A/N: Hello everyone. I am not too pleased with this chapter. But this was required since you need to know bits about the new school. If you are interested in more, you will get. Let me know. Action starts from next chapter.

Salem's School

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year. It is as if the whole nature is ready for the celebrations. It's family time … to chat, to crack jokes, to eat sweets and to hold them dear.

And that was why a very dejected boy was slowly making his way to Quidditch field … because he was spending his Christmas at Hogwarts with few Professors and totally unknown students. It was his first year and he had planned on telling the stories of Hogwarts to his siblings being the first one to go there.

Then there was his baby sister, just born before he left for Hogwarts. He hadn't been able to spend enough time with her. He didn't know he would miss her so much.

He was missing everyone so much! How eager had he been to come to Hogwarts … only to feel homesick?

He sighed. He hadn't been able to befriend any. His shyness was coming in way. He hardly had friends before. His family was enough. But they were not here and for the first time he was away from home on Christmas.

He plopped down below a tree. Why Aunt Muriel had to fall ill now? Couldn't she wait another week or two?

He felt snow flakes falling on his head. Great! I can't even sit here peacefully.

He got up and started moving towards the castle. He had barely taken five steps when he noticed there was no snow. Why, then … He glanced at the spot he was sitting on and found the source of snow there.

Someone was on tree and his/her movement had resulted in pseudo-snow fall. He moved towards the tree to find the 'someone'.

Whatever he expected, she wasn't it. A very small girl, probably three, was perched on the tree. (How she managed that is still a mystery to him.) She was trying to hide from someone and was constantly looking towards the castle, so much so that she hadn't noticed him as yet.

"Hello there, little girl," he said.

The girl looked at him in surprise. Then she gave him a toothy grin. Placing one hand on tree carefully, she waved the other at him.

"What are you doing up there?" he asked.

"Hiding," she answered, glancing at the castle.

"From whom?" he asked, repeating her action.

"Dad," she answered simply.

"And why?" he asked again.

"He wants me to wear the horrible red robes," the girl answered him, making a face.

"What's wrong with that?" he asked, amused. "It will look good on a beautiful young girl like you."

Having young siblings was definitely an advantage. You know how to convince young ones.

"You think so?" she asked him, thinking.

"Affirmative."

"Affirmative?" The quizzical expression told him she didn't understand.

"Means yes," he answered her and extended her a hand so that she would come down.

The girl nodded in understanding but swatted his hand away. With a proud attitude, she started coming down. Even at this age, she was independent, he noted.

Within minutes she was on ground.

"You talk big words like Granny," she commented, sitting down on the ground.

He took a seat beside her. "Granny? Is he also here?"

"Of course!" the girl cried. "Pofsor Dumb'door."

He couldn't help it … he just couldn't. She had called the greatest wizard of the century dumb and door. Wait … didn't she call him Granny also? That just made him laugh more.

When he sobered a minute later, she was eyeing him indignantly.

"I'm sorry," he said. "He is your 'granny'? How so?"

"He is," the girl answered as if this was the most obvious answer.

That made him realise that he must be an honorary grandfather or something.

"I think we should head towards castle," he said getting up. "Your father and 'granny' must be worried."

The girl was hesitant as she got up. "Red dress?"

"Will look good on you," he said nodding for extra emphasis. "Trust me."

"Why?" the girl demanded.

"Because … I am your friend?" he extended his hand towards her.

She took her time appraising him. He smiled; the girl was intelligent.

"What's in for me?" she asked.

Pure Slytherin material. "I'll tell you more hiding places in the castle. I will teach you Quidditch. And I will protect you. Always."

She eyed him suspiciously. Apparently, she was satisfied as she extended her hand a moment later. "Promise?"

"Promise," he took her hand.

Together, they set off towards the castle.

"I'm Bill Weasley and you?" he asked her as they reached the gates.

