Theme (or how it should turn out) – Hermione is an American witch, not knowing of Harry Potter except through books. But when she transfers from the Salem Witches Institute to Hogwarts, her life is thrown upside down. Set during year 6.
Disclaimer: Do you see a girl richer than the queen of England? No. I don't own Harry Potter, or any of his buddies. Just Melia, and she only appears in this chapter. Maybe more, but probably not.
Chapter 1: No Hermione!
Hermione strode across the courtyard of Ragnarok with her best friend Melia. The brunette had informed her comrade of dastardly deeds of her move to Hogwarts.
"No you can't Mione! What will I do!? You plan all of our messes, and how to get out of them!" Melia pleaded. Hermione grimaced. She hated to see Melia like this, her stalwart buddy who never gave in to pressure or teacher torture.
"I'm sorry Mel. I can't. My parents got transferred over to England and I can't stay here. Believe me, I wish I could." Hermione said hugging her friend back. Melia started crying.
"It's your sweet 16 this year and I won't be around for the party." Melia pouted. "Write as often as you can, Hera can find you." Hera was Melia's owl.
"Don't worry. The term hasn't started yet over there. I'll be around till tomorrow." Hermione said soothingly. Melia sniffed and broke out into a smile.
"The only acceptable way you can go is if you also promise to take photos of cute guys." Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation. That girl was obsessed with guys.
"Yeah Yeah. Sure." Hermione finished with as the two hugged for the last time.
Hermione awoke on the plane to England.
"Please fasten your seatbelts as we make the descent." A voice came over the intercom addressed. Hermione rubbed her eyes and did so. Mr. Granger squeezed her hand.
"Just think, a new life in England. All of our stuff is at out new house just waiting to be unpacked." He said. Mrs. Granger just gripped her seat tighter. She was afraid of flying. Hermione breathed deeply. Flying was fun, but not when you were moving to a new home across the Atlantic Ocean.
As the plane tilted for descent, Hermione saw dreary gray rain clouds hovering over the airport. What a place, totally different from the bright skies of her home. Tomorrow, she had to go to Diagon Alley for school supplies. Some stuff she already had (like a 12-inch rowan wand, with heartstring of dragon, sturdy, good for Transfiguration. A cauldron, owl). Athena was already at the new home, escorted by men from her fathers company.
"Thank you for flying British Airways. Watch your step and we hope you will fly with us again."
Hermione unbuckled her belt and followed the stream of people out the door. Her father led them to the baggage claim. After receiving their luggage (and a furious fight with an old lady who claimed Hermione took her bag. Security took the old lady away when Hermione had shown the men a tag with her name and address on it), they walked outside to be spotted by Karl, a man who worked with her father.
"Oh good to see you old chap." Karl greeted with a hand on the shoulder. "Fine weather we're having." The man laughed as if it was some huge joke. He led them to a car and threw open the trunk and took their bags.
"Here's the new car. Directions to your house are on the dashboard. Need any help; call the number at the bottom of the paper. See you later." Karl gave a jaunty wave and climbed into his car.
Going to the new house, Hermione looked out the window watching the rain fall down across her window. It was a depressing sight. Her mother turned and addressed the teen girl.
"Just think dear. A new school, a chance to make new friends. How exciting!" she said. Hermione shrugged. No doubt she would be the odd girl out. Dull brown hair drawn into a ponytail, freckles scattered lightly about her face, and brown orbs that took in all information and gave none out. She didn't stand a chance against all the new people she'd have to meet.
That night was spent unloading clothes and kitchen equipment. Hermione's dratted mother kept on telling her to try and keep a good attitude. She personally wished she could stick that phrase up her mom.
After a night of much tossing and turning, Hermione awoke to the steady plink-plink of rain hitting a metal object below. The girl threw on jeans and a baggy white shirt and scampered down the creaky stairs. Whipping her hair into a ponytail was an automatic business now after a couple years of it.
"Good morning honey." Her father said cheerily. A pancake aroma arose from the pan and Hermione's mouth began to water. Whipping a pile onto a plate, Ryan gave the plate to Hermione. She took and trotted to the table.
