Masquerade (Hermione x Female OC)

Chapter 8 - Connection

Total Words - 1096

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Amid Sara's animated storytelling, the Hogwarts Express steadily chugged along the tracks. René leaned back against the seat, listening intently to Sara's tales of muggle neighbors and their amusing escapades. The train compartment buzzed with energy as they shared laughter and anecdotes. The dense forested landscape gave way to a wide expanse of flatland, where fields stretched out towards the horizon. The sunlight danced upon the water's surface, casting a golden glow that bathed the compartment in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The landscape, ever shifting, now started to display the majestic grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in a distance. The towering turrets and sprawling lawns came into view, and a sense of familiarity and belonging washed over René. She carefully placed her book into her backpack, ensuring that it was safely tucked away. The trollies of heavy luggage, although was placed with the luggage managers. The compartment was adorned with the chatter and as she got up, she glanced around at them, catching snippets of their conversations.

Her robes, taken out from her backpack, neatly folded, were set beside her on the seat. René reached for them and began for the girl's bathroom. Blaise noticed René preparing to change and realized he needed to do the same. He quickly gathered his robes and headed to the boys' bathroom. Sara, however, was already in her Slytherin robes when she had arrived.

René made her way to the girls' bathroom on the train, navigating through the narrow corridors. The scarcity of bathrooms for the students was evident, with only a few available at intervals along the train's compartments. As she reached the bathroom, she prepared to change into her Hogwarts robes and join her friends again.

She found an empty room and began the process of changing into her school attire. As she slipped into the familiar uniform, she couldn't help but feel a surge of comfort. As she finished donning her robes, she meticulously adjusted her attire, ensuring that everything was in proper order. It was not. She was unable to wear the tie.

René emerged from the bathroom, her robes elegantly draped around her, but her tie still in her hand. Standing in front of the mirror in the common area, she attempted to tie the knot herself. Her determination was evident, yet the tie remained unruly and disheveled. In the past, her father would pre tie the tie and she would just adorn in the train or Sara would have helped her with the tie, but circumstances had changed this year, leaving her to tackle the task alone. Reluctant to ask for assistance, she grappled with the feeling of embarrassment that came with struggling to do something so seemingly simple.

As René battled with the tie, her struggle didn't go unnoticed by a pair of girls who burst into giggles. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she was surprised when another voice spoke up, offering assistance.

"Can I help you with that? I can show you how to do it if you want," Hermione's voice came from the entrance of the bathroom. René turned toward Hermione, and said, "No. I think I'll be fine, thanks," rather plainly. She never liked to ask for help. Ever. Looking at the already chewed and rather disgustingly placed Bubblegum Blaster candy tucked into the crevice of one of the bathroom doors, the Gryffindor girl replied to her absently. Definitely made by the Weasley twins, a simultaneous thought that had occurred in her head, "Never the one to bend, were you?" The Slytherin girl looked at Hermione from the corner of her eye. This situation was dire and the assistance was offered rather freely. So hesitantly she said, "Umm... okay then. Sure. Go ahead. I'm really not that good with ties."

Hermione approached René with a reassuring smile. "No worries, I wasn't either," she said. Taking hold of René's tie, she began to fix it. Their eyes met in the mirror.

Thump Thump

There was a brief moment of a sense of connection between them.

Hermione patiently demonstrated the steps to tie the perfect knot. "There, it's done now," she said, a warm smile on her lips. Afterward, she playfully remarked, "I hope you were paying attention when I showed you the steps." René responded with a teasing tone, "I'm not too bad at learning myself. You might know that best, I reckon Little Miss Perfect." Academic rivals, after all.

Hermione nearly rolled her eyes, then turned to leave. Just as she was walking away, she heard René's soft voice saying thanks. Hermione smiled to herself before continuing on her way, and René left the bathroom as well.

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With a final jolt and a screeching of brakes, the train came to a halt, bringing an end to their journey. Outside, the sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows that stretched across the platform. Hogwarts' first 'days' starts with the dinner, after all. The familiar sights of Hogsmeade Station greeted her eyes – the charming red-brick buildings, the fluttering banners displaying the school colors, and the bustling crowd of students and families.

The Great Hall, with its soaring ceilings and grand architecture, was a spectacle. The enchanted ceiling mimicked the current outdoor weather, giving an ever-changing view of the sky. Four long house tables stretched across the hall, each adorned with exquisite house banners and colours. Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and finally Gryffindor from left to right, one would see as they enter. The adorable first-year students fidgeted, their eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Their tiny faces were a delightful as they awaited their turn to be sorted.

René's heart warmed as she spotted Danielle's little sister among the new students waiting to be sorted. She was Danielle's cousin, as precise as one could be. Danielle came from a close-knit family arrangement, where her uncles and their children lived together. René recalled seeing the girl's face in a photograph that Danielle had shared with her. The image had painted a glimpse of their extended family's bond.

René and Danielle's friendship had formed unexpectedly during their previous year at Hogwarts. It was in Professor Sprout's herbology class that their connection blossomed, ignited by a simple question about hobbies. Both girls had responded with a shared interest: music. For René, it was music and Quidditch that captured her heart.

René was immediately intrigued by Danielle, primarily because of her distinctive pink hair. After all, how many thirteen-year-olds sported such a unique color? As they got to know each other, René uncovered another intriguing facet of Danielle's identity: she was a metamorphmagus. Beyond her appearance, Danielle's manner of speaking also caught René's attention. With a penchant for riddles and a raspy voice, Danielle exuded an aura of coolness.

As the sorting hat announced at the little girl's turn, its voice echoed through the Great Hall, declaring "Gryffindor!" René deemed it fitting as even Danielle was a lion, with her vibrant personality and spirit.

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