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Chapter One- The Trepta
Hermione Granger sat at the breakfast table, staring into space, bored out of her mind. She had eaten her porridge and drunk her orange juice (while wishing heartily that it was pumpkin juice), and now she had nothing to do.
The middle of the summer holidays was always very trying for Hermione. She loved being at home- she did miss her parents when she was at school, but she always found that at about four weeks in she was left with nothing to do. Her parents still had to work most of the time, so she was generally left alone in the house, with only Crookshanks her cat for company.
Usually she would have been pleased to have some time alone to study for the upcoming school year, but it was a bit hard to do that without any school-books. She had yet to go to Diagon Alley, and with her parents working all this week she would have to wait to immerse herself in Charms and Potions.
Hermione didn't know why, but she had always loved to learn. She had been a real chatterbox when she was younger and had badgered her parents with questions about everything and anything since the age of two. Her parents had never told her be quiet or to stop asking questions, and when they weren't there to be asked she would find her answers in books.
She loved school. It had never been a burden to her, like it was to so many others. She knew that if she wanted to do something useful with her life, she had to learn, and was extremely grateful to her teachers for being there for her to learn from. Because of her love of learning, Hermione hadn't had any close friends in Primary school, either because she was too busy studying or because her classmates had thought she was too weird. She had never been teased by anyone; she had a way of looking at people and making them back down, but she had had no one that she was very close to.
Her closest friends had been Fiona Middle and Lucy Dinah. They weren't very interested in school, but they were always really nice to Hermione. She had liked them a lot, but they were far too interested in their hair and what was coming out in the cinema next week to be really close to her. Hermione had realised early on that she was a lot more mature than the people in her class, and that they didn't seem to worry about the important things in life as she did.
When she had started attending Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione had thought it would be no different at all. She had had to work hard to convince her parents to let her attend, and she was determined not to let them down. She had thrown herself into her studies even more than she had done before. Thinking back now, Hermione realised that her behaviour during her first months at Hogwart's had been awful, so bossy and condescending, although some people didn't exactly help her a lot.
Hermione smiled, remembering the way she, Harry and Ron used to fight with each other. When she had first met Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, she had thought they were both pretty slow and annoying. She dreaded to think what they had thought of her. But now they were her best friends, and the best ones anyone could ever have. They were very brave and smart in their own ways, and could always be counted on to make her laugh.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she looked down at the Hogwart's letter on the table in front of her on the table. It had arrived earlier that morning and now Hermione stared longingly at her booklist. She wished she had them all now. She was so bored.
Suddenly there came a shrill hoot from outside and Hermione looked up to see Pigwidgeon, Ron's tiny owl, practically buzzing on the windowsill. Hermione felt so happy she thought she would burst. Something to keep her occupied! At last. She threw open the window, and Pig flew in with a joyful hoot, dropped the letter on Hermione's head and continued to fly around in a frenzy. Hermione rolled her eyes. Pig was something else. She eagerly picked up the letter from Ron and ripped it open.
Hermione,
I take it that you've got your Hogwart's letter by now, but if you haven't, don't have a heart attack, I'm sure you haven't been expelled. If I know you, you probably want to go and get your books right now, yeah? Well you're going to have to contain yourself until Thursday, because that's when we're going to Diagon Alley. My Dad's spoken to Dumbledore and he says Harry can come as long as he stays in Diagon Alley and travels only by Floo Powder. So he's coming to the Burrow and then we're both going to come and get you by Floo. Don't worry- Dad'll fix it up. Just make sure your fireplace isn't blocked like Harry's was.
Anyway, if you are just sitting there staring into space and dreaming of your books, then you obviously haven't read your letter properly. Read it now, and tell me when you've found out that you're a prefect. And please don't even pretend to be surprised. I'm one too, but I haven't told anyone else yet. Gred and Feorge will never let me live it down.
Me and Harry will pick you up at about half eleven on Thursday. Take care of yourself.
Ron
P.S. I hope you're not gonna turn Percy on us and wear your badge all the time. I'm not.
