A/N: Sorry I haven't update in... well nearly a year. Hopefully my next update won't take so long.

Hermione Granger and the Marriage Wall

As Hermione Granger read the book she had been discreetly directed to by Professor McGonagall, she found her already eroded sense of the Magical World collapsing all together. The book consisted of several sections relating to different parts of the pureblood society. From the functioning of the Wizengamont, to the expected behavior at formal events, it discussed every detail. At first, Hermione had been relieved, though apparently forbidden knowledge, it did not seem to contain information that immediately condemned wizarding society in general as an inherently unjust place. However, the more she read, the more she understood. The small details, and the large, all added together to paint a picture of her future life. One final detail finished off a portrait that was completely incompatible with her own vision of her future. After that, she reread other seemingly innocent sections in a whole new light, enraging her further.

Hermione as always respected those in authority. Her parents had never let her down. Her teachers had been the only thing that kept her from the worst of her social outcast status. She respected police officers. She believed in her government. She knew deep in her heart that those above her were always looking out to protect her from those down on her own level.

Now, as she learned what she had to look forward to, some drastic categorical shifts swept through her mind. The wizarding world itself had conspired against her. To reconcile this fact with believing those in authority over her were protecting her, she only had one real option. All magical people were not truly in authority over her. Not any more. From this point on, all wizards and witches are nothing but other children to her.

She was broken from her thoughts as she heard a soft, "Everything alright?" Coming from behind her. Quickly glancing at a clock, she noticed that she had missed dinner, too occupied reading in the library to really care. She turned to see Katie… Harry Potter… whatever… looking at her with a concerned expression. She was still really confused about the… girl. She was only other person in this place that seemed to have even a tiny bit of sanity, and yet she was probably the strangest of all.

Hermione sighed, "Look at this, she pointed at a line in the book."

Katie quickly read it, "Well that doesn't sound too bad."

Hermione flipped a few pages, "Now read this."

"Oh… I see. That could be difficult."

"Yes, but now read this." She flipped to an entirely unrelated section of the book.

Katie's face scrunched up, "That doesn't seem right."

"I could come up with theories of conspiracy, but exactly who is involved and their motive completely escapes me."

"Really? I should think their motive is obvious."

Hermione looked doubtful, but motioned for her to continue.

"Their motive is to avoid the existence of someone like you."

Hermione frowned, "No, the whole point is to ensnare people like me."

Katie softly giggled, intensifying Hermione's frown, "No, I suppose not someone like you. Exactly you. They want you either forced out of their society before you learn about it's hard truths, or they want you to be absorbed by it in a way that won't allow you to see the truth."

"While that may be fairly accurate, you sound like you've already been discussing this with people." Hermione's voice maintained some hostility.

Katie rolled her eyes, "Yes, I was having similar discussions this summer with my mother and sister after learning about the wizarding world. Mostly my mother. I believe that she's doing some research in her spare time on the matter. If you'd like I could get you in contact with her."

"Isn't your mother dead?" Hermione asked before she realized what she had said.

Katie stared at Hermione, her eyes going wide, she then slapped herself in the forehead, "Wow… did you really just say that?."

Hermione quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Katie nodded, still rubbing her forehead, "Yeah, I get it. You're angry, stressed, confused, and your life feels like its falling apart. But still, you really need to work on that. How are you supposed to change things if everyone thinks you're an insensitive bitch?"

Hermione's embarrassment was soon replaced by indignation, "Don't you call me a… wait, change things?"

"Well sure, what else would you do? While I'm sure you'd do fine leaving for the muggle world, from what I've seen of you, I don't think you could bring yourself to do that." Katie grew a mischievous smile, "Well, I suppose you could always find some nice pureblood boy to marry. Then you wouldn't have to worry about this at all."

Hermione snorted, "As if that could happen. I haven't met one boy here who seems at all decent. Besides, I think even if I did I might just object to marrying him on principle. The whole thing is ridiculous. Why should my citizenship in wizarding britain be tied to my marital status?"

"Exactly, now you just need to figure out how to change it."

At Hermione's frown, Katie quickly added, "You don't need to do anything right now, just keep your eyes open, and your mind available."

Hermione sighed, "I suppose." She slumped down in her seat, "I think that's enough of this for now, I'm not used to being this upset."

"Yeah, being angry takes a lot out of you."

