Dear Diary,

You know how people have that 'first memory'? That one picture or scene that they knew was going to be the first of many memories to come? Mine is when I first came to my home.

I remember Albus, that's what I call Headmaster Dumbledore, holding me in his arms and carying me through a set of large doors. I think I was two. But, I looked up when a woman's voice said, "You brought her to Hogwarts? Albus, how can we take care of a child so young?"

"Hogwarts takes care of children every year, Minerva," Albus said 'one so young can be taken care of by the teachers and ghosts. She has no one. This could be her home."

I remember looking up from Albus's shoulder and looking at Mini (that's what I call Professor McGonagall). We stared at each other before she finally said, "She'll have to be given a room. She can stay with me tonight, though."

"Hermione," I said.

"What?" Mini said.

"My name's Hermione."

She smiled and lifted me into her arms. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Hermione."

That was my first memory. Now I live at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I love all the teachers and they love me. Even Sevy (Professor Snape), but I promised never to call him that when others are around. He doesn't like it. He actually gave me this diary and said I should write in it every day.

It was a birthday present, but he gave it to me yesterday. Today is my birthday, actually. Well, I call it my birthday because today, four years ago, was my first memory. The day I came to Hogwarts. Since no one knows when by birthday really is, we just celebrate the day I arrived at my wonderful home. I am now 6 years old. And it is also the first day of the Hogwarts teaching year.

Oh, gotta go. Mini's telling me to come down so we can go to breakfast. I'll write later. I just know this will be a good day. Bye.

Hermione closed her diary, did up the magic security buckle around the book, and hurried out of her rooms after stashing her present in her robe's pocket. She stopped in front of McGonagall in the hallway, smoothing down her skirt. Since she wasn't allowed to be sorted until she turned 11, she wore the neutral uniform that all students wore on their first night at Hogwarts. It consisted of a plain grey pleated skirt, white knee high socks, a pair of black shoes, a grey sweater vest and button up white blouse underneath, a black tie with the Hogwarts crest on the front, and a black robe to go over the uniform, the crest sewn over her heart.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Mini," Hermione said, smiling. "I was writing in my new diary."

McGonagall smiled down at her. "You should thank Severous for it," she said, walking down the corridor toward the Great Hall. Hermione fell in step beside her.

"Sevy said I should write in it everyday," she said, happily.

"What did you write about today, if you don't mind telling me," McGonagall said as they stopped on the moving stairs.

As it moved, Hermione smiled. "My first memory. The night I came here to my home."

McGonagall nodded, continuing down to the Great Hall. "I remember that night. I was sure Albus had finally lost his mind, making Hogwarts the permanent home of such a young child." She bent down and hugged her. "But I am glad that you are here, Hermione. We all love you." Hermione hugged her godmother and then took her hand as they walked into the Great Hall.

A couple people looked up and smiled. Closer students wished her happy birthday and Charlie Weasley, who'd Hermione had known for the last four years and who had a love for the outdoors as much as she did, walked up to her from the Gryffindor table. Bill, his older brother and a sixth year of the same House, was beside him. Hermione didn't know much about the older brother, but she remembered Mini mentioning something about how he was taking so many classes in his third year. She suspected that he had a time turner, but never said this to Mini, as she might have gotten mad.

The Weasley siblings had similar red hair and freckles, but it was easy to tell them apart. It was a trademark among the Weasley clan. Hermione had seen enough pictures, and met some of the younger brothers, to know.

Charlie nodded his head toward McGonagall before smiling awkwardly at Hermione. He held out a brown wrapped package. "The family wishes you a happy birthday, Hermione. It's a sweater from mum."

Hermione took the package and held it to her chest. "Thank you, Charlie. Bill," she said, smiling. "And thank your mum, too. I appreciate it."

Charlie nodded and returned to his seat at the Gryffindor table, while Bill walked out of the Greath Hall, saying something about forgetting his books.. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table, then at McGonagall. "Go, ahead, dear." the professor said, taking the package from her. Hermione nodded and hurried off to the table to see her friends.

She switched between the House tables for every meal so she wasn't playing favorites. It worked fairly well; everyone expected it of her and didn't really care. Today, though, it was breakfast with Slytherin, lunch with Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff for dinner. Ravenclaw had her for breakfast tomorrow. Hermione had friends in every House and new ones each year.

