Chapter 2: Durmstrang and Beauxbatons: A Reunion
Disclaimer: All I own are the new characters and new spells.
"Don't say 'yes'...don't say 'yes'...don't say 'yes'...," Ron whispered to himself. Hermione still looked like she was thinking very seriously.
"Quiet, Ron!," Harry scolded, for he was trying to listen.
"Yes. I would love to," Hermione finally answered. Harry was grinning incessantly, and Ron was groaning with anger.
"Great!," Benji said in a high-pitched, boyish voice, and quickly realized this and said in a deeper voice, "I mean, erm...great. So, when do you want to..." He was quickly cut off by Dumbledore, who was starting his first-of-the-year speech.
"Welcome, students, to another wonderful year at Hogwarts!," Dumbledore said heartily. His arms were out-stretched, making the students feel welcomed, and his happy grin was comforting, as always.
"It is wonderful, as always to see the familiar faces of those that have been at Hogwarts years before, and I hope you will all welcome with open arms to the first years that join us today. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce some students from different schools who have been transferred to Hogwarts. You might remember each other from two years ago because of the Triwizard Tournament. Foreign students, when I call out your names, please stand up from your seats until told to sit down."
"Emma Partohn: Beauxbatons," he called, and she stood from her seat.
"Courtney Semrey: Durmstrang," and she took a stand after finishing talking.
"Daniel Bealbo: Durmstrang," as he finished speaking, he stood from his spot.
"Erica Ennik: Beauxbatons," she sneezed, and did as Dumbledore asked.
"Benji Grushka: Durmstrang," Hermione smiled as he proudly stood up from his seat.
"Chad Bermen: Beauxbatons," he silently rose from his seat.
"And Rupert Kavelka: Beauxbatons," he quickly stood up from his spot, and Dumbledore went on to speak.
"Hogwarts students, please applaud for these exchange students as a show of appreciation of their arrival" At once, applause filled the air of the Great Hall. But, of course, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle did not clap, but sneered at each of the foreign students. The clapping soon stopped, and everybody's eyes and attention was towards the front on Dumbledore.
"If those risen would please come up to the front of the hall," Dumbledore announced, and the foreign students walked silently up to the front with puzzled looks on their faces.
"What d'you suppose he wants them up there for, Harry?," Ron whispered.
"I dunno. Maybe he wants to hug 'em all or something," Harry replied, and they both started to crack up.
"Quiet, you two! You're the only ones talking in here!," Hermione snapped. But, she was right. They looked around and saw that many people's eyes were on them. Humiliated, they immediately shut up and paid close attention to Dumbledore, who was eyeing them.
"First years, please enter the hall," Dumbledore said loudly, and a line of very nervous-looking first years marched toward the front hall and turned around towards the full hall of students.
"Now, will the foreign students line up in front of the first years, please," commanded Dumbledore while watching them do as he said. When all was quiet, Professor McGonagall walked through the huge double doors in the back with something that looked like a mushed up piece of leather. She came up to a stool, and set it down. It jumped, and went into the shape of an old black wizard's hat. It was, of course, the Sorting Hat, and Harry, Ron and Hermione smiled, remembering when it was put on their heads five years ago.
"When I call your names, walk up to the Sorting Hat and place it on your head. When it calls out your house, sit at your designated table," McGonagall said, and stood a couple steps behind the stool.
"Chelsea Nostaw," yelled McGonagall, and the first year came forth. She placed the hat firmly on her head.
"Hmm...yes...I would have to say...HUFFLEPUFF!," screamed the Sorting Hat, and with a smile, she sat down with the Hufflepuffs. The applause died down.
"Henry Dacfrilef," shouted Professor McGonagall again, and the terrified-looking first year climbed the steps toward the hat, and put it on.
"Without a doubt, you belong in...SLYTHERIN!," the Slytherins loudly clapped, and scattered people from the other houses joined in as he sat with his house.
"Joey Tring," said the professor once more, and he approached the stool. He carefully placed the hat on his head.
"Ah...yes. A Tring. I do believe you should join in with...GRYFFINDOR!," and at that, he skipped down the steps to the screaming Gryffindors. Many more first years were told where to go from the hat, and the last one ended with "RAVENCLAW!"
"Now, would the foreign students form a line in front of the hat, please stand where the first years used to be. To inform you about what will now be taking place, I will call out your names, and you will come up to the stool, just as the other students did. You will place the hat on your head, and it will tell you the house that you will be biding in for the remainder of your years here at Hogwarts. Now, please come up as I call your names," explained Professor McGonagall.
