Chapter Text
Growing up Hermione always found herself on the outskirts at school. She even felt distanced from her own parents, though she could never understand why. At school, her peers tried to avoid her, even without cause. She was set to work by herself even when given supposedly group assignments and her parents tended to work more often as the years progressed leaving Hermione on her own. They even went as far as opening their own dental practice. Eventually, Hermione confronted both her teachers and her parents but to her surprise, they both gave the exact same response. They looked down at her but refused to meet her eyes and as if rehearsed they said
"We just got the feeling that you would prefer to be left alone"
Before she could even respond to either statement her elders walked off as if that was the end of the conversation. Every time she attempted to talk to them again she got the same response.
Without friends or family to spend time with she spent more time reading and learning. In the pages of books, she found herself in worlds where magic was real and heroes went on fascinating journeys, and she couldn't help but wonder if she could go on her own adventure one day.
Hermione had just finished her primary school exams when a pecking sound alerted her to an owl sat staring at her from the window. Its eyes watched her as she moved about the room with its smooth brown feathers lay perfectly along its body. Her parents were supposed to be home in a few minutes so after a brief moment of hesitation, Hermione sat up from her seat in her bedroom and opened the window. She expected the owl to eagerly fly in and start flying in circles around her room trashing the piles of books she had littered everywhere around her room, easily filling the space as her bookshelf had been filled to the brim years ago. Instead, it started at her with large golden eyes as if appraising her worth. Hermione was transfixed on the owl's eyes that she didn't realise it had changed its stance to hold out a leg until it let out a hoot while moving its eyes to look at its leg. As if the trance she was under was broken she gingerly approached the owl before slowly reaching for the paper that was attached to the leg. Keeping one eye on the owl's golden orbs she fiddled with the string keeping it place until evidently, the bird had enough of its leg being jostled about that it sharply pecked on the girl's hand. Shocked at the sudden attack she pulled her arm back, cradling her hand with her other arm before confronting the bird who was in the process of removing the letter itself.
"What was that for you overgrown chicken!"
Shocked by her own words both her arms shot to her mouth, covering it while her eyes shot open. The owl, clearly surprised by her outburst stopped removing the letter and tilted its head back so that it was looking down towards the girl. Hermione seeing an intelligence behind the golden orbs quickly apologised before the owl could do anything else.
"I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap like that, I just wasn't expecting you to peck me"
The owl stared at her for a few moments more but only stopped when the girl could no longer meet its gaze. Satisfied that the girl had learnt some manners, the owl quickly removed the paper from its own leg and placed it down on the desk it was standing on. Hermione started moving towards the letter when those eyes stared at her once again and she found herself rooted to the spot. When Hermione looked down again the owl hopped back towards the window it had entered from. With a final hoot, it flew off and Hermione found herself running to the window in order to follow its direction, however, the bird was nowhere to be seen. Resigned to not being able to find it she sat down at her desk and looked at the small letter sat there. As her eyes travelled the sheet down her eyes again opened wide at what the letter was implying.
Dear Miss Granger.
My name is Professor McGonagall and I am writing this letter to announce your acceptance into Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. As you are muggle born I will be seeing you shortly as to prepare you for the years to come. Including:
- Opening an account at Gringotts bank.
- Purchasing school supplies, such as books and robes.
- Describing the wizarding world and to answer any and all questions you or your guardians might have.
- Lastly finding out what dynamic you will represent.
The last will make more sense on the day. I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely Professor McGonagall.
After re-reading the letter again she came to the conclusion that it was an obvious prank. Well apart from she had no idea who would have sent it, or how they trained a pompous owl to deliver it, or what this person would gain as they couldn't see her reaction. Sighing she put the letter back down on her desk and retrieved a book from a pile, seemingly at random. A small grin appeared on her face as she once again found herself in a story of witches and wizards. Looking back at the letter sat firmly on the table she sighed and started reading, thinking that maybe she could escape back into her fantasy world a little while longer.
Several weeks had passed since the letter arrived and there had been no sign of any professors coming to visit. Seeing as she had nothing else to do with her day Hermione did what she normally did in times like this. She picked a random spot on the floor and grabbed the nearest book.
