Harry Potter of 4. Privet Drive was a quiet boy.
He kept his head down, dutifully completed the extensive set of chores his unpleasant relatives gave him and received good grades. He hovered around B-B+. Unfortunately, Harry wasn't as naturally talented as others and these B+s where only when he was working really hard.
There was nothing special about Harry and he knew it. He found his consolation in the fact that he had long since accepted this and was happier than others when they got his grades.
Maybe it was because of the harsh treatment of his relatives or perhaps it was simply his personality but Harry soon learned that wisdom had its own advantages.
So begins the tale of his schooling years...
It's near the end of July and Harry's birthday is fast approaching. He's been sent to get the mail as per usual. But something's a little less usual thus time: there's a letter for him.
Harry reads the address, briefly wonders how they know where he sleeps - it's a little stalkerish - and then wonders why the social workers haven't been called. But if they are stalking him-
"Boy, what's taking so long?" calls Uncle Vernon.
- then they probably don't care that he's sleeping under the stairs. Stalkers generally aren't nice people.
"Checking for letter bombs are you?"
Harry wonders how to hide his letter. He doesn't want it confiscated. As Vernon lets out a large chuckle, he stuffs it down his shirt. It's loose enough to not show and the sound Vernon's making covers up the crinkling of the letter as he hides it.
Harry picks up the other letters and manages to make it before Vernon stops laughing. Coming later would put his uncle in a bad mood and Harry doesn't want that.
Not that Vernon's ever physically abused him. It's Dudley who shoves him around and Petunia who tries to clobber him. He knows it's abuse though. Verbal abuse can be just as bad as any other form. He's glad he found the wisdom to realise it isn't his fault.
Later, when Harry is finally able to slip back into his cupboard, he carefully opens the letter. Too loud and he'll be punished.
The letter is bizarre but it resonates with Harry, with a part of him he's never noticed before.
But why have his stalkers turned teachers not contacted social services?
Maybe they cannot mingle with the non-magical world he muses. Even still... Perhaps there are no child services? How horribly outdated!
But back to more important things (thought that's subjective but Harry has to focus!). What is he going to do next?
He cannot confront his relatives, it is too risky.
But... he should receive more information soon.
He has no choice but to wait.
There is a note asking him to reply but it a bit impossible so Harry leaves it.
A few weeks later, a giant nearly breaks down the door.
It seems Harry is off to Hogwarts.
Harry doesn't know it yet but the train ride is going to be one of the most important events in his life. For now, he moves along the platform dragging his trunk along. Hagrid wanted to buy him a pet but Harry refused. He doesn't particularly like avians, cats or toads.
He's early, having told his uncle the wrong time. He wouldn't put it past him to make him late out of spite. In fact, he checks his watch, he told his uncle he needed to be here now. He is just on time. Harry supposes that his uncle really does want to be rid of him.
He lingers around platforms 9 and 10 sure that the gate must be here. Perhaps it's like Diagon Alley! Shifting his body to hide his wand, he gently taps the wall. To his surprise, it goes straight through.
Harry sticks it further in, along with half his arm. He looks around him before slipping into the wall. It feels as if there is simply nothing there.
He finds himself next to a huge scarlet steam train. He is certainly in the right place. He manages to lug his trunk on with the help of a smiling bushy-haired girl and in turns helps her with hers.
After holding an immensely interesting conversation with her about authority he learns her name. Ms Hermione Granger is an English Muggleborn with a love for books and the promise that she will never change her name. This is said so plainly that Harry recognises it for the fact it is and discusses outdated customs with her.
Their conversation soon flows from dowry to murder and then the different reasons it happens. By this point, both Harry and Hermione realise the other is there to stay. Next to her parents, Hermione carves a new name: Messy Black Hair. Harry has Bushy Brown Hair etched across his own.
They spend the rest of the ride in somewhat comfortable silence. Soon they will be so familiar that silence is just as comfortable as talking but not yet.
Their compartment is disrupted twice by two boys looking for Harry. Hermione's face holds slow realisation - Harry has not yet introduced himself. First she feels hurt. Then she lashes out.
