Chapter 2
As the train entered the station and stopped, Hermione and Draco looked out the windows to try and find the teacher that was supposed to pick them up.
"How smart of McGonagall." Draco said sarcastically.
"Shut up and look." Hermione said opening one of the curtains.
"Maybe, smart ass, it would help if we got off the train." Draco got his bag and was already positioned by the door. Hermione glared, she hated being wrong. "Well? I can leave you if you want." Draco added. Hermione walked wordlessly to the end of the train and got her bags.
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"I don't see anyone." Hermione said looking around. There really was hardly anyone in the train station, only about five or six people waiting for the next train.
"Good Morning." The voice startled them both and they turned around to reveal a "Younger looking McGonagall." Draco whispered. True enough, they did have a resemblance. Professor Welkin, as they assumed she was, had brown hair in a tight bun under her emerald green hat. She had square spectacles exactly like McGonagall's, in fact the only actual difference between the two was that Professor Welkin looked to be in her early 30's and was wearing a trench coat, the same color as her hat. "Come along." She said curtly, leading them to two carriages. She got into one, with their bags carried by the driver and they got into the other one.
"Guess there's no time for pleasantries." Hermione mumbled quietly as the carriage drove up to a dirt road.
"Did you expect that from McGonagall Jr.?" Draco asked. If this were any other person, they would have both laughed out loud... then again, this was them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As they walked into the castle, the "dining hall" as Welkin called it, only had one big table... which meant, they didn't have houses here. There were so many steps to go up to the room that Hermione thought she would throw up if she had to go any higher.
"This is where you will be staying, for the next 3 months." Welkin said, opening two medium oak doors to reveal a huge balcony over-looking a gigantic flower garden beneath them. "Your rooms are right through there-" she said motioning to two doors behind them. "And your common room is in between that." She said simply. "You'll find in your schedule that dinner is at 8 sharp, please wear your Hogwarts uniform." She smiled. "Have a pleasant stay Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger." She said, turning to leave and closing the entrance doors with her.
"Wow, this place is wonderful." Hermione said, opening the doors to her room. It was decorated in purple and gold, with a few metallic greens and pinks for the pillows. Her bed had a canopy and almost everything had beads stitched into them, the bedspread, pillows, canopy, etc. Her trunk was in front of the bed, but what really caught her eye about the room was the fact that they had a "TV! Malfoy, they have a TV!" she said jumping up and down.
"What?" Draco said coming into the room. When he found out about what she was jumping up and down about, he frowned. "I thought you only get that excited about exams."
"Don't ruin my mood." Hermione said with a smile. "I wonder how they got it to work though, through all the charms and every thing. I have to ask Professor Welkin." She said fascinated.
"How typically you." Draco sneered. "Immediately thinking of something new to learn. Don't you have any R & R where you come from?" "Yes, I kind of do know how to relax, MALFOY." Hermione said, glaring at him. "Its just that I don't relax by sleeping with a bunch of whores, every night." She shot back.
"Excuse me?" Draco said astounded.
"Oh, I forgot... you wouldn't call Pansy that, would you?" Hermione shot.
"Who ever said I slept with Pansy anyway?" Draco asked, not even losing his cool, just raising an eyebrow.
"It is common knowledge to the population of Hogwarts that you are a "tiger in bed", as your girlfriend would say." Hermione looked at him and simply smirked.
"I never, ever touched her." Draco said turning away. Some of his perfectly gelled hair fell into his eyes. Hermione knew she had struck a nerve. If she probably said this about anyone except Pansy, he would have flaunted it... insulted her about her innocence and ignorance... but why, pray tell, was he offended by it?
"What got into you?" Hermione said, trying in vain to keep the concern and curiosity out of her voice. She couldn't help it. She was nice to everyone when she had to be... no exceptions, not even for Malfoy.
"I don't need concern from you, you filthy mudblood." He said coldly. He had called her mudblood again. He had called her that since 2nd year, and she was now in her sixth, but she still got very offended by it. "Keep yourself out of my business." He gracefully walked out of her room, his black Hogwarts robes flailing around him.
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"Good Evening to everyone." Professor Welkin said, standing in the middle of the staff table above the students' table. "I have the pleasure to introduce you all to Mr. Draco Malfoy, and Ms. Hermione Granger, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England." The Hall clapped as Hermione and Draco stood up.
