Hermione Granger softly trudged up to her rooms; she was looking forward to
a brand new year at Hogwarts. Earlier in the summer she had received a
greatly anticipated letter from Professor Dumbledore, informing her that
she had been chosen for head girl, she sighed and smiled to herself as she
remembered how she had been overcome with joy. Her parents had been very
happy for her of course and she had immediately written to both Ron and
Harry telling them all about it, her new responsibilities and how excited
she was, since after all it had been her dream ever since she had started
school.
Tonight was going to be very important, it was the sorting hat ceremony, she loved watching the first years eyes and their trembling fear as the waited in line, waiting for their moment to come. That one moment that would decide the rest of their lives. She smiled remembering herself starting here, eager and with such confidence knowing she was going to prove her self a worthy witch. Trying to be brave as she was silently hoping to herself the sorting hat would yell out Gryffindor! And the moment of true bliss as it did and she got to walk towards the table full of happy, encouraging, and brave Gryffindors.
Reaching her new Head Girl room, she reached her hand out and gently laid it on the door handle, feeling a tingle of excitement rush through her. Turning the knob and slowly stepping through the door she took in the area around her, the room was very large with an enormous window in the center of her far wall. It over looked the beautiful majestic forbidden forest. The walls were a warm red color with gold decorations (Gryffindor colors she noted) the floors were wooden with lush carpets scattered about. On the wall opposing her bed was a magnificent fireplace that was roaring with life. Her bed was a four-poster oak bed that was a nice size wide enough to sprawl out in and very comfortable; she noticed a large ball of orange fur lying in the center of her bed. Apparently Crookshanks had already made himself comfortable in his new surroundings. Shaking her head and softly laughing she walked across her room and over to her mirror, she looked into it. How she had changed over the years was amazing, her once bushy frizzy brown hair had changed into a beautiful sheet of straight and shiny chestnut brown hair that ended at about her middle. Her bushy eyebrows had thinned out and her eyes were the same warm cinnamon color they had always been. Her once 'large' teeth had been grown into quite nicely.
She felt her thoughts slide to, in her opinion the evil Professor Snape, and how she was slightly dreading but also looking forward to his increasingly hard potions classes. If there was anything Hermione loved rather than spending time in the library, it was a challenge. And she new that's exactly what a grueling double potions class was going to be, suddenly the ever so honest mirror spoke to her.
"It's okay darling you haven't grown a third eye, and might I say you are looking quite pretty" Hermione glared at the mirror before making sure her skirt was straight and her robes were then turning away. She walked into the bathroom smiling at the sight of an enormous bathtub; it was larger than a bathtub it was like a small pool! She looked longingly at looking forward to trying it out but then remembered the ceremony that she needed to get to in a half an hour. She found her toothbrush that the house elves had ever so kindly unpacked for her, and began brushing her teeth. Picking up her brush she ran it through her hair, and watched it swish down her back with every comb. Feeling satisfied with herself she said a small goodbye to Crookshanks. He rolled over and let out an irritated mew, with that she left her new bedroom and headed towards Griffendor tower.
Going down several flights of stairs after they had decided to change on her she finally reached the fat lady. She muttered quietly to her "chocolate frogs", the fat lady smiled and the painting moved aside revealing the passageway into the Gryffindor common room. She smiled noting how the room hadn't changed at all over the years. Looking into the corner of the room she saw Harry and Ron involved in a quick match of wizards chess.
She strolled over to them lightly tapping Ron on the shoulder. "You boys never change do you, and to think you may have missed the ceremony if it wasn't for me." She smiled at them putting her hands on her hips and throwing them one of her mischievous looks. This was the first time since last year that they had seen each other. Hermione had been directing a new group of first years on what to do when they reached Hogwarts, and answering questions for them on the train.
Ron looked up taking in the sight of her, his mouth dropped open as he noticed her hair and how beautiful she was. Harry punched him on the shoulder causing him to blush a deep crimson.
"Hermione it's been forever! Where were you on the train today?" Harry asked as Ron nodded his head absentmindedly. Harry got up and hugged Hermione and Ron followed his act.
"Well I had some things to take care of.. You know being head girl and all, I imagine you'll find out soon enough seeing as someone is a prefect!" She smiled at Harry and turned around waiting for them to follow her, the terrific trio was back she thought to herself. It suddenly dawned on her that she would be sitting with the teachers this year, another side affect of being head girl. As they left Gryffindor tower they broke out in a run to the Great hall but as they reached the doors Hermione stopped.
"You guys I just remembered I have to sit with the teachers, I'm really sorry" she looked down hoping it wouldn't be too terrible.
