Written for the "You Then Me" Challenge by Paris in December

Pairing: Hermione Granger/Bellatrix Lestrange

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Things do not change, we change.
~Henry David Thoreau

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Prologue

September 1st, 1991

She had been excited for weeks and now the day was finally here. The bright red steam train blew a plume of smoke into the air and blew its whistle. Arriving at the platform had been the oddest experience. She had read up about it and found her way easily but a brief moment of hesitation had grabbed hold of her when her trolley was about to collide with the pillar... the crash never happened and now she stood in the crowd of students boarding the train. Dozens and dozens of voices called a variety of words. The screeching of owls, the loud meowing of cats made the platform sound like London Zoo.

Her heart hammered in her chest and she looked over her shoulder at her parents and then back at the train. One of the conductors had taken her trunk and loaded it onboard without asking questions.

"Are you sure about this, John?" her mother asked nervously and her hand closed around her husband's wrist. Skittish eyes searched the platform, clearly uncomfortable with her new surroundings. The oddly dressed parents escorting their children made her stand out and she was almost desperate to find anyone who looked as ordinary as she and her husband did. Her eyes came to a rest on her daughter. "All the way to Scotland... We won't see her again 'till Christmas!"

"Our Hermione is a clever girl, Karen" her father answered and squeezed his wife's hand. "I am sure she'll cope. She'll make friends and by the end of the week she will have forgotten all about us"

Hermione Granger turned to her parents. The revelation that was a witch and that she had been selected to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had shocked her and her family. But the pieces had fallen into place and suddenly the strange events throughout her life made sense. It explained why she had been able to levitate forks over the kitchen counter at the age of six and how she had managed to change her hair from its normal brown to a bright shade of blonde at the age of ten, much to her mother's horror.

Professor McGonagall had explained that sometimes witched and wizards were born into Muggle families, people without magical abilities, and that she would learn to control and use her magic properly. She still vividly remembered the night she had knocked on their front door. It had taken her mother an hour to believe the woman really was a witch.

"It's nearly eleven o'clock" Hermione said whilst looking at her parents. Her mother still looked doubtful. "I had better get on..."

Around her the other students also began to make their way onto the train and made their way through the carriages.

"Ok, darling" Karen Granger answered and enveloped her daughter in her arms, pressing her tightly against her chest. Hermione was a copy of her mother. They shared the same bushy, unruly brown hair and the same hazel brown eyes. She had even inherited her mother's slightly large front teeth. Something not even braces had managed to fix throughout the years. Karen kissed her daughter on her hair and held her a few inches away from her.

"Be safe. You know you can write to us any time, don't you?"

Hermione snickered. "I know, mom. But I doubt the Royal Mail runs an owl service"

Karen pulled a face and John stepped forward, locking his daughter in his arms. Hermione hugged him in return and smiled to herself. She couldn't wait to leave. She felt her father brush a strand of hair behind her ear and she looked up to him.

"Knock'em dead, darling" he smiled when she broke free from his embrace.

"I am sure that's against about a dozen school rules, but I'll do my best" Hermione answered. She grasped hold of her rug sack and hurried along the platform to the nearest open door. She had seen a group of Gryffindor students board the same carriage earlier and she hoped she'd see them during their journey to Scotland.

She found an empty compartment and sat down, carefully placing her bag on the seat beside her. She opened it and took out A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. She opened it and skimmed through the pages, looking for the more interesting parts. She had read the book once since she bought it in Diagon Alley three weeks ago. She stopped after about twenty pages, sat back in her seat and began to read.

The train started moving and slowly rolled out of London's Kings Cross Station. The minutes and hours began to pass and the Hogwarts Express crossed the English countryside, with the scenery constantly changing outside her window. London lay far behind them now. Hermione saw very little of the world outside, as she was still reading her Transfiguration text book. She enjoyed the silence of her compartment. It was almost like reading back home in her own bedroom.

