Author's Note:
The following two chapters were originally just one. But it was soooo long I cut it in half and posted both. There's some action coming up soon but let me know if the story is moving too slowly and I'll cut things out!
Oh and there will be some romance for Hermione. Can anyone guess who the lucky man will be?
Please review and thanks for reading!
Chapter Two
There were six students sorted into Slytherin this year; three burst into tears, two appeared nauseous and the sixth clenched his jaw so tight he was in danger of cracking a tooth.
It couldn't be a coincidence.
Had the Sorting Hat taken it upon itself to scorn Salazar's House? Or, when it peered inside their young minds, did it realize they would reject Slytherin, no matter their personal traits and bloodlines? Was it possible that the wise scrap of fabric took your choice into account?
Hermione was unsure, but her stomach twisted anxiously - this would further encourage the other houses to shun the Slytherins.
In the time that the Sorting had taken place, her friends had visibly calmed. Ginny had not stopped whispering in Harry's ear, and he now spoke softly back to her with a small smile playing upon his lips.
Hermione had not stopped clutching Ron's hand throughout, and although words of comfort had escaped her, her presence had evidently chased away his grief. This was proven when he complained that the Sorting took far too long, and didn't Headmistress McGonagall realize they were all bloody starving?
After a long and hearty meal, the desserts vanished, and the newly appointed Headmistress McGonagall swept up to the podium to gaze upon them.
''Welcome students, to another year at Hogwarts!''
''Until recently, our world was under attack by a Dark Wizard and his followers. Many of you here suffered at the hands of Death Eaters who forced you to commit unspeakable crimes within these very halls.''
''Those Dark Forces were destroyed here, defeated in this very room.''
At her words, many turned their gaze to peer curiously at Harry.
'But Voldemort was not destroyed by one person!' She declared, and the students returned their attention, riveted by her words.
''His hatred made him an enemy of us all, and each of us played our part in bringing about his end.
He was not killed by a wand.''
At these words, McGonagall raised her own.
''His reign was ended that night by the spirit of kindness and loyalty- '' McGonagall punctuated her statement with a flourish of her wand at the Hufflepuff banner. Students murmured as additional images crowded onto the rippling surface.
The Hufflepuff badger had gained numerous family crests. Hermione noticed a fluttering snitch circling the Triwizard cup; and the Auror symbol which shifted in colour between magenta, crimson and bubblegum pink.
As Hermione recognized their meaning, she felt her throat tighten and she choked down her tears.
Cedric, Tonks.
''Intelligence,'' McGonagall raised her wand to the Ravenclaw crest and alternate images flashed onto its surface like beautiful, swirling graffiti.
''Bravery'' Her wand moved to the Gryffindor banner and Hermione heard Harry release a choked gasp. A great dragon burst from the unmistakable light of coloured fireworks flew. Beside it was the silhouette of a house elf wearing an oversized hat and brandishing a pair of socks.
Hermione struggled against the harsh knot in her throat fighting to be released. She would not cry.
''and resourcefulness'' McGonagall finished, sweeping her wand to the Slytherin Banner. House crests appeared, and a delicate doe strode proudly across the surface to nibble the base of a cauldron.
''We will honour those that sacrificed their lives for us. They held onto the light and protected the people they loved. In the year to come, I trust that you will all keep in mind the importance of working together.''
''Now, first years, your prefects will lead you to your dorms. '' She ended her speech with a sharp clap of her hands.
At the far end of Great Hall, Draco's distinguishable blonde head immediately rose and began ushering first year Slytherins to his side.
Harry spun in his seat so quickly Hermione was stunned he didn't have whiplash. 'He's prefect again?'' He spluttered in a strangled voice.
''Yes.'' Hermione replied simply.
''But how-why?'' Ron gaped.
Hermione fixed her gaze on the tall boy who was rapidly exiting the Great Hall, a small trail of terrified first years scurrying to keep pace with his long strides.
''House unity?'' Neville suggested dubiously, his face scrunched tight.
''I would think putting that prat in the spotlight would make house unity more difficult.'' Ginny scoffed. ''He's hated on both sides right now. A traitor for both.''
Hermione frowned. It did seem counterproductive.
