Before the Letter

Chapter 2

The Two Men

Dear Diary,

I think I was overreacting last time I wrote; I'm sure there's nothing wrong. Just lack of sleep; I do stay up at night a lot revising. The SATs are coming up and I want to do so well in them. I'm entered for all the Level 6 extension papers and I'm really worried about whether I'll make the grade. I'm also doing an entrance exam for the local grammar school. My teachers all expect me to get in with flying colours, but I'm not so sure. I could go completely blank on the examination day. I hope Stephanie gets in; she's bright enough but she's constantly putting herself down. She's my best friend; she's stood by me through the constant teasing. Don't worry about that I can manage, but I do admit I sometimes go for a cry in the toilets. She's been there through thick and thin; even when it's hurt her reputation to hang around with me. Anyway I'd better go and revise.

Write to you later

Hermione

Dear Diary,

We went to London today because I've wanted to see the Natural Science Museum's new exhibition on Egypt. I'm really interested in the ancient Egyptian curses; they've got an almost magical feeling about them. We arrived at King's Cross Station on platform 9. As we were sliding to a halt, I looked out of the window and saw two strange men. One was holding a lime green bowler hat in his hands and was twirling it constantly. The man was dressed in what I can only describe as a cloak. He was listening very closely to the man on his left. He seemed to be taking in every word from this man, like he was the source of all knowledge. When I looked closely at the other man, I could understand why. The man looked old and his face was lined, but the way he acted seemed like a young school boy for he whistled happily when conversation subsided. However I could see he was intelligent for it showed in every line of that face. His hair was white and fell down his back, where he had tied it up. He towered above the other man and carried himself with an air of dignity. As I stared at him, he seemed to feel my presence and looked over to me. His blue eyes seemed to see through me like an X-ray. I felt as if he knew more about me than I did, but whatever he saw it seemed to please him for his brilliant blue eyes began to twinkle. He inclined his head to me and gave me a warm smile. As I gazed into his eyes, I felt our paths would cross many times in the future as we fought against something I could not name. At last reluctantly, I drew my gaze away from his face as my parents hustled me out of my seat. As I left the compartment, I looked back but he was gone and so was his friend. I looked all around the empty platform but I could not spy him. However as I looked at the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10, I felt a tingle in my spine. But then I was dragged away in the crowd before I could discover the source. Mum's calling me; we're off to the Museum. I'll tell you all about it afterwards.

Write to you later

Hermione