Chapter 4
Harry's point of view
I looked like me but at the same time I was so different. They were subtle differences compared to Hermione; She had wavy hair instead of the uncontrollable curls, her eyes were still brown but were now tinted with gold (Inherited from my mum) and her cheekbones and jaw were more pronounced making her look more elegant. I on the other hand still had black hair but now my green eyes were now hazel and freckles spattered my face. I was so happy that me and Hermione were brother and sister! I had always been close to her and we had only grown closer during the time on the run when Ron had deserted us. Hermione had eventually forgiven Ron and they started to date. I knew she had always liked Ron, even in first year when she was so distraught about him sacrificing himself. I think she finally realized what she felt when he went out with Lavender. When they had kissed she had run out but she did come back looking slightly better.
"Herm it's time to go."
"Coming Harry...wait I almost forgot." She approached me with a brush, "your hair is slightly more controllable but still..."
"Hermione my hair is fine."
"If you say so, come on pick up your bags we are going to be late of you carry on being this slow!"
We apparated to Platform 9 3/4. I inhaled the familiar smell of oil and saw the glistening body of metal. A person barreled into my stomach- Ginny.
"Hey Ginny."
"Hey Hermione. Where were you?" I hadn't visited over the summer because I felt so guilty, It was my fault Fred died and even now I could feel the rocks settling in my stomach reminding me of those who had dies for me.
"Sorry Ginny I wanted to leave you and your family to grieve."
"Well I needed you."
"I thought it would be best..."
"Not once did you ask me what I wanted Harry."
"I'm sorry."
"I know, come on lets get a carriage. Coming Hermione?"
We walked along the train until we found a carriage occupied by Luna and Neville. We all sat down and began to talk. The scenery flew by as I saw Neville looking at Luna ;Looking at Luna the way I looked at Ginny. Luna carried on reading the Quibbler unaware of Neville and everyone else for that matter. Suddenly, a patronus in the shape of a cat materialized in the middle of the carriage.
"Please can Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood make their way to the front of the train for the Head's meeting. Thank you."
Hermione's point of view
"You never told us that you were the deputy head girl!"
"It never came up in the conversation, anyway I'd rather talk about how I'm planning to catch a Nargle." Luna said innocently looking up from the latest copy of the Quibbler.
"Come on lets go. We can't be late to our first meeting." I was so excited to learn the extent of my duties, at the moment it was only a title. I hastily pulled Luna down the train until we got to the front of it.
"I think you pulled my arm off Hermione."
"Sorry Luna, just didn't want to be late."
"I know, if we carry on dawdling out here then we will definitely been late." Despite all of my efforts we were the last two to enter the carriage.
"Sorry we're late Professor McGonagall."
"That's quite alright Miss Granger. Take a seat."
"It's Potter now."
"Of course, my apologies." I noticed the other two people in the room. A boy that I knew to be In Hufflepuff from my time as a Prefect and Draco Malfoy. I was shocked- Draco Malfoy was the Head Boy. The same boy who let Death Eaters into the school, but McGonagall must have a reason for choosing him.
"Alright then. Obviously, Miss Potter and Mr Malfoy are Head Boy and Girl and Miss Lovegood and Mr Smith are deputy Head Boy and Girl. The Head Boy and Girl will bear the brunt of the work and you two will help them when necessary. Now Mr Malfoy you will be sharing your own common room with Miss Potter and it will be attached to the 8th Year common room. As well as this you both shall have your own rooms unlike the rest of the student." She then turned her attention to Luna, "You two will have the old head common rooms near the astronomy tower." I listened intently listening to all of the jobs that I would have to do. I had no idea how I was going to balance the Head Girl load and classwork but I had to manage.
I went back to find that everyone had changed into their school robes so I did the same. I sat back down and watched my home loom into view. The uneasy feeling that I had all summer floated away as I settled down into the comfy seats savoring the smell of pumpkin pasties and the mindless chatter of my friends.
Draco's point of view
It almost felt like the War hadn't happened. Almost. Everyone was smiling, but their smiles turned to frowns as I glided past with Blaise, Theo and Pansy. Whispers accompanied us all the way to the luggage carriage.
