PART 2
Ch. 16- Prefects
I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO HARRY POTTER
Harry had not only finally joined them at the new headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, but he had been cleared of the charges against him. Sirius looked disappointed and Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for him, all alone here. She could not dwell too much on his disappointment Harry would return to Hogwarts, for the school letters had arrived.
"I've been made prefect!" She shouted excitedly. Ginny looked at her and laughed and hugged her.
"Congratulations!" She told her. Hermione headed up the stairs. "I wonder if Harry is the other Prefect." She asked and she opened the door to the boy's room. Harry held the prefect badge in his hand.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled. "I knew it!" She said and hugged him.
"Actually." Harry began. Ron looked at her crossing his arms and taking the badge from him.
"I've actually been made Prefect." Ron said. And she looked at him bewildered and confused.
"You have?" She looked disappointed for a moment and then she realized that Ron was watching her. "Of course, you have! Congratulations." She spoke. "Me too." She showed him her badge. Ron smiled at her weakly. Harry looked irritated. When Mrs. Weasley had found out, she all but squeezed the life out of her youngest son. She was ecstatic and decided to throw a celebration. Most of the Order was there to celebrate Ron and Hermione's achievement. Sirius sat sulking in the corner, staring into the fire for most of the night. Lupin sat close by, watching his friend.
"You were a prefect too, weren't you Remus?" Molly asked and Tonks snorted.
"You?!" She laughed. "Didn't you and your friends cause all sorts of trouble?" She asked him and he laughed, looking at Sirius, who did not join in the conversation.
"I think it was Dumbledore's hope that I was a good influence on the others." He told them all.
"Fat chance of that." Sirius finally spoke and Harry came to sit by him. Slowly the conversation continued, and the celebration livened up. Sirius was not his usual self, and it was clear to everyone. He excused himself earlier then the rest and Harry nearly followed him.
"Give him some time Harry." Lupin told him. Ron and Hermione sat across from Remus and Harry.
"I don't know how to help him." Harry muttered.
"It has nothing to do with you, my boy." Lupin asked him.
"Is it because he has to stay locked up in this old house?" Ron asked, stuffing another roll in his mouth.
"It's what safest for him, Ronald." Hermione added. Harry watched her. "Dumbledore says." She added.
"It's miserable." Harry said.
"Really, you mustn't worry about him. He'll be alright, in time. We've all lost so much since the last war. It just catches up to you. Things you didn't even know you lost." He spoke.
"Like what?" Ron asked, not really paying attention.
"Ron." Hermione snapped.
"It's alright Hermione." Remus laughed. "I'm not sure it's my place to say." He hesitated. "But I'm sure in time, he will speak to you about it." Remus added for Harry's sake. His face had fallen, and his eyes lingered on the spot where Sirius had left. As everyone shuffled off to bed, Hermione lingered behind. She helped Mrs. Weasley clean up the kitchen. Harry was still being short with her and Ron. They had gone up to bed. She walked up the stairs to the second floor. She roamed down the hallway, with every intention to meet with the boys, but something had caught her eye. Sirius sat in another dust covered room. It was dimly lit, and he stared from the window.
"Sirius." She whispered. He turned towards her started and wiped his face. She walked closer to him. "Are you alright?" She asked him. Sirius put on his bravest smile. A Gryffindor through and through she thought.
"Fine." He spoke. "You should be careful where you wander around this house, Hermione. I'm not exactly sure what type of creatures have made this their home." He smiled wider and she returned it.
"I'm aware. I was going to check if Harry and Ron were still awake. Mrs. Weasley wants us up bright and early tomorrow." She said, not putting much importance on her words.
"Yes, your fifth year at Hogwarts and a prefect as well." He told her. "You remind me so much of Lily." He said and Hermione blushed. She knew in what esteem Sirius held his friends. Lily was one of the most important people in his life. To compare her to Hermione was no small feat.
"Thank you." She spoke. "It's strange, I can't really imagine life after Hogwarts." She told him and he turned back towards the window.
"Before you know it, you will all be making plans. After the war of course. Once he is defeated, you can all go on and live extraordinary lives." He spoke.
"I'm sure this is not what you planned for after Hogwarts." She told him, but her words came out in a whisper towards the end. Of course, her words were inconsiderate. Sirius had not planned on being betrayed by his friend. He had not planned on losing everyone in his corner. He had not planned on mourning his best friends and be sent to Azkaban for their murders. "I'm sorry what I meant was- "She tried, but he picked his hand up.
"I planned to fight." He spoke. "I planned to be in the order and help defeat the dark wizards." He exclaimed. "I would have never imagined it would continue on this long." He spoke. "As if we hadn't lost enough." He spoke.
"I'm sorry for brining it up." She said, but Sirius had begun a rant that she had not expected.
