A/N: Hey guys! Sorry its taken so long to get this chapter up but work and life sucks :\. I do have an announcement in this note however! I will be changing the title of this story! As I write I find the direction of this story heading in a different direction as I originally thought! This story is now known as LOST BOYS! Thank you for all the love I have received. Please review if you wish and follow if you want to see how it unfolds!

The heavy wooden door swung open with surprise ease. Hermione took a few small tentative steps into the large office. Hermione had never been into the office during Dumbledore's reign as Headmaster, but from what Harry described it looked much different. Where Harry described the round room as organized chaos with random knickknacks and curiosities strewn around the room, this room was all business. The back wall was almost all window, showing the black lake and Quidditch field behind the headmasters' desk. Tall bookshelves ran along the left side of the room, filled to the brim with various volumes. The other side of the room held only rows upon rows of portraits of former headmasters. Hermione smiled to herself as she saw the most recent frame. It held Phineas Black, Sirius' ancestor, he was currently silently snoring in his frame. Hermione then turned her attention to the wizard behind the desk.

The wooden desk its self was very brobdingnagian but it was nowhere near as intimidating as the wizard that sat behind it. Professor Armando Dippet was a severe looking man. Looking at him gave Hermione the same feeling she used too get looking at Professor Snape. Outwardly he looked normal enough, slightly tan skin showing slight signs of age, deep brown eyes, a nose that sat just slightly to large on his face and shoulder length curling brown hair that is increasingly peppered by grey and white hairs as was his beard. The way he carried himself made him all the more imposing. He wore grand gold and purple robes, including a matching hat, even though it was a Saturday evening.

His eyes lingered on his paperwork for a few seconds before looking up. His eyes widened in slight confusion for a brief second before a mask of aloof curiosity blanketed his face, "Albus, what can I do for you and your lovely guest this evening?"

Hermione had to stop herself from doing a double take. The voice that came out of the Professors mouth didn't match her impression of him. With such a presence she was expecting something overpowering and boisterous. He spoke, however, with a quiet yet dignified commanding voice.

Dumbledore looked down at her and sent her a small encouraging smile, "Professor Dippet, may I introduce you to my new ward, Hermione Granger" She sent him a small smile at the introduction, glad to not have to try and remember to react to a new identity as well as a fake background.

Dippet extended a hand towards Hermione. She reached with her own hand out and took a few small steps to bridge the gap before grasping his hand in a short handshake.

Dumbledore went on, "She just arrived an hour or so ago. She had this." Dumbledore handed Dippet a letter parchment from under his cloak. Hermione started to internally panic. Dumbledore must have sensed this as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gently patted, willing her to trust him as he trusted her.

Dumbledore continued as Dippet read the letter, "I was very good friends with her adoptive father during my schooling years, we kept in contact after his move to France to get away from Grindelwald. Unfortunately the muggle world war caught them before the dark wizard could and they perished. It was understood that should anything happen to them at I was to become her guardian and would continue her schooling. She was formally homeschooled and will be entering her 5th year."

Dippet put the letter down on his desk and folded his hands on top of it, "Miss Granger, I am very sorry for your loss. During these troubling times it seems nowhere magical or muggle is safe. We endeavor to keep all students safe inside these walls and that pledge extends to you as well. I know words are but hollow sentiment but you are more than welcome to join our ranks and continue your schooling."

Hermione sent him a watery smile as her eyes teared up but no tears fell. To him, it would seem as if she was missing her parents but in truth she cried for herself. She felt terribly guilty for feeling so selfish but she couldn't help but think of everything she left behind and while it was for the greater good, it felt sad. She pushed the selfish thoughts down, she would make it worthwhile and if she didn't die trying she knew she could make a good life for herself. She would see Harry and Ron again. She would be much older but she would see them again regardless.

Dippet sent her a tight smile, "Now I assume tomorrow yourself and Dumbledore will head to Hogsmeade to gather your appropriate school uniform and books so you are ready to go for Monday?" Dumbledore sent him an affirmative nod and he continued, "Now we have one more matter to attend to."

Dippet stood up and walked to one of the bookshelves. He reached up top and grabbed a large black box. The lid was embossed with the Hogwarts crest. He opened it and Hermione couldn't help but smile. The sorting hat had a special place in her heart. It was the sorting had that made her feel like she belonged. Until the hat placed her into Gryffindor, she feared that there may have been a mistake, but being placed into a house meant she belonged, it meant she had a place in this world.

He went on to explain the houses to her, "Here at Hogwarts we sort our students into four houses, they are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff to honor and represent each of the schools founding members. While in school your house is like a family. Positive actions earn points and negative actions deduct points. The house that has the most points at the end of the year wins the house cup. You live and study with your house while in school. This hat sorts you into your house."

With that, he placed the old brown hat onto her head. She could feel it become sentient and begin to speak, "My my Miss Granger this is a surprise. I see you have been sorted before but I have not sorted you. You do not belong here and yet you do not disturb my time line. Interesting very interesting."

Hermione sighed, she didn't know what the hat meant by her not being a disturbance but she was anxious to be sorted into Gryffindor again. The hat tutted, "You have changed much since you were last sorted Miss Granger. Do you really feel as though Gryffindor is truly your home this time around?" She mentally nodded her head. What kind of question was that! Of course she was a Gryffindor.

She was a hat stall her last time wearing the sorting hat and this time seemed no different, although this time seems to be more of a conversation, "This time around you don't have those who make it your home Miss Granger, that must be taken out of your thought process." Hermione didn't think of this. She wanted Gryffindor but with Harry or Ron not there would it feel the same?

He or was it, it? Went on, " No no no that is not the house for you in this time. You have seen and done too much in your own time to be happy in Gryffindor in this era. No this time you shall be"

The hat finished out loud, "Slytherin!"