Hermione slapped her hand to her forehead and raced back to the table where her other letter lay. Ron was right- she hadn't read it properly. How could she have forgotten that this is the letter that tells her whether or not she's a prefect? Daydreaming about books- maybe she should read less.
"Never let Ron or Harry hear you say that." Hermione mumbled as she picked up the letter. She quickly read it through.
Dear Miss Granger,
We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected to be a Prefect. This is a great honour and we hope that you will represent the school in a way that will-"
Hermione didn't read anymore. She dropped the letter and punched a fist into the air. "YES!" She cried happily. She was a prefect. She knew all the hard work wasn't for nothing. After several minutes of congratulating herself as there was no one else there to do it for her, Hermione was distracted by a hiss from Crookshanks, who was staring beadily up at Pigwidgeon, who was now perched on top the fridge, waiting for Hermione's reply.
Hermione grabbed a bit of paper from the desk on which the computer stood and wrote a reply to Ron.
Ron,
You know me too well. I didn't think of reading the letter from Professor McGonagall until you reminded me. And yes- I am a prefect, and unlike you I'm happy about it. I think you should just tell your family- they'll be really happy for you. And don't worry about Fred and George, if they tease you, you can just put them in detention when we get back to school.
My fireplace isn't blocked, you'll be pleased to know, and so you won't have any trouble getting me on Thursday. It's a shame Harry has to stay with his Aunt and Uncle all summer, he could do with a break. I hear things are really getting stressful at the ministry, is your Dad alright? How is everyone? See you on Thursday.
Hermione
P.S. Congratulations Ron. I'm happy for you, even if your not. I just can't wait to see the prefect's lounge. I hope to God that Malfoy isn't a prefect. That'd be awful.
Hermione folded the letter up very small and tied it expertly to Pig's leg. She'd had difficulty at first, but had now grown used to tying letters to Pig. Hedwig, Harry's owl, was a lot easier to handle. Harry and Ron had written to her a lot more than usual this summer, and Hermione thought she knew why. Now that Voldemort had risen again, they seemed to think she was in danger as a muggle born. It was pretty obvious by the way they both ended all their letters with 'take care of yourself'. Hermione shivered slightly. The thought of Voldemort made her feel sick.
She couldn't dwell on it for long though, because Hedwig suddenly swooped through the open window. She handed the letter politely to Hermione and waited patiently for her to read it. Hermione smiled slightly and opened the letter.
Hermione,
How is everyone? This is just a quick note to say congratulations on being made a prefect- you don't have to tell me that you were made one. After all, with Professor Trelawney as my Divination teacher, how could I not know what was going to happen?
I don't know if Ron's a prefect yet, I hope for his sake he's not, I can just imagine what the twins would say. Bet his Mum would be pleased though.
Anyway, I'll see you on Thursday. Ron's probably already told you, but we'll be picking you up at half eleven by Floo powder. Yay. My favourite way to travel.
In case you're wondering, I'm not a prefect. But I'm Quidditch Captain. Can you believe that? I don't know how to run a team! I'm surprised Dumbledore's even letting me stay on the team, let alone captain it. See you on Thursday, and take care of yourself.
Harry
Hermione laughed. Even though Harry seemed unsure about being Captain, she knew that he would be incredibly pleased. And she was pleased for him. Quickly she grabbed another bit of paper and wrote a letter for Harry.
Harry,
Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you- you really deserve it. Ron is a prefect, he just told me, but he hasn't told his family yet because, yes, he also knows what Fred and George will say. But I just told him to tell them. You're right by the way- Mrs. Weasley will be really pleased. I'm a prefect also, and it's a shame you're not as well, but I suppose being Quidditch Captain is enough to deal with. See you on Thursday, can't wait- I am mind-numbingly bored.
Hermione.
After sending Hedwig off with her answer, Hermione cleared away her breakfast things. She picked up her prefect badge and thought about putting it on, but then noticed that there was a whole other part of Ron's letter that she hadn't read in her rush to find out if she was a prefect.
She picked it up. It was blank piece of parchment, quite big, and a little worn around the edges. For a moment she thought it was the Marauder's Map, but knew that it wasn't old enough. Looking on the back of Ron's letter, she saw more writing. She read it curiously, wondering why she was so absent minded today.
