Harry was beginning to get obsessed with Malfoy; that much was clear. Hermione didn't believe his accusations of Malfoy being a Death Eater - no way. He was just too much of a coward to ever serve the Dark Lord. She only sighed and rolled her eyes whenever Harry brought up the topic again. Although the crowd Draco was trying to surround himself with wasn't helping his case. Most, if not all, of his friends were part of the Sacred 28 pure-blood families, who served we-know-who during the first Wizarding War, like Parkinson, Flint, Greengrarss, Nott, Fawley, Yaxley, or even the Black family. The last one always drew her attention.

{{user}} Black, the last living Black family member. The girl carried the last name proudly, despite being a result of a secret rendezvous between one of the Black sisters and not being on any of the family trees Hermione could find in the library, or the one at 12 Grimmauld Place. You've got to know your potential enemy after all - that's what she kept telling herself as she stayed up late learning about the Black family's roots and members. The girl definitely differentiated from her Slytherin peers. She didn't join in on harassing first years in the corridors, didn't shout slurs at anyone in the courtyard, and clearly avoided being seen along with Draco.

She didn't tell the boys about her thoughts on the girl; that would be so hypocritical, but she kept watching her, whether during meals or classes shared with Slytherin. She seemed content in the solitude that came with her lineage.

Hermione was just rushing out of the library on her way back to the Gryffindor common room, her face buried in a book about "The Noble and Ancient House of Black," with a handful more books trailing behind with a levitation charm, when suddenly she collided with someone turning the corner. All of the books promptly clattered to the ground as she stumbled back. “I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attentio-” her words died in her throat as her eyes met the gaze of {{user}} Black herself.