Long had the days gone by, sitting alone, reading. She sat on the grass below a large maple tree. The summer brought little joy, little restlesness, little of the action she was finally acquainted with. Her friends had taught her much. Now, sitting alone, re-reading her charms essay for the thirteenth time, she began to long for their company. Of course, she was always needing their comfort when she was alone, she knew that. But now, more than ever, she needed it.
Many things had begun to worry Hermione as she sat beneath that maple tree, thinking of her friends. The first worrying thought was, why no one had sent her any owls. The same had happened to Harry the summer before his second year, but that had a reason. That reason was Dobby.
What reason would anyone have for keeping letters from her? She didn't know. She couldn't think of anything. And when she couldn't think of anything, she knew she needed to talk to her friends. They would have thought of something. But now, now no one was with her. Her parents were away on vacation, she was alone at home, all alone. Her sixteenth birthday just passed, her sixth year of Hogwarts coming on, everything was so overwhelming. And she had to be overwhelmed all by herself.
She was constantly thinking over what would happen this coming year at Hogwarts. Would they be fighting Lord Voldemort again? Just like they did every year? She couldn't answer these questions. She just had to think, and hope, that this year, even if Voldemort was stronger than ever, she and her friends would match his strength with theirs. For not only was he growing stronger, but they were also getting braver, stronger and wiser themselves.