Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, so please don't sue!
A/N: hi again! i'm here with another chapter!!! yea! i luv y'all for the reviews!!! sorry i can't get any personal thank yoos this tym...i'm sorta in a rush...but i promise next chapter i'll put up personal thank you's to everyone...read on and enjoy!!!
*********
During breakfast the next morning, owls every shape, colour and size flew into the Great Hall, as they each dropped of the schedules of the students for that school year. Harry, Hermione and Ron read theirs, and groaned after finding out that they would have Potions first thing in the morning, followed by Defense Against the Drak Arts, then lunch, then Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration. The groans came from finding out that they would be having three of the four classes with Slytherin, and Care of Magical Creatures would be with Hufflepuff that year.
"Great," Ron muttered,"By the end of the year, we'll be practically living with the Slytherins."
As soon as he finished saying that, he quickly covered his mouth, realizing what he had just said.
"Sorry Hermione. I forgot," he said apologetically.
"That's okay Ron, just so long as I just stay in my room, I think I can handle living with that creep," she replied. She smiled at Ron, and he smiled back. They were growing closer with each year, and the two knew it. Breakfast ended, and the three headed down the long winding staircase that led to the dark dungeons. They were among the first students there, and were able to pick a seat not to close to Snape's desk, yet not to far back near the nasty group of Slytherins. Hermione slid into the seat next to the window, and Ron slid next to her, with Harry taking the seat in front of the two.
The potions master entered the room swiftly, and stopped as his desk to drop the many textbooks. They made a loud thump, which caused nearly half the class to jump in their seats.
"Well, well, well. Won't it be a delightful year teaching the oh-so-famous Gryffindor's yet again?" He questioned, as he made his way slowly to Neveille's desk. Poor Neveille looked so frightened and was shaking like a leaf under the creepy stare of Professor Snape.
"Mr. Longbottom, do tell me, what happens when one mixes the fluid of a squid with the juices of gin sing natural tea leaves?" Snape's eyes fixed on the scared student. Hermione's hand instantly shot up, obviously knowing the answer.
"Um-it-it c-creates...I-I d-don't-" Neveille stuttered.
"You don't know do you?" Snape's mouth curled into grin. Then he spun around to the smirking Draco Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, I presume that you can tell me the answer?" Snape quizzed.
"Of course Professor. When one mixed the fluid of a squid with the juices of gin sing natural tea leaves, one will come up with the potion that will instantly cure intense muscle spasms," Malfoy said smuggly.
"Good. 10 points to Slytherin, and 10 points from Gryffindor," Snape stated. The rest of the class went downhill from there. Snape talked for the full class about the new potions they would be studying that year, and what skills would be required. Of course after he said that, he immediately began picking on Nevielle, silently enjoying taking as many points from Gryffindor as possible. Finally class was over, and the tempered Gryffindor's exited and walked quickly to their Defense Against Dark Arts class. That class was cheered the Gryffindor's up greaty as, to everyone's surprise, Professor Lupin had returned once more to Hogwarts. Even though they had this class with the Slytherin's, they were able to regain most of their lost points in this class. They weren't assigned any homework, as they headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
"This is great!" Ron exclaimed, "I can't believe Lupin's back! I can't believe they didn't tell us!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione talked the whole lunch hour about what they would expect this year from Lupin's class, and hoped that maybe Malfoy'll be taught a lesson in that class. Care of Magical Creatures came next, and to the relief of the Gryffindors, they had a break from the Slytherins, as they shared this class with the Hufflepuffs. Hagrid, too didn't assign any written homework, but asked the class to read over a chapter in their new textbooks, which closely studied unicorns and their way of life. Transfiguration was tougher this year, as McGonagall informed the class that they would be learning how to change into an animagus, and other difficult spells. She assigned them a stack of worksheets about the course, which was due the following day.
After the first day was over, Hermione said goodbye to her friends, as they headed towards the Gryffindor tower. Harry and Ron invited her to join them in their common room to chat, but Hermione turned it down, wanting to get started on her homework right away.
Back in her own tower, Hermione muttered the password and entered the large common room. She sighed in relief after scanning the room, and seeing that Malfoy was no where in sight. She dropped her books on the couch next to her as she took a seat, and sprawled the different worksheets on the table in front of her. She started off with the animagus page and quickly filled out the many questions on the piece of parchment.
Draco Malfoy parted from his friends after spending a few moments in the Slytherin common room, and headed towards the Head's tower. The portrait swung open after he said the right password, revealing the brown-haired girl sitting quietly in his view. He remained hidden in the shadows, realizing that she didn't hear him come in. He watched her work on her Transfiguration homework, and he found himself examining every inch of her. The way she tilted her head to one side as she bent over hard at work, the way she wore her newly styled hair down, and the way the sophisticated waves just hung elegantly over her shoulders.