''I can't believe you spoke at his trial Harry.' Ron groaned melodramatically, covering his face with his hands.
''I didn't have a choice. I was called in as a witness.'' Harry grumbled.
''Yeah, a witness for the defense. It's probably why he got off scott free!''
''I wasn't going to lie about what happened, was I?'' Harry snapped, stabbing his fork maliciously into the Gryffindor table.
'He wasn't going to kill Dumbledore. And he refused to identify us at the Manor. Besides, it wasn't just me.'' He added, very pointedly not looking at Hermione.
The unsubtle shift of blame did not go unnoticed however and Hermione stood with a sigh. ''Yes, thank you for that Harry.''
He grinned.
''For Godric's sake can we just forget about Malfoy for once?''
Hermione leant forward pressing her palms on the table and glaring determinedly at her seated friends.
''This year will be rough. The amount of schoolwork to catch up on is staggering but-' She gave them an encouraging smile. ''I know we can get through this and receive top marks! I mean, at least we know for once Voldemort isn't trying to kill you, Harry'.
''Kill you, kidnap you. Set an ugly snake on you.'' Ron chimed in with a slightly sing-song voice.
''So, this year, we can have complete focus.'' Hermione pressed on.
'To petrify you, or read your mind and get inside your head,''
''Stop it, Ron - Complete focus on your studies so-''
'Possess you, torture you, snatch you from your bed,''
Harry glanced at his best friend, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.
''So that you can become an Auror-''
''Maim you, frame you,''
''like you've always wanted-''
''Hypnotize you with a book''
''Oh forget it!'' Hermione roared and stalked from the table to gather up the first years, the sounds of mirth bursting behind her.
Ron peered curiously after the bushy haired brunette and then eyed Harry, who was trying and failing to stifle his laughter. ''What's her problem?''
oooOooo
Hermione's first morning of the school year was going perfectly well until Ernie McMillan ambushed her.
She had awoken early, eager to begin the new year with a fresh start. As she greeted her classmates in the Great Hall for breakfast, she noticed many students carried their own luminous smiles, secretly hoping that a positive attitude could wipe away the terrors of the last year. Settling in at the Gryffindor, she focused on her breakfast. As Harry whispering sweetly into Ginny's ear, she angrily squashed the jealousy that raised its ugly head.
Ron was concealed behind a teetering tower of food that rose higher than his head, inhaling it with gusto.
Feeling nauseated by the sight, Hermione ignored his gluttony and dug into her bag for her day planner as Neville stared, open mouthed at Ron's disgusting display of gluttony.
Halfway through the meal, owls flooded in through the open windows, delivering newspapers, letters, and the occasional parcel filled with items mistakenly left behind.
Ginny giggled as she rescued the Daily Prophet from a plate of bacon.
''Oooh look Harry, you're engaged! Why didn't you tell me?' Ginny admonished, giving him a playful smack on the arm and a flirty smile.
''Again?'' Harry asked, without raising his head from his plate. 'Who is it this time?''
''Seamus.'' She replied with a wink, as the Irishman toppled from his seat with an indignant squark.
''Oh shush, you'd be lucky to have him!'' Ginny said as the Gryffindors applauded, whistled and congratulated the pair on their upcoming nuptials.
As they trudged up the steps towards Charms, Hermione had just completed memorising her class schedule and mentally began planning her study sessions when the pompous Hufflepuff squeezed his shoulders between the Gryffindor Trio.
Clearing his throat in a way that was frighteningly reminiscent of Dolores Umbridge, he threw Hermione a dazzling smile.
''McMillan. So nice to see you.'' Hermione greeted; her eyes struck by the brightly polished badge upon his chest.
''Miss Granger! Always a pleasure. You know, just between the two of us, I'm relieved to have a reliable prefect such as yourself to help me this year. ''
Ron coughed loudly from Ernie's other side, thrusting his chest forward to show off his own prefect badge.
Ernie paid him no notice as he gave Hermione a tight politician's smile that never reached his eyes. ''You may not have been informed, but I have been given the position of Head Boy! Of course, it is an honour to be held in such high esteem by the Headmistress, to be so trusted during this difficult time-''
Hermione felt her eyes glaze as she tuned out Ernie's backhanded compliments.
