Atlas Malfoy and how history repeats itself

Part 17

Percy crashes into us just outside the common room. He says, "What are you three doing out here? Especially you, Atlas, you are meant to be in our common room."
"Well," I say, struggling for words, "These two were going to take me to see my brother. It's christmas time after all."
Draco's voice rings out, "Anyway, what is a Weasley doing here? Come on."
We barge past him and I feel awful. Draco lets us in, and I grimace as I sit. Draco says, "Honestly, the Weasleys are an embarrassment to the wizarding world. You know, my Father said that Dumbledore was the worst thing that ever happened to this place. You would know, Atlas, after all, your Father too-"
"You're wrong," Harry snaps. I turn to him as Draco says, "Oh yeah, who would you say is worse than Dumbledore?"
"Harry Potter," he squeaks. Draco smirks and walks over to the little table next to us and says, "I told you yesterday, I've got no idea who the heir of Slytherin is. If I did, I wouldn't be here. Is this yours?"
He holds up a little box as we all shake our heads. With that, he pockets it, smirking.
"Listen," he says, "The last time the chamber of secrets was opened, a mud blood died. It's only a matter of time before another one dies. Personally, I'm hoping Granger."

The boys both run out and I race after them, back to the girls toilets. Moaning Mertle laughs and I creak open the cubical, gawping at Hermione. She looks like a cat, and even worse, has a tail. I have to beg her to infirmary, where I see her off and spend the whole of the next day with her. She says, "What did you say about being a Metamorphmagus?"
"You remember the word?" I laugh, but she presses for more. I say, "You have to promise to keep this a secret until I magically unveil it, making everyone gasp and love me... kidding. No, but I am a Metamorphmagus. I can do stupid things with my hair and face. Make my hair red, or blue, or green or whatever. Give me a suggestion."
Hermione shakes her head before reluctantly saying, "Fine then. Blue."
I barely have to think about it, and she scoffs, "That's brilliant! Why didn't you tell me? How long did it take you to learn?"
"I was born as one. You can't learn it, sadly." I say. Hermione nods and whispers, "Do the teachers know?"
"Pfft, no!" I scoff, "I haven't told anyone. Only people who know are you, Harry, Ron and a little first year called Abigail. She is a Metamorphmagus, too. How are you feeling? You look much less... less hairy."
"Thanks," She says, rubbing her hands up and down her face, "I feel gross. I mean, I feel healthy, but my skin feels like I've got lots of stubble."
"It doesn't look like it. As a matter of fact, it looks smoother now." I say. She nods and Madame Pomfrey bustles in with a bottle in her hand. Hermione takes the medication and grimaces. Madame turns to me and snaps, "If you are anything like your brother, you can clear off now. I am not dealing with another little copy of him. Honestly, in here every single week. Are you anything like him? No, I am not taking your word for it. Hermione?"
"She really isn't, don't worry."
Madame nods and says, "You can leave now. No point keeping a perfectly healthy girl all pent up inside."
Harry drags me to to the courtyard,  not explaining a single thing to me, clearly anyway. Neville suddenly races up, telling us that we need to come. Harry's dormitory is ruined, pillows ripped, glass smashed.
"They've found it. Tom Riddle's diary is gone."
I excuse myself to bed, and can barely breathe. My chest feels tight. The room looks like it's spinning. Hermione is saying something, but I can't understand it. She sounds under water. I strain to listen, and the world goes black.

I wake up the next morning, McGonigal stood over me. Before I've even taken a full breathe in, she says, "Thank god you're awake now. You need to get to the common room as soon as you are dressed. Hermione sent you some clothes down."
I'm stopped before I can leave by Severus, who says, "Professor wasn't thinking straight. The bed next to you has someone you might want to see."
He slinks off and I pull back the curtain to see Hermione, petrified. I sit on the chair next to her, and whisper, "Come on, Mines, come on. You're Hermione Granger. You have to be okay. You have to be okay."
I don't know how long I'm sat there repeating it, but McGonigal brings Harry and Ron in. She says something and hold up Hermione's mirror. I take it off her walk with her to the common room. Fred helps me to the sofa, and I sit down, staring at the fire as McGonigal talks. Hermione is petrified. Hermione is gone. Hermione needs to be okay. Hermione needs to be okay. I stand up but fall straight back onto the sofa. Ginny holds my hand and says, "Don't worry. Hermione will be fine. This will be sorted."
I nod and burst into tears. There are gasps and I open my eyes, groaning. My hair is bright blue and short like Harry's. I see Abigail who just nods. I'm sobbing hard now, and Percy says, "Are... are you okay? I mean, you've gone a little blue."
"I noticed!" I snap through sobs. He jumps away a little and a girl I've never spoken to puts my head on her chest. She holds me close and says, "Just cry. Just cry, honestly. Crying is good for your soul. And your skin. It's really good for your skin."
Harry invites me to go to Hagrid's that evening, but I shake my head silently. Ron looks fuming and they leave. The tower is eerily silent, I think as I sit alone.

"Hey Atlas."
I jump at a voice and spin round. It's Neville. At the sight of him, I immediately relax and pat the sofa next to me. He sits and says, "I think that you being a Metamorphmagus is really cool. Gran wrote me a letter not too long back and she said that from everything I mentioned, she had a feeling you were one. Just the little changes in your appearance every day. Nobody has said anything negative about it as far as I have heard. I think everyone thinks it's pretty cool."
"Thank you Neville. I do really appreciate you. You're a really good friend."
He smiles and I say, "I have to head to bed now if Harry and Ron don't..."
"Have they gone out again?"
I bow my head and he says, "They're going to get themselves killed. Honestly, and even if they don't, we are going to lose points."
"I know, but Neville you have to believe me," I say, "We are doing it for good. Without what we are doing, I can't bare to think of what would happen."
He nods and I say, "Goodnight Neville."
"Night Atlas."