Hey Everybody, I didn't quite like where my story was going so I decided to resubmit it with all the changes. You will notice that most of it is the same with some minor changes.
On a second note for any of you who haven't read my story, it takes place in Hermione and Draco's seventh year, and events from the sixth and seventh book have not happened.
I hope you enjoy:
Chapter One: And So The Sorting Begins
Hermione Granger stepped onto platform 9 3/4 with a bounce in her step. She was looking forward to seeing all her friends, not to mention going back to Hogwarts her true home. She turned around to see her parents with tears in their eyes. "Aww come on you guys I'll see you at Christmas,"said Hermione.
"We know dear, it's just you've grown up so much. We couldn't have asked for a better daughter," said her father.
"He's right you know," said her mother, "you went from our precious baby girl, to a beautiful and accomplished young woman."
"Thanks you guys," said Hermione now with tears brimming in her own eyes, hugging her mother and father good bye.
"We love you," said her parents in unison.
"I love you too!" said Hermione as she headed towards the train, however before she made it was ambushed by a blur of red.
"Hermione!" squealed Ginny as she tackled the surprised brunette in a hug. Pulling away she asked "How are you?"
"Great, now that I can breathe again," joked Hermione.
"Oh sorry," Said Ginny though she didn't really mean it.
"It's alright, how was your summer?" asked Hermione.
"Great though I'll be glad to be getting away from those two," said Ginny as she pointed to Harry and Ron who were standing a few feet away. "All they ever talk about is quiditch, now don't get me wrong quiditch is a great sport but a girl can only take so much of it," said Ginny.
"I know Ginny, I know exactly what you mean. Boys and their quiditch," said Hermione.
"You wouldn't happen to be talking about us now would you," said Harry as he and Ron approached the girls.
"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, "now why would we be talking about you buffoons?"
"Buffoons! Where?" said Ron.
"Over there,"said Ginny pointing towards Ron and Harry. Ron turned around eagerly, but saw nothing.
"Where? I don't see any monkeys I think your being delusional Hermione," said Ron. But Ginny, Hermione and Harry were already turning red from attempting to hold in their laughter, Ron staring at them as if they had horns growing out of their heads. Hermione couldn't help it anymore and burst out laughing, soon followed by Harry and Ginny.
"Seriously, whats so bloody funny?" asked Ron.
"I cannot believe I'm related to you Ronald, your so,"said Ginny before she was interrupted by Ron.
"I'm what? Stupid," said Ron angrily.
"that too," said Hermione, "but I think she was going to say something more along the lines of gullible."
"I am not gullible," said Ron turning as red as his hair.
"I find that hard to believe," said Ginny.
"Hmmmph," said Ron as he stormed onto the train. Leaving Hermione, Ginny and Harry trying to control their laughter.
Draco had been watching the golden trio and the weaslette teasing the weasel. Draco was surprised to find himself chuckling. Granger actually has a sense of humor, he thought. Then Draco felt an odd sensation, it was a pang of jealousy. For a moment he wished he could have proper friends, people who you could joke around with, tell your secrets without a worry or a care, a shoulder to cry on, even though Malfoys don't cry he thought wistfully as his father's voice drifted into his head.
"You are a Malfoy Draco, you do not have friends. Only enemies and followers. Malfoys do not need friends, they weaken you, they distroy you, and most of all Malfoys do not cry."
"Malfoys do not cry," his father had drilled it into him since the day he had turned two. It was customary in pure blood upper class wizard families for a child to be raised by it's mother, and or nanny till they were two years of age. After that the father began educating the child. In most dark wizarding families the mother had no say in the child's education and had as little contact with the child as possible to ensure the child knew who the master of the house, and to prevent the child from developing a natural attachment, which would weaken them, no friends, no family, just enemies and followers.
Draco stole one more glance at the golden trio, and then slammed the blinds shut. Friends are only a weakness he thought to himself, but deep down he couldn't hide the desire to have friendship.
Ron stormed down the train looking for an empty compartment. "Not even gonna say hello to us Ron?" said Dean as Ron passed their compartment. Ron jumped and turned around. "Oh hey guys," said Ron
"Whats up with you man?" asked Seamus.
"My friends are being jerks that's all," said Ron his ears turning red.