"My parents, my brother, James and Lily, countless friends, and people who didn't deserve to be lost to this war and they are all just gone." His hand curled into a fist. "But at least I can do my part." He said bitterly. "At least I can say that one of my plans panned out. Here I am still a member of the order of the phoenix." He laughed bitterly again. Hermione did not know how to continue. She felt horrible for beginning this conversation.
"Sirius." Remus said from the door. Tonks stood behind him, her usual smile lost from her face. "I think you may have had enough." Hermione noticed for the first time the bottle of fire Whiskey in Sirius' hand.
"Really is that what you believe?" He asked, walking towards him quickly. Sirius raised his hands defensively. "Who bloody asked you?" He said and stood, a slight wobble in his stance.
"That's enough." Lupin told him. Sirius turned back on Hermione, and She jumped.
"I think he may be right." Sirius said too calmly and drained the contents of the bottle into his mouth and tossed it towards the window he had been staring out of. It smashed into pieces. Hermione suddenly felt herself being pulled in the opposite direction. She stood behind Tonks and her glowing red hair. "Are you afraid of me?" Sirius laughed. "I guess you have a point." He smiled and Hermione looked up at Lupin who wore an angry look across his face.
"Sirius!" Tonks called out. "You can't- "She started to speak, but his look silenced her.
"Everyone in my life, they always leave." He told them all. Hermione could feel Tonks pushing back on her, towards the door.
"I'm here." Remus told him.
"Where were you then?" Sirius' voice broke as he slumped into the closest chair. Remus looked at Tonks and Hermione's eyes watered as she watched Sirius crumble. He looked so broken. He sobbed into his hands.
"Leave us." Remus whispered and Tonks nodded, watching Sirius with sad eyes. Her red hair turned blue, then black. She took Hermione's arm and led her away. Remus walked towards his friend and sat beside him, a sigh escaping his breath.
"It's alright. Remus will take care of him." She told Hermione. Hermione's tears were streaming freely now. She led her to the stairs.
"Why is he so upset?" She managed to whisper back.
"I'm not sure." She said, but Hermione recognized a flicker of something behind her eyes. "He'll be fine. You should head off to bed. Molly will have our heads if we're late." She smiled and Hermione wiped away her tears and headed to bed. She did not fall asleep for a while. She never checked on Ron and Harry, and Ginny was already asleep when she arrived. Hermione laid on her bed, her hand gripped around the pulsating Snowflake around her neck. She thought about her friends and the Weasley's and the order. Then she thought about Sirius and James and Lupin and Lily. Lastly before she lost consciousness she thought about Draco.
Draco looked at all his things packed up around his bedroom. He looked around again, thinking about what he may have left behind. He thought he had everything. His mother called down to him.
"Are you nearly ready Darling?" She asked him.
"Yes." He only took his bag; the other things would be brought down for him. Draco met his mother at the top of the stairs. She wore a suspicious smile. "What is it?" He asked her. She took his arm as they descended the stairs.
"I've arranged for a little surprise before your departure. You barely left me a choice since you hadn't picked a gift for becoming prefect." She said, as they turned towards the front door, Draco saw what she stared at. Rose stood there in blue and black robes.
"Rose!" He said excitedly. He had not seen or heard from her for weeks since she returned to her home. The girl could not hold her content either. She hugged him tightly for a moment and then took a step back remembering herself. Draco laughed. "You're back."
"It's very good to see you, Draco." She spoke. Lucious stood close by, a wide smile on his face.
"Yes, Rose will be accompanying us to the train station. Your mother was pretty insistent." He told them. Draco turned back to his mother.
"Thank you." He told her.
"You're welcome, darling. We'll leave in about half an hour." She told them and walked over to Mr. Malfoy. Draco led Rose outside and the two of them fell into their familiar routine. Once they were far enough away from the house, her stance changed, and the subject changed abruptly.
"What happened? Where did you go?" He asked her. She laughed.
"I really did go home." She spoke. "My grandfather has been introducing me to so many people. I spent some time at the Ministry. I saw your father there a few times. I think my uncle wants me to enroll in school, but as far as I can tell, it's not going to happen." She said sadly. "Still, when your mother's letter arrived, it was such a relief. I couldn't send you an owl. Everything I do or write is being watched." She spoke.
"I wonder why?" He spoke. "Wait! I nearly forgot to tell you." He pulled from his robes the book she had left him and cast the same spells he had before. The words appeared suddenly.
What is mine, but only you can have?
She placed her fingers on the book.
"It sounds familiar, but I can't remember." She spoke. "I'm actually glad I'm here. I was hoping you would keep going. Do you think you can find a way to get more information about them when you return to school?" She asked and he nodded.
"I was already planning to." He spoke. "I should also teach you, how to cloak your letter, so that you can write me freely." She smiled.
"I missed you." She told him.
