9 October 1993
As soon as they reached the common room, Ron raced to the dormitory to collect his stash of broom catalogues. He had a ridiculous collection, the oldest one was from his father's school trunk. Ron laid them out on the table as they all looked them over. Ron quickly going over the specifics and advantages of each broom in the newest issue. He lamented that they couldn't afford the newest and most versatile broom on the market, a Firebolt. Even though no one sitting around the table could afford it, Ron still went on in great detail all of the specifics of the broom. The only broom manufactured that could easily be used for any position, using breakthrough charms and spell work to give it the smoothest and fastest finish of any broom ever made.
Hermione was summoned to the Headmasters office a week after being picked for the Gryffindor team. Thinking that her uncle wanted to give her memories to pass off to Harry, Hermione eagerly sprinted to his office after transfiguration. The ancient man sat Hermione down for tea and made small talk about her lessons, the time turner, her new cat until Hermione lost her patience. With a chuckle Dumbledore summoned a long wrapped parcel and handed it over to his eager god daughter. When she opened it she found the very broom she lamented that she would never be able to afford. A Comet StarSweeper, a chasers broom released after the Firebolt last summer.
Hermione eagerly showed her friends before rushing outside to ride it for the first time. The smooth transitions and easy flip turns made Hermione smile. It was almost as fast as Harry's Nimbus and Hermione couldn't wait to use it during practice. Her friends joined her on the pitch, Harry joined her in the sky as he was the only one who had his own broom. Ron watched eagerly waiting for his sister to let him have a go on her new broom. When she handed him her broom without a second thought, he shot off to the goal posts, flipping and shooting around them, blocking imaginary quaffles. His friends on the ground clapped happily, cheering him on as he got more into the fantasy. Harry pulled Neville to the side so he could try his broom. When Ron was done Hermione scooped Luna up behind her and took her around the lake. When they came back, Neville had Eloise on Harry's broom making very slow circles on the pitch only 2 feet off the ground.
Hermione was very happy to see that Hagrid was made the Care of Magical Creatures professor. While they may not agree on what creatures were cute or even safe around students, he was the most knowledgable person she knew when it came to magical creatures. Percy ranted loudly that he would never get a NEWT in the class if he couldn't even open the book. Their first class amused her to no end when Hagrid explained that to open the book, it needed it's spine stroked. Hermione looked around to see she was the only one who found this amusing. Then they were introduced to Buckbeak, the hippogriff, a regal and proud creature that looked be part bird, part horse. After Harry took an exciting ride around the lake, the rest of the class felt more at ease and stepped forward. Hermione eagerly asked Harry about his flight when Malfoy suddenly swaggered forward and insulted the hippogriff. Buckbeak didn't take that kindly and rushed Malfoy, resulting in a large cut on the blondes arm. Hermione's shout that he needed to go to the hospital wing forced Hagrid into action. The half giant called an end to class and picked up the whimpering blonde, rushing off to the castle.
The first Hogsmeade trip was going to be a bit of a disappointment, however. Harry tried reasoning with their head of house about his permission form but she would not be swayed. Hermione even approached the headmaster to see if he would allow her parents to sign or have her father speak to Harry's Uncle Vernon, but he told her it was for Harry's safety he stay in the castle. Eloise was excitedly talking about going to the three broomsticks and the tea shop called MadamPuddifoots. Hermione scrunched her nose in disgust at the idea of even stepping in the tea shop she heard so much about. It was guaranteed to "get a snog or a bit more", according to her brothers, she did not want to think about that.
"I think I'll stay back." Hermione hummed as got dressed in the muggle clothes Eloise begged her to wear. Her dorm mate turned on her, looking shocked.
"Why?" Eloise demanded.
"Harry and Luna can't go." Hermione said simply as she pulled on a blue flannel top.
"So? They can stay together." Eloise frowned at her friend.
"They're not exactly friends, are they? You're friends with Neville and you like Ron just fine as long as he's not eating." Hermione grinned.
"I can't go with boys. What will people say?" Eloise demanded.
"They would say more if I went. Ron and Neville are purebloods, it would be like we were being chaperoned on an actual date if I went. With just you, it's just 3 friends." Hermione shrugged as she rooted around her bag.
"Why? Because I'm a muggleborn?" Eloise demanded, her acne riddled face growing red.
"No..." Hermione looked up, shocked. "Because...well...I imagine you won't be holding hands with either boy, right?"
"Of course not!" Eloise squeaked.
"You'll be fine. I didn't mean to insult you, just you know...mum kind of pounded etiquette into my head. Look, I'm really sorry that I'll be taking a miss on this trip but it just wouldn't feel right for me to leave them stuck in the castle alone." Hermione said firmly.
