Socks, books, papers and other such whatnot flew behind a most agitated Hermione at a most terrific pace as she continued on her quest for her elusive purse. The Grangers were due to leave for the train station quite soon and she'd had yet to finish packing. Yesterday had been a most busy day, with preparations to return to Hogwarts and the 'farewell dinner'. There'd just been so little time to pack. Her trunk lay open at the base of her bed, her belongings hastily thrown in. Crookshanks was situated on the mattress, finding Hermione's checklist a most wonderful spot to plant his bottom on, and was watching his mistress scurry around the room like a busy little mouse.
"MOM! Did you see my purse?" The girl yelled, driven near the brink of hysteria and frustration.
She was slapping her head repeatedly, in a vain attempt to get herself to remember when she'd last seen her purse. Hermione turned, surveying her bedroom for the hundredth time. The mess she beheld would have sent Hermione insane, what with her intense need for order and tidiness and all, but loss of sanity was currently overridden by her determination to find her accursed purse. Books and papers were strewn about the room. Mount Fijis made of clothes were situated at several spots on her bedroom floor. It seemed that she'd looked absolutely everywhere but the purse simply wouldn't let itself be found.
"It should be somewhere on your desk, dear!" came the slightly muffled reply from Hermione's mother, who was somewhere down in the kitchen.
Hermione immediately strode over to her desk, heedless of her things on the ground and shoved aside even more books and papers on her desk. With a triumphant shout, Hermione snatched her purse, which had been wedged between two particularly large volumes on spells, and did a little victory jig around her room, waving the purse about like a trophy. Hurrying around the room, Hermione searched for the other things that were to be brought with her to Hogwarts and throwing everything she found into her trunk, occasionally glancing at her checklist and ticking off items with a pen that was tucked behind her ear.
Bending down, she started to pick up the clothes which she had thrown to the floor, cursing herself in a most colourful and unlady-like manner for throwing them to the ground instead of into her trunk which would have saved her the trouble she was going through now to get her clothes. Straightening, she suddenly caught sight of herself in the mirror and she had to blink and actually remember that it was her and not her eyes playing tricks on her. Until now, it never failed to amaze Hermione that she'd changed so much over the holidays. Looking back at her was a young lady with thick, wavy brown hair. Apparently, her wayward tresses had decided to take pity on Hermione and her despair with her bushy mane of hair and straightened themselves a little. Now, they fell in rolling waves past her shoulders, some locks curlier than others. The young lady in the mirror was also quite tall and slender. Indeed, Hermione had changed drastically over the summer. No longer was she the short and bushy hair girl other girls usually looked down upon and boys made fun of. Nope. Having filled out in the right places, she had changed to become a beautiful young lady who seemed to be quite attractive to both the boys in the muggle and wizarding world, if the number of stares she got were any indication. Shaking her head and scolding herself for getting distracted, she tore her eyes from her reflection and continued her packing.
Many minutes later, Hermione lugged her trunk downstairs; cringing every time her trunk made it down to the next step with a crash that shook the stairs and the banister. She wrestled with the heavy thing all the way out of the Granger house and into the boot of her father's waiting car. Her muscles trembling and aching, Hermione sank down with a great sense of relief into the backseat of the car, beside her a sleeping Crookshanks in his cage. Hermione was immensely grateful that the feline had decided to nap instead of creating chaos. With her muscles already screaming their protest when she opened the car door, she didn't think she could handle Crookshanks if he'd thrown a hissy fit.
"Alrighty then, leeeeets go!" Her father said, diving into the driver's seat and belting himself in.
His wife made a more dignified way into the car by sliding her way in gracefully and closing the door slowly instead of with a loud bang. Gravel crunching beneath the wheels of the car, the Grangers pulled away from their home and onto the road. Pressing her cheek to the window, Hermione took a long look at the house as they drove away. A look that will be her last for several months. Oh, how she would miss the house and her parents in the months she had to stay at Hogwarts. But Hermione counted herself lucky that she was given the opportunity to study in Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry. Not to mention that she had two of the best friends she could ever have studying with her in Hogwarts. At the thought of Harry and Ron, Hermione grinned and immediately cheered up, her excitement of seeing them for the first time in months overtaking her sadness at leaving her home. Sure, she'd written to them and all, but it just wasn't the same as being together with them in the flesh. Turning in her seat, Hermione faced the front of the car and the road ahead, feeling prepared for her sixth year at Hogwarts and whatever was to come her way.
