"So, you never told me where you were from."

Hermione froze for a second, but hid it behind choosing another liquorice wand from the huge pile of sweets Harry had insisted on buying for them from the Lady With The Trolley. Her dentist parents would definitely not approve of so much sugar in her diet, but they might permit it if they knew Hermione was sharing the diabetic feast with her future love.

And this show of generosity had only brought that future a little bit closer. At this rate, Hermione fancied she'd be in love before leaving the train!

But such musings were something best left for analysis later. For now, Harry's question was still hanging between them ... and it took all of Hermione's will not to blurt out her complete truth.

"I'm from Oxford," she eventually replied, biting off the end of the liquorice wand.

"Where all the Universities are?" Harry asked. "I bet it's really grand there."

"Do you know it then? Have you been?" Hermione asked, curiously.

"No, but I've seen pictures," Harry explained. "To be honest, I don't know very much at all about the world. I spent ten years living underground, see."

"Yes, I read about that," Hermione nodded. "What was that like? It was dark, I bet."

"A bit dark, yeah," Harry agreed. "I mean, there were hundreds and hundreds of lights everywhere, but it wasn't like up here. When I first saw real sunlight, which was only about a year ago, it stung my eyes so badly, I cant tell you!"

"Wow. Was that the first time you'd seen it, then?"

"That I can remember," Harry replied. "I suppose I must have seen it when I was a baby, but I don't remember that. I'd like to see Oxford, though. Maybe you can show me one day."

Harry suddenly flushed scarlet, as though worried he'd overstepped his boundaries. Hermione just smiled at him.

"Yes, alright," she returned softly. "Best do it either when it's really sunny or really snowy, though. All the old buildings look their prettiest like that. And I can show you all the famous colleges, if you like."

"Yeah, I would like!" Harry blurted out enthusiastically. "If you don't mind playing tour guide, that is!"

"For a friend I wouldn't," Hermione grinned, colouring a little herself. "I can show you the one I always thought I'd go to."

Harry blinked at her. "Did you have it all mapped out, then? Your future, I mean."

Hermione had to hold her tongue again. This was so hard. "Yes, I sort of did. I was always quite good at school, and I enjoy studying. A lot. So I always supposed I'd just finish school, then go off to University after that. It's just what people do, isn't it?"

"I ... I don't really know," Harry mumbled, fidgeting awkwardly. "I never really knew what I was going to do. I didn't expect it to be like what other people did, but I didn't really think much about it beyond that. I just thought it would sort of happen ... then I'd deal with it when it did. That makes me sound stupid and lazy, doesn't it?"

"No, of course it doesn't!" Hermione disagreed fiercely. "You had a very unusual start in life, so you cant be blamed for not thinking about so-called normal things. And just look at us now - I planned, you didn't, but we're in the same spot. It'll probably be easier for you because you're prepared to go with the flow. But this is very much against the flow, for me. I really don't know what to expect."

"Are ... are you afraid of that?" Harry asked gently, sounding surprised. Hermione gave him the impression of a girl who simply took things logically and in her stride. Being worried about something didn't suit her. And, for some unfathomable reason, Harry found the concept of Hermione Granger Afraid such an abhorrent one that he felt a bizarre urge to draw his wand and duel it. How odd.

"I think I am a bit, yes. It's the unknown aspect, I think. I never like not knowing things. And I'm facing all this on my own."

"No you're not," Harry replied staunchly. "You have me now. That may not be much, because I don't know a lot myself, but I'll face everything with you, for what it's worth."

Hermione smiled sweetly at him. "That's worth a lot. Thank you, Harry."

There was something about the way she said his name that Harry liked very much. He couldn't explain it, but he'd happily hear Hermione say it as often as was reasonable.

"In any case," Harry went on. "You'll probably have to help me more than the other way round. I hear you are very talented when it comes to magic."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Hermione flushed hotly. "But my Mum always said I have witch-oil in my soul. I never knew what that meant, but maybe it was this."

"Sounds like it," Harry nodded vehemently. "I hear you could cast all sorts of spells with Headmaster Dumbledore's wand when he assessed you."

"Well, yes, I suppose I did do that," Hermione replied meekly. She didn't know what she was supposed to do with praise from Harry. All she knew was that it made her stupidly light-headed and flustered, which just wasn't like her at all. "He just told me an incantation and a wand movement - all basic ones, of course - and it all worked for me. Maybe I was just lucky."

"Or maybe you're super gifted," Harry argued fairly. "You'll be much better than me. I bet I'll be bottom of the class at everything."

Harry wrung his hands as this pestering anxiety reared its head again in his mind.

"Of course you wont," Hermione responded supportively. "Do you know any spells yet? Have you tried them?"

"No, my Godfather wouldn't let me," Harry explained. "And I only know one spell. It makes things levitate."

"Oh, wingardium leviosa?" Hermione asked, pronouncing the spell perfectly. "I did that one. Get your wand out. Show me."

