A/N: This is a fun, interesting idea that I just had to write after I figured out where it would lead. This will be a mix of slapstick/prank humor and mystery; personally, I think it's an interesting combination, and I hope you think so as well.

So, here we go!

CHAPTER ONE

Hermione didn't know it yet, but she would soon regret two things.

The first was ever agreeing to be a part of the newly implemented Mentor Program at Hogwarts. Just a week before today, September 1st, Professor McGonagall had shown up unannounced at The Burrow, where Hermione normally spent her summer holidays, with two items. Those items were the Head Girl badge for the year (much to Hermione's delight) and a piece of parchment for Hermione to sign.

The parchment detailed The Mentor Program, something new Hogwarts would be trying out beginning this year. Basically, The Mentor Program would team a First Year with a Seventh Year who had proven themselves to be responsible students. Throughout the academic year, the designated Seventh Years would do their best to help their assigned First Years get comfortable in their new environment by helping them learn all they needed to know to survive their subsequent academic years. The school governors figured that having students being taught some of the basics by other students would help First Years become naturally experienced with magic better than being taught solely by teachers. The Mentor Program would also serve as extra credit to the Seventh Years who signed up for it.

That last little tidbit prompted Hermione to perk up, confirm herself as a Mentor and say, "I'd be delighted, Professor!" Those four words would be the start of the downward spiral of events for Hermione this year.

The second thing Hermione would find herself regretting was stopping in her tracks during her patrol of the Hogwarts Express hallway to investigate the source of yelling coming from the other side of the compartment door on her right. Straightening her school robes, Hermione pushed aside the compartment door.

Inside the compartment sat two girls, one of whom Hermione immediately recognized. The girl in question was Lavender Brown, and she was currently leering over a First Year girl. At least, Hermione assumed she was a First Year because she couldn't recall ever seeing her at Hogwarts before. The young girl had dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail and her face had all the required features of 'adorable'. Her eyes were brown just like her hair, and her slightly round face made her cheeks perfect for pinching. Curiously, though, she was looking at Lavender with a calm, almost amused expression, despite Lavender screeching at her.

"IF YOU DON'T STOP ACTING LIKE A LITTLE BRAT, I SWEAR I'LL-"

"Lavender!"

Lavender abruptly straightened up and turned toward Hermione, the sneer on her face becoming a surprised expression momentarily. But it soon became one of relief.

"Ah, Hermione," said Lavender in a more restrained voice. "At last, a Prefect. I'd like to ask that you find this little thing a new compartment."

"Why?"

"Because she keeps pestering me! Look" She gestured wildly at the seat opposite the First Year's, which was littered with pieces of candy and cookies. "She's been throwing all this food at me!"

By now, Hermione had fully stepped inside the compartment. "All right, I have to ask something first. Did you do anything to provoke her?"

"No!" answered Lavender sharply. "I was just sitting here minding my own business, and then after the trolley stops by and she gets a few snacks, she starts chucking everything at me. Even pumpkin juice!" Lavender pointed at a large stain on the front of her light blue blouse.

Hermione looked over at the sweets scattered about Lavender's seat. As she did, Hermione didn't notice the First Year size her up with intent eyes. Lavender did, though, however she didn't say anything.

"Why aren't you sitting with your friends, Lavender?" asked Hermione.

"The compartment they were in was full, so I had to come here."

Hermione looked from Lavender to the First Year, each of whom were staring defiantly at one another. She could just feel the resentment radiating off of them.

"Okay," said Hermione, "here's what's going to happen. Lavender, you're going to go back to your friends' compartment. And since she doesn't have anyone else in here, I'll stay with her for the rest of the trip."

The First Year smiled.

"Hermione, with all due respect, I don't think anybody should be alone with this girl. She may not look it, but she's really a little terror."

"Maybe you just never gave her a chance, Lavender. Or maybe you just rubbed her the wrong way." Hermione got a little closer to Lavender, almost confrontationally. "It wouldn't be the first time that's happened with you."

Lavender glared daggers back at Hermione. Evidently, their little spat over Ron the previous year left some unresolved animosity between them. Lavender's eyes then fluttered briefly down to the Head Girl badge pinned on Hermione's robes.

"Fine," she said. "Suit yourself."

Shooting one last nasty look at the First Year girl, Lavender exited the compartment and shut the door behind her.

Now alone with the girl, Hermione went over to the seat Lavender had occupied earlier, brushed away the food and sat down. Hermione faced the girl and gave her a sweet smile.

"Hi! My name is Hermione Granger, what's yours?"

"Kendra. Kendra Banks." Kendra gave Hermione a smile of her own while fidgeting her hands nervously in her lap.

"Don't worry, you don't have anything to be nervous about."

"Except surviving my first year at Hogwarts."

"Oh, everybody has those fears. I did too, actually, when I first came to Hogwarts. But do you want to know the secret to making friends really fast?"

