A/N: Hello, loves! First, I'd like to apologize for my extended absence. I've been helping my fiance pack up everything and move, plus I started a new job. Life is crazy! I'm hoping to start posting more often again, but I can't make any promises and don't want to disappoint you all. Please be patient with me!

This chapter was a pain to get out, so I'd love your feedback on what you liked/didn't like/want to see more of. Like I said at the beginning, this is going to be rather long, so I hope the slow pacing doesn't drive you away! Also, this chapter has not been edited beyond my own edits. I'm currently searching for an alpha and a beta, so please send anyone who might be interested my way, especially if they're a Brit-picker! I'd sincerely appreciate the help. Since I'm the only one that's gone over it, I also appreciate anyone pointing out any errors they might see. As I'm sure you'll notice, some of these lines do come from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I do not own any of this content and am just borrowing it from J.K.R. I am in no way profiting from this work of derivative fiction.

Finally, shout out to bright places, Grovek26, imasurvivor21, Virginie Cires, JuliSt., sunshine.katz, Nantai, Coralyne, Flic, thebean394, and the guest for your reviews on the last chapter. Seeing others get excited about the story fuels my desire to write more. I'm so glad to share this with you all! Sending each and every one of you love.

This chapter was written to the HP soundtrack for inspiration

Audāx ● 4

The rest of Hermione's visit to Diagon Alley was rather uneventful. She was poked and prodded in Madam Malkin's when she was fit for robes, but she managed to convince Sev to let her get a beautiful burgundy set of dress robes for any special occasions they might have during the term. He had very nearly turned her down, but she pouted up at him with her big brown eyes, and he'd wavered. He'd heaved a great, gusting sigh and muttered under his breath, "At this rate, you'll end up in Slytherin before the hat even touches your head."

She'd looked up at him, curious. "Slytherin?"

Sev had given her a quelling look, not too subtly reminding her that she was supposed to already know these things. She had barely covered up her cringe and nodded.

Following her robe adventure, Sev took pity on the obviously-tired child and pulled her into Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlor, where she ordered a double-scoop of raspberry and chocolate ice cream. Sev directed her to a table in the back of the establishment and began to answer her previous question.

"Slytherin is one of the four houses of Hogwarts, created by Salazar Slytherin," Severus began. Hermione didn't look up from her ice cream, but she knew that Sev would continue. He didn't like to be interrupted.

"The other four houses are Hufflepuff, whose founder was Helena Hufflepuff; Ravenclaw, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw; and Gryffindor, founded by Godric Gryffindor. Together, the four house founders founded Hogwarts to teach the magical children of Britain and Ireland," Sev paused and raised his eyebrows at Hermione, who, despite not interrupting him, had been practically vibrating with questions.

Hermione's first question rushed out of her. "So, Hogwarts only takes children from Britain and Ireland? Where does everyone else go?"

Sev barely cracked a smile. "There are other wizarding schools: Beauxbatons in France, Durmstrang somewhere in Norway or Sweden, and Castelobruxo in Brazil are just a few of them. They each accept witches and wizards from specified areas."

Hermione nodded, waiting for the man to go on.

"Each Hogwarts house has a different value, and that's usually how students are sorted. Slytherin prizes ambition above all, though Slytherins also value leadership, cunning, determination, and resourcefulness."

Hermione stifled a laugh. "And you think I would make a good Slytherin?"

Sev smirked. "Well, since I've known you since you were a small child, I should say it's likely. I am, after all, head of Slytherin House."

Hermione bowed her head, lost in thought. She was ambitious, she supposed. She didn't much like the idea of being cunning, as she'd always thought it was a trait that seemed a little manipulative. There were things she wanted, but she thought it best to achieve them through honest means instead of tricking others out of it. She'd never had a chance to lead, but she was rather determined and resourceful. Hermione untangled her brows and looked up at Severus. "And the other houses?"

