My Juliet

Chapter 2

Hermione Granger a sixth year student at Hogwarts sat at the Gryffindor table, followed by her two best friends; Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.

"Damn, Snape's still here, ah well, can't give up hope" muttered Ron to Harry, and catching Hermione's disapproving eye, looked away.

The sorting finished and the entire hall turned as Dumbledore stood, and Hermione thought 'it's good to see that Professor Dumbledore healed after that last battle.' And then she brought her attention back from the battle to her Headmaster.

"Welcome" said Dumbledore; arms open wide, "to another year at Hogwarts. I'm pleased to see that most of you," he paused sadly here, then continued on, "Have made it back safely after the summers events. Now I won't keep you from your dinner any longer. Tuck in!"

And with that the feast appeared on the tables in front of them.

It was a delicious meal. All of Hermione's favourites were being dished; roast beef, steak, salads, chicken nibbles, and for dessert a mouth-watering peach sponge.

As the last crumbs disappeared off of the golden plates Dumbledore stood and silence fell throughout the hall.

"Now, before I allow you to totter off to your beds, I have a few notices to announce. Would the first years please note: that the forbidden forest is, as always; forbidden. There is also a list outside Mr. Filch's office of items that are banned. I believe they include all products of a certain two twins," His eyes drifted to the Weasley twins. Fred yelled out "Thanks Professor" and George followed up with "Anything to keep you Professors busy!" they stood and took mock bows towards the staff table, before sitting down grinning as McGonagall shouted at them ("Sit down the both of you before I give you detention! Honestly you're in your seventh year!") "You know you'll miss us next year Minnie" called George. "Yeah, you teachers will have to much spare time! Oh sorry Headmaster, the speech" said Fred (George waved cheekily at the other teachers) and motioned for the Headmaster to continue. The first years were staring at the two Gryffindors with awe, and it was clear they were wondering about the red heads' sanity.

"And lastly," continued Dumbledore, trying very hard not to laugh at the twins antics, "the staff here at Hogwarts has decided that Hogwarts shall have, its very own pen pal system, which may be used for anything, other than harassment. The head of house will leave the required equipment out in your common room, and there will be a few flyers around the school. Now, it's time for bed. Off you go" and with that he swept out of a door behind the staff table.

The students retreated for the night, all talking about who they wanted for a pen pal.

Hermione woke early the next morning. She couldn't wait to get to her lessons. She rose and showered quickly, then made her way down to the common room. She went over to the notice board. She spotted the pen pal advertisement immediately.

Make a friend, companion, ally or even something more!

(Hermione giggled silently at how annoyed McGonagall and Snape would've been at having the last part put in)

Find friendship in those you would've otherwise passed by, find companionship with those who share your views, make a strong alley for times ahead, or even find a special someone.

Girls put your forms in the pink box, boys the blue. (Your forms are charmed to come out with someone with the same boxes ticked) Headmaster Dumbledore will pull out names and you shall be partnered with a pen pal. The boxes will be taken in approximately three days from now (5th September)

Thank you,

M. McGonagall, S. Snape, P. Sprout, F. Flitwick and A. Dumbledore

Heads of house and Headmaster of Hogwarts

"So Hermione, gonna enter?" asked a voice from behind her. She jumped and turned around to see a bashful looking Ron.

"Maybe; I don't really know yet."

Ron nodded knowingly as Harry came down the stairs. "Hey guys are we going to breakfast or what? I'm starving!"

The two nodded and followed their friend down to the great hall.

Draco Malfoy woke and lay looking up at the ceiling. An opening in the curtains around his bed showed that day had arrived. He sighed quietly to himself. How much his life had changed, ever since the end of June he had been marked for dead among the Dark Lord, his followers, even his own Father…

He shuddered at how close a call that had been. He and his mother had left Malfoy Manor and not five minutes later, it had burnt to the ground. Well it's no good moping about it. Mother's safe, you're at Hogwarts, they can't get to you here. That's all that matters. The only thing you can do is to stop acting like them, stop thinking yourself better than everyone else.

And with that Draco got up and started getting ready for his first day back at school.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" complained Harry, the moment Professor McGonagall had handed his timetable over to him.

Ron looked over his best friends shoulder and shuddered. "bad luck mate. What a way to start the school year. Double potions with the Slytherins." He tried not to look to smug. He had given up potions for extra time to practice his keeper skills, which Hermione thought absolutely insane.

"Oh come on Harry, its not so… Ok, ok I admit its pretty bad, but think, just one more year and we'll be free of Snape."

Harry nodded looking slightly more cheerful. "Well we'd better get going. You know how Snape is" he said, shouldering his pack.

Ron nodded and started towards the stairway to the Gryffindor common room, to collect his broom.

Hermione waved goodbye and followed Harry down into the dungeons.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that happy power belongs to JK Rowling, and her only. )

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