AN: I am rewriting this story to hopefully improve on my writing. Please be aware of this from here on out. Thank you and enjoy.

Dear Diary,

My name is Hermione. Just Hermione. I am 6 years old and I live at Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry. It's a secret and hidden school that teaches witches and wizards to do magic. I love my home.

Mini says I was brought here when I was two. Albus showed up holding me and I've been here ever since. I have a lot of friends at school and some that don't come anymore because they graduated. I love all of the teachers, but Sevy is my favorite. Don't tell Mini that, though. I don't think she would like it.

Sevy can be scary and mean to the students but he's nice to me. He gave me this diary as a birthday present yesterday. Today is my birthday. Albus said the day I came to Hogwarts is my birthday and I can't wait to go down to breakfast. I get to see all of my friends and I'm sitting with the Slytherins today. Since they got the first person being sorted at the Welcoming Feast, I sit with them for breakfast, then I move to the next table for the next meal. So then I sit with the Gryffindors for lunch, Hufflepuff for dinner, and then to the Ravenclaw for breakfast tomorrow. That way I get to see all my friends and I don't hurt anyone's feelings.

I gotta go now. Mini's calling me. I'll write later. I just know this will be a good day. Bye.

Hermione closed her diary, did up the magic security buckle around the book, and put it on her side table. She hurried out of her personal rooms and smiled up at Professor McGonagall in the hallway, smoothing down her skirt. Since she wasn't allowed to be sorted until she turned 11, she wore the neutral uniform that all students wore on their first night at Hogwarts: a plain grey pleated skirt, white knee high socks, black shoes, a grey sweater vest with a button up white blouse underneath, a black tie with the Hogwarts crest on the front, and a black robe to go over the uniform with the crest sewn over her heart. She had a black headband to keep her bushy hair from falling in her face and she quickly adjusted it.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Mini. I was writing in my new diary. Sevy said I should write in it everyday."

McGonagall smiled down at her. "You should thank Severus for it when you see him next," she said, walking down the corridor toward. Hermione fell in step beside her.

"I know I'm supposed to help you with Transfiguration today, but can I help Sevy in the Dungeons," she asked.

Mini chuckled. "With the amount of time you spend down there, I wouldn't be surprised if you become a Potions Mistress some day."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Do you think I could?"

Mini nodded. "You're a bright witch, dear. I'm sure you could do anything you put your mind to."

Hermione grinned and walked into the Great Hall feeling a little bit taller.

A few of the students looked up and smiled. Those closest to her wished her happy birthday. Hermione smiled back, thanking them, but her gaze darted to the Slytherin table. A third year boy waved. Mini squeezed Hermione's hand before letting the little girl hurry over to the table. She sank down between the boy and a third year girl.

The boy on her right gave her a one armed hug. "Happy birthday, Hermione."

Hermione smiled up at him. "Thanks, Mikis." She reached out for a blueberry muffin, but another Slytherin slapped her hand. "Ow! What was that for, Lynn?" Hermione rubbed her hand as she 'glared' at the girl.

Lynn wasn't discouraged, though. "Well, we all know that on your birthday, each House celebrates it somehow-"

"I don't make you do that," Hermione said, blushing. "Everyone started doing that when they saw the teachers making a fuss over me."

"And making a fuss over you makes the teachers happy. They love you. It makes the first day bearable for everyone. But," Lynn said before Hermione could cut in, "we like doing this because we like you. So, the reason you're not allowed to eat that muffin is because of this." She pulled out her wand and waved it over Hermione's plate.

A large cupcake appeared on her plate, covered in Slytherin green icing and silver sprinkles. A tiny silver snake figurine sat in the middle, slithering in the icing and spelling out 'Happy Birthday'. Once it was finished, it turned into a burning candle.

Hermione looked at the Slytherins around her and smiled. She blew the candle out and took a big bite of the cupcake, icing covering her cheeks. "You are all so cool."

Lynn laughed and wiped Hermione's face clean. "We know." The others smiled, proud of having been the first to celebrate Hermione's birthday this year.

Hermione paused. She suddenly looked around. "What is it?" Lynn asked.

Hermione leaned forward. "I'm looking for Snape. He's always around the corner when I do something bad."

"You're not doing anything bad."

"I'm having a chocolate cupcake for breakfast with icing. It's not healthy. What if Snape sees me eating it?" Hermione looked around quickly and sank behind Mikis for protection. Sevy didn't like her having so much sugar for breakfast. She was obviously going to eat her birthday cupcake but she'd rather not have his disapproving gaze on her.

Mikis chuckled. "Live a little, Mi," he said, nudging her with his shoulder. "We'll make sure he doesn't see."

Hermione smiled and was just about to take another bite when a voice behind her spoke up. "I do hope, Hermione, that isn't a chocolate cupcake, full of sugar, this early in the morning."

Their section of the table fell silent. Hermione slowly turned around and looked up into the face of Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts and her godfather. He didn't look too happy. In fact, his expression was a mix between curiosity and displeasure. There was a little bit of amusement in his eyes but Hermione knew that the first two emotions were the ones she should worry about.

