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Chapter 1: A New Adventure

Dan Granger always joked that best adventures start off a little rocky. Somehow, running through a brick wall to get onto a magical train that will take you to castle full of witches and wizard was not what Hermione had thought of when he said rocky. Transportation by tornado wouldn't really surprise her at this point. And yet, here she was, sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express watching the London Train station disappear.

A sure knock came at the compartment door.

"Come in," Hermione said from behind her book. The door slid open to reveal a boy with a round face, but a hard look in his eyes.

"Do you mind I stash my trunk in here? I need to go find Trevor," the boy asked. She smiled and nodded. After dragging his trunk in, he turned as he headed for the door. "You haven't seen a toad, have you?"

"A toad?" Hermione questioned. What kind of question was that?

"Yes." He smiled widely.

"Er…no."

"Oh." He looked a bit crestfallen as he turned towards the door.

"Do you need a toad for some sort of spell or something? I didn't see it on the requirements and I…I thought I had everything." She started fumbling through her book bag. She had that list in there somewhere.

He turned back to her and the sight of his face out of the corner of her eye brought her full attention back to him. His face couldn't seem to decide between tortured or sick.

"You want to use my toad for a spell? Trevor?" His eyes darkened a bit around the edges.

"Wait, your toad? What are we even talking about here?" Exasperation seeped out into her voice. 'Keep it together, girl,' she told myself.

"Trevor! My pet toad!" Pet? Toad? Hermione couldn't help it, her giggles spilled over.

"Who has a toad for a pet?" she laughed. She couldn't imagine anyone wanting a toad.

"Hey, toads make great pets!" he defended. He looked a bit affront by the laughter so she tried to stop. This was no way to start off at a new school.

"I'm sorry," she said. He obviously cared for the sliming thing and she wouldn't mind as long as she didn't have to room with it. "Let me help you find it."

"Er…sure."

Hermione stood to follow the boy out of the compartment and realized how rude she had been. Her parents raised her better than that.

"I'm Hermione Granger, by the way," she said with extended hand.

"Neville," he said, shaking her hand.

"Well, let's go find a toad, Neville." He gave a full smile for the first time.

Neville motioned for her to go first and she nodded to him as she left, which apparently was the wrong move since the next step took her down. She didn't see what caught her foot, but she was suddenly falling face first to the floor.

When her landing was softer than expected, Hermione began to fear for the worse. But as she opened her eyes, she was not prepared for the emerald green ones that stared back at her.

"I may be used to women falling for me, but falling on me is a first. I don't believe in love at first sight, by the way," the boy beneath her said with a grin. It reminded her of old cartoons when the cat eats the cannery, fangs and all. He had broad shoulders and shoulder length black hair. A shiver ran down her back before processing his words.

"Excuse me!" she shouted.

"You're excused," he responded lazily.

"Who goes about lying in the hallways? It's a danger, that is."

"Are you new to the magical world? Lying in hallways is normal and people actually watch where they are going too."

"No, they don't," Neville commented from behind her.

"'Kay, but they still don't tend to fall on people," he said without missing a beat.

"I meant they don't lie in hallways and you know that." Neville sounds slightly irritated.

"Traitor," he said glancing at Neville, who rolls his eyes. "So," he continued when he was looking back at her, "you want to let me up sometime."

Hermione turned red as her blood spiked and three compartments down the glass around one of the candles cracked. 'Granger,' she scolded herself mentally, 'get it together. Don't let him rattle you. He's just a stupid boy.'

Hermione took a deep breath-the glass repaired itself-and shoved off of him.

"You know what?" Hermione turned back to him, managing the sweetest voice she could. "There is something you can help me with."

"Hazel, whatever you need." She stopped her eyes rolling, barely.

"Thank you so much," she smiled, "for volunteering."

"Volunteering?" he said.

"Yes," her smile turned just as predatory as his, "to help find Neville's toad." He sighed and stood up.

"Oh the things I do for a beautiful dame and her puppy." Hermione did roll her eyes after that.

"Hey!" Neville calls out. The new boy winked.

"If you want to upgrade from your puppy just let me know." He patted Neville on the head. "So, you got anything of this frog's?"

"It's a toad," she corrected him.

"Of course, beautiful. Something of its…?"

