Disclaimer: I really wish I owned Draco, but I don't, JKR owns everything
in this story, except for the stuff I own.
Chapter 3- Sorting Things Out
When we arrived at Hogwarts about 15 minutes later, it was pouring rain. By the time I was able to run from the train to a carriage, and from a carriage to the school, I was soaked through to the bone, my robes were clinging to my skin, and my hair was dripping on the floor.
Once everyone was seated in the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling portraying the gloomy weather outside, Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat, and the new first years were placed. After about forty-five minutes, everyone was starving and Gryffindor had seven new members.
"Before we bring out the food, I have one last announcement to make." Ron, beside me, groaned. "Some of you may have heard news of a new event at Hogwarts this year. I am excited to inform you that all of the third year and above students will be taking a class trip, in April." There were some yelps of excitement, and he continued. "The Prefects and Heads, but mainly Prefects as the Heads have other business to attend to, will be making a list of places that you may go, and I will make the final selection of five places, one for each of the years. You will, eventually, get to go to each place, as you go up in years. You will have plenty of time to prepare for this trip, and you will get more explanations as the time draws nearer. For now, look forward to the annual Halloween event. That is all. Let the feast begin."
"Fi'ally!" Ron exclaimed a moment later, his face already stuffed with bread and mashed potatoes. "'Ermio'e, 'ow come you," he paused and swallowed his food, "never told us about the trip?" he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, I was dying to tell you guys, but Dumbledore said not to," I apologized. "Do you guys like the idea, though? I think it's splendid."
"Yeah, it sounds excellent!" shouted Seamus, from across the table. I grinned at him and he shot a smile back.
"We should go to Spain, Hermione! Put Spain on the list!" Dean put in.
"Oooh, and Italy, I've always wanted to go to Italy. And..."
The rest of the evening consisted of talk about the trip, and my friends putting in their opinions in where we should go for fifth year. When dinner was over, I was exhausted, but I couldn't wait to get up and see my new home for at least the next year. When everyone was filtering out of the hall, I waited at the bottom of the stairs for Terry, Hannah, Draco, Katie, and Roger.
Hannah and Terry showed up first, and waited with me; shortly after them, Katie and Roger arrived, and we were all left waiting for Draco. He finally showed up about five minutes later, looking rather annoyed.
"People kept stopping me and telling me places we should go, or making suggestions about the Halloween event," he growled. I laughed, and he scowled at me, then broke into a small smile of his own. Then Dumbledore appeared, and led us up three flights of stairs, until we reached a painting of the castle of Hogwarts. I looked at it, amazed. Hagrid was currently making his way through the rain from the castle to his small cabin. Dumbledore saw me staring, and smiled.
"It portrays what really is going on outside the castle," he explained to us. Then he leant down and whispered for only me to hear, "Somewhat like that map of Mr. Potter's." My eyes widened and I looked at him in surprise. I hadn't thought anyone had known about the Marauder's Map!
"Aucunes craintes!" Dumbledore said, and the portrait swung open, allowing him to enter. I smiled at the password: it's meaning was 'no fears', in French. (A/N: It really is! I used a translator, please tell me if it isn't right, though.) Hannah and Terry followed, and then I, and Draco went through last.
I gasped when I saw what was inside. It was more beautiful than I had imagined it being! The first thing I noticed was the shelves and shelves brimming with books. I spun around, surveying them all, and saw that the whole room was covered in shelves from wall to wall, floor to ceiling. The rest of the room was much like the common rooms, with several small couches. There was one small loveseat for each of the prefects and Katie and Roger, their backs to the door, facing a large fireplace on the wall opposite the door. There were several small tables set around the room, along the walls of books. There were three spiraling staircases on the wall with the fireplace, spaced apart by three large windows overlooking the lake, and, beyond that, the Forbidden Forest. Two of the staircases were labeled with a pair of initials. The first was decorated with a bronze eagle, with TB written inside it in blue, and a black badger with HA in yellow. The middle staircase had a gold lion with HG written in red inside, and a silver serpent with DM written in green inside it. 'Oh, great, I have to share a staircase with Draco. I can't wait,' I thought. The last staircase was simply labeled Heads.
When I was done gaping at the common room, I decided to have a look upstairs. I bounded up the narrow staircase, Draco following closely at my heels. When we reached the top of the staircase, I stopped to look around. One wall was red and gold, all swirling around, and the other was a swirling combination of green and silver. I opened the door on the red and gold side and gasped once again at the beauty of it. The whole theme was the Gryffindor colors, obviously. There was a huge king-size four poster bed, with semi-transparent red curtains to pull closed if desired. The sheets were a silky red, and the comforter was big and fluffy and gold, with gold and red-trimmed pillows.