Sev sighed. "The other houses value different traits. I've already told you about Gryffindor since you were sorted there previously." The disdain dripped from his voice, though Hermione couldn't help but note the light in his eyes as he described the house. "Courage, daring, and nerve are the other traits of Gryffindors. I've heard they're supposed to be chivalrous, but I've yet to witness it."

Hermione giggled.

"Ravenclaws are our resident geniuses. They value intelligence, wit, creativity, and cleverness. You're more likely to find them with their nose in a book or in a heated debate over one topic or another than anything else. Hufflepuff is known for loyalty, patience, hard work, and tolerance. Helga Hufflepuff famously said she'd take anyone the other houses didn't, so it's the most diverse of the houses." Sev stopped to take a sip of water from the glass in front of him.

Of the houses, Hermione wasn't quite sure where she belonged. They each had their appeal, but she found she couldn't find one she preferred more than the other on description alone. She rather hoped wherever she was placed, she would make friends. That would make the transition to the wizarding school much easier, but she supposed that having Sev there would be at least be nice even if she made no other friends.

Hermione opened her mouth to ask Sev another question, but the ringing of the bell other the door of Fortescue's interrupted her, and, short moments later, so did a woman's voice ringing across the shop. "Severus Snape!"

Sev looked up, and his reserved demeanor cracked just a bit. A real smile, one of the few Hermione had ever seen on the man's face, spread his lips and transformed his usually dour expression with warmth. Crow's feet extended from the corners of his eyes, and he slid his chair back as he rose to his feet.

"Lily Evans, as I live and breathe," Sev drawled. Hermione followed his gaze over her shoulder and gaped at the whirlwind of red hair and black robes that swiftly approached them and wrapped Sev in a hug.

If Hermione had been shocked by the display of affection, she nearly dropped to the floor when the woman pulled back and kissed Sev on the cheek. She gripped his forearms and beamed up at him, her head barely reaching Sev's shoulders. "It's Potter now, you prat. It's been so long since I've seen you! How have you been? What have you been up to?" she rambled off questions so quickly that she could barely catch her breath. "Wait—don't answer that. I'll be right back."

Lily turned and rushed to the door. "James will be so excited to see you!"

The door dinged again, and the little witch was gone, silence once more in her place. Hermione looked up at Sev, her mouth agape as she tried to process the scene in front of her.

"She's an old friend," was the only explanation Sev gave, and the door dinged once more, the red-haired whirlwind dragging another tall man behind her.

"See, he's here!" Lily rolled her eyes at Sev conspiratorially. "James didn't believe me. Said I was barmy. So, instead of walking in here like a civilized individual, I had to drag him in, nearly by the broomstick." She waggled her eyebrows, and Hermione felt herself blush to the roots of her hair.

Whoever this woman was, she certainly left nothing to the imagination.

"Oi, woman," the other wizard spoke up, "you'll do no such thing with my broomstick."

Sev laughed and held his hand out. His eyes were only slightly apprehensive, but Hermione would never have noticed if she hadn't known him for so long. "James. It's good to see you."

The other wizard rolled his eyes and pulled Sev into a very reluctant hug. "Sev, how many times have I told you that family hugs?"

Family?! Hermione's mind whirred. She knew that Sev had to have some kind of family somewhere, but she'd never imagined a family like this. She'd always imagined them somewhat like him—reserved, hard to please, and very stoic. Instead, these two people were some of the most boisterous people she'd ever seen.

Sev finally extracted himself from the wizard and straightened his robes. "Duly noted," he breathed, though he mumbled under his breath, "for the fiftieth time."

James had heard him, but the witch beside him had caught sight of Hermione and raised a brow at Severus. "Who's the tagalong?"

Sev turned and motioned Hermione forward. When she was next to him, he introduced her. "Lily, James, this is Hermione Granger. She's a half-blood and will be attending Hogwarts as a first year. I've been tasked with seeing her through her school supply shopping."

Lily tittered. "Severus, you're helping the first years now? That's adorable!" Her grin got even wider as she met Hermione's eyes. "Hello, Hermione. It's nice to meet you. Are you excited for Hogwarts?"

