A/N: In honor of today, May 2nd – International Harry Potter Day – I wanted to release the first chapter of my newest story! I will keep writing on my "Celebrations and Oops!" but I couldn't focus on that story without this one interrupting. This idea hit me in the middle of the night not too long ago. Erase almost everything that you know about Harry Potter and join me in a version of the world where Muggle Borns were never allowed to attend Hogwarts. Hermione seems like a normal Muggle attending school and working as a waitress to Harry, Ron, Remus, and Sirius but she is secretly being taught by Dumbledore. If she's found out, it'll be death for her. Protection might be needed and relationships could bloom. Let me know what you think!

On to the story! I'll fill in gaps as we go, so don't worry!

Chapter One – Small Celebrations and Danger

"Come on, Remus! If you don't hurry up, we won't be able to get our usual table!" A twenty year old red head shouted over his shoulder as he practically ran through the crowded sidewalk of Muggle London towards a small restaurant. Remus shook his head at Ron's enthusiasm but followed anyways. "We eat here every Tuesday and Thursday and always get the same table with the same server. You'll love her! She's hilarious and gorgeous!" Ron's ears turned red as he shouted this.

"Today calls for some small celebrations, Remus. You're getting to keep your teaching job at Hogwarts and Ron and I caught some Death Eaters last night so we're celebrating! Every small step against You-Know-Who is one step closer to defeating him!" A hand practically pushed Remus to walk faster and he looked back at the unruly haired young man pushing him. Harry smiled and gave up on pushing him as they neared the door.

"I don't have any muggle money on me, Harry…" Remus started but Harry interrupted him.

"Don't worry about it, our treat!" Harry replied as they entered the restaurant and watched as Ron beelined to their usual table in the back corner. The smells coming from the kitchen made Remus's mouth water. Harry pulled him back to their table and sat beside Ron. "It's a good thing you dressed like a Muggle today, Remus. We don't want 'Mione thinking we're mental," Ron said and Harry gave him a short glare while Remus ignored him. Remus sat opposite of them and looked around curiously at the Muggle posters and pictures that covered the walls of the restaurant. He adjusted the sleeves of his button up shirt and glanced at his jeans and worn boots. He saw a head pop out of the kitchen from the corner of his eye and heard a voice call out.

"Mya, your boys are here!" Harry and Ron grinned at being called her boys and both looked at Remus excitedly.

"So why sit at this table when the restaurant is currently empty?" Remus asked and the boys looked at him incredulously.

"If we didn't, we wouldn't have Hermione as our waitress!" Ron answered and Harry chuckled.

"You really will love her," Harry replied with a knowing smirk at Remus before looking towards the kitchen. His smirk turned to a smile and he elbowed Ron, who looked to where Harry was looking, and Ron's face turned to a bright smile. Remus looked towards the kitchens and saw a beautiful young woman, probably close to Harry and Ron in age, walking toward them with a bright, heart stopping smile on her face.

'Ron wasn't lying when he said she was gorgeous…' Remus thought as she stopped beside their table. Remus took in her jeans, sneakers, and light blue button up shirt. The top two buttons were undone and Remus could see the skin of her collarbone. He couldn't help but wonder if that skin was as soft as it looked and had to shake his head to clear the thought. Her hair was wrapped in a loose bun and she had soft curls that had fallen out framing her face.

"Hello boys! I see you brought a friend with you today! My name is Hermione, and you are?" Hermione held her hand out to Remus, who shook it softly. Her skin was indeed as soft as it looked.

"Remus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hermione," Remus replied and Hermione smiled and chuckled.

"The pleasure is all mine! Any friend of Harry or Ron's is welcome at my table anytime," she gave a small glance to the two young men who were looking at Remus with a knowing look. She looked between the three of them curiously before continuing, "now unless you want me to refer to you as Mr. Remus, you can call me Hermione. Not Miss Hermione; although your manners are very touching, Miss Hermione sounds…odd…"

"My apologies, Hermione…" Remus started and Hermione smiled.