The family rode to the station in a comfortable silence Finally,the sounds of her father pulling the brake and the doors opening broke the quite. They'd arrived at Kingcross station. The noise of the people rushing by greeted the ears of the Grangers as they got out of the car. People of all shapes and sizes rushed past. Noisy trolley wheels squeaked and groaned. Children wailed, competing with the train whistle in volume. Together, they took out her trunk and Crookshanks before putting them into a trolley. Carefully wending her way through the crowd and apologising profusely every time her trolley hit a person( or rather, a person hit her trolley and made it look like her fault), Hermione finally wheeled her items to the front of the barrier to platform 9 ¾. Turning to her parents, she gave them each a kiss and a big hug goodbye. Turning to face the seemingly solid brick wall, she gave them a final wave and smile before gripping the handle of her trolley firmly and running through the wall.
Once through the barrier, Hermione immediately pulled her trolley to a stop, lest she maul anybody on the other side. Fortunately, all the witches and wizards were gifted with brains in addition to their magic and had the sense not to stand too close to the entrance to platform 9 ¾. Standing on tiptoes to better look around, she searched for her two best friends, Harry and Ron. But all she could see was a mass of excited students, all chattering away with friends in excitement if the term to come, and tiny, terrified looking first-years. Sighing, she decided that it was probably wiser to get into the train and wait for them there. After taking care of her trunk, Hermione settled down into the seat beside the window and let Crookshanks out of his cage. He purred in appreciation and leapt onto Hermione's lap, curling up immediately to continue his cat nap. Suddenly, she heard the compartment door slide open with a whoosh and a familiar voice.
"Hello Miss, are these seats taken?"
Hermione's head snapped towards the door and to her delight, there stood Ron and Harry, both grinning at her. They too had changed over the summer. They grew taller and took on a slightly muscular build. Their voice had also deepened(the process being most amusing to Hermione). Other than that, everything about them was the same, as it had been for the past few years. Harry's hair was still a mess, sticking out everywhere and refusing to be tamed. How girls found that alluring was beyond Hermione. Even the frames of his glasses were the same simple round structure. Ron had the few freckles scattered on his face and the same famous, fiery red Weasley hair. Hermione jumped up and swooped down on them, greeting the two with a tight hug. Both boys commented on how pretty she was, earning a blush from Hermione. Flustered, she smiled shyly and thanked them. The Golden Trio then proceeded to sit down and make themselves comfortable. They shared their summer experiences with each other, as they always did on the train ride to Hogwarts. Harry, as usual, didn't have a very good time with the Dursleys. His situation there had not improved at all. He still lived in the same gloomy room, endured the chores he was forced to do and put up with that constantly purple Uncle of his. Ron didn't do much except trying to get rid of the gnomes in his backyard and brushing up on his Keeper skills. His confidence had gone up considerably, credit going to Harry and Hermione. Now the Weasley keeper managed to save an impressive number of quaffles in quidditch matches, thus forcing the Slytherins to eat back their criticism on Ron's abilities as Keeper. Hermione got have a more interesting summer. She'd spent her holidays with her parents in the city of Paris. Days went by with numerous shopping sprees, dazzling French people and excellent food. She had even managed to catch a glimse of the famous Beauxbatons Academy.
They were in the middle of reliving a memory when the grandmotherly Trolley Lady interrupted them, her trolley full of candies beckoning to all three of them. Minutes later and their purses considerably lighter, they continued with their story while munching on their candy.
Suddenly Ron said, "Hold on, don't you think something's a bit off today? Malfoy show his pointy face today, smirk at us and throw lame, sissy, petty, lame, stupid, lame insults at us."
Ignoring the fact that their friend had used 'lame' thrice in the same sentence, the other two nodded their agreement. None of them had seen Malfoy all day.
"Maybe he got killed by a wild hippogriff," Harry suggested, grinning with a mouthful of candy, a dreamy and faraway look in his bottle green eyes.
Ron and Hermione laughed, that it did happen, though they knew that it would be too good to be true. They've started to accept the fact that Malfoy would be there for quite some time to stick his annoying nose in their faces. But they appreciated the fact that they had the ability to punch that same nose away from their faces. Inevitably, the conversation topic fell onto quidditch and Hermione willingly got out of it, leaving Harry and Ron to discuss their strategies and whatever. Hermione merely took out her textbook and started reading, having foreseen this and equipped herself with a book to combat boredom. And before the trio knew it, Hogwarts was just a few minutes away, forcing them to hurry into their robes and prepare their things.
The train slowed to a stop at the Hoogwart's platform. First years cautiously stepped down from the train in a big group, unsure of what to do and frankly, just terrified out of their pointy hats. The rest of the students filed out of the train, excited anew of their new year to come at Hogwarts. Hermione, Harry and Ron battled their way through the throng, heading in the direction of their, Hagrid, who was quite easy to spot as he stuck out like a sore thumb. As he was half giant, he was naturally taller than the rest of the crowd, like a large boulder amongst pebbles.
