Hermione spotted the two golden boys of Gryffindor immediately upon
her entrance. She gave her cart to a house elf and ran over to them. She
hugged Harry and Lavender, who was standing with them, then gave Ron a
quick kiss. Ron threw her a curious glance, so she leaned in for a real
kiss. Hermione noticed that neither of them held the same compassion they
had the previous year. She obviously knew the reason for her own decline,
but was anxious to find the reasoning behind Ron's.
As they separated, Hermione cautiously followed Ron's gaze. He suddenly shifted gears, and focused in on her. She smiled as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and greeted Parvati, who had just joined the group.
"Hey Mione! You look great! I absolutely adore that shirt!" Parvati greeted. Lavender elbowed Parvati and nodded in the direction of the cute Indian boy at her side.
"Ow! Oh, sorry! Guys this is Sharukh. Sharukh these are the guys…."
They all greeted him with warm smiles.
"So Sharukh, do you know what house you're going to be in?"
"Nope, not yet. Dumbledore said that I'd be sorted on the train. I hope I get into Gryffindor though." He looked meaningfully at Parvati while saying this, causing her to blush.
"We better go find a compartment." Hermione said, trying to change the subject.
Hermione followed them onto the train, sneaking a last glance in Draco's direction. He was off in a corner talking to Pansy.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hey Pansy." Draco greeted politely.
"Drakie! How did things go with Hermione?"
Draco glanced around before responding, "Everything turned out as planned. Let's go find a compartment and I'll tell you all about it." ~*~*~*~*~*~
After Draco had filled in Pansy on all of the details of the previous week's events, he continued on, "Now it's time to move onto phase two."
Pansy nodded, "This is going to be so fun!"
"Just remember, we still have to act like we're going out."
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to go find Blaise. See you at dinner!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, Hermione was bored out of her mind. Parvati and Lavender were gossiping and the guys were droning on about all things quidditch. Knowing she would not be missed, she spoke up.
"Hey guys, I have to go to the prefects compartment. I'll see you at the feast."
"I'll go with you, if you don't mind. I should probably go find Dumbledore."
"I don't mind at all, Sharukh. Let's go." Sharukh gave Parvati a quick peck on the lips.
"Are they going out or something?" Harry whispered.
"Oh Harry! You're so cute when you're clueless!" Lavender responded, this time causing Harry to blush. Parvati and Ron rolled their eyes.
"So Parvati, are you going to tell us any more about Sharukh?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco was already I the compartment when Hermione, followed by Sharukh, entered.
"Granger."
"Malfoy."
Hermione sat down next to Draco, and Sharukh sat across from them, once again waiting to be acknowledged.
"Mia take off your ring, he'll see the glow." Draco whispered to her, nodding vaguely in the direction if the guy she had entered with. "Who's the kid?"
"This is Sharukh. He's Parvati's friend."
"Sharukh?" He took a good look at the guy for the first time. After all his mind had been preoccupied…
"Dude! It's about time you noticed!"
"I thought you said you were going to school with your girlfriend."
"Am I missing something?" Hermione interrupted.
"Parvati is my girlfriend." Sharukh responded, completely ignoring Hermione's question.
"This rocks! Maybe we'll have some classes together!"
"HOW DO YOU GUYS KNOW EACHOTHER?!?!" Hermione yelled.
"Wait! Draco, this is the Hermione." Sharukh asked finally putting two and two together.
"Merlin Draco! How many people have you told?" Hermione grew more frustrated with every passing second.
Draco, knowing better than to make a powerful witch angry, finally addressed her. "Sharukh is my next-door neighbor. He is usually my only companion during the holidays, which is why he knows about us. About a month ago he had gone to visit his girlfriend, presumably Parvati. Understand now?"
"Yes, thank you." She said sweetly. She turned to Sharukh. "You know, I really hope that your in Gryffindor. It would be so great to have someone to talk to without having to keep up this act."
"I wonder when Dumbledore's going to come" Draco said just before the door to the compartment began to open. Dumbledore walked in, followed by Professor McGonagall, the sorting hat, and the other two prefects, Justin and Padma.