There was a portrait on the wall by the bed, a simple picture of a forest in autumn, with leaves falling across a dirt path, with a wood fence running along it. It was an entrance to the Gryffindor common room, so I could easily pass from my room to my friends. That made me happy.
There was a gigantic walk-in closet, and my things had already been unpacked into it. On the opposite wall there was a bay window with a seat, and the view was gorgeous, even in the mucky window. I went and sat on the red-cushioned seat, looking out over the lake and over the tops of the trees of Hogwarts, barely glimpsing mountain caps in the distance. It was breathtaking.
Smiling, I sat there for a while longer, then went into my closet and changed into my pajamas, which were (ironically) a pair of red and gold striped silk pants and a white tank top.
I went back downstairs and into the common room, planning to sit down by the fire with a book for the evening. When I came into the room, I saw that Katie, Roger, and Hannah had already gone to bed, leaving only Terry and Draco in the room. Terry, who was sitting on his couch with his feet propped on a coffee table, looked up and grinned when I came in.
I spotted Draco, also in his pajamas, searching the bookcase for a book. He glanced at me, and looked quickly away. I could have sworn I saw his cheeks turn slightly pink, but surely I was mistaken. Draco never blushed.
Just then I heard him let out an exasperated sigh. "Has anyone seen Potions pour le Sorcier Advance?" he asked, looking at Terry and I. We both shook our heads.
"Maybe they don't have it?" I suggested. I had read it before, it was a really excellent book for potions, but it was very advanced. It was possible that they didn't have it at Hogwarts.
Draco looked shocked, however. "How could they not have it?! I practically live by that book!" He truly looked so upset that I laughed. "What's so funny?" he wanted to know.
"It's just a book, Draco, albeit a very good one, it's still just a book."
He grinned. "This, coming from Hermione Granger? The girl who spends almost every waking moment not spent in a classroom in the library?" he laughed. I giggled; he was right.
"Okay you guys, well, I'm off to bed. Hope you find your book, Draco," Terry said, climbing his stairway.
"Okay, Terry, goodnight!" I called. Draco sighed again and settled for another book of potions that he found. He walked over to his couch and collapsed backwards onto it, his legs sprawled out and hanging over the arm, and began reading.
Surveying the shelf, I closed my eyes and randomly pulled out a book. I opened my eyes and saw that it was Transfiguration for Year 6. I had already read the 5th year book, so it was perfect. 'Hmm, good choice, Hermione,' I complimented myself. The thought was so strange that I giggled out loud.
Draco glanced over at me, unsure. "Hmmm?" he murmured.
"Oh, nothing," I replied, still smiling, and walked over to my own couch. I curled up with my back against one of the arms and rested my head on the back. Not realizing how tired I was, I began reading, but it wasn't long until I fell asleep.
It must have been over an hour later when Draco decided to stop reading and go up to bed. He closed his book with a yawn and stretched, rising up off his couch. "Well, Hermione, I'm off to..." He trailed off as he saw that she was curled up on her couch, fast asleep.
'She looks so peaceful when she sleeps,' he thought. Whoa, what was that? Where'd it come from? I mean, sure, Hermione was certainly hot enough, he'd seen that on the train, but she was a Mudblood! He certainly didn't care, but if his father found out that he was even being semi-decent to her, he'd go nuts. 'Okay, so what am I supposed to do?' he thought, looking at her in her pants and tank top. He was already shivering, seeing as how the fire was going down, and if she stayed here she'd be frozen to death by morning.
He walked over and shook her shoulder gently. "Hermione!" he whispered. "Wake up!"
She half mumbled half sighed quietly, and stirred slightly, but other than that showed no sign of hearing him.
"Mione, come on! Wake up!" She wasn't moving. Great, just wonderful. Looking around, he sighed defeatedly. Ever so carefully, as if he was afraid to break her, he put his arms around her and picked her up effortlessly. Weasley wasn't the only one who'd been working out.
He climbed up the dark stairs, and she sighed and snuggled closer to his chest, still asleep. Using his hand to open the door while still supporting her with his arm was somewhat difficult, but he managed it without dropping her.
He couldn't say that he was surprised that her room was exactly like his, except his was green and silver. He pulled back the covers and lay her down on her bed, then pulled the thick, warm comforter over her again. She sighed softly and snuggled down deep into the fluffy mattress, and he stood over her a moment longer, wanting to just stay and watch her sleep. He yawned again, though, and knew that he should get some sleep. He began classes the next day, and first thing was potions, with Gryffindor, then Transfiguration, which had always been difficult for him. "Goodnight, Mione," he whispered as he closed her door softly behind him.
A/N: Hehehe. How sweet! Wait till next chapter to find out how our favorite characters' school day goes! Thanks to my one new reviewer:
Felicity- Thank you! I'm updating right now! Lol. Thanks for your review, I really appreciate it.
