So, this is just a little idea that popped into my head. It's just a bunch of drabbles about this AU, a few from each year. Basically, it's how things would have been different if Harry and Hermione had grown up together. Not a full-fledged story, but it hits on all the important points in the series. It's a lame start, I know, but bear with me!

Title susceptible to change.

I don't own anything.

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

October 1, 1985

Harry was sitting in his cupboard, playing with the toy plane they had learn to make in school that day, when the doorbell rang. It wasn't an unusual happening; Aunt Petunia was always trying to impress people with the impeccable cleanliness of Number Four, Privet Drive. Harry barely noticed it, or the awkward silence that ensued as the door was opened. No, it wasn't until a loud, pleading voice traveled from the drawing room to where Harry sat that the boy knew something was different about this visit.

"Please, Aunt Petunia! I'm begging you! I can't take care of her, myself! I know Uncle Vernon has been estranged from his sister for years, but I'm only nineteen. I can't take care of a five-year-old! I can barely take care of myself!" Harry opened the door to his cupboard ever so slightly, sticking his head through. His Aunt's shrill voice met his ears.

"Emily, I'm sorry, but we already have another…orphan in our care. We couldn't possibly take in another." Harry cocked his head, wondering what she could possibly be talking about.

"Please, Aunt Petunia. It would just be for a few years, until I can get a decent job and a stable income. Please." The girl's voice grew soft, and Harry moved closer, curious as to what she meant.

There was a silence, then his aunt replied so quietly that Harry barely heard it, "Alright. I'll have to talk to Vernon, but…alright."

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Aunt Petunia! Thank you!" Harry looked around the corner to see a dark-haired girl spring up from the couch and hug his aunt. Next to her was a silent child, a girl about Harry's own age. Her hair was brown and bushy, her eyes wide and nervous. She noticed Harry, and gave him a small smile.

"And you can sleep in Dudley's extra room. Here, we'll take your bags up there now." It had been half an hour since the teenager had left, leaving the young girl behind with a few bags. "Harry! Take these up there, now!" Aunt Petunia pulled him from the cupboard, where he had snuck back to after seeing the girl. Nodding silently, he lugged the bags up the stairs, running into Dudley, who proceeded to shove him out of the fat boy's way. Harry stumbled, falling down the stairs to the first landing. His knees stung horribly, and his glasses laid broken on the floor. He looked up to see a small hand being offered to him.

The girl stood above Harry and asked, "Are you okay?" He nodded, taking the hand she offered.

"Thanks. I'm Harry." He stood up, grabbing her bags again.

"I'm Hermione." She grabbed one of them from his hand, walking up the stairs with him.

"Oh, Hermione, you don't have to talk to him. He's perfectly capable of doing that himself." Aunt Petunia pulled the girl away, glaring at Harry.

"But I want to." His aunt pursed her lips, tugging the girl away.

"No, you don't."

The family had gone to bed, leaving Harry to his own devices. Sneaking into the kitchen was a nightly adventure for the boy, who never seemed to get much to eat at dinner, considering his cousin ate everything. After eating his fill of leftover beef stew, he noticed a flash of light from the floor of the drawing room. Investigating, he found a small necklace. It was a locket, the letters H.J.G. engraved on a small, silver heart. Hermione?

He snuck up the stairs, mindful not to step on the ones that creaked, down the hall to Hermione's new room. He stuck his head in, to find the girl crying.

"What's wrong?" He asked, sitting on the edge of her bed. She sniffled, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her nightdress.

"I miss Mommy and Daddy," she said, lip trembling.

He frowned. "I'm sorry. What happened?"

"The were in a car wreck. Emily says they're in heaven now."

"Me too." Hermione looked up, confused.

"You too?"

"My parents were in a wreck, too. Dudley says it's 'cause they were trying to get away from me." Hermione frowned, crawling over to where he sat.

"That's not true. He's being mean."

"He's always mean." They sat in silence for a moment, then Harry handed her the necklace. "I found this downstairs."

Hermione gasped, grabbing the necklace from his hands. "Thank you! I thought I had lost it!" She pulled him into a hug, on the verge of tears. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Harry froze, confused. He couldn't remember the last time he had been hugged.

"Well, I better go back to bed, or Aunt Petunia will get mad." Hermione nodded, placing the necklace on the bedside table.

"Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Hermione."

Alright. That was really short. But I didn't want to do much at this age. The others will be much longer!

Please review!

Anna