Ron and Harry laughed and ushered her towards the door leading to the staff's table, with one more longing glance at her friends she stepped through the doors. She took a deep breath and hoped there would still be a seat next to someone somewhat friendly left. Glancing around she didn't see any sign of Professor Snape anywhere at the table; she let out a sigh of relief. She caught sight of Professor Dumbledore who winked at her, his eyes still held the same sparkle as it did her very first year. She smiled back and took an empty seat next to the new Head boy Tom Melanor. There was a seat next to her that hadn't been taken yet. She hoped that after Professor McGonagall was done with the sorting hat ceremony she would sit next to her letting her at least have a little relief of having her favorite teacher there.
Since there were no more seats except one next to Professor Treewalney (she felt herself involuntarily shake with anger at the thought of her) she was sure to sit next to Hermione. Her current thoughts were dashed as she saw Professor Snape Stalk into the room; he threw a quick glance at the seat next to Treewalney then decided otherwise and sat down next to Hermione.
"Miss Granger." Snape said with a sneer as he sat down.
"Professor Snape" Hermione said with a fake smile and winced in her chair.
Luckily the first years entered at that moment taking her attentions away from her cruel professor for the moment. She couldn't help noticing something different about him; he seemed much less revolting to her. Yes he still had an intimidating aura around him, but there was something, perhaps the lack of greasy hair and yellow nasty teeth she decided.
Granger has changed thought Snape to himself as he looked at her from the corner of his eye. Her hair had tamed and he noticed her features that had most defiantly developed over the summer. He shook the thought away and turned his attentions on the first years making sure to take note of the new students entering his house.
The Granger girl was talking to Mr. Melanor, a very intellectual and arrogant Ravenclaw, they were talking about the courses they were taking this year. He noticed the manner the boy was talking to Miss Granger in, he dismissed it with a 'damn adolescents' and watched McGonagall yell out the name "George Smith". The young boy shyly stepped up to the stool and the hat yelled out "HUFFLEPUFF" a loud explosion of clapping came from the Hufflepuff table.
"Eric Johnson" a boy strode up to the hat and it yelled out "GRYFFINDOR" as soon as it was on his head. Hermione stood up along with the rest of the Gryffindors and cheered the new boy on. Several more students were sorted into mostly Gryffindor and a few in other houses. Snape shuddered to think of all the snot nosed Gryffindors he was going to have to teach now. After all of the students had been sorted to their houses Dumbledore stood up to make his beginning of the year speech. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to a new year at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. I would like to remind you that the forbidden forest is off limits to all students at Hogwarts. Hogsmead is also off limits to anyone under his or her 3rd year. With the rising powers of Voldemort I expect you all to behave properly according to the teachers and rules." He slowly looked around the room letting his eyes fall upon Harry Potter then continued, "We have a new defense against the dark arts teacher, Remus Lupin who will be arriving here tomorrow." An explosion of clapping came from the Gryffindor table and Hermione, "Which leads us to the announcements of head boy and head girl. Our head boy is Thomas Melanor, of Ravenclaw" a cheer came from Ravenclaw, "and our Head Girl is Hermione Granger, of Gryffindor" The Gryffindor table exploded in shouts of encouragement and clapping, Hermione felt herself blush many shades of red as she shrunk down in her seat. "Now let us eat" Dumbledore said with a smile of satisfaction clapping his hands the golden dishes filled with food. The plates filled with steaming chicken and mashed potatoes, Hermione was too nervous to eat anything. "Now miss Granger how will you ever go prancing about with Potter or find the energy to wave your hand about in my class if you don't eat your food." She heard Snape say silkily to her. She looked horrified that he was actually speaking to her, and answered to him meekly saying, "I'm not hungry I just think that the trip here disoriented me" then went back to prodding her food with her fork nervously. She felt a hand stroke her thigh and go slowly down to her knee were it abruptly stopped. She looked at Tom and gasped in shock at what he was doing. Who did he think she was? "I think you should be taking your hand off of me Tom seeing as I don't appreciate it." She angrily muttered under her breath. "But Hermione I thought you felt the same way? I mean someone as well put together as you must be used to this by now" his hand went farther up her thigh. Why wasn't this boy in Slytherin, the nasty little git, she thought to herself. She stood up from the table and slapped him then quickly ran out of the room. Dumbledore and Snape watched the girl run out of the room, both of their gazes instantly turned on Tom who was rubbing his face. Tom looked up and saw Dumbledore and noticed his eyes had lost their twinkle and changed to a hard stare. Hermione sprinted to her nice quite room letting her tears fall freely streaming down her face. She ran directly through Nearly Headless Nick who popped up in front of her, and after going up three flights of stairs she finally reached her rooms. Throwing open the door and putting a ward upon it, she flung herself on her bed as Crookshanks dodged her falling body. "The nerve of him, I mean who the hell does he think he is!" Hermione sobbed softly stroking Crookshanks who had nuzzled up against her and was purring as if telling her it was okay. "What a way to start out my first day here huh kitty?" she wiped her tears away and grabbed her Arithmacy book. She undressed and went to bed and began reading, throwing herself into various problems and puzzles, trying to forget about Tom.
