Disclaimer: I do not own anything from HP or HDM!

Chapter 16: Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger sat in the corner of the girls bathroom crying. "I just really thought that this time somebody, anybody, would want to be our friend!"

Her daemon Caeryn shifted into a Samoyed and gently nuzzled his muzzle into her cheek, "They're just immature boys Hermione. And we were a little overbearing to Ronald and Kyrie. Don't you remember what Mama and Altair always say?"

Hermione sighed, "If you want to keep a friend then you have to first be a friend. But Caeryn-"

"But nothing Hermione. We were a bit arrogant, and although we didn't mean it that way, and I'm not saying what Ronald said was in any way deserved," the dog was quick to reassure, "we could have been a bit more sensitive, right?"

"…I guess so," Hermione whispered, "I'd just hoped that this time it would be different."

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Caeryn?"

"Yes Hermione?"

"Do you think we'll like Hogwarts?"

The daemon shifted into a cat as he joined his person on the windowsill, "I think it'll be perfect."

"And we'll find friends?" Hermione whispered chewing her lip nervously.

"The best of friends." Caeryn agreed.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hermione opened her eyes to the blankness of the Hospital Wing's ceiling, "Caeryn?" she called out.

"Over here love." A voice responded to her left.

Hermione frowned and stiffly sat up gasping as feathers brushed up against her cheek, "Ryn?"

The carrion crow ruffled his feathers and warmly rubbed his beak against her nose, "Hello Hermione." He greeted.

"A crow?" she questioned, "We've never tried that one before." Caeryn only chuckled as realization flashed across her face. "This is it? This is it? But, how?"

The crow nodded and hopped down to her lap, "I don't know. The last thing I remember is the basilisk and when I woke up I couldn't change anymore."

"A crow." Hermione said.

"A crow." Caeryn repeated.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Granger, Hermione."

Caeryn, perched on her shoulder as a lemur, squeezed Hermione gently in support as they made their way to the tiny stool to be sorted. Hermione let out a low moan of nervousness as the hat descended on her head.

Don't worry Hermione, we'll get sorted where we belong.

I certainly hope so!

*And what a mind you have my dear! Intelligent, Clever, Resourceful. The perfect Ravenclaw! Oh, but what is this? Courage hidden underneath? Hmmm. But where to put you?*

We want to be put somewhere we'll fit in!

Caeryn!

*Somewhere you'll fit in? Ravenclaw would better that quick mind of yours in no time dear.*

Hermione frowned slightly with daydreams of adventures with new friends flitting through her mind.

"Better be GRYFFINDOR!" The hat called out.

"Here we go!" Caeryn whispered in her ear.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"A crow?"

"Yes Ronald, a crow." Hermione tutted.

"But a crow?" Ron repeated.

"I think it's brilliant." Harry inputted nervously glancing between the two.

"Absolutely brilliant!" Shayreen agreed.

Hermione smiled, "Thank you." She replied before turning to glare back at Ron, "and?"

"And it suits you perfectly." Ron replied nervously backing up.

"Very fitting!" Kyrie agreed hiding behind the lanky redhead.

Caeryn chuckled, "Why thank you."

Hermione huffed and turned to the window crossing her arms. Neither of the boys noticed the faint smile dancing across her lips.