Hermione Granger, sixteen years old, pulled her hair back and walked into Platform 9 3/4. She couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts. Next week, she would be having dinner with the man of her dreams. She wrote him all summer.

"Hermione!" said her red-haired friend Ron, giving her a hug. "My mum missed you this summer!"

Hermione laughed. "I missed her, too. Where is she?"

"She's helping Ginny get on the train," said Ron. He rolled his eyes. "Kids."

Hermione laughed again. She couldn't believe she'd been gone, shut out from the world in Muggle New York this whole summer. "Where's Harry?" she asked.

"Not here yet," replied Ron. "Now, I know we broke up last year, but is it okay for me to say...you look really pretty right now."

"Thank you," said Hermione, though she hadn't changed a bit. Her self-confidence improved , though.

Just then Harry arrived. Hermione's body weakened at the site of him. He'd grown muscular and incredibly handsome.

"Hi, guys!" he said, his voice deep.

"Hi," Hermione squeaked.

"Hi, Harry," said Ron.

"I should probably say hi to Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione, glad to get fresh air. When did Harry become so...handsome? She'd only saw him as a friend before, but now she wanted to be more.

"Calm down, Hermione," she thought. "Harry's just a good friend...a cute good friend. He probably has lots to tell you. Just be supportive of anything."

On the train to Hogwarts, Harry was bubbling with excitement. Hermione was listening very closely, as if every word he said was golden.

"She's perfect, and I think it's going to last a long time," said Harry, about his new girlfriend.

"Do you want something to eat? I'm hungry," said Hermione, eager to change the subject. It made her stomach hurt.

"That's ok, I'm not hungry," said Harry.

"So what's she like?" asked Ron.

"She's gorgeous. Green eyes, brown hair, light tan, slender, tall..."

"You just like her for her looks," snapped Hermione.

"What's gotten into you, Hermione?" asked Ron. "Can't you just be happy that Harry found someone he likes?"

No, Hermione thought.

"I don't like her for her looks, I never saw her," said Harry.

"What?" asked Hermione and Ron.

"We're pen-pals. She described herself in a letter she wrote me over the summer. No pictures, nothing bad. She's a witch too. She goes to Hogwarts, and next week we're meeting each other at dinner. I'm very excited," said Harry.

"I'm going to put my robes on," said Hermione, angry at Harry. How could he do this to me? she thought. He even flirted with me in our letters! Just then, Hermione realized who Harry had been writing to all summer. And just then, Hermione realized who she would be eating dinner with next week.

His name was Harry Potter