Harry found himself seated alone in his compartment bar his wheezes as he leaned on some of his new schoolbooks. His massive and heavy trunk shoved half-heartedly under his bench. His slight frame, exacerbated by his below-average height for his age, thwarted his efforts to lift the Harry-weighing trunk into the luggage rack. He'd resigned himself to the situation and reached for the topmost book from the stack, the tome probably being thicker than his chest.

Harry hadn't passed many people as he boarded the train, passengers were sparse, consisting mainly of a few snoozing older students whom he had followed through the barrier and the train staff who smiled at him as they walked by.

Aware of his early arrival, Harry struggled to think of anything else to occupy his time. His relatives had all but abandoned him outside the station, leaving him with only his Hogwarts supplies and a money bag filled with Wizarding gold. At least the attention-grabbing nature of his ragged hand-me-downs from his overweight cousin Dudley and the angry squawks from an irritated Hedwig hadn't had many observers.

He seemed to have been lucky seven o'clock in the morning at Kings Cross, when he spotted a pair of tall teens pushing trolleys like his own between the signs for Rail Nine and Ten. They vanished into the wall, prompting Harry to take note of the location and skillfully follow in their wake, utilizing the inconspicuous techniques he had honed living with the Dursleys.

Arriving in his compartment, Harry's stomach ached in hunger. The numerous non-magical food stands he had passed upon entering teased him, but his lack money prevented him from buying anything.

Starvation gnawed at him, a consequence of the Dursleys' refusal to feed the supposed "freak" blamed for a mess. A mess that Dudley had been all too happy to blame on his cousin.

An hour passed quietly since Harry selected his compartment when a knock on the door interrupted his reading of "Hogwarts, a History." Glancing up, he acknowledged the sound, fully aware that there was still an hour before the Hogwarts Express was scheduled to depart.

Clearing his throat with a hoarse voice, Harry invited the visitor in, saying, "Come in."

The door glided open with a gentle swoosh, revealing a Mediterranean girl who stood a head taller than Harry. Her chocolate brown eyes swept across the compartment, settling on its lone occupant with a gaze that was both sharp and demanding.

"Mind if I sit here with you? You're the only one I've met around my age group on the train," she inquired, her focus unwavering.

Unable to summon the courage to do anything else, Harry merely shook his head, retreating further into the corner. The book in his lap was abandoned as he watched the new girl with a wariness that lingered.

The girl, possessed bushy brown hair that cascaded down her back. Her Hogwarts uniform looked impeccable, a stark contrast to his 'sufficient-enough' cast-offs, intensifying his self-consciousness. Faded and riddled with holes, his clothes were a testament to neglect. Despite his battles with his ink-black hair, it stubbornly refused to stay flat.

"Hi, my name is Hermione Granger. What's yours?" Her brown eyes locked onto his, a spark passing between them—a connection her mother had once explained as the signal of finding one's Rock.

(Flashback)

She had just turned eleven when her mother, Emma Granger, had sat her down shortly after her father's passing. Emma's tone was gentle, but her eyes scrutinized every contour of Hermione's face. "Hermione, my love, you're becoming a big girl now. You've just had your first period, so I need to explain what runs in the women's bloodline."

"I'm sure you've noticed that you're more detached and knowledgeable compared to other kids your age. That you don't feel sympathy for anyone else but close family, right?" Emma continued.

Hermione remained silent but nodded, her focus fixed on her mother remembering that the first time she'd ever cried had been after his funeral. Emma brushed own her curly brown locks behind her ear before continuing.

"We don't naturally have what others call their moral compass. Someone could die right in front of us, and we wouldn't flinch, we are … incomplete. But we always have someone out there who will complete us. They are what my mother called our Rock. They will act as our moral compass in our stead. You'll know when you meet your Rock, your mate, by feeling a magical spark of overwhelming affection and concern for this person, the first and only time this will happen. You'll feel as if you're willing to do anything for them to keep them safe and happy. In turn they will feel protected by you."

Emma smiled down at her daughter. "Your father was my Rock, my mate, and soon I hope you will find yours. When you find your Rock, stay with them and protect them, because if they die, then life will have little meaning."

The elder Granger brought her daughter in for a stiff hug. "Our family is old, Hermione. We are of the Dagworth-Granger family. And with age comes strength, our magic is strong. It will instinctively reach out and comfort our mate. We will always protect our perfect match and could never harm them. Even though I haven't been a part of the magical world since I was a child, trust in our bond, Hermione. It will always guide you to your perfect match."

(Flashback ends)

She scrutinized his face, committing every plane and contour to memory. His appearance struck her—thin and smaller than he should be for his age with no baby fat anywhere on his face.

