Draco Malfoy nodded his head as a sign of greeting. He had dreaded this day.

He knew that if he let 'Granger' stay, everyone would think he liked her.

If he told her to leave, he'd never get to know her better. He didn't exactly want to, but he knew the qualities of having her be his friend.

Hermione, on the other hand, wanted desperately to leave.

'I left home for this? What was I thinking?' She had asked herself that question all night.

Draco took his place in the middle of the room.

Butler Severus smiled brightly around the room and announced, "Well, here we go! When I call your lovely names, you will please step forward and allow Mr. Malfoy to put one of these twenty diamond necklaces on you. If you are not chosen to come forward, you will then walk from the room immediately and gather your bags. Then meet me out front where more carriages will await you to take you back to the platform!"

"Erika Y!"

Erika stepped forward and gladly accepted the necklace.

"Kelsey J!

Melissa R!

Ally G!

Kathryn C!

Amanda S!

Devony S!

Jessica S!

Jennifer L!

Alison D!

Rachel R!

Narisunell U!

Alana K!

Adriana K!

Emily H!

Kiara N!

Lily F!

Rose R!

Lisa F!

Padma and Parvati were disappointed, but they knew there was one spot left and Hermione hadn't been called. They were getting nervous.

Hermione was getting more relieved by the minute. They hadn't called her yet!

'Yet' she reminded herself. But it wasn't likely she would be called with only one more space left.

Suddenly Butler Severus announced the last one.

~*~

R&R! Thanks to:

Queen Little Mini, Ivy Raine, LP Draconis, smart cookie, Sirius's Crazy Chick, Saturn-Hime, BlOnDe SwEeT tHaNg, Felicity, avri, and Allee Kat!