This year, it had begun to flurry early. She watched from the train, as it crossed the hills of England. It looked cold outside, but she was warm in her train compartment. She was, however, coming down with a little cold. She sniffled and wiped her nose with a tissue. She sat alone, awaiting the arrival to Hogwarts. She remembered last year, on the train. She had sat with Ron and Harry, and they laughed almost the entire way there. How she missed them. But as like most things for Hermione, that did not last. She was alone, without Ron and Harry, without any friends at all. A single tear rolled down her soft cheek, but she quickly wiped it away when she heard footsteps outside the compartment. She had never thought in a million years that she would be sitting alone on the train, in the beginning of her 7th year.

Hermione must have dozed off, because when she woke, they were at Hogwarts. No one even thought to wake her, so she was the last one off the train.

'Ah, Hermione. Glad ya could make it off the train!' Hagrid said to her sarcastically when she got off. Hermione simply ignored him; he was not the same after Harry had killed himself. Hagrid had changed. She didn't fault him for it.

Hermione mindlessly took a seat in the Great Hall, and watched the sorting of the 1st years. After it was over, she walked silently back to her dormitory, and planned to read in the common room. When she saw the other girls laughing and talking in front of the fire, she quickly reconsidered and read up in her room. She read for hours, as it got darker outside. She put down her textbook and sat in the window seat, overlooking Hogwarts grounds. The snow had fallen heavier now, and she watched the moonlight dance and reflects off of it. One of the girls opened the door.

'Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were here,' she said to Hermione. Hermione nodded, ever so slightly. The girl walked over, and sat on Hermione's bed which was next to the window.

'Funny, how it started snowing so early this year. It usually starts in early November,' the girl said, trying to make conversation. Hermione kept staring out the window, and nodded. The girl sighed, and got up.

'Well, I'm going to sleep, see you in Potions tomorrow,' she said as she got into bed. Hermione looked, and yawned herself. The girl looked disappointed; she had always admired Hermione's intelligence, and she had always wanted to be friends with her. Hermione went into the bathroom, washed up, changed, and went to sleep without a goodnight. She lay awake for hours after the other girls had retired, and thought about everything. About last year, mostly. She finally fell asleep soon, not looking forward to the New Year.

The next morning, Hermione awoke before the others, showered, changed, and went downstairs early. She decided to visit the library before breakfast, to find some books to keep her occupied. She was reading at a table, when she heard McGonagall.

'Hermione Granger, can I have a word with you, dear?'

Hermione turned around, and walked over to her. 'Good morning, Professor. What can I do you you?'

McGonagall smiled warmly. 'I have been watching you, and you are the ideal student. You take your studies seriously, and you take pride in your grades. Now that your in your 7th year, we have the position of Head Girl open, and I was wondering if you'd like to take that position. As you already know, you'd get to share a dormitory with the Head Boy, who I have already chosen. As I said before, you are perfect for it.'

Hermione was shocked. All the time she was at Hogwarts, she had wanted more than anything to be the Head Girl.

'Oh, Professor McGonagall! I would be honoured to! When can I start?' Hermione beamed at the professor.

'You can start today. I will have your things moved to your new dormitory; I'm sure you know where that is,' McGonagall said, and right then on Hermione's robe, appeared the red and yellow Head Girl pin. She touched it, and opened her eyes wide.

'Oh, this means so much to me!' Without thinking, Hermione hugged McGonagall, and ran to breakfast.

I wonder who the Head Boy this year is, thought Hermione. She started eating and she glanced across the Great Hall, looking for a boy with the same pin. She knew he couldn't be in Gryffindor, because the rules were, only one Head boy or girl from each house. She looked over to Ravenclaw. Nothing. Then, to Hufflepuff. Nothing. She knew he had to be in Slytherin. She looked over at the table of Slytherins, carefully looking at each boy. She stopped, when she saw the green and silver pin on the robe of a fair- haired, tall, very good looking Slytherin. The colour drained from her face.

Draco Malfoy.

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