Chapter 4 The Hogwarts express

A/N okay people, I admit each review, favourite or follow I get always plasters a shit eating grin on me face. Now to answer a few queries I've been asked and you may have been thinking. Yes Hermione will be sporty, however she won't be on the quidditch team, as she will prefer to be sporty under her own power rather than use a broom. Plus being forcefully levitated will no doubt make you wary of heights even if she can't remember it.

Now I have a question for you guys and girls. I'm obsessed with parkour, and in another hp fic I wanna do my Oc is a parkour nut also, however I really wanna make Hermione just as able in that department, which I'm gonna do mostly anyway. I just can't decide whether to add the parkour in there or just stick to the gymnastics and football, this will kinda be used quite a bit as we progress throughout Hermione's tale, so your reviews are key for this. YOU ARE THE MUSES . Also trying to type using my dodgey kindle fire is a pain in the ass, o please pardon any mistakes, I'll fix them when I can. Also I don't own anything apart from this plotline obviously WHAT BLOODY SITE ARE WE ON FOR GRU'S SAKE!

Also remember this is an AU so expect Ooc Hermione and several others, okay without further ado, let's recap.

Rousing himself from his thoughts, Dumbledore turned his gaze to rest on a clock hanging on the wall opposite him. The time was 10:55 am, precisely five minutes until the Hogwarts express set off from platform 9 3/4 and on its way here. This year however it would be bringing one Hermione Jean Granger to the place where all her questions would undoubtedly be answered.

10:59 Am, Kings Cross station London

Hermione Granger found herself sat in an at the moment empty compartment, her nose buried in one of her numerous books, seemingly content. Clad in off white trainers, loose jeans and her red hand me down space invaders t shirt, it was highly plausible to mistake her for a boy if not for the bushy brown hair that reached to just below her shoulders. Her brows furrowed somewhat as she tried to keep her gaze focused on her copy of Homers Iliad, trying and failing to re-read it for the third time. She always chastised herself for even glimpsing longingly at the swarm of families trading goodbyes on the platform before her, telling herself that it was time she grew up and stopped dreaming of what ifs. The reality of her situation was like a cannonball lodged in her heart, forcing it to sink several ships of dreams in the harbours. Hermione Granger came to kings cross alone, she boarded the train alone and will most likely spend her time at Hogwarts alone. That single word rang in her head when she had awoken only to be told of her parents deaths, she had gone from being the happiest girl alive to completely and utterly alone.

Of course there were plenty of people around her who also fell into that category, she'd been living in a children's home so that was beyond obvious, however the other children had had each other to confide and find comfort in. Hermione, apparently being the only magical child resident, only had Mrs Figg to turn to for her questions regarding her future at Hogwarts.

Even with her thirst for knowledge being a major factor in many of her questions, the key motive behind the remainder had been to find out as much about the staff as she could, especially the headmaster and his deputy. Hermione, with her eidetic memory could quite easily recall her meeting with the somewhat odd headmaster shortly following her fifth birthday, the man had opened her eyes to a whole new world of wonders that she was dying to discover and learn from. Being the 'freaky bookworm' at school now felt more like a secret badge of honour, feeling as if their petty insults made the other children seem silly.

Of course her newfound joy came crashing down barely over a year later. Even with the knowledge that she'd apparently witnessed her parents murder, Mrs Figg had said that the shock had clouded her memories of the horror, her own mind trying to protect herself. Utter bollocks Hermione thought. She didn't curse often but she did have quite the temper, but rather than risk damaging anything to later regret her outburst she opted to express herself through her 'colourful language'.

The reason she disregarded Mrs Figg's statement was that whilst she may have forgotten witnessing her parents neutral murder, she could still somewhat remember what she had felt at the time. From what she could recall the majority had been pain, pure agony in fact and intense, boiling anger that was followed by unbearable grief. And for the life of her, she felt it in her bones that professor Dumbledore was somehow involved, along the stern figure that was professor MacGonnigall.

The emerald robed witch had accompanied Hermione on her trip to Diagon Alley, and despite having never met the woman before, Hermione could've sworn she was familiar. The fact that said woman has not managed to hide the remorseful looks she had been casting her way every so often only added to her belief. However the thoughts had been replaced with the numerous purchases that had made. Her 10 3/4 inch vine with dragon heartstring wand was tucked safely in her jeans pocket, ready and waiting to learn as many spells as possible. The new books had already been read twice over and their contents were stored safely away in her mind awaiting use.

However despite her eagerness to learn, she was determined to get her answers, even if she had to land herself in trouble with the man himself; if anything the young witch was stubborn in her quest for knowledge.

