Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe is the property of J.K. Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: I've been having some major formatting issues with this story - I had strikethroughs (crossed out text) formatted in several places throughout, but none of them are showing up properly. I've been debating whether or not to post this chapter anyway, and decided that it wasn't fair to anyone who might care to post a chapter and then remove it. If anyone happens to know how to get strikethroughs to work on this site, I'd very much appreciate it if they dropped me a line.
For now, though, --bold italics-- indicate writing that has been crossed out. I hope it isn't too bothersome.
And now...on with the story...
13th September, 1991
Dear Mum and Dad,
We had our first flying lesson yesterday. You know, on broomsticks, of course. --I was complete rubbish at it-- It's a bit more difficult than I expected. I read all about it beforehand in Quidditch Through the Ages, but it's not easy to learn a sport out of a book. I never have been much of an athlete, though, and I'm not wild about heights, either, so I wasn't too disappointed.
The whole wizarding world is simply mad about Quidditch – it can get a bit annoying, really, the way some of the boys go on about it. I suppose some things don't change, no matter where you live.
Yesterday night, -- I was very nearly killed by a three headed dog-- I met an interesting new creature – a dog, with three heads! It was like something out of Greek mythology! Utterly fascinating! I know it sounds a bit dangerous, but don't worry, we --managed to escape with our lives-- were perfectly safe. We were--trapped outside the common room after curfew-- exploring the castle a bit, and we stumbled upon it. It truly is amazing, the sorts of things one can happen upon in this castle.
Anyway, --I'm not speaking to Ron and Harry, at the moment, on account of them almost getting me killed-- I don't think I'd particularly want one for a pet, but it was an interesting experience, all the same.
Other than that, there isn't very much news to report here. I was terribly excited to get our first essays back. It's always nice to see that one's hard work has paid off. Professor Snape --hates me-- --nearly made me cry yesterday-- is tremendously hard to please, but it is a bit of a thrill when he doesn't find any fault with a paper. Transfiguration is still by far the best. I managed to turn a feather into a daisy yesterday on the first try, and earned five points for Gryffindor. I do so enjoy my classes here. Every day, we're presented with so much new material, that I don't see how we'll ever be able to learn everything in only seven years.
How are things at home? (Daddy, you have remembered to feed Mr. Darcy, haven't you? The fish food is in the top drawer of my desk, don't forget).
All my love,
Hermione
20th September, 1991
Dear Mum and Dad,
Thank you so much for the lovely set of books. I didn't realize how much I've missed Muggle literature until they came. We couldn't make a big fuss over my birthday here at Hogwarts, of course, because --no one else knew it was today-- we had classes, but it was a lovely day nonetheless. It seems strange to think that this was the first time I've not been home for my birthday. --I was terribly homesick-- --I almost wish I hadn't come to Hogw-- I suppose that's just part of getting older. I did miss Mum's bread pudding awfully, though.
I hope everything is going well at home. I suppose you're both busy at the office these days? I miss you.
All my love,
Hermione
1st November, 1991
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm sorry I haven't written lately. I've been terribly busy with schoolwork, lately. Our lessons have gotten much more challenging recently, now that we've really started to master the basics. Yesterday morning was very exciting for us. Our Charms teacher, (I'm sure you remember I told you about him earlier – Professor Flitwick?) finally decided we were ready to learn how to make objects fly. We started small of course, just with feathers, but it was still wonderfully exciting. I managed to make the feather float right away. It was so nice. Professor Flitwick was very pleased, though Ron was a bit annoyed with me, and --I spent the whole rest of the evening in the girls' toilet crying because of the comment he made about me after class. It was the loneliest I've felt since I arrived-- the other Gryffindors were happy about the points I earned.
The Hallowe'en feast was incredible. --Or so I heard. I never did make it there. While I was in the loo, an enormous mountain troll came in and tried to smash me with his club, until Harry and Ron came in and rescued me Then, for the first time in my life, I told an outright lie to a teacher. I was mortified, of course, that anyone could think me so foolish as to believe that I'd actually gone looking for the troll, but it was worth it nonetheless-- The Great Hall was filled with live bats, and decorated with enormous pumpkins that Hagrid, the groundskeeper, had grown behind his hut. There were hundreds of good things to eat, and the whole room smelled deliciously of baked pumpkin.
The best part by far though, was that Harry, Ron, and I --bonded over yet another near-death experience-- got to talking, and I've found that they're really very nice. I think we'll be quite good friends from now on.
I hope you both are enjoying the autumn season (Happy anniversary, by the way! I hope you two did something romantic!)
All my love,
Hermione
A/N: Any feedback is more than welcome!