For the rest of the meeting, Hermione made a point to ignore Draco. He grinned to himself. He supposed that he deserved it. He didn't really hate her anymore. He just didn't like her. At least he'd have a good time getting under her skin all year.
"…So if you'll all make your rounds of the cars, the Head Boy and I would like a few words with our Assistants." Hermione stated. The prefects left the compartment to go to their respective places. Ginny and Aaric turned the eighth years. "Well, this is going to be an interesting year. I think we should split up Head duties. You know the drill, I believe he and I get our own dormitories near the eighth years and you two have one somewhere else in the castle. I expect perfect behavior out of you two. And obviously of myself. So unless you have any questions? No? Alright, well I'll see you later then, at the castle." They left the compartment feeling the horrible tension rippling between the Heads.
"Now Granger, must you be so uptight? No wonder that Weasel broke up with you." Draco smirked.
"I'll have you know that that was mutual! But that I beside the point, Malfoy. I don't care what you did after the final battle; you will always be a stinking ferret to me. Honestly, don't even look at me. I hate you. Harry may feel like you deserve some sort of respect or pity or something, but I don't see it. The way I was treated in your house, I can't even believe you family. If we can just get through this last year together…" she spat out at him.
He smirked at her. "Looks like someone has a few prejudices. Well Granger, I do just want to say that although I would love to have your pity, I am quite happy with the friends I have. So if we could just keep this to a bare minimum of chatting, that would be phenomenal." His voice dripped with sarcasm and scorn. He abruptly got up and walked out of the compartment, leaving Hermione to fume to herself.
"Well! Of all the selfish, horrible people! I cannot believe that McGonagall would ever make him the head boy! That smirk and his attitude!' she mumbled to herself. When she finally arrived back at her compartment, she was livid.
"Hey Mione I was- oh," Ron stuttered out.
"What in Merlin's name was she thinking! He's such a prat! Honestly! Ginny did you see that self-satisfied smirk? Oh and this tone. I wanted to strangle him. Honestly. You would think he would be hiding in a hole after last year," the whole compartment stared at her silently.
"Mione, look I know he's been horrible, but I know you read the papers and I know you read his mother's interview. So why don't you just keep each other at arm's length and try not to commit murder." Harry said logically. She huffed and opened her book again. She thought back to reading that interview.
Voldemort's Landlady Speaks Out
As I enter Malfoy Manor, I am struck by the tasteful decorations and warm feeling of the house. A small House Elf greets me with a large smile. Narcissa Malfoy sweeps in with the utmost grace. After greeting me, she ushers me into the parlor. She asks the Elf (rather politely may I add) to bring the tea. After only a few short minutes, the table before me is stuffed with food. I begin to ask her questions to get a feel for the woman. Raised in the Pureblood Household by Cygnus and Druella Black, this woman exudes confidence and class. As she begins to tell me her past. She it seems grew up with a certain set of ideals, namely Pureblood supremacy. As a mother, one is easily able to tell that she takes her role very seriously. She explains to me how after seeing many of her friend's die, she only wanted to protect her family, thus doing the only thing she could to keep them out of harm's way, following the He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's wishes. Her home became the Headquarters for the Death Eaters. She begins to explain the many horror stories of living in that type of environment. She talks of the murder of Charity Burbage, the old Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts. In her eyes I can see the regret for the role she played. She tells me of the horrible torture of many different people in her home, including Hermione Granger. "That is what pains me the most," she states, "she was no older than my Draco, yet she had more courage than any of the other people in my home. She, being a Muggleborn, had the courage to stand up to all of us, to do whatever she could to save the world. If she reads this, I wanted to thank her for showing me real courage and apologize for everything we have done to hurt her. I know that words will never do it, but I know that I would be honored to say that I have met Ms. Granger. I respect her immensely and I know she will continue to do great things for the world.
Well why did he have to bring that up, she thought to herself. Now she felt a little bad. She hadn't thought about how mostly it had to do with how one was raised. What if Neville had been chosen instead of Harry… she grinned to herself. Neville really had come into his own this past year. He had killed Nagini, and well he had won the girl. She looked at Luna reading her Quibbler, well she was different, but she was their friend.
The towers of Hogwarts castle made their appearance on the horizon. Her last year. Hopefully not her last last year, she was hoping that McGonagall would offer her the job as Transfiguration teacher next year. So much for "any Ministry job she wanted." She sighed and turned to her friends. "Well, we'd better get our robes on." Everyone quickly dispersed, full of anticipation for the new year.
When the train finally came to a stop, the students shuffled off the train. Hermione spotted Hagrid across the platform and waved as he ushered the first years to the boats. As she made her way to the carriages, she gasped. Her momentary shock was quickly pushed aside; grimly she noticed that many other students were gasping. Another horrible thing about this war, as if they could forget all the death. Harry and Luna sat in the carriage waiting for them.
After they had taken their seats in the carriage, it lurched forward. They all sat in a somber silence contemplating just what the thestrals meant. After their short ride, they hopped out of the carriages. Hermione and the other prefects began ushering students into the Great Hall. Everyone buzzed with excitement and Hermione couldn't help feeling uplifted. She looked around at all the prefects and noticed that one rather pretentious Head Boy was missing. She rolled her eyes.
Behind all the older students, Hermione saw Hagrid come up the steps, followed by a large group of first years. "Hullo 'ermione!" Hagrid boomed, "How was the rest of your summer? "
"Oh hello Hagrid! It was just wonderful. Lots of studying. You know?" she responded.
"You ma' sure those boys come an' visi' me?" he said.
"Oh of course Hagrid! Now, First Years! I am Hermione Granger and-"
"I am Draco Malfoy. We are your Head Boy and Girl this year. Now the first thing you should know is that while we may not look tough, but if you make us mad…" at this he grinned at the kids. Hermione's seething anger at being interrupted momentarily abated. He was almost good with kids. Hermione don't be a goof, he's just trying to one up you, again. She thought. "Anyway, let's all have you follow Hermione here into the Great Hall to be sorted. Don't worry; I'll bring up the rear." He received a few snickers at that. Hermione promptly turned on her heel and marched into the Great Hall.
Upon entering the Hall, Hermione saw Professor McGonagall stand at the staff table. As she lead the first years down the aisle, she noticed an extra table with all the 8th years. She grinned to herself. When she had reached the front of the Hall, she stopped. A few seconds later, Draco was at her side. McGonagall stood and began speaking, "Hello all! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now before I list all the rules, let's begin the sorting!" With that the Sorting Hat blinked to life.
"After all this blood and war,
We cannot go back to how it was before.
Houses four
And eighth years one
All our fighting must be done
Finally we'll come to see
How truly mad things can be
When enemies attract
And form a lifelong pact
Our school will celebrate equality!"
Well, that was rather short and odd. Lucky for him he usually does a good job at sorting, his song writing has gotten atrocious, Hermione thought to herself. She allowed a minute of silence. She looked down at the parchment in front other and read off the first name Abrams, Chadwick (Gryffindor), and Draco took the next one Androwski, Phillip (Hufflepuff) until they reached Zandow, Zoe (Ravenclaw). At this point, McGonagall stood again, "Thank you Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy! Now for a few rules," as she spoke, groans were heard throughout the hall, "Obviously, this year we have implemented the 8th years. They have the right to roam Hogsmead any day after classes, but must be in the castle by 11 PM. Curfew will be midnight for them, everyone else's curfew remains at 11 PM. Also this year, students are strongly discouraged from entering the Forbidden Forest without a teacher. Now enough rules! Let's eat!" with that the food appeared on the table.