A/N: now PoA.

Chapter 23

The summer of 1993 was quite eventful, just like the past two summers. The beginning of it was a bit boring, but that didn't last long.

Apparently, a mass murderer had escaped prison and was now on the run. Harry didn't mind much, most likely because of the lack of information about the escapee. Vernon and Petunia rarely let Harry out of his room, and the only times he heard about this man was when he'd go down to do chores and the like.

Hermione, on the other hand, felt quite worried and the least bit scared. Minerva had informed Hermione about who the escapee, Sirius Black, was. She knew that Black was a former Hogwarts student and one of Minerva's students, but Hermione had a feeling that Minerva wasn't telling her everything.

———

HG.

Hermione had just finished writing letters to Harry and the Weasleys when Minerva entered the Common Room, looking rather joyful.

"You look excited," Hermione commented as Minerva took a seat in front of the younger female.

"Yes, I am, actually," Minerva replied with a grin, and Hermione couldn't help but smile back. "We've just found ourselves a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

At Minerva's news, Hermione's smile faded. She noticed how the DADA teacher changed every year since she started at Hogwarts. The position was said to be cursed. Minerva noticed how Hermione was no longer smiling, but instead looking hesitant and worried.

"Oh, don't worry," Minerva told Hermione with a small wave of her hand. "He's a great one, I taught him back in his year. He's a good student, you remind me of him."

The smile returned to Hermione's face, only this time, it was smaller.

"But don't... what do the Muggles say, spoil the news to your friends, please?" The elder woman requested. Hermione answered with a nod. "Thank you, dear. I'll see you at dinner."

———

HP.

That same night, Harry had had a bit of a 'tantrum.' He didn't think of it as a tantrum, more like defending his parents. Vernon's sister, Marge, had come to visit and she had been insulting Harry's parents. And of course, Harry couldn't just stand there and listen to the lady badmouth his parents, so he yelled shut up to her. Marge had then inflated and flew away, and Harry ran from the Dursley's house. And honestly, Harry felt good about it, he felt quite proud of himself.

Now, he was staying at the Leaky Cauldron until term started. Harry was brought there by this odd yet wicked bus, the Knight Bus, after he ran away and saw a rather terrifying black dog.

An owl tapped at the inn window, and Harry opened it. He gave the owl a few strokes of gratitude, and it then flew away. Harry received letters from Hermione.

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well. How've you been? How've the Dursley's been treating you?Summer's been hectic, hasn't it? You have heard about Sirius Black, right? Oh, and happy birthday. I'm pretty sure I forgot to greet you when I sent your gift.

Anyways, I hope you're prepared for the new term. Have you gotten your books for this year? Hopefully, you have, and hopefully this year will be a good one. I'll see you at Diagon Alley soon.

Best wishes,

Hermione.

ps. I heard about what happened with you and the Dursley's.

Harry grinned after reading the letter. He decided not to write back, because as Hermione had said, they'd see each other at Diagon Alley in a few days.

———

HP, RW, HG.

Those few days passed by quickly, for now was the day Hermione would be visiting Diagon Alley. Harry had gotten ready for the day and almost ran out of his room, dashing down the stairs.

He was met with Hermione and Ron's, who Harry hadn't heard from in a while, arguing. Hermione was holding what looked like a cat with a pig's face to her chest, while Ron was petting his rat, Scabbers.

"You keep that thing away from me, from Scabbers, you hear me?" Ron asked Hermione, almost glaring at her.

"It's not my fault cats like rats," Hermione shot back, narrowing her eyes at Ron as she gently scratched behind the ears of her cat.

"Harry!" Ron cried as his eyes landed on him. Hermione spun around and grinned upon seeing Harry as well.

"Harry! It's wonderful to see you again," she greeted with a sisterly hug. Ron also gave Harry a brief hug.

"Sorry I haven't been writing, mate," Ron apologized although he had in his few letters before.

"Don't worry about it," Harry replied, knowing why Ron hadn't kept in touch.