Her musings were stopped by the jostling of the train as it began its departure, she cast one last detached gaze at the waving families on the platform, resigning herself to the fact that none of them were aimed at her. Turning her head to sink her mind back into the ancient literature once again, she pushed her sombre thoughts from her brain. Her relaxing pastime was interrupted again however when three sharp wraps on compartment door caused her to jolt slightly in her seat. Facing the door she nodded her consent in allowing the two boys that had knocked to enter.

The two boys couldn't have looked more different even if they tried. One had a nest of untidy short black hair, rounded glasses and blue/green eyes lad in a simple red jumper and beige trousers. The other had shockingly bright ginger hair and brown eyes, wearing an assortment of faded green and brown clothing, hand me downs she noted, it was easy to tell seeing as she wore the same. She also noticed that both boys had their trunks with them, and judging by the first boys awkward shuffling under her unnerving gaze she proceeded to answer the unspoken question.

""Take a seat by all means. If I can fit my backside in here with room to spare I don't see how it won't fit two more" she offered a small smile and was glad that her little remark had caused both boys to let out a little chortle as they sat themselves down opposite her. A few moments of awkward silence followed before the boy in glasses thrust his hand forward and cleared his throat.

"I'm Harry Potter, nice to meet you..." "Hermione Granger" she replied, shaking the offered hand firmly before turning her gaze towards the red head, who quickly realised her intentions and offered his own hand, all be it with a touch of nerves. "Uh, Ron Weasley". After their slightly awkward introductions the the of them began to open up more about themselves. Hermione discovered that due to their parents being long-time friends the boys had known either since their toddler days and that even their family lives were almost as contradictory as their appearances, with Ron being from a large pureblood family and Harry as the only child of pureblood James and muggleborn Lily. The boys in turn learnt of Hermione's life as a muggleborn in the children's home, according why she lived there in the first place in order to prevent any 'I'm sorrys' or pitying looks if she told them off her parents murder. Instead she brought them all onto the topic of sports, eager to share her love of football with Harry and to learn as much as she could about quidditch from the boys, just because the thought of relying on a simple broom to keep you from falling to your doom was hardly appeasing, doesn't mean she couldn't enjoy spectating.

All three could quickly tell that they were becoming fast friends, and Harry bought them all an assortment of treats from the trolly despite Hermione and Ron's protests. Ron settled on his Berty boxes every flavour beans, counting his lucky starts that he'd so far avoided any nasty surprises, whereas Harry grumbled slightly when his chocolate frog committed suicide by jumping out of the window. Hermione's own chocolate frog was about to do the same, it's head poking outside the window. However Hermione managed to slide the window upwards so that the frogs had remained jammed in the gap, it's arms and legs flailing around aimlessly, providing a very amusing sight for the trio. Grabbing the wriggling frog and releasing her hold on the window she smirked at Harry.

"Ever seen Alice in wonderland?" The spectacle wearing boy nodded, somewhat confused as Hermione continued "Remember the Queen of Hearts catchphrase?" Harry pondered the thought for a moment until it dawned on him what she meant, his own smirk forming as he replied. "Off with his head". A split second later the chocolate frogs writhing limbs became limp as Hermione contently ate it's head before commenting "Hmm not bad but Caburys Dairy Milk tastes better in my opinion". Harry chuckled whereas Ron glanced from the headless frog to the smirking Hermione and back again before laughing nervously "Remind me not to ruffle your feathers." The the shared another round of laughter before deciding to get changed, with the boys changing first, however when Hermione allowed them back inside both boys raised their brows in surprise. Hermione was attempting to pull the knee length charcoal skirt over what looked like a pair of black P.E shorts with a large white stripes down either side, once the skirt was in place the shorts were nowhere to be seen and Hermione cast the boys a confused look.

"What?", both boys cast each other a glance before Harry asked "You weren't kidding about hating the uniform were you?" Hermione sighed before answering "No I wasn't. I'd wear the trousers in a heartbeat but there's bullies in every school and I don't want to be the one sticking out like a sore thumb, I've had enough of that already in primary school." Both boys hummed in agreement before Ron tried to lighten the mood "Plus with those shorts on you'll be safe from any embarrassing skirt flurries unlike the other girls." This caused the other two to laugh heartily before Hermione answered " Ron I'm afraid you're starting to come across like some dirty old man, are you sure you're eleven?" They shared one more laugh before assembling their trunks, along with Harry's snowy owl Hedwig before disembarking the train along with the others, following the booming voice of the giant like man that lead them to the boats. As they slowly crossed the lake, the trio finally layed eyes upon the magnificent castle, and for Hermione, the realisation that the answers she sought were now within reach.

TBC

Okay why the hell can I only write at ungodly hours of the morning, for frigs sake it's always nearly 4 am by the time I finish a chapter. Oh well it's too fun to stop. Anyways sorry for the filler like chapter, I promise to start developing the plot soon. So I hope you guys enjoyed it and please respond to my question up top or just any reviews in general, they make me happy people. See ya soon amigos.