Summary: In a world where Voldemort never existed, two souls find each other amidst chaos and heartache. Love blossoms in the heart of Hogwarts, proving that love can flourish in the darkest places between the worst of enemies.

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I spent my life under the pressure of my fathers thumb. He dictated all aspects of my life, controlling when I slept, woke, ate, went to school, and everything in between. For the most part I behaved. I consistently outperformed my peers and never complained. I was the perfect daughter

Up until now

I ran. My magic became all consuming, clouding my mind and seeping from my core only to devour everything in its path. All I could feel was my heartbeat drumming inside my chest. My arms pumped madly to keep up with the speed of my legs as I dashed through the forest. I had no plan. No clue to where I was going except away.

It was becoming harder to see as a result of the tears traveling down my face. I did not notice the accumulation of cuts and bruises made by stray branches and large rocks I did not or could not avoid. I felt none of it, to consumed by the weight of my actions.

Taking a chance, I stole a glance behind me only to see the path of destruction I left in my wake. Trees curled into themselves as my magic ate away at their insides, leaves exploding like firecrackers into dust. Each step I made left a footprint of nothingness left behind; every leaf, twig, insect, dirt or anything else unfortunate enough that happened to be crushed under my bare foot, turned to ash.

Magic was draining from my core at an alarming rate, so much so that I could feel my body begin to slow and the destruction around me lessened.

Completly drained, I collapsed, sending up a cloud of ash as my bare body hit the ground, my magic having enough force to annihilate everything my skin touched.

Ordinarily I would have been disgusted by the fact that my face was on the floor and my heavy panting caused the floating ash to fly into my mouth, but now I was numb. My body didn't respond when I told it to get up. All I could do was lay there and tremble until finally I was fully magically drained and submitted to darkness. Everything went black.

The first sensation I noticed when I awoke was a throbbing pain behind my eyes that synced to the rhythm of my heartbeat. Every beat I felt pounded against my forehead so painfully I scrunched my eyes shut tighter, keeping out as much sunlight as possible. I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them in a fetal position, trying desperately to become as small as I felt. That's how I stayed until the sunlight faded and darkness surrounded me once again.

I lost track of time as I laid on the forest floor, too preoccupied by the emotions whirling around inside me. If I was more lucid I would have been startled by the faint sound of feet coming my way, but I did not notice I was not alone until I heard a soft gasp.

"Moi cheri?" I briefly came to my senses to look into familiar blue eyes. They looked panicked.
"Fleur, what 'ave you done?" I felt soft hands touch my body, probing for injury's. Then strong arms raised me off the ground and cradled me close. It was only then that I saw those hands were stained red. Was that blood?

I didn't have time to wonder if it was mine until I faded once again to darkness.

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She blew a wild strand of hair from her face as she hurried towards platform 9 3/4. Dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt, no one would assume she was anything but an ordinary traveler except for the bright yellow bird grumpily perched in a cage on top of her trolley.

Hermione decided to forgo the typical owl that the wizarding world used to carry letters. Instead when her parents decided to buy her an owl of her own, she immediately was drawn to the more tropical looking bird. She fell in love with his bright yellow color and handsome features. She could not pass up the magnificent creature. Much prettier than your typical brown barn owl she thought. The store clerk told her that he was a sun conure and that they were commonly used for delivering a letter quickly over a short distance. They were not used in long flights overseas and preferred to stay close to their owner. He also said that these birds typically bond closer with their owners than owls who tend to keep their wild nature.

Getting him was the greatest decision she's ever made. In a school where blood purity and the ability to trace magic through your family's lineage for generations were paramount, Hermione fell quite short. She was the first of her family to show the capability to use magic, which caused her a great deal of grief throughout her time in school. He was her constant companion.

When she reached the wall between platforms 9 and 10 she closed her eyes, held her chin high and briskly phased through the wall that lead to the Hogwarts Express. She glanced at the families around her saying their tearful farewells and students happily reuniting after the summer break. With a jealous eye and heavy heart she waded through the sea of people until she finally reached the train. Releasing Nitidus to rest on her shoulder she parted with her belongings to find an empty compartment.

Nitidus playfully nibbled on her ear drawing a giggle from her lips. He always had a way of knowing when she needed a pick me up. After a while Hermione felt the train rumble to life under her feet and begin its journey to the magical school.

Deciding to change into her school robes, preferring not to procrastinate, she pulled the school uniform from her trunk. She was already wearing the plain white button-up shirt and pleated skirt because of the fact that they can be worn as muggle clothing. She first donned a silver and blue stripped necktie followed by a grey knitted v-neck jumper, and finally an open black buttoned robe proudly displaying the Ravenclaw eagle upon its chest.

