Underneath it All
A/N : New story, whoo! Lolz. Anyways, let me tell you about this story first. It's all about Hermione and her thoughts, problems, and just her life. Pretty much I'm going to be writing her diary. The "story" takes place in 6th year, just after OoTP – I'm not sure yet if there will be spoilers, but I'm guessing there will. I have no idea where this story is going, so just bear with me for a few chapters before I get some general direction. And don't forget to leave me a review, I love them – they're very helpful and they let me know I'm doing something right, lolz.
DISCLAIMER : All characters and places are brought to you by JK Rowling – not me.
Now we begin...
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August 31st,
I've been thinking about the past few years – a lot has happened. I mean, for one things, I found out I was a witch! But, I mean more recently… I haven't really talked to Harry over the summer. Sure we've sent occasional owls and everything, but, nothing really… I don't know how to say it really. I suppose it's because of what happened before school ended. The whole incident at the Department of Mysteries is still fresh in my mind, and I can't begin to imagine what it must be like for Harry! He's already lost so many people close to him…
On the bright side, I passed my OWLs! I got all O's except for one E in Astronomy… It's all because of that foul Umbridge woman and her little friends… How dare they attack Hagrid and McGonnagall like that! The nerve of them! It just put me off for the rest of the examination… I'm just so disappointed, I was so close to all O's…
And tomorrow school begins! I can't wait to see everybody again… I have a bad feeling about this year though… Voldemort's return has been announced, and I just know that the war will be soon… Every day brings us nearer to it. I was so scared over the summer. I don't know what I would do if something had happened to my parents or friends!
I do hope that the NEWT classes will be interesting enough. Don't get me wrong, the regular classes I took were interesting, but, they were a tad easy - for me at least - which is why I can't wait until our NEWT classes begin! Finally, a challenge!
Well, I'd better get to sleep soon then, I'm getting tired, and I want to be wide away tomorrow!
September 1st,
Oh, what a day! It feels so good to be back at Hogwarts. Being home is wonderful and everything since I get to see my parents, but, Hogwarts feels like more of a home to me since I'm so close to everyone…
I don't know why, but everyone seems to be different this year!
Ron… Oh, Ron. It's great to have him as a friend, but it sure would be nice to be seen as more than some annoying know-it-all bookworm. I fell asleep on the train ride here, so Ron had to carry me to the carriage and then into Hogwarts. I was so embarrassed when I woke up! Everyone was looking at me… Although, it was quite nice to be held in his arms…
And Harry… He's no longer a child. But then again, I don't think he ever truly was a child. He had to grow up so fast, and he's dealt so much with in his life. But now, his eyes don't have that playful glint anymore. He's much more subdued and calm. He didn't talk for most of the train ride – he just sat there while Ron kept talking. I just wish I could help him somehow… I wish I could take away the pain. He hides so many things inside himself, it's not good for him! I wish he would let me in on some of it… I could help…
Then there's Ginny – my best female friend, Ginny. She's grown quite a bit! She's no longer a little girl anymore. She's much taller, and I couldn't help but notice that she's more attractive. In fact, I caught some of the boys staring at her. I can't help but envy her. She doesn't even care that boys notice her, she's so lucky like that. The incident at the Department of Mysteries made her grow up too.
I think it made us all grow up. We all realize now just what we're facing. It's going to be a difficult battle to fight, but I know that we can do it, at least, I hope we can…
Which reminds me, is it just me, or has Malfoy changed as well? I've never been close to him, quite the contrary actually. But he seems much more different now. I thought that it might have something to do with his father being sent to Azkaban, but, I heard that he was released since the only proof was our word… And Lucious Malfoy is a very powerful man…
Anyways. Enough about Malfoy. I don't have time to ponder his life. Classes start tomorrow, and I don't want to miss a thing!
I doubt that I'm going to get much sleep tonight though. Lavender and Parvati keep giggling and chattering loudly – they want me to join them! Ooh, it would be quite nice to be friends with them… After all, we've been roommates for 5 years so far, and, much as I love the company of Harry and Ron, some more female friends would be nice… Even if it's Lavender and Parvati.
September 2nd,
Classes began today!! We didn't start anything new though. I was a bit disappointed at that. Each professor just told us of the importance of our last 2 years at Hogwarts, and that we would have to work harder now that our NEWT classes were beginning.