Two hours had passed and the witch with the sweets trolley had just moved into the next carriage when the sound of voices disturbed Hermione in her reading. They came from outside the compartment, down the corridor. She looked up and found three boys standing in the open compartment door. She guessed they were about fifteen and they all wore red and gold ties. Gryffindors...

"Oi, check this out! Reading already! Bet she's a real brown nose and all!" spoke the tallest of the three boys. He had dirty blonde hair and a bony face. There was something menacing about him.

"Not very polite now, is it?" Hermione bit back. "Did you get passed over when they handed out manners?"

The other two lads whistled through their teeth and one of them punched the blonde haired boy on his shoulder. He did not seem impressed by her answer and his dark blue eyes fixed on Hermione. His shoulders broadened and the cockiness and arrogance was obvious.

"I take it you were passed over when beauty was handed out then..." he sarcastically spat and his mates roared in laughter.

"I'd rather be ugly and smart than beautiful and dumb..."

"Not very nice..." the blonde ringleader of the group snapped and glanced at his mates. He drew his wand in the blink of an eye and around him his friends suddenly became slightly more apprehensive. Their hesitation was clearly visible on their faces. He seemed oblivious. "Let's show this little nosy parker how first years respect a prefect..."

"Who did you Imperius to get that badge anyway?" Hermione felt anger boil in the pit of her stomach. Her fingers dug into the cover of her book and she flinched at the unexpected sensation of loathing overwhelm her. She drew her own wand even though she had no idea whether she could stand her own in a duel against three fifth year Gryffindors, not to mention that using magic on the train was illegal.

"Think you can do magic?" the blonde boy laughed.

"Leave it, mate. She's not worth it. McGonagall will deduct points before we have even set foot in the bloody Great Hal!" One of his mates pulled at his wand arm but he did not budge.

"You should listen to them. It sounds like they've got some common sense in them" Hermione confidently said and aimed her wand at the older boy's chest. Her fingers did not even tremble.

"STUPE-"

"PROTEGO!" Hermione cried and the Shield Charm was instant. The strength of the spell shot through her arm, made her fingers tingle and then the jet burst out of her wand. It was powerful and deflected the stunning spell and it shot across the corridor and crashed into another compartment door."IMPEDIMENTA!"

With a sickening crack the boy flew backwards, crashed against the compartment opposite and slumped down to the floor in a messy pile of robes and limps. His mates rushed down to his side and around them more doors opened and people peered out of their compartments to see what was happening.

"Nice one" a girl with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes commented. She had appeared in the corridor seemingly out of nowhere. She had a slightly pudgy face and a silver and green tie hung casually around her neck. She smirked when she looked up at Hermione. "Stupid Gryffindor had it coming..."

Hermione looked at the girl and slipped her wand back in her pocket. "Who the hell are you?"

"Pansy Parkinson" the girl answered and looked at Hermione from head to toe. "And you are?"

"Hermione Granger"

"That was impressive for a first year" Pansy commented and peered into Hermione's empty compartment and noticed it was empty. "Mind if I join you?"

"I'd rather you..." Hermione began but Pansy did not listen and casually sat down in the seat opposite of Hermione's and rested her chin in the palm of her hand. Her eye then fell on the book Hermione had been reading and she arched an eyebrow. "Are you a Raven?"

Hermione shrugged. "Dunno. Gryffindor maybe"

"Like those prats?" Pansy pointed at the two Gryffindors who had managed to pull their mate back onto his feet and stumbled out of the carriage. "Well, that's something to be proud off..."

"Let me guess..." Hermione said and stuffed her Transfiguration text book back in her back. Pansy's reaction didn't leave much to the imagination and the green and silver tie was a clear inclination of the House Pansy believed she belonged to even without being sorted. "You're a Slytherin"

Pansy proudly nodded. "My whole family are Slytherins. They would disown me if I was sorted anywhere else. The disgrace..."

"Does it not worry you? Its reputation, I mean..." Hermione answered. She had read about the four Houses in Hogwarts and knew that Slytherin had a particularly dark and feared reputation. "All dark witches and wizards once ended up in Slytherin..."

