Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. I didn't intend for it to be as long but hey when I write I 's 16 pages long. Also to let all my readers know the poll will be closed by next chapter so please vote which house you want Harry to be in.

Hermione makes her debut in this chapter for all those who were waiting.

Hope you like it and please review. They help me improve myself and the story so please give me your input.

Without further ado here's the next chapter

Spells used in the last chapter.

Geminio is a spell that duplicates an object or an image. The name is possibly a reference to the constellation and third sign of the zodiac, Gemini - the Twins. The Latin word Gemini also means "twins".

A Memory Charm is a spell used to erase some or all memories from an individual's mind. The incantation for this charm is Obliviate. It is different from the charm that creates false memories. Memory Charms are generally intended to erase a specific memory. The incantation "obliviate" may be derived from the Latin oblivisci, meaning "forget".

Tempus Eximo Somnusis a spell used to cause a caster to let his intended victim to sleep for a specific amount of time. Incantation literally meaning Time Release Sleep.

Spells used in this chapter.

Incendio is the incantation of a spell that conjures fire, or other magical flames.

Finite stops all currently remaining spell effects that it targets. It is similar to Finite Incantatem, except it targets a specific object or creature rather than one's surroundings. Finio is Latin, meaning to settle, end, die, and cease.

Tarantallegra is a jinx used to force another person's legs to begin dancing uncontrollably. This spell has its origins in Italy but is best remembered for its improper usage by warlock Zaccaria Innocenti who is credited with conjuring a 'dance' within Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It is mainly used to make a victim do something hilarious, but it can be also be used in dueling.

The Tarantella is a dance originating in Italy. It was believed to cure the effects of the bite of a Tarantula by causing the victim to sweat out the toxin. It wasn't until centuries later that scientists determined the Black Widow was actually the poisonous spider in question; people merely blamed the Tarantula because of its size Allegra may be derived from allegro, a musical tempo meaning "quick and lively"; or simply from the word "leg" as this is the only body part affected by the jinx.

Floor guide found in OOTP chapter 22, pg. 485-486.

Chapter 8

August 29, 1991

St. Mary's Orphanage

The next month was one of the longest ones of Harry's life. He barely left his room except to eat and use the bathroom. The rest of the people at the orphanage were happy to see him go. It's not as if they didn't like him but to them he was a strange kid. He didn't really interact with the other children only if he had to and they saw him as a delinquent. Mrs. Ashford along with the rest of the staff was anxiously waiting the day when Harry would leave for boarding school.

Harry was unaware of the tense atmosphere surrounding him. Even if he was he wouldn't care about it. He spent all of his free time studying his textbooks. He found transfiguration, charms, and defence against the dark arts the most interesting. Potions, herbology, and astronomy he found would be the most complicated due to the many terms needed to memorize. History of Magic looked to be intriguing as well with its different wars between species. He wondered why they didn't teach the dark arts. After all magic is magic and it is the person not the art that makes it evil. It was the same thing with guns.

If you put a gun in the hands of a criminal it would most likely be used for nefarious purposes. The criminal could use it to rob a store or hold a person hostage. But if let's say a law abiding citizen had a permit for it and kept it in the house for protection for his family then how could a gun be seen as bad. It's just a tool and it is the person who at the end of the day is ultimately responsible.

He wondered if he would get in trouble for using magic. Dumbledore did say that they had their own government and he had to follow the rules if he didn't want to get expelled. Harry didn't particularly like rules since all they do is limit him but understood the necessity of it. In the book The Laws of Magical Britain it stated:

The Improper Use of Magic Office is responsible for investigating offenses under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy. They regulate an under-age wizard or witch's use of magic and prohibit wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of Muggles or in a Muggle-inhabited area. An enchantment called "the Trace" is placed upon children and helps the department in detecting offences; it breaks at age 17.

If that was true then he should have gotten a warning years earlier because of all the magic he performed especially the ones in front of the muggles. Harry wondered why he didn't. Maybe it was due to the fact that he didn't have "the Trace" on him and wondered if it is placed when he goes to Hogwarts. It might even be placed on him already. At the last thought Harry fumed. He would be livid if that was the case. The only way he knew if they did was to do magic. He did and waited to see if the ministry would send someone to charge him. Nobody did which proved to Harry that he didn't have "the Trace" on him.

