Chapter One
I hurried along the platform, as the shrill whistle sounded. Two minutes later and I would have missed it. Ahead I could see the two flaming heads of Ron and Ginny. Of course, Ginny was wrapped in Harrys' arms.
''Hermione!'' Ron called. Pushing past one final family, I was there. Trying to catch my breath, I gasped, ''Sorry I'm late.''
Grinning, Harry let go of Ginny to grab me in a hug, ''No problem, but we should probably hurry up.''
I nodded, and started looking for a compartment. We spotted one, and stored our trunks.
''Are you OK Hermione?'' Ginny whispered, so the boys wouldn't hear.
''I'm fine Ginny. Really, I'm sorry I'm so late, my alarm didn't go off and-'' I broke off as someone bumped into me.
''Watch where your going Mudblood!'' Said the familiar voice of Draco Malfoy.
Turning, I glared at him. ''I wasn't moving. You were, therefore you bumped into me, so actually you watch your going.''
With that, Ginny and I went into our compartment and shut the door in his face.
''What was that about?'' Ron asked. He was eating. Again.
''Nothing it doesn't matter. And don't talk with your mouth full Ronald!'' His face turned scarlet, making us all laugh.
Once the train started moving, we relaxed, settling in for the ride.
A little while later, Neville and Luna came into the compartment and said their Hello's.
''Aren't you supposed to be in the Head's compartment Hermione?'' Neville asked. Neville had changed a lot since the Battle. Everyone had. He wasn't as shy now, and wasn't afraid of speaking his mind. Then of course, what he had said clicked and my eyes widened.
''Oh Merlin!'' I jumped up and ran out into the corridor. The Head's compartment was at the top of the train, I was currently in the middle. 'It was a good thing I had thought to change into my robes before leaving the house this morning.' I thought.
As I reached the top of the train, I slid the door open and slipped inside.
''Miss Granger, it's nice of you to join us.'' Professor McGonagall said, with a smile.
''Sorry I'm late Professor.'' All I seemed to be doing today, was apologising.
I looked around for a seat and spotted none other than Ferret-Face. He was sneering at me, he was sat next to the last seat.
Holding my head high, I sat down smoothly. I tried to ignore the urge to slap him.
''As I was saying, this year is going to be hard on all of us. The rivalry between houses, will be stronger than ever. It is your job as Head boy and girl, to bridge the gab if you will.'' Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Malfoy inspecting his nails. He was even listening!
''Now, as well this year, there will be a very important project that all seventh year pupils are required to do. Each pupil will be given a partner, the project will last for the entire school year. You are not permitted to change or switch partners. Understood?' I nodded, Merlin knew what Malfoy did, I didn't even to look. 'Good. Now any questions?''
''When will we find out who our partners are?'' He asked. So he had heard that part...
''Partners will be announced at the Welcome Feast. Anything else? Miss Granger?''
''No Professor.'' I replied.
''Very well. You may return, to your friends.'' She dismissed us, waving a hand.
We both stood and started for the door, ''Oh and, Head boy and girl share a dormitory. I trust you already knew that.''
Malfoy and I looked at each other, and visbly shuddered.
''Wonderful.'' I said, as he said, ''Malfoy's don't-''
''Stop.' Just that one word was enough to shut us up.
'Go and talk it out, calmly, outside. Not in here.''
We nodded and left. Malfoy grabbed my arm, hauling me to a stop.
''If she thinks I, a Malfoy, am sharing a dormitory with a Mudblood, she really is a senile old bat.'' He stated, haughtily.
I couldn't help it, I laughed. ''If you think been a Malfoy means anythingat all anymore, then you are the senile one. To you, I may be a Mudblood, but this Mudblood help to save the Wizarding world. You help try and destroy it. So really, which one of us is the one with options?''
His mouth fell open, in shock. His grey eyes were almost bulging out of his head. He looked comical.
I left him standing there, and walked back to my friends with a smile on my face. The first genuine smile in months.