Harry is quick to follow her and the ginger stalks him, latching on. Harry is quick to brush him of. The boy, the other, is not important right now.
Finally, Hermione and Harry return to the compartment. Their relative peace is interrupted a second time by an aristocratic blonde.
His attempt to befriend Harry is ignorant at best and downright condescending at worst.
Finally he leaves. He realises that Hermione and Harry are a package and he wants nothing to do with 'the Mudblood' as he's fondly nicknamed Hermione.
The rest of their ride is uninterrupted by any other visitors. Harry and Hermione spend their time getting to know each other.
Hermione is - almost surprisingly - not a prude so they simply turn their backs when it's time to change.
When the long, long train ride is finally over, they are called over by Hagrid: the loveable but loose-lipped man.
They are led to the boats by the towering man.
Harry and Hermione stick together. Really, what else could one expect? They are joined by Harry's two wannabe friends. The redhead and blonde cannot stand each other.
Hermione has a sadistic twinkle in her eyes and Harry just knows that she's not going to bail him out.
Oh - he's sure she'll step in if he gets into deep trouble but she won't lift a finger if it stays in the realm of entertaining. He can't blame her. He'd do the exact same.
They match each other so well.
When the boat finally stops, Harry is quick to escape. The wannabes are too busy arguing to notice his strategic exit. Hermione is, of course, absolutely no help. She's laughing her head off.
He grumbles but it only makes her laugh harder.
After a while, they reach the castle. A stern woman stands in front of it, her lips pressed in a sharp line.
They are led into a side chamber and the others talk quietly. The air is thick with nervousness and Harry grips Hermione's hand. She squeezes it comfortingly. Harry finds it surprising that he doesn't flinch away from her touch. If he hadn't resolved to stick with her forever already, that would make him decide to do so.
When the ghosts come through, they startle Hermione and it's his turn to laugh as she glowers at him. She raises one arm threateningly and he can't quite surprised the automatic recoil. Hermione's sharp eyes catch the movement and her gaze promises retribution. Harry knows it's not over.
Still, as she retakes his hand, he finds himself relaxing once more.
Their attention is brought to the rickety stool at the front. On it, is a frayed hat. The students stare boredly at it. Harry understands why when a second later, it begins to sing.
Hermione's name is called and her hand slips out of his. He misses the comforting warmth. She walks up to the rickety stool, has the tattered hat put on and waits. Harry thinks her personality suits Ravenclaw. True, she is clever but she hides her prominent insanity well. It won't be Slytherin. It would be far too inconvenient.
Nor Gryffindor, his redhead fan wants to go there. The hat finally calls, "Hufflepuff!"
Naturally, the hat places Harry there too. Hermione said something to it though the hat won't disclose what. There's a slight tremor to the mental voice though. Harry shrugs. He's with Hermione and nothing else is as important.
The feast that follows is not particularly memorable. He meets a few of the others in his year but he sticks to Hermione and no one comments on it.
He sees her eyeing the food distastefully. This is only explained when later, she complains about the lack of variety and vegetarian food.
Harry has never had the chance to be vegetarian before and he wonders if now is the right time to try. He can't do so at the Dursleys - he's lucky if he gets something more substantial than scraps but he thinks he wants to
Harry and Hermione are only part of the way through the year when something interesting happens.
They are just minding their own business far, far away from the boisterous children. Harry is glad they are celebrating but he doesn't really want to when it's the anniversary of his parents death.
In typical Hermione fashion, the girl in question snarls at the adults' pathetic attempts at trying to get them to attend. He knows Hermione deeply respects McGonagall, even admires her so her lashing out on his behalf is rather touching.
They find an empty classroom, clasp hands and kneel together. Hermione brings candles out of nowhere and he realises what the small, rattling box she gave him earlier was for. The matches are struck and candles lit and they sit in silence, their head bowed.
Hermione surprises him by speaking aloud, telling his parents about him and how proud they should be. Harry watches the flames and he can almost feel a presence. The candles do not flicker during Hermione's speech.
