Author's notes: I decided to post this story because I found the idea interesting. Hermione, unknown to her at least, being the daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange. So I decided to post the first chapter at least and see where it goes. If anywhere.
I do not own Harry Potter, characters or content. Those belong to J.K. Rowling.
London.
1981.
Professor Dumbledore emerged from the side alley on a leafy muggle London street.
It was night and the darkness surrounded the identical brick houses that lined the dead end street.
It was chilly and Dumbledore was huddled in his robes.
Walking past a cat that was standing next to bins that were lined up along the curb.
Taking out his deluminator, he zapped all of the lights out on the nearby lampposts.
Putting it away, the cat meowed.
"I should have known that you would be here... Professor McGonagall." he said and the cat transformed into the older lady wearing a witch's hat and black cloak.
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. Are the rumors true, Albus?" she asked sadly.
"I'm afraid so, Professor. The good, and the bad." he said regretfully.
"The Longbottom's…" she gasped.
He nodded solemnly.
"Have suffered a fate worse than death. Have you taken care of the girl?" he asked her who nodded.
"I have. I dropped her off at the orphanage you mentioned. But do you think it's fair to her to drop her off at a muggle orphanage?" she asked worriedly.
"It was not my decision, Professor. The ministry has deemed her to great a risk. Her mother was one of his most loyal followers. Her father was a Death Eater as well. The murders she has committed… They have committed…" he reminded her of her mother in particular.
"A child should not be punished for the sins of her parents!" she argued passionately.
Dumbledore sighed, putting his hands up in defense.
"I agree with you Minerva but the ministry is still reeling with the Dark Lord's aftermath. This particular crime is one of the worst any of us have seen. Her father is dead. Her mother will serve a life sentence in Azkaban. Her family is gone. This is the only way she is given a fair chance at life and to make a name for herself." he explained.
"And you are sure she will be given to muggles who will want her and love her?" she asked, still uncertain.
"I am. A squib is in charge of the orphanage and has informed me that a couple has already shown interest in adopting her. A muggle couple who've been unable to have children of their own. And when she comes of age she will be reintroduced to our world once again." he revealed.
She frowned, still not liking the plan.
"I hope you're right Albus. This war has taken too many victims. I hope she won't be another."
Eleven years later.
Hogwarts.
Hermione Granger was excited!
The brunette haired, dark grey colored eyed, bushy haired girl were currently being led off the boats by a half giant called Hagrid towards Hogwarts.
They took the train up from King's Cross and here they were in Scotland.
She remembered when an owl landed on the window sill of her bedroom.
Carrying her Hogwarts invitation in its beak.
Professor McGonagall showed up at her house shortly afterwards to inform her and her parents that she was a witch!
It explained so much.
Why she was never able to fit in at school.
Some of the "incidents" that had happened which the kind professor explained was a result of her uncontrolled magic.
And that she was a "muggle" which made sense.
Her parents weren't magical.
She knew no one who was.
So after McGonagall took her to Diagon Alley to get her school books, uniforms, and her wand here she was.
Getting off the boat on the shores of the large lake.
Surrounded by those who are like her!
It was night time and she looked up to see the large, illuminated castle ahead of her.
Already in her school uniform with all of the other first years, Hagrid led them inside the castle.
Up the staircase where she saw McGonagall waiting for them.
Having already changed into their uniforms.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." she explained.
Hermione nodded in understanding but she saw a Neville jump for his toad.
She and him had spent a majority of the train ride looking for it.
She smiled in relief.
"Trevor!" he said, catching it in his hands but an unamused McGonagall stared down at him.
"Sorry…" he said embarrassingly and backed away into the crowd.
And next to Hermione.
"I told you Trevor would turn up." she smiled at him.
"I am too. Thank you for trying to find him." he thanked her.
The bushy haired girl beamed, hoping she made a friend.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily."
They were escorted into the great hall and she looked up to the floating candles.
Flying underneath the bewitched ceiling which showed a starry night sky.
She looked up to the table up front to see the professors.
Being led to the front where the Sorting Hat lied on a stool.
