Updated A/N #3: Holy smokes, Batman! ANOTHER UPDATE! Can this be?! Indeed, indeed. Much love to you all for your patience while I go through and do a complete overhaul on this story.
As the final days of the Summer are wrapping up, Hermione feels the dread of what is to come weigh on her spirit. She will be glad to leave this place behind, to get away from that which is painful and familiar, but she cannot help the feeling of wanting to resign her position of Head Girl so that Hogwarts can remain a safe space. Hogwarts is always a safe space for those who need it to be, even with vile beings such as Draco Malfoy attending. However, having to share anything more than a classroom or dining hall with the cretin makes this second home potentially dangerous for Hermione. Normally Crookshanks has the ability to cheer her up with cuddles and quiet purring, but not this time. There's too much going on for a light in the darkness to be seen.
As the young witch is packing the final necessities in the trunk she's had since the first year of Hogwarts, a swift knock comes from the other side of the locked door. Hermione tenses, frozen in an upright position with the bottle of Tylenol still in her right hand. Though she hasn't moved just yet her mind is racing, wondering who it could be. Right when she is able to move and reach for her want, the voice of her step-father floats through the crack in the door, saying, "Hey, kiddo, open up." Though Hermione wishes him away, he will not leave. With a reluctant sigh she moves to unlock and open the door. Without a word she then quickly returns to place the Tylenol in the trunk. "Is everything okay, kiddo? You've been holed up in your room every day except for meals. Your mother and I are getting worried about you."
"I'm fine," she insists. Once she's packed the last of her things, including the book, The Color Purple. "Just a little nervous about my last year at Hogwarts. I want to have everything in order before I go is all."
Mr. Blake crosses the threshold and puts a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Is that all? I'm sure you'll be just fine, sweetheart. After all, Ron and Harry will be by your side. You'll be there to support each other as you always do!" When Hermione's shoulder droops beneath his hand, the man knows he's struck a sore spot. When she doesn't answer him and closes the trunk, he gives her shoulder a squeeze. "Did something happen between you and Harry? I've noticed he hasn't been coming around as often." With that final phrase, his step-daughter pulls away to move the trunk off the bed. As the heavy trunk hits the floor, a grunted 'Don't worry about it' comes with it. But Mr. Blake cannot let this go. "How about you finish getting Crookshanks' things together and come down when you're done? We can finish this conversation then."
Unable to discern the nature of his order, whether he is truly concerned or if he is planning on exploiting her emotions, Hermione nods. From behind she cannot see the wicked smirk on the man's face. "Yes, sir," she says. The answer must have satisfied him, for he turns around to leave the room. Before the door closes behind him, he reminds her not to lock the door again. She knows the rules.
.
The day the students gather at King's Cross Station to say goodbye to their families and board the Hogwarts Express is often an emotional one for parents of first-years, a joyous one for parents of multiples, and one that is filled with excitement for the pupils. On the muggle side of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, there are two families queued up before Hermione. Normally she goes alone, but this time her step-father insisted he tag along. To sate my curiosity, he'd said earlier this morning. Before her mother left for the dental office, she convinced Hermione to let him go along with her. He'll have a better understanding of how this whole magic thing works, darling. It will help bring you closer together, she said. Hermione does not want to be any closer to Shaun than she already has been, but saying 'no' to her mother is more difficult than one would assume.
Mr. Blake stands beside her, watching as a pair of twins follow each other through the bricks. The first to go calls back to his sister that he claims the right side of the car; however, the sister bets that she can beat him to it in typical competitive fashion. This makes both Hermione and her step-father smile. The smile does not last long on either face as it is now Hermione's time to pass through the barrier. Perhaps she can say a quick goodbye with a smile and a nod, but this is mostly wishful thinking. "I'll be off then, Shaun. Thanks for helping with my luggage but this is where I have to leave you." Hermione rushes through the statements, ready to be on the train and facing another set of problems than the one beside her. Before she is able to grab the long handle of the rolling cart and say that she would see both him and her mother during the holiday, Mr. Blake chuckles icily. With shivers running down her back the witch turns back to her step-father, into his sudden embrace.
"Remember, Hermione Jean," the man whispers sternly, "Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin." As he releases her, the widest of grins spread across his face for all onlookers to see. His tone changes as he cheerily says, "You'll do great, scamp! Don't forget to write to your mother and me to let us know how these new responsibilities you have are going. We're very proud of you for being chosen as Head Girl!"
"Thanks," Hermione responds. She forces a smile, and as she is going through the barrier she hears his final words: I love you, kiddo! The truth of that statement sickens her.
After boarding the train and getting her trunk settled in the overhead bin, Hermione looks around the compartment. There are eight fresh faces sitting on the other side, patiently awaiting direction from the Heads on what they should do. The other prefects, those in their sixth and seventh years, are scattered through the train and on the platform, directing and answering the questions of children and young adults alike. From watching those in the position she now holds, Hermione has an idea of what to do but knows that proceeding without her other half, Draco, is a move that would have the new prefects questioning his authority. If these students are to have strong leadership then Draco and Hermione need to have a united front. Though it makes her cringe inside thinking about Draco being the weight opposite of her on the scale that is to balance their power, little as it truly is, she cannot help but be intrigued by what may result in this dynamic. Will the two find common ground? Or will they only tolerate each other for the duration of the year? Until the mystery is solved and until Draco makes his appearance, Hermione goes over to introduce herself to the prefects.
When Draco finally arrives, they meet briefly with suppressed snarls and eye rolls. They agree on an action plan and execute it, explaining to the fifth-year prefects what they are to do: each takes a length of the Express and shadow the more experienced prefects. When the train stops for the students to move to the carriages they will be over the first years; their main responsibility being they help them into the boats and assure them that Hagrid, the gamekeeper, is the best guide they could ask for. Once the prefects leave the compartment, the Heads sigh in sync.
"Are you certain the renovations are to add a common space for us? Won't that defeat the purpose of the Houses?" Hermione asks as she slumps into the seat.
"Positive." There are no subtle hints of trickery in Draco's response, only a looming note of disdain.
Shite, thinks the witch. She wants to know more of what Draco knows, and whether he is serious about the white flag he waved in the letter. Rather than ask, Hermione hung her head - it will all come out in time. The rhythmic thump of Draco's foot tapping on the carpeted floor causes Hermione to snap at him, growling, "Can you be any less annoying, Malfoy?"
Without missing a beat or so much as looking at her, he retorts, "Why don't you go find your little friends if this frustrates you, Granger." When she neither speaks or leaves, he purses his lips. "Oh, are you and Scarhead having a lover's quarrel? Surely you can at least meet up with Weasel - wait, that's a good one! He's probably listening to Potter go on about how you're an insufferable know-it-all and assuring your boyfriend that you can work things out together but need a little space." Draco laughs at Hermione's expense. "Really, Granger, it's pathetic. Even I can see -"
"Fuck you!" Before Draco is able to finish his thought Hermione storms out of the compartment. To send a stinging hex his way is much too kind for what such an insincere person deserves. She does not know where she will go or who she might run into, but whoever it is will hopefully be able to stand the wreckage from the wounds Draco picked at.
"- that you aren't meant for each other." He speaks to the door as it slides shut. With a satisfied sigh, Draco moves to sit down and consider how this year will go. Before he can finish up his thoughts and leave to visit friends, an owl with a small scroll attached to its leg squeezes through the partially open window. The owl flutters over next to the man, waiting to be released of her duty. When Draco unties the scroll and she exits again through the window, he knows somewhere in the back of his mind that whatever this note contains, it's going to throw another loop at him.