Harry complied. Sirius had insisted on a special pocket being added to his robe sleeve, so Harry could store his wand safely there. Harry flicked his wrist and the wand slid into his hand. He grinned at Hermione as he instinctively handed it over.

"That's nifty," Hermione nodded in approval. "I'll have to get my robes altered for something like that. It's really handy, isn't it? What's your wand made from?"

"Holly and Phoenix feather," Harry replied. "Yours?"

Hermione turned her eyes down shyly. "Well ... can I tell you a secret? If I do, you'll have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Okay," Harry whispered eagerly. He'd never had a friend to share a secret with before, and he found the notion brilliantly intoxicating now. "I promise."

"Okay, well," Hermione began shyly. "The thing is ... I have two wands. One for each hand. Actually, one of them has a phoenix feather core, too."

Harry gasped. He couldn't help it. "You? You're the ambi-wandral?"

Hermione went wide-eyed in her shock. "H-how do you know that?"

"Take your wand out, quick!" Harry instructed.

"Why?" Hermione asked, slightly suspicious.

"I showed you mine, so you have to show me yours!" Harry teased. "That's the rules!"

"Very funny," Hermione frowned seriously. "No, really ... why are you all fervoured all of a sudden?"

"Because, I went into Ollivander's right after you," Harry explained excitedly. "I didn't know that at the time, but he said he'd just sold the brother wand to the one I was paired with. And that must be the one you have! Did he tell you the phoenix had only given two feathers?"

"Yes, my wand had one," Hermione breathed lowly. "And ... this wand has ... the other one?"

"Yeah! That's what I'm trying to tell you!"

Hermione blinked as she tried to process all this. She looked at the wand, then at Harry, then at the wand again. On instinct, she drew her own. And she felt the power pulse through her instantly ... the brother cores in each of her hands, the magical force pumping through her veins with intense bursts of energy. It was borderline overwhelming.

And the fact that Harry had taken possession of the complimentary wand to one of her own ... what did that mean?

Malcolm's voice echoed over and over in her mind ... serendipity, remember? ... was this ... was it just meant to be?

Hermione couldn't hold that concept steady in her mind. But the evidence was mounting, the proof throbbing between her very fingers. Then Harry tried to bring her back from the dreamy stratosphere.

"Are you okay?" he asked in gentle concern. "Your eyes have gone all funny."

"Oh, what? Sorry," Hermione stuttered out. "It's just the magic ... it's really potent having both of them together. Wow. I think I need to get used to using magic a lot more before I hold your wand again. That makes me a little senseless."

"What are the chances, though?" Harry marvelled. "You and me, having twin wands. Then we become friends. It's pretty awesome, don't you think?"

"Yes, very awesome," Hermione agreed, still trying to bring her dizzying thoughts back under her control. "I wonder what it means, though? Why did the wands pick us?"

"I don't know," Harry grinned. "But we have a long time to work that out, don't we? Ooh, I really hope we get Sorted into the same House now. Do you know about the Four Houses?"

"Yes, I memorised that book you recommended to me, like I promised!" Hermione laughed, glad of something tangible like books to get her back on track. "I hear Gryffindor is the best, so I think I'd rather like to be Sorted there. I think I'll ask specifically for that."

"Can you do that?" Harry asked, curious. "I didn't read it anywhere."

"I don't know for sure," Hermione began thoughtfully. "But the Sorting Hat will have to take in personal preference, wont it? I mean, if you sat there and thought 'not Slytherin' it would have to be pretty cruel to Sort you into that House. It would be condemning you to seven years of misery, wouldn't it?"

"I never thought of it like that," Harry mused in reply. "So, are you going to ask to be put in Gryffindor?"

"Yes, I think so," Hermione nodded. "I'll try, anyway."

"Then I will, too," Harry decided. "School wont be half so scary if I have a friend there facing it with me."

Hermione smiled shyly at him. "Then lets both try and get into Gryffindor!"

"Agreed!" Harry laughed. "Do think that's all there is to it? Putting a Hat on?"

"According to Hogwarts: A History, yes," Hermione answered. "There were some people on the platform being very silly about it. That big family of red-heads were telling the youngest boy that he'd have to wrestle a troll. He didn't look like he fancied the idea."

"That must be Ronald Weasley," Harry suggested. "His name was on my list of Hogwarts letters. His Mum is obsessed with my Godfather. She practically stalked him when they were in school!"

Hermione giggled at that. "That could be something to tease him about if he gives you a hard time. I bet he'll try to talk to you, to try and get your autograph for his sister, or something."

"Oh ... you saw that," Harry mumbled coyly. "I didn't think you'd noticed."

"I noticed," Hermione huffed. "And if I'd known how much you didn't like it, I'd have gone and told her right off! I will if anyone else does something like that, you have my word."

Harry didn't know what to say to that. Thank you didn't seem to quite do it for him.

"You don't have to do that," he muttered, somewhat guiltily. "You don't want people giving you a hard time. And I certainly don't, not on my account."

