A/N: Thank you for the reviews!! Oh, and Snape's still teaching. Sorry, I forgot to mention that before.
SpiritWeaver- Haha no, he didn't die… and thank you!
PirateFanatic- Thanks, I will whenever I have time… hah which is not much, sorry!
xXxRiseAboveTheAshesxXx- Haha, but of course, this is their love story.
Disclaimer- I do not own any of these characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling.
---Chapter 2- Get Out Alive--
No time for goodbye, he said, as he faded away
Don't put your life in someone's hands; they're bound to steal it away
Don't hide your mistakes cuz they'll find you, burn you, Then he said
If you want to get out alive,
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
Run for your life
This is my last time, she said, as she faded away
It's hard to imagine, but one day, you'll end up like me.
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What an ugly day this is going to be…, thought Hermione as she looked out the window. And it was- there was no sun, only grey clouds that gave way to a permanent light, cold drizzle of rain. Hermione sighed and got her morning shower; deciding to wear an old pink sweatshirt that she's had for ages and some ripped jeans. Pulling her hair back into a messy bun and applying neutral makeup, picking out some white Converses with pink details.
An hour later, Hermione and her mother were on their way to Platform 9 ¾. While pulling into the station, Andrea said timidly, "Hermione, I'm so sorry, but I don't think your father and David are going to make it here to say goodbye. Your brother had a very important football game, and he said there was going to be a scout from the pro leagues there-"
Hermione interrupted. "It's alright, Mum. I just wanted to see Dave's high school graduation video and say goodbye before he was gone for good at college. I thought I should tell Dad that I made Head Girl, but whatever. It's cool. I'll see them- when? Christmas, right?"
Andrea smiled sadly, "Yes, you'll catch a plane to the States as soon as your winter vacation starts. A week there, then a week back here in England at Grandma Helen's house. I'll send the tickets to you later, alright?"
Hermione nodded, and they began unloading Hermione's belongings from the car…
----Later, (finally) on the train---
"GINNY!!!" Hermione had spotted her best friend, the youngest Weasley. "Oh, you look great! You look so much older! How are you? I haven't talked to you in forever!" Ginny did look older. Her hair was now a natural curly red and looked wonderful. She still had a smattering of freckles, but only on the bridge of her nose- just enough to make her look innocent. Ginny's hazel eyes danced when she saw Hermione for the first time in a long while.
"Hermione! Merlin, you look gorgeous! You look so, so… not bookworm-ish. Why and how? Oh, I love your jeans. Yeah, I haven't been able to do much over the summer."
Hermione shrugged and giggled. "I don't know. I like this style better, I suppose. And my summer was totally boring." She lowered her voice and asked, "Have you heard from Harry and Ron recently?"
Ginny became serious and whispered back, "Yes, about two weeks ago. They're on the tail of someone who has one of the last of the Horcruxes. They didn't say when they were getting back, or even who they were following."
"Of course." Hermione nodded her head and sighed. "I just wish they'd be back soon."
Ginny agreed, then suddenly grinned and winked. "Hey Mione… where was that brother of yours? I didn't see him drop you off."
Hermione laughed. "He couldn't make it. He had a game for his school." She teased the redhead. "Why? Did you want to go out with him? Sorry Gin, he's already got a girlfriend, and besides, he doesn't date anyone more than a year younger than him."
Ginny chuckled too and said, "No, I just always noticed him."
It was hard not to notice David Granger. The freshman in college was 6'6' and broad-shouldered. He was quiet, but sometimes he pretended to make a scene when Hermione was off to Hogwarts. Dave never had a shortage of girlfriends, and Hermione's friends always thought he was the hottest guy around. But since Hermione and David's parents split, they never got to see each other much. Hermione lived year-round in England with her mother in the summer and at Hogwarts for fall, winter, and most of the spring. Meanwhile, Dave lived and was going to school in the States, coming to England rarely… just for some holidays. Hermione and David sent e-mails, IMs or phone calls to each other whenever they could, between David's grueling sports schedule and Hermione's work schedules.
Professor McGonagall snapped Hermione out of her reverie. "Ms. Granger, if you would please, come to the Heads' compartment at the front of the train. You and the Head Boy need to talk over what the plans will be for the upcoming school year."
Hermione nodded, said her goodbyes to Ginny and followed the professor to the Heads' Compartment.