"Emma Partohn," said McGonagall, and Emma proudly strode up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat upon her head, just as she was instructed to do.
"This is not a hard decision at all. You most certainly belong in...RAVENCLAW!," screamed the hat, and she again strode down to sit with the Ravenclaws.
"Daniel Bealbo," McGonagall said once again, and he nervously approached the hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF!," screeched the hat without any difficulty.
"Chad Bermen," Professor McGonagall yelled. He started to walk up to the stool.
"Hmm...difficult. Very difficult. Ah! I have it. You will join...SLYTHERIN!," the hat said as it finally reached its conclusion.
"Erica Ennik," said McGonagall. Erica placed the hat on her head and waited for a response.
"Let's see. Looks like we have yet another...SLYTHERIN!," said the hat and she proudly sat next to Chad at the Slytherin table.
"Rupert Kavelka," yelled the Professor again, watching Rupert waltz up to the stool.
"Hmm...I know! GRYFFINDOR!," the hat said. Harry, Ron and Hermione were glad somebody finally came into Gryffindor with them and the others.
"Courtney Semrey," said McGonagall, and Courtney walked up to the hat.
"Ah! Finally an easy put. I'd say...RAVENCLAW!," and she walked down next to Daniel and all the other Hufflepuffs.
"Benji Grushka," the Professor said with an exhausted look on her face. She was obviously glad to see the last foreign student walk up to the stool. Ron glanced over at Hermione, who was gleaming at Benji. Ron felt the urge to run up the steps and punch him. Hermione looked at Ron who was sneering at Benji. She wondered what was wrong with him, but decided to keep quiet.
"You...you are very hard to place, indeed. Where to put you...? It is a mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin. You are brave, strong, daring. Willing to take on a challenge. With that said, you belong in...GRYFFINDOR!," and Hermione gave him a standing ovation as she clapped watching him walk down to sit next to her.
"Now that everyone has been placed into their fitting houses, it is time to feast!," Dumbledore said at once. Just then, huge platters of amazing food appeared on the empty plates in front of the students. Ron was obviously starving, and seized a chicken drumstick and a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Harry cut a huge piece of roast beef, and slapped it on his dish, along with glazed carrots and a corn roll. Hermione was too busy talking to Benji to eat yet. He wasn't eating, either. They were both too involved in conversation to eat.
"Whatcha 'spose they're talkin' 'bout, 'Arry?," said Ron with a mouthful of chicken and potatoes.
"Prob'ly 'Ogsmeade or somethin', I guess," Harry responded with an equally full mouth. They resumed shoving their faces while listening to Hermione and Benji's conversation.
"Well, that was interesting, wasn't it? I felt kind of weird with a hat complimenting me up there in front of everybody," Benji laughed.
"I'm sure you did feel kind of odd. But, the hat was right. You are strong and brave," Hermione said, blushing. When Ron heard this, he practically choked on his food, and started glaring at Benji again.
"Thanks. It's a lot better hearing it from you than from a talking hat!," they both laughed at this remark. Harry kept on glancing at Ron to make sure that he didn't attack Benji.
"Anyway, as I was saying before, when do you want to go to Hogsmeade? Some weekend would be best, since we don't have classes, and it probably won't be dark," suggested Benji.
"Yeah. How about this weekend? Is that okay for you?," Hermione asked hopefully.
"Hold on. Let me check my schedule. Calendaro!," he said as he pointed his wand at the air. A calendar appeared in mid-air. He started looking at it, flipping the pages which were full of written down dates. Hermione was impressed by this.
"This is amazing! I haven't even read up on this spell and I have probably read every witchcraft and wizarding book written! Wherever did you find this out?," she gasped.
"Well, there's a reason you haven't read up on it. I created it myself. It took me 3½ years to make, but it was worth it. Helps me keep track of anything and everything I have to do wherever I am. I call it the Date Spell. Not a very original name, but it's a good spell," he explained.
"Anyway, this weekend is open for Hogsmeade. How's Saturday at 1:00 sound?," he asked.
"Sounds good. Oh, Merlin! We haven't even started eating! We'd better get started before everyone else eats the rest of the feast," she exclaimed, and they both started on turkey, chicken, Yorkshire pudding, steak and corn rolls. About ten minutes later, everyone had finished eating, and the once-full platters of feast food were completely cleaned off. Dumbledore rose from his seat, and approached the podium once more.