"Yes, yes, settle down all." Welkin said clapping twice. The Hall fell silent and Hermione and Draco sat down. "Now, I am sure, you will all do whatever it takes to make these two feel more at home for the next three months. That means no dungbombs to the Miss Tylers." Welkin said smiling warmly at two girls seated in the middle of the table.
Draco looked around to see who these girls were, and saw in the center, twins with light brown hair, layered directly under their ears, and identical grins. "Great." Draco mumbled. "Female versions of the Weasley twins."
With that said, Welkin sat down and the feast began. To Hermione's horror, as she looked across the table, Draco was an instant hit. The Ladies Man as usual. Girls were crowding over him, asking him questions, flirting with him, etc. Hermione scowled.
"Hi." A timid voice said from her right. Hermione turned her head to see a girl her age, with light blonde hair and intense navy blue eyes. "Chloe." She said holding out her hand to Hermione. Hermione smiled. This girl seemed very friendly, and they would probably become fast friends.
"Hermione." She extended her hand to the rather pretty girl.
"So, not to be rude or anything." Chloe said looking at Hermione. "But is he your boyfriend?"
Hermione laughed. "Hardly. Why would you think that?" She asked lightly.
"Well, you didn't seem to happy about those girls crowding over him." She said gesturing her head to Draco.
"No, I don't really mind." Hermione said shrugging. "That means I don't have to deal with him a lot for the next 12 weeks."
"You don't seem to like him very much." Chloe said, taking a bite of her salad and covering her mouth while she chewed.
"Well, to be quite frank, we aren't the best of friends back home." Hermione said, smiling. This girl was quite a good conversationalist. Chloe reminded her so much of Ginny. "Keep away, he's a complete and utter prat." Hermione warned.
"Well, he does seem to be a ladies' man." Chloe observed.
"Yes, unless of course you're a muggle-born." Hermione told her. "His family is very prejudiced."
"I see." She said slowly. "He does look like it though."
"Yes, he does, doesn't he?" Hermione agreed.
"Though he is very handsome." Both girls giggled. Definitely an Italian Ginny. Hermione concluded. It was good to have someone to talk to. She was afraid she wouldn't find a friend at Florence Magical Academy, but Chloe seemed to be the exact one she wanted.
"So, I heard you're friends with the Great Harry Potter." Chloe asked.
"Yes, although he isn't the Super Hero the books make him out to be." Hermione giggled. "He's actually quite shy."
"Really?" Chloe asked disbelievingly.
"Uhuh." Hermione nodded, and swallowed. They both finished their food, as Professor Welkin strode over to them.
"I see you've already found a friend Hermione." Professor Welkin stated with a warm smile. She was begging to like this teacher.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione beamed, as did Chloe.
"Well, I'm quite sorry that I have to pull you away for tonight, but you must meet your student tour guide in a few moments." She said, politely. "Please excuse me, while I pull Mr. Malfoy away from his fans. I doubt the poor boy can breath." The three women giggled. I definitely like this teacher. Hermione thought.
"Bye, Clo." Hermione said as she stood up. "See you tomorrow."
"Night 'Mione." Chloe smiled.
The sight in front of Hermione made her scowl. Professor Welkin was frowning as Draco got up from the mob of girls surrounding him.
"Call me, k?" One asked
"See you tomorrow." Called another.
"Sweet Dreams, Draco darling." Called another one.
A few more comments were made before Professor Welkin pushed Draco through the Hall entrance with Hermione at her side.
"I knew it was a bad idea to bring a boy into an all girls school." Welkin whispered in Hermione's ear.
She nodded. He'll probably bed 2/3 of the population of this school by the time they had to return to Hogwarts. Hermione thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trip to the rooms was shorter than their first, and Hermione realized that she got used to the heights and staircases quickly.
When they entered their common room, a girl with curly jet-black hair half way down her back, perfect brown almond eyes and small pale lips was standing behind the black couch.
"I'll leave you three to acquaint yourselves." Welkin said, closing the small double doors.
"Hi, I'm Michelle." The girl said approaching Hermione and shaking her hand, and repeating the process with Draco.
"Hermione." Hermione introduced herself.
"Draco." He said, taking her hand and kissing it, creating the gentleman image.
Michelle blushed lightly, making her American-Chinese face look even more like a porcelain doll. All of a sudden, Hermione became quite conscious with her looks. All the girls here seemed to possess an original sort-of beauty. It made Hermione feel insecure.
"Um, I'll be your student tour guide around Italy." Michelle said meekly.