Dumbledore rose from the main table, getting everyone's attention.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch…" he indicated towards an older man with long grey hairs and his cat with red eyes in his arm.
"Has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." he warned and sat back down.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. First up, Hermione Granger." McGonagall announced.
She got up and approached the chair nervously.
Sitting down and McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
"Ah, very interesting. Smart, very smart, there is talent inside you, a wanting to prove yourself. And discover yourself. But you lived among muggles so I don't think Slytherin will be right for you. Instead it better be… Gryffindor!" it declared.
The hall erupted in chairs and she smiled.
Getting up and walking over to the Gryffindor table.
Sitting down next to a pair of red head twins.
"I'm Fred."
"I'm George." the Weasley's introduced themselves kindly.
"I'm Hermione. Pleasure." she said politely.
She looked up to the professors and saw McGonagall give her a nod of approval with a smile.
Dumbledore inclined his head and she smiled.
But then she turned her head to a man with long black hair.
He stopped clapping and saw him staring at her.
His eyes looked like they recognized her.
Cold and calculating.
She frowned, wondering why but another student sat down in the chair.
This was going to be a great school year…!
The first day of classes so far had gone well.
They had transfigurations with Professor McGonagall.
She earned 20 points for successfully turning a needle into a matchstick.
They then had Herbology which she discovered her friend Neville was exceptionally skilled in the subject.
The two deciding to be partners with their coursework Professor Sprout assigned them.
And with other classes.
Now the Gryffindors were in Potions class with Professor Snape and the Slytherins.
Hermione realizing it was the same man who gave her that look last night at the sorting ceremony.
She was sitting with Neville in the front row of a steaming cauldron.
Her housemate's Harry Potter and Ron at the table next to them.
The door slammed open behind them, shushing the chattering students as he swopped in.
"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few…" he looked to Draco Malfoy who smiled smugly.
"Who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper... in death…" he said, seeing Harry, writing on his piece of parchment, not seeing him.
"Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not... pay... attention…" he said lowly.
She nudged him, getting his attention as Snape walked in front of him.
"Mr. Potter. Our... new... celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" he asked.
Hermione raised her hand instantly, having already read the chapter ahead of time. Harry shrugged no.
"Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" he asked.
Hermione raised her hand again, hoping to get more points for her house.
"I don't know, sir." Harry answered.
"And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfbane?" he also asked.
Hermione kept her hand down.
"I don't know, sir." Harry repeated.
"Pity. Clearly, fame isn't everything… is it, Mr. Potter?" he insulted the child.
"Why don't you ask Hermione since she clearly knows." Harry said dryly.
That caused the class to giggle and Hermione frowned, feeling hurt.
A class of kids laughing at her which was all too familiar to her.
"Silence!" Snape ordered.
Everyone closed their lips instantly.
"For your information, Potter... asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful, it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite…." he explained, Hermione writing what he said down in her notebook.
Snape noticing she was the only one doing so.
"Well? Why aren't you all copying this down?" he snapped and the students obeyed him, quickly scribbling down the notes.
"And Gryffindors, note that five points, will be taken from your house... for your classmate's cheek."
"Ms. Granger. A moment before you leave." she heard Snape ask her after the class ended.
Everyone else was packing up their books and things.
"Sure, Professor." she said, looking around the other students to see some of them snickering and whispering to each other.
Thinking she was in trouble.
Gulping with unease, she collected her things in her arms and got up.
Walking over to his desk as he stood behind it.
"Ms. Granger, I've noticed that you are a bright student." he noticed.
"Thank you sir." she said, surprised by the compliment.
"It wasn't a compliment but an observation. Tell me, you're muggleborn, correct?" he asked.
"Yes…" she said, looking up to his face, wondering why he was asking her in particular.
She wasn't the only muggleborn in Gryffindor.
"Curious…" he muttered.
"Sir…?" she asked confused.
"And one more thing. Ignore worthless comments from Potter and his like and I'm sure you'll be… exceptional in my class. That will be all Ms. Granger." he said and she nodded.
As she walked out she was even more confused by Snape.
Why did he ask her if she was muggleborn?
Surely he and all of the professors already knew that.
Right?