Author's note: Please keep in mind that this is AU so I've changed a few the dates of a certain events around for the sake of the story. For those of you following my other story, I'm sorry! I will finish it, but I realized that a major plot point was wrong and I have to rewrite loads of it. :-( This story is outlined and will be updated at the latest every three weeks (earlier once finals pass). Also, if you can guess where the original premise comes from, I'll give you a cookie!

Wizards before Wands

Chapter 1, The Status Quo

"I hate you Thomas Riddle and I hate Hogwarts!"

It's only second week and I am already literally screaming from the ramparts...Ok, the first part may be true, but the second statement was a bald faced angst ridden lie. Her view from the Astronomy tower was absolutely terrifying. It was also the only place in the castle that was consistently empty during Hermione Granger's free period. Her favorite spot in the library had been discovered by a certain undesirable male who was curiously reading Hogwarts, A History among other tomes, all seemingly about the founders. Therefore, despite its scenic disadvantages, the Astronomy tower was the one place she could find asylum her sixth year.

Tom Riddle was the bane of her existence. He was the only one to rival her grades and his astounding popularity despite his swottyness infuriated her. The unfairness of the acceptability of intellectual acuity in males and the corresponding rejection of her own brilliance was a wound that would simply not heal. Finding his 'lost' shoes was surely not on Tom's daily morning agenda. Although he himself never said a word against anyone, those whom Riddle disliked were ostracized by everyone and often bullied by the Slytherins. Several found it so unbearable that they chose to leave Hogwarts voluntarily. This meant she kept her head down and her mouth shut despite the overwhelmingly Gryffindor instinct to retaliate against the bullies. No fate could be worse than leaving Hogwarts.

Her feelings towards Hogwarts were much more complicated. Receiving her letter from Professor Dumbledor was one of the most wonderful experiences in her life. Hermione believed that she would finally find friends who would be the same as herself. There would be no more freak accidents on the playground to make other children frightened of her. The disappointment of finding that her muggle heritage created a barrier between her and her peers that few would cross fueled her academic fervor. If she couldn't belong, she would be the best.

Hermione was so lost in her own musings that she failed to notice the blonde haired boy ensconced between the wall and turret of the astronomy tower. His eyes glittered with amusement as he watched her gather her bag. Her wild hair swept by the wind as she returned to the stairwell.