After that he read and practiced as much as he could. He managed to get through the first five chapters of each book and mastered the spells. He looked through his other books as well and found out more information about Voldemort and the war in Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. The only other book he read in depth was A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions which listed so many different spells useful for dueling. He spent a lot of time mastering the spells as well as the counters and managed to get at least close to halfway through the book. He idly wondered if it was because he was so used to doing magic without a wand it made him easier to do stuff with a wand.

He practiced both with and without a wand and saw that while he could do spells with both it was easier with a wand. It gave him a degree of control that he didn't have before and made spell casting easier. He also found that while he did have better control with his wand he found that he used more power without his wand. He speculated that if he could master both wand-based magic and wand less magic he could theoretically do more magic and not be limited to one type. He didn't fancy losing his wand and being defenseless.

Harry found Hogwarts: A History to be another interesting book. He only read the part about the school which talked about the different houses. The house system seemed to be an easy way to classify people into groups.

Gryffindor's values courage, daring, nerve and chivalry. Its mascot is the lion, and its colors are scarlet and gold. The house was founded after Godric Gryffindor.

Slytherin house values ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness. The animal representing Slytherin is the serpent, and the house colours are green and silver. The book also suggests that the hunger for power is a characteristic of Slytherins like its founder Salazar Slytherin.

Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, values hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play. The house mascot is the badger and canary yellow and black are its colors.

Ravenclaw's value intelligence, creativity, wit, and wisdom. "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure"is an oft-repeated Ravenclaw proverb. The house mascot is an eagle, the house colors are blue and bronze. Their founder was Rowena Ravenclaw.

His parents had been in Gryffindor and the Dark Lord Voldemort had been a Slytherin according to The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. He didn't put much thought about what house he would be in. It didn't really matter to him. He doubted he'd be in Gryffindor though people might think that he should be due to his parents. He wasn't heroic or chivalrous. He looked out for himself and only himself. That seemed to him that was the Slytherin mindset. Though he did like learning so Ravenclaw might not be a bad fit. Hufflepuff was out due to him not being a fair player and only loyal to himself. He would use whatever he could to make sure he came out ahead.

He also agreed with a lot of Slytherin's view about muggles but at the same time found the idea that pure-bloods were not as grand as they thought they were. The blond boy at Madam Malkin's came to mind.

On the subject of his parents he didn't know what to think about them. Sure it was brave of them to stand up for what they believe in put they should have put him first and not their ideals. They knew that they were a high profile target and yet continued to fight. If they weren't going to stop fighting they never should have even tried for a child especially during war time. And look where it got them. Murdered. They died and he had to suffer for their decisions and being raised in this hell-hole.

Harry looked up from reading An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe at the clock which said it was 12:43 p.m. He was in the middle of reading all about Hogwarts and how it is ranked as the premier wizarding school of magical Europe. He realized he had to get ready and go to Kings Cross today for his orientation.

Professor McGonagall told him before she left that he had to be at Kings Cross Station by 1:30 sharp at Platform 9. It was an orientation for all the muggle-born and muggle-raised students so they would know how to get onto Platform 9 and 3/4's. Then they would all got to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for their check-up to make sure that they are all physically fine. She said that they would only have to go there once and after that they would get their yearly check-up with the school nurse at Hogwarts until they graduated.

Harry marked his spot in the book and put it to the side. He would read more on the way to Kings Cross. He took a shower and was deciding what to wear, either his muggle or wizarding clothing. In the end he decided to put on his muggle clothes since it would avoid people looking at him weirdly if he wore his robes. He put on a pair of his new clothing which he just got charmed by Madam Malkin two days ago. She said the charms would only be good for at most seven months before they faded. It was the only other time he left his room other than to use the bathroom or cafeteria.

He put on a fresh pair of underwear and socks, dark blue jeans, and a white t-shirt saying I'll try being nicer when you try being smarter. He put on his dragon hide boots which changed to a solid black color. He grabbed his book bag and put An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe in it. He also put in Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century figuring if he got bored with the other book he could read this one. He strapped his wand holster on his right arm and put his yew wand in it. He grabbed his gear and left heading to the station.