Before she could open the cover, however, or even get a look at the title a solid knock echoed around her room. Surprise was the first thing that came to her mind 'Huh, my parents normally leave me alone' she thought as she stood up and walked towards the door. Opening it revealed her father who just looked stood there unsure of himself. An awkward air settled around them as neither seemed to know how to talk to one another. Disliking the silence that built up Hermione took the leap and spoke first.
"Erm, is there anything I can help you with dad?"
It had been so long since she had a normal conversation with her parents she had no idea what she was supposed to say, or how to act around them. However, it seemed her words had broken through to him as he shook his head and spoke as if she were one of his patients instead of his daughter.
"Yes. There is a Professor McGonagall here to see you. Apparently, you have been enrolled in a private secondary school located in Scotland. She claims that you have been made aware of this and are expecting her."
As he finished he seemed to realize what he had just said and quickly questioned her.
"Hold up."
He said now staring down at his daughter.
"Why did you enroll in a school in Scotland without telling us?"
His question was a fair one but his tone was less concerned and more hurt. Once again unsure of how to respond Hermione just stood there, her mouth miming a goldfish as she tried several times to form an answer. However, before the words could leave her lips a new voice called from the bottom of the stairs in an accent that was heavily Scottish.
"I believe I can answer that Mr. Granger. If you would both join me and Mrs Granger in the dining room I will be able to explain everything."
Both father and daughter looked down towards the stairs before looking back at one another. Still unable to speak Hermione just nodded her head towards the stairs and her father mimicked the action before heading off in that direction. With little else to do Hermione followed her father down the stairs and into the dining room.
Once she entered she suddenly felt calmer than she had done for the longest time, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As she did so through her sense of smell was overwhelmed by what it felt. All at once she felt calm, protected and safe but her rational mind could not understand why she suddenly felt this way until a sudden cough startled her. Looking up at the source she saw an elder woman with light brown hair with streaks of grey running through the length, but more eye-catching was the woman's attire. It screamed wicked witch from a Halloween party. She was wearing a tall pointing hat with a wide base and wore robes of a deep black colouration. Looking past the women she even saw a broom stood next to the wall. Her first thought was that the woman was just extremely fascinated with the holiday but the second thought that ran through her mind left her confused and a little worried. All she wanted to do upon seeing the woman was to run to her and nestle her head into the older woman's neck.
The next second and the same thoughts that suddenly appeared in her vanished and she suddenly noticed the three other occupants staring at her. Before she could ask what was going on the elder woman spoke in a calming voice.
"Miss Granger. I hope you don't mind but I used a spell to lessen the impact my pheromones are having on you. It must be overwhelming what you are feeling."
Before she could think better of it she decided to just ask the questions that had been filling her mind since she first got the letter, which at first she assumed had been a prank.
"What am I feeling? What is Hogwarts? Is this a joke? What is Gringotts? Is magic actually real? And why does everyone ignore me!"
The last question tumbled out of her lips before she could stop it and upon realising what she had done her hands once again moved to cover her mouth while her eyes darted back and forth, from one parent to the other.
"Hermione. We never..."
Her mother began before the eldest member of the room raised a single hand in a clear move to stop what was about to be said.
"In my letter, I did say that I would answer all your questions and I will, of course, keep to my word. So in the order, you asked: You are feeling safe in my presence among other things of a similar nature due to my dynamic and the pheromones I naturally produce. Hogwarts, as the full name suggests, is a school which teaches young wizards and witches how to control their magic and enhance their knowledge. This is no joke. Gringotts is a bank in the wizarding world run by goblins. In the U.K almost every wizard or magical family has an account with them. They are also important for our muggle-born students as they often need a method of exchanging currency between magical and muggle, and Gringotts is the only location in the U.K to do so. Magic is real. And to answer your last question, it is because you are a witch. To explain further all witches and wizards emit pheromones. All of which can be enhanced depending on the situation. Different dynamics emit pheromones which cause different reactions in those around them. Once I determine your own I will explain in more detail. As to why that is relevant to your question. Muggles have no way of interpreting those pheromones. Their bodies are not designed to do so, and as a result they try to distance themselves. Usually without even realising they are doing so."