Okay, so, so far I'm only writing this story for Blur-X-angel and Felictiy. All well. Please review. Thanks!
Chapter 3- Sorting Things Out
When we arrived at Hogwarts about 15 minutes later, it was pouring rain. By the time I was able to run from the train to a carriage, and from a carriage to the school, I was soaked through to the bone, my robes were clinging to my skin, and my hair was dripping on the floor.
Once everyone was seated in the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling portraying the gloomy weather outside, Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat, and the new first years were placed. After about forty-five minutes, everyone was starving and Gryffindor had seven new members.
"Before we bring out the food, I have one last announcement to make." Ron, beside me, groaned. "Some of you may have heard news of a new event at Hogwarts this year. I am excited to inform you that all of the third year and above students will be taking a class trip, in April." There were some yelps of excitement, and he continued. "The Prefects and Heads, but mainly Prefects as the Heads have other business to attend to, will be making a list of places that you may go, and I will make the final selection of five places, one for each of the years. You will, eventually, get to go to each place, as you go up in years. You will have plenty of time to prepare for this trip, and you will get more explanations as the time draws nearer. For now, look forward to the annual Halloween event. That is all. Let the feast begin."
"Fi'ally!" Ron exclaimed a moment later, his face already stuffed with bread and mashed potatoes. "'Ermio'e, 'ow come you," he paused and swallowed his food, "never told us about the trip?" he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, I was dying to tell you guys, but Dumbledore said not to," I apologized. "Do you guys like the idea, though? I think it's splendid."
"Yeah, it sounds excellent!" shouted Seamus, from across the table. I grinned at him and he shot a smile back.
"We should go to Spain, Hermione! Put Spain on the list!" Dean put in.
"Oooh, and Italy, I've always wanted to go to Italy. And..."
The rest of the evening consisted of talk about the trip, and my friends putting in their opinions in where we should go for fifth year. When dinner was over, I was exhausted, but I couldn't wait to get up and see my new home for at least the next year. When everyone was filtering out of the hall, I waited at the bottom of the stairs for Terry, Hannah, Draco, Katie, and Roger.
Hannah and Terry showed up first, and waited with me; shortly after them, Katie and Roger arrived, and we were all left waiting for Draco. He finally showed up about five minutes later, looking rather annoyed.
"People kept stopping me and telling me places we should go, or making suggestions about the Halloween event," he growled. I laughed, and he scowled at me, then broke into a small smile of his own. Then Dumbledore appeared, and led us up three flights of stairs, until we reached a painting of the castle of Hogwarts. I looked at it, amazed. Hagrid was currently making his way through the rain from the castle to his small cabin. Dumbledore saw me staring, and smiled.
"It portrays what really is going on outside the castle," he explained to us. Then he leant down and whispered for only me to hear, "Somewhat like that map of Mr. Potter's." My eyes widened and I looked at him in surprise. I hadn't thought anyone had known about the Marauder's Map!
"Aucunes craintes!" Dumbledore said, and the portrait swung open, allowing him to enter. I smiled at the password: it's meaning was 'no fears', in French. (A/N: It really is! I used a translator, please tell me if it isn't right, though.) Hannah and Terry followed, and then I, and Draco went through last.
I gasped when I saw what was inside. It was more beautiful than I had imagined it being! The first thing I noticed was the shelves and shelves brimming with books. I spun around, surveying them all, and saw that the whole room was covered in shelves from wall to wall, floor to ceiling. The rest of the room was much like the common rooms, with several small couches. There was one small loveseat for each of the prefects and Katie and Roger, their backs to the door, facing a large fireplace on the wall opposite the door. There were several small tables set around the room, along the walls of books. There were three spiraling staircases on the wall with the fireplace, spaced apart by three large windows overlooking the lake, and, beyond that, the Forbidden Forest. Two of the staircases were labeled with a pair of initials. The first was decorated with a bronze eagle, with TB written inside it in blue, and a black badger with HA in yellow. The middle staircase had a gold lion with HG written in red inside, and a silver serpent with DM written in green inside it. 'Oh, great, I have to share a staircase with Draco. I can't wait,' I thought. The last staircase was simply labeled Heads.
When I was done gaping at the common room, I decided to have a look upstairs. I bounded up the narrow staircase, Draco following closely at my heels. When we reached the top of the staircase, I stopped to look around. One wall was red and gold, all swirling around, and the other was a swirling combination of green and silver. I opened the door on the red and gold side and gasped once again at the beauty of it. The whole theme was the Gryffindor colors, obviously. There was a huge king-size four poster bed, with semi-transparent red curtains to pull closed if desired. The sheets were a silky red, and the comforter was big and fluffy and gold, with gold and red-trimmed pillows.
There was a portrait on the wall by the bed, a simple picture of a forest in autumn, with leaves falling across a dirt path, with a wood fence running along it. It was an entrance to the Gryffindor common room, so I could easily pass from my room to my friends. That made me happy.
