Chapter One
The train chugged along as the sun began to dip gently over the horizon. Hermione sat rather dejectedly in an empty compartment. She had been somewhat dejected all day; she had yet to see Harry and Ron. They obviously weren't looking for her. She took out a notebook, specially bought from a muggle stationary store for her letters. Strange she thought, that she should love letters, and quills and all things' old-fashioned' and then have that become a reality. Ironically she always wrote her letters with a pen now; it made them seem less real, as though they didn't really exist in her life. She looked out the window, too excited to write down her thoughts as much as she never wanted to forget them. She never wanted to forget this feeling.
Hermione wished she could take a picture, savour the beautiful hills, clouds and soft grasses. She didn't want it to move, wanting to remain stationary. In her delightful moments of reflection. How she treasured these moments to be left alone, to think. It was her favourite part of this journey and had been why she had adored the bus ride to her school, time to think. A quiet, solitary and solemn child, she had always been consumed by her thoughts, her musings. Nothing entertained her more than her own speculations and fantasies, no matter how concerning she occasionally found them. If they hurt no one, Hermione considered, there can be nothing wrong. It will only be wrong if it makes me behave poorly.
Such a rush of excitement surged through her body. Hermione almost giggled with anticipation; it was evening, they were so close. She was eager to see Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Hagrid, even Snape; two months without her teachers was simply too long. Her summer had been relatively uneventful; her parents were working most of the time. So she had just caught up with friends and read her textbooks, desperate for the bustle and consistency of Hogwarts. She decided to at least start her letter, for at least some recollection of the first day of Second Year.
1/9/1992
Well I'm on the train. The countryside is so magnificent, Scotland is so much more beautiful than England. I'm so excited I can barely write, but I promised I would. I cannot wait to return. See Severus and Minerva, it's been such a long time without them I felt quite abandoned. I'm going to change into my robes. I read some really interesting books over the holidays; I find potions particularly so fascinating. I always thought I would want to go into medicine, and potions seem like the most similar in the Wizarding World. It also seems like the most magical; there is something so delightfully terrifying about the ability of potions. I want to ask Professor Snape if I can do some work with him for extra credit; I want to learn as much as I possibly can. I want to be able to do all the extraordinary things he must be able to. "Bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses," Terrifying but so so fascinating. I have missed him in a way, the last person I thought I would want to see again, but we were wrong about him last year, he wasn't working for You-Know-Who, and he tried to save Harry! I think he's actually rather nice he just pretends to be so mean; despite how rude he can be some of his comments are actually rather funny. I like his sarcasm; there is potential there for an enjoyable human. I just hope he is nicer when Harry isn't around. Despite saving him, he really does seem to hate him. We're drawing in! That actually went rather quickly, excited for another year.
- Hermione
Later
The Feast is over, and I'm all unpacked so I thought I would write a little more. Harry and Ron weren't avoiding me; they missed the train. I can't explain how happy I am. I honestly thought they'd forgotten about me over the summer. They're in the most awful trouble though, they flew a car to Hogwarts! I can't believe it. Ron shouldn't even know how to drive; I'm just glad they're okay. They said Snape was furious. He made them sit in his freezing office for hours until he got McGonagall when the Feast was over. Ron didn't even get to see Ginny sorted, and they had to have sandwiches instead of all that lovely food. It is so great to be back, a little overwhelming, which is why I'm glad of you my little friend. But it is so nice to be surrounded by people, summer was a bit lonely. I like the quiet, but even so, I missed people who actually remembered what I told them and asked about what I had been up to. Mum and Dad are wonderful, but they are very busy; running their own practice has taken a lot of time. Still, I don't mind; nobody ever died from a lack of attention. Goodnight, I don't want to be tired tomorrow.
- H
Hermione lay in bed minutes later, overwhelmed with emotions. A tear escaped her careful breathing and made its way down her face. It was just so wonderful to be back, but she always felt an odd mix of emotions at these times, sad for her parents, but so so happy. She was missing their lives, and it was never far from her mind; letters were good, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing them, speaking to them. She was growing up away from them, and it indeed must reach a point where they wouldn't even know her. You couldn't exactly share your daily troubles over a letter. They didn't know how she felt, any of her friends, they were entirely disconnected from her world, and it broke her heart. She thought of Professor Snape at the Feast. Late, probably due to Harry and Ron's escapades; his face had looked like thunder, but she smiled at him. It was not returned. Lockhart was there too, and he was going to be a teacher! Hermione had already known this, of course, but that did not dissipate the excitement that shot through her. He was so charming. She could have listened to him read the phonebook and not gotten bored. Giggling, she rubbed her face into the pillow to muffle the sound. It was good to be back.
Sleep overtook her as she lay with a smile, thinking of the glorious year ahead. Now, three teachers she could enjoy every minute with, perfect. One that reminded her of each parent and… one that excited her in a way it probably shouldn't.