Hermione, you may be wondering what this is. It's called a Trepta. What you do is write something on it, and the people who've got the other pieces of that particular Trepta will read it on theirs and can write back. Never write anything really important that you don't want anyone else to hear about on it. It could be dangerous. Anyway, my Dad got me this and I tore it into three pieces, so now we all have one and we can talk to each other like in a conversation through writing.
Ron.
P.S. It feels very fulfilling to have to explain something to you, not the other way round.
Hermione put the letter down and stared at the Trepta. Wow. This thing sounded really good. She always found it a constant irritation that when she wanted to write to Harry or Ron she had to wait for one of them to write to her first as she had no owl. But Hermione loved Crookshanks a lot so she wasn't complaining. With a Trepta, though, she'd be able to write whenever she wanted.
She grabbed her quill and was about to write on it when handwriting appeared at the top of the page, handwriting Hermione recognised as Ron's.
R- Hermione and Harry in. Surely you've figured out how to work this thing.
Hermione started, smiled quietly and quickly took up her quill.
Hr- Hello Ron. Nice to hear from you too. Actually I was just about to try out this thing when you wrote, so there.
R- O.K. Could I really put Fred and George in detention?
Hr- Yes, if they did something bad. Does that mean you've already got my letter?
R- Yep. Pig's actually quite fast. I sent him off straight away again to Harry.
H- And Harry's just got his letter. Nice of you to wait for me before starting the conversation.
R- Sorry mate. How are you?
H- I'm alright. How's everyone at the Burrow doing?
R- Great. A few more explosions than usual from the maniacs' bedroom, but Mum isn't too worried. She's more worried about Dad and Percy. They're quite stressed at the moment.
Hr- Are they alright, though?
R- Yeah, sure.
Hr- Have you told them about the prefect thing yet?
R- No, not yet.
H- Suck it up man. Just go and tell them. Are you a Gryffindor or not?
R- Oh shut up. Do you know what the carbon copies will do to me?
Hr- I'm surprised your mum hasn't asked you yet.
R- She's been out all day.
Hr- Well, then you're lucky. But don't worry, really.
H- And besides, you'll be able to use the Prefect's bathroom, with the swimming pool in it. You are lucky.
R- Not if Moaning Myrtle's in there spying on me I'm not.
Hr- Listen you two, the phone's ringing, so I'd better go. I'll talk to you in a minute.
Hermione jumped up from the table and ran down the hall. She picked up the receiver. "Hello?" She answered, a little out of breath.
"Hello Honey. Are you alright?" It was her mum. Hermione smiled.
"I'm fine. Ron's sent me and Harry these magical parchments so we can talk to each other without sending letters. Oh, and I got my Hogwart's letter this morning and I've been made a prefect! Oh, and we're all going to Diagon alley on Thursday, Harry and Ron are going to pick me up from here by Floo powder, it's where you travel by fire and-, Mum?" Hermione realised her mother was very quiet.
"Hermione, I'm very proud of you, you deserve to be a prefect. I just called to let you know that your Father's on his way home, he's got something to tell you. It's very important, so you have to stay calm. I wish I could be there as well, but I've got so much work on. I feel very guilty. Dad should be there in a few minutes. Bye darling"
"Mum-" Hermione began, but Joanne Granger had hung up. Hermione frowned and slowly hung up the phone as well. She walked back into the kitchen, where she found Harry and Ron talking about Quidditch, oh what a surprise. Hermione picked up her quill.
Hr- I'm back.
H- Who was on the phone?
Hr- It was my mum. She's at work at the moment. Listen you two, I'm going to have to go now, my Dad's on the way home and apparently he's got some really important news for me.
R- O.K. then. Hermione- to turn this off you just write 'Hermione out' and what me and Harry are writing won't come up on your Trepta. To turn it on again, you just write something.
H- But how do we write to Hermione, then?
R- Oh, you just write 'Hermione in' before you start writing.
H- O.K. Bye Hermione. I'm sure it's good news.
R- Yeah. Speak to you later.
Hr- Hermione out.
