Here is chapter 9:

Hermione stood. She and Cho Chang have been talking the whole trip. ''I'm going to go change, we should be there soon.'' Cho nodded understanding what she meant.

Hermione left the compartment and changed in the bathroom. As she was coming back she passed a compartment that held two boys. One had red hair and his face was freckled. The other boy had black hair and green eyes. Although she thought she had seen him somewhere before. A pile of sweets was between them. Neither of them had changed. She opened the compartment and stepped in.

Both boys looked at her. One had his wand out. ''Oh are you about to do magic?'' She asked taking a seat. ''Well go on.'' She said once she noticed he wasn't moving.

The redhead gave her a strange look then cleared his throat. ''Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow. Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow.'' The wand gave off a flash but nothing happened.

''That wasn't a real spell.'' She stated simply. ''Here I'll show you.'' She moved her attention over to the black haired, green eyed boy who was being quiet. ''Oculus Reparo'' The boys glasses became fixed as the tape disappeared. The boy, his eyes were wide removed them and looked them over in awe. He seemed like he was shocked. ''I'm Hermione by the way. Hermione Granger-Zabini.'' The red haired boy looked at her with anger.

''Your Zabini's sister! You're a Zabini!'' He said in anger, venom laced his words. She looked taken aback. She had never met this boy before so how could he know her who she was and her brother? He didn't seem to kind either. 'Why would he react that way just because of my name? I know mother has done some bad things in the past but it wasn't her choice. Not that anyone outside the family or the ministry would know that. Well besides the Malfoy family.' Hermione put her wand back in her pocket. 'I don't even think Blaise has figured out what it was that bothered their mother so much at night.' She thought. Her eyes then focused back to the boys who were staring at her.

''Yes, I'm a Zabini. Is that a problem?'' She asked back raising a brow.

The red head then got a smug look on his face. ''You're the charity case, lost your parents and were placed with them.'' He said with a little bit of triumph. The black haired boy looked at her with wide eyes again.

''Who do you think you are!? You can't just go asking questions like that!'' She snapped. Both boys jumped. She took a deep breath and tried to push her insults and threats to the back of her mind.

The black haired boy looked between them. ''I'm Harry.'' Her head snapped back to him. His voice had cut the silence that had formed. Then it downed on her, he was the boy form the shop. ''Harry Potter.'' He said with small smile.

''Harry, you're the boy from Diagon Ally?'' He gave a small nod.

''I think we met at the shop.'' She nodded. Then she remembered. 'He's a half-blood. Mrs. Malfoy would have said to stay away from Half-bloods but he seemed rather nice, unlike the other boy, and he seemed to need a real friend.' She thought.

The other boy muttered. ''I'm Ron Weasley.'' Recognitions crossed her face. She knew them. 'Blood traitors' As Mr. Malfoy called them. She stood. Not really wanting to be with them any longer. After all she couldn't be seen with a blood traitor and a half blood. Although she might talk to her mother about him more before she made her final decision on him.

She walked over to the door. ''You may want to change; we'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon. Oh and you have a bit of dirt right here.'' She motioned to the side of her nose. He reached up. With that she walked off to her own compartment.

She returned to her own compartment and found Cho already changed petting Crookshanks. ''Sorry I took so long.'' Cho smiled.

''No problem, what house do you think you will be in?'' She asked. Hermione shrugged.

''I don't know really. Mother says it doesn't matter but I think secretly she wants us to be in Slytherin like she was.'' Cho frowned at that statement.

''The Slytherin house are the bullies of the school. They love to make fun of the other houses.'' Yup just perfect for Blaise and Draco.

''I don't want to be in Slytherin anyway. I'm sure that's where Blaise's going to be. Any other house will do.'' Cho nodded.

''Well Even if you were in Slytherin I would still be your friend as long as you didn't let them change you.'' Hermione smiled. No nothing was going to change her, expediently the ways of her brother.

''Oh look there's the plate form!'' Hermione looked out the window where Cho was looking. ''I won't see you until the feast where you get sorted. I have to go with the other second years.'' Hermione sadly nodded but understood.

