Disclaimer: Same as before. Some new people will be introduced as the new first years and such. Also some second years as well, since we don't know their names yet. (Okay, maybe some third and fourth too because I don't remember them either. Who knows.)
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Draco and Hermione herded the students off the train and made sure everyone was off before leaving it themselves. Once they were off they head the familiar voice of Hagrid shouting to the terrified first years.
"Firs' years over here!" He called in his booming voice.
"Hello Hagrid!" Hermione waved. He waved back to her as the younger students turned to see who was being friendly with the giant man.
"Hermione! Great ta see you again! I heard you made Head Girl. Great job on that!"
"Thanks Hagrid. See you later!" Hermione rushed to catch up with Draco as he climbed into the lead carriage. She got in behind him and sat on the seat across, watching the moon flash across his face as they traveled towards the castle. She couldn't help but be mesmerized by the older teen who hated her so much.
"I know you want a piece of me." He smirked, turning to her quickly. She blushed quickly before gaining her composure once more.
"As if! I'm merely wondering what out there is fascinating you so much. See something shiny?" Draco rolled his eyes and stretched out on the seat, his legs brushing against hers. She frowned and pulled her legs in. "And must you take up all the space there is?" She asked. He nodded lazily.
"Yes, I must."
"Well don't." They arrived at the castle then and climbed off, gathering in a group with the Prefects, who were directing students in the right direction. They nodded to them before finally heading in to sit with their Houses.
In the front of the Great Hall was a stool with the Sorting Hat sitting on it and McGonagall standing next to it with a long list and the first years standing in a line, looking nervously around the room. Hermione turned to her friends as the Hat started its long rhyme about the different houses.
"How was the ride over with Malfoy?" Ron asked, his stomach rumbling.
"Boring. He kept staring out the window. At least he didn't start harassing me."
"Oh Hermione. I wish you were still in our dorm. It's going to be lonely without you." Lavender said sadly. Parvati nodded sympathetically.
"And having to be near Malfoy. Even though he is kinda hot." She sighed. Hermione made a face of disgust.
"You must be under a spell because Draco Malfoy is not good-looking. And he's a royal pain in my ass as well." She said a little loudly. Dean and Seamus who were sitting a few seats away turned and frowned.
"Hey, quiet over there. The first years are getting sorted." Dean said and turned to watch the ceremony. They all hushed and watched as one by one students were sent to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Joining them were four boys and four girls. They cheered as each one came and sat at the table.
"Welcome to Gryffindor." Hermione sad warmly as one of the girls sat next to her, looking nervous. She smiled a little and looked down at the plate. "My name is Hermione Granger."
"Stariss Skygazer." The girl whispered shyly. "Were you the one talking to Hagrid outside?"
"Yes, I was."
"Wow." She said and looked back down, her face red.
"He's great. You'll get used to his size and sometimes overly cheerful attitude in no time." Stariss smiled again and turned to face Professor Dumbledore as he stood up.
"First I'd like to welcome all first students for your information the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden. That should serve as a reminder to some of our older students as well." He turned his gaze to Harry and Ron.
"What's he looking at us for? We didn't do anything last year." Ron pointed out. Harry shrugged.
"Maybe he figures we'll try something as it's our last year here." Ron shrugged.
"Finally, I'd like to introduce your new Head Boy and Head Girl. Mr. Draco Malfoy from Slytherin and Ms. Hermione Granger from Gryffindor. Stand up and let the first years know who you are." Hermione smiled and stood to the cheers of the Gryffindor's, Hufflepuff's, and Ravenclaw's. The Slytherin's were busy cheering for Malfoy, who stood with a smirk on his face as Pansy nearly fainted. "Thank you, and let the feast begin!" He said, and clapped his hands as the food appeared on the table in front of them. Ron instantly piled food on his plate while the first years stared in amazement.
After the feast and the first years had been introduced to the ghosts, the houses started to walk back to their dorms, the prefects leading the first years. Hermione was about to follow them and chat with her friends for a few minutes before turning in when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see a smirking Malfoy looking down at her.
"And where do you think YOU are going Ms. Granger?"
"Like it's any of your business Malfoy. Let me go."
"Come on. Dumbledore wants to speak with us." He said, releasing her. She sighed and turned to follow him, approaching the Professor's table.
"Ah Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy. I trust you already know your password." They nodded, having been sent it previously. "Good. Now there is something I wished to discuss with the two of you. You see, I am not blind to the animosity between the two of you. And since the two of you will be essentially living together, I cannot stress the importance of teamwork. The two of you will have to learn to get along or your duties as Head students will fail. Now, do you understand what I am saying."
"Yes Professor Dumbledore." Hermione said. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Yeah." Draco answered.
"I'll try to get along with him the best I can." Hermione added. Dumbledore shook his head.
