Y/N and Hermione were sat in her compartment on the Hogwarts Express, laughing and smiling happily as they talked.

"No way" Hermione exclaimed in disbelief.

"It's true" Y/N laughed at her reaction.

"I'm a genuine legilimens. So are my brothers, it runs in the family" Y/N chuckled.

Hermione narrowed her eyes and smirked, challenging him with the words: "Prove it".

Y/N's smile faded slightly as he looked at the girl slightly more seriously. He spoke with some slight hesitation, asking:

"Are you sure? I don't like using the ability if I don't have to".

Hermione smiled at the boy.

"No it's ok. I trust you"

Y/N's face flushed crimson at her words, Hermione smiled at how cute she found his blush. Y/N spoke calmly:

"Ok so firstly I need you to know I would never use legilimency on you without your permission. Secondly, I won't go looking around your mind, just focus on a single thought and I'll be in and out as soon as I have it"

"Ok" Hermione replied with a smile as she tried to think of a topic. She looked at Y/N and really took him in for the first time. He was so handsome- he had bright green eyes, a chiselled jawline, a beautiful smile, his muscular physique as his robes fitted him snugly...

Hermione began to panic. She suddenly couldn't think of anything else.

"Ready?" Y/N asked.

Hermione nodded as she desperately tried to think of something else:

Oh Merlin don't think he's cute don't think he's cute.

Hermione saw Y/N blushing and thought: Oh no!

"Thanks Penny says the same thing" Y/N chuckled lightly.

I think you're cute too.

Hermione heard Y/N's voice in her head. She looked at him shocked. He really was a legilimens... wait- he thinks she's cute?

As Hermione's head span the train slowed as it arrived at Hogsmeade train station.

"I think we are here" Neville said in a friendly tone. Hermione's head shot around as she blushed profusely- she had forgotten Neville was there and had witnessed their whole interaction.

"Come on let's go" Y/N smiled as he stood, holding out his hand to graciously help her stand. Hermione accepted it with a shy smile and a quiet "thank you".

Y/N and Hermione were the first two off the train as they walked forward towards an extremely large man. Hermione saw some other first years pointing and whispering, she overheard:

"He's a L/N, he's gotta be Y/N L/N"

She subconsciously moved closer to Y/N as they arrived in front of the large man who was calling for first years.

"Well 'ello Y/N, Welcome back to Hogwarts" The large man said with a smile.

"Back?" Hermione asked puzzled as the large man appeared to pale and mutter "I should not 'ave said th't"

Y/N chuckled and whispered to Hermione he would explain later before smiling at the large man:

"Hey Hagrid been well?"

The large man now known as Hagrid returned a relieved smile:

"Good thanks Y/N, how are your brothers and Penny?"

"They're good. I'll catch you up later but more importantly this wonderful young lady is Hermione Granger"

Hermione smiled and blushed at the introduction. Hagrid chuckled:

"'Ello 'ermoine nice to meet you. Watch out for this one e's a charmer".

"Y-Yeah I noticed" Hermione giggled as Y/N looked up at the large man and smirked:

"I'm standing right here dude"

Hagrid laughed before ushering the pair forward: "Alright you two on a boat".

They two walked forward before Y/N called back:

"Oh Hagrid, Barnaby said I could get extra credit working in the Magical Creature Reserve. He said you'd hook me up"

Hagrid smiled and waved the pair on answering:

"Yeah, I'll talk to you about it later Y/N"

"Cheers mate" Y/N yelled back.

Hermione smiled to herself, extra credit- the boy sounded just like her. They got in a boat, Y/N helping Hermione down from the pier, as other students followed them.

Two girls got in the same boat as Y/N and Hermione. They introduced themselves as Lavender Brown and Susan Bones.

"As in the Head of DMLE Bones?" Y/N asked. Susan nodded happily answering "She's my aunt".

"You're Y/N as in Y/N L/N, from House L/N right? Your brother is the Hero of Hogwarts" Lavender asked excitedly.

