And now let us welcome the New Year, full of things that never were.

- Rainer Maria Rilke

September 1, 1991

Hermione woke the morning of September first filled with excitement and apprehension. Today was the first day of the rest of her life and she couldn't believe that magic and all it entailed was actually real. She still woke up in the middle of the night with vivid dreams inspired by her reading of Hogwarts, A History. The alarm chimed to signal it was time to get up. Hermione took a deep breath, at up, and got ready for her new life.


Theodore ran his hand through his shaggy hair and grimaced as he caught a curl. His head still hurt from his meeting with his father yesterday. Edmund was determined that his son be prepared for whatever may come in the next few years. Theodore wasn't exactly sure what his father was expecting considering You-Know-Who had been defeated ten years ago, but assumed he had his reasons.

Theodore looked around his room and grimaced once more. The large bedroom held his king size bed, an armchair, small sofa, table, and a stack of paintings in the corner. The furthest wall had French doors that led to a balcony overlooking the ground's extensive garden. Another door led to his large bathroom with an additional entrance to the walk-in closet. It may be a large space filled with things, but it hadn't felt like home in quite sometime. Perhaps Hogwarts would feel more comfortable for the young wizard, at least, that was the hope.

"Poo," the young master called, shifting in his seat. Poo, his personal House Elf assigned to him on the day he was born and named by Theodore at the young age of two, appeared instantly with a small crack. "Bring me breakfast on the balcony and inform my father that I will be ready to leave in an hour."

Poo wrung her small hands and shifted on her feet. "Master is in meetings today, sir. Master said you's will be going with Malfoy."

Theodore sighed heavily and nodded in response. Of course.


"Draco," Narcissa called, throwing open the long floor to ceiling curtains and allowing the sun to fill the room. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, wake up."

Draco groaned, pulled his covers over his head, and yawned widely. His mother scoffed in response and swept out of her son's extensive bedroom and made her way out of his wing (past the small study filled with books and the dining area intended for visiting friends).

The young Malfoy heir threw the covers off his head, stretched, and slipped his feet into his fluffy black slippers. September first, he grinned, recalling the date. Today he would be heading towards Hogwarts (while not as good of a school as Durmstrang, his father's first choice) with his best friend and close allies. He knew without a doubt in his heart that they would all be sorted in Slytherin and his father had assured him that they would rise quickly through the ranks and Draco would eventually become Head Boy. He was completely ready to begin his journey.


Hogwarts Express, 1 o'clock

Two hours into the ride on the Hogwarts Express and Theo already felt more at home surrounded by his friends than he did alone at the manor. Pansy made a snide remark and Blaise laughed lazily, his tan skin making his dress shirt shine brightly in the compartment.

Greg and Vincent sat gorging on excessive amounts of candy while Draco attempted to flirt with Daphne Greengrass.

"Theo," Pansy said, slamming her hand down on his open book. "Theo, dear, how was your summer?" Before Theo could answer, the compartment door slid opened and the most beautiful girl he had ever seen entered.

"Excuse me," she interrupted, voice shrill and her hair filled the doorway. "Excuse me, have you seen a toad? Neville has lost his." Her dark brown eyes met Theo's blue ones and he felt his heart speed up just a little.

"Neville?" Draco drawled, standing up and walking towards the interlopers. "Sweet Merlin, that's the saddest name I've ever heard." Greg and Vince giggled in response like young school girls and Blaise gave Theo an evil smirk.

"Have you seen the toad or not?" the girl asked again, ignoring Draco's scathing insult. "No? Well, then let's go Neville." As she moved away, Theo could see the small chubby boy shaking behind her. He really was quite sad looking, Theo thought.

Draco slammed the compartment door shut and strode back to his seat. "Did you see her teeth?" He laughed, glancing at his companions. "Theo?"

"Yeah," Theo agreed uneasily, feeling a strange feeling in his gut even as he did. Seeing the small awkward girl ignore Draco so easily had made him feeling something inexplicable. He knew then that he would do anything to get to know her.


Draco stood outside the Great Hall and did his best to hide his anxiety. Theo stood to his left and the odd, slightly ugly girl from the train stood to his right steadily ignoring his glances. He hadn't meant to be so rude to her, but something had overcome him and he had the strongest desire to get her to notice him.

Other children stood around him talking excitedly as they waited for Professor McGonagall, a harsh woman with a no nonsense demeanor, to return. The girl beside him huffed at something Weasley and Harry Potter (he had tried to befriend him on the train and had been ignorantly turned down) had said.

"It's a Sorting Hat," Theo said suddenly, leaning past Draco to speak to the girl. "Your brothers," he directed at Weasley, and Draco watched the poor red head sneer, "are just pulling your leg. Dragon's would never be allowed at Hogwarts."

Before Weasley could begin to respond, McGonagall had returned and ushered the waiting children into the large hall before him.

Hermione squeaked as her name was called in front of the entire student body. Four incredibly large tables held the four Hogwarts houses, students with long black robes and pointy hats, sporting collars that matched their House colour. Before her was a stool for her sit and beside the stool was Professor McGonagall holding the frayed brown Sorting Hat. Behind the Deputy Headmistress was a long table with all the staff of Hogwarts seated and staring at her expectantly.

With a shaky breath, Hermione smoothed down the front of her robe and began to walk forward, sweeping past the rude boy on the train and his surprisingly knowledgeable companion. She turned and sat down on the old three legged stool and took another breath as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

Well, well, well, Hermione Granger, eh? Wherever shall I put you? You would do well in Gryffindor, you know; I see your loyalty to family and bravery when you stuck up for that boy on the train. No, no, that's not right… better be… Ravenclaw!