A/N- Hello and welcome to my new story! I am quite obsessed with Hermione and have been throwing her into all kinds of different situations and this is one I keep coming back to. A few things to note:

1. I am not a professional writer, therefore there will be mistakes and things that just don't seem quite right. Please remember that I wrote this because its fun for me and it's not so fun getting nasty reviews about it.

2. I am not J.K. Rowling and these characters do not belong to me. Anything you recognize probably isn't mine.

3. This fic has about 33k words and 8 chapters. I really don't have the inspiration to continue it right now, but that might change seeing people's thoughts on it. This is part 1 in what I'm sure could be stretched into many parts. When I know what I'm planning on continuing to do with it, I'll let you all know.

Thanks so much for reading, I really do hope you like it!


The inhabitants of Cokeworth, England didn't agree on anything. The town was full of dreary people, unsatisfied with their lives but not motivated to do anything to change it. Most of the men worked at the paper mill while women, if they worked at all, were secretaries at the few local businesses. It was a dull place with grey sidewalks and old, cracked streets. Everything, it seemed, was old and worn, the color having faded from too many washes of harsh rain and wind that swept through the town every winter.

This being said, the small town was shocked when the bright family of Leonardo and Rose Evans came, moving into the large house at the end of the road when Rose was heavily pregnant with their first daughter, Petunia.

When she was born, Petunia was a thin baby, blonde tufts of hair tickling the tips of her ears. She grew up loving the attention she got from her family and their neighbors, a small smile on her face and her deep brown eyes wide and pretty as she blinked innocently at the women who cooed and fussed over her. Her parents were overjoyed with their little girl, but that's not to say she was without faults.

Petunia had a mean streak as wide as the English channel and it only grew as she aged, her upper lip curling with disgust as the other kids played in the mud. She was quite pretty, always fussing with her hair and cleaning her face with rigor to make sure she "didn't break out like Suzy Mayfield," who she claimed would never get a boy's attention if she didn't do something about the red spots covering her face.

The young blonde was quite popular and definitely a mean girl, but everyone wanted to please her, even if they thought she was the bane of their existence. She let everyone know when she was upset, and none could make her more red in the face than her little sister, Lily.

With Lily's burnt red hair and sparkling green eyes, she was the apple of the town's eyes and could do no wrong. She absolutely adored her older sister and followed in her footsteps becoming quite popular with the town's population. The other girls her age flocked to her but unlike Petunia, who was very exclusive when it came to who she talked to, Lily included everyone, especially those who no one else talked to.

Lily's group of misfits made Petunia's nose scrunch as they toddled around the playground just down the street and Lily was quick to anger when Petunia would dismiss the other kids who she had not deemed worthy to speak to her. The redhead had gotten in trouble with the older kids a lot when she hadn't been able to hold her tongue, yet despite everything, Petunia was always there to reign in the younger Evans, scolding her gently and drying her tears.

Since Lily was born Rose and Leonardo insisted that they didn't want anymore children, that they were perfectly happy with their two little flowers, so it was a shock when Rose fell pregnant with their third daughter, Hermione. The tiny newborn was born several weeks early and was deemed by most doctors to not make it through infancy, yet Hermione was strong and survived.

The young girl was nothing like either sister, not snooty and regal like Petunia, nor bold and brash like Lily, but calm and quiet, keeping to herself and tugging on Petunia or Lily's hand before whispering in their ear. She was sulky and moody as a child, her bottom lip always jutted out in a pout, yet no one, not her family, not the neighbors, not the various therapist and doctors the Evans hired, could figure out why Hermione was so withdrawn and seemingly going through a midlife crisis.

Hermione, though, she knew.

Since she blinked open her big brown eyes, there'd been another person inside her head, Hermione Granger. Since she was young, Hermione had been told stories by the woman inside her head, who she called Granger, about a boy named Harry Potter and his adventures with magic.


"Tuney, Mione," Lily shouted. Petunia, who was with Hermione at the swings, looked around sharply at the urgency in Lily's voice. The blonde rushed over and Hermione stopped the swing as fast as she could, not wanting to miss out. Lily was holding a flower that had yet to bloom in the chilly spring air. Petunia looked expectantly at her and Lily rolled her eyes. The redhead then breathed in and out evenly and, timed with her breathing, the flower bloomed, closed, and bloomed again. Petunia's eyes widened considerably.

"Stop that," cried Petunia as she slapped the flower out of Lily's hands. "That's not normal, Lily." "It is for her," a voice said behind them as Granger cooed in Hermione's head, 'I told you she was a witch.'

