"Hermione... will you just stop fidgeting?" said Ron, as he tried to hold her still. Hermione couldn't wait to catch a glimpse of Hogwarts around the bend, just before the Hogwarts Express came to a halt.
"Okay, fine. Stop grumbling." Hermione gave Ron a stern look before picking up her robes, walked out of her compartment to change into them.
Ginny and Harry, who were seated opposite to them, rolled their eyes at the duo before pulling out their own robes.
"I'll go with Hermione to change. You guys change here quickly." said Ginny, giving a quick peck on Harry's cheek before she followed Hermione.
"Mione! Wait up!" Ginny ran after her, finally catching up with the Brunette witch, just as she was about to enter the small dressing room.
"What's up Gin? Got tired of romancing Harry, huh?" Hermione smiled warmly at the redhead. She was so happy that things had worked out between Ginny and Harry. Harry deserved happiness after everything he had been through, and Ginny could give that to him. And of course, Ginny deserved all the happiness in the world too. In the past few years, Hermione and Ginny had grown really close as friends, and there were times when Hermione preferred spending time with Ginny more than the boys.
"I don't think I could ever get tired of that." Ginny grinned as they got into the tiny cubicles in the dressing room.
"So, between you and Ron, are you guys on a break, or have you broken up?" asked Ginny, as they slowly walked back to their compartment.
"Honestly Gin, I don't know. Ron is amazing, and I really do love him. But I don't think I'm ready for a relationship yet. And I don't think I can give him as much as he gives me. I don't even know what I want now. And it wouldn't be fair on my part to hold him back until I figure things out." said Hermione, fiddling with her robes. Ginny nodded in understanding.
As they walked in silence, they passed by the compartment of a familiar blonde, who was sitting alone, his usually sleek and well-set hair ruffled and unkempt. Hermione felt a pang of sympathy towards the once cocky and arrogant Draco Malfoy, who now looked pale and miserable.
"Mione! Why on earth are you staring at Malfoy?" Ginny asked in a hushed whisper as she pulled Hermione away from Draco's compartment.
"Heavens Ginny! I wasn't staring at him. I just felt sorry for him." said Hermione, as they got into their own compartment, where Harry and Ron were waiting for them.
"Sorry for whom?" asked Harry, as he had heard only the last part of their conversation.
"Apparently, Hermione Granger is feeling sorry for the now miserable, yet obnoxious Draco Malfoy." Ginny rolled her eyes at Hermione.
"What? You feel sorry for that git Hermione? What's gotten into you these days?" Ron glared at Hermione while Harry and Ginny looked on.
"Well Ronald, not everyone has the emotional range of a teaspoon. I just said that I felt sorry for him, because he seemed so lonely and miserable. I'd hate to be alone when everyone around me is happily chatting with their friends. That's it. And there's absolutely nothing wrong in feeling sorry for people, even if they are your enemies." replied Hermione, as she pulled out a giant book to read.
Ron looked like he was about continue the argument when Ginny stopped him. "That's enough Ron. Stop arguing. We're almost there. Mione, just keep your book inside and get your bags down." Harry and Ginny flung their bags over their shoulders and walked out, hand in hand, leaving Ron and Hermione alone.
"Hey, Mione. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you just now. I know that you are a compassionate person and you would sympathise with anyone that is hurt or troubled, even if it is your enemy. I know you didn't mean anything wrong." said Ron, staring at his feet as he spoke.
"Ron…" Hermione gently touched his hand as she spoke. "I'm sorry too. I know you're angry at Malfoy for everything he has done… disgusted even. It's just that… when I saw him sitting alone in that compartment, it suddenly reminded me of my childhood, when I hardly had any friends. It reminded me of how alone I felt in all those social events. I'm sorry for overreacting. I knew you meant well."
"Alright then. Let's go now, shall we? " said Ron, as he took Hermione's hand and walked out of the compartment.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. First years gather around me please." the Trio smiled as they saw Hagrid rounding up the first years.