Chapter One- The Trepta
Hermione Granger sat at the breakfast table, staring into space, bored out of her mind. She had eaten her porridge and drunk her orange juice (while wishing heartily that it was pumpkin juice), and now she had nothing to do.
The middle of the summer holidays was always very trying for Hermione. She loved being at home- she did miss her parents when she was at school, but she always found that at about four weeks in she was left with nothing to do. Her parents still had to work most of the time, so she was generally left alone in the house, with only Crookshanks her cat for company.
Usually she would have been pleased to have some time alone to study for the upcoming school year, but it was a bit hard to do that without any school-books. She had yet to go to Diagon Alley, and with her parents working all this week she would have to wait to immerse herself in Charms and Potions.
Hermione didn't know why, but she had always loved to learn. She had been a real chatterbox when she was younger and had badgered her parents with questions about everything and anything since the age of two. Her parents had never told her be quiet or to stop asking questions, and when they weren't there to be asked she would find her answers in books.
She loved school. It had never been a burden to her, like it was to so many others. She knew that if she wanted to do something useful with her life, she had to learn, and was extremely grateful to her teachers for being there for her to learn from. Because of her love of learning, Hermione hadn't had any close friends in Primary school, either because she was too busy studying or because her classmates had thought she was too weird. She had never been teased by anyone; she had a way of looking at people and making them back down, but she had had no one that she was very close to.
Her closest friends had been Fiona Middle and Lucy Dinah. They weren't very interested in school, but they were always really nice to Hermione. She had liked them a lot, but they were far too interested in their hair and what was coming out in the cinema next week to be really close to her. Hermione had realised early on that she was a lot more mature than the people in her class, and that they didn't seem to worry about the important things in life as she did.
When she had started attending Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione had thought it would be no different at all. She had had to work hard to convince her parents to let her attend, and she was determined not to let them down. She had thrown herself into her studies even more than she had done before. Thinking back now, Hermione realised that her behaviour during her first months at Hogwart's had been awful, so bossy and condescending, although some people didn't exactly help her a lot.
Hermione smiled, remembering the way she, Harry and Ron used to fight with each other. When she had first met Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, she had thought they were both pretty slow and annoying. She dreaded to think what they had thought of her. But now they were her best friends, and the best ones anyone could ever have. They were very brave and smart in their own ways, and could always be counted on to make her laugh.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she looked down at the Hogwart's letter on the table in front of her on the table. It had arrived earlier that morning and now Hermione stared longingly at her booklist. She wished she had them all now. She was so bored.
Suddenly there came a shrill hoot from outside and Hermione looked up to see Pigwidgeon, Ron's tiny owl, practically buzzing on the windowsill. Hermione felt so happy she thought she would burst. Something to keep her occupied! At last. She threw open the window, and Pig flew in with a joyful hoot, dropped the letter on Hermione's head and continued to fly around in a frenzy. Hermione rolled her eyes. Pig was something else. She eagerly picked up the letter from Ron and ripped it open.
Hermione,
I take it that you've got your Hogwart's letter by now, but if you haven't, don't have a heart attack, I'm sure you haven't been expelled. If I know you, you probably want to go and get your books right now, yeah? Well you're going to have to contain yourself until Thursday, because that's when we're going to Diagon Alley. My Dad's spoken to Dumbledore and he says Harry can come as long as he stays in Diagon Alley and travels only by Floo Powder. So he's coming to the Burrow and then we're both going to come and get you by Floo. Don't worry- Dad'll fix it up. Just make sure your fireplace isn't blocked like Harry's was.
Anyway, if you are just sitting there staring into space and dreaming of your books, then you obviously haven't read your letter properly. Read it now, and tell me when you've found out that you're a prefect. And please don't even pretend to be surprised. I'm one too, but I haven't told anyone else yet. Gred and Feorge will never let me live it down.
Me and Harry will pick you up at about half eleven on Thursday. Take care of yourself.
Ron
P.S. I hope you're not gonna turn Percy on us and wear your badge all the time. I'm not.