———

During lunch, Ron had told Harry and Hermione about his trip to Egypt. Mr. Weasley had won loads of Galleons, and they spent it on a trip to Egypt to visit the eldest Weasley, Bill.

"Fred and George tried keeping Percy in a pyramid, but Mum caught them. It was brilliant!" Ron exclaimed as he pointed to a picture of a pyramid.

"Not flashing that clipping again, are you Ron?" Someone asked from behind him.

"I haven't shown anyone," Ron muttered. The Daily Prophet Ron had been showing Harry and Hermione was snatched.

"No, not a soul!" An identical voice added. Ron rolled his eyes.

Hermione stood up from her seat and left the boys to sit with Ginny, and along the way, she came across the twins.

"'ello there, Granger," one twin, George, greeted. He pretended to tip his hat, which was nonexistent.

"Hi George," Hermione replied, a small smile on her face. George stepped out of the way, heading to his seat.

"Hi 'Mione," Fred said, seeing the younger girl.

"Hello Fred," Hermione returned, still smiling. "How've you been?"

"Great, you?" Fred asked back.

"Good," Hermione said with a small nod. "I heard you went to Egypt this summer."

"Ah, knew ickle Ronnikins would have told you sooner or later," Fred joked. Hermione let out a quiet chuckle. "But yeah, we did. We visited Bill, our oldest brother, and we saw the pyramids and learned about Egyptians... it was wicked!"

Hermione loved how Fred's face had lit up as he talked about Egypt. It was one of the best sights she had ever laid eyes on.

"Have you done anything this summer?" Fred questioned.

"Not much," Hermione shook her head. "Staying at Hogwarts over the summers has gotten quite boring. I've just been writing letters, talking to Hagrid and Aunt— sorry, Professor McGonagall, and reading."

"Reading?" Fred jokingly asked. "You never stop reading, don't you?"

Hermione giggled, and it was music to Fred's ears.

"Well, I'll get out of your way now," Hermione said. "See you later."

"See you, Mione," Fred replied, smiling at Hermione as she walked away.

———

FW, GW.

"How does she do it, that Granger?" George asked Fred in a teasing manner.

"Shove off mate, you act as if you haven't swooned over Angelina," Fred retorted. The tips of George's ears reddened.

"Never mind that," George mumbled. Fred smirked.

"Hermione, she's just—"

"Hermione Granger,

she is no stranger,

to Freddie's world of love."

Fred's eyes widened for a moment, and he looked to George, who continued singing off-key.

"She's a witch, yes she is,

with Freddie under her spell.

And Freddie, oh Freddie,

he thinks she's more than swell."

Fred glared fiercely at George, but he didn't stop.

"Hermione Granger, she's captured his heart.

And Freddie, he sees her as a work of art.

Hermione Granger,

she is no stranger,

to Freddie's world of love.

Hermione Granger, she's got Freddie,

Oh, she's got Freddie...

She's got Freddie in love!!"

George finally finished, looking quite proud of himself. Fred's glare changed into a dead, expressionless look.

"What. The. Bloody. HELL??" Fred nearly yelled, punching George's shoulder.

"OI!" George cried, rubbing the spot Fred had punched. "I'm not lying!"

Fred raised his fist again, and George blocked his face with his hand. Fred sighed and lowered his hand, George bringing his own back down.

Suddenly, George began snickering. The snickers soon turned into laughs, and those laughs became wheezes. Fred joined in, both laughing like idiots.

———

HP, RW, HG.

"Come on, this one isn't full," Hermione said.

Students were now leaving for Hogwarts and boarding the train. Most compartments were full, and the one of the only vacant ones were fortunately found by Hermione. Except, it wasn't completely empty. There was a man there, and he was asleep.

"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron asked, entering the compartment and sitting opposite of the man.

"Professor Remus Lupin," Hermione answered, sliding the door shut after Harry had entered.

"Merlin, how do you know everything?" Ron questioned, sounding almost annoyed. Hermione let out an irritated sigh.