Feeling the overwhelming concern her mother had described, Hermione focused on his broken glasses something she knew how to fix. Before he could respond, she swiftly drew her wand and pointed it at his damaged frames. Harry flinched at the motion eyes fixed on the tip of her wand. Her eyebrow raised before she cast the spell. "Reparo." Harry closed his eyes and backed pointlessly into the plush of the bench.

With a snap, the cracked lenses sealed, and the tape holding them together vanished into her wand.

Reacting to his response, Hermione sensed someone had harmed him before. Suppressing the rage the thought stirred, she acknowledged it wasn't his fault, yet recognized it as something needing attention.

Harry having felt nothing tentatively opened his eyes slowly at first before they went wide and removed his now unbroken glasses with a disbelieving hand. They looked pristine, the cracks from Dudley's actions seemingly erased, looking better than he had ever seen them.

"T-thank you." He stuttered "My name is Harry Potter," he introduced himself even as he expected those piercing eyes to dart under his scraggly fringe in search of his scar, but unlike wizards and witches from Diagon Alley, Hermione's eyes remained fixed on his even as she shifted to sit beside him eyes turning predatory as she unconsciously boxed him in.

He was hers, she decided, as her father had been her mothers. She studied the fear that lay in Harry's eyes; his life had been tough, evident in his wariness of touch and reactions to sudden sounds, like those of a cornered animal. Impulsively Hermione pulled him into a hug.

Expecting pain, Harry stiffened until Hermione's magic instinctively soothed him.

As minutes passed, Harry slowly relaxed in her embrace, finding comfort rather than pain. Ignoring the train's departure jerk, Hermione focused on her once again distressed Harry.

The sudden movement of the cabin caused Harry to tense in Hermione's arms. Sensing his unease, Hermione considered something to calm her Bonded. She began singing a lullaby her mother used to sing to her, a familiar melody for comfort. As the song ended, she felt Harry's relaxation. Though still somewhat tense, he no longer had the air of a cornered animal, now staring at her in wonder.

"Better?" Hermione inquired.

Harry nodded, reluctant to break the embrace she'd initiated.

"The place that you lived in didn't feel like home to you?" Hermione whispered softly into his ear. Harry's response, low and rough, was almost imperceptible, audible only because of their close embrace.

"No. That place was never my home." Unbeknownst to them, in the highlands of Scotland, as those words left Harry's lips, a mysterious event unfolded.

Beneath the portraits of prior Hogwarts Headmasters, corroded and sparking silver trinkets finally caught fire and exploded, causing widespread destruction in the office. A phoenix nearby flamed out, and the portrait inhabitants fled to others. The absent headmaster would be oblivious to the office's ruin until well into that evening.

As the buildings of London slowly gave way to the rolling fields of rural England, Harry continued to slowly relax in Hermione's embrace. For the first time, someone's touch didn't bring him pain.

He felt an unparalleled sense of safety enveloped in this girl's arms, as if nothing could harm him. The scent of vanilla and old books emanating from her bushy hair wafted around him, a calming scent.

The quiet peace was flattened by the sudden slam of the compartment door. Harry jolted in shock and pushed himself back into the corner Hermione had coaxed him out of, drawing his knees up to his chest and tucking his head down.

Hermione's face stiffened as she fought to keep a ferocious scowl off her face to not worry her Rock. She shifted closer to him, determined to maintain their connection and cuddle time.

Harry observed the newcomer with caution. The lanky person entering the compartment practically towered over him, boasting wild untamed, bright red hair that seemed to defy any attempts at grooming. Freckles adorned a nose smeared with dirt, and the second-hand robes he wore were stained, with what smelt like strawberry jam.

"I can't find any other compartments with seats, and I don't want to sit with my brothers." The lanky redheads' words were disrupted by a sudden low boom and raucous laughter from further up the train, he cast a wary glance in that direction, a hint of fear in his expression. "Can I sit here?" He all but pleaded.

"N-" Harry began, but the relieved redhead cut him off with a grateful "Thanks," and promptly thumped down on the bench across from Harry and Hermione.

Hermione scowled at the oblivious newcomer, skillfully tempering her rising anger. He had interrupted her mate before he could voice his refusal, a situation she had to handle with care. It wouldn't do for a child to be tossed out the train window without a valid reason, and cutting off her mate was not a justifiable cause. Nevertheless, he was rapidly exhausting her patience, and she had already formed a dislike for him.

"My name is Ron," the lanky kid grinned before he caught sight of the untidy black hair that concealed the other boy's face.

He gasped excitedly and exclaimed, "You're Harry Potter! Do you remember that night?" Ron leaned in, attempting to get a better look. Harry, wide-eyed with fear, recoiled back the corner away from the approaching redhead. His breathing quickened, and his vision started to fade before a field of bushy brown hair clouded his sight, accompanied by the sweet aroma of vanilla.

