Dear Jessie,

Today I went to Hogsmeade Village for the first time, and it was indescribable. At first I felt bad for being gone during the time that I had committed to the house elves, but Luna got someone else to help out. It's nice to know that so many people care. The four of us, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and I, wandered around, with the upperclassmen pointing out everything of note.

There's this giant candy store, and half the things in it looked more like weapons than sweets. My mouth was watering just looking at everything, so I knew we had to get out. We went into this little inn called The Three Broomsticks. Hermione said that she would treat us. I know she paid for Luna and Neville too, but that doesn't mean that it didn't make my stomach do flip flops.

She ordered me this drink called butterbeer. When they brought the mugs over to our table, I was shocked. I thought for sure that it must be some weirdly flavored beer. I was hesitant to drink any, since I've never had alcohol before in my life. Hermione laughed. 'It's kind of like warm liquid butterscotch. Don't worry, you'll love it'. I didn't want to disappoint her, so I took a big gulp. That was a mistake.

Maybe European people have stronger constitutions than us Americans, but I thought for sure I was going to puke. The flavor was so strong, it literally made my eyes tear up, and my throat burned. Hermione frowned at that. I guess she's never seen someone react so negatively to the popular drink.

But thankfully, she didn't say anything, and neither did the other two. They might not understand why I'm here, but they definitely can tell that I am so out of my element. Hermione said that she's a muggle-born, like me, meaning her parents aren't wizards. She said that her reactions were similar to mine when she was first introduced to Hogwarts, but she at least had others her age who entered at the same time.

After we left the establishment, Hermione said that it was time to be getting back to the school. She said that she wanted to introduce me to some of her friends when we got back. I followed her through the school, up to where she said the Gryffindor common rooms were located. She told me to wait at the end of the hallway.

When she returned about ten minutes later, she had the red head and dark haired boys with her. She stood in front of them proudly. 'This is Ronald Weasley, and this is Harry Potter'. The name Potter sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't recall from quite where. She must have noticed my blank expression, because her smile got smaller.

I didn't want that, so I grinned and nodded. She just shook her head, and I thought that she was going to tell me that I messed up too badly, and she wasn't going to let me be her friend anymore. That would be a tragedy. Then I realized that she was silently laughing. 'You don't know who either of them are?'

I politely shook my head. It would be pointless to lie. 'No, sorry'. The one with the funny glasses smiled, though the ginger had his nose scrunched up a little distastefully.

Hermione chuckled. 'Wow, I guess… I don't know what I was expecting. You did say that you just transferred here, and you are from all the way across the ocean, but I guess I forgot about that for a moment. I can't believe that you don't recognize the most famous wizard in the magical world'.

Yes, apparently Hermione is best friends with the most famous wizard in the magical world. And he's cute too. There's no way I could beat him.

Woefully yours always,

Sophie