The Truth.

Chapter 15-Back at Hogwarts

I smiled as I got off the train with Luna but sneered as I spotted Ron ahead of us, walking with Lavender. The poor girl was infatuated with him. Luna had explained to me that she has been obsessed with the Weasley boy from when she first met him. It was tragic really, but Lavender was not exactly the nicest person, though then again, neither was I. "Did you have a good time with Beck?" I rolled my eyes but laughed as Luna used Tonks term for Bella. "Yes, I did Luna. How did things go with you and Neville?" Luna just smiled dreamily at me. I chuckled as she said "Things are going to be different this year Hermione. The Nargales seem to be surrounding everyone's heads today." I smiled at her as we approached the carriage, ready to be pulled by a Thestral. I stroked its neck and the skeletal winged horse released a huff of air from it's nostrils. Thestral's are truly magnificent creatures but not everyone can see them; only those who have seen death can see them though I know majority would not agree that the beasts are beauties. I entered the carriage, chatting away with Luna and before I knew it, I was walking back into Hogwarts.

I withheld my laughter as Harry came in with a broken and bloodied nose, glancing in Draco's direction to see his smirk; knowing that Draco must have damaged Harry in some way. I noticed that Dumbledore had Auroras on the doors, patrolling the school. Looks like he's preparing. He knows some-thing will be happening this year. Overconfident. I rolled my eyes as Dumbledore spoke about 'Tom Riddle', attempting to scare the students. Almost stating that he still has control. It seemed that he was still delusional that he had power over his students when he only thought he had power. It was laughable really. Though, I suppose no one really knew whose side Severus Snape was really on, so only time would tell.

I coughed, covering my laughter that wanted to escape when he said "Dark forces attempt to penetrate this castles walls. In the end, their greatest weapon is you." He was clueless, not realising that those 'dark forces' have already entered the school; been within its walls for years and the fact that he thought that the students would be their greatest weapon was ridiculous. Hogwarts barely scraped the surface of defensive and attacking spells. I nodded discretely to Draco as I walked pass him, exiting the hall; him sending a small smile my way. I released a sigh. This year was going to be long.

I stood with the other in Professor Slughorn's class, watching in boredom. Narcissa was exceptionally good at potion making and she had taught me over the summer when I wasn't with Bella. It was funny with the sisters. Bella was unbeatable in duelling, both defensive and attack spells, Narcissa was practically a potions master and healer, while Andromeda was good at Charms and Ruins. Though I hadn't met Andromeda yet, the stories that Bella and Narcissa informed me that no one should ever mess with any of them, because if you messed with one, you had to deal with the other two, or even all three of them. The Black sisters where powerful on their own, but the three of them together would be like facing an army. They had told me what happened when Andy had gotten bullied and, even I was slightly scared of the three of them. I silently groaned in annoyance as Harry and Ron showed up. I heard Draco release a snicker and I sent an elbow to his ribs. I watched amused as Lavender practically unabashedly stared at Ron. Out of the corner of my eye as Harry and Ron fought over a book. Ron pulled away smug and Harry hit him with a very worn out book.

I maintained my cover of the 'know-it-all' and answered Slughorn's questions. Inhaling the love potion, I couldn't help but smile as I was hit with the smell of Bella. Though the potion would be ineffective against me, I could still smell what attracted me. Not that I could tell them that I could smell the distinct smell of Bellatrix Black, so I made up a generic smell that I know 'Granger' would smell, such as freshly cut grass, parchment and spear mint toothpaste. Slughorn then went on to explain that the love potion did not cause love but a deep infatuation. I saw the spark in Lavenders eyes, and I shook my head. The poor girl was clueless, well not clueless just oblivious to who she had a crush on.

I noticed Draco's interest as Slughorn explained Felix Felicis, or otherwise known as Liquid Luck. Slughorn promised to give us a small vial of Liquid Luck if we managed to successfully brew the potion Draught of Living Death. I watched as everyone struggled to cut the Sopophrus bean, while I had already crushed it using the blade of the knife. I noticed that Harry had done the same and my eye's narrowed. The books had been written wrong on purpose so that no one could use it as it was an extremely powerful sleeping draught which will make anyone under this potion to fall into a death like slumber. I poured the ingredients in, remembering what Narcissa taught me.

Flashback

Three beans were added into the cauldron. "Why are you making me add three when it clearly says two?" Narcissa smirked and replied. "This is a powerful sleeping draught that will make those under its influence fall into a death like slumber. They have made sure it's wrong so that it can not be abused." I hummed and watched in slight fascination as the potion began to come together. "But why would they publish it wrong?" Narcissa just gave me and look and replied, "Why do you think Hermione?" I replied "Control." Narcissa nodded and continued to talk me through the correct ingredients and how to ensure that no mistakes are made. Soon after, the potion had been successfully brewed. Narcissa praised me but before she could say anything we heard "DRACO YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Me and Narcissa looked at each other before laughing knowing that Draco was about to be murdered by Bella.

Flashback end.

I chuckled at the memory. Draco had pranked Bella and she was not happy. I had caught Bella around the waist as she had tried to launch herself at a terrified but amused Draco. He had turned her hair pink as he had trapped the kitchen door. He was supposed to get me but hadn't realised that I was doing a potion lesson with Narcissa. It was an hilarious sight to see. Bella had hexed him every day for a week. I was broken out my thoughts when Slughorn exclaimed that the time was up. I watched as he went around everyone in the class before coming to me and Harry. He looked amazed as he tested mine then even more so as he tested Harry's.

"It appears we have two students who have crafted the perfect Draught of Living Death. I wouldn't expect any different from Miss Romanov." He had paled a little when he had said my surname. I guess he had an incline of who my parents where seeing as he had been hiding out in the muggle world. He gave me and Harry half a vial of Liquid Luck since there was only the one. I noticed Harry hide the tattered book behind his back and I knew I would have to see what he was hiding as I knew he did not create the potion without help. It did make me wonder whose book it was. But I walked just behind Draco as he headed toward his destination, I had no use for the Liquid Luck so I knew he would make more use of it, especially with what he would have to do this year.