Amelia came in yawning and wearing a silk robe. Seeing Hermione's pancakes made her look to Ryan with puppy eyes. "Ryan, darling, you are the greatest." Her father bowed.
"I try. So Hermione." She looked up. "Should we go to this Diagon Alley after we clean up breakfast?" Hermione nodded eagerly.
"Would you mind terribly if I remained behind?" Amelia said with a shiver. "I don't like London so far, it is too cold."
Hermione shook her head. "It's fine mom. We won't be gone for very long." Her mother gave her a warm smile. For being a sort of bimbo-like mom, she was all right. Hermione wolfed down the food, and grabbed a bar of soap to wash the dishes.
Once all done, Ryan and Hermione got into the car and drove to the heart of London. Seeing a parking place near the place the Leaky Cauldron was located, he pulled in and parked. Hermione took out the directions and guided the two to the location. Seeing a decrepit building with a sign bearing the legend The Leaky Cauldron, Hermione put the paper away.
She led her father through the door. Inside was a grimy place that boasted many witches and wizards. In particular was a huge giant of a man sitting knitting what looked like a hat for three men together. He stood once he saw Hermione and put away the project.
Walking over, he stood at nearly twice her father's size. "Yer Hermione?" Hermione nodded. This must be Hagrid. He was sent by Professor Dumbledore to show her around and help her for shopping.
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid. Keeper o the Keys an' Grounds at 'Ogwarts." Hagrid said sticking out his hand. Ryan visibly relaxed and shook it.
"I'm Ryan Granger, and you already know of Hermione hear." He introduced.
"Yep. Come on. I'll show ya t' Diagon Alley." Hagrid lumbered to the back door and escorted them to a small courtyard of stone. He took out a pink umbrella that looked a little worse for the ware. Tapping the bricks in an order Hermione picked up immediately, they separated to form an archway that opened to a bustling street full of wizards, witches, and items Hermione itched to pick up and study.
"Welcome, t' Diagon Alley." Hagrid said proudly. Ryan whistled in wonder. " This way t' Gringotts, the wizard bank. You can exchange yer money there." Leading them to a large marble sheathed edifice, Hermione wanted to whistle too. Two goblins stood at attention outside the doors.
"At American banks, we don't have goblin." Hermione said to Hagrid as they went through the doors. He grinned, a toothy grin.
"Yer American government isn't too good makin' treaties. No offense."
"None taken."
Hagrid strode to a desk in the middle of the hall. "Mornin'. Here to exchange money."
The goblin looked down at the man in a haughty way. "May I see the money?" Ryan took out some money and handed it to the diminutive creature. "Thank you. Exchange noted. Here is your payment in Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. Good day." He went back to his book.
"Not too friendly, goblins. Hagrid said conversationally as they walked into the sunshine.
"No. I think I prefer the witches and wizards at home." Hermione replied. Hagrid shrugged.
"Whatever suits you best. Now, we need to get you some books, a set of robes, and.... oh yea, Potion ingredients." Hagrid ticked off on his fingers. " Dumbledore said yer school makes ye have the same cauldrons, gloves, and other things like that."
"Yup."
"Okay. Then let's get started."
At the end of the four-hour shopping spree, Hermione and Ryan went back to the car and loaded everything in. Driving back was a subdued affair. Both parent and daughter were exhausted from the walking around.
Reaching home, they found Amelia watching a corny soap opera. Amelia was immediately hooked. Hermione grabbed everything and trudged up to her room. Dumping the whole group of packages onto her window seat, she brought out her trunk and began to pack all the new things.
Collapsible cauldron went in first, then her robes. Hermione inspected all her new books, before taking on out of the pile. Modern Miracles and Happenings by Erika Adder looked interesting. Ryan had spotted it and got it for her as an early present. Hermione set it aside and undid all the other packages.
Finally throwing all of the items into the trunk, Hermione grabbed the book and settled into a comfortable position on the sill. Reading most of chapter one, Hermione set it aside and went back downstairs. Mother was yelling at her father for switching the program while she was watching.
Hermione grimaced. Only a week left before she got onto the train at Hogwarts.
Well. I hope you like this chapter so far. I've had a wonderful strike of inspiration for this. Review for yay or nay. Peace peeps.
-The Spear of Longinus