Chapter 5
Hermione Granger always knew that she was different, she had always been able to do things much quicker than other people, she could read at an unprecedented rate and she always kept hoping to herself that she was destined for something more than this, however if you had told Hermione that she would be attending a school for witches and wizards, she would have done nothing short of calling the psychiatrists to send you off to the institution. But yet here she was 3 years later and she was on her way to platform 9 and ¾ , the journey itself was Hermione's idea of a dream, she was being introduced to new exciting information, an entirely new world that Hermione could learn about, if there was heaven and hell then she was optimistic that her life and the current time was to be considered heaven.
"Ready?" a voice called out to her disturbing her from her thoughts, she turned to see it was her best friend, the person who had saved her from her internal battle with self motivation not to mention her ongoing struggles with acceptance, smiling she nodded her head and got out of the car, and walked into Kings Cross Station, it was here that her next chapter of life would begin.
"I can't believe that this moment is finally here" She said aloud causing everyone to smile, it was a full house of companions, Harry, Hermione, James, Lily, Dan, Emma, Sirius and Remus were all there to see them off.
"Just remember to write to us" Lily said as she embraced the young witch, Lily found herself with a natural attachment to this young girl she reminded her of a younger version of herself, she was delighted that there was someone who could not only keep up with her academically but had the potential to exceed those levels. Lily had no doubt Hermione would become the brightest witch of their age, with Harry behind her every step of the way.
"I will Lily" Hermione replied as she returned the hug, Harry was currently hugging Emma who was as attached to Harry as Lily was to Hermione.
Over the years they had all become very close, after the initial shock of discovering that magic existed Dan and Emma adapted very well and even took part in the theoretical side of the learning experience.
"You make take care of my little girl now Harry" Dan said as Emma finally released him, Harry smiled.
"You know I will Dan" Harry replied
Dan and Emma couldn't go onto the platform so they were staying on the outside, where Remus and Sirius had both offered to stay with them, Hermione walked over to her parents and within seconds Emma was crying as the three hugged each other.
"Be safe my princess" Dan whispered in her ear, Hermione nodded her head whilst fighting back her own tears.
"I will daddy" came her muffled reply.
After the rounds of goodbyes to everyone not passing through the platform Hermione found herself stood in front of the column between platforms nine and ten, with a reassuring nod from Harry she held her breath and ran at the column, disappearing through the column.
After watching Hermione go through the barrier Lily and James both went through to help her Harry stayed behind for a few seconds, luckily they had been time efficient and had arrive forty five minutes before the train was due to depart, Harry looked at Dan and Emma who both smiled at him, his gaze shifted to Remus and Sirius, both whom were watching with pride and admiration for him. Harry then focused his attention on the column, he was about to start running when everything froze, Harry only noticed because there was no noise, his trolley wouldn't moved and everyone was dead still.
"What the hell is going on?" He muttered to himself, the reply made him jump.
"Harry Potter! Mind your language!" The voice of Meredith boomed around the train station.
"Meredith?" Harry called out, Harry again jumped when Meredith appeared sitting on Harry's trunk.
"How goes the day Harry?" Meredith causally asked as Harry regained his composure
"What are you doing here?" He asked, Meredith jumped off the trolley.
"Consider this first of 7 visits that you are going to get from me, it's one of the things I never explained to you, one of the key points of the contract was that I had to check in on you seven times throughout your redo on your life, don't ask why seven because I don't know or care why, anyway these visits are like progress reports" she explained
"So how am I doing?" Harry asked, Meredith smiled.
