Prologue
Hermione kept glancing out of the window to watch the trees and farmland as they sped past it. No matter how much she tried, she just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. The worst part was she didn't know if the mysterious "thing" would be a bad thing or a good thing. Nothing bad had happened over the summer and everything else had happened, as it should. The meeting at the Weasly's house, shopping for school supplies and now they were on they're way to Hogwarts. 'Nothing new will be there I bet, besides a new teacher that is…' her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Ron who sat across the way from her.
"See something out there more interesting than us?" he joked, grinning at Harry who winked back.
"Yeah, Mione, its almost like you haven't heard a word we've been saying!" It seemed to be tease-Hermione day as Harry joined in on the fun. Also grinning, Hermione let out a small shriek and pretended to be outraged. She put on a mock-frown and started telling them off about butting their noses into other people's business, when she just couldn't stand it anymore and cracked up. Soon the whole compartment was filled with the sound of playful teasing and laughter. The figure outside the door smiled fondly, reminiscing about their own past when laughter was frequent.
The fun came to a halt when the door was quietly pushed open and someone in plain black robes stuck her head in. The only thought in the "trio's" mind was that it had to be the new teacher. She had a smiling and open face, with laughing golden-brown eyes, not unlike Hermione's. Still smiling she spoke to them, "I'm sorry to break up the fun you're obviously having but, you're going to have to keep it down. You can still have fun don't worry, just try not to get rambunctious with it", the last bit was said with a grin and then the door slid shut.
Ron and Harry were left flabbergasted, while Hermione just tilted her head and then smiled strangely. "That must be the new teacher, she seems nice", said she.
"Nice! She seems bloody wonderful!" Ron had a peculiar look on his face and a blush staining his cheeks. Hermione didn't like the way he looked at all.
"Well, she'll be a nice change after that woman," came out Harry, "At least she doesn't seem bent on hating us, like some professors."
With that Hermione decided that maybe it was time for a change of subject. Harry and Ron were once again talking and she could hear them vaguely going on about their two most hated teachers. In her mind she was trying to decide if she should bring up quidditch or mention that maybe they should put their school robes on. She was just deciding on quidditch when she looked out the window and noticed how far along the way they were. "Guys, you may not care but I'd like to get to school dressed for it!"
Harry blinked, distracted from his "conversation" with Ron when he too noticed how late it was, "Yeah, we probably should." He reached up to take down their trunks and get out everyone's uniforms. That was when they could hear the new teacher in the hallway. She was telling off Malfoy and his two goons for putting hexes on some new, first-year muggles. He was grinning as he looked over at his two best friends, "I think this year might actually be a fun one." The remark was greeted by more laughter.