Reckless ~ Tomione

No Pressure or Anything!

As they whirled through the years, Hermione counted aloud how many turns she had made. 

"Fifty... Fifty-one... Fifty-two!" Hermione said triumphantly. Draco looked amused. 

"Come on, remember, we don't know anything about Hogwarts. We especially don't know where the library is. We live near each other, in remote parts of Britain, but we don't know where specifically, and we were homeschooled our whole lives. We were attacked by Grindelwald, and our parents died trying to protect us."

"I have to admit, you've certainly thought this through, and you were impressive right until the part about Grindelwald. He never came anywhere near Britain out of fear of Dumbledore. Dumbledore would see straight through our lies."

"Why don't we start with our names. I'm Hermione Greystone. You're Draco... Dimitrov will have to do."
"After the Bulgarian quiddich player?" Draco asked, a smile tugging at his lips. "I think I prefer Arcturus."

"Fine, just don't blow our cover. We were on a trip to France where Grindelwald tried to recruit our parents, who are family friends, and attacked when we refused. We joined in the battle, but we weren't good enough, and so the adults got killed in the process of saving us. We both apparated here to look for a place to stay."

"Sounds great. Just let me do the talking, you and your big Griffindor mouth are going to get us in trouble," Draco replied dryly. Hermione huffed, but didn't say anything. She opened the gates and stepped in, looking both ways before proceeding onwards. Draco followed suit, and when they reached the front doors, the two of them paused, looking at each other for confirmation.
Draco shrugged, and pushed open the front door after knocking loudly. 

"Hello," a deep voice greeted them, and a man who had a look of curiosity step out. "What brings two children to the doors of Hogwarts so early in the morning?"

"Hello, Sir," Draco replied. "I'm Draco Arcturus, and this is Hermione Greystone. We were been attacked by Grindelwald in France, and we were wondering if we could stay at Hogwarts, because our guardians were killed and we have nowhere else to go."

Hermione tried her best to look tired and worn-out, but it hardly took much effort since that was exactly what she felt like. 

"Well... It is a bit late in the school year... However, due to the circumstances, I'm sure we can spare you two a room and a spot in our classes."
"Thank you so much, Professor..." Hermione purposely acted as if she didn't know what his name was.
"Dippet. It was a pleasure meeting both of you. Now, if you'll follow me, we can get you up to my office to get you your time tables and get everything prepared for you."

~

"...called Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Huffflepuff and Slytherin," the Headmaster was explaining. "Griffindor values courage and bravery, Ravenclaw values intelligence, Huffflepuff treasures loyalty and fairness, and Slytherin prizes cunning and the ambitious. We'll have you two sorted at breakfast today, but you won't be required to attend classes until next week. We all understand if you need more time to get over the trauma and grief." Dippet smiled sympathetically, and Hermione tried to look downcast by thinking about Harry, Ron and Ginny, all dead in the war.

"Sir, I was wondering," Draco began, breaking the thoughtful silence, "is there anyone here who could show us around? Neither of us know the castle at all, and we were hoping not to get lost when we start classes."
Good thinking, Hermione thought. She crossed her fingers, hoping Dippet would say a certain someone.

"That would depend on which house you get sorted in. Of course, we can simply ask the Head Boy and Head Girl to show you around. Tom Riddle and Anneliese Clearwater would be happy to do that."

Hermione could hardly contain her excitement. Finally, her original plan was going to be put into action. 

"Of course, Sir," Hermione and Draco said at the same time. 

"Come on now, children, grab your timetables and anything else you brought here with you, and we can take them down to the Great Hall with us."

The time travelers exchanged a look, then both glanced down at Hermione's beaded bag. 

"We can transfigure some of Harry or Ron's clothes until we get you new ones," Hermione whispered, thinking of the handfuls of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts Harry had given her to take with them. 

Draco nodded, then held the door open for Hermione after Dippet waltzed out, humming a tune.

~

"Students, I am pleased to announce that we have two new students here at Hogwarts. They will be starting their seventh year, and we shall sort them right now! Draco Arcturus!"

Draco strutted up to the stool with all the swagger he could muster, and Hermione rolled her eyes at his display.
"Slytherin!" the hat screamed after barely skimming his hair. Draco smirked, then took off the hat and handed it back to Dippet, strutting towards the cheering Slytherin table. 

"Miss Hermione Greystone!"

IHmmm... Interesting. Miss Granger, you certainly aren't what people think you are, at least, for a period of time. You are intelligent, which you believe is necessary for whatever you're doing, yet also brave for doing it. Ravenclaw and Griffindor will both be good for you but I think... Slytherin!"

The Slytherin table cheered again, and Hermione sauntered over, acting like Malfoy, only less over-the-top. He scooted over on his seat so she could take a seat next to him. 

"Slytherin, eh?" he teased. Hermione just rolled her eyes at him, trying to, at the same time, catch a glimpse of the infamous Tom Riddle, which resulted in a strange eye twitch. 

"Oh, shove off, Ma- Arcturus," she muttered, attempting to hide her face in her braided hair, a feat that even one as intelligent as Hermione could not accomplish.

Now that she was here, all she had to do was make sure Lord Voldemort didn't take over the world. No pressure or anything!