Crossing of Fates

The crossing of fate ------- Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Journey to Hogwarts

Hermione stretched and woke up. The sun had filtered in through the satin blue curtains, and she was delighted that it was a sunny day. Turning to her clock, she discovered it was only five in the morning. She pushed aside her blankets and slipped out of bed quietly. She regretted her decision at once, when she had started shivering.

She turned around and put on her favorite blue scarf; it had been a birthday present from her mum last year. She got out of her dorm quietly, careful not to disturb her best friends who were still sleeping. The dormitory was quiet as the rest of the castle, since most people had yet to awake from their sweet slumber.

Her dormitory was elegant with chandeliers and a soft, pale blue paint. There were five students sharing this room. Her bed itself was made of mahogany, and stuffed with pillows and warm blankets. She smiled happily; Beauxbatons was her home. This was where she had spent three happy years of her life.

Accidentally, she tripped over a copy of Beauxbatons: A History. It made a loud sound and her best friend, Renay Ianuzzi, woke up from her sleep. She peered out of her bed at Hermione.

"Herms, what are you doing at this hour? It's only --" She took a look at her clock. "Five? Oh well, time to wake up I guess."

Renay was a pretty French girl with honey blonde hair and blue eyes. She was delicately framed and had fair skin. She was one of the most popular girls and was dubbed as pretty and athletic, and only Hermione could rival her in good looks, without considering the half-Veelas in their school. However, Hermione was not good in Quidditch like Renay, who was the chaser of the house of Fleur.

Hermione grinned at her friend, who was looking all around for her own scarf that had promptly disappeared the moment she took it off last night. She searched high and low among her clothes, under her bed, and at last found it in between two of her books.

" Renée, keep quiet, you'll wake up the whole of Beauxbatons."

" Don't call me Renée."

"Then don't call me Herms."

Renay rolled her eyes. She quickly put on her own scarf and the two of them set off, out of the door, and down the spiral staircase that led to their spacious common room, which had been decorated in pastel colours. There were several sofas scattered around the room, and a few tables and chairs for people to study or simply play chess. They got out of the castle and into the snow to start on their morning jog.

**********

After a quick shower, they went to the formal dining hall to eat. The school was divided into five houses: Fleur, Chantelle, Margurite, Darren and Lance. Hermione and Renay were both in Fleur, the house of bravery. Chantelle was the house of intelligence, while Margurite was the house of integrity. Darren was the house of the cunning, and Lance was the house of justice. They were all sorted in their second year, after being accessed by the teachers in their first year.

It was nearing Halloween, and Hermione was anxiously waiting for it, so she would have the chance to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was supposed to be in Scotland, and after reading many books on it, she discovered that it had many mysteries surrounding it, not unlike Beauxbatons itself. She had learnt many things about the school already and discovered many tales about the Chamber of Secrets, the founders and the current professors. Although it was only less than twenty-four hours before they were setting off, she was already feeling very impatient.

The house of Fleur was sitting in the middle of the hall, and it was one of the most crowded ones at such an early time. The students were all sitting together, discussing and talking about all things, ranging from the coming Halloween Ball in their school. But due to the fact Hermione would be at Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament, she would surely miss it.

After breakfast, they went for their first lesson of the day, Transfiguration. It was one of Hermione's favourite lessons. Being such a studious student, she was the teachers' pet and even the Headmistress had taken a special liking to her. She got into the classroom and settled on the seat just in front of the teacher's table. Beside her, sat her friends, Renay, Lavon Stavis and Lavina Falkiewicz.

Lavon was also from England, like Hermione. Although she wasn't particularly pretty, she had red hair that reached her waist and curled beautifully. Her silver eyes glittered whenever she thought of a trick to play on their enemies, three students from Darren, who always flaunted around, wearing make-up and making rude remarks about others. She had received her letter and decided after much consideration to join Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts. At the start of every school year, she would go to the French Wizarding embassy in Diagon Alley, and get a portkey to Beauxbatons along with the other twenty students.

Lavina, on the other hand, came from an old French wizarding family and was very rich. She had black hair and blue eyes. She was quite plain looking and not as beautiful as compared with Hermione and Renay. She was also the quietest amongst this group of five girls that included one last girl, Janina Raschko. Janina was Irish and part-Veela. She had silvery hair that enchanted everyone that met her. She had a natural charm within her and brought out a sort of quiet beauty in her. Although she was not pretty like half-Veelas should be, many people fell under her charm.

The Professor walked briskly in just before the bell rang. "Good morning, class." She settled on her chair and scanned the class for any absentees. Her eyes fell upon the empty chair Janina usually sat.

"Where's Ms. Raschko?" she asked Hermione.

"Janina got injured while flying around in the pitch yesterday, Professor." The Professor nodded and continued her inspection. After that, she leapt up quickly and smiled at her class.

"Good, let's start with our lesson then, shall we?"