They sit in companiable silence.
A loud thud breaks their concentration.
The terrible smell comes next.
Hermione's brain works as quickly as possible. Something large and something that smells foul. It's with a troll or a giant.
She crosses her fingers, they're doomed if it's a giant.
Harry doesn't hesitate to grip her hand. He's sure some would see this as 'unmanly' or whatever but Harry's a boy not a man and Hermione's little brother (or so she says. Harry's not stupid enough to disagree and he likes being a brother so...).
A tall, stinking, thick TROLL enters the tall room and they reflect that maybe the high, ornate ceilings aren't that great after all. Hermione thought the architecture was impressive and Harry just thought they looked cool.
Harry is drawn from his memories when Hermione squeezes his hand. He puts some pressure back, as a reassurance. It's nice to know someone cares enough to make sure he is ok.
Hermione allows herself to relax. What a basic mistake! The troll swings at Harry and a crack follows.
Hermione thinks it was his ribs. She tries to address the situation through cold logic but she can't. Logic has never failed her and it's an odd feeling.
She looks down at Harry's bent body. He smiles at her weakly before passing out. Anger, the likes of which she has never felt before consumes her. The bluebell flames - that took her forever to work out - burst out of her wand.
She won't know it until later but she's been practicing Protego Diabolica. Towering blue flames burst out around her. Her and Harry are surrounded by a ring of blazing blue flames. Hermione remembers the time she learnt blue was hotter than orange.
With a truly horrifying smile - it's oh so satisfied - she directs the flames towards the troll. No one knows it yet but this spell will become the Emperor's signature one. It's easy to see why - as soon as the flames touch the troll, it burns. The fire is so intense that not even it's bones are left.
Hermione is tempted to not extinguish her flames - they are truly fascinating - before she remembers Harry. Her little brother is curled up on the ground clutching his bloody midsection. To make sire he doesn't move more and hurt himself, she casts a full body-bind on him.
Of course just as she's attempting to use Wingardium Leviosa on him - she doesn't really fancy dragging him -, the teachers appear.
Somehow she supposes they won't believe her. She's a first year, Hufflepuff and a girl. The Wizarding World is biased whether they want to admit it or not.
She settles on the innocent goody two shoes. She's not sure how it will work - she did nearly bite their heads off earlier.
"Miss Granger" 'Ms' she corrects internally, her eyes on Harry.
"What on earth happened?"
Hermione opens her mouth to respond before realising she's crying. She turns around to face them, locking eyes with Professor McGonagall.
The memory of the troll smacking Harry comes to the forefront of her mind. She looks at Dumbledore speechlessly. Why wasn't she strong enough to stop it?
"There was a troll" she manages. "It smacked Harry and..."
"And what?" demands Snape.
"It was there and then it was gone."
She gestures to where she incinerated the beast. There is absolutely nothing there. She's not technically lying so she should be fine. Rule number 1 of lying was to be as truthful as possible. She visualised it as she met his gaze: she looked down at Harry and when she looked up once more, it was gone.
Dumbledore speaks again.
"Thank you Miss Granger. I suggest you escort yourself and Mr Potter over there to the Hospital Wing. I dare say you need it."
Hermione nodded weakly. Better for him to think she was a shaken best friend rather than a troll killer. She really needed to look into the spell she used: she'd been aiming for her bluebell flames and they were - just on a different scale. The fire had reminded her of descriptions of Fiendfyre but that was orange and reportedly more uncontrollable. Her blue ring was admittedly on the wild side but it was hers and it obeyed her. Obeyed wasn't the right word - it listened. Like Harry listened to her and was hers.
This was the pivotal moment that Hermione Granger began to grasp magic and it her.
But there was still a long way to go until her ascension. First, she had to figure out how to get Harry to the Hospital Wing. She hoped the teachers just hadn't realised how injured he was because otherwise, she would have to seek... retribution.
Hermione and Harry stay out of trouble after that. They don't want a repeat of the troll incident. Well, they attempt to stay out of trouble. It just seems to find them.