"Sure!" Kendra straightened up in her seat and her face lit up expectantly.

"Just be yourself. There's bound to be other students who share similar interests." Hermione paused to look momentarily out the window to observe the passing sun-drenched landscape. Judging by the scenery, they were nearly at Hogwarts. "So, Kendra, what are your interests?"

Kendra shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I like to read, mostly."

This got Hermione's attention. "Really? Just any kinds of books or do you have more specific tastes?"

"Yeah, I like all sorts of books. I mean, I do like to play games and spend times with friends, too, but I just love to read. Books just have a funny way of making me feel at home."

"Interesting. You know, you sound a lot like me."

Kendra's eyes narrowed in fascination. "I do?"

"Oh, yes. When I was your age, I spent more time reading than playing. So again, I say to you, don't obsess too much over worrying that you won't fit in with the popular crowd. There are plenty of other groups of people at Hogwarts, so you're bound to make friends, take it from me. And if you ever need any help, I'll look out for you because I'm Head Girl."

"Thanks!" Kendra squealed. "You're very nice, Hermione, just like everyone says."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "What?"

"Oh, I mean, since you're friends with Harry Potter, you've become pretty famous."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "Oh. Well, I hope everything you've heard about me is good."

Kendra laughed. "Don't worry. From what I've heard, you stay loyal to the things and people you believe in."

For most of the remaining journey, Hermione and Kendra really seemed to hit it off. It didn't take long for Hermione to take a liking to Kendra. She was a sweet little girl with many positive qualities, which made her very easy to get along with. Eventually, they were close enough to Hogwarts that Hermione had to step out and leave Kendra to change into her robes while Hermione went to prepare to shepherd the other First Years off of the train.

Things turned out to go very well for Kendra that night. Much to her delight, she had been Sorted into Gryffindor, and once the Sorting Hat had been removed from her head, she eagerly took a seat beside Hermione at the Gryffindor table. After that, Professor Dumbledore stood up and made his usual start-of-term announcements, as well as formally announcing The Mentor Program.

As expected, Hermione had been made the Gryffindor Mentor. All of her House mates applauded her, but Harry and Ron, who were sitting across from her and Kendra, were the loudest and most enthusiastic.

"Well done!" they both proclaimed at the same time.

But it was the next announcement that made not only Hermione, but Kendra as well, even happier.

"And now onto the Mentees that each Member will be responsible for," said Dumbledore, his voice echoing inside the warmly lit Great Hall. "Each First Year was asked to fill out a request form if they wished to be part of the program, and each Mentee was randomly chosen. First, the Gryffindor Mentee." Dumbledore consulted a small piece of parchment he had in his hand. "And the Mentee for Miss Hermione Granger will be…Kendra Banks!"

Kendra swiveled around delightedly. "Yay!" She quickly hugged Hermione, something Hermione wasn't expecting, but she returned the gesture just the same as Dumbledore read off the other Mentees. She obviously couldn't see the deviously satisfied smile Kendra quickly took on as she faced away from her fellow Gryffindors.

"Now, as part of The Mentor Program," Dumbledore continued, "each Mentor and their Mentee will share a private bedroom, so that they may get to know each other better. It will be up to each Mentor to make sure their Mentee stays out of trouble and abides by school rules at all times." Dumbledore paused to survey the sea of students out before him. "But enough of that for tonight. A splendid feast has been prepared for us, and let's not keep our stomachs grumbling. Tuck in!"

Dumbledore took his seat and all of the empty plates on the House Tables suddenly became full. The students immediately started loading their plates.

Throughout the meal, Harry and Ron got to know Kendra better, and by the time dessert was finished, they had become taken with the young girl, much like Hermione already had. Kendra just seemed to have a likable quality about her.

A few minutes later, Dumbledore had stood back up and had run through his usual last-minute start of term notices.

"Now," he concluded, "it's getting quite late and all of you need to be well-rested for classes tomorrow. Off to bed."

With that, all of the students got up from the seats and began to filter out of the Great Hall.

"This is so great!" squealed Kendra. "We hit it off on the train, and now we can officially be friends!"

"Yeah," said Hermione. "It really is a happy coincidence, isn't it?"

"You seem like a good person, Hermione. I can't wait to get started on this Mentor stuff. You know, I signed up for it because I thought it'd be a good chance to get to know people and get a headstart on everything I need to know for school, and…"

As Kendra babbled on, Hermione couldn't help but notice how much Kendra sounded like Hermione herself. Apparently, Hermione wasn't the only one to notice this, because she saw Harry and Ron observing this exchange with knowing smirks on their faces.

"Looks like you've made a new friend, Hermione," commented Harry as they all exited the Great Hall and began to climb the Grand Staircase to the upper levels of the castle.

"Never would've thought I would," Hermione replied.

Actually, Hermione would soon discover that her statement would soon turn to wish instead of thought.