''Ok then I will see you at the feast.'' Once the train stopped they filed out. First years were flagged over by a giant. He had a huge beard that hid most of his face. He was rather big, very tall. Ok so he was half giant, the other half being that he was a wizard. 'So a half-blood right?' Hermione tried to figure it out.

''Welcome First Years!'' He said cheerfully. ''Follow me 'is way to the boats.'' He led them over to the lake. Hermione watched as Blaise and Draco get into one of the boats. Hermione with narrowed eyes got in the boat next to them. They looked at her. ''How was your trip?'' She asked bitterly.

''Fine.'' Both of them said together. Then a thought came to mind.

''Do you mind if I walk in with you? After all people should see who the best are.'' She felt weird saying that. It wasn't very often she said something like that but it was all part of changing herself. After a moment both reluctantly nodded. It was just a temporary agreement that would surly seizes to exist once they were sorted. She smiled as three other students got into her boat and they started moving.

Hermione looked into the water and seen a tentacle come to just below the surface. She looked up. Her eyes widen. A smile crossed her lips. Just ahead was the castle, the school, her home for the next year. Excited didn't begin explain what she felt at this moment.

She looked over at Blaise and Draco in the other boat. Both looking at Hogwarts. They may not have meant to but there was a look of excitement on their faces as well.

Once they got out of the boats they came to another person. ''Here they are Professor. All accounted for.'' The half-blood said before disappearing. She turned her attention to this professor. She was wearing green robes. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun. The professor introduced herself as ''Professor McGonagall.'' Hermione could tell this was not someone you would want to be on the bad side of, most likely someone who was not afraid to give detention. Hermione stood next to Blaise who didn't protest. He didn't want to give her any more to tell mother. Draco was on his other side.

This other professor led them into the castle into a large hall; behind her was a large wooden door. She turned to them. ''Welcome to Hogwarts. Now in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your class mates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most points is awarded the house cup.'' She walked in the door leaving the student there alone.

Draco walked up to the black haired boy, Harry, and stood in front of him. Blaise followed. Not really wanting to be alone at the moment, Hermione came up behind them. ''So the rumors are true, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.'' Draco began. ''I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.'' Hermione rolled her eyes. Of course he would do something like this. A snort came from behind Harry. She looked to see it was Weasley.

''Think my name is funny do you?'' He said with a sneer.

Draco studied him. ''Let me guess. Red hair. Hand-me-down robes. You must be a Weasley.'' Draco said in disgust. Weasley had a look of hatred. Then he turned back to Potter. ''You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort, I can help.'' He extended his hand. Harry looked at him. 'Oh brother, there goes my chance of being his friend if I wanted to.'

''I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks.'' Draco frowned at the boy, but before he could say anything more Professor McGonagall returned. Harry sent her a look and she could tell that he wanted to be her friend but wasn't sure on how to go about doing so. Maybe she could be his friend; after all, mother did tell her to try to make some. There wouldn't be any harm done.

''Come along.'' She led them through the door.

Hermione's excitement built up more and more. She felt as if she might pop. They entered through the door. Much like the other first years, she was in awe.

All eyes turned to the ceiling. Being who she was Hermione said ''The ceiling is bewitched to look like the outside. I read about it in Hogwarts a History.'' Blaise and Draco rolled their eyes at her comment.

They stopped in front of the hall. A large table was there, where the other professors sat and in front of them was a stole with a raged old hat.

To all the first years, it came as a shock when the hat began to sing:

''Oh you may not think I'm pretty

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you find

A smarter hat then me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleep and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I have cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry,

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and Loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin,

Where you'll meet your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means,

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

Don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For a Thinking Cap.''

The hall erupted in applause. Even the first years. Hermione was more or less thinking about the houses. There was no doughty Blaise and Draco would be in Slytherin. But as for her house she still wasn't sure.

Professor McGonagall stood in front of them. ''When I call your names you will place the sorting hat on your head.'' She pulled out a role parchment and began to call names.

Hermione didn't pay much attention to the other people. She waited for her name to be called. Although she found herself waiting to hear the name Harry Potter.

