'So, you'd like to enrol in you're last year at Hogwarts, Miss, er, Gregson?' said the headmaster at the time, Professor Dippet, looking at her slightly suspiciously. Although this could be her new-found paranoia that seem to have appeared over the last 5 months.

'Yes. As I have explained I have been educated at home for the past 6 years, and now that my parents have died I would like to complete my magical education at Hogwarts.' she said firmly.

Proffesser Dippet looked confused. 'We have no record of anyone under your name in our magical records. Are you sure that your name is Hermione Gregson?'

'I think I know my own name thank-you very much.' said Hermione, drawing herself up to her fullest height. 'And I have told you, my parents never registered my birth. They lived in very poor situations and were worried that I would taken away. It may have been unfounded but that was there belief.'

'But you refuse to tell me their names!'

'For reasons that I would prefer to keep to myself. But does my heritage make any difference to whether I can go to Hogwarts?' she said, trying to keep her voice authoritative.

'The fact is that you should not exist!'

'Well, the failings of the Ministry is not my fault or problem. I simply wish to come to school for a year, after which I will not concern you with my questionable existence any longer. I think you have an arrangement for students wishing to join late?'

'Well, yes, we do. But... but...' stuttered the headmaster, looking rather flustered.

'Is there a problem?' said Hermione, crossing her arms.

'Uh... well... I... suppose not.' he said resignedly.

'Good.'

'But you will have to take exams to ensure that you are up to Hogwarts Year 7 standard! And the ministry will be looking into your heritage, whether you like it or not.'

Hermione smirked slightly. 'I don't think there will be a problem with my level... but I am fine with taking exams if you so wish it.'

'Well then, that will be it Miss Gregson, you will get an owl shortly with you're supply list.'

For the first time Hermione looked a little embarrassed. She had managed to get a job at the Three Broomsticks as a waitress but did not earn nearly enough money to buy all her kit.

'Is there... some kind of financial support for students with low income?' she said, getting the words out as quick as she could.

'Well, yes, there is a student fund. What is your current situation?'

'I work as a waitress at the Three Broomsticks, but I obviously won't be able to continue that while at Hogwarts, and I only just have enough money to rent a room...'

'I suppose we could sort something out. I will include it in the letter.'

'Okay, thank you Professor. I shall see you in a few weeks.'

And she left the pub, feeling satisfied.

Not a lot had happened in the last few months. She had got a job as a waitress which had paid for a new set of non school robes, underwear, and other necessities.

She had worked nearly all day 6 days a week to afford her pricey room at The Three Broomsticks, and it had been a rather dull life simply serving drinks all day. She was started to see why Margaret was so irritable all the time.

The good thing was that she was in a much better place mentally, and had got back her previous spark for knowledge (she had been spending a lot of her spare time sitting in Flourish and Blotts). She had also got a little of her old fire back, and felt more like herself than she had done since the last time she had been at Hogwarts.

She had arranged to meet the headmaster of the time, Professor Dippet, in the Hogs Head as it was a lot less crowded and quieter. She had been careful not to speak too loudly however, as she was sure that someone from the Profit could make a story about 'Hogwarts Headmaster accepts unknown and unregistered student!' in a heartbeat.

The thought that she was going to return to Hogwarts made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Although she knew she was going for an important reason, it was still comforting to know that she would be back.

She was in fact nearly 18 now, as she was born on the 19th of September, but had told the headmaster that she was only just 17 so as to have up to a year to accomplish her goal.

Whenever she thought about this she felt a thrill of fear run through her, as she still had no idea how powerful Riddle would be at age 17, and whether she would be able to defeat him, even now that he was a year younger than her.

The thought he had already killed his family, and Myrtle, scared her more than she could possibly say. He had already split his soul and placed it in that horrible diary. It made her want to vomit.

She had seen a few familiar faces while she had been serving at the pub, for example she had learnt that the skinny man with the brown hair that had reminded her of someone she knew, was actually an 18 year old Frank Longbottom, who had got a quick job as a chef before moving on to become a highly successful Auror at the ministry. It saddened her to even look at him, knowing what fate him and his wife were going to come to.

She had seen Hagrid a few more times, and to her delight had become quite friendly with him. It was nice to have someone she knew from the future in the past here with her, albeit a much less mature version. It seemed that the child Hagrid was even more obsessed with monsters and dangerous creatures than the adult version, which was saying something. He had spent many an hour talking animatedly about the last horrifying creature he had managed to breed or buy, insisting that they were all 'quite harmless'. Somehow in her experience Hermione highly doubted it.

Hermione reached the Three Broomsticks at last, and walked in to start her evening shift.

It was the day before the Hogwarts express departed, and Hermione could not wait. She was very keen to leave behind the Three Broomsticks, and not sure she would ever like to return. It was one thing to go in for a drink every few months, and another to spend all your days and nights in the hot, stuffy air. She was also highly intellectually bored, and was hoping that she would be pleasantly challenged once again. Although since she was nearly 18, she was not sure what else it was that she had not yet learnt. Searching for Horcruxes and battling Voldemort's death eaters had taught her more than any class could do.

Never the less, she felt a thrill of excitement as she packed her trunk that night, and thought happily that the next time she went to sleep she would be in the girls dormitory at Hogwarts.

She had completed her test exams, and was suitably pleased with the face of the examiner when she completed it in record time. She had not been told what grade she had got, but had not been questioned again over whether she was suitable for Year 7. Who said it wasn't useful to have brains.

OK, so this will be the last update for probably a week, I wanted to get the first few out straight away. I am feeling a little discouraged at the moment, as I am worried that no one is reading my chapters. But I WILL finish this fic, even if it never gets any more reviews. :) I promised myself that.