Transition Process by Nilrem

Rating: PG13
Genres: Drama, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 4
Published: 24/03/2006
Last Updated: 24/03/2006
Status: In Progress

This is AU, so there aren't many spoilers. Takes place in Harry's 7th Year, a second
life changing events occurs in Harry's life, a new exchange student comes to Hogwarts; Hermione
Granger. (This story has been up before, it has been improved and updates should be up over the
next month!)




1. 1. The Arrival
-----------------



**Disclaimer: All of the Potterverse belongs to JKR, Bloomsbury books and Warner Brothers. No
infringement was intended.**

Nilrem

Chapter 1

The Arrival

Harry Potter stood staring up at the castle from Hogsmeade station; the sun was setting, leaving
an orange glow around the magnificent structure. It was September 1st the first day back
at Hogwarts of his final year, the train had just pulled into the station and children were
flooding from compartments with their luggage in tow rushing to the horse-less drawn carriages; or
so most of the children thought, however there were some unlucky enough to know what truly pulled
them. Harry sighed as he made his way through the crowds to the carriage where his best friend Ron
Weasley had begun to load their trunks and cages into.

“I can't believe this is the last time we are going to do this.” he said approaching Ron

“Yeah I know mate; if you plan on sulking all year about leaving, then let me know and I'll
go and throw myself to the giant squid now.” Ron smiled up at him as he leaned over Harry's
trunk, picking it up.

Ron knew that Hogwarts was the first place that Harry could ever call home and that it would be
hard for him to leave it behind. Frankly, he was going to miss the place too, but he didn't
like the thought of Harry being down because of it; he wanted this year to be Harry's best
since he had earned it and truly deserved it.

“Anyway we don't have time to mope, `cause this year, we're the oldest, we're in
charge and we're gonna make the bloody best out of it, I'll tell ya that much!” Ron
exclaimed, pulling Harry into the carriage.

Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom, and Dean Thomas joined the boys in the carriage just as it
started to make it way up to the castle, they were Harry's other roommates in Gryffindor
tower.

Harry's woeful mood subsided as the boys started to laugh and joke about all the things to
look forward to this year, most importantly Gryffidor's chances at the Quidditch cup, Harry has
been absent for the final match last year between Gryffindor and Slytherin and was not best pleased
to find out that Slytherin had flattened Gryffindor and had won the cup.

Harry had been unhappy at the time that he could not participate, but he had other things on his
mind at the time, what with trying to rid the world of an evil Dark Overlord. But here he was, back
for the new year; his last year, with nothing really to worry about other than the NEWTS. In all
honesty Harry had never felt so bewildered; he was finally at a point in his life where he did not
have to worry that some mental psychopath was out to kill him, it was new for him, it felt odd that
all he had to do now was enjoy his surroundings and do his best in school.

“Gryffindor will have to build up a good team this year if we're to accomplish something.”
Seamus carried on as Harry slipped in and out of the conversation.

“Yeah, I don't think there is much chance of us winning if we keep to three players,” Ron
laughed, “I'm gonna start Quidditch try outs pretty soon so you guys should come along.”

Ron had recently been assigned Quidditch captain something which he was very proud of. Harry
couldn't help but think he had his work cut out for him though, after all there were only three
members of the team who were still present at Hogwarts: Ron who was the Gryffindor keeper, Ginny,
Ron's younger sister who played chaser and in Harry's opinion was probably the best in the
school, and finally himself. He had played seeker for Gryffindor ever since his first year,
although he had the most experience on the team he was glad Ron had been elected captain because he
had followed Quidditch all his life whereas he himself had not. Harry thought Ron would be more
suited to the role. Anyway, Harry had enough to be organizing.

“So I wonder who Head Boy and Girl are this year,” Neville said as the conversation moved along
from Quidditch. Harry squirmed in his seat uncomfortably; he had neglected to tell Ron or any other
of his friends that he had been offered the position.

“I dunno, I hope it's not bloody Malfoy though, even if he has `redeemed himself'” Ron
said making air quotations at the last words, “I don't wanna have to take orders from him, I
hope it's someone who I like, that way I won't get me all the crappy prefect duties.”