When we finally arrived at Hogwarts, we were all quiet. We had been laughing and joking, but now all traces of mirth were gone. With the help of many Witches and Wizards, from all over the world, Hogwarts now stood exactly like it used too. The only difference was the different plaques around the grounds. They glowed with magic, we had lost so many people that day, it had only been right to honour them.
''Come on, we should get inside.'' Ginny said, subdued. She had a right, she had almost lost her brother Fred, in the Battle. No-one answered, but as one we moved it the entrance hall.
''Miss Granger!'' I glanced behind me, and saw Professor McGonagall, calling me.
''I won't be long, guys.'' I told my friends.
''OK.'' They chorused.
''Yes Professor?'' I asked, as I neared her.
''Have you seen Mr Malfoy?'' She looked rather worried.
''No, the last time I saw him, was in the Heads compartment. Is something wrong?''
She frowned, ''Yes, he doesn't seem to be here. And no-one saw him get out of the carriages.'' Her voice was distant, as if she were thinking.
''Well I could help look for him, Professor.'' I voluntered, putting my pride aside.
McGonagall looked shocked to say the least at this.
''That would be very helpful. Maybe you could look around the grounds. I will send someone to help you, as soon as I can.''
I nodded, and took off.
The air still had traces off summer, the warm breeze and only just setting sun.
I searched for around 15 minutes, before I found him. No-one had come to help. Watching him, I noticed where we were.
We were stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
He had his back to me, he just stood there, staring into the darkness off the trees.
I moved a little closer, then I saw that he wasn't alone. He wasn't just staring at the trees, he was staring at fellow Slytherin.
I didn't know his name, but I knew he was in the year below us.
''You shouldn't have come back here. Your a murderer, murderers don't belong at Hogwarts. You should be in Azkaban!'' The boy growled. So he was a non-supporting Slytherin.
Malfoy didn't say anything, his wand was pointing at the boy, but he wasn't hexing him. Or worse.
''I notice you don't deny it. How many did you kill? Huh? How many?'' His voice raised to a shout.
He still didn't say anything, the boy's wand hand twitched a he pulled in a breath. Malfoy hadn't seen it.
I started running, ''Expelliarmus!''
His wand flew from his hand, but not before he fired the curse. The killing curse.
Malfoy didn't even have to time to defend himself.
I smashed into his side, knocking him off his feet, just as the curse whizzed by his head.
''Ohmf!'' He puffed.
But I was already moving, I pointed my wand at the boy, who still had his arm raised, and shouted, ''Petrificus Totalus!''
I turned back to Malfoy, he was staring at me. The weird thing was, he wasn't glaring, he was just staring.
''Why didn't you disarm him?'' I asked, angrily.
''You saved my life.'' He stated, bluntly.
''Fancy that, a Mudblood saving the life of a precious Malfoy.'' I said, sarcastically.
He smirking, ''Don't think this means I owe you. You really are just a Mudblood.'' He got up and started towards the school. Shaking my head, I levitated the frozen boy back up to the school.
By the time I had taken care of the boy, and arrived at the great hall, Malfoy was sitting with his friends, and the Feast was almost over.
Professor McGonagall - or Headmistress as she should officially be called - stood and said, ''Now as I mentioned earlier, the Project partners are as follows,' Everyone crossed their fingers, the Hall was deathly silent.
''Ron Weasley - Pansy Parkinson'' Ron's head dropped on to the table, as he groaned. Pansy shrieked in horror.
''Neville Longbottom - Luna Lovegood'' Neville smiled at his plate, I glanced over at the Ravenclaw table to see Luna doing the same. Hmm, interesting.
''Harry Potter - Ginny Weasley'' Ginny squealed and threw her arms around his neck, as he kissed her on the cheek. Everyone in the vicinity laughed.
''Hermione Granger - Draco Malfoy'' I dropped my glass of pumpkin, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville gaped at me. I turned in my seat just in time to see Draco spit his drink out. At any other time I would have laughed at the sight.
Now I just wanted to cry.
A/N: Wow, that was weird. Writing something, with someone else's characters...nice though! :) Thank you for reading, please leave a review and tell me whether they are completely OOC or whether this is something I should continue. Thanks Again!
~Abbey