Draco smiled and raised an eyebrow at Hermione. He seemed to be telling her that he liked Michelle a lot. Hermione shot him a 'don't-even-touch-her' look.
"Excuse me, ladies." He said, bowing slightly. "It was a pleasure, Michelle." After that, he turned to his room and disappeared behind the double-doors leading to his room.
"Well, goodnight." Michelle said, smiling a small smile.
"Goodnight. See you in the morning." Hermione said smiling back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Something was bugging Hermione. Or should it have been someone? She remembered that she hadn't apologized to Draco yet since the train, and now she had to for the Pansy incident. Hermione knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep without apologizing, because her conscience would bug her all night.
Sighing, she threw the cotton blanket off her, and put her feet inside her bedroom slippers. She might as well embarrass herself now that he was groggy and probably wouldn't remember in the morning.
She threw the double-doors that led to her room open, and walked across their common room. You can do this. She encouraged herself as she came in front of Draco's double-doors. Squeezing together all her courage, she lightly knocked on the door, hoping that Draco wasn't in a cranky mood. She didn't want to argue again when she came to say sorry.
She heard light footfalls coming toward the door, and soon enough she heard the click of the knob.
"Yes?" Came a husky reply.
"Draco?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"What?" His voice became a little colder, as he opened his door. Hermione gaped a little. All he was wearing were black pajama bottoms with 'DM' stitched by his left ankle in silver lettering.
"I-uh," Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear her fogging mind. "I came to apologize, for what happened earlier in my room and on the train." She said steadily.
He leaned on the doorframe, making him look taller than he was, as if he wasn't tall enough. "I see." He said simply. She was starting to fidget under his scrutinizing stare. "And-?"
"I'm sorry." She said looking straight into his eyes. In the short time she stared at them, she realized that his eyes looked like a hell that froze over. They were icy gray, full of pride and power. They said one thing to her. Draco had grown up too fast.
"Well, it seems you've learned your place-mudblood." Hermione flinched at the insult.
"Stop calling me that." She said calmly but her eyes were closed. You could hear her deep breathing.
"Alright then, goodnight-Hermione." He turned and closed the door gently.
Hermione walked back to her room shakily. Had she just reasoned with Draco Malfoy, civilly?
I guess it is possible. She thought simply as she got into her bed. But that's just tonight.
As the train entered the station and stopped, Hermione and Draco looked out the windows to try and find the teacher that was supposed to pick them up.
"How smart of McGonagall." Draco said sarcastically.
"Shut up and look." Hermione said opening one of the curtains.
"Maybe, smart ass, it would help if we got off the train." Draco got his bag and was already positioned by the door. Hermione glared, she hated being wrong. "Well? I can leave you if you want." Draco added. Hermione walked wordlessly to the end of the train and got her bags.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't see anyone." Hermione said looking around. There really was hardly anyone in the train station, only about five or six people waiting for the next train.
"Good Morning." The voice startled them both and they turned around to reveal a "Younger looking McGonagall." Draco whispered. True enough, they did have a resemblance. Professor Welkin, as they assumed she was, had brown hair in a tight bun under her emerald green hat. She had square spectacles exactly like McGonagall's, in fact the only actual difference between the two was that Professor Welkin looked to be in her early 30's and was wearing a trench coat, the same color as her hat. "Come along." She said curtly, leading them to two carriages. She got into one, with their bags carried by the driver and they got into the other one.
"Guess there's no time for pleasantries." Hermione mumbled quietly as the carriage drove up to a dirt road.
"Did you expect that from McGonagall Jr.?" Draco asked. If this were any other person, they would have both laughed out loud... then again, this was them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As they walked into the castle, the "dining hall" as Welkin called it, only had one big table... which meant, they didn't have houses here. There were so many steps to go up to the room that Hermione thought she would throw up if she had to go any higher.
"This is where you will be staying, for the next 3 months." Welkin said, opening two medium oak doors to reveal a huge balcony over-looking a gigantic flower garden beneath them. "Your rooms are right through there-" she said motioning to two doors behind them. "And your common room is in between that." She said simply. "You'll find in your schedule that dinner is at 8 sharp, please wear your Hogwarts uniform." She smiled. "Have a pleasant stay Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger." She said, turning to leave and closing the entrance doors with her.
"Wow, this place is wonderful." Hermione said, opening the doors to her room. It was decorated in purple and gold, with a few metallic greens and pinks for the pillows. Her bed had a canopy and almost everything had beads stitched into them, the bedspread, pillows, canopy, etc. Her trunk was in front of the bed, but what really caught her eye about the room was the fact that they had a "TV! Malfoy, they have a TV!" she said jumping up and down.
