Hermione Riddle

Chapter 1

I was sat in the Great Hall with Harry, Ron, and Ginny bored out of my mind. I was sure there wasn't a single book at the library that I hadn't read but decided to check in any case. First, I had to get away. 

"Guys, I'm going to the library," I told them all simply. Ginny nodded alongside Harry but Ron spoke up. 

"Hermione, you have read every book in that library, why would you go there again?" He had stopped chewing his food and so I answered him. 

"I feel like they've got a few new books. I want to see if I can find them. Bye." I looked at them all and when all three nodded to me, I turned on my heel and out of the Great Hall. I hadn't paid attention to see if they had waved but what did it matter? I was going to see them shortly anyway. I

I didn't even have to think about what direction I was going in. The library was a sanctuary for me at Hogwarts. I had been there at least once every day for five years. I arrived in record time to see it was empty. This was perfect. Madam Pince nodded in my direction and allowed me to wander around in search of a new book. 

I scanned all of the covers, most of them recognisable instantly from the many times I had read them, before stopping my hand on the spine of a book I certainly didn't recognise. I pulled it off of the shelf to look at the cover What I read seemed rather interesting. 

"Pureblood lines throughout history," I mumbled, examining the book. There was no blurb and so I was forced to use my intuition. I genuinely wanted to read it. Surely the Malfoy name would be seen in the book somewhere, I might as well find out. Stuffing the book in my bag, I rushed out of the library, eager to read it. After waving a quick goodbye to Madam Pince, I was out of there and headed to Gryffindor Tower. 

When I arrived outside the portrait of the Fat Lady, I was panting slightly. This book intrigued me, I wanted to read it curled up in bed. Despite my hopes, all three of my closest friends were waiting for me. 

"Find anything?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. Should I tell him? No, I wanted to really enjoy this book, no questions asked. I shook my head before raising up to my dormitory.  knew they had expressed their nighttime pleasantries towards me so I yelled a quick goodnight to them, hoping they had heard me. 

I spotted my trunk at the end of one of the beds and decided on getting changed. I replaced my uniform with my pyjamas and settled down in bed. I was about to get my new book when a sudden wave of tiredness washed over me. Realising the window was open, I thought it best to close it before settling completely for the night. That was when I heard it. 

"Goodnight my sweet daughter." It called, apparently only reaching my ears. Panic took over for a moment and I screamed into the night. Lavender awoke and reprimanded me. 

"What on earth are you yelling about?" I scanned the outside, not seeing anything. I closed the window, ignoring Lavender and went to sleep, the stranger's words still rippling in my ears. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I awoke in good time the following morning, still shaken from last night's events. I changed into my school robes quickly enough and grabbed my bag off my desk chair in the corner. Everything was how I had left it. I left before any of the other sixth year girls could wake. The Great Hall was practically empty, minus Professor McGonagall, Professor Slughorn and Professor Flitwick. 

I collected my timetable from McGonagall and grabbed an apple to eat. All three professors could tell that something was wrong with me but none of them voiced it. I figured that it couldn't hurt to wander around a little before class. It started off pleasant, I minded my own business. Not focusing on where I was going, I walked right into one of the people I wanted to see least.