A/N: You people wonder why I update so infrequently. You're all awful at reviewing. Thank you so much to AdelaideB, LadyDisdain89, and . for your wonderful reviews. You rule. LadyDisdain89 pointed out to me that Malfoy breaking Hermione's finger wasn't much cause for a full, blown-out war, and she is absolutely right. I think I should just clear this up. Hermione hated him before, for almost getting all of them killed (more than once), and for letting Death Eaters into the castle in 6th year, and almost killing Dumbledore and then letting Dumbledore die. I could go on and on. She's prejudiced. Oh, and there was something about electronics and such not working at Hogwarts because of all the magical activity, but I'm ignoring that. Also, I realize the book was written before the time of laptops and iPods, but I'm ignoring that too. This is a filler chapter, so don't expect much. Now, I'll let you read the actual story, and sorry this took so long.
Chapter 4
Sitting on her bed in her dormitory, Hermione grabbed the laptop and iPod Nano her parents had given her on her last birthday. She had discovered that, for some strange reason, Hogwarts had great internet access. She had no idea why that was, as most witches and wizards didn't use computers to communicate, but it was nice that she could use the internet; it made contact with her parents and muggle friends that much easier. Recharging the battery of her computer with a tap of her wand, she clicked the power button and put in her earphones, switching her iPod on as well. Probably the only thing Harry and Ron didn't know about her was her obsession with music. She had no clue why she had never told them, aside from the fact that the subject had just never come up, but she couldn't see how they could have missed it, either.
The song 'Defying Gravity', from the musical 'Wicked', came on as her computer woke up. She sang along quietly. "Something has changed within me/ Something is not the same/ I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game." The song definitely applied to Nicole, the girl who had gotten Hermione into this particular musical in the first place and was also her best muggle friend. "Too late for second guessing/ Too late to go back to sleep/ It's time to trust my instincts/ Close my eyes/ and leap…/ It's time to try defying gravity/ I think I'll try defying gravity/ And you can't pull me down," she sang.
She clicked on the internet icon and logged onto her email account. She had some junk mail, a notice about something expiring (she didn't know what) and one letter from her parents and another from Nicole. She opened her parents' first.
"Dear Hermione,
How were your holidays? It's odd not to be in Australia, like last year, but nice to be home. It was lonely here without you, too, but we understand how inconvenient it would be for you to have to travel so far to come home. We'll see you this summer, in any case.
Thank you so much for the lovely pictures; it's wonderful how they move. It makes it seem like you and your friends are really here.
We hope you liked your gift, and that school is going well!
Happy Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!
Love,
Mum and Dad"
Hermione smiled, though she felt a little guilty that she hadn't been able to join her family for Christmas. She sent back a reply saying that her holidays had been wonderful, she was well, thanks for the gift, and that she missed them. That done, she proceeded to Nicole's letter.
Nicole was Hermione's only muggle friend who knew that Hermione was a witch and she wasn't at an expensive boarding school. She was also the only person, besides Harry and Ron, who knew everything that was going on in Hermione's life. Actually, she probably knew more than Harry and Ron. This was good for Hermione, who didn't really have any other girlfriends she could confide in, in or out of Hogwarts.
"Hey, Hermione," Nicole had written.
"Happy Christmas! Thanks for the earrings; I love that they change color. Mum keeps asking me how often I change my jewelry because they'll be green when she leaves the room and purple when she comes back. It's hysterical to watch her try and catch me switching them out. Plus, they're just wicked cool.
Are you back at school yet? I got the impression from your last email that quarters at your friend Ron's house were a bit cramped, and I know you like your space. But I hope you had fun, and it wasn't too awkward, his being your ex-boyfriend and all. Holidays at my house are not fun (have I told you that before?). I know you're sick of hearing about it, but I'll say it again; Mum is such a control freak! But at least I got good presents. Other than the clothes. Fathers should not shop for their daughters. Ever.
How is Hogwarts, if you're back? Had to deal with the idiot Malfoy boy yet? Suggestion: next time, send him something that explodes in his face. Good luck in that.
Are the nightmares getting any better? I know you went through a lot last year. It can't be easy.
School just started, and I'm already in trouble with my Trig teacher for calling Ashley, Susan and Shelby 'bad names'. It was worth it though. They're such idiots. Oh, hey, I came up with an acronym for them: the ASS. It suits them.
Have fun for the rest of the year! Will you be home for the summer? I know that this is your last year of school, and you'll probably be getting a job when it's over, but I think you should come home for a few weeks at least. If you do, we have to get together. I'll see you… sometime!
Love you!
Miss you!
Nicole"
Hermione, grinning broadly, hit 'reply' and started typing. Nicole was always curious about her 'relationship' with Malfoy. Sometimes, Hermione forgot just how much Nicole really knew about her.
"Dear Nicole,
Happy Christmas! I just got back to school last week and I'm already about to rip Malfoy's wretched head off. It would be fun. He just sent me this great shirt that burned some lovely new holes I didn't know I needed into my chest. Literally. Painfully. I'm one step ahead of you; his eyebrows are burned off, the ends of his hair are black, and his eyes are red. It was very satisfying.
Other than that, school is fine. As in, I'm not freaking out because of homework overload- yet. Tell your teacher that one of the girls you know said that whatever you said about Ashley and Susan and Shelby wasn't insulting, it was true. Those three are almost as bad as Pansy Parkinson and Lavender Brown, which is saying something.
I'm glad you liked the earrings. I wish I'd gotten a pair for myself. The book was great, by the way. I have to laugh when I read some people's views about magic. Thanks!
Yes, you've told me all about holidays at your house and about your mum. Many times. But I'll sympathize one more time; I'm sorry you have to endure that. Yes, it was a bit cramped at Ron's, but it wasn't so bad. Not even really awkward. It would have been better if Ginny didn't throw things at me, though. But oh well.
How's school, other than the ASS? I'll be home for at least part of the summer, so I'll see you then.
The nightmares are, well, not better, really, but I'll live. They're just dreams.
Happy Christmas and New Year! Have fun!
Love you!
Miss you!
Hermione"
She hit 'send' and leaned back, listening to the new song on her iPod. It was nice to be in touch with the outside world.
A/N: Yeah, this was a filler, so sorry for the lack of excitement. Please, people, I'm begging you, review!!! Hope this wasn't too boring for you. Even if it was, I need input. I also still need ideas for what Hermione and Draco could do that would land them in detention for a month. It's important, so even if you have a crappy idea, I want to hear it.
Thank you all!
Love,
k