"Yeah. That's me" Y/N answered as the boats started to move.

As the large group of students floated forward Lavender and Susan kept looking at Y/N and giggling. Hermione wasn't sure why but she didn't like it. Y/N hadn't noticed though, he was too busy running his hand along the surface of the lake. He spoke to Hermione without looking away from the deep black waters:

"Hey Hermione, you know there's a whole colony of Merpeople down there."

Hermione smiled.

"Yes I read that along with a giant squid. It's really cool."

"Yeah I wish there was a kelpie. They're my favourite animal. I always wanted to go see the one at Loch Ness but Jacob wouldn't take me." Y/N replied saddened.

"The Loch Ness Monster is a kelpie?" Hermione asked stunned.

"Yeah" Y/N chuckled.

"She really loves attention as well. That's why she transfigured to a dinosaur so many times. At least that's what Newt told me"

"Newt... Newt Scamander?" Hermione asked in shock following quickly with:

"You've met Newt Scamander?"

Y/N smiled and blushed slightly. He didn't mean to intentionally name drop the most famous magizoologist of all time. He answered sheepishly:

"Yeah my brother introduced me. Newt and his wife Tina are both really nice people".

Hermione smiled before turning to face the castle which had just come into view.

It was illuminated from within and looked stunning.

"Beautiful" Hermione said with a whisper as she gazed at the splendid sight in front of her.

"I was thinking the same thing" Y/N said with a smile. Hermione looked over to Y/N to see him staring not at the castle but at her. She blushed furiously.

They group sailed forward into a cave and arrived at a dock. Y/N stood with ease, despite the boats rocking, and was almost instantly out of the boat. He held his hand out to Hermione and when she took it she was effortlessly pulled up and out of the book. She looked at Y/N stunned as he helped Lavender and Susan out, thinking to herself:

He is so strong.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a happy yell of:

"Trevor"

Neville ran forward and picked up his previously missing amphibian, slowly looking up into the eyes of a stern and unimpressed looking witch.

She looked out at the mostly scared looking first years as she spoke:

"Welcome to Hogwarts first years. I am Professor McGonagall. The sorting ceremony will start momentarily. I will give you a chance to freshen up"

She looked at Neville and Ron with an extremely unimpressed gaze before speaking again:

"But first I must discuss an incident on the train. It was reported that a first year attacked another first year with a spell. However, having reviewed the magical traces, unless someone has mastered wandless magic..."

McGonagall paused momentarily and looked directly at Y/N. Hermione gasped and gripped his hand, squeezing it tight. Hermione didn't want her new friend sent home already.

"... then we must conclude the student tripped and fell. I will return shortly".

Hermione let go of a nervous breathe she didn't realise she was holding as she looked over at Y/N. His confident smile hasn't wavered even for a moment.

"Wandless magic?" Hermione asked Y/N in a confused whisper.

"Don't know what you're talking about" Y/N replied with a smirk.

"Uh huh" Hermione said unconvinced before realising she still had hold of Y/N's hand. She let go of it blushing brightly.

-~-

The group were called into the great hall and as they walked in they couldn't help but look up at the floating candle lit ceiling. Hermione whispered to Y/N:

"It's not real you know, I read about it...."

"In Hogwarts, a history" Y/N finished Hermione's sentence with a smile, he continued:

"I enjoyed that book too, although it was a bit harsh on Jacob"

Y/N smirked at a giggling Hermione. The students reached the end of the row and the Sorting Hat started to sing a song. Hermione was so nervous she didn't even take it in.

Midway through the song Y/N picked up on Hermione's nerves and gently gripped her hand, giving it a reassuring squeezing.

"It'll be ok" Y/N reassured Hermione with a warm smile. She felt instantly at ease.

"Thanks" she smiled smile back as names started being called out.

