Hermione's Day Off - Chapter One

Hermione, the brightest witch in her year. Books and reading were her specialties. Her big and brown bushy hair covered her eyes.

“Mum? Are you ready for me to leave?” she asked in a soft whisper, almost like a mouse. Her eyes swam through King’s Cross Station with all the people shouting instructions and running to catch their trains.

“Oh, deary, your father and I will really miss you,” said Hermione’s mother. “But...YOU’RE GOING TO A SCHOOL OF MAGIC!” Her arms shot up in the air then reached to her daughter. Some people turned to look at her.

“Remember,” she continued, “that you can always send us a letter, and to brush your teeth two or three times a day. Ooh, and remember–”

“Stay away from too much souffle,” Hermione recited. “Mum, I know how to go to school!” She sighed. She looked around for Harry and Ron, hoping they would be there.

“Now, now. Darling, if you ever want sweets or any good food that is filled with sugar…...No. Mail us with a school owl for any sugar-free candy. If not, I will ask Mr. Albus Dumbledore to cancel your schoolwork for a month!” Emma said looking at Hermione with sharp eyes. Hermione looked mortified.

“Give her break Emma. She can have them from time to time. But not all the time. That Ron boy likes food. Don’t be like him, darling!” Daniel said, hugging his daughter.

“Mum! We are here! 30 minutes early.” She sighed, hoping to see Harry and Ron, fussing with their luggage. She held her mother’s arm, gave her father her trolley, then set for a run at the brick wall. She flinched and shut her eyes and ran right through the wall, ready for a collision. The collision did not come. She opened her eyes, a smile spread through the worried face. Hermione and Emma moved away as Daniel came with Hermione’s trolley. Daniel stopped abruptly because his wife and daughter were a foot away from him. The contents of the trolley fell on the floor.

“Oh no!” exclaimed Daniel. He rushed up picking everything.

“Dad? I can do it!” said Hermione. Daniel nodded at her, then with a flick of her wand and the murmur of her spell, “Wingardium Leviosa,” The contents of the trolley went back to its respectful place. Emma and Daniel looked amazed, Hermione smiled. She turned her head to the amazing train. The scarlet steam engine reeled into the station, a large cloud of smoke trailing at the top. Gold letters at the side bore the words, “HOGWARTS EXPRESS.”

She glanced at all the owls and animals hooting or doing anything else that animals do. Everyone looked so excited. But Harry and Ron were nowhere to be found.

Hermione tried to think of happy outcomes. Perhaps Gilderoy Lockhart has come to show them something. I’m probably not there because I’m too early. Hermione thought of that charming face smiling at them, passing them piles of autographs. What a dream! She wasn’t so worried anymore.

She talked about the history of the Hogwarts Express to her parents (who were much more interested than if she had told Ron or Harry or not at all). She lead her parents into a history of Hogwarts, and she even sang them the school song until her voice was sore.

“Mum, I’ll just find a compartment then come back.” Hermione took her trunk and her bag of sugar-free sweets and hopped on the train. She found an empty compartment to settle in, then did the Levitation Charm again at her trunk to store it at the top. When she walked out of the compartment to see her parents, she was met by none other than Draco Malfoy. His two potato bodyguards were not around.

“Now looky here. The know-it-all Granger. Your muggle hair looks awful. As always.” That drawling voice always pierced her ears like daggers.

“Move, Malfoy,” Hermione said in a toneless voice.

“Where are you going, Granger?” sneered Malfoy “To filthy your muggle parents? What a baby. My parents left me here all alone. Only babies stay with their parents.”

“Only babies will compare their parents to someone else’s. And your paren†s left. They probably wanted to get rid of you as fast as they could.” snapped Hermione. “Now move.” Malfoy glared at her, then walked away. Her parents had to leave, so Hermione gave loving goodbyes then waited for her friends. 20 minutes to 11:00. The Weasley family came but no Ron or Harry. She became really worried. Alone and worried, Hermione went to her compartment. To her surprise, she found Ginny Weasley there.