''Zabini, Blaise.''

Surprisingly she was calling the list backwards. Meaning Blaise was first. He had walked up there with confidence. He didn't hesitate to put the hat on. In only a couple of minutes later the hat yelled out ''Slytherin!'' That table cheered. He smirked as he headed to his house.

Hermione zoned out after that until Weasley was called up. Perhaps it was just to see what house he was in. His face was rather pale Hermione noted.

''Weasley, Ronald.''

The hat hadn't even been on a second before yelling out Gryffindor. His face showed relief.

After a while Potter was all so called up.

''Potter, Harry.''

The whole hall fell quiet. He walked up there rather nervously. She already knew he wasn't Slytherin material. But the hat seemed to take forever, finding it difficult to place the boy. Suddenly it yelled out ''Gryffindor!'' That table became rather loud. Some going as far as to yelling, 'we got Harry Potter!' Hermione suddenly found herself hoping not to be in that house.

''Malfoy, Draco.''

Hermione watched as he walked up there with a smirk. Anyone who knew the Malfoys' knew they were in Slytherin. The hat hadn't even touched his head before it yelled out ''Slytherin!'' No one really seemed shocked. That table erupted in cheers like the others.

Hermione found herself alone in the rest of the group of first years. She suddenly wished that Blaise, her tormenter, was still standing beside her.

''Granger-Zabini, Hermione.''

The hall became quiet again. She walked forward quietly. She could hear some whispers coming from the other students.

''Granger? I thought they all died.''

''They had a daughter?''

''Who is she?'' Only a muggle born would ask that.

''I didn't know she was coming this year.''

''I haven't heard about her in years.''

All who talked were either half-bloods who didn't know the whole story or other pure-bloods that she had never met. Which, there weren't many of them. She could tell that they were sharing information, trying to figure her out. Sooner or later someone would finally ask for answers from the source. 'Relax. You can do this.' She said to herself. She sat on the stool and let the hat be placed on her head.

''Oh, A Granger.'' Hermione heard the voice in her head. She didn't jump.

'Actually it's Granger-Zabini.' She corrected him in her head.

''Oh, but you will always be a Granger.'' Hermione signed silently but said nothing more.

'May I ask you something?' She asked the hat.

''I don't see why not. What is it you wish to know?''

'What house were my parents in?' She asked. Hermione had never asked before and now looked like a good time to ask, seeing as she had the very hat that placed her parents on her own head.

'What a good question. Your mother was in Ravenclaw, she had the brain that's for sure. While your father was in Slytherin he was cleaver and was also smart. He would have done well in Ravenclaw as-well. Both of your parents had many friends, including your godmother Adelia. Lucius Malfoy was your father's best friend.' He explained.

Hermione had always known that Mr. Malfoy had been a friend of her parents. He would tell her stories from when they were young. Adelia had been childhood friends with Hermione's mother. Both of them would put their two cents in when they told one of their stories.

''You are very smart for your age. Sneaky even,'' He said most likely to himself. ''Good qualities for Slytherin.''

'Not Slytherin.' She thought suddenly.

''I see, you don't want to be with your 'brother'.'' Hermione said a quiet yes. Happy that the hat understood what she meant.

''You have courage, using it when needed. But it's hidden perhaps Gryffindor could help bring that out.'' Hermione gulped, she didn't like that idea.

'Ah, but you are not one to act before thinking.'' Again he was talking to himself.

''You are loyal yet you have trouble making friends, although you seem to have make one of Cho Chang. There are no qualities of Hufflepuff in you that I can see. But that house would not be good for your brains.'' Hermione listened to him. ''Better be…'' ''RAVENCLAW!'' He yelled out to the whole hall. That table cheered happily. Hermione let out the breath she didn't even knew she was holding. With a smile on her face she walked over to her new house. She then spotted Cho smiling at her. She smiled back then sat at the end of the table with the other first year Ravenclaw students.

So far it was looking to be a good school year.

After the rest of the sorting and the head master, Professor Dumbledore, finished his yearly speech, saying that the third floor corridor was off limits to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death and that the forbidden forest was still in fact forbidden to everyone. Then a most fabulous meal appeared on each table.

