AN: Thank you for taking the time to read this. This is my first fanfiction and I appreciate any constructive responses. All spelling and grammar errors are mine. The memory in this chapter is in italics. Please enjoy the story.

I am a published author (more info in profile) but I am not JK Rowling. If I was I would have put Draco and Hermione together like they should be :)

Hermione stared at the household budget. She had heard that things were bad, but she didn't realize how bad. She ran her hands through her curly brown hair and sighed. Her father would be home soon. After dinner, she would have to talk with him.

Edward Granger was a well-respected physician and worked for many upper class families in Victorian England. When it was discovered his only child possessed magical abilities, he began working for more wizarding families as an "old world" physician to pay for her boarding school.

Hermione finished her paperwork and stacked it into a neat pile on the desk. She looked at the clock, ticking loudly against the wall. Three in the afternoon. Her father would be home in an hour. Plenty of time for her to work on her favorite past time.

She aparated to the small library next door to the study. Finding her favorite book, Hermione slid into the soft leather couch near the window. Tracing her fingers over the title of Hogwarts: A History, she thought back to her first day at Hogwarts Boarding School for Boys.

The great hall of Hogwarts was decorated in ice and candles. Small decorated Christmas trees were places along the walls and in three of the corners while a large decorated tree that almost touched the ceiling sat in the fourth corner. The five person orchestra sat on the raised dais at the front of the room. The Yule ball brought together the young wizards from Hogwarts with the lovely witches of Beauxbatons Boarding School for Ladies.

Many of the gentlemen had asked ladies to dance, and were twirling them around the floor. Hermione, however, sat back towards the door. She should have stayed behind to study in the library, not being a wall flower at a party she did not want to be at. Taking a deep breath, she looked out the windows at the dark snowing sky, wondering how much more time she would be subjected to this.

"Headmaster, may I have a word with you," Madam Maxime asked at the opened door near to where Hermione stood. Madam Maxime was the Headmistress at Beauxbaton's and an extremely tall woman. Being part giant, she stood almost a full head above the elderly man next to her. Despite her height, she was very graceful. She floated next to her escort in her blue evening gown.

"Madam Maxime, how may I help you," the headmaster replied. The headmaster of Hogwarts was a tall man with deeply graying hair and beard. His crimson dress robes fit nicely into the Christmas theme. The cloak attached to his collar pooled around his feet as he stood near the headmistress. He smiled at Maxime, but the smile never reached his eyes.

"Well, Albus, I seem to have a slight problem with one of my students."

"What is this problem?"

"Well, I have a student who has almost completed her entire studies." Madam Maxime began to sound upset.

"That sounds like good news," the headmaster commented.

"It would be, if she wasn't only a fourth year student. She has been taking advanced classes since her first day. I think she could teach the courses now. She needs something more advanced than what Beauxbatons can provide."

"What is it you are asking Maxime?"

"I would like Hermione to attend Hogwarts." At hearing her name, Hermione sunk back against the wall to listen better to the conversation.

"Maxime, this is a boarding school for young men. I do not believe it would be wise to install a young lady, no matter how smart, into this school."

"Albus, you know I do not make this request lightly. If she was any other girl, I would not say anything. But Hermione is different. She requires much more than we can provide. She is not one to know household spells and then be married off.

"There are too many things to work out. Where would she sleep? How would she complete almost four years of study to compete against fourth year wizards?" Hermione was holding her breath. To go to Hogwarts and learn advanced potions and defense against the dark arts had been her dream since learning of her powers. Her gender immediately impeded that dream.

"Albus, this is your chance to expand Hogwarts to include ladies. Think of Hermione as a trial. I guarantee you she will not disappoint." Albus ran his hands over his long gray beard, thinking over the situation. A smile came over his lips.

"Alright Maxime, your student can start the beginning of the new year. She will enroll in classes with the other four year students. I will send over the book list and further information in a few days."

"Thank you, Albus." The Headmaster nodded and walked towards the dancing couples.

At seven in the evening, Hermione and her parents retired to the parlor for their after dinner coffee and brandy. Edward Granger poured himself a brandy and stood near the fireplace while the ladies poured their coffees and sat down on the couch.

Edward was a tall man with dark brown hair. His chocolate brown eyes were the only physical feature Hermione inherited from him. At almost fifty, he was in excellent physical condition. He was kind to his family but was stern with his rules in the house.

Abigail Granger was almost a foot shorter than her husband. Her soft brown curly hair was always perfectly pinned atop her head. Her blue eyes were accented well with her make-up. She boasted her waist size to be twenty inches below what was typically accepted in society for her age.

"Father, we need to discuss something." Hermione said as she sat down on the couch.

"Hermione," her mother scolded. "Let your father start." Abigail was constantly trying to instruct her daughter in social etiquette. Hermione was polite, but only followed the etiquette rules she liked. Edward never seemed bothered with his outspoken daughter.

"No, Abigail, it is alright. Hermione dear, what is troubling you?" He took a large drink of his brandy, as if preparing himself from what was to come.

"I was going over the household expenses and noticed a significant drop in the income for the last few months."

Edward sighed deeply and quickly finished his brandy before pouring himself a second glass. It was rare for him to pour another glass.

"I was at Mrs. Bones' residence today, treating a minor wound from her daughter Sarah. After which, I was informed by Mrs. Bones that my services were no longer required. This is the fourth house I have been released from this month." Edward refused to look at his wife and daughter as he spoke.

"Edward, good heavens!" Abigail blurted. "What is the reasoning for these dismissals?"

"Unfortunately, my dear, it is because of Hermione." Abigail looked horrified at Hermione.

"Hermione, what have you done?" Her mother exclaimed. Hermione stared at her mother, eyes wide in shock.

"I have done nothing! Father, what is this all about?" She turned towards her father, setting her coffee on the table.

"I asked Mrs. Bones about the reason. According to her, this has something to do with the war and your involvement."

"You explained that you were not involved, Hermione." Abigail was on the verge of tears. Hermione had told them of the battle that began towards the end of her schooling at Hogwarts. Her best friend, Harry Potter, was at the center of that battle. He had fought against a sinister wizard named Tom Riddle multiple times throughout his life. It wasn't until Hermione's research of horcruxes was Harry able to defeat Tom with the help of his school friends Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom.

"I was not involved. I only informed Harry with some vital information about the enemy. I was nowhere near the battles. I do not understand!" Seven months ago, Hermione snuck out of Hogwarts in the shadows of the night to the Shrieking Shack where Harry, Ronald, and Neville were hiding. It took her three days to make the journey, through thick forest and road patrols to reach them. She stayed the night in the shack as the three of them created a plan to defeat Tom Riddle. It would have been the four of them but Ronald fell asleep quickly during the planning. Hermione waited until the next night to sneak back to Hogwarts.

"Whatever happened," Edward cut in. "The upset this has caused in the wizarding society has now impacted my business. I have lost all of my customers. I will try to start my business in the non-magical world again but it will take some time. We only have a few months' worth of money before we are broke."