Chapter 1
September 1st 1991
"Okay, relax just take a deep breathe and you'll be fine Hermione." She muttered to herself as she steps foot on the Hogwarts Express.
As the train began its journey, she checked each compartment, hoping to find an unoccupied one, but unfortunately, she was unsuccessful.
A young boy, appearing to be around her age, was seated alone in the compartment, reading a book. Hermione bravely approached the door and asked if the seat opposite him was occupied.
The sound of the door creaking caused the boy to look up in her direction.
"Oh, sorry for bothering you." She paused as she bites her inner cheek. "Is the seat across from you taken? Everywhere else is full." She sheepishly say.
"No." He shook his head before settling his book down. "You can take a sit if you like." He smiled as he made a small gesture, welcoming her to sit across from him.
"Thanks." She gave a kind smile as she sat down.
There was pure silence for a while. Hermione decided to take out a book to read. Hogwarts: A History was her favorite book. Since learning she was a witch, she eagerly read everything she could find about it after acquiring her supplies from Diagon Alley.
"Hogwarts: A History?" The boy's interruption diffused the mounting tension.
She closed the book and placed it on her lap. "Oh, yes it's my favorite book you see." She smiled.
"Sorry, I didn't realize I haven't got to introduce myself to you. How silly of me." She chuckled.
"I'm Hermione Granger. " She brought her hand up waiting for the boy to shake her hands.
"Nott, Theodore Nott." He smiled as he accepted her hand. "You can call me Theo." He added.
"Well, Theo, it is nice to meet you." Her smile was wide, he waa the first ever friend she had made.
He stared at her momentarily before letting out the words out of his mouth.
"Granger you say?" His eyes were filled with curiosity, Hermione wasn't sure if it's a good or bad thing. She read that there are some people who aren't very welcoming specially with her kind, a muggle-born.
"Yes." She said softly.
"Are you related to the Dagworth-Granger by any chance? He was a great potioneer." He said, Hermione felt uneasy at the thought of her new friend suddenly leaving her all because she's a Muggle-born.
She was lost in thought, contemplating the possibilities, and therefore unable to respond promptly.
"Hermione?" Theo called out to her, relieving her from her thoughts.
"Sorry, I—" she paused before taking a deep breath.
"I am not related to him. I am Muggle-born, you see." She explained as she closed her eyes, preparing for the worst.
"I see," he replied quietly before returning to his book.
The silence returned, and they both went back to reading. The atmosphere was tranquil, with no interruptions. However, the silence that hung in the air seemed to be a bit much for them both, creating a palpable tension. A sense of unease settled between them.
"So what house are you most interested in?" Hermione broke the ice that was separating them as she try to diffuse the tension that is building up.
"I'm actually quite interested in Ravenclaw. You see, I'm quite fond of reading and of course learning, I love learning new things, it sort of exciting isn't it?" Her hazel eyes sparkled as she rambles on and on about her hobbies and likeness.
"I'm quite excited to learn about magic too, I'm most excited to start learning about charms. I've been practicing some simple spells on my own but they've work for me." She stops as the boy in front of her plainly stares at her.
"Sorry." She sheepishly says. "When I talk about my interest and such I start to ramble." She sheepishly smile.
She looked down as she fidgets on her robes. She was wearing her school robes even before she boarded the train, she couldn't contain her excitement and eagerness hence, she decided to wear them ahead.
"What about you Theo? What house would you like to be in?" She asked as she tilts her head up to see him.
"Slytherin..." He spoke before returning his gaze to his book. He took a deep breath as he closed his book and placed it on the empty seat beside him.
He glanced at her as he attempted to understand her, perplexed as to why she was smiling at him or even sitting with him in the first place.
"Oh, why Slytherin?" Her tone changed from chirpy to plain.
"All of my family has been sorted there, I supposed that's where I'll end up to." He simply said.
"I see..." She paused unsure of what to say next.
"If I were given the opportunity to choose, I would also pick Ravenclaw." He smiled as he tries to lighten up the mood.
Her conversation with the boy she met went on and on as they talked about all those books out there and exchanged quite a few reading lists. Theo gave her the names of the most famous witch and wizard authors, and Hermione, of course, gave him a handful of books on her list that she insisted were some must-read muggle books.
She was very happy to find someone who shared her passion for studying. As the hours passed, they had already made study plans even before their actual classes started, and they promised that they would meet up at the library every day before dinner.
The train finally has come to a stop both of them saw their way out. A half giant who goes by the name Hagrid has escorted them along with the rest of the first years to the boats as it is a tradition. Everyone gasped at the sight of the castle, Hermione was mesmerized by the sight. She couldn't believe that it's real and that she is in fact going to spend seven years studying here.
