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They got out of the train in silence. Both, Hermione and Ron very cautious about what to say around Harry. They silently got into a carriage, aware that Harry could see the thestrals that drove the carriages. They were more like bony horses that only those people could see who had seen death. Harry had seen Sirius die the previous year as well as the year before that when he had witnessed Voldemort killing Cedric. This was going to remind him about his godfather's death more and more: the one thing Hermione wanted him to forget. As they traveled to the Hogwarts castle in silence, Hermione pondered over the fact how Malfoy hadn't taken to insulting her. She thought this year was going to be better than any other. She loathed Malfoy. He was a pale faced pointed boy with a mop of fair hair. His father was a Death Eater, which meant he was a follower of Lord Voldemort, the most feared wizard in history.
The journey in their carriages had been uneventful. Harry, Hermione and Ron were now all seated comfortably on their house table in the Great Hall. They were elatedly watching the sorting and cheered whenever some first year was made a Gryffindor. Hermione glanced around for Malfoy on the Slytherin table; he was sitting apart from Crabbe and Goyle this time and looked quite strange, with the absence of his usual sneer. There was something strange about the way he was behaving. Hermione mentally shook herself for paying such a lot of attention to Malfoy. Why did she even care? She tore her eyes away from the skulking Draco and onto the Sorting. As the last student: Miranda Serene was made a Ravenclaw, Dumbledore stood up to make his usual start-of-term speech.
'Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts! I welcome all the first years, I hope you will find Hogwarts as interesting as some of us do' he said, winking at Harry, Hermione and Ron. 'I must say as always that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. The use of Dungbombs, Garroting Gas and Wet Fireworks is strictly prohibited in the corridors as Mr. Filch keeps reminding me to tell you. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup. I must tell you that for the previous 5 years, Gryffindor house has been the most successful. You might want to watch out for them, for their bravery exceeds all. Now without further ado, the feast!' he motioned to the house tables as food magically appeared in their glittering plates and their goblets were filled to the brim with delicious pumpkin juice.
Harry, Ron and Hermione started piling their plates with everything they could reach. For a few minutes, the sounds of munching students and scraping of forks on plates were the only ones heard.
'Hey, Hermione!' said Parvati Patil, another sixth year Gryffindor, sitting next to Hermione.
'Hi Parvati, how are you?' said Hermione, gulping down her mashed potatoes.
'I'm fine!' said Parvati carelessly. 'Did you notice a BIG difference in someone?' she asked, leaning forward, so that Hermione was the only one who could hear her. Hermione frowned slightly. Knowing Parvati for over five years now, Hermione was sure she was talking about some boy. But who could it be? Was she talking about Harry? But he hadn't gone over such a big change. Who else could it be?
Parvati sighed exasperatedly. 'Don't you notice anything Hermione?'
Hermione laughed. 'No need. You've always noted everything in everyone! I can simply ask you!' she said.
'It's someone you don't like!' Parvati hinted slyly, and then giggled at Hermione's reaction.
'You don't mean...'
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