**********

After Transfiguration, they went to Arithmancy and Herbology, before going for lunch. Hermione ate a few sandwiches and ran for the library.

"Where're you going, Hermione?"

"Oh, hi Janina, are you better now? I'm going to the library for a while."

"But it's Friday, Hermione, and you're leaving for Hogwarts tomorrow. Can't you at least spend some time with the rest of us?" Janina persuaded. Hermione sighed, and allowed Janina to lead her back to their common room.

They stopped in front of a gigantic ornament of a ballerina in a tower, which itself was close to the Astronomy Tower. Hermione said, " Marie Antoinette" and a door appeared beside it. She went through and got her things with Janina. The two of them chatted leisurely while making their way slowly towards the next classroom, Potions.

After her last class had ended, Hermione entered her dorm, exhausted. In order to bid the students going to Hogwarts farewell for the rest of the year, all the houses were holding a party in their own common rooms. Renay, Lavon and Hermione as well as two sixth years and two seventh years were going to represent the house of Fleur. Altogether, there were thirty students. Hermione was dragged downstairs by her friends to go and take part. There were lots of laughter, and towards the end of the evening, most people had gathered around Hermione and Renay.

They were bidding them farewell and talking about classes and such. Hermione was being surround by a crowd of her admirers, wishing her good luck and giving her gifts. She thanked them politely and cast a glance at Lavina, who was stifling her laughter at Hermione's looks of impatience and exasperation. Hermione frowned at Lavina, who, then, promptly burst into laughter.

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes as the crowds of admirers slowly subsided. She heaved a sigh of relief when most of them left. She sat on the couch, looking as Renay flirted with her admirers. Hermione groaned at that, and Janina simply smirked.

"Who knows what will happen when you go to Hogwarts? Maybe you'll be even worse than Renay. I hope you'll remain the way you are. You're perfect as it is. Just don't go and fall in love, OK?"

Hermione grinned, "I won't." Though in a few days, she had changed her opinions on this matter altogether.

**********

They only ended the party at midnight, as most people started falling asleep and the younger students had already gone to bed. Hermione spent some time packing up her things in case she didn't have the time the next morning. She cast an enlarging charm on her luggage so that everything could be arranged neatly in a small, portable luggage.

The next morning, Hermione and Renay ran again and went for breakfast early. Both were sent lots of good-wishes cards from people they didn't even know, as well as some closer friends and Hermione felt a pang at having to leave Beauxbatons, where everyone was so friendly and helpful. She went into her dorm for the last time in the year, leaving lingering touches on her bed.

Since it was Saturday and there were no lessons, Hermione sat around with her best friends and they talked for a long time. Hermione also helped Lavina with her dress for the Halloween Ball. As Hermione was the most advanced student in her class, she was very good in everything, ranging from studies to make-up. She altered the dress so that it would seem to glow and change colours.

At noon, everyone made their way to the front door. All the students were standing in groups and talking. Hermione hugged her friends tightly as they wished her good luck. She struggled to maintain her dignity as the thirty students began to board the carriage.

"Bye, I'll send you guys lots of owls," she said in a choked voice. Lavina and Janina waved to her as she gave them a final hug.

Then, together with Lavon and Renay, they went into the magnificent carriage that would serve as their dorms for the rest of the year. She stepped in and gave a gasp. It was luxurious. To her left and right were expansive corridors that led to numerous rooms. The Headmistress led them up the winding staircase and to their respective rooms. Hermione was sharing one with Lavon and Renay. It was very similar to their dorms in the castle.

To the left of her bed was a desk and on the other side was a window that would provide a peek into the world. She looked out and saw that the crowds were still waving at them. She waved back at Lavina and Janina. Suddenly, there was a slight jerk and they were off. Hermione kept staring at the castle until it disappeared from sight completely. Then, sighing, she went back to the enormous task at hand, unpacking her things and arranging them neatly.

"Hermione, let's go assemble at the staircase. The Headmistress wants to take us on a tour of the carriage."

The next hour was spent investigating the dining room, kitchen, music room and the two classrooms. This was where the Headmistress herself and Professor Elle would teach them. Professor Elle would be teaching from the first to third grades, and half of the fourth grade; the Headmistress would teach the rest. Every grade would have two hours of lessons per day. Hermione was in the Headmistress's classes, and she found out that they would be held at eight every morning.

The students went into the dining room to have dinner. After that, everyone entered their own dorms, except for Hermione who went to the study room. She accidentally knocked into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Fleur," she said to her Head Girl. "I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm really sorry."

Fleur smiled at Hermione, and said, "Come on, it was my fault as much as yours. Are you going to the study room, too?"

At the affirmative nod Hermione gave her, she continued, "Come on then. I want to study a little because according to the Headmistress, the lessons would be very brief and we would need to read up on our own and study."

