Harry x Hermione: It started early

Chapter one

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Chapter 1: A Glimpse of Hope

The primary school's corridors buzzed with youthful energy as students rushed to their classrooms. Amid the throng, Harry moved with a quiet and unassuming presence, his eyes cast downward as if he carried the weight of the world on his small shoulders. His unruly black hair partially veiled his emerald eyes, which held a glimmer of both curiosity and sadness.

At the front of the classroom, Ms. Smith stood with a warm smile, her voice filling the room as she introduced a new student-Hermione. With her chestnut hair pulled back into a neat bun and her eyes sparkling with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Hermione exuded a sense of confidence that drew the curious glances of her classmates.

Within the sea of faces, Hermione's gaze settled on an unoccupied seat beside a boy who seemed to blend into the background. She knew little about him, only that his name was Harry, but there was an unspoken understanding that this was where she belonged.

As Ms. Smith continued her introduction, Hermione's mind wandered to the boy beside her. What stories lay hidden beneath his guarded exterior? What secrets did those emerald eyes hold? Determination burned in Hermione's heart as she made a silent promise to herself-a promise to break through the walls that had been built around him.

When the teacher concluded her remarks, Hermione turned to Harry with a gentle smile, her voice a soft invitation. "Hi, I'm Hermione."

Harry's gaze flickered toward her, a flicker of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes. For a moment, his heart raced, his mind grappling for words that had been locked away for far too long. He managed a small nod in response, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

As the morning lessons began, Hermione couldn't help stealing occasional glances at Harry, her mind filled with a torrent of questions. She observed the way he seemed lost in his own thoughts, his gaze distant and detached from the classroom activities.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the arrival of recess. The classroom erupted into a symphony of laughter and excited chatter as students poured out into the sun-drenched schoolyard. Amid the joyous chaos, Harry found himself drawn to a solitary bench beneath the sheltering embrace of a sprawling oak tree, an island of tranquility amidst the sea of exuberance.

Hermione, however, had other plans. She approached Harry, her lunch bag in hand, and asked softly, "Mind if I join you?"

Harry's surprise was palpable, his gaze shifting from his untouched lunch to Hermione. He blinked, hesitated, and then finally gestured for her to sit, his voice a soft, "Sure."

"Thanks," Hermione replied with a warm smile. She unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite, her eyes fixed on Harry with unwavering curiosity. "You didn't answer my question earlier."

Harry's gaze remained distant, his voice a mere whisper. "Didn't see the point."

The furrow of concern deepened on Hermione's brow. "But I wanted to talk to you."

A flicker of vulnerability flashed across Harry's features, a momentary crack in the walls he had erected around himself. "Nobody wants to talk to me."

Determined to breach his defenses, Hermione met his gaze with unflinching resolve. "Well, I do."

Harry's eyes met hers, searching for any trace of insincerity, any sign that this was just another fleeting interaction. "Why?"

Hermione's voice was gentle but carried an undeniable strength. "Because I believe that everyone deserves a friend, and you don't have to face everything alone."

As the bell rang once again, signaling the end of recess, Hermione gathered her belongings, leaving behind a palpable sense of warmth and connection. Harry watched her retreating figure, his emotions in turmoil. For the first time in ages, a sliver of hope penetrated the fortress of isolation he had constructed around his heart.

In the ensuing days, Harry and Hermione's interactions continued to weave the threads of their connection. They found themselves partnered for class activities, exchanged knowing smiles during lessons, and shared whispered conversations during breaks. Each interaction, no matter how small, began to erode the walls Harry had built, allowing the light of companionship to filter in.

Unbeknownst to Harry, Hermione's kindness and determination had set a series of events into motion beyond the realm of the school. Her parents, moved by her unwavering commitment to helping Harry, initiated conversations with social services to assess his living conditions. Fueled by concern for his well-being, they were determined to provide him with a safe haven, a refuge from the shadows that had cast their long, cold grasp over his life.

As the days unfolded into weeks, the prospect of change weighed heavily on Harry's mind. The echoes of Hermione's friendship reverberated through his thoughts, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that had become all too familiar.

And so, as autumn leaves began to blanket the ground and the world transformed around them, the Granger family's arrival into Harry's life would mark the beginning of a new chapter-one that held the promise of solace, safety, and the potential for connection that had been denied him for far too long.

helenstormeden Tukztruk