Hermione makes some startling realizations, reconnects with an old friend and makes a new one.

Don’t own anything...on to the next chapter!

Over the next fort-night, all anyone at school could talk about was the Tournament and Viktor Krum.

Hermione had gone to her spot by the Black Lake on the evening of the first full moon to wait for Nagini, but the snake never showed so she sat there reading her book, with a lost expression on her face, not noticing a pair of grey eyes watching her from behind the tree on the other side of the knoll.

When it started getting dark, she put her book away in her beaded bag, and walked back towards the castle. She was worried about her friend.

Did something happen to Nagini?

Hermione had heard whispers of what had happened during the World Cup, that Death Eaters had been spotted at the game and had created havoc. She knew from the articles that she’d researched, that her Father’s followers were Death Eaters. So perhaps it was a sign that her father planned on returning soon. Maybe Nagini had told him about her?

Maybe he’d want to...no...she couldn’t risk getting her hopes up. No one wanted her friendship nor companionship. And she didn’t want anyone’s pity, that was for sure.

The days passed by in a blur and Hermione studied harder than ever. She was so far ahead on the material that she could have answered every question in every class if she’d so desired, but she finally belatedly realized, that her classmates didn’t appreciate her intellect. They didn’t appreciate her winning house points for them, so she stopped volunteering to answer questions, unless asked directly by her Professors.

She’d noticed the curious stares from her classmates, but she ignored them.

She was done trying to prove to them she belonged.

They’d never accept her, unless her father claimed her and there was enough doubt about that happening, that she was done calling attention to herself.

By the end of September? Word had gotten around Hogwarts that Hermione Granger was no longer speaking up in class.

She was no longer volunteering to earn points for her house and it wasn’t long before Daphne realized that the girl hadn’t spoken in nearly a month, to anyone...Professor or student.

When Mad-eye Moody had traumatized the fourth years by showing what the unforgiveables could do?

Every student cringed except for Hermione.

She’d just looked on disinterestedly.

She wasn’t in the library anymore either, a fact that caused Draco to panic one afternoon when he’d asked Daphne if she’d seen the little witch. Daphne told Draco that Hermione hadn’t been in their dorm for over a week, and she had no idea where the witch was.

Draco considered going to Professor Snape, but Hermione was in all their classes and turning in her assignments on time, so Draco didn’t want to get the witch in trouble by tattling.

She’d just assume he was back to being his vicious and cruel self.

When the night of Halloween approached, and the names were called out of the Goblet of Fire—announcing the trio of champions—no one was surprised to see Viktor Krum representing Durmstrang. Fleur Delacour, was the witch chosen from Beauxbatons and the Hogwarts champion was from Hufflepuff—Cedric Diggory.

But the Goblet apparently wasn’t finished when a fourth name was chosen...Harry Potter.

Hermione had seen the age line that Dumbledore had drawn with magic. She had seen the Weasley Twins try and confound the magic by drinking aging potions which misfired badly, aging them eighty years.

She had been so engrossed in her book, when Viktor had come in and put his name into the Goblet of Fire that when everyone quieted unexpectedly, she had glanced up he caught her eye and smiled. She stared back impassively and went back to her book, again unaware of the grey eyes that had witnessed the entire exchange.

So, Harry Potter was a Tri-Wizard Champion?

It really didn’t take a genius to figure out what exactly was going on, although everyone seemed confused as to how it could’ve happened.

Merlin’s beard, sometimes people were so clueless!

It was clearly obvious that Mad-eye Moody was a polyjuiced wizard, and the most likely scenario was that he’d placed Harry’s name into the Goblet, thereby entering him the tournament.

It was rather brilliant, if a bit short-sighted.

If the goal was to kill Harry, there were easier ways to get the job done. So why go to such elaborate lengths to enter the boy into a tournament he could very likely die in?

It obviously had to do with her Father.

If Voldemort needed Harry in some way, why just not kidnap the boy?

He lived with Muggles, so it was easily done, right?

Hermione went to the Room of Requirement and sat in front of the fire and called for one of the House elves to bring her some hot chocolate and biscuits. She then closed her eyes and asked the room to conjure any books on Dark Magic that could split a persons soul. She had two pieces of her Father’s soul, but what if he’d made more?

He was magically weakened the night he went after Harry Potter in 1981, so how did that happen?

He’d obviously found a way to store his soul into objects to make himself somewhat immortal.

Her father had killed Harry’s parents before he tried to kill Harry. Hermione knew she was missing something vital, something simple, but the answer was eluding her. So she did what she did best and researched.

She’d figure it out eventually.

Hermione had spent the entire night in the Room of Requirement and had finally found her answer around 4am in the morning.

Horcrux or as in this case, Horcruxes plural. She had two, it was likely there were others. Three and seven were strong magical numbers...so it was likely that there was at least one more...possibly five more.

Hermione thought about what the objects could be. They would most likely have some significance to her father. Maybe be other founder family heirlooms? Her father was the Heir to Slytherin, but what if he’d used relics from the other founders. In Hogwarts a History Rowena Ravenclaw had a diadem, which had disappeared ages ago. Helga Hufflepuff had a Cup with a badger on it. Slytherin had hidden a Chamber of Secrets somewhere in the castle, and Hermione was sure there were probably some family heirloom connected with her house too. Gryffindor had his sword, which if memory served, the Headmaster had access too. So the likelihood that the Sword was a horcrux was neglible.

So, a diary, ring, diadem, cup, something Slytherin related—that made five.

If her father had created two more what would they be?