Hermione slapped her hand to her forehead and raced back to the table where her other letter lay. Ron was right- she hadn't read it properly. How could she have forgotten that this is the letter that tells her whether or not she's a prefect? Daydreaming about books- maybe she should read less.
"Never let Ron or Harry hear you say that." Hermione mumbled as she picked up the letter. She quickly read it through.
Dear Miss Granger,
We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected to be a Prefect. This is a great honour and we hope that you will represent the school in a way that will-"
Hermione didn't read anymore. She dropped the letter and punched a fist into the air. "YES!" She cried happily. She was a prefect. She knew all the hard work wasn't for nothing. After several minutes of congratulating herself as there was no one else there to do it for her, Hermione was distracted by a hiss from Crookshanks, who was staring beadily up at Pigwidgeon, who was now perched on top the fridge, waiting for Hermione's reply.
Hermione grabbed a bit of paper from the desk on which the computer stood and wrote a reply to Ron.
Ron,
You know me too well. I didn't think of reading the letter from Professor McGonagall until you reminded me. And yes- I am a prefect, and unlike you I'm happy about it. I think you should just tell your family- they'll be really happy for you. And don't worry about Fred and George, if they tease you, you can just put them in detention when we get back to school.
My fireplace isn't blocked, you'll be pleased to know, and so you won't have any trouble getting me on Thursday. It's a shame Harry has to stay with his Aunt and Uncle all summer, he could do with a break. I hear things are really getting stressful at the ministry, is your Dad alright? How is everyone? See you on Thursday.
Hermione
P.S. Congratulations Ron. I'm happy for you, even if your not. I just can't wait to see the prefect's lounge. I hope to God that Malfoy isn't a prefect. That'd be awful.
Hermione folded the letter up very small and tied it expertly to Pig's leg. She'd had difficulty at first, but had now grown used to tying letters to Pig. Hedwig, Harry's owl, was a lot easier to handle. Harry and Ron had written to her a lot more than usual this summer, and Hermione thought she knew why. Now that Voldemort had risen again, they seemed to think she was in danger as a muggle born. It was pretty obvious by the way they both ended all their letters with 'take care of yourself'. Hermione shivered slightly. The thought of Voldemort made her feel sick.
She couldn't dwell on it for long though, because Hedwig suddenly swooped through the open window. She handed the letter politely to Hermione and waited patiently for her to read it. Hermione smiled slightly and opened the letter.
Hermione,
How is everyone? This is just a quick note to say congratulations on being made a prefect- you don't have to tell me that you were made one. After all, with Professor Trelawney as my Divination teacher, how could I not know what was going to happen?
I don't know if Ron's a prefect yet, I hope for his sake he's not, I can just imagine what the twins would say. Bet his Mum would be pleased though.
Anyway, I'll see you on Thursday. Ron's probably already told you, but we'll be picking you up at half eleven by Floo powder. Yay. My favourite way to travel.
In case you're wondering, I'm not a prefect. But I'm Quidditch Captain. Can you believe that? I don't know how to run a team! I'm surprised Dumbledore's even letting me stay on the team, let alone captain it. See you on Thursday, and take care of yourself.
Harry
Hermione laughed. Even though Harry seemed unsure about being Captain, she knew that he would be incredibly pleased. And she was pleased for him. Quickly she grabbed another bit of paper and wrote a letter for Harry.
Harry,
Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you- you really deserve it. Ron is a prefect, he just told me, but he hasn't told his family yet because, yes, he also knows what Fred and George will say. But I just told him to tell them. You're right by the way- Mrs. Weasley will be really pleased. I'm a prefect also, and it's a shame you're not as well, but I suppose being Quidditch Captain is enough to deal with. See you on Thursday, can't wait- I am mind-numbingly bored.
Hermione.
After sending Hedwig off with her answer, Hermione cleared away her breakfast things. She picked up her prefect badge and thought about putting it on, but then noticed that there was a whole other part of Ron's letter that she hadn't read in her rush to find out if she was a prefect.
She picked it up. It was blank piece of parchment, quite big, and a little worn around the edges. For a moment she thought it was the Marauder's Map, but knew that it wasn't old enough. Looking on the back of Ron's letter, she saw more writing. She read it curiously, wondering why she was so absent minded today.
