I've seen a few fics that inspired me to write this, if you want to know which ones I'll gladly tell just leave a comment/review. This is a Bellamione fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise in any way.

Also some info you will need going into this, Hermione is a year older than Harry and Ron but in the same grade because of her birthday, this takes place roughly somewhere in order of the phoenix but in their 6th year so Hermione is about to be 18 going into the 6th year. (Odd I know but in here coming of age is 18 so it will be needed.)

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Hermione gave a soft snort watching her two best friends arguing over what candy is best from the trolley on the Hogwarts Express. The trio had boarded the train from platform 9 ¾ almost an hour ago and the two boys, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, haven't decided on what to buy to hold them over till they got to Hogwarts. As usual Hermione wouldn't get anything and would spend her time either reading or watching the landscape roll by.

This time however her thoughts were racing, in three months it would be her eighteenth birthday, her coming of age, her cause of torment yet excitement. It does not happen often that her breed evolves as it does; a Fanalis evolves four times. The first evolution upon birth or a few days after where their soft body hardens and strengthens where it had been weaker as to not injure the mother at birth or before. The second around five to six weeks where claws get sharper, muscles denser, and their human form develops.

The third around ten to twelve years where a unique feature takes form on their true form that will sometimes carryover to the human form. The fourth and final at eighteen, the coming of age, their reproductive system fully develops, both of their forms are broken down and rebuilt, and they are given a six week window to learn to control up to four elements but over that sixth week their progress slams to a crawl whereas before their forms adapted easier they would have to force it and that is extremely painful, and they can freely switch between forms at a cost, the longer they are in their true form the larger the consequence.

A Fanalis can only be in their true form without repercussions on their home land which has long since been scattered into small bits and pieces around the world so it is very hard to find. If a Fanalis is near a section of their homeland they will be drawn to it as if in a trance.

Hermione dreads her final evolution for one simple reason; her birth parents had abandoned her at birth because her evolution took longer than normal to kick in. They thought she was defective and left her in the care of the person she considers her older sister/mother Farsi Alexius who is a female half-blood Fanalis that raised her after her real parents dropped her off for a few years until Hermione got her Hogwarts letter after which they parted ways but they still kept in touch via owls.

Now she has no guidance as to how to learn to control an element let alone how to control her newfound hormones or anything related to her Fanalis side. It had been small tips from nomadic Fanalis, Farsi, Professor Dumbledore the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Hagrid the grounds keeper and Care of Mythical Creatures teacher, and Professor McGonagall the Transfiguration teacher Head of Gryffindor House and resident animagus.

The mentioned professors, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasley's are the only ones to know of her status as a Fanalis besides those who can smell it on her, aka magical creatures and creatures with strong sense of smell and knowledge to connect the dots. Professor McGonagall has offered much helpful advice on controlling her instincts and other such subjects. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both are in the process of teaching Hermione how to become an Animagus herself to satisfy their collective curiosity on if her true form would be her Animagus form or not and if it had the same consequences for using it of so.

Hermione was jerked out of her thoughts by Luna Lovegood a Ravenclaw fifth year and Ginny Weasley a fifth year Gryffindor and Ron's younger sister. Ginny held an orange fluffy cat that resembled a small tiger with a flat face. Hermione perked up slightly seeing her beloved companion Crookshanks a half-kneazle half-cat.

The two other females entered the compartment and took a seat next to Harry while Crookshanks steeled himself on Hermione after a greeting. There was now a three way argument on what's the best snack from the trolley between Harry, Ron, and Ginny while Hermione and Luna shared small talk about the upcoming year at Hogwarts.

After a few exchanges Luna started to gaze out the window and daydream leaving Hermione with her thoughts once again. Before she could fully immerse herself the sound or rather the vibrations of the Trolley's wheels made themselves known and Hermione didn't want to be present when it arrived so she excused herself to the restroom. Placing Crookshanks in Ginny's care she calmly exited the compartment and started to roam around the train.

After a few minutes she came across a compartment with two adults inside, one was Professor McGonagall and the other was a woman she had never seen before. The other woman looked to be about Hermione's height with wavy black hair that fell about mid-back. She had an odd mix of angular and round features that was oddly appealing with emerald eyes and a light coating of makeup and ruby red lips. She had on a simple red V-neck with black jeans and simple black flats. Oh and not to mention the distinctive wand held in the woman's lap.

