Disclaimer: Again, I DO NOT own any of the HP characters. That along with the setting all belongs to J.K Rowling which again is brilliant.
A/N: Aww!! Thanx so much for all your reviews! Zidane "non-members" are now allowed to review thanx for the advice! Oh I'm introducing Ginny, which is like my least fav character, but I'm not going to portray her rudely like some authors have. Ok so on with the story!
Chapter 2: New Beginnings
Students poured out of the train as the Hogwarts Express came to a halt. The trio jumped off the train and analyzed the students of all the years. Ron saw a few 1st years whispering and then pointing at Harry which slightly aggravated him seeing as though people were still fumbling over the idea that his best friend lived past You-Know-Who. Hermione heard a few "Is that him?" and "Can you see the scar?" or "Is it true?" in the murmuring crowd and started to laugh. Meanwhile, Harry, who had learned to accept the fact that people were going to be constantly watching him and pointing fingers, was staring at a monumental figure hovering over the 1st years and roaring in a deep voice.
"Hagrid!"
The figure turned to reveal the kind-hearted gatekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid.
" 'ello Harry..Hermione..Ron,"
"Lots of first years, eh, Hagrid?" commented Ron.
"Sure you can handle it?" joked Hermione.
Hagrid chuckled, his beard jiggling on his chin and said, "You all jus' forget how much trouble you all were!"
The group was instantly tickled with the goodness of giggles. It was good to joke around; it helped keep everyone from going insane from the real world.
"Ron!"
The red head turned to see his little sister, which was not so little anymore running towards them, her teeth showing through her wide smile.
"Hey Ginny,"
"Hi everybody. Hello Hagrid." She gave everyone a friendly little nod and Ron put a brotherly arm around her. They were very close considering they were only a year apart.
"We'll be seeing you Hagrid," Harry said as he waved good-bye.
"Yeah we don't want our Head mister and mistress to feel hungry now do we?" Ron was the only one laughing and Hermione gave him a stern look telling him shut up, now! Hagrid winked secretly at Harry which made him feel slightly uncomfortable but let it pass as a friendly little gesture and not a suggestive one.
"All 1st years this way! Follow me to The Great Hall!" roared Hagrid.
The Great Hall was filled with the echoes of happiness and rejoicing. The professors all sat in a row in front of the Hall, their wisdom reflecting off their appearance. The only teacher missing was Professor McGonagall who Harry knew was with the first years and was going to begin the Sorting Ceremony. Like clockwork, Minerva McGonagall burst through the large double doors, a herd of frightened youngsters close behind. She reached the end of The Great Hall where there was a stool and a rugged old hat. The Sorting Hat as usual did its speech that still made no sense whatsoever.
"Now, I will call your name and you will come and sit on this stool. I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses."
She paused, cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses to look at the long parchment will the names of the new years.
"Alright, let us begin…"
And so the Sorting began. There were 7 new Gryffindors, 5 Hufflepuffs, 4 Slytherins, and 8 Ravenclaws. When the new students sat at their house tables the headmaster called for silence. All eyes were on Albus Dumbledore who warned them about the Forbidden Forest and other restrictions. His warm smile welcomed everyone to the start of a new year, which in his opinion was always going to be "better than the last." The plates enchantingly filled themselves with mouth-watering food people only dreamt about. Ron sat next to Harry and Hermione was in front of him. Harry looked over to the professors and was content to see that Professor Lupin was back to teach the Defense Against The Dart Arts class, which he had loathed except when he had taught it. Ginny had seated herself next to Hermione and ignited a conversation rather quickly. Ron was talking to Neville about what Harry supposed was Quidditch since his hand movements suggested it. So Harry ate in silence but the thought of being Head Boy and his penchant to want to see his room excited him too much and he found it hard to keep still. This was really big for him; who would have thought he'd be Head Boy? He tried to eat slowly, maybe that would make time seem to go by faster.
