He came close to her his voice raising the longer he spoke.

"Keep your voice down!" She hissed between clenched teeth.

"You're smart Dolohov, you'll figure it out. I mean I knew my familiar was here so I wasn't afraid of the wolf, it's two days before the moon so it's not like he could have infected us, gutted us maybe, but not turned us. And obviously if I couldn't speak parseltongue I wouldn't have met Nagini." She shrugged.

Dolohov shook his head at her dismissive way.

"None of that makes sense. You're a mudblood."

She shook her head and let out an exasperated sigh. "I was RAISED by muggles. Your idiot housemates decided to crown me queen of the mudbloods. I thought you lot were supposed to be cunning."

They walked as he gave her words time to set in. She was raised by muggles. So that must mean she wasn't born to them, hmmm that was an interesting turn.

She stopped before they made it to the edge of the forest.

"Accio waitomo worms." She said holding up the bucket as a large blob moved towards them and fell into the bucket.

She looked up at him handing him the bucket.

"Look Dolohov, I know we aren't friends. In fact I'm sure we are far from it. But I'm not supposed to have Nagini at school, so could you please not tell anyone. If you can keep that secret for me, I'll owe you one." She spoke lowly in case the others were close enough to hear them.

He surveyed her for a while. She was something different. That was for sure. She was proficient in magic that she shouldn't know, she was quick witted and didn't seem to have any fear. But there was something else there too that was drawing him to her. Something darker maybe? He couldn't be sure. But he wanted to know more, and had a feeling that he needed to keep her as an ally.

He walked closer to her and flung his free arm around her shoulder, walking them both out of the woods.

"Little lion I will keep your secret, but I think you're wrong. I think we're going to be good friends."

Thorfinn shot them a funny look as they emerged from the forest together. He knew the little shit had gotten to him somehow but he never thought she win over Antonin too. He wasn't lying when he promised to figure her out.

Winter Hols was approaching and she had decided to stay behind at school. She didn't want to be around her 'parents' any longer than she would need to. She had been digging up some secrets in her spare time and after coming across some rather big news she decided to reach out to her father for the first time. Any other contact they've had had always used nagini as a middle man. She penned a letter to him before walking to the owlry.

Father,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have recently discovered that Dumbledore is hiding the philosophers stone in the castle. From what I have put together there is a series of protections around it, but none that seem impossible to get around.

From the research I've done I can assume the stone has already gifted the old bat with extra years, depending on how often he visits it roughly 50 years or so.

I know the healing and life prolonging properties of the stone are things you would be interested in obtaining. If you wish it of me, I can retrieve it for you.

I will be staying at the castle during the holidays, the numbers of students staying behind is few so it will be safe to reply via owl.

-your daughter H.

Chapter 5:

They hadn't seen the little witch much since before the holidays. They would pass her in the halls or at meals, Antonin would nod in her direction or give her the universal "I'm watching you" signal, and Thor would either wink at her or ruffle her hair, or if he was really trying to rile her up he'd blow her a kiss. So it was a surprise to them when she showed up one night at midnight in the hospital wing.

"Well well Well. If it isn't my two favorite sixth years!" She mused as she just appeared at the foot of their beds.

"Princess!"

"malyshka." They answered her in unison both equally surprised and confused.

"Are you all dense? Hexing each other on a stair case. What if you would have broken your necks instead of your legs?" She moved her hands up to her hips to scold the two.

"Aw were you worried about us Princess?" Thorfinn laughed.

She scoffed. "Not at all, I was just thinking of the valuable study time that would be wasted if we had to host a joint funeral here." She rolled her eyes.

"How'd you know we were here little witch, and how'd you get in without getting caught." Dolohov asked.

She bit her lip as if she was deep in thought. Looking back and forth between the two of them before coming to a decision.

