Disclaimer: I do not anything JK Rowling already owns. Obviously.
The rain poured down on the heads of the Hogwarts students as they ran to catch the scarlet train. Shouts and bellows of 'I'll miss you' and 'have a good year' could be heard above the groans of the steam beast beginning its voyage. Suddenly with a piercing whistle the train took off at full speed; the platform full of waving families and mothers with handkerchiefs, dotting away tears.
Inside the train, laughter carried down the long corridor. Children ran excitedly from carriage to carriage, shouting to their friends. All along the train, midst stormy weather, friends were reunited with friends, lovers kissed softly and housemates traded jokes and adventures. There was only a single haven of peace and quiet throughout the chaos. In the farthest carriage, the left-most corner there sat a curly-haired witch, who seemed lost in thought, oblivious to all that was going on around her. Elbow resting on the window ledge, chin wedged deep in a sweater covered arm, Hermione stared out at the dark horizon. 'Good omen' she thought morosely, brows furrowed as she watched the rain pound the glass pane. 'This is it,' Hermione sighed, dragging a long finger down the condensed window. Closing her eyes to the world, she drifted off to sleep, one hand buried deep in mahogany curls, the other clutching a letter to her lap.
With a bang and a jolt, the train slowed to a stop in Hogsmeade Village, and soon the platform was covered in a sea of black cloaks. The roar of voices awoke Hermione, however, the faint "Hermione" was the only lingering sound left over from another one of her dreams. Sitting up, she rubbed both eyes and realized that they were in fact at Hogsmeade, Jumping out of her seat, she grabbed the letter, a faded black pea coat, and her trunk before stumbling off the train. Looking around at the few remaining first years, Hermione scanned the almost empty platform for any remaining carriages. There were none.
"Well fuck," Hermione swore, glancing back and forth, hoping she had been mistaken. The rain petered down on her as she swung the pea coat over her enormous sweater, shoving the letter deep in the pockets. Steeling herself for the long walk, Hermione pulled the deep hood over her mop of hair, tucking it all back, and pulled out a cigarette. Cupping both hands to protect the already soggy smoke, she summoned a small flame to the end of her wand and proceeded to inhale the wonderful nicotine. Smiling for the first time since waking up that morning, Hermione sighed a sigh of relief and began the muddy trudge up to the castle.
Grimacing as her sneakers squelched through inch deep mud, Hermione walked onward, seeming no closer to the castle as before. Dropping the butt on the wet ground, she shoved her hands deep in the toasty pockets of her jacket. Feeling the corner of the muggle letter, its presence caused her stomach to roll, her throat to seize, and tears to roll. There it was, the last link to her humanity, her muggle life, all done in blue ball-point. There is nothing, Hermione had discovered, not even Voldemort, more frightening to the day when your parents change the locks, won't meet your eyes, because of who you are.
A/N: Forgive the short chapter folks...I didn't want to go into flashback mode until next chapter. Don't worry though, they will be longer, that I can promise.
This story is lesbian, and OOC. It is 7th year. Everything will be explained. It is not Half-Blood compatible, nor Deathly Hollows.
Thanks.