"No worries! Now I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask Harry and Ron if they wanted to change up their routine and get something other than a coffee with cream and a unsweetened tea to drink?" Harry and Ron looked at her like she was mental and she laughed at their looks while holding her hands up as if in surrender. Remus couldn't help but smile and feel uplifted by the young woman's laugh. "Alright, alright you two, don't freak out. What would you like to drink Remus?" Hearing her say his name made him come out of his thoughts and he looked at her, slightly surprised.

"Uh…tea, please," he answered, feeling some heat go to his cheeks at being caught not paying attention. Harry and Ron snickered and he glared at them. Hermione nodded and walked off to get their drinks. Remus frowned as he watched the two younger boys staring at Hermione's backside as she walked off.

"Harry, what would Ginny say if she saw you looking at another woman?" Remus asked with a smirk and watched as Harry sat up and looked away from Hermione with a slight blush. "What about you, Ron? Should I tell Lavender that you're gawking at another woman's assets?" Ron sat up with a glare at Remus, his ears red from embarassment and slight shame.

"A bloke can look right?" Ron muttered and Remus smiled. Harry opened his mouth to say something but stopped when Hermione came back with a small tray holding four cups. Remus looked at the fourth cup of tea in confusion while Harry and Ron smiled brightly.

"Alright, a coffee with a small amount of cream for Harry, an unsweetened tea for Ronald, and a tea with one lump of sugar for Remus. I guessed on how much sugar you'd like, Remus, so if that's not correct just let me know!" Remus took a quick sip and sighed at the taste. It tasted like he had made it at home.

"It's perfect, thank you."

"Hermione's got a natural talent for finding what people are craving," Ron said with a grin as he relaxed into his own cup of warm tea. "You should let her pick your meal for you!"

"Hermione, are you taking your lunch break with us again today? I see you have your cup of tea…" Harry asked and Hermione blushed slightly and glanced at Remus.

"I was thinking about it, but I don't want to impose on your time with Remus…" she started and all three men made some form of noise and waved at her.

"We live with him, 'Mione!" Ron said and Remus chuckled.

"We don't mind if you want to eat with us, Hermione. It'd be nice to get to know you better," Remus said and Hermione blushed more. Harry sent Remus a grin and a wink, causing the older man to cough into his tea. Hermione set her cup of tea down beside Remus and turned to Harry and Ron.

"Ready to eat?"

"Starving!" Ron replied and Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled. "Pick all of our meals, Hermione!" She nodded and walked away thinking about their food. Harry's smiled disappeared and he looked at Remus solemnly.

"We wanted to take you to lunch to not only congratulate you on another year of teaching, but to also talk to you about some things…" the green eyed man leaned back in his chair and Ron gave a cough.

"Do we have to talk about this now, 'Arry?" Ron mumbled and Remus sat his elbows on the table and looked between the two curiously. Harry nodded and leaned forward to talk to him.

"The Death Eaters we caught last night…one of them was Greyback…" Remus sighed as Harry continued, "under the Truth Serum, one of them admitted that Voldemort has control of the ministry…"

"Not surprising," Remus interrupted with a frown. Where was the youth going with this?

"They're passing stricter muggle born and 'Dark Creature' laws, Remus…You're safe at Hogwarts and Grimmauld Place, but there's a law passing…they're approving the killings of Muggle Borns that try to learn magic, marry into a magical family, or to even set foot in a magical area…They are trying to weed them out of the population completely. I've heard that some of the upper ranking officers have been assigned with tracking down any possible Muggle borns and killing them before they even realize they have magical abilities and if anyone is attempting to teach Muggle borns any kind of magic, they'll be sentenced to Azkaban and death. It's getting pretty dangerous for us…I wish I could figure out a way to kill Vol-He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…" Remus felt a weight return to his shoulders and chest and realized how much Hermione's light personality had affected him during that brief time. He wished she'd return soon to end this conversation.