Dumbledore greeted Draco and Hermione, then turned to Sharukh. "Mr. Kahn. We are happy that you have decided to join us at Hogwarts. I assume your know about our tradition of sorting students into houses." When Sharukh nodded he continued, "very good. For time's sake we will skip the ceremony and just get right to the sorting itself." Dumbledore placed the hat on Sharukh's head.
"Sharukh Khan hmm…you are very bright no doubt…but you hold the friendships of those evil…thus I will place you in SLYTHERIN!" (AN: I was so tempted to stop it there but after leaving you guys hanging for over a month, I decided to be nice :P)
"Dude, this years going to kick--"
"Mr. Malfoy! If you value your position as prefect, I would not finish that sentence." McGonagall warned condescendingly.
"Yes Professor."
"I suppose I should go tell the others, see you later Draco."
"I better go with you, knowing Ron's feelings towards members of Slytherin." Hermione suggested. "Fill me in later?" she whispered to Draco. He nodded.
Hermione and Sharukh left the compartment and headed towards Harry's. "Sharukh , I should probably warn you. Ron has a small temper control issue. I doubt he would do anything to you with Parvati around, but if he sees you hanging out with Draco…" Hermione's voice wondered off trying to find the right words. "Well let's just say, be prepared."
"Thanks for the warning, but I doubt he could get away with doing something to me." He said with the typical slytherin arrogance.
"I think you've been spending too much time with Draco." She said jokingly.
"More like he's been spending too much time with me. Who do you think showed him his alter-ego? "
"I never thought of it that way…I must be loosing my touch. "
Hermione opened the door to the compartment. Sharukh took his seat next to Parvati. "So?" she asked anxiously.
"Slytherin," he responded in what he thought was a casual voice.
"Oh well, at least we'll have potions together."
"Yeah, I'll see you later okay? I want to go meet some of the other Slytherins before we get to school." He kissed her reassuringly, while everyone else in the diverted their stares.
"I better head back to the prefects compartment." Hermione said and left closing the door behind them.
~*~*~*~*~
Hermione returned to the prefect compartment, and once again found Draco alone.
"Hey Mia, how'd it go?"
"Not bad at all, we kind of got out of there before Ron and Harry had the chance to act up."
"That's good. Where's he now?"
"We ran into Pansy on the way back over. After finding out that he was in Slytherin, she took him to go meet Blaise and some other people from your house." Hermione looked at her watch, a half hour to go. "I'm going to go change into my robes before the bathroom gets too crowded. You coming?"
"You know, Mia, you better watch what your saying. One of these days I won't be able to resist your innocent suggestions."
"Draco!"
"Okay, I'm coming."
~*~*~*~*~
After they had changed into their robes and returned to the compartment, Draco handed Hermione a small silver box.
"Draco! Another gift? You really didn't have to--"
"I did have to. Just open it." Hermione opened the box to reveal an exquisite silver necklace chain. Draco removed the ring that Hermione had put back on her finger, and ran the chain through it. "May I?" Hermione nodded and turned her back to him. Draco fastened the chain around her neck.
"Thanks Draco, I love it! But I still don't see why I needed it."
"The answer is simple. I have waited too long for you, to see you harmed. We obviously can't wear the rings, for the glow is conspicuous, but I needed to be able to keep you safe. This way you have the ring when you need it, but no one will know it is there."
"Oh Draco! That is so sweet of you!" She gave him a thank you kiss after making sure no one was standing outside of the compartment. They started talking about the new DADA teacher, wondering who it would be. Soon after, they arrived at Hogwarts. They found the prefect carriage and waited for Justin and Padma.
"Don't forget. Prefect bathroom at 9. " Draco nodded. Padma and Justin joined them, and they set for the bumpy ride.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ That's it for chapter 6! Next chapter: school starts and snape gets sneaky I'm really sorry for the long wait! My computer crashed not once but twice, while writing this, and a lot of stuff has been going on. I will update ASAP but im not sure how soon that will be. Please review, not that many from the last chapter. Hina- wow you really scared me this time. I didn't remember mentioning anything about Sharukh…o well.. but I got the name from my Indian friend…and it is the one from bollywood. And thanks for the picture. The link didn't work, but it's the thought that counts. Nancy- yes mia is Hermione hehe. Cya 2morrow! Shini-Hi – glad you like it! D/hr is my favorite too! Tavi-u didn't review! I'm expecting an extra long one this time missy! O and remind me to give u the summer reading list, its in my backpack.