Draco Malfoy had been Harry's arch-nemesis throughout the first six years of Hogwarts, but
had recently made a conversion that had shocked many people, including Harry. Whilst the war was
going on Draco Malfoy had been working for the Dark Lord under his father's instruction,
however when it had truly mattered, Draco had done the right thing. He managed to set free many
important members of the Order from the death eaters, saving many lives in the process and in the
end, after it was over he had returned Harry safely back to Dumbledore when he had been too weak to
move; Harry owed him a great deal.

“Ron, did you ever think that despite the fact they know you, they'll still give you the
worse duties?” Harry asked suppressing a smile.

Normally all prefect rotas and duties are assigned on the Hogwarts express, but because it was a
Saturday, rotas were to be settled on the Sunday.

“Why would someone do such a thing?” Ron asked not really taking Harry seriously and began
staring out of the window. He was drawn back to Harry however when the other boys began laughing.
Harry had taken this opportunity to pin his Head Boy badge to his robes.

“YOU?!? You wouldn't would you…I mean….Harry,” Harry smirked at Ron

“Of course I wouldn't, Ron, I'm not that mean, but no matter how much you take the mick
out of me for this, `cause I know you will, I'm gonna try and take this seriously as it's a
huge responsibility,” Harry added in a Percy-like manner

“Yeah, right!” The boys burst out in to laughter at Harry's imitation as they reached the
main gates of the castle.

***

The boys sat at the Gryffindor house table in the Great Hall, waiting patiently for the sorting
ceremony to finish so that they could dig into the amazing feast always provided on the first day
back at Hogwarts.

The last of the first years were filtered into houses before Dumbledore stood and bellowed,
“Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!” He was dressed in his usual attire but aired a jollier
presence than in recent years, Dumbledore was certainly an eccentric man, but that twinkle in his
eyes seemed positively brighter. “This year is full of promise for each and every one of you, as
the Wizarding world stood united against dark forces only a few months ago, a new light has chance
to shine for all to see, a light that can only get brighter as you reach for your dreams and
aspirations. We can thank certain members of this very school for such an achievement, members of
the Order of the Phoenix along with 7th year students, Draco Malfoy and our victor Harry
Potter.”

There was a round of applause much to Draco's and Harry's embarrassment, they shared a
quick nod between tables before hiding their faces from the prying eyes of the students. The great
hall was filled with whispers as everyone passed on their stories about what they heard happened
and why Draco Malfoy had returned to Hogwarts. Dumbledore rushed to finish his words before he lost
his audience to discussion.

“May I remind you all that the Dark Forrest is forbidden to all students, also to check the
illegal objects on Mr. Filch's list located outside his office. Oh….and before I forget, please
acknowledge your new Head Boy and Girl; Harry Potter, Gryffindor and Padma Patil, Ravenclaw.”

There was another round of applause as the feast appeared on the house tables; the faces of the
new first year students dropped at the magnificence of the banquet, Harry remembered how it had
felt when he had experienced this feeling for the very first time. As the night progressed many
people came up to congratulate Harry on becoming Head Boy and on the defeat of Lord Voldemort which
he accepted humbly. After a half hours of starring faces, constant whispers and discussions about
the summer, Harry was very ready to leave, it wasn't until everybody had finished their meal
however that he had chance to escape from all the attention. Ron gathered the first years to take
them to the tower; he was after all still a prefect. Harry told him the password (Niffler) and made
a stealthy escape outside, technically he wasn't supposed to be out so late but he couldn't
resist.

He walked through the grounds admiring the sheer beauty of Hogwarts by moonlight, since
Harry's victory over the Dark Lord; he decided that he should truly appreciate everything
around him and consider himself fortunate for being a part of it.

***

“Beau'iful night.” Harry smiled upon hearing the voice of his first ever wizarding
friend.

“Hey, Hagrid,” Harry stopped walking and turned in the direction that Hagrid's voice had
come from. Harry hadn't been in contact with him since debriefing after the final battle and
was more than happy to see him.

“I saw yeh slip out, though' I'd come an' see ya.” Hagrid beamed approaching
him.

They strolled through the grounds together while Hagrid filled Harry in on what he had planned
for this year's Care of Magical Creatures lessons. Harry liked having the company of his half
giant friend even though he wasn't paying close attention to what he was saying; there was
something on Harry's mind, a feeling in his gut that he couldn't quite shake.

