MAGIC, LOVE AND MAYHEM

PART 4: the school year begins.

When Hermione and Draco got off the Hogwarts express Hermione remembered that they would have to ride the carriages up to the school together. Hermione stormed off to their carriage and got in, Draco not to far behind her.

"Shove over Granger" Draco said getting into the carriage sitting opposite her. When they started moving, Draco took that time to look Hermione over. She wasn't too bad looking; he had to admit, at least for a mudblood.

Hermione sighed hoping that things could be better than they were last year. Draco had made it his mission to be as rude and hurtful to Hermione as he possibly could. As a result a full fledged mini war occurred between Hermione and her friends and Draco and his friends. But there was no time for that now, it was their seventh year and they had to all concentrate.

Hermione and Draco separated as soon as they arrived at the school. Their carriage had been ahead of everyone else's and so Hermione wandered around looking to see who had already arrived. She saw Lydia Brown and Jane Jones, both were Slytherin 7th years, they were best friends and Hermione knew them but was not exactly close to them. Walking up to them Hermione decided to talk to them seeing as none of her friends had arrived.

"Hi Hermione, we heard you got head girl" Jane said, "Congratulations" she continued, "Are you looking forward to this year?" she asked and Hermione smiled.

"Of course, I know that I'm going to do well, how about you guys?" Hermione asked.

Lydia grimaced, "I have a feeling that I'm going to do terribly in Care of Magical creatures. I don't understand why, they just wig me out. I mean my older brother works with magical creatures at the magical sanctuary for endangered animals, but for some reason I just cant get the hang of it" she finished and both Jane and Hermione smiled, remembering Lydia's attempts of helping a unicorn. She had ended up in the hospital wing for a week.

Hermione spotted Melody getting out of a carriage and then turned back to Jane and Lydia, "I've gotta go, I'll talk to you guys later" she said and set off in the direction of Melody.

"Hey Mione, you okay? How was Malfoy on the ride up?" She asked her best fired.

"Bearable" Hermione said, "Come on, lets go into the great hall" Hermione said and the two started walking into the school. They sat down at the Gryffindor table, and then the rest of the 7th years began entering. Hermione noticed Keiko Masaki, she knew the girl had a crush on Ron and both she and Melody thought it was cute. "I wonder who the new defence against the Dark arts professor is going to be" Hermione said to Melody as Harry and Ron came and sat down next to them.

When all the students were seated and the new 1st years were sorted Professor Dumbledore stood up. "I would like to wish everyone a friendly welcome back and welcome to the new and returning students. Firstly the Dark forest is forbidden to all. Secondly our new Head boy and girl are Mister Draco Malfoy of Slytherin and Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor. We have a new Defence against the Dark Arts Professor, Miss Harley Donahugh, she is also, might I add, Mister Oliver Wood's girlfriend for those of you who knew him when he attended Hogwarts and those who now know him for his Quiddich playing." Dumbledore went on, "Well enough from me, let's eat" he said and sat down.

Hermione looked up at their new professor; she had brown hair with red tips and brown eyes. Hermione could tell that she was going to be a cool professor just by looking at her but Hermione could tell that she couldn't be that much older than most of the 7th years.

Across the Great Hall Carrick Knightly was sitting with Draco eating. His gaze wandered over to the Gryffindor table, he nudged Draco's arm. "What?" Draco said a bit annoyed,

"Hermione's looking hot this year" he said smiling. Draco groaned and then glared at Carrick, "Well she is, you can't tell me you haven't noticed" he said. "Ow!" he exclaimed when Draco hit him over the head.

"Will you please stop talking about that filthy mudblood? She may be looking better than she did last year but she is still a mudblood" Draco said. He continued his meal in silence but couldn't help looking over at Hermione who was smiling and laughing with her friends. * Her face really lights up when she smiles * he thought but then scowled reminding himself of who he was thinking about.

TBC.

I haven't written on this story for AGES. So if you want me to continue please review telling me so.