Y/N and Hermione arrived at the great hall for breakfast. As they sat down together Hermione sat right next to Y/N, slightly blushing at their close proximity.

She took a small bowl of oatmeal and giggled at the amount of poached eggs Y/N had stacked on his plate.

"Hungry are we?" Hermione asked with a smirk.

"Oh yeah... starving" Y/N looked down embarrassed. "But to keep my body mass improving I have to keep refueling it, and my morning workouts are pretty taxing."

"Yeah you looked really hot-"

Hermione paused with her eyes wide as she realised what she had said. She watched as Y/N paused momentarily before going back to eating. She sighed in relief and continued:

"a-and sweaty this morning. What do you do?"

"Oh, a two mile run, sit ups, push ups and pull ups"

"Wait you didn't leave the castle did you?" Hermione asked suddenly concerned. Y/N smiled:

"No I had to run up and down staircases and try not to break my neck" Y/N chuckled.

"How did you keep track of distance?"

"Distance tracking charm, I'll teach you sometime".

"Oh thank you" Hermione said, overjoyed at the chance to learn new magic:

"How many push ups and that do you do?"

"Not sure" Y/N answered taking a bite of his eggs.

"What do you mean, you don't keep count?"

"Sort of" he chuckled "let me explain. I start off doing push ups and then when it starts to hurt that's when I start counting to 100. Same with sit ups and pull ups".

"Oh I'm sorry" Hermione said sadly.

"For what?" Y/N asked confused.

"That it hurts"

"Awww. You are seriously too sweet 'Mione" Y/N answered in a of tone genuine appreciation.

He noticed Hermione blush so continued quickly to avoid her feeling awkward.

"Like I said, sweet but it's important that it hurts" he stretched out his arm and ran a
finger along it.

"When it hurts it means all the little muscle fibres in here tear. When they heal that's how muscle grows bigger and harder".

Hermione's analytical mind took over as she reached out and slid a finger along Y/N's bicep.

"It's already pretty hard" she spoke absentmindedly.

"Thanks" Y/N said quietly. Hermione looked up and straight into Y/N's eyes. She noticed his blush first, then realised what she was doing and how close they were. She pulled back quickly as her cheeks flushed, the two sitting there awkwardly for a few moments.

Y/N decided to change the subject quickly before they both died of embarrassment.

"So when's your birthday?"

"Um...pardon?" Hermione asked. She was not expecting to be asked that of all things at that moment.

"Oh right that was random. Sorry" Y/N laughed, causing Hermione to giggle as well. Y/N continued:

"I was just wondering, since we were in Diagon Alley together, thought they must be close together"

"Oh right. September 19th" Hermione smiled.

"Look at that I was right, September 12th" Y/N chuckled.

"Wow one week apart".

"Yeah and still time to get you a present" Y/N smirked his cocky smirk.

"Wh...what?" Hermione asked shocked.

"You heard me 'Mione" Y/N smirked again with a sly grin.

"You don't have to do that."

"Uh get my friend a birthday present, Yeah I do" Y/N answered with a tone that suggested his statement was the most obvious thing he could say.

Hermione's heart swelled with joy.

"So we are friends then?" she asked with a huge smile on her face.

Y/N stared at the girl momentarily, honestly taken back a bit.

"Mione... of course we're friends".

Hermione leapt into Y/N's arms, hugging him tightly before finally letting go. She spoke with a large smile on her face:

"Sorry Y/N. I've never had a friend before" Hermione explained matter-of-factly.

Y/N was stunned as he asked:

"What.. ever?" He asked shocked and saddened, remembering the loneliness he felt when he was trapped with his mother.

"No" she answered, taking another spoonful of oatmeal.

This time it's was Y/N who rushed in and he nearly barrelled the girl over in a bone-crunching, 'Penny-esq' hug. He whispered:

"Oh sweetheart, you must have been so lonely"

At that precise moment Y/N was too full of concern to even notice what he had called her, but Hermione certainly did. She gulped before leaning her head onto his shoulder, melting into the hug with a smile.

"I was a bit, but I have a friend now so it was all worth it".