She walked over and sank down onto the bench between two third years. The boy on her right gave her a one armed hug. "Happy birthday, Hermione," he said.

Hermione smiled and said, "Thanks, Mikis." She reached out for a blueberry muffin, but another Slytherin slapped her hand. "Ow! What was that for, Lynn?" Hermione rubbed her hand as she 'glared' at the girl.

Lynn wasn't discouraged, though. She smiled and said, "Well, we all know that on your birthday, each House celebrates it somehow-"

"I don't make you do that," Hermione said, blushing. "Everyone started doing that when they saw the teachers making a fuss over me."

"And making a fuss over you makes the teachers happy. They love you. And it makes the first day bearable for everyone," Lynn said. "But," she said before Hermione could cut in, "we like doing this because we like you. So, the reason you're not allowed to eat that muffin, is because of this." She pulled out her wand and waved it over Hermione's plate.

A big cupcake, the size of two fists, appeared on her plate. It was covered in Slytherin green icing and silver sprinkles. A silver snake figurine sat in the middle, slithering in the icing and spelling out 'Happy Birthday, Hermione'. Once it finished, the snake slithered onto Hermione's hand and settled around her right ring finger. She recognized it as one of Sevy's favorite charms. He must have played a small part in her birthday breakfast.

Hermione looked at the Slytherins around her and smiled. "You are all so awesome," she said. She took a big bite of the cupcake, icing covering her cheeks.

Lynn laughed and wiped Hermione's face clean of the icing. "We know," she said. The others smiled, proud of having been first to celebrate Hermione's birthday.

Hermione paused. She suddenly looked around. "What?" Lynn asked.

Hermione leaned forward and said, "I'm looking for Snape. He's always around the corner when I do something bad."

"You're not doing anything bad," Lynn said.

"I'm having a chocolate cupcake for breakfast with icing. It's not healthy. What if Snape sees me eating it?" Hermione looked around quickly and sank behind Mikis for protection.

Mikis chuckled. "Live a little, Mi," he said, nudging her with his shoulder. "We'll make sure he doesn't see."

Hermione smiled and was just about to take another bite when a voice behind her said, "I do hope that isn't a chocolate cupcake, full of sugar, this early in the morning, Hermione."

Their section of the table fell silent. Hermione slowly turned around and looked up into the face of Professor Severous Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts. And he didn't look too happy. In fact, his expression was a mix between curiosity, upset, and a little bit of amusement.

Hermione swallowed and said, "It's not, Professor Snape."

"Then what is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She smiled sheepishly. "A birthday muffin?" she said. She knew she was a horrible liar, but Snape only rolled his eyes at her answer.

"If you're going to lie, Hermione, I suggest you do it so no one knows you're lying," Snape said. He gave a half smirk, half smile and reached out to ruffle her bushy hair. She smiled up at him and watched him as he walked away.

"This is the only time I get to see the meanest teacher look so happy," Gabrielle Dashwood said. She sat next to Lynn and looked at young Hermione. "He must really like you, Hermione. Maybe tailing after him for the last four years have really worked."

Hermione blushed. Gabrielle had been a first year when Hermione had been brought to Hogwarts and had witnessed Hermione following Snape around in the dungeons. This happened often because the other teachers were generally busy with students. Snape was mean enough that students didn't generally mess up in his class.

At first, he had ignored her when she sat next to his desk, looking at potions recipes; but, as time went on, he paid more attention to her until he was having her help out in classes. Some people thought it was cute, others thought it was funny. But everyone was wise enough to not say anything when in the presence of the man.

Hermione finished her cupcake and drank her milk when Lynn tapped the glass in front of Hermione's plate. "Drink your milk," she said, as she did every morning when Hermione was at their table. Lynn was like a mother or older sister to Hermione, always making sure she did what she was suppose to. It was an odd trait for a Slytherin, but no one really questioned it, since she only did this with Hermione.

The sound of fluttering wings drew the attention of everyone to the owls that had just arrived. Barn owls, falcons, horned owls, and many more different types filled the Great Hall, carrying letters and packages. Some would be things parents wanted to treat their children to for getting into a good house. Others would be things that students had forgotten at home in a rush to get to the station. And some, as a few owls proved by dropping their loads in front of Hermione, would be birthday presents and cards from students who had graduate or their families who had gotten to know Hermione on Visitor's Day. And these were just from people not in Hogwarts. From past experiences, she would have a large pile from teachers waiting in her room. This day was the only day that Hermione ever felt she was extremely poplar. And it felt good!

