A/N: I know, I know, this is a long overdue chapter. But I was away for a while without my laptop so…enjoy!

Chapter Three: The Unexpected Occurrences

Hermione woke from her dreams early enough to read more about the Hogwarts houses.

She learned that there are four of them- Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. She also found out that each house has special qualifications or personalities that a student has to have to be put in a certain house. Hermione read that the Gryffindor house values bravery, chivalry, nerve, and courage. And in order to be in Ravenclaw, you must think highly of learning and creativity because Ravenclaw was for the intelligent. Indulging in every word, she noticed that students who contain loyalty, patients, and justice are sorted into Hufflepuff. Lastly was Slytherin, the place for the ambitious, the cunning, and the leaders.

Hermione wondered what house she would be in. "Well in school I always get good grades and I love to read," she thought proudly of her education. "Maybe Ravenclaw," Hermione said aloud.

Continuing with her reading, she was astonished to find that an old hat makes the decision on what house you would be in. But then she remembered magic. The realization brought a smile to her face. She would soon be in a school for witches and wizards. Hermione was really excited. Her eyes quickly scanned her wand lying on top of its box.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Hermione practically flew up two feet in the air when the silence of her room was disturbed by a big grey owl pecking at her window. She walked over and unhooked the latch on her window (intending to shoo the thing away) and the owl, being as rude as it was to disturb her peace, flew into her room. It landed on her dresser with its leg stuck up. Hermione suddenly remembered one of the professors saying that owls are used as a mailing system so she untied the crisp parchment from its knobby leg and opened it up.

Dear Miss Granger,

I have reason to believe you did not purchase an animal, which is optional, so I sent you this one to give me your response. Please write clearly whether or not you will be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Sincerely Albus Dumbledore,

There was a thick paper enclosed ready for her to write on. The owl, as if expecting something in return for ruining her reading, stood staring at her with its beady eyes.

"No way! You were a bad owl and perhaps next time you deliver a letter, you should learn some manners," Hermione scolded the owl. The grey bird looked down as if ashamed for not doing his duty. Hermione finished writing and folded up the paper. She tied it to the owl's leg as the other letter had been. With that the bird hobbled over to the windowsill and took flight.

Feeling rather pleased, Hermione rewarded herself with the rest of Hogwarts: A History, which she thought was very interesting. Some facts stuck in her head like glue. For example, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin were the founders of the four houses and named them after their last names. The houses also had ghosts, which was interesting because before she knew about magic Hermione didn't believe in them. Before she knew it, the book was over. Hermione was definitely bringing this one to school with her. She glanced at the pile of books waiting to be put into her trunk.

Hermione's mother gave a rather quick knock and opened the door to find Hermione putting the last of her many school books into the bag.

The next week passed by so quickly because Hermione, nervous and excited about Hogwarts, had blazed through every single book on her bookshelf. Her mother was used to this by now had left her meals outside her door.

But none of that mattered now because today was the first day of magical school. She was going to be sorted finally after a week of wondering and finding the probability of being put into the different houses.

Hermione's father had pushed her trunk into the back seat of the car. Hermione had already told him that she did not want to be separated from the bag because of her precious books. But that was about thirty minutes ago and now her family was standing alongside her on their way to platform 9¾.

Professor McGonagall instructed Hermione and her mum how to get to the platform. But of course her father knew because of a greatly detailed summary on how they found out Hermione had magic in her blood. "Just walk, or run, directly towards the brick wall between platforms nine and ten. Soon, you will find yourself looking at the Hogwarts Express,"

The Grangers finally reached the desired platform when Hermione said she wanted to go first.

Puzzled, Hermione's mum asked why she would want to do something like this all by herself.

Hermione thought really trying to find the right explanation. "I don't know really. I guess it's kind of like my first step into the magical world. I mean, I know it isn't. But I've just been preparing myself for this moment. Like how I took my first step when I was really little. You were preparing me for my life, and look what's happening now. Magic. So this first step, I want to take on my own and see where it brings me," Hermione finished and looked up at her parents. She waited a while, not trying to sound rude, and said "Can I go?" Both of her parents nodded a yes obviously taken aback by their daughters little speech. Hermione grasped the cart handles and pushed her trunk straight into the platform. She realized that she closed her eyes and opened them to see a train on her left. Hermione made observations of all the people. There were kids younger than her waving at older siblings and parents hugging their children. She caught a glimpse of red as two boys ran with another boy chasing after them. There were some girls and boys clutching books with parents whispering to them that even if they didn't get Ravenclaw, it would be okay. Hermione noticed on kid trip and drop his things and a girl rush over to help him up. "She might be in Hufflepuff," Hermione thought. She turned her head to find her parents just entering the platform.

They all said goodbye and Hermione was ready for school and everything that was to come. She hopped on the train and, with help from a so-called "prefect", lifted her trunk along with her.

"I'm Percy Weasley," said a tall boy with red hair.

"Hermione Granger," Hermione said while shaking the boy's hand.

"Is this your first year?"

"Yes," she answered

"Well I have some advice," he told her as he stood tall showing off his prefect badge, "You best not break any rules or you," Percy puffed out his chest again, "are going to get in deep trouble. Oh and if you see my younger brothers, please verify me immediately as they have thought it would be funny to hide my trunk," As Percy walked off, Hermione heard him mumble something that sounded like "always getting away…ruining…bring to justice…"

She found an empty compartment and sat down. People passed her down the hallway of the train finding friends or places to sit. The compartment door slid open as two red-haired twin boys jumped in and tried to slide under the table. Hermione recognized them from Diagon Alley and she could see that they were laughing.