There was a gigantic walk-in closet, and my things had already been unpacked into it. On the opposite wall there was a bay window with a seat, and the view was gorgeous, even in the mucky window. I went and sat on the red-cushioned seat, looking out over the lake and over the tops of the trees of Hogwarts, barely glimpsing mountain caps in the distance. It was breathtaking.
Smiling, I sat there for a while longer, then went into my closet and changed into my pajamas, which were (ironically) a pair of red and gold striped silk pants and a white tank top.
I went back downstairs and into the common room, planning to sit down by the fire with a book for the evening. When I came into the room, I saw that Katie, Roger, and Hannah had already gone to bed, leaving only Terry and Draco in the room. Terry, who was sitting on his couch with his feet propped on a coffee table, looked up and grinned when I came in.
I spotted Draco, also in his pajamas, searching the bookcase for a book. He glanced at me, and looked quickly away. I could have sworn I saw his cheeks turn slightly pink, but surely I was mistaken. Draco never blushed.
Just then I heard him let out an exasperated sigh. "Has anyone seen Potions pour le Sorcier Advance?" he asked, looking at Terry and I. We both shook our heads.
"Maybe they don't have it?" I suggested. I had read it before, it was a really excellent book for potions, but it was very advanced. It was possible that they didn't have it at Hogwarts.
Draco looked shocked, however. "How could they not have it?! I practically live by that book!" He truly looked so upset that I laughed. "What's so funny?" he wanted to know.
"It's just a book, Draco, albeit a very good one, it's still just a book."
He grinned. "This, coming from Hermione Granger? The girl who spends almost every waking moment not spent in a classroom in the library?" he laughed. I giggled; he was right.
"Okay you guys, well, I'm off to bed. Hope you find your book, Draco," Terry said, climbing his stairway.
"Okay, Terry, goodnight!" I called. Draco sighed again and settled for another book of potions that he found. He walked over to his couch and collapsed backwards onto it, his legs sprawled out and hanging over the arm, and began reading.
Surveying the shelf, I closed my eyes and randomly pulled out a book. I opened my eyes and saw that it was Transfiguration for Year 6. I had already read the 5th year book, so it was perfect. 'Hmm, good choice, Hermione,' I complimented myself. The thought was so strange that I giggled out loud.
Draco glanced over at me, unsure. "Hmmm?" he murmured.
"Oh, nothing," I replied, still smiling, and walked over to my own couch. I curled up with my back against one of the arms and rested my head on the back. Not realizing how tired I was, I began reading, but it wasn't long until I fell asleep.
It must have been over an hour later when Draco decided to stop reading and go up to bed. He closed his book with a yawn and stretched, rising up off his couch. "Well, Hermione, I'm off to..." He trailed off as he saw that she was curled up on her couch, fast asleep.
'She looks so peaceful when she sleeps,' he thought. Whoa, what was that? Where'd it come from? I mean, sure, Hermione was certainly hot enough, he'd seen that on the train, but she was a Mudblood! He certainly didn't care, but if his father found out that he was even being semi-decent to her, he'd go nuts. 'Okay, so what am I supposed to do?' he thought, looking at her in her pants and tank top. He was already shivering, seeing as how the fire was going down, and if she stayed here she'd be frozen to death by morning.
He walked over and shook her shoulder gently. "Hermione!" he whispered. "Wake up!"
She half mumbled half sighed quietly, and stirred slightly, but other than that showed no sign of hearing him.
"Mione, come on! Wake up!" She wasn't moving. Great, just wonderful. Looking around, he sighed defeatedly. Ever so carefully, as if he was afraid to break her, he put his arms around her and picked her up effortlessly. Weasley wasn't the only one who'd been working out.
He climbed up the dark stairs, and she sighed and snuggled closer to his chest, still asleep. Using his hand to open the door while still supporting her with his arm was somewhat difficult, but he managed it without dropping her.
He couldn't say that he was surprised that her room was exactly like his, except his was green and silver. He pulled back the covers and lay her down on her bed, then pulled the thick, warm comforter over her again. She sighed softly and snuggled down deep into the fluffy mattress, and he stood over her a moment longer, wanting to just stay and watch her sleep. He yawned again, though, and knew that he should get some sleep. He began classes the next day, and first thing was potions, with Gryffindor, then Transfiguration, which had always been difficult for him. "Goodnight, Mione," he whispered as he closed her door softly behind him.
A/N: Hehehe. How sweet! Wait till next chapter to find out how our favorite characters' school day goes! Thanks to my one new reviewer:
Felicity- Thank you! I'm updating right now! Lol. Thanks for your review, I really appreciate it.
Okay, so, so far I'm only writing this story for Blur-X-angel and Felictiy. All well. Please review. Thanks!