We have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor again. I'm not one to believe in superstitions, but I do think that the position is jinxed! This year we have Professor Parlink. He reminds me a bit of Dumbledore actually. Professor Parlink has that same twinkle in his eye like Dumbledore. He told us that we would be working harder than ever, and that most lessons would be practical because there was no point in just copying notes. Harry and Ron like him too – although, I think it's because they think they won't be doing as much work.
Much as I try not to care, I can't help but think about Malfoy. I really don't know what it is… But he has definitely changed. He didn't say one word to me, Harry, or Ron! Not even one rude remark about me being a mudblood, or Ron being poor, or anything! Not even when Ron tried to provoke him either! He just looked at us and walked away. There was a look in his eyes that I couldn't quite read… It wasn't anger or sadness, but, it was…
After classes Ron and Harry went off to play Quidditch. Harry's been made Quidditch Captain this year, and only he and Ron are left from last year's team. I hope they find a good team and win the Quidditch Cup again.
Since they were off playing Quidditch, I joined Parvati and Lavender for a walk around the grounds. We talked until dinnertime. They're really not as bad as I thought. They don't just care about how they look, but they really do care and notice the world around them. I mean, sure they kept flirting with any boy them came up to us, but, they didn't just talk about boys and make-up. It's nice to have someone to talk to about things other than Quidditch or Voldemort…
I joined them for dinner as well. Ron and Harry didn't seem to notice, not like I thought they would. Although, it would have been nice… They didn't seem to miss me at all. Lavender and Parvati asked me what was wrong when I kept glancing at them… After I told them, they kept shooting dirty looks at Ron and Harry. They had no idea why they kept getting them.
After dinner when everyone went back to their Common Rooms, Harry and Ron came up to me. They were wondering why Lavender and Parvati kept shooting them dirty looks. They thought I would know since I had been sitting with them. So they finally noticed me now… Now that they needed help. Honestly. I well near told them why, but I help back my tongue.
Ron looked so cute standing there all clueless, wondering what he had done…
And then Harry. Harry knew that I knew. He just didn't know what I knew. He asked me afterwards before I went up to my dormitory, but I said I didn't know. He just looked at me and let me be. I hate hiding things from Harry! It's not his fault that he's got lots of things on his mind right now, but, I can't help but feel a little neglected…
At least I have Lavender and Parvati. It's strange, really. I mean, we've only just really started talking, and yet, it feels like we've been friends for ages. It's quite nice, actually. We stayed up late talking all night.
Well, we didn't just talk. They wanted to try out some make up on me… They said I looked amazing with it on; I suppose I did look better… And I did like how they managed to make my hair less bushy. I don't know what they did, but you can actually see the curls that were hid by the bushiness. I think that I'm going to leave it like that… The bushiness is one thing I can do without.
It was well past midnight before we went to sleep. I just hope it doesn't affect me too much during lessons…
September 3rd,
Well, I guess I was wrong. I knew I should have got more sleep. We had practical lessons all day. I managed to do them all first, but, I had more trouble than usual. I think it might have something to do with my lack of sleep, but, I doubt that. And the material we covered was simple enough, so, it can't be that it's too difficult…
I don't know how Lavender and Parvati manage to look like they've had hours of sleep, but I wish I had their secret. I was yawning all day, and I had bags under my eyes… Ron asked me if I had stayed up late reading – it's like all he thinks I do is read! Is it that hard to think that I was talking all night long?!
He didn't notice my hair either, neither did Harry. After being friends with me for 5 years, you'd think that they would notice when I went from frizzy bushy hair, so soft and curly! It's not like it was a slight difference. And other people noticed! Ginny said it looked lovely, and even Neville said that he liked it! And you know that it's bad when MALFOY notices and your best friends don't! He looked a bit startled during Potions when I first saw him – but only for a moment. He went back to normal very fast… And, I don't know whether he smirked or smiled at me, but I have this feeling that he was smiling… But who can tell with Malfoy?
We didn't get any homework tonight, so, after classes everyone went outside once more. Why waste such lovely weather? Lavender and Parvati went off with Seamus and Dean, while Ron and Harry kept talking about Quidditch. I couldn't find Ginny anywhere, so I just brought out a book, found a nice tree, and started to read.
I could swear that Malfoy was watching me! Almost every time I looked up, I saw him glancing over at me from his group of friends by the lake. Whenever he saw me looking up, though, he would just turn his head quickly. It was the strangest thing… Although, I may be imagining things.
I promised myself that I wouldn't stay up so late tonight with Lavender and Parvati. It wasn't that difficult tonight, since they kept going on about what a wonderful afternoon they had had with Seamus and Dean. I just drifted off to sleep - I wonder if they noticed…
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