Warnings: Child abuse
Chapter Two
August 26th 1991
Granger Residence
Hermione sat on the stoop of her rundown house. She peered down the cul-dec-sac. Five minutes to ten, but no car had turned the corner yet to reach the dead end. A frown pulled at her cracked lips, of course all of it had been a joke. She could never be something as amazing as a witch with magical powers.
A pop cracked the air and she stumbled back, hitting the door of the house, as a man materialised out of nothing. Dressed in tight-fitting black robes, that covered every inch of his arms and neck. His long black hair framed his defined jawline, and hooked nose.
She peered into his dark eyes. "Are you from Hogwarts?" On shaking legs, she stood.
He took in her thin frame hidden by a jumper several sizes too big for her, it was more of a dress than anything. Holes and stains marred her trousers. A crusty cut ran the width of her right cheek, while her hair sat in a rat's nest. His gaze then travelled to her shabby home, it should've been condemned with the rest of the houses on the street. All of it brought flashbacks of his own childhood to the front of his mind. "Yes I am. My name is Severus Snape, the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Are your parents ready?"
She stared at the rotted wood of the stoop. "They have to work."
"I see," he drawled.
"Girl! Where are you?" Her father bellowed from inside the house.
She darted from the stoop going to hide behind the side of the house. The front door banged open as her father stumbled out in a pair of dingy-white underwear. "Girl!" He staggered forward more, swaying as he looked for her, instead Severus fell inline with his blood-shot stare. "Who are you? Git off my property!" His fat fist hurdled at the Dark Arts master, who side stepped the poor throw with ease.
"Stop it!" Hermione came from her hiding spot to stand between the two men.
"Mr. Granger, I'm Severus Snape, a professor at Hogwarts. Did your daughter show you the letter she received? We would like to bring you to Hogwarts, so you and your wife can discuss what everything means in regard to your daughter being a witch."
Her father stared at her, his eyes wide with rage. "I'm not payin' for you to go to a fancy school!" The back of his hand went across her face, she fell back into the professor, he caught her. Within an instant she leapt from his grasp and ran for the other end of the cul-de-sac.
Her father raised his fist after her. "Don't come back!"
Severus paused for a moment, things were worse than they appeared. Within a few long strides he caught up to the girl, tears dripping from her chin.
"Miss Granger, are you all right?" He crouched in front of her to get a better look at her face without touching her.
The skin of her cheek swelled with a red-hue. Taking out his wand he muttered the simple healing curse to reverse the damage.
Her eyes widened as she touched the spot where there should be the start of a bruise. Nothing, no pain. "How did you do that?"
"Magic. Would you like to visit Hogwarts now? I'm going to do something called Apparating, it will get us there quickly, but you must hold onto my hand and close your eyes." He stood and held his hand out to her.
She stared at it for a long moment, before glancing at her house where her father was crawling back to the stoop. Anything and anywhere was better than that place with him. Her small hand held his before she closed her eyes and a rush of icy air took them away.
"You may open your eyes now, Miss Granger." He let go of her hand.
Peeking open an eye she realised they stood at the top of a hill over looking a small town. "Is that Hogwarts?"
"Turn around."
She turned to find a massive castle resting on a mountain. They stood in front of a pair of iron gates.
He opened them. "How is your stomach feeling, Miss Granger? First time apparating can make one feel queasy. Follow me."
"I feel fine, sir. Thank you, for everything."
He nodded. The walked in silence toward the castle. Hermione pinched her arm, making sure none of it was a figment of her imagination. Soon, they were inside. Her jaw dropped at the sight of the moving paintings hung along the stone walls. Soon, they stood in front of a gargoyle, it's wings pointing outward.
"Lemon Tart."
Hermione jolted a step back as the massive stone leapt off to the side, revealing a spiral staircase.
She ascended the steps with him, before he knocked on the door at the top.
"Enter," a raspy voice responded.
