"I'm sorry Miss Hermione, your parents said I couldn't come with you", the chauffeur said with a sad smile.
The said Miss Hermione was sitting in the back with a book on her lap. Her beautiful brown curls with honey streaks shined in the sunlight. She raised her head, almost surprised to see they were already at the Kings Cross station. "It's alright, Carl. You can't help it. Would you just help me put my luggage at a cart. I don't think I'll be able to carry the trunk alone." She reflected the sad smile and stepped out sighing.

Hermione Jane Granger was not an average eleven year old girl. She was the best of her class, but she didn't brag about it. Because the fact that she was so clever, she didn't have friends of her age. The staff at her house loved the girl, but didn't dare to trifle Mrs. Granger.
She was also the only daughter of two very rich entrepreneurs. Her parents spent almost all their time at work and Hermione was nearly always alone, reading or playing the piano. Her father was kind, but had no idea how to be a good father. He didn't show any form of affection. He never hugged or never kissed his baby girl. Her mother was a force to be reckoned with. She never really wanted Hermione. She blamed her for ruining her body and almost dying giving birth. The only thing Mrs. Granger said to her daughter were vindictive words. If she was really mad she just wouldn't say a word and ignore her like she didn't exist. It wasn't exactly the ideal childhood a young person should have.

She grew up to be a silent girl, although older then her years and very sweet and loving, you could say it was strange she grew up to be that way, but Hermione herself was a little strange. Sometimes exceptional things would just happen with her. For example, the raven Gwyrth that almost constantly followed her. One day she was walking in the immense garden and found a little bird, abandoned. She took it with her and fed the little raven. It survived and became very attached to Hermione. She could walk with Gwyrth in the garden and it would just fly around her or sit on her shoulder. It was a wonderful thing, it was her first friend. She always talked to Gwyrth and it looked like the bird understood her. Another strange thing was that she immediately made up her mind about liking or disliking a person. Her parents thought she was a good judge of character, but Hermione knew better. She felt sort of vibes coming from a person. If they had good intentions and were pure of heart, they would feel warm and slow. However if someone was lying or simply had bad intentions the vibes felt cold and hard.

She was also a really pretty girl although she didn't know it herself. She had beautiful brown curly hair. Her skin was almost like porcelain but had a healthy shine that could only come from her good personality. Her smile automatically brought smiles on other faces. She was petite, but any eye could see she would grow up to be a beautiful woman. But it were her eyes that really stood out. They were big and brown with almost golden flakes, framed with thick dark brown eyelashes. What was strange was that her parents sold dentistry appliances and were trained dentists themselves, still they didn't do anything about Hermione's slightly larger front teeth.

Carl was carrying her trunk to the carts while Hermione smoothed out a few crinkles on her white summer dress. It was surprisingly warm for the end of August. She looked at the blue sky, whistled softly and the pitch black Gwyrth landed on her shoulder.
"Hello, sweetie. I hope you didn't have to wait too long?" She petted its head.
"Miss Hermione, it's ready." Carl was standing at the entrance of the station with his cap in his hands and with her cart beside him. She walked over and placed Gwyrth on top of the trunk.
"Thank you, Carl. Will you send my regards to the rest of the staff? And please let me know if Sarah gives birth? I'll make sure to have a present ready." He nodded with a small smile. She sighed. "I'm going to miss all of you." She didn't say goodbye, she just pushed the cart and walked into the station.

Pushing the cart seemed to be a difficult task, it was almost too heavy for her to move it. She struggled further to get to her target: platform 9 ¾ .

She was almost at platform 7 when she fell. Her cart suddenly refused to go forward. She lost her balance, fell hard on her knees and hands. Nobody helped her, not that she had expected it. It would have been a nice surprise. Her head was buzzing and her right knee bleeding. She didn't cry, she didn't swear. She only made an 'oompf' sound when she fell. She stood, found that her knee did hurt, but it wasn't too bad. So she searched for the source, a little rock that blocked the wheel. She continued her journey and searched for the platform she never even heard of before professor McGonagall came to her house after that strange letter from Hogwarts came.