Hermione positioned herself between the approaching redhead and the cowering black-haired boy. "Leave. Now," she growled. Her Rock was panicking, and it was clear the redhead was unwelcome.

"But I wanted to know if he remembers the night he defeated You-Know-Who."

"Of course, he wouldn't remember! I said LEAVE!" With that command, her hair crackled with suppressed power, standing on end. She threw her hand out, and a surge of energy flung the redhead into the opposite wall before slamming the door shut.

Turning to the shivering dark-haired boy, she drew him closer, enveloping him in a warm hug. Gently rubbing his back, she felt satisfaction as he started to relax; the source of his stress dealt with.

'What if he doesn't like me after I did something like that to someone else?'

Her thoughts persisted along that line until she felt something wet on her neck and heard him sniff.

Without hesitation, she instinctively shifted, finding herself sitting in his lap, almost straddling him with her knees on either side. She brought his head down and cradled it against her chest, disregarding any concerns about it might imply, effectively pressing his face into her small breasts. He was her mate, and only he was allowed to see or touch them; no other boy would.

The repeated stresses proved to much for Harry as he began to softly sob into her blouse. She didn't need him to say it, no one had ever stood up for him before.

She hummed the song she'd sung earlier, her hands moved slowly up and down his back. The seat's back made it somewhat awkward, so she settled for wrapping her arms tightly around him.

Long minutes passed with only the sounds of the clicking and clacking of the wheels on the track, Harry's sobs, and Hermione's gentle shushing filling the carriage.

Suddenly, a knock echoed from the door. Hermione couldn't suppress the growl that escaped her, startling Harry. 'Why can't people leave them alone? They were interrupting her Bonded time.'

After the knocking persisted, Hermione sighed. If she ignored the door, they wouldn't be left alone. Reluctantly, she called out for whoever was on the other side to come in.

An older redhead dressed far more smartly than the last entered after the invitation. Hermione noted his similarity to the younger boy who had been forcefully ejected.

"I'm Percy, a prefect for the School."

He scrutinized the two young children critically before continuing.

Harry had gone silent upon the young mans' entrance, pressing himself further into Hermione's embrace without realizing it. His fearful eyes remained fixed on the observant prefect who himself was uncomfortable with the effect his presence had.

Percy's seconds long silence prompted Hermione to speak up

"Was there something you needed? I'm in the middle of comforting someone who has just had a rather decidedly negative encounter with a redheaded oaf who couldn't keep his mouth shut, and promptly wore out the welcome he wasn't granted to begin with."

The current redhead nodded to himself before speaking.

"The redhead wouldn't be named Ron, would it? What did he ask that upset your friend so badly?"

Hermione gave Harry a comforting squeeze before answering the older student.

"Your brother plonked himself on the bench directly after asking if he could enter the cabin and before we could even think of replying. He then decided after seeing the only physical reminder of Halloween that he was going to demand if Harry remembered the day that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named had murdered his parents. After that, he proceeded to invade Harry's personal space until he had a panic attack. So I threw him out."

Percy raised an eyebrow as he gauged her statement.

"That is not what others have said." he commented evenly.

Hermione just shrugged. "I have no reason to lie."

Percy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Very well, I am aware Ronald can be oblivious at times, however that does not give you reason to assault him nor anyone else, physically or magically, with or without a wand for any reason."

Hermione's demeanor didn't change at all. She didn't see what she did wrong, she had simply responded to something upsetting her mate.

"I did it magically. But it was only after he refused to leave and upset Harry. He doesn't like strangers especially loud ones who get close and demand answers about his dead parents. My magic flared due to my emotions and bodily threw him out."

Percy sighed deeply again. "And the reason you did not ask him to leave before things escalated this far would be?"

"He wasn't listening to anything we said and we couldn't get a word in edgewise."

The redhead nodded, that sounded like Ron.

"I can understand the frustration, and given this was accidental magic you will not be disciplined this time. However, I do not want to hear about this in future, Hogwarts does not permit fights or duel's between it's students and those who do so will face severe punishment. This is an esteemed institute of learning, not a pub after a Quiditch game. Am I understood young Lady?"

Hermione frowned angrily "He started it."

Percy's voice hardened slightly . "That is not relevant, you escalated it to force, in future if there is a problem find a member of staff or a prefect."

His voice softened as he turned his attention to Harry. "I have reprimanded Ronald for his actions. Although I would ask you to forgive him as he did not intend any harm."

Harry stared unblinkingly at the older prefect and shuddered a tiny nod. Hermione felt the shudders and stared back at Percy.

"Don't talk to him."

The prefect frowned, but decided better of arguing with the obstinate girl.