"Well, I was just holding him," Neville said. "I mean I haven't set up an area for him or anything yet…" The strange boy grabbed Neville's hand and sniffed.

"Hmm. Ok, let's do this." He started walking one way.

"What are you, part blood hound?" Hermione sassed.

"Oh no, Hazel, I'm much more," he said, growling after. She looked at him worriedly and he laughed. "By the way, sweetheart, it's in there." He pointed to a compartment on his left.

"What's in there?" He rolled his eyes at me.

"The frog," her eyes narrowed, "sorry, the toad."

"How could you possibly know that?" He took a step toward her and she took a step back, heels hitting the wall behind her.

"I told you, I'm much better." And there was that smile again.

"Er…uh…Neville, the…er…Trevor is in…um…that one?" The boy before her turned, releasing her from his gaze.

"Wait," he said, when Neville neared the door. Then he swore under his breath and threw the compartment door open. Hermione and Neville barely saw a boy swing the toad around by its leg before their new "friend" punched him square in the face. The boy staggered against the back of the compartment and their "friend" caught Trevor.

"What the hell were you doing that for?" he yelled at the boy in the corner. "What did the frog do to you? Idiots." He turned on his heels and walked out of the compartment. Not one of the 5 boys in there moved. He handed Hermione Trevor. "Your frog, my princess." He mock bowed. "But I wouldn't kiss it; you should leave those for me." He winked and turned to walk away.

"And you are?" She meant it to come out harsh, but sometime curiously wins. He turned half way back so she was just looking at his profile.

"Black. Haydrien Black." He smiled wide.

"And you're just going to go trip more student?"

"Well since you asked, I'll be glad to move to your compartment," he said as he walked into the compartment they had vacated before. Her mouth actually hung open. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

"Should have guessed he was a Black," Neville commented beside her. When Hermione looked at him questioningly, he added, "Real piece of work that family is." He took the toad from her hands and headed into the compartment.

'What kind of crazy world have I joined?' Hermione thought. With that, she entered the compartment too to settle in for the rest of the ride.

~XxXxX~

The train was nearing Hogwarts now. Haydrien sat in the corner using Hermione's book bag as a pillow. He looked like he was sleeping but continued to make annoying comments when he felt like it. Neville and Hermione chatted about classes and houses. He wanted to go to Gryffindor. She thought Ravenclaw. Haydrien just shrugged.

A knock came at the door and a dark haired witch stuck her head in when they indicated. She looked to be 16.

"It's time that you lot get in your school robes, we're almost there," she said.

"Well, thank you, perfect," Haydrien smiled and winked. She rolled her eyes and left.

"Really Haydrien?" Hermione scolded.

"Don't worry Hazel, I'm not going anywhere."

"Oh Merlin, can we not do this again?" Neville groaned from the seat across from them. Hermione stood.

"You boys go ahead and change, I'll wait outside."

"You don't have to, Hazel. I got nothing to hide and it can be all yours, just say the word." Neville head hit on the wall as he covered his face.

"Five years of this? Merlin help me." Haydrien eyes never left her and he took no notice of Neville's plea.

"Say the word, Hazel."

"Bite me," she replied angrily.

"As you wish." He was suddenly in front of her, mere inches away. She could feel the heat radiating off of him. He leaned exaggeratedly slow down to her neck, then Neville grabbed him and dragged him out of the compartment.

"You can change first, Hermione. I want a word," Neville said as he shut the door. Haydrien's grin stayed in place and his eyes didn't leave her as the door closed. She locked it for good measure and changed quickly.

"I know you're a Black, but you need to back off from that girl," Neville said sternly.

"Fido, don't worry, a little competition never hurt anyone," Haydrien said patting his shoulder. Neville shook it off.

"That's not what I mean and you know it."

"Well I guess it really isn't a competition when we know who will win," he winked.

"Black, you pull another stunt like you just did and we are going to have problems." Neville's voice spoke of something hidden, something powerful within. Haydrien growled lowly.

"Don't go threatening me just because you lived." Neville stepped back from him, looking like he'd been slapped. "I know just how powerful you and her are. But don't be mistaken, you are still just a wizard." Confusion with a twinge of fear ran over Neville's face. "But if it makes you feel any better, I was never going to bite her and I wouldn't do anything without her permission."

