Disclaimer: Not going to write this anymore since it's already on the first
chapter.

Chapter 2: The Beginning

o-o-o-o-o-o

Why did she even bother to wake up today? Oh... she knows; the bloody
sun was in her eyes before she woke up. She left out a soft sigh before
rising from the bed. Lately, she had been less enthusiastic with going to
class. What's the point? She knows everything that was being taught in
class. She had even finished the assignment that was to be assigned for
spring vacation even though it was November now. Why did she even bother to
put her efforts in it at all?

Briefly, she glanced about the room. It was decorated in red and gold,
with the sun's rays giving it a confident aura. Crookshanks was nesting at
the corner of the bed, baking in the sun's warmth. Nothing interesting was
happening. There was never anything new ever since Voldemort's last defeat.

"My, my, Hermione... You should get ready. It's nearly time for
breakfast."

She forced a small smile on her face before facing her mirror.

"Yes... I know."

It was going to be a start of another boring day in Hogwarts – just
what she needs...

o-o-o-o-o-o

The sun was starting to peek into the room as the sun rose from its
bed in the horizon. It illuminated the room in a soft glow of orange
despite the dark colors that decorated it. In the middle of the room sat
the king-size bed, its curtains tied to the posts, allowing the light to
fall upon its occupant.

A soft groan can be heard from the figure. As he rose from the bed, he
stared daggers at the sun, which seemed to be mocking him with its cheery
sunny glow. Bad mood... It seems that the Gryffindors would be losing a lot
of points today.

His head was starting to throb from the effects of the amount of
alcohol he consumed yesterday. But no matter what, he just couldn't forget
about her. Her... How could a mere female catch his attention so quickly
without him noticing it? Of course it wasn't like he was in love with her.
Love was such a weak emotion that causes one's downfall. He was just
attracted to her knowledge and that confidence she had.

No... He wasn't in love.

His head was starting to hurt like hell. Where was that potion that
relieves hangovers whenever he needs it? He tried to massage his temples as
he went over to his cabinet near the bed. There must be some more left. If
not, he was going to have to resort to Madame Pomfrey, despite the face
that he was the one who prepared the potions.

To his relief, he found the small bottle next to the Pepperup Potion,
nearly covered by the bigger bottles in front of it. Without bothering to
pour out the contents into a glass since there weren't that much of the
content left, he gulped down the liquid. In just a few moments, the potion
took effect as he felt the throbbing start to disappear.

Maybe it's an okay day after all...

o-o-o-o-o-o

Apparently, she was the first person to enter the Great Hall. It
wasn't really much of a surprise considering her timing in class, but by
now, she would've thought that Harry and Ron would be sitting at the table,
talking about Quidditch or chess, or whatever typical guys think about. But
they weren't.

Shrugging the thought off, she sat down at the middle of the
Gryffindor Table. The food appeared before her instantly.

'Must be charmed to do that,' she thought as she took a steaming hot
cinnamon roll. While she filled her plate, students began to filter in,
sitting down in their little groups, gossiping about Merlin-knows-what. But
in the end, Harry and Ron still hadn't shown up. Hermione frown as she
glanced at the doorway. Where in Merlin's name could they be? It wasn't
common that they would be this late for breakfast.

"My, my... If it isn't the little mudblood without her two precious
bodyguards... What happened? Did they finally realize how pathetic and low
you are, that they ditched you?"

She instantly averted her gaze from the door to the face of the Draco
Malfoy. How she despise him and that uncaring voice of his. He may look
good and all, but he was just a cold-hearted bastard. It seems to be his
mission to make her, Harry, and Ron's life a living hell.

"Oh sod off ferret boy. I don't need your bloody comments today. It's
always the same pile of shit everyday."

Her comment caught Draco off-guard. Mudblood? Cursing? Quickly, he
recovered with a snare as he lowered down to stare at her eye to eye.