"What?" Draco said coming into the room. When he found out about what she was jumping up and down about, he frowned. "I thought you only get that excited about exams."
"Don't ruin my mood." Hermione said with a smile. "I wonder how they got it to work though, through all the charms and every thing. I have to ask Professor Welkin." She said fascinated.
"How typically you." Draco sneered. "Immediately thinking of something new to learn. Don't you have any R & R where you come from?" "Yes, I kind of do know how to relax, MALFOY." Hermione said, glaring at him. "Its just that I don't relax by sleeping with a bunch of whores, every night." She shot back.
"Excuse me?" Draco said astounded.
"Oh, I forgot... you wouldn't call Pansy that, would you?" Hermione shot.
"Who ever said I slept with Pansy anyway?" Draco asked, not even losing his cool, just raising an eyebrow.
"It is common knowledge to the population of Hogwarts that you are a "tiger in bed", as your girlfriend would say." Hermione looked at him and simply smirked.
"I never, ever touched her." Draco said turning away. Some of his perfectly gelled hair fell into his eyes. Hermione knew she had struck a nerve. If she probably said this about anyone except Pansy, he would have flaunted it... insulted her about her innocence and ignorance... but why, pray tell, was he offended by it?
"What got into you?" Hermione said, trying in vain to keep the concern and curiosity out of her voice. She couldn't help it. She was nice to everyone when she had to be... no exceptions, not even for Malfoy.
"I don't need concern from you, you filthy mudblood." He said coldly. He had called her mudblood again. He had called her that since 2nd year, and she was now in her sixth, but she still got very offended by it. "Keep yourself out of my business." He gracefully walked out of her room, his black Hogwarts robes flailing around him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Good Evening to everyone." Professor Welkin said, standing in the middle of the staff table above the students' table. "I have the pleasure to introduce you all to Mr. Draco Malfoy, and Ms. Hermione Granger, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England." The Hall clapped as Hermione and Draco stood up.
"Yes, yes, settle down all." Welkin said clapping twice. The Hall fell silent and Hermione and Draco sat down. "Now, I am sure, you will all do whatever it takes to make these two feel more at home for the next three months. That means no dungbombs to the Miss Tylers." Welkin said smiling warmly at two girls seated in the middle of the table.
Draco looked around to see who these girls were, and saw in the center, twins with light brown hair, layered directly under their ears, and identical grins. "Great." Draco mumbled. "Female versions of the Weasley twins."
With that said, Welkin sat down and the feast began. To Hermione's horror, as she looked across the table, Draco was an instant hit. The Ladies Man as usual. Girls were crowding over him, asking him questions, flirting with him, etc. Hermione scowled.
"Hi." A timid voice said from her right. Hermione turned her head to see a girl her age, with light blonde hair and intense navy blue eyes. "Chloe." She said holding out her hand to Hermione. Hermione smiled. This girl seemed very friendly, and they would probably become fast friends.
"Hermione." She extended her hand to the rather pretty girl.
"So, not to be rude or anything." Chloe said looking at Hermione. "But is he your boyfriend?"
Hermione laughed. "Hardly. Why would you think that?" She asked lightly.
"Well, you didn't seem to happy about those girls crowding over him." She said gesturing her head to Draco.
"No, I don't really mind." Hermione said shrugging. "That means I don't have to deal with him a lot for the next 12 weeks."
"You don't seem to like him very much." Chloe said, taking a bite of her salad and covering her mouth while she chewed.
"Well, to be quite frank, we aren't the best of friends back home." Hermione said, smiling. This girl was quite a good conversationalist. Chloe reminded her so much of Ginny. "Keep away, he's a complete and utter prat." Hermione warned.
"Well, he does seem to be a ladies' man." Chloe observed.
"Yes, unless of course you're a muggle-born." Hermione told her. "His family is very prejudiced."
"I see." She said slowly. "He does look like it though."
"Yes, he does, doesn't he?" Hermione agreed.
"Though he is very handsome." Both girls giggled. Definitely an Italian Ginny. Hermione concluded. It was good to have someone to talk to. She was afraid she wouldn't find a friend at Florence Magical Academy, but Chloe seemed to be the exact one she wanted.
"So, I heard you're friends with the Great Harry Potter." Chloe asked.
"Yes, although he isn't the Super Hero the books make him out to be." Hermione giggled. "He's actually quite shy."