The three girls spun around and looked at a boy with a too-large-coat and too-small-trousers, worn shoes, pale skin, and velvety black hair. Petunia wrinkled her nose and pulled Hermione slightly behind her while keeping a firm eye on Lily.

"What do you mean? Who are you?" Lily asked curiously, her brow furrowed as she tried to place the boy. The boy looked at her, then to Petunia and Hermione, and back to Lily.

"You're a witch and I'm Severus Snape," he said simply.

'That's Snape?!' shreeched Granger as Petunia gave a look of distaste to the boy but before she could do anything, Lily opened her mouth.

"That's not a very nice thing to say." Lily scolded the boy and he just shrugged.

"It's true," he looked at her, "that's why you can do that. I can do it too, I'm a wizard." He looked at Petunia and Hermione, then turned back to Lily. "They can't because their muggles."

"What do you mean, muggle?"

"It means non-magic people." Lily looked at him excitedly.

"I can do magic?" She asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Petunia's grip on Hermione's arm tightened.

"That's enough of that," she said primly, "magic is not real, he's just messing with you Lils. Now, come on, we ought to get home before Mum worries."

Petunia walked away and Hermione, giving the boy a dark look as Granger whispered in her head, 'even as a kid he's a git,' followed her. Lily gave Snape an apologetic glance and hurried after her sisters.

The three girls were home in record time, and if Rose was shocked to see Hermione being dragged into the house by Petunia and Lily following mopedly, she hid it well. Once they were home, Lily glared at Petunia and Hermione, who were sitting on the sofa in the sitting room, and went into the kitchen to help with dinner.

Petunia's face was morphed into a scowl and a minute after Lily left them, she stomped up the stairs into her room. Hermione, being left alone on the couch, quietly rose to her feet and walked to the kitchen, peeking her head in the doorway.

"Mum?" Hermione asked softly. "Could I go outside and read?"

Rose nodded at her and a small smile crept onto Hermione's face as she grabbed a book from the bench near the door. She walked outside, letting the door close gently behind her, and over to the Hermione Roses near the fence line. Her mother was a big gardener and there was nothing she loved more then tending to her daughters' namesakes, except, of course, tending to the daughters, themselves. There she sat down on a white, wicker chair, that was placed out there for her benefit, and opened her book.

Hermione stared at the page for around ten minutes before resigning to the fact that she wasn't absorbing anything. She daintily picked up a broken flower from the ground, and started at it, sighing when the petals closed, bloomed, and closed again. She narrowed her eyes as it kept a repetitive cycle as if mocking her.

'You're powerful, nothing wrong with that,' said Granger. Hermione glared furiously at the ground, she didn't want to be powerful, she just wanted her sisters to get along. 'Oh, darling, we don't ever get what we want,' cooed Granger sadly and Hermione swallowed thickly, peeling the petals off the flower and letting them fall to the ground.

"Hermione?" The girl in question jumped a little as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Leo stood, watching his youngest and the flower. Hermione looked up to see him and a bright smile donned her features, a small dimple appearing in her left cheek.

"Daddy!" Hermione stood and threw her arms around him. "You're home."

"It looks like it," Leo agreed as he hugged his daughter. "Now what do you say we go in and get dinner?"

Hermione nodded and dropped her flower. She picked up her book and smiled as she walked inside, hand in hand with her father.


Hermione hid her magic from her sisters for as long as possible, despite Granger's protests of 'You should be proud of your magic,' and 'Come on, Hermione, if they knew it might help them get along,' intead choosing practicing her acts of magic near the Hermione Roses and seeking control of it under the strict instruction of the older woman in her head.

Also on Granger's orders, Hermione begged Lily to not talk to Snape, however, they had formed a firm friendship and often talked about Lily's newfound powers. Petunia on the other hand was not talking to Severus, and practically ignoring him. It was bliss, the way that they ignored Lily's magic and easily fell back into the rhythm that was between the sisters before that day at the park, yet it all changed when Hermione's birthday came around.

The September air was cool as they played in the park in sweaters and jeans. They were enjoying the time out of the house while Rose made Hermione's birthday dinner and Leo finished wrapping presents.

"Why are you looking around so much?" Petunia finally snapped looking at Lily, who was glancing around for the fifth time in as many minutes. Lily blushed and stopped straining her neck to look around them.

"Erm, sorry, I'm just looking for Severus, he was supposed to meet us here."

Hermione looked at Petunia's face, which was pale with anger, and winced. 'There's no way this can end well,' said Granger and Hermione sadly agreed.

