"I guess he'll still be doing commentary for Quidditch games?" Draco asked Hermione, who nodded, darkly, glaring at Zacharias. "Then I hope Weaslette will seriously injure him, like before."
Hermione grinned. "I doubt she will, Drake. She's the Captain now and Head Girl to boot."
"Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed anyways." Draco chuckled. "Isn't Smith also Hufflepuff's Captain? I'd almost forgotten."
"Yes, it seems so. I guess it's almost as if he's forgotten it himself, too, since he's not boasting about it."
Professor McGonagall came to stand in front of the two tables again, holding four bundles of parchment. "Good morning, students. I have the schedules for each House's seventh years, excluding yours. I need you to hand these out first and then I'll have yours ready for you. Mr. Malfoy, here's Slytherin." she handed Draco the top bundle.
"Ms. Granger, Ravenclaw." Hermione started to untie the string holding her stack together.
"Ms. Weasley, Gryffindor. And Mr. Smith, Hufflepuff." she finished freeing her hands of papers.
Turning around, she drew her wand out of her pocket, and magically amplified her voice. "Good morning, students! May I have your attention, please?"
A sea of heads turned their direction, and she continued. "I hope all you underclassmen enjoyed your first day of school yesterday. Now, today the seventh years start, so when those of you who are still lacking schedules finish breakfast, please come up to the Senior and Head tables to obtain them. Mr. Malfoy has Slytherin, Ms. Granger has Ravenclaw, Ms. Weasley has Gryffindor, and Mr. Smith has Hufflepuff. That will be all."
As she returned back to the High Table, de-amplifying her voice, while Luna came up to Hermione. "Good morning, Luna." Hermione greeted warmly. "Here's your schedule. I hope we'll have some classes together!"
"Hello Hermione!" Luna replied brightly. "I hope so, too. It's so nice to have friends at school!" With that, she skipped off the platform, allowing the Ravenclaws in line behind her to move forward.
Ten minutes later, the Great Hall had been practically deserted. Both students and teachers were off to class, but Hermione, Draco, Ginny, and Zacharias stood patiently in front of the High Table, waiting for Professor McGonagall to finish inspecting their schedules for any mistakes.
"Now, you four will have all your classes together, since you technically don't belong to any House. It was possible to put you four into a group of your own, since you're all taking the same classes, thank goodness. Your breaks are the same, and you'll have interacted with each House by the end of the week. Any questions?"
Hermione asked tentatively, "Professor, you mentioned the other night about Draco and I organizing events to promote House Unity? What did you mean by that?"
"Any activity that brings at least two Houses together will work. For instance, since we'll be having a Valentine Ball in February, you could organize a waltzing class for every Friday evening, with every student who attends earning ten points for their House. Each student should be partnered with someone of a different House, so that they come into contact with people of all ages and Houses."
Hermione nodded, starting to brainstorm even more ideas for these types of activities.
"Professor," Draco started, "Erm, I sort of… relieved Harper of his Captaincy this morning." he finished nervously.
Professor McGonagall stared. After a long pause, she sighed. "I was afraid this would happen. Harper didn't seem ready, but he was the only one with enough experience after you. But I didn't want to push this on you since you're Senior Boy… Ms. Weasley and Mr. Smith were in the same situation, too. So do you think you're up for this?"
Draco inhaled deeply, looking at Hermione. She smiled encouragingly, so he breathed out, and said, "Yes."
Professor McGonagall looked relieved. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. You were the first choice, so I'm glad the Captaincy belongs to you now. Any more questions?"
The four shook their heads no, so Professor McGonagall bid them good day, and bustled out of the Great Hall.
"Well, I guess that settles that." said Ginny. "I hope you won't take it too hard when Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup, Draco."
"No way. This is Hufflepuff's year." interjected Zacharias.
Draco rolled his eyes, and replied, "Wouldn't dream of it, Ginny. C'mon, guys, let's get to class."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Hermione could only remember the more important bits. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was Professor Phorces, who was a little too serious on his subject, but competent. Professor Slughorn was still teaching Potions, and he had invited her, Draco, Ginny, and Zacharias to all future Slug Club parties. The new Transfiguration teacher was Professor Rhyllian, who seemed like a younger version of Professor McGonagall, and was also the new Head of Gryffindor.
Other than that, Hermione didn't really notice much because she was focused on the class work. However, the homework load was much lighter than she thought it would be. Only an essay each from Phorces and Rhyllian, and a new charm to work on for Flitwick.
So Draco and Hermione left dinner feeling very content with their first day of class and walked back to their common room, with Crookshanks leading them. Hermione sighed as she dropped her book bag onto her bed. The time had come to reply to the letters.
She picked them up from the nightstand, rummaged for ink, parchment, and a quill from her book bag, and went back to the common room. Draco was already working on Rhyllian's essay, with his things spread out on the coffee table. Hermione sat down next to him, spread out her own things, and began to write.
Harry's letter seemed easier to address, so she composed a reply for him first. All she had to do was comfort him about putting up with Dawlish and his wife, and tell him how much Ginny missed him. She could write on and on, but knowing she couldn't put off Ron's letter forever, she closed it after two pages of her condolences.
Next came Ron's letter. She decided she would write only this:
Dear Ron,
Where are you again?
Love,
Hermione
Satisfied, she rolled up both pieces of parchment and tied them neatly. She also filled out the Daily Prophet subscription form she'd grabbed earlier, and then stood up.
"Hey, Drake. I'm going to the Owlery to send these off. I'll be back in a few."
"Okay, don't take too long. Come back soon to help me with this essay." he replied deftly, not looking up from his scribbling.
Hermione smiled as she trotted downstairs. He's so diligent. I've never seen that kind of work ethic in either Ron or Harry. He's actually very smart. I wonder how I never noticed!
These were the thoughts preoccupying Hermione's head as she climbed up to the Owlery. As she stepped into the abode of birds, she could see that the sun had almost set through the windows, and the hallways had been pretty much empty on her way up. She shivered involuntarily. It felt uncomfortable to be alone in the coming darkness. She felt uneasy, and realized she had forgotten her wand in the dormitory.
It was almost as if she had a sixth sense about impending danger. While Hermione was fastening her letters to a large barn owl's leg, she didn't quite notice a shadow lurking among the droppings in the far corner.