A/N: Hello everybody and welcome to my story. This story has seven parts and the first part is all written and ready to go. This part has 11 chapters and around 15k words. I will probably release one chapter per week on a Monday or Tuesday. That means it will give me time to write the second part without too big of a gap between the first and second parts being published. This is also being cross-published onto ao3 under my account Dramione_2657. The first few chapters are very slow to set the scene but the plot picks up later in the story. Thank you for reading.

3rd September 1984

Hermione Granger arrived in front of her new school. Today was the day that she started primary school, and she was so excited; it would finally give her some freedom away from her parents. The thing about Hermione was that she hadn't had a normal childhood. Her parents were abusive and neglectful which caused Hermione to have raised herself until this point. Hermione was now four years old, and her mother was pregnant again with another baby, whose gender was yet to be determined.

A boy behind her was throwing a tantrum. Guess only some were as happy to join the school as she was. It seemed that his mother was trying to calm him down, but it wasn't working. It made her smirk at him being so childish, but soon the teacher came out to invite them all into her class.

"Hello, I'm Lily and this is Anna, what's your name?" A girl asked Hermione when they were let out for break time.

"Oh hello, my name is Hermione but it's very long and complicated for some people, so you can just call me Maya if you want?" Hermione said with a small smile.

"That's such a pretty name, I'm Emily by the way. I don't know anyone so can I play with you?" Another girl who had just walked up to them said.

All four of them ended up becoming great friends by the end of the day. Hermione was so happy that she had found some friends as she was extremely nervous that nobody would like her and want to hang out with her. Her teacher, Miss Jackson also seemed impressed with Hermione as she could already read well and was a very smart young girl.

"Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry," Hermione said when she accidentally bumped into a lady. It was the same lady she had seen before, whose son was throwing a tantrum. She learned that the boy's name was Draco and he seemed very arrogant in her opinion.

"It's okay sweetheart no need to worry. But where are your parents if I may ask?" She asked politely.

"Uhm they are at work, so they let me walk home by myself. I'm very capable though. I turn five in a few weeks anyway," Hermione said with a shrug as she stood up.

"Where do you live if I may ask, I just don't want you getting lost that's all".

"I live about 10 minutes away on Brook Lane".

"Oh, we live there as well, would you mind walking home with us. I just want you to be safe".

"Really? Nobody ever usually cares about me," Hermione asked quietly looking towards the ground. The woman just gave Hermione a sad smile. She didn't understand how a four-year-old had already experienced so much pain in her life to feel that way.

"I'm Narcissa Malfoy by the way. What is your name sweetheart?" The woman pondered as she lifted the small girl's chin to meet her eyes.

"Hermione Granger ma'am," Hermione stated before looking away again.

"Come on let's walk. My son, Draco, is here now," Narcissa said, and Hermione turned to see the boy from her class. She couldn't believe that he was related to such a sweet lady when he was such a stuck-up spoilt brat.

The walk home had been awkward, to say the least. Draco kept glaring at Hermione and Narcissa was trying to break the awkward silence. Hermione was relieved when they finally got to Brook Lane but was also thankful for Narcissa walking her home.

"Where do you live Hermione?" Narcissa queried with a sweet smile. Hermione just pointed to her house. Her parents were quite wealthy so were able to live in such a wealthy neighborhood. She discovered that the Malfoys lived just a few houses away at the top of the street in the huge mansion that the entire town was jealous of. She had seen it a few times and been awed by it, just like everybody else.

"Are your parents' home?" Narcissa asked.

"No, they'll still be working but don't worry I usually stay at home by myself but thank you anyway," Hermione said before walking into her house and locking the door. She was unaware that Narcissa had heard her mumble that it was better that way.

9th February 1985

Freak. Disappointment. Stupid. Unworthy. The words Hermione's parents told her on the daily. That was if she was unlucky enough for them to remember she existed. Her baby brother, Joseph, had been born a few days ago and Hermione felt like a failure. She didn't know how to raise a baby, she was just five herself, and she knew her parents wouldn't even give one about raising him. Hermione was completely lost.

Today was Saturday. Her parents were out of town for the weekend, much to Hermione's relief, so she needed to think fast. Hermione wasn't even in control of her thoughts when she picked up Joseph and left the house and for the first time went to the Malfoys' house.

She walked home from school with Narcissa and Draco every day. Even though she never spoke and usually just listened to Draco and his mum, it was nice to at least feel wanted for once. The only other time when she felt like that was when she was at school with her friends: Emily, Anna, and Lily.