He let Hermione in ahead of him. Her eyes didn't know where to look first, many things glinted in the sunlight, contrasting well with the maroon rug and firey bird that cooed at her as she stepped further into the room.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, gaining her attention. She peered at the elderly man with his colorful robes and long, white beard. He stood from his chair. "Hello, Miss Granger, it's a pleasure to meet you and your parents?"
Hermione's stare went to the floor.
Severus cleared his throat. "There were some complications, Headmaster."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"I see," Dumbledore waved his wand at a parchment in front of them. "That does complicate things, but nothing that can't be taken care of. So, Miss Granger, I'm sure you have questions?"
"Yes. I'm a witch, how is that possible?"
Dumbledore motioned to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat. In most cases the person has a distant relative who was a witch or wizard, it was passed along, skipping over people until it got to you. The only other possibility is Fate, it was just meant to be."
She took the offered seat. Severus leaned against one of the many bookshelves that lined the walls.
Her brown eyes glittered with wonder. "I'll get to learn how to do magic like in the fantasy books I've read?"
He nodded. "For the most part, yes. After this meeting Severus will be taking you to get your school supplies for when the term begins on the first."
"Do I have to go back home?"
Dumbledore glanced at Severus. "I'm afraid you'll have to return home for the summer, or stay with a friend, but during holidays you're more than welcome to remain here in the castle."
She looked down at her lap. It was five more days until the first, she'd just stay out of her house as much as possible until then.
Sitting forward, Dumbledore placed his forearms on his desk and threaded his fingers. "Will you attend my school, Miss Granger?"
Her knotted mane bounced on her head. "Yes, of course."
"Excellent! Now, there's one more thing I would like to see before you go shopping. I would like to see what house you'll be sorted into. Normally this is done at the Great Feast on the first, and you'll be sorted again then for show, but will you humor me to do it now, as well?"
Hermione bit at her lip. "Sir, I don't have any money for shopping."
Dumbledore waved her off. "Don't fret, Miss Granger, Hogwarts has funds. Now, will you allow me to see what house you'll be in?"
She gulped. "Will it hurt?"
A laugh left Dumbledore and Severus. "No, my dear, it's just a hat that talks, nothing painful."
She shrugged. "Okay. I'll be sorted."
Severus took the old hat off its shelf and placed it on the girl's head. She tensed.
The hat's folds mimicked that of a frown. "Interesting traits for a Muggleborn. There's only one place she'll fit like a glove. Slytherin!"
Severus lifted the hat and she blinked. "Slytherin, is that good?"
Dumbledore frowned. In some ways, yes and it also makes things difficult for you, Miss Granger. For only Pureblood and Half-blood wizard children get sorted into Slytherin. Meaning they have one or both parents that come from magical families. Most in the house believe that Muggleborns should not be a part of our world. But you in that house fulfills a prophecy."
A frown pulled at her lips. She was going somewhere she didn't belong. "Prophecy, sir?"
"I'll explain it in due time, Miss Granger, you aren't the only one to be a part of the prophecy. It'd best be explained with everyone here."
Her heart fluttered. It was all so mind-boggling.
"Since Muggleborns are not known to be in Slytherin, I was hoping you could go by the name Hermione Prince? It's a common wizard name, but if you do not feel comfortable doing that. We can try and figure out other arrangements for you."
"No, sir, I'm fine with using a different name. It's pretty." Anything to distance her from her father.
With a nod, Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Excellent! There's one more thing you must do to survive Slytherin." He reached into his robes and pulled out a silver ring with a small emerald in the center. "Wear this at all times. It will allow you to be inside the Slytherin common room, without the blood purity spells detecting you. Without it, you'll be in immense pain."
She took the ring from him and placed it on her right ring finger. All of it was crazy, but she wasn't going to question him. The silver band shrunk until it snugly fit her. "I'll never take it off."
A knock echoed within the room. Dumbledore stared at his door. "Enter."
A man with shabby robes and tangled brown hair entered the office. Scars marred his face and neck. Dumbledore stood. "Remus, I wasn't expecting you yet. Miss…Prince, this is our Potions professor Remus Lupin."
