"There wasn't much to say, was there? His eyes bore into my heart, though I've never felt his stare. His lips burned into my soul, though I've never seen his fire. His voice…oh, his voice. I haven't heard it yet."
It's the last time I will be setting foot on these steps. The last time I'll see these people. Reality hasn't sunken in yet, though I have realized what the reality must be. And then again, I can't stand to think of the last day here. I want it to come, but I don't as well. It's a love-hate relationship.
It's 1996; our last year at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and I are graduating as the class of 1997. Harry, Ron, and I are going to step into a new world after this is over. Harry, Ron, and I are, still, the best of friends. It's always been 'Harry, Ron, and I'.
What can I tell you about Harry and Ron? Pretty much nothing. I know them inside out. They've always been there for me. They've helped me through thick and thin.
But I don't know one person. This fact eats me from the pit of my soul out. I haven't met him yet, but I know he loves me with all his heart. It's one of those things you can't explain.
I know he's there. I know he is! Why haven't I found him yet? I know he's staring at me, but when I turn, there's no one. Why? Why can't he come to me and say something? Why must he torture me like this? Six years I've felt this. Six! Now, with seven coming, I am growing restless. I need to find him, before my life can, just as well, be pronounced over.
Hermione Granger stepped off of the train that led to her final year at Hogwarts. She looked at the magnificent castle. It glittered in the night, as though it was alive. She stared in awe for almost a full minute before she was jolted back to reality.
"Hermione," Harry said, "What are you staring at?"
"Just look at it, Harry," Hermione said, nodding towards the castle.
"Okay…" Harry said, looking at it, "It looks the same as usual."
"No, really look at it. This is the last time we're going set our eyes on it."
"Hermione, if you haven't noticed, we just got here. We have a whole year ahead of us!"
"A year seems too short."
"Just wait 'till you take the N.E.W.T.'s. Then you'll want to get out of here!"
"Hmm," Hermione said, thinking hard.
"So," Harry said, changing the subject. "Where's Ron?"
"Right here!" Ron said from behind them with Ginny.
"Good," Harry said, "Should we get a carriage now?"
"Yeah! The sooner we get to the castle, the better. I'm starving. I hope Dumbledore doesn't take forever to…"
"Why?" a drawling voice interrupted from behind him, "Haven't your parents been feeding you? Or do they take turns and feed one child a week? It's all they can afford, isn't it?"
"Go away, Malfoy," Hermione said.
"Give me one good reason why I should, and I'll leave forever." Then he walked away to rejoin his friends.
"What a way to start this year off, wasn't it?" Harry said, humorously.
"Oh yeah," Ron said, "Priceless moment. I still can't believe he still tries to torture us. It's always the same old thing, isn't it, Hermione?"
But Hermione was staring after Malfoy, fuming. The way he said his last remark made her sweat beads of fury.
"Um, Hermione?" Ron said, "Are you okay?"
"I can't stand him," she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I swear, I think I might kill him one day."
Harry and Ron laughed.
"You think it's funny?" she asked, pointedly.
They both stopped abruptly and started to stammer apologies.
"Good, now let's get to the castle."
The carriage ride there was uneventful. Hermione stared out her window at the place that she would name 'home' for the last time. Ginny and Harry were hand in hand, talking softly to each other. They'd been dating for nearly two years now. Ron was staring at them, making sure he'd catch Harry's every move. Ginny was, after all, his only sister.
Finally, after what seemed ages to some and seconds to others, the carriages stopped in front of the entrance. Everyone climbed out and rushed eagerly to their seats. After everyone was settled, the incoming first years walked in. Hermione stared, wondering how she was ever that young. Time flew by too fast.
A little girl walked past her, followed by two little boys.
"I'm really excited for this year, aren't you?" The little girl said to one of the boys, "I've already read all my school books! I wanted to get a head start…" and so on.
The two boys rolled their eyes at her. "Will she ever shut up?" one of them said.
Hermione smiled. They reminded her so much of Harry, Ron, and herself. Somewhere in between her little flashbacks, Dumbledore's voice interrupted her.
"The sorting will begin now."
Professor McGonagall took the sorting hat and placed it on a stool in front of the hall. The first years stared at it for a while, and then it broke into a song.
Oh my! What have we here?
People cowering in fear?
But why do they dread,
Me being atop their dear little head?
For I am the sorting hat of Hogwarts!
And I place people of all sorts,
Into the house that they belong to,
No matter where, when, or who!
If you belong in Gryffindor,
You will surely be a roar,
For they are the bravest,
And nothing more to assess!
If you belong in Hufflepuff,
You won't be as rough,
For they are the forgivers,
For whatever life delivers!
If you belong in Ravenclaw,
You will find no flaw,
For they are the most intelligent,
No matter the event!
If you belong in Slytherin,
Don't consider it a sin,
For they are the most cunning folk around,
No matter to where they are bound!
So step up, little ones, don't be afraid,
This will be the easiest game you've ever played,
Put me atop your noodle and you will see,
Where in this room you ought to be!
Everyone clapped as the hat finished its song. McGonagall stepped up and began to announce names. One by one, first years were being sorted into their respective houses. Hermione made sure to shake hands with every incoming Gryffindor.
After the sorting was done, Dumbledore got up to say his part. "Good evening ladies, gentlemen, girls, and boys. I wish a warm welcome to those who have joined the Hogwarts family. I also want to welcome back the upperclassmen. I have a few announcements to make before we begin the feast. First, the head boy and girl will be Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, both of the Gryffindor house. Students, these two people have almost as much power as a professor. They can take points away from you, and they can award points. Secondly, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Please welcome Professor Abele," everyone clapped politely, "Finally, we as a staff have decided that there will be a ball at the end of the year. All will be invited to this fantastic event. Professor Abele came up with the idea, and she will be organizing it too. Okay, that's about it. Enjoy the feast!"
Food piled up from out thin air. Ron immediately started to stuff his mouth even before he could open it. Harry and Ginny were both piling up all sorts of food on their plates with hunger in their eyes. Hermione, however, took a moment to look around and take whatever she hadn't already in. It seemed so surreal to her. The clock seemed to tick a bit too slow, but everything was going a bit too fast.
Then she felt it again. Someone's eyes were on her. They were x-raying her very soul. They were looking into the deepest parts of it nobody had dared to for a long time. She snapped out of her mind and looked around. Nobody was there. Everyone was eating. Maybe she was going crazy.
After a while, the feast was over. Everyone was stuffed and headed to bed. Harry and Hermione stayed to take care of their head duties, and then went off to their private quarters to get some rest.
She felt some eyes on her again. She turned around fast. But, to her dismay, it was only Malfoy. He must have seen something in her eyes that told a whole story.
"Not who you were expecting?" he drawled.
"No, it's not that…" Hermione said, sort of dazed.
"Then what was it?" he said as his face came very close to hers. She could feel his breath upon her eyes.
"Nothing," Hermione said, "Mind your own business. Go away!"
"Again, Granger," he whispered, "Give me one good reason why I should, and I'll leave forever." Then he walked away.
A/N: Hey, hope you liked the first chapter! Tell me if I should write more! And did anyone like my quote at the starting and my sorting hat song? Review please!