Y/N couldn't describe or even understand what he was feeling. It was a feeling deep inside, like a warmth, a longing. Whatever it was, it made him want to protect this girl with everything in his being. Nothing else mattered. He felt hurt knowing she had hurt. He blurted out:

"I swear on my life and honour I will never leave you alone Hermione. You will never be lonely again."

"Um... I promise the same" Hermione replied, somewhat taken back.

I can't believe this is happening, Hermione thought to herself happily, as she smiled into the hug.

The two separated from the embrace and Y/N smiled, saying gently:

"If it makes you feel any better I've never had a friend my own age either. Usually I was just around adults who were training me or my brother's friends"

"Well you have one now" Hermione smiled back.

The two returned to eating their breakfast in a happy, contented silence as students started stumbling into the great hall.

They both finished their breakfast just as Percy handed them their timetables.

"We have transfiguration in half an hour. Want to head off Y/N, get there early?" Hermione asked nervously.

Y/N smirked.

"Didn't know you were a mind reader as well 'Mione?"

"No no.. I'm not.. I just thought.." Hermione struggled over her words as Y/N chuckled.

"I'm just kidding 'Mione. It's ok"

Hermione smiled, and looked at Y/N, enjoying seeing that cute smile of his before she suddenly thought 'hang on!'

"'Mione?" She asked, almost puzzled.

"Oh yeah. Just a nickname, if you don't like it then..."

"No I love it... I mean I like it" Hermione blurted out, feeling a slight embarrassment at her eagerness.

"Cool I wouldn't want to upset you 'Mione" Y/N smiled again.

"I doubt you could ever upset me Y/N" Hermione answered honestly as they started walking. She hadn't seen him be anything but the perfect gentleman in the time she had known him.

"I don't know Jacob could probably tell you a few stories" Y/N chuckled.

Hermione stopped walking, Y/N stopping and looking back at her puzzled.

"Earlier in the common room, you said you were going to tell me later about Jacob and your parents?"

Hermione had read in the History of Magical Britain that Y/N's father had been murdered shortly after the war ended. That it was an attack that shocked the nation, but there wasn't much detailed information.

Y/N sighed.

"I will. Just not right now. It's not a nice story and I really want us to enjoy our first classes" Y/N finished with an obviously forced smile.

Hermione stepped forward and gently gripped Y/N's arm:

"Whenever you're ready. I'm here for you"

She gave him a gentle smile before reaching in for a hug. Y/N instantly hugged back and they just stood there in the embrace for a moment. Hermione smiled. She's never hugged so much in her life. Truth be told she'd never hugged anyone, other than her parents and grandparents. But Y/N's hugs felt different. She felt so warm in them. So safe. They released the hug and smiled at each other before continuing on.

-~-

They arrived at Transfiguration only to find an empty classroom, bar a cat sitting on the teacher's desk.

"Oh we're here before the Professor" Hermione said as she looked around.

Y/N smirked, staring forward as he spoke:

"No, the Professor is right there"

Y/N pointed at the cat.

"Don't be silly Y/N. That's just a cat" Hermione answered in a tone Y/N found to be adorable.

The cat jumped from the desk transfiguring midair back into Professor McGonagall. Hermione gasped wide eyed as the Professor smiled a genuine smile:

"Well done Mr L/N. How did you recognise my animagus form?"

Y/N chuckled: "You're not the first animagus I've come across, Professor"

"I imagine. 5 points to Gryffindor, well done Mr. L/N. As you two are the first to arrive you may sit where you like."

Hermione sat at a desk in the front row as Y/N tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and looked up at him. Her big brown eyes made him feel warm all over as she asked:

"Is there something wrong Y/N?"

"No I just wanted to ask if I could sit next to you?" Y/N smiled.

"Of course. You don't have to ask silly."

Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach as she noticed Y/N smile and blush.

"Thanks 'Mione. I appreciate it. But a gentleman always asks permission first".

Hermione smiled wider as their interaction was interrupted by Professor McGonagall.

"That is very true Mr. L/N and it's good to a young man who knows that. I can see you will be a good friend to Miss Granger".

