Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN: This is a story about Hermione striking up a friendship with the twins when she starts at Hogwarts. This is just a proloque to shed some light on Hermione's experience getting on the Hogwarts Express and also a little bit about her family life. This story is mostly AU even though I will be incorporating some of the big events from the books. I just thought this was an interesting idea and I hope you enjoy!

Prologue:

Hermione was extremely nervous about starting at Hogwarts. She didn't want it to be like her old school. She just wanted to fit in and she hoped that Hogwarts was that place. Her father was pushing her trolley as she walked beside him. It was just the two of them, seeing as her mother couldn't make it this time. Thinking of her mother brought a feeling of deep dread that settled in her stomach. How could she be embarking on this new journey as her mother needed her? She looked to her father and as if he could read her mind he put an arm around her pulling her to his side.

"Everything's going to be okay, pumpkin." She tried her best to keep the tears at bay. She would not cry. This was supposed to be a happy day. She took a breath and kept repeating to herself what her father had told her. Everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay. She didn't need to worry. She had a plan and she was going to stick to it. It always worked in the past, so it should work now.

She looked up at her dad since he had stopped walking. He met her gaze and gave her another squeeze. She was going to miss them. Her parents. They were all she really had. She didn't have any friends and they always showered her with love and affection when she had been made fun of at school. If people made fun of her here she wouldn't have them to turn to. It would only be through letters that she could communicate with them. That could be days until she heard from them.

She took a deep breath and looked in front of her between platforms nine and ten. It was still early. Barely ten o'clock, but she didn't want to be rushed or late. Her father wanted to make sure she got a good spot on the train. She thought back to what Professor McGonagall had told them. All they needed to do was run through the platform between nine and ten. It was a little nerve-wrecking and looking up at her father she could see that he was nervous too. Her eyes met her fathers and giving her one more squeeze she found her strength. She gave him a nod and then looked back at the wall that would be the entrance to the platform.

"Ready, dad?"

"Ready whenever you are, pumpkin." She could hear how proud he was in his voice. She gave him a small smile.

"Let's go then." She looped her arm through his as he had both hands on the trolley.

"Hogwarts, here we come!" Her father said as they took off towards the barrier.

Hermione had closed her eyes right when she was about to hit the wall bracing herself for the impact, but it never came. She opened her eyes to find a big scarlet train with steam billowing over the top. She turned her head to see a sign saying Platform 9 ¾ and then her gaze traveled to her father's awe-filled face. His mouth was hanging open in wonder. She gave him a big smile when he finally looked down at her.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Her dad exclaimed taking everything in. "I really thought for a second that I was going to be severely injured by running into a brick wall." He shrugged, "but we won't tell your mother about that. If she asks I was extremely brave and went in first." He gave her a wink and she shook her head as she laughed. She really did love her father and all of his quirks.

"Of course, dad. But you do know that she will see right through that, don't you?" Hermione asked him as they made their way towards the train to get settled. There weren't many people around.

"Not if we sell it right." He gave her a piercing gaze. "That means you have to work on your acting skills while you're at school. And I don't want to hear about you not having enough time because you have to study. This comes first, sweetheart." She just rolled her eyes.

"Right, dad. And if mom asks why my grades are failing I'll just tell her you told me I had to work on my acting skills instead of studying." He winced at her statement, but kept on walking into an empty compartment.

"Ok, maybe studying should come first before acting." He conceded. "But I do want you to try and have some fun while you're there. Not just studying all the time. There are so many things that you'll be able to do and I want you to take full advantage of all of them." He spoke seriously and she nodded along with everything that he said. He was now placing her trunk into the overhead storage rack. Once he was done he looked down at her wanting to hear her agree aloud to what he had said.

"I will, dad." They started walking back towards the barrier so that they could say goodbye. There was a bench off to the side out of the way, so her dad steered her in that direction.

"We still have some time. Why don't we sit while we wait?" He asked her as he sat down. She smiled and nodded her agreement. She knew her father wanted to spend as much time with her as possible before they would be separated. They sat there in silence for a moment. Each lost in their own thoughts.

"You will tell me if mom gets worse." Hermione broke the silence and gave her dad a sidelong glance. She felt more than saw her father's shoulders droop at her statement. He didn't say anything though. "You know Professor McGonagall said I could come visit sometimes because of the circumstances." She heard him let out a breath and put his arm around her to pull her close. She went willingly and snuggled into his side relishing the safety that she always felt in her father's arms.

"I will. She'll get better though. You'll see. Their is nothing to worry about." He told her firmly, but gently.

"I know and I'm going to be researching tons of things that I think will help." She looked up at him and caught his gaze. She saw his eyes sparkle at what she said and she could feel how much he loved her. How proud he was of her. Then she saw something else in his hazel eyes. She had not seen that look in her father's eyes that often these past years, but she saw it now. It was hope.

"You'll do great things, sweetheart." He pulled her in for another hug. They both jumped when they heard the train's whistle. Then they both simultaneously looked at their watches. They had fifteen minutes before 11 o'clock. They both stood up.

"You should probably be getting back to mom." Hermione looked up at her father and he saw the sadness in her eyes. He rested his hands on her shoulders and she felt the tears coming again. "I wish mom were here." She practically jumped into his arms.

"She wishes she were here too. You know she does." He held her tight. "And one day she will see you off to school. Just wait and see. Who knows? By next year she could be here sending you off with me and we can make her go through the barrier first." She gave him a watery chuckle.

"Or you could go first and show her how brave you are." Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she smiled up at him.

"That sounds even better." He puffed up his chest dramatically. She was going to miss him terribly.

"All right, pumpkin. You better go and claim your seat. I'll wait over here until the train leaves." Her father pulled her in for one last hug.

"Okay, dad. I love you." She said into his chest.

"I love you too. Make sure to write often. I bet your mom has already written a letter to you." She backed away and smiled.

"I'll be waiting for it then. Bye dad and take care of yourself and mom. Don't forget the schedule I made out and all the medicine is already organized. If you get anything mixed up you can always look in my notebook that has all the information you could need." All of a sudden she felt she needed to remind him of everything to make sure he was prepared. He just indulged her, smiling bemusedly at her. He could understand her anxiety.

"Got it. Everything is taken care of. You made sure of that. If I get confused I will consult the notebook. If I'm still confused I will owl you. Okay?" She saw his smile and knew she was talking nonsense. He wouldn't get confused. He knew as much as she did.

"Thanks dad." She smiled sheepishly. He bent down to kiss her forehead.

"I love you, pumpkin." He stood back up and gave her a little nudge in the direction of the train. There were a lot more people around now. She hoped her compartment was still available. "And remember to have fun!" Her father called and she turned around.

"I will! Love you, dad!" She stepped up onto the train and waved at him. He waved back and she took a deep breath preparing herself for her next adventure.