Age 6
"Again"
Hermione panted and put her hands on her knees, her head dropped to her chest as she tried to get some air into her chest
"I-I'm tired madam Marie-Rose...can I take a break?" She asked
Her ballet teacher walked up to he, she cupped her chin gently and brushed her thumb against her cheek, like a mother did when her child was upset
"My dear child...how must you take over the world if you need a break?" She asked gently
"Madam Marie-Rose...why do I need to take over the world? What's so special about me?" Hermione asked
"Everything my child, one day you will see the world through different eyes and you will need to be prepared, that is why I push you, I know you can handle it" Madam Marie-Rose told her "I am giving you the tools to show the world that you belong" she whispered
Hermione took a deep breath and and stood up straight, chin up and hands cupped over her abdomen
"That's my beautiful child, again"
Hermione counted down the steps, before she could make the first move the door opened and a lady with black and white hair entered with a boy the same age as Hermione
"Darling go to the other studio" madam Marie-Rose ordered
"But—"
"Now"
Hermione looked towards the new comers, the boy had an eyebrow raised at her and his mother was looking down at her over her nose, Hermione lifted her head and walked towards the second studio
Putting on the song she counted down again and began her dance, during the pirouette the door opened and the boy saw Hermione dancing, he entered and sat crisscross on the floor
The young girl hadn't noticed the boy watching her, he was mesmerized by her movements, Hermione stopped dancing and panted heavily, she gasped when she saw him looking at her
"Can I help you?" She asked timidly
He quickly stood up and cleaned off his robes, the boy blushed and coughed
"Sorry...I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable" he apologized
"You didn't" Hermione smiled
"What's your name?" He asked
"I'm not telling a stranger" Hermione said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him
The boy smiled and laughed softly, he took off his silver ring and handed it to he
"We're friends now, what's your name?"
Before Hermione answered, she took off her flower ring and handed it to him
"It's only fair" she whispered, he smiled brightly and looked at the flower ring
Hermione also smiled, she look down to her palm, the ring glistened under the light, she looked up, extended her hand which he took with much enthusiasm and began to introduce herself
"I'm Her—"
"Sweetheart, come here"
The boy looked over his shoulder, Madam Marie-Rose entered along with his mother, Hermione pulled her hand away and took a step back
"Coming" Hermione said, she walked up to the door
"It was nice meeting you" she smiled and left the room, she walked up to madam Marie-Rose who extended her hand to her, Hermione took it and smiled
"Come on son, we must be off" the other lady said
The boy and his mother left, Hermione looked up to her instructor
"Who are they?" She asked
"No one you should concern yourself with at the moment" Madam Marie-Rose answered "come on darling, let's get you home" she smiled
Hermione nodded, she glanced out the door one last time in hopes of seeing her new friend before her teacher led her to the change room, the cold metal of the ring cold in her palm