~ Chapter 2 ~

I'm falling even more in love with you

Letting go of all I've held on to

I'm standing here until you make me move

I'm hanging by a moment here with you

I'm living for the only thing I know

I'm running and not quite sure where to go

And I don't know what I'm diving into

Just hanging by a moment here with you

-Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse

[Hermione] (Year one)

By the Goddess, Ron is such a bloody git! He has the audacity to talk about people behind their back. Well, at least he thought I wasn't close enough to listen. Sigh. And I bet that they're thinking that I was off somewhere crying. Ha! Don't think so highly of yourself. Right now I was gripping the sink in the bathroom trying to calm myself down before I stormed over to the git and ripped him a new one. I was torn from my internal thoughts as my sensitive ears picked up a rumbling. The strange noise seemed to be accompanied by the sound of something being dragged.

The noise was getting closer and was heading in my direction. Sensing the danger, I pulled my wand from my sleeve and pointed it toward the door. As if on cue, an ugly, and extremely smelly, troll pushed through the -way too small- doorway. Really? Dammit I hated these things! They stare at you like they have no comprehension of anything of substantial value.

I stared into its eyes, and for once, I think it realized something important. It could sense my wolf blood, my power. Hmmm, I may have stumbled upon a smarter than normal troll. It didn't move from its spot at the door, just stared at me wondering what to do. After a while it seemed to make a decision. Surprising me, he got down on one knee and kneeled before me.

"What the Goddess is going on?" I asked out loud. Surprising me further, he looked up and answered me.

"I can sense it."

"Sense what?"

"I sense your leadership and the unmistakable path that you walk on."

"What path? Why must you magical creatures always speak in riddles?" I asked in frustration.

"You will be the one that-" He was cut off as a voice echoed loudly through the hall and into the bathroom.

"HERMIONE! Where are you?" The voice was obscenely loud and startled us both. As a result, the troll dropped his club in fright.

Harry and Ron walked into the bathroom about to call out again when the club bowled them over, effectively knocking them out. The troll and I both stared at the two unconscious boys. I was shaking my head when the troll turned to me.

"I'm sorry. Are these boys friends of yours?" He said apologetically.

"It quite alright, they were not injured."

The troll was going to say something but a flash of robes caught my attention near the door. There stood a very worried Minerva McGonagall. But the worry didn't last long; with a glance toward me it quickly turned to rage as she whipped out her wand and pointed it menacingly at the troll.

"How dare you attempt to endanger-" Before she could finish, I cut her off.

"Minerva, it's alright."

"How can it be alright?" She questioned me in exasperation.

"He hasn't severely injured anyone. In fact, we were having a civil conversation."

"Civil? How is that possible? Trolls do not have the ability to speak."

"If I may, can I voice my opinion?" The troll intervened, much to Minerva's shock. I nodded my head for him to continue.

"I believe it may be due to the two-faced man."

"The what?" I asked.

"The two-faced man. He came before us at our home in the forest and forced tubes of potions down our throats."

Minerva had finally come past her shock and was going to ask a question when footsteps could be heard running down the hall. What is with all the interruptions today?

I turned toward the troll. I knew I had to act fast. "Troll, cooperate and you will be returned to the forest without harm." I told him.

"My name is Bergus."

"Then Bergus, will you cooperate?"

"I will"

"Very well. When you awaken, I am sure you will be back in the forest." I said as I raised my wand.

With a silent spell I put Bergus to sleep. Right as he was flat on the floor, the Headmaster and Professor Snape ran into the room.

"What has happened?" Professor Snape asked testily.

"Professor McGonagall got here just in time, knocked him out right quick too." Professor narrowed his eyes at me before turning to Minerva.

"Is that so?" He drawled.

"Now, Now, Severus, the troll is taken care of. Being so tense will make you age faster." The Headmaster joked good naturally. Professor Snape sent a glare his way before leaving in a whirl of robes.

"Minerva, would you be so kind as to escort the students to Madame Pomfrey? It's better to be safe." He said with a smile. "I'll be escorting the troll out."

The Headmaster flicked his wrist and Bergus started to float in the air. Bergus's prone body followed after the Headmaster as he exited the bathroom. Once the Headmaster was out of hearing range, Minerva darted to my side.