Her mind began drifting lazily back to her day planner when she noticed a horizontal row of students blocking their path. The haphazard group stood halfway up the stairs, each craning their necks to peer above.
Coming to a standstill behind them, she slowly followed their gaze toward the vaulted ceiling and caught sight of what had captured their undivided attention.
Floating twenty meters over their heads was the resident poltergeist, Peeves, who was frozen mid-cackle clutching the ankles of a struggling Hufflepuff student.
Said Hufflepuff was hanging upside down in Peeves' grasp; body twisting and arms flailing through the empty air as he furiously struggled to extricate himself.
''Er'' said Harry eloquently, nonplussed.
'What in Merlin's name?'' asked Ginny, who appeared behind them and tilted her head curiously to the side, a gesture mirrored comically by her elder brother.
Ernie McMillan continued to bluster on, paying no attention whatsoever to the predicament afflicting the student floating above his head.
''Oh, hullo everyone. Sleep well?'' Neville said brightly, as the unfortunate Hufflepuff continued to flounder. The transfixed eyes of the gathered students rotated as Abercroft windmilling arms sent him into a slow, counterclockwise spin.
''Hello Neville, what happened?'' Ginny questioned.
''Just Peeves up to his usual tricks. He grabbed poor Abercroft here and was flying around with him. Seamus cast an Immobulus on Peeves but now they're...''
''Stuck!'' Luna chirped delightedly as she appeared on the stairwell behind them. The crowd of students was growing larger by the second. ''Quite clever really. Hanging upside down is excellent for circulation and creative thought.''
Giggles erupted from the crowd as Abercroft's robes succumbed to gravity's pull, falling over his head to reveal blue briefs, skinny legs, and turquoise socks dotted with tiny pink flamingos.
Hermione sighed and wearily raised her wand, continuing to ignore Ernie's droning about upcoming prefect duties. ''You unfreeze him Harry and I'll do the rest.''
Harry dutifully raised his wand and sent the counter spell as Hermione swiftly swung a stinging hex at Peeves, causing the Poltergeist to yell furiously and immediately drop the dangling boy, who bounced harmlessly on the stairs thanks to Hermione's hastily thrown cushioning charm.
''-no one I trust more, other than myself of course. Don't you agree, Miss Granger? Miss Granger?''
Hermione gave a start and threw an incredulous look at Ernie, amazed that he had finally paused in his preposterous rambling.
'Uh yes, of course Ernie. I completely agree.'' She said, eyes darting to the boy who had tumbled to a stop at their feet.
Ernie gave a relieved sigh and then clapped her sharply between the shoulders.
''Fantastic. Tuesday at 10 then. Don't be late.'' He said, and then briskly stepped over Abercroft's prone body, who was sprawled in an undignified heap, trapped and struggling within the many layered confines of his robes.
The crowded students stifled their laughter to help him disentangle himself as the Hufflepuff let out an impressive litany of curse words.
''Are you crazy!'' Ginny shrieked, roughly grabbing Hermione's arm, causing her to stumble and she would have taken her own tumble down the stairs if Ron hadn't thrown out a steady arm to catch her.
'Ginny!'' She exclaimed.
'Hermione!' Ginny countered. Harry was shaking his head at her as though she had just expressed a desire to breed Blast End Skrewts. 'Are you mad? Why would you agree to that? '' He asked.
Hermione felt panic surge.
''What is it? Oh Merlin, oh no, he didn't ask me out, did he?' Hermione gasped in horror.
'Worse than that' Ron scoffed. ''Blimey, weren't you listening? You have prefect rounds every Tuesday. With Malfoy.''
Hermione groaned. 'Oh Merlin, did I really agree to-'' The three Gryffindors nodded emphatically.
'Why isn't the slimy git paired with the Slytherin prefect?'' Ron said.
''I heard the Slytherin Prefect refused to work with him.'' Ginny replied, her look of horror now transformed to one of deep pity.
''Ánd now I'm stuck with him.''Hermione beganrubbing her temple. Harry put a comforting arm around her shoulders as they trudged up the stairs towards Charms.
It was going to be a long year.
oooOooo
Please review with any comments or criticisms! I've never written a story before, so I'd love to hear your thoughts.