Author's Note: This is a little long, but I've been thinking about this for days and would love fellow Potterheads' opinions on my thoughts. R&R!

Hi there! I'm sorry I haven't updated yet, it's just I know where I want the story to go, I just need to establish the inter-character relationships and the general ambiance at Hogwarts etc... And I always hate this part! Whenever I write a story, I want to get straight into the action, but the best stories always have a good amount of build-up, so I feel I should at least try!

On that note, it's important for my story that Draco and Hermione are cold towards one another for a reasonable amount of time before there's any romance. However, that really annoys me! I want nothing more than to write a passionate argument between the two, ending in an even more passionate make-out session... But, I must have patience, and so must you, dear reader.

Also, I've been so immersed in Dramione recently that while re-reading the actual saga (in German, I'm trying to learn), I was surprised to find that there is, in fact, no passionate love hidden beneath their hate for one another. Well, J.K. Rowling never states it. It is my personal opinion that they have conflicted feelings, and Draco cannot bear to disappoint his parents by 'tainting his blood', while Hermione, the bookworm, is too scared to take a chance on the Slytherin Prince and sticks to the safest option, Ron.

"But!" I hear you cry," She was a Gryffindor! She was brave! If she loved him, Hermione would have done something about it." Yeah, right. She didn't do much to snag Ron before Lavender did.

Talking about Gryffindors, I've been thinking about the Houses an awful lot at the moment, and I feel Gryffindors are the most over-rated house. Think about it! They only want glory, and are ready to do anything to achieve it, which apparently makes them "brave". Yes, they're loyal to one another, but everyone is loyal to their friends (yes, the slytherins too!). The other Houses suffer from this greatly.

Firstly, Ravenclaw doesn't even seem to get the best students. Frankly, it's only for students who are only interested in books. Which aren't the truly intelligent people. Hermione, for example, should really have been in Ravenclaw. Yeah, she was brave or whatever, but her best trait is her intelligence! It makes no sense.

Secondly, I feel sorry for all the Hufflepuffs out there. You are hardworking, selfless and kind, yet everyone seems to think you are dumb and boring. You are not. Hufflepuffs, I admire you.

Lastly, Slytherin. "There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin", right? Firstly, that's just wrong. *cough* Pettigrew *cough*. Secondly, could you blame them if it was? At the mere age of eleven, your life is decided for you. You shall be evil, after all you are a Slytherin. Everyone hates you, Headmaster included, awarding a ridiculous amount of House points to the protagonists (all Gryffindors!), just so that your House doesn't win the House Cup. You are hated by your fellow students in separate Houses, you're supposed to hate them as well. You do. After all, you've never known any other way, and you are so easily influenced at the tender age of 11.

Why do the Houses hate each other so much? Seriously. It's unhealthy to hate everyone who's different to you. "Sorry, you can't sit at this table, your tie's a different color." Pff. Ok, I'll stop complaining, but you have to stop blaming people for conforming to their House stereotype. Everyone wants to fit in, and the young students just try to live up to their House name as best they can. When everyone tells you the mold you fit is "evil", from the age of 11, can you blame those poor Slytherins that turn to the Dark Side?

Anyway, I'm almost done with my rant. I just wanted to say that I feel Slytherin never really redeems itself (in the original 7 books, I don't care about The Cursed Child), except perhaps through Snape, but that's not the point. I feel it would have been amazing if Draco had protected Hermione, putting himself in grave danger, during the Battle of Hogwarts, and they had then decided to start anew and fallen in love. It would have been a story of change, redemption, and forgiveness. Also, I'm not a fan of Romione. At all. Sorry, I'd rather have a passionate love/hate relationship that flickers between exchanging kisses and insults, than some plain, boring, high-school sweetheart.

Thank you for reading my rant! I would really love your thoughts on the Houses, or Dramione, or anything really. It could be on my writing, or it could be on the weather, your choice. Love you!

Xxx

P.S. I identify as a Slytherclaw. (The cunning, ambitious side of Slytherin)