"Hey what are you—"but Hermione was cut short as one of the boys stuck his hand over his mouth to shush her. Hermione tried to shove the twins out of her compartment and as Percy walked down the narrow hall.

The twin released his hand from over Hermione's mouth but didn't realize that it was a bad idea until it was too late.

Hermione stepped to the door and slid it open. "Percy!" she yelled at the furious prefect trying to find his mischievous little brothers. He turned around and walked calmly but with anger burning in his eyes. Percy looked inside the compartment and saw Fred and George hiding under the table. The boys scooted back until they hit the wall. Percy grabbed them by the shirt collar and dragged them out.

Both of the twins glared at Hermione but Percy's eyes twinkled with satisfaction. "Thank you," Percy said to Hermione as he walked out the door.

The long train ride was almost over. Hermione had read the section on the Hogwarts houses for an eighth time and had practiced a few spells with success. Now Hermione was bored. Having nobody to talk to made time stretch out as long as possible. Plus she was already in her Hogwarts robes. Hermione thought a short walk should be good so she stood up and left the compartment. There were a few people standing and talking, some sleeping in their compartments, and some just staring out the window. Hermione got further down the train and passed the twins inside a compartment with their brother still lecturing him. One of the twins gave her a rather rude gesture so Hermione walked on. There were a few kids making green sparks fly out of their wand uncontrollably and Hermione found herself staring. Even though she knew how to stop the sparks, it was entertainment watching people a little older than her mess up a simple spell.

Someone tapped on her shoulder. Hermione turned around to see a kid her age, but a little chubby, sweating as if he was running.

"Have you seen Trevor? He's my toad. Oh gosh, Grans going to kill me!" He said almost talking to himself.

"No I haven't, but I'll keep a look out," Hermione answered not really paying attention.

She walked even further down the train and saw a compartment with two boys covered in sweets. She noticed one of the boys had red hair and looked like he was about to put a spell on a rat sitting on his lap. The other boy with jet black hair and broken glasses was watching. Hermione felt like she must tell him how to do it right because it really was bothering her. He is being a fool pointing his wand at his pet rat. With that Hermione opened the door and said something along the lines of "Have you seen a toad."

"No we haven't," the red-haired boy said slightly iterated on how Hermione had just barged in.

"Doing magic, are you? Let's see it then," Hermione sat down across from him.

"Um…Okay," He responded a little taken aback. After clearing his throat, he said "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow. Turn this stupid fat rat yellow!"

After nothing happened Hermione spoke up.

"Are you sure that's a real spell? Well it's not very good, is it? I've actually tried a few spells myself and they've all worked for me," Hermione said. After a few moment of silence she said. "Hermione Granger, by the way, and you are?"

"Ron Weasley," muttered the red-haired boy.

"Harry Potter," the boy with black hair responded.

After a brief conversation about how much she had read about him and how she met Ron's brothers she ended with telling them that they should probably put their robes on because she could see the castle from here.

"Firs' years o'er here!" Yelled the tallest man she had ever seen in her whole life. Hermione hopped on one of the boats waiting on the dock. She was soon accompanied with two girls she had seen giggling on the train and the boy who lost his toad. On the ride over Hermione introduced herself and learned their names. The girls' names were Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. The boy said his name was Neville Longbottom. The girls giggled when he said his last name.

"Don't you wonder how the boats are moving?" asked Parvati.

"No, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione answered

Once they arrived at the other side of the lake, they were forced into a line and brought into the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall. After a very brief explanation of the sorting, the students were ready. Hermione was boiling with nervousness as she walked between two long tables with her fellow students. As McGonagall read out the long list of students, they sat on the stool. The professor then placed the old hat on the students head and it shouted out one of the four houses.

"Granger, Hermione,"

Hermione walked up to the stool and sat down. The hat was dropped on her head and she heard mumbling as it was thinking.

"Courage…Smart to…mhmm…But where to put you…Where do you want to go?"

Hermione whispered "Maybe Ravenclaw. Or Gryffindor.

"Hmmm...You are a hard one," The sorting hat said. After what seemed like hours, but merely minutes. The sorting hat shouted. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione popped off the seat and rushed over to the long table. Her classmates welcomed her. After another half-hour, the rumbling stomach of Ron was replaced by food.

"Students, follow me," Percy shouted to the Gryffindor students after the feast was over. Hermione followed after him, along with the crowd of Gyffindors, to the house common room. She thought about writing to her parents and took out a piece of parchment and a quill.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I would like to let you know that I have been sorted into Gryffindor. I am fine and met a few people. One of the students that I met is named Ron Weasley. I don't think he likes me very much because I told him off for using the wrong wand-waving technique. His older brother is a prefect here and gave me advice. I also met Harry Potter! He's famous in the wizarding world— I'll explain later. There are also two girls that I've met. They seem nice but they gossip— a lot. I'm very excited for classes, they start tomorrow.

Love you, Hermione

Hermione borrowed a school owl and sent to her parents. The girls, Lavender and Parvati, were back and kept giggling until they fell asleep. But Hermione didn't care or hear anything because she was already sleeping, waiting for classes the next day.

A/N: I'm thinking about ending my story at chapter three. What do you guys think I should do?