DISCLAIMER: STILL DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER.

Hello again!!!!! I like writing hehehe, well on with the story. Oh by the way, I'm leaving out the fact that Hermione and Ron are prefects cos...it kinda ruins the story.

Emptiness

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As they slowed down to a stop at Hogsmeade station, Hermione looked out of the compartment window. She had longed to meet with Harry and Ron again but something was missing. She did not feel as happy as she usually did when she met them. Just then the train shuddered to a halt and the carriage doors slammed open. She could hear the noisy bustle of other Hogwarts students filing into the corridors, happily awaiting their first sight of Hogwarts in around 2 months. Hermione smiled at her friends and they all started to grab their belongings and follow the other students out of the train.

She, Harry and Ron managed to find a 'horseless' carriage for themselves. Harry stopped to pat the Thestral before they got in. Ron looked at Harry.

"I still don't get why you can only see them when you've seen someone...you know...pass away..." he said to Harry.

"Well I don't think they're that bad. They're quite nice and I don't think it matters why you can only see them when you've seen someone 'pass away'" Harry replied in a dignified sort of tone.

Hermione was not paying attention to Harry and Ron but still dwelling on the thoughts she so briefly thought on the Hogwarts Express. She looked gloomily out the window and up to the starry night sky. She could see all the stars twinkling at her from up above. Her mind was determined to figure out why she felt so empty inside, I'm going back to Hogwarts and I'm with Harry and Ron yet I feel so lonely, it doesn't make any sense. She let her mind wander off as they approached Hogwarts.

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As they all filed into the Great Hall for the Sorting Hat ceremony and feast, Hermione felt a strange feeling in the air; it was not warm but not so cold it chilled the bone. It was a pleasant coolness that calmed her from the inside, a feeling of security. She felt someone grab her arm and pull her away from her thoughts. She turned around to find Harry and Ron pulling her towards the Gryffindor table.

"C'mon 'Mione or you'll be trampled by the first years!" Ron whispered urgently. As they found their seats Professor McGonagall walked in followed closely by the small and terrified first years. As they all slowly filed up towards the staff table Hermione giggled when she heard Ron whisper to Harry, "They get smaller every year don't they?"

When everyone was quiet, Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat, which broke out in song:

"Before Hogwarts became a school,
And I had just been bought,
I met young Godric Gryffindor
And I knew about his sort:
Brave and noble and very bold,
They were his finest qualities..."

Hermione did not hear the rest of its song or the Sorting; her mind was too crowded with information. She was thinking about going to class tomorrow when she noticed a figure slip out of the hall. She slowly got up and followed the figure out of the hall.

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As she moved into the moonlight she could just tell who the figure was: Draco Malfoy. What is he doing here, sneaking out of the Hall in the middle of the Sorting? She marched up to him angrily.

"What are you doing sneaking out here in the middle of the school sorting ceremony?" she almost screamed at him. He looked at her in surprise.

"Well, what about you? Why are you here then?" he asked her incredulously.

"W...we...well," she muttered, "I was following you! Why are you here anyway?" she asked firmly.

"I'm came out for some fresh air, is that bad Mudblood?"

"Don't call me that you...you...you foul creature! For a fact, coming out for some fresh air is not bad, but coming out for fresh air when we are supposed to be in the hall is not OK!"

"That's right Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, it is not alright." Came a stern voice from behind them.

"Professor McGonagall!" They cried out in unison.

"Friday night detention for both of you, in my office at 9:00 sharp." And with that she turned around and went back to the feast. Hermione and Draco immediately turned to each other and started shouting.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! THAT'S MY FIRST DETENTION IN...IN A LONG TIME AND ITS ONLY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!" Hermione shouted in Draco's face.

"MY FAULT IS IT? IF YOU HADN'T COME HERE TO FOLLOW ME, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SEEN!" Draco shouted back. Hermione glared at Draco and quickly turned around and left. Stupid little...thing, she thought furiously, it's his entire fault, and it's not fair! She sat herself down next to Harry and started eating.

"Wha's w'on 'e'mio'e?" Ron asked with his mouth stuffed full of mashed potato. Hermione looked at Ron as though he was an alien, she understood him just as much as she would understand Crookshanks if he tried to talk to her. He finished chewing then said, "What's wrong Hermione?"

"It's just that stupid Malfoy, he landed us both on Friday night detention." She replied angrily.

"What? Malfoy again? He's such a stupid git." Harry said loudly.

"Yes I know he's a git but I can't do anything about my detention now." Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy chatting quietly to Crabbe and Goyle. He's probably telling them what a brat I am; I'm not going to be forgetting this any time soon.

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Hello again!!!!!! Was that good? It was long.... i think oh well.... plz R&R!!!!!!!! Plz!!!!!!