Hermione sighed as she glared down at the paper before her, biting her quill in frustration before angrily crumbling the paper and starting on a new one. She sighed and glared at the parchement detailing the assignment and the name she was meant to write to. On the paper, McGonnagall had declared that all students write to pen pals under the guise of names. Having all been given slips to write their makeshift names on, Hermione had ended up writing to someone who went by Anybody. Finally, Hermione gave a great huff and bent her head, scribbling quickly on the parchement.

Dear Anybody,

I admit, I was prepared to act professional and pretend to not be excited about the coming year despite it being our eighth now. Hogwarts has always just been…. So exciting! I decided that instead of pretending to be something im not, id rather simply write as I would to my journal or any other thing I was certain would never get back to me. I already know youre a Slytherin, you already know im a Gryffindor so there really is no point in trying to avoid that small fact. Please write back soon even if its only to say you refuse to take part in this project.

Sincerely, Nobody

Hermione nodded confidently as she finished the letter, folding it neatly before she could change her mind and turned to the school owl that had waited so patiently for her required letter. She bit her lip nervously, unsure of what sort of response she would get from the receiving end. However, only a few short minutes later, the owl returned with a letter in its beak.

Dear Nobody,

Life is as usual here in Hogwarts im afraid, one day begins and snother ends and altogether I find myself lost in the endless monotony of daily life. Frankly, I don't understand the appeal of this school as well as others, perhaps you could enlighten me?

Curiously, Anybody

Hermione raised a brow at the short but honest letter and reached for her quill again.

Dear Anybody,

I suppose you could say the excitement comes from the magic. Not all of us has known it their whole lives you know. With you presumably being either a pure blood or a half it is only logical that you would not know the wonderful feeling those of us who are muggleborn feel when we experience magic. Its new, its warm and… its something that we had thought was impossible. Most purebloods had grown up around the sort and don't realize how amazing a school such as this really is but trust me, if you spent your life in the muggle world for so long and then had to leave it every summer you would feel happy to return here too. Though admittedly, I am allowed to use magic outside of school now, it such feels good to be back in the place that taught me it all in the first place.

Enchanted, Nobody

She sent the letter, having carefully ensured not to mention in any part that part of her relief in returing was based on seeing Hogwarts whole again. She couldn't imagine that would have gone down well in the Slytherin house. She waited anxiously, worried she had written too much, that she had annoyed them into not answering already and that they would take offense to her presumptions of them being a magic born. That being said, when the bird did return nearly an hour later, Hermione jumped to her feet in greeting and ran over, untying the letter, opening it slowly, scared to read its contents.

Dear Nobody (depressing name that is by the way),

Youre right, perhaps I don't understand just yet the wonder you muggle borns must feel when confronted by magic. Admittedly, as you had said, I was raised with it and it occurs to me that I may have allowed myself to grow numb to it. Which is why I spent the past hour watching two first years marvel at their wands and try new spells that the older years have been teaching them. You were right, its fascinating regardless of how long you've known it, if you stop to appreciate it youll see the brilliance in it all over again. I must also say, it feels good to be back to Hogwarts though I still find myself wondering why ive been aloud back in. Thank you for writing to me Nobody, but I must retire for the evening,

Wonderingly, Anybody

Hermione grinned down at the letter, feeling happy as she realized that someone had taken her advice with such little pushing and had even taken it further, going so far as to watch two first years. She smiled and folded the letter slightly, gathering her things and headed up to the dorm only to find another school owl on her bed, looking rather peeved as he shook his leg at her, demanding she remove the letter tied to his leg.

Dear Nobody,

Ive decided Nobody is too depressing for me. Im calling you NY for Nobody Yet. Im aware this also stands for New York but not this time. Goodnight Ny

AB (AnyBody, get it?)

Hermione laughed and folded this one also, tucking the letters into a drawer before laying quietly in her bed, tired and yet excited for the next day. It was the first official day of Hogwarts and she had someone to talk to at last.