Hermione finally finished the last question of the last page, and sighed happily, putting the feathered pen neatly beside the textbook. She looked up and noticed a pair or silver eyes staring at her deep within the darkness of the entrance. The 6 foot figure emmerged into the light, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. She watched Malfoy take long strides as he walked up the left hand stairs to his bedroom. She wondered why he just stood there, but quickly pushed the question from her mind, stacking the papers atop her textbook and carried them up to her own room. She organised the papers in numerical order, then lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was lost in a world of dreams that she didn't even realize that a pecking sound was coming from her closed window.
She shook her head, her dreams wisped away, as she sat up and opened the window, letting in a gorgeous honey-coloured owl. Hermione untied the letter that was attached to the owl's leg and read.
Our dearest Hermione,
We both hope that you are enjoying your year so far at Hogwarts, and we just want to let you know that your father and I are so very proud of you for making Head Girl. This owl that you see before you is just a little gift from your father and I, something to say "Congradulations"! Hope you like her! And we hope to see you for the Christmas holidays!
Lots of love,
Mum and Dad
Hermione smiled and glanced over at her new owl, who was busy exploring the new environment.
"What should I call you?" Hermione spoke aloud to the owl. It hooted in response, as it flew over to where Crookshanks lay. Crookshanks, frightened at first of the large bird, jumped nearly a mile high, then hissed to the new creature.
"Be nice Crookshanks, this is your new friend-" Hermione paused, still trying to find a good name for the female owl.
"Hmmm, how about the name Honey, to match your colour?" Hermione tilted her head to the side. The owl turned its head 360 degrees, and gave Hermione "the look". Hermione chuckled.
"Okay, I know, that was just dumb. Alright then, what about Desiree? It has that French feel to it?" Hermione asked the owl. A happy hoot was the answer to that problem. Hermione smiled and picked up a fresh piece of parchment, to write back to her parents.
Mum and Dad,
Thank you so much for the beautiful owl! I've named her Desiree and she's absolutely perfect! I'm very happy here at Hogwarts, although I'm sharing the position of Head with Draco Malfoy, that pureblood wizard that I've told you two about. It hasn't been so bad lately, I just stay out of his way, but don't worry about me, I'll be fine. School is great so far, and I, too hope that Christmas rolls around soon, so that I can come home! I love you two so much, and thanks again!
Love,
Hermione
She sealed the letter, and told Desiree to deliver the new letter. It was almost time for dinner, so Hermione got up and decided to meet Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor tower. She whispered the password, and walked into the familiar scarlet and gold decorated common room. It was unusually filled that day, seeing as it was everyone's first day back, and Hermione scanned the room for her two best friends.
"Oy Hermione!" Ron's masculine voice hollered, "Over here!"
Hermione headed in the direction of the voice, and saw the smiling red-head and his grinning side-kick. Things had most definately switched by their fifth year, when Ron just sprouted up, towering high above all the other fifth-years, and muscles growing everywhere, as he trained more and more for his spot on the quidditch team, as a Beater. Ron suddenly became the popular one, passing Harry ever so slightly. Harry was still well known as "the-boy-who-lived", but Ron was no longer just "Harry's-red-head-sidekick". Witches from every year, giggled and drooled whenever Ron entered a room, and Hermione was just happy that he still remained the same old Ron Weasley.
The trio walked together down the corridors of Hogwarts, entering the Great Hall, just before dinner was served. They found their usual seats, next to Ginny, Dean and Seamus, and began to eat and chat.
"So how does it feel to be Head Girl Hermione?" Ginny asked shyly, blushing as she and Harry both reached for the same piece of chicken.
"It's kind of the same as being a Prefect. Well so far anyways, I'm sure it'll get more stressful later into the year, but other than sharing a tower will Malfoy, I love it!" Hermione smiled at the little girl. They continued to talk about their summers, but Hermione purposely left out the part of her parent's ever-growing conflit. She just didn't feel like it was the right moment. It was too personal.
After dinner, Hermione decided to turn in early, wanting to get a good night's sleep. She lay in bed, somehow thinking about all of her parent's conflits, and how they were affecting her mentally. She didn't know how it all started and even WHY it all started, but she knew that it was tearing her family apart year by year.
' It'll be better by Christmas,' her last thought before drifting off to sleep.
*********
ok...WAIT!!! it only gets better from here!!!! trust meh! and remember...rating goes up soon...okay plz review...letz try and get up to 25 reviews before i put up the next chapter! k?! great! and don't be hesitant to e-mail for *possible* spoilers...but tell me you're from ff.net in the subject title tho...ciao!
