AN: I don't know where this story is going yet... or do I? Hahaha you will have to wait and see! R&R please

Disclaimer: Anyone you have heard of from Harry Potter, isn't mine. The rest are figments of my imagination.

"Bullstrode, Morris" Professor McGonagall placed the aging Sorting Hat on Bullstrode's head, and after a few moments……

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Oh no, we're not off to a good start, are we?" Hermione Granger groaned as two more first years were placed into Slytherin house, after much deliberation on the sorting hat's part.

"Never mind, Mya, who would want a Bullstrode in Gryffindor anyway?" red-headed Ron attempted to comfort Hermione, as well as distract her from noticing Harvey Collins strut over to the Slytherin table.

"Finnegan, Samantha"

Seamus' younger sister was so excited to finally be at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she tripped on one of the steps leading to the wooden stool, causing Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy to start laughing amongst themselves. After regaining her composure Samantha sat on the stool and became the very image of anxiety, trembling like a kitten, anticipating the worst outcome. Thankfully, her concern wasn't turned into reality as she was announced a Gryffindor. Holding her head up high, Samantha walked calmly over to the "Grand Gryffindor" table, as the Weasley twins called it.

"It didn't turn out that bad though," Harry promptly spluttered on his fresh pumpkin juice, after the Sorting Hat had been put back into its traditional glass and gold, magically locked case. And that was only because Ginny and just slapped her older brother, Ron Weasley, around his now extremely red face, for flirting with Lavender Brown, a fellow Gryffindor seventh year.

Altogether, there had been 27 Gryffindors, 26 Slytherins, 24 Hufflepuffs and 19 Ravenclaws. As Hermione conjured up a small towel and some ice cubes, Ginny lectured Ron on how disappointed she was in him.

"Of all the things mum has brought you up not to do, Ronald Weasley. I am ashamed. You should be too, flirting, I mean, actually flirting and you haven't even finished your first breakfast of the academic year." She was starting to sound like Hermione. "I will be writing to mother when my lessons for the day are over, I'm sure she would be very curious as to know what you have been doing on your first day as a seventh year student."

"Ginerva Molly Weasley, you will not be writing to your mother tonight. You will be getting on with your homework." Hermione gave Ron the neatly wrapped, home-made ice pack whilst glaring at Ginny. "The quill and parchment will still be there at the end of the week, and I assume your parents are not planning on moving within the next 5 days."

Hary chuckled at the antics of the small group. Ron was wincing in pain, well, wincing in the hope that somebody will notice the unbearable amount of pain he is in, preferably Lavender. Hermione was looking sternly at Ginny, telling her that "under no circumstances will she write to her parents until the weekend". Ginny sat silently on the bench, pretending to take in every word Hermione was saying, whilst really trying to work out a way of writing to her family without Hermione finding out.

Over the summer holiday, Neville Longbottom had visited the Leaky Cauldron, and met Lavender there. They met up a few times and Lavender even stayed with Neville and his grandmother for a week. They hadn't officially announced it yet (they hadn't had the opportunity!), but they were now dating. Harry had noticed Lavender and Neville exchanging flirtatious glances throughout the ceremony and breakfast, but had decided to keep quiet.

"Ginny," Hermione sighed, after realising she was taking no notice. "Ginny, are you even listening to me? Your eduacation is very impor-" She was cut off by the sound of a glass being tapped. Looking up she saw Professor McGonagall using a goblet, spoon and an echoing charm to silence the students in the Great Hall.

"Thank you, professor," Albus Dumbledore said as McGonagall resumed her seated position. "I would like to welcome all the first years to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and wish the best of luck to each and every one of you. I would also like to welcome back returning students and wish them the best of luck. There are a few things I would like to mention before you all leave to go to your common rooms. Firstly, congratulations to Blaise Zabini, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Terry Boot and Seamus Finnigan for becoming their house Quidditch captains." Cheers erupted from the crowd, particularly the Ravenclaws. everyone knew Terry Boot was the best keeper in the history of Hogwarts, even above Oliver Wood. "Secondly," Dumbledore called after the hall hushed. "I would like to remind all fifth to seventh year students that the Hogsmeade trip will be in five weeks time, soremember to get permission. And finally, as you all know, our positions of Head-Girl and Head-Boy have yet to be taken. I think that, as Gryffindor won the House Cup and Slythering won the Quidditch cup last year, it is only fair that the places should go to a member from both houses."

Hermione's face had lit up at the mention of Head-Girl, but her spirits plummeted to the seemingly bottomless floor at the latter part of the announcement. Each student knew that Dumbledore wanted inter-house unity, but each student also knew that putting a Gryffindor and a Slytherin in the same room, alone, was a bad idea.

"Therefore, our new Head-Girl will be none other than Gryffindor's Hermione Granger. Congratulations, Miss Granger, please come up to the front." Hermione strutted past the rest of the Gryffindor students and lightly bounced up the steps to shake Dumbledore's hand.

"Thank you Professor Dumbledore, and to all the other teachers," Hermione turned around and smiled at the seated professors.

"And,now, our new Head-Boy will be Draco Malfoy. Please come up to the front, also, Mister Malfoy." The old, grey-haired man took Draco's fair-skinned hand and shook it firmly. he signalled for Hermione and Draco to shake hands. Reluctantly, they did as was expected of them. When Draco hand touched Hermione's delicate, slender fingers, a shiver went down his spine and she was quick to realise that Draco was vulnerable at this moment. She squeezed his hand at tightly as she could, so no-one but herself and Draco would notice. She was right. He was vulnerable.

So very, very vulnerable.

AN: What did you think? Review please, I need your opinion to improve! Thanks.

p.s. this is my first fanfic. So be nice!

x LocustaMalfoy x