He nodded to her. "Hello, Miss Prince. Sir, I have news to report about Her."
"I see." Dumbledore looked to Hermione and then Snape. "I'll speak with you soon Miss Prince, why don't you and Severus go retrieve your school items now?"
Severus moved from the shelf, glaring at Remus. "Yes, of course Headmaster. Please, come with me, Miss Prince, I'll show you how to use a floo."
Same Day
Diagon Alley
Ron Weasley
"Spare a Knut for my mother, sir? She's ill with a rare strain of Dragon Pox and needs an expensive potion to cure her." Ron shook the can at the man passing him.
The man barely glanced at his way before throwing a Galleon at him.
"May Merlin show kindness on your soul!" He called after the man who didn't look back.
Ron sighed and peered into the can. A handful of Knuts, a few Sickles and two Galleons. He then glanced at Olivander's shop. How much would he need for a wand?
Crossing the cobble stone street, he entered the store. The old man sat on a stool behind a counter. Watery eyes stared the boy down. "How may I help you?" He glanced toward the door, but found no evidence of parents to follow.
Going up to the counter he handed the man the can. "How much more do I need to get a wand?"
Olivander glanced at the money. "Much more than this, at least three times more."
Ron frowned, taking his can back. It had taken him all morning to collect that much. The shop's door opened with a ding. Ron turned to face a homely girl with bushy hair and tattered clothes. His blue-eyes instantly went to the cut on her cheek. She noticed him as well. He could stand to gain a few pounds and his ginger hair needed brushed. The air around them warmed, sparks igniting off their auras.
A crash banged off to the side as two, long boxes flew across the room at them, dropping into their hands.
"Merlin!" Olivander exclaimed, standing to look at the wands that chose the children. "I've only ever had that happen with one other student, the Dark Lord."
Ron's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
Olivander nodded before staring at the wand boxes. "Those are two of my oldest wands, too." Wrinkles marred his forehead. "I also sold two other old wands earlier this week, you'd never believe it, Neville Longbottom was one of them. How strange, antiques wands hardly ever choose children anymore, most can't handle their raw power."
Ron's mouth hung open. "Neville Longbottom has a cool wand, too? Bloody hell!" He opened the box to stare at the ebony wand. He peered over at the girl's she had a special one, too. She frowned as she pulled out a white wand with a mother of pearl sheen.
Olivander pointed to Ron's. "Yours is Apple wood, twelve inches with a thunderbird tail feather. Very rare and they don't pick owner's easily. It will likely only obey you." He then glanced at Hermione. "Same goes for your wand when it comes to temperament. Both also do well at sensing danger and alerting you." He nodded. "Now yours, Miss, is made from Yew wood, ten inches, with a horned-serpents horn. Very powerful, very powerful indeed."
Ron sighed before placing the wand back in the box. It was fun while it lasted. He set the box on the counter. "I can't afford an old wand like this."
The box shook in response. Olivander pushed it back toward him. "Take it. It won't be happy anywhere else. Same goes for you, Miss. I never thought these wands would pick owners in my lifetime."
The man in the black robes stepped forward, taking out a bag. "Are you sure, I have money, enough to pay for both wands."
Ron looked at the dark clothed man. He offered to buy him something?
Olivander held up his hand. "No, there's no price in the world that would be enough for these two wands. Just take them and promise to learn how to use them well."
Ron grinned. "Thank you, sir. I won't forget this." He then looked to Hermione. "Are you going to Hogwarts?"
She nodded.
"Me too, I'm Ron, Ron…just Ron."
Hermione smiled, taking his hand. "Hermione…Prince."
"Maybe we'll see each other on the train."
She glanced over her shoulder at the man with her before nodding and meeting his gaze, again. "I'm sure we will."
A/N: I will update every Sunday. I hope you're enjoying this AU fic. Next chapter you'll meet older Neville, along with Draco who will get to know Hermione.