Chapter 3

Hermione spent most of the next week trying to figure out which classrooms were which, what courses she would be taking and trying to meet new people. The homework was piling up; the muggles were hard to study, as most of them seemed too busy to really get to know. The muggle teachers gave them much more homework than she was used to, and plus, there were the assignments from Professor Flitwick. The pressure was really getting Hermione's temper up, and she was in no mood to talk to anyone at the moment. Trying to work her way through the crowded hall towards the Math Room, Hermione felt herself being pushed back. Then, she heard a voice behind her, "Hey." Trying to turn around to see whom the owner was, she caught sight of the muggle boy that looked so very much like Harry. He was talking to his friends but caught Hermione's eye, and winked. Hermione could feel her heart race faster, but she merely nodded and continued on through the halls. She knew that she really shouldn't let something that little take over her mind, but it did. The whole day was filled with the thought, 'What does a wink mean?' She was so stuck in her thoughts that she hardly heard the girl come up beside her. "Hello? Earth to girl! What are you thinking about?"

Hermione looked up and offered a half smile. "Er- nothing, really. Just homework.and stuff." The lie was obvious but Hermione didn't care, and besides, the girl hardly seemed to notice. "Oh, well, my name's Brooke. What's yours?" She was pretty, Hermione noticed, silky black hair, and beautiful blue eyes. "Hermione. Hermione Granger." She replied, trying to meet the girl's cool gaze. "Oh wow, that's exotic! My family name is O'Reilly. My dad's Irish." She trailed off and grinned. "Sorry, I don't want to bore you, I always do that to people. Well I got to run, meet me outside at the picnic tables after class." And with a final wave, she was gone. Hermione couldn't help but smile, Brooke was the kind of girl that you couldn't help but like.

For days after, Hermione stayed with Brooke, who lead her through most of the classes and introduced her to other muggles. Hermione felt almost guilty, using her as an example for her homework, but she knew Brooke probably wouldn't mind, even if she knew. There were times when Lavender almost gave them away talking about the "funny muggles" and "missing Hogwarts", but they were still on the safe side. As for the boy, Hermione never had any classes with him, but saw him almost every day in the hall. Pretty soon, Brooke caught on, "You like Kevin, don't you?" Hermione swung around, "What? Who's Kevin?" Brooke was giving her a nasty kind of smile, but then she laughed and broke the tension. "You know! The guy you're always looking at!" Hermione smiled, there was no point trying to hide that she was attracted to him slightly, and besides, she wasn't staying here permanently, there was nothing to lose. She shrugged, trying to look indifferent, "Yeah, I guess." That seemed to please Brooke, who always liked to be right, "Oh yeah girl! But." She paused for a second, but then continued, "You've got so much competition! Practically every girl in this school is in love with him!"

'Uh oh,' thought Hermione, 'Why does this always happen?' It was the same with Harry. The girls were nuts about him, and now this guy. "Well maybe I should try for someone else, huh?" She suggested, but Brooke shook her head emphatically, "No! Don't give up! Here, I've got a plan. He'll be yours by next week."

What happens? Hehe, I'm not telling! Read the next chapter to find out!