Desperate Measures

It seemed to Hermione that the prefect's meeting in 1943 took much longer than the one in 1997, but realized that it was probably because she was so anxious to get on with her mission.

While waiting for Elizabeth's return, Jane tried to get to know the girls in her compartment, so she wouldn't arrive at Hogwarts knowing only 3 people; it would make her feel quite like a first year again, and since she hadn't enjoyed the feeling when she was eleven, she was unwilling to experience it again.

There were three girls in her compartment besides herself. They were fifth years, June, Margaret, and Penelope. June was a Gryffindor, and the other two were Hufflepuffs. They seemed nice enough, as far as Jane could tell, but they weren't the kind of connections Hermione would have to make in order to succeed. Still, they were people, and she wanted to know as many students as she could, in case she needed them.

Hermione knew that she was changing the future with every word she said, but Dumbledore had told her that her purpose was to change the past, so she should disregard most of the rules of time travel; as long as she didn't reveal anything about the future, she should be fine.

So she made as good friends as she could out of the three younger girls, while trying to get a feel for her new time period.

Soon, however, the conversation turned to gossip about classmates, and all Jane could do was listen - which she did, memorizing every minute, pointless fact - until Elizabeth found her.

"You doing alright?" asked Elizabeth upon sitting down across from Jane.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she answered. "I've been talking to June, Penelope, and Margaret. They're quite nice."

"Who, these fifth years?" asked Elizabeth dismissively. "They're nobody." The three younger girls looked offended at this comment, but were too afraid of the Slytherin prefect to say anything.

Hermione wanted desperately to say something, to stand up for the girls, but she resisted the urge, knowing that it would put her position as a Slytherin into serious question. Instead, she said nothing.

Elizabeth gave the fifth years a threatening look, and they quickly got up and left, while Jane merely looked at them encouragingly, and with slight sympathy, as they exited.

"So, Elizabeth, tell me about Hogwarts. I'm afraid I don't know anything about it, really," she admitted, a slightly ashamed look on her face.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded more than a thousand years ago," she explained, "by four of the most powerful witches and wizards of the time: Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Helga Hufflepuff." Hermione, of course, already knew that; she had memorized Hogwarts: A History and besides, it was fairly common knowledge. Jane, however, didn't know any of this, so she listened intently. "The four founders each wanted something different in the students they taught. Salazar wanted only the most cunning and ambitious students; Rowena preferred the most intelligent; Godric only wanted those with bravery, and Helga - she wanted loyalty in her students, but she also took anyone who didn't fit into any of the other houses." That was pretty much what the Sorting Hat said every year. "They had their differences, but since each of them had their own House, they got along well enough.

"Then, the other founders ganged up on Salazar. They told him that he couldn't be so open about his pureblooded beliefs, and there were going to be muggleborns at Hogwarts, no matter how many witches and wizards were persecuted by muggles. They forced him out of the school." It was certainly strange for Hermione to hear the tale from a Slytherin's point of view for once; she was used to hearing about how Slytherin got mad and just left, not that the others had forced him out. She wasn't sure which version to believe; Jane, however, believed exactly what Elizabeth told her. "Since then, students that have been sorted into Slytherin have been generally thought of as being evil, stuck up, and the like. Of course, we tend to act the part, live up to the standards set for us, but we really aren't all that bad.

"That's why I had to kick out those fifth years earlier; I have a reputation to uphold, as a Slytherin." Elizabeth looked at her skeptically. "As do you, I might add. I mean, we can't have someone messing up our image."

Hermione was surprised; she had always assumed that all Slytherins were bad people. She never thought that they acted that way simply because they were expected to. It seemed that, if she returned from the past, she would have something to think about, at least.

Jane nodded. "Of course. I would hate to be the undoing of a thousand years' work, after all." She tried to make her voice sound natural, but wasn't sure if she completely succeeded. Elizabeth didn't say anything about it, though, so she assumed she was still in the clear.

"Good, then. You'll soon discover the power associated with being a Slytherin, I'm sure. You've already had your first demonstration; did you see the way those girls just ran out of here earlier?" she laughed. "And I'm not even the most respected. Of course, it may take a little longer for you; you're just coming here. Still, the green and silver has a certain effect on others..." she trailed off, leaving Jane with no doubt that green and silver effected those who didn't wear it, and that the effect was one she would enjoy thoroughly.

The two Slytherins sat and talked for a while. Elizabeth explained pretty much the entirety of Hogwarts: the classes, the professors, the students, everything that Jane would need to know to make for a smooth transition. Jane just listened, and asked questions whenever there was a lull in the conversation; if Elizabeth stopped talking, she might start asking questions, which wouldn't have been good for Jane or Hermione. It seemed to Hermione that Elizabeth, also, had memorized Hogwarts: A History, for she knew almost as much as Hermione did (though, to Hermione's relief and satisfaction, Elizabeth lacked knowledge in a few key subjects - such as Gryffindor Tower).

Finally, Elizabeth announced that they would be arriving any minute, so they changed into their robes - Jane getting her first taste of the green and silver that, according to Elizabeth, guaranteed her some amount of power and influence. The train stopped and they departed, Jane following Elizabeth out into the night. Hermione inwardly sighed; she was glad to be home, even if she was fifty-some years early.