The castle looked just the same as Draco remembered. Granted it was looking more worn and dusty but it was in one piece again. The ministry workers had done a good job repairing the stone and spell on the the large castle. He suspected they didn't quite have time to clean and polish it before the start of the school year.
As he entered the great hall, his eyes were drawn to the ceiling just as they were on his first day. The many stars reflected from the sky above winked down at him. When he lowered his eyes and stared at the table across from him he was startled to find the brown eyes of Hermione Granger staring back at him. He gave her a wink and a smirk and was pleased to see her blush and turn her head to look at Professor McGonnagall who was now speaking.
"Welcome to the new school year. As last year was so dreadfully chaotic we have added an eighth year for those who wish to complete their education and receive their N.E.W.T's. We also welcome this years new students as few of you as there may be. I am pleased to announce that the repairs on the castle have been completed, though there may still be rubble and dust throughout. It is therefore an added duty on the prefects this year to assist with the clean up during free time."
Draco groaned. So now he would have to do work fit for elves along with the massive amounts of homework he would be getting.
"Thank, you for listening. Enjoy the feast." McGonnagall finished her speech and massive amounts of food appeared on the tables.
Picking out his favourite, chicken pot pie Draco began to eat. He felt oddly lonely without his so-called friends. None of them had come back to Hogwarts, opting to go to schools in other countries. Draco couldn't imagine going to any other school though and decided that facing his last year at Hogwarts would likely be the best thing to do.
Once again he looked up to see Hermione staring at him. He stared back, trying to make her as uncomfortable as possible. It seemed to be working, at least until he saw the Weasley girl with her back facing him trying to get her attention. He strained his ears to listen to the two women.
"I swear Hermione, you've been acting funny ever since you sat with Malfoy on the train."
"I'm fine Ginny, just a bit tired."
"Just be careful around that boy Hermione. I don't trust him one bit, especially after what you told me happened at his house."
"Please don't bring that up again Ginny. You know how it makes me feel, besides; he wasn't doing anything to me."
At this point Draco tuned them out. He didn't need to listen to why he was such an unsatisfactory person. Sighing, he started to poke at his food. Suddenly he wasn't so hungry any more.
"Now that we have all finished eating, you may all be dismissed. The prefects schedule is posted on the house bulletin boards. Sleep well."
Draco made his way through the crowd to get to the Slytherin common room. When he got there he found his room to only have one bed. Now this is his kind of style. An entire room and bathroom to himself. Laying down in his bed he thought back to the train ride and the look on Grangers' face when she realized who she was sitting and getting so chummy with. If he could mess with her a bit more, than that might just make this year a bit more fun than he was expecting.