This time, it's heading over in the form of a certain blonde-haired Malfoy. He approaches a nonchalant Hermione and states.
"Granger, I challenge you to a Wizard's duel."
When she returns his gaze blankly, he sneers.
"What's the matter, never heard of a Wizard's duel."
"No, actually but we should make this official."
Hermione stands up in front of the loud hall and outstretches her hand. Malfoy tentatively bends down as if to kiss it and she sighs in exasperation.
"Let's just shake, Malfoy."
Visibly pleased (or at least more than before) the boy shakes her hand. Hermione takes the opportunity to lay out the conditions in front of a hall full of witnesses.
"7pm, here. How are we deciding who is the victor? The one who's knocked out?"
Malfoy smirks arrogantly "It will be a wonderful sight."
Hermione grins back "Indeed."
Slightly troubled by her clear concession to a Pure blood such as himself, Malfoy walks off. His original plan of humiliating the swot by getting her caught by Filch is bust but he is obviously going to thrash her anyway. The only difference is that he is going to have to get his hands a little dirty this way.
Some of the less blind students - ones who have their heads screwed on right - can't wait to see Malfoy put in his place. They haven't been able to touch him because of his family's influence but if the boy himself is stupid enough to challenge one of the top students of their year to a magically binding duel, they are certainly not going to complain. In fact they rather look forward to it.
Even Daphne Greengrass, nicknamed the Ice Queen is unable to surpress an amused smile. Her friend, Tracey Davis has no such qualms. Malfoy appears to be completely oblivious.
Hermione soon leaves the hall, Harry in tow. They decide to visit Hagrid once again - the man is rather sweet. You wouldn't expect it, he appears as a rather intimidating figure at first.
The man invited Harry and by extension Hermione over and the rest was history.
They leave the warmth of the castle and are soon confronted by the cold air. Finally, they reach Hagrid's cabin and knock loudly on the wide door.
It's only once they are seated and that Fang decides that he's drooled enough on them that they realise something's wrong. It is very, very hot inside and Hagrid point blank refuses to open any windows.
An egg lies hidden from prying eyes. Except, this isn't any egg, it is a big one. The distinct patterns on the shell means there's only one thing it can be: a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon. Harry whispers this excitedly in Hermione's ear and she in turn beams happily. Her rational mind is currently resting.
Hermione arrives at the hall five minutes early. Harry is already sat at the Hufflepuff table and he smiles reassuringly at her. Hermione smiles back. She doesn't know where she stands against her opponent in terms of power but if it all goes south, she still has her secret weapon.
Professor Flitwick hovers at the front of the room. As a professional dueller, he has been unofficially chosen as the judge. Flitwick doesn't seem intimidating but that just makes him all the more dangerous.
"Bow to each other"
Hermione bends to her stomach but keeps her face upright so her eyes can trace Malfoy's movements.
heknows it will get him disqualified if he attempts something but you can never be too careful. They straighten up slowly.
Malfoy sneers at her. She has seen it so often that she could be forgiven for mistaking it for Malfoy's natural face expression. Hermione is aware that her own looks displeased - she hasn't really got a leg to stand on. Still, she can't help but wondering what his neutral face looks like. She's never going to find out unless she starts stalking him and she can't be bothered. It's Malfoy after all. Spending more time around him does not sound appealing.
Professor Flitwick calling for the duel to commence breaks her out of her thoughts. Hermione knows she needs to beat the boy because otherwise, the consequences won't be good. As a Pureblood, its likely that he has been tutored so she needs to keep one step ahead. She has noted that he seems quite thin and as Purebloods don't seem very concerned with physical health - magic helps! -, perhaps she can use it to her advantage.
Malfoy immediately calls "Sensorptia" and a long, green snake emerges from his wand. Hermione doesn't particularly like snakes but she isn't terrified of them although she appreciates the danger. Hermione has never used "Locomor Mortis" on a non-human before but it works and the snake can only move it's top half.
Malfoy snarls angrily and she hits him with the same curse. He doesn't seem to know the counter and it seems it's below him to hop so as she sidesteps him own, she calls out "Winguardium Leviosa".
