Chapter 2- The Forgotten Meeting

Hermione climbed onto the train just as the tears began to fall. She had a feeling that some of the students were staring at her, but she didn't feel much like explaining herself. For a moment Hermione considered running to the nearest window to wave goodbye, but she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to stop once she had started. The anger she had felt earlier was now being replaced by a growing empty feeling inside of her. Without Harry and Ron by her side, Hermione felt like she was nothing at all. As she trudged down the long corridor looking for someone she knew, Hermione tried to think of something that would comfort her. A few years back Hermione had read a book that said that it was unhealthy to feel this sad, but that didn't help her mood at all. She had always known that one day everyone would have to go their separate ways, but she had never predicted that day would come so soon.

A few doors down Hermione came upon a room with only a few people in it. Neville Longbottom was sitting hunched over reading through this year's Herbology book for what Hermione was sure was the hundredth time. Ginny Weasley who seemed to have calmed down a bit was now staring into a dark corner. Hermione realized that she was probably going through a really hard time too. Hermione nearly looked over Luna Lovegood who was silently flipping through the latest edition of the Quibbler. Everyone but Luna looked up when Hermione came in.

"Did they tell you," asked Ginny sadly. She looked as if she had been crying earlier.

Hermione nodded silently. She didn't feel much like speaking, and she doubted if she even could.

"I'm really sorry, Hermione," said Neville getting up to help Hermione put her stuff on the rack, "I just found out this morning, but I thought Harry and Ron would have told you already."

Hermione only shrugged, and stared out the window. The heavy silence that followed only stopped when the candy cart passed by. Hermione decided to get some of Bott's Every Flavor Beans hoping they would succeed in keeping her weary mind off her two closest friends.

Not five minutes later there was a loud knock on the door. Hermione was about to answer it when Denis Creevey came bursting into the room looking quite distressed.

"Denis, are you alright," asked Neville looking concerned. No one had expected him to come back to Hogwarts after the tragic death of his older brother Colin. Denis shuffled slightly as he tried to catch his breath, and looked up. Once he saw Hermione he took a breath of relief and looked rather proud of himself. Hermione, however, was quite baffled.

"Hermione! Great, I finally found you. Where have you been? Everyone has been looking for you," said Colin all in one breathe.

Hermione was still quite lost, and that happened very rarely. "I got on the train late," she answered, "but I've been in here the rest of the time. Why?"

You were supposed to be at the Prefect's meeting half an hour ago. We thought you had missed the train," said Denis.

Hermione was shocked at her own stupidity. With all the drama she had completely forgotten about the meeting. Hermione quickly got up and followed Colin out the room. Because she was too old to be a prefect, the faculty had chosen her to be Head Girl. She had received the badge with her list of school supplies, although they had conveniently left out the identity of the Head Boy. Now she was about to miss the meeting she was supposed to be conducting with him. Hermione hoped whoever he was at least had the courtesy to wait for her before starting the meeting.

At the front of the train Hermione halted to catch her breathe. Denis nearly ran into her. In vain she tried to fix her hair; she had hoped to make a good first impression on everyone. Giving up Hermione held her head up high and entered the compartment.

After taking a moment to let her eyes adjust to the bright light, Hermione looked around the room. There in the very center stood a tall, pale boy with platinum blonde hair and deep grey eyes. It was Draco Malfoy.