DarkAngelAlice13: Thanks

Guest: Harry's going to be worse. Sorry.

So, hi all. I was really going to throw this idea aside, when I decided to check status and saw I'd gotten 2 reviews and a few hundred views. Seriously?

I was born in the Halo fanfiction universe, and they're a small bunch of tight knit, friendly community. I tried writing Star Wars, and after writing Halo, I was really depressed to find out that no-one wanted to listen to a lonely n00b trying to make a good story. I gave up on that, and just decided to write Harry Potter for fun. And I'm already getting so much input? Thanks! Keep the reviews going, it encourages me.

Chapter 2: Introductions

She was floating.

A dreamy, happy sensation was running through her, as she gathered her books and exited the car. Her parents were whispering to her softly.

Hermione felt herself shake her head and hug them.

Such petty, foolish emotions.

For a second, Hermione almost snapped back to reality.

What? She asked curiously. Maybe when students went to Hogwarts, they had a friend in their minds. A magical friend in their minds. Hermione smiled at the thought.

I am Lucius, the friend said. You will do as I say.

Hermione didn't care. Something twitching in the back of her mind furiously reminded her that she should care, but she didn't want to. It was too... tiring, Lucius finished for her.

I am tired, she thought. Warmth spread through her body.

You are tired, he said. Go to sleep. I will take care of you.

I want to stay and see, she complained. I want to see and look.

Alright, Lucius said benevolently, like a parent letting a child stay past her bedtime. You can stay.

A voice reminded her of her parent's presence. "'Mione?"

A flare of annoyance surged in her as her Dad used her 'pet' name. Lucius talked to her. Your parents are silly. Tell them that you should run through Platform 9 and 3/4s.

"Daaaaaad," Hermione whined. Her father chuckled and ruffled her already bushy hair.

"It's OK," he smiled. "You just looked a bit lost in there."

Hermione smiled, and suddenly felt a warm glow running through her. "I'm not lost," she said airily. "I'm going to Hogwarts!"

Her father simply chuckled and ruffled her hair again, before turning to her mum.

"Coming, Emma?"

Mrs Granger looked around carefully and nodded.

Lucius quickly grabbed Hermione's hands and legs, made her grip onto her trolley and made her run. She felt herself be shoved through the stone wall, and out onto the other side.

The first thing Hermione saw as a green sign, 9 and 3/4s. She was here, and she knew what to do. Lucius would help her.

She hugged her parents - Lucius made sure she did, she still loved her parents... didn't she? She asked Lucius. Lucius didn't say much.

Hermione stared at the train in front of her. What should I do? she asked Lucius.

Get in the front. See who's there.

Hermione obeyed, swinging the door open and clambering in. Quickly, she took a seat in an empty compartment.

I think you should say goodbye to your parents. That's a good idea.

Hermione stuck her head out and waved to her parents, who waved back. The train began to move slowly.

Lucius seemed to shudder inside her.

What's the matter?

Nothing, he replied slowly. Go see if you can't find us some friends.

Hermione's smiled as she bounced out of her seat and scampered down the halls.

He was alone in the train.

The redheaded family - Boy didn't know that people could have red hair - had seen him and talked about Harry Potter, but Boy wasn't Harry. He was Boy.

He was confused. Magic, wands, whatever. The giant man who called him Harry had gotten him a wand, money, books, and robes. He was wearing them now - doing things early seemed to be proper.

There was a slight knock on the door, and a chubby, red faced boy entered, looking slightly flustered.

"Neville," he gasped. "Neville Longbottom. I'm looking for a toad..."

He petered of when he noticed Boy was staring at him blankly. He muttered a quick apology and moved off.

Not two minutes later, a girl entered, frowned at him, and began eyeing him coldly.

"Harry Potter."

Boy stared at her. "No."

"Yes. Do you have the scar?"

Boy frowned at her again.

"Yes. I am not going to show it to you."

The girl's face turned into a half sneer. "Why," she said slowly and clearly, "would I like to see your repulsive disfigurement left by a psychotic maniac so that I would fall down at your feet and begin kissing your toes?"

Boy stared back at her, slightly amused.

"It is good to see that you're not one of the Harry Potter groupies. Are you searching for a compartment to sit in?"

Hermione frowned. The nerve of that boy! First he insisted that he was not Harry Potter - some kind of rude spit-in-your-face manner of insulting other people's knowledge. How dare he challenge her well researched facts!

Good, Lucius whispered. The Potter boy is an arrogant, insecure child. He is stupid. Think on it - Hermione Granger, best witch of her age, beats the Boy-Who-Lived. Does it not have a ring to it?

Hermione frowned. Being recognized for her ability was one thing, but being a pompous pri-

No, no, no, Lucius reassured her. Imagine what your parents will think! People will love you. You will have friends, friends who are like you and who like you. Don't you want that?

Hermione froze. Memories of fleeing through the playground, large boys and girls shoving her to the ground and shredding her schoolbooks flooded her mind.

Good friends. Friends. Like the storytale ones.

Hermione shook herself. Yes, she had to have friends.

"No," she said curtly and coldly. "I would not contaminate myself with such as you."

With that she turned tail and marched out of the carriage.

Why was I so mean to Har... to the Potter boy? Hermione's bustling mind tried to sort itself out as she scrambled through the train. Lucius had told her that the Longbottom boy was of an Ancient and Noble house, and it was good to make strong alliances... or friendships. Friendships. The word made Hermione smile.

He is a troublemaker, Lucius told her. You saw how he looked at you. He may be a hero, but you are above his level. Prove it.

Hermione frowned. I... I guess, she thought reluctantly.

Now, Lucius went on. Look ahead. Hogwarts. Sorting. Which house would you prefer to be in?

Hermione considered for a second. Isn't Ravenclaw considered the brains?

Mentally, Lucius seemed to shrug. Stereotypically. But the hat does not go by what your abilities are. It goes for what your values are. Do you pride yourself on knowledge as a means to the end?

She thought for a moment. Like, what do I hold dearest to me?

Yes.

Then, I guess, knowledge isn't the most important thing. Loyalty. Honesty. Friendship, bravery... Love.

Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, Lucius said in her mind. Hufflepuff, maybe. You are a hard worker, aren't you? You'd be good in Hufflepuff?

Hermione considered for a moment. I don't really mind, I guess, she thought. Wherever the hat put's me, I'll be best.

"My lord."

"Lucius. How goes your... mission."

"Her mind is simple. Organized, tidy. But full of fissures, ready to be exploited."

"I sense a 'but', Lucius."

"You have discerned correctly, my lord. The girl has... has a strong moral upstanding."

"Will she be easy to twist?"

"I have my doubts. She has fully embraced me, but is still curious about me. If I am not forthcoming, she may question a professor."

"Then force her not to."

"My lord... would it be wise to apply such strong pressure on her mind? It may completely turn her against us, and guarantee a difficult road. For one who has not practised Occlumency, she is... strong."

"Try and guide her in the right path. But you cannot lose her. She is instrumental in my plans for the Potter boy."

"Yes, my lord."

Thanks for reading, and if you could drop a review (and if it's like, 'great chapter', don't bother. Review meaningfully.

Some of you may ask why Lucius is with Voldemort, not Pettigrew or Quirrel. Don't worry, that will be explained. Although in Canon Lucius didn't do anything for Voldemort till GOF (the diary incident was for selfish purposes) THIS IS FANFICTION. GET OVER IT.