"Stay safe and don't get into any trouble." I gave a teary Narcissa a hug before climbing onto the Hogwarts Express. As the train left the station I memorized the hope and sadness in my Mothers face.
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I saw the empty carriage I hopped into it hoping to avoid being questioned and to avoid the curios glances of everyone. I blocked out the sound of animated chatter as I shut my eyes. I hadn't got a lot of sleep recently and I was exhausted. The silhouette of the girl haunted my unconsciousness. As I fell into slumber she greeted me once more but this time I could see her eyes, the first clue into who she was. They were a molten brow with glistening gold highlights. Something stirred inside me and I committed those eyes to memory. I would never forget them, they were now branded in my brain.
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"Draco wake up you have to go to the train for the Heads meeting." Pansy shook me awake gently.
"Thanks." Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I walked 5 steps before entering the Heads carriage. I was glad I picked a carriage so close to the front of the train. I was the first to arrive and sat awkwardly under the gaze of Professor McGonagall.
"Why me?"
"Pardon Mr Malfoy?"
"Why am I Head Boy?"
"Professor Dumbledore decided that you would be perfect for the job and once he told me why I couldn't agree more."
"What reasons were there?"
"All that you need to understand is that Professor Dumbledore knew what you were going through. I don't know how he knew before you ask. He just knew." Before either of us could say anything else the Deputy Head Boy walked in and sat down in the furthest chair away from me. The door opened again and the breeze brought a new scent that filled my nose: Fresh parchment, rose, honey and freshly mown grass. Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood stand in the doorway, she is looking directly at me with the very same eyes I had seen In my dream. I knew then that Hermione Granger was my mate. I lost all hope, how can I convince Hermione that I am a good person forced to be a Death Eater to save his parents? How can she ever love someone like me? She looked away and sat in the chair opposite, Lovegood sat next to me. I bit back the snarky comment I was thinking of; old habits die hard.
The sounds of Hermione's screams filled my ears as my past rushed back to meet me. I tried to block it out but it was so difficult. I focused on Hermione's concentrated face. Her hair wasn't bushy anymore it now fell down her back on gentle waves, she was still small but definitely had grown over the summer, her eyes were not the same- they were not as brown as I remembered them to be. And her face was no longer the round shape it was now soft angles. Hermione Granger had changed and I wanted to know why.
"Miss Potter and Mr Malfoy..." That's why she looked so different, she and Potter probably adopted each other. I had always seen how close they were but never realized how close. I would make sure to ask her about it, before I died.
I leave the meeting quickly eager to tell Blaise what I have learned. He can tell somethings up as soon as I enter the carriage, he pulls me outside.
"What's the matter?"
"Hermione Gr...Potter is my mate."
"Potter?...Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Good Luck, you're going to need it."
"I know. Blaise I think I'm going to die."
"You are not going to die! You are going to charm the socks of Hermione Granger."
"Potter."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Anyway she is the most accepting person ever! She helped your mother avoid Azkaban. You are going to make her fall for you, be kind, thoughtful, polite and gentlemanly and just don't be an idiot around her- that's not charming."
"Thanks."
"You are welcome." We walked back into our carriage and watched as Hogwarts came into view. Hogwarts was my home and it had always been a welcoming place, I don't think it will be welcoming this year after what I have done.
Hermione's point of view
Sitting at the Gryffindor table next to Harry and Neville, eating deliciously filling foods and listening to the constant chatter I felt at peace. It was like the start of every year but different in so many ways. I missed the faces that normally sat and laughed were not there, I even missed the incessant laugher of Lavender Brown. She my have been someone I disliked but no one should die by being mauled by Fenir Greyback. That was only one of the images that visited me every night. Another was Tonks and Lupin lying on their death beds hands outstretched to one another even in death. I pushed all of my thoughts out of my head as Professor McGonagall asked all the eighth year to follow her. We followed her all the way to the room of requirement. A set of double doors appeared and everyone walked into a beautiful common room. Each quarter of the room was decorated for each house. The section we entered in was the tranquil house of Ravenclaw- all the chairs were arranged around an oak table and a bookshelf took up the majority of the wall space.