He looked down at them from his great height, his voice loud and friendly, "'ello ye three, 'ope ye 'ad a good summer. Ye three better get going, won't want ter be late"
With that, he lumbered off and proceeded to herd the first years to the great lake. The trio made their way to the horseless carriages, once again battling their way past the other students. They met their fellow Gryffindors along the way and some Hufflepuffs ,Ravenclaws and much to their disgust, Slytherins. The trip to the castle was short, and surprisingly soon, they found themselves seated in the Great Hall where they awaited for the sorting hat's song and the sorting of the new students. Professor McGonagall marched in, the first years following closely behind her. Some were dripping wet and trembling with cold. The Black Lake never failed to capture a few students every year.
Ron, who was easily the tallest in Gryffindor, looked at the puny first years in amazement, asking incredulously, "Were we that small when we first came here?"
Hermione nodded, "Hard to believe, isn't it?".
A stool was placed in front of the staff table by Filch and a hush immediately fell on those present in the Great Hall. Sentences were left unfinished, conversations paused and heads swivelled around to face the legendary sorting had that was placed on the stool. A seam ripped open and the hat began to recite its poem. The voice of the hat was loud, carrying its words to all ears in the hall. As usual, the words were profound and filled with great meaning. The students listened in amazement and clapped with enthusiasm when it finished. Then, Prefessor McGonagall loudly read out the students' names from her list and placed the sorting hat on each their heads. In the end, there were 10 new Gryffindors, eight Ravenclaws, nine Hufflepuffs and nine Slytherins. Prefessor Dumbledore then stood up and made his usual welcome speech. As always, the headmaster was aware of the rumbling stomachs and kept it short, along with the usual cautions and reminders.
"Now I'm sure all of you are famished," Dumbledore said, smiling fondly at his students. "So without further ado, let the feast begin!"
This end of his speech was met with cheers and claps as the golden plates on the house tables filled themselves with food fit for kings. Ron and Harry, hungry from the train ride, proceeded to grab any food item within their reach(which was a lot) and stuffed themselves silly. Hermione was quite in awe and a little repulsed at the rate food was going into their mouths. Turning away in a bid to preserve her appetite and her sanity, Hermione took some of the foods she fancied, nibbling delicately.
Ron, with his mouth full said incoherently, "'aren joo dungry, 'yione?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, suppressing a shudder at Ron's table manners, or lack thereof, saying, "Honestly Ron, do swallow your food before talking. I haven't the foggiest idea what you're yapping about."
Ron swallowed his food in one big gulp, again making Hermione want to shudder, before repeating, "I said,aren't you hungry, Hermione?"
"Yes, I am hungry. I just don't stuff my mouth full with food until it's practically going to explode."
Harry spat out his food and started choking, though he tried his level best to pass it off as violent sneezing. Ron gave him a death glare.
"So much for support from you..."
The food soon disappeared and the students reluctantly and slowly made their way back to their respective common rooms, their movements hampered by all the food consumed and their new potbellies. Hermione sat down on one of the chairs on front if the fireplace with Ron and Harry on either side of her, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the softness of the seat beneath her. With good food in her belly and a comfy chair to rest in, she felt quite content and happy.
However, Hermione noticed for the first time that they seemed to be staring at her. It was quite disconcerting to feel their eyes practically boring into her.
Feeling irritated, she demanded, "What? Do I have something on my shirt or something?"
Ron shook his head slowly, "No... nothing is wrong... everything is perfectly fine..."
Harry nodded his head in agreement.
Hermione arched her eyebrow,"Right... well, goodnight you two."
She shook her head and started for the girls' dormitory. Ron and Harry looked after her until she disappeared into the room. In the girls' dormitory, Hermione took a moment to ponder the most unusual incident back in the common room. However, she soon came to the conclusion that they'd consumed too much food and the fat must have been clogging up their brains. Dismissing the whole thing, Hermione made her way to her bed, only to be attacked by a redheaded girl called Ginny Weasley.
Ginny squealed, flinging her arms around Hermione's neck and choking her, "Ohhh! Two simply strapping young men are on Cloud Nine!"
Hermione gasoed, trying to fight off her friend and managed to get out, "Ginny, what are you talking about?"
"Oh come on, Hermione, I've seen that look before. The look that all boys get when they're smitten."
Hermione finally got Ginny off her and rolled her eyes, getting off the bed. She looked down at her friend disbelievingly, her hands on her hips, quite unable to believe that Ron and Harry was carrying a torch for her. I Her /I of all people. Impossible. Very impossible.
"Nonsense, Ginny. I think all that food's gotten to your head too."
With that, she went off in a huff to get changed for bed, leaving behind a rather offended redhead.
"Hey! I only ate five slices of pie!" Ginny protested from Hermione's bed.
Later, as Hermione pulled her blanket over her and tried to sleep, her blasted mind kept wondering why her two best friends were staring at her in that most disturbing fashion and she couldn't seem to go to sleep. Damn Ginny. Why did she have to go and remind her about it? However, Hermione couldn't deny that it was all very odd. Turning in bed, she fervently hoped that everything would be normal and fine the next day.