When finished she sat down with a plop and watched the fields roll by out the window. I wonder what it would be like, she mused as she stared out of the window, how my life would have been different had I been sorted into Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw. Would I be surrounded by a group of friends who sincerely enjoyed my company, rather than those who want my knowledge or envy it? In Ravenclaw groups where formed based not on social standing, but rather on academic achievement. The higher performing students would stick with one another, the middle with each other, and the low together in an attempt to increase their grade, however Hermione was so far ahead of her peers she could not form her own social circle. She consistently out performed and outclassed those in her own year. When she tried to make friends she found that those around her only wanted to use her intelligence for their own gain by attempting to exploit Hermione as their personal encyclopedia.

Behind her back she heard whispers of the dirty deeds she performed with the professors in order to be first in her class. How else could a muggleborn have so much talent? Those rumors begrudgingly stopped when they saw her raised hand for every question and the correct answer come from her mouth.

Hermione has, as time progressed, become more and more introverted. While this trait is not undesirable itself, the fact remained that she was alone and isolated from her peers. She was in a sense shunned. She was acting distant, constantly sitting alone with only a book for company and she convinced herself that it was actually what she wanted; no one to distract from her studies.

Suddenly the compartment door opened breaking Hermione from her thoughts and in walked Luna. In Hogwarts Luna Lovegood was known as "the odd girl" due to her belief in whimsical creatures and far off stare. The radish earrings that swung from her ear only magnified her oddity. Both outcasts from the same house solidified their friendship in school. Long ago she accepted the strangeness that she came to associate with Luna, deciding that life is way to short to destroy someone else's beliefs.

"Hello Hermione!" she said with a dreamy voice.

"Oh hello Luna, have a nice holiday". Hermione said with a smile.

"It was just fine." She replied. "My father and I went plimpy plucking in the dessert and brought them back home. They do tend to fare better around grass then sand. It was quite nice."

Staring at Luna in disbelief, Hermione forced a smile to avoid upsetting the girl. "Oh that's nice" was the only reply she could manage.

To their surprise a herd of boys ran passed their compartment yelling to one another.
"Come on mate!" one particularly loud boy said. "You gotta see this!" Hermione was taken aback to see what looked like every fourth year Ravenclaw boy stomp excitedly past their compartment.

"I wonder what's going on" Luna said, leaning over to get a better look. "I hope they didn't see a humdinger, they tend to make a mess" she frowned. Hermione rolled her eyes and easily put it from her mind. Luna seemed content to stare dreamily out the window while Hermione pulled out a book to settle in for the rest of the ride.

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Love is like death. They can come to you without your knowledge in your sleep, peacefully creeping until you are completely consumed by its very essence. It can roll into your life like a foggy haze, clouding your mind and lingering there until you navigate your way out. Or it can come like a freight train, slamming hard against your very soul; coming too fast for the body to adjust, rendering you helpless. But, it can be fought. Countless people have tried in vain to battle against it, choosing to ignore, avoid, and flee from it. This can be said for love and death. I now understand why mother insisted I go to an all-girls school.

Fleur sat on the Hogwarts Express doing her upmost to suppress her annoyance at the boys currently sitting in her compartment. Filled to capacity, each one was persistent in their pathetic attempts to gain her attention regardless of how many brief replies she gave. No matter how much effort she put into looking uninterested, they did not relent. She perfected the art of appearing indifferent, legs crossed and fingers intertwined over one knee with a passive stare to complete the look. She chose to gaze out the window to avoid the boys who slobbered and frothed at the mouth while pressing their face against the glass door, comically distorting their features. To Fleur it was more tragic to think that this behavior was going to be incessant during her time here. Repressing her emotions and ironing her will to lock them away, she sat impassively for the remainder of the trip.

Luckily for her the train ride was relatively brief so the amount of time she was trapped in a small compartment with drooling boys quickly ended. As the train screeched to a halt the students jostled one another in order to be the first one out the door and hold it open as she left. Stepping off the train she couldn't help but gasp at the sheer magnitude of the castle in the distance. The stone walls seemed to stretch for miles and tall enough to touch the stars. The lights that shone through thousands of windows against the background of the night sky made the castle look like its own constellation. "Seems fitting" thought Fleur. It seemed like a whole different galaxy than her home.

"First years this way" thundered a shocking tall man. He was twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked so wild with long tangles of bushy black hair that seemed to connect to his beard, which took up most of his face. The first years were so preposterously shorter than him which caused the edges of Fleur's mouth to rise in a brief smile.

She was certainly not a first year so she followed the herd of students down a path that lead to carriages that carried the students to the Castle gates. Fleur thought the carriages pulled themselves by magic but one faceless boy trying to impress her with his knowledge whispered that they were actually pulled by thestrals. Raising her eyebrows she quickly came to realize that Hogwarts would not be all it seemed.

As they reached the Castle gates a stern looking woman in green robes approached her. "Hello you must be Fleur Delacour. Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall and I will be your transfiguration teacher. Follow me if you will." She quickly turned and walked towards a separate path from the rest of the students.