"I missed you too." He spoke. "Now come, let's get started, we don't have much time." They spent their short time on the spells required, but before they knew it, it was time to go to King's cross. Draco had a new sense of excitement now. They pushed his cart ahead of his mother and father and Rose thought the entrance to the platform was clever. All the people crowded the platform and Draco's father arranged for people to carry his son's things onto the train to their waiting compartment. They stood together in a small huddle, until his parents separated to speak to a few other parents. Draco stood close to the train and Rose held his arm tightly.
"Are you nervous?" She asked him and he shrugged.
"No, why do you ask?" He spoke.
"Because you keep looking around the platform. Are you waiting for someone?" She said and she smiled widely. Her voice dropped. "Are you hoping to see her?" He shook his head looking towards his parents.
"No."she laughed beside him. Draco felt people staring at him as they boarded the train. His eyes were fixed on the entrances.
"How long does it take to get to school?" She asked.
"We won't be at school until this evening." He told her.
"With all the magic in this world, you would think they would make an easier way." She laughed. "What do you do with all that time?"
"You sound like you want to come aboard." He asked and she laughed.
"If only." She told him. "I may be a little older than the rest of the first years." She spoke. "But even so, I don't think I could handle you bossing me around." They laughed and he was taken by surprise when he finally saw Hermione. She walked rushed followed by Ron Weasley, his laugh faltered. It only took him a moment to refocus, but Rose had already seen.
"She's lovely." She told him in whispers. The time seemed to stand still for him, and before he could answer her, his parents had returned. They hugged him.
"Make us proud son." His father told him. "Remember what I've told you about this year." He said and Draco nodded. His mother held him close to her and kissed his cheek.
"Do great things." She said and he nodded as well.
"I do not believe it." His father whispered and they all followed his gaze. He stared at the parade that had arrived. Harry Potter and a very large black dog. Draco looked up at his father and he understood what had happened. Rose stared too, but she had a look of curiosity about her.
"You don't want to be late." His mother said. Draco walked towards the train, Rose's hand still clutching his arm. Her eyes were transfixed on the dog.
"Rose." He shook her. She looked dazed and then at him.
"I'm sorry." She said, looking back at the dog. "Have a good term. You'll hear from me soon. Have fun!" She told him. Rose hugged him quickly and kissed his cheek. He smiled and climbed aboard. As soon as he boarded her eyes were fixed on the dog again. His paws were on the window. The train whistle blew, and she took a step towards it. The dog looked back for only a second. They stared at one another, and Draco watched as he walked forward toward the prefect's car. The dog ran beside the train until there was no where for it to run and then all but disappeared. As he walked forward, his hear beat quickly. He knew that Hermione would be there. He had noticed her Prefect badge pinned to her clothes. He had to remember his promise to her. He had to give her, her space, but it had not meant that he had not thought about this moment. When they would once again be in the same place. A smile extended across his face, and it took all of him to compose himself. He opened the door to the compartment and saw Pansy speaking to the prefect's for Ravenclaw. She smiled widely when she saw him and walked away from the other.
"Draco!" She spoke.
"How are you Pansy?" He asked, but it was an odd sensation that came over him. He could almost feel where Hermione was. Even though his eyes were fixed on Pansy, his entire being enflamed at her proximity. He fought against the urge to find her, pull her into his arms and crush his lips onto hers.
"I'm good. How was your summer?" She asked him.
"It was good." They sat down as the head boy and girl walked toward the middle of the cart.
"Welcome." The head boy said.
"Who was that with you on the platform?" Pansy whispered.
"Later." He said, focusing on the head boy and girl. His heart thumped loudly.
"Congratulations on this great honor." The head girl said.
"We just wanted to touch base and give you the expectations of your duties." Their speech was not enough to distract Draco. Towards the end of their talk, his eyes tried to peek at Hermione, but Weasley sat blocking her from his view and looking at Draco. Draco smiled to himself. They were encouraged to mingle before going back to their compartments. Pansy stared at Draco as the others started conversing.
"So, who were you with?" Pansy asked and Draco rolled his eyes.
"She's a family friend. Why are you so curious?" He asked her.
"Is she the Avery girl?" Pansy asked and She gained Draco's real focus. He nodded. "Of course, you would know her." She laughed.
"The Avery Granddaughter?" Padma asked close by. "I'm sorry, but it's all anyone was speaking about at the beginning of summer." She spoke. Hannah Abbott came closer to observe the conversation. Before he knew it, everyone was in on their conversation.
"What is everyone's interest in her?" Draco asked.
"Curiosity mostly." Padma told him.
"No one's seen her yet." Ernie spoke.
"Except the Malfoy's." Pansy corrected.
"What is the big deal?" Ron asked and it gave Draco the opportunity he had been waiting for. He looked at them. Ron asked and Pansy scoffed.
