Chapter Five: Letters
When Hermione awoke the next day, she realised that she had been at school for a week and had not written to her parents yet. She had been lying in bed for a while trying to go back to sleep but had been unsuccessful. Giving it up as a bad job, she got out of bed and went to use the bathroom before getting dressed. Once she was dressed, she took out some parchment and quill before beginning to write.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm sorry it has taken me a while to write but I wanted to have a full week of lessons so I could tell you which ones are my favourites. But, before I get to all of that, you won't believe what happened. I managed to make friends on the train!
Unfortunately, it was not right away. I was sitting in a compartment with two other girls and we were introducing ourselves. But when I told them my surname, they did not want to be my friends and they kicked me out of the compartment, so I went to another one. Anyway I sat there all alone in the other compartment until three boys walked inside. The first boy had red hair and freckles, the second one had messy black hair and the other had blond hair. The first boy asks if they could sit in the compartment with me, I told them I could find somewhere else, but red head asked me to stay. He then introduced the other boys. The blond boy's name is Neville Longbottom, the boy with messy black hair is called Harry Potter, and the red haired boy introduced himself as Ron Weasley.
I introduced myself as Hermione, but Ron asked me if I was a "Muggle Pop Star", because I had only told him one name. I reluctantly told them my surname and Ron guessed my hesitation. He told me that there are certain witches and wizards who think they are better than everyone else because they are what they call pure-blood. This means that everyone in their whole family is magical and has been for centuries. Ron said it was bigotry and nonsense – well, his actual words I won't repeat because they were rude, but you get the idea. Anyway the four of us sat there and got to know one another over sweets – don't worry, these sweets are perfectly healthy, and I found that I like Sugar-Quills and Chocolate Frogs. Ron likes Chocolate Frogs too. We sat there for ages talking about our families, likes, birthdays and hobbies. Both Harry and Ron are black belts in Karate, Neville likes plants (magical ones), and Harry likes flying on his broomstick playing Quidditch (wizard sport, a bit like football in its following, if you know what I mean). All three boys are very nice, especially Ron.
Later on during the journey, another three boys came into the compartment. These boys were like the two girls from before I met Ron, Harry and Neville. The leader is a blond boy called Draco Malfoy. He said his name like James Bond and Ron copied him as we all introduced ourselves before he labelled us as "One pure-blood, one half-blood, one blood-traitor and one Mudblood".
Neville is the pure-blood, Harry is the half-blood, Ron is the so-called blood-traitor because his pure-blood family will marry whomever they choose, and I'm the Mudblood. Mudblood means dirty blood and is about the worst insult there is in the wizarding world and is always directed at people like me, who are born to non-magical parents.
However, Ron and Harry went ballistic. They drew their wands so fast, the Malfoy boy didn't see it coming and was hexed before he could blink. Harry used a hex that covered Malfoy's face in boils and Ron used a hex that made Malfoy belch up slugs for the rest of the day, before Ron told him to never use the word Mudblood in our presence ever again, before Harry told him that if he ever causes anymore trouble, they would make his life a living hell. Malfoy and his "friends" left taking him with them as I sat there slightly scared, but Ron gave me a hug and told me not to let a few idiots spoil the wizarding world for me and I won't. Ron and his family had been raised with respect for Muggles and Harry's mum is muggle-born like me, (she also home-schooled Ron along with Harry and his siblings before they started Hogwarts).
Ron then sat down and pulled me on to his lap and that was where I stayed for the duration of the trip, even when three of Ron's older brothers came in to join us; Fred, George, and Percy. Fred and George are identical twins who like to play jokes on people and are in their third year, while Percy is a fifth year Prefect. Ron also has three other siblings too. So that's seven all told.
Bill is the oldest, he's ten years older than Ron, followed by Charlie, then comes Percy, then Fred and George, then Ron and finally, there's his younger sister, Ginny – which is short for Ginevra, which means Guinevere.
Harry has a pair of twins in his family, a boy called Charlus and a girl named Dorea. Neville has one sister called Katherine, but she likes to be known as Kate, all three of them are a year younger than us and will start Hogwarts next year along with Ginny.
The seven of us talked as we finished the enormous pile of sweets that Ron and Harry bought from the sweet trolley before the train arrived at the station.
Once off of the train, there was someone calling for the first years, so I went with Ron, Harry and Neville. The "someone" who was calling us all was a man named Hagrid. Hagrid is without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest man I've ever seen, he has to be at least nine feet tall – maybe ten! He's the only thing I've seen that's bigger than the pile of sweets from the train so far! I was a bit scared at first, but Ron told me that Hagrid is as nice and as gentle as they come and I believe him. Hagrid, I found out, is what you might call, a gentle giant.
The four of us shared a boat to cross the river and as I got cold, Ron gave me his cloak to put over my knees and wrapped his arm around me. He asked how I got the little scar on my left knee (you know the one), and I told him. He said that he was proud of me for standing up to my bully, and gave me a kiss on the cheek, as well as telling me that because I felt bad for making that boy cry, I was worthy of being a Gryffindor.
Then there was the Sorting Ceremony.