"I'll try my very best Professor" Y/N replied.

"I know you will, I know" the aged Professor smiled.

Hermione felt her cheeks burning, she internally panicked that she must be resembling a tomato as the Professor spoke again:

"However, while it is just the three of us I have something here for you Mr L/N."

She handed him an envelope addressed to him and with the seal of the Ministry of Magic- Department of Mysteries.

"That is apparently your apparition licence Mr. L/N..."

Hermione gasped

"...although usually it is not earned until a wizard or witch is 17, so I have no idea how you were able to do so at 11".

"Dedication and persistence" Y/N answered in a way that sounded like it was half a question and half a statement.

Hermione giggled.

"Well be that as it may, Professor Dumbledore asked for you to keep it a secret. Though he did say Miss Granger was allowed to know"

The witch looked at Hermione with a smirk as she spoke. Hermione smiled even wider.

"Of course Professor. I'm well versed in operational security. My lips are sealed" Y/N smiled at the teacher.

"Yes your mind as well. I've never heard the sorting hat ask a student to drop their occlumency shields before, not in all my years. Most impressive Mr. L/N".

"Thank you Professor. Dedication and persistence". He smiled once again at the Professor.

"You two may prepare for lesson if you like, while I await your less eager classmates arrival".

"Thank you Professor" Hermione answered, happily pulling out her textbook.

Y/N meanwhile pulled out his Arithmancy book before inadvertently hearing Professor McGonagall's thoughts.

So adorable. Just like Dean and Penny used to be.

He felt his cheeks warm as he attempted to bury his head in his book.

"What book is that Y/N?" Hermione asked as she looked over with curiosity.

"It's the fourth year Arithmancy textbook. I really find Arithmancy fascinating".

"Why are you reading that?"

"Oh, well I've finished the curriculum for the first three years so I thought I would start on this. I wanted to finish it on the train but you know. Ron"

Hermione giggled before asking:

"Three years curriculum for this subject?"

"For all of them" Y/N smiled.

Hermione stared with a look crossed between shock and awe before McGonagall spoke up again:

"Oh one more thing Mr. L/N, why did I receive reports from a portrait of you dangling off a balcony this morning?"

Hermione looked at Y/N with a raised eyebrow, gasping: "Y/N you didn't?"

Y/N looked at the Professor emotionless as he replied:

"Had to do pull ups somewhere Professor. I gave Jacob my word I wouldn't stop my physical conditioning training. A man is only as good as his word".

McGonagall sighed.

"Yes I understand you and your brother have a...difficult... relationship Mr L/N, but I must insist in future..."

"Could I perhaps offer a solution Professor?"

McGonagall was caught off guard by the boy's confidence. When Jacob and Dean first arrived at Hogwarts they were so shy. She was surprised how different Y/N was from his brothers. He was used to looking adults in the eye. She guessed that's why he was placed into Gryffindor.

She had been ecstatic the night before. A Potter and a L/N into Gryffindor. She couldn't believe her luck.

"You may" she answered intrigued.

"Well Dean told me about something on the seventh floor that could help with my training. Could I have permission to visit there at 5am each morning?"

McGonagall considered his words and replied:

"Hmm. That is most unusual, but I will allow it. Under the condition you go directly there and only there and do not wander anywhere else. I will trust your maturity with this, Mr. L/N"

Y/N smiled proudly.

"Thank you Professor. I won't let you down".

She nodded before returning to her cat form and jumping on her desk.

"What's on the seventh floor?" Hermione asked puzzled.

"It's hard to explain. How bout we go after classes today and we can find it together?"

"That sounds amazing" Hermione smiled, side hugging Y/N before they both returned to their reading.

-~-

The class slowly filled as students filtered in until there were only two Gryffindors missing.

"Where are they?" Hermione asked impatiently. She was worried about the pair losing the House Points Y/N had just earned.

Y/N shrugged. He needed to make sure Potter pulled his finger out. He thought back to his last conversation he had with Jacob prior to staying at Dean and Penny's for the trip to King's Cross Station.

