Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade or any character except Patrice and Mrs. Coeur (the DADA teacher). Please ask if you feel the need to use them.
Chapter One: The Transfer Student
Hermoine waved goodbye to her parents as she dragged her suitcase after Ron and Harry. It had been a long, worrying summer. She hadn't even enjoyed her time with Viktor. She fell asleep every night praying that she saw Harry and Ron again. She had a rock of worry in her stomach since she had left Hogwarts.
Ron poked her.
"Hurry up, Hermoine, or we'll be late."
"I'm never late," replied Hermoine stiffly. She hurried through the wall to reach platform 9 3/4.
Before she knew what happened, Hermoine found herself on the ground. She looked up to see what she had run into. A pale, short teen girl, about Hermoine's age, looked at her. The girl's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry," she stammered. Immediately, Hermoine noticed the girl's accent. It was definitely not British. She sounded. . . . American?
Harry and Ron were suddenly there. The girl stretched out her hand to Hermoine. Hermoine took it. She pulled herself to her feet.
"I'm Hermoine," she said. "Sorry about that."
"It was my fault," the blond girl replied with a shrug.
"Are you American?" asked Ron rudely. Hermoine shaved her elbow into his side.
"Hey! What did you do that for?" The girl smiled slowly, as if she knew something they didn't.
"No. I'm Canadian, from Toronto."
The train whistled impatiently. A look of panic flashed across the girl's eyes.
"Where do I-" she began. Hermoine watched in stunned surprise as Ron practically vaulted over Harry to take the girl's luggage. She shook her head in disbelief.
"This way," Hermoine offered, leading the way. The girl shook Ron from her luggage, insisting that she could carry it on her own.
The four of them had boarded the train before Hermoine realized that she hadn't yet asked the girl what her name was. However, she had somehow disappeared into the throng. Hermoine shrugged it off, knowing that they would learn her name when they reached Hogwarts. She took her usual place with Ron and Harry.
"What in the name of magic was that?" Harry asked his friend, punching his arm lightly. Ron shrugged.
"Got me." He looked puzzled. It wasn't an unusual look for Ron, but Hermoine was genuinely concerned about him. He wasn't the hold-a-door-open-for-ladies kind of guy.
The train ride began smoothly. Rain poured down as they passed through the beautiful country side, but it was such a gently rain that no one minded. Hermoine leaned against the window. The steady droning of the wheels beneath them and the rhythmic thumping made her feel sleepy. It was so peaceful right now. She thought a nap was in order.
Hermoine sat up straight when she heard Malfoy's voice. She had hoped, in the very back of her mind, that he would not be returning, in light of his father's alleged involvement with the Death Eaters. She knew that it was only a fool's hope. Malfoy not coming to school would only confound the speculations about his father. Besides, he was a useful spy to them.
Hermoine strained to hear what Malfoy was saying.
"You're new," he observed casually. "Where do you come from?" Hermoine felt her jaw fall open. He was being nice to someone? Who was the poor dupe who was getting pulled in this time?
"Go away," said a familiar voice.
"I'm afraid we haven't been properly introduced," Malfoy said smoothly, a hint of contempt seeping into his voice.
"I am none of you concern," replied the voice haughtily.
"A foreigner? So you think you're better then us?"
"Better?" she asked with exactly as much attitude as Malfoy laid out. "You shouldn't have to ask who your superiors are, Malfoy." Hermoine's breath caught in her throat. Something felt inexplicably wrong about this. She wished that Harry and Ron were here to hear it, but the two of them seemed to missing at the moment.
Malfoy seemed to be sputtering rage.
"You prick." The girl laughed.
"Watch your step, Malfoy. You are treading on very dangerous ground. You will not like me when I'm angry."
"I don't like you now."
"All the better," she replied with another laugh. "Now get lost before you lose yourself."
Malfoy came storming through the car Hermoine was in. Crabe and Goyle ran after him like obedient puppies. Hermoine stood, and went into the car they had come from. She wanted to find out who had made Malfoy so mad. Maybe she could teach Hermoine some of her tricks.
She cam face to face with the girl they had met before. The girl gave her a smile.
"Hi, um, Hermoine, right?" Hermoine nodded.
"How did you-?"
"Ron came to talk to me earlier. He told me about you, and warned me about Malfoy." She sat back down, and motioned to the empty seats around her. Hermoine smiled, and sat down. She was glad there was nothing sinister in the girl's knowledge.
"I'm Patrice," she added, as she rummaged through her bag. She came up with two chocolate bars. "Mars bar?" she offered. Hermoine nodded. This girl was at least partially from a muggle background.
Hermoine took a bite into the bar tentatively. Her parents rarely let her touch any kind of candy, and the only candy around Hogwarts was wizard made. It was a rare moment indeed that Hermoine got to eat normal candy and savor being a normal teen for just an instant.
"What's Hogwarts like?" Patrice asked. "I feel like a first year all over again, but I want to be more prepared this time."
"It's a great school, and most of the kids are great. You'll meet some of the best friends you'll ever have here. And," she added quietly, "you might meet an enemy or two." Patrice frowned, and became serious. She bright blue eyes flashed, and for a moment Hermoine felt like she was staring into a deep lake. A deep lake that radiated power.
"Our destinies are forged by those around us," Patrice said softly. "I fear. . . ." she let the idea die, and Hermoine stared at the new girl in wonder. A chill ran through her spine.
"How are you sorted into your houses?" Patrice asked brightly. Hermoine forced a smile, glad that the conversation had led away from dark things.
"A Sorting Hat," Hermoine replied. Patrice looked confused.
"A HAT?" Patrice repeated. "A hat?"
"A hat." Hermoine laughed. "You'll see, it really is amazing. The hat sings." Patrice gave her an incredulous look.
"You aren't playing me for a fool?"
"No. I promise you that."
They arrived at the station about an hour later. Hermoine had enjoyed her talk with Patrice. She seemed to be a nice girl. Hermoine still had an eery feeling, but it wasn't directed at the girl she was helping. It was directed at the school. Hermoine bid goodbye to Patrice as she moved to join the first years. She then joined Ron and Harry.
"Where've you been?" asked Ron, sounding annoyed. Harry smiled and shook his head.
"Ignore him, Hermoine." He looked over at Hagrid, and gave the huge man a single nod of his head. Hagrid grinned, then led away the frightened first years and Patrice.
"Come on," Hermoine said to her two friends, "let's get rid of our stuff so that we don't miss the Sorting."