Kings Cross Station

King's Cross Station is a major railway terminus opened in 1852. The station is located on the edge of Central London, on junction of the A501 Euston Road and York Way, in the King Cross district and within the London Borough of Camden on the border of the London Borough of Islington. King's Cross forms the southern terminus of the East Coast Main Line, one of the UK's major railway backbones.

It was already 1:30 by the time Harry reached King's Cross. He walked out of the train and into the bustling London terminal. Having never being in the station before he was understandably a bit lost. Travelling through the underground was nothing new to Harry but not to this particular station. He asked a conductor on the platform where platform nine was. He told him how to get there and Harry arrived less than five minutes later.

He saw Professor McGonagall there with a group of kids around her chatting with each other. She was once again in her pant suit but this time it was in black.

Must be the other muggleborn's. Harry thought idly.

"Afternoon Professor." Harry greeted.

"Afternoon." Professor McGonagall replied with a nod of her head at Harry to acknowledge his presence. She faced the assembled crowd of eleven year olds and started speaking after the last child showed up.

"For those of you who have forgot my name is Minerva McGonagall and I am the deputy headmistress as well as the transfiguration professor at Hogwarts where you will all be attending. You may address me as Professor McGonagall. Please follow me." Minerva said.

She started walking down the platform and stopped between platform 9 and 10. There was a brick wall separating the two platforms.

"You are here today to learn how to get onto platform 9 ¾'s. Like Diagon alley the platform is hidden from non-magical eyes. To reach the platform you have to pass through the wall behind me." Minerva continued lecturing.

The children all looked at her in disbelief.

"That's impossible. No one can walk through walls." Said a blond haired boy disbelievingly. There were murmurs of agreements coming from the other kids.

"I assure you Mr. Boot that I am not joking." Replied Minerva professionally. "Observe."

Minerva walked briskly towards the wall. She didn't slow down as she approached the wall and right when it looked like she would crash into the wall she disappeared. Less than a minute later she reappeared through the wall she just passed through.

"I trust you all believe me now." Minerva replied imperiously.

The group could only nod their heads in agreement speechless. Minerva then ordered them to try it themselves. She told them that the train wouldn't be there until the first but they could see the platform so they would know how to board it on the first. When Harry passed through the barrier he felt the same tingling feeling he had when he entered the Leaky Cauldron. This time though the feeling was not as strong as the feeling in the Leaky Cauldron but still noticeable.

After everyone passed back and forth through the barrier at least once they reemerged onto the platform.

"Professor? I was wondering why don't the muggle's notice when we go through the wall?" asked a girl with bushy hair and brown eyes. She had two large front teeth.

"There are many powerful wards and enchantments in place that make it impossible for muggles to see when a wizard passes through. These safety measures are only in place during the time when students get on the train and when they get off. We only open the barrier so that students will be able to get on the train. The rest of the year the wall is just that a wall." Minerva answered the girl.

"Any other questions?" Minerva asked. Seeing no one else had any questions she told them all to wait here while she checked to see if their transportation is ready to take them to St. Mungo's for their physicals.

As soon as Professor McGonagall left the kid named Boot started bragging to the others about how he's been practicing spells and can turn people invisible.

"I find that highly unlikely. Invisibility spells are notoriously difficult to do due to the complexity of it that only truly skilled wizards can do. You've only found out you're a wizard when you turned eleven. It's impossible for you to have mastered a spell before you started school that many wizards are unable to do. Either you are so uncommonly skilled or your lying which I think you are." Said the bushy haired girl in a bossy tone.

Boot's face colored at the telling off he was getting from the girl. He could see the other children laughing at him and could hear the other kids making fun of him.

Getting angry he shot back, "At least I'm not a buck-toothed know-it-all who's a pain in the neck."

The girl lowered her head slightly at the insult. Boot seeing this continued to taunt her. He was calling her names like "chipmunk" and "nerd" trying to save face. The other kids laughed along with him.

