MUDBLOOD

Disclaimer: However much I wish it, I do not own the name of Harry Potter or any of the Harry Potter characters. J.K. Rowling does. However, I am claiming credit for Hermione's parents names, I came up with them.

CHAPTER 1: Dentist

Hermione Jean Granger hurried along the school hall, her head bowed, her eyes fighting to keep herself from crying. Her bushy hair pouffed out behind her, and she cursed it. It was because of her hair that she was hastening out of Martha Jane Norris Elementary.

Damn Morgan. Damn Olivia. Damn Phoebe. Damn Ellie.

At precisely that moment, the four girls Hermione had just cursed came striding into view, laughing. They brushed past her, giggling and glancing backwards as Hermione broke into a run. She ran all the way back to the schoolbuses, tears streaming down her eyes.

Hermione fell into a dirty schoolbus seat, shoulders slumped. A voice behind her made her jump.

"What's wrong?"

It was Maysie Happle, one of Hermione's two friends. Libby Gashok was right behind her, looking concernedly down at Hermione. Hermione looked up. Maysie and Libby gasped.

Maysie sank into the seat behind Hermione, the frayed seat stretching under her weight. She put an arm around Hermione.

"Hermione, you're a mess!" Libby exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Maysie repeated.

"Mope." Said Hermione, glancing up again. "Mope happened."

"Ah." Said Maysie, nodding. "Morgan, Olivia, Pheobe, and Ellie."

Hermione only nodded. Then her head slammed into the seat in front of her as the bus screeched to a stop. She looked out the window. She had completely forgotten that she was first stop on the route. She sighed, wiping her eyes. She didn't want Mum to see her crying again. It was too embarrassing.

Maysie and Libby looked after their friend as Hermione slowly clunked down the steps. They watched as she ran across the small lawn in front of the small house that was hers. They watched as she gave them a small smile before closing the door behind her. And then they drove away, still looking after Hermione, worried.

In the Granger home, Hermione slumped on her front door, looking down at the smiley face door mat with (unlike her own) very straight teeth. Her parents had put it there to remind her what would come of her braces.

Mrs. Granger bustled out of the kitchen. As usual, she smelled like her famous sugar-free chocolate cake. She wrapped her only daughter in a hug.

"Hermione, we're worried for you, Lewis…Dad, and I. You never seem to be happy anymore. Even when Maysie and Libby are over."

"Mum." Said Hermione while hugging Hannah Granger. "Can I stay home from school tomorrow? Please?"

Mrs. Granger pursed her lips. "Hermione, you need to keep up your grades…"

"Mum, please?"

Mrs. Granger sighed. "Oh…all right then. This once."

NEXT DAY

Hermione woke up later than usual, her alarm clock not being set to its usual time of 6:00 am. It was already 9. She sighed. She wished she never had to go back to school, where, though she was rather good at her subjects, she only had two friends. Where Morgan, Olivia, Phoebe, and Ellie (whom Maysie, Libby, and Hermione had dubbed "MOPE") were the worst of Hermione's problems.

Hermione yawned as she got out of bed. She walked down the stairs in her bath robe, her normally bushy brown hair looking positively sleek compared to yesterday.

Mrs. Granger hurtled out of the kitchen. She was holding a letter. Hermione squinted at it. It wasn't normal paper. It looked like the parchment that her history teacher had showed the class. Mrs. Granger's eyes were wild as she thrust the letter into her only daughter's hands.

"Read." Was all she said. Hermione glanced at the envelope. It read:

Hermione Granger

Middle Bedroom

12928-45C

Surrey