Thanx for reading!
As they separated, Hermione cautiously followed Ron's gaze. He suddenly shifted gears, and focused in on her. She smiled as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and greeted Parvati, who had just joined the group.
"Hey Mione! You look great! I absolutely adore that shirt!" Parvati greeted. Lavender elbowed Parvati and nodded in the direction of the cute Indian boy at her side.
"Ow! Oh, sorry! Guys this is Sharukh. Sharukh these are the guys…."
They all greeted him with warm smiles.
"So Sharukh, do you know what house you're going to be in?"
"Nope, not yet. Dumbledore said that I'd be sorted on the train. I hope I get into Gryffindor though." He looked meaningfully at Parvati while saying this, causing her to blush.
"We better go find a compartment." Hermione said, trying to change the subject.
Hermione followed them onto the train, sneaking a last glance in Draco's direction. He was off in a corner talking to Pansy.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hey Pansy." Draco greeted politely.
"Drakie! How did things go with Hermione?"
Draco glanced around before responding, "Everything turned out as planned. Let's go find a compartment and I'll tell you all about it." ~*~*~*~*~*~
After Draco had filled in Pansy on all of the details of the previous week's events, he continued on, "Now it's time to move onto phase two."
Pansy nodded, "This is going to be so fun!"
"Just remember, we still have to act like we're going out."
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to go find Blaise. See you at dinner!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, Hermione was bored out of her mind. Parvati and Lavender were gossiping and the guys were droning on about all things quidditch. Knowing she would not be missed, she spoke up.
"Hey guys, I have to go to the prefects compartment. I'll see you at the feast."
"I'll go with you, if you don't mind. I should probably go find Dumbledore."
"I don't mind at all, Sharukh. Let's go." Sharukh gave Parvati a quick peck on the lips.
"Are they going out or something?" Harry whispered.
"Oh Harry! You're so cute when you're clueless!" Lavender responded, this time causing Harry to blush. Parvati and Ron rolled their eyes.
"So Parvati, are you going to tell us any more about Sharukh?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco was already I the compartment when Hermione, followed by Sharukh, entered.
"Granger."
"Malfoy."
Hermione sat down next to Draco, and Sharukh sat across from them, once again waiting to be acknowledged.
"Mia take off your ring, he'll see the glow." Draco whispered to her, nodding vaguely in the direction if the guy she had entered with. "Who's the kid?"
"This is Sharukh. He's Parvati's friend."
"Sharukh?" He took a good look at the guy for the first time. After all his mind had been preoccupied…
"Dude! It's about time you noticed!"
"I thought you said you were going to school with your girlfriend."
"Am I missing something?" Hermione interrupted.
"Parvati is my girlfriend." Sharukh responded, completely ignoring Hermione's question.
"This rocks! Maybe we'll have some classes together!"
"HOW DO YOU GUYS KNOW EACHOTHER?!?!" Hermione yelled.
"Wait! Draco, this is the Hermione." Sharukh asked finally putting two and two together.
"Merlin Draco! How many people have you told?" Hermione grew more frustrated with every passing second.
Draco, knowing better than to make a powerful witch angry, finally addressed her. "Sharukh is my next-door neighbor. He is usually my only companion during the holidays, which is why he knows about us. About a month ago he had gone to visit his girlfriend, presumably Parvati. Understand now?"
"Yes, thank you." She said sweetly. She turned to Sharukh. "You know, I really hope that your in Gryffindor. It would be so great to have someone to talk to without having to keep up this act."
"I wonder when Dumbledore's going to come" Draco said just before the door to the compartment began to open. Dumbledore walked in, followed by Professor McGonagall, the sorting hat, and the other two prefects, Justin and Padma.
Dumbledore greeted Draco and Hermione, then turned to Sharukh. "Mr. Kahn. We are happy that you have decided to join us at Hogwarts. I assume your know about our tradition of sorting students into houses." When Sharukh nodded he continued, "very good. For time's sake we will skip the ceremony and just get right to the sorting itself." Dumbledore placed the hat on Sharukh's head.