"Students, it has come to my attention that Mr. Filch, our caretaker here at Hogwarts has some things in this school that are not to be touched or walked into. Anyone who does otherwise will be properly punished. The Whomping Willow that is outside our castle is strictly out-of-bounds. If you get out of its grasps alive, your punishment will be severe. The Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students, as well as Hogsmeade to any of those under the third year. Now that everyone has eaten, it is time for all of us to get some rest for tomorrow morning. Good night," said Dumbledore, finishing his ending speech. The halls started to clear out, and Harry, Ron and Hermione caught up on what happened.
"He's going to walk me to my dormitory and then we're going to Hogsmeade on Saturday," said an anxious Hermione. She looked at the two boys, who looked confused.
"It's okay. He has a pass that lets him go to Hogsmeade whenever he wants to go, as long as it's not after dark or during classes," she reassured them.
"Oh...that sounds...erm...great, Hermione," Ron said with difficulty.
"I'm sure you both will have a great time. Oh, here he comes. We'll leave so you two can walk to the common room alone. 'Night, Hermione! See you at breakfast," said Harry as he grabbed Ron's arm.
"Night, Ron! Night, Harry!," Hermione loudly said as they walked in front of her to their dormitory.
"'Bye, Hermione! See ya tomorrow," Ron yelled as he was being dragged away by Harry.
"Well, I'm full! I remember coming here two years ago for the Triwizard Tournament. Food is even better this year," said Benji catching up with Hermione.
"Yeah. Well, don't talk to Harry about that Tournament at all. He's still getting over what happened with Diggory and all. He didn't have the greatest time fourth year," said Hermione, looking mournful about what happened that year with Cedric.
"I know. Well, let's switch to a different subject. What do you like to do, normally?," asked Benji.
"I like to read a lot, if you didn't know, and I love practicing spells. You never know when you're going to need a silly little spell. Harry and Ron are my two best friends. We've known each other since first year, so I'm with them a lot. What about you?," Hermione asked Benji back.
"Well, I like playing Quidditch, writing songs, and playing the ones I write," he answered.
"You play Quidditch, too? Harry's on the Gryffindor team. That's great that you write songs. It shows creativity and sensitivity," Hermione said with an innocent look on her face.
"You're really sweet, you know that? Oh! Looks like we're here already!," Benji exclaimed, Hermione still blushing from the compliment.
"I didn't even realize we were here so soon! Oh! The password," Hermione said as she approached the fat lady at the front of the door of Gryffindor.
"Pixie pie," said Hermione as the fat lady allowed the door to open, "The passwords get weirder and weirder each year, I'm telling you!" They walked into the common room and sat down at one of the tables. Ron and Harry weren't there, so Hermione figured they went up to bed. Benji and Hermione started to talk once again, and before they knew it, it was a quarter past eleven.
"The time flew by fast, didn't it!," said Hermione. They sat in silence for a few minutes just staring at each other.
"Oh, well...uh," they both said at the same time.
"You can go," Benji said.
"Thanks. This was really fun tonight. I'm glad I got to know you better, Benji. I hope you like it at Hogwarts, even though you left Durmstrang. I'm kinda happy you did, though," Hermione gushed. Benji was smiling at her.
"I'm glad I came here, too. I wouldn't have been able to meet you," Benji complimented. There was another few minutes of silence as the two stared at the roaring fire in the common room.
"Well, we'd better go to bed. Tomorrow's the first day of classes. We need to rest," Hermione finally said. He nodded in agreement. They both stood up, and right before he went to the boy's dormitory and she went into the girl's, he asked her a question.
"Do you mind if we give each other a hug goodnight?," he asked. Hermione thought for a few seconds, like she did when he asked her out earlier.
"I'm sure that'd be alright," she replied. He gave her a strong, but comforting hug, then they headed to their separate dormitories with big smiles on their faces.
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. I thought I'd make it a little longer for your enjoyment. If you hadn't already noticed, Ron is starting to get really ticked off, and it's pretty obvious to you (the readers) why. Now, I'm not going to tell you why. Try to figure it out. It's not that hard. Benji and Hermione seem to be warming up to each other, don't they? Chapter three will be up soon! Just remember...REVIEW!
Disclaimer: All I own are the new characters and new spells.
"Don't say 'yes'...don't say 'yes'...don't say 'yes'...," Ron whispered to himself. Hermione still looked like she was thinking very seriously.
"Quiet, Ron!," Harry scolded, for he was trying to listen.
"Yes. I would love to," Hermione finally answered. Harry was grinning incessantly, and Ron was groaning with anger.
