As the four Hogwart's students boarded the train together, they headed to the luggage compartment and stored their baggage. After storing their trunks, they started out looking for a spare compartment on the now running train.
"Oh, here's one," Ginny said, opening the door to the vacant compartment. "Harry and I'll wait for you here for when you're done with the meeting," Ginny offered as she stepped through the door.
"That sounds great, Ginny," Hermione said, "We'll see you guys later." Harry shut the door to the compartment and Hermione and Ron set off towards the compartment where the meeting was to be held.
"So, you were just joking about that Lime guy right?" Ron asked, purposefully saying his name wrong and giving her a suspicious look as they headed down the isle towards Compartment 24.
"Oh Ron," Hermione said, giggling slightly.
"Well..." Ron pushed.
"Of course Liam was real. We met while I was out taking pictures of a Koala and her cub. He accidentally tripped while trying to surprise me from behind. He thought I was someone else. He was really sweet. He had smooth, natural blond hair, unlike a certain guy we know, blue eyes, a smile to die for (it seemed as though she forgot she was talking to Ron)..."
"Dreaming about me again, Mudblood?" an annoying voice drawled out behind them. "I know you find me sexy, but you can't really think you have a chance with me."
"Malfoy!" Ron yelled. Hermione just seemed startled. Draco stood there in all his pompous glory, with Pansy clinging to his arm like a leech.
Then she regained her composure. "You wish Malfoy. I would never have dreams about a prat like you... maybe nightmares..."
It looked like Draco was going to reply with some sort of witty retort, but before he could do so, the opening of a compartment door interrupted them.
"It's about time you arrived. Hurry in!" Professor McGonagall said as she ushered them into the compartment. The compartment looked as though it could fit about six people comfortably. Unfortunately for them, there were nine people: Head Boy- Draco, Head Girl- Hermione, Prefects- Ron, Pansy, Hannah Abbott, Luna Lovegood, Terry Boot, Zacharias Smith, and Professor McGonagall. Hannah and Zacharias were sitting across from each other next to the window with Luna sitting next to Hannah and Terry next to Zacharias. Before the four newcomers could decide where to sit, Professor McGonagall decided for them. She sat Ron and Pansy down next to Terry and Zacharias, instructing The Head Boy and Girl to sit next to Hannah and Luna. They were all tightly packed together, and obviously certain students weren't too happy about who they were smushed up against.
Knowing better than to argue in front of the Professor, Draco and Hermione just settled for giving each other the death glare and trying to skootch away from each other as much as possible. Whether McGonagall noticed or not, she didn't say anything.
"Now that everyone is here, I would like to start by welcoming you all back to another year at Hogwarts. All of you know the rules and your responsibilities as Heads and Prefects, so I won't bother you about that information. I know that you will do us proud. Prefects, you may head to your compartments. As for you, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger, please stay after so I may have a word with you." It took a few minutes for everyone to get out successfully.
"Hermione, do you want me to wait for you?" Ron asked, giving Draco a suspicious look out of the corner of his eye. Normally Draco would make a stupid remark about this, but unfortunately for him, Pansy was pouting about having to leave him behind with "that Mudblood".
"I'll be fine, Ron. Go back to Harry and Ginny and tell them I'll be with you guys in a few minutes," Hermione assured him. Ron gave her one last weary look before leaving the compartment and heading back to Harry and Ginny. Hermione turned and watched with amusement as Draco tried to pry Pansy off of him, with what seemed like no avail.
"Pansy, pet, look. I'll be fine," he stated calmly, "I will see you back at compartment." Pansy gave a little whine and pouted. Draco grabbed her and slammed his lips on hers with a fierce, but chaste, kiss. He pulled away and pushed her aside. That seemed to make Pansy content. She gave Hermione a glare as she stalked away and down the isle towards her compartment. Hermione rolled her eyes as she walked back into the compartment, followed shortly by Draco.
"Ahh yes," Professor McGonagall said as she sat down. She indicated for them to take a seat also. They did so, but as far away from each other as possible. McGonagall just shook her head. "I would like to discuss a certain matter with the both of you. I'll just get right to the point. I know that the two of you do not exactly get along, but you are the Heads of this school, and we, Dumbledore and the faculty, expect you to behave as such. Forget your pitiful House squabbles, and try to at least get along. Now what do you say?"
"I will if he does," Hermione said, looking at Draco. Professor McGonagall looked from Hermione to Draco expectantly.
Damn her! It's bad enough I have to live with the mudblood, but get along! But I can't let her show me up!
"Oh course, Professor," He said, giving her the famous Malfoy smirk.
"Well then, I hope you enjoy the rest of the ride," McGonagall said as she stood up and exited the compartment, leaving the two of them alone.
"Don't think for a second that we're going to be the best of friends now, Granger," Draco snarled, standing up. Hermione followed suit.
"You would be so lucky, Malfoy," she retorted. "How about we both just don't talk to each other unless necessary?"
"I think that is the only thing you and I will ever agree on," Malfoy said as her passed her and left the compartment.
"Let's hope so," Hermione muttered to herself and followed Draco's example, leaving the compartment and heading to where her friends were.