The boat docked, and everyone respectfully followed the elderly witch who was elegantly attired in emerald robes with a touch of black, adorned with a pointed hat and spectacles. She came to a halt before a grand door and instructed everyone to patiently wait for her return. As they waited, whispers of amusement for the magnificent castle has filled the air. It was not long before the witch in emerald robes reappeared. With a warm smile, she announced, "Well then, we are ready for you all." She graciously opened the door, inviting everyone to enter.
Hermione had never imagined such a magnificent place. The ceiling was illuminated by what must have been thousands of candles floating in midair above four long tables. She gazed upward and smiled at the magnificent appearance of the ceiling. She had read that it was magically enchanted to resemble the sky outside. Of course, this was one of the fascinating details she had encountered in Hogwarts: A History, a book she cherished deeply. They all came to a halt before a stool and an antiquated-looking hat.
"When I call your name, please take a seat on this stool. I will then place the hat over your head, and you will be sorted." She said, "Abbot, Hannah!"
A girl with strawberry blonde hair styled in pigtails stepped forward and took a seat. There was a moment of silence as the hat takes it's time deciding where should she be placed.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat exclaimed.
The table on the right cheered and clapped loudly as the girl made her way to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. The list of names went on for quite some time before her name was finally called out.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione glanced at Theo and smiled at him as he silently wished her good luck. She calmly walked to the front and sat on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. She felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about where the hat would place her. She wondered if she would be worthy enough to belong in the house she'll be sorted into. Her mind was filled with a jumble of thoughts as she waited for the hat to make its decision.
"Hmm.." the hat's voice hummed to her ear. "I see you've got great potential, With your vast knowledge and insatiable curiosity, you would undoubtedly excel in Ravenclaw. However, I sense a deeper desire within you, a thirst to prove your worth. Your courage is commendable, and I am intrigued to find the most suitable house for you." He paused. Hermione felt like an eternity had passed, and the Sorting Hat was certainly taking its time. She scanned the hall and spotted Theo, who appeared increasingly nervous by the minute. She could have sworn she saw sweat on his forehead.
"You possess great ambition within you— well then, better be..." The hat yet again paused.
"GRYFFINDOR!!" Bellowed the sorting hat. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she realized that the Sorting Hat had placed her in Gryffindor House. She knew that she did not possess all of the traits that were typically associated with Gryffindors, but she was nonetheless proud to be a part of the house. The rugged hat was taken off of her and she then proceeded to walk towards the Gryffindor table, where her fellow housemates were clapping and cheering for her.
Theo was called up next, and he ended up getting sorted into Slytherin, which is not surprising considering what he had told her earlier when they were on the train. Sitting beside her was none other than Potter, the Harry Potter who was famous for stopping the Dark Lord. Everyone here knows him. Sitting across from her, pigging out in his seat, was Ronald Weasley, a friend that Harry Potter had met earlier. There was so much food in front of her that just looking at it made her feel full already.
The feast had ended. Hermione was so full that there wasn't any room left. Everyone started getting up to head to their dorms, and the prefects gathered the first years to lead them to their dormitories. The stairs were moving from time to time, and it was fascinating to see them in person, as she had, of course, read about them already. They came to a stop in front of a portrait of a woman wearing a pink dress.
"This is the entrance to the dormitory," Percy Weasley, the Gryffindor prefect, spoke. "Passwords are changed weekly, so it's best not to forget them, or you'll be sleeping in the corridors unless a classmate or someone older can accompany you." He explained as he faced the portrait.
"Password?" The fat lady asked.
"Caput Draconis," Percy said, and the portrait swung forward revealing a round hole in the wall. Everyone crambled through it, and inside was a cozy room.
Hermione went to the girls' dorm where she shared a room with Lavender Brown, one of the Patil twins, and two other girls. She unpacked her trunk and put on her pajamas. She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling, already feeling homesick. She misses the sweets her mom made and the times they'd sit on the couch and watch their favorite movie on the telly. She misses them and wonders if she'll ever really fit in here. Back home, she was always the odd one out, different. No one wanted to be her friend, everyone thought she was a freak, especially when the accidental magic started happening when she was four. No one wanted to play with her then, so she found comfort in her books. She kept rambling, she always rambles even when she's thinking. Hermione turned to her side and looked out the window, she saw the train that was coming from Hogsmeade Station go back to London. She gazed at the stars that were visible from her window and she slowly drifted to sleep, her mind easing without worry.
⋆˙⟡
Hermione awoke with the sun kissing her skin. It had only been a week since she first began at Hogwarts. There was so much to learn and explore. Of course, she had already been inside the library, and it was far and away the most astonishing place of all there. There were plenty of books, and she was determined enough to read every single one of them before she graduated, if it wasn't impossible. She freshened herself up and made sure that her uniform was complete before she headed down to the Great Hall to for breakfast. As she walked along the corridors, she saw Theo. She gave him a warm smile, and he nodded back in return, acknowledging her. They both went to their respective tables. She had learned that there was this house rivalry that had been going on for years, which she thought was silly.
