Hermione sat on her bed rereading the letter for the millionth time. She had found it at the bottom of her trunk after vigorously searching for it a few days ago. It had been left in her trunk from the summer after fourth year. In her haste to get to Grimmauld Place, she packed everything quickly.
Dear Hermione,
Hey, how are you? I'll assume you remember you're good friend Eric? Sorry I haven't kept in contact, I just didn't know what to say. You guys must hate me for not writing or anything.
So, how's high school? You still top of the class? How's the rest of the gang?
The work at my boarding school is quite hard, but you know me, I like a challenge. I do reasonably. I have just finished some holiday homework so am bored out of my mind. I miss you guys heaps. A lot of the time I wish I was back there with you guys. I mean my friends here are great, but I really miss you guys and would love to catch up!
We, that is to say my parents and I, are planning a trip to come down in the holidays some time, but it will have to be the following summer because next year we're going to Italy.
Please write me back, I'd love to hear from you!
Your friend,
Eric
Hermione didn't realize how much she missed her friends, especially Eric, until she read his letter. She had always had a bit of a crush on him, ever since they were five, when they first met at school. And he thought that she went to a normal High School, and had stayed at school with the other friends. Of course, she had got her letter after he left, so he and his parents could settle in before school started. Then she went to Hogwarts.
She dragged her trunk downstairs and met Harry and Ron in the Entrance Hall, from there; they got into a carriage with Ginny and Neville. The trio found an empty compartment on the train and sat in comfortable silence until they were visited by the one and only Draco Malfoy, accompanied, as always, by his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
'Well, well, well, if it isn't Potty, Weasel and the Mudblood.' Malfoy sneered, his silver blue eyes shining with malice.
'Get lost Malfoy!' Harry retorted, got up and made to shut the door, but Malfoy stopped him.
'Is the Mudblood finally cracking up? Malfoy asked incredulously after seeing Hermione sitting unnaturally still and staring at a blank spot on the wall opposite her.
'Don't worry,' Malfoy continued. 'I'm sure the train can take you straight to St Mungos.' And Malfoy left amid guffaws from Crabbe and Goyle.
'Don't listen to him, Hermione' Ron said as Harry shut the compartment door.
'Don't listen to who?' Hermione asked, as she had not noticed Malfoy come in, or hear his attempts to taunt her.
'Hermione, are you sure you're okay?' Harry asked as he sat down next to her, his voice full of concern.
'Seriously, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I know I haven't been myself lately, but don't worry, everything will sort itself out. I promise, next time I see you I will be back to normal.'
Harry and Ron were not convinced, but went back to eating their Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.
Hermione got a book out of her trunk and tried to distract her thoughts of Eric by reading. She had tried this countless times, but it never worked. She feared this time would be no different. And she was right.
According to his letter, Eric would be visiting this summer and Hermione was extremely anxious. She had many suspicions that she had strong feelings for him, but wasn't sure, as he was the only boy she ever liked that way – so she had no-one to compare it to.
The next thing she knew, the train had stopped. Her, Harry and Ron got off and went through the barrier. Hermione immediately spotted her parents. She hugged Harry and Ron, and bid them goodbye, then set off towards her parents and what was sure to be a very interesting summer.