Hermione nodded and reached a hand out to first Lily and then James. After shaking both their hands, Hermione smiled up at them. "I'm excited to learn magic. My father doesn't practice much anymore, for my mum's sake."

James nodded. "There's a lot of that these days, what with the Statute of Secrecy and all." He turned to Severus. "You know, Harry will be here shortly! He was meeting Draco at the Quidditch shop to admire the new Nimbus model. We ought to introduce them, so Hermione knows someone at Hogwarts."

"Indeed. We ran into Lucius and Draco earlier, so she's already met two-thirds of the Malfoys," Severus replied, though he carefully kept his eyes trained between the other two adults.

"Ah, so Lucius finally decided to show his selfish arse, did he?" Lily's frosty green eyes and Sev's inability to meet them told Hermione all she needed to know about the relationship between Lily and Mr. Malfoy. Whatever had caused that look hadn't been good. Reason told Hermione that she ought to trust the shrewd witch.

Her intellect hadn't yet led her astray, so she filed her suspicion of the eldest Malfoy away to examine further later.

James groaned and brought a hand up to rub at his temple, right beside the round spectacles that perched on his nose. "Now you've done it, Sev. She's going to go on about this for the rest of the day."

"I will not! I just despise the way that man treats his family. They're only good enough for him when he can conveniently weasel something out of them," Lily grumbled. "I think the only one he truly cares about is Draco. I'm glad Cissy divorced the git."

Sev opened his mouth to reply to Lily, but a flash of black flew past the storefront, followed shortly by a shock of platinum blond. A crash resounded in the street, and shop owners could be heard yelling. With a resigned glance between the two of them, Lily and James charged to the door of the shop, and Severus motioned for Hermione to follow.

As they neared the doorway, Hermione heard Lily shriek, "Harry James Potter, what in the name of Morgana do you think you're doing?!"

The door opened upon chaos. Dust swirled in the air, and witches and wizards around them all blinked in confusion at the two wizards being berated. James stood back from the commotion with his arms crossed, a proud smile lurking at the corners of his lips. Hermione desperately wanted to point out the dust that had settled in his hair, but she didn't know the wizard well enough to do so. She was also more than a little transfixed by Lily Potter.

As Lily ranted and raved, the two wizards she scolded approached her slowly, leaving behind a mess of toppled dustbins and stunned onlookers. Lily barely took a breath between her rants, and the boys, Hermione thought, had the decency to look chagrined.

"I don't know what you think you're doing, running about Diagon Alley causing a ruckus, but I know that both of you were raised better than that. Especially you, Harry," Lily ranted.

The boy with the black mop of hair messily strewn across his forehead opened his mouth and sputtered out, "Hey, Draco isn't all bad!"

Draco rolled his eyes, nudging the other boy. He stepped forward, shoulders hunched, and said, "We're sorry for the trouble, Mrs Potter. We were just having a little fun."

Lily softened. "How many times have I told you that it's Lily. That 'Mrs Potter' nonsense makes me feel old." She looked back at James. "Care to say anything to your son and his friend?"

"I think you've got it just fine, love." James shrugged.

"He gets it from you, anyway." The witch turned back to the boys in front of her and sighed. "Well, I suppose now is as good of time as any to introduce you to a friend."

The boys perked up at the mention of a friend and peered around the witch. Hermione gave a small wave, and she noticed just the tips of Draco's ears pinken as he waved back at her.

"Draco, you've already met Hermione. Hermione, this is my son, Harry."

The wiry wizard stepped forward, pushing his round spectacles up his nose as he did so. He awkwardly stuck a hand out in greeting and said, "I would say I'm not normally covered in dust and being yelled at by my Mum, but I'd be lying. I'm Harry."

Hermione couldn't help her grin at his statement. "Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you."

Harry raised his brow at her. "So, Hogwarts, yeah? What house do you want to be in?"

Hermione chewed on her lip, unsure of how to answer, especially with all of the adults looking at her expectantly. How could she give them a satisfactory answer when she wasn't yet sure herself?

