*Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter! J.K. Rowling wrote that phenomenal book series.*
A/N: First off, this story will follow Hermione's summers starting the summer before year 1 till the summer after year 7. Also, I'm not British. So, I'm apologizing in advance for any mistakes. Enjoy & please review!
"Bridget," I said to my best mate as we sat on the swings at the park the summer after we finished primary school, "I'm worried about secondary school. What if I get made fun of again?"
"Hermione, it will be fine. Those kids that made fun of you are immature gits. Being smart is a good thing. Hopefully, they will have some sense and maturity knocked into their heads this summer," Bridget told me knowingly.
"Oh you're right. I shouldn't be scared. I'll always have you as a friend, and that's all I need," I said smiling at the girl who had been there for me since grade two when Mike called me a nerd for making a 102% on a math test. We sat there swinging and talking, enjoying the summer warmth until the sun started to go down.
"Bye Hermione! I'll see you tomorrow. You can come over around lunch time," she called as she walked up to her house.
"Bye Bridget! I'll see you then," I called as turned down my street. As I walked through my door, I could smell dinner cooking. It smells like Shepherd's pie! "Mum, Dad, I'm home," I called as I walked towards the stairs that led to my room.
"Hermione," Dad called, "could you come in here sweetie?"
"Alright Dad," I said as I walked into the living room where he was sitting. I suddenly stopped when I got to the door because two men in strange looking cloaks were sitting in the living room with Dad.
As I lay in bed that night, I thought about everything I had just learned. First off, I'm a witch! I still can't quite believe it. I mean, who would have thought that magic is real, let alone the fact that I have it? It does sort of explain some of the weird things I can do though. Once, in grade three, when Mike and his friends were making fun of me, the class hamster somehow got out of its cage and bit Mike's finger. When my teacher checked the hamster cage, it was still locked. I wonder if the way I can remember practically everything I read is magic too. Also, I am going to be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry next year, a magical boarding school. That means that I can start over, make new friends, and not have to worry about those gits who made fun of me in primary school. Of course I will miss Mum, Dad, and Bridget, but this is a wonderful opportunity. And, as those two men, who are actually wizards, said, I will actually get to be around other magical kids like me. I can't wait to get all my books for school! I want to learn as much as I can this summer so I won't seem uninformed. I fell asleep that night still thinking about next year. I had a dream with lots of stereotypical witches with warts and broomsticks and wizards with starry robes and long grey beards.
The next day, after Mum and Dad went to their dentist's office, I walked over to Bridget's house. I don't know how I'm going to tell her about Hogwarts. I suppose I'll just say I'm going to a boarding school, but I'll never be able to tell her about magic because she is a muggle. Those wizards who came yesterday said that non-magical people are called muggles. Mum and Dad are muggles, but they are allowed to know about magic because they are my parents. This really is a lot to process at once, and I am extremely nervous of what Bridget's response will be. I arrived at Bridget's house, walked up to the front porch, and rang the doorbell.
"Hello Hermione," Bridget said as she opened the door smiling. "Mum's almost done with lunch. We're having sandwiches."
"Hello Bridget," I said still nervous about telling her that I am going to boarding school. "That's great. I could use some lunch. I'm famished." Really I am. I didn't eat my breakfast because I was too nervous. Bridget and I walked into her kitchen where her mum was putting two sandwiches on the table.
"Help yourselves, girls," she said gesturing to the food.
"Thank you ma'am," I said.
"Yeah, thanks Mum," Bridget said. "So Hermione, what do you want to do when we are done eating?" she asked me.
"Well, I have something I need to tell you. So, could we just go to your room and talk?" I asked.
"What's wrong?" Bridget asked alarmed.
"Nothing, it's fine. I'll tell you after lunch," I assured her.
"Alright Hermione, I trust you," Bridget told me while looking at me, trying to figure out what was going on. When we both finished our sandwiches, which were quite good, Bridget's mum gave us some homemade biscuits. They were really great as well. After eating them, we walked to Bridget's room. "So Hermione, what is going on?" she asked as we sat on her bed.
"Well, yesterday I found out that I am going to a boarding school," I said looking straight at her to see her response.
"What? Why would your parents enroll you in a boarding school and not tell you?" she exclaimed.
"Well, you see, they didn't enroll me. It is an invitation only school, and they contacted me yesterday. Mum, Dad, and I talked about it, and we decided that this is a brilliant opportunity for me," I told her attempting to convey that I want to go, and she shouldn't worry.
"Oh Hermione, are you sure about this?" Bridget asked only worrying about my best interest.
"Yes, I am. I will miss you tons, and I will try to write often," I said smiling at my friend.
"Oh, I'll miss you too. I expect you will be the top of the class," Bridget said smiling again as she hugged me.
"Thank you. Now let's just enjoy the rest of our vacation," I told her decidedly.
"We can spend every day together and have tons of slumber parties," she said with glee.
"Definitely. Although, on Monday, Mum, Dad, and I are going to London for my supplies, so that will have to be an exception to the everyday part," I told her smiling.
"Alright Hermione," Bridget said smiling back at me. "Let's go to the park." We spent the rest of the summer enjoying our remaining time together just being best mates.