Hermione swallowed. "It's not, Professor Snape."

"Then what is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She smiled sheepishly. "A birthday muffin?" She knew she was a horrible liar, but Snape only rolled his eyes at her answer.

"If you're going to lie, I suggest you do it so no one knows you're lying." He gave a half smirk, half smile. She smiled up at him and watched him as he walked up to the Head table. He took his seat next to Mini, who turned and started up a conversation.

"This is the only time I get to see the meanest teacher look so happy," Gabrielle Dashwood said. She sat next to Lynn. "He must really like you, Hermione. Maybe tailing after him for the last four years have really worked."

Hermione blushed but couldn't help smiling. When she'd arrived at Hogwarts, she used to follow the teachers around a lot. She could be found sitting in a number of different classes, listening to the lessons even if she couldn't fully understand them at the time. She seemed to just like being around people and the teachers soon became accustomed to her being there. But the teacher she'd followed the most had been Snape. At first, he hadn't appreciated her being there, especially when he had to look over the students and make sure they didn't make a mess of their potions work. Looking after a toddler was not part of his job but it was clear that she wasn't going anywhere. As time went on, he saw her develop a talent for potions. He'd started to train her until she was good enough to fully help out in classes and even lead a few study groups for those students who needed extra help or supervision. She could be considered Snape's personal assistant or even his shadow. Some people thought it was cute, others thought it was funny. But everyone was wise enough to not say anything about 'Mini Snape' when in the presence of the potions teacher. Not unless you wanted to get a month's worth of detentions.

Hermione took another bite of her cupcake and wiped her mouth clean with her napkin. She was reaching for her cup of milk when the sound of fluttering wings drew the everyone's attention to the morning post. Barn owls, falcons, horned owls, and other types of birds filled the Great Hall, carrying letters and packages. Some would be things parents wanted to treat their children to for getting into a good house. Others would be things that students had forgotten at home in their rush to get to the train station on time. And some, as a few owls proved by dropping their loads in front of Hermione, would be birthday presents and cards from her friends either still in Hogwarts or those who had graduate. The pile wasn't too large but to a child, it was huge. She'd have a good time opening them later.

"Oh, crap," Mikis said, opening his package and lifting out the contents. "I can't believe I forgot my favorite pair of socks. Again. How?"

Lynn and Gabrielle laughed as he shook his head in disbelief at himself. Hermione only patted his shoulder in sympathy. She picked up a knife and cut a slice of uneaten cupcake, putting it on his plate. He looked down at her and smiled. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, hugging her. "You're my favorite." He stressed the word, glaring at the two girls who had laughed at him before.

Hermione giggled and reached for the envelopes. She collected them and slipped them into her pocket. She would read them later when she wasn't busy and had time to write out thank you notes. The packages, though, wouldn't be so easy to deal with. They were too big to put in her pocket and she'd forgotten to grab her school bag this morning. So she just stacked them next to her on the bench and returned to her meal. She finished her cupcake but added some fruit to her meal. She knew that Sevy was watching her.

Before the bell rang for the beginning of classes, Albus stood up at the teacher's table and raised his hands. Silence was given immediately. He smiled behind his white beard. "Welcome, students. I hope your classes will go well this year. But before you are dismissed to begin your educational year, I have some wonderful news. Hogwarts has been sent an invitation to attend the Durmstrang Institute, where the Tri-wizard Tournament will be held this year. A select few students will be chosen, with a possibility of one of you becoming a Champion for our school. No one below the age of 15 may enter, however. Potential champions will be chosen this week and we shall leave the following Monday to arrive in time for Durmstrang's Beginning Feast. Enjoy your classes and best wishes to the Champions."

Dumbledore had barely stepped away from the table when the whole room broke out into talk. "The Tri-ward Tournament," Gabrielle said, her eyes shining brightly. "Can you believe it? And I'm old enough. Turned 15 three days ago."

Lynn smirked. "Good luck. Hope you don't die."

Mikis laughed at her words, but Hermione was confused. She reached over and tugged on Mikis' sleeve. "What's the Tri-ward Tournament?"

"The Tri-wizard Tournament is held every four years, switching between three magic schools: Durmstrang Institute, Beuxbatons School of Magic, and Hogwarts. It has three tasks, all very dangerous, and a Champion from each school is chosen to compete. The winner gets glory, fame, and prize money."

Hermione smiled. "Then we should win," she said confidently in true 6-year-old fashion.

Gabrielle smiled in a way that anyone not associated with Slytherin would have taken as an offensive smirk but was really a determined smile. "And we will, Hermione. Because I'm going to lead us to victory."

Hermione nodded and then clapped her hands together. "Alright. Class, you three," she said in her best 'Snape' voice. The three laughed and stood up. Hermione looked back to her pile of birthday gifts, but they had vanished. One of the House elves must have taken it to her room. She'd have to leave a sweet or two for them before she went to bed. But, now, she had to wait for her godfather to finish talking to the teachers at the head table. He preferred that she walk with him to class after the time she'd gone ahead of him and riled the class up. She hadn't done that in a long time but he didn't really take the chance anymore.