Introducing Hermione

I am really excited. Today is the day I start at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I suppose you have realised there is something different about me just from the name of my new school. Yes I am a witch and no I am not crazy, I am just different.

I don't know when I first realised this. I have been different for as long as I can remember. I never fit in at primary school. The other kids just wanted to run around causing trouble and never cared about their schoolwork, whereas I preferred reading and always wanted to learn more about everything. A lot of people write me off as just a bookworm. This annoys me as I am much more than that and shouldn't be defined by just one characteristic. However the other kids at school didn't agree with me so often bullied me.

There were also strange occurrences that sometimes happened around me, for example the time lots of fireworks went off when I was really happy for getting all As in my school report. The teachers were very angry about that and kept talking about what a health and safety hazard it was having fireworks go off in the classroom. However they couldn't prove who set off the fireworks or even where they came from.

A few months ago a lady called Professor McGonagall visited my home and explained to me these strange occurrences were magic and that there was a special school for people like me who had the ability to use magic. My Dad was upset that I would be going to a boarding school, where he wouldn't be able to see me for long periods of time but eventually decided to be excited for me because I had the opportunity to learn at such a prestidous school.

Anyway back on topic, today I start at Hogwarts. I will finally be with my own kind; people who understand what it is like to have magic. I woke up at 6 o'clock this morning because I was so excited. When we visited Diagon Alley, an amazing, magical shopping area I picked up lot of extra books about the magical world so I wouldn't feel left out. The books were fascinating I can't wait to experience this world myself. I have already read all the course books of course, Mum said she was sure it wouldn't be necessary but I like to be prepared. I think transfiguration (turning one object into other) look very difficult but also interesting. I am also looking forward to potions, which look a bit like a mixture of cooking and chemistry, and defence against the dark arts. It will be nice to learn some new ways of defending myself if others decide to pick on me again.

I packed my suitcase (or trunk as magical people call it) last night but have still opened it three times this morning to check that I have all my books and other school things. Dad joked that they won't be able to get the suitcase, I mean trunk (I must remember to use the words the magical world does) off the floor let alone down the stairs with all the books I have packed inside it. Mum just complained that she didn't see why we couldn't use one of the normal suitcases with wheels from the attic as it would much easier to move. Luckily Dad thought it would be best if I used a magical trunk like everyone else so I didn't stick out. He didn't want to give anyone an excuse to pick on me for being different.

I was brought from my thoughts by a knock at my bedroom door and a voice telling me it was time to go. My parents entered my room and between them managed to drag my luggage to the stairs and somehow manoeuvred it down them. I quickly scrambled around my room checking under the bed and in the wardrobe that I hadn't forgotten anything. I then grabbed my jacket and my backpack containing my lunch, a book for reading on the train and some silver coins (sickles) to buy some sweets on the train. As I was leaving my room I said a sad goodbye. I wouldn't be back until Christmas and closed the door. I went downstairs and met my parents who had got the trunk into the car. Dad leaned on the wall and asked me if I would be able to leave my luggage at school every summer. Apparently he thought he had strained his back and wouldn't be going through that torture every year. When I told him there would probably be more books next year he looked at me as if I was crazy and muttered something about finding me a new hobby.

We finally managed to persuade him to stop leaning on the wall and all left the house and got into the car. Dad asked if I was ready and the pulled out of the driveway. I waved goodbye to my home and looked out of the car window at the familiar sights of my home town. As I began to see less familiar sights I felt tears running down my face. My Dad noticed quickly and pulled the car into the first place he saw. He turned around in his seat and assured me I didn't have to go to this new school hundreds of miles away and he was pretty sure I could get into any local school I wanted with my test scores. I told him I did want to go and learn magic and meet lots of friends at Hogwarts but was just nervous. What if I didn't like it there or what if I didn't make any friends. He gave a small laugh and told me it was perfectly normal to be nervous and if I hated the school that much I could come back home. I felt better after that and gave him a watery smile while wiping my eyes. He looked at me and asked if I was ready to go. I nodded so he restarted the car and we continued to Kings Cross Station.