Unbeknownst to the men at the table, Hermione stood around the corner from them. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but when she heard what Harry was saying, she couldn't stop herself. Tears burned her eyes when she heard what he was saying. She knew that her secret meetings with Dumbledore had been breaking the laws of the Ministry, but now they were risking Dumbledore's life, her own, and probably even her parents' lives! A tear raced its way down her cheek and she quickly released a shaky breath as she tried to calm her nerves. She would discuss these new laws with Dumbledore the next day and see about cancelling her lessons for a while. The toll of the bell on the counter made her jump and she quickly walked over to pick up the four plates and her textbook and carried the load back to the table.

The three men stopped talking when they caught sight of Hermione walking towards them. Harry and Remus noticed a slight hesitation in her steps and a shake to her hands as she handed them their food.

"For Ronald, I have a large fish and chips to help try and curb that never ending appetite. Harry, I got you a chicken and shrimp with vegetables and for Remus, I have a rare steak with potatoes. How'd I do this time?" Hermione asked while trying to smile. Ron began shoving food in his mouth the moment the plate was in front of him, something that made both Remus and Hermione frown. A nod was all Hermione received from the red haired man. Harry sighed and took a deep breath of the smell and smiled brightly.

"Smells great! Spot on like usual, Hermione!" Harry began eating as well and Hermione turned to Remus, who simply stared at the steak with his mouth watering. The full moon was later that week andhis craving for rare meat had increased ten fold. His silence made Hermione uncomfortable and she quickly panicked.

"It's not right, is it? I'm so sorry! What would you like? I'll go fix this right away…" she began to reach for the plate but Remus quickly stopped her.

"No, no. My apologies! This is perfect! I'm just not sure where to start…" Remus said with a soft smile. Hermione's eyes widened slightly before she too smiled before sitting beside him with her own plate of steak and fries.

"Start with the fried potatoes. Save the best for last, right?" she said before she began munching quietly on a fry while opening her thick textbook and beginning to read. Ron and Harry stared at the thick book in discomfort and horror and Remus chuckled.

"What. Is. That?" Ron asked with his mouth full of fish. Remus and Hermione frowned at him, both of their faces clearly holding disgust for his habit.

"It's a book, Ronald. Surely, your mother taught you not to talk with your mouth full?" Hermione asked quietly but her voice held the same amount of disgust and contempt to his habits. Ron's ears turned red and he quickly ducked his head down and continued eating like it was his first and last meal. Remus shook his head and swallowed his mouthful of food before asking Hermione his question.

"What are you reading, Hermione?" she smiled at his manners and quickly lifted the cover for him to see. He smiled when he recognized the book.

"It's my Classical Literature textbook for class."

"Oh? What school do you attend?" Remus asked as he eyed her current page as curiosity of which story she was reading peaked in him.

"Oh, I'm currently attending University of London. I haven't been able to decide which field of study I want to focus more on so I'm taking as many different courses as I can! They're most certainly all very interesting!" Remus nodded in understanding.

"I can agree. I attended University of London for a while myself at the pressure of my mother, although paying for the school costs was quite difficult."

"You did?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yes, I did. It was quite a culture shock going from the…private school I had attended before to such a large university but it was an experience I enjoyed. I'm friends with many of the professors who teach there and I occasionally sit through some of the lectures when I have some free time. My favorite lectures to sit through happen to be the Classical Literature class," Remus explained before taking a bite of the steak. Hermione's eyes lit up and she quickly turned in her seat to face him more directly.

"Oh, you must tell me which of the stories you enjoy the most! I personally find many of Shakespeare's works to be truly wonderful!" Harry shook his head at the two of them as they disappeared in to their own world of literature and subjects he had little care of. The rest of their lunch was spent with Hermione and Remus practically ignoring the other two boys at the table, which was fine with the two of them since they were too busy eating. After their lunch plates were empty and Hermione's lunch break was over, the three men paid and left with a promise to return the next week. Hermione smiled brightly and waved the three goodbye before reentering the restaurant to prepare for the remaining hours of her long shift.

