In the afternoon of September 19, 1960, Hermione Cassandra Riddle was born to Cassandra Jayla Riddle nee Selwyn and Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Cassandra and Tom were high school sweethearts who married after their seventh year before deciding to conquer the Wizarding World together. (Typical love story, right?)
After a few p̶e̶a̶c̶e̶f̶u̶l̶ violent years, they had Hermione. The two taught Hermione all of their knowledge (especially Dark spells!) but when Hermione was eight an attack led by some muggleborns killed Cassandra.
They presented a paper, signed by every single adult muggleborn in Wizarding Britain, that said Tom was becoming too powerful and maybe this would take him down a notch. Instead, it made both him and his daughter hate muggleborns.
Voldemort and Hermione had very similar but different ways of coping with this. While Voldemort became crueler to his followers and more invested in ruling the word, Hermione dedicated herself to learning everything, light spells, neutral spells, dark spells, etc. She also refused to talk to anyone less than sincere - they were all just trying to get on her father's good side anyways.
Three more years passed just like the previous one, and on her eleventh birthday her Hogwarts letter came.
Dear Ms. Riddle,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours truly,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts
There was also a list in the envelope:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
UNIFORM:
First-year students will require-
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS:
All students should have a copy of each of the following -
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Yes! Too bad I can't get a snake for a pet. Hermione cheered internally but then frowned as she read it again. She had been waiting for forever to escape her life. Maybe at Hogwarts she would try not to be a recluse...But I'll still hex anyone who tries to use me to get on my father's good side! Not that he cares anymore...
The truth was, Hermione reminded Tom too much of her mother, so it pained him to see her everyday.
Meanwhile, Hermione was eagerly packing her entire library into her purse (Wouldn't want anyone to steal them if they were in her trunk!)
Extra disillusioned wand? Check
Purse with undetectable expansion spell and library? Check
Snowflake? (Her Owl) Check
Hermione was ready for Hogwarts!