Hermione was awoken to the sound of tapping glass, and a low hoot. A tawny owl was awaiting outside her window with a letter tied to its left ankle.
Hermione smiled to herself and got up, opening the window and letting the owl hop in, before it took perch on her chest of drawers, and held its left leg up for Hermione to untie the letter. The wax seal on the back of the envelope informed her it was from Hogwarts, most likely Professor McGonagall.
Hermione wondered if she had received Head Girl. Because of the war last year, and Harry, Hermione, Ron and others hadn't been at school, everyone was allowed to go back to Hogwarts and repeat a year; as to catch up with everything they should've learnt last year.
With trembling hands she undid the wax seal and opened the envelope. Inside were three slips of paper, one extra than normal.
The first was just informing Hermione of the usual; when school started, how to get there, and everything she already knew.
The second was the booklist and the other things she needed.
The third, most to Hermione's pleasure, read:
To Miss Hermione Granger,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to take the position of Head Girl and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
On the Hogwarts Express, at 12.45 pm, you will be expected in carriage 4 for a Prefect meeting, accompanied by myself.
Congratulations, and see you on the first of September.
Professor McGonagall.
On the bottom of the parchment was a badge that had the letters HG on it. Hermione grinned and walked over to her trunk. It was the thirty-first of August, and Hermione Granger couldn't wait to get to Kings Cross and board the Hogwarts express. With friends to catch up with, the new Head Boy to meet, and a chance to munch on some Chocolate Frogs from the Lunch Trolley definitely sounded good in Hermione's head.
Still slightly smiling, Hermione packed her Head Girl badge into a small compartment on the inside of the luggage, and headed off downstairs to tell her parents the happy news.
She found them in the lounge room watching the news on the television.
"Mum! Dad! I've been made Head Girl at school!" Hermione cried with a grin on her face.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger both looked ecstatic and Mrs. Granger stood up and gave her daughter a hug.
"Well done sweetheart!" Mr. Granger said happily, "I knew you had it in you!"
"Thanks Dad!" Hermione said cheerfully, and then she sat down, squished in the middle of her parents, and starting watching the television with them.
A couple of hours later, Hermione glanced at the clock set up on a cabinet, and realised it was 10.39 pm.
"I'd better go up to bed," Hermione said to her parents, "Don't want to be too tired for my Head Girl duties!" She then also said cheekily.
"Goodnight darling." Her mother and father replied in unison.
---
Seeing as the train to Hogwarts left at 11, Hermione let herself sleep in until 9.00 am. When the alarm clock next to her bed went off, Hermione yawned, and then got up, found some clothes, and headed to the shower.
The hot water relaxed her muscles, and cleared her mind from the dream she had; Draco Malfoy had been made Head Boy. Now that wasn't a dream - that was an absolute nightmare.
Shuddering at the thought, Hermione washed herself and her hair, and then turned the water off, instantly missing it.
She did her usual morning routine and then headed down to have some breakfast, where she found her mother cooking Hermione's favourite, blueberry pancakes.
"Yummmmmmmmm!" Hermione squeaked, and she quickly sat down at the table and piled her plate. "Thanks Mum!"
"It was nothing honey… Why wouldn't I make my daughter her favourite breakfast when she's about to leave for school?" Mrs. Granger laughed.
Hermione mumbled her thanks again and started eating, well, more like devouring, her beloved blueberry pancakes.
15 minutes later, Hermione was well-fed, lounging lazily on the kitchen chair.
"Better go do some last minute packing Hermione." Mr. Granger said as he walked through the kitchen door from the lounge room.
Hermione merely nodded and left for her bedroom, grabbing anything she might need on the way upstairs.
By 10.30 she was packed and ready, and after a tremendous effort, she had dragged her trunk to the bottom of the stairs and settled it at the front door.
"Ready to go 'Mione?" Her father asked her.
"Yeah definitely!" Hermione was grinning widely at the prospect of getting onto the Hogwarts Express.
"Okay we'll go now then." Mr. Granger said, smiling.
Mrs. Granger collected her handbag and went to sit in the passenger's seat of the car. After a small effort between the two of them, Mr. Granger and Hermione heaved Hermione's trunk into the boot of the car, and then they were off, towards King Cross.
Authors Note: Sorry it's a tad short, but trust me, the next chapter definitely makes up for it.
Review please ;)