Once again, I do not own Harry Potter, and this story is inspired by the Maximum Ride series which I also do not own. Updates will occur on Tuesdays as long as I have a chapter complete.

Chapter 2)

September 1st 1991

"Laetitia, you'll be taking Hermione to King's Cross?" Marius asked. The young woman nodded, hugging her grandfather.

Hermione came down the stairs, dragging her trunk behind her. "Grandfather, are you sure you can't come?"

Marius nodded. "I'm sure. Besides, it is best for no one to know your related to the Black family"

Hermione nodded, and Laetitia took the trunk outside to her car. Hermione hugged her grandfather.

"Now, you remember the rules?" He asked her, looking sternly in her eyes.

"Don't fly where someone can see. If someone sees your wings have the take an Unbreakable Vow to keep it secret. If they are unwilling or a danger Obliviate. The teachers have all taken Vows." Hermione recited. Marius nodded.

"Good girl. Try not to get in trouble, and do your best in your lessons."
"I will. I'll see you for Christmas Holiday." Hermione said.

"Off you go chit."

And with that, Hermione was out the door, and climbing it to the passenger side of her sister's car. They drove to King's Cross, went inside and headed for the spot between Platform 9 and Platform 10. Together they ran through the barrier, appearing on the other side.

Laetitia hugged her. "Have a wonderful year, and remember the rules."
Hermione hugged her back, squeezing. "Of course." She pulled away slightly, looking up. "See you for Christmas."

"See you." Laetitia watched as Hermione got aboard the train, an older boy helping her get her trunk on board.

LINEBREAK

Oliver Wood was looking forward to fifth year. He was Captain, and he had high hopes for the team. He was heading up when he noticed a tiny girl pulling her trunk aboard. Quickly sliding his into the overhead space in the compartment he had claimed, he picked up the other end of the girl's trunk. Her light brown met his green-hazel ones in shock.

"Let me help, you can sit with me." He smiled at her. She gave a hesitant smile back, and they got the trunk on-board and into the spot next to his own.

"I'm Oliver Wood. You are?" He asked once they were seated.

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"You're muggleborn?" Oliver asked. Hermione nodded.

"Yes, but so is my older sister so I already know about magic."

"Really? You're the first Granger I've heard of.."

Hermione giggled. "Laetitia went to Beauxbatons."

Oliver looked at the girl in surprise. "Your French? You don't sound it."

Hermione hmmed. "I'm part French-my grandmother on my dad's side is French but everything else is British. Mostly. I think there's some Greek and Portuguese on my mom's mom's side. Anyways, we were born in England but we moved to America for a short while before returning,then we moved to France after a year and we moved to England when I was eight. Laetitia was already in school, so I spend summers in France. She just graduated though." She explained.

"What does she plan on doing?" Oliver asked curious.

"She's taking a sabbatical right now. She has been talking of taking muggle college classes."

"College?"

"Yes, after secondary school, muggles can go to college or university, which can give them extra skills for certain jobs." Hermione explained.

"That's different. Generally we decide what we plan on doing in fifth year and then we decide what we want to take for our N.E. and hope we get a suitable O.W.L…"

"What year are you in?" Hermione asked.

"I'm a fifth year, and a Gryffindor."

"Do you know what you want to be?" Hermione asked curious.

Oliver shrugged, looking at his shoes. "My dad and mum want me to get into the Ministry."

"What about you?"

Oliver's head snapped up and he looked at the girl who smiled hesitant. "What?" He whispered.

"What do you want to do? It's your life, and your choice." Hermione leaned forward. "So, Oliver Wood? What do you want to do?"

"..I want to play Quidditch professionally. Maybe try out for one of the national teams. Make it to the World Cup."

Hermione grinned. "I'll admit that broomsticks don't appeal to me, but if it's something you want to do then go for it! Life's too short for regrets."

"Really? You think I should?"

Hermione leaned back. "Close your eyes."
"Wha-why?"
"Just do it."

Oliver rolled his eyes but obeyed.

"My grandfather did this with my mother when she was having trouble. I want you to breath out with mouth, and in with your nose by counts of seven.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Out.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,In."

Oliver obeyed her for nearly half an hour.

"Let any thoughts you have just run by. Don't hold onto anything." Hermione soothed. "Now, it's ten years from now. You followed your parent's wishes. What are you doing? Tell me."

"I work in the Sports Department. It was the only job I could get that was close to what I wanted to do. A compromise." Oliver was dazed, clearly seeing himself at the age of twenty five.

"Are you happy?"
"I'm..average. I look dull, but I force a happy smile." Oliver said. "I feel..empty."
"When you're not working what do you do?"

"I'm usually at a bar." Oliver said.

"Now, it's ten years from now. You followed your dream."
He could feel the grin on his face. "I'm on a Quidditch team. The hours are wacky, but I'm happy."
"Come back."

Oliver blinked. "Well that was..interesting."
"My grandfather says the future is what we make it, and not set in stone. You could follow your parents advice and you might be happy. But you would always wonder what if. What you saw were images created by your mind of what you feel and believe." She shrugged. "It is your life."

The door suddenly opened revealing a chubby first year. "Have either of you seen a toad?"
Hermione got up. "No, but I'll help you look. Oliver?"
"Yeah, I'll help. We should split up,cover more ground."

The three quickly made a plan, and split up.

It was then that Hermione met a red haired boy with a rat and dirt on his nose, and a boy with messy black hair, emerald eyes and a lightning bolt scar.

See you next time!

ChaosSeirofreedomfromrulenin