The great hall erupts with the deafening sounds of applause, mostly from the Ravenclaw table, as the last first year walks over to join her new house. Her face is set with proud determination, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail that swings back and forth as she walks to her seat. Hermione can't help but swell with pride as she looks over towards the end of the Gryffindor table to see quite the number of new additions to her own house as well, their faces alight with nervousness and excitement.
The hall is as brilliant as ever, any damage from the war repaired and gone away. The ceiling reflects the clear starry night, a full moon welcoming the students back to school.
The sorting was a little strange to say the least; not only did the sorting hat hint towards the addition of yet another class, there were double the amount of first years. Hermione and Ginny whispered together and concluded that this was due to the leadership last year when the castle was run mainly by Death Eaters, who accepted only students with traceable wizardry. If a student couldn't prove their herritage to include that of other witches or wizards, they were denied acceptance; muggle born students were simply never sent a letter. Hermione winces at the thought as she can't imagine what it must have been like to show obvious signs of magic ability and not have had any idea what was going. For Hermione, it wasn't so bad growing up with her parents as her magical abilities only seemed to present themselves when she was exceptionally upset or happy, and she was always able to explain the strange instances away. However, it wasn't uncommon for some muggle born students to struggle with controlling their abilities; Dean Thomas was particularly fond of telling a story in which he made everyone go bald in his classroom after he was embarrassed. Dean got a rather quick introduction to the magical world as ministry officials had to come and set straight the muggles and modify their memory.
A hush suddenly falls over the crowd and drags Hermione from her thoughts as McGonagall walks over to the podium and clears her throat.
"Welcome back students, and welcome first years, to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy," she gives a small but warm smile. It is unclear how old McGonagall is, but Hermione notices a certain change in her new Headmistress. It seems she has aged since the war, as much everyone involved has. It is hard to explain, but Hermione believes it is easy to tell apart those who were involved in the war and those who weren't; perhaps it's just the way they carry themselves, but she believes it to be something more. Despite this, McGonagall's voice is strong, and while aged, she doesn't appear to be withered.
"While there is much to discuss, I will not break tradition from our previous Headmaster Dumbledore, and we will speak after we all tuck in," with that said, the food magically appears all along each of the tables, and the gasps from first years are audible all throughout the hall. The thought of all the hard working house elves in the kitchen that go without any thanks, flits through Hermione's mind.
"Oh I've missed this," Ron nearly moans as he reaches immediately for some mashed potatoes and begins slopping them onto his plate.
Ginny rolls her eyes, "Merlin Ron, you'd think you're starving."
"Clearly he is Gin," Harry laughs, "I've never seen him eat like this before," he teases.
Hermione chuckles quietly, having missed the playful banter of her friends. She scoops food onto her plate not really bothering to look at what she's grabbing, having yet to eaten something at Hogwarts she didn't like. However it isn't contemplating about the wonderful food that has her distracted, she just can't get over what the sorting hat said, about there being another class. Perhaps he meant to say that there was another teacher added to the staff? But he's never commented on that before.
"Hey, what d'you reckon that old hat meant by 'another class'?" Seamus calls down to the group, sitting in between Dean Thomas and Lavender Brown, who is currently devouring a particularly red steak.
Harry takes a swig of pumpkin juice, "I dunno, it could be anything really at this point."
"Perhaps this is what McGonagall wanted to speak with you about?" Ginny offers. Hermiome nods her head in agreement as she chews her food thoughtfully.
"It's very possible that whatever McGonagall has in mind could have been precisely what the sorting hat was hinting toward, he's been known to do that in the past," Harry adds.
"Well, what ever it is, I hope it's not required for us," Seamus says as he scoops a seconds helping onto his plate. Dean adds a hearty 'Hear hear,' of agreement.
"Hey, would ya look at that?" Ron nods his head toward the Slytherin table and everyone turns to glance at the green and silver table to see what he's referring to.
"Looks like Malfoy and Zabini have been disinvited from the cool club," Harry murmurs and finally Hermione is able to spot the platinum hair. Sitting at the far side of the Slytherin table are both Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini, their heads together as they quietly talk amongst themselves. Malfoy looks absolutely horrid. His face has an almost sallow look to it and there are huge purple circles beneath his eyes as if he hasn't slept for days.
Ron grunts, "Well at least the git looks like utter crap."
Almost as if Malfoy hears this, as he looks up and his hard blue eyes meet the soft brown of Hermione's. She quickly turns away, and drinks deeply from her goblet, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck at having been caught staring.
"Well it's not surprising is it?" Ginny gives Hermione a queer look, the redhead never misses a thing. "His father's been on trial for months now," she continues, "I wouldn't be surprised that he looks like utter shit."
"Language Ginny!"
"Oh stuff it Ronald."
"Honestly you two," Hermione scowls at the both of them.
