Hermione's POV

I watched the others walk away, turning my attention back to Hagrid.

"'Mione, yeh be needin' ter keep an eye on Malfoy. An' the First years. McGonagall made a good choice, pickin' you as 'Ead Girl." He grinned at me, leading the first years to the boats. I waved, turning back to watch the luggage magically load onto carts.

When that was done, I climbed into the last carriage, joined by none other then the Prince of Slytherin himself.

"Granger." he stated, climbing it to sit across from me.

"What, Malfoy? No 'Mudblood'?"

"No, Granger."

We sat in silence. I was puzzled, his behavior was different, unexpected...odd.

The castle came nearer, reminding me once again of what was to come. Head Girl duties, dealing with Ron, Fred...

I sighed, looking down to my hands. I could still feel the heat from his hand on mine, and it worried me. Too much, too fast?

I pushed that to the back of mind, focusing again on the ride to the castle. Hogwarts loomed overhead, a giant shadow in the light of a full moon. The walls had been repaired since the battle, and most scars of the dangerous fight erased. The doors opened slightly, revealing a crowd of people standing there. What the-?

The carriage pulled to a hasty halt, allowing us out. As it pulled away, I glanced at Malfoy. He stood, gazing upon the castle. Without a word, he lead the way inside.

The crowd was huge, every student above first year standing there, staring. I made a path through, battling my way to the front.

"Excuse me!" I growled, sneaking my way through a group of girls. No one replied, everyone watching the spectacle unfold in front of them.

The teachers stood in a line, marking the path into the Great Hall. In front of them stood the twins, Harry and Ginny, all staring with mouths wide open at a woman. A woman wearing a pink cardigan.

"No! You've got to be joking! You can't be letting that thing teach us again!" George cried.

"Misters Weasley, I will repeat, Professor Umbridge will be teaching. She has offered to return and help the school in it's time of need, seeing as we lack teachers. Now, everyone, if you would, enter the Great Hall and take your seats. The first years will be arriving soon." McGonagall stated, giving the crowd her best glare.

I took up the cry, directing the younger years into the Hall. When most of the crowd was inside, I pulled Fred away, dragging him to the shadowy part of the hall.

"What's going on?" I demanded, watching him rub his arm.

"Geez, woman, there is no need to tear my arm off." He muttered.

"Why is she here?"

"No clue."

I sighed, leaning back against the wall. "She is a troll, honestly, how can they let her teach us? After fifth year? And her and the muggle-born campaign..."

I started shaking, remembering the trials I had witnessed.

"'Mione, come on, breathe. It'll be okay." Fred murmured into my ear, pulling me closer to him. I rested my head on his chest, letting his arms encircle me.

We stood there for a few moments, giving me time to collect myself. "Come on, McGonagall will murder us if we miss the Sorting."

I grabbed his hand, pulling him with me as we entered the Hall with the last few stragglers. Flitwick left the table, heading to the chambers behind the teachers' table. I sat next to Fred with Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindors.

The talk stopped as the doors opened again, admitting the soon to be first years. They walked single file, each with an expression of fear in their faces.

"Poor midgets." George whispered from across the table. I shot a glare at him before returning to the ceremony.

The Sorting Hat sat on the stool, silent as a grave. The hall quieted, everyone staring at it. Finally, it spoke.

In times of old, when I was new
Lived four founders in this school.
Each magical being within them knew,
With what they thought the best to rule.

Said Gryffindor: let those who share
My bravery be admitted.
Bold Ravenclaw to this replied:
we'll take only those of knowledge well submitted.
Said Hufflepuff: I'll take them all, for all deserve to learn.
Said Slytherin: We'll have only those whose generations are pure.

The founders fought, but did not fail
And soon they built upon them,
Sharing with those they selected
the knowledge held within them.

All people die, and before they did,
they stuffed some brains in me.
I'll look into your heart and soul,
and determine where you shall be.

But know well this, though separated be,
not all the houses are enemies.
Without the four, the school would fall,
And lost would be this glorious hall.
Befriend your neighbor, the houses are
united in the glory.
So, here's the end to this noble story.

My rhyme is done, and the night is young
step forward, your sorting has just begun.

The hall burst in applause. The first years were called up, each one putting on the hat before leaving for a table.

"Odd. I thought the hat was destroyed..." Ginny began, watching as 'Zister, Sarah' became a Ravenclaw.

"No. Haven't you ever read Hogwarts, A History?" I explained.

"Never."

I sighed. "The hat was charmed to never be destroyed."

Our conversation was cut off by the arrival of food. I pushed my plate away, feeling slightly queasy.

"'Mione, you've got to eat." Harry said, pushing my plate back towards me. I grimaced at him before adding food to it.

"Anyone seen where Ron went?" Harry asked, glancing around the table.

"Er..." I began awkwardly, not sure how to continue. Ginny took over.

"Harry, Ron and Hermione broke up."

"Really? I thought you guys broke up at Diagon Alley." Harry said, giving me a confused look.

"No. But anyways, it's over. He's just avoiding me, I guess." I replied, returning my gaze to my food.

"Prat." Ginny scoffed.

I silence, emotions running through me. Harry understood, but I wasn't sure...I missed the old Ron. I hated the new one, and I like Fred... Or did I?

Damn teenage hormones!

The food disappeared from the plates. I turned to face the teaches' table, waiting for the coming speech.

