How the Mighty have Fallen

A/N: Why is Calibri the default font? Is that now the new favorite? A big thank you to readers and a bigger thank you to reviewers!


October 2, 1971: Saturday morning


Entering the common room Hermione noticed both boys hadn’t moved since she had left. She figured that Lucius would wait to accompany her to breakfast as he had all but broken down her door this morning. She wasn’t sure why Severus was still in the common room when breakfast was clearly underway but she figured it really wasn’t her concern. Turning to open her door she spotted Lucius from the corner of her eye readying himself for speech. But before he could utter a single word Hermione raised a warning finger that clearly indicated that that would be a poor choice indeed.

Once inside her room she transfigured her robe back into the school shirt that it was and added it atop the pile of dirty laundry. ‘Time to greet the welcome committee’ her mind sung; as she hadn’t anything left to procrastinate with and she wasn’t going to stand idle in her room. Besides she was hungry.


The quiet click of her door shutting brought Lucius to attention. Turning his head in her direction she once again forestalled his speech with one raised hand as she walked toward him. He was standing by the time she was before him; with her left hand poised on her hip, right hand aloft still gesturing for silence, she said with emphasis, “you are very lucky I can do magic. Very lucky,” she repeated with conviction. Considering Lucius had lived his entire life with magic the implication of her statement was lost on him. The meaning wouldn’t have been lost on Harry or Ron though; as they knew she was muggleborn. Magic really could solve a number of ills.



“May I accompany you to breakfast?” Lucius asked hesitantly; clearly unsure of the response he would receive.


“Sure,” Hermione said simply, dismissively.


After a few steps in the direction of the portrait hole, Lucius by her side, Hermione turned and said over her shoulder, “Coming Severus?”


When he shrugged one shoulder in reply she swayed him with, “you can read at the table.” When Severus stood to come along he received a brilliant smile from Hermione and Lucius’ silent jealousy.


While exiting the common room Lucius attempted to place his hand at the small of her back but he hastily clasped both hands behind his back at the cool, questioning look he received from Hermione. The retreat was so sudden that it was comical and twin smug smiles graced both Hermione’s and Severus’ lips. Severus liked the new girl more by the minute.

“You do know that if the castle was on fire it would put itself out?” Lucius ventured, for something to say, as they made their way to the Great Hall.


“Of course I know that,” Hermione replied irritably. “I have read Hogwarts, a History… unlike some,” she finished as if he was in that undesirable ‘some’ category.


“You’ve read Hogwarts, a History?” he asked incredulously.


“Isn’t that what I just said,” she snapped.


Severus was glad that he was walking behind them as he knew Lucius wouldn’t appreciate the broad smirk that graced his features at that comment.


Deciding that silence was the safest option Lucius held his tongue for the remainder of the journey; thinking ‘someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed’.


Seated at the Slytherin table, the group began to help themselves to pancakes among other things.


“Miss Dagworth, can you please pass the syrup?” Severus asked quietly.


“Call me Hermione, dear,” Hermione said kindly, passing the syrup, forgetting for a moment who she was addressing.


Both Severus and Hermione seemed equally uncomfortable by what she had said. Severus unused to demonstrative affection was embarrassed, but pleased. While Hermione couldn’t believe that she had addressed her potions Professor as ‘dear’; and fervently hoped that he had forgotten over time.


“May I…” Lucius hopefully began before he was cut off.


“No, you may call me Miss Dagworth,” she replied cheekily; emphasizing ‘you’, smiling sweetly.


Lucius was not a man easily deterred. But when she smiled at him in that manner he couldn’t care less that he had been denied. Returning her sweet smile with a dashing one he realized, by the faint blush that tinged her cheeks, that she wasn’t unaffected by his charm.


Professor Dumbledore approached Lucius and handed him a large scroll as breakfast came to a close.


“This is an exhaustive list of everything that has been covered thus far,” he explained. “If at any time you require help with the material do not hesitate to ask me or any other Professor,” he offered genuinely.


“Miss Dagworth, if you are finished I would like a private word,” Dumbledore said turning to face her.


“Yes, of course Professor; if I could just have a quick word with Mr. Malfoy?” Hermione questioned.


“That isn’t a problem. I’ll be up at the staff table when you’re ready,” he replied; eyes twinkling knowingly.


Turning to face Lucius properly, “I have some shopping to do in Hogsmeade; would meeting after lunch be amenable?” Hermione asked sweetly; referring to tutoring by glancing at the scroll in his hand.


“Yes,” Lucius said inarticulately. ‘Merlin help him if she kept that up…, she already drove him to distraction’ he thought wryly.


“I’ll see you later then. Bye Severus,” she said kindly as she made her way to the High Table.


“The funds within should be enough to cover all of your expenses; though you may have to purchase some items second hand,” Dumbledore said as he handed a small pouch of Galleons across the table to her.


“Thank you Professor,” she replied as she left; storing the pouch in her pocket.


‘I think I’ll apparate to Hogsmeade’ Hermione considered as she pulled on her cloak as she trekked across the grounds. Crossing the boundary she disapparated; appearing just outside Gladrags Wizardwear. Entering the clothier Hermione instantly noticed the lack of price tags. ‘Lovely’ her mind supplied; everyone knew what that meant. Turning around hastily she left in search of a floo connection; apparently she would have to traverse a bit father for her school supplies.

Hermione found an available floo in The Three Broomsticks and for only a few Sickles was whooshed to the Leaky Cauldron. Dusting herself off, she immediately went to Madam Malkin’s to purchase three more school uniforms and some weekend clothes. Noticing the price, Hermione decided that she would only purchase a set of witch’s robes in addition to her uniform. ‘I thought things were suppose to be cheaper in the past’ her mind grumbled at the prospect of having literally nothing to wear. Preventing a huff of irritation from escaping her mouth, she paid for her purchases and had them sent to Hogwarts.



She then sought out the necessary text books and quickly minimized them once they were purchased; storing them with the Galleons. After a quick stop to the Apothecary and the cauldron shop, Hermione decided she would rather wear muggle clothes than buy second hand robes. Looking up at Gringotts, she took a large breath in preparation of making the necessary conversion. She hadn’t liked entering the wizarding bank before the war and the memories of that visit had her nerves on edge.

‘They look at everyone like that’ was the constant refrain in her mind as she took her Galleons to the nearest Goblin. She completed the transaction quickly, reserving two Galleons in case of emergency; storing the muggle money within the now cramped pouch.


Leaving Diagon Alley by way of the Leaky Cauldron Hermione went to face another mythical world: 1970’s London.