1 September 1991
Hermione woke early, it was the day that everything would change, her whole life would be turned upside down - it was like a game of espionage, somehow exciting and terrifying all at once.
She would meet Neville first, then help him look for his toad, Trevor, eventually making her way to Harry and Ron's compartment and showing off her magic by repairing Harry's glasses, then when leaving she would insult Ron, it was inadvertently the first time, of course, she had thought she was helping him.
Then later, on Halloween, in charms class she would annoy Ron by correcting him, then pretend to be upset when he talks about her. Eventually leading to the troll incident where they'd become friends. Well, that was the plan, she's hoping she wouldn't accidentally change things just yet.
Getting up she rushes to the bathroom to get ready, even though there are hours till she has to be at Kings Cross she wants to ensure she has everything in place.
Bounding down the stairs she can't help the excitement, the first time around she had to study continuously to prove she was the best, now she can prove it without the study, she can actually enjoy and cherish her time at Hogwarts.
After a filling full English breakfast the Granger's set off to Kings cross, all of Hermione's things packed into the back of the car, she was upset that she couldn't buy Crookshanks yet - not until the summer before her third year otherwise she might scare Pettigrew off, which could lead to Sirius remaining in Azkaban - honestly the whole thing makes her dizzy.
Looking out the window watching cars fly by, she dreams of a peaceful life after Hogwarts, one where they're free of war and the people she loves live happy lives.
The station is packed, so is platform 9 3/4, families everywhere saying goodbye to their children, not seeing some of them for three months, until Christmas. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas stand near her talking animatedly about the sorting, one of them saying they heard from the Weasley twins that they had to fight a dragon to be sorted, Hermione rolled her eyes typical of Fred and George, always causing trouble.
The Hogwarts Express lets out a shrill whistle, allowing children to board the train, she turns to her parents, throwing her arms around them, "I'll miss you" she says, her words muffled within their clothes, "We'll miss you too 'Mione" her dad says as her mum kisses the top of her head.
She smiles wryly while turning, dragging her trunk behind her, so it begins.
She walks down the hall trying to find Neville's compartment, students run alongside her, shouting at each other, she winces, this she didn't remember.
Trudging along mindlessly, she almost misses the compartment, she doubles back and knocks before sticking her head in, she puts on her sweetest voice and speaks "Hi, could I please join you", Neville the poor boy is a nervous mess, he nods frantically "Yeah, uh yeah".
She smiles at him and introduces herself "I'm Hermione Granger" she sticks her hand out, he shakes it timidly before replying "Neville Longbottom".
"Nice to meet you, Neville, again" she mutters the latter part under her breath. The train shrieks again, they're about to set off, looking outside she waves at her parents, hopefully, this time she'll actually spend time with them, her magical life took over her time with her parents before, she vows to change that too.
Once they've set off and almost two hours into their journey she hears the shout "TREVOR". She sighs, showtime, she looks to Neville and says "Come on, I'll help you find him" he smiles at her in thanks.
She stops at four compartments before coming to theirs, her heart beats faster, this is it, she cannot mess this up.
"This is Scabbers by the way, pathetic isn't he" she hears Ron say, "Just a little bit" is Harry's reply.
"Fred gave me a spell to turn him yellow, want to see? She rolls her eyes, patience wearing thin, "Yeah" Harry says enthusiastically, the first time he'll experience actual magic, and it'll be hers, not Ron's.
Taking a breath as Ron pulls out his wand, starting the spell on Pettigrew - she refrains from cursing him right now - "Sun-" she walks forward, looking around the small room and sighing "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one" she puts on her snootiest voice - goodness, no wonder Ron hated her at first she thinks "No" is his reply.
Looking at his wand she says "Oh, are you're doing magic, let's see then" she was honestly terrible, mortified by her younger self she carries on. After hearing his dud spell she continues, Ron's right she is a nightmare.
Repairing Harry's glasses she prepares to introduce herself "Holy cricket, your Harry Potter, I'm Hermione Granger...and you are?" she asks "Um, Ron Weasley," he says, mouth stuffed with sweets, "Charmed" is her disgusted reply - she doesn't need to fake it here, Ron's eating habits do leave something to be desired. Telling them to change into robes and informing Ron of the dirt on his nose she hurries out of the compartment, wanting to get away and calm herself.
Praying to whoever is listening that she has done it near enough to last time.
The train is fast approaching the Hogsmead station, excitement bubbles up inside her, she'll see Hogwarts again - the first place she felt accepted and normal, she remembers when children at her primary school teased her, then after displaying some accidental magic they feared her - she thought that she was a freak, but no she was just special, magical.
A loud hoot brings her out of her musings, the train is stopping, Hagrid will be waiting outside, calling for the first years to follow him.
She can hear students, nervous and happy all at once, she can't blame them, she feels the same way and it's her second time around.
following the group of first years she makes her way onto a boat with Neville by her side, she sees Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle climbing into a boat next to them, "Four per boat, only four" she hears Hagrid shout, two more girls join them and the boats start to move.
Gasping in awe she looks up at Hogwarts, it's so different from the last time she saw it when Harry had died when the castle was war-ravaged.