The Slytherin section had a circle of the most luxurious green chairs, a coffee table. The walls were dark green and silver snakes were embroidered and carved into the furniture. The Gryffindor section had bright red walls, comfy chairs and a fireplace and the Hufflepuff section had yellow chairs around a coffee table. Each was a space for you to relax and talk, but no matter how beautiful it was I only saw the division.
"There is one room for the girl and two for the boys, they are separated my a bathroom. Girls your room is on the left." She pointed to the bookcase in the Ravenclaw section, "Boys are there and there." She pointed to the rooms allocated.
"What's that door for?" Seamus pointed to another door in between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff section.
"That's the Heads quarters. Your things have been placed in the rooms you will be staying in. Please find your rooms and then you can make use of your common room. The password in Bowtruckle. Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger please follow me."
I walked in and viewed the comfy living area where I was sure to spend most of my down time. The soft leather couches were by the fire, the oak coffee table sandwiched between the sofas gave a nice homey feeling and heat radiated from the hearth. Towards the back of the room was a mini kitchenette, an oak table with two chairs and cupboards full of crockery and glasses for all situations. I guess the Prefect Meetings will be held here, I noticed a small door and opened it, it lead into a corridor- the prefects entrance.
"The door will only open when there is a prefect meeting the rest of the time it will be concealed." I nodded, it would be awkward if a random student entered our private rooms. We approached the bookshelves that took up two of the four walls. A simple spell opened a hidden door which led up to a balcony that overlooked the eight year common room. There were 3 doors. The one on the left had a snake carved into it, the one on the right had a lion on it and the door in the middle had a snake and lion on it- the snake was wrapped around the lions neck but it looked like they were embracing, not trying to kill each other.
"The password for your rooms is Grindylow."
"Thank you Professor." She left leaving me and Draco standing awkwardly looking at the doors. Before I could say anything he had opened and closed the left door. It reminded me of how he had run out of the carriage. I knew that it would drive me insane if we avoided each other like this all year, I had to sort it out to keep my sanity.
"Malfoy can you come out here please."
"What do you want Potter?" He noticed my name change, "Well?"
"Sorry...um...we have got to be civil to one another this year, I know you would rather not talk..."
"Okay."
"Mal...What?"
"Okay, truce?" He held out his hand, we shook on the truce. I felt a jolt run down my body at his touch and I quickly freed my hand. Ignoring the wounded look on his face I smiled.
"Truce."
"Goodnight Hermione." I stood transfixed on his receding shadow. It had been one weird day, one that I will keep to myself. I walked slowly to the door on the right, my mind swimming with thoughts of Draco. I barely registered what my room looked like when I collapsed in a heap on my bed. He had paid attention to the fact that I was now Hermione Potter, he didn't call me Mudblood, he agreed to the truce with no hesitation and he shook my hand willingly. He also called me Hermione.
The last time he called me that was when I was sitting in an abandoned stairwell;
Ron had kissed Lavender. An unfamiliar bubble of hurt welled up inside of me. I had made sure he was on the Quidditch team and I had always been there for him but I was still his friend Hermione, nothing more nothing less. The tears started to stream down my face alarmingly fast, I ran to the first place I could think of- the abandoned stairwell on the fourth floor. I broke down on the steps not realizing that someone was already there.
"Who's there... Granger?"
"Go away Malfoy." He did the opposite he sat down beside me and sat there until my tears dried up. I waited for a snide comment but none came and I ended up spilling everything, that I was in love with Ron but he would never notice me and all that I had done to get noticed with no results. He pulled me into a hug and comforted me.
"You know Granger if he can't see how beautiful, kind and clever you are then he really is stupid. More stupid than I thought." He smiled as I laughed. I had never expected to find comfort in the presence of Draco Malfoy.
"Thanks Malfoy but I really should be getting back it's nearly curfew."
"That's okay. Night Hermione."
For days I waited for him to tell all the Slytherin's what I had told him but I only got Mudblood without its usual malice. However his malice was directed elsewhere- Ron. 'Weasley is our King' and a whole manner of things until I asked him to stop. He did but then he began to call me Mudblood with extra malice and everything went back to normal.
I put on a tank top and shorts before slipping under the silk covers. Eventually, I was able to rid my mind of Draco Malfoy and I fell asleep.