"Great!," Benji said in a high-pitched, boyish voice, and quickly realized this and said in a deeper voice, "I mean, erm...great. So, when do you want to..." He was quickly cut off by Dumbledore, who was starting his first-of-the-year speech.
"Welcome, students, to another wonderful year at Hogwarts!," Dumbledore said heartily. His arms were out-stretched, making the students feel welcomed, and his happy grin was comforting, as always.
"It is wonderful, as always to see the familiar faces of those that have been at Hogwarts years before, and I hope you will all welcome with open arms to the first years that join us today. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce some students from different schools who have been transferred to Hogwarts. You might remember each other from two years ago because of the Triwizard Tournament. Foreign students, when I call out your names, please stand up from your seats until told to sit down."
"Emma Partohn: Beauxbatons," he called, and she stood from her seat.
"Courtney Semrey: Durmstrang," and she took a stand after finishing talking.
"Daniel Bealbo: Durmstrang," as he finished speaking, he stood from his spot.
"Erica Ennik: Beauxbatons," she sneezed, and did as Dumbledore asked.
"Benji Grushka: Durmstrang," Hermione smiled as he proudly stood up from his seat.
"Chad Bermen: Beauxbatons," he silently rose from his seat.
"And Rupert Kavelka: Beauxbatons," he quickly stood up from his spot, and Dumbledore went on to speak.
"Hogwarts students, please applaud for these exchange students as a show of appreciation of their arrival" At once, applause filled the air of the Great Hall. But, of course, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle did not clap, but sneered at each of the foreign students. The clapping soon stopped, and everybody's eyes and attention was towards the front on Dumbledore.
"If those risen would please come up to the front of the hall," Dumbledore announced, and the foreign students walked silently up to the front with puzzled looks on their faces.
"What d'you suppose he wants them up there for, Harry?," Ron whispered.
"I dunno. Maybe he wants to hug 'em all or something," Harry replied, and they both started to crack up.
"Quiet, you two! You're the only ones talking in here!," Hermione snapped. But, she was right. They looked around and saw that many people's eyes were on them. Humiliated, they immediately shut up and paid close attention to Dumbledore, who was eyeing them.
"First years, please enter the hall," Dumbledore said loudly, and a line of very nervous-looking first years marched toward the front hall and turned around towards the full hall of students.
"Now, will the foreign students line up in front of the first years, please," commanded Dumbledore while watching them do as he said. When all was quiet, Professor McGonagall walked through the huge double doors in the back with something that looked like a mushed up piece of leather. She came up to a stool, and set it down. It jumped, and went into the shape of an old black wizard's hat. It was, of course, the Sorting Hat, and Harry, Ron and Hermione smiled, remembering when it was put on their heads five years ago.
"When I call your names, walk up to the Sorting Hat and place it on your head. When it calls out your house, sit at your designated table," McGonagall said, and stood a couple steps behind the stool.
"Chelsea Nostaw," yelled McGonagall, and the first year came forth. She placed the hat firmly on her head.
"Hmm...yes...I would have to say...HUFFLEPUFF!," screamed the Sorting Hat, and with a smile, she sat down with the Hufflepuffs. The applause died down.
"Henry Dacfrilef," shouted Professor McGonagall again, and the terrified-looking first year climbed the steps toward the hat, and put it on.
"Without a doubt, you belong in...SLYTHERIN!," the Slytherins loudly clapped, and scattered people from the other houses joined in as he sat with his house.
"Joey Tring," said the professor once more, and he approached the stool. He carefully placed the hat on his head.
"Ah...yes. A Tring. I do believe you should join in with...GRYFFINDOR!," and at that, he skipped down the steps to the screaming Gryffindors. Many more first years were told where to go from the hat, and the last one ended with "RAVENCLAW!"
"Now, would the foreign students form a line in front of the hat, please stand where the first years used to be. To inform you about what will now be taking place, I will call out your names, and you will come up to the stool, just as the other students did. You will place the hat on your head, and it will tell you the house that you will be biding in for the remainder of your years here at Hogwarts. Now, please come up as I call your names," explained Professor McGonagall.
"Emma Partohn," said McGonagall, and Emma proudly strode up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat upon her head, just as she was instructed to do.
"This is not a hard decision at all. You most certainly belong in...RAVENCLAW!," screamed the hat, and she again strode down to sit with the Ravenclaws.
"Daniel Bealbo," McGonagall said once again, and he nervously approached the hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF!," screeched the hat without any difficulty.