Tonight was going to be very important, it was the sorting hat ceremony, she loved watching the first years eyes and their trembling fear as the waited in line, waiting for their moment to come. That one moment that would decide the rest of their lives. She smiled remembering herself starting here, eager and with such confidence knowing she was going to prove her self a worthy witch. Trying to be brave as she was silently hoping to herself the sorting hat would yell out Gryffindor! And the moment of true bliss as it did and she got to walk towards the table full of happy, encouraging, and brave Gryffindors.
Reaching her new Head Girl room, she reached her hand out and gently laid it on the door handle, feeling a tingle of excitement rush through her. Turning the knob and slowly stepping through the door she took in the area around her, the room was very large with an enormous window in the center of her far wall. It over looked the beautiful majestic forbidden forest. The walls were a warm red color with gold decorations (Gryffindor colors she noted) the floors were wooden with lush carpets scattered about. On the wall opposing her bed was a magnificent fireplace that was roaring with life. Her bed was a four-poster oak bed that was a nice size wide enough to sprawl out in and very comfortable; she noticed a large ball of orange fur lying in the center of her bed. Apparently Crookshanks had already made himself comfortable in his new surroundings. Shaking her head and softly laughing she walked across her room and over to her mirror, she looked into it. How she had changed over the years was amazing, her once bushy frizzy brown hair had changed into a beautiful sheet of straight and shiny chestnut brown hair that ended at about her middle. Her bushy eyebrows had thinned out and her eyes were the same warm cinnamon color they had always been. Her once 'large' teeth had been grown into quite nicely.
She felt her thoughts slide to, in her opinion the evil Professor Snape, and how she was slightly dreading but also looking forward to his increasingly hard potions classes. If there was anything Hermione loved rather than spending time in the library, it was a challenge. And she new that's exactly what a grueling double potions class was going to be, suddenly the ever so honest mirror spoke to her.
"It's okay darling you haven't grown a third eye, and might I say you are looking quite pretty" Hermione glared at the mirror before making sure her skirt was straight and her robes were then turning away. She walked into the bathroom smiling at the sight of an enormous bathtub; it was larger than a bathtub it was like a small pool! She looked longingly at looking forward to trying it out but then remembered the ceremony that she needed to get to in a half an hour. She found her toothbrush that the house elves had ever so kindly unpacked for her, and began brushing her teeth. Picking up her brush she ran it through her hair, and watched it swish down her back with every comb. Feeling satisfied with herself she said a small goodbye to Crookshanks. He rolled over and let out an irritated mew, with that she left her new bedroom and headed towards Griffendor tower.
Going down several flights of stairs after they had decided to change on her she finally reached the fat lady. She muttered quietly to her "chocolate frogs", the fat lady smiled and the painting moved aside revealing the passageway into the Gryffindor common room. She smiled noting how the room hadn't changed at all over the years. Looking into the corner of the room she saw Harry and Ron involved in a quick match of wizards chess.
She strolled over to them lightly tapping Ron on the shoulder. "You boys never change do you, and to think you may have missed the ceremony if it wasn't for me." She smiled at them putting her hands on her hips and throwing them one of her mischievous looks. This was the first time since last year that they had seen each other. Hermione had been directing a new group of first years on what to do when they reached Hogwarts, and answering questions for them on the train.
Ron looked up taking in the sight of her, his mouth dropped open as he noticed her hair and how beautiful she was. Harry punched him on the shoulder causing him to blush a deep crimson.
"Hermione it's been forever! Where were you on the train today?" Harry asked as Ron nodded his head absentmindedly. Harry got up and hugged Hermione and Ron followed his act.
"Well I had some things to take care of.. You know being head girl and all, I imagine you'll find out soon enough seeing as someone is a prefect!" She smiled at Harry and turned around waiting for them to follow her, the terrific trio was back she thought to herself. It suddenly dawned on her that she would be sitting with the teachers this year, another side affect of being head girl. As they left Gryffindor tower they broke out in a run to the Great hall but as they reached the doors Hermione stopped.
"You guys I just remembered I have to sit with the teachers, I'm really sorry" she looked down hoping it wouldn't be too terrible.
Ron and Harry laughed and ushered her towards the door leading to the staff's table, with one more longing glance at her friends she stepped through the doors. She took a deep breath and hoped there would still be a seat next to someone somewhat friendly left. Glancing around she didn't see any sign of Professor Snape anywhere at the table; she let out a sigh of relief. She caught sight of Professor Dumbledore who winked at her, his eyes still held the same sparkle as it did her very first year. She smiled back and took an empty seat next to the new Head boy Tom Melanor. There was a seat next to her that hadn't been taken yet. She hoped that after Professor McGonagall was done with the sorting hat ceremony she would sit next to her letting her at least have a little relief of having her favorite teacher there.