McGonagall spoke. "Welcome, to our younger students, and welcome back to our older ones. This year we have a few more 7th years then normal, and dormitory situations have been sorted out. This year, classes will be slightly different. I am Headmistress, but I will remain teaching Transfiguration, and the Head of Gryffindor House."

She paused, looking at us.

"Now, I will be blunt. We have welcomed back Professor Umbridge, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Snape has graciously offered to resume his post as Potion master."

A polite smattering of applause broke through, ending as quickly as it started.

"New rules have been instated. No magic in the corridors, and no going into the Forbidden Forest. Also, all detentions will be passed through heads of house for inspection and approval. Filch has also kindly asked that any Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes products be banned, yes that rule applies to the founders of said shop."

"Bloody hell, woman, how're we supposed to have fun around her?" George muttered, sharing a rebellious glance with his brother.

"Now. Please, off to bed! See Prefects for passwords. Good night."

Everyone stood, walking towards the doors. Over the din of voices I heard prefects calling to the first years.

As we began our climb up the stairs we were stopped by none other then the caretaker himself.

"Oi! Watch where you are walking! I just cleaned through here-" Filch ranted, stopping.

I glanced about curiously, wondering what it would take to make him pause mid-scolding when I remembered whose hand I held.

"Argh! Headmistress!" Filch shouted, pushing his way through the crowd.

"Do you think we can outrun him?" Ginny said, coming to stand beside me.

"Not a chance... unless we start now!" George cried, booking it up the stairs. Ginny followed.

I tightened my grip on Fred's hand, willing him not make a run for it.

"'Mione, are you trying to take off my hand?" He whispered in my ear. His breathe tickled my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I swear-

My train of thought was interrupted by McGonagall coming up the stairs, Filch and Flitwick close behind her.

"Now, Mr. Filch, what is the problem?" McGonagall said, eyeing the crowd.

"It's them, Professor. The Weasley twins are back! It's against the rules!" He puffed.

"Argus, please-" Flitwick began.

"No! I will NOT have them back here what with all they've done! They should be banned from this hall! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" Filch screamed, his voice hitting octaves girls couldn't hit.

Fred started laughing, letting go of my hand so he could hold his stomach. The crowd around us began giggling madly, following Fred's example. I stared at him. What is he trying to do?

"Priceless! Haha!" Fred croaked, consumed by laughter again.

McGonagall gave a faint smile, before turning to Filch. "The Ministry has ordered their return. It's only for one year, Argus."

Filch turned five shades of red before tramping off, muttering things under his breath.

McGonagall gave us a look, telling us to leave for our dormitories. I pulled Fred off the ground, smiling as he mimed Filch's reaction.

"Come on!"

Fred's POV

Ouch! I thought as Hermione pulled me off the ground. She smiled at my impression, loosening her grip. I let go, wrapping my arm around her waist.

She chuckled. "Why do I get the feeling like this is going to be a weird year?"

"Hmmm... because Filch is crazy? No, wait, because Umbridge is back!" I mused sarcastically, earning myself a glare.

"Or maybe it's because I'm not with Ron-" Hermione was cut off, since we had reached the Fat Lady.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here?" She tittered, staring at Hermione and I.

"Please keep it quiet!" Hermione whispered desperately, giving her a pleading look.

"Fine. Password?"

"Blast ended Skrewt."

The portrait opened, giving us access to he common room. Hermione went in first, me following her lead. Upon entering the room, the clapping started.

"Enough!" Hermione cried. "Go to bed, read Latin, do something other then clap!"

She sat in an armchair by the fire, growing quiet. I walked over to George.

"Well, she is a keeper!" George joked.

"Shove off. Why'd you run? You missed a show!" I chuckled.

"How red did his face go?"

"Level eight."

The common room emptied as we talked. I kept an eye on Hermione, wondering what was wrong.

"Well, not that we are alone-" George started.

I gave him a blank look.

"Oi, just go talk to her, I'm off to bed. Night." He sighed, heading towards the dormitories.

I stood up, walking over to sit in on the couch.

"'Mione, come sit with me?"

She started, staring around madly for a minute. With a mute nod, she came over to sit next to me. Putting my arm around her shoulders, I pulled her into my side. She sighed, hugging me.

"What's wrong?"

She didn't answer for a few minutes. "Just thinking."

"Hermione, you snapped at the people clapping! And what was with the Fat Lady?"

She sighed again. "It's nothing, really, just... I don't know how to say it. I'm worried. Ron is furious, and Harry doesn't know about us, and I'm Head Girl and Umbridge is back! It's everything! Too much, too fast."

"What are you saying?" I asked. Please, not this...

"I'm not breaking up with you! Oh god, no. I'm just overwhelmed. That's all."

I buried my face in her hair, relief flooding through me. I've waited too long.

"I'm sorry, Fred." Hermione murmured, turning to face me. Her lips caught mine, tangling them in new complicated patterns. I pulled her closer, my arms wrapped around her. It was instinctual, and it felt right. It was like she was built to fit into my arms.

She broke the kiss, resting her head on my chest. "Don't worry, 'Mione. It'll work out."

We sat like that for a while. Eventually, she stirred. "I've got to sleep. G'night." She mumbled, giving me another kiss.

"Wait a second. Don't go near the Defense corridor tomorrow morning."

"Why?"

I smiled at her. "You'll find out."

Disclaimer: I will probably forget to ever add another one of these, so let's clear up the basics. I do not own Harry Potter, however many times I wish for it at 11:11.

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