Through the Sliding Doors... and onto the road not taken. A Harry Potter fan fiction inspired by the movie Sliding Doors.

Chapter One

Prologue

Hermione Granger woke to the sound of the neighbour's lawnmower and knew immediately that it was going to be one of those days. After a horrid night's sleep – thanks to dreams of people she loved falling through the veil – the abrasive sound of a lawnmower was the last thing she wanted to hear upon waking. Glancing at the clock, Hermione sprang out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom to freshen up. Upon catching sight of herself in the mirror, she thought it was definitely going to be one of those days.

After a record-setting speed shower, Hermione donned a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, and trainers. She scraped her curly hair into a ponytail and rushed about her room gathering up her belongings.

I can not believe no one woke me earlier! I knew I should have taken the time to pack last night! I am so behind schedule!

Being late and unprepared was not in Hermione Granger's character. Throwing all of her school books and clothes into her trunk haphazardly, she blamed her parents for scheduling a vacation right before she had to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Grangers knew their only daughter well enough to know that she liked to be prepared. But they decided not to return from their family vacation until the night before Hermione left for school. Hermione knew they meant well, but they really screwed up her schedule.

After she packed everything she would need for the term, Hermione tripped down the stairs to find her half kneazle Crookshanks. Catching sight of the mangy orange beast, Hermione followed him into the kitchen where her parents were having tea.

"Morning dear," Mrs. Granger greeted her frazzled child.

"Morning Mum and Dad," Hermione replied, snatching up a snarling Crookshanks. "I am running way behind schedule. I must be off or I'll never make it to Kings Cross in time to catch the Hogwarts Express."

Placing a kiss on both her mom and dad's cheek while Crookshanks struggled in her arms, Hermione bid them farewell.

"Have a good year, love," Mrs. Granger said sweetly. "Write us as often as you can," Mr. Granger added.

Hermione smiled lovingly at her parents as she wrestled a very unhappy Crookshanks into his carried and shrunk her trunk to fit in her pocket. With Crookshanks' carrier in one hand, she waved to her parents with the other and spun in place to disapparate.

Arriving at the designated apparition point in a secluded corner of Kings Cross Station, Hermione sprinted toward the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. Weaving through the crowded station, she tried to casually lean against the barrier to catch her breath and slipped through unnoticed by the Muggles.

As she went through, a strange whooshing sound echoed in her ears, as if a strong gust of wind was rushing past. It was not a sensation she experienced the numerous times she passed through the barrier. What is going on, Hermione wondered.

Just as the echo in her ears subsided, a tingle ran down her spine, causing goose pimples to pop up on her skin. Mere milliseconds later, Hermione screamed as a crushing pain hit her in the abdomen. Doubling over and nearly dropping Crooks' carrier, Hermione thought she was being split in two.

After what seemed like an eternity, the agonizing pain disappeared. A moment later, Hermione appeared on the Platform, shaken and terrified from the most bizarre experience. Turning to stare back at the barrier in utter confusion, Hermione tried to regain her wits.

That was the strangest thing that I have ever experienced, which says a lot, considering…

The screech of the final whistle for the Hogwarts Express jarred Hermione from her thoughts and all memory of what just happened fled her mind as she realized the train was about to leave. Racing for the nearest entrance onto the train, the carrier containing a very disgruntled ginger fur ball gripped tightly in her hand, Hermione prayed that she would reach it in time.