The older women sat there with a calm and almost emotionless filled face as she answered all of Hermione's initial questions, but that just seemed to lead to even more questions and her mind was beginning to lose focus so she asked the simplest question she could that would prove if the strange women was indeed telling the truth. Without realising her parents had been conversing with the women trying to get her to answer their own questions, she spoke in an as calm tone as she was able.
"Prove it."
Suddenly 3 pairs of eyes looked towards her and while her parents showed their shock and confusion clearly on their faces the older women only had a slight smirk. Easily understanding what she was being asked to do.
"Gladly"
That was all she said before standing up and jumping towards her. Shocked gasps came from her parents but Hermione's response was to close her eyes and to hold out both her arms to hold the woman away. A few seconds past and confused Hermione opened an eye and looked forward. She was shocked that the older woman who had just jumped towards her was nowhere to be seen. She began frantically looking back and forth across the room but stopped when she felt fur rub against her hands. Yanking them away and looking down she saw a tabby cat just sat on the table looking towards her. Looking down at the feline only one answer came to her mind.
"Professor McGonagall?"
When she would look back at her first encounter with magic she would realise that that was not the most elegant question to ask, but in the present, it seemed the only question that made sense. The cat seemingly happy with the stunned silence from the other two people in the room jumped back of the table in the opposite direction as it had initially jumped on, and fascinated and not wanting to miss this again Hermione stood wide-eyed and the cat morphed back into the elderly women. The smirk on her lip had returned and she decided it was her turn to talk again.
"As you can see Miss Granger, magic is real. Oh and before you ask, yes you will be taught the theory behind what I just performed, but unfortunately, my time is running short so I will have to hurry along the next portion of this meeting."
Reaching into a pocket in her robes she brought out several tiny books that looked as though a magnifying glass would be needed to read them and placed them on top of the table. Before Hermione could ask, the older women brought out a previously hidden wand and waved it over the books. All of a sudden those same tiny books grew back to a size which dwarfed all of her normal books and all the Grangers could do was stare on in silence as the Professor looked back towards Hermione.
"I have been informed that you enjoy learning and spend most of your time reading. Is that correct?"
"How?"
"When my owl delivered your initial letter they informed me of the state of your room, and under my instruction, they watched over you."
"You had the owl spy on me?!"
She asked her voice rising in concern. Another faint grin briefly appeared on the older woman's face before she replaced her mask.
"Well after you verbally lashed out towards my normally well-mannered owl I had to make sure you were not a danger to yourself or others. We have less information on Muggle-born students and I was making sure everyone was safe" Upon hearing that the elder women heard about her spat with the bird, probably by the damn bird itself her cheeks turn red from embarrassment and she shyly looked towards her feet as she reached for the books. She mumbled an almost silent
"Sorry"
before she even dared to look back at the women. When she was sure the younger girl was looking again she finished.
"You should read these books over the next couple of weeks. They will answer all your questions. I would recommend 'Hogwarts a history' as one of the first you read as you will be spending a large amount of your time there. However, THE most important book is 'Alpha/Beta/Omega. The muggle-born guide to the dynamics'."
Curiosity filled Hermione and she decided it would be best to ask before reading the book in front of her.
"Erm Professor. Could you quickly explain what this means?"
The old professor looked at her for a second before casting a quick spell. A brief moment passed when it appeared as though she was staring a nothing when she looked back towards the now sheepish Hermione.
"I have a little time remaining before my next appointment so I can cover the basics quickly before I determine which dynamic you will be. Any other questions can wait until you have read the books I have provided and I collect you for your trip to Diagon Ally for both Gringotts and shopping for supplies."
Seeing the nod from the young witch the Professor continued.
"In our society alphas are in the majority of leading positions. They are generally more dominant, possessive of what they see as theirs, and seek to lead and control. Now not all alphas are as extreme as others but those are the main traits, and they have been in control for as far back as we have recorded history. They also go into what is called a rut. Similar to some animals, their desire to claim a mate during these times increases drastically, they also become more aggressive during these periods"
Both parents both suddenly stared at the women but she merely held out her palm so that she could continue speaking.