Hermione found herself liking Fleur at once and they chatted for a long time until Lavon came to get her.

"Hi, Hermione. Bonjour, Fleur."

Fleur smiled at her, and the two chatted for a while, before all three returned to their dorms. Hermione got into bed; unable to sleep as she wondered how Hogwarts would be like. Would it be as wonderful as the books had described it? Or would she be thoroughly disappointed?

**********

The next morning, Hermione woke up at six in the morning, the usual time for her.

"Bonjour, Renay, Lavon."

She greeted them, pulling apart the blue silk curtains from the window. They were still in the air and all that could be seen was a mass expanse of white fluffy clouds. The three of them made their way down for a hurried breakfast before going for class. Hermione knocked respectfully on the door of the classroom.

"Come in."

The class three of them filed in with the only other student, a boy named Julio Delacour. He was Fleur's cousin and belonged in the house of Fleur too, just like Fleur and Hermione. They had an enjoyable class and the Headmistress was a good teacher. After lessons, they were given homework to be handed in on Friday.

At 5 p.m., the students had all finished their classes and they were called to assemble in the music room. The Headmistress told them to be polite when in Hogwarts and be the ladies and gentlemen they were. Then, she told them to make themselves more presentable and give the students at Hogwarts a good impression of them. They nodded and went into their dorms to dress up.

Hermione looked out of her window and gave a squeal of delight. She dragged her friends over to see as the Hogwarts castle appeared in sight. The three of them tidied themselves, and quickly went to the door just as the carriage landed with a soft thump. Fleur was already there, and she started chatting with Hermione, while Lavon and Renay were talking to themselves. The Headmistress came and they waited for the rest of the students to come down.

After a few more minutes, they were all there, and the Headmistress led them down the golden steps and to Hogwarts. Hermione stepped down and felt a gush of air embrace them. It was warm and Hermione felt a grin spreading on her face. She walked beside Fleur and behind their Headmistress. She looked at the castle; it was truly magnificent. Not as elegant as Beauxbatons, but was certainly lovely.

An old man with a long white beard came forward. He kissed the Headmistress on her hand and they greeted each other like old friends.

Hermione turned to Fleur, who told her, "That's Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts."

After formal introductions were made, they went into the Great Hall after the Hogwarts students. Hermione stared at the ceiling. "I've read all about this in Hogwarts: A History, the ceiling is enchanted. My, doesn't it look lovely?"

They saw the Hogwarts students sitting in large tables much like their own. Fleur and Hermione instinctively led the students towards the Ravenclaw table, where most people were wearing blue. Hermione sat between Fleur and a girl with long black hair. Hermione turned to her,

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger, and you are?"

The girl smiled prettily, " I'm Cho Chang. You don't have a French accent."

"I'm English born and bred." The two of them chatted until the Durmstrang delegation came in. Hermione saw them settle with the Slytherins, which Hermione had learnt was the house of Lord Voldemort.

**********

She saw one of the Gryffindors gesturing to his friend to make a space, and wondered why he looked so crest-fallen when the Durmstrang students moved to the Slytherin table. Careful inspection gave her no idea so she decided to ask Cho,

"Oh, they say that Viktor Krum is there and that boy, Ronald Weasley, is a fanatic of Quidditch."

Hermione nodded, "Are you in the Quidditch team too?"

"Yes, I'm Seeker of my house. What about you?"

" No. I don't like flying."

Suddenly, the Headmistress entered. Hermione and the rest of the Beauxbatons students stood hurriedly, in respect for her. When she was seated, they sat down again. The red-hair boy who had been gesturing to make space was sniggering at them. Hermione felt a hot rush of anger. Honestly, that boy was so rude.

She turned to look at Ronald's friend, whom he had been talking to and found him to be vaguely familiar. Suddenly, the boy raised his eyes and looked up right at her. Hermione gave a tiny, inaudible gasp; it was Harry Potter. She could see his green emerald eyes and the famous scar. He stared at her for a moment, just looking at her, and Hermione felt a blush settling on her cheek and quickly looked away. When she looked up again, he was back to talking to his friend.

The Headmaster welcomed them warmly and food appeared on the gold plates. It all tasted lovely and she enjoyed the meal. There was a pudding, which she couldn't remember the name, but knew nonetheless it was delicious. As if great minds thought alike, Fleur went over to the Gryffindor table, where Ronald was, to get some as the Gryffindors seemed not to have enjoyed it.

Ronald gave a start and stared at Fleur for a long time. Hermione noticed and giggled a little, and nudged Cho, who started laughing as well. The two of them saw Harry give the plate to Fleur, rolling his eyes as Ron continued to stare at Fleur, while she returned to the table. Harry looked at their general direction and smiled at Hermione, who timidly smiled back.

After Professor Dumbledore introduced them to the Goblet of Fire, the Beauxbatons delegation slowly stood and walked out of the hall after the Hogwarts students.