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Godric loved when the students returned to school, even now as a portrait. Though unlike the more modern portraits that surrounded him in the Gryffindor common room he could not move or interact with anything outside his portrait, with the exception of the other founders' portraits.
But he still enjoyed watching the new Gryffindors being welcomed into the fold. Godric grinned as he spotted the red hair of yet another Weasley, he couldn't wait to see if this one was as rambunctious as the twins.
Another Longbottom to join, thought this one looked like he'd have to find his courage, he held quite the potential.
Godric waited to see if the Potter boy would find himself among the lions. He had listened to the other portraits gossip about Harry Potter, the boy that lived, the one who vanquished Voldemort, all summer. The dark messy hair that could only belong to a Potter was spotted as the boy gazed around the common room in wonder.
Then Godric saw her, a tiny girl with a head of the most riotous curls he had ever seen. She stood sure of herself as she chatted amongst the first years.
Godric couldn't wait to see how his friends had fared with their newest arrivals.
With the school year underway, the Gryffindor first years were settling in quite well. Though the tiny girl, whom Godric had learned was named Hermione, had yet to find her place. She held a tentative friendship with the Longbottom boy, Neville, he reminded himself, but her dominant personality sometimes overwhelmed the boy.
The other students seemed to be put off by her bookish nature and willingness to share her knowledge, labeling her a know-it-all.
Godric wondered if he may have gotten one of Rowena's as he watched Hermione devour books and retain copious amounts of information. There had to be a reason that she was sorted into his house, he'd have to keep an eye on her.
It was Halloween and his little cub had yet to make friends. Godric was worried as he watched her withdraw more as the weeks passed. He waited for Hermione to return to the common room after classes but didn't see her.
"She wouldn't come out of the bathroom, she's been in there at least half the day." Pavarti told Lavender as they entered the common room. Godric turned his attention to the two girls.
"She probably looks a fright by now. Maybe she'd have more friends if she wasn't such a know it all " Lavender replied thoughtlessly.
"Lavender, Hermione is just trying to fit in. This is all new to her." Pavarti stated as she tried to defend Hermione.
Godric felt his heart drop as the girls' conversation drifted out of his hearing. Still he waited and even after all the students left for the Halloween feast, Hermione did not appear in the common room.
"Stay calm everyone, the teachers are going to take care of the troll." Percy announced as he guided the Gryffindors into the common room.
Godric raised his eyebrows in disbelief. How did a troll get through Hogwarts' wards? He'd have to check in with his fellow founders.
"I need to take a headcount lineup by year!" Percy ordered, ignoring his brothers as they mockingly imitated him.
"Fred, George, where is Ron? Did you see him on the way up? It seems we're missing Harry and Hermione as well." Percy asked nervously, how could he have lost three first years, one was his brother.
Godric froze as he thought of his cubs in danger. Time ticked by slowly and finally the common room opened to reveal the three first years being led by Professor McGonagall.
"Ron, where did you run off to?" Percy asked as he charged over to his youngest brother.
"We couldn't just leave Hermione. She didn't know about the troll." Ron informed Percy, then in a quieter voice, "Besides it was my fault she was in the bathroom to begin with."
Godric scanned over the three and, besides being a bit dirty, they looked fine. He smiled as Hermione joined Harry and Ron by the fireplace. His little cub finally made friends.
Godric followed the trio's adventures closely and felt sick at the danger they found themselves in constantly. Hogwarts was founded to teach the next generation, his lions shouldn't be fighting against a dark lord in place of capable adults.
Though Godric, Rowena, and Helga were still furious that Salazar built a secret chamber. Godric remembered the fear that overcame him when he learned of Hermione's petrification.
He watched Hermione run herself ragged during her third year by taking on more classes than anyone else. He grew concerned when her friends didn't even notice Hermione's excessive workload.
Then the following year, Godric watched as Hermione bloomed into a formidable young woman as she assisted Harry in the Triwizard tournament while still maintaining her friendship with the Bulgarian champion.
When she started a defense club to make up for the lack of practical teaching her fifth year, Godric could see a bit of all the house traits start to shine through.
Godric was incredibly proud of all his Gryffindors, he had a soft spot for Hermione. She was found her spot in Gryffindor and he could see why the Sorting Hat placed her there, even when she could have fit in any of the houses.
Though every year that passed, Godric found that Hermione reminded him of a woman he knew back when he was still alive. Not only for her abundance of curls but her compassion for magical creatures and her hidden vindictive steak.
He was beginning to think that he had mentored an ancestor of Hermione but as a muggleborn tracing her lineage was significantly more difficult.
The end of Hermione's fifth year brought some clarity to him as he overheard the trio talking about their botched rescue mission to the Ministry.
"How are you holding up Hermione?" Harry asked as he sadly looked at his friend. She had told him multiple times they were walking into a trap and still followed him when he didn't believe her. She had nearly died to support him.
"Better, I still have to take multiple potions and Madam Pomfrey doesn't believe the scar will ever fade." Hermione told Harry as she pulled her collar aside to show the vibrant purple of her scar.
Godric froze as his eyes caught sight of the scar. There was no chance that Hermione possessed the same scar as the woman from his past.
That could only mean one thing, Hermione and the woman from his past were the same person. Godric knew then that he would watch over her until the time came for her to travel back in time to a Hogwarts where he was still very much alive.