Hello Everyone! This is my first fanfic ever! Please review and enjoy!
Chapter 1-With One Condition
Hermione sighed at her desk, twirling a quill and staring out the window. She had spent the better part of twenty minutes trying to decide the precise words she wanted to use, but it wasn't easy; the circumstances she was in made sure of that. Exasperated and out of ideas, she placed the quill down and admitted defeat. It wasn't like her to submit so easily to anything. At the moment, however, she was exhausted and thus, turned her attentions toward sleep.
Climbing into the soft, pillowed bed, she closed her eyes and lay still. One might have assumed that she was peacefully asleep, though a million thoughts raced through her mind. I just don't understand…why this? And that was the last thing she remembered before drifting off.
Hermione felt something warm on her cheek and awoke to find Crookshanks nuzzling her. She smiled and pet his ginger fur, oblivious of the worries from the night before. Shining brightly through the window, the sun cast its rays across something gleaming on the desk and she looked up. Reality instantly crashed down upon her as she stared at the quill.
With an annoyed expression, she sat up quickly and pulled the covers off. Crookshanks appeared miffed at her sudden departure, but curled up where she once lay. Hermione walked slowly to her desk, sat on the plush chair, and picked up her quill. She had to do it. There was no other way.
Professor McGonagall,
I understand the situation and the request you have asked of me. After much consideration, I have agreed to your proposition with one condition: Draco Malfoy must never touch me. I trust that you understand my reasons.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
She scanned over the parchment twice, sighed, and reluctantly tied the letter to the owl perched in her cage. The creature peeked at her with lazy eyes from under a wing: "Please take this to Professor McGonagall." The owl appeared just as unenthusiastic as Hermione, but did as it was told. She watched as the bird flew out of the window and disappeared into the horizon.
Standing there a few moments, she let her mind wander. There were things that needed to be done before returning to Hogwarts tomorrow. She would be completing her seventh year a second time, but that didn't mean she could slide in her studies. Looking around her room, she found her empty trunk and began packing, lining it with mostly books and clothing. Crookshanks wandered over and leapt in the trunk with expectant eyes. "Yes, we are going back Crookshanks. Are you excited?" She smiled at the cat, but felt a sadness in the pit of her stomach at the thought. It was only recently that Lord Voldemort had been defeated and the school rebuilt again. How would the students be able to cope with the horrors they had faced the year before? Would it ever be the same? And how will I be able to deal with McGonagall's proposition? At the thought of this, Hermione furrowed her brows and said to the feline, "I think we're going to have an interesting year, don't you?"