"Fine." Eloise sighed, they walked down to the common room in silence. Neville, Ron and Harry were already waiting for them.
"Harry went and begged McGonagall this morning, hoping if he got her while she was sleepy she would give him permission." Neville said sympathetically. Harry shoved his hands in his pocket, looking miserable.
"You guys can go ahead, I'm going to talk to Harry." Hermione smiled brightly, Eloise glared at her friend but walked with them out of the portrait hole.
"You okay?" Harry glanced up at the girl and couldn't stop himself from looking her over in muggle clothes.
"Yeah, I'm grand. Just wondering if you want to come fly with me?" Hermione asked shyly.
"What?" Harry blurted, his eyes wide.
"Well, I wanted to practice some...you know get used to my broom. I figure there won't be many people around.." Hermione shrugged sheepishly.
"You're not going to Hogsmeade?" Harry asked slowly with an arched brow.
"Nah, not this time." Hermione shrugged, grinning impishly. "I want to find Luna too!" Harry smiled for the first time as he dashed up the stairs to grab his broom.
"Harry, you really need to learn the summoning charm." Hermione grinned mischievously and raised her wand. "Accio StarSweeper" the broom almost immediately came flying down the stairs, right into her outstretched hand.
"Not all of us know every spell taught at Hogwarts." Harry smirked as they made their way to the Ravenclaw Tower.
"Pfft, I wish. Give me a few years." Hermione smiled cheekily.
"Hey, Padma!" Hermione smiled and waved at the 3rd year Ravenclaw twin. Padma looked perplexed but broke away from her group of friend to walk over to Harry and Hermione.
"Hi Hermione, Harry. Is there something you wanted?" Padma smiled politely.
"Do you think you could get Luna Lovegood for us? I've decided not to go to Hogsmeade today." Hermione smiled hopefully.
"Looney?" Padma frowned but turned around to get the strange 2nd year. Harry frowned and turned to Hermione for an explanation.
"Some of the kids bully her in Ravenclaw. It's why she always with us." Hermione glared at the Indian girls back, holding her tongue since she was going back to get her friend.
"Mina!" Luna smiled serenely as she skipped towards her friend, Padma disappeared into the crowds. "Good morning, Harry."
"Morning Luna." Harry grinned at her exuberance.
"Did you come to say goodbye?" Luna tilted her head to side, quizzically.
"No, I decided to spend the day flying. Thought you would like to join us on the grounds." Hermione grinned at the serene smile on Luna's face. They spent most of the morning lazily flying along the lines of the forbidden forest, never venturing too far in fear of the dementor boundary. Luna did not fly alone, she tended to get easily distracted and crash, which they learned early in their childhood. Her best friend had no problem with flying behind Hermione though, they easily moved in sync, she seemed to be able predict Hermione's moves.
"Master Harry! Master Harry!" Dobby squeaked, jumping up and down to get their attention.
"Hey Dobby!" Harry smiled happily as he landed beside the excited elf.
"Dobby has brought lunch for Master Harry and his Myne and her Looney!" Dobby snapped his fingers and a blanket with sandwiches was laid out for the teenagers.
"Thank you, Dobby!" Luna cut off Hermione who was about to reprimand the elf for calling her 'Looney'.
"Yes Dobby, it was very nice of you!" Hermione relaxed and affectionately kissed his cheek, making the elf turn red and squeak.
"You're the best, Dobby!" Harry snickered, already seated and eating.
"Oh, Dobby never! Dobby never!" Dobby wailed and threw himself into Harry's lap crying.
"What's wrong Dobby?" Harry froze, he thought Dobby got over this during the summer. Having an elf burst into tears whenever he thanked him was exhausting so he tried to thank him as much as possible to desensitize him.
"Dobby never knew! Dobby never knew such wonderful witches!" Dobby wailed.
"You're our friend now, Dobby." Luna beamed at the small elf and opened her arms, Dobby immediately leapt into her arms.
"Yeah, Dobby. I'm sorry you had to live through that. Harry would never be friends with such awful wizards." Hermione grinned wryly and wrapped her arms around Luna and Dobby. The house elf looked at the red head with wide eyes for a moment before his body started shaking violently.
"What's wrong with him?" Harry cried out in alarm, Dobby's face was growing red and his little body shook violently before a tiny giggle escaped his mouth.
"Master Harry friends with bad wizards!" The elf laughed hysterically, tears of laughter escaping his eyes. "Master Harry's Myne is funny witch!" Dobby chuckled, calming himself before popping away.
"Why does he call me Myne?" Hermione wondered aloud. Harry flushed and Luna threw a pumpkin pasty at her.
"You're not just another Weazy." Luna beamed at her best friend.