Pansy shrugged and leant back in her seat. "Rather a snake than a lion... I'd rather die"

"All Houses have got good and bad qualities, you know.." spoke a voice from the compartment door and both Hermione and Pansy looked up. Two girls had appeared and they looked identical. Hermione did not need to ask whether they were twins. They even finished each other's sentences. There was something annoying about them as they spoke.

"Name one good quality for a Gryffindor..." Pansy dared them and Hermione looked at the brunette girl before looking at the girls in the door.

"Bravery and courage" one of them started.

"Often associated with stupidity, but go on..." Pansy interrupted them and Hermione could not suppress a smile.

"Slytherins take care of themselves and are cunning and loyal but everyone knows they fancy the dark arts and can't be trusted..." the second girl answered and Hermione glanced at Pansy to see her reaction. Pansy didn't answer and Hermione frowned.

"Who are you anyway?"

"I'm Parvati and this is Padma..." the girl on the left answered.

"So will you two end up in the same house?" Hermione curiously asked though a part of her hoped that she really would not end up being housemates with these two. They were irritating her as it was and she could only imagine they would be the same in a classroom.

"No idea" Padma answered before linking arms with her sister. "See ya..."

"Merlin, they really have let themselves go this year" Pansy shook her head once the girls were out of hearing range. "Now they are even letting complete idiots in..." She then looked at Hermione and cocked her head. "You'd make a good Slytherin..."

Hermione looked slightly offended. "Why would you say that?"

"You took on that Gryffindor without even thinking. You showed aggression and a lack for the rules..." Pansy answered and Hermione automatically touched her pocket where she had stored her wand. She could feel the sensation all over again. How it had felt so overwhelming. But she withdrew her hand and shook her head. "You're brainy too but I think I could live with that..."

Hermione thought about those words for awhile and gazed out of the window. Would it really be so bad to sorted into Slytherin? Had she based her opinion solely on the information in the books? She glanced at Pansy. "You'd make a horrible Gryffindor"

Pansy openly laughed. "I know"

For the remainder of the journey they sat and talked. Pansy knew lots about Hogwarts. One of her older brothers was a fifth year in Slytherin and he had told her everything there was to know. They were soon joined by a boy with pale blonde hair who seemed somewhat arrogant and a black boy with green eyes who was rather quiet and observant.

By the time the train rolled into Hogsmeade Station it had gone dark. As they left the train, Hermione glanced up to the sky. Hundreds of stars flickered like untouchable diamonds and she took a few seconds to take in the sight before following Pansy, Draco and Blaise down the platform. At the end of the platform the massive shape of a man waited for the first years to gather round. He introduced himself as Hagrid and Hermione was simply amazed that there wasn't anything alive crawling out of his unruly, black beard.

The first years followed Hagrid to the Black Lake. Several small boats were waiting for them and Hermione was the first one to step in, closely followed by Pansy and the two boys. She sat down and slowly the boat began to move across the black water. The surface remained almost undisturbed and quite unexpectedly, the boats took a turn towards the right. An audible gasp spread across the boats and the first years as the magnificent Hogwatrs castle loomed up out of the darkness. Its hundreds of windows were lit up by candle light and it was the ultimate picture of magic and beauty. Hermione sat perched on her seat and took in the amazing sight as it unfolded before her eyes.

The boats came to a soft stop at the bottom of the cliffs and Hagrid called for them to leave their transport and follow him. They made their way up to the castle, huddled nervously together. Even those who had siblings at Hogwarts were not prepared for what they saw tonight. The wooden doors swung open, revealing the large Entrance Hall. And there, a dark clad figure was waiting for them.

Hermione recognised the witch immediately. It was Professor McGonagall, the witch who had come to her house a few months ago. She was dressed in black robes and wore a black witch's hat. Bright, emerald green eyes sparkled behind square spectacles and she inspected the new student's faces.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. You will follow me into the Great Hall where you shall be sorted into your Houses. During your time here, your House will be like your family. Victories earn you House points, violations will cost you points. During the Sorting Ceremony I shall call your name, you will come forth and I will place the Sorting Hat upon your head and it will call out the name of your house..." Professor McGonagall said.

