Chapter 1

September 1991

"There must be some mistake," Hermione pleaded, "I'm a muggle-born. I can't be in Slytherin... Please... I can't..."

"A muggle-born you say? HA! You'd have to be daft to believe that... Well then, certainly not Ravenclaw, but I sense courage. Yes... you could do great things. So perhaps...," A tentative hum escaped the hat's rim, " -GRYFFINDOR!" it roared finally.

Relief washed over her like rain in a drought, but the Sorting Hat's words turned over and over again. And they nagged and itched and festered.

And she picked at them until they bled.

Art by @VESPERICS