Venenum

Notenchis.

Chapter 4. Notechis - The Beginning

Edited January 2024

Inside the Gryffindor common room, Hermione felt like she was at home. It's safe, cozy and familiar. Enid, Bilius and Ectur talked with her cheerfully, trying to make her comfortable.

She had the pleasure of meeting Algie Longbottom, Enid's fiance.

"See Hermione." Enid showed her hand, moving her fingers to highlight the glittering wizard-style engagement ring. "Isn't it beautiful?" She smiled, giving a kiss to Algie's cheek.

Algie hugged Enid closer, smiling at her. He is the Gryffindor monitor just like Enid is and everyone is certain that the two would be Head Boy and Head Girl respectively next year when they enter the seventh year.

"Enid, Hermione is the sixth girl you've shown your ring today." Laughed Ignatius Prewett, his comment attracted everyone's laughter.

Ignatius was Ectur's older brother and was in the same year as Algie and Enid.

Hermione still had the pleasure of meeting Frederick Longbottom, Algie's brother and Lyall Lupin, the father of the future Remus Lupin, who were in their third year, eager to start their fourth year.

"Let's go, guys, let the freshman rest. I'm sure today was a long, hard day for her." Algie comments and for being a good leader, everyone agrees with his suggestion.

They all wish each other goodnight, with Enid and Hermione taking the opposite way to the female dormitory up the stairs.

It's a fact that Hermione has everything in her little handbag: books, materials, money and all that is important to her and Harry's survival is in there and with a simple Accio, she summons a set of her pyjamas.

When she lies down, the weight on her shoulders finally lifts. It's the first time in a while that she can lie down and be a little more relaxed, even though she's still worried.

Hermione turns, hugging the pillow. Sleep came easily but she woke early the next morning - courtesy of the time she spent in the tent.

Quietly, she picks up the things she'll need for the day in her handbag and then goes to the bathroom, doing her morning routine, watching her sleeping roommates. Down the stairs, she was surprised to find Ectur already awake.

"I'm happy to find someone like me who also wakes up early," he says, smiling.

"Good morning." She smiles at him, carrying her school bag. "Let's have breakfast?"

"Sure." He agrees, holding out a hand to Hermione. She looks at his hand, a little disconcerted.

"What?" She asked, not understanding what he wanted.

"Your bag, silly." He chuckles. "Let me take it."

Oh, the chivalry of the 1940s, Hermione realises. She isn't accustomed to this kind of attitude and, awkwardly, she gives him her school bag. Ectur smiles at her behavior, finding it somehow cute the way she behaves. Taking their bags in one hand, he offers the other arm to Hermione who hesitantly accepts.

"I don't bite," he says, teasing out a laugh from Hermione.

The Great Hall has few students at this time in the norning, but Hermione is sure it won't be long before it gets full. When she glances at the Slytherin table, Hermione can't tell if she's really surprised to find the young Dark Lord already there. She thinks it's a bit obvious he was there so early. Of course, Voldemort gets up earlier than the others and is probably also the last one to sleep. It's possible that the boy mistrusted his own shadow.