Hermione looked over at Blaise and Draco who were looking her way. They stared at her until they noticed she was staring back.

Cho made her way over to Hermione and sat next to her. A smile plastered on her face. ''I knew you wouldn't end up in Slytherin.'' Hermione chuckled. ''Now you have me in your house. We stick together so don't worry about your brother or his friends.'' Hermione nodded.

''Do you know where the library is?'' Cho gave her a strange look.

''Hermione, I'm in Ravenclaw. Of course I know where the Library is!'' Cho chuckled. Hermione laughed too. Two shadows then covered them. Hermione looked up to see two boys with red hair and freckled. She knew right then that they were twins.

''Hello, this is Fred.'' The one on the right said pointing to his copy beside him.

''And this is Gorge.'' The one on the left did the same.

''As you have guessed-''

''We are twins.''

''Not only that but we are-''

''Weasleys'.'' Hermione gave them a strange look. Cho rolled her eyes.

''Yeah Fred and George Weasley the pranksters of the school. Everyone has gotten pranked on by these two atlessed once.'' Hermione nodded.

''Hermione Gra-''

''Oh we know who you are.'' Fred (?) said. Hermione raised a brow.

''Miss Hermione Granger-Zabini-''

''We seen how-''

''You talked to our brother.'' She frowned. Were they also going to be snobs and say to stay away from their brother? That wouldn't be a problem for her. She didn't like him anyway. Although that seemed very unlikely by what she could tell.

''That was-''

''AMAZING!'' They said together. Hermione was taken aback. Cho gave them a confused look.

''We know-''

''The Malfoys' told you we are-''

''Blood traitors, but-''

''That's not the whole story and not-''

''The whole truth.'' Hermione gave a confused nod. Not sure if she was following them or not. Mother would most likely be unhappy with the fact that she was socializing with blood traitors. But they seemed really nice.

''Um, ok well it was nice meeting you.'' She turned to Cho who was surprising a laugh.

''It was nice-''

''Meeting you too-''

''Miss. Hermione.'' With that they both walked away.

''Do they always talk like that?'' Hermione asked Cho who nodded, taking a bit of her food.

''It's funny really, they are always together even in the same classes. They can be really nice but sometimes their pranks are over the top.'' Hermione shrugged.

''I don't know what mother would say though. She doesn't really like blood traitors.'' Cho looked at her and signed. ''What did they mean by that I didn't know the whole truth?'' She asked her.

''I'm not too sure, they could have meant something about why they prank or about their family.''

''What about their family? Mother had always told me not to talk to them. Not that I ever had a chance to meet them, let alone talk to them.'' Hermione said thinking about all the times pureblood families would come into their home. How she had never met the ever famous muggle loving pureblood family. She didn't even know what kind of work Mr. Weasley did. Well she did know he work at the ministry, because Mr. Malfoy would constantly talk about how the Weasleys were a 'disgrace' to the pureblood name.

''Well you see Mr. Weasley works at the Ministry, the muggle department. He studies the objects that Muggles have created and tries to figure out how they work.'' Hermione nodded following what she was saying. ''So for his work he has to socialize with the muggles.'' Then a thought occurred to her.

''So it's basically like a miss understanding?'' Cho thought for a moment before nodding.

''I guess it can be seen like that. I mean, even when he doesn't have to work he studies them. I even heard has an enchanted car that the Ministry allowed him to take home to study.'' A little plot was forming in her smart head as she took in this information.

Maybe they just were being misunderstood because of the kind of work Mr. Weasley did. If that was the case she might just be able to help them get their dignity back so they were like the other pure blood families. Being back on track couldn't hurt them.

If there was one thing anyone would learn about Hermione was that she seemed to look for the best in people. Weather they knew it or not. Mother had told her that multiple times before.

Oh yes she was going to have to talk to her mother when she returned home over Christmas.

So I dont like Ron but I like the other Weasleys' So expect a bit of Ron bashing! By the way Leave a review I love to hear/read what you have to say/think.