A Trio of Serpents

3: Harry Who?

Take a guess to what the summary will say.

Summary: Hermione gets her letter. And learns of a potential friend.

Not one kid wanted to be Hermione Granger's friend. She was too bossy, too ugly, too much of a know-it-all and teacher's pet.

That didn't bother her, or so she tried to convince herself. It wasn't as if she didn't try to make friends. She did. But something drove them away, whether that would be the whispers from other kids warning them to stay away from the bucktoothed weirdo, her tendency to get into debates that quickly bored them, or, more frequently as of late, the rumors of strange things that happened when she was around.

For instance, a couple older boys had cornered Hermione during break and had been taunting her. Next thing they knew, one of the boys found himself in a nearby trash bin and the other on the ground. Hermione honestly told her teachers and parents she didn't know how they ended up there, but the boys had been quick to spread word of a terrible story of her grabbing them both in a chokehold and flinging them all the way across the school. The adults at least knew that was an exaggeration, but the students believed every word and avoided Hermione even more.

Her parents were used to these strange phenomenons, but it wasn't until Hermione turned eleven they received the answer to their questions.

Hermione was a witch.

It wasn't like the films, exactly, with the green skin and evil cackles, but there was magic and there were broomsticks and cauldrons.

Hermione was thrilled and immediately accepted the invitation to the magical school of Hogwarts. She then met the deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, who was to go with her to get her supplies.

As they entered the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione had the sense something extraordinary had happened.

"I shook his hand six times!"

"He remembered me!" One wizard was trembling so hard Hermione thought he'd fall over. "I still can't believe it."

"Who are they talking about?" Hermione asked McGonagall.

"I suppose Harry Potter must've come through," she replied.

"Who's that?"

Hermione's innocent question was met with stunned silence. She resisted the urge to shrink back.

"'Who's that,' she says," the shaking wizard scoffed. "You mean to tell me you don't know who Harry Potter is?"

"I only just found out about magic yesterday," Hermione stammered out.

"Ah." The wizard lost some of his scornfulness. "Apologies, Miss. Yes, Harry Potter will be starting school this year."

"Great wizard, he is," another wizard said, nodding vigorously. "But awfully small. I don't think even his father was that short at that age."

"Why do you —?"

"Come along, Miss Granger," McGonagall said before Hermione could finish her question. "I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to meet Potter when you board the train."

Hermione ran to catch up, secretly glad to leave behind the staring.

McGonagall took her to Gringotts, the wizarding bank, then began taking Hermione into the shops.

Hermione wished she had more time to stay in each of the shops, but McGonagall was clearly on a tight schedule and didn't dilly dally.

Someone roughly shoved past her as she was entering the Apothecary.

A boy with a pale, pointed face scowled at her. "Watch where you're going."

"Excuse me?" Hermione glared at him. "You're the one who bumped into me."

"Draco!" A man had turned back and was watching them.

The boy, Draco, sent Hermione one last glare before following. Hermione heard the man say in a carrying whisper, "Do not waste your time. Especially with someone who is clearly a... Muggle-born."

Hermione frowned and turned to McGonagall.

"Magical children with non-magical parents," she said, having anticipated Hermione's question. "Be careful, Miss Granger. Not everyone in this world is so accepting."

So it was just like any other school. Hermione supposed she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up about leaving the prejudice behind.

"I'll remember," she said quietly.

"But there are families who will stick by your side," McGonagall went on, her tone softening. "Arthur Weasley, for instance, is known for his fondness toward anything Muggle and his children have been raised to be accepting."

Hermione brightened a little, but inside, her stomach was churning. There may be those who like her despite her lack of magical background, but what about the other aspects that isolated her? Her bossiness? Her ugliness? She couldn't change overnight.

Perhaps this Harry Potter could be her friend. She had the impression he was nice enough.

Not that I should be getting my hopes up again, she told herself sharply as she and McGonagall collected her potions ingredients. For all she knew, he could be just like those other boys that picked on her.

That's it for the introductions. Next up, back to Harry's perspective and on to the train.