Malfoy realises too late that she was aiming at him. After carrying Harry to the Hospital Wing, she has perfected the spell.
"Do you yield?" she calls as she uses her magic like a lasso. Malfoy is too disoriented to cast any more spells.
"No!" he says defiantly.
Hermione shrugs and shakes him a bit more. She realises that Malfoy is looking pale or at least paler than usual. Maybe it's time to put him down. She's no murderer. It turns out to be the right choice.
When she lets Malfoy down, he staggers for a bit before casting a weak "Wnguardium Leviosa" of his own. Suffering from magical exhaustion, Hermione is just a bit too slow to sidestep it. Before he can truly move her though, Malfoy passes out.
They still haven't decided what to do about the dragon.
Hermione and Harry both adore the thing but they know it's impractical. Hagrid lives in a wooden hut and he doesn't seem to have any Fireproofing Charms. They don't know who they could ask to set them up without being suspicious. They aren't quite advanced enough yet though Harry has noticed that fire spells seem to come naturally to his sister.
He wonders if he will find his own such affinity. It doesn't really matter to him that much but Hermione had a point when said it would be useful. Harry argued that it was better to find your weakest and train it up. His sister countered that with the fact that they wouldn't be as comfortable with their natural element.
In the end, they decided to just wait a bit - maybe discover Harry's first before thinking on it further.
But yeah, they really don't want to try to cast those spells and get the opposite results. Hagrid might be able to do them with his not so secret umbrella wand but it seems unlikely that it will work and they don't want him to feel bad. They have no idea which year he was in when he was expelled - he might not know the charms and they don't want to embarrass the sweet guy
They really don't know what to do with situation.
Until they figure something out though, they are going to spend as much time as possible with the adorable thing. Harry admires it from afar but his sister, the obvious pyromaniac doesn't hesitate to get quite close. She gets burns from it: heck, he gets burns from the other side of the tent but healing salves aren't difficult band some of the older kids are quite desperate for a bit of cash.
Harry hopes it's because they've run out of pocket money or something like that. He doesn't want any else to have to suffer the way he does. Still... sometimes he's sure it's the case. It really galls him that he can't help them out but they are older and more independent. Harry had accepted (albeit very reluctantly) that he can't help everyone. It doesn't stop him from doing a couple of little things every now and again like a couple of extra sickles or a few essential supplies or even a couple of lists of Muggle shelters that he makes with Hermione as a joint Christmas present.
None of them say anything aloud but the appreciative nods and occasional hugs or pecks to the cheeks let the two siblings know that their thoughtfulness is appreciated.
Harry sometimes wonders - if it was them in their shoes, would anyone help them out? Hermione brings him swiftly back into reality by pointing out it's not the case. But her face betrays the fact that she thinks about it too. They know though that sometimes the streets are better than the house.
Harry wishes he had the courage.
Harry's most interesting Christmas present is an invisiblilty cloak. The note accompanying it says it was his father's. Harry debates whether or not to fetch Hermione before deciding that she's his older sister - she should see it to.
He sneaks into Hermione's alcove - the Hufflepuff Quarters are akin to a great cavern and unlike the famous charms on the Gryffindor girls' dormitories, every room is accessible to them. Harry wouldn't exactly call them rooms though. There is a huge cavern with deep alcoves.
It is both reassuring and frustrating.
One one hand, privacy is difficult to achieve but on the other, it is completely calming to know there are other people around in case something happens.
He remembers a couple if days ago, when he was woken up from a nightmare and there was at least a quarter of Hufflepuff around. The curtains were slightly open so he woke up the people next to him. Someone pressed a cup of hot chocolate into his hands and he didn't hesitate to drink.
After making it abundantly clear they saw each other as siblings, the Perfects winked at them, practically threw Hermione onto the bed and closed the curtains. Harry had never slept so well.
Harry stealthily steps through Hermione's curtains and rouses her gently. She cracks an eye open crankily. Hermione is by no means a fan of waking up. When she raises her eyebrows questioningly, he shows her his cloak. She manages to stifle a gasp of surprise and her eyes begin to twinkle with mischief.
