Through Her Eyes

Chapter 2: The House Elf

"What is this? You need to be in bed, resting,"

Hermione was guided away from the mirror and forced back into bed, though it was cold now as Hermione folded her arms stubbornly. She was itching to get to the library and research what exactly had happened to her. But Madame Pomfrey was insistent on keeping her in the infirmary. The days were long and dull, and by the time she was feeling more like herself (as much as you can be in a different lifetime anyway), Hermione was practically gnawing the bars of her cot in frustration. Finally though, Madame Pomfrey set a pair of robes on her bed, forced one more round of Potions down her throat and told her to change. Hermione couldn't have been more grateful, practically bouncing from her bed to change behind one of the screens.
It was the usual Hogwarts grey vest, dark ruffle skirt and clogs. But what started Hermione the most was the green and silver tie and knee highs accompanying the ensemble. Folding the tie expertly in the standing mirror beside her, Hermione stared at the reflection in abject horror. Hermione Jean Granger (i.e Black) was a Slytherin.
Running a hand down her face slightly, Hermione pulled on her school cloaks, feeling the embroidered patch on its front with a hand, surprised to find it rubbed smooth,
'Apparently this was one of my nervous habits' Hermione thought to herself, feeling the patch once more before sighing and emerging from behind the curtain. It felt good to be wearing actual clothing again, but she wasn't exactly thrilled with the color choice,

"You do look much better now," Madame Pomfrey said mindlessly, holding out a wand for Hermione to take, "here you are. Lucky it wasn't broken during the fall,"

Nodding, Hermione took the offered wand hesitantly. It certainly wasn't her ivy wood and dragon heart string, but it still felt quite comfortable in her grip. The simplicity of the thing soothed her really, as the dark maple finish matched her hair,

"Thank you for your help, Madame Pomfrey," Hermione stated, happy to find a hair tie tucked into her robe pocket. Another nervous tell perhaps?

"I'm just glad you are well again. Seeing you in that bed for three months Hermione was quite the dampener on my days,"

Hermione smiled, glad that only her last name had changed. Sticking her wand into her newly formed ponytail, she gave Madame Pomfrey one last wave before leaving the Hospital Wing.
The castle walls were cast in yellow from glowing torches, and the echoing of her own footsteps were loud as Hermione sighed slightly. She had almost forgotten what the Castle looked like in tact.

"My lady! My lady!"

Hermione froze, rooted to her spot as she turned. A small figure was padding up the hallway towards her, heaving as it's tiny footfalls barely made any noise on the granite floors. Blinking bewilderedly, Hermione was surprised to find a house elf there at her feet. He was a small thing, ears perched high atop his head and cropped to stand on end. Large eyes were brimming with a hidden admiration as he bowed respectively,
"Quitz is here to serve you once again, Lady Hermione. Quitz has been longing to see you so,"

Hermione herself felt slightly aghast. She knew how badly many elves were treated, but compared to Dobby, Winky and Kreature, Quitz looked relatively clean,
'Apparently my new self dislikes enslavement also,' Hermione thought, nodding her head as the elf stood and waited. Hermione knew they enjoyed the work (mostly anyway) and, even if she offered clothes to free the elf, he would feel offended. So she merely nodded her head,

"Very well then, Quitz. Do you happen to know what time it is?"

"'Tis dinner time, my lady. Everyone's in the Great Hall. Masters Lucius and Regulus have been worried so, they will be most joyous to sees you well again!"

Hermione lifted a brow, but quickly pushed it back into place. She was intruding on someone's life - her life - if she wasn't mistaken. Just in a different timeline. Sighing heavily, Hermione ran a hand over her scalp,

"I'm not ready to see anyone yet. I think I'll be heading to the library for some research,"

"Oh buts Lady Hermione, everyone will be so pleased to see you. Surely you are in need of food after your awakening?"

Hermione made a move to deny the fact, but was quickly silenced by the grumbling of her stomach. Quitz smiled victoriously as she winced slightly,

"I guess I am kind of hungry,"

"Quitz knows the Lady Hermione well," 

Hermione blinked as the house elf took her hand, pulling her gently in the direction of the Great hall,
"Come, come! You will eat and be with friends, and I will serve you,"

Hermione felt the need to argue, but followed the elf anyway, mind still abuzz with new information. At this point, it seemed Quitz was her best source of information, even if she was being dragged head first into familiar yet unfamiliar territory. After all, she'd be sitting at the Slytherin table with - if she heard the information correctly - Lucius Malfoy and Regulus Black. Oh joy.