Another possible character could be a local wizard or witch in their neighborhood. Maybe there's an old wizard who lives near Hermione and has noticed some strange things about her magical abilities. When Harry and Hermione meet, this wizard could be observing from afar and later play a role in guiding them or giving them some hints about Hogwarts and the magical world.
Well, Hermione's parents could be key characters. They might be the ones who first notice Harry's odd situation when they meet him. For example, they could see that Harry seems a bit underfed and neglected, which could lead to them trying to help him in some small way. This would also give Hermione more of a connection to Harry before Hogwarts.
One possible plot could be that they meet in a muggle library. Hermione is there researching magic in the guise of general knowledge books, and Harry stumbles upon her while looking for a quiet place to escape from the Dursleys. They start chatting about books, and Hermione is intrigued by Harry's strange yet endearing manner. They then realize they both have a connection to the magical world.
Harry could become more confident earlier. Since Hermione is so smart and resourceful, she might give Harry some tips on how to deal with difficult situations. This could make Harry more self - assured when he faces challenges later at Hogwarts.
Ron is often still a prominent character. Even in fanfiction focused on Harry and Hermione, Ron's friendship with them can play an important role. He might be the one who provides some comical relief during the tense second - year situations.
Clearly, it's Harry and Hermione. Harry, an orphan living with his cruel aunt and uncle, and Hermione, a muggle - born girl with an inquisitive mind. They are the focus of this fanfiction set before Hogwarts. Harry has his unruly hair and a sense of loneliness, while Hermione has her bushy hair and a passion for books. Their personalities start to develop even before they step foot in Hogwarts.
Well, they might discover their shared love for magic right away. Maybe they find some strange magical creature together and start to figure out how to take care of it. This could be a start of their magical adventures even before Hogwarts.
Another character could be Voldemort. His relationship with death was very different from Harry's. His presence near the veil could create a contrast between his fear - driven pursuit of immortality and Harry's more accepting, if still fearful, approach to the encounter with Death. It could also be a chance for Harry to finally understand the true nature of Voldemort's downfall in relation to death.
They might become fast friends. In some fanfictions, they could discover their shared love for magic books even before Hogwarts. This early encounter could lead to them sharing secrets about their strange magical experiences prior to school, like Hermione telling Harry about her accidental magic incidents and Harry sharing his strange encounters with the Dursleys. This would strengthen their bond and perhaps make their Hogwarts years even more intertwined.
One possibility could be that they meet in a muggle setting, like a local park. Maybe Hermione is reading a book on a bench and Harry, who is always curious, approaches her to ask what she's reading. Another could be that they both end up at the same orphanage for a short time and form a bond over their shared sense of being different from the other kids.
One possibility could be that in this fanfiction, Hermione and Viktor's pre - Hogwarts meeting sets the stage for a different kind of relationship dynamic throughout the series. Maybe they become friends early on and this friendship influences how events unfold at Hogwarts. For example, Viktor might be more protective of Hermione during the Triwizard Tournament, not just because of her intelligence but also because of their pre - existing bond.
It could be Harry and Ron. In many cases, they might be the ones ignoring Hermione in the fanfiction. Maybe they get caught up in their own adventures or problems and don't pay enough attention to her.