Just a quick not to say thanks for reading, please give me some feedback if you have time I'm not sure about my grammar and I'd like to improve on any dodgy facts I won't be offended if I make a mistake and you take the time to tell me, I'd be really grateful thanks.
The day Hermione was due to leave for Hogwart's her mother said goodbye at home making an excuse about being needed at the practice but hermione didn't mind she'd just received an early birthday present, Lyssa used a special charm to extend the bag that she'd gotten for christmas as it was her favourite, then she slipped in a small gift and a promise that she'd meet her in Hogsmead if she ever needed anything, she only had to owl. Then Hermione, Lyssa and their father drove to the station where her father bid his farewell and Lys took her through the portal into platform 9 and 3/4's. Hermione almost got tearful for the first time then.
"Don't worry H." Lys hugged her and hunched over to her height, "You'll write yeah, tell me everything." She nodded, "And what can there be to know about that you haven't read about already ?" She shrugged, " So, you just stand up tall...thats it and then you get on the train and start the journey to the best place in the world I know you're gonna love it."
"But what if I..." Lys cut her off.
"No what ifs, your gonna het on that train and make some friends." Hushing her with a finger so she couldn't interrupt and complain, "Your gonna walk into the first car that you see that has people that look nice to you then your gonna do what I would do."
"But how do I do that ? I'm not like you Lys."
"Okay you see those two ?" She pointed to the first kids she saw, obviously first years one was probably a Weasley, they were always decent she told her sis, some others also looked vaguely familiar, she settled on the young boy that tripped over her and landed in between her and her sister.
"Sorry ..." He mumbled, Lyssa grabbed his arm and heaved him up.
"Carefull where your going." She smiled at the kid and keeping an arm around his shoulder's continued, "And you are ?" He blushed a little and stuttered out.
"N...n...Neville L...l..." She couldn't take much more so she stopped him.
"Well it was nice of you to drop in Neville, this is Hermione." She nodded towards her, "Why don't you two help each other out ? H here can help you survive the journey into a carriage and you can help her carry all those bags to the baggage trains." She suggested.
"O...o..."
"Ok ! Great !" She finished for him looking at her sister apologetically, "She'll catch up you get a head start with those bags Norman." She nudged him forwards.
"He said Neville, his names Neville." Hermione was unammused.
"Yeah whatever the important thing is your not alone, make some new friends and you'll do great, you'll get a house and everything so you'll easily do it yeah?"
"Yeah." She stead with renewed fervour, "I'll just be confident and cool like you said. What house did you say you were in Lys ?"
Smiling Lyssa replied, "Do you veer stop asking questions ? Never mind that anyway,no time, you shouldn't even mention me ok ? My ... reputation won't do you any favours whatsoever and you don't want that, just go and have fun." They hugged a final time and with the return of Neville, Lyssa watched her sister and the train shoot off into the distance, now it was out of her hands and into Hermione's.
Once she was on the Hogwart's express seated next to her new found friend and off on her way, Hermione took some time to work out her game plan, she knew what was coming she'd read about it and had Lyssa explain it but now it was too real, for the first time in her life her parents would not be on call to come and save her. Even if they wanted to they were muggle, Lyssa was her only lifeline here and she was back on the platform. Hermione had to close her eyes to keep from hyperventilating, repeating three lines in her head as a mantra. "I will be fine, I will be okay, Just do what Lyssa would do and I will be fine..." But she wasn't all that sure that acting like Lys was a good idea, as she wasn't sure she could pull it off, she would soon find out. She reached into her bag and found a small girt from Lys, a set of quills, the ones she had wanted but didn't mention because she couldn't afford, she smiled interrupted from her thoughts
"Excuse me ... H...H..."
"H-er-mi-o-ne." She corrected Neville saying her name clearly and phonetically, hopefully he'd stop choking on it. she softened her tone at the terrified look on his face, "How can I assist you Neville ?" She smiled.
"Well... ergh... I lost Trevor." He looked down sheepishly as if she would berate him.
"Trevor ?"
"My toad." She looked at him, completely at a loss for words and a little worried that this buffoon would be her only friend, "Just do what Lyssa would do and I will be fine, I will be ok. I will be a-ok. Oh God ! Channel Lyssa !"