"Well, it's a secret. But we're friends so I'll let you in on it." She winked. "The Weasley twins have a map that shows everyone inside the castle. I saw you two dunderheads in here and asked around and was told what you did to get here.." she frowned at them. "And then Harry has a invisibility cloak he got for Christmas that he let me borrow. So when I realized you lot have been bunked up since before dinner and surely you'd be hungry. So I popped into the kitchen and brought some snacks." She shrugged at them smiling.

"Princess you brought us dinner, you must love us." Thor smirked at her.

"No, I brought Dolly dinner, but realized it's be rude on my part to let you starve." She said cheekily. "Now, move those tree trunks you call legs so I can sit down." She said moving between the beds.

He grinned at her and reached over and snatched her up by waist. The size difference between the two of them made it easy for him to lift her with little to no effort. She did emit a small squeak though as he sat her in his lap.

"Uh huh princess, for that comment you have to sit right up here with me. Now what did you bring us to eat?"

They sat together and laughed and talked for an hour. Making sure to keep the volume down so Poppy didn't come check on them.

"So what will you all do after you graduate? I know you still have a year, but I'm sure you have plans?" She asked them popping a strawberry in her mouth.

"If all goes to plan, I want to be a curse breaker. I have to get Os in my NEWTS of course but I'm on par to, then I just need to apprentice under someone, maybe at Gringotts." Dolohov answered first chasing chocolate pudding around in his bowl.

She nodded along with him, a curse breaker was a noble profession and one that sounded interesting to herself too if she was honest. She pivoted some in Thor's lap and looked up at him.

"What about you superstar?" She bopped him on the nose with her strawberry before taking a bite. "Let me guess.. professional quidditch? Fly around on your broom all day while people throw you gallons and slags throw their knickers your way?"

"Ha ha. You're something else." He says as he tickles her sides making her squirm. "I have you know I have thought about other things, I can't help that I'm so talented." He smirks. "But there's other professions that I could use my flying skills in. Like dragon keeping, or working for the ministry in creature tracking, things like that. And let me tell you it doesn't matter what profession I'm in the ladies will throw their knickers my way regardless..."

He was cut off when she flicked his forehead.

"Don't be so crude Rowle."

"Yes Rowle don't be so crude." Dolohov cut his eyes to him.

"What about you little witch, what do you have your eyes set on?"

"By the time I get out of here I have a feeling it will be a whole new world." She shrugged.

"And what will you be doing in it?" Thor raised a brow.

"Well ruling it of course!"

Daughter,

Is there anything you need from me?

Yours,

Father

Father,

Enclosed are my measurements, I find myself in dire need of a spare wand.

Yours,

H.

To think she had almost left Harry and Ron behind was comical. It was a blessing in disguise how easily it was to convince them that someone was stealing the Stone for the personal gain of the dark lord. Of course someone was, and she was that someone, but they didn't have to know that.

When they both were almost strangled in the devils snare she was regretting her decision. But the next two tasks were almost perfectly made for them. Harry with his flying skills against the keys, and Ron with his surprising skill in chess.

The next tasks with the potions gave her a bit of a pause, but it wasn't something some logical thinking couldn't deduce. Snape must have just contributed the bare minimum, pity really, she would have liked for him to challenge her.

With Ron injured her and Harry advanced together into the final room. The mirror or Erised. She had read about it of course. It was enchanted to show someone what their hearts desire was. Someone desiring to find the stone and use it wouldn't have it, but Harry didn't want to use it so besides the image of his parents he saw the stone in his pocket, and it was.

She held up the small bag for Harry to put the stone in. Once the bag was secure in her pocket she pulled out her spare wand and got to work. She only had to adjust Harry's memories thankfully since Ron was left behind. She planted the memory of her sending him alone through the flames where he met a masked death eater who fought him for the stone and lost when Harry shattered it instead. Causing a whirlwind of activity in the small chamber whipping Harry around, breaking the mirror and destroying the evidence. Unfortunately it knocked Harry unconscious and the Death eater got away.

Giving herself a few cuts and bruises as well as burn marks on her clothes and skins. She curled herself into a small ball putting on her best "scared and alone" performance.