"I'd rather be a nerd than an idiot who can't even back up what he's saying. At least I don't have to lie about my skills." The girl shot back eyes blazing.

"Why you…" Boot growled out. He started to take a step towards her but before he could he came face to face or rather face to wand with a black haired green eyed boy.

"I'd think real carefully about what you're going to do next pal." Harry said casually.

"My name is Terry Boot and I'm not your pal so you better get out of my way before I make you." Boot said angrily.

"Or what? You'll try to use your amazing wit on me like you did with the girl and lose again. Just stick with keeping your mouth shut and we won't have any problems. Got it?"

"You think you can do anything? I bet you're just all talk and no bark. I don't think you even know how to use that wand of yours." Terry said confidently. He took another step towards Harry who jabbed his wand harder under Boot's chin.

"Wanna bet?" Said Harry grinning threateningly. Harry withdrew his wand from Boot's chin but before he could make a nasty comment towards Harry he heard him say, "Tarantallegra."

Immediately Terry's legs started doing a crazy dance and he was unable to stop. The other kids looked on unsure as to laugh at Boot or to help him.

"STOP THIS NOW!"Yelled Boot frantically eyes wide.

"Why? I thought that you were practicing spells. Don't tell me you don't know how to stop a simple first year spell?" Harry said dramatically with his hands over his heart. He looked over Boot amusingly. The git was sweating all over and his face was red from the exertion as well as embarrassment.

Oh well. Guess I'd better stop.

Harry raised his wand to cast the counter curse Finite but someone else did before he could. Harry turned to his side seeing Professor McGonagall rushing towards them with her wand out.

Arriving in front of the students she turned to Boot and made sure he was fine. Seeing him as fine as he could be at the moment she rounded on Harry.

"Mister Potter. Please explain why you felt it prudent to jinx one of your fellow classmates in full view of muggles with no regard at all." McGonagall spat out glaring at him barely holding in her temper.

Harry could see that she was really mad and absentmindedly thought that he would be on the receiving end of that glare a lot.

"I…ah….that is to say…" Harry said stumbling over his words buying time to think of an excuse. To hell with it.

"Professor I was just trying to stop Boot here from insulting one of our classmates when he suddenly started verbally attacking me. I pulled out my wand for show so that he would stop but he continued to verbally offend me. He took a step towards me and fearing that he might physically attack me said the first spell that came to mind. I only meant to stop him and was about to cast the counter curse when you stepped in." Harry explained convincingly. It was the truth or at least enough of the truth to favor Harry.

"Mr. Boot. Is this true?' Professor McGonagall asked.

Terry was about to refute that claim when he caught Harry's eyes. Those eyes promised pain if he didn't agree and he was not eager to be on the receiving end of that.

"Yes Professor."

"Very well. Mr. Boot please refrain yourself from making comments like those again. Mister Potter, next time something like this occurs find an adult immediately and do not take action with your own hands. Understood?" She said sternly to the two boys.

They both nodded their heads in agreement. Harry not really agreeing with that but unwilling to tempt the professor's wrath kept silent.

"That goes for the rest of you as well." Minerva advised to the rest of the group. Everybody nodded in agreement.

"Good. Now come along. Our ride to the hospital awaits." Minerva said leading the students to an innocuous looking door. Pulling out her wand she tapped the knob on the door and it opened up. Walking in the group looked to be standing in an empty room with only a fireplace. As soon as the last student walked in the door shut behind them.

"Not to worry." Clearing her throat she began, "Now, we will be travelling to St. Mungo's using a common wizarding travel called floo powder. Floo powder is a glittery, silver powder used by witches and wizards to travel through the Floo Network. The Network connects most wizarding households and buildings. It is similar to the telephone but not only can you talk to others through the fireplace you can travel to another fireplace as long as it is connected to the floo network. This powder was invented in the 13th century by Ignatia Wildsmith. The powder turns a fireplace's flames harmless and emerald green. Observe."

McGonagall went to the fireplace and Harry could see on the side a pot that must be filled with the powder. She pointed her wand at the fireplace and said the phrase "Incendio". Immediately flames sprung from her wand and landed on the fireplace. She then took a handful of the powder in the pot and tossed it into the flames. The flames turned to an emerald green.