Hermione, you may be wondering what this is. It's called a Trepta. What you do is write something on it, and the people who've got the other pieces of that particular Trepta will read it on theirs and can write back. Never write anything really important that you don't want anyone else to hear about on it. It could be dangerous. Anyway, my Dad got me this and I tore it into three pieces, so now we all have one and we can talk to each other like in a conversation through writing.
Ron.
P.S. It feels very fulfilling to have to explain something to you, not the other way round.
Hermione put the letter down and stared at the Trepta. Wow. This thing sounded really good. She always found it a constant irritation that when she wanted to write to Harry or Ron she had to wait for one of them to write to her first as she had no owl. But Hermione loved Crookshanks a lot so she wasn't complaining. With a Trepta, though, she'd be able to write whenever she wanted.
She grabbed her quill and was about to write on it when handwriting appeared at the top of the page, handwriting Hermione recognised as Ron's.
R- Hermione and Harry in. Surely you've figured out how to work this thing.
Hermione started, smiled quietly and quickly took up her quill.
Hr- Hello Ron. Nice to hear from you too. Actually I was just about to try out this thing when you wrote, so there.
R- O.K. Could I really put Fred and George in detention?
Hr- Yes, if they did something bad. Does that mean you've already got my letter?
R- Yep. Pig's actually quite fast. I sent him off straight away again to Harry.
H- And Harry's just got his letter. Nice of you to wait for me before starting the conversation.
R- Sorry mate. How are you?
H- I'm alright. How's everyone at the Burrow doing?
R- Great. A few more explosions than usual from the maniacs' bedroom, but Mum isn't too worried. She's more worried about Dad and Percy. They're quite stressed at the moment.
Hr- Are they alright, though?
R- Yeah, sure.
Hr- Have you told them about the prefect thing yet?
R- No, not yet.
H- Suck it up man. Just go and tell them. Are you a Gryffindor or not?
R- Oh shut up. Do you know what the carbon copies will do to me?
Hr- I'm surprised your mum hasn't asked you yet.
R- She's been out all day.
Hr- Well, then you're lucky. But don't worry, really.
H- And besides, you'll be able to use the Prefect's bathroom, with the swimming pool in it. You are lucky.
R- Not if Moaning Myrtle's in there spying on me I'm not.
Hr- Listen you two, the phone's ringing, so I'd better go. I'll talk to you in a minute.
Hermione jumped up from the table and ran down the hall. She picked up the receiver. "Hello?" She answered, a little out of breath.
"Hello Honey. Are you alright?" It was her mum. Hermione smiled.
"I'm fine. Ron's sent me and Harry these magical parchments so we can talk to each other without sending letters. Oh, and I got my Hogwart's letter this morning and I've been made a prefect! Oh, and we're all going to Diagon alley on Thursday, Harry and Ron are going to pick me up from here by Floo powder, it's where you travel by fire and-, Mum?" Hermione realised her mother was very quiet.
"Hermione, I'm very proud of you, you deserve to be a prefect. I just called to let you know that your Father's on his way home, he's got something to tell you. It's very important, so you have to stay calm. I wish I could be there as well, but I've got so much work on. I feel very guilty. Dad should be there in a few minutes. Bye darling"
"Mum-" Hermione began, but Joanne Granger had hung up. Hermione frowned and slowly hung up the phone as well. She walked back into the kitchen, where she found Harry and Ron talking about Quidditch, oh what a surprise. Hermione picked up her quill.
Hr- I'm back.
H- Who was on the phone?
Hr- It was my mum. She's at work at the moment. Listen you two, I'm going to have to go now, my Dad's on the way home and apparently he's got some really important news for me.
R- O.K. then. Hermione- to turn this off you just write 'Hermione out' and what me and Harry are writing won't come up on your Trepta. To turn it on again, you just write something.
H- But how do we write to Hermione, then?
R- Oh, you just write 'Hermione in' before you start writing.
H- O.K. Bye Hermione. I'm sure it's good news.
R- Yeah. Speak to you later.
Hr- Hermione out.
