Through Her Eyes

Chapter 9: Encounters

The next few days were fairly uneventful for Hermione, if not a bit on the boring side. Upon her return to Hogwarts after her visit to Hogsmeade, she felt as if she were walking on broken glass. Without friends, it was easy to avoid talking about where she came from. But now with Lily constantly buzzing around her - in a similar manner to Ronald Weasley - Hermione was extra careful not to let anything slip out.
She had done more research in the library on the Black family tree, but had found nothing other then her parents names, and her relation to Sirius, Regulus and Narcissa Black (her cousins),

'If only I had access to the Black Library at Grimmauld Place,' she thought at breakfast, chewing mindlessly on the end of her wand as Lily chatted about nothing particularly interesting beside her, 'then I could find out the entirety of my family history,'

Sighing, Hermione shook her head, already knowing a feat like that would be impossible in this timeline. So, to distract herself from her thoughts, Hermione glanced down the Gryffindor table at where the Mauraders were sitting. All of them looked completely exhausted, Sirius practically sleeping in his bowl of shredded potato. Remus - Hermione noticed - was absent from the group this morning,

'He's probably getting over his transformation,' Hermione thought, remembering the tales of the Marauders. They had become Anamagi to help Remus, and if Hermione was remembering her facts correctly, they had only just spent their first night alone with Moony the werewolf,
'Poor guys. Probably stayed up all night until he changed back,'

"...'Mione?"

Hermione glanced up, seeing Lily leaning forward ever so slightly,

"Ever heard of personal space?" Hermione questioned, placing a finger against her friends forehead and pushing the girl away from her, "did...did I miss something?"

"No, where do you even go anyway?"

Hermione fought with an answer, but was saved as several owls began to swoop about in the Great Hall,
"Ah! Mails here!"

Lily seemed elated as a package was dropped into her hands, making Hermione sigh in relief. Never before did she ever think she'd be thanking the post - of all things - for a save. Unfortunately, that relief didn't last long, as a large, heavy black envelope was dropped before her.
It was a pretty thing, embellished with the Black family crest and sealed with golden signet wax. But even as she took up the letter in her hands, Hermione knew what was coming. Slipping a thumb under the tab, she pulled out the top note. The handwriting on it was in a robotically neat scrawl,

'Dear Lady Hermione J. Black,

On account of your mother - Madame Josephine S. Black - I am writing this letter to you in notification of her desires. Because of recent events, it has been decided by the most Noble and Ancient house of Black, that you will be forever removed from the Black family legacy. This formally and legally strips you of your title, fortune and any sort of inheritance; including property, you may have received in Madame Josephine's last will and testament. Your current House Elf will be resigned of his duties, effective at once, and you are no longer welcome in the most Nobel house of Black.
Good wishes to you,
Signed,
Radcliffe Newton, director of estates and fortunes. Gringotts Wizard Bank, Diagon Alley'

Swallowing thickly, Hermione set the note down gingerly, removing the other sheets of paper to review them. It was just a copy of the revised will, where her name had been scratched out using official Gringotts black ink. It was Goblin stamped, meaning unless the will was reinstated, there was no way to reverse the decision.
The last note was short and cold, signed by Madame Josephine Black herself,

'You have brought shame to this family. Don't even think of coming home,'

And that was it. Groaning slightly and holding her face with a hand,  Hermione felt as though the weight of the world came to rest on her shoulders. If she couldn't get back to her own time, she was now left with no support whatsoever. Sighing deeply, Hermione stood from the long table, shaking slightly as Lily looked at her with a startled look on her face,