"Betas are the middle ground. They don't seek to control but they look towards the dominant alpha for guidance. They are solid and reliable and rarely seek their own endeavours, often more likely to find an alpha with similar goals who they can follow. Unlike alphas and omegas, betas do not have a specific seasonal reproductive cycle. And lastly, omegas like myself are generally seen as subservient to an alpha. Many, in particular, pure blooded omegas, are promised at a young age to an alpha of another house to be their mate. Or as you would call them 'wife/husband' and to give birth to their 'pups/children'. As time has progressed through many more omegas are rejecting that life, our own nature hinders that."
A sad look briefly flashed across the normally stoic appearance of the elder witch, but as quick as it came, her expression schooled itself back to a mask of indifference.
"Just remember that no matter what dynamic you are, it won't limit what you are taught and every student at Hogwarts is monitored for when their cycle begins so that preventative measures can be taken to ensure that no matings occur between underage students without express permission from teachers or exceptional circumstances."
Hermione sat down to absorb the sudden influx of information while starting straight towards the information dump, before glancing at the books sat currently in her lap. Before she could voice one of her numerous questions her mother beat her to it in a surprisingly calm tone she asked.
"So are we to assume that our daughter will either be a beta or an omega? Because the way you phrased mates implied that a man could give birth to a women's children. And I'm pretty sure that is not how pregnancy works"
Before the professor could respond her father shot to his feet and stared intently towards the elder women. With a brief look towards his wife, he began to yell.
"How can you just sit there while this woman is telling us that these people are no better than animals!?"
Shocked into silence by her own father's' reaction she was to focus on him to notice the rage that was clearly evident in the elder women's eyes. With her parents staring at each other no one noticed the wand being drawn or the words use as a spell shot from her wand towards the man.
"Incarcerous"
Suddenly Mr Granger found himself bound to his chair by ropes that appeared to come from thin air as all eyes turned towards the now blank expression of the professor.
"Mr Granger. I will only say this once. Do not insult us by calling us animals. We are indeed more in touch with our primal nature then muggles, however, we are more than beasts driven by nature. Do you understand?"
Only when Mr Granger frantically nodded did she release the conjuration.
"Good, then as I was about to say Mrs Granger I did not say that without cause. Male omegas can give birth to a female alphas pups. Now before you pass out let's quickly test Hermione, I am starting to run late"
Hearing her name shook Hermione out of her current shock as she looked towards the women and gave her a brief nod before looking at her parents. Her mother sat doing a goldfish expression similar to her own earlier in the day while her father appeared to be staring at a blank spot on the wall with his knuckles turning white from where he was gripping his chair. Before she could reach out to him she felt a prick on her finger as the older witch took a sample of her blood and placed it onto a small piece of paper. Forgetting her father, Hermione watched fascinated as the Professor cast a spell over it causing the small drop of blood to change from its normal red colouration to light pink. Looking at the Professor the question was answered before she could even ask.
"If the colour turned black you would be an alpha, as such you don't have to worry about getting anyone pregnant Miss Granger"
Both let out a chuckle at the little joke. The professor because she enjoyed seeing the stunned reactions of the girls' parents, and Hermione because of the pure absurdity of the whole thing.
"If the colour remained red, you would be a Beta."
Both looked down towards the light pink mark.
"And if it turned light pink, then you would be an omega."
Unsure of what else to do she just nodded back towards the women who thankfully gave her the reassurance she needed.
"Don't worry Miss Granger. I will help you every step of the way in Hogwarts, you have nothing to worry about. I shall see you again soon Hermione, look for my owl. You will know it's her"
The wink that the Professor sent her way immediately reminded her of her previous embarrassment and her cheeks again began to resemble a tomato. In her attempt at a recovery, she looked to the older women and attempted to sound calm but only partially succeeded, as she might have fooled her parents, but the professor easily saw through the facade
"Thank you, professor. I look forward to experiencing what the wizarding world has to offer."