The Sorting is performed by an enchanted hat that looks inside your head before placing you into one of four houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The hat was put on my head and I asked it if I could go into Gryffindor, the hat said I would do well in Ravenclaw along with the other smart children, but I insisted on being sorted into Gryffindor and the hat complied with my request. I took my seat and waited for Ron, Harry and Neville to join me and I was not disappointed. I was scared that if we were sorted into different houses, we might not be friends, but Ron already promised me that we would be friends.
Once the sorting was over, the feast began after Professor Dumbledore quite literally said a few words. "Nitwit, oddment, blubber, tweak, thank you!" he then sat down and the food appeared as I asked Ron if Professor Dumbledore was a bit mad and Ron replied that he was, but that all the best people were! This made me laugh a little before eating.
After the feast, my new Head of house, Professor McGonagall, asked Ron, Harry, Neville and myself to stay behind to investigate the incident on the train. Harry told her what happened and she believed him and she took us to Gryffindor tower. Describing Gryffindor tower would take too long and I would not be able to do it justice, so I'll send some pictures, but I will say this, it is incredible.
The next day we started lessons and on the way, Ron and Harry hexed the two girls who were horrible to me on the train by making them moo for twelve hours, it was hilarious.
My favourite lessons are: Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Transfiguration is taught by Professor McGonagall, she is strict and clever, but fair. I like her a lot. The boys call her Minnie because it's short for Minerva and they've known her for years as she is friendly with Ron and Harry's parents.
Charms is taught by Professor Flitwick, he is a small man and very nice. Ron and Harry call him Big Phil as it's very ironic.
Potions class is taught by Professor Prince. He is one of Harry's uncles, like Professor McGonagall, he is strict (Potions can be very dangerous) but occasionally easy going, and clever, but fair. He is also Head of Slytherin, despite having been sorted into Gryffindor when he started school. Ron says that being Head of Slytherin goes with being the Potions Master.
Defence Against the Dark Arts is taught by Professor Lupin. He is also one of Harry's uncles. He's clever and easy going, and I like him a lot too.
I like all my classes, but those four are my favourites. Though I have to admit History of Magic is dull. The teacher puts Ron and Harry to sleep, so I have to take notes for them, but I don't mind, after all they do get up at six thirty am to go jogging to stay fit.
Ron and Harry are both very bright, and Neville is warming up to me despite his "Girl-o-phobia".
I really love it here, I have friends who like me, and it feels wonderful.
I will write again soon.
Love from Hermione
P.S. If you want to write a reply, you'll need to attach it to the owl.
Hermione put down her quill and reread her letter before putting it in an envelope and going to the Owlery to send it.
When she came back, she went upstairs to get a book before coming back down to the common room to sit by the fire to read.
Ron and Harry were also awake. They were in a room on the seventh floor practicing their Karate. Both of them were wearing a Karate Gi and their black belts as they practiced Katas, took it in turns to hit bags and sparred a little. Once they had sparred enough, they both sat down and drank an energy drink they had brought from home.
'You know what we haven't done yet, don't you?' asked Ron.
'Pranked Malfoy again?' replied Harry.
'Well, yes, but I was talking about writing home,' said Ron.
'Oh, that, I suppose so,' said Harry.
'What do you mean by that?' asked Ron.
'I suspect my parents already know everything. Which house we were sorted into, who our friends are, who we've hexed or pranked, so what's the point?' said Harry.
'They'd like to hear from you, I suspect, Harry. So, why don't we wrap up here, shower and change, and go write to our families?' said Ron.
'Fine, whatever, I'm sure a letter from me will tear mum and dad away from the smaller versions of themselves for five minutes …' said Harry.
'Think yourself lucky, Harry, at least you aren't being expected to follow five older brothers and do as well as or better than they did …' replied Ron.
'Fair enough,' said Harry, before grabbing their things and leaving the room.
They used the Marauder's Map to get back to the common room. They were avoiding people because they were still wearing their Karate things. When they reached the Fat Lady, Harry gave the password and they both went inside. The common room appeared to be empty as they made their way towards the stairs to the dorms until they were both startled by a voice.
'Ron? Harry? Where have you been?' said the voice.
Ron and Harry both turned to see Hermione looking at them.
'We've been practicing our Karate, Hermione,' replied Ron.
'In a secret room on the seventh floor,' said Harry.
'Oh, I see,' she replied.
'How come you're up early?' asked Ron.
'Couldn't go back to sleep, so I wrote to my parents and I've been sitting here reading for a while,' she replied.
'What are you reading?' asked Ron as he sat next to her.
'Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte,' said Hermione.
'Right, well, I can't say I've read that one,' said Ron.
'Ron, mate, we need to shower and change before we write home,' said Harry.
'Right-o, I'll see you in a bit, Hermione,' said Ron as went with Harry up to the dorms and Hermione went back to her book.
Once Harry had showered and changed, he sat down to write his letter home.
Dear Mum, Dad, Charlus, Dorea, and Sirius,
I'm sorry it has taken a week, but here it is; my first letter home.