She put on her calm and collected face, channeling Lyssa as it were and replied doing her best impression with her trademark "Ah." with the quirk of her lips and condescending eyes that she imagined Lyssa giving, then following it with a smile, she wasn't going to even attempt a wink.
"Will you watch my stuff while I find him ?" Neville weirdly seemed more at ease, the Lyssa thing was working !
"Sure thing." She lounged back, then felt weird and sat forward again in her usual ridged Hermione posture to watch Neville stand then presently fall as the train rocked ever so slightly it would have otherwise been unnoticeable. Channeling Lyssa, Channeling Lyssa, I will be okay, I will make friends, I will channel Lyssa and therefore I will make friends.
"Why don't you just sit back..." She had an arm flub casually about his shoulder but she felt awkward hence her arm being painfully locked as she froze not knowing what to do in social situations like the one she had just foolishly created so once again putting on her mask she became her sister and carried on talking, Lyssa always talks herself out of these situations. "I'll find the frog..." Searching for a Lys like word she settled on "Bud." She mentally face palmed, then she took her arm from Neville's shoulder and strode from the busy car with most people now looking at her.
"He's a toad ..." She heard Neville say as she left, of course she knew that but Lyssa would never show that much interest, she was a slight bitch and she was good at it, it added nonchalance to the situation which meant she would not be seen too attached to Neville or his toad, Lyssa was right she always overanalysed, she straightened herself out and moved up the centre of the train, she would find some better friends right now and she would be ok, the next car she entered would be a new start, she just had to choose the right one. Remembering her sisters words about Weasley's all being decent she recognised the red head from earlier, thankfully he was in an almost empty car, the two boys looked good enough to her, game face on she entered and the rest was painful. The only thing Hermione could think to say at that moment was...
"Has anyone seen a toad ? A boy called Neville's lost one." It was the redhead that spoke, the one that was meant to be decent,
"No." He stated simply, "Think Hermione ! He's using a wand ! Yes ...
"Oh, are you doing magic ? Let's see then." She smirked, crossed her arms to hide her shaking hands and leant back against the doorframe to support her unstable legs, she was never good at making friends.
His attempt at magic was truly pitiful. "Aghhhemm. Sunshine, daises, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow !" There was a zap, nothing happened and the boy just shrugged sheepishly, Hermione knew that she could talk about magic, she'd read every book available to hr s she tried to be supportive and nice.
"Are you sure it's a real spell ?" She asked, but then, as always her mouth kept moving and words kept spewing out, she was trying to be confident like Lys but all she ended up achieving was sounding like an utter bitch, also like Lys but it wasn't a good tactic for making frinds. "Well, it's not very good is it ?Of course I,ve only tried a few simple spells myself, and they've all worked for me." A lie to try and claw back a little respect form the two she was currently alienating, the only spell she had successfully pulled off with the help of her sister was ... "For example." She crossed over to the other darker haired boy and sat before him trying not to smile at her genius. "Oculus Reparo." She pointed her wand at his glasses, he flinched slightly and then looked down his nose and watched in amazement as his glasses battered noseband was repaired, taking them off to get a better look, eyes wide. "Thats better isn't it ?" Thank god she'd done something right. Then she stared at his forehead, a strange thing to do but she had seen something amazing, she'd read about this boy and Lyssa had told her all about his part in the downfall of the dark lord whose name she was never able to find. "Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger... and you are ...?" She looked to the ginger.
"I'm ... Ron Weasley." He spluttered mouth full, she fought not to frown at him
"Pleasure." she smiled, "You two better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon." She stood to leave but at the door she turned, she felt a little affection towards the flame haired buffoon already so did something pretty motherly in her opinion. "You've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know ?" The final sarcastic comment was very Lyssaesque, taking away from the almost affectionate way she had addressed him, he was fumbling and growing red she took pity eventually, "Right there." she pointed to the spot with a small laugh, embarrassed he scratched his nose and stared at his feet as she made her exit, hopefully her could forgive her that one, she wouldn't mind being the smarter friend for once.
