C 70

"Mom, Dad, and Godfather, just send me here. I'm going to get in the car," Hermione announced, her voice brimming with excitement as she pushed her suitcase toward the entrance of King's Cross Station. 

She turned to the Grangers and Kain, her godfather, who stood beside them, filled with pride and a hint of melancholy as they prepared to see her off.

Hermione had the option to magically stretch her bag to fit all her belongings, but Guy Turl, her mentor during the summer, had advised her that freshmen should not rely on their magic too heavily. 

It was better not to be independent, especially since they would have house-elves at Hogwarts to assist them with their luggage. 

Thus, she opted not to manage her own suitcase, which contained not only clothes but also some top-of-the-line magical equipment, including dragon leather gloves and a quality cauldron, thanks to her godfather's financial support.

"Godfather, I will forward your letter to Professor Dumbledore, please rest assured," she said confidently, her posture straightening as she spoke. 

After a month of rigorous study under Guy, Hermione felt thoroughly prepared and surprisingly calm about her first day at Hogwarts. She had absorbed enough knowledge to feel almost as capable as a second-year student, having mastered spells and potions that would serve her well in her magical education.

"Then please, Hermione, if you need anything while I'm abroad, don't hesitate to reach out to Phil, Isaac, or Guy," Kain replied, his voice warm but slightly anxious. 

He wanted to ensure that Hermione had a smooth transition into her new life at Hogwarts. He reassured her that the matter of her first year could be managed through the house-elves and her mentor Guy, affirming her role as their second master while he was away.

Kain had hired Guy as a store clerk, having recently secured a business license from the Ministry of Magic. His new grocery store in Diagon Alley was ready to open, allowing Kain to recycle potions and magical materials while selling some concoctions brewed by Guy. 

Kain had grand ambitions to collect rare alchemical products but was cautious about the potential for deception from unscrupulous wizards. He relied on Guy's expertise in potions and magical materials, confident that his friend could help navigate the complexities of the market.

In his pursuit of acquiring rare magical ingredients, Kain had taken steps to seek out Newt Scamander, a renowned magizoologist, hoping to learn about the elusive phoenix blood and flesh. 

He visited several bookstores to gather information about Scamander's whereabouts, but the shopkeepers were unhelpful. Undeterred, Kain left a letter for Scamander, expressing his admiration and hope that it would reach him. 

He included a donation intended for the protection of magical creatures and inquired specifically about the phoenix's genetic material.

Once aboard the Hogwarts Express, Hermione found an empty compartment and settled in. Shortly thereafter, a plump boy knocked on the door, looking hesitant. 

Hermione learned his name as Neville Longbottom, a fellow first-year who, like her, came from a complicated background. Despite her upbringing, Hermione retained her innate desire to help others, and when Neville introduced himself, she eagerly welcomed him inside.

As they began to chat, Hermione's extensive knowledge of spells and magical creatures impressed Neville, who felt a mix of admiration and shyness in her presence. 

Hermione, who loved to engage with others and share her knowledge, found herself enjoying their conversation. When Neville discovered that his toad was missing, Hermione immediately offered her assistance, eager to help her new friend.

"Don't worry, Neville! We'll find your toad," she reassured him with a determined smile. The two of them set off through the train, politely asking fellow students if they had seen a toad. 

Hermione was considerate, ensuring she didn't intrude on anyone's space and maintaining a cheerful demeanor even when met with grumpy responses.

As they moved to the next carriage, Hermione noticed a group of three first-years gathered outside another compartment, blocking the entrance. 

Curious, she approached them, hoping they might have seen Neville's toad. "Excuse me, may I bother you? Have you seen a toad? It belongs to Neville Longbottom," she asked politely.

One boy, pale and smug, smirked at her. "Neville? That Longbottom kid who doesn't look like he's from a pure-blood family? I doubt he'll be able to find his pet this time. Next, he might forget the way home," he taunted, eliciting laughter from his companions.

Hermione felt a surge of indignation at their cruelty. 

"Why do you laugh at Neville? Just because he's not a pure-blood doesn't mean he deserves to be mocked. Even outside the wizarding world, that kind of behavior is just impolite," she retorted, her small frame standing tall with conviction. 

She had heard stories from her godfather about the prejudices in the wizarding world, but this was the first time she had encountered it firsthand.

"Uneducated? It seems like you don't know the history of pure-blood families, you ignorant Mudblood," the boy sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Hermione felt her grip tighten around her wand, hidden discreetly in her sleeve. She wasn't entirely sure what to do, but she would not let them intimidate her or Neville. 

Just as she prepared to respond, a voice from within the compartment interrupted her thoughts.

"Draco Malfoy," a boy named Harry Potter called out, identifying the smug first-year. "That's his name."

Encouraged by Harry's intervention, Hermione continued, "So, Draco Malfoy from a pure-blood family, huh? You should really learn some manners."

Malfoy, realizing he couldn't intimidate Hermione, attempted to cast a spell to silence her. But before he could finish, Hermione quickly countered. "Silencio!" she shouted, effectively silencing him. Malfoy's expression turned to shock as he realized he could no longer speak.

"Looks like you can't find your toad here either, Neville. Let's keep looking," Hermione said, trying to ease the tension and moving away from the bullies.

As they left, Neville looked both relieved and confused, "Thanks, Hermione. I've never had anyone stand up for me like that."

After searching the train thoroughly, they eventually boarded the boats headed for Hogwarts. It was there that Hagrid pointed out Neville's lost toad, much to everyone's relief. 

Hermione's mood lifted at the sight of Neville cradling his pet in his arms, feeling a sense of accomplishment for helping her friend.

However, her happiness was short-lived as she caught sight of Draco Malfoy again. The encounter left a bitter taste in her mouth; she was determined to not let such prejudice affect her studies or friendships. 

Now, she was more focused on her primary task: delivering her godfather's letter to Professor Dumbledore. Kain's absence from London meant she had to act quickly to assist him.

The next day, Hermione seized an opportunity after class. 

With her hand raised, she approached Professor McGonagall, her heart racing slightly. "Professor, I have a letter for Professor Dumbledore from my godfather. Could you please pass it on?" she requested, her voice steady despite her nerves.

McGonagall nodded, taking the letter with a reassuring smile. "Of course, Hermione. I'll ensure it reaches him," she replied. As Hermione walked away, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders, allowing her to concentrate fully on her studies.

In the principal's office, Professor McGonagall arrived and placed the letter on Dumbledore's desk. "Dumbledore, I think you should take a look at this. It was passed to me by a student's godfather. He doesn't seem to know your address."

Dumbledore, intrigued, opened the letter and began to read. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized the name. "Ah, I believe I know this gentleman. It seems he also reached out to Newt Scamander," he mused aloud.

"Mr. Pent?" McGonagall asked, adjusting her glasses as she leaned closer to read the letter. "Interesting. I assumed he was simply a Muggle, but it seems he has quite a connection to our world."

"Yes, indeed. But what do you think we should do?"

"The decision ultimately falls to you, as always," she said, looking at him expectantly. Professor McGonagall respected Dumbledore's judgment, especially regarding matters involving magical creatures.

"Only I can make this decision? While Cornelius Fudge may support my actions, I can sense his underlying fear of my power. But I am not Tom Riddle," Dumbledore replied, stroking Fawkes' feathers thoughtfully. 

After a moment of silence, he made his decision. "This will be for the best of Hogwarts, won't it, Fawkes?"

The phoenix emitted a soft trill in response, as if in agreement. With that, Dumbledore set forth his plans, knowing that both the future of Hogwarts and the magical creatures they protected would benefit from this new collaboration.

….

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