Hermione looked around her at the new surroundings. She had been though alot but began to believe that this was more than she could take. The pale green walls and dark green marble tile floor crowded her and made her feel more insecure than ever. Green, after all, was one of Slytherin's main colors. She walked up to a figure sitting on a bench next to a stairway. It was a girl named Melinda Krum.

"Are you Hermione?" she asked as she stood up and straightened her green plaid skirt.

"Yeah, I am. Who are you?" Hermione asked as she pushed her shades up on her head

"I'm Melinda Krum, Viktor's sister and your new roomate. You should have gotten here earlier. You're going to make me miss my favorite class just because I have to take you around"

"I can find my way on my own," Hermione said as she scowled and shifted the weight of her heavy backpack.

"Don't think you're going to get any special treatment just because you're new and my brother likes you. You're still from Hogwarts and that makes you an outcast. Don't think you'll fit in." Melinda twirled a strand of light brown hair absent mindedly as she stared at Hermione over her copper coloured glasses. She began to walk away, then turned back and stared at Hermione, as if she was to follow. Hermione did, although wishing she was back at Hogwarts more and more with every step.

Once settled in her room, Hermione pulled out her small cell phone, the only Muggle machine she had chosen to bring with her that term. She dialed a familiar number and almost shrieked when the girl answered.

"Hello?"

"Amelie? It's Hermione." She said, forcing herself to sound happy. In the background she could hear the voices of the Ravenclaw common room

"How are things there? Are you okay? I miss you" Amelie said in three short bursts. That was all it took. Hermione broke down and began to cry. "What's wrong? What did they do to you?" The seventh year immediately began to sound concerned.

"It's not bad--just different. My roomate is okay--but she's nothing like Lavender. I haven't even seen Viktor since I got here...I just wish I knew someone here. I don't want to be alone anymore." She paused, then thought better of her next question.

"Well, have you tried seeing him?"

"Not yet, I just got here an hour ago and I'm already shutting myself up into a corner."

"Why not let go a little and have some fun. I mean no one knows you there. You could act like a total skank!"

"Uhh, no offence or anything..but that's you not me"

"But it could be the durmstang you. And Viktor (not to mention every other guy) would definitely notice you."

"Uh huh, yeah right Ami. And where am I gonna get that kinda hoochie-wear?"

"Let's just put it this way: look in the outside pocket of your backpack" Hermione rolled her eyes and did what her friend said and saw a very short plaid skirt and a Britney-like catholic schoolgirl shirt.

"Are you trying to turn me into some kind of Britney?"

"Who's that?"

"Nevermind. Anyway, I gotta go to dinner. Wish me luck"

"Luck"

"I'll call you later," Hermione said as she disconnected the phone.