"Yeah… Say, what is with that girl you were eating with this morning?"

It was Katie's turn to sigh, "Her name is Sally-Anne. Don't go spreading this around, but she has some sort of mental problem. I doubt its something wizards would notice, much less have treatment for. They seem to be conspicuously ignorant of troubles of the mind."

"Yeah, all of them are bloody insane to begin with."

Raising an eyebrow at Hermione's language, Katie continued, "Yeah, she seems to be only half-aware of what's going on most of the time. Every once in a while she'll snap out of it, but most of the time she's living in a daze. She asked me to be her roommate and I agreed before I realized what I was getting myself into. She hasn't told me what's wrong, but I suspect she doesn't even really notice it. If I were to guess, it's probably the result of some emotional trauma she's having trouble dealing with."

Hermione's expression became grave, "I see… I suppose if she needs any help, just ask me."

"Thanks. I just can't help but worry that something terrible is going to happen to her eventually. She's so vulnerable. I'm still having trouble figuring out why she was sorted into Slytherin."

Hermione seemed to know immediately, "She called you 'Minion'."

"Huh?"

"Remember, like she thought she was some evil overlord talking to her underling."

"Yeah, she was probably daydreaming about something." Katie didn't quite see where this was going.

"Yes, and if she actually believes that sort of thing, the sorting hat might not know that it's just a delusion."

"That would make sense. It sounds like it will just lead to more trouble though. Especially with her magic as it is."

"What about her magic?"

"She wandlessly banished that Malfoy boy and his sidekicks with a wave of her hand."

"You're kidding!"

"No, it surprised me as much as it did them."

Hermione sighed, "Being friends with you is just going to bring all sorts of trouble isn't it?"

Katie's smile was the only answer she received.

"I guess it's not your fault though. I am rather curious about your family though. From what I've read most rumors say you were placed with your mother's family, right?"

Katie's smile completely disappeared, "How about we don't talk about them right now?"

Hermione cringed, quickly changing the topic, "Ah, okay. Sorry. Uh… well… am I the only one who's noticed that the books here make no use of more than rudimentary experimentation when defining theory? From what I can tell, the closest thing to the scientific method wizards have is if something explodes too many times, it's declared impossible."

Katie smiled, as they began an intense conversation lambasting the fundamental pillars of wizarding society.

Quirinus Quirell and The Hard Decision

Quirinus was once a bright and optimistic man. He had been married to the most wonderful woman in the world, and they had been expecting a child. It had been several years since the accident. Several years since he had returned to Britain and begun teaching Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. He hadn't gone a day without thinking about his wife in the entire time since her death, until last June. Quirinus had decided to set out on a journey around the world in preparation for his new position as professor of defense. The strange this was, that until today, he had not once thought of his wife since the day he left on that journey. Now, thinking back, he knew his current self was a completely different person than back then, and though he would never want to go back to being the pathetic fool he had been, he didn't appreciate people messing with his mind. Without reason to question his circumstances, he would have ignored it, but after realizing how incompetent the Dark Lord was, he knew something was wrong.

When Quirinus layed eyes on the boy-who-lived, he nearly burst out in laughter. That was the oh-so-powerful wizard who had defeated his master? That worthless girly boy? But he still felt loyalty to his master, even knowing that he must truly be weak to lose to such a laughable child. So, realizing his internal conflict, Quirinus began to examine his memories. He narrowed down his change in personality to the start of his trip, and though the change was slow, it was also too obvious to miss. Going from adoring that foul dead muggle woman above all others, to realizing her true place in naught but a day was clearly a sign of mental manipulation.

After careful deliberation, the only two choices he had became obvious. He could follow his master's plan, or he could reveal the truth to Dumbledore.

LINE

Albus Dumbledore and the Growing Madness

That evening, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was frustrated. It was the first time in a decade that he was truly at a loss of how to handle a situation. He could hardly blame anyone but himself for the failure though. He should have checked up on the boy before he arrived at Hogwarts. Harry Potter was nothing like he should have been. He should have been nearly identical to his father. He should have been a Gryffindor. Most of all though, he shouldn't look like a girl! What kind of heroic figure could he make for the wizarding world looking like that? No matter how tragic a history he has, his unexpected looks could shatter the image of the Boy-Who-Lived that Dumbledore strived to imprint upon the populous. The situation must be salvageable somehow, but it would require a delicate touch.