-~-

Y/N was in the yard of the Hebridean safe house. He was attacking Mad-Eye, firing spell after spell at him, while Mad-Eye was defending against the tirade.

"Good laddie good, faster. Faster- don't let up!"

Mad-Eye was much more forthcoming with praise than Jacob ever was. Just as Y/N was starting to tire Jacob held up his hand from the side.

Y/N stopped and lowered his wand, standing at attention and waiting for further instruction.

"At ease Y/N. You're getting faster with your non verbals. Keep at it. So you go to Dean and Penny's tomorrow and leave for Hogwarts in a week"

Y/N nodded.

"You have an important job to do while you're there"

Learn a lot? Get sorted into Slytherin like his brothers? Make friends? Have fun?

"You need to get close to Harry Potter. You need to protect him. Keep him safe, no matter what. He's the Chosen One, Y/N. You must keep him safe, no matter the cost- if others have to die for him to be protected, so be it. This must never be disclosed to anyone, not even Harry. Understood?"

Y/N looked at his brother's unwavering intensity and nodded.

"Good. Now back to it....."

-~-

Y/N was pulled from the memory as Ron and Harry burst through the door. Ron looked around relieved to see no teacher.

"We made it. Imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we were late".

Y/N glared at Ron. Arrogant little shit. How dare he disrespect their head of house. Hermione noticed Y/N's anger as she placed a hand on his arm gently. His face softened as he turned to her and smiled.

The cat on the desk jumped off, transfiguring into a very unimpressed Professor in front of a mostly very stunned class.

Ron and Harry stared open mouthed.

"That was bloody brilliant" Ron remarked.

"Thank you for that assessment Mr. Weasley. Perhaps if I were to transfigure yourself or Mr. Potter into a pocket watch. That way one of you might be on time?"

"We got lost" Harry blurted out

"A map perhaps? I trust you don't need one to find your seats".

The boys took the only available seats directly behind Y/N and Hermione.

-~-

Professor McGonagall explained to the class how strict she was and how she will tolerate no misbehaviour. She stated that for the first piece of assessment students would be working on turning a matchstick into a needle. She handed each student a matchstick and returned to the front of the class. Just as she was about to explain the process to the class Y/N raised his hand.

"Yes Mr. L/N?" She queried.

"Finished Professor" Y/N stated matter of factly.

The class gasped. Hermione looked at her friend's former matchstick now needle in wide eyed surprise.

"Hi...ha...how Mr. L/N?" The elderly witch asked in shock.

"My training Professor" Y/N smiled but with a serious tone in his voice. The teacher quickly regained her composure.

"Mr. L/N can you tell me what are Gamps five exceptions of transfiguration?"

"Life, food, beauty, the mind and the soul" Y/N answered.

Professor McGonagall smiled.

"Mr L/N I am extremely impressed. Would you perhaps be interested in taking advanced studies in this classroom?"

"That would be fantastic Professor" Y/N smiled.

"Very well. For the remainder of this lesson I will get you to complete last years first year Theory exam to see where your studies are at. I will suggest to your other teachers that they do the same. 20 points to Gryffindor Mr. L/N for..." she smiled a warm smile "...Dedication and persistence".

The lesson went quickly as Y/N filled scores of parchment answering the exam questions and Hermione concentrated hard on transfiguring her matchstick. As it got close to 10:00am and the end of class Hermione was the only student other than Y/N who had managed to make any progress. Her matchstick was now silver and slightly pointy. As McGonagall proudly showed the class her work Y/N gushed praise on the young witch.

"That was fantastic Hermione, fantastic. Well done! You're amazing!"

"Y/N please, you did it instantly" Hermione answered while blushing profusely.

"Yeah but I've had training. You did that without even having studied transfigurations before. You're incredible! Well done".

Hermione blushed even more and felt the overwhelming urge to cry, in a good way.

The bell rang signifying the end of the lesson and the pair walked out the class together.

"History of Magic next. Want to run there with me Hermione? There's someone I really want you to meet".

Hermione giggled and nodded as Y/N gently took her hand and the pair of them ran towards the History of Magic classroom.