"It is tricky to use; one must toss a handful of powder into a fireplace connected to the Floo Network, walk into the flames, and state the desired destination loudly and clearly to ensure arrival in the proper location. Otherwise you might end up somewhere else if the destination is not said clearly and concisely. Most witches and wizards use this form of travel the most as it is the easiest and most convenient to use. Remember to say the phrase clearly. The phrase is St. Mungo's. Remember that. Now who's first?"

None of the children were eager to step into the fireplace. Minerva seeing this called Terry Boot to the front. He stepped up to the fireplace. He threw the powder into the fireplace watching it turn green. Professor McGonagall gave him an encouraging smile to him. Gulping, he stepped into the flames and shouted "St. Mungo's." He disappeared in a ball of fire.

The rest of the students looked on a bit terrified and Harry had to admit he was a little wary as well. McGonagall either not noticing or choosing to ignore the faces of the group said "Good. Next?"


St. Mungo's Hospital for magical Maladies and Injuries

The group arrived at 's hospital after a dizzying ride through the network. Harry landed face first on the ground.

Do all forms of wizarding travel have people falling down?

Grumbling about mad methods of wizarding transportation he got up and dusted off the soot over his clothes. After doing a cursory inspection and making sure he had all of his stuff with him he looked at his surroundings.

It looked as if they were in the reception area. It didn't look to be too crowded but then again every hospital is never empty. There were rows of witches and wizards sitting on rickety wooden chairs. Some of the people looked normal and reading the usual out of date magazines found in the reception area. Other people had disfigurements over their body. Some people having animal paws instead of hands, or an extra leg attached to their body. There was one witch who was using a copy of a newspaper called the Daily Prophet to fan herself because she was sweating profusely.

There were witches and wizards in lime-green robes walking up and down the rows asking questions and making notes on their clipboards. Harry noticed that they had an emblem on their chests: a wand and a bone crossed.

"Follow me and stick close together." Professor McGonagall instructed. She led them to a desk in the front labeled INQUIRES. There was a wall behind her covered with notices and posters.

There was also a large portrait of an elderly witch with long silver ringlets labeled

DILYS DERWENT

ST. MUNGO'S HEALER 1722-1741

HEADMISTRESS OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

1741-1768

The amazing thing about the portrait was that it was moving. The witch in the portrait gave a little wave and a wink to the group as they approached. There was a sign on the side next to the desk that was the floor guide.

Artifact Accidents:……………………………………………………………………Ground Floor

(Cauldron explosions, wands backfiring, broom crashes, etc.)

Creature-Induced Injuries……………………………………………………First Floor

(Bites, stings, burns, embedded spines, etc.)

Magical Bugs and Diseases…………………………………..Second Floor

(Contagious maladies such as dragon pox, vanishing sickness, and scrofungulus, etc.)

Potions and Plant Poisoning………………………………..Third Floor

(Rashes, regurgitation, uncontrollable giggling, etc.)

Spell Damage……………………………………………………………..Fourth Floor

(Unliftable jinxes, hexes, incorrectly-applied charms, etc.)

Visitors' Tearoom and Hospital Shop………………..Fifth Floor

If you are unsure where to go, incapable of normal speech, or unable to remember why you are here, our Welcome Witch will be pleased to help.

Professor McGonagall reached the front and told the plump blonde witch behind the desk that she was here for the muggleborn students check up. She raised her wand and something silver shot out of her wand. A minute later a witch came to the front wearing the lime green robes. She motioned the group to follow her.

They walked through a set of double doors and down a long hallway. There were more portraits on the walls and they were moving as well. More witches and wizards in lime-green robes passed in and out of different doors. They climbed a flight of stairs to the second floor and entered the "Magical Bugs" corridor. The second door to the right had the words LANCELOT WARD: PHYSICAL AND MAGICAL EXAMINATION. Underneath the card in a brass holder had the name written on it Healer-in-Charge: Helbert Spleen, Trainee Healer: Lindsey Dobbs.

