Don't Repeat History

Don't Repeat History

By Clairvoyant Snake

Chapter 1~1^st of September, 1996

On This Day in History:

Your Monthly Horoscope: Virgo
September 1, 1996

Some people stand on custom and ceremony, but you prefer to go straight for the facts. You'll go through that haystack with a fine-tooth comb until you find that needle, and you don't care who you inconvenience in the process. Some would call you an obsessive nuisance, while others would congratulate you for diligent police work. There's no question that your more enviable skills are in play here. Even if you're suddenly the most popular kid in town, keep explanations to a minimum unless you can make them concise. After all, you have a job to do. You also may feel lost today, don't despair! You will find a person who will help you get out of the tangles in your life. This someone may also be your soul mate.

Hermione Granger maneuvered her way through the Hogwarts Express, when she finally found an empty compartment. Dropping her trunk and Crookshanks' cage with a sigh, she sat down by the window seat and wiped her curly hair off her sweaty face.

The summer had turned out to be quite hot and humid, much to everyone's dismay; and much more to Hermione for her hair looked five times worse than usual. Even though she'd never admit to caring how she looked. Much to Hermione's protestations, this summer Hermione's mother had taken her to the salon in hopes of taming her daughter's hair and having a 'ladies night out'. Hermione was shocked when she looked into the mirror for the first time after the hair treatment was finished. Her normally frizzy blond-brown hair had been transformed into shockingly sexy, highlighted blond-brown soft curls that shimmered a hint of light blond every time she stepped into the light. Her eyebrows were now pencil thin "Fifties" style arches, instead of her bushier ones that claimed no real shape. The best thing about all this was that Hermione formulated a potion that would help keep her 'look' in check. But surprisingly enough, Hermione reverted back to her old look within a week of seeing herself as another person. Ever since seeing herself as a quite well-taken care-of beautiful person, she carried herself with more confidence. A confidence that oozed its own form of stunning beauty.

She knew there were all forms of it, and she was smart enough not to waste time pretending to be something she wasn't. Hermione Granger alone knew she was beautiful in her own eyes and in the eyes of the very observant beholder. By no means, Miss Universe, yet the world would bow to her if she would do all their homework -fix all their problems. In the way just as Muggles rushed to the next great hit in the Psychic network to hear their problems face on, and hear things they wanted to hear. Hermione was Hogwarts' 'Psychic'. The one that answered all questions, debated whether to do so or not in the fear that someone would become smarter than her.

Hermione was not an introvert at all, yet she wasn't one to trust everyone either. Ever since Harry's fourth year had ended, Hermione found herself protecting him, his dignity, and life from the unpredictable world that surrounded them. Ron himself dedicated long hours of the day to help Hermione protect their best friend from his own vulnerability.

Hermione was a Gryffindor Prefect for the second year in a row, and was anxiously waiting for the school year to start. Sixth years didn't get any exams like the OWL's, and only Seventh years were given the dreaded NEWT's, therefore Hermione wanted to make the most of her second-to-last year at Hogwarts. She wanted to take extra classes. To do that, she needed a time-turner.

Professor McGonagall had sent the device to Hermione over the summer, making Hermione pledge not to use it for her own personal gains; as if she would ever do that. God forbid! Disobeying a teacher! The very thought was preposterous in her opinion.

As Hermione patiently waited for her best friends to board, she read her copy of Hogwarts, A History for the two-hundredth time. She frowned when she reached the part about The Chamber of Secrets. She wanted to forget that awful Polyjuice potion that turned her into a half-human, half-cat. What a disaster, she thought miserably.

Although the book updated itself magically every year, Hermione re-read it constantly. She remembered her mother telling her to always learn from previous mistakes, in order to not repeat them. Well, if the Voldemort Years were any indication, she thought it wise to re-read those chapters pertaining to it the most. If one more piece of information could save her family and friends, who was to complain if she always read about History?

Hermione kept on reading and after ten minutes, opened Crookshanks' cage to allow him to stretch. Harry and Ron still hadn't arrived. She wondered what could possibly be taking them so long. She peered out the window, hoping to find them on the platform. Hermione saw them conversing with Fred and George Weasley and trying to secretly hand each other an exchange of Sickles and Weasley Wizard Wheezes' items. She rolled her eyes disapprovingly at her friends' immature behavior and hoped that no one saw them performing the exchange.

Well, at least I now know for sure that they aren't late or worse trying to pull some 'stunt' to make an entrance into the school, she thought gratefully. She was hoping that they would hurry up and get on the train; she wanted to tell them about the time-turner. Unlike last time, in her third year, where she was left all alone to carry the burden, she now wanted to include her best friends. She knew they wouldn't say a word to anyone, especially if she threatened not to help them on their homework for the entire year.