"Oh, crap," Mikis said, opening his package and lifting out a pair of green socks. "I can't believe I forgot my favorite pair of socks. Again."

Lynn and Gabrielle laughed as he shook his head in disbelief at himself. Hermione only patted his shoulder in sympathy. She picked up a knife and cut a slice of uneaten cupcake for him, putting it on his plate. He looked down at her and smiled. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, hugging her. "You're my favorite girl." He stressed the word, glaring at the two who had laughed at him before.

Hermione giggled and reached for the envelopes. She collected them and slipped them into her pocket. She would read them later, when she wasn't busy with her duties. The packages, though, wouldn't be so easy to deal with. They were too big to put in her pocket. So she just stacked them next to her on the bench and returned to her meal. She finished her cupcake and ate some fruit (she just knew that Sevy was watching her, making sure she ate something healthy).

Before the bell rang to notify students of the beginning of classes, Albus stood up at the teacher's table and raised his hands. Silence was given immediately. He smiled behind his white beard and said, loud enough to reach the back, "Welcome, students. I hope your classes will go well this year. I have great news, though, for everyone. Hogwarts has been sent an invitation to attend the Durmstrang Institute, where the Triwizard Tournament will be held this year. A select few students will be chosen, with a possibility of one of you becoming a Champion for our school. No one below the age of 15 may be chosen. Potential champions will be chosen this week and we shall leave the following Monday in time for Durmstrang's Beginning Feast. Enjoy your classes and best wishes to the Champions."

Dumbledore had barely stepped away from the table when the whole room broke out into talk. "The Triward Tournament," Gabrielle said, her eyes shining brightly. "Can you believe it? And I'm old enough. Turned 15 three days ago."

Lynn smiled. "Good luck to you. Hope you don't die."

Mikis laughed at her words, but Hermione was confused. She reached over and tugged on Mikis' sleeve. "What's the Triward Tournament?" she asked.

He looked at her and lifted her onto his lap. She was now a level with everyone's eyes. "The Triwizard Tournament is held every four years, switching from the magic schools. Durmstrang Institute, Beuxbatons School of Magic, and Hogwarts. It has three tasks, all very dangerous, and a Champion from each school is chosen to complete them. The winner gets glory and fame."

Hermione smiled. "Then we should win," she said in true 6 year old fashion.

Gabrielle smiled in a way that anyone not associated with Slytherin would have taken as an offensive smirk, but was really a determined smile. "And we will, Hermione. Because I'm going to lead us to victory."

Hermione nodded and then clapped her hands together. "Alright. Class, you three," she said in her best 'Snape' voice. The three laughed and stood up. Hermione looked down and noticed that her small pile of packages were gone. One of the House elves must have taken it to her room. She'd have to leave a sweet for them before she went to bed. But, now, she had to be off to the dungeons to assist her godfather with class.

AN: I'd like to say, Gabrielle Dashwood, if you find this story, please don't be angry with me for using your nom de plume, okay? I just like the name and it fit so nicely with the character. As for all the other readers, Hi! If this is your first Sensula story, I'd just like to say that I am very glad you are reading and enjoying this. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that people are enjoying my stories.

Well, I'd also like to introduce my muse. Say hi, Bob.

Bob: Hi!

Me: He's an imaginary gerbil. Been with me since 8th grade science class.

Bob: I'm the only reason she got through them.

Me: Yup. And you are so wonderful. But I don't like you playing poker with the dust bunnies.

Bob: But it's fun.

Me: I know. But you're suppose to be helping me.

Bob: You're such a whinner.

Me: Me? A whinner? Look who's talking, hamster.

Bob: I'm a gerbil! Gerbil!

Me: (eyeroll) What ever. You help with creativity.

Bob: (Glare) I'm not talking to you.

Me: Yeah, you are. Anyway, thanks for reading. And, if this isn't your first Sensula story, add it to the others you've read. I hope you like it as much as the others, as well. Anyway, thanks for reading.

PS: I made the Triwizard Tournament a continuous every 4 years kind of thing because I just really liked the idea. So, just giving you a heads up. Oh, and I tweaked a few things here and there.