They walked into a reception area smaller than the one they were just in. There were rows of benches lined against the wall. There was already an individual in there. It was a middle aged man with black hair streaked with gray. He had on the same lime green robes as the lady who brought them here.

"Good afternoon. My name is Helbert Spleen and I am the Healer-in-Charge of this ward. "The man named Helbert Spleen introduced himself.

"The witch who brought you here is the Trainee Healer, Lindsey Dobbs."

Lindsey was a kindly looking witch with red hair wearing a smile. She waved her hand at the acknowledgment.

"You are all brought here so that we can ascertain your health and to make sure nothing is wrong with any of you. We" pointing to himself and Healer Dobbs, "will examine you one by one. Please sit down on the benches and wait your turn." With that they walked out of the room being followed by two kids and Professor McGonagall.

The rest of the group grabbed a seat on the bench and sat down talking to the person next to them. Harry not wanting to interact with the others chose to sit on the bench farthest away from the group. He sat down and pulled out his copy of Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century and started reading not noticing that he was being approached by the girl he helped earlier.


Hermione Granger was confused. Whenever she had a problem she was always able to find the answer. . She didn't usually find herself in situations where she didn't know the answers. She was known as a "know-it-all" ,"braniac." "beaver face" to name a few. Other kids thought she was ashamed when she was called that but the truth was she was glad she had such a high level of intelligence. It made it easier for her to figure out a problem.

She was the only daughter of two dentists who had a successful dentistry business that they created from the ground up. She lived in the area of Strawberry Hill. Strawberry Hill is an affluent area of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in Twickenham. It is a suburban development situated 10.4 miles (16.7 km) west south-west of Charing Cross. Her parents, Daniel and Emily Granger, mainly catered to the well-off professionals that lived around the area.

She went to The Lady Eleanor Holles School (often abbreviated to LEH or LEHS) a selective, independent girls' school in Hampton, London, England, and was originally founded in 1711. According to the Good Schools Guide, it is "Deservedly one of the top girls' schools in the country". It also states that the school is "Highly sought-after for its academic delivery, celebration of female success, top of the range facilities and cream of the crop intake." There were many notable female's who graduated from there. Individuals such as journalist Anne Nightingale and biological scientist Barbara Pearse.

The other girls at the school didn't like her. Most of the girls who went there were from old families and were born rich. Since Hermione wasn't a member of the affluent upper society the other girls made fun of her. They made fun of her hair and her teeth. They constantly mocked her intellect whenever she answered a question in class and generally made life a living hell for her. It also didn't help that weird and unexplainable events happened around her. Due to all that Hermione then tended to spend most of her time alone reading.

Her parents didn't understand why she would rather spend all her time reading books instead of playing with the other girls. At first she told them the abuse that the other girls did but her parents would say that is just girls teasing each other. Eventually she stopped telling them and they thought that the name calling stopped. Her parents weren't bad people. They paid their taxes, went to church every Sunday, and were known as upstanding citizens of the community. They just didn't understand how hard it was for her. They spend most of their time building up their reputation and practice that they sometimes ignored their only daughter. They didn't mean to do it intentionally but they sometimes ignored her all the same. They were good people but they just didn't know how to raise a child so they treated her more as an adult than a child.

Her parents never had trouble making friends and couldn't understand why their only child could not do the same. They would give her whatever she wanted or needed and made sure she was never lacking in possessions. Despite all the possessions she had or could have Hermione was not a spoiled child. In fact she would go out of her way to try and help her fellow classmates as best as she can.

Though she tried to make friends the other children got annoyed with her bossy nature and started picking on her. She didn't mean to come off as a snob but she didn't know how else to communicate to kids her age.

Her whole life changed the day she turned eleven. When Professor McGonagall came to her house and told Hermione she was a witch she was ecstatic. She felt as if this was a chance at a new beginning for a better life and to maybe find a place where she belonged. Her parents were at first skeptical about all this and a little bit fearful but in the end they decided to let Hermione decide. She was so happy that she even did a little dance in front of her parents and the Professor.

She was understandably disappointed when she was told she would have to wait to go to Hogwarts until the next year. Since her birthday was on September 19th she missed the cut-off list by three weeks.