"In case you didn't notice, it's our sister's birthday today. It's only one day in three hundred, sixty-five," hissed Petunia. "So for the love of everything you hold holy, could you stop it with your stupid friend and at least act like you want to be here with us."

"Tuney, it's fine," pleaded Hermione ('No, it's not. We told Lily to stay away from him and now she's ignoring you in favor of him? This is nothing like the Lily Evans I knew,' snarked Granger) as Lily opened her mouth to respond. "Clearly, Snape isn't here, so let's go home. I'm sure Mum's done with dinner."

"Right, of course," Lily said stiffly.

Petunia turned and walked away. Hermione gave Lily a small smile and followed her eldest sister.

They walked home in a uncomfortable silence, Petunia on one side of Hermione and Lily on the other. When they got to the door, Petunia walked in and sat on the far side of the couch while Lily sat one of the chairs opposite her. Hermione sighed as she peeked her head into the kitchen.

"Mum, we're back," Hermione said softly.

"Oh, I was just about to send Leo to get you." Rose dropped a kiss on the top of Hermione's head. "How does pot pie sound for dinner? And I've made three kinds of desert pies for afterwards."

Hermione grinned and nodded, her love of sweets, anything chocolate or pie, really, was very well known within the family and in the small town. She thanked her mother, heading back into the sitting room, where Leo was setting down a stack of five presents.

"Hermione, come on and sit, you can open your presents when your Mum comes in."

Hermione nodded and sat next to Petunia on the couch. Petunia gave Lily a smug smile to which Lily huffed.

"So, how was the park?" Leo asked, waiting for Rose to come in from the kitchen.

"It was good."

Hermione winced at the coldness in Petunia's voice. 'I've got to say, your Petunia's much better than the one I knew.'

"Did you have a good time, Lily?" Leo asked.

"Sure, except for the fact that Tuney totally overreacted," Lily sniped, glaring at Petunia.

"I didn't overreact! You were looking around for that Snape kid when you should have been celebrating Hermione's birthday, she always celebrates your birthday," screeched Petunia.

"Hermione's already said that it doesn't matter," the redhead screamed back. "You're just jealous that I have magic, why can't you just be happy for me?"

"Me, jealous? Get over yourself, Lils."

"Oh, really?"

Hermione's head swung back and forth like a tennis match as she growled at Granger, who was narrating the argument like one would a tennis match, to shut up.

"Yes, really. I have no reason to be jealous of you, why would anyone want to be a freak with a creepy friend," Petunia spat.

'Oh, God,' moaned Granger and Lily gasped as her jaw dropped. Hermione's eyes widened dramatically at her sister's behavior and suddenly the lamp nearest her levitated for a few seconds. Lily and Petunia's eyes were immediately drawn to it while Hermione breathed heavily. 'Hermione, it's okay,' soothed Granger, 'just breathe, Hermione. Deep breaths.'

"Hermione…" Lily trailed off.

The brunette, whose hands were clenched at her sides, snapped her head in Lily's direction before letting out a sob, sending the lamp violently down where it smashed to the floor and broke into several pieces. Hermione stared at what she had just done, horrified, as Granger winced.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she turned on her heel, passing her mother and bounding up the steps. She fell on her bed with a huff, tears streaming down her cheeks as Granger tried to console her, 'My first burst of accidental magic was exploding the shepard's pie my mum made because I wasn't allowed to read at the table,' and despite herself, Hermione giggled.

"Why me? Why I can't I just be normal?" whispered Hermione as her giggles turned into sobs and her hands gripped her hair, like she was trying to pull Granger out of her mind.

'I suppose it's time to tell you a story,' said Granger, her voice sad and detached. 'It started when I was eleven. I'm a muggleborn, just like you, and was so excited to actually belong somewhere, with people who could do what I could.

'I read up on everything I could to make sure I would fit in at Hogwarts and when September first came, I was so, so excited.' Granger laughed bitterly and Hermione hugged a pillow close to her chest, closing her eyes and letting Granger's voice wash over her. 'But nobody liked me, I was a know-it-all swot and even my Housemates would avoid me like the plague. Then Halloween came around and Ron Weasley insulted me after charms.

'I guess, I had finally reached my limit and I retreated to the girls bathroom and cried my eyes out. I was in there for most of the day until dinner, when a troll—an actual, twelve foot tall, murky-green-skinned troll—crashed into the bathroom, almost killing me.'

Hermione gasped and clutched the pillow to her chest even tighter.

'I know,' sighed Granger, 'but the same boy who insulted me, Ron Weasley, and his friend Harry Potter saved me and everything just clicked. I guess, fighting a troll and lying to teachers about it does that to you.