"Like that's even your decision to make!" Hermione cried. "You're my friend now. And if someone tries to make you uncomfortable, they better watch out! I'll be doing a lot of experimenting with my magic ... they don't want to accidentally get in the way, do they?"

She laughed at that and Harry relaxed. It seemed he was powerless to resist it in any case, but he didn't think he'd ever have the vocabulary to tell Hermione how grateful he was to have met her today. So he just smiled at her and accepted her care.

By now, it was starting to get dark outside. Hermione slipped into the loo to change into her smart Hogwarts robes, and she and Harry spent a while comparing materials and tailoring. Then Hermione showed Harry both her wands, and tried to console him when he didn't feel the same surge of power she did when handling both the Phoenix wands.

Then they were disembarking at Hogsmeade train station. The first-years got out first and huddled together as Hagrid corralled them under his enormous shadow. He called over to Harry as he spotted him.

"Alrigh' there, Harry? How was the trip?" the Keeper of the Keys asked.

"Brilliant!" Harry beamed. "I made my first friend! This is Hermione Granger."

"Hello," Hermione muttered shyly, as Harry prompted her forward with a poke on her lower back.

"Hullo, Hermione!" Hagrid boomed. "Nice ter meet ya. I hope you'll both pop down and see me soon, tell me how your first week goes."

"We will, I promise," Harry replied for them, despite Hermione looking dubious in the presence of this obscenely large and wild character.

"Good, good," Hagrid replied. "I think that's everyone here. Come on, first-years! Follow me!"

"Do you know him?" Hermione whispered, tucking in close so only Harry could hear her.

"I met him at Christmas, and a few times since," Harry clarified.

"But ... he's not a normal man, is he?"

"No. He's half-giant."

"Which half?" Hermione pressed with a small chuckle. "How is that even possible?"

Harry ducked his head close so that he and Hermione were practically nose-to-nose. "I have no idea! I met him eight months ago and I still cant work it out!"

"I don't think I want to!" Hermione laughed. "Eww ... can you even imagine? ... yuk!"

"I think we're about to eat!" Harry cried in his muffled mirth. "I don't think I want that vision in my head ... especially if they serve giant spotted dick!"

"Harry!" Hermione rocked with shy giggles, clinging at his arm to keep herself upright. "That's terrible! Imagine if they do ... I might not stop laughing all through the Feast!"

Harry rather thought he might like that. There was something lyrical about Hermione's laugh. And the look it diffused over her face suited her more than Harry could describe. It made him shiver a little bit, as though he were looking at something secret and forbidden, but he'd been granted permission to do so. But it seemed a fair trade.

After all, he had silently given Hermione permission to grab him whenever she felt like it, so it was only right that if he wanted to watch her laugh and smile he should be allowed to. He didn't think she'd mind, but he was all sorts of confused as to why he wanted to in the first place. Laughter hadn't been a spectator sport before, after all. Though, oddly, this was one front-row seat Harry didn't really want to share with anyone.

The weirdness of all this was cast aside a moment later, however, as Hagrid began guiding the students into a fleet of little boats that were lined up on the shore. He ushered Harry, Hermione, the boy Neville and his toad, into the first boat and got in himself. Once all the boats were full, Hagrid called out an order and they all started floating of their own accord.

They crossed a vast lake and under a towering arch covered in moss and ivy. Then they got their first look at Hogwarts castle, perched high up on an outcrop of rugged Scottish mountain rock. Hermione looked up at it, a memory popped into her mind, and she gasped out loud.

"Impressive, ain't it?" Hagrid beamed at her.

Hermione nodded, but her mind was worlds away. She recognised the castle, the view beyond it ... she'd seen this all before. Just then, Papageno - who till this point had been safely tucked up inside Hermione's overcloak - poked his head up close to Hermione's ear. He took a look around, to make sure no-one was watching, then muttered lowly so only Hermione could hear.

"It's the castle ... from your dream. The one with the spangled ring!"

"Yes, I know!" Hermione hushed back. "Oh Pap! We must be in the right place then! It feels like it's all coming together."

"Serendipity," Pap whispered to her. "Dust has led us here ... now it's up to us to find out what to do next."

"I already know what I have to do ... and I think it's already started."

Hermione chanced a shy smile at the back of Harry's head. He was sat so close to her in the boat that she could feel the rhythm of his breathing against the rocking of the tide. For some reason, Hermione found the motion insanely comforting. She didn't understand it, but she wasn't insensible to what it probably meant.

Was this what it felt like ... when you started to fall in love?

Right then, Hermione would have bet the fate of all the worlds that it was. And she was just loving the sensation.

The boats suddenly banged against the other shore of the lake. Hagrid led them up a steep, winding stone staircase to a huge oak door, which he knocked on three times. The door opened, and Minerva McGonagall appeared, framed against flickering torchlight from somewhere behind her. She smiled at Harry as she caught his eye, and at the girl impossibly close at his shoulder.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I shall take them from here."