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August 13th

Hermione was sitting in the garden with Gwyrth, reading a book. Until she heard voices coming from the backdoor. Marietta, one of the housekeepers was walking towards her with a strange looking woman. The vibes she got were warm but felt a bit dimmed, as if someone had tampered with them. She waited until the two women reached her before standing up.
"Hello, Miss Granger. I am professor McGonagall."
"Hello, ma'am. Thank you Marietta, would you please bring some tea?" Marietta nodded and walked back towards the house.
"Please, take a seat."
"Oh, thank you. I'm sorry to be rude, but where are your parents? The letter clearly said I was to talk to them before taking you to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies." The professor looked a bit stern, but she seemed nice enough. Marietta came with two cups of tea and some scones. Hermione thanked the house keeper before returning to the conversation.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but they didn't believe the letter. They thought it was a joke. They're at work so they won't be joining us today." She took a sip to let the professor have a moment. She seemed genuinely upset.
"Well, I suppose I could take you with me today so you can tell your parents it is all true. There is a school named Hogwarts that teaches young children how to handle their magic. There is such a thing called magic."
"I will do that Professor."
Professor McGonagall explained that Hogwarts was a boarding school and that she could come home during Winter Holidays and during the summer. She explained the curriculum and talked about the Ministry of Magic. McGonagall was impressed with the girl, she was so calm and could hold a decent conversation, while most would just be excited. Somehow it unnerved her a bit. Before they left Hermione went to her father's study and got some money out of the safe. He always told her if there was an emergency, she should take some of it, so she did. She put it in her wallet, together with her ID. "Professor, I'm ready."
"Alright, we'll just walk out of the door, so the staff won't suspect anything, you'd better leave a note or something."
"Okay, I'll just say we're leaving to Marietta, she'll be here when they come back. Just a minute, ma'am."

They apparated and McGonagall was very surprised when Hermione stood on her two feet after they landed. She looked a bit shaken but she was fine. She was impressed. Hermione in the meanwhile was watching Diagon Alley with a smile.
"Now we should start with setting up an account for you at Gringotts, that is the wizarding bank." Hermione nodded and walked next to McGonagall. They entered the white large building and Minerva watched her young pupil carefully. She was curious what her reaction to the goblins would be. Hermione felt all the different vibes and tried to shield herself because she was getting overwhelmed, when one certain vibe got her attention. He felt sad and powerful at the same time. It was the sad part that touched her. She walked over to him, he was sitting at a desk in a corner. She felt something rise in her, as if something had wakened after a long sleep. It warmed her throat, like chicken soup. When she had reached the sad goblin she asked; " Sir, why are you so sad?" Several gasps were heard in the bank and every goblin in the hall was looking at her. She didn't notice, she was looking at the goblin in front of her and waited patiently for an answer. He looked up, saw her standing and was surprised. She had spoken in the language of the goblins. "My wife had a miscarriage. She lost our baby", he responded in Goblin.
"I am very sorry for your loss, sir. I promise, next time I see a fallen star, I'll wish for a new and healthy baby for you. Will you please give my regards to your wife?" She was still talking in Goblin, even if she didn't notice it.
The goblin smiled for the first time that day. "Thank you, young lady. That is very kind. Can I ask you something?"
"Off course, sir." She tilted her head a bit, curious.
"Do you realize you're talking in the language of the goblins?"
Her eyes widened, she shook her head wildly making her hair bounce around her head, "I'm sorry, I didn't even knew I could do that? Is that something bad?" still talking in Goblin.
A loud bellowing laugh was heard behind her, she turned to see another goblin walking towards her. "My girl, you're probably one of the few witches that can talk Goblin. It is extraordinary, not bad. Why don't you come to my office and we'll discuss whatever it is you came here to do. Rolford, you can go to your wife, I'm sure she wants you with her. Ladies, if you will follow me?"
She waved at Rolford and followed the goblin into his office.
"Well young lady, what can I do for you?" asked the goblin, placing his hands/claws under his head. He talked in English, because of the presence of McGonagall.
"Sir, may I ask your name first?"
He was silent for a moment. "Did I do something wrong?" She looked at McGonagall and the goblin.
"You are quite the surprise, miss Granger. The name is Ragnok."
"I hope I haven't offended you, Mr. Ragnok. If I did I'm sorry."
"Not at all, Miss Granger. Your level of friendliness, goblins haven't received in quite some years."
"Oh." She tilted her head. "That is not very kind. But I am probably keeping you from your work. IF you don't mind, sir, I would like to open an account and change some money in galleons."

When they walked out of the bank, McGonagall sighed. They weren't even halfway in their shopping and this had been quite a day. After that they went to Madam Malkin's for robes, Flourish and Botts for her books and the apothecary.