As he was attempting to contrive a possible solution, Albus noticed that one of his professors was entering his office. Just as the door opened, Albus engaged a grandfatherly smile and asked, "How can I help you, Quirinus?"

The man approached the desk and sighed, "You can help me with this!" He ripped off his turban and turned around to show the withered face of Voldemort on the back of his head.

Albus could only stare at the apparently sleeping face on the back of the man's head.

"Anything you can do about it?"

Albus swallowed. This wasn't how it was supposed to play out at all. Harry was supposed to confront Voldemort as he attempted to steal the stone. How the hell did Quirinus manage to overcome the compulsions and turn against Voldemort?

"Of course, turn back around for a second."

The moment their eyes met Albus dived deeply into the man's mind. He was quickly able to find his answer and left while rendering the man unconscious.

Albus was furious, all those years of planning wasted because one young boy looks feminine. Forget a gentle touch! The problem is getting out of hand and must be dealt with immediately! There is only one thing that Albus could do to solve all of his problems, one place to get the necessary power to alter so many perceptions in perfect harmony. Albus opened a door in his office that no one living besides himself had ever seen before. He walked through a passageway and up stairs to the top of a tower that was likewise hidden from the knowledge of all but the headmaster of the school. He arrived at the top of the true tallest point of the castle and looked up into the sky.

Wind began to swirl around him, the magic imbued within causing the very air to glow. The ancient headmaster thrust an arm up into the sky.

"Hear me, Hogwarts! Grant me a request to commune with magic itself. I have a problem of the utmost urgency."

Albus felt the magic flowing from him, spreading out across the land, and eventually he heard a voice.

*Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Why do you seek my guidance?*

This is the first time Albus has ever attempted this dangerous technique. Almost everyone who attempts to commune with magic ends up dead, but Hogwarts gives the Headmaster quite a benefit in terms of controlling the massive amounts of magic required. The only successful cases recorded were Merlin, the founders, and two or three previous headmasters. Though most in this day and age would not believe that magic itself was sentient, Albus knew with every fiber of his being that it was true. He always felt a guiding force pushing his every action, and now he finally had the chance to speak with it directly.

"Things have gone terribly wrong on the path for the greater good!" Albus shouted into the sky as the winds intensified. "The chosen one that I must guide on his path to become the savior of our world has been corrupted. His corruption must be cleansed from within himself and from the minds of all here at the castle. Harry Potter must be known as a strong boy with a bright future, not a feminine wimp."

Albus could feel his very soul being searched as the voice seemed to be pondering its answer.

*Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I shall grant you the power to do what is necessary.*

The world went white as Albus felt more alive than he had ever felt before, he could sense his surroundings, down to the tiniest detail, for miles around. He felt that he could destroy the moon, and still have power to spare. But Albus knew that he couldn't squander this power. He would only use it to do what must be done. He would not betray the trust that he was shown.

His first spell was a type of specialized memory charm, "Oblivious Cumpulsis." With his currently enormous power, he was easily able to direct the spell down into the Slytherin Dungeons and force his will upon Harry's memories. He bound any thoughts that related to his feminine appearance, and then proceeded to impose a more probable introduction to Hogwarts. He then used his massive magical power to move Harry from the Dungeons up into his new Gryffindor room. His final touch upon Harry was to alter his appearance into a more acceptable look. He then spread a more generalized memory charm over the other students as well as the members of the staff. With his current power, even occlumency barriers as good as Severus' were worthless. Even Quirell and the wraith of Voldemort were affected, Albus easily moved them back to Quirell's quarters. Everyone would now remember a Harry Potter more suiting of his position as the Boy-Who-Lived. Albus considered what to do about the word that had surely spread by owl about a girly looking Harry Potter arriving at Hogwarts, but after a moment a very elegant solution came to mind.

One of his favorite charms, the fidelius. He quickly wove the magic surrounding him, and spoke the information he needed bound, "Harry Potter arrived to Hogwarts looking like a girl." He grinned as he attached the now secret piece of information to the very source of his current power. Truly, magic itself would be the perfect secret keeper. Having accomplished his goals, Albus felt the magic leave him. He smiled to himself as he descended the stairs. Now his plans were all back on track, and now he could get a good night's sleep