Chapter 1: Pureblood Lions and Pureblood Snakes
Hermione was thinking about the chapter on Headmaster Dumbledore in Hogwarts: A History as she sat in the backseat of a red car owned by her parents who were dumping her off at King's Cross.
A part of her still could not believe this was happening. Witches and wizards were non-existent. Okay, they did exist, but not outside the realms of Narnia or Middle Earth. This was one of the first proofs life sent her way. A proof that anything can happen.
"Well, here we are," Ariadne Granger announced and parked the car at a distance from the station. "King's Cross is here. Platform Nine is on the left, Platform Ten is on the right. Platform Nine and Three Quarters is a clear mockery of a smart girl like you."
And with that, her parents were off. They were off to Norwich, off to a warm cup of tea, off to a smashing business of dentistry. They were off and they'd left Hermione behind.
She threw her hair off her shoulders and sneered. Clear mockery, was it? She'll show them!
And with an air of confidence of someone who was ever-prepared for this to happen, Hermione Granger ran through the wall and found herself on the other side.
She took in the sight. People wearing long robes like McGonagall had worn that day. Parents were waving goodbyes and children were hugging their friends in a deep embrace of reunion. For a moment she thought she felt something in her eyes, but she shook the feeling off. This world was no place for showing weakness.
As her thoughts began drifting elsewhere, she felt a big weight on her back and found herself falling to the floor. The impact was excruciating. She registered pain in her arse and limbs and her suitcase had toppled over her stomach.
"Oops!"
A blond boy, quite plump-looking and large, reached out to her. She hastily took his hand and stood up before brushing the dirt off her shabby jacket. The boy looked quite frightened, his eyes staring back at her as if daring her not to kill him.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going and – and my grandmother –"
"NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM! WHY ON EARTH ARE YOU WASTING TIME SOCIALISING? CLIMB ON THE EXPRESS NOW!"
A comparatively smaller woman with grey hair entered Hermione's range of vision. The woman wasted no time in launching into what looked like a lengthy lecture. Hermione glanced around to see a group of people gathering around them. Pointing and laughing at Neville.
With a deep breath, she interrupted the lecture with a loud cough. "I think Neville and I should get going, yes?"
It seemed like that was the moment when Augusta Longbottom finally took in the crowd staring at them. As if they were the Weird Sisters! She nodded to the girl, waved a goodbye to her grandson and turned away.
Neville wore a small, grateful smile which she returned wholeheartedly.
The two climbed the Hogwarts Express and tried searching for a compartment that was empty. Giving up, they entered the last compartment and saw it inhabited by three boys their age.
One of them was a blond. Not like Neville, mind you. There was nothing pleasant about his face and his mouth was twisted into an ugly sneer. Once he raised his gaze, the sneer grew.
"Oi, look who we have here!"
The two other boys started guffawing loudly for a reason Hermione couldn't comprehend.
"It's the newest Longbottom!" snorted the blond. "Your name suits you well, you know. Every part of you except for your bottom is longer than hell. Okay, girlfriend dearie's bottom is much sexier, I'll give you that!"
Both Hermione and Neville turned red at this, but Neville recovered quicker. He got his wand out. Well, it was clear that he didn't know spells. This made the blond idiot laugh outright.
"Come on, Neville!" Hermione said. Her face was still red, but the anger flashing in her eyes was never more evident.
Neville gave them one last menacing glare (which was returned by sniggers) before letting Hermione lead him out of the compartment.
After several minutes of tedious hunting, the duo found an empty compartment near the entrance of a restricted carriage. It was their only option and so, they sat opposite each other and huffed.
The boy wiped his forehead and stammered a thank you. The girl nodded and said, "Likewise."
After a long moment of silence, Neville Longbottom began telling Hermione about the four houses of Hogwarts. Never mind the fact that she'd read Hogwarts: A History page to page. At the question of which Hogwarts house they wanted to be sorted in…
Neville sighed. "I wish to be in Hufflepuff, you know. Hufflepuff is a great house. Gran says that Pomona Sprout's the Head!"
"Pomona Sprout? The famed Herbologist?"
Neville nodded but cast his face down. His Gran wanted him to be in Gryffindor, just like his parents. He'd heard countless heroic tales of Frank and Alice Longbottom. He celebrated Christmas with them every year at St. Mungo's.
"We need to keep our reputation, she says," he explained and buried his head in his arms. "Blood traitors like us must dwell among the brave of heart."
Hermione questioned him about Blood traitors and so, out tumbled the tale of the ancient rivalry of Pureblood Lions and Pureblood Snakes. Blood traitors and Blood supremacists. Brave warlocks and Dark Lords.
His friend listened in plain horror as he recounted the stories of Muggles being tortured in the First Wizarding War which he'd overheard his great-uncle Algie say.
"Anyway," the girl said in a desperate attempt to change the topic. "I wish I'd brought a cat. My parents wouldn't allow me. Have you brought any pets along?"
Neville nodded and reached into the pocket of his jacket. A beautiful toad popped out and jumped into his hand.
"This is Trevor. I found him lurking around a swamp near our house. He was hurt and Gran helped me patch him up. Now he's as active as a hare!"
As if on cue, the toad jumped out of his hands and before either of them could stop it, Trevor made a grand exit.
A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for the follows, favourites, and reviews. This is my first fanfic that I've decided to publish so please bear with any grammatical errors you come across. What are your opinions on this chapter? Could it have been any better?
Hermione and Neville won't remain friends for long though… sorry if that's disappointed anyone but I really need to get Harry and Ron in the limelight. Guess what! Our Golden Trio will meet for the first time in the next chapter.
Reviews are the reason why I want to keep breathing!
Hugs and smiles,
Seraphina Silver