"Oh, that sucks mate, wanna play a game of exploding snap?" said Dean knowing that Ron was probably just over reacting.
"Sure why not," said Ron. Dean and Seamus looked at each other knowingly Hermione and Harry would thank them for this later. Ron had always been known for holding pointless grudges letting his temper getting the best of him most of the time.
Hermione, Harry and Ginny had finally stopped laughing as they boarded the train. " Hey do you think Ron will forgive us before we get to Hogwarts?" asked Hermione levitating her trunk behind her. "Not likely, it's pity cause it is our last train ride to Hogwarts after all," said Harry.
"Well good luck, you'll definitely need it with him, but I'm off to see Luna," said Ginny.
"Thanks Gin we definitely will need it but I'm off to meet the head boy sorry Harry," Said Hermione.
"No problem, wait up Ginny," said Harry as he chased after her.
Hermione smiled, and then turned and headed to the front of the train occasionally stopping to say hello to her classmates, it seemed to take forever to reach the heads compartment, but there she was, she took a deep breath and opened the door letting herself in.
"MALFOY," she screamed.
"Good afternoon to you too Granger," said Draco slightly annoyed, he had expected this reaction but not the ringing in his ears.
"What the hell? Who in their right mind would make you head boy?"said Hermione.
"Apparently Dumbledore," said Draco smirking at her.
Hermione just remained silent still trying to over come the shock. I have to share a dormitory with this bloody git, hes gonna make my life a living hell! How could Dumbledore do this to me? Hermione thought while Draco continued to smirk. I wish I could slap that bloddy smirk off his face for good. "So shall we begin the meeting?" she said calmly. Draco nodded in agreement before leading the way out of the compartment. Once they were in the hallway Hermione stopped Draco. "Oh and one thing can we please keep the arguments to a minimum, we are after all supposed to be setting a good example," said Hermione seriously.
"Whatever you say mother," said Draco. Hermione was about to repent but instead decided to slam the door in his face instead. Draco smirked Is that all you've got Granger? He then let himself into the prefects compartment, and whispered in Hermione's ear "Where are your manners Granger?" as he passed by her and took a seat. Hermione flinched, anger shining in her eyes, she remained silent. "Good afternoon prefects old and new, welcome back to Hogwarts," Hermione said pausing to look at all of them, " the head boy and I would like to review the responsibilities and privileges you now have."
"I think its pretty self explanatory Granger we don't need an hour long lecture, just give us our patrol schedules already so we can enjoy the rest of the train ride already," said a Slytherin
Hermione was about to take points away when Draco spoke. "That's no way to speak to the head girl even if she is a mudblood, she's above you now and there's nothing you can do about it Nott" sneered Malfoy. Holy shit did I just stand up for the mudblood?
Hermione was also in shock. Why did he just stand up for me? But she quickly got over it and continued on with her speech. When the meeting was over she dismissed the prefects and Draco handed out the schedules. They were just about to leave when they heard something tapping on the window. They both turned around and saw an owl flapping desperately trying to keep up with the train. Hermione quickly went over to the window and let it in. She took the letter from the owls beak and turned it over, in elegant silver swirls there was one word Draco. "It's for you Malfoy," said Hermione as she handed it to him on her way out accidentally brushing his hand shocked at how cold his hand was, just as cold as his stone heart, she thought closing the compartment door behind her leaving Draco to the letter.
Hermione was on her way to visit her friends when she ran into the new muggle studies teacher. "Aah Ms. Granger I presume," said the professor his eyes flicking back to her face. Hermione looked at him quite confused, "excuse me? But how did you know my name sir?" asked Hermione.
"I saw your badge Ms. Granger, I am delighted to make your acquaintance but I do believe you are to remain in the heads compartment for the remainder of the journey are you not?" said the proffessor.
" I was just on my way to the bathroom sir," said Hermione still very confused with the man in front of her. What a strange man, he acts as if he was from the 18th century or something.
"Off you go then Ms. Granger, Goody day," said the professor.
"Good day," said Hermione as she turned and headed towards the washrooms. I am glad I dropped that subject last year, that is one strange little man. She stopped quickly to say hello to Harry, Ginny, Luna and Neville before heading back to the heads compartment could this train ride get any worse?