"Sharukh Khan hmm…you are very bright no doubt…but you hold the friendships of those evil…thus I will place you in SLYTHERIN!" (AN: I was so tempted to stop it there but after leaving you guys hanging for over a month, I decided to be nice :P)
"Dude, this years going to kick--"
"Mr. Malfoy! If you value your position as prefect, I would not finish that sentence." McGonagall warned condescendingly.
"Yes Professor."
"I suppose I should go tell the others, see you later Draco."
"I better go with you, knowing Ron's feelings towards members of Slytherin." Hermione suggested. "Fill me in later?" she whispered to Draco. He nodded.
Hermione and Sharukh left the compartment and headed towards Harry's. "Sharukh , I should probably warn you. Ron has a small temper control issue. I doubt he would do anything to you with Parvati around, but if he sees you hanging out with Draco…" Hermione's voice wondered off trying to find the right words. "Well let's just say, be prepared."
"Thanks for the warning, but I doubt he could get away with doing something to me." He said with the typical slytherin arrogance.
"I think you've been spending too much time with Draco." She said jokingly.
"More like he's been spending too much time with me. Who do you think showed him his alter-ego? "
"I never thought of it that way…I must be loosing my touch. "
Hermione opened the door to the compartment. Sharukh took his seat next to Parvati. "So?" she asked anxiously.
"Slytherin," he responded in what he thought was a casual voice.
"Oh well, at least we'll have potions together."
"Yeah, I'll see you later okay? I want to go meet some of the other Slytherins before we get to school." He kissed her reassuringly, while everyone else in the diverted their stares.
"I better head back to the prefects compartment." Hermione said and left closing the door behind them.
~*~*~*~*~
Hermione returned to the prefect compartment, and once again found Draco alone.
"Hey Mia, how'd it go?"
"Not bad at all, we kind of got out of there before Ron and Harry had the chance to act up."
"That's good. Where's he now?"
"We ran into Pansy on the way back over. After finding out that he was in Slytherin, she took him to go meet Blaise and some other people from your house." Hermione looked at her watch, a half hour to go. "I'm going to go change into my robes before the bathroom gets too crowded. You coming?"
"You know, Mia, you better watch what your saying. One of these days I won't be able to resist your innocent suggestions."
"Draco!"
"Okay, I'm coming."
~*~*~*~*~
After they had changed into their robes and returned to the compartment, Draco handed Hermione a small silver box.
"Draco! Another gift? You really didn't have to--"
"I did have to. Just open it." Hermione opened the box to reveal an exquisite silver necklace chain. Draco removed the ring that Hermione had put back on her finger, and ran the chain through it. "May I?" Hermione nodded and turned her back to him. Draco fastened the chain around her neck.
"Thanks Draco, I love it! But I still don't see why I needed it."
"The answer is simple. I have waited too long for you, to see you harmed. We obviously can't wear the rings, for the glow is conspicuous, but I needed to be able to keep you safe. This way you have the ring when you need it, but no one will know it is there."
"Oh Draco! That is so sweet of you!" She gave him a thank you kiss after making sure no one was standing outside of the compartment. They started talking about the new DADA teacher, wondering who it would be. Soon after, they arrived at Hogwarts. They found the prefect carriage and waited for Justin and Padma.
"Don't forget. Prefect bathroom at 9. " Draco nodded. Padma and Justin joined them, and they set for the bumpy ride.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ That's it for chapter 6! Next chapter: school starts and snape gets sneaky I'm really sorry for the long wait! My computer crashed not once but twice, while writing this, and a lot of stuff has been going on. I will update ASAP but im not sure how soon that will be. Please review, not that many from the last chapter. Hina- wow you really scared me this time. I didn't remember mentioning anything about Sharukh…o well.. but I got the name from my Indian friend…and it is the one from bollywood. And thanks for the picture. The link didn't work, but it's the thought that counts. Nancy- yes mia is Hermione hehe. Cya 2morrow! Shini-Hi – glad you like it! D/hr is my favorite too! Tavi-u didn't review! I'm expecting an extra long one this time missy! O and remind me to give u the summer reading list, its in my backpack.
Thanx for reading!
