!Disclaimer!
Although I would really love to keep Draco in my closet at home, I do not own him. ( I do own Meredyth O'Connor, but not any of the other characters... if only if only.
A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed my first chapter...it's been very helpful. Very helpful indeed! Hopefully, I can answer some of your questions and put some of your suggestions in my plot. Once again, thank you all!
Hermione's New Beginning
The Decision
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station with an abrupt stop. Hermione Granger awoke with a start. Had that all been a dream? She wondered. Had Draco Malfoy actually asked her for a truce? Certainly it was. But it seemed so real! It was real... Hermione was sure of it.
Suddenly she realized that she did not yet have on her school robes. "Oh shit! I can't believe I forgot!" Hermione threw on the black robes, grabbed her stuff, & made for the door. She put her hand in her pockets feeling around for her wand, but it wasn't there! She immediately kneeled to the floor, looking around for the skinny piece of wood. After several minutes of searching, and a sick feeling filling Hermione's stomach, she finally placed her hands on her wand. "Oh thank God I found you!" She kissed it and shoved it into her robes. She ran to the compartment door, but it was opened for her.
"Are you Hermione Granger?" said a tall, blonde that Hermione did not know.
"Um... yes?" She was still quite tired.
"You're late. Everyone else is off the train already. I was sent to look for you. As a prefect you should exercise more caution", the girl said with a very obvious Irish accent.
Hermione flushed. She was never late! What was wrong with her?
"Oh yes! I'm really very sorry... you see I wasn't feeling well and I just wanted to get some sleep, but I forgot to—"
The blonde girl laughed. "Don't worry... I don't really care. I'm just doing my job as Head Girl."
"May I ask what your name is? I don't believe I've ever seen you at Hogwarts." Hermione felt an immense feeling of relief come about her as she spoke.
"Oh! I'm sorry. My name is Meredyth. Meredyth O'Connor. I'm in Ravenclaw." She held out her hand, and Hermione took it in a gentle handshake.
"I'm in Gryffindor. And it's nice to meet you!" Hermione smiled at Meredyth. She seemed very nice.
"Oh damn it! We're both really late now! We better hurry or the carriages will already be gone." Meredyth ran down the aisle, nearly tripping over her own feet.
Hermione looked around as she followed. The train was so different without hundreds of kids filling up the compartments. Almost eerie.
Luckily, there was one carriage left. "Oh thank goodness!" Meredyth sighed with relief as the two climbed in. Sitting across from them was none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Why hello Hermione." Draco smiled at her as she sat down. She really is gorgeous, he thought. I hope my plan works... if I can charm her enough, then maybe... just maybe I can do the Dark Lord justice. Get her on the right side, and maybe I can get what I want out of her. He smirked at this idea... and then maybe Potter might not ever fly again!
"Oh... Hi Draco." Hermione was hoping she wouldn't have to face him so soon. She didn't know what to say.
"Who's your friend?" He checked Meredyth out. She has pretty green eyes, but that's all she's got. She's no comparison to Hermione.
"I am Meredyth O'Connor. And I am also Head Girl. Oh yes... and I'm in Ravenclaw." She spoke as if she had said the same thing over 20 times that day.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. Slytherin." He didn't reach out for a handshake. Instead, Draco turned his gaze back to Hermione.
"So Granger, have you made up your mind?" Draco's voice had such an odd tone.
"Draco, I don't know if I can trust you. Your father is a supporter of Lord Voldemort! How do I know you're not just going to use me to get information about Harry?" Hermione couldn't help but think the worst. I mean... its Draco Malfoy!
"Well for one thing Hermione, I'm not my father. And another, I know you're not that stupid. I couldn't possibly use you for anything... you're too clever." Oh please work! Please, please work! Please let her fall into my trap! Draco was anticipating her next words.
"I—"She was about to say that she doesn't care what he says, but then she thought of Harry. Oh, boy would he be mad at me... and I want him to be! He deserves it for all his stupid selfishness. I want him to be so mad that he'll want to kill me... And Draco is being rather nice, as odd as that may be. Maybe I should give him a chance. She smiled and looked up at him. "Alright Malfoy! You've got one chance... screw it up, and we're done as 'friends'. Got it?"
"Oh yes I've got it, Granger."
"Would someone please like to tell me what's going on? Because I am really very confused." Meredyth looked at Hermione, hoping she would explain.
Hermione laughed. "Oh it's nothing." Before Meredyth could protest, the carriage arrived at the front of the castle. The three jumped out together and walked into the Great Hall, before saying goodbye and sitting with their different houses.
People still gave Hermione looks as she walked into the Great Hall, but now they were different. They were looks of interest, rather than confusion. Wow I feel like Harry! She beamed at everyone. And it's not a bad feeling either...
She spotted Ron, Ginny, & Harry and smiled as she sat down with them. Surprisingly, Harry looked very angry.
"What was up with you on the train Hermione?" Harry questioned her. "And why were you walking with Draco? He hasn't been bothering you again has he? Because if he has I swear I'll—"
"Stop being so over protective! I wasn't feeling well earlier on the train. And about Draco..." She sighed and looked up at Harry. "We've decided that we're going to try and be friends. You know... forget about everything that's happened before and move on. Because we are prefects and we should be setting an example for the other students, I told him I'd give him a chance." She smiled and waited for Harry to blow up.
"You... you... you... you WHAT?! You're friends with DRACO MALFOY? Our biggest enemy at this school? Are you fucking KIDDING ME?! It's DRACO MALFOY." Harry flamed on, and Ron & Ginny just stared in shock.
Hermione tried to stay as calm as possible. She knew this would grate his nerves. "Well yes Harry, I know. But he's being so nice and I really think he's trying to change. I mean there's really no evidence on him at all that he's a supporter of Voldemort."
"NO EVIDENCE? NO EVIDENCE?!?! Hermione... he is the son of LUCIUS MALFOY. He was practically born a Death Eater! I can't believe you!" Harry's face was turning different shades of red & purple now, and Hermione loved it.
"Well there's nothing you can do. I'm living my own life, and I'll do what I want. Sounds to me like you're just jealous!" She smirked at Harry.
"JEALO—"Harry was cut off by Albus Dumbledore's voice. Silence spread throughout the Great Hall.
"Welcome... to another year at Hogwarts!" He started. "I do not wish to make this speech long, because I know that you, as am I, are ready for a feast!" He smiled at the staff. "As you know, Dolores Umbridge is no longer a teacher here at Hogwarts. Taking her place as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year will be Professor Snape." Murmurs and whispers immediately broke out, and Dumbledore held up his hand to silence them. "He will also be teaching Potions, as he always has." More murmurs came from the students, and Dumbledore once again held up his hand. "Also, in light of Lord Voldemort returning to power, I must warn all students and staff to be very, very cautious. On another note, Caretaker Filch would also like for me to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Well... that should be it! Tuck in!" As soon as Professor Dumbledore sat down, many different types of food appeared on the plates in front of the students and staff. Everyone immediately began stuffing their faces.
"We'll talk about this later Hermione", Harry said in a harsh voice.
Hermione glared into his eyes. "Well Harry, I guess you'll be talking to yourself then. Because I have nothing left to say!"