Chapter Text
Hermione was used to the strange.
The very day she found out she was a witch and that there was another world just hidden from view, nothing could top the surprise she felt that day. Even when she found out that even in this new, wondrous world, she didn’t belong. Even when she found out that there was a madman who led an equally mad group who wanted to kill her kind. It wasn’t much of a surprise anymore. This new world is strange. For her. And she is a stranger in this world.
But what happened that day in Potions was the strangest thing Hermione has ever experienced. Easily topping the blessed day she found out she was a witch. Or maybe not. Nevertheless, what happened was a close second.
“Ms. Granger with Mr. Malfoy.”
As soon as she heard the drawling order from the Potions master, she instantly felt all the energy leave her body. True, working with Malfoy might mean that she can finally have a decent partner and she doesn’t have to do everything herself. But that in exchange for her peace of mind.
She sighed to Harry and Ron as they both stood up to go to their partners' seats. Harry was working with Nott and Ron with Parkinson. Honestly, I’d take Malfoy than Parkinson any day.
She heard a thud beside her and looked just in time to see Malfoy begrudgingly drop his bag on the seat beside her. Not even sparing her a glance. This was the first strange thing that happened that day. There were no scathing remarks or nasty glares. Just cold silence. (Which was great actually.)
“Today you will attempt to create the Draught of Living Death. Instructions are written on the board. I’d expect as third years, you know how to read by now.” Professor Snape tells the class.
“I’ll work on the first set of ingredients, you work the pot.” Malfoy immediately mutters beside her.
Hermione usually doesn’t take orders that easily but she didn’t want to break this cold truce. Plus, his suggestion was not that bad so she just nodded her assent.
Half an hour has passed and the pair were miraculously working on their Potion in peace, when the cauldron beside their table, Ron’s and Parkinson’s, started to smoke. Hermione didn’t need to be a genius to know that something was wrong with their potion.
Before Professor Snape could attempt to correct (or throw away) their smoking potion, Hermione saw Ron put something in the cauldron. Hermione knew exactly what was going to happen and knew she was too late, but she still tried her best.
“RON! NO! Don’t put that in there!”
“What ‘Mione?” Ron said, looking at Hermione.
There was no time, so she pushed Ron off the cauldron and met the explosion headfirst. She felt herself being thrown off a wall. Heard the screams, too.
But the last thing she saw before passing out was Draco Malfoy holding her head. Now that was strange.
She felt slight taps on her cheeks so she opened her eyes and saw a hook-nosed man with greasy hair looking down at her. His mouth was moving.
“Wha-?”
“Ms. Granger. Can you hear me?” the man asked.
“Ye-yes I can.”
“What were you thinking girl? You knew the potion was going to explode!”
“Wha- explode? A potion? Bu-but how could I know?” the girl muttered as she slowly sat up. She felt a hand on her head still and another one on her lower back. “What is happening? Where am I?”
The hook-nosed man looked at her warily and cleared his throat. He held both his hands up as if to show he was hiding nothing.
“What is your name girl?” he asked.
“Name, uh my name is, um Hermione. Hermione Granger.” Hermione answered.
“Good Ms. Granger, I am Professor Snape. Do you know where you are?” Professor Snape inquired further.
Hermione finally looked around and saw a bunch of faces she definitely could not recognize.
“No Professor, I- I don’t know where this is? Where am I?” she croaked out. Hermione was starting to panic from all the questions. How could she not know anything-
“Breathe, Granger.”
She looked around for the voice, one she knew. And found a face she recognized. The face has a furrowed brow. She thinks it ruins his features.
“Malfoy”, she breathed. “I know you.”
Malfoy’s eyebrows went up in shock and immediately looked to Professor Snape. Professor Snape waved a wooden stick in front of her. Then it was black.