"It's for you Malfoy," she said passing him the letter, he immediately recognized the handwriting barely even noticing as Hermione's hand brushed his own. Once she closed the door he immediately ripped it open.
Dear Draco,
My dear I am so sorry I was not able to see you off this morning, Christmas seems so far away but I will count the days before I see you again. Please do not worry about me sweetie I promise you I will be alright, but as your father will be home soon I must keep this short. Please do one thing for me this year, listen to your heart, your father has taught you many things that may prohibit you from being truly happy, and your happiness is the only thing that truly matters to me now.
Love Mom.
Draco felt tears welling up in his eyes but quickly forced them away. Malfoys do not cry. He then put the letter in his pocket and went back to the heads compartment. After his mother's letter was safely stowed in his trunk, Draco sat in the seat closest to the window staring out at the blur of the constantly changing scenery. Thinking about his mothers letter. In a couple of minutes he was completely zoned out until the door to the compartment opened suddenly causing Draco to jump. "What are you doing here?" said Draco in an annoyed tone.
"Heads are supposed to spend the train ride bonding and seeing as the new muggle studies professor is on the train I thought it best to stay here," said Hermione calmly. "Whats wrong Malfoy," Hermione said in mock concern, "did I disturb your day dreaming about Parkinson
"I wasn't day dreaming about bloody Parkinson, that's just sick," said Draco now raising his voice.
"Then what were you daydreaming about Malfoy," said Hermione delighted that she had struck a nerve.
"None of your god damn business," said Draco practically yelling.
"Defensive are we? You can't deny you two would make a perfect couple," said Hermione calmly.
"I was not fucking daydreaming about Parkinson, and no we would not make a perfect couple, it's non of your business and I wasn't bloody daydreaming I was thinking, now leave me alone and go read one of your precious books," yelled Draco. He then turned and stared out the window again silently daring Hermione to make a comeback. Whats his problem, she thought before she took out her ipod and she too stared out the window lost in thought. Why does she have to be so god damn nosy? It's not any of her business who or what I am thinking about...And where did that come from? I wasn't daydreaming, and especially not about Pansy bloody Parkinson. Who in their right mind would fantasize about her. Seriously? Least of all me. I mean she's my best friend...or well at least she used to be until, until she wanted more. She used to be like a sister to me. But now it's different. And I just wish it could go back to the way it was, thought Draco. He looked up and saw Hermione humming to her music staring out the window and for the first time he realized how much she had changed over the summer. And what surprised him even more was he liked the change, she looks good...wait what?
The Great Hall was bustling with hungry students eager for the feast to begin. "Hey Hermione, how was the train ride," said Ginny to Hermione as she sat down.
"It was surprisingly tolerable we just ignored each other the entire time," said Hermione, "I just listened to my ipod the entire time."
"Oh that weird thing that plays music in your ears, you have no idea how much dad wants one of those things," said Ginny.
"I'll send him one for Christmas then," said Hermione smiling. Then the doors to the Great Hall opened once again revealing Professor McGonagal leading the first years in. Everyone went silent. The first years were walking nervously with wobbly knees and butterflies in their stomachs trying to take in everything happening in the Great Hall. Hermione smiled remembering when she got sorted into Gryffindor.
"The sorting ceremony is quite simple, you do not have to battle any trolls as I am sure some of you have been told, nor show your magical abilities you will simply put on this hat when I call your name," said McGonagal as she pulled out the three legged stool and began call names.
The sorting ceremony had been quite a success for Gryffindor who had gained 13 new students where as Slytherin had only gained 8. "Attention," Dumbledore's voice rumbled through the Great Hall. "I have a couple start of term notices I would like to go over. Mr. Filch has added some new items to the forbidden list, quite a few weasley products I believe," he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "If you wish to see the list it is posted in his office. We have a few changes in staff this year, Professor Bannon will be taking over the muggle studies position and Professor Kallima who will be taking over the position of defense against the dark arts. I would also like to introduce to you this years Head Boy Draco Malfoy and Head Girl Hermione Granger," said Dumbledore as he waited for the applause to go down, "and on a final note I would like to welcome the new students I hope you all have a wonderful year and of course welcome back all the returning students, let the feast begin," said Dumbledore as the food magically appeared shocking all the first years.