September 1, 1992
Dear Professor Snape,
Can you believe it? What on earth were Harry and Ronald thinking, coming to school in his dad's car? They were laughing about it in the Common Room this evening, about how they didn't get points taken because technically term hadn't started, and that they only got a detention. Honestly, they could have been expelled! The other Gryffindors thought it quite amusing.
I don't think either of them gave a thought to poor Mr. Weasley; he'll probably get into trouble at work because of the Statute of Secrecy.
I noticed you were not at the feast; were you ill? I'm sorry if you were and hope you're on the mend.
That Professor Lockhart…what do you know about him? He seems very self-assured, doesn't he? We saw him at Flourish and Blotts while shopping, and he was having a book signing. While there, he pulled Harry to him and announced that he would be teaching Defense here. Harry did not seem pleased in the least when the man called attention to him, although Mrs. Weasley seemed rather eager to meet him. I had to chuckle because she kept asking Ginny if her hair looked all right.
The entire occasion was ruined when Mr Weasley and Lucius Malfoy had a brawl. Thank goodness for Hagrid, who split them up. I had not seen Draco's father before, but something about him seems…insidious. When he passed me on his way out, he sneered at me, which I rather suspect had something to do with my being a Muggleborn. Do you know him?
I am looking forward to term and hope that we will continue to exchange letters.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione
September 2, 1992
Miss Granger,
I was not ill, thank you for your concern. I had been tasked by the headmaster to search the grounds for your errant classmates once it was learned they had not arrived on the train. As you know, having received this after breakfast, Mr. Arthur Weasley is now facing an enquiry at work because of the illegal use and possession of his car. Mrs Weasley, as you also now by this time, is really rather angry with your classmate. Expulsion had been considered.
Mr. Malfoy was ahead of me at school. He is an enormously proud Pureblood wizard and has raised Draco in the old ways. I would advise you to be wary of interactions with Draco.
I do not know much about Professor Lockhart and will reserve my personal opinion of him. Make of that what you will.
Yours sincerely,
S.S.
November 7, 1992
Dear Professor Snape,
Did you know Harry could speak Parseltongue? Ron explained that Salazar Slytherin was a Parseltongue; does this mean Harry is related to Salazar Slytherin? Are there any Parseltongues among the Slytherins? My research in the library did not offer much on the subject. It was rather frightening to see him apparently directing the snake toward Justin Finch-Fletchley.
Harry is confused and scared and wants answers but is afraid to speak to Dumbledore. The school already thinks he is mad, I guess he doesn't want to add more reason for them to think so. Ron said talking to things you can't see is never a good thing, even in the Wizarding world.
Your skill during the duel with Professor Lockhart was incredible to watch! He looked quite smart; is that the proper clothing in which one practices duelling? The difference between the two of you was remarkable. He spent time making a lot of gestures; was this to throw you off? You, however, wasted no time in gestures. No move you made was not without intent and you certainly did not to give away your next hex. A tell, I believe they call it. I believe you were easily able to tell which hex and curse Lockhart was about to throw.
It was amazing.
Yours,
Hermione
November 8, 1992
Dear Miss Granger,
Those who speak Parseltongue are called Parselmouths and no, I was not aware Mr. Potter was one until now. How his ability will affect him in the future I can only speculate. While all pureblood wizards are related somewhere along the family tree, it is doubtful that he is related to Salazar Slytherin.
One of the core lessons in Defense has apparently eluded any teacher of the course to date—including your apparently smartly garbed Lockhart—appears to be how to not give away what you're about to due with, as you put it, 'tells'. I shall have to speak to the headmaster about the curriculum of that class. Were I teaching the course, it would have been a key lesson within the first week.
Another piece of advice: at your next club meeting, do not partner with Millicent Baulstrode. Her father was a poor and unfair fighter in school and has apparently the Dirigible Plum does not fall far from the tree.
Yours,
SS
December 26, 1992
Miss Granger,
I know you're bored in the hospital wing, but you must stay until all of your, erm, whiskers are gone. I will admit, the idea of you with pointed ears atop your bushy hair is rather amusing. Please continue to take your potions, and you should be able to return to classes in the New Year. Potter and Weasley will continue to bring you your homework, however I shall have one of the better students send you a copy of their class notes from Potions.
I cannot stress to you the importance of never brewing potions, illicit or otherwise, on your own and away from the confines of the Potions' classroom which I have taken and continue to take great pains to ensure is safe from all of the explosions and other mishaps the students cause. However perfectly you may brew a potion, to do so out of class is forbidden. I therefore wish for you to write an essay, not longer than two feet and properly annotated, to be turned into to me one week after your discharge from the hospital wing. The enclosed document will help you in your research and you will not have to resort to Professor Lockhart in future. You may consider it my gift to you for Yule.
Yours,
SS
P.S. I am missing some key ingredients from my stores. Care to hazard a guess how that may have happened?
January 12, 1993
Dear Professor Snape,
Attached please find my essay. Your gift to me was overwhelming and well-used. The Restricted Section…I was in heaven! May I keep the pass?
H.
January 13, 1993
No. Turn it in to me at your next Potions' lesson. Madam Pince has bothered me ad nauseum about finding you in there.
SS
May 9, 1993
Severus quietly opened the door to the hospital wing and made his way to Hermione's bed. He pushed aside the curtain and observed her a moment before sitting in a chair at the foot. It was just after midnight, and the moon shone through the window near her bed, giving him light to see.
"You foolish, brilliant, idiot girl," he murmured. "How I wish I could have you as my apprentice…the things I could teach you…the things you would discover." He stood and pushed a lock of hair away from her eyes and then sat down again. "Alas, it will never be. I have a role to play, the specifics of which are unveiling before my eyes, and I am not sure I like what I see. You'd have been proud of your fellow classmates; they rescued Miss Weasley and proved to the world what a fake Lockhart is. But you'll never hear me admit they did well."
Severus sat beside her for a while, reading a book he had pulled from his pocket. He had stood by the sickbed of his Slytherins, but never for a student of another house. When he had finished his current chapter, he stood to leave. Before doing so he brushed a hand over Hermione's forehead, telling himself that he was just making sure she was not feverish. A simple gesture… his own mother did it when he was ill, and he knew how it made him feel. He doubted Hermione could feel it, but he was only now just admitting she was, in a way, becoming something to him.
He swiftly left the hospital wing before he could give it anymore thought. Friends and feelings were of no use to him.
June 27, 1993
Dear Professor Snape,
I'm so glad this school year is over, but I can't believe Dumbledore cancelled end of year exams! How are we supposed to know if we've learnt enough to move into third year? Honestly.
My parents and I are heading to France for a few weeks in July. Mum and Dad have a dental conference to attend, and I will visit the libraries to search for clues for my Muggle Studies essay due at the first class—we visit France each year regardless of dental conferences, so I am fluent in French. When I return, I hope to visit Diagon Alley in order to get my books for third year so that I may begin studying.
I hope that you have a quiet summer. Will you remain at Hogwarts or return to your home? Do you have a home?
Yours,
Hermione.
June 28, 1993
Dear Miss Granger,
You are unique in that you are the only student who is disappointed that exams were cancelled. Time will tell if students were promoted properly or not, but I don't mind telling you that I don't mind not having all those exam papers to grade.
While you are visiting France, be sure to find the wizarding locations and libraries. You will sense the magic even if you don't see an obvious sign. I understand Professor Binns has assigned a topic about witch burning in the fourteenth century, and you may find some additional information from the French point of view.
I spend the first part of my summer holidays restocking Madam Pomfrey's stores and then the rest at my home near Manchester.
Enjoy your holidays,
SS