Abbott, Hannah

A blonde girl walked up and sat on the stool in front of the whole school as the singing hat was placed on her head. It muttered for a few moments before yelling loudly:

"Hufflepuff"

Bones, Susan

"Hufflepuff"

This went on for a while until Hermione heard her name called.

"Ok relax" Hermione whispered to herself before she felt her hand squeezed again.

"Hey you've got this. You're awesome" Y/N whispered as he smiled again. Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach as well as instant relief.

"Thanks" she whispered back before walking up. On the way she noticed the headmaster smiling at her with a large grin. She smiled back before sitting on the stool.

The hat um'd and ah'd for close to five minutes before finally yelling:

"Gryffindor"

Hermione was very happy with her placing as she ran over to the Gryffindor table and after shaking a few hands she sat next to an older boy with red hair.

"Percy Weasley, prefect" he introduced himself.

"Hermione Granger, pleasure" she said back.

Potter, Harry

The hall fell into whispers. Harry approached the hat apprehensively, intimidated by the large group of students whispering about him.

He was up there for about thirty seconds, arguing with the hat before a look of relief crossed his face as the hat yelled:

"Gryffindor"

The Gryffindor table erupted as the two Weasley twins yelled "we got Potter".

The ceremony continued until there was only one boy left.

L/N, Y/N

The hall fell into silence as Y/N walked confidently towards the stage.

"Great" Percy muttered in an angry tone.

"He's my friend" Hermione said to him with a glare.

"And he's my god brother" Percy snapped back. "But both his brothers were in Slytherin, Dean practically won them the House Cup single handed seven years in a row".

Hermione glared at the prefect again before turning to look at Y/N sitting on the stool, her gaze softening considerably.

-~-

Y/N sat on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. He felt the familiar creep of someone into his mind and instantly hardened his mental defences.

The hat spoke in a loud clear voice:

"Please lower your occlumency shields"

The whole hall let out a collective gasp. Even the teachers look shocked. Y/N chuckled:

"Right, sorry about that hat. Force of habit"

The hat hummed and harred as Y/N's shields were lowered. It then remained silent for close to ten minutes before muttering: "this is unexpected."

"What?" Y/N asked with his still confident smile, looking upwards.

"You have the mind to rival any Ravenclaw and a heart to protect those you love like a Hufflepuff... but there's something else here".

"Ok" Y/N asked with a grin.

"I see you both in Slytherin and Gryffindor. You have ambition and unbelievable power but also unrivalled bravery. For the first time I can't split the two"

The hat turned on Y/N's head to look at the headmaster.

"I can't separate it Albus. I'll need to ask the boy".

More gasps were heard throughout the hall, followed quickly by shocked whispers.

"Very well" the headmaster replied. Hermione could swear he looked nervous, but this was THE Albus Dumbledore. Why would he be nervous for a first years sorting? she thought to herself.

The hat turned around again to look out to the crowd before it spoke again:

"This has never happened before but I ask you now boy. What is more important to you? Power in order to protect those you love? Or power for the ambition to be great".

Y/N looked at the Slytherin table then the Gryffindor table. Or more specifically at one person at the Gryffindor table.

"The power to protect. No question in my mind" Y/N answered without hesitation.

"Very well then in that case it must be.....

Gryffindor!"

The whole Gryffindor table erupted into the loudest cheer of the night. The Slytherin table was full of moans and grumbles.

"We got L/N. Suck that snakes" the twins again yelled overjoyed.

Y/N made his way over to the Gryffindor table and sat next to an ecstatic Hermione.

"I'm so glad we are in Gryffindor together" Hermione said as she hugged Y/N. Y/N reciprocated the hug and answered with: "Me too Hermione, me too".

He was inundated with handshake after handshake from happy Gryffindors. Y/N looked towards a smiling Dumbledore, who raised his goblet towards Y/N with a nod. Y/N smirked and nodded back. The Headmaster stood and smiled, saying:

"Let the feast begin"

-~-

The Gryffindors were enjoying the feast, after a slightly grotesque introduction to their house ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, before Y/N was wrapped in a tight hug from behind.