After half an hour out in the grounds Harry bid Hagrid goodnight and silently made his way to
Gryffindor tower, as he walked through the portrait hole he let out a content sigh, smiling
inwardly, he was home. He climbed the stairs to his dorm room where his friends were all sleeping,
pulling off his robes and removing his glasses he climbed into the warm mass of sheets and laid
back. As he tried to relax he couldn't let go of the feeling that something big was about to
happen; after hours of tossing and turning he figured he was just being paranoid and he had nothing
to be apprehensive about, slowly he slipped off in to a dreamless sleep.

***

“Harry do you plan on getting up at all today? I mean I know you're lazy, but you're
just taking it too far.” Ron woke Harry pulling back the curtains on his four poster bed, letting
the sunlight in.

“Huh?” Harry wiped the sleep from his eyes and reached for his glasses. “What time is it?” he
asked groggily.

“It's just gone twelve, now I suggest you get your arse out of bed and get dressed,
we've gotta be at the prefect's meeting at two and you need food before then mate.”

Ron left the dorm as Harry got washed up and dressed; he pulled on a pair of jeans from his
trunk and a navy t-shirt before putting his robes over the top sporting his Head Boy badge, he met
Ron in the common room and they made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts to lunch.

In the great hall Ron proceeded to stuff his face with a variety of sandwiches making it
impossible to talk to him; so instead Harry conversed with Ginny.

“You know that *I've just got out of bed look* really works for you Harry,” she told
him, laughing.

“Shut it, I was tired alright?” he smiled giving her a playful shove.

“The cheek of it, Head Boy sleeping `till dinner, what a great example you set for us prefect
minions,” Harry laughed as Ginny mocked him.

Harry and Ginny has dated throughout fifth year but had decided to call it a day when things
began to get too awkward, after all Harry had become increasingly close to the Weasley family and
after a while their relationship seemed to work better on a friendship level, he hadn't really
received anything from her other than this. Harry realised after a long time that the connection
between them had dwindled and he wasn't as emotionally attached to her as one would expect of a
girlfriend, he felt no passion for her and decided eventually it would be appropriate to severe any
ties that exceeded friendship. However, Ginny was still the best female friend that Harry had and
he would often talk to her about things he didn't think Ron would understand. Over the last
year especially Harry had come to prize Ginny as a sister, somebody to go to when he was feeling
emotional.

“So, what's on the agenda at the meeting boss?” Ginny asked taking a drink from her
goblet.

“Gin call me `boss' one more time and I'm gonna launch you into the lake from my
Firebolt.” he remarked with his famous lop-sided grin.

“That certainly would be something to see,” a voiced drawled from behind him, Harry and Ginny
turned to see Draco stood with a smirk on his face.

“Hey Draco, wanna sit down?” Harry asked slightly uncomfortably, he still found it difficult to
actually associate with him despite the efforts he had put forwards for the good of the Wizarding
world.

“Erm…no…wouldn't want to be seen sat at the Gryffindor table, after all I've come
accustom to having my limbs attached,” he smirked “Don't want the Slytherins to decapitate me
now do I? its bad enough that they won't talk to me and keep throwing things.”

“Well worse things have happened Malfoy.” Ginny joked with a smile, finding it easier than she
would have previously thought to be nice to him. Draco let out a small smile, something both Harry
and Ginny had ever seen him do.

“Nice to see you still retain your charm Ginevra.” He nodded and left for his own house
table.

“Why didn't he sit here? He's on his own over there?” Ginny asked Harry perplexed.

“Because I don't think he was kidding about being decapitated from what's left of the
Slytherins.” Harry answered tucking into the remainder of his lunch. Ginny looked on with
sympathy.

***

That afternoon the prefects gathered in the charms classroom where they were given their rotas
and schedule for the upcoming year, Padma Patil took charge of the meeting leaving Harry with
little to do, he tried his best to be helpful but found himself a little out of his league,
especially as he had never actually been a prefect before, ironic he thought that he could save the
wizarding world from darkness yet become lost at a simple meeting. When the gathering subsided
Padma approached Harry.

“Look, just remember to do your rounds and you should be fine,” she told him pompously. “Right,
I have to go, there's a new student starting seventh year and she will be arriving shortly,
I'm told she is almost certainly to be sorted into Ravenclaw so I have to go and make
preparations,” she told Harry with an air of superiority as she left the classroom.