"Hello Hagrid!" Hermione ran towards Hagrid and wrapped her arms around his giant torso, giving him a hug. Hagrid laughed as he caressed her head before she let go. Harry and Ron followed the suit.
"Come on then. Hop into the boats. Time to be off." said Hagrid, as he got into the boat with 3 first years.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny got into a boat together. From the corner of her eye, Hermione caught a glimpse of blonde in the boat next to hers. She turned around to see him sitting anxiously in the boat with Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle. While Zabini, Pansy and Goyle were talking animatedly to each other, Malfoy looked steadfastly in the opposite direction. Suddenly, he turned around to catch Hermione staring at him. Embarrassed, she immediately put her head down to fiddle with her robes.
Just as they got into the castle, they saw a Silver Tabby cat waiting in the hallway along with Professor Horace Slughorn, the Potions master. "I want the first to sixth year students to follow into the Great Hall, where the sorting of the First Year students will take place. Those who have come here to re-take their seventh year, please wait here with Professor McGonagall." said Professor Slughorn, as he led all the students apart from the 7th years into the Great Hall. Ginny gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and nudged Hermione before she walked in with the rest.
The 7th years watched as the silver tabby cat transformed into a stern looking woman with emerald robes. "You all know that taking into account what happened last year, all the students will be repeating a year as there were no proper lessons or exams that were conducted, owing to the Death Eaters taking over Hogwarts." said Professor McGonagall, grimly staring at every student as she spoke. From the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Malfoy flinch as Professor McGonagall said the word Death Eaters.
"Since you will all be busy preparing for your exams, Hogwarts will not put the burden of leading and representing the school on just one head boy and head girl. Instead, Hogwarts will have two head boys and head girls, one from each house, with two prefects assisting them. Now, I will be calling out the names of students who are prefects, and I want them to come forward and take their badges." said Professor McGonagall, as she pulled out a scroll from her robes.
"From house Slytherin, the prefects are Zabini, Blaise and Greengrass, Daphne." Hermione watched as Malfoy gave an approving smile to Zabini, as he and Daphne went to collect their badges. "From house Hufflepuff, the prefects are Abbott, Hannah and Finch-Fletchley, Justin." Professor McGonagall gave a stern look as she heard a low cheer from Ernie Macmillan. "From house Ravenclaw, Boot, Terry and Goldstein, Anthony." Hermione waited with bated breath as she waited for Professor McGonagall to call out the Gryffindor prefects. "Lastly, from house Gryffindor, the prefects are Weasley, Ronald and Patil, Parvati." A loud cheer erupted among all the students, except the Slytherins, as Ron and Parvati stepped forward to collect their badges. Hermione clapped until her hands were sore. She was proud of her best friend.
"Now, for the four heads of the School. From House Hufflepuff - Macmillan, Ernest." Hermione congratulated Ernie as he collected his badge. "From house Ravenclaw – Patil, Padma." Hermione could see that Padma was blushing as she put on her badge. "From house Gryffindor – Granger, Hermione." There was a gasp from Hermione as soon as she heard her name, but everyone else already knew it. The Golden Girl and Brightest Witch of her age, always kind and helpful… she was the perfect choice. "From house Slytherin – Malfoy, Draco." A hushed silence fell over the crowd as all eyes were on Malfoy. Draco couldn't believe it himself. Why him? He saw Professor McGonagall beckon him with a kind smile on her face. He also saw Hermione look at her in disbelief.
"Professor, why me?" asked Malfoy in a whisper, as he took his place between Hermione and McGonagall. Hermione's head snapped up, as she heard him ask the question to professor McGonagall. "Because, Professor Dumbledore had faith in you Mr. Malfoy. Now, I want all the four heads, only the heads, to meet me in the Headmaster's chamber after the feast, and I will explain your duties and responsibilities in detail." said Professor McGonagall before she led the 7th years back to the Great Hall.
This year was definitely not going to be a breeze...