They leave the alcove as quietly as possible.
Someone is still up though and they notice the disturbance. They look around carefully before approaching Hermione's alcove. Quickly, the two snuggle up in the bed and hide the cloak under the pillow.
Smiling, they flick their wand and tuck the two in.
Hermione and Harry lay deathly still for a few moments before slowly easing their way out. They manage to make it to the exit this time - an entrance concealed behind a stack of barrels. They are not far from the kitchens - something they shamelessly abuse.
The two wander the corridors for a while, excited to be able to roam freely without being spotted. At some point, they meet Mrs Norris, the caretaker's cat who seems to look right at them. She eventually stalks off and they breathe a sigh of relief.
They soon come across an abandoned classroom with a beautifully ornate mirror. The inscription, Harry notes is written backwards.
'I show not your face but your heart's desire.'
Unsure, they back away tentatively. Curious as they are, they are not sure the reflection is really meant for human eyes. But it's so tempting to just step forward and look in...
Hermione grips his arm and the spell breaks.
Shaken, they leave quickly. Their Quarters aren't too far and they miraculously manage to avoid detection on the way back. They curl up together on Hermione's bed and try to forget about it.
Hagrid's dragon problem is soon sorted. Via an anonymous tip ( they're pretty sure Dumbledore knows it was them), it becomes the headmaster's problem and they get to instead focus their energy on comforting Hagrid. Dumbledore doesn't do a bad job but with their added input, Hagrid is soon back to his jolly self.
They try to stay out of trouble after that - and manage. Right until a posses Quirrell decides to kidnap Harry. Hermione is not happy.
She gets an older Hufflepuff to teach her the Point-Me spell and tracks them down to the forbidden Third Floor corridor.
There is a sleeping Cerberus next the the trapdoor as an enchanted harp plays softly. As long as she doesn't make a racket, she should be fine.
There is nothing under the trapdoor except a long fall and Hermione curses. She guesses that it's the right time to try the self Winguardium Leviosa she was thinking about.
Successfully casting it, she lowers herself the the ground. It's extremely dark so she tries once again to conjure her bluebell flames. There is no one else here so evening she gets the ring of flames like the last time she tried, it should be safe. Surprisingly, the spell works as intended this time.
A bluebell jet of flames emerges from the tip.
She moves into the next room. Fluttering birds fly above glinting...
Hermione is quick to realise that they are in fact keys. She attempts an "Alohomora" on the door but as expected, it does not unlock.
Setting her gaze on the keys, Hermione picks out a slight rumpled, blue one.
She casts another "Winguardium Leviosa", slots the key in and unlocks the door. The next room is full of huge stone. As she scrutinises it, she realises that it is in fact an enlarged chess board. She is a terrible player and if it's anything like Wizards Chess, she doesn't want to play.
She stands there for a time before remembering the brooms in the previous room. With a truly chilling smile, she passes the obstacle quickly.
The next room contains a large troll. Hermione doesn't know if it's dead or knocked out but she doesn't want to take any chances: she flies right through.
While not the best with heights, Hermione enjoys moving quickly so skimming along on her broom is rather enjoyable.
When she enters the next room, flames light up behind her and she realises she is trapped. A table lies before her with several potions. A riddle lies nearby.
She paces for a while, thinking, before finally concluding that the golden potion will send her through.
She burst into the next room, wand at the ready only to find Quirrell writhing under Harry's touch. She smirks, it serves him right.
She becomes increasingly concerned when she realises what a bad Stata he's in. As Quirrel disintegrates, he manages.
"Sis.. stone.. p...pocket."
Her fingers grasp something hard and she nods, hiding it in her robes. Harry passes out.
The Jade Prince's first year concludes in that manner. He awakes in the hospital wing with a mountain of treats and a 'Thank you' letter from the world's most famous alchemist. Unfortunately, he now must part with his dear sister and go back to his relatives by blood. The summer is not looking exciting and he wonders what he might get caught up in next year...