Haydrien's eyes flash black, then he looked away and it's gone. Neville was left with more questions, but Hermione opened the door then and stepped out in her robes.

"Oh, Hazel, you know I love a dame in a uniform," Haydrien said stepping passed her into the compartment. Hermione sighed, then looked at Neville.

"Is something the matter, Neville?" He shook his head a little, like he was clearing it.

"It's fine, I best get changed." He gave her a smile as he passed, but it only looked half hearted.

~XxXxX~

As students spilled out onto the platform from the train, a large man was calling:

"Firs' years, firs' years, follow me!"

They moved toward him. He led them down a rocky hill to a dock on the lake. Hermione stumbled over a rock in the dark, was certain she was going down when strong hands pulled her close.

"Don't worry, Hazel. I'll catch you whenever you fall." It was taking every ounce of control she had not to punch him in that smart ass mouth of his. Still, a little help on the rocky path was really needed. So she resisted, for now.

They made it to the little wooden boats-only four each the large man said. Neville, Haydrien, and Hermione settle into a boat. A redheaded boy sat beside Neville and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Didn't see you on the train?" the boy said.

"I didn't see you on the platform, thought you guys might have missed it," Neville replied.

"Almost did," he laughed. "Where are my manners? Ron Weasley." He extended his hand.

"Hermione Granger," she shook.

"Pleasure," he said as he released her hand and offered it to Haydrien.

"Is all yours," Haydrien said, but didn't take his hand. Perhaps Haydrien was rubbing off on her, or maybe she had just had enough for one night, but Hermione smacked his shoulder.

"Be nice," she scolded. "I know it's hard for you, but try your best."

"Anything for you, Hazel," he said as he shakes Ron's hand. "The name is Haydrien. But you can call me Master Black."

"God, can you not behave for two seconds?" Hermione snapped.

"I've been called many things, but 'God' is a new one. Not that I'm surprised."

"I have some things I would like to call you, but it's not proper for a lady to speak that way."

"You can wait till we're alone then," he winked.

"Can I throw him off this boat?" she asked Neville.

"Are they always like this?" Ron asked Neville.

"I'm afraid so," Neville replied with his face in his hand.

"Wait, Black?" Ron looked from Neville to Haydrien and back again.

"Calm down," Neville said, "he's harmless." Neville smiled at Haydrien. Well, pay back can be a…

"You hear that, Hazel, I'm harmless. Why don't you scoot a little closer?"

'You shouldn't kill students on the first day; it'll give a bad impression,' Hermione told herself. But a slightly more sinister voices inside her head replied, 'Give them a chance to get to know him, then they won't blame you.'

The tiny boats docked and the large man herded the students through doors into a foyer where a tall and strict woman stood waiting. She nodded to the man and he hurried on through another set of doors.

"I am Professor McGonagall," the woman regarded them. "In a moment I will lead you in for the sorting ceremony. You will be sorted into one of the four houses. You will then join that house's table. You house is you family while in Hogwarts." She looked so passionate when she said that, like it was the most important thing in the world. Family. Sickness rolled through Hermione's stomach. The two people who had been with her though all the weirdness, all the broken items, all the "accidental magic," through everything—were sitting home alone. Mum. Dad.

She wrapped her arms around herself, tried to smother the thought away. 'I can't do this here. Not now. I can't lose control,' she thought. A gentle hand touched her elbow. She looked up into deep green eyes.

"Hazel?" She tried to smile, but knew it wasn't convincing. Still, he gave her the control she needed in that moment. She nodded to him as the student body surged forward into the great hall. The spendor stole the words from many of their mouths. Floating candles. Ghosts. The night sky above. And that was before a hat started talking. Talking? No, singing.

"Merlin, the French Opera would be bearable in comparison," Haydrien said under his breath. Hermione turned him.

"You've been to the French Opera?" she asked, obviously amazed. He spoke something in French. "And that meant…"

"Stick with me, Hazel. I could take you anywhere," he added his now patented wink. And she rolled my eyes. He had to ruin the moment.

"Black, Haydrien," McGonagall said.

"I'm up," he winked and walked toward the front. The hat was placed on his head and it seemed to be taking its sweet time to decide.

"Black? Hmmm, wasn't your mother's last name when you were born, was it?" the hat spoke in his ear.