"We have several hours left before we reach Hogsmede. Ronald will leave you alone for the rest of the trip and I will inform your heads of house of what has occurred after the feast. Please enjoy the rest of the trip and I would suggest getting something from the lunch cart, it should be by soon.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at the older Weasley, while Harry watched him warily from her embrace. Percy nodded to them both before turning and leaving the compartment, softly closing the door behind him, leaving the two alone once more.

Once the door closed she focused her attention back on Her Harry. His face was still buried in her chest.

While rocking her black-haired Mate, Hermione began to search for something to distract him from his emotions through her rocking did a good job calming him.

Suddenly she had a thought as she saw that the sun had slipped higher in the sky.

"Hey, Harry?" She waited until he glanced up from her embrace before she continued.

"What Hogwarts House do you want to be in?"

Harry's eyebrows scrunched together as he thought about the question. Minutes passed before Harry spoke.

"Once the door closed, she redirected her attention to Her Bonded, his face still buried in her chest. While rocking her black-haired Rock, Hermione sought something to distract him as her rhythmic rocking effectively calmed his emotions.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her as she noticed the sun climbing higher in the sky.

"Hey, Harry?" She waited until he glanced up from her embrace before continuing. "What Hogwarts House do you want to be in?"

Harry's eyebrows furrowed as he pondered the question. Minutes passed before he spoke.

"I think I would fit best in Hufflepuff. I don't think I am smart enough for Ravenclaw, not cunning enough for Slytherin, nor brave enough for Gryffindor. I am terrified of being alone."

Hermione tightened her arms around her Rock, one arm holding him close while the other soothingly rubbed his back.

"You won't ever be alone, Harry. Where you go, I will follow. I will make sure the sorting considers your desire. If you want to go into Hufflepuff, then I will try my best to get into Hufflepuff and save you a seat. You are mine, Harry. Just like I am yours." Hermione pressed her forehead onto Harry's and looked into his eyes. Her hands continued to gently rub his back.

"I will follow you into the ends of the Earth, Harry. You are my Rock, the one who keeps me sane. If you wish to rule the world as a Dark Lord, then I will be your Dark Lady."

Harry's eyes widened at her statement. "D-dark Lord-d, oh no, no, not for me."

"It's a figure of speech Harry, don't worry about it." She reassured him with her lies, but she meant every word, if he wanted to burn the world, she'd douse it in petrol for him.

Slowly, Hermione leaned back and held Harry close. His head rested on her breasts, but she didn't care. Harry could touch her wherever he wanted. She was his in all the ways that mattered.

As the sun ascended to its highest point in the sky, there was a gentle knock on the door. Without moving her Bonded from his position, she called out for the person to come in.

The door opened smoothly, revealing an older lady pushing a snack cart.

"Anything I could get you, dearie?" Her lined face wore a happy and kind expression.

"Do you only serve snacks, or do you have lunch items too?"

She needed to get him to eat. He was too thin and small, barely having any muscle, likely a result of starvation from his relatives. She forced down her rage at those monsters. It wouldn't help her right now. She could deal with that situation later by sending her mother a letter containing any information she could gather from her Rock.

"I sell both, dearie," the old woman said, handing her a menu. Hermione glanced down at the young boy sitting comfortably in her arms before coming to a decision.

"Can I have two plates of Macaroni and two slices of treacle tart, please."

He probably wasn't used to eating heavy foods. It wouldn't do for her Rock to get sick, after all. The sugars, grains, and cheese would do wonders to raise Harry's blood sugar.

The old lady smoothly and quietly brought out the requested dishes and with a practised wave of her wand removed the stasis charms that kept the food hot. She then placed them on the compartment's small wall-mounted folding table.

Afterward, she asked whether the young couple wanted something to drink. Hermione glanced down at Harry as he avoided looking at the food.

"Do you have lemonade?"

The lady didn't answer verbally. Instead, she grabbed two glasses and filled them from one of the pitchers on the side of the cart.

After handing the drinks to the young children, she smiled and left after Hermione paid the bill.

The young Dagworth-Granger Heiress took a fork, placed it on Harry's plate before grabbing one for herself, and started eating.

When Hermione realized that Harry wasn't eating, she had an idea of what the problem was.

"Harry, that food is for you. It is yours. I will not allow anyone to take your food from you anymore."

Harry glanced between Hermione and the food before nervously starting to eat. The young brunette couldn't help but smile at him before continuing her own meal.

'How dare those worthless sacks of flesh do that to my Bonded. Never again shall I allow you to suffer if I can help it. Even if I must bathe the world in blood to keep you safe.'

I know I posted this once before. I finally got a pair of editors to help me out. I am about halfway through writing up chapter two of this story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

BETA'd by Grim T Reaper & Verbus