Hermione Cassiopeia Black came into the wizarding world as bright and dazzling as her middle name suggested. Born to Walburga and Orion Black on September 19th, 1960, around a year after her older brother, Sirius, was born. Walburga was displeased by the birth of a girl, to say the least. She held the popular belief that the honorable house of Black required an heir and a spare in case Sirius was unable to fulfill his future activities as the perfect purebred son.
“However,” Walburga noted to her husband, “Perhaps we could secure her an advantageous marriage that would make our noble house proud.”
Orion, eager to please his wife, nodded quietly whilst holding his infant’s small hand. Sirius, their firstborn, looked at his father’s arms in marvel at his sister, clearly enamored. Sirius, though only a bit older than a year, made a promise to do whatever he must to protect that small witch.
Around a year later, that same promise came to mind when he met Regulus for the first time, or as he would come to affectionately call him, Reggie.
Almost as soon as the three were able to talk, they were thrusted in their studies of purebloodism, as well as basic academics. For Sirius and Reggie, it meant learning to become obedient scions. For Hermione, lessons would revolve around what it meant to be the perfect pure blooded wife. She was given regular piano lessons, as well as etiquette specific to being a lady. Oftentimes, she was joined by her three cousins in these lessons- Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa.
“Hermione, you must glide down the stairs, not thump around like an elephant,” Bellatrix scolded as Hermione descended the stairs for what felt like the millionth time.
“I’m sorry cousin, I just have a lot on my mind with Sirius joining you lot at Hogwarts next year.”
Truthfully, Hermione was terrified. She knew her brother quite well, and at heart, he was a Gryffindor through and through. His heart poured bravery, and she could see it every time he rescued her from an verbal lashing from Walburga anytime it was deemed she was behaving less than a proper pureblooded lady.
Sirius and Reggie found ways to include Hermione, whether it was sitting quietly in the library with her as she read, or covering for her if their mother caught her playing with them outside. The three were close, and made promises to help each other through Hogwarts, where they prayed they would all be put in the same house. However, things took a sour turn when Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor. Walburga had sent a dreadful howler to him, and refused correspondence between Sirius and his siblings, fearing it would corrupt them into being Gryffindors. But Sirius, the trickster boy he was, found ways around this. He sent Hermione and Regulus long letters about his best mates, going on about their adventures as marauders.
Soon, Hermione would find herself dreaming of the fast approaching day she could leave Number 12 Grimmauld Place and start living a fantasy life at Hogwarts, far FAR away from her mother.