~ Hours Later ~

Hermione felt that she had to basically drag herself to the hidden portkey in her incredibly small flat. She gave a heavy sigh as she dropped her overflowing bag on to her bed and looked at the time. Five more minutes until the Portkey activated and took her to Dumbledore's office in his school. She found herself dreading the lesson that evening as the thoughts of what would happen if they were caught reentered her mind. She usually enjoyed their lessons and discussions more than anything else, but tonight was different. From now on, really, would be different. Fear had a tight grip on Hermione's heart.

She quickly picked up the armful of textbooks Dumbledore had assigned for her to read over the past week and quickly picked up the portkey as it activated. When her feet landed ungracefully on the floor of the Headmaster's office, she quickly took a deep breath and looked around for the wise old man.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Right on time," Dumbledore said as he walked in to the room from behind her. She could see a statue of a Gargoyle turning downwards and sealing the room off behind him before the door was shut. "If I'm not mistaken, you have a lot on your mind right now. Why don't we discuss these topics? Would you like a lemon drop?" Hermione shook her head no and quickly deposited the books on his desk before sitting.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir…I met Harry, Ron, and Remus at lunch today…" she started but Dumbledore stopped her with a smile and a laugh.

"Yes, I've heard that the two young men have come to appreciate that specific muggle restaurant and their usual waitress. Remus being there is something entirely new, though."

"Yes, well…I didn't mean to…but I overheard them discussing new laws being passed in the Ministry. These laws have me concerned, sir. For your safety and for my parents. You are risking so much to teach me these forbidden things when you have a school of witches and wizards who need your protection more than I need to be taught these spells." Dumbledore's bright blue eyes lost their twinkle and he sat back for a moment.

"You have an incredible gift and intellect, Miss Granger. A gift that could help end the suffering of all witches and wizards alike. As I understand it, you are attending a muggle school at the moment, correct?"

"Yes sir, but…"

"And your classes will be ending soon, correct?"

"Yes, but Professor…"

"Then it is settled. When your muggle classes have finished for the semester, you will come live here in secret. You will be kept safest here as long as no one knows you are here unless I tell them myself, understood?" Hermione stared at him in shock for a moment before nodding slowly.

"What about my parents?" She asked. Dumbledore's face darkened slightly before he smiled softly.

"Perhaps they need a vacation. We'll just have to alter a few things before they go." Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what he was talking about.

"Professor, I'd like to go home. I'll make up missing today when I start living here, if that is alright?"

"That is quite alright, Miss Granger. Allow me to assist you in getting home. I'm afraid that the Portkey channels are beginning to be watched a lot more closely so we will no longer be able to send you home or bring you back here by such a method any more," Dumbledore said as he walked around the room. Hermione's stomach knotted as he spoke and she nodded in understanding. "I'm hoping you remember your flying lessons?" He asked as he pulled a broom out of a hidden crevice. Hermione blanched.

"Yes sir, I do. I don't like flying though, sir…"

"Nobody ever does when they first start. Except for a small handful of people. Fawkes, if you will go and retrieve Mr. Potter please." Dumbledore said with a smile and Hermione watched as his beautiful phoenix stretched and took flight. "Harry Potter will be a wonderful friend to you, Miss Granger. He will help keep you safe and make sure you arrive to your flat safely."

The door opened and Hermione jumped out of her seat and prepared to dive out of sight when she realized who was at the door. Harry stood in the doorway in a black uniform with silver snaps and embroidery. His face held a look of incredulous shock as he took in the young woman standing. His eyes flew to Dumbledore, who looked upon him sternly.

"I hope I didn't interfere with you working, Harry."

"N-No sir. I just got off a short shift. The other Aurors found no need of me staying any later. Sir, why is Hermione here? She's…I thought that she was a…" Harry stuttered as his eyes went back to Hermione's wide brown eyes.

