Disclaimer: I own nothing... of course.
Books
She knew it was false. Love at first sight. She'd read about it in books, but she'd never believed it. That sort of thing fizzles out extremely quick, in any case, if you 'fall in love' at first meeting. That's what happened in the last few books she read. After a couple of weeks you're sick of each other. Hermione strongly disliked teen-romance books anyway. Well, most all fiction, in fact. But she had to learn what to expect, and what better way than by books, her vessel into the known and soon-to-be known, the familiarity, her peace? So, on her next trip to the library, she took out 24 books; 8 on her card, and 8 on each of her parents'. She normally did that, and her parents had encouraged her love for books. The majority of them turned out to include romance, if they were not written around it. Oh, all those fourteen year olds falling in love with the entire city's male population, it was ridiculous. But, still she ploughed on. She had to learn what to expect. She had to know what would happen if someone was acting like they do in the chick-flicks, she had to know why. She had to know the tell-tale signs. She had to know the subtleness.
September 1st, 11:20. Hermione Granger was strolling up and down the train, wanting to see as much as she could, on the pretence that she was helping that lost-looking boy find his toad, Trevor. Honestly, they weren't even at school and he'd already lost his pet.
Hermione saw him come out of yet another compartment with a face more miserable, if possible, than when she last saw him. "I can't find him! No-one's seen him, or if they have, they're probably just not bothered! One boy looked as if he was gonna hex me for daring to break up him and his girlfriend-"
"Oh really, Neville. I'll go with you this time," Hermione huffed, and strode into the compartment that Neville had just exited from.
"But I've already been there!" He moaned, but Hermione didn't listen. He sighed and obligingly shuffled in behind her.
Hermione waited until she had the complete attention of the two boys in sitting inside, before speaking in a rather commanding voice. "Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one."
... and so, all in all a good day.
Hermione finished writing in her journal, and set it down underneath her pillow. It wasn't a lie, she had had a good day. Gryffindor, she was in Gryffindor! And she had a great meal. And she was now rather sleepy. But she still had to think about things. What about that Harry Potter, eh? They were in the same year! Maybe they would be friends one day. Her mind went back to one of the books she'd read. I Know... But Do You? It was really quite predictable. But what happened in it? The main character, Alice, had a gigantic crush on someone in her neighbourhood (surprise, surprise, thought Hermione as she read it). And Alice figured out that the only way for him to notice her was by being in his best friend's good books. Hermione had thought that was unspeakably stupid at the time. But now, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense. Harry obviously trusts Ron, so if Ron was friendly with her, Harry would be more inclined to be so as well. So maybe Hermione should try that. For different reasons than that Alice, of course. Hermione didn't have a crush on Harry Potter, for goodness sake. She just wanted to be noticed by him.
Author's Note: Um.