Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, places, ideas, etc. that are contained within Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling does. The only thing I can even remotely try to claim ownership of is my part of the plot. So please don't sue me, remember I am a lowly 16 year old girl, I have no money, so you wouldn't be gaining anything. Anything else you recognize from any other place, I don't own that either, sometimes these ideas fly into my head before I realize where it came from. Thank you. I think that covers everything, I hope.

Chapter 1: Leading Up

My life was perfect, I realize that now. That was then though. Before everything went all crazy. When Harry, Ron, and I were inseparable. When I was goody two-shoes Granger. Top of the class, teacher's pet and all the like. I was that girl up until this year. Sixth year, a year full of surprises. Who I am, what I am, why I am, all these questions receive new answers, as my life is turned upside-down. And all I seem to think is how strange it is that when my life was perfect, just as I like it, that I should have it turned upside-down. Isn't it ironic?

Three weeks before term starts:

"Mya! Mya! Hurry up! You'll be late to meet everyone at Diagon Alley!" called my mother as she stepped out the door.

"Coming Mom!" I yelled as I raced down the stairs to meet her.

We arrived at Diagon Alley on time per usual; we were never ones to be late. I met up with Harry and Ron like always, and ditched my mom after withdrawing my money from Gringots. I had interned at the Daily Prophet this summer to earn some money. Not to mention to be sure to keep an eye on Rita Skeeter.

I felt that something was odd that day. Even there, with everyone, I knew something wasn't right. This isn't how things are supposed to be going. And oddly enough that this is not where I was supposed to be.

I was confused utterly and undeniably that day. But I am open minded and so I looked at that day through observant eyes, trying to figure out why I felt this way. That I didn't belong, not here, and that somewhere out there, there was a life waiting for me to realize it.

Harry and Ron noticed my change in demeanor, and were quite curious. However they both knew through previous experiences not to ask me what was wrong. Not yet, not when I was obviously trying to work something out. I could tell though that they were concerned. When my mom and I left Harry came up to me and gave me a big hug and kissed me on my forehead like you would when comforting a crying child and whispered in my ear "If you ever need me, just call Hermione. I don't know what's wrong and by the looks of it I don't think you do either. But I will always be there for you. Okay?"

"Okay Harry, thanks." I said hugging him back. It felt so good to be there, safe in his arms. After losing his godfather, Harry had changed. He was no longer happy go lucky, though he never really was, but he had grown more mature. Ron came up next. He didn't kiss me like Harry did, probably because his girlfriend Parvati was right there, but he did hug me and tell me to owl him if necessary. He also added, like the big brother he was to me, "Is it a guy? If it is you just tell me who it is, okay? I'll make sure it won't happen again."

All I could do was laugh and assure him it wasn't a guy, indeed there was no guy. I got in Mom's Cadillac and waved as we left. If there is one thing I can say about that day, it's that Harry kept his promise. And that for this I was grateful.

About a week later I came up to my room from getting off the phone with Harry, who had just given me the shocking news that he had pierced his bottom lip, to find an owl sitting on my desktop, right next to my laptop and stereo system that I had charmed to work at Hogwarts. I went to the owl and untied the letter and it immediately flew away. I hadn't recognized it so I was very curious as to what was contained in this letter. I was just about to open it when my mom yelled up to my room that Danny was here. Danny is my best friend in the muggle world. He even knows about Hogwarts. I asked for special permission from Dumbledore to be allowed to owl him during the school year, along with a promise from Danny saying that he wouldn't spill anything about my world to anyone.

I rushed out of my room and bounded down the stairs towards the living room.

"Danny!" I called as he spun around. I jumped up and gave him a big hug. He had been gone on some sort of trip the past two weeks and I'd missed him dearly. After I finished hugging him, he walked into the kitchen and told Mom we would be outside if she needed us. She just nodded and smiled, she really liked Danny. As he led me outside I could tell there was something he wanted to tell me. As we sat down on the bench by the garden and turned to face each other he gave me some of the most surprising news I had ever heard since I got my letter from Hogwarts.

Peace bri-alma-libre