Since there were no more seats except one next to Professor Treewalney (she felt herself involuntarily shake with anger at the thought of her) she was sure to sit next to Hermione. Her current thoughts were dashed as she saw Professor Snape Stalk into the room; he threw a quick glance at the seat next to Treewalney then decided otherwise and sat down next to Hermione.
"Miss Granger." Snape said with a sneer as he sat down.
"Professor Snape" Hermione said with a fake smile and winced in her chair.
Luckily the first years entered at that moment taking her attentions away from her cruel professor for the moment. She couldn't help noticing something different about him; he seemed much less revolting to her. Yes he still had an intimidating aura around him, but there was something, perhaps the lack of greasy hair and yellow nasty teeth she decided.
Granger has changed thought Snape to himself as he looked at her from the corner of his eye. Her hair had tamed and he noticed her features that had most defiantly developed over the summer. He shook the thought away and turned his attentions on the first years making sure to take note of the new students entering his house.
The Granger girl was talking to Mr. Melanor, a very intellectual and arrogant Ravenclaw, they were talking about the courses they were taking this year. He noticed the manner the boy was talking to Miss Granger in, he dismissed it with a 'damn adolescents' and watched McGonagall yell out the name "George Smith". The young boy shyly stepped up to the stool and the hat yelled out "HUFFLEPUFF" a loud explosion of clapping came from the Hufflepuff table.
"Eric Johnson" a boy strode up to the hat and it yelled out "GRYFFINDOR" as soon as it was on his head. Hermione stood up along with the rest of the Gryffindors and cheered the new boy on. Several more students were sorted into mostly Gryffindor and a few in other houses. Snape shuddered to think of all the snot nosed Gryffindors he was going to have to teach now. After all of the students had been sorted to their houses Dumbledore stood up to make his beginning of the year speech. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to a new year at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. I would like to remind you that the forbidden forest is off limits to all students at Hogwarts. Hogsmead is also off limits to anyone under his or her 3rd year. With the rising powers of Voldemort I expect you all to behave properly according to the teachers and rules." He slowly looked around the room letting his eyes fall upon Harry Potter then continued, "We have a new defense against the dark arts teacher, Remus Lupin who will be arriving here tomorrow." An explosion of clapping came from the Gryffindor table and Hermione, "Which leads us to the announcements of head boy and head girl. Our head boy is Thomas Melanor, of Ravenclaw" a cheer came from Ravenclaw, "and our Head Girl is Hermione Granger, of Gryffindor" The Gryffindor table exploded in shouts of encouragement and clapping, Hermione felt herself blush many shades of red as she shrunk down in her seat. "Now let us eat" Dumbledore said with a smile of satisfaction clapping his hands the golden dishes filled with food. The plates filled with steaming chicken and mashed potatoes, Hermione was too nervous to eat anything. "Now miss Granger how will you ever go prancing about with Potter or find the energy to wave your hand about in my class if you don't eat your food." She heard Snape say silkily to her. She looked horrified that he was actually speaking to her, and answered to him meekly saying, "I'm not hungry I just think that the trip here disoriented me" then went back to prodding her food with her fork nervously. She felt a hand stroke her thigh and go slowly down to her knee were it abruptly stopped. She looked at Tom and gasped in shock at what he was doing. Who did he think she was? "I think you should be taking your hand off of me Tom seeing as I don't appreciate it." She angrily muttered under her breath. "But Hermione I thought you felt the same way? I mean someone as well put together as you must be used to this by now" his hand went farther up her thigh. Why wasn't this boy in Slytherin, the nasty little git, she thought to herself. She stood up from the table and slapped him then quickly ran out of the room. Dumbledore and Snape watched the girl run out of the room, both of their gazes instantly turned on Tom who was rubbing his face. Tom looked up and saw Dumbledore and noticed his eyes had lost their twinkle and changed to a hard stare. Hermione sprinted to her nice quite room letting her tears fall freely streaming down her face. She ran directly through Nearly Headless Nick who popped up in front of her, and after going up three flights of stairs she finally reached her rooms. Throwing open the door and putting a ward upon it, she flung herself on her bed as Crookshanks dodged her falling body. "The nerve of him, I mean who the hell does he think he is!" Hermione sobbed softly stroking Crookshanks who had nuzzled up against her and was purring as if telling her it was okay. "What a way to start out my first day here huh kitty?" she wiped her tears away and grabbed her Arithmacy book. She undressed and went to bed and began reading, throwing herself into various problems and puzzles, trying to forget about Tom.
