A/N: So normal disclaimer, I don't own anything related to the actual Harry Potter story written by J.K. Rowling but there might be characters that pop up that may belong to me. This is also my first story that I am writing so sorry if it's slow or gets off topic. This is a prologue that should explain some of the changes I made to the lives of Hermione and Harry.
She was a princess trapped in the grand, dark castle of her father's own little world by herself. It was a lonely fate, never knowing when her father would return to the mansion or where her mother had gone in the first place but she was always happy to see her uncle who often came to visit with her father. Her uncle was quite a serious man at first glance with his sharp black eyes and greasy black hair. One could never tell that he enjoyed teaching and cared quite deeply for the innocent minded. Sadly his visits stopped long before her father's.
Before she reached the age of one she learned to stand on her own after falling so many times chasing after her father. He was a man of great mystery, short and curly black hair with loving amber eyes that looked down on her. His skin was pale and his smiles crooked but he was always so warm. He would be home for one morning and vanish later with the sun, leaving her in the dark of the night. Some days he didn't come back at all but he always brought back a present.
A year later she taught herself to read hoping it would help her find a way to keep her father with her or help her escape the walls of the home she lived in. She kept to herself in the vast library that her father had thought she would enjoy, the words, they brought her comfort. Their stories of fact and fiction and of creatures who roamed the Earth hand in hand with humans. Those books that gave her words of wisdom gave her courage. Days later she gathered up the courage to open the main doors.
It had been many months since she had last seen or heard from her father. With small shaking hands she gripped the crystal doorknob. This was her chance, the chance that would start her own life story, one that did not include her trapped in a mansion where no light poured into. In slight hesitation her father's words fluttered through her mind.
"Never, ever try to leave this house without me Hermione. The outside world isn't safe for you to be in yet." His voice back then was grim but full of worry. Casting her fears away she turned the knob halfway clockwise before it stopped. Pulling back, the door would not budge. With a sigh she stepped away from the door. About to try again she flinched when she heard an unexpected sound coming from the door.
"ALOHOMORA!" followed by a snap of a lock and the doors being swung open. Winds blew the black robes of the two guests towards her. An old man stepped towards her and hesitantly knelt to her eye level. His powder blue eyes shone brightly behind the sliver frames of his glasses. The other figure also moved closer. Familiar black eyes looked down at her.
"'ncle Servus?" her voice quivered from not using it in a while and the shock she felt at seeing her uncle unexpectedly.
"Hermione, nice to see you." He greeted with a small smile on his face.
"Hello there little one, we've been looking forward to seeing you for a long time. My name is Professor Dumbledore." The old man said kindly, his eyes glittering with an odd emotion, hope.
"Wat happning 'ncle Servus? Ares 'addy?" Hermione questioned, not seeing her father anywhere in sight.
"You must come with us quickly Hermione, your father is no longer with us. I believe you know what I mean when I say that he has passed." Serverus tried to say in the kindest way he knew how to. His hand was outreached and waiting for her to go along with them. Tears streamed down her cheeks, though Hermione didn't know why. So instead she just grabbed ahold of Serverus' hand and walked through the doors of the mansion without a glance back, finally free of the walls that once held her.
(Harry's Side)
It was a cold and dark night, clouds had settled over the moon blocking out what little light would have normally shone the path towards the lone house on Godric's Hollow. From the living room where a faint light could be seen through the curtains James sat comfortably on the loveseat in front of the fireplace. Lily had gone up the stairs to tuck their son in. It amazed James that barely four years from graduating Hogwarts he had settled into hiding with the love of his live and their precious son.
Harry James Potter born merely a year ago was the reason why they had moved here to Godric's Hollow, the safety of their family was at stake.
Suddenly a small clicking sound could be heard, as if the front door had unlocked itself. Standing up with wand in hand James watched for the first sight of a possible intruder. A cloak of black suddenly turned to face him. "Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! I'll try to hold him off. Just go!" James shouted valiantly blocking the staircase from the Dark Lord.