Next stop was Olivander's. She could feel his vibes before she could see him. She wasn't surprised when he stepped out of the shadows. "Hello sir", she greeted.
"Ah, hello, miss. Please hold out your wand arm."
"Is that the same arm I write with?" With his nod, she put out her right arm.
After about five different wands Olivander was looking very strange at her. "I believe I'll have to make you a personal wand. Give me a moment."
While he walked away Hermione asked a stunned professor: "what does that mean?"
"It means that none of these wands fits you perfectly right. The wand chooses the witch."
Olivander came back with two boxes. "Alright, miss. Here are the more exceptional cores. You'll know if you choose the right one. "
She looked in the first box and saw all the different feathers and hairs neatly lying in a row. Then two things caught her eye. She picked both of them up. It was a white hair and a white pearl.
"Beautiful", she whispered dazed. She snapped out of it when Olivander took them out of her hands.
"Hmm, I didn't even know I had that pearl. Very strange indeed."
"Will two work?" He nodded although it wasn't fully with his consent. He almost looked like he'd rather not.
Hermione went to the next box and watched all the different pieces of wood. Eventually she chose a nice piece of cherry wood. Olivander went to his office and came back a quarter later. He looked a bit tired really.
"A fine wand, even if I say so myself. Here you go, Miss Granger. That'll be 45 galleons." With the right amount of money changed, they left and went back to the 'muggle' world.

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Little droplets of blood searched their way over her leg. It stinged a bit, but it was reasonably okay. She could ignore it. Something she couldn't ignore was the burning of her arms from pushing the cart, the throbbing in her head from all those different peoples vibe and the fact that she was utterly exhausted.

Finally she reached platform 9 and 10, but no view of 9 ¾ . She was looking all around her, saw a man with hair as black as her raven when a train arrived at platform nine. Her eyes widened in fear, she was certain she couldn't handle any more vibes. She locked eyes with the dark haired man and when the doors opened, she collapsed.

Severus Snape was not having a good day. Dumbledore had forced him to take the 'muggle' shift at the station. He was supposed to help the 'muggles' on the right platform. It was not like most wizards would think, he did not despise muggles. He just really didn't want to do this. He just wanted to go back to Hogwarts and make some potion, any potion really.

But here he stood, in his 'muggle' black jeans, 'muggle' black long sleeved shirt (even if it was almost 25 degrees). It was not because he was in the non-magical world he would change his entire colour scheme.

He was still cursing his fate when he saw the little girl walking. He was almost certain she was looking for Hogwarts. He could see her struggling. When they locked eyes, he felt the need to go to her and help her with her heavy load. Yet, he stayed still, standing where he stood. He saw her panic when a train came in, almost franticly looking for an escape. And when the doors opened, she fainted.

He had no idea why he had been standing there like some first class dunderhead. He ran (yes ran) to the girl laying on the ground, was surprised that people just walked around her instead of helping her. He picked her up, pulled her cart with him and walked to his first post. He placed her on her trunk and noticed the crow staring at him, probably her familiar. "Don't worry, I'll help her." The crow ruffled its feathers and stood protectively beside her head.

"Ennervate."
The girl opened her eyes and coughed. She stretched almost as if she had been sleeping. Hermione sensed her savior's vibes. They were warm. She smiled. "Hello, sir." She got up, so she was sitting on her trunk instead of laying. "I'm Hermione Granger, sir." She wanted to shake his hand so she reached out and waited till he placed his hand in hers. When he did, she took his hand in both of hers and looked him in his eyes, "thank you for helping me." She gave him one of her rare smiles. It wasn't often she thanked people.

"Severus Snape, I'm a professor at Hogwarts." He was a bit hesitant, because she was holding his hand. But that smile made her almost glow. He couldn't help but smile back. He knew it was a strange sight. Somebody should capture it on picture. Severus Snape does not smile, but here he was, smiling as if nothing in his past had ever happened, everything erased.

Then she shivered, looked at a point over his shoulder, her eyes pitch black. She tilted her head as if she heard something only she did. Snape heard her whisper: "bad vibes, bad people, bad bad, have to help him." She let go of his hands, walked the opposite way and left Snape with the words: "stay here. Act as people think you are. I'll come right back." He sensed the importance in her words, wondered how she knew it was all an act and saw a family of redheads coming that could only mean one thing; the Weasley-family.

