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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Dueling Club
Dummy 17 / Mahogany Wand - Word: Frail / Dialogue: "I miss you!" / AU: Muggle

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Back to School Event
27. (scenario) Making new friends at school

xXx

Making Friends

Thirteen-year old Hermione Granger looked at her mum from the passenger seat of the car. "Do I have to go to school?"

Emma sighed sadly. Her daughter was so smart and kind, but unfortunately, none of the other kids seemed to realize it and taunted her so badly that she ended up in tears most days. And that caused Hermione, who loved to learn, to not want to go school. It hurt Emma's heart so see her daughter in pain, but there was nothing she could do about it. "Yes, Sweetie."

"But I miss you when I'm there."

"I'll miss you, but you still have to go."

Hermione frowned, but she grabbed her bag and got out of the car. She stood on the curb and gave a little frail wave, nothing like her usual vivacious self.

Emma wanted to pull her back into the car and protect her from the cruelty of the other students, but she couldn't do it. She had to let go and hope today would be a good day.

She drove away, and at the stop sign, she looked through the rearview mirror and saw hermione watching the car leave forlornly.

'Maybe she'll make a friend today,' Emma thought hopefully.

X

Hermione listened as the teacher introduced a new student: Harry Potter. There was a seat next to her so Mrs. McGonagall pointed Harry towards it.

She took a deep breath, ready to be as welcoming as possible. When he sat down, she whispered, "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."

"Hello," he shyly said, looking uncertain.

"If you need any help, you can ask me."

"Okay."

And then they faced the front when Mrs. McGonagall began explaining today's history lesson.

Throughout the day, Hermione heard a bunch of whispers about Harry. About how lived in a foster home. About how he didn't have any money. About how he was a freak.

Hermione glared when she heard someone call him that. That was an awful name to call anybody.

At lunchtime, she saw Harry at a picnic table, but all the other students stayed far away from him. She couldn't have that, could she?"

She marched up to the table. "Can I sit here?"

"You shouldn't want to; no one wants to sit with me," he muttered.

"Well, I do." She sat down across from him. "Listen, I don't have any friends. Everyone things I'm an annoying know-it-all because I'm the top of the year in grades. What they're saying about you is just mean."

"But it's true."

"So what?" Hermione asked. "If you survived a bad home and live in a foster care, it just proves you're strong and brave. Who cares if you don't have any money? I certainly don't."

"You sure you want to be seen with a freak?"

Hermione glared at him. "You're not a freak."

"My aunt and uncle thought I was."

"Then they're horrid people, and they're the freaks. I like you. Do you like me?"

There was a moment's pause, but then he nodded slowly.

Hermione grinned. "Good. So we can be friends and neither of us will ever be alone again."

A slow smile spread across Harry's face. "I never had a friend."

"Me either, so we'll be each other's first friend."

"And best friend," Harry added.

And best friend," Hermione echoed.

xXx

(word count: 552)