"Guess not."

"Well, no matter. Where shall we put you?"

"With a beautiful dame," Haydrien answers aloud. Beside him, McGonagall scowl deepened.

"Well, Black," the hat continued, "you're only ambition lies for the ladies. You care little for knowledge for knowledge's sake. You have loyalty. Oh, lots of that."

"I bet," Haydrien murmured.

"Yes, but you didn't necessarily come by that honestly, did you?"

"Can we hurry this up? I got this dame I want to treat to free food."

"Oh, so quick, they always want it quick. No appreciation for a little explanation or show. Fine."

"GRYFFINDOR." McGonagall picked the hat off his head. Her scowl was so deep now it's doubtful her face would ever return to normal.

"Don't worry. I'll be better than the last," Haydrien winked. McGonagall looked towards the ceiling, praying for patience. She called the next name, but she seemed angrier with the ceremony than before, and perhaps a little rougher with the hat.

"Granger, Hermione."

"Let's have a look," the hat whispered as soon as it was on her head. "Hmm, brilliant, very brilliant. And powerful too. I can see the control you hold, the distance you keep most emotions. Ravenclaw, you'd do well there, but your distance from others, from yourself would only grow in a house where knowledge is the only pursuit. No, that is not best."

"But I love knowledge," she spoke in her head.

"You can go there if you wish, but it'll be your undoing. I would prefer to place you where you can grow in more than just one way."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Of course. But do you trust me?"

"I...er…place me where I should be."

"Good lass. I think Mr. Black will be please too."

"Wait-"

"GRYFFINDOR."

"Win," Haydrien calls from the table. Everyone burst laughing as she stared daggers at him.

"Good luck, Miss Granger," McGonagall whispered as Hermione passed her on the way to the table. Hermione considered taking a seat as far away from Haydrien as possible. Still, he's one of the only people she knew, so took the seat he offers. And the sorting continued.

"Longbottom, Neville." Neville walks up to murmuring.

"Fido-" Haydrien started before Hermione planted her heel into his foot. "Ow!"

"Shut up!" she told him. "And…er…did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That he was Neville Longbottom?"

"There really aren't that many kids named Neville. Probably 'cause that's a terrible name."

"But he's…he's the one…"

"And very unlucky, that is." She was shocked to see Haydrien serious. He looks almost sad, but there is steel beneath it.

"He didn't say anything," Hermione replied in a small voice.

"Why would he? Everyone seems to forget he lost his parents that day." She nodded, not really wanting to think about this anymore.

"GRYFFINDOR." Hermione clapped harder for him than anyone else. Haydrien stood with the rest, but when Neville neared, he shouted,

"Come here, boy, I'll feed you scraps under the table." Neville merely rolled his eyes, but Hermione was so done for the night. She pushed Haydrien back. He fell over the bench and laid there with that terrible smile.

"Oh Hazel, I'm wounded. Everything is…going…black. May I have a goodbye kiss before it's too late?" Hermione stared at him bored and then took her seat, Neville on the other side. "Oh, you wound me further."

"Mr. Black, 10 points from Gryffindor and if you don't get off that floor right this instant, it will be detention for a week," McGonagall said. Haydrien winked at Hermione before returning to his seat.

As the sorting ceremony came to a close, the headmaster rose and stood at the podium. His long white beard and spectacles spoke to his age, but an age that portrayed no weakness in his movements. When he spoke to his students, you could feel the warmth.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Classes will begin Monday morning and that should give you a few days to settle in and for the hallways to become familiar with you." The older students chuckled as if sharing a private joke. "As always, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students. Also, this year the third floor corridor is being renovated and repaired. This area is off limits as well and consequences for trespassing can result in expulsion. I must also remind you that magic in the corridors is unacceptable." His eyes seemed to linger on certain students. Some looked away, but there was a pair of red headed twins attempting to put on an air of innocence, not succeeding in the least.

"Mr. Filch has the most updated rules posted on his office door, as well as copies for anyone who would like. And, since we have waited long enough, tuck in." Food appeared up and down the tables. The most amazing spread Hermione had ever seen. The students started helping themselves.

"Pumpkin Juice," the older kid across from Hermione said into his cup and then sipped it. When he caught her looking he said, "You just tell it what you want and you get it."