'Looking back on it, now, neither of them were very good friends to me, I suppose they only continued to hang out with me because they felt obligated to. Ron had a superiority problem, he had five older brother, you know, and abandoned Harry more then once. I forgave him every time, of course, except for the last, when we were on the run trying to kill Voldemort and he left us along in the woods.

'Harry forgave him when he came back, just like before. They were always closer then I could ever dream to be,' she added bitterly. 'I don't know why I continued to save them, over and over, but I loved Harry like a brother even if he chose Ron over me every time.

'I felt pity for him, he grew up treated like a slave and then was led to the slaughter by the man he grew to worship. I—I know you're still young, Hermione, but you weren't alive in my timeline, I looked it up, you died when you were a few days old and Lily never mentioned you. There's a reason I was sent back here to this little mind of yours Hermione. I will do everything in my power to help you because we can't let my future come to exist.'

"Okay," whispered Hermione brokenly. Tears were streaming down her cheeks again and she gave the empty room a small, sad smile. "Guess I'm the chosen one, then."

'No,' said Granger rather sharply before softening her voice. 'Chosen ones die tragic deaths and I will not let that happen, Hermione. You are not the chosen one.'

Hermione nodded slowly and didn't go downstairs that night until she was sure Petunia and Lily were in bed, when she padded to the sitting room, chewing her lip. Leo didn't say anything, just pulling her into a hug that had Granger tearing up in her mind.


The trip to Kings Cross on September first was tense. Lily was sprouting off facts about everything she learned to Hermione who was stuck sitting in the middle of the small car. The radio was on and Rose was humming softly to the music and Leo was tapping on the steering wheel. Petunia was leaning against the door, looking miserably out the window.

When they got there, Lily was the first one out of the car and was almost bouncing with excitement ('Oh, honestly. Even I wasn't that excited,' huffed Granger and Hermione just smirked because from what the older woman told her, that's exactly how excited she was.). Leo pulled the trunk out of the back of the car and loaded it onto a cart with Lily's owl perched on top in his cage. Lily excitedly took control of the cart, pushing it until it was almost touching the wall between platforms nine and ten.

"Bye, Mum, bye, Dad," Lily said, hugging her parents. "I need to find Severus, and I'll owl you soon, okay?"

She had gone to Diagon Alley with Rose and Leo when she got her letter. Professor Minerva McGonagall had shown up on their doorstep and Lily had grinned brightly at the woman. When they came back, Hermione was quietly waiting for them in the sitting room and Lily proudly showed her the small owl they got along with all her school supplies.

Rose and Leo nodded and Lily turned to her sisters.

"Owl me as soon as you get your letter, alright," Lily told Hermione and she nodded, hugging her.

"Love you, Lils," Hermione said and stood at her fathers side, ignoring Granger's wistful sigh as she eyed the wall between the platforms.

Lily turned to Petunia.

Petunia's mouth tightened as she choked out, "bye."

Lily's eyes closed briefly as if she was in pain. "Bye."

Hermione winced at the cold interaction and even Granger, who Hermione has learned she could always count on to make things awkward, clucked her tongue sypathetically.

Lily smiled at her parents once more and with final goodbyes, turned and gripped her cart's handle. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, running into the wall. She crossed through and that was that.


Hermione,

Oh, you wouldn't believe how exciting Hogwarts is. It's only been my first day but wow… it's even better than I thought it would be. I was sorted into Gryffindor, the house with the lion, and it's absolutely marvelous. Severus was sorted away from me, in Slytherin, but that's okay because we're still friends.

I've already met some people, there's this boy named James Potter, who is such a bully, we sat with him and this other boy, Sirius Black, on the train, and it wasn't even five minutes before we had to move because he was such a prat to Severus.

I can't wait until you're in Gryffindor with me, it's going to be great.

With love,

Lily


September 19th, 1971

Lily,

You've probably guessed by now, but I got my letter. We went to Diagon Alley and I have all my supplies. I've just started reading Hogwarts, A History, which is super interesting by the way. My wand has a dragon heartstring as a core and is vinewood.

Petunia's not too happy about it, she just rolled her eyes and said she was going to the park when McGonagall came. I think Mum's upset that we're not getting along. Have you written Petunia, yet? I think you should, it will probably make her feel more included.

With love,

Hermione


"Alright, we're on our way to get Lily," declared Leo, opening the door for Rose. Hermione nodded and waved at them as the door closed. When it did, the young girl quietly sat on the couch, staring at the telly.

