1st Chapter – A New School Year, a New Beginning

The 6th year. Hermione had really been waiting for this one! She was hoping that after everything that had passed in her 5th year, this one would be a relief. Something enjoyable, despite the fact that Voldemort had returned more powerful than ever.

"Cunnington, Lorelei!"

The voice of professor McGonagall waked her from her reverie. She was sitting at the Gryffindor table, between two of her best friends, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. Across from her sat Parvati Patil, looking better than ever. Oh, how she envied Parvati's beautiful, long, straight, dark hair and her bright smile! Hermione shook her head. She looked to the professors' table at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She had almost had a shock, when, entering the Great Hall, she had seen Remus Lupin. She was happy to have him as a professor again. Except professor McGonnagall and professor Dumbledore he was the only one that really knew his job.

A little bored, Hermione turned to the Slytherin table… and… there he was, wearing an emerald green robe, with his blonde hair and his cold, steel gray eyes, Draco Malfoy... With a sarcastic smile upon his face, he was making a toast. She thought he was saying "For a new age", but she couldn't be sure. Why did such an irresistible guy have to be the worse enemy of her best friends? Before she could think anything else, she heard a familiar voice:

"'Mione?"

"Yes, Ron. What is it?"

"Sorry, maybe I was mistaking, but were you looking at Malfoy?"

"Uhmmm… no… O-of course not! How could I have?"

Ron looked toward her doubtfully, but eventually asked her no more questions.

"Oh, my God! I WAS actually looking at Malfoy!" thought Hermione, quite shocked by her own self. Since when was she admiring a Gryffindor enemy? But she had to admit it, he was really good-looking.

The girls' dormitories. Hermione was talking to Ginny.

"What should I do, Gin?"

Ginny didn't answer. She had turned quite pale.

"M-Malfoy?"

Hermione nodded.

Ginny shook her head sadly.

"I don't know… This is very weird… Oh, no…"

Hermione looked up to her friend with a worried expression on her face.

Ginny said nothing more. How was she going to tell Hermione that Ron really did like her? How was her brother going to react when he would find out his crush had fell for his worst enemy?