Hermione honestly wished she had more time just to explore this castle. She had just arrived at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry just that evening, and every where she looked in the castle, she saw so many amazing things she couldn't help but be totally awestruck.

Hermione was a witch. That is, she could use magic. A bit of a shock, to be sure, but Hermione was eager to learn everything she could about magic.

Before long, she and the rest of the new Gryffindors were told to stop. They had arrived at a portrait of a lady who appeared to be singing. When the portrait saw them (yes, the portraits in this castle seemed to be conscious in some way), she requested a password from the prefect leading them, Percy Weasley.

"Caput Draconis," he said, and the portrait swung away from the wall, revealing an opening into a common room decorated in red and gold. Percy led the students inside.

The room was rather cozy, containing several large couches, a few tables, and a large fireplace, which currently contained a fire. The windows on the other side of the room gave what Hermione imagined would be a stunning view of the grounds, but it was currently pitch-black outside. Two sets of stairs on either side of the room lead up to what Hermione assumed were the dormitories.

Hermione took all this in in less than 10 seconds, and her attention snapped back to Percy, who was saying, "boys are upstairs on the left, girls on the right."

Hermione and the other first year Gryffindor girls stepped over to the stairs on the right, following the other prefect – a girl – who had up until now remained silent.

She introduced herself as Virginia Lee, then said, "before you all head up the stairs, I have a couple things to tell you. Firstly, if you check the notice board tomorrow morning, there will be a stack of guides to the castle on the table next to it. Secondly, at breakfast tomorrow morning, your head of house, that being professor McGonagall, will be handing out your course schedules to you. Lastly, the stairs are enchanted. No boys will be able to climb them. With all that in mind, any questions?"

None of the other 4 girls had any questions.

Hermione would probably have, but at this point, she wasn't properly able to answer any of them. No, Hermione Granger was, in fact, having a bit of a panic attack. The reason being very unobvious to everyone else: she was, in fact, a trans girl. She had come out at around the age of 5 to fortunately very supportive parents. That summer, her parents had helped her entirely socially transition – however, as per her own decision, they had moved her to a new school. Once there, only the headmaster knew of her situation – and he had also been very fortunately supportive. Everyone else there only ever knew her as Hermione Jean Granger, an intelligent young girl whose curiosity knew no bounds.

And she would prefer to keep it that way at this new school.

However, Hermione was now very worried that these enchantments would reveal the truth. The professor who visited her hadn't seemed at all aware. The letter informing her of her acceptance to Hogwarts had called her 'Miss Hermione Granger.'

But now, it seemed as though she might be outed by something as ridiculous as a set of stairs.

"Hey, you alright?" a voice said.

Hermione looked up in the direction the voice came from. Standing behind her, a concerned look on his face, was none other than Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. This boy was famous across the entire wizarding world for something that happened when he was but an infant. One of the most dangerous dark wizards who ever lived, had murdered Harry's parents, then turned his wand on the child in his crib, but his curse had deflected, and instead killed the dark wizard. Hermione had yet to hear anyone actually say the wizard's name – all any of the books ever said was "You-Know-Who" and "He Who Shall Not Be Named."

Hermione opened her mouth to respond to Harry, but no sound came out.

Harry smiled at her. "Nervous then? Me too. I had trouble paying attention to what Percy was saying."

Hermione glanced at the stairs, then back to Harry, hoping for Harry to somehow realise and sympathise with her plight.

Harry snorted. "I'm sure the stairs don't bite, y'know."

Hermione might have laughed had she not been in her current panicked state.

Harry stuck out his hand. "Hermione, right? I remember seeing you on the train."

Hermione nodded, almost imperceptibly, but Harry noticed.

"How 'bout I walk you up the stairs then. Help you with your nervousness."

Hermione's eyes widened, thinking to protest, but again, she could say nothing.

Harry took her hand and led her over to the base of the stairs. Hermione followed on auto-pilot. They went up a few steps. They went up a few more steps. Eventually, the pair reached a door that was labelled 'First-Years.'

Hermione took a deep breath. She had made it. The stairs hadn't rejected her. It was as if Hogwarts itself saw her as she was – as a girl.

"Th-thanks," she said.

"Don't mention it," Harry said. "Like actually, don't mention it. I don't think I'm supposed to be up here." He let out a laugh. "Well… good night, Hermione."

Hermione nodded. "Good night," she squeaked.

She watched Harry walk back down the stairs. She let out a long breath. She pushed open the door. The other 4 girls had already claimed beds. Her trunk was next to the only unclaimed one. She walked over, and flopped down on her bed.

Her mind was racing. The stairs hadn't stopped her heading up. That alone made her feel giddy, her stomach doing flip-flops in her chest. But as for Harry… Harry had made it up the stairs too. Was the enchantment broken, maybe? Or maybe…

Hermione sighed. It was very unlikely, but Hermione let her mind consider the possibility that maybe Harry was actually like her. And if so… Hermione had no idea how on Earth she would begin to help her.

She needed to write to her parents as soon as possible.