"Tsk tsk mudblood. You shouldn't be using such foul language even
though it fits your persona perfectly."

Straightening back up, he walked toward the Slytherin Table, where
Pansy already was, frantically motioning toward the seat next to her.
Hermione snickered softly as she watch Draco visibly cringe as Pansy lunge
herself at him.

"Serves him right," she mumbled.

It was by that time when Harry and Ron entered the room. Harry's hair
was tousled and his glasses were slanted on his nose. His clothes were
untidy, with his robe hanging on one shoulder. Ron wasn't much of a sight
for sore eyes either. His hair was all ruffed up, some standing up in the
air. His clothes were all untidy, the top and bottom few buttons
unbuttoned. As he ran toward the table, one could see that his socks didn't
match either.

"What in bloody 'ell happened to you two? You looked like a tornado
hit you dead on!"

Ron grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. We've overslept since 'someone' turned
off the alarm clock. Right, Harry?"

Harry scratched his head nervously as he settled down at the table.
Just a few minutes after the two burst into the room, Colin Creevey entered
the room, looking as tousled as the two were, but had that sleepy look in
his eyes. As he settled down at the table, before even reaching for a
muffin, he fell asleep on his plate.

Snickers could be heard around the table at the sight. Colin had his
face on his plate, his hand on the table, reaching for what was intended to
be a muffin, but was now a cup.

"You think we should wake him up?" Ron asks as he pokes Colin's arm.
Hermione just shook her head before proceeding with her meal. Not much
exciting today as she had expected.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Through a door at the side of the Great Hall, Snape entered, heading
straight for the High Table. The rest of the staff was already there,
eating their breakfast. Taking his usual seat near the end of the table, he
proceeded to take a blueberry muffin.

"You know Severus – I came across a troubling discovery yesterday when
I was checking up on the staff's future. You are to face a great deal of
obstacles in life that can threaten your very own existence. But never
fear, you will meet someone spe–"

Severus scoffed at her remark as he pours himself some tea. He was
already facing near-death experiences and here is this witch talking about
the future of facing them. As if he had to face any more annoyances for the
day...

"I'm sorry to interrupt your... interpretation of my "future" Professor
Trelawney. I feel that I have no interest for your little fortunetelling
about my life and I would wish that you would leave my life alone."

Sybill scowled at his comment before returning to her breakfast. Of
all the nerve of this insufferable git!
As Severus ate his breakfast in silence, he tuned out the rest of the
staff, wishing to be left alone. His eyes wandered about the heads of the
students below him, chatting away at whatever nonsense they might think of.
At that moment, Potter and Weasley had burst into the room, looking
disheveled. It looked like as if they had a shag. Severus shook his head in
amusement. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley – together as a sweet little
couple. The thought was as amusing as it could get.

He averted his gaze from the two to a certain know-it-all Gryffindor.
Her... She was perfectly in his view, where he could see her munching on a
cinnamon roll. Her eyes seemed to be on fire as she glared at the two boys
settling down at the table. He could examine every detail of her and claim
her to be perfect despite his position.

Over the summer, she had changed so much. That wild hair of hers had
been tamed so that it now fell in soft waves down her back. Before, one
couldn't tell if she had highlights in it, but now it's clearly visible.
Her complexion had changed, where she now uses what those silly girls like
to use – makeup. Her figure had also developed into that of a young woman.
She was a beauty to see, and her intelligence and wit only spices it up
even more. It was such a pity that the two in front of her didn't even
acknowledge her beauty.

He knew that he shouldn't be looking at her that way. It was against
the rules. Even if it was just mere infatuation, it was wrong.

It seems that she had noticed someone watching her, for her head shot
up and instantly, her gaze fell upon his. For a moment, they stared at one
another, speechless, before Severus stood from his seat and left the room
through the same door he had entered from.

It was just a mere attraction... nothing more.

o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: This chapter turned out okay, not as good as the first though. =\