"Sorry mum," Ron quips, "But yeah, I've been talking to Dad about it. Apparently, thanks to Harry, there was proof enough to get Narcissa and little Draco off, but not his father."
Harry immediately gets defensive, "Just because I told the truth that he and his mum were forced into the death eater circle doesn't mean I've suddenly become their friends."
"Whoah there mate, I know that," Ron shrugs his shoulders, "I'm just not so sure Narcissa is aware."
Harry groans, "Please, don't remind me."
"Well I think it's sweet. You saved their lives Harry, Narcissa is just trying to find a way to thank you," Ginny tries to diffuse Harry's outburst; he's been so quick to anger lately. Hermione knows he's worried something will go wrong this year, but then again, everyone is.
"Well, a simple thank you would suffice, she doesn't have to keep sending me gifts," he sighs.
As the three of them bicker back and forth, Hermione can't help but feel sorry for Malfoy. From what Harry has said, the trials were brutal, and some of the things that Malfoy was forced to reveal were horrendous; as Lucius continued to fall from grace, Voldemort's treatment of the Malfoy family, especially Draco, only worsened. And apparently so did the tasks that he was made to perform.
Hermione glances at Ron and Harry who are now arguing over Ron's proposal that Harry ask Narcissa for a new broom for Ron. While the two are distracted trying to find the morality in asking for a new broom, Hermione decides to take another peek across the hall at Malfoy. When she turns to look, both he and Blaise are already staring at her. Hermione whips back around and is suddenly over come with the weird tingling feeling of déjà vu.
Hermione Granger sits in anticipation at her new house table, fingers crossed. The blond boy walks over to the stool and sits, his face a mask, hiding the fear Hermione knows he is facing. Hermione is still frustrated with how rude he was on the train to Neville, but she can't help but cast aside her frustrations. This moment is something she knows Draco has been waiting for all his life; getting placed into the house his entire family has been in. When he first mentioned Slytherin in the field by her house, Hermione had hopes that she too might be able to follow her new friend into the grand house.
That was of course before her knowledge of Slytherin's true colors, and the intolerance for muggle-born students. But Hermione felt for Draco, she could still remember the words from one of his letters; the fear that he wouldn't make it into the pure blood house.
"If I don't make it into Slytherin during the sorting, I might as well start saying goodbye to my mother now. Father will disown me, and I'll have nowhere to go. I can't screw this up."
Hermione had assured Draco he was a definite shoe in, though she did not tell him how it made her feel. She didn't want Draco to be in Slytherin house, because she knew no matter where she ended up, their friendship would be frowned upon. Even the books Hermione had been devouring before term started, spoke of the animosity between the other houses and Slytherin; Hermione just so happened to land herself in the house that got along with Slytherin the least.
Nevertheless, as one of her new professors lowered the old dingy hat onto his slicked back hair, Hermione said a silent prayer to whatever denomination that would listen.
Her prayer either worked or was unnecessary, as once the hat barely came in contact with Draco's head it bellowed "SLYTHERIN!"
Hermione smiled a buck toothed smile, as Draco gave a sigh of relief and went to take a seat at the table who consequently erupted into applause.
The ginger boy Hermione had encountered on the train with the dirty nose, leans over to Harry Potter, "That explains that one, he's a Malfoy. My dad works with his father!" Hermione can't help but be filled with dread as she searches for the platinum blond hair; she spots him next to a boy with ebony skin who she believes Draco referred to as Blaise in his letters. She's surprised when he gives her the smallest of smiles, Draco mentioned he was considering telling him of their friendship. Hermione quickly looks away as a blush begins to turn her cheeks into a deep scarlet, despite her not understanding exactly why she is blushing in the first place.
Perhaps their odd friendship will survive this after all.
Hermione snorts at the memory, and her own naivety.
"What's so funny Hermione, anything you'd like to share?" Ginny raises an eyebrow knowingly. She is the only person aware of the failed friendship between Malfoy and Hermione, her discovery is not a memory Hermione would wish to revisit. And she obviously saw the momentary lapse of sanity as Hermione blushed when Malfoy looked at her. But that doesn't matter, whatever that relationship had been never worked out and never would, Malfoy was a pure-blooded git who thought of nothing but himself.
Before she can think of something clever to say, McGonagall makes her way once more to the podium having noticed more talking being done than eating. Hermione sighs in relief at the distraction.
"I hope that each of you has had a summer of healing and restoration. The lives lost not only here during the Battle of Hogwarts but all across the wizarding world will not be forgotten." Hermione reaches across the table grabbing Ginny's hand and gives it a small reassuring squeeze.
"Due to the nature of the past, the ministry has asked me to add focus onto personal defence and safety, which is why I have opted to add another position here at Hogwarts. While we are familiar with our Prefects and Head Boy and Girl, I have chosen two students who have shown exceeding magical ability and knowledge to act as Protectors," a sudden wave of murmuring hits the crowd as people begin to try and figure out what exactly this means.
