Harry, Ron, and Hermione showed me where the Gryffindor common room was. That night, I curled up on one of the comfortable chairs around me and started watching some of my live performances—okay, I didn't realize how weird that sounded until I said that…let me explain. I watch my performances to see what I can improve. Not because I'm vain. Hermione was penning her Potions homework neatly while Ron and Harry played chess. Only the pieces moved. I had a lot of getting used to.
"What are you listening to?" Hermione asked me when she looked up and saw me toying with my buttons. I smiled at her. "Watching," I corrected. "And it's Hannah Montana." She clapped her hands together with delight. "That's fantastic! Now I can see and hear her! May I?" I nodded eagerly. If she liked Hannah, I could keep on respecting and liking her. If she hated Hannah, I wouldn't feel so chummy to her. I removed my right earbud and handed it to her. She inserted it carefully and diverted her attention to my screen. The performance I happened to be on was my favorite. I couldn't find a single thing that I thought needed improving. Hermione watched in silence, completely stoic, for the entire performance. I was slightly worried, but I shrugged it off. Finally, iPod-I finished up the song and the real me turned to Hermione anxiously.
"Well…." I held my breath. "She looks like your average popstar stereotype—blonde hair, blue eyes, average height, super skinny, etc.—" I frowned. "—but she doesn't match the average popstar performance stereotype! Her voice is rich and strong, not filmy, fake, and edited. Her dancing is energetic and exuberant while her facial expressions light up the entire place. I'm definitely going to have to keep tabs on her." That's it. Hermione was officially my new best friend.
Before I could say this in a less creepy way, there was a knock on the door. "Is Miley Stewart in there?" asked the voice, which obviously belonged to a male. "Yes, be right there," I called back. I pushed myself out of the squishy chair and made my way over to the door. I pulled it open and a guy with a scroll was standing there, looking all official.
"I have a note for you. It involves your magical tutoring," informed the deliverer. "You should read it thoroughly and make sure you are not late. Trust me; your tutor's a toughie." And on that cheerful note, he handed me the scroll and walked away. Harry and Ron abandoned their game and Hermione jumped to my side. "What does it say?" all three demanded in unison. Ron whispered something that sounded like "snake" to Harry, who nodded in solemn agreement. Oh, great. Everybody knows something I don't. At least I have one secret to keep me sane. I unrolled the scroll and attempted to read the fancy calligraphy. I couldn't, so I succumbed and gave the scroll to Hermione.
"Dear Miss Stewart," she read. "Welcome to Hogwarts! Because of your unfortunately delayed arrival, it will be required of you to take private magic lessons. You will switch tutors whenever one has taught all they can. Please meet your first tutor—" She broke off. "Who? Who is my first tutor?" I urged. Hermione took a deep breath and continued: "—Professor Severus Snape. Meet him in the dungeon at nine o'clock this Saturday. Do not come either early or late, and be prepared. Professor Snape will supply you with everything you will need for your tuition at Hogwarts."
Ron and Harry gasped. "Snape?" echoed Harry. "They can't do this to her!" Ron bellowed. I looked at them quizzically. "I'm sorry if I'm completely missing the point," I ventured, "but what's so bad about this Snape dude? He's giving me free stuff—how bad can he be?" Ron threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "How bad can he be?" he roared. I jumped. "Super bad, that's how bad! He's a followed of You-Know-Who, and he's tried to kill Harry (I think…a lot of people have tried to kill Harry, it's hard to keep up)! Plus, he's determined to make life horrible and unlivable for every Gryffindor, especially those associated with Harry, Hermione, and me! You better learn quickly so they can transfer you to another tutor. Make sure you don't get on his bad side."
"Gee, thanks," I said skeptically, walking away, super excited for my new tutor.