"It's there on his suitcase," she answered, pointing to the rack above their heads. She heard Ron mumble an oh, then she looked to Harry, who seemed as if he had something to say.

"What is it?" Hermione asked him.

"Is he really asleep?" Harry asked suspiciously, taking a look at Lupin, who was beside Harry.

"I guess," Ron answered, shrugging his shoulders slightly. Harry examined the 'professor' for a moment, and finally decided that he was really asleep.

"Mr. Weasley told me about Sirius Black," Harry started, easily interesting Ron and Hermione. "He told me he's a follower of Voldemort—"

Ron let out a somewhat whimper and hum at the name, but Harry continued, "And he told me how Black's after me."

"After you?" Ron and Hermione asked simultaneously, and rather loudly. Harry quickly shushed them, both muttering an apology.

"Yeah. Mr. Weasley said I stand in Black's way of getting Voldemort back to power, something like that," Harry finished. "So, I've got that going on."

"Bloody hell," Ron mumbled, his brows furrowed in worry for his best friend. "Sirius Black is after you. He's a lunatic."

"Thanks, I guess," Harry replied, to which Ron returned with a smile that looked more of a grimace.

The train came to sudden stop, the wheels emitting a rather loud screech. Everything seemed to become cold, although it was still quite warm outside. The lights flickered for a moment, before going out.

"We can't've arrived at Hogwarts yet, there's still a long way to go," Hermione commented worriedly. Fear bubbled up inside the young girl, thinking that it might be Sirius Black.

Out of nowhere, a revolting-looking creature opened the compartment door. As it entered, the trio shared the same feeling of never experiencing happiness again.

And to their horror, the creature opened it's "mouth" and began... sucking. Or that's what Hermione and Ron would call it. Harry then let out a terrifying scream, one that could bring one to tears. The other two had no idea of what to do, or how to help.

At the last minute, the man, Remus Lupin, stood up, holding his wand out. The wand emitted a bright light, forcing the creature away. Hermione's eyes darted back to Harry, who had just passed out.

———

Remus had been able to wake Harry up, and he had just finished explaining what had happened moments prior. The man left the compartment to "have a word with the driver".

While Ron was conversing with Harry, Hermione began thinking about the previous event. Aside from hearing Harry's screams, she heard a combination of a woman and man's yells and a child's cries. Their exact words were:

"No, absolutely not!"

"We will not have a freak as a daughter!"

"Pack your things, we don't want you!"

"Get out of here!"

Hermione slowly recognized the voices, and they belonged to her parents. Their statements had brought her back to that dreadful day, where they had decided that they no longer wanted her, where they decided to disown her.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, noticing her shining eyes.

"You okay?" Ron asked, also noticing how she looked quite sad.

"I'm fine, something's just got in my eye," Hermione lied, shutting her eyes to clear the tears away. The two boys eyed her skeptically, but dropped the subject.

———

The Sorting Ceremony passed, and so did a welcome to new teachers. That included the man on the train, Remus Lupin, as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and it was quite obvious he was talented and skilled. The trio knew he would make a good professor. Hagrid had also filled in for the Care of Magical Creatures position, which was a bit worrying to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, due to the fact that Hagrid was interested in wild creatures.

Most of the time, Hermione was not paying attention, something she normally wouldn't do. She kept hearing her parents' words in her head, and it was rather tiring to hear them, but she couldn't stop. Occasionally, a frown would cross her face, but as soon as Hermione noticed she was doing so, she would quickly wipe it off her face.

One person noticed: Fred Weasley.

A/N:

I apologize for the ending, it seems rushed.

I would also like to say that I am going to take a small break from writing this fan fiction. I will still be active here, and I will most likely only be updating my fan fiction with my original character. I would also like to revise and heavily rewrite this fic, and I will now be writing it in only Hermione's pov. Occasionally, I will do another character's perspective, but I want to focus on Hermione. I had planned for this to be Hermione and Harry, but I've decided to change it. To me, writing about Harry and the trio makes me feel like I am copying JKR's work, which I am not. Summed up, I will be taking a break to rewrite this. Thank you.