"That is what I need to discuss with you, Harry. She is a Muggle born, Harry, and I've been trying to teach her as much as I can. We've been meeting secretly for a little over a year now and I dare say she is the most brilliant young lady this school has ever seen. She's learning quickly and has already completed up through what would be her seventh year here, theoretically speaking. Just last week, she received her Apparition license which was difficult to do without Ministry approval. However, I'm afraid with her location in Muggle London, her ability to practice the spells in a hands-on manner is impossible so she will be moving here in a few weeks. Now Harry, I'm sure I don't need to stress the importance of absolutely no one else knowing about her but I must insist that you don't tell Miss Weasley or her brother, or Remus. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Harry kept his eyes on Hermione as he listened and answered his old Professor. He smiled at Hermione before walking over to her and hugging her. "This is brilliant, Hermione! When you start living here, I can visit you anytime and we can go over defensive spells and…"

"Harry," Hermione interrupted with a chuckle, "I have things to take care of at home and they need to be taken care of as quickly as possible." Hermione's throat clenched as she thought of her parents and how she would have to wipe their memories before she left and the sooner she did so, the better.

"Ah, right…of course. We'll walk down to the school's gate and fly back to your flat, alright?" Harry ran his hand through his hair before pulling out his wand. "I'll perform a Disillusionment charm on us both first."

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore interrupted. "All I can say is that any spells used outside of this school by you will attract the attention of the Ministry very quickly. You'll have only split seconds after performing the spell to leave before Aurors will be upon you. While Harry and Ron are on your side of this battle, most of the other Aurors will not be and you will be prosecuted or killed if you are caught. Becareful," Dumbledore warned and she nodded numbly. Harry tapped her with his wand and she felt the shiver of the charm take effect before he tapped himself and opened the door. Hermione grabbed the broom from Dumbledore and quickly walked out the door with Harry.

"I'm sorry for not telling you, Harry…"

"It's perfectly understandable. One never knows who they can trust in this world right now. You can always trust me though okay, Hermione?" Harry asked as he wrapped a disillusioned arm around her shoulders. Hermione smiled and nodded.

"You can trust me, Harry. I'll help you as much as I can, Harry. I want a world where Muggle borns, and other magical creatures for that matter, have the freedoms to come here to Hogwarts or to have a job. Before you ask, I've read through the laws and some of the Daily Prophets in Dumbledore's office so that is how I know these things…"

"Well, Muggle borns did have the freedoms for a while. Most of the time that Hogwarts has been open for that matter. The laws against Muggle borns passed shortly after my parents graduated from here due to Vol-He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named taking over. He's been in control ever since…"

"Why don't you say his name, Harry? Fearing Vold-" Hermione began but Harry quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Don't say his name, Hermione. Ever. Especially with you being a Muggle born, understand?" Hermione nodded and looked at the Disillusioned area behind the floating glasses in front of her. Harry quickly uncovered her mouth and apologized for it. By this time, the two were near the school gate.

"If you ever need to apparate here, this will be the place to do so. Here or Hogsmeade, although apparating to either place is a risk I'm afraid. It will set off alarms regardless. Your best bet would be here so that you can quickly enter the grounds and be protected against any Death Eaters attacking."

"Harry…Forgive me for asking, but I've read a few things and somethings aren't making any sense. Could you clarify?"

"I can try. Dumbledore is usually better at explaining things," Harry answered as he opened the school gate with a tap of his wand.

"I read that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…killed your parents and that he is hunting you down…If he has taken over the Ministry, how come you work there as an Auror? Wouldn't that just be like handing yourself over to him?" Hermione asked and Harry grinned.

"I don't work as an Auror. Not entirely, that is. A friend of mine and a fellow member of Dumbledore's Order Of the Phoenix is an Auror and whenever he works with other members , he'll allow me to tag along. The Order is my main focus right now. We've been trying to catch and imprison Death Eaters to get information and to keep them from making things worse. It's a slow and difficult thing to do, but we're trying." Harry met Hermione's eyes before pulling out a small broom from his pocket and enlarging it to reveal his Firebolt. "Shall we?"

"Uh…yeah…" Hermione answered before shakily straddling her broom and kicking off when Harry did.

A/N: What do you guys think of the first chapter? :)