It didn't take long for the train to reach its destination as she had predicted, they'd followed the monstrously big man "Hagrid he'd called himself to some boats to complete the journey, it was all incredible, Hermione was swept away in it all especially the sight of the huge castle settled in the beautiful rural scene, it was like a post card. Finally entering what would soon become her home she set eyes on a witch at the top of the stairwell, Hermione's eyes were drawn to her pointed ha and clothes, she was obviously the real deal, she'd never really seen people wearing what were called wizarding robes outside of Diagon alley, she had a feeling that there would be more where that came from and was excited at the thought, this would be completely different. The woman continued to speak but Hermione was still in a daydream, besides she new what was coming and all about the house system and points that she was determined to earn lots of, she was rudely pulled out of her daze when there was a shout from beside her and Neville dashed forward.
"Trevor !" He shouted, Hermione had to ditch this kid, fast. The witch just looked down at Neville who apologised and went back to his place by Hermione who shook her head slightly.
"The sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily." She then left giving a greased up blond boy, who obviously thought a lot of himself as he moved through the crowd shoving hermione out of the way in the process, enough time to make his way up to Harry Potter.
"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." People began to whisper and stare but hermione had her attention glued upon the pompous little boy who had the nerve to shove her away so carelessly, it was unbelievable to think that her venomous glare didnt burn holes into the back of his skull, or at least set fire to his hair which must have been incredibly flammable due to all of the product. He continued anyways, "This is Crabbe, and Goyle." sidekicks she presumed, all spineless children needed those. "and I'm Malfoy... Draco Malfoy." She heard Ron snicker at his name and seemed to recall it herself "Malfoy... Malfoy... maybe Lyssa mentioned a Malfoy." The skinny brat then turned his attention to Ron, Hermione felt strangely protective over the two boys and was thinking about saying something but it wasn't smart to get involved yet, she had to be logical and choose allies wisely seeing as Neville had been a failure. "Think my name's funny do you ? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe ? You must be a Weasley." That was the last straw, she could never stand a bully, getting riled up se braced herself to hear him out and see what the boys would say, then she would make her move, only if they couldn't handle themselves but secretly she wished that they wouldn't so she could give the little prick a piece of her mind. "You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He extended a slimy hand, Hermione was all but seething, this was a side of her that never came out.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." Was all Harry said, Hermione on the other hand was about to start screaming but McGonagall returned smacking Malfoy on the shoulder with the paper in her hand causing him to retreat with his tail between his legs sending a feeble glare Harry's way, they were ready for then, she would soon have a house and be an official student at Hogwarts. She found her way behind Ronald and Harry to enter the Great Hall which was scattered with floating candles and 4 long tables lined the room, all bereft of food, she looked up.
"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." She told them, not really thinking, sometimes the facts just found their way out of her mouth before she could stop them. Dumbledore the famous head teacher then rose to say a few words, every person in the rooms eyes were automatically transfixed upon him.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker mr Filch has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. thank you." No, not like normal school at all.
McGonagall then spoke again, "All right will you all wait along here, please ? Now, when I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. One by one they were given houses, Ronald went to Gryffindor along with Harry, the Malfoy boy went to Slytherin, obviously where he belonged, when it was Hermione's turn her mantra had changed "Be calm like Lyssa, please get Gryffindor, Please get Gryffindor, Be like Lyssa..." The hat spoke to her then.
"One or the other girlie." "Gryffindor, Griffindor, Griffindor..."
"Griffindor !" It announced, thankful to be near her new found friends, even if they hadn't exactly accepted her yet Hermione didn't think about it until later, if she had to make a choice, then Lyssa could not have been in Gryffindor. It was no matter though, soon there was food on the table and Hermione was distracted by a small boy names Seamus who was spouting on about being a half and half muggle-wizard as if it was the best thing in the world while sitting next to Neville. This wouldn't be a bad place for her she decided, nobody was shy about talking to her, she would make friends and be happy here, she decided after a conversation with Nearly headless Nick which had been scarring to say the least but it was her own fault she had asked how a person could be nearly headless, he had only shown her what she wanted.
Percy lead them to the dormitories after dinner, the group was gasping and slack jawed the entire way, Hermione had never seen moving paintings and some even talked as they went by ! The Griffindor common room was huge and she got a bunk in a shared room with three girls who seemed to be nice, it was all going well for her even if she was a little homesick, she was reunited with Crookshanks and she got to writing a short letter to Lys, her first week was amazing, all the rest was history.