Hermione was walking towards a black haired boy with emerald eyes and baggy clothes. The snow white owl hooted to her and she gave it a smile. His vibes were warm and excited but there was something slumbering underneath. She didn't know what it was, how it came there, she just knew she would keep an eye out for him. She stood in front of his cart, just to stall time. He could not meet the red haired family, things would go bad for him if he did. "Are you going to Hogwarts too?" she asked.
"Yes. I'm Harry." He shook her hand and smiled.
"I'm Hermione. That's a really pretty owl, Harry. What's her name?"
"Thanks. I named her Hedwig, it's a name I read somewhere in a book. I think it really fits her. Do you know how to go to platform 9 ¾? "
"Oh sure, come with me, I just met professor Snape. He's really nice. I sort of fainted and he helped me up." She walked beside him and saw the last redhead disappear in a wall. She smiled at Harry and professor Snape. Mission accomplished.
"Hello professor Snape, this is Harry. Harry, professor Snape. Could you please show us to the platform, please?"
It looked as if Snape was shell-shocked. He just stared at Harry. Hermione felt anger, sadness, regret wave around him. It was almost choking her so she took Snape's hand and watched him snap out of it.
Snape looked into her eyes, they seemed to ask him to calm down. She repeated the question and let Harry go first.
"Professor? Harry is his own person. Please learn to know him before you judge him." She smiled sadly and pushed the cart through the wall. Snape stood a moment with his mouth open. How did she know that? He looked around and decided he had done enough and stepped through the wall.

Hermione and Harry had placed their trunks with the right age group and were talking about their familiars. "Harry, don't you think we should let them fly to Hogwarts? I really don't want them to spend the entire afternoon in a cage. It's just cruel." She petted her crow and watched him ruffle his feathers.
"Do you think they'll know where it is?" Harry asked.
Hedwig hooted and looked a bit upset. "I think you have your answer." Hermione said. "Gwyrth, do you know how to get there? If you're not sure, just stay with Hedwig. Okay? See you tonight, I'll call for you." They watched together how the birds flew to the sky when someone put his trunk next to Hermione's. It was an adult with long very blond hair. He looked rich and a bit arrogant, but the vibes were good. When he looked at Hermione she smiled. His wife and sun came and stood beside him. "Hello sir, ma'am." The lady smiled back. The boy looked curious. She stepped a bit closer and reached out to shake his hand. "I'm Hermione Granger, pleased to meet you."
He was probably taught manners from a very young age, because he was very polite. "Draco Malfoy, It's nice to meet you too Hermione." He smiled back and she finally smiled her 'glowing smile'. "This is my father and my mother." She shook their hands and still had that glowing smile on her face. "This is my friend, Harry." She raised her eyebrows when he just stood there. "Be polite, Harry."
"Oh, sorry Mr and Mrs Malfoy." He shook all their hands and blushed a bit.

Narcissa, Mrs Malfoy could see Hermione was a girl that had been raised in a rather rich family. Her position was one of a lady and her dress certainly didn't look cheap. She frowned a bit when she saw her knee bleeding. "Hermione, what happened to your knee?"
"I fell. My cart got stuck when I was passing platform 7. I sort of lost my balance, ma'am." She blushed.
"Is it okay if I do something about it? I mean heal it?" She was already reaching for her wand when she was sort of stunned. "Off course, ma'am, I trust you."
"You do?" Narcissa was a bit concerned. Hermione had a lot to learn, certainly now. She was probably a muggleborn, she should be glad Lucius wasn't being his usual self. She sort of wondered why that was.
"Yes, it feels right." Hermione said like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Meanwhile Snape joined the little group and watched the conversation. Lucius frowned.
"She does that to people." Snape said softly.
"You know her?" Lucius enquired.
"Not precisely. I helped her at the muggle entrance. She sort of fainted. I enervated her then she sort of ran off to help Harry, so he couldn't meet the Weasley's."
"The Weasley's? Why were they at the muggle entrance?"
"That's what I wondered also. Something was off, I tell you. Molly was talking extremely loud about muggles and such, almost like baiting a muggleborn witch or wizard."
"You think it was a set-up?" It almost wasn't a question, more like a statement Lucius made.
"I believe so. I think they were after Harry."
"How did she know that?"
"Before she left she said something about bad vibes and that she needed to help. Lucius her eyes were black."
Lucius sucked in his breath. "A seer?"
"I'm not completely sure. Normally they don't remember what they say and she didn't speak a prophecy."
The two men watched the little girl get healed by Narcissa. Lucius saw his wife's face light up when Hermione took both of her hands and thanked her with so much sincerity it almost brought a lump in his throat. "It's a special one." He whispered.