Instead she had to wait a whole year before she could go. She wasn't idle though. She managed to go to Diagon alley and purchased many different books about this new and exciting world. She couldn't get a wand and practice magic until next summer when she accepted to go to school.

For the next year she read as much as possible and learned about the different aspects of the magical world while at the same time doing all of her current muggle schoolwork. It felt like ages and eventually the time came for her to get ready for Hogwarts approached.

She got her supplies and eagerly awaited the day she would board the train and learn alongside others her age. She hoped that maybe she would be surrounded by people who like her loved to learn. When she went to the orientation for all muggleborn students she was a bit nervous. She wanted the others to know she was smart and asked Professor McGonagall the question about the barrier so she could show off her knowledge but was unable to due to the Professor's detailed explanation. She wanted to talk to the other children and when she heard the boy named Terry Boot brag about his skills she had to act. She didn't like it when others purposely tried to make themselves look better by lying.

She had hoped that her explanation would deflate the boy's head and also to show off her knowledge. It didn't work out the way she planned since Boot started making fun of her and mocked her. She shot back and called him a liar and that was when he started to walk towards her. She didn't have much experience interacting with boys her age due to her school being an all girl's school. Her only encounters with boys were seeing them wrestling with each other or some other type of physical activity. It was then reasonable that she would be scared that he was going to physically attack her.

Before Terry could get close to her the black haired boy who came last stepped up and defended her. HER! Hermione Granger. The girl who was always picked on and who had no friends. She saw as he taunted Terry and complimented her wit and when she saw him use his wand she was impressed that he could already use magic. She only did a few simple spells that was more on the side as basic but the boy was able to do a spell that affected another person.

She went from impressed to scared when Professor McGonagall came back and looked angry. She wanted to say something in the boy's defense but didn't know what. She saw as the boy told the professor pretty much the whole truth while making himself look like the good guy. She noticed how he didn't mention the taunting he gave Terry and how Terry quickly agreed with the explanation not wanting to incur the other boy's wrath.

She didn't get a chance to talk to him with all the commotion. She saw as the group waited that nobody else was sitting next to him. She watched as the other kids scooted away from him as if he was something nasty.

Hermione figured that she would never get a better time to talk to him than now. She took a deep breath in and approached her black haired savior.

"Can I sit here?


"Can I sit here?"

Harry looked up from his book and saw the girl from earlier standing in front of him looking him in the eye.

Shrugging his shoulders he moved his bag from the seat next to him and placed it on the floor. Immediately the spot that was holding his bag earlier was now occupied by the girl.

"You could have gotten into a lot of trouble for what you did." The girl said pretentiously.

Harry raised his eyes from the book and looked at the girl giving her an "Are-You-Serious" look.

"Well then the next time it looks like you're in trouble I'll make sure not to interfere." Harry replied sarcastically. He went back to reading his book.

Blushing, she replied, "I didn't mean it like that. I only meant that you didn't have to do that for me. It was a nice gesture and all but you don't have to intervene on my behalf. I don't want to be the cause of you getting in trouble and oh I've realized I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hermione Granger and you are?"

Harry could only stare in astonishment at the girl in front of him. She managed to say all that in one breath which he privately admitted was quite a feat. He locked eyes with her and looked into her mind wondering why she approached him. He was surprised to feel a good sized well of power emanating from her. Her mind was very organized and she had some barriers in place. They weren't strong enough to keep him out and if he wanted to he felt he could get by them quite easily. It seemed that he was the first person to ever defend her from bullies and she wondered why. Shaking his head mentally at the thought he withdrew from her mind. Seeing her hand outstretched he took it.

"Nice to meet you Hermione. I'm Harry. Harry Potter." Harry introduced himself. He figured he might as well get to know the girl a bit since they are going to be in the same class for the next seven years.

"Nice to meet you too Harry." Hermione replied. She thought that name seemed familiar and wondered where she heard it before. Mentally shrugging the thought to the side she'd look into it later.

"So what are you reading?" Hermione asked curiously. She was an avid reader and a big fan of books,

"Great wizards of the Twentieth Century. It's very interesting." Harry answered back. He decided to put his book away sensing that the girl Hermione wanted to talk with him.

