Hermione made her way into the kitchen at the burrow lazily and sat down for breakfast. Today was the day they got to go back to Hogwarts and she was ecstatic. By the looks of it she was the only one though. She sat between Ron and Harry who were grumbling about having to go back. Hermione found it ridiculous that they expected to just make it through life because they defeated the megalomaniac who had been ruining their lives for the past however many years. She was done with it though. Knew that you couldn't just get by life like that. Even if they just wanted to be Aurors.
"Morning Mione." Ron mumbled between mouthfuls of food. They may be dating now but he could still be extremely repulsive. But the way he made Hermione feel was worth everything that was negative. However this year she was Head girl and he was not head boy so she was left to think about how it will work. Living with another guy... Ron didn't take that well. It was a long night of shouting and crying. Mostly on Hermione's part though.
"Morning Ron, Harry how are you both?" She questioned nicely.
"Fine..." They both mumbled. Annoyed Hermione just finished her food and was about to get up and leave when walked in.
"Oh my god you guys are still eating! We are running late! Hurry up let's go!" She harped. So everyone got up from the table and went up to do some last minute packing. Well the boys did, she was already done. So Hermione just went outside to get her mind off things. Even if only for a few moments. This had been the first time since the end of the war that she had gotten time by herself.
This summer was very busy. If she wasn't with Ron she was trying to help rebuild Hogwarts. If not that she was just hanging out with the boys. She didn't even sleep alone anymore as she stayed in Ginny's room. That was another thing.
After all of this Hermione was unable to find her parents. They were no longer in Australia that's for sure. When they found that out Hermione was devastated. Another reason they wouldn't let her be alone. However now that she was, she didn't know what to do!
She just pondered the thoughts she had been thinking about and then made her way inside. As soon as she did though she regretted it. The noise coming from the house was horrid. If you let 20 elephants into the house to stomp around it would probably still be quieter.
"THAT'S MY JUMPER!" "HAVE YOU SEEN MY PANTS?!" "ANYONE KNOW WHERE MY BOOKS WENT!?" And with that Hermione RAN out the door. She just ran and ran until she reached the vehicle they were taking to the station. It was a ministry vehicle because if Harry and Ron. Since they were techniquely already Aurors. They accepted he job as soon as it was offered. But told them they had to finish their education first.
After of sitting in the vehicle for about 10 minutes the others filed into the car. The drive to kings cross was generally uneventful. Not much talking, just starring out the window. Hermione was very happy about getting a good seat as the views she got was better than normal. She was relieved when they got there on time as well. They cut it really close though.
Hermione went first through the barrier and was automatically relieved when she inhaled the steam coming from the engine. This was her last time doing all of this. Getting ready for the first day of a new year... Everything was happening so fast... She looked behind her to make sure everyone was still there and they were.
Hermione branched off and made her way to a compartment. She went to go lift her trunk into the spot designated for Head Girl and Head Boy position. She was surprised to see that the head boys stuff was already in there. Being curious as to whom she would be sharing her free periods and dorm with she checked the tag...
'No it can't be' Hermione thought to herself. But she wasn't mistaken. At seeing the name written on the tag she ran as fast as she could to find the boys. She said her farewells to Mrs. And Mr. Weasley first but after that was in a rush to find them... She hopped onto the train and started searching compartments. Then she spotted them... She dived into it and began speaking rapidly.
"Oh my god I just brought my stuff to the head persons compartment and you would never believe whose stuff was in there! It was...Malfoy! Like how on earth am I supposed to live in the same dorm as him? Never mind having to spend spare time with him! Can I resign; no I don't want that...UGH I AM GOING TO DIE!" She yelled. Ron and Harry just sort of stared at her with a blank expression.
Since Ron was her boyfriend she was looking for some comfort from him but instead found him gazing at not her, but someone behind her. She quickly turned around but only saw a glimpse of black hair. Oh well she must have been mistaken.
"Ron you can't make me do this. Can you help me try and convince McGonagall to change her mind about head boy?" Hermione questioned. She just wanted someone to say something.
"Ya sure whatever you need dear." His words were dull. As if he didn't even know she was there. So she sat down and just decided to talk to Harry.
"Harry what do you think of all of this?" She asked.
"Well McGonagall knows what she is doing. Don't fret. If he as much as looks at you the wrong way his foot will be shoved so far up his ass it will come out of his mouth." He said with a smile. The visual really pushed Hermione over the edge and she couldn't stop laughing. Yet neither could Harry! Ron however was still not totally there.
"Ron is everything okay?" Hermione questioned.
"Um ya I just need to go and get some air." He muttered before leaving the compartment. Hermione decided it was about time to go to the Heads compartment anyways. What harm could be done.
As she left leaving Harry alone she saw Ron ducking into another room. At first she worried but then remembered that he wouldn't hurt her. He just needed some alone time. This was reasonable. He lost his brother after all. That was probably the hardest loss. She could still remember the look that had been plastered on his face since the funeral. Just a look of total despair. She wished she could help but nothing Hermione could do would help at all.
She finally made it to the Heads room and stepped into it quietly. It was a nice compartment. Had a Slytherin bench on one side and a Gryffindor on the other. Then on the side by the window were glasses that Hermione recognized as preference glasses. Whatever drink you wanted would magically appear in them and it would never empty, which was a nice convenience. The view out their window also seemed a lot clearer than the others...
Malfoy was sitting on the green bench reading a book, Casual Vacancy's, while drinking a glass of water. Hermione sat down on the red Gryffindor bench and just sat and looked at him. He had matured a lot because of the war. Aged almost... His hair was falling loosely around his face and framed it almost perfectly. His lips were a faded pink that were actually very noticeable compared to his other pale attributes. His jawline was amazing, if that's possible, and his body looked long with just enough muscle on it. He looked gorgeous. Of course Hermione didn't allow herself to think that. Then at that moment his gray eyes flickered up for a mere second, however that second was enough. Her heart started to race and she didn't know what to say, or if she should even talk. Well her mouth made that decision.
"Malfoy..." She said with a weird drawl in her voice. Almost like she was cooing at a baby or a dreamy guy... But she quickly snapped herself out of it and tried to make herself look more confident.
"Mudblood?" He questioned back with a sort of sarcasm. He knew she never meant to say anything but once a chick lets herself slide a bit that's when he comes in. He looked up from his book expecting a rather nerdy looking mudblood but instead he saw a new granger who grew into herself. She was a lot skinnier around the waist now but the rest of her spread. And her hair fell in loose curls now instead of just frizz and it was gorgeous. Malfoy actually let himself stare for a few minutes before returning to his book.
It only took another 2 hours of silence before they finally reached Hogwarts... And man was it awkward! Hermione looked up at Malfoy to see what he was going to do once it stopped. However when she looked up, he was already looking at her. But his eyes didn't look hard and unwelcoming like normal. They looked more... Kind... That was extremely shocking to her. But she ignored it. It was probably just all in her mind.
"So Malfoy as head boy and head girl we mus..."Hermione tried to say but Malfoy cut her off.
"Must lead the school to the carts, make sure they do that safely, get ourselves up to the school and make sure everyone behaves themselves until the first years get sorted..." Malfoy said with a smirk. This greatly annoyed her because it didn't help her cause of convincing everyone he was a bad Head Boy. To be honest right now he seemed fairly great... What did she just think that? Ugh snap out of it Hermione...