As Professor McGonagall knocked and pulled open the door, Hermione was only mildly surprised to see Draco Malfoy stretched languidly across the seats. A stern glance from the Deputy Headmistress resulted in Malfoy sitting up straight and taking his earphones out.
Wait. His earphones? No way. Hermione shot a second glance at Malfoy to make sure she saw correctly- Malfoy held a slim black and silver video iPod in his hands. Hermione was struck speechless, but then she saw what Malfoy was wearing- an open, light blue button down shirt with a muggle designer logo, a darker blue beater, and jeans. She quickly closed her mouth, acknowledged the Head Boy with a curt nod, and took a seat across from him.
Professor McGonagall began, "Now, as you two know, this past year has been extremely chaotic and very traumatic for most of the students. We all want this school year to be the best it can under the circumstances, and we want everyone who enters Hogwarts to be safe and under our protection. We will have highly-trained Aurors patrolling the grounds and at night, inside of the school. Hopefully, we will be able to distract the students from the war going on, as in we can help them become more focused on their studies…"
Hermione's mind began drifting, not necessarily a new thing, but she already knew the point of McGonagall's speech, house unity and all that, and she knew her responsibilities. Instead, she found herself studying Malfoy.
He must've grown over the summer, although how much, Hermione couldn't tell as they were both sitting. Malfoy's features had filled out, making him look more like a twenty-something year old and a model instead of seventeen year old momma's boy. His eyes were a piercing blue-grey, and his hair still a light, almost platinum blonde color. Hermione started trying to see his roots, to determine once and for all if Malfoy was a natural blonde or not.
A heavy sigh and an "Ahem" shook Hermione's attention back to Prof. McGonagall, and heard the last of the teacher's spiel, "Also, please plan out the prefect's rounds, submit a copy of all your dance and ball plans for approval, and I suggest introducing yourselves to the head Aurors here. I believe that is all, I will meet with you both again after the feast."
Once the professor left and shut the door, Malfoy smirked at Hermione. "So Granger, are you that awed by my looks?"
Hermione was confused for a second, then she gave a large, fake smile back while retorting, "Honestly, not at all, I have to say. I was just trying to figure out if you use bleach or if you actually bought Muggle hair dye."
Malfoy sneered a bit and said, "Do you really think I would use that shit? Please, and no, this is all natural."
"And is an iPod included in the "Muggle shit" category, or no? Didn't you once say you wouldn't stoop so low as to even touch anything that is Muggle? And here you are, using one of the most popular Muggle devices ever, and what is that you're wearing? Muggle designer clothing? Oh tsk tsk, Malfoy, you've disappointed me."
Malfoy narrowed his eyes as a faint pink blush began forming on his cheeks. "Oh please Granger. Give me a break. It's only an iPod and some clothes. I don't see the big deal here."
Hermione gave a sharp laugh. "I can't believe you. You are such a hypocrite! Oh just…"
Malfoy stood up. "Did you not just listen to McGonagall? Aren't you the one to always follow the teacher's every word? She wants us to be civil with one another, although I don't see how that is possible, for myself to be civil with a disgusting and offensive Mudblood such as yourself. The idea alone is enough to make me sick."
He took one step over to the door, open and shut it in two quick angry motions. Hermione was beyond shocked. Not to mention embarrassed. She could feel her face burning. She'd always prided herself on being the more composed, mature one over Harry and Ron, and Hermione thought she could match up with Malfoy. But after a small jab from Malfoy that she'd heard before, Hermione began acting like a 5th year. No matter how much she loathed to admit it, both McGonagall and Malfoy had a point - house unity was absolutely key at this point in the wizarding world. As the new Head Girl, she should have been first to extend the hand of friendship or at least a truce to Malfoy, to start the year off on a good note and all. Hermione hit her head on the window and vowed to not say another word till they got to the school. She took out her iPod and put it on shuffle.
You sit there in your heartbreak.
Waiting on some beautiful boy to,
to save you from your own ways.
You play forgiveness.
Watch it now, here he comes.
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus,
but he talks like gentleman
Like you imagined
When You Were Young
…….
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A/N. Did I tell you that it was like nothing had happened? Dumbledore's alive, Malfoy's still allowed in the school, and Snape is still teaching. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier...
Oh, and the song is Get Out Alive by Three Days Grace- I love them. And The Killers' "When You Were Young". When I was finishing the chapter, this song immediately came on, so I decided to have Hermione listening to it, haha. Wow. 7 pages on Word. Haha I think that's the most I've ever written…