"Hello James, it's been a while hasn't it?" Voldemort hissed stepping closer towards the stairs. "I had been very disappointed when you and Lily had refused my earlier invitation, shame that now you'll have to die along with your family."
Before he could utter even the beginning of his first spell Voldemort pointed his wand and stated with boredom "Avada Kedavra."
Lily watched from the top of the staircase and forced her tears back but couldn't help the sobs that were clawing at her throat.
"Not Harry, please no don't kill him! Take me instead!" Lily cried hysterically as Voldemort stepped closer towards her and Harry.
"Stand aside you silly girl!" Voldemort declared pulling out his wand. Lily turned around and ran back into the bedroom locking the door behind her. Lily ran towards the crib with all her heart hoping to make it there before any harm was done to her only son.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Lily smiled as she felt the spell consume her and dropped to the floor. A small frown grew on the Dark Lord's face as he walked closer to the infant. Raising his wand to the forehead of the last Potter, he uttered his last spell.
"Avada Kedavra!" Soon the room was filled with a green light and a short cry of pain.
The Dark Lord fumbled backwards toward the wall, his whole body wracking with pain. Mustering what was left of his energy he glared toward the child before apparating away from the house, wounds too great to cast another spell.
"JAMES! LILY!"
Hours had passed since the death of the Potters but the news had already spread around the world of their death and the destruction of the Dark Lord. Celebration was held around every corner of the world, both magical and muggle. Althea and Jason Granger unaware of anything just sat in their living room watching the flames of the fireplace crackle as they held each other. Their hope for children was shattered earlier in the day after their doctor had just confirmed their greatest fears. Althea was infertile. Jason knew that besides her dream of becoming a successful dentist which she had already accomplished she wished to have a family with him. Her frame was still shacking slightly as small sobs wracked her body. A few quiet knocks sounded suddenly from the door.
"I wonder who that could be, at such a time too." Althea sat up and wiped her tears away not letting go of Jason's hand as they walked towards the door. Swinging the door open the couple was meet with an elder man smiling kindly at them with a cat watching them expectedly at his side.
"Good evening, you must be the Grangers I believe. My name is Albus Dumbledore, I do apologize for intruding on you at such a time." he stated. Jason and Althea relaxed slightly, the man had a calming presence.
"What can we do for you Mr. Dumbledore?" Mr. Granger asked holding his wife closely to himself.
"I do believe that you were both graduates of Beauxbatons? Therefore I can assume that what I hope to disclose to you will come to hardly of any surprise." Both looked shocked as Dumbledore smiled at them. Detaching from her husband Althea made room for Dumbledore to step into their home.
"Please come inside, I believe this conversation is made for behind closed doors, non?" Dumbledore just shook his head slightly.
"Thank you but I will be quick. Over the past twenty four hours we have gained custody over two infant children due to unfortunate circumstances. We believe that being raised in your care would be in their best interests because of your separation away from the wizarding world." The Grangers couldn't believe the chance they were being offered. Children! Little feet to scamper around the house and laughter to light the rooms. It was too good to be true.
"So where are the children?" Althea was nervous with excitement. Jason smiled at his wife mouthing a quick thank you to Dumbledore.
"Hagrid should be here with them soon." Dumbledore answered just as the sound of a loud engine roared in the night. A flying motorcycle landed right in front of the driveway. The driver was a big man with long shaggy locks and a long shaggy beard.
"E'llo 'ere sorry 'm late, 'ad a bit of trouble with 'ermione wakin early." the giant of a man laughed. Placing the two year old on steady ground he reached for the bundle that was also nestled at his front.
"This 'er is 'ermione, a of a shy lass and the lad in the bundle is 'arry." Hagrid introduced as they walked up to the Grangers and Dumbledore who welcomed their arrival. Jason picked up Harry from a slightly crying Hagrid while Althea knelt down as Hermione made her way to her.
"Hello Hermione, we're so very happy to meet you and Harry. Merlin, we're so thankful." Althea whimpered with tears glistening in her eyes. Hermione felt a small amount of sorrow for the woman in front of her.
"S'ok mummy were ome."