Author's Notes: I'm amazed by the response to this story! Thank you!
drew1998: thank you for the kind review
Eight months later.
The first school year went amazingly well for Hermione.
And it flew by.
She loved her classes.
Her professors.
Discovering the magic that was always inside her.
The spells, charms, and the history of this world.
After a rough start with making friends, she made three best friends with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom.
Along with Seamus Finnegan, Ron's brothers Fred and George were also friends although she did spend most of her time with Harry and Ron since they were a year above them.
The only thing she had an issue with was flying on her broom.
It turned out she was terribly afraid of heights.
And well.. falling off it.
Having seen her friend Neville loose control of his broom and break his wrist during their first flying lesson last year.
And then there was the whole mystery regarding Nicolas Flannel.
And Professor but after they risked their lives to solve it, Dumbledore earned them house points to each of them, and to Neville for displaying bravery which earned Gryffindor a victory over Slytherin for the House Cup!
So she took the train back to London with her friends.
"Hermione!" they greeted their daughter with a hug.
"Hi mum. Dad." she said, enjoying the embrace she missed since Christmas.
"We've missed you so much dear." Jean Granger choked out.
"I missed you guys too…" she said and after a long moment the family withdrew from their embrace.
Richard Granger grabbed her luggage and they began walking out towards the exit.
"So, do you know what you got for your grades?" he asked curiously.
Them walking through and out of the column and to the muggle concourse.
"Yes. They're perfect. I was top of my class." she said proudly.
"I wouldn't have expected anything less. I'm proud of you Hermione." Richard beamed proudly.
"I'm not that great on a broom though.." she admitted.
"Oh?" Jean said.
"Yeah, it turns out I have your fear of heights." she said her mom chuckled.
"Well don't worry dear. Just the idea of flying seems unbelievable to me." Jean joked.
The family walked out of King's Cross and down the street where the car was parked.
It being a warm late spring day.
The sidewalk filled with passersby.
"Oh I need to tell you about my friends! Ron invited me to his house over the summer. They're some gifts from muggle London that I'll think they'll love!" she asked with a smile.
"Muggle London?" Richard asked confused.
"Friends?" Jean asked, relieved that her daughter had finally made friends.
"Oh, sorry. There's a lot I need to explain to you guys…"
Hermione spent the rest of the journey home telling her parents about the year.
Purposely not mentioning everything regarding Nicolas Flannel and Professor Quarrel.
She didn't want to frighten them or think Hogwarts was dangerous.
She also didn't bring up the prejudices muggleborn witches and wizards like herself faced.
So she told them about her friends, her classes and that Ron had invited her to his house over the summer.
And that she wanted to write to Harry as well.
Getting permission to do both.
The family retired to the sitting room.
Jean pouring her a cup of tea. Her parents sitting down on the chairs across from the fire place.
Her on the couch across from them.
"Now, Hermione there is something we need to tell you. Something we should have told you by now…" she began.
Hermione frowned, hearing the seriousness in her voice.
"What is it mum?" she asked.
Seeing her parents share a look.
Clenching each other's hands.
"There is no easy way to tell you this dear. It's something we should've told you before the beginning of your school year. But I suppose there is no easy to tell you But we adopted you." she revealed.
"What?" Hermione said, going wide eyed.
"We always wanted a child of our own and well… that did lead us to an orphanage where we were led to you. And with one look we knew that we had to have you." Richard explained.
She was too in shock to say anything as her mind processed the news.
Clenching the saucer underneath her teacup.
Her parents sharing a concerned look but her mom grabbed her wrist.
"This doesn't change anything dear. We love you. You're our daughter. Our only child. We couldn't imagine our lives without you How much joy you've brought us. While we are proud of how much you're growing up. We've missed you so much. We should have told you before you left." Jean said but Hermione interrupted her.
"It's okay mum." she finally said.
"Hermione…" she tried again but she interrupted her.
"It's okay. Truly. You're my mum and dad. The only one I've known.. I love the both of you…" she said and got up, placing her tea down to embrace the both of them.
"You're the best thing to happen to us Hermione. We don't know who your birth parents are. The orphanage didn't have any records." Richard explained.
She took a deep breath. She didn't want to know anyway.
"That's okay. I don't want to know. I already have a mum and dad."