Lily came to her rescue, though, with a roll of her eyes. "Just because you've known you were destined for Gryffindor from birth doesn't mean she has to have it all figured out before she even sees the Hogwarts Express." She quirked her lips up at Hermione's relieved expression. "Whatever house she finds herself in, I'm sure Hermione will love her time at Hogwarts. And you'll be nice to her, no matter what house she's in." The warning was evident in her tone.

Harry grimaced. "Sure, Mum. As long as she's not in Slytherin, we'll be great."

Draco elbowed Harry again. "What's wrong with Slytherin? That's where I'll be!" He beamed at Hermione, his eyes dancing with mirth, and Hermione couldn't help her answering smile.

That was how, two days later, Hermione found herself sandwiched between the two boys on the Hogwarts Express, trying valiantly to ignore them as she read through Hogwarts: A History for the third time. Across from them sat a ginger-haired boy—Ronald Weasley, as he'd introduced himself—who was munching on a genuinely appalling looking sandwich and stared at Harry with the equivalent of hero worship. Apparently, the Potters were a big deal in the wizarding world, and Ron was reeling from his starstruck encounter with both the younger Potter boy and his parents, whom they'd left on Platform 9 ¾ with her parents. Draco and Harry were talking to each other over her head, and she'd very nearly left the car when it began to slow down. Everyone in the car had crowded the doors upon stopping, each wanting to be the first to see the school.

Hermione couldn't remember much of the conversation during the boat ride, her nerves and excitement outweighing everything else as a gargantuan bearded man called Hagrid had led them to boats Hermione had read about in Hogwarts: A History that were enchanted to carry them across the Black Lake. She'd stared in awe at the turrets that stood against the star-flecked night sky, pinching herself lightly to ensure that it wasn't a dream. She couldn't believe that the castle would be her home for the majority of the next seven years.

Despite her excitement to learn magic, she couldn't help but feel a creeping dread as Sev's words came echoing back to her. She was here from another timeline. She was here because of a war with a dark wizard who wanted to exterminate those like her. At some point, she was sure she'd have to come face-to-face with the very man who likely wanted her dead.

Forcing back the shiver that ran down her spine, Hermione followed the other first years through the ornate front doors of the castle, trying to look unmoved by the wonder she felt at the castle. The clearing of a throat brought her attention to a rather severe woman standing just beyond the doors of what Hermione presumed was the Great Hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, children. My name is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and head of Gryffindor House." The woman's stern gaze brooked no room for interruption. Hermione had a feeling she would like this woman; it was hard to imagine her being anything but respected. 'The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room."

As the woman spoke on, Hermione couldn't help the strange sense of déjà vu that stole over her at the woman's words. She couldn't have heard the speech anywhere before—at least, not that she remembered. Sev's words echoed in her mind: this timeline is an offshoot of the old one. Maybe she had heard this speech before. Before Hermione could dwell on her thoughts, she was being rushed forward in a swirl of black cloaks as the first years entered the Great Hall.

Draco and Harry, who had been standing behind her as McGonagall welcomed them, rushed past her, Ron trailing in their wake and trying valiantly to regain their attention. Hermione found herself once more in awe of her surroundings, and even Sev's influence couldn't keep the delight from stretching her mouth in a broad smile.

The hall was more than she'd ever dared to imagine. Candles floated in mid-air above four long tables laden with a myriad of dishes, all of which made Hermione's stomach growl. The flickering light lent the hall a homey feel, much like she imagined her own home would feel one day. Though each table was the same, the students seated at each proudly displayed the colors of their houses on their robes. All of the students peered back at the new first years with looks of eager anticipation, no doubt wondering which of the fresh faces would soon bear their colors and be seated at their table.

Hermione's gaze finally landed on the head table, where several adults were seated, and sought out Sev. His eyes met hers briefly, though he showed no indication of recognition. Hermione wasn't surprised; though she couldn't contain her wonder, Sev was a master at hiding what he was thinking.