The doors to the Great Hall swung open and revealed what lay behind. Hermione, Pansy and the others joined the queue that formed behind Professor McGonagall and followed her into the Great Hall. Hundreds of candles were floating in the air and above their heads a magical ceiling reflected the sky outside. Students sat at the four House tables, curiously and shamelessly inspecting the new first years.

They came to a halt in front of a small wooden stool. Hermione, who stood in the front with Pansy, could see the old Hat lying on top of it. It looked like any other old hat, patched up and stitched back together. Her eyes nervously drifted around the room, past the staff table and along all the House tables. She had no idea where she would belong and she was afraid the Sorting Hat did not know either.

Professor McGonagall took a roll of parchment and began reading off the names. It did not take long until she reached the point Hermione had been dreading.

"Hermione Granger!"

Pansy pushed her towards the stool and Hermione's feet felt like they were made out of lead. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she did not make eye contact with Professor McGonagall when she sat down. Her hands grabbed hold of the side of the stool as the Sorting Hat was lowered onto her head. Instantly, she looked up and the Hat began to talk but only she could hear him.

"Hmmm... A very good set of brains. You feel the desire to proof yourself to others. And you're aggressive too. I can see your talent. You can do great things. You are known to get your own way. Friendship means a lot... Where do you think you belong?"

"Ravenclaw" Hermione whispered and bit down on her lip. "Please, not Gryffindor. They only put prats in there..."

"Ravenclaw, eh? Yes, your brains would be well suited but many of your other talents will be overlooked. No, you seem to be at your best in... SLYTHERIN!"

Hermione did not dare move. For a few seconds she sat frozen. The Slytherin table had burst out into cheer and were applauding. She caught Pansy's eye when Professor McGonagall removed the hat and she slipped of the stool. As she walked towards the table, she was sure she could detect a hint of disapproval in her eyes.

Slytherin. How could she have ended up in Slytherin? With every step she took towards the table, her heart sank deeper in her chest. Only pure bloods ever made it into Slytherin. They hated people like her. Muggle borns. Mudbloods. Did they even know what she was? Had they even got a clue about her family? Slytherins were obsessed with blood purity.

Hermione slipped into an empty seat at the table and stared into her goblet of pumpkin juice as the Sorting Ceremony continued. She had never felt more alone and misplaced in her life.

It did not take long before Draco Malfoy was also Sorted into Slytherin. The Hat never even made contact with his hair. He looked smug and arrogant as he approached the table and sat down a few seats away from Hermione. Next up was Pansy and Hermione could tell she was nervous when she sat down. The Hat only needed a few seconds and shouted a loud "SLYTHERIN" across the Great Hall before Pansy stood up, made her way over to the table and found a seat next to Hermione.

"Watch this..." Pansy hissed as Professor McGonagall called the next name.

"Harry Potter!"

A sharp intake of breath went through the Hall and Hermione noticed how everybody sat up in their seats when the rather skittish, nervous looking boy stepped forward. He looked like he hadn't combed his hair in days and his glasses were broken. He looked a bit shabby to say the least. Sure, she knew who Harry Potter was, but how did he manage to attract even the attention of the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, whereas before he had seemed too preoccupied to even look at the new first years. Her eyes wandered around the Great Hall. Everyone looked at the boy with great expectation.

"The Boy Who Lived..." Hermione whispered dismissively at Pansy and the brunette nodded. The Sorting Hat seemed to be taking an awful long time to make up his mind and Hermione shook her head. "I heard them talking about him on the train."

"Who cares about him?" Pansy shrugged and leant across towards Draco who was now entertaining the rest of the table with some impression of attacking the Potter boy. The other Slytherins laughed.

"Yeah..." Hermione smiled and tore her eyes away from the dark haired, green eyes boy as the Sorting Hat belted out "GRYFFINDOR". The cheer rising up from the Gryffindor table was deafening. She turned towards Draco and Pansy and laughed at Draco's miming. "Who cares..."