The magical world was dangerous, but so was the muggle world. Wars, kidnappings, guns, car accidents, allergies, sugar, there were many bad things the world. They had to take the good with the bad, they were at least realistic about it. All they asked from Hermione was that she was honest with them about it so they could be involved with her life. They promised her that they would never take her away from the wizarding world, they just wanted to know what was happening in her world.
They had a Daily Prophet subscription, some other news rags for multiple perspectives (can't always trust one source of the news), a few academic journals that tickled their fancy. What they didn't understand, they asked Hermione or researched themselves. They kept up to date with her world just as much as she tried to learn about it herself. They all went over her textbooks the same week they bought them so they were all on the same page. While Abagail and Leeroy Granger couldn't do magic, they could learn about it (and use some of their products). Although they did learn that they indeed could have a magic garden, but it was decided against since then they would have to be wary of magical creatures coming after magical ingredients they were attracted to. They also learned they could prep potions ingredients, and Hermione was allowed to make potions at home, but they couldn't obtain all the magical ingredients without connections. They tried to be as involved as possible for her though, and they were closer for it.
Regardless, while at school she did occasionally have to blow off some verbal steam and thankfully Crookshanks was more than willing to listen as long as he got attention and treats. She would treat him extra special with bacon while she was on her period to show him just how much she appreciated him listening to her while she complained about things she simply could not complain about to Harry or Ron. Crookshanks did hate most of the students though, and all the cats in the school regarded him as a tom not to be trifled with. The one reaction no one had seen yet though was how Crookshanks and Ms. Norris got along, but students were willing to bet galleons that the ginger haired menace would win. All they knew about him was that he was mean and wicked smart, they figured he took more after a kneazle than a cat and joked that he should have a XXX classification of his own. He was the only half-kneazle in the castle, and ruled over the others like a king.
What Hermione knew and didn't diverge was his cat heritage, she had asked Crookshanks if he would be comfortable with it, and he made it silently known, "No". She respected her cat's wish and just told people he was half kneazle. His cat half was also a mix, Mane coon and Himalayan. Hence why he was so big (and fluffy) looking like a mini lion, while he had a squished face. Hermione simply adored him and found his appearance quite handsome for his breed. She knew others wouldn't understand so after the first year of having him, she stopped announcing her opinion on her cat unless asked.
That and it had technically been 2 years for her so the novelty wore off even if her pride and love only grew for him. She did spend a large amount of time on her own though since her friends got mad over her concern on what could have been a cursed or hexed package. All that needed to be done was to have it checked, something that could have been done in less than an hour if they had given it the time. Yet they didn't even bother and chose instead to be angry with her like fussy spoiled children.
Ronald she could understand; he was a mummy's boy and was very much spoiled in love. He was also easily prone to bouts of jealousy and pettiness. While he complained about getting everything second hand, he also expected things to be handed to him one way or another, preowned or not.
Harry, she was upset with considering his knowledge that what they had understood at the time. A well-known murderer intent on killing Harry was on the loose, had broken out from Azkaban just to get to him. Well excuse her for being cautious and following her magic's lead. All of his mail should have been scanned after that year if anyone asked her. While no witch or wizard could apparate in or out of Hogwarts, there were still portkeys. Simply holding the letter and mumbling the word could have had him off to who knows where!
A lot happened that year and for others it may have seemed to go by in a blur, but she had twice the amount that they did. So she got to learn more about her cat, get further acquainted and deepen their bond, much like the other children her age did from year one. Crookshanks understood what was happening and occasionally pawed at the time-turner to let his witch know that he wanted to go on that turn with her. Hermione didn't allow him every time, so they settled for every other time. She trusted her new companion to be smart enough to know the rules, unlike her ginger haired friend if he ever knew.
What a lot of people didn't understand was that she most of what she did was because she owed them both a life-debt. She felt her magic curl around her and settle in the back of her head. While she may have gained a friendship with them, it came at a hefty cost in her opinion. She heard about them, but never thought she would be in one.
Thankfully she repaid her debt to Ron not much later while he was ensnared in Devil's Snare. She had never been more grateful for someone's stupidity than in that moment. She however also remembered her own stupidity during the challenge and after the shock wore off, she was able to think clearly. It was one down and one to go, however it was almost near impossible if she couldn't be the one to save him in a life/death situation. He somehow ended up in those either with Ron or alone it seemed. She never got close enough to the situation to save him besides her opportunity in first year, where she had gone back to get help for her new Ginger friend. It was nearly impossible considering there was only one potion, and it was the smallest dose possible.
Was she a wet-blanket? On occasion yes, she admitted she was (at least to herself) and on those occasions she wondered if she should have let the hat place her in Ravenclaw. At least they understood the importance of studying and having their work done.
This year however, no matter what she did to help with his ridiculous trials in this stupid tournament her magic didn't consider her life-debt repaid. It was becoming quite frustrating. However it seemed to be appeased that she was at least helping him and when he was happy the debt felt light.
She was more than thankful however that her magic did not see Harry killing the basilisk as Harry saving her life; nor the help of Professor Snape with his antidotes. She did deep research and was more than relieved that she could never gain a life debt from one of her Professors while she was under their tutelage and that the Healers all took an oath to prevent life debts, or else most of the wizarding community would owe them.
If that were the case she was sure that Voldemort would have become a healer to ensure that he could never be killed by someone whose life he saved. It would be perfect. Greatly injure a bunch of people, save all of their lives, ensure that they can't kill you or they die, and if someone else were to try to kill him, someone he already saved would be obligated to save him even against their will, or they would die.
Sometimes the world was lucky that she wasn't a dark witch, she thought. They were also lucky that she had a personal life-debt to repay one Mr. Harry James Potter. She would do anything she could to fulfil her debt, and she doubted anyone would be the wiser. It was something she planned to use to her full advantage.