"Really?" Chloe asked disbelievingly.
"Uhuh." Hermione nodded, and swallowed. They both finished their food, as Professor Welkin strode over to them.
"I see you've already found a friend Hermione." Professor Welkin stated with a warm smile. She was begging to like this teacher.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione beamed, as did Chloe.
"Well, I'm quite sorry that I have to pull you away for tonight, but you must meet your student tour guide in a few moments." She said, politely. "Please excuse me, while I pull Mr. Malfoy away from his fans. I doubt the poor boy can breath." The three women giggled. I definitely like this teacher. Hermione thought.
"Bye, Clo." Hermione said as she stood up. "See you tomorrow."
"Night 'Mione." Chloe smiled.
The sight in front of Hermione made her scowl. Professor Welkin was frowning as Draco got up from the mob of girls surrounding him.
"Call me, k?" One asked
"See you tomorrow." Called another.
"Sweet Dreams, Draco darling." Called another one.
A few more comments were made before Professor Welkin pushed Draco through the Hall entrance with Hermione at her side.
"I knew it was a bad idea to bring a boy into an all girls school." Welkin whispered in Hermione's ear.
She nodded. He'll probably bed 2/3 of the population of this school by the time they had to return to Hogwarts. Hermione thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trip to the rooms was shorter than their first, and Hermione realized that she got used to the heights and staircases quickly.
When they entered their common room, a girl with curly jet-black hair half way down her back, perfect brown almond eyes and small pale lips was standing behind the black couch.
"I'll leave you three to acquaint yourselves." Welkin said, closing the small double doors.
"Hi, I'm Michelle." The girl said approaching Hermione and shaking her hand, and repeating the process with Draco.
"Hermione." Hermione introduced herself.
"Draco." He said, taking her hand and kissing it, creating the gentleman image.
Michelle blushed lightly, making her American-Chinese face look even more like a porcelain doll. All of a sudden, Hermione became quite conscious with her looks. All the girls here seemed to possess an original sort-of beauty. It made Hermione feel insecure.
"Um, I'll be your student tour guide around Italy." Michelle said meekly.
Draco smiled and raised an eyebrow at Hermione. He seemed to be telling her that he liked Michelle a lot. Hermione shot him a 'don't-even-touch-her' look.
"Excuse me, ladies." He said, bowing slightly. "It was a pleasure, Michelle." After that, he turned to his room and disappeared behind the double-doors leading to his room.
"Well, goodnight." Michelle said, smiling a small smile.
"Goodnight. See you in the morning." Hermione said smiling back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Something was bugging Hermione. Or should it have been someone? She remembered that she hadn't apologized to Draco yet since the train, and now she had to for the Pansy incident. Hermione knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep without apologizing, because her conscience would bug her all night.
Sighing, she threw the cotton blanket off her, and put her feet inside her bedroom slippers. She might as well embarrass herself now that he was groggy and probably wouldn't remember in the morning.
She threw the double-doors that led to her room open, and walked across their common room. You can do this. She encouraged herself as she came in front of Draco's double-doors. Squeezing together all her courage, she lightly knocked on the door, hoping that Draco wasn't in a cranky mood. She didn't want to argue again when she came to say sorry.
She heard light footfalls coming toward the door, and soon enough she heard the click of the knob.
"Yes?" Came a husky reply.
"Draco?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"What?" His voice became a little colder, as he opened his door. Hermione gaped a little. All he was wearing were black pajama bottoms with 'DM' stitched by his left ankle in silver lettering.
"I-uh," Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear her fogging mind. "I came to apologize, for what happened earlier in my room and on the train." She said steadily.
He leaned on the doorframe, making him look taller than he was, as if he wasn't tall enough. "I see." He said simply. She was starting to fidget under his scrutinizing stare. "And-?"
"I'm sorry." She said looking straight into his eyes. In the short time she stared at them, she realized that his eyes looked like a hell that froze over. They were icy gray, full of pride and power. They said one thing to her. Draco had grown up too fast.
"Well, it seems you've learned your place-mudblood." Hermione flinched at the insult.
"Stop calling me that." She said calmly but her eyes were closed. You could hear her deep breathing.
"Alright then, goodnight-Hermione." He turned and closed the door gently.
Hermione walked back to her room shakily. Had she just reasoned with Draco Malfoy, civilly?
I guess it is possible. She thought simply as she got into her bed. But that's just tonight.