-Baby T
A/N: hi again! i'm here with another chapter!!! yea! i luv y'all for the reviews!!! sorry i can't get any personal thank yoos this tym...i'm sorta in a rush...but i promise next chapter i'll put up personal thank you's to everyone...read on and enjoy!!!
*********
During breakfast the next morning, owls every shape, colour and size flew into the Great Hall, as they each dropped of the schedules of the students for that school year. Harry, Hermione and Ron read theirs, and groaned after finding out that they would have Potions first thing in the morning, followed by Defense Against the Drak Arts, then lunch, then Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration. The groans came from finding out that they would be having three of the four classes with Slytherin, and Care of Magical Creatures would be with Hufflepuff that year.
"Great," Ron muttered,"By the end of the year, we'll be practically living with the Slytherins."
As soon as he finished saying that, he quickly covered his mouth, realizing what he had just said.
"Sorry Hermione. I forgot," he said apologetically.
"That's okay Ron, just so long as I just stay in my room, I think I can handle living with that creep," she replied. She smiled at Ron, and he smiled back. They were growing closer with each year, and the two knew it. Breakfast ended, and the three headed down the long winding staircase that led to the dark dungeons. They were among the first students there, and were able to pick a seat not to close to Snape's desk, yet not to far back near the nasty group of Slytherins. Hermione slid into the seat next to the window, and Ron slid next to her, with Harry taking the seat in front of the two.
The potions master entered the room swiftly, and stopped as his desk to drop the many textbooks. They made a loud thump, which caused nearly half the class to jump in their seats.
"Well, well, well. Won't it be a delightful year teaching the oh-so-famous Gryffindor's yet again?" He questioned, as he made his way slowly to Neveille's desk. Poor Neveille looked so frightened and was shaking like a leaf under the creepy stare of Professor Snape.
"Mr. Longbottom, do tell me, what happens when one mixes the fluid of a squid with the juices of gin sing natural tea leaves?" Snape's eyes fixed on the scared student. Hermione's hand instantly shot up, obviously knowing the answer.
"Um-it-it c-creates...I-I d-don't-" Neveille stuttered.
"You don't know do you?" Snape's mouth curled into grin. Then he spun around to the smirking Draco Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, I presume that you can tell me the answer?" Snape quizzed.
"Of course Professor. When one mixed the fluid of a squid with the juices of gin sing natural tea leaves, one will come up with the potion that will instantly cure intense muscle spasms," Malfoy said smuggly.
"Good. 10 points to Slytherin, and 10 points from Gryffindor," Snape stated. The rest of the class went downhill from there. Snape talked for the full class about the new potions they would be studying that year, and what skills would be required. Of course after he said that, he immediately began picking on Nevielle, silently enjoying taking as many points from Gryffindor as possible. Finally class was over, and the tempered Gryffindor's exited and walked quickly to their Defense Against Dark Arts class. That class was cheered the Gryffindor's up greaty as, to everyone's surprise, Professor Lupin had returned once more to Hogwarts. Even though they had this class with the Slytherin's, they were able to regain most of their lost points in this class. They weren't assigned any homework, as they headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
"This is great!" Ron exclaimed, "I can't believe Lupin's back! I can't believe they didn't tell us!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione talked the whole lunch hour about what they would expect this year from Lupin's class, and hoped that maybe Malfoy'll be taught a lesson in that class. Care of Magical Creatures came next, and to the relief of the Gryffindors, they had a break from the Slytherins, as they shared this class with the Hufflepuffs. Hagrid, too didn't assign any written homework, but asked the class to read over a chapter in their new textbooks, which closely studied unicorns and their way of life. Transfiguration was tougher this year, as McGonagall informed the class that they would be learning how to change into an animagus, and other difficult spells. She assigned them a stack of worksheets about the course, which was due the following day.
After the first day was over, Hermione said goodbye to her friends, as they headed towards the Gryffindor tower. Harry and Ron invited her to join them in their common room to chat, but Hermione turned it down, wanting to get started on her homework right away.
Back in her own tower, Hermione muttered the password and entered the large common room. She sighed in relief after scanning the room, and seeing that Malfoy was no where in sight. She dropped her books on the couch next to her as she took a seat, and sprawled the different worksheets on the table in front of her. She started off with the animagus page and quickly filled out the many questions on the piece of parchment.
Draco Malfoy parted from his friends after spending a few moments in the Slytherin common room, and headed towards the Head's tower. The portrait swung open after he said the right password, revealing the brown-haired girl sitting quietly in his view. He remained hidden in the shadows, realizing that she didn't hear him come in. He watched her work on her Transfiguration homework, and he found himself examining every inch of her. The way she tilted her head to one side as she bent over hard at work, the way she wore her newly styled hair down, and the way the sophisticated waves just hung elegantly over her shoulders.