Exhausted, she conjured a bathtub in the room and soaked in it for a while.

Today was a Saturday and a Hogsmeade weekend, it was also a full moon. Hermione had no interest in going to the village, so she decided to take a nap and maybe have a house elf bring her some lunch later, so she could continue with her research, until it was time to go see if Nagini would be at their usual spot.

She had no idea that at that very moment, a blonde haired wizard and witch were actively searching the castle looking for her. Daphne was getting worried as no one had seen Hermione since the end of class yesterday. She had discreetly asked around but since no one normally paid any attention to the witch, no one could remember if they’d seen her or not.

“Do you think she went to Hogsmeade, Draco?” Daphne asked a bit worriedly.

Draco shook his head. “She’s never gone before and I doubt that she’s there now. She’s somewhere in the castle, though I haven’t the slightest clue where that could be.”

As the day wore on and the two Slytherin students realized that the little witch was no where to be found, they headed back to Hogsmeade to be with their friends.

Hermione had woken up from her nap, eaten and looking at the time, realized she need to leave now if she wanted to see Nagini. She put on her coat, gloves, hat and cast a disillusionment charm over her when she left the room, warding it so no one but herself could enter...

...and left for the Black lake.

Once she had reached her destination, she cancelled the spells and sat down on her usual rock waiting for her friend and thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long today as Nagini appeared and placed her head on Hermione’s lap.

Hissing in Parseltongue, the snake greeted the little witch, asking her how school was faring.

“It’s alright, everyone is excited for the tournament. Where were you last month, Nagini? I was worried when you didn’t come.”

“I was with my master, child. Can’t you not sense why?”

Hermione stared down at the snake in confusion then then closed her eyes and reached out her magic. She could sense something had changed with the snake, it’s magic felt familiar...almost like...Holy Cricket!

Her father had made Nagini a horcrux!

“You have a piece of his soul, don’t you, Nagini?” The snake nodded and Hermione petted her head sadly. “Did he give a reason for this, Nagini?”

“I have told your father of you, young Hermione. He was not aware of your existence until I told him this summer. He has devised a plan to return. He knows you wear the ring and are protected by a piece of him. He protected me the same way.”

“Was he angry about me?”

“No, little witch, he was not. He made sure I came here to tell you. He has a plan to return.”

Hermione nodded to the snake. “Yes, I figured that out when school started. The new Defense Professor is using Polyjuice Potion to disguise his true identity. I’d guessed he must be one of my Father’s followers. He has been helping Harry Potter prepare for the tournament. The wizard put his name into the Goblet of Fire, of that I’m sure. I’m guessing he is to keep the Potter boy alive until the final task? Father needs something from him?”

If a snake could look proud, Nagini would have done. “You are truly your Father’s daughter, young Hermione. To be clever enough to figure this out on your own. I will let your Father know of your suspicions.”

She nodded and thanked the snake for coming to see her. “One more thing, Nagini. I was at Godric’s Hollow this last summer, visiting with a witch who lives there. She is a magical historian, Bathilda Bagshot. Dumbledore and Grindewald were friends in their youth, and they were after something that would make them powerful. The witch didn’t say what, but I’m researching to find out. Please tell my father that.”

“I will. Be safe and well, young Mistress. I will see you next month.”

The snake slithered away and Hermione sat on the rock thinking about all Nagini had shared with her.

Her father knew about her, and he didn’t seem upset or angry.

That was good news.

She would just have to make sure she was invaluable to him.

She stood up after a while and started walking back to the castle. She decided not to cast another concealment charm over herself, so she was unprepared when she ran into another person and nearly fell to the ground. Large hands steadied her before she could fall, and she looked up into the eyes of Viktor Krum.

“Please excuse me,” Hermione said, “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”

Viktor smiled at the pretty witch.

He had seen her a few times around the castle, she kept to herself mostly and didn’t seem to have many friends, if any.

“Isv alright. I’m Viktor Krum, andz youz woulv be?” He asked in his thick Bulgarian accent.

“I am so sorry, I’m Hermione Granger.”

Viktor took Hermione’s hand and gently bowed over her knuckles, kissing them softly. “Isv pleasures to meet youz. May I walk youz back to castle?”

Hermione was shocked! No one had ever talked to her, much less wanted to be seen with her. The wizard seemed genuine in his request as she continued to stare at the wizard in confusion.

“If you’re sure you are alright being seen with me?” Hermione questioned quietly which caused Viktor to appear perplexed.

“Whyz woulv that matter, young Hermioninny?” Hermione couldn’t help but smile at his mispronunciation of her name.

“I do not have any friends here at school. I’m in Slytherin House, yet my parents are muggles. They call me mudblood.” She finished sadly, and could see Viktor thinking about this, his cheeks flushing with anger.

“Thatz very vrong of them, Hermioninny. I douz not vind being seenz wivz you.”

Viktor then took her arm within his own, and together they walked back towards the castle quietly talking about their classes. Viktor also shared a bit about Quidditch and the upcoming tournament challenge that would be taking place in a few days. Apparently, someone had taken it upon himself to charm buttons to support Diggory, but also to change to ‘Potter sucks’ whenever Harry was near.

When they finally reached the castle, other witches and wizards were gaping at the couple in shock but none moreso than Blaise Zabini, who had returned a bit early from Hogsmeade.

He watched the two enter the castle, oblivious to anyone around them and head for the library. He then hurried back to the Slytherin Dungeons, shaking his head in disgust and wonder.

Why would a world famous Quidditch player be interested in a nothing mudblood?

He couldn’t wait to share the gossip with the rest of his house.