Hermione and Ginny were talking non-stop and Hermione was becoming rather bored about talking about hair maintenance. She really wanted to talk with Harry seeing as though no one was. She quickly wrapped it up so that Ginny's voice would no longer shrill in her ears. She sighed as Ginny thanked her and turned to talk to a 6th year Hermione, nor anyone for that matter, knew. Boy, I guess it runs in the family she thought as she glanced over at Ron. Hermione looked over at Harry and smiled. He looked in need of comfort, she wanted to wrap her arms around his next and—What am I thinking!!! She shook her head and looked over to him. He looked back up and gave her a smile she returned. Maybe there was something there… She blushed at the thought of her and Harry.
Dumbledore's voice disrupted her fantasy.
"All prefects show the years to their common rooms and I hope you all have a wonderful year"—He looked at all the teachers and added, "which I am sure you will. Good Night!"
As all the students followed the arrogant prefects, McGonagall's footsteps were heard behind Harry and Hermione who out of leadership stayed behind to follow the 1st years and make sure there was order.
"Potter, Granger please follow me to your chambers,"
The two looked at each other and then to Ron who looked back at them as if he were never going to see them again. Harry nodded, smiled and followed Hermione who was on the professor's heels.
It was a kind of long walk up many vast unpredictable stairs until McGonagall came to a large portrait of Gordic Gryffindor to honor the fact that it was two Gryffindors made the Heads. McGonagall turned and looked sternly at both of them.
"Now you are to tell NO ONE this password. We expect a lot from you two so do not disappoint us. Now then: Chocolate Frogs!"
Harry smirked and tried not to laugh. Ha is that the password? Minerva looked at him and raised her eyebrows.
"Sorry,"
She sighed and instructed, "Follow me,"
McGonagall showed them where their rooms were and the bathroom that connected them.
"There is also, behind this portrait, an entry to the Gryffindor common room." She smiled. "Congratulations."
With that she left the two alone and they were breathless. This was more striking than their wildest dreams.
"Well I guess we deserve it," she stated as she fell back on the velvet scarlet couch.
"Yeah we did," Harry echoed as he sat beside her.
There was an awkward silence and Hermione could have sworn she heard crickets. She was going to say something that would make her blush down to her knees.
"You know what?" she trembled as she sat up so that she and Harry were at eye level.
"I'm really grateful to share this experience with my best friend. I'm glad it was you and not a stranger," she stammered.
He grinned a grin that made her melt and replied, "I'm glad too."
He put his arm around her and rubbed it soothingly. She looked up into his eyes and smiled.
"Thanks Harry. Thanks for always being there for me,"
"Hey no prob! It just might have been meant to be, you know," he chuckled and she stood up to avoid herself from doing something she would most definitely regret. Harry stood up also and yawned. Hermione's eyes wondered over to the clock and she gasped slightly.
"Oh gosh it's late. It's best if we get some sleep." She paused and bit her lower lip. She put her hair behind her ears and her hands behind her back. What do I do now?
"Well Goodnight Harry,"
"Night,"
Hermione hesitated and then sauntered up to her room that was exquisitely designed to match her taste. Silky violet curtain hung at the windows and the queen sized bed had a lovely white canopy draped over the purple comforter which was laced with gold. Dozens of pillows embroidered with her initials and a Gryffindor lion were placed gently at the head. Hermione spread her arms out and flopped backwards on the comfortable bed. She sighed heavily and her eyelids dropped. Tomorrow they'd be starting classes, Harry would be starting Quidditch, and she would be the bookworm. All would resume as it was. But something in that annoying pessimistic mind of hers told her all was not what it seemed.
~*End of Chapter 2*~
A/N: Hope you like! It took a while but I finished chapter 2. If it's kinda slow I'm sorry but I gotta get this warmed up before they really get serious (no not that way you pervs). R/R Oh and there's gonna be lots of fluff in the next chapters. Just warning if you're not into the mushy stuff. Lol =)