"Remarkably well, you have managed to build a relationship with Hermione based on trust and friendship, blimey your even breaking her out of her shell that she made for herself, I was kind of worried when you spilled the beans to your mum and dad but that actually helped you, now you must listen to me you are at a key point in your life, don't take this to be as cryptic as it sounds but this is the moment your life begins to change, these last few years have been in preparation because now Harry the game has begun, now you are on the chessboard but you are playing against a master manipulator and the forces of darkness, but don't worry as long as you don't try and do everything on your own and remember what I told you then it will work out in the end"
"I need Hermione, don't get me wrong the Hermione now is brilliant but if I'm going to be playing this game I need Hermione with me, I can't do any of this without her, but you said that she wouldn't get her memories until I kiss her when she feels a deep enough connection to me, how will I know when that connection is deep enough?" Harry asked looking around the still frozen train station. Meredith chuckled.
"Who's to say the connection isn't deep enough all ready? Good luck" with that Meredith disappeared and the world began to move again, Harry looked around and noticed that everyone was still watching as if nothing had happened.
"Here we go" Harry muttered to himself before running through the barrier and onto the platform.
Harry quickly found Hermione who was awe struck by the sheer size of the Hogwarts express, with the help of his father Harry loaded the trunks for the driver to put onto the train, he then turned to say good bye to his parents, Lily embraced her son with all that she was worth.
"I know that you have done all this before but please Harry, be careful" She whispered into his ear, Harry nodded
"I will mum don't worry" He replied hugging her tightly, Lily released Harry and grabbed Hermione into another hug again, James embraced his son.
"Make me proud son" He said ruffling his son's hair, Harry scoffed and laughed.
"Yes sir Mr. Prongs!" He mock saluted, Harry checked his pockets to make sure he still had the marauders map 2.0 and his father's invisibility cloak.
One final round of hugs saw Harry and Hermione walking onto the train and finding a compartment, Hermione wanted to change into her robes straight away and Harry was only all to happy to oblige so passing her the invisibility cloak Hermione changed, a few minutes later and Harry repeated the process. Five minutes before the train was due to leave Harry saw the unmistakeable flurry of red head's, Harry was almost certain that he heard Ron ask 'Where was he?' Harry turned his conversation back to Hermione.
An hour into the train journey there was knock at the compartment door, Harry opening saw Neville Longbottom
"Neville! How are you?" Harry said shaking his hand
"Harry! I forgot you were coming to Hogwarts, yeah I'm fine thanks how's Aunt Lily and Uncles James?" He asked, Neville of course being the god son of Lily and James resorted to calling them aunt and uncle.
"Yeah there not bad, you remember Hermione Granger?" Harry shook motioning to Hermione.
"Of course, a pleasure to see you again Hermione" Neville said bowing slightly, Hermione smiled
"You too Neville, will you join us?" they asked, Neville sighed.
"Normally I would but Trevor has gone missing and I need to find him before we arrive"
Harry remembered this, after all he met Hermione through that wondering toad.
"Don't worry Neville, I'm sure he'll find his way back to you, sit down for a bit, after all familiars always find their way back to their owners" Harry recited from one of the magical books he and Hermione had read.
Neville contemplated leaving to keep looking for him but sat down after careful consideration, the three were in deep conversation when the door opened without any knocking, Harry saw the unmistakeable frame of Ron Weasley, Harry made a point of not raising his head.
"Can we help you?" Hermione asked
"I'm looking for Harry Potter, he is meant to be on this train" Ron answered smugly, Hermione was about to reply when Harry answered still not looking up.
"Why does Harry Potter's whereabouts concern you so much?" Harry asked in a voice much lower than his normal voice, Ron scoffed.
"Because he is going to be my best mate, after all he is the saviour of the wizarding world and should be acquainted with a family on the side of the light" Harry tried to hold back a laugh but couldn't suppress it, Ron's face went as red as his hair
"Something funny?" He spat, Harry still not looking up replied
"You really shouldn't believe everything you read in those works of fiction, now kindly leave us alone your precious boy who lived isn't here, oh by the way you have dirt on your nose" Ron left quickly continuing his search for Harry, Hermione was confused, Harry noticed and filled her in.