"Chad Bermen," Professor McGonagall yelled. He started to walk up to the stool.
"Hmm...difficult. Very difficult. Ah! I have it. You will join...SLYTHERIN!," the hat said as it finally reached its conclusion.
"Erica Ennik," said McGonagall. Erica placed the hat on her head and waited for a response.
"Let's see. Looks like we have yet another...SLYTHERIN!," said the hat and she proudly sat next to Chad at the Slytherin table.
"Rupert Kavelka," yelled the Professor again, watching Rupert waltz up to the stool.
"Hmm...I know! GRYFFINDOR!," the hat said. Harry, Ron and Hermione were glad somebody finally came into Gryffindor with them and the others.
"Courtney Semrey," said McGonagall, and Courtney walked up to the hat.
"Ah! Finally an easy put. I'd say...RAVENCLAW!," and she walked down next to Daniel and all the other Hufflepuffs.
"Benji Grushka," the Professor said with an exhausted look on her face. She was obviously glad to see the last foreign student walk up to the stool. Ron glanced over at Hermione, who was gleaming at Benji. Ron felt the urge to run up the steps and punch him. Hermione looked at Ron who was sneering at Benji. She wondered what was wrong with him, but decided to keep quiet.
"You...you are very hard to place, indeed. Where to put you...? It is a mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin. You are brave, strong, daring. Willing to take on a challenge. With that said, you belong in...GRYFFINDOR!," and Hermione gave him a standing ovation as she clapped watching him walk down to sit next to her.
"Now that everyone has been placed into their fitting houses, it is time to feast!," Dumbledore said at once. Just then, huge platters of amazing food appeared on the empty plates in front of the students. Ron was obviously starving, and seized a chicken drumstick and a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Harry cut a huge piece of roast beef, and slapped it on his dish, along with glazed carrots and a corn roll. Hermione was too busy talking to Benji to eat yet. He wasn't eating, either. They were both too involved in conversation to eat.
"Whatcha 'spose they're talkin' 'bout, 'Arry?," said Ron with a mouthful of chicken and potatoes.
"Prob'ly 'Ogsmeade or somethin', I guess," Harry responded with an equally full mouth. They resumed shoving their faces while listening to Hermione and Benji's conversation.
"Well, that was interesting, wasn't it? I felt kind of weird with a hat complimenting me up there in front of everybody," Benji laughed.
"I'm sure you did feel kind of odd. But, the hat was right. You are strong and brave," Hermione said, blushing. When Ron heard this, he practically choked on his food, and started glaring at Benji again.
"Thanks. It's a lot better hearing it from you than from a talking hat!," they both laughed at this remark. Harry kept on glancing at Ron to make sure that he didn't attack Benji.
"Anyway, as I was saying before, when do you want to go to Hogsmeade? Some weekend would be best, since we don't have classes, and it probably won't be dark," suggested Benji.
"Yeah. How about this weekend? Is that okay for you?," Hermione asked hopefully.
"Hold on. Let me check my schedule. Calendaro!," he said as he pointed his wand at the air. A calendar appeared in mid-air. He started looking at it, flipping the pages which were full of written down dates. Hermione was impressed by this.
"This is amazing! I haven't even read up on this spell and I have probably read every witchcraft and wizarding book written! Wherever did you find this out?," she gasped.
"Well, there's a reason you haven't read up on it. I created it myself. It took me 3½ years to make, but it was worth it. Helps me keep track of anything and everything I have to do wherever I am. I call it the Date Spell. Not a very original name, but it's a good spell," he explained.
"Anyway, this weekend is open for Hogsmeade. How's Saturday at 1:00 sound?," he asked.
"Sounds good. Oh, Merlin! We haven't even started eating! We'd better get started before everyone else eats the rest of the feast," she exclaimed, and they both started on turkey, chicken, Yorkshire pudding, steak and corn rolls. About ten minutes later, everyone had finished eating, and the once-full platters of feast food were completely cleaned off. Dumbledore rose from his seat, and approached the podium once more.
"Students, it has come to my attention that Mr. Filch, our caretaker here at Hogwarts has some things in this school that are not to be touched or walked into. Anyone who does otherwise will be properly punished. The Whomping Willow that is outside our castle is strictly out-of-bounds. If you get out of its grasps alive, your punishment will be severe. The Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students, as well as Hogsmeade to any of those under the third year. Now that everyone has eaten, it is time for all of us to get some rest for tomorrow morning. Good night," said Dumbledore, finishing his ