Her first friend
Disclaimer: When I last checked my records, Harry Potter did not belonged to me, however much iwished he did. ;)
Hermione sighed as she loaded the last of her luggage into the taxi. It was the day. She would be moving into Hogwarts and will not be returning to her parents' house for a long time if all goes well.
Hermione did not actually live in the house. Instead, she only visited it from time to time so as to ensure its cleanliness. She had her own apartment somewhere at the edge of Diagon Alley. It was small but cozy enough to contain 2 bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen without being squeezed. She had decided to live in her parents' house this summer though, and she was grateful that she did so. Hermione believed that it was only because her parents were watching over her, that she was able to be accepted into Hogwarts as the DADA professor.
Hermione was actually somewhat glad to move out of the house. It brought back too many painful memories of her parents. There was not a place in the house where their presence did not linger. So much so that it can be classified as disturbing. At the start, Hermione had even contemplated selling the house. She was glad that she did not do so. It was the only reminder she had left of her parents. Their belongings were all destroyed by the Death Eaters. She had asked her muggle neighbor to check on her parents' house once in a while, just like she always did, when Hermione was supposed to be on an "overseas business trip".
"King's Cross Station," Hermione told the taxi driver as he sped off.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione scanned her surroundings to make sure that no muggles were looking at her before pushing her trolley through the pillar that was really the entrance to platform 9 and ¾, the gateway to the world of magic. She ran through a short dark tunnel as emerged on the other side, nearly running into an unfortunate couple in the process.
Hermione felt a pang of sadness hit her as she observed the Hogwarts students going about their business, be it bidding their families goodbye or struggling to carry their luggage onto the Hogwarts Express. She remembered how she had been just like them a mere two years ago. Now, Hermione felt like an old lady as compared to those kids, so full of passion and vigor. She had been through so much that her heart had nearly hardened into ice—unfeeling and numb.
Hermione let her mask of indifference slip for a while before striding purposefully up to the carriages.
Hermione slipped into last compartment in the train. She had checked all the other compartments and each was occupied by at least three chattering students. This only served to make Hermione feel more alone than ever. She did not know a soul here. Hermione turned around and sat herself opposite the only other occupant in the compartment.
The two females faced each other but neither spoke. Hermione took the chance to size up the girl. She was quite pretty, with almond-shaped eyes that are a peculiar shade of electricity blue. Her sleek hair was a striking hue of whitish blonde and she gave the distinct impression of being superior even though she was dressed in a t-shirt and faded jeans that were tastefully torn in several places.
"Hi! I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione took the first step and tried to be friendly.
"Kaylen," the girl gave her a curt nod and smirked a little. Hermione could not recall where she had seen that smirk before until she continued. "Malfoy."
Hermione fell off her seat in shock. When had Malfoy gotten himself a daughter? Kaylen extended a hand to Hermione, the ends of her mouth curving upwards into a tight smile.
"Most people just gape. You're reaction's a first,"
Blond hair, checked. Blue eyes, checked. Smirk, checked. Definitely a Malfoy.
"Well, my case's different. I knew your dad. He's a prick," Hermione protested indignantly.
"You're lying. Even I didn't know him," Kaylen looked thoroughly confused for a split second, and then a light bulb seemed to go off in her head.
"Unless you're talking about Draco Malfoy,"
Hermione nodded hesitantly and Kaylen smirked again.
"He's my uncle."
Hermione fell off her seat for the second time that day.
"Hermione, you've got to stop doing that. It's a tad bit undignified," Kaylen smiled for the first time.
"Sorry, I'm not usually like that," Raised eyebrow, checked. "It's true!"
"If you say so…I'm assuming you're in the same year as Draco. So, what're you doing here?" Kaylen asked.
Over the next few minutes, Hermione related all that had happened over the past 2 years to Kaylen. Her eyes were huge by the time she finished. "Wow! Does that mean I'm the first student here to know you? Cool!"
Their conversation went on throughout the whole train ride. Hermione learnt that Kaylen's mother got pregnant with her before she was out of school and was disowned until after the defeat of Voldemort. They have recently moved back to the Malfoy Manor. She never talked to Kaylen about her father. Kaylen was raised among muggles, so she did not hold much prejudice against muggle-borns. This was going to be Kaylen's first year at Hogwarts. She had been home schooled before.
Then there was that last piece of information Kaylen had revealed. Malfoy had taken over Professor Snape as the potions teacher. Hermione did not fall off her chair this time. She promptly fainted.
Hermione woke up a few seconds later when a glass of ice water got into contact with her face. She groaned and sat up, using a quick drying charm on all her wet face and hair. She looked at Kaylen questioningly and got a shrug and "My tutor," as a form of explanation.
Hermione buried her face in her hands when she thought of having Malfoy as her colleague.
"Why in the blazes did he have to come here?"
Hermione never got an answer as the Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop. She watched with slight amusement as Kaylen let out a little shriek and proceeded to rummage through her luggage for her robes. She tugged them over her clothes and followed Hermione onto the platform.
Hermione spied the familiar form of a half-giant looming over a group of frightened first years. "Hagrid!" she dropped her luggage and propelled herself into his arms. The old friends had not met since Hermione left Hogwarts. Hermione pulled back to see Hagrid wipe a gigantic drop of tear from his left eye. She smiled. Hagrid had always been a little on the emotional side.
"Right 'mione. Haven't seen ya since 2 years ago! Heard ya'll be Hogwarts new DADA professor eh? Sure ya'll be the best we'd ever had. Work hard! I'd better get to work, sending these little ones to school then!" Hagrid boomed and several first years cringed.
Hermione ran back and picked up her luggage before scurrying after the mob of students. She found an empty carriage and squeezed into it with Kaylen right behind.
"I liked that Hagrid bloke. He seemed nice," Kaylen chose to break the silence first.
"Malfoy never like him. Called him a big oaf,"
"As you said, he was a git,"
"Yes, indeed,"
No more conversation took place after that. The two girls sat in companionable silence and simply enjoyed each other's company.
All too soon, Hogwarts came into sight. The majestic castle shrouded in dense mist looked like the King's palace straight out of a fairytale. Hermione puffed out her chest in pride unconsciously as she heard Kaylen emit a tiny gasp of awe.
"Beautiful…" Kaylen finally whispered after a lengthy silence. Hermione's head bobbed and she resumed watching the magnificent castle. Things are going to be tough with Malfoy around. I hope he keeps his nosy self out of my way.