"I'm afraid trying is not an option. You must learn to get along and respect each other. Now get going. The two of you have a very busy day ahead of you tomorrow." They nodded and turned, walking out the door, distancing themselves from the other as soon as they were out of sight.
"This sucks." Draco said bluntly. Hermione had to agree.
"Well I'd have to agree with you on this." They walked the remainder of the way in silence, counting the columns or portraits as they went. Finally they were there. On one side of the corridor there was a golden suit of armor, quite unlike the silver ones that were in most areas of the castle. Hermione approached it as she saw Draco was not going to and knocked on it. It promptly swung open to reveal a short path that led into a small but comfortable room, the fireplace not lit up.
This first room was for students who were not to be admitted into the more private areas of the dorm. It was splashed with all the house colors, ten chairs with two belonging to each house, and two a bronze color for the Head Boy and Girl. They passed through this room to the opposite wall and Hermione searched for one of the books. She tugged on it and recited what had been sent to them. "Friends can enter, hold enemies at bay." Draco snickered.
"What's your problem?"
"I just think it's stupid. A dumb password. And that means we wouldn't be able to enter, now would it?" Hermione sighed as the bookcase slid to the side, revealing their common room. Hermione was rather impressed, though Draco remained passive.
It was colored in the Gryffindor and Slytherin colors, like Muggle Christmas colors, Hermione thought to herself dryly. The fireplace was blazing with a large, warm fire. A table with a few chairs sat off to one side of the room, surrounded by a bookcase with hundreds of books. Hermione found this aspect the most comforting. The floor was covered with a luxurious white carpet that was soft to walk on, and when Hermione touched it, soft enough to sit on. In front of the fire place there were three chairs. On opposite sides from each other was a single chair, each with one of the two house colors. The other chair was a light gray color, almost white and sat in front of the fire. It was built to fit two or even three people. Draco snorted at that.
"Like that one'll ever be used." Above the fireplace stood two large portraits of the first Head Boy and Head Girl, which smiled down at them.
"Welcome to the Head Tower." The girl said warmly. The boy looked over and then down at them nodding. Draco frowned up at the two of them while Hermione smiled brightly.
"Thank you!" Smaller portraits of the other Head Boy and Head Girl's were hung on one wall that looked very large. Hermione gasped. "It's so big!"
"Just an illusion dear. Couldn't fit all the portraits in this room if it weren't for that. You'll find they rotate every so often so that you will have a chance to speak with them all if you so wish." The boy said kindly. The girl nodded.
"Yes, but we'll always remain here." Draco yawned, detached from the whole thing, and head towards one of the staircases silently.
"Well good night to you too Draco." Hermione frowned, wishing she could start to get to know him, as Dumbledore had suggested.
"Yeah. Whatever." He went up the stairs and disappeared. She heard the slam of a door a few seconds later. Hermione shrugged and waved to the two portraits and headed towards the other stairs. She walked up them and whispered her password when she found the door wouldn't open. "Elmaera Torvino." The door swung open and she shut it gently as the candles in the room started to glow. Her trunk was sitting on the edge of the single bed in the room. It was not overly large but it was comfortable. She walked over to the window and looked out before drawing the shades across it. Her bed rested against one wall, with her trunk on the end and Crookshanks curled up on it. The entire room was done in the Gryffindor colors and a warm chocolate brown. On the wall opposite her bed was a desk with a wardrobe next to it. Next to the door she had just come through was another door, which she opened to reveal a spacious, white bathroom. She smiled and looked at the large bathtub. The bathroom itself was just a fraction smaller than her room and was separated into three sections. When one first walked in they would see a little section with a vanity and divider, most assumedly for dressing. The second section held the bathtub and shower, which were separate from each other. And the third, across from the shower was the sink and facility, Hermione noted. She smiled and left, shutting the door behind her.
After a few moment of taking in her beautiful new room she changed for bed and pulled back her covers, sinking into the warmth and coziness of it. She pulled the drapes shut around the bed and Crookshanks crawled up to curl against her chin. Absently she scratched his ears, wondering if Draco's room was the same right before she drifted to sleep.
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Now for the thanks to the reviewers!
Akasha Ravensong: Thanks for being the first! And I'll try to update more often. But it's hard with my parents, job, and upcoming school. ::thinks:: I actually updated more DURING school. . . ^_^
Ellie: Don't worry. They should. . . ::gasps:: I've said to much! But you should all know what's going to happen already. . . or do you? ^_~
Vvian: Okie dokie! ^_^
PinkTribeChick: Thanks! Glad you think so! ^_^
Elvish Fairy: Glad you like it! And of course I'll continue! ^_^
To everyone else: Like it? PLEASE REVIEW! ^_^ I love reviews. . . and so does Faylinn, my muse. LOL