Dark, Twisted and Time Turned

Chapter 16: Not the One She Remembered

(*Warning: Minor language, discussion of violence)

(Hey idk if the chapter title fits completely on mobile, so if anyone on mobile is wondering, it's called 'Not the One She Remembered)

As it turned out, Rich Boys was some kind of historical fiction type, written by some Wizarding author she'd never heard of before. And it was the funniest book she had ever had the pleasure of reading. She had tossed and turned the previous night for several hours with a headache, before waking up early and deciding to read it.

She had read while managing her hair, while dressing, and all the way down to breakfast while weaving around people. She had it propped on one hand while she ate, nearly choking several times as she holds in laughs. Abraxas was making small talk just down the table, and she vaguely heard Cyriss remark several times he looked like a mad man, grinning ear to ear.

She had no doubt he was the one who had left the book for her; it was brand new, the cover cracked every time she turned a crisp page. And of course, the conversation she had had with him the day before was a very good hint to it. Rich Boys, in gist, was a mockery towards teenage boys in high society, and their views on the world and their privileges. And it was hysterical.

"Enjoying the book, Mione?" Cyriss asks her, leaning over her shoulder to read. She shies away with it. Elizabeth Rookwood leans across the table to whisper something to Abraxas, and Hermione looks up briefly to listen.

"...not to mention her legs, good god they never stop-"

"Rookwood, please shut up about my cousin. We all know you've been pining after her since fourth year." Araminta mutters, and several people look down the table at a couple laughing together. Elizabeth flushes red.

"And just who are you describing, Abraxas? I know you don't care for Lucretia Black." Tom suddenly appears, sitting next to Hermione. She's forced to put down the book, too many voices distracting her to return to her chapter. Abraxas ignores Tom, but smiles nonetheless. "I hear you got top marks in potions once again, Hermione. I sure hope you aren't looking to take away my business with the apothecary in Hogsmeade." She grins at Tom.

"Only Hogsmeade, Tom? What about in Diagon Ally?" He scowls at her.

"Well, Professors Slughorn and Merrythought think you've surpassed all expectations. They're really impressed with you." Though the news was supposedly intended to be congratulatory, Tom didn't smile, instead looking rather grim. "They've been speaking your praises." She tips her head, unsure of where his words were going, but she looks away as their immediate group of friends falls silent, and she glances around to find the source. Her eyes land on their target; an Auburn haired man making his way towards them.

"Push it all down, ladies and gentlemen." Carnell mutters, and more then several of them take out a bottle of Muddle-Mind potion.

"Hermione, push it away. Under no circumstances let any yourself entertain any form of magic." Theon mutters across the table to her. Confused, she swallows her thoughts and tucks her wand out of her reach, still unsure what exactly the grand issue seemed to be.

"Miss Granger, I've heard you're doing just as well in your other classes as you are with mine." He says, not a hint of warmth and compassion in his voice as she was used to. She felt her smile falling. She hadn't really had the proper chance to converse with him on any matter at any time, and now that she was, well, this was nothing like the Dumbledore she knew. "Impressive, seeing as you've had no prior education, or even practice. My sister was very much like you, although perhaps a bit less skilled."

"Thank you, sir, I've been trying-"

"I do wonder where you've practiced so fluently. Professor Merrythought informed me she'd never had the pleasure of seeing the Greek duelling form in action, and you've displayed both that as well as the German and French forms excellently. Where ever did you learn such things?" She winces when she feels a headache form abruptly.