"I'm--"

A loud 'Hermione' cut her off. She looked in the direction. Someone was calling her name and coming towards them.

She smiled at Bill, who was busy staring at the man in front of him.

"And that," she said, gesturing towards the man, "is my father. Seve's Snape."

Bill chuckled at the memory. How he used to be scared of the Potions Master and how he had gotten over that fear in that moment!

He had become unofficial brother of Hermione. His duties had brought him here – underground harbour of Salem's school – to receive Hermione. Being a visiting faculty has its perks!

He heard the bell announcing the ship's arrival. Soon, he would be meeting Hermione after full two years.

Bill saw Philip Lombard, caretaker of the school, busy with preparations for the students' arrival. Bill went to help him, a bright grin on his face.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the surprise. I wasn't at all expecting Bill to be there at the harbour. It was great meeting him after all these years.

Dad, it took us one whole day to reach here. We had fun on the cruise. We were introduced to all the first years and Prefects and Heads of Students. Students are from so many different countries; some I hadn't even heard of.

You won't believe how huge the castle is! We were lead to the Dining Hall by Phillip, caretaker. The harbour here is also underground and above it they have this huge playground for muggle sports. Anyway, so this dining hall is in the middle of lake! And they have four paths leading to it … all made of floating, round-shaped marbles.

I saw the Headmistress. She gave us a speech and all. Looks very strict. Didn't even smile. I hope she is a good teacher.

We were, then, divided into four houses –Phoenix, Centaur, Unicorn and Sphinx – by some random chit-picking process. I am in Centaur house. Sorry, Mum, couldn't make it to Phoenix.

We were given a tour of the whole castle in the evening. The castle has four floors …

… where there are loads of classes and teachers' chambers. The topmost floor is the most beautiful. It has a glass ceiling. Library is there. It would be fu reading there.

We were even shown other house chambers, Blaise. I agree with Mom – Phoenix's decorations are best, all scarlet and grey. But Centaur has best uniform – Pale yellow shirt and black skirt. We all will wear black robes on it. I didn't tell you – the four house chambers are like four towers at the four corners of the Dining Hall.

Our housing arrangements are cool. We have dormitories, but they are not separate for boys and girls. First and second years live on third floor, third and fourth years on second floor, fifth and sixth years on fourth floor and seventh years and apprentices on first floor.

Then, there is this huge Quidditch ground. I am going to try for the team this year. We can be selected as reserves our first year. Bet you are jealous, ha!

We were also explained the evaluation system and yearly calendar. Like Hogwarts, they also have Chess and Quidditch tournament. But here's a surprise. They have a competition called Battleground. Sadly it's only for Fourth year and above. It's where the four houses select a team of 25 members and duel against each other as if in a war. Centaur won it last year. There are some quiz competitions as well.

Blaise, you won't believe this …

… they even have competitions for Muggle games! And they are also considered for house cup! But the point system for that is slightly complicated. No one understood a word.

We were also told that points are given to houses depending on the students they have in top five slots in each year, rather than the way it's done in Hogwarts. I think it's quite fair. What do you say, Granny? They add all the events for House cup. Centaur won the House cup last to last year. We lost Quidditch cup and Tennis championship last year, so couldn't make it. Do you know what tennis is, Granny? Or Football and athletic events?

Lastly, before dinner, we were introduced to the teachers. By far, Alexander Conklin is my favourite teacher. He teaches Dark Arts and Defence and is our Head of house.

I met Ms. Sophie Clarke, the Headmistress, after dinner. Are you sure, Granny, I have to take classes from her? She doesn't seem to like me.

I think I will end the letter. I asked Allya Malhotra, our House head, to make three copies of it. Just had to change the names. Saved my time.

Good bye

Love

Hermione

Room no. 3 IC

Centaur tower

A/N: So, how was the chapter. I wrote it this way to avoid lengthy chapters. If you want it some other way, let me know. I am open to suggestions and criticism.

Review please. They are the motivation for writing.