Surprised at her briskness Fleur followed the older witch through a short maze of tunnels before appearing in a hallway lined with tall suits of armor. Light from lanterns floating off the ground caused shadows to flicker against the stone walls. McGonagall strode down the hallway with Fleur following close behind, their footsteps echoing with each step they took, until they stopped at a large door.
"This is the entrance to the Great Hall" explained McGonagall. Here you will have your meals so take note of its location. It's also where you will be sorted into your house after the first years." She sighed and put a hand on Fleur's shoulder and said in a softer tone, "I hope you find what you're looking for".

Fleur only nodded

"Ah here they are" said McGonagall as they both heard soft voices and shuffling feet approach.

The group of first years lead by Hagrid looked a mixture of terrified and awed at their surroundings, a few so much so that when Hagrid stopped, they bumped into the people around them. "Here they are!" Hagrid smiled at the older witch. Turning to the first years "This is your transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall" he explained. "She'll take things from here." After flashing another brief smile he turned and lumbered down the stairs and out of sight.

"The start of term banquet will begin shortly," she began "but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all prepare."

The first years fretted amongst themselves while trying to smarten up for the ceremony. A few curious glances where sent Fleur's way but none were brave enough to say something. Eventually the giant double doors opened and the students filed behind McGonagall, Fleur bringing up the rear.

As the doors to the Great Hall opened gasps and whispers could be heard among the Hogwarts students. No one expected a stunning blond girl to stride with such effortless poise behind the first years towards the sorting hat.

"Will I ever be used to this?" thought Fleur sighing internally. All her life eyes followed wherever she went either filled with lust or envy, very few holding kindness. Now was no different. As she stood bending the first years she could feel eyes turned to her. Sweat filled her palms as she forced herself to stand a bit taller, chin high forcing on a neutral face. To the rest of the students she looked beautiful and imposing, her long blond hair cascading down her back, arms carelessly stuffed in her pockets, regal and uncaring.

Hermione watched with the rest of the school the stir caused by the older girl trailing behind the first years. "Bloody Hell" exclaimed the boy sitting to her left. "Who's that?" No one could answer.

McGonagall put her hand out stopping the first years before they reached the end of the long path "Wait here" she gruffed and walked behind a three-legged stool with a hat perched on it. The hat was old and battered, patch worked and frayed at the edges. Suddenly a tear opened along the brim of the hat and a voice rang out.

Oh you might not want to put me on
But I'm afraid you must
For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
So don't mind all my dust
I'll sort you into houses
You'll be surprised what I can see
Just put me on your head
And I'll say where you should be

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The Great Hall burst into a round of applause as the hat completed it song. Hermione only clapped politely as the boys next to her whooped and hollered.

When the clapping died down McGonagall cleared her throat and said "When I call your name you will step forward and I will place the sorting hat on your head to be sorted into your house. Then you can join your house at their table."

"Barns, Ethan".

A young boy with dirty blond hair timidly walked up to the stool and McGonagall put the hat on his head. He was so small, or the hat so large, it came down over his eyes. He gripped the edge of the stool out of fright while everyone in the Great Hall waited. After a few moments the Sorting Hat shouted "HUFFLEPUFF" A cheer erupted from the Hufflepuff table as the shaken boy walked over to them and sat down.

Hermione quickly became bored with the sorting and decided to pull out the required potions reading for the year. To no ones surprise, she completed the book already, but she'll be damned if she fell behind during her fifth year. This is the year in which the students take their O.W.L s, which determine what N.E.W.T courses they will be permitted to take in the following years. Most where accustomed to seeing a book in front of her so even though a few gave her strange looks, they left her alone.

She glanced up when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "For the first time in over thee centuries, Hogwarts has a transfer student. This occurrence is rare and exciting so I expect nothing less than for you to welcome her as one of our own."

"Who wouldn't welcome HER?" whispered Ron at the next table, causing a few muffled laughs and nods from the Gryffindors. Hermione thought it was a miracle that he stopped drooling and put his tongue back in his mouth long enough to form words. She wasn't surprised at the crude remark from the read-head.

Hermione told herself that she didn't care what other people thought of her, although watching those around her make fools of themselves at the sight of her stirred something deep in her gut. The girl isn't even trying and their falling at her feet. Fuming she snapped her book shut startling a few around her.

McGonagall motioned for the girl to come to the stool for her turn. Hermione scoffed as she watched the blond march fearlessly to the stool and sat to begin her sorting. McGonagall gently placed the hat on her head, the school becoming eerily silent with anticipation. The girl however seemed oblivious or indifferent to all the anticipation surrounding her awaited house, sitting calmly upon the stool with her legs crossed elegantly at the knee.

With bated breath the students waited, all eyes wide with hope, until finally the shabby hat opened its 'mouth' and shouted

SLYTHERIN

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A/N: Thank you for reading this chapter. Please let me know that you think in the comments down below :-)