"That was a Weasley, they are a family who worship the ground of certain people who seek to control my life and turn me into a weapon, they want a boy who lived believing a work of fiction that I defeated the dark lord when I was a child, when in fact it was a clever rune construction of my mother's along with the Goblins, I'm not going to be anyone's puppet." Harry replied, Hermione laughed.
"I knew that already Harry you mum told me what I don't understand is how did you know he had dirt on his nose if you didn't look up from that book?" Harry looked up and simply winked at Hermione before the three of them burst into laughter.
Harry treated everyone in that compartment to snacks of trolley and they were all enjoying the conversation, of course that was when another unmistakeable face appeared flanked by the two worst bodyguards in the world.
"I hear Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts" He sneered, Harry sighed before replying.
"What's it to you if he has?" Harry asked not letting Draco see his entire face.
"He will need to be friends with the right kind of family, after all hanging around with certain families will get him no benefit for future endeavours" Draco replied looking at Neville in particular, Hermione replied.
"What does it matter who this Harry Potter hangs around with, friends are meant for benefit they are meant for friendship" Hermione replied, Harry smiled.
"No one asked your opinion you filthy little mudbl-" Draco couldn't finish his sentence as he had a pair of hands pushing him against the wall.
"Finish that sentence and I swear to the heavens ill make it so the only way you can eat is through a straw, do I make myself clear?" Harry asked in a icy tone.
"When my father hears about this" Draco managed to rasp out
"That's right run to Daddy like the little wimp you are, you claim to be a person of benefit to someone yet any trouble and you run to find daddy, do yourself a favour, stay away from my friends, and don't cause any more trouble" with that Harry pushed Malfoy out of the compartment and closed the door.
"Thank you" Hermione whispered knowing full well what Draco was going to call her, Harry smiled
"Think nothing of it, the Malfoy family are bullies if there is one thing I can't stand it's bullies"
Neville looked up at Harry
"How did you know that was a Malfoy?" Harry smirked
"His name was sowed into his shirt" this caused more laughter, thankfully the rest of the train ride was uneventful, arriving at Hogsmeade train station they exited the train to find Hagrid leading the first years to the boats.
Everyone was in awe at the sight of the great hall, Hermione made her trade mark comment about the ceiling being bewitched, the first years stood in front of the sorting hat as it began its song.
Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
Professor McGonagall called out the list of names and everyone was going to the same houses, Harry made certain to pay attention when Hermione's name, the hat seemed to be thinking quite intently before finally shouting
"RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione walked over to the Ravenclaw table Harry was surprised 'looks like things are changing' Harry thought thinking back to his conversations with Meredith, Neville went into Gryffindor, Malfoy went into Slytherin and then Harry was called. Harry heard the whispers 'Harry Potter?' Harry had to smirked when he saw the outraged faces of Malfoy and Ron who both recognised him from the train Harry sat on the stool as the hat was placed on his head.
"Back again Mr. Potter?" Harry heard the hat whisper
"I should have known that you would be able to tell the difference" Harry replied
"I'm not an enchanted hat for nothing Mr. Potter now let's see oh you saw Meredith, a lovely woman, so you were in Gryffindor last time but I see your mind is much greater and is being pulled via the young lady who I just sorted, am I to assume that Ravenclaw is your wish?" Harry nodded his head.
"RAVENCLAW!" Harry got up and went over the Ravenclaw table and hugged Hermione. Harry looked over to Dumbledore who looked confused, Harry felt someone trying to break into his mind unfortunately for them his mum had taught them some Occlumency tricks that made it rather painful for someone to use Legillimency on them, Harry smirked when he saw Dumbledore flinched in pain.
The rest of the sorting went as expected except when Ron was called Harry had to smirk as the hat yelled "SLYTHERIN!" Ron yelled out in outrage but was quickly silenced and sent to the Slytherin table.
Harry smiled, things were changing.
That was for damn sure.
AN: Sorry about the delay but I have been really busy lately! Anyway enjoy!