Hermione opened her mouth and took a deep breath letting the scents wash over her as she slowly picked out the one belonging to the woman and she gave a deep frown smelling the professors magic mixed in before shrugging it off and knocking politely on the compartment door. The woman jumped at the sound while Professor McGonagall just rolled her eyes with a fond smile and waving permission to enter.

Hermione smiled at the professor while she positioned herself between the woman and the professor so only the professor could see her face and said "It's good to see you again Professor, I missed our tutoring sessions."

The older woman snorted softly and replied "It's good to see you as well, but what have I said about calling me professor outside of transfiguration?"

Hermione gave a soft laugh "Not to but I wouldn't dare call you something so personal in front of a stranger or better a new teacher."

A fond shake of the head was all she got in reply before Hermione gave a deep yawn looking Minerva in the eyes and cocked an asking eyebrow starting a coded conversation before saying "Anyways my wand got a crack in it from my neighbor's cat when she was trying to get to Crookshanks, can you take a look at it before classes start?" "Wand, before class starts."

Minerva nodded accepting the offered wand and asked "What's your neighbor's cats name again?" "Who for?"

Hermione giggled softly flicking her eyes in the direction of the woman and said "Bella, she's a black Oriental Shorthair. I know you have a fondness for her breed and she is expecting would you like a kitten after they are kitted? But I must warn you the smell a bit off until you get used to it." "Her, Bella, Smell."

Minerva hummed softly turning the wand in her grasp and said "I take it Crookshanks is the father so you have pick of the litter? Oh, what do you know there is a nick." "Is it noticeable?"

Hermione nodded and replied "Yes Crook got out of my sight and next I know Bella's owners are calling me to get him after they found them eh… Fornicating… and so now I have pick of the litter since they will not be pure breeds. Can you fix it before we get to Hogwarts?" "Needs to be fixed soon."

Minerva nodded and said "Of Corse this will be easy but I need a bit of time, it is small but deep so I need to check the core for damage as well. And yes I would like a kitten, when Bella kits we will have to make a trip for one or two kits. In the meantime allow me to introduce you to the new potions teacher, Professor Trix Noir she is a transfer from France that Dumbledore hand-picked from the bunch to teach here." "Will do. Bella, Trix, Noir, French, Dumbledore approves."

The woman gave an uncomfortable chuckle and said "My name's not Trix that's my middle name it's actually Arleen Trix Noir, but you can call me Professor Noir or Arleen whichever is easier to pronounce for you."

Minerva gave a small 'oops' and said "Sorry about that it's been a long day for me."

Arleen simply smiled and Hermione chuckled softly and stuck her hand out and said "Well then it's nice to meet you Professor Arleen."

The woman nodded and grabbed the offered hand giving it a firm shake saying "It's nice to meet you as well Ms…" She trailed off pretending to not know who Hermione was.

Hermione jumped in and said "My names Hermione, Hermione Alexius."

Arleen smiled and said "Ms. Aleks then" having trouble pronouncing 'Alexius'.

Hermione gave a soft laugh and just said "Save everyone the trouble and just call me Hermione, over half the staff can't pronounce my surname so it's just Hermione and when the last name is needed its Alex."

Arleen gave a playful sigh of relief and said "That's a relief I thought I was going to butcher your name every time in class."

Hermione gave an equally playful pout and looked away not noticing the glance Minerva gave her or the way Arleen's cheeks turned a very light pink at the sight. Hermione perked her head up and cocked it to the side as if listening to something before saying "It sounds like we're close, the owls are acting up. Sorry to cut this meeting short but I have to go grab my things before we arrive."

Minerva smiled and handed the wand back and said "Don't forget to stop by my office tomorrow Hermione."

Hermione smiled and said "Wouldn't dream of it. See you soon Professor McGonagall, Professor Arleen."

And with that she walked out of the compartment and back to her friends, she had only been gone about half an hour but they were close to arriving anyway so it wasn't a lie. She got back just in time to eat a pastry before the train stopped and the students arrived at Hogwarts.

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So this is my first Fic so criticism and reviews are always welcome so long as they are constructive. I will try to have the next update ready by this Sunday if this goes over well. Also I have no Beta to please excuse the spelling and grammar problems I couldn't fine.

-Kiiro