After five more minutes of polite conversation, Lucius noted the time. He was just opening his mouth to tell them to get on the train. When Hermione became very pale. Lucius saw a family of redheads coming towards them. "Harry, Draco, please come here and take my hands." They both looked a bit hesitant. "Please, just trust me on this." Draco and Harry nodded and stood beside her, Draco on her right, Harry on her left. They looked at her when they felt warmth flow through their palms into their bodies. "What just happened?" Draco asked.
"Protection. Whatever they are about to say, don't let go." The adults heard her and stood protectively behind them with their wands in reach.
"Don't let go." She whispered again.

Almost the entire family of redheads were coming. Lucius saw the mother and father, Molly and Arthur. Percy, the prefect, the twins Fred and George, Ronald and the only girl Ginny. Molly was the first to open her mouth. "Hello, Harry. How are you? I'm Molly Weasley. "
"How do you know my name?" He felt Hermione harden her grip and was concerned. Hermione was his first friend. He didn't like her getting upset.
"Well everybody knows your name pumpkin. You're Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. You defeated You-Know-Who! You're famous in the Wizarding World."
"I did?"
Snape was surprised by the surprise in Harry's voice. He had thought Potter's kid would have a huge ego and that he would bask in the attention. Hermione's words flowed back in his mind. 'He is his own person.' Maybe he ought to give the boy a chance.
"Yes, off course! Now, why don't you hop on the train with Ronald, he's a first year too." Molly seemed too happy, too…. Something. Harry remembered every word Hermione had said. It just didn't feel real.
"I think I'm going to sit with Hermione and Draco, ma'am."

Hermione in the meanwhile was sensing the different vibes from the family. The eldest boy seemed neutral, the twins were nice and curious and the father just friendly. She was concerned about the other three. The mother was too pushy and her vibes were greedy and forceful. The little girl was just creepy. She was almost obsessed. And jealous, that was something Hermione didn't really get. Maybe she was upset she couldn't go to Hogwarts yet. The boy, Ronald was after his mother the most greedy and jealous person she had ever met. His vibes almost made her cry that such a person could exist. When Harry had said he wanted to sit with her and Draco she smiled at him. But was she glad she was holding hands with two people because the vibes nearly knocked her out. Her breathing became a bit haggard. Professor Snape must have noticed because he put his hands on her shoulders. She sighed of relief.
Lucius spoke before the Weasley's would do something stupid.
"Well, we should get the kids on the train. It's almost eleven o'clock. "
But Ronald decided to do something stupid, he opened his mouth. "WHAT? Harry, you can't sit with those pureblood lovers. They were Voldemorts allies! Voldemort killed your parents!"
Snape, Lucius and Narcissa sucked their breath in.
"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't talk about my friends that way. Now, I believe Harry said no, please keep your sun in line before he ruins your reputation some more." Hermione said, it was polite, but had an icy and dangerous undertone. Molly turned red, same with Ronald, but Arthur had enough self-preservation in his body to know when it was time to go. He dragged Molly with him before she could say something stupid to the girl. The twins took care of Ronald and their sister.

Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. "I hope the twins forgive me for being so rude, but I was really upset."
"Are you okay?" Draco asked. "That was brutal."
She nodded and added: "I am a bit tired, that's all."
"What was that you did with your hands?" Harry asked.
"I have no idea what it really was. I just knew it would keep you two safe."
"Thank you for defending us Hermione." Lucius said. He was grateful, even though it felt odd to him to be defended by an eleven year old muggleborn girl.
"It was no problem at all, Mr. Malfoy." She smiled wide and he almost felt compelled to do the same. Almost, so he was stuck with a mix of a Malfoy smirk and a real smile. It felt weird, so he stopped after a second or two. Snape grinned. Lucius glared at him.
"Well, dears, you should get on the train. Draco, please don't forget to write."
"I won't mother. See you at Christmas break."
"Bye!" Harry and Hermione said in sync. The three kids were still holding hands, but nobody said a word about it.