Finally, after what seemed forever, her best friends entered the train compartment. Ron and Harry were excited to see their best friend and ran to hug her senseless. After faking a choking sound, Hermione was let go by her friends. They sat down on the seats after packing their trunks and owls.

"So... Hermione. How was the summer?" Harry asked his friend after taking in her new look. Ron couldn't stop staring at her, which was making her feel very uncomfortable and still flattered at the same time. Despite previous thoughts about not ever letting her go crazy over her looks, Hermione wanted to look good just for herself...not others. Unlike the Parvati and Lavendar types that ran around the school proclaiming their undying affections for various boys. Hermione was much more intelligent than that. And that's why she stuck to her own and the only 'makeup' she wore now was her own strong personality.

She quirked a smile and replied, "Wonderful. Although I wish I could've stayed with you two at Ron's home. But I don't regret not going to Quidditch camp these past three weeks. How did it go by the way?"

"Great! We practiced until our limbs were sore...we played every position until we were situated into the best one...Harry, of course was the seeker...I was the Keeper, and then Malfoy," Ron spat his name out with venom, "decided to join the camp two days into it and became the Beater on my team! Isn't that right Harry?" Ron said all this within five seconds flat, without a breath in between.

"Well...Ron..." Harry began but was interrupted by the sound of a cough near the doorway. They all turned to face Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway without his cronies, but with a smirk plastered over his sun-burnt face; which was slightly on the tan side, but was pinkish tinted nonetheless.

"Well, well, well... What do we have here? A Mud-" here Draco stopped upon the realization that he couldn't say anything untoward to a "beautiful" Hermione. Just like the Yule Ball, he was practically stunned -except this time it wasn't her gorgeous dress, not her beautiful hair, that got him stunned... "A Muggleborn," he corrected himself, "A Potty and his little side-kick Weasel, who just happens to think that he owns the Quidditch camp team. Since when did you ever think you could own a team Weasel? Hmm? Won the lottery have you?" Without further antagonism, and with having the final word, Draco Malfoy exited the doorway to join his friends.

Ron's face was beet-red, and his ears appeared to be steaming if one paid close enough attention.

"I'm going to beat up that son of a bitch one day! Really, I am!" Ron angrily proclaimed to his friends. His hands were rolled up into angry fists, and he was clenching and un-clenching his teeth.

Hermione and Harry were apparently having the same thoughts, for they turned to look at one another. Harry nodded and Hermione picked up the conversation.

"Ron, I wouldn't worry about it so much. It's not as if he took yours or Harry's position. So there's nothing to be angry about. Alright?" Hermione asked her steaming friend that resembled a boiled tomato at the moment.

"No. Hermione, it's not alright! Didn't you see him giving you those looks?" Ron shot back.

She simply smiled and said, "Well, if that's all he did to me, than why are worried? He did stop himself from calling me a you-know-what."

Harry decided to side with Hermione on this one by saying, "She is right you know. If she can 'tame' Malfoy to not call her that, then imagine over time that he might actually leave us alone?"

Ron seemed to consider this and then spoke grudgingly, "I still don't like it, but alright... she's right," he admitted.

"Good, now let's talk about more important things than Malfoy," Hermione said with enthusiasm, hoping that Ron wouldn't pick back up from where he ended.

"I see you've been named Prefect once again," Harry pointed to Hermione's Prefect badge that was attached to her sweater. Out of natural response she looked down at her prefect's badge that glimmered with a shine from its most recent polish-up job by its owner.

Hermione smiled. "No surprises there..." Ron muttered, but was quickly punched on the shoulder playfully by Hermione. He laughed and Harry laughed, and they stopped when they felt the train move. "Hmm, seems that we're going now. Isn't it a few minutes off schedule?" Hermione asked. Harry shrugged and Ron said, "Could be some first years saying good bye to their parents. That can delay a train...especially if you have a mum like mine that won't stop kissing and hugging you." They all laughed at that image, which they personally knew to be true.

The trains cogs started up and the trio got comfortable on the highly cushioned seats. The train lurched forward suddenly, sending Ron and Harry colliding into each other, and Hermione flew onto the seat in front of her, hard. Her time-turner flipped over and over again, as she tumbled off the seat and onto the floor of the compartment. The last thing she heard before she blacked out was a faint voice speaking to her; a voice that sounded nothing like Ron, nor Harry.

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TBC...