Hermione's Choice
Disclaimer: Plot's mine, characters, setting and everything else minus the new Malfoy belong to J.K.Rowling.
Chapter 2
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade station at about five-thirty. The students clambered out, talking excitedly about the new term.
"All right, Hagrid?" Harry yelled to the half-giant at the other end of the platform. "Hullo you lot," he shouted, waving, "Come on first years over here!"
Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way out of the station and over to the horseless carriages waiting to take them up the sloping lawns to Hogwarts. The watery September sun was falling, setting a golden glow over everything. As Hermione got into a carriage, she sighed happily. She spent the majority of the short journey staring out of the window. The end of her last journey to Hogwarts was coming to a close and though she was filled with excitement for the new year, she was filled with sadness. She knew that in a year's time she would either be working somewhere or sat at home with her parents moping and remembering her times at Hogwarts. The thought itself dampened her high spirits.
Eventually, the carriages slowed and stopped. Harry and Ron got out first and offered their hands to Hermione. She shook her head and accepted them. Together they walked through the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall. It was decorated beautifully and the golden dishes and platters set on the four house tables sparkled invitingly. The trio took their seats and as Harry and Ron started greeting their fellow seventh years, Hermione looked around. Her eyes travelled up and down the other three house tables. She saw no girl or boy with a Head Boy or Head Girl badge. She hadn't even seen a Prefect badge yet. Her eyes flicked to the oak doors. She searched the students filtering through, no badges in sight. She switched her attention back to her own house and began to think; her brow furrowed in confusion.
Professor Dumbledore eventually cleared his throat and the cheerful chatter of the students died down. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," began the ageing Headmaster. Hermione glanced at Ron, who was examining the ends of his sleeves, the to Harry, who was listening to the Headmaster, admiration in his emerald eyes. They were like jewels, so beautiful and pure.
Hermione mentally shook herself. What was wrong with her? She had to stop looking into his eyes like that, she'd lose herself there one day.
The great oak doors clanged open and a group of about fifty first years came trooping through, Hagrid at the back. He went and sat at his place at the teachers' table as the first years got to the front.
"Let the Sorting Commence!" Dumbledore announced, sitting down and scanning the group of first years with his periwinkle eyes.
"Maguire, Ashley!" A small blonde girl stumbled forward and put the hat on her petite head. "RAVENCLAW!" yelled the ragged hat. "Parkinson, Rosie!" Another blonde girl strutted forwards. Harry groaned almost inaudibly. Hermione had a feeling that this was what most Gryffindors were doing. "SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Ceremony carried on until there was just one first year left. "Malfoy, Aqualius!"
Hermione gasped. An all-too-familiar boy was swaggering to the hat. He had piercing blue eyes, like his sibling. Hermione looked over at the boy's brother. He was whispering to Crabbe and pointing at the boy sitting on the stool. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione's mouth hit the table. The boy, visibly shocked at the hat's decision took off the hat and walked slowly to the Gryffindor table, who weren't cheering loudly as usual but where clapping politely and looking at the Slytherin table pointedly. Hermione risked a glance. Malfoy was sat there, stunned. He was watching his younger brother take his place at the rival table. Hermione nudged Harry and nodded towards Malfoy. Harry nudged Ron and the three cracked up laughing.
"Watch this," said Ron through his laughter. He stood up and shook Aqualius' hand. Harry and Hermione followed suit. When they had taken their places again, they looked straight at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was shooting venom at them through his icy eyes. Hermione gave him a sarcastic smile and the three turned to their house table where the golden plates had magically filled before their eyes.
Sorry about the non-Latin Malfoy name! I've never understood a word of Latin in my life so I honestly could not give him a good name! If anyone has any suggestions, please could you say in your reviews! Thanks!
Disclaimer: Plot's mine, characters, setting and everything else minus the new Malfoy belong to J.K.Rowling.
Chapter 2
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade station at about five-thirty. The students clambered out, talking excitedly about the new term.
"All right, Hagrid?" Harry yelled to the half-giant at the other end of the platform. "Hullo you lot," he shouted, waving, "Come on first years over here!"
Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way out of the station and over to the horseless carriages waiting to take them up the sloping lawns to Hogwarts. The watery September sun was falling, setting a golden glow over everything. As Hermione got into a carriage, she sighed happily. She spent the majority of the short journey staring out of the window. The end of her last journey to Hogwarts was coming to a close and though she was filled with excitement for the new year, she was filled with sadness. She knew that in a year's time she would either be working somewhere or sat at home with her parents moping and remembering her times at Hogwarts. The thought itself dampened her high spirits.
Eventually, the carriages slowed and stopped. Harry and Ron got out first and offered their hands to Hermione. She shook her head and accepted them. Together they walked through the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall. It was decorated beautifully and the golden dishes and platters set on the four house tables sparkled invitingly. The trio took their seats and as Harry and Ron started greeting their fellow seventh years, Hermione looked around. Her eyes travelled up and down the other three house tables. She saw no girl or boy with a Head Boy or Head Girl badge. She hadn't even seen a Prefect badge yet. Her eyes flicked to the oak doors. She searched the students filtering through, no badges in sight. She switched her attention back to her own house and began to think; her brow furrowed in confusion.
Professor Dumbledore eventually cleared his throat and the cheerful chatter of the students died down. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," began the ageing Headmaster. Hermione glanced at Ron, who was examining the ends of his sleeves, the to Harry, who was listening to the Headmaster, admiration in his emerald eyes. They were like jewels, so beautiful and pure.
Hermione mentally shook herself. What was wrong with her? She had to stop looking into his eyes like that, she'd lose herself there one day.
The great oak doors clanged open and a group of about fifty first years came trooping through, Hagrid at the back. He went and sat at his place at the teachers' table as the first years got to the front.
"Let the Sorting Commence!" Dumbledore announced, sitting down and scanning the group of first years with his periwinkle eyes.
"Maguire, Ashley!" A small blonde girl stumbled forward and put the hat on her petite head. "RAVENCLAW!" yelled the ragged hat. "Parkinson, Rosie!" Another blonde girl strutted forwards. Harry groaned almost inaudibly. Hermione had a feeling that this was what most Gryffindors were doing. "SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Ceremony carried on until there was just one first year left. "Malfoy, Aqualius!"
Hermione gasped. An all-too-familiar boy was swaggering to the hat. He had piercing blue eyes, like his sibling. Hermione looked over at the boy's brother. He was whispering to Crabbe and pointing at the boy sitting on the stool. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione's mouth hit the table. The boy, visibly shocked at the hat's decision took off the hat and walked slowly to the Gryffindor table, who weren't cheering loudly as usual but where clapping politely and looking at the Slytherin table pointedly. Hermione risked a glance. Malfoy was sat there, stunned. He was watching his younger brother take his place at the rival table. Hermione nudged Harry and nodded towards Malfoy. Harry nudged Ron and the three cracked up laughing.
"Watch this," said Ron through his laughter. He stood up and shook Aqualius' hand. Harry and Hermione followed suit. When they had taken their places again, they looked straight at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was shooting venom at them through his icy eyes. Hermione gave him a sarcastic smile and the three turned to their house table where the golden plates had magically filled before their eyes.
Sorry about the non-Latin Malfoy name! I've never understood a word of Latin in my life so I honestly could not give him a good name! If anyone has any suggestions, please could you say in your reviews! Thanks!