𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈-𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎 - hermione granger

- 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞

AND THAT FIRST DETENTION SET the scale for many more to come. At least one a week, Drea had found herself spending an evening in Filch's office, fulfilling whatever duties he wanted her to do. To be fair, she put it on herself a lot of the time, but she just didn't know how to bite her tongue, especially when it came to Snape. Most Gryffindor students were shocked that McGonagall didn't have her on a behavioural report yet. Drea felt like the teacher had a soft spot for her.

By the time everyone had settled down in their new school, solid friendships had been made and things were a lot more laidback. It was nice. Professor McGonagall was right at the beginning of the year, when she said your house would be your family. Other than Hagrid, Andrea had never had a family before, and now she had a huge one.

"Eye of rabbit, harp string hum, turn this water into rum." Once again, Seamus Finnigan, another first year Gryffindor, was using his meal times to practice his magic, which didn't always go so well. When nothing happened, he continued to do it again.

On their side of the table, Harry looked at his friends. "What's Seamus trying to do to the water?" He asked curiously.

Drea snickered. "He's been reading the transfiguration books again," she answered, not so helpfully. Her eyes were focused on Seamus, anticipating the moment it all went wrong, as it always did.

Harry still looked puzzled.

"Turn it to rum," Ron said, lifting his head up. "Actually managed a weak tea yesterday, before —"

On cue, there was an explosion at their table, leaving Seamus's face covered in smokey ashes. Drea's eyes lit up and she let out a small laugh.

Opposite them, Hermione Granger, whose head was previously invisible, thanks to the large book she'd been invested with over the course of their morning meal, waved her hand to get away the smell of the smoke. A displeased expression sat across her face, whilst everybody else chuckled. Her eyes met with a giggling Andrea McKinnon, making her shake her head.

Above them all, owls began to cry, making Ron stare up in awe. "Mail's here," he said with a smile.

Everybody in the hall watched as one owl turned into a hundred, and they all carried parcels and letters from home. They'd drop them above the heads' of their owners, who caught their mail with joy.

With a grin, Andrea caught her weekly letter from Hagrid. It was her favourite time of the week, as it filled her soul with happiness to see that he was still thinking of her. They went back and forth all the time, as he'd fill her in on what was happening with the animals in the forest and she'd tell him all about school.

To Drea,

Hope your having a nise time. Don't let those detenchons let you down. I miss you lots and so do all the pets too. Come and visit us in the hut one day. Bring your friends. Your making me so proud even if your causing trouble. It's very weerd here without you kid.

Love, Hagrid

Andrea smiled at his letter, able to get past his appalling spelling and know that all his words came straight from the heart. Being in Hogwarts was beyond fun, but it was still strange to be around so many people every day, when all she was used to was herself and Hagrid. She hated the idea that she'd left him all alone there.

Beside her, Ron was reading his letter from his mum, while Harry was skimming the newspaper Mrs Weasley had dropped off for her children. Harry had never received a letter or parcel from home before, and it made her feel sorry for him. While everyone else raved about their families and talked about how much they missed their home, he was the only one who never did. If anything, being at Hogwarts saved him. Hogwarts was home to him.