Chapter 5
Hermione
She was boarding the Hogwarts Express with Harry, and neither her Mother nor her father had come to send her off, to her relief. This saved both of them a lot of time, as most of the students did not board the train and spent these few precious moments with their loved ones, thus allowing them to take up good compartments for themselves.
She was saddened to realise that neither she nor Harry had a family to speak of in high regard but then neither of them needed a family, they hadn't needed one for years.
"This compartment looks nice, it's in the back pretty secluded", said Harry
"Yeah", she replied looking around and then taking a seat inside the compartment
Both of them made themselves comfortable inside the compartment.
"You know we have talked about a lot of stuff but not about the house we want to be in", she said
"Yeah, I think I would like to be a Slytherin and certainly not in Gryffindor with my brother though Ravenclaw would not be bad either", Harry said
"Same, I think Slytherin is cool I like its traits Slyness and cunning and I Guess Ravenclaw is certainly not bad with intelligence rooting for itself", she said
They would later go on to regret these very words as neither of them was very familiar with the bigotry that filled House Slytherin
(Later)
"Oh, so there you are Harry, mum and Dad were worried about you leaving them without a word", said the very anxious Jim Potter
Both she and Harry just looked at two intruders a red-headed boy and the famous Jim Potter who had both rudely interrupted their deep conversation about what little magical theory they knew.
"I know I didn't get on with a great start with either of you but I would like to err… give it a try, I mean trying to get along you know", said the oblivious boy to the current situation where two people were starting to get very annoyed with them.
"Alright, so err Ok?", said Harry clearly expecting them to take their leave
But alas it seemed that neither of the two boys had any intention to take their leave and without any good excuse or polite way of telling them to leave her and Harry alone it seemed like both of them were stuck with Jim Potter and the red-headed boy who had been introduced as Ron Weasley.
"Ah well, do either of guys you know how to play exploding snap?", asked Jim Potter who had finally reached the point of their nerves
She had gotten Irritated with Jim Potter a long time ago but it seemed that the thick head of Jim Potter seemed to make him immune to the subtle hints about them taking their leave Or more likely the ego of Jim Potter who had never been refused for anything getting in his way but in a way they were saved by the gods as there was once again knock on the door of their compartment and soon enough inside entered three more uninvited guests.
In the middle stood a slim blonde boy who held himself high like those in epitome of society or well like Jim Potter and beside him stood two boys who seemed like would grow into hulking brutes.
"I am Draco Malfoy and these are Crabbe and Goyle, I have been informed that…", the blonde boy trailed off seeing that there were two boys who looked a lot like each other who both looked like Jim Potter who was not hard to recognize due to his famous status in wizarding world.
"Ehm… err I had never been informed that Jim Potter had a twin", said the Blonde boy
"Please if you want to talk to Jim Potter then you all five are most welcome to leave this compartment and talk", she snapped angrily
"That is rude what is your name?", asked the blond boy
"Hermione Granger", she replied
"Granger… Granger, are you one of those Dagworth grangers?", asked Malfoy
"No… I am a muggle-born you see", she replied and was instantly greeted with a sneer which appeared on the faces of the newcomers.
"And you would be Weasley by looks of it… clearly, Potters you haven't been properly introduced into our society with you both of such high-status mingling with riffraff like Weasley and a MudBlood", said Malfoy
The instant he uttered those words, she knew that Malfoy had used a slur against her that she was unfamiliar with. She knew it well: first, it clearly made Harry, Jim, and Ron angry, the latter two because of the reference to Weasley. Second, it was clear from the word "Mud blood" that it most likely referred to her blood, some racist thingy in magical society, she presumed.
"You piece of shit", spat out Jim
"You Bastard", Hissed Ron and both got up threateningly
While she saw Harry draw his wand but she placed her hand on his wand making him lower it.
"I am sorry Potters I didn't mean to offend you but I do hope you would reconsider your companions", said the blond bigoted boy
"I don't need any consideration in choosing my friends you are more than welcome to fuck off from this compartment or I think I would not be able to stop myself from cursing you", said Harry who was now really angry but spoke so cooly and softly with his eyes so full of malice that it sent shivers down the spine of everyone present.
Blonde Boy decided to cut his losses and took his leave with a small smirk as If he had managed to accomplish something.
"That bigoted bastard I wanted to break his nose", said Ron
"Let's go and break his nose then", spoke Jim Potter
"I Dunno those two brutes…", started Ron
"I know some spells Let's go", said Jim
"Yeah", said Ron
"You wanna come, Harry?", asked Jim
"I think it would be better if he stayed here, they might have more goons who could come here", she spoke quickly
"Yeah, Nice thought, les go Ron", spoke Jim and both then quickly left the compartment.
She let out a sigh of relief and spoke
"Can you really cast spells?"
"Umm… yeah just one or two which I learned at home, nothing much just a jelly legs jinx and Boils curse", Harry said
"That is cool I learned Reparo charm", she said and both soon ended up chatting about spells and transfiguration for the next few hours while their pets played together
(Later that night)
"Potter Jim", called out Professor McGonagall and soon enough whole hall was filled with murmuring
Jim walked up to the stool and placed the sorting hat on his head
"GRYFFINDOR"
And there were thunderous sounds of clapping erupting from Gryffindor's table and shouting which only died out when Professor Dumbledor the aged headmaster and legendry wizard sent out booming fireworks from his wand to quieten up the hall
"Potter Harry", called out Professor McGonagall and the whole hall once again erupted into loud sounds of chatter
"SLYTHERIN" called out Sorting Hat this time there was no sound of clapping not even from the Slytherin table but she saw Harry walk to the Slytherin table ignoring everyone.
Finally, enough she heard her name being called and soon enough she was joining her friend at the Slytherin table.
She could see the concerned looks that were sent her way by Professor McGonagall but she ignored it and sat beside Harry.
Dumbledore
(Later that Night)
"it is unfortunate I know, with both Harry and a muggle-born in Slytherin house but it was the decision of Sorting hat and I can't meddle in it", he explained to Minerva for the twentieth time.
"But Albus…", Minerva once again started
"Enough Minerva I can't interfere with school traditions without serious repercussions but I will see that neither Miss Granger nor Mr Potter come to any harm, Severus I know you hate Potters but see that neither of the two kids come to any harm", He spoke with finality in his voice
"Yes headmaster", spoke Severus in a tight voice
He closed his eyes as both Minerva and Severus departed the two prophecies revolving in his mind and their implications. He was worried but who was he to judge? He remembered another child it was decades ago and he had judged, he had worried and he had failed the boy, he would not fail again.