Title: Ready or Not

Summary: We make various decisions everyday, whether it maybe what pants we wear or where we want to go to school. either way every decision we make changes the course we take in our lives...so who will Hermione choose? This story is not only about choices, but also about life's punishments and rewards. So, relax and I hope you enjoy the story.

Rating: R

Pairing: HG/DM

Editor: yummyjajangmyun

Chapter 1~

This was her last and final year at Hogwarts. It would be bittersweet, but she couldn't wait for graduation day. From that day on, she would further explore and travel the wizarding world. She planned to study the history of witchcraft and its origins. The past had always appealed to Hermione and she was always intrigued by history's tales of tragedy, triumph, and tribulation.

In the meantime, Ron was busy getting sick by eating too much every-flavored beans. They had been on the train for at least an hour; they would have to wait another hour to reach Hogwarts. Everything looked the same, thought Hermione as she looked out the window while Ron was moaning over stomach pains.

"I told you that you shouldn't eat so much and so quickly," said Hermione as she looked at the beans with disappointment.

"Well, I was just so hungry and... I don't know. I was trying to see how many beans I could get into my mouth."

Hermione couldn't help but let out a small giggle and she had to laugh as she watched Ron grab his stomach and turn green.

"Excuse me, but I have to go to the bathroom..." croaked Ron.

Ron quickly covered his mouth and ran out of the compartment like a lightening bolt and Hermione exploded into laughs.

She took out her new Hogwarts textbooks and started to flip through the pages. She began to read "The History of Witch Burnings and Other Tortures." The pictures were moving with gruesome torture systems that the muggles used and Hermione wanted to close the book, but couldn't out of bewilderment and intrigue. As she kept on reading someone gave a knock on the compartment door. Assuming it was either the cart lady making her rounds or Ron, Hermione looked up and smiled, but her smile quickly faded as her eyes instead came into contact with cold grey ones. It was Draco Malfoy; just the name made blood in her veins run cold and the hair in the back of her neck curl with disgust.

"What are you doing here?" said Hermione with malice.

"Just wanted to drop by and see how you were doing. I see those two... well I mean I see that Ron isn't with you."

Hermione looked at Draco and opened her mouth ready to tell him that it really wasn't any of his concern when suddenly he walked in and sat across from her.

'Not bad' thought Draco, as he looked Hermoine up and down. She had her hair straightened out and he noticed that she wore very little make-up, but then again in his opinion she didn't need any make-up. She grew an inch or so from the last he saw her and, of course, she was wearing the same Hogwarts uniform with the Gryffindor crest sewn on her blazer. He gave her a smirk as he laid back and spread his legs wide open.

"So, what's the occasion?" asked Draco.

"What occasion... look..." Hernione wanted him out of her sight as fast as she could and she wanted Ron to hurry it up in the bathroom.

"Why isn't the Weasel here protecting you?"

"He's in the bathroom. And that's none of your businiess so will you please bother someone else and stop wasting my time."

"Actually!" Draco moved in closer to Hermione until they were only inches apart. Hermione couldn't stand the fact that she was breathing in Draco's breath. She wanted to puke. She thought of getting up, but both of Draco's arms were on both sides and his head was on top of hers. He then slowly leaned his head next to her ear and whispered something very faint... all of the sudden she felt a quick breeze fly through her body and Draco ran off. She suddenly realized that her clothes were gone! They had vanished from her and were lying on the floor. She was completely naked! That git had whispered a striping spell on her! She saw people swarming around the compartment doorway so trying to cover up as much as possilbe, she quickly locked the door.

She got into her clothes shaking with fury. For once she didn't know if she could control her temper. She heard banging on the door. She asked who was at the door and it was Ron. Ron had his back to the door and had confusion written all over his face.

"What is going on? I heard people running and laughing so I came out to see what the commotion was about and I was lead here." Ron walked over to Hermione who certainly did not look like her usual collective self. Anger burned in her eyes; her ears were red and, she looked like she was going to brutally attack someone. Her eyes were focused on the cabin door for several minutes. Ron had never seen Hermione so furious. He waved his hand in from of her eyes, but she didn't respond. Suddenly, she pushed Ron out of the way and marched out of her compartment. There were still few people outside. Once they all saw Hermoine's face there was a hushed silence as if time had stopped. Hermione looked around and saw Draco still laughing oblivious to his surroundings. Hernione waved her wand and yelled,

"Mudoreous Brutalious!" All of a sudden, Draco was thrown around against every wall, even breaking a few. Finally, she levitated him up in the air and yelled "Dropolous!" and Draco crashed down on his butt.

Draco was rubbing his whole body, trying to comfort the pain, but his movements changed when the roaring laughter entered his ears. He set his pains aside and forced a cocky smirk on his face as he straightend himself up. He then lifted his wand, but before he could say his spell Hermione, a second faster, lifted her wand and yelled "Nudiotalious!" and all of Draco's clothes, even his trousers fell like the leaves falling from the tress. Every piece of clothing fell, until nothing was left, except for the suit that he was born in. Draco turned a deep crimson, gathered his clothes and bolted to his compartment.

Hernione gave a smirk of satisfaction and gave a small bow as her fellow classmates responded with loud applause. Ron patted her on the back as they were getting off the train, but their smiles were suddenly swiped from their faces when they were halted by Professor McGonagall.

She looked down at them, clearly knowing what happened on the train. She nodded at Ron telling him to go in the line with the other seventh years. Ron gave Hermione a small smile, hoping that it would make her calm her down, but it didn't. Hernione's heart was beating so fast, that she didn't think it was possible to beat any faster.

"He- hello Professor McGonagall..." said Hernione trembling with fear. She felt perspiration running down her back and small beads of it forming on her brow.

Professor Mcgonagall made a small noise to clear her throat before directing her to her office. Come with me Ms.Granger. We have lots to discuss about your recent trip to Hogwarts."

Professor Mcgonagall crossed her arms and snapped her body around leading in the opposite direction of the other seventh years. Hernione looked at the Professor's stiff posture, swallowed a gigantic gulp down her throat and followed the path to what she most feared; possible expulsion.