I don't know how far I'll be able to take this, but I'd like to have one chapter for Ron and Hermione each year. Please let me know what you think, so I know whether or not to continue this. Any and all opinions are very welcome.

I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1 – Hermione Granger, Aged 12

Hogwarts was everything that Hermione had imagined it would and so much more besides. Everything, from the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall to the four poster bed in her dorm room, was simply magical. She had spent a great deal of her childhood reading books of witches and wizards. She had never dreamed that the stories would come true, but now that they were a reality, Hermione swore never to waste a moment in the wizarding world.

Her favourite place in Hogwarts was undoubtedly the library. At meal times she would wolf down her food and hurry up to the fourth floor. She would walk the red-carpeted floors, looking longingly at the books until she found the one she would tackle next. She consumed the books hungrily, moving swiftly from one to the next, intent on discovering everything she could about her magical haven.

Despite her hunger for knowledge, Hermione was feeling increasingly isolated. None of the Gryffindor boys were particularly keen on making her feel welcome, and the girls had steadily avoided her one by one as well. She was well known as a teacher's pet, a swot and a know-it-all, but Hermione was not about to change her ways for the sake of friendship.

The advantage of having few friends was that it enabled her to spend more time in the library. It became her hideaway, where she could run from the insults, and indulge herself with the written word.

Hermione only truly realised how lonely she was when she sat in the library on the evening of the nineteenth of September, over three weeks after her arrival at Hogwarts. Madam Pince, the stern-faced librarian, was beginning to clear everyone out. She came to Hermione last.

"Come on," Madam Pince said sternly. "The library's shutting now."

Hermione must have let her disappointment show.

The briefest of smiles crossed Madam Pince's sallow face. "I admire your enthusiasm, Miss…"

"Granger." Hermione said. She sighed as she closed the current book she was reading and handed it to Madam Pince.

"I've seen you in here every day since the start of term, Miss Granger. Your thirst for knowledge is truly inspiring. Perhaps you should encourage your friends to join you, that the knowledge may be spread."

Hermione did not want to reply to this. Confessing her true loneliness to a librarian seemed rather pathetic. She simply smiled and gathered her things together.

She walked unhurriedly back to Gryffindor Tower, hoping that the moving staircases would provide their usual welcome distraction. They did nothing to improve her mood today.

She climbed through the portrait of the fat lady and entered the Gryffindor common room. Almost all the chairs were taken. She could only see one that was empty. Unfortunately, this chair was at a table already occupied.

Ronald Weasley, the ginger-haired friend of the famous Harry Potter, was sat alone. He stared downwards at an unfinished essay, resting his head on his hand. As Hermione sat opposite him, she caught a glimpse of the title.

Hermione was unable to hold back a remark. "That homework's supposed to be handed in tomorrow." she said curtly. "You better get a move on."

Ron looked up in surprise. When he found the owner of the voice, he glared. "Oh, it's you."

"I'm only trying to help." Hermione said defensively. "Professor McGonagall won't be pleased if you hand it in late. You'll be in detention, and it's only the third week of term."

"I suppose you've already finished yours." Ron asked with a smirk.

Hermione nodded. "Of course."

Ron grimaced. "It's enough to make you sick."

Hermione felt her throat tightening as a lump rose in her throat. It would have been wise for her to stand down from this argument, but Ron had riled her to a point of no return.

"Do you think that someone being punctual is a bad thing?" she asked sharply.

Ron shrugged.

Hermione huffed.

"Where do you go all night?" Ron asked, dropping his quill, spreading a large blot across his title. "We see you eating dinner, and then you just run off."

Hermione eyed the inky parchment disapprovingly. "I go to the library." she replied aloofly.

Ron laughed. "You need to learn to relax. Why would you wanna go to the library of all places?"

"Don't you like reading?" Hermione asked, unable to comprehend how she would spend her time if she didn't have her books.

Ron pulled a face, looking as if he couldn't imagine anything worse than picking up a book.

Hermione was losing patience. She was ready to give up on today and sink into bed. She stood up with a last look at Ron's homework.

"You spelt Transfiguration wrong!" she snapped before heading to the stairs.

As her foot touched the first step, she heard Ron muttering to himself.

"Bloody show-off."

Hermione hurried upstairs. The girl's dorm was empty, thankfully. Hermione changed into her pyjamas and slipped into bed.

She had celebrated her birthday alone. Even her parent's card and presents that had arrived by owl post that morning did little to ease her nerves. The perfect world of Hogwarts was beginning to crumble. She had seven years still to go ... Would she be able to last without friends?

Lying in her bed, a tear trickling down her cheek, Hermione had no idea that her problems would be solved six weeks later in a girl's bathroom, thanks to a rogue mountain troll.

Any reviews would be much appreciated :)