"I've read that before. It is a very fascinating read about all the different famous magical wizards and witches. Albus Dumbledore, our headmaster, is mentioned there." Hermione replied.

"I know. He's the one who came to give me my letter." Harry said leaning back on the bench getting comfortable.

"Really? Professor McGonagall was the one who came to my house." Hermione answered back thoughtfully.

"It probably had to do with me being raised in an orphanage. Dumbledore knew my parents before they died and figured he should be the one to tell me."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione said meaning it. She sometimes felt as if her parents were never there when she needed them but to have parents that are dead must be terrible.

"It's okay." Harry said waving his hand. "I never really knew them so no harm. Can't miss what you don't know right?"

"I guess."

"Anyway, tell me about yourself."

"Why?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"I figure that were going to be classmates for the next seven years so it might not be a bad idea to get to know one another." Harry retorted.

Hermione agreed and started talking about her parents and her school. She talked about the different books she read and what she liked about them. She saw Harry listening attentively to her which gave her warm feeling in her chest. She could see that he was interested by her with the different types of questions he asked. They talked about their respective experience with magic as well.

Harry contributed to the conversation by talking about the orphanage and his school as well. He also talked about the unexplainable "incidents" that happened whenever they used magic. He found Hermione to be a good conversationalist and actually enjoyed talking with her. Despite her somewhat bossy nature she was okay. Harry didn't know if they would continue to be friends as soon as school started but wouldn't be opposed to the idea.

The Healer's came back and forth to the room calling the students. The ones who finished were taken home by Professor McGonagall with the aid of a portkey. Harry and Hermione continued to talk until eventually it was their turn.

The healer took each of them to a separate room. The Healer-in-Charge: Helbert Spleen came in and told Harry to strip down into his underwear. Healer Spleen said that Headmaster Dumbledore wrote to him telling him that Harry Potter was alive. He thanked Harry profusely for what happened to You-Know-Who.

After Healer Spleen thanked Harry and his parents following the ten minute thank you speech he told Harry that his exam would be a bit more detailed than the others. The reason being that they wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with him and that he wouldn't have any problems that would be caused by what happened that Halloween night ten years ago. He then waved his wand over Harry muttering phrases that were being recorded by a quill that was writing by itself.

Healer Spleen checked his physical condition as well as his magical core. He did a full check up that included checking his internal as well as external body. Unbeknownst to Harry, Healer Spleen also did a check up on his soul as well since Dumbledore asked him to, like he would ever say no to Albus Dumbledore.

The whole exam took about an hour to do and by the time Harry was done Hermione had already left. Sighing, Harry resigned himself to having to talk to her on the train the first of September. He grabbed his book bag and Professor McGonagall took him back to the orphanage.


September 1st

Finally the day he was waiting for arrived. Harry woke up around 8:30 in the morning. He took care of his usual morning routine. By the time he was showered and fresh it was 9:00. He had packed his trunk last night with all of the things he was going to take. He checked his room one last time before he left it. He reached the door and opened it but before he left he took one last look at the room. All of his belongings that he kept were in the trunk and the stuff he wasn't going to take he left it figuring that whoever got the room next could do whatever they wanted with it. He was extremely happy to leave this place. He hoped he would never have to come back here again. He left the room closing the door behind him that signaled the end of a chapter of his life and the beginning of a new one.

He met Mrs. Ashford in the main foyer. She was accompanied by her staff as well as the kids in the orphanage. They were happy to see him go almost as happy as Harry was to leave this dump. A taxi was waiting outside to take harry to Kings cross station.

He reached Kings Cross by 10:00. It took so long due to the traffic but not even that could dampen Harry's mood. He got a trolley for his trunk and walked into the station. He pushed his trolley along towards the barrier in between Platform 9 and 10. When Harry was close enough to the barrier he took off at a dead run. He passed through the barrier and emerged on the other side of the barrier.

This time instead of the platform being almost empty it was filled with wizards and witches sending off their kids. Harry looked in front of him at the train. Only one thought was going through his mind.

Everything is going to change.

Harry had no idea how right he was.