“Ladies and Gentleman may I present Percy in his female form!” Ron announced, bowing as she left
the classroom.

“Come on, Nutter, let's go and get our brooms out of storage,” Harry said with a large grin,
“I need to fly.”

Harry and Ron entered the grounds and walked around to the back of the castle through the
courtyards to the flying pitch and Quidditch stadium. They walked past the locker rooms to the boom
shed and entered, retrieving their brooms. Harry picked up his Firebolt and dusted it off. They
raced outside and flew off into the skies, soaring gracefully over turrets and towers of the
castle, whipping in and out of the structures before shooting off over the lake. They ducked and
dived, swivelled and rotated, and pushed their brooms as hard as they would go. Harry pressed
himself into a steep dive towards the lake, pulling up hard as he approached the water. Harry felt
an immense feeling of freedom when he was flying; he loved to feel as if he was a part of the wind
and his only task was to propel himself through the skies gracefully.

“Harry,” Ron shouted through the air to his best friend, “What do you reckon that's all
about?” he said, pointing down to the road leading up from Hogsmeade to the castle. There was a
single carriage being pulled up the winding road. It stopped at a large golden gate before entering
the Hogwarts grounds.

“Come on,” Ron said and he and Harry flew back to the main entrance of the castle and dismounted
as the carriage stopped meters away from the entrance hall. Harry pulled Ron's arm and headed
back towards the castle, but Ron's curiosity had gotten the better of him however and he wanted
to see who was in the carriage, as did many other students who were lounging around in the grounds
on this Sunday afternoon.

“Wait, Harry, its Hagrid,” Ron said freeing his arm from Harry's grip. Hagrid stepped out of
the carriage, paused, and held out a hand to help a second person out; it was Madam Maxime, the
Headmistress of Beauxbatons, she wore a long silvery robe with white fur.

“Thank you `Agrid,” she spoke, getting out of the carriage.

Many people had started to whisper when a third person got out the coach, it was a girl around
Harry's age, though she looked minute compared to the two half-giants she stood next too. She
was fairly slim, sporting an olive complexion and had brown bushy hair pulled back in to a
ponytail. She began to brush herself down and take in deep breaths, as she had obviously been very
cramped in the carriage with Hagrid and Madam Maxime.

“`Ere you go `Ermione,” Hagrid spoke pointing, “Ere they come now.” Padma Patil came rushing
down the stone steps followed by Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. They all greeted
Madam Maxime in turn before she pushed the young teen forward. Harry could no longer hear what was
being said but could tell that the girl looked extremely overwhelmed by her greeting.

“Come on Ron, let's go and break in that new chess set of yours.” Harry said walking into
the castle, he was sure that the girl didn't want a group of people gawking at her, he had
personal experience of this, plus it was getting quite chilly as winds blew in off the lake.

“Who do you reckon that was?” Ron asked Harry as they made their way up the grand stair case
waiting for the appropriate stairs to be put into place.

“I'm guessing it's the new girl” Harry said shrugging it off.

“She's quite nice isn't she?”

“Ron, do you fancy every single girl walking the face of the earth?”

“No, just ones as pretty as her,” Ron answered with a smug grin. Harry rolled his eyes and
carried on walking.

“Prepare to have your arse kicked at chess Weasley; I do believe it's my time to shine.” Ron
snorted at Harry's comment, knowing that he didn't stand a chance against him.

***

Harry was eating his words as Ron beat him three times in a row that afternoon; it was during
their fourth game that Professor McGonagall came through the portrait hole.

“Mr Potter, Professor Dumbledore requires your assistance in his office without delay,” she
said, interrupting their game. Harry left the common room with Professor McGonagall; Neville kindly
stepped in continuing Harry's game.

“What's the matter Professor?” Harry asked McGonagall as they walked.

“Don't be so pessimistic, Harry,” she told him with a curt smile, “Nothing is the matter; it
seems we have a new student joining Gryffindor, quite a surprise too, really. Madam Maxime had been
sure she would be sorted into Ravenclaw, what with the extraordinary grades, but the sorting hat
placed her Gryffindor without much hesitance, much to our surprise.”

McGonagall told Harry the password for Dumbledore's office and made her way down an opposite
corridor.

