Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 2 - The Company You Keep

Hermione had a great summer. She had spent the whole time reading about spells and different things she would learn about this upcoming year. She and Draco had been exchanging letters with each other all summer. Hermione had also been writing to Harry, but he never wrote back. She'd written Ron, too, but not frequently. Hermione frequently thought about Draco, though. She clutched his scarf almost every day, just to remind herself. She would meet the Weasleys and Harry with her parents in Diagon Alley to purchase her school supplies tomorrow morning. Hermione's Hogwarts letter for her second year had already come.

Dear Ms. Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to return for your second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Students will be required to report to the Great Hall upon arrival, the dates for which shall be duly advised.

Please ensure that the utmost attention be made to the list of requirements attached herewith. 

We very much look forward to seeing you back as a part of Hogwarts' heritage.

Sincerely,

M. McGonagall

On the back of the letter, Hermione's supply list was carefully written down. Most of these things Hermione already had from last year, but there were a couple new things on there. Her parents said that she wasn't allowed to bring a pet until next year. She was always jealous because Harry had Hedwig and Ron had Scabbers.

The next morning, Hermione's mother woke her up. "It's time, munchkin!" Hermione hopped straight out of bed fully dressed.

"I couldn't sleep, so I just got myself ready," Hermione smiled.

"Oh, Hermione," Mrs. Granger sighed. 

"Time for Diagon Alley round two!" Mr. Granger said from the living room.

Hermione and her parents hopped in the car and drove to town. When they parked, Hermione walked around until she got to the Leaky Cauldron. The Leaky Cauldron was a small corner shop and bar. The outside was furnished with black stained wood. There was an accompanying sign with a maroon cauldron on it that said, 'The Leaky Cauldron,' in pale-colored letters. Hermione took a deep breath and entered the place with her parents in tow. Inside was Hagrid. "Well, hello there, Hermione," Hagrid smiled. "These your Mum and Dad?"

"Hello, Hagrid, and yes they are," Hermione said.

"Pleasure ter meet ya," Hagrid outstretched his giant arm to both Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

"Hermione, who is this?" Mrs. Granger asked.

"This is Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts," Hermione answered.

"Hello," Mrs. Granger said.

"Well, I won't hold ye up. I'm headed off to Nocturne Alley meself," Hagrid said.

"Bye, Hagrid! See you later on!" Hermione led her parents through to the back of the Leaky Cauldron to the brick wall used to enter Diagon Alley. "Let's see if I remember how to do this." Hermione took out her wand and tapped the brick pattern that she thought was correct. A few seconds passed and the bricks began to fold out to reveal the amazing and wonderfully displayed Diagon Alley. "Wow," Hermione breathed. Hermione spotted a cloud of red hair. "Come on Mum, Dad," Hermione pointed. "There are the Weasleys!" Hermione tread through the crowd of people to the Weasleys. "Ron!" Hermione said when she saw one of her ginger-haired friends. 

"Hermione!" Ron's eyes lit up when he saw her. He wrapped her in a hug but quickly released her. Hermione and Ron had never really hugged before aside from a group hug including Harry.