Hermione finally finished the last question of the last page, and sighed happily, putting the feathered pen neatly beside the textbook. She looked up and noticed a pair or silver eyes staring at her deep within the darkness of the entrance. The 6 foot figure emmerged into the light, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. She watched Malfoy take long strides as he walked up the left hand stairs to his bedroom. She wondered why he just stood there, but quickly pushed the question from her mind, stacking the papers atop her textbook and carried them up to her own room. She organised the papers in numerical order, then lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was lost in a world of dreams that she didn't even realize that a pecking sound was coming from her closed window.
She shook her head, her dreams wisped away, as she sat up and opened the window, letting in a gorgeous honey-coloured owl. Hermione untied the letter that was attached to the owl's leg and read.
Our dearest Hermione,
We both hope that you are enjoying your year so far at Hogwarts, and we just want to let you know that your father and I are so very proud of you for making Head Girl. This owl that you see before you is just a little gift from your father and I, something to say "Congradulations"! Hope you like her! And we hope to see you for the Christmas holidays!
Lots of love,
Mum and Dad
Hermione smiled and glanced over at her new owl, who was busy exploring the new environment.
"What should I call you?" Hermione spoke aloud to the owl. It hooted in response, as it flew over to where Crookshanks lay. Crookshanks, frightened at first of the large bird, jumped nearly a mile high, then hissed to the new creature.
"Be nice Crookshanks, this is your new friend-" Hermione paused, still trying to find a good name for the female owl.
"Hmmm, how about the name Honey, to match your colour?" Hermione tilted her head to the side. The owl turned its head 360 degrees, and gave Hermione "the look". Hermione chuckled.
"Okay, I know, that was just dumb. Alright then, what about Desiree? It has that French feel to it?" Hermione asked the owl. A happy hoot was the answer to that problem. Hermione smiled and picked up a fresh piece of parchment, to write back to her parents.
Mum and Dad,
Thank you so much for the beautiful owl! I've named her Desiree and she's absolutely perfect! I'm very happy here at Hogwarts, although I'm sharing the position of Head with Draco Malfoy, that pureblood wizard that I've told you two about. It hasn't been so bad lately, I just stay out of his way, but don't worry about me, I'll be fine. School is great so far, and I, too hope that Christmas rolls around soon, so that I can come home! I love you two so much, and thanks again!
Love,
Hermione
She sealed the letter, and told Desiree to deliver the new letter. It was almost time for dinner, so Hermione got up and decided to meet Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor tower. She whispered the password, and walked into the familiar scarlet and gold decorated common room. It was unusually filled that day, seeing as it was everyone's first day back, and Hermione scanned the room for her two best friends.
"Oy Hermione!" Ron's masculine voice hollered, "Over here!"
Hermione headed in the direction of the voice, and saw the smiling red-head and his grinning side-kick. Things had most definately switched by their fifth year, when Ron just sprouted up, towering high above all the other fifth-years, and muscles growing everywhere, as he trained more and more for his spot on the quidditch team, as a Beater. Ron suddenly became the popular one, passing Harry ever so slightly. Harry was still well known as "the-boy-who-lived", but Ron was no longer just "Harry's-red-head-sidekick". Witches from every year, giggled and drooled whenever Ron entered a room, and Hermione was just happy that he still remained the same old Ron Weasley.
The trio walked together down the corridors of Hogwarts, entering the Great Hall, just before dinner was served. They found their usual seats, next to Ginny, Dean and Seamus, and began to eat and chat.
"So how does it feel to be Head Girl Hermione?" Ginny asked shyly, blushing as she and Harry both reached for the same piece of chicken.
"It's kind of the same as being a Prefect. Well so far anyways, I'm sure it'll get more stressful later into the year, but other than sharing a tower will Malfoy, I love it!" Hermione smiled at the little girl. They continued to talk about their summers, but Hermione purposely left out the part of her parent's ever-growing conflit. She just didn't feel like it was the right moment. It was too personal.
After dinner, Hermione decided to turn in early, wanting to get a good night's sleep. She lay in bed, somehow thinking about all of her parent's conflits, and how they were affecting her mentally. She didn't know how it all started and even WHY it all started, but she knew that it was tearing her family apart year by year.
' It'll be better by Christmas,' her last thought before drifting off to sleep.
*********
ok...WAIT!!! it only gets better from here!!!! trust meh! and remember...rating goes up soon...okay plz review...letz try and get up to 25 reviews before i put up the next chapter! k?! great! and don't be hesitant to e-mail for *possible* spoilers...but tell me you're from ff.net in the subject title tho...ciao!
-Baby T