As I'm sure you're all aware, Ron, Neville and I were sorted into Gryffindor. On the train we met a nice girl called Hermione. She was sitting alone in a compartment crying because some horrible girls didn't want to be friends with her because she's Muggle-born. Ron took an instant liking to her, and told her that we would be friends with her as she had never had a friend before. (I think Ron really likes her if you know what I mean). Hermione is really nice and really smart. She's so smart that she can actually stay awake and take notes during History of Magic class as Ron and I fall asleep as Binns drones on about Merlin-knows-what.
Also on the train, we met this boy called Draco Malfoy. Ron and I have dubbed him "Ickle-Drakey the Ickle-Snakey" because he is another prejudiced git and when he used the M-word, Ron and I hexed him. I gave him boils as Ron made him belch up slugs for the rest of the day. We also hexed the two Slytherin girls who were horrible to Hermione on the train by making them moo for twelve hours, but I'm sure you already know that too.
I'm really enjoying Charms, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration. After all, they are the most important classes, aren't they? Especially as I need to do well in them if I want to achieve my ambition.
The captain of the Quidditch team asked me to try-out for the Seeker position as he's desperate, so I look forward to that and I'll let you know what happens next week, though you'll know before I write to you, I suspect.
Ron and I go jogging for forty-five minutes around the Quidditch pitch every week day morning before breakfast and class, and we've decided to use the Room of Requirement to practice our Karate on Saturday mornings only so we can have a lie-in on Sundays.
Hope you are all well.
Love from Harry
Harry reread the letter again before putting it in an envelope and would wait for Ron to write his letter home.
Once Ron had finished his shower and had changed, he sat down to write too.
Dear Mum, Dad, and Ginny,
Sorry it's taken me a while to write but I've been busy, I hope you are well.
Anyway, Harry, Neville and I were sorted into Gryffindor house. We met a really nice girl on the train called Hermione Granger. She's muggle-born, incredibly smart and really pretty. I like her a lot. She had been upset when we first met her. Some other girls had been horrible to her because she's Muggle-born but I told her the truth about the bigotry and it making no difference being Muggle-born, after all, look at Lily! She seemed to cheer up after that, and I told her that we would be her friends too. She also got sorted into Gryffindor house with us.
I'm working hard in classes – particularly Charms, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration. They are the most important classes for what I want to do with my life after school.
Love from Ron
Ron reread his letter before putting it into an envelope before taking out another piece of parchment and began to write.
Dear James and Lily,
You were right; the ride to Hogwarts on the boats over the lake is amazing!
I'm enjoying classes thanks to all your teachings and I hope you are both well and say hello to Charlus and Dorea for me.
I met a nice girl called Hermione Granger and we're best friends already! She's really nice and really smart, not to mention really pretty too!
Sorry my letter to you is so short, but I suspect Harry has written a longer letter.
Love form Ron
Ron reread this letter too before putting it into an envelope as he took another piece of parchment to write a third letter.
Dear Sirius,
How are you? I'm doing just great. I'm writing to tell you that I might've done a "James Potter" and met my future wife on the train to Hogwarts!
Her name is Hermione Granger. She's muggle-born, really smart, really nice and really pretty. I really like her. So I need to know if I've done what James did or not. Can you help me?
So far I've held hands with her, had her sit on my lap, hugged her a few times and kissed her on the cheek, and she's kissed me on the cheek too. I also carry her bag for her to class and the Great Hall. Then after climbing the staircases after Herbology, we all collapsed on the couch by the fire and Hermione fell asleep as she was sitting on my lap, she looked so pretty, that I wanted to kiss her properly like James and Lily do.
I'm really starting to believe you really can fall in love at eleven as I write this all down for you.
So, anyway, on to more interesting matters; Harry and I hexed Draco Malfoy for using the M-word in our presence. Harry gave him boils and I used the slug hex. The following day, we hexed two girls who had been horrible to Hermione on the train before we met her with the mooing hex. It was hilarious as they mooed at each other with no clue as to what had happened to them. The two girls and Malfoy were sorted into Slytherin, so that explains everything. Bloody bigots! We're not really planning anything big yet, but hopefully we can get Hermione and Neville on board too.
Please write back as soon as you can.
Ron
Ron shoved the letter to Sirius in an envelope before sealing it and going over to Harry to see if he had finished his letter.
'Are you finished?' asked Ron.
'Yeah, you?' replied Harry.
'Yep, I've written to my parents, your parents, and Sirius, so …' said Ron.
'Okay, we should take these to the Owlery then?' said Harry.
Ron and Harry arrived back in the common room to find Hermione deeply engrossed in her book.
'Hey, Hermione, do you want to come with us to the Owlery?' asked Ron.
No response.
'OI, Hermione, I'm talking to you!' said Ron louder.
'Hmm?' she replied looking up at them.
'I said do you want to come with us to the Owlery?' said Ron.
'Oh, sorry, Ron, it's just that sometimes I don't hear anything when I'm engrossed in a good book. Let me just put away my book and I'll come with you,' said Hermione.
'Okay,' said Ron before Hermione stood up and then went upstairs. She came back less than a minute later and the three of them left for the Owlery to send Ron and Harry's letters as Ron took Hermione's hand on the way.
Once they had sent off their letters home, the three of them went to the Great Hall for breakfast.