Disclaimer: Nope, I can't find Harry anywhere… thinks, he must not be mine. Oh yeah, he's not.
Author's note: Mmkay, Here ya go. : )
Previously: "Night," Harry laughed as they trudged back up the stairs.
Hermione was in her room, packing for the return to Hogwarts on the very next day. Draco was on her bed talking about something that she wasn't quite listening to, but she was pretty sure that it was quidditch, even more of a reason for her to currently zone out.
Hermione shuffled through her drawers, then through her closet, and finally her eyes fled all over her room. "Ugh, Draco, I'll be right back. I left something at my old house."
"I'll go with you."
"No, Draco, give me, like, five minutes."
"But-"
"No, Draco," she apparated.
Hermione walked through the Granger residence, checking each room for damage. She ended in her own room. Light slashed through her dusty blinds. She turned on her light and began to ransack her room. She was facing her bed and packing the article she had been looking for into a bag along with some other items. She felt someone behind her.
"Jake?" she asked without turning to face.
"Yes, love?" he stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His hot breath hit the skin on her neck and sent chills down her spine. He kissed her neck. She kept from letting him know how it felt. "You like that, don't you?" he whispered into her ear.
"No," her voice cracked.
"Oh, really?" he kissed her neck more fiercely. His hands found the front of her pants and started to unbutton them until a voice was heard.
"Hermione?" called Ginny. "Are you here?"
Hermione felt Jake disappear with no sound from behind her. "Yes, Ginny, in here," her voice shook yet she hoped that Ginny wouldn't notice.
"Oh, well, I went into your room," she began to explain as she walked to Hermione's old room, "and Draco was pacing. He asked if I had seen you and I said 'no.' He told me you had left like thirty minutes ago for something at your old house and hadn't been back."
Hermione glanced at the clock that lay near her old bed. "Oh, sorry, time passes quickly. I… couldn't find it for a while…. Then I did. I… I need to check outside for my cat."
"Didn't you get Crookshanks earlier this week?"
"No, I came here and got so caught up, I left without him," lying became easier for her.
"Um, okay." Hermione dashed through her house and through the front door.
"Crookshanks? Crookshanks?" She ignored the eyes that she knew were on her and called her cat. From the side of the house, a ginger cat pranced towards her. "Hey, honey, it's Hogwarts tomorrow. I'm taking you to our new home for today. C'mon." She picked him up gently and fled back into the house. After grabbing her bag and telling Ginny to go, she disapparated. When she got back, Draco was in fact on her bed.
"Where were you?"
"I couldn't find what I was looking for so slow your roll, cinnamon."
"I was worried."
"I can imagine."
Hermione was in the Heads' compartment on the train. Ginny had decided to sit with Ron and Harry.
Hermione vaguely heard the door of the compartment open but didn't notice that the Head Boy had walked in until he spoke.
"Hmm, I would have thought that Granger would have been Head Girl."
"Hermione Granger is no more," she stated coolly, turning to look out the window as the train began to move.
Draco pulled a shocked face. "Are you telling me she's dead?"
"No, Malfoy. She is, in fact, right in front of you," she chanced looking at him and held his gaze.
"So, you are… were Granger?"
"Yes, you know… the whole Hermione, Ginny name thing kind of gave it off, and I was surprised you didn't pick it up…."
"Well, I just… didn't think."
"Do you ever?" Hermione smirked.
"Hardy har har. Aren't you clever," he said it more as a statement than a question.
"Yes, quite," she nodded vigorously with a smile playing on her lips.
Professor Dumbledore walked in. "Good, we don't have to fetch either of you… Okay, well, Ms. Daniels, you do realize that we will have to resort you to check everything, right?"
"If that hat is so smart, wouldn't it see through a simple glamour?"
"Most likely but we never know… magic is mysterious. Anyways, you know why you are here and I am sure you read your duties in the letter we sent. Are there any questions as to your jobs?"
"No, sir," Draco and Hermione said in unison.
"But, sir," Hermione began, "Ginny is currently a prefect. If we are sorted into a different house, will she lose that privilege?"
"Ginerva has high marks and I'm sure that they are higher than the Slytherin girl prefect on Ginerva's worst day," his eyes twinkled.
Hermione smirked. "I'm not sure of my agreement but I'll take your word for it."
"Okay, well, please explain to the prefects their jobs as they will be here soon and afterwards, you may do as you wish," he departed quietly.
Hermione and Ginny stood at the back of the hall, both leaning their backs unto it and having one foot propped up against. They bit their bottom lips as McGonagall called each of the first years to the lonesome stool to put the hat upon their timid heads. After all the first years had been sorted properly, McGonagall paused before saying their names with a hint of emotion. "Now, if Selene and Helen Daniels could please come to the front." Hermione and Ginny began the long walk to the front. All eyes followed them while few whispers spread around. When they reached their professor, they turned toward the crowd, their arms linked. The hat was first place on Hermione's head.
"Hmmm... I've been placed upon you before and if I may, why are you here?"
"I'm a Daniels now."
"What's your point? You're the same girl. Your sister is too. So, without even going upon her head, I shall place you both in..."
Author's note: Hmmm… I'm truly evil… I just know it. I don't know... it's pretty much a done deal and whoever doesn't realize where they're going… well, no comment to you. Lol. Okay, so, this wasn't very long but you know the drill. 10 reviews. I'm sorry about not updating sooner or hiding surprising. Time and people just aren't among my allies. I'll update all as soon as possible... Jeez, the hassle of two/three stories. ; )
Love you all too dearly,
Heather!