I Love You, Now Die





Hermione Granger boarded the Hogwarts Express with a cheerful smile on her face. This year promised to be great. She was in her seventh year, Head Girl.....the only problem with that was Draco Malfoy. He was Head Boy....but, Hermione decided, she would put up with it. Nothing could spoil this year....

"Hey, Mione! Over here!" a voice called happily, waving a hand above the crowd.

Hermione turned to see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, her best friends. They were further down the hall, waiting for her outside a compartment, grinning. She hurried over.

"Hiya, Mione." Ron said. "How was your summer?" He had gotten taller (surprise, surprise) and he was tanned. He looked down at her from his shimmery brown eyes.

"It was great!" Hermione replied, looking back and forth between Harry and Ron. "I was on vacation in Rome! You wouldn't believe the history I found there! All the ancient wizards had these strange rituals! They would-"

"Leave it to Mione to spend summer studying!" Harry laughed, running a thin hand through his messy black hair. "Please, spare us the gruesome details!"

The trio laughed, and went to sit down in their compartment. Just as they started talking though, the door was pushed open by their least favorite people-Draco Malfoy, and his so-called "bodyguards," Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.

"Get outta here, Malfoy!" Ron growled, pulling out his wand.

"Weasley, Weasley, Weasley...." Malfoy shook his head. "All I wanted to do was congratulate Granger here on getting Head Girl! You rush to conclusions."

Ron tried to lunge foward, but didn't get very far. Harry had hooked his arm around Ron's neck, preventing him from ripping of Malfoy's head.

"Thank you, Malfoy." Hermione said, snickering at Harry and Ron. "But I think it would be a good idea if you left, otherwise..." she gestured to Ron, who was practically foaming at the mouth. Obviously, Ron's hatred for Malfoy has grown.

Malfoy smirked and backed out the door, Crabbe and Goyle trailing along behind.

And the world went on.





"Oh, look at the first years, poor things!" Hermione cooed. "They look so scared!"

Indeed, the long line of first years were shaking, and their faces looked positively terrified as they watched Professor McGonagall place the old stool and Sorting Hat in the center of the Great Hall. As everyone watched, the hat opened it's mouth and began to sing....

"Don't judge me by what you see

I am far older and wiser than thee.

I can see everything hidden inside your head,

all the thoughts you think before going to bed.

You may be put in Hufflepuff,

Loyal friends, I'm sure you'll have enough.

Patient Hufflepuffs are unafraid of toil,

Especially when planting, and working in the soil.

Maybe Ravenclaw is just right for you,

Books and learning are nothing new.

Cleverness and wit's what makes this House,

A Ravenclaw won't act like a mouse.

Perhaps Gryffindor's the place to be

If you're full of daring, nerve, and chivalry

Gryffindors are noble and brave,

Not backstabbing, like a knave.

Last but not least is Slytherin,

Where they'll do anything to win.

If you wanna know what makes them tick

Try the words cunning, sly, and slick.

So put on the Sorting Hat

I'll tell you where you're at.

Of shock, you might die,

This Hat does not lie."

The hall burst into applause as the hat finished singing.

"I do wonder how it comes up with a new song." Hermione said as she clapped politely. "I mean, it must be awfully hard coming up with it, right?"

"Well, the hat has all year." Harry said, shrugging. "Like Ron said that one time, it must be pretty boring being a hat."

Hermione nodded and turned to watch the Sorting. She felt kind of sorry for all the new Slytherins. Did they know their House's reputation yet?

Soon it was over, and Professor Dumbledore stood up to give his yearly speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" he said merrily, looking around at all their faces. "I have a few announcements to make! First, to our new Head Boy and Girl-Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, I'm sure you'll both do a great job!"

Hermione blushed as everyone looked at her and Malfoy.

"Second, as I say every year, the Forbidden Forest is, obviously, forbidden. Any student wandering out there will recieve detention. And last, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Everyone please welcome Professor Black!"

A tall, black-haired man stood up in his seat, waving at the crowd. He had a huge grin on his face.

Harry spat out his pumpkin juice. "SIRIUS!!" he shrieked wildly.

"And now, bedtime." Dumbledore finished. "Goodnight, all!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed over to the long table where all the professors were sitting, and saw Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, talking to Hagrid. The two professors smiled and called out greetings.

"Sirius!" Harry gasped. "You're......you're..A PROFESSOR!" he stared, mouth agape.

Sirius ruffled Harry's already messy hair. "Yup, sure am, kid. Wanted to save it, to surprise you. My name's been cleared. Dumbledore gave me a job!"

"That's great!" Ron exclaimed. "And hi, Hagrid! Where were you? We didn't see you taking first years to the castle."

Hagrid shrugged. "I was busy. Had other matters to attend to. I think Professor Vector did it." he clapped Hermione on the back. "Head Girl, Hermione! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Hagrid!" she said, flushing again. "But I better go now, have to get situated in my room. It was nice talking to you. And Sirius, it's great that you're teaching here now!"

Sirius smirked mysteriously. "Yeeeeees, it is, isn't it? I got the job Snapey wanted...." he chuckled. "Well, enough talk. Harry, you and Ron should be going, too. You all have a full day tomorrow!"





Hermione walked to the room she would be sharing with Malfoy. That was the only downside to being Head Girl. But it was so worth it. This was what she had been wanting ever since she first laid eyes on Hogwarts. It just proved that hard work paid off. She nodded happily to herself as she pushed open the heavy door.

Malfoy was already there, laying on the green and silver bed. "A little late, aren't we Granger? Having a secret meeting with your boyfriend Potter?"

Hermione turned her nose up at him and flounced to the scarlet and gold bed. "For your information, Malfoy, I was having a talk with some professors" she said scathingly.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Of course you were. Now, if you would shut out that light, I'd like to get some sleep." he rolled over.

Hermione glared at him, but turned off the light. She changed into her sleeping clothes in the bathroom, and finally went to bed, never noticing that, all the time she was doing this, Malfoy's stormy grey eyes were following her.





disclaimer: I don't own Harry and co., or anything else familiar. I do, however own the Sorting song. I made that.

a/n: Did you like? The title will come into the story later. I'm not sure if I'm going to make it D/Hr, or H/Hr. Probably the first. It'll fit better. There might be some R/L and MAYBE H/OC in it too. Plz review and tell me if you like it. I think it could turn out really good. If possible, give me some HELPFUL criticism. ^_^