Hermione didn't want to seem weak, but she had no other option. She needed somebody to help her. She couldn't let her brother go through what she had been through. Hermione braced herself before ringing the front doorbell. A man opened the door. He looked scary to Hermione, and he seemed to be glaring at her for no reason whatsoever. She just gulped down her fear.

"Uhm, I'm sorry to be bothering you and I just wanted to speak to Narcissa Malfoy. But if you would rather me just leave that would be fine," Hermione bit her lip and turned to leave, wanting the ground to swallow her up.

"Oh, Hermione what a pleasant surprise. Lucius stop it, you're scaring the poor child," Narcissa said and gave Hermione one of her warm smiles. "Who's that you have there Hermione?" She asked noticing the baby in the young child's arm.

"This is my new brother Joseph, and I was wondering if you could help me. If you don't mind of course," Hermione said hesitantly in her quiet voice.

"Of course, come in, sweetheart,"

Hermione just smiled as she followed Narcissa inside. She asked if Hermione wanted or cup of tea or anything, but Hermione declined. She followed the older woman to the sitting room and admired the interior of the house. It looked even nicer than the exterior of the house if that was even possible.

"What do you need help with Hermione," Narcissa asked as they sat down on the plush white couches opposite one another. Hermione sighed before explaining that her brother had been born a few days ago and she was unsure what to do as her parents were always working and barely home. She didn't know how to raise a baby. She asked meekly if Narcissa would be able to help her.

"Of course, sweetheart, and if there is ever anything else, just come and speak to me,"

"Thank you, Mrs Malfoy, but I really must get going, I need to start making supper and make sure Joseph goes to sleep alright," Hermione gave a weary smile before standing up.

"Wait Hermione," Hermione turned around. "Would you like to stay for supper, you can even stay the night if you want".

Supper had been awkward. Draco kept glaring at her, again, along with his father, Lucius. Narcissa was trying to make Hermione feel at home and kept asking her if she wanted any more food, but Hermione just declined. But it was nice to know somebody cared. Even if it was only one person.

After supper, Hermione went back home even though Narcissa insisted that she stay the night. It had been nice to confide in Narcissa and hoped that one day she'd be able to tell her everything.

2nd September 1985

"Hermione, are you excited for the new school year?" Narcissa asked when she saw Hermione at the school gates.

"Very Mrs Malfoy. But I'm also terribly nervous about being in a new class," Hermione was excited about being able to see Anna, Lily, and Emily after the six-week holidays but was also nervous that her new teacher wouldn't like her.

"You'll be fine darling. And I keep telling you that you can call me Narcissa," Narcissa said with a smile. After Hermione had been around that night a few months ago she was warming up to Narcissa even more. She stayed around for supper many nights but had never slept over despite the older woman's constant invitations. Lucius and Draco didn't glare at her anymore which was a good sign, but they still didn't usually speak to her. Hermione was okay with that though.

Joseph had been staying at the Malfoy's house whilst she was at school and Narcissa had been looking after him, much to Hermione's relief.

As they went into their new class, Hermione said goodbye to Narcissa and ended up walking in with Lily. Lily was telling her about how her parents had taken her to Florida and had the best time ever. Hermione gave a sad smile wishing her parents would do nice things with her. She didn't have one good memory of her parents. But she had to hold herself together. She had done so for the past 5 years.

At break time, everybody asked Hermione what she had done over the holidays. She just replied saying she had just been at home with her parents and didn't expand anymore. She had spent most of the holidays at Malfoy Manor. She was usually in their library with Joseph, but she still spoke to Narcissa when she came to check up on her. It had been nice. Peaceful.

19th September 1985

Today had been the best day of her life. Narcissa had remembered that today was Hermione's 6th birthday and had given her a bracelet that she could tell cost a small fortune. Hermione just gave Narcissa a big hug in appreciation of the gift.

At supper that night, Narcissa insisted Hermione stay at there's and Hermione agreed with a smile. Narcissa gave Hermione a cake after they had finished, much to Hermione's surprise. She felt so special for the first time in her life.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," came a voice from next to Hermione at the dining table. Hermione turned around and was surprised when she realized it had come from Draco.

"Thank you, Draco," Hermione said with a smile. It was the first time they had ever spoken to each other. It was the start of a new friendship that would eventually change the world.