"Nothing to you Weasley. But to those who care about the social order, it is big news." Pansy told Ron. Hermione looked at Ron and then at Pansy. Her hand holding the snowflake on her necklace. On the inside, Draco's heart swelled, but he managed to remain calm.
"Social order?" Ron asked.
"She is not a rare oddity. She's just a girl." Draco spoke and picked up his bag. "Let's go." He told Pansy.
"Just a girl? Do you fancy her?" Pansy spoke louder than she had expected to as they walked out. He did not look back to see if anyone was interested in her words.
"No. But she is a friend, and I will not have you or anyone else gossiping about her in front of me." He told her.
"I'm happy to see you've at least moved in the right direction since last we spoke." Pansy teased.
"Let's not dwell on the past Pansy. This year is set to be- "Draco started to adjust his badge, looking at some first years a short way down. "Interesting." She smiled and he was relived to see she believed him.
Hermione kept her eyes transfixed on the others until the compartment door closed. She let out a breath and was proud for a moment. She had not even looked at Draco, although Ron had thrown him daggers as soon as he arrived.
"Really, she's very pretty." Padma added after they left. "I didn't know that's who Draco was with, but I did see her as we were boarding."
"I don't understand." Hermione finally contributed. "Why was everyone talking about this?" she asked, and Hannah smiled shyly at her.
"No one knew she existed." Padma told her. "Literally she's the heir of the entire Avery line." She said and Ron shrugged.
"So what?" Padma shook her head and rolled her eyes at Ron.
"Even I'm interested in it. She appeared out of no where and has continued to be kept secret. Now to hear she's spent some of her time with the Malfoys." Hannah said.
"They could just be hoping that they've finally found a suitable match." Padma said and Hermione shook her head.
"We should go find Harry." She told Ron who nodded and followed her out. When they were alone, Ron looked nervously around.
"You're over that guy, aren't you?" he asked. Hermione looked straight ahead.
"You have nothing to worry about Ron." She said and sighed relieved once she found Harry and Ginny in a compartment with Neville and the Ravenclaw girl named Luna.
"Hey." Harry looked at them relieved. Luna straightened out and allowed for Hermione and Ron to join them.
"How was it?" Ginny asked and Ron shrugged.
"Boring."
"Well, I'm glad you're done with it." Harry told them, but Hermione bit her lip.
"Actually, we'll have to patrol every so often and we have to meet the first years at the door of the train once it stops. Help them along." Hermione said.
"You should see them Harry, they are so small." Ron told him. "Hard to believe we were ever that small." He laughed. Hermione left Ron shortly after to patrol. He was busy eating and promised to join her soon. She walked up and down the corridor, peering into the compartments, when she inadvertently let herself into the Slytherin cart. Everyone looked back at her, and she stood perfectly still, contemplating leaving. But she still had the rest of the train to check on.
"What are you doing here, Mud- "Draco appeared and put his hand on Crabbe's shoulder. It silenced him and Draco took a small step towards Pansy.
"She's patrolling, genius." He said, leaning against the seat where Pansy sat. "Goldstein and Padma have already come through here; they were going to start in the front and work their way back. Pansy and I have already done so." Draco said, not looking at her directly. "You can pass through if you'd like." He told her, looking down at Pansy. Pansy wore a look of surprise, as did the rest of the Slytherin.
"No, thank you. I'm sure you all have it handled." Hermione turned back and opened the compartment door.
"Draco's gone soft." Zabini laughed.
"Grow up. I have more important things to do this year then torture people." She heard Draco tell him, she stepped out of the cart.
"Like what?" Zabini said. Hermione had let the door close behind her and she did not hear Draco's answer. He had done the impossible and stood up for. Hermione worked her way back, running into the Hufflepuff prefects and eventually Ron.
"I'm sorry. I bumped into Fred and George and had to get passed them to find you. It took a while."
"The job is done now; Ronald and you need to take it more seriously." She said to him. Ron looked abashed and cleared his throat a few times before speaking again.
"I am sorry. I will do better Hermione." He told her and she smiled up at his pouting look. "Hermione, I've been meaning to ask you something." He stopped walking and looked down at his feet.
"Yes." She looked at him and his ears grew red. "What is it?" She spoke. She had a feeling she knew what. It had not always been obvious to her, but she knew she had felt something like a crush on Ron before her escapades with Draco. Right now, she could feel it again. The small flutter of butterflies pushing her towards him.
"Well, it's just that." He started. "Well, you see." He continued. Hermione stared at him as the door to a compartment fell open.
"Can you help me?" A small girl fussing with a tie looked at them. Hermione smiled as Ron groaned.
"Ron!" Hermione said. "Of course, we can help you." She helped the little girl with her tie, all the while Ron stared at her, his whole face now red.