"Each class third year and under, will meet with the Protectors to ensure that they have a basic understanding of defensive and offensive spells."
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione all exchange looks.
"There's no way McGonagall would have appointed me for this job," Hermione quietly whispers to herself in disbelief. Ginny would have been much more apt in her own opinion, as her curses were much stronger. Hermione bites her lip in nervousness and tries to ignore the sudden drop in her stomach.
"On another note, I'd like to introduce Professor Asrani who has taken on the role of potions master, and Professor Aeron, the new Defense against the dark arts instructor," McGonagall gestures towards the end of the staff table to a pair of men. The first is tan and has dark features, his shaggy hair falls into his dark brooding eyes. The other is a polar opposite, who gives a wide smile at being introduced, his green eyes glistening as he runs his hand through his quaffed blond hair. Hermione can't quite put a finger on it, but she's almost positive she's seen him somewhere.
"Merlin's beard," squeals Pavarti who is sitting between Seamus and Lavender, "Is that really Jeremy Aeron?" Hermione connects the dots. Aeron had been a rather full of himself chaser on the Ravenclaw team; as he had been two years their senior really only Harry dealt with him much, but his good looks were talked about more than even the late Cedric Diggory. Lavender sits up straighter and begins squealing with her friend. Dean laughs, "Yeah, too bad he was more worried about his face getting damaged that he was more concentrated on keeping away from bludgers rather than scoring."
Harry nods his head, "Ravenclaw might've actually won one if he hadn't been such a-"
"Honestly you guys, McGonagall is talking," Hermione hisses and everybody quiets except for Lavender and Pavarti who begin whispering excitedly to each other.
"I now ask that the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl oversee the first years to bed. Sleep tight, and be ready bright and early tomorrow for the first day of term!" McGonagall claps her hands in something that can only be described as excitement, and students slowly start to get up and begin the trek to their dormitories, bellies full to bursting with the night's meal.
"Well, it's too bad I have Harry," Ginny teases, "Professor McHottie is going to have a tough time fighting off all the girls," Harry gives her a face as if he's been offended.
"I've met him, he's quite a nice man," Neville struts over to the group, "He's much more tolerable than he was in school," Neville's Head Boy badge is pinned securely to his chest.
Ron pokes the badge lightly, "You've already met the new professors? What other perks does this thing get you?"
Neville rolls his eyes, "Yes I have, and Professor Asrani reminds me of Snape," he says quietly.
"Hey, Snape did only what he had to do to protect us all," Harry cuts him off suddenly.
Ginny gently rests her hand on his shoulder, "We know Harry, I think what Neville meant was-"
"To get back to his duties and escort first years?" A deep but quiet voice cuts Ginny off, and it feels as if ice water has been trickled down Hermione's back. She can't help the twinge of disgust that grips her stomach momentarily, and the annoyance that flashes across her features.
Neville looks Malfoy straight in the eyes before he slowly answers,"Yes..I should get going." With that he turns on his heel, shouting after a Gryffindor first year who ended up in the Hufflepuff line.
Malfoy inclines his head slowly towards Harry, "Potter."
Harry nods his head in acknowledgemeant and grabs Ginny's hand as if he has grown uncomfortable.
Suddenly Malfoy's icy stare is trained on Hermione and again she is overcome with a brief feeling of disgust.
"Granger, McGonagall would like to speak with us now in her office," he gives them all one last look before walking away and out of the hall.
Before Hermione can voice her annoyance, Ron does it for her. "I can't belive that ferret, trying to tell Neville how to do his duties," he snorts, crossing his arms lightly.
Hermione sighs deeply, "Either way, the ferret was right. You guys should head up to the dorms, I need to go meet with McGonagall. I'm sure I'll be there soon."
"Goodnight Hermione," Harry says as he slides his arm around Ginny's waist, they move to leave the hall, his arm guiding her along. There's a small pang in Hermione's chest that she struggles to identify, seeing the way Harry uses Ginny as a form of comfort. There's no denying the love both of them hold for each other and how they use each other almost as a life line.
"Erm g'night, Hermione," Ron gives her an awkward one armed hug and before she can do anything he turns and jogs to catch up with the other two. She stands and watches their retreating forms as the last few students trickle out of the Great Hall. Ron has been slightly awkward around Hermione ever since that kiss; Ginny says he feels bad that he never tried to make the two anything more. Hermione just wishes he'd go back to being himself.
Hermione can't get over and is still bothered about the strange feeling that occurred upon seeing Harry and Ginny together, it was almost like..jealousy? But what could she possibly be jealous of? Hermione was extremely happy for the both of them.
"Get it together, Hermione," she quietly says aloud to herself as she begins to make her way out of the hall. She needs to get over whatever is bothering her, and be on her A Game. Afterall, Hermione Granger is about to have a meeting with Draco Malfoy.