The Nobody - Year One IV

                                    

                                          
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat's voice boomed through the hall, startling the students who had begun to drift off. The Slytherin table clapped as the Gryffindor table booed. 
                          
Huffing at the lack of inter-House unity, she stalked towards her table. As the sorting continued, Hermione chatted with Daphne excitedly. Zabini was sorted into Slytherin, and Dumbledore stood. 
                          
After warning the new students of the dangers of Hogwarts (the moving staircases, the Forbidden forest, and how they weren't allowed on the third floor) Dumbledore said a few choice words and clapped.  
                          
Food appeared en masse in front of her. Jaw dropping, she put a bit of everything onto her plate. The feast ended after they had all had their fill (with the exception of Crabbe and Goyle, they seemed to have endless stomachs).
                          
Hermione sat herself comfortably on a leather chair in the common room. She opened her book, finally reading about Levitation charms. She had been interrupted too many times. Sighing with contentment, she relaxed into the squishy chair. 
                          
"We heard some nasty rumors about our new resident, here." A loud voice shattered her calm and made her jump. She looked up at the boy standing next to her. He was obviously much older, as he was enormous. His companion stood next to him, nodding along. This one's hair was an ordinary brown, but his eyes were black and cold as ice. The large one had made enough ruckus to attract the attention of the common room.
                          
"Indeed, we did. We heard that a mudblood has been sorted into our house. Care to explain that, filth?" The blonde was the one who spoke. 
                          
Hermione stayed silent, trying to avoid conflict. "Honestly, we should demand this mudblood be switched to a different house. Why should we have to suffer through the rubbish it'll surely bring to Slytherin?" The large boy said. 
                          
"The only house it deserves is Hufflepuff. Those wimps don't have the bollocks to say no. They'll have to accept it." Hermione clenched her jaw. 
                          
She knew she shouldn't. She knew this, but she scoffed, catching the attention of the two bullies. 
                          
"Bored, mudblood?" The blonde sneered. 
                          
"Július, don't give it the benefit of the doubt. It probably doesn't even know we're talking to it. All that muggle blood, it's a surprise it could see Hogwarts at all."
                          
"Isn't that more of a reason of this thing to get removed?"
                          
Hermione was used to people making fun of her. She could be submissive, or she could be haughty. Submissive would ensure her safety in the moment, but also locked her on as a target for future harassment. Haughty, it was. 
                          
"I can assure you that my muddy upbringing won't hurt Slytherin at all. In fact, by the end of the month you will be thanking me on your knees for being in our house." Flipping her hair back over her shoulder, she went back to her book. If those two continued to talk to her she didn't care. 
                          
The next time Hermione was interrupted, it was Daphne bounding over. 
                          
"Hermione! You're never going to make friends if you keep acting like Draco!" 
                          
"I have no interest in being friends with bloody idiots." Hermione said, closing her book. The two girls fell into an easy conversation, talking until they couldn't keep their eyes open and decided it was time to sleep. 
                          
~~~~~
                          
It was All Hallow's Eve and Hermione was angry. She thought she was finally in a place that would value her intelligence and eagerness to learn, but she was wrong. Tomorrow would mark the second month at this school. And yet, I am a social pariah.
                          
Slytherin was cold. They left her alone, and she was not to be talked to. Of course, none of this was shown on the outside. Hermione learned very quickly that no matter the conflicts on the inside, Slytherin must present a united front. Well, there is that.
                          
The other houses didn't adhere to this unspoken rule; they "aired their dirty laundry for all the world to see," according to Daphne. They were more brazen, as well. The Gryffindors threw things at her during class and spelled her bag to rip at the bottom. The majority of Ravenclaw kept quiet, reserving their judgement. Hufflepuff was responsible for most of the rumors circulating around ("I heard she's violent. Bet she learned that from her muggle parents. Witch burnings, I tell you.")
                          
All of this because she was muggleborn and in Slytherin. 
                          
Idiots, the lot of them. They don't even bother to fact-check, just blindly believe whatever rubbish is forced into their mouths. Hermione scowled at the people's ignorance, stomping her way quite loudly down the corridor. She stopped when she realized she wasn't quite sure where she was. 
                          
BOOM! Rubble came flying out of nowhere, spreading a pervasive smell. Cautiously making her way through the chunks of stone, she saw a troll, of all things. She flung herself against the wall, mind racing. There aren't any spells I know that can pierce troll hide! She swore, running to get a teacher. She wasn't fast enough, though. A thick hand grabbed her around her middle, squeezing the breath out of her. 
                          
She hyperventilated, panicking as she pounded her fist against the heavy hand. She was momentarily distracted as a sharp object hit the back of her head. 
                          
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"
                          
Hermione twisted in the grip, blushing as she was swung around by the troll. "There's nothing that pierces troll skin, Ronald!" She winced as she got hit by another rock. "And stop hitting me, you berk!" Potter snickered at the banter.
                          
"We're helping you! Barmy bint," Weasley said, but then shouts as the troll reached his other hand towards the two on the floor. They scattered, but Potter wasn't as lucky as Weasley. 
                          
"Fancy the weather up here, Potter?" Hermione asked sarcastically. 
                          
With a pale face, he said, "You really have cracked!" The last portion of his sentence was elongated as he was brought closer to the troll's face, and promptly stuck his wand up the troll's nose. She paused, snorted, and shot a Diffindo at the troll's neck. It made a small scratch, but it was enough to bother the troll. The troll promptly let out a loud grunt (and emitted an awful stench in their faces) and tightened its grip on the two first-years. 
                          
By now, Hermione was feeling quite light-headed. Wait! Hermione aimed the same cutting spell at the troll's eye. Potter did the same, and the troll was blind.
                          
A spurt of warm blood washed over all of them as the troll roared in pain. It was seriously pissed, and dropped them. 
                          
As Hermione hit the floor, an intense wave of pain crawled up her leg. She moaned and clutched at her knee, turning an alarming shade of grey. Bone poked through her shin. Potter groaned as well, but quickly got up, seemingly only bruised. 
                          
Potter and Weasley each grabbed one of her arms, and attempted to drag her to safety. She nearly screamed, but bit straight through her lip to avoid alerting the troll to their location. She dazedly told the boys to "Get a prof'ssor. Go!" 
                          
She was having problems seeing, and couldn't hear accurately. She blinked, and when she opened her eyes again, she was surrounded by white.