Harry reached the stone Gargoyle moments later and let himself up to Dumbledore's office. He
knocked on the door gently. “Come in,” came the unmistakeable voice of Albus Dumbledore. Harry
entered his office and was greeted by Madam Maxime, the young witch, and Dumbledore himself. On
seeing Harry, the headmaster had given a large smile; like Hagrid, Harry had not really seen him
much since the end of the war, and this was the first time he was in talking proximity. Harry also
beamed, glad to see the man who he had grown ever more close to over the past months; Dumbledore
welcomed Harry with a large hug.

“Harry, my boy, how are you?”

“I'm great Professor, thank you,” he replied.

“You remember Madam Maxime?”

“Great to see you again,” Harry smiled with an outstretched hand.

“'Arry, it iz truly wonderful to see you again also, I `ope you are well after the events of
ze summer,” she smiled in return.

“I'm great, thank you,” Harry repeated.

“Harry, this is Hermione Granger; she's going to be on exchange from Beauxbatons over the
next six months,” Dumbledore said before turning his attention to Hermione. “Miss Granger this is
our Head Boy, Harry, who also resides in Gryffindor.” Harry smiled at the young witch and was happy
to have the smile returned. “Harry, Miss Granger was sorted into Gryffindor moments ago and I was
hoping you would escort her to the tower and make her feel as welcome as possible here at
Hogwarts.”

“Sure, Professor,” Harry smiled heading towards Hermione. “It's a pleasure to meet you,” he
said, shaking her hand.

“Okay `Ermione, it iz time for me to leave, I wish you ze best of luck, I shall be in touch wiz
Dumbly-dore about you.” Madam Maxim smiled warmly at Hermione before Harry took hold of her trunk
and cast a charm on it to make it lighter. He picked it up and led Hermione from the office out
onto the corridors.

“You're very quiet,” Harry observed as they made their way to the tower.

“I guess it's just all a little overwhelming,” she spoke rather coyly.

“You're English!” Harry exclaimed; he had expected her to be French coming from Beauxbatons.
“You probably already knew that though,” he added, slightly embarrassed at his forwardness, she
just laughed and side-glanced at him.

“Yes I am—I actually live in England; my Mother's French, so I was accepted at both Hogwarts
and Beauxbatons,” she told him.

“So you decided to go to France instead,” Harry said more to himself than her; she nodded.

“So is it normal for students to openly hug their headmaster?” she asked with a grin as they
continued to pace.

“Erm actually no…not really…it's kinda complicated,” Harry said as he saw Hermione's
eyes flicker up to what he assumed was his scar, like many Wizards it was likely that she knew who
he was.

“So what's the deal with you being here,” Harry asked as they approached the tower.

“It's kinda complicated,” Hermione said, mimicking him. Harry chuckled at her comment,
noticing her broad smile and the twinkle in her dark brown eyes, knowing that she was only joking
with him.

“Well here we are,” Harry said, stopping in front of the portrait hole.

“Here we are where?” she asked looking around confusedly.

“Password?” Hermione stared at the portrait of the Fat Lady with a grin. Harry said the password
and they entered. When they were on the other side Harry introduced her to the people in the common
room. Hermione smiled as everyone introduced themselves; she looked around the room, obviously
impressed with its décor, Harry led her to the 7th year dorm room, carrying her trunk. A
bed had already been made and a Gryffindor uniform was laid neatly across a chair located next to
the four-poster.

“Here,” Harry said, putting her trunk at the foot of the bed, “I guess this will be your bed,
you'll be sharing this room with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, and I'll introduce you
later at dinner.” Harry smiled, stuffing his hands in his pockets and looked around the room. “Erm,
Dinner starts from 5:30 onward in the great hall. If you want, I can give you a bit of a tour
around the castle after dinner, it's quite big though, so if you're too tired….”

“No, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'd love to see more of the castle,” she told him,
“it's nothing like what I'm used to; it's beautiful.” She looked out her window to the
grounds. “It's just really cold here.” She turned to find him smiling back at her.

“Right, well, I'll be down in the common room with Ron, if you need anything don't
hesitate to ask, okay?” he said, turning to leave.

“Okay,” she replied as she sat down on her large bed. Harry smiled warmly and left her to
herself.

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