She took a seat next to Harry, who was fixated in reading the morning daily prophet. He rarely receives any letters, most of the time he borrows Ron's daily prophet. There were some instances that the half-giant had considerately invites Harry for tea, ensuring that he would not feel excluded when everyone else receives their mail. Hermione, on the other hand, grabbed a few green apples and consumed them while she stuff her book bag with a few snacks for the day.
Morning had passed quickly, and she found herself sitting inside the library. Books were spread across the table; she didn't notice that someone had already occupied the seat across from her.
"Oh, Theo, I didn't notice that you were here." She glanced at him before she began turning the pages of various books.
"Hermione—" He took a moment to compose himself, releasing a deep breath.
"I should tell you—" He worried on his lip as he hesistate what he wanted to tell her.
"Spill it out Theo!" She expressed her annoyance with him in a hushed tone.
"Remember what happened during Snape's class?" He asked.
"Oh, that..." Her voice trailed off as she returned to her books, trying to avoid the topic. It was bad enough that she had embarrassed herself, and it didn't help when Harry told their Professor that she clearly knew the answer.
"I know you don't want to talk about it—"
"It's okay, Theo. I kind of learned my lesson. No one likes a know-it-all, right?" She let out a faint laugh, trying to ease the tension that was building up.
"And that's why I'll be right here guiding you, all right?" Theo looked at her with concern. He just wanted his Muggle-born friend to feel that she does belong here and that he was her friend, that he would be there for her when she needed him.
She finally made eye contact with him when she lifted her head up and gave him a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Theo," she said as she tried to keep her voice down since they were in the library.
It was the only place where they could meet and talk as there was this house prejudice going on between their houses. Theo didn't care much; he was happy that he had found someone who didn't judge him because of who his father was. Like she had said when Theo told her who he was, that he was his own person and no one could make good or bad decisions for him. It was all really up to him. Although, Theo still acts like any other Slytherin.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks had turned into a month. The autumn leaves began to fall from the trees, and the cold air blew. For the past week, they had had their flying classes. Hermione dreads her flying classes, afraid that she'd fall off her broom. It's not that she is not confident at all; she just doesn't trust the broom itself, as it looks rather old and unsafe. A kid from Slytherin, Malfoy, kept taunting Harry Potter. She thought that he'd lose them house points again. Harry apparently made the Gryffindor's Quidditch team, which made him the youngest seeker in a century. With this event, the Slytherins loathe Gryffindors more than ever, as the rules are being bent for Harry, according to Theo in which he claimed so unfair with his dramatic voice.
"Why does Potter get away with everything?" he continued his dramatic complaints.
"That makes no sense, Theo." She rolled her eyes and shook her head, then returned her attention to the essay she was working on.
⋆˙⟡
It was a chilly Friday afternoon. She only had Charms left for today's class, and she was ecstatic about the Halloween feast that would be happening later that evening. It was her first Halloween in the wizarding world, and she wondered how it differed from the Muggle world.
Professor Flitwick began the class with a brief history of the charm they would be working on as he proceeded to distribute the feathers that would be used in class. "The incantation is Wingardium Leviosa!" he squeaked.
"Oh, and make sure to do the nice swish movement that we've been working on. Now on you go, everyone." He added as he scans the room with a smile.
There was a loud bang from the back of the classroom. Everyone turned to look and saw that Finnegan had managed to blow up his feather. Professor Flitwick asked Dean Thomas to kindly escort Seamus to the hospital wing so that Madam Pomfrey could examine him. While everyone then returned to working on their own feathers.
"Wingardium Leviosa" Ron Weasley shouted as he waves his wand arm rather aggressively.
"Stop it, you're saying it wrong!" Hermione snapped at him. Ron wrinkled his nose as he watched her.
"Come on, you do it then, since you're so clever." He snapped.
Hermione negated and waved her wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Her feather rose off the desk and hovered just above her head.
"Nicley done Ms. Granger!" Professor Flitwick praised her, clapping. "Ten points to Gryffindor." He gave her an approving smile as the red headed boy beside her, who was now in a bad mood, slumped over the desk.
Students started leaving the Charms classroom, Hermione remaind behind for a bit to ask Professor Flitwick about letting her take some extra assignments. She gathered her things and left the classroom. As she pushed her way out of the crowd, she overheard Ron talking to Harry. "No wonder she's got no friends, she's a bloody nightmare!" He almost yelled it out, but it was enough for Hermione to overhear. She rushed through the crowd, bumping into Harry's shoulder. Her tears blurred her vision as she walked away rapidly.
"Granger!" A voice echoed through her ears. Her mind in chaos, she couldn't figure out who the owner of that voice was. For the first time, her mind felt empty as she scurry the hallway, seeking for a place to hide herself from everybody.