Professor McGonagall emerged before them, drawing everyone's attention once more as placed a stool in front of them. Upon the stool perched a pointed wizard's hat, which Hermione peered down her nose at. What use could a dirty old hat have for sorting the first years?

Her question was answered when it opened its mouth, cleared its throat, and began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

Hermione tuned out the rest of the hat's song as it launched into a description of each of the houses. Her gaze once more returned to the long table behind the hat, resting on the bearded wizard she had seen only once before. Professor Dumbledore, Sev had called him. He seemed a kindly man, a twinkle in his eye as he bobbed his head along and waved his fingers as though he was conducting the Sorting Hat. Half-moon spectacles rested on the end of his long, pointed nose, and his snow-white beard disappeared into his lap behind the table.

She studied the man, curious if he was as powerful as Sev made him out to be. She knew Severus wasn't a liar, but the man appeared more grandfatherly than powerful. As her father would say, he certainly was no Gandalf. But Hermione had learned long ago that people often weren't what they appeared to be, and Sev had fostered that healthy skepticism. As though her thoughts had shouted his name, Dumbledore's eyes snapped to hers, a wary curiosity lighting in them. Of its own accord, her hand raised and rubbed at the Mudblood scar through her robes, and she shuddered. A furrow appeared between the wizard's brow, and Hermione quickly averted her gaze.

The hat fell silent once more, and the hall broke out into applause. In front of her, Ron whispered something about wrestling a troll and Draco and Harry snickered to each other. Trying to shake the sense of dread that had washed over her, Hermione stepped forward next to Draco. When his gaze met hers, she smiled uncertainly.

"Don't worry about the hat, Hermione. Harry's mum says that it just talks in your ear for a bit and then puts you in a house," Draco murmured reassuringly. Her smile must have seemed more genuine that time because Draco turned forward to listen to McGonagall, who had appeared once more next to the hat, this time holding a scroll of parchment.

Draco leaned over again. "And don't worry about what house you get. You're stuck with us, Granger." A mischievous glint in his eyes made Hermione chuckle softly.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor McGonagall said, and the sorting commenced.

Hermione tried to keep up with each of the students who were sorted, but she quickly lost track. A girl named Hannah Abbott was placed in Hufflepuff; a truly unpleasant looking girl named Pansy Parkinson became the first new Slytherin, much to Draco's displeasure. Ron went to Gryffindor, to no one's surprise and raucous applause and cheers from his family. Hermione grinned as Ron wilted in relief, his blush bright enough it could have rivaled the candlelight.

The cheers throughout the hall came to an abrupt halt when Professor McGonagall called Harry's name from the scroll. After sharing a cocky grin with Draco and Hermione, Harry swaggered to up to the stool and grinned at Professor McGonagall. Just like all the other students, he arranged himself on the stool, waiting for the Sorting Hat to be placed upon his head. As Professor McGonagall approached Harry, however, a dull pounding began to sound in Hermione's ears, punctuated by a sharp ringing. Sweat broke out on her forehead as the dread she'd suppressed roared to life in the pits of her stomach and crowded up her throat. Though it couldn't have been more than a moment, Hermione's eyes snapped to Sev's and tried to communicate her distress. A deep frown marred his face as he watched her, and he began to stand just as the Sorting Hat touched Harry's head.

With a high-pitched yelp, Harry's eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed backward off the stool. Horrified gasps echoed throughout the hall as Hermione leapt into action, shoving first years out of the way, Draco on her heels. She skidded to a halt beside Harry and Professor McGonagall, who began barking orders for a matron to be summoned immediately.

Dumbledore stood from the head table, ordering the students to their dormitories, though Hermione could not focus on what he was saying as she stared at Harry in shock.

Where moments before had been an unblemished forehead, an angry lightning-bolt shaped scar marred Harry's skin from beneath the smoldering Sorting Hat.

Final note: If you'd like to keep up with my daily word counts, read my writer's block rants, and see tons of HP reblogs, you can follow me on Tumblr! I'm easiest to get ahold of and ask questions there. Search for xravenslight!