The summer flew by for Hermione.
After the revelation that she was adopted, nothing changed between her and her parents.
So she used all the spare time to read books she wasn't able to in the wizarding world.
She also wrote to Ron regularly.
The two agreeing that she could spend the night before they go to Diagon Alley to get their books and supplies for the school year.
But what concerned her was that Harry didn't write to them.
At first she thought it was just her but Ron told her he didn't respond to any of his letters either which worried her.
She knew his Aunt and Uncle were mean to him and well vile.
So here she was.
Ron informing her to wait by the chimney of her house for him, Fred and George.
She deducing they were travelling by the Floo Network.
Having read about it but never using it herself.
She did her best to explain it to her parents who were standing behind her.
Then the chimney suddenly enlarged, seeing Floo powder sprinkle on the cement floor and she heard arguing.
"Bloody hell Fred. Move, I'm stuck." she heard him and smile.
Seeing a pair of legs land on the stone chimney floor.
"Hang on. This is a muggle house…" he said and the chimney enlarged even more to reveal the twins up to their necks.
Then Ron jumped down and shoved past them.
The twins ducking their heads to walk into the living room.
"Sorry about that…" Fred began.
"Always tricky with muggle houses." George shrugged.
"It's nice to see you guys." Hermione smiled, grabbing her overnight bag.
Hugging Ron.
"You must be, Ron." Richard said kindly.
"Yes, sir." Ron said, shaking his hand.
"And you must be Fred and George." Jean introduced herself.
"I'm Fred." George joked.
"No, I'm Fred." Fred also joked.
Jean looked confused then down to her daughter.
"Ignore them. That's Fred… and that's George." she pointed to each twin correctly.
"Well come on. Should be easier getting back than coming." Fred said and Hermione smiled.
"I've never travelled by Floo before." she said.
"It's not difficult. Just grab some powder say "The Burrow" loudly and clearly when you enter." Ron explained, holding the bowl of powder out for her.
"Right. By mum, by dad. I'll meet you at Diagon Alley." she said and hugged her parents.
Excited about showing it to them for the first time.
"Have fun luv. We'll see you tomorrow." Jean said, hugging her.
"Be safe." Richard added.
"We'll try not to knock anything over." Fred joked.
"Better here than at home. Mum would be livid." George also joked.
"Don't make a mess in my mum's sitting room." Hermione scolded.
"After you then…" Fred offered, gesturing his hands to the chimney.
"Right…" she said, grabbing some powder in her fingers carrying her bag and stepping inside.
"The Burrow!" she threw the poweder down on the floor.
The power engulfed her and the next thing she knew she landed on her feet in another enlarged chimney.
Seeing who she deduced was Mrs. Weasley waiting for her in the living room waiting for her.
"Ah, you must be Hermione." Molly said with a kind smile.
Setting her bag down as she walked up to embrace her in a bone crushing hug.
"I am. It's nice to meet you Mrs. Weasley…" she said but heard another set of feet land behind her.
The two stopped hugging to let Ron and the twins enter the home.
"I see you made it in one piece." Fred joked.
"That wasn't too bad." she replied.
"It was one thing I knew how to do that you don't know." Ron joked.
"You're a better flyer than me and at wizard chess." she said reassuringly.
"Speaking of that! Do you want to play a round?" he offered.
"Sure…" she said and began to follow him upstairs.
"Ronald! Don't be rude! Grab Hermione's things for her. She's your guest!" his mum scolded.
Hermione smiled, seeing Ron mutter to himself but grab her bag.
"Yes, Ron. Don't be rude." she joked, earning a glare from him before he led her up the stairs.
"Supper will be ready shortly dear." she said kindly to Hermione.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley."
Hermione ended up loving the Weasley's.
And The Burrow.
Having never been in a magical home before, Ron gave her the grand tour.
Showing her the vertical wooden house in the middle of a field.
It filled to the brim with furniture, family photos and magical pots, pans and utensils.
And she learned about the family.
She already knew about Fred and George.
But that he had older brothers Charlie, Bill and Percy.
A younger sister, Ginny who would be attending Hogwarts this year and his dad, Arthur, who worked for the Ministry.
The two were currently in the corner of the living room after the family supper.
The sun setting and the rays glowing through the windows.
