Hi! This is one of my first stories, and I thought it was a bit cringy, so I edited it, and added an author's note. R&R, and enjoy!
Hermione stuck to her mother's leg, clutching her book to herself.
The Grangers were going to the beach to celebrate her father's promotion, but Hermione just planned on reading by the seaside.
Hermione looked around as her parents set up their umbrella and towel.
She saw a large clan of red-heads with all seven of the children boys except for one girl, the youngest. There was also a smaller family consisting of a large man, a skinny woman, a fa— no, wide, boy, and a tiny boy with messy black hair and such striking green eyes that she could see them from her spot on the other side of the beach.
As she sat down on the towel and opened her book, the youngest red-haired boy dashed over.
"Hi, I'm Ron! Who're you?" he said, bouncing energetically.
"I'm Hermione," she said in a small voice, looking up from her book.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for disturbing you. My son is very eager to make friends."
Who Hermione guessed was Ron's mother came over and attempted to nudge her son away.
"No, it's quite alright," said Hermione's mum. "She doesn't have many friends her age, so it's good that she's talking to your son. What's his name?"
Their mothers made small talk, so, after telling the grown-ups where they were going, Ron dragged Hermione away and almost ran into the other family that she had seen.
"Just go, boy, go. We don't need any freakishness associated with our family," said the father, roughly shoving the smallest child towards them.
"Er — hi, I'm Harry," said the boy nervously, scanning the beach with fearful eyes.
"Hi. I'm Hermione, and he's Ron," she said, sticking her hand out. Harry shook it, looking happy to have found two new friends.
"Your parents aren't very nice," said Ron bluntly. Hermione didn't think it was a good idea to say that, as she was sure that was rude, but she didn't speak up.
"My parents are dead. They're my aunt and uncle, and over there's my cousin, Dudley," said Harry, looking over at his family.
"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss," said Hermione quietly. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have no parents, and she didn't want to.
"'S fine," said Harry, shrugging.
"So, wanna play?" said Ron, becoming energetic once again.
"Sure!" said Harry excitedly, losing the quiet, sad look.
They went closer to the sea, where all except for one of Ron's siblings were wading into the water.
"Hey, look! I found friends!" Ron yelled at them. They all looked over. Two, who Hermione assumed were twins, went back to splashing each other again, but the rest waved them over.
"Nice! Who are they?" asked the eldest, grinning at Ron.
"Hermione and Harry!" Ron said happily, pulling them closer.
"Hello," said Hermione shyly, looking at all of them.
"Great!" said the boy who had asked for their names, who she found out to be called Bill.
They all — Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ginny Weasley — had a fun time playing in the water, and Hermione was actually sad when she was called to leave.
"Goodbye!" she said, waving, as she went to go to her parents.
She skipped happily to the car, however, as she told them eagerly about her new friends, Harry and Ron.
To Hermione's disappointment, they weren't able to schedule a playdate. She eventually forgot about them, but Hermione never could have guessed that she would see them again, never mind in a magic school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.