Author's note: hi everyone! I'm back! And with a new story too. This is pretty different, it's a Hermione POV story, and it's set in her last years at Hogwarts. I know she'll seem OOC, but I realise that's the way I'm writing and I don't think it's too unrealistic that Hermione has a slightly rebellious and sarcastic side. Please be nice with your comments! Reviews are very welcome. Constructive criticism appreciated! I know that because it's the first chapter, it isn't that great but it'll get better once I get more into the story. Thanks for you time, and enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: nothing is mine. All I own is the plot, all characters, settings etc are property of JK. D'you reckon I could buy them off her for $1?

Chapter 1

9.43 am – at the train station.

Well hello darling diary, and welcome to my life. Right now, I'm leaning against a wall, trying to hold onto both my trunk and Crookshanks, as well as casually and inconspicuously writing. Before we start, you should probably know that I am (according to a few stupid people) absolutely incapable of articulating any emotion, so that's why I was given you, to help "release my inner child". (What the hell? I know. My mother's crazy sister just turned to natural healing and thinks I have serious issues. Whatever.)

Anyway, I'm at Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express train is due to leave soon - I'm waiting for Ron and Harry (my two best friends) to turn up. Jeez, I have no idea what's taking them so long! How can boys be so slow and incompetent at everyth

Later – on the train

So sorry for leaving you hanging like that (like my life is that interesting and you were waiting for an update). But Ron and Harry just turned up and I had to go. Oh. My. God. Ron is so tall! And he looks so different! I don't know what it is. Maybe it's all the quidditch he and Harry insist on wasting their time playing. I mean, I respect their choice of activity but if they spent a fraction of the time and effort they put into quidditch on their studies, they wouldn't be running to me every time Snape sets them an essay. But that'll probably never happen.

Anyway, we're all just sitting in a carriage (that's me, obviously, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and oh look, Luna just walked in. Oh my god! She just sat down next to Neville. OH MY GOD! They're holding hands! There is something going on, I swear. Detective Hermione will get to the bottom of this one, you can bet on that). Not much to speak of is happening. Ginny is so lucky! She got taller too. In fact, just about everyone got taller except me! It sucks, I hate being a midget. Plus she has a figure to speak of. Unlike moi. As for Harry, he looks exactly the same (except taller, obviously). He looks a lot more relaxed. He hasn't had any spaz attacks lately. I mean, with the defeat of Mouldy Voldy last year, of course he'd have calmed down.

Oh fabbity fab. Guess who just walked in now. Yeppidy doo dah, it's Malfoy! And his stupid cronies too! This should be fun!

Later – still on the bloody train (hey yeah, I said 'bloody'. Woohoo. Everyone thinks that I'm such a goody-two shoes and I never swear and all I care about is schoolwork. BAH. So not true. I just happen to care a lot of my public image. I mean, how can I be expected to have a decent chance for Head Girl if I don't work for it?)

Ok, update on the Malfoy Front: merely the usual, nothing out of the ordinary. He came in, sneered, made a few derogatory comments (v. original – not), Ron got mad, (actually I think I saw steam coming out his ears), Harry held him back, blah bla. It's getting pretty boring actually. I don't why Ron gets so mad. You should have seen him when Malfoy called me mudblood again. He was livid! I can't think why he got so angry. He was more angry at that than when Malfoy made smart smart-alec comment about his money. Damn, that's going to bug me. why on earth did he care so much?

Anyway, not important. What is important is that this year, once again, I have to share my room with the twittering gigglers – aka Lav and Pav. (they don't know I call them that – shh . . .) so anyway, they will be once again twittering and giggling and generally being annoying over everything that has a Y chromosome and has a pulse. Fun for me! I swear, you have no idea how hard it is to sleep in a room with them. Last year, I awoke to this:

"ohmygod, you have to do that thing with your hair next Hogsmeade visit. I swear Dean will drool over it!"

"ohmygod, you are so totally kidding. He does not like me."

"ohmygod, that is so dumb! Of course he does! Every time he looks at you it's so obvious."

"ohmygod, that may be so, but what about you and Seamus! Is there something you're not telling me about that?"

"ohmygod, I wish! But don't worry, if he asks me out then you will so totally be the first to know."

giggle twitter x like a million!

See what I mean? See what I have to put up with? It is not fair. At least I have Ginny. She is like my only female friend, and the only girl I can talk to without feeling sick to my stomach. Why do other girls put on such a show, so guys will like them? If a guy liked me because I looked pretty (and how much of a chance is there of that happening?) then I wouldn't want to date him anyway.

Got to go. I think Ron and Harry are trying to talk to me. But teenage boys are so incoherent. And to think, my aunt thinks me emotionally inarticulate? Bah!

Much, much later – still on the damn train.

Ugh, I'm so bored! Are we there yet?

A minute later – still on the train

No, we are not.

Bored.

Very bored.

Very bored.

I know, let's play a game! I invented it myself. It's called "Try And Remember The Most Interesting Fact You Ever Read". You and the other players take it in turns to recite facts you read and committed to memory because they were interesting. You have to try and out-fact the other players. There's a panel of judges and they decide, so it's all fairly objective. I think it's great.

I just suggested my game to the rest of the train carriage. Their reactions:

Harry: (laugh). No thanks.

Ginny: um, I think I'll pass.

Luna: sorry, what? (very vague, that girl)

Neville: no thank you Hermione . . . um, my gran took away all my books over the holidays so I'd be at a disadvantage to the rest of you (see, at least Neville tried to be nice, terrible liar though he is)

Ron: HA! Hermione, only you would think of a game that ridiculous.

At that point, I got so annoyed I got up and walked out.

Why did that hurt me so much? I don't care what Ron thinks, stupid great prat. Idiot. He is such a moron, I mean, just because you're hot doesn't give you the right to-

Oh

My

God

I did not just write that

Oh

My

God

I did.

Bad, terrible Hermione! Why! Why did you write that? You do not mean it! You're just upset. Oh bugger – I locked myself in the loo so nobody would disturb me in my sob-fest, and someone chooses now to want to empty their bladder? Well they can get lost right now, for all I care. Oh crap, it's Ron.

Later – I feel so weird . . .

That was so strange. It was the strangest thing I have ever felt, and this is coming from a girl whose parents are dentists.

Shall I tell you what happened? I think I shall.

Ok, so Ron was banging on the door, and was all, "Hermione, I know you're in there. Please open the door."

And I yelled, "No."

And then he said, very politely, "Please?"

And then I opened the door. I think I was too shocked to show any submission.

So then he says, and he was really nervous because his ears were red, "Look Hermione, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." My god, he looks so much older than he did. He is fit! (Bad, bad Hermione – stop it!)

He continued, "Anyway, I came to apologise for what I said, and I hope you aren't too mad at me." and then do you know what he did?

He gave me a hug! It was so weird. It was just a quick, light hug, but I could tell he really was sorry. Well, he quickly pulled away and was all blushing, and then he really quickly walked off. Then I went after him and said I was sorry too for overreacting, and then it was all fine. How good is that?

Oh, finally we're at Hogwarts! I have to go to the Sorting and the feast now. I'll let you know how everything is when I get back to my dorm.

A/N: hope you liked it! Constructive criticism is very much appreciated, I am looking for advice on getting them back into character (I know it wasn't quite right in this chapter but I am working on getting back into it). Thanks again!