Molly overfilling her plate with food.
And then seconds.
And then dessert.
She ate it all politely, seeing how happy she was to have a guest over.
Hermione staring at the board in between with eyebrows furrowed.
Twirling a pawn in her fingers.
Resting her chin on her knuckles.
She had already lost their previous match.
And she was losing this one.
She only being able to knock two pawns off.
Seeing more than half of her pieces knocked out already.
"So, you didn't get any letters from Harry either?" Ron asked and she nodded.
"No. None. I don't think his Aunt and Uncle are letting him write them. Or even letting Hedwig out if he can't even send letter. He's told you about them right?" she asked with worry.
"He has. They're foul gits. They were the reason why he stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas." he explained.
"We need to do something!" she said determined.
"Well what can we do?" he asked.
She frowned, unsure what to do but then Fred and George suddenly emerged around the banister.
"We could take the car." George suggested mischievously.
"You guys have a car?" Hermione asked surprised.
Having never seen one in the magical world.
"Well, it's not an ordinary car that muggles think of." Fred added.
"Mum would kill us if we took it." Ron said, gulping in fear.
"We can sneak out when she goes to bed. Dad won't be back till tomorrow after his raid. No one will know we're gone!" George suggested.
"That could work. He lives in Surrey." Hermione said, surprising herself to agree to the rule breaking.
The Twins grinned.
"I believe we're rubbing off on her George."
"I believe you're right Fred." George said and she just shook her head.
She and Ron got up.
"Oh please. I already got my first detention ever well enough on my own. Let's just drive to his Aunt and Uncles and try to not get caught." she said.
"Drive?" Ron asked.
"Yeah? Like on a road. Why else would be taking a car for?" she asked innocently.
The twins chuckled and began leading her out.
Wrapping their arms around her shoulders.
She frowned, glancing up to them in confusion.
"You may be book smart Hermione but you still have much to learn!"
And the twins weren't lying.
After piling into the back seat of an ancient Ford Anglia, she heard and saw it sputter into life.
And then take off into the night sky!
She held on for dear life.
Wishing their were seatbelts as she felt them climb higher and higher.
Looking down at the floor.
"I've told you how much I hate flying right!" she reminded them sarcastically.
Failing to hide her fear.
"You're not flying. The car is!" Fred joked.
"Dad is going to be so pleased to see the car working so well. We're almost there." George added.
"Yeah, can we just get to Harry's house before I hurl…" she said, feeling unease in her stomach, feeling the car swerve violently and downwards to the right.
"Well don't make a mess over dad's car. We're here." Ron said and she tentatively looked out the window to see a neighborhood quickly approaching them.
George drove them up above the back yard and in front of a 2nd story window.
Parallel parking along the barred windows.
Fred lowered the window and Ron and Hermione arched their heads over the passenger seat.
Seeing Harry already staring at them dumbfounded.
"Harry!" Hermione hissed.
"Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, What are you all doing here?" he asked surprised.
"Rescuing you, of course. Now, come on. Get your trunk!" Ron said with haste.
Harry rushed around his room, getting dressed and packing his trunk with his clothes, books, uniforms, and other necessities before slamming it shut.
Ron reached over Hermione to grab a chain and hook underneath the seat.
"Here…" she gave her the other end.
She nodded hooked it to the bars.
Ron attaching it to the door.
"You better stand back Harry." she warned.
He stepped back.
"Let's go!" Ron told his brother.
He slammed on the gas which pried the bars free.
They fell and landed on the bush below with a loud bang.
"His Aunt and Uncle would've heard that!" Hermione warned as Harry grabbed his trunk and put it in the trunk.
"Go, go, go, go!" George exclaimed.
Harry picked up Hedwig's cage and Hermione reached out the window for it.
"I've got her…" she said, grabbing the cage as Hedwig flapped her wings.
"It's alright Hedwig…" she cooed him.
"Come on Harry!" Ron said urgently but the bedroom door was unlocked and Hermione saw a very large man rush in.
"Petunia, he's escaping!" she heard who she deduced was his Uncle Vernon shout.
He rushed to grab his leg but Ron grabbed his waist.
"Come here!" Vernon seethed as Petunia and his large son Dudley ran in the room.
"Let go of me!" Harry said as he struggled to pry himself out of his grasp.