'Do it, Hermione,' urged Granger, 'it's best to make up with Petunia now. Before Lily gets home.' The brunette had been wanting to make up with Petunia the whole year, but it was never the right time. Sighing heavily and praying the Granger was right ('Of course, I am'), Hermione made her way upstairs.

"Tuney?" Hermione knocked on the door leading to Petunia's room. The door opened and Hermione gave a hesitant smile to Petunia.

"Before Lily gets home, I was, erm, well—" Hermione started, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. When Petunia raised her eyebrows Hermione spit out, "I was wondering if you would come to Kings Cross Station on September first."

Petunia froze. "What?"

"Well, I wanted my big sister there," whispered Hermione.

Petunia swallowed, "Lily will be there."

"Yeah, I guess so." Hermione's shoulders slumped. "I — nevermind."

"Wait," called Petunia as Hermione started to turn, 'This is it,' crooned Granger, 'she's going to agree.' "If you want me to come…I'll be there, but I have to warn you, Lily may not like it."

Hermione beamed at her, "Doesn't matter."

Petunia let out a bark-like laugh and smiled hesitantly at Hermione. 'Well done,' applauded Granger and Hermione turned, rolling her eyes at the voice in her head.


The summer passed quickly with Lily telling Hermione exactly what to expect when, how, and where, until finally Hermione exclaimed, "I'll not get to experience it if you tell it to me, Lils."

Petunia had smiled slightly at that, Granger gave her an 'Atta girl,' and Lily had gaped at her like a fish until Hermione sighed and tugged at a strand of her hair, saying that she only wanted to be surprised at it. Lily had just nodded sadly and Hermione had chewed her lip.

On the ride to Kings Cross, Hermione was anxiously flexing her fingers, popping her knuckles, and biting her nails, yet being completely silent, as they listened to the radio. The young witch was in the middle of her two sisters again and Lily was chattering on and on about how much fun they were going to have in Gryffindor together.

"And the fireplace, oh, 'Mione, you're going to love it. It's all nice and cozy and the perfect place to curl up with a blanket and a book," exclaimed Lily, grinning at Hermione.

Internally, Granger was wincing, 'I feel bad, but you can't let the hat put you in Gryffindor, okay? We cannot afford to get on Dumbledore's radar.' Granger spat out the headmaster's name with venom that made Hermione wonder what he did to make the dry and sarcastic, yet kind and loving woman hate him so much. 'He keeps too many secrets and thinks everything's for the greater freaking good. He sacrificed a family for a decade of peace and in my book, that's unforgivable.'

Hermione knew all about the family that was sacrificed, her sister and James Potter and Harry Potter, Granger's best friend. Her hand's stilling for the first time she got in the car, Hermione fiercely promised that she'd stop that from happening this time. 'I know you will, sweet girl,' cooed Granger in her ear.

With that, they arrived at the train station and Lily practically jumped out of the car, grabbing a trolley for herself as Leo unloaded the trunks from the boot. Hermione's own hands moved of their own accord, gripping the handle of a second trolley tightly as Leonardo loaded her trunk onto it along with her owl, who she named Titania, her favorite character in her favorite Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night's Dream ('Oh, the symbolism!' cried Granger dramatically).

It was only as they neared the platform that Hermione's feet got heavy and she looked at the wall with apprehension. Lily skimmed through goodbyes, barely even glancing at Petunia and hugging and kissing both Rose and Leo before bounding through the platform, telling Hermione not to worry, but that she had to find Severus and that she'd see her at Hogwarts. Both Granger and Petunia huffed at the redhead and Hermione was struck with how similar they were.

"Hermione, dear," fussed Rose, tears in her eyes. "Oh, don't forget to brush your teeth and make sure you brush your hair after taking a shower, you know how it gets."

The brunette smiled gently at her mother. "I know, Mum, don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Of course, you will," said Leo firmly, although his eyes looked teary as well.

"I love you both and I'll write every week, okay?" Hermione wrapped her arms around Rose first, and then Leo.

"Twice a week," Rose tearfully cried and Hermione nodded.

"Twice a week," she agreed and turned to Petunia, who was waiting quietly, chewing on her bottom lip.

"Don't go forgetting me, now, you hear?" said the blonde, her voice thick.

"Never," promised Hermione, smiling at her sister.

"Go on, then. Scram. Or all the seats will be taken." Petunia pressed her lips together firmly as Hermione darted forward, her arms loosing circling her sister's waist.

'She's right, you know. All the seats will be taken,' commented Granger, but Hermione just ignored her.

"See you at Christmas, Tuney." Hermione gave a soft smile at the three of them and inhaled deeply before running in between the two platforms.