"Anything?" she asked.

"Just about, except-"

"Wine," Haydrien called into his glass. He took a sip, as Hermione continued to stare on in horror. He made a face. "This taste a lot more like grape juice than wine, I thought you said I could have anything."

"Well any non-alcoholic drink that is mass produced. Basically they don't have specialty drinks. But they aren't stupid, bunch of drunken teenagers with wands, that'd just be asking for trouble." The boy went back to his meal and Hermione was glad she wouldn't have to deal with drunken classmates.

~XxXxX~

Hermione had never tasted anything so delicious, but don't tell her mother that, and was thoroughly satisfied with the meal when everyone started standing. Another red headed boy (how many of those were there?) called for the first years to follow him. As they twisted and turned up stairs and corridors, Hermione was sure she would never find her way back. Then they stopped at a dead-end with a painting of a fat lady at the end.

"Password?" the painting said.

"The password is needed to enter the common room and dorms. You may not share the password with people who are not in Gryffindor. If you forget the password, you will need to wait for someone who knows it. The current password is: Lion's Mane. Remember that." The painting swung open to reveal a passageway which they piled through.

"This is the common room. The boys' dormitories are on the left and the girls' are on the right. First year dorms will be one floor up. Your trunks will already be there. My name is Percy and if you need any help settling in or really anything, let me or the other prefects know." He wandered off then, leaving them standing in the middle of the common room. The rest of the housemates were flittering in.

"Night," Hermione called over her shoulder.

"She fallen for me," Haydrien said to Neville, who shook his head and headed to the stairs on the left. "Fido, wait up," Haydrien chased after him.

Hermione pushed open the door to two giggling girls. They looked up immediately.

"Hello," she said awkwardly. Both girls rushed at her and she was suddenly pulled into a hug.

"Isn't this so exciting," one of the girls squeaked. "I can't wait to get to know everyone, especially all those good looking wizards." She seemed not to need to breathe. Hermione stared at her dumbstruck. She was only catching every third words by now and the girl's excitement was getting overwhelming, when the door opened again.

A petite little thing with electric blue hair walked in. Her hair was spiky in the black with strands that hung a few inches below her chin framing her face. The combat boot snuck out beneath her robes and a silver hoop went through the side of her right nostril. The two girls beside Hermione took a little step back.

"Evening," the blue haired girl said and dropped down on the bed to her right, completely unperturbed by the silence.

"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger," she said sticking out her hand. She slapped Hermione's hand like a sideways high five and said,

"I'm Ara, nice to meet you."

"But I thought they said you were Arabella at the sorting?" the blonde girl said from behind her. She turned to look at her.

"Kind of long don't you think? I go by Ara. And you are?"

"I'm Lavender Brown and this is Parvati," she motioned to the girl next to her.

"Cool." Ara continued nodding to a song only she could hear, while she took in the circular room. The door opened one more time to revel another first year girl. She stood straight with blonde pulled back in a low ponytail.

"I'm Chaylinn," she stuck out her hand to Hermione.

"Hermione," I shook.

"Oooo, we need to choose beds," Lavender said. Everyone looked around the room and at each other. Hermione saw the perfect bed snuggled into the left side of the door.

"I'll take this one," she said indicating it.

"But it doesn't have a window," Parvati complained.

"Fine by me."

"I'm good here," Ara said still sitting on the bed to the right of the door. Chaylinn took the one next to her and Lavender was next to Hermione with Parvati on her other side. They pulled their prospective trunks to the end of our bed and things settled in for the first night at Hogwarts.

Lavender and Parvati whispered back and forth, but Hermione closed the curtains around her four post bed and set out to meditate.

She crossed her legs, closed her eyes and went through her day in her mind. Hermione carefully tucked away the more volatile emotions, releasing the frustration of the day with each exhale. When she was done, she laid down and slept without dreaming.

AN: Yes, we have some OC's, but they won't play to major of roles. This is written differently than Live Again. It will have a very different feel and world. I hope you enjoy.

AN: Re-edited on 7/22/2015 to round off some of Haydrien's jokes. He is clear that he wouldn't do anything against anyone's wishes and is not a bad person. He is not the main character, though does play one of the supporting roles. Please let me know if you have questions.