Hermione set Hedwig down to reach for his arm.
"Harry!" she lunged over the car door to grab him right next to Ron.
"Go, go, go!" she shouted to Fred.
"Oh no, boy! You and that bloody pigeon aren't going anywhere!" Vernon scolded.
"Right!" Fred said and turned the car away from the house.
Vernon lost his grip and his footing from the window sill and fell down the floor and on his back but the bush broke his fall.
Fred was flying the Anglia back up into the clouds as the trio resettled into the back seats.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked with worry, placing Hedwig's cage back in his lap next to her in the middle seat.
He nodded.
"I am. Thanks guys." he smiled and she hugged him back.
"You're welcome and Happy Birthday Harry." she said warmly, still hugging him.
"Yeah, Happy Birthday mate." Ron also said.
"Thanks you Mione. Thanks Ron."
The sun was rising by the time they made it back to The Burrow in Devon.
Fred led them to the front window and unlocked it to open the door.
He checked to make sure the coast was clear before gesturing the kids to walk in.
"Okay, come in." he said and Hermione walked in with the rest of them.
Relieved that their plan actually worked.
"I can't believe that actually worked." she said relieved.
"She didn't think our brilliant plan would work she says." George joked to her brother.
"So welcome home Harry." Ron introduced him to The Burrow who was looking around in amazement.
"I think it's… brilliant." he said in awe but then…
"Where have you been!" they heard Molly scorn and all of them but Harry jumped out of their skin.
Hermione slowly turned around to see her furiously staring at them in the doorway but then smiled sweetly at Harry.
"Harry, how wonderful to see you dear." she said warmly but then glared at Hermione and her sons.
"Beds empty! No note! Car gone! You could've died! You could've been seen!" she scolded.
Hermione winced.
"Of course, I don't blame you Hermione. Or you Harry." she reassured them.
"If I may… Mrs. Weasley. They had Harry locked up in his room." Hermione spoke up, defending their actions.
"Yeah, mum. They were starving him! There were bars on his windows!" Ron added.
"Well, you'd best hope that I don't put bars on your window, Ronald Weasley!" Molly scorned him in particular which Hermione smiled faintly at.
Earning a glare from him.
"Care for a spot of tea, Harry?"
They all gathered around the kitchen table for breakfast a few minutes later.
Ginny Weasley woke up to join them.
Hermione noticed she was very shy around Harry but gestured her to sit next to her.
Molly once again overfilled her plate with bacon and eggs and giving an even large portion to Harry on the other side of her.
As she poured herself a cup of tea Arthur Weasley walked in.
"Morning everyone." he greeted.
"Morning, dad.
"Good morning Mr. Weasley." Hermione greeted kindly.
"Ah, Hermione. It's so nice to finally meet you…" he said and sat down across from you.
"You as well, sir." she replied.
"What a night. Nine raids. Nine!" he said with exhaustion.
"Raids?" Harry asked Ron.
"Dad works in the Ministry of Magic. In the misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. Dad loves Muggles. Thinks they're fascinating." he explained.
"Now, I hear you're bringing your parents to Diagon Alley today?" he asked Hermione and she smiled.
"Yes, it'll be their first time seeing the magical world." she said excitedly.
"And your parents. What do they do for a living?" he asked curiously.
"They're dentists, sir." she answered but he stared at her in confusion.
"They fix muggle teeth." she explained.
"Fascinating…" he said and was about to ask another question but saw Harry next to her for the first time.
"Well now. Who are you?" he asked.
"Oh, sorry sir. I'm Harry, sir. Harry Potter."
"Good Lord, are you really? Ron's told us all about you, of course. When did he get here?" he asked surprised.
"This morning. Your sons flew that enchanted car of yours to Surrey and back last night." Molly scolded them once again.
"Did you really? How'd it go?" Arthur asked excitedly.
Hermione, Ron, and the twins failed to hide their smiles which earned a glare from Molly to her husband.
"I mean... that was very wrong, indeed, boys. Very wrong of you. Now, Harry, Hermione you must know all about Muggles. Tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?" he asked seriously.
She and Harry looked at each other in confusion.
So I decided to skip Philopsher's Stone since that's still canon in this story but it does begin to diverge from here onwards.