"Well done Y/N" the hugger said happily.

"Thanks Bea" Y/N laughed as the hugger released the hug.

Beatrice chuckled at the glare Hermione was giving her before Y/N spoke again:

"Beatrice Haywood this is Hermione Granger a good friend of mine. Hermione Granger this is Beatrice Haywood, Penny's younger sister".

Hermione's look softened before she extended her hand saying with a smile:

"Nice to meet you"

"You too. So this is the girl Penny spoke about" Beatrice asked with a smirk.

"She did?" Y/N and Hermione asked at the same time.

"Yeah" Beatrice giggled. "Look I've got to get back but just wanted to say hi. Got about 100 girls at the Hufflepuff table who want to meet you Prince Charming, but I'll try and hold them back" she finished with a laugh.

"I'd appreciate that" Y/N grinned.

Hermione though had a grumpy look on her face.

Mine... I mean my friend she thought to herself.

-~-

Albus Dumbledore sat in his seat overjoyed. Both Y/N and Harry sorted into Gryffindor. Not only that but actively choosing to be placed there.

He quickly wrote two notes and attached them to his Phoenix before the bird squawked and flew out of the great hall.

The two notes both said the same thing...

"He chose love".

-~-

The students had finished their desserts as Dumbledore tapped his goblet with a spoon.

"A couple of announcements. Firstly staffing changes. I would like to thank Professor Quirrell for agreeing to take the role of Defence Against the Dark Art teacher. His role as Muggle Studies teacher will now be taken by Professor Charity Burbage. Finally, our long time History of Magic Professor Cuthbert Binns has been requested at the Ministry, as some historical documents of importance have been discovered..."

Dumbledore was interrupted by a unanimous loud cheer around the great hall.

He held his hands up to silence the students.

"His role will now be taken by recent Hogwarts graduate Rowan Khanna..."

"Alright Row!" Y/N yelled, the entirety of the Great Hall now looked at him. He chuckled:

"Sorry"

Dumbledore chuckled as well:

"Yes congratulations indeed Professor Khanna on achieving your dream of being the youngest Professor in Hogwarts history. Now a reminder that the Forbidden Forest remains off limits"

Albus paused to look at the Weasley twins

"and Mr. Filch has asked me to remind all students that the third floor is restricted, to all those who wish to avoid a most horrible death. Now off to bed toodle pip".

-~-

The Gryffindor students were ushered out of the Great Hall by Percy and were taken up to the Gryffindor common room.

They arrive at the portrait of the Fat Lady who asked for the password drolly:

"Caput draconis" Percy answered.

The students entered the common room before Percy stated:

"Boys are up to the left, girls same to the right. Your luggage has already been brought up."

Y/N was about to follow Harry and Ron upstairs before he felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Hermione standing there, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Just wanted to wish you goodnight Y/N" she smiled before wrapping him in a hug. Y/N was initially surprised before he hugged Hermione back.

"Goodnight Hermione, sweet dreams and see you at breakfast". Y/N smiled before heading up the stairs. He found his bunk and Smoky resting comfortably on his bed.

"Hey girl miss me" Y/N asked as he lovingly scratched her ear. The Kneazle looked up at him and glared as she was scratched before turning away and laying her head back down.

"Still angry at me for being in a cage that long huh?" Y/N chuckled.

Y/N looked across happy to see he had five dormmates he was sharing with. Harry, Ron, Neville and two other boys named Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan.

He stripped off and put only track pants on to get ready to sleep.

"Um aren't you cold Y/N?" Harry asked from the bed next to him.

"Nah the muscle keeps my metabolism high so I run hot most of the time" Y/N replied.

"Oh ok" Harry nodded.

Y/N chuckled. He knew Harry had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

"Night lads" Y/N called before drawing his curtains and casting a silencing charm.

"Sorry if I scream Smoky" Y/N said as he laid down.

He couldn't wait for classes to start in the morning.