"Are you alright? I was so worried, and then when I saw the troll I just... I couldn't let..." I stopped Minerva's rambling as I grabbed her hand in mine.

"I am alright Minerva. I would not have allowed him to harm me." She smiled at me as I started to caress her hand with my thumb.

We looked at each other for a while, not moving, just enjoying this moment. The moment was interrupted as the boys started to stir. I let go of Minerva's hand with reluctance as I gestured to the now awake Gryffindors.

"Shall we?" I asked.

"But of course." She said as we walked over to the boys. We helped them get to their feet from the ground and headed off to the infirmary together, Gryffindors in tow.

(Philosopher's Stone Chambers)

"Hermione, go on, we'll be fine. You are the strongest of us and I know you can push through." Harry said as he looked over Ron, who was unconscious and bleeding slightly on the floor.

I was going to protest but I knew he was right. If I went on I would likely come out the least injured. I didn't want Harry to be unnecessarily hurt when I could have gone instead. I nodded my head and headed off to the next room.

When I entered the room there was a man standing in front of a mirror. As I looked into the mirror I saw the reflection of Professor Quirrell.

"Hello, Professor Quirrell."

(A/N: Fair warning, I'm gonna get my giggles out of this man. He will not be like the man in the movie.)

"Yes, it is I! Who would have suspected little stuttering Professor Quirrell?" He turned around as he talked and was gesturing wildly. I rolled my eyes at the idiot of a man.

"I had known it was you from the very beginning."

"But, how? I would have thought that you would have guessed Professor Snape!"

What an irritating little man. Stop gesturing and stop talking like my knowing is ludicrous. I really want to knock the man down a couple pegs.

"You were the most obvious choice. I knew it was you trying to kill Harry. And how could I not sense the dark magic coming off of you in waves?" He sputtered a few times before a dark wheezy laugh echoed through the room.

"What an insightful little mudblood. If you weren't a mudblood I would have enjoyed having you in my ranks." The voice wheezed weakly. The sound of the voice made me feel like I was having an asthma attack.

"Master, you are not strong enough." Professor Quirrell said.

"I am strong enough for this." It said as Quirrell started to unravel his head wrap. Huh, who would have thought? When he had completely removed the fabric he turned around and a disturbing face was looking at me.

"Ah, it is good to be free." It said. You call being on the backside of someone's head free?

He started to yammer on and on about whom he was and his plans and stuff. I was half listening as he started going on about why he was attached to Quirrell's head. As I was zoning out from his rant I noticed that my reflection in the mirror started to move. The mirror me was smiling as she dug into her pocket and pulled out a red stone. I raised an eyebrow at it as I casually put my hand in my pocket. And as if by magic, (pun intended) the stone was nestled comfortably in my pocket.

Voldemort, (see I was listening), had stopped his rant and was looking at me curiously, and with increasing suspicion.

"What is in your pocket?"

"How about, you take a wild guess." I countered. I was fiddling with the stone in my pocket.

"She has the stone! Get her!" He wheezed to his minion, other side of his head, whatever works. Quirrell turned around and tried to look menacing as he leaped toward me. What an idiot, no strategy what so ever. I stepped to the side as if I was dodging a bull. This went on for a couple tries until he got smarter and pulled out his wand... idiot. Quirrell sent a slicing hex my way, but I quickly put up a strong shield. I need to rely on my magic to fight Quirrell. I can't allow my being a Lycan to spread. My, and my family's, secret needs to be kept.

"Don't kill the girl! She may be useful in the future. Do you know any first years that can erect such a strong shield?" Voldemort wheezed. At this, Quirrell changed his tune and shot a stunner at me. Do you not learn? I erected another shield and looked at Quirrell in disappointment. I thought I would get a decent fight today, I thought wrong.

"Really? Is that all? Well whatever, it's my turn." I pointed my wand toward Quirrell.

"Avis!" A flock of birds shot out of my wand.

"Oppugno!" The flock of birds then dive bombed Quirrell, attacking mercilessly. I took a moment to collect my thoughts as the man was occupied. I had the perfect curse.

"Good bye, Professor Quirrell. Duro!" Quirrell turned to stone, frozen in place.

"Expulso!" The stone statue of Quirrell blew to pieces, some grazing my cheek. I was going to turn to leave when the dust rose up in the shape of Voldemort and flew towards me.

I didn't have the time to defend myself, so the dusty apparition passed through me, and I lost my balance. The last thing I saw before everything went black was Voldemort, escaping out of the chamber doors.

(Infirmary)

I slowly awoke to find myself lying in a bed, aching all over. If anything, I was likely in the infirmary. My attention was drawn to the side of the bed when I felt someone squeeze my hand. What I found brought a gentle smile to my face.

Minerva McGonagall was in a chair that was pulled up to the side of the bed. She seemed to have fallen asleep, with her head resting on the bedside, and her hand grasping mine. Still smiling, I reached over and gently swiped some hair that had fallen into her face, behind her ear. She seemed to stir as I pulled away but she continued to sleep peacefully, now with a smile on her face. I took the time to glance around the room.

Harry and Ron were lying on beds across the room from where I lay. They were both sleeping peacefully, slight snores reaching my ears. Over at the farthest corner of the room, was Madame Pomfrey, scurrying around her office. And to my right was an end table with various potions lined up. My attention was again drawn to my bedside when the sound of movement and rustling filled the too quiet room. Minerva was now sitting straight and stretching gracefully, reminding me of a cat. When she was finished, she looked at me and smiled sleepily. I couldn't help smiling in return, as the whole gesture was adorable. She blinked a few times before she seemed to realize something.

"You're awake! Thank the Goddess you are alright! Do you have any idea how scared I was? What if... what if..." She trailed off from her rambling as I placed a finger to her lips.

"Minerva."

"Hermione..."

"Ah! Calm down, Minerva." I interrupted another possible rant. The tension in her body started to dissipate after a few minutes. When I was sure she would not go into another rant, I removed my finger. But, not before caressing a cheek briefly.

"I can take care of myself, Minerva. I may be just a child but I have been trained all my life to defend myself, magic or no magic," I gave a reassuring smile. "Please, do not worry. Quirrell was pathetic anyway."

Minerva still seemed a little miffed, so I folded my arms around her and brought her close to me in a hug. She relaxed immediately, putting her arms around me to return my hug. I breathed in her scent. She smelled of parchment, ink, and jasmine tea. Our moment was interrupted when the Headmaster walked into the room.

"Ah, Miss Granger, you are awake."

"Yes, I just woke up. What happened sir?" I asked respectively.

"Well, Minerva here," He looked toward the person in question. "Found you unconscious in the chambers and brought all three of you back here to the infirmary."

"Quirrell was sharing his body with Voldemort. He was hidden underneath that ridiculous head wrap."

"He has returned? We thought he was dead." Minerva spoke up from my left.

"It appears so. He must have survived. He sure gloated about it enough." Dumbledore remained silent in contemplation before asking if I had the stone. I pulled it out of my pocket.

"Here you are sir." I said as I handed over the troublesome stone.

"Thank you. The stone wasn't as protected as I once thought. Perhaps a much better hiding place is in order," He turned to leave the room. "Good day Ms. Granger, Minerva. I have much to think about." And with that he left the infirmary. Minerva and I were left alone once more. I grabbed Minerva's hand in mine; no words were spoken until she broke the silence.

"Will this worry I feel, continue with you around?"

"But of course. Trouble seems to follow me wherever I go."

"Goddess, I will have white hairs before I know it." She said with exasperation.

"Do not worry so much Minerva. I will not fall to just anything. I have a future kingdom to lead."

"I will hold that against you, my Queen." I smiled at the endearment.

Minerva and I continued to talk until Harry and Ron woke up. They both had questions about what happened. The rest of the day was spent this way, having comfortable conversation with three people that I trusted with my life.

This year had been quite an adventure, but I had no idea of what would await me in the next. My second year would be another step closer to what would befall me in my fourth. My fourth year at Hogwarts would be the event that would start the rest of my life. It would be a beginning to start my journey, filled with excitement, love, and heartbreak. Can I make it through my Hogwarts years peacefully? Or will it be disturbed by the ones that want to change the world for the worst, surrounded by their ideals for society?