Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine; neither are the other characters and the plot.
CHAPTER 1
Excitement was almost tangible as all the students sat in the Great Hall at the beginning of the new semester. The first years has just been sorted into one of the four houses and were eagerly waiting to see what is going to happen next. Most of them looked scared, others shy and some of them had too much confidence – so much so that they appeared arrogant. This knew found confidence will not last long as the older students can be quite ruthless sometimes. As Professor Dumbledore stood up the silent chatter died quickly, all looking expectantly up at him.
"Good evening and welcome to all of you!" He took a moment to look over all of the four tables. "First, I would like to welcome back all the students…" he nodded his head in acknowledgement to them all "and say a special word of welcome to the first years." He smiled friendly at them. "I trust that you will make good memories here and that you will excel in your schoolwork. Please be aware that bad behaviour will not go without punishment and that good behaviour will be rewarded. I am sure you will find your seven year stay here most comfortable and pleasurable. To new friends and new beginnings!" Dumbledore raised his goblet to this and then took a sip. The whole school followed suit. "Now for other important matters. The house heads and I have decided to take action against the rivalry that exists between the houses." As some of the students moaned quietly, Dumbledore continued. "There is nothing wrong with healthy competition between the houses for example Quidditch and the house points system but we feel some students started to take this too far. And that is not fair. So programs will be put in place to improve and encourage interhouse unity." All the students were now murmuring and discussing their mutual disinterest at the new development. Dumbledore waited for them to get quiet by themselves before he continued. "Announcements regarding the programs will be posted on the notice boards in your common rooms. Participation is compulsory."
{FEW DAYS LATER}
ATTENTION
The first program for the final year students will take place tomorrow (Saturday). All final years must report to the court yard after breakfast.
BY ORDER HEADMASTER DUMBLEDORE
Ron grunted as he finished reading the notice and turned to go sit by Harry and Hermione in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room.
"This is bullocks! Now they are using our off time for this rubbish. It's completely mental! They'll never be able to get rid of the rivalry." Ron sighed as he plopped down on the couch next to Harry.
"I can understand why they're doing it. I think it should be fun. We don't really know the people from the other houses that well." Hermione said, not looking up from her book.
Ron looked at her in disbelief. It looked like he smelt something really sour in the way he was pulling his face. "Of course you would think it's a good idea! Only you would want to mingle with other houses." He sat back and shook his head.
"Says the one that dated a Hufflepuff!" Hermione retorted, now looking at him from her side of the couch.
"That's different!" Ron said, getting red in the face.
"How so, Ron? Was it because you never really needed to talk? Just snog?" Hermione narrowed her eyes and dared Ron to deny the fact that he and Lavender really never had a real conversation. Ron's mouth fell open as he gaped at her.
"Harry, she said snog!" Ron pointed a finger at her as he was looking at Harry. "She said snog!"
"She's got a point Ron. And what is your problem with that word?" Harry raised his eyebrows at him and sounded annoyed. Ron closed his mouth. He didn't want to admit that Hermione was right and he didn't know how to retaliate. He wished she was the one he could have snogged but Lavender kept on chasing him at the time and he thought he might give it a try.
"I thought people who never dunnit before gets grossed out by the word…" he said looking awkwardly at his lap.
Hermione felt a cold rush over her. She suddenly felt embarrassed. She has never snogged a guy before and Ron was overly conscious of the fact. Okay, she has kissed Viktor Krum at the Yule ball but that was just a quick platonic peck.
She always wondered what her real first kiss would be like. Who would be the lucky guy? Will he be tall, dark and handsome or blonde with blue eyes? Where will they be and what would have lead up to the kiss? Will she enjoy it? And will she be in love at the time? Will the guy make her feel special? Will she see fireworks or hear bells ringing? She could only dream about it.
"Hermione?" Hermione came out of her reverie. She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Sorry, yes?" she said looking questioningly at Ron.
"I said I was sorry for what I said," he said.
"No need to apologise Ron" she smiled.
"I thought maybe you were upset because you stopped responding" he said looking strangely at her as if he tried to figure out if something was wrong with her.
"Oh that. No I just became engrossed in my book" Hermione reassured him.
A/N: Review please guys, the second chapter will get more interesting!