AN: Special thanks to DaRk AnGeL oF sOrRoW rEtUrNs for being my absolute favoritest reviewer!
"No one's perfect, Hun." He told her
"I know,' the little girl said. 'But I want to be the closest thing to it."
"And what's that?"
"Skinny."
After many tearful goodbyes I walked through the barrier of platform nine and three quarters, giving the area a quick once over to make sure no one was watching me walk straight through the wall.
The sight of the majestic red train greeted me, emblazoned with the golden title 'Hogwarts Express.' A warm feeling settled in my stomach, I am on my way back to school and it will be an excellent year.
"Hey, Hermione! Over here!" A voice shouts and I turn to my left to see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, the twins, Harry, Ron and Ginny. Running over to meet them, I pull my luggage along behind me.
"Oh, Hermione, good to see you dear." Mrs. Weasley says by way of a greeting, bustling over to give me a hug.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it out to the Burrow this summer, Mrs. Weasley." I apologize sincerely. I really am disappointed I couldn't visit atleast once, I consider the Weasleys' like my second family.
"Oh not to worry dear, perhaps you can come round at Christmas time." She says, and then looks us all over.
"Got all your stuff then? It's nearly time for the train to leave!" Mrs. Weasley frets, giving each of us a hug and a kiss on the check before sending us on our way.
"Oi, Hermione, we got you a little something to help you along with your Head girl duties." Fred says.
"Finest batch of the lot," George continues, holding a large bag of what I presume to be Weasley's Wizarding Weezes products. Seeing my protest he shoves the bag into my hand. "Just in case you have any little Slytherin brats-"
"Or Malfoy himself, preferably, that need to be put in their place." They reason. Sighing, I stuff the bag of Ton-Tongue Toffees, Canary Cremes, and other mischief making items into my trunk, and thank them.
"No problem-"
"Just let us know how they work! Have a good term!"
And with that we leave them behind and board the train.
"Well, I guess it's time we go find a car..." Ron trailed off, look down the hallway of already occupied compartments.
"I have to go meet McGonagall in Car 2," I said apologetically. "Head girl stuff..."
"Oh," Ron replied, dejected "Well, have fun- let us know who the head boy is." And with that he and Harry wandered off, animatedly discussing an apparently brilliant Quidittch match that occurred over the summer.
Ah, some things never change, I thought fondly.
Making my way towards car 2, I was quite nervous- who would the head boy be? I would guess Ernie McMillan, not a bad person, a bit pompous at times but I could live with that. Or perhaps Jeremy Davis, a studious Ravenclaw, kinda like a male version of myself I'm told.
Walking through the cars, seeing the number get closer and closer to two all too quickly. 7...6...5...4...3... And here I am: Car 2. I take a deep breath and slide the door open.
My jaw nearly drops to the floor at the blond haired boy casually lounging on the velvety seats.
"Malfoy?" I shocked exclamation bursts from my lips before I can stop it. Out of all the seven year students they had to pick Draco Malfoy?
"Hey Granger, guess I'm not all that surprised to see you here." His purposely layed back tone annoyed me, and he knew it.
"Malfoy." I acknowledge curtly, with a sharp nod, and then go take a seat on the opposite side of the compartment as him.
"Now Granger," he drawled "is that anyway to treat your future room mate?"
Before I had the chance to give a retort, Professor McGonnagal swept into the large compartment.
"Good afternoon," she greets us in her usually clipped tone. "Congratulations on earning the position of Heads of the school. This is a duty not to be taken lightly, as it is a great honor."
McGonagall's tone reminds me slightly of Delia and I nod seriously, taking a peek at Malfoy I see his eyes glazed over, bored, staring at a point a bit to the right of McGonagall's head. He isn't taking this seriously, he doesn't deserve this.
"Your responsibilities will include scheduling patrols for the Prefects, planning the Winter Ball, and setting a good example among the younger students, to name a few. We have anticipated much division and animosity between the Houses, and as such, it is your duty to promote Inter-House Unity." She gives us a stern glance over the tops of her glasses, making sure we know that our arch enemy relationship ends now.
Psh. Like that'll happen.
"Your dormitories are located on the fifth floor." This catches my attention, due to my extensive research, as heads I know we share a common room, but the fifth floor? That's so out of the way, and the fifth floor is nearly deserted. All that is there, to my knowledge is a large ancient ballroom, which has long since been retired in favor for the Great Hall, and the East Tower. Sensing my upcoming question McGonagall explains, "Due to damage done to the castle at the end of last year, the Heads Dormitories have been moved until a more suitable location can be arranged." She is referring to Amycus Carrow rampage through the second floor corridor upon the elated discovery of Dumbledore's death; the original dormitories must have been in that hallway. Carrow's curse were Dark Magic, I am not surprised that they were not able to mend the rooms back into their safe and non-cursed condition.
"That is all. You are free to roam the corridors or go find you friends if you wish." She says by means of dismissal, and exits the way she entered.
Not needing any more encouragement I rush out of the compartment behind her to find Harry and Ron.
Searching through the compartments while trying not to appear like a stalker is rather difficult and I'm not sure if I completely managed, but I did end up finding Harry and Ron.
"Hey Hermione, your out soon than expected, how was the Heads meeting? Who's the Head Boy?" Harry inquires casually. I notice he is sitting a little closer to Ginny than normal. Good, he's finally noticing her as something other than Ron's little sister.
"Yeah, McGonagall didn't have much to say." I reply, hoping he doesn't notice I didn't answer his last question.
"And the Head Boy?" Ron asks again. Gah, no getting out of it this time.
"Malfoy." I inform them all flatly.
"No way, how'd that git end up as Head Boy?" Ron exclaimed, incredulously outraged.
"Well, Ron," Ginny chimes in "the ferret is ranked pretty high in your year. Just below the Head Girl, in fact."
Malfoy is ranked second in the year? I always figured he got his minions to do his homework, if it got done at all.
"And I've got to share a common room with him. And plan the winter ball with him. And not kill him in his sleep, because that would not be setting a very good example for the younger students of Inter-House unity, and-" I moaned, building up steam.
"Hermione. It's going to be okay. He's an idiot, but you're better than him. Just slip him a little Nosebleed Nougat, that should work out just fine." Harry reasoned, partially joking. I shoot him a glare, this is a serious situation and I do not appreciate his humor. "And, if he tries anything, Ron and I will take care of him." He said firmly, on a more serious note.
AN: I want reviews! This time though, I want one thing you don't like about the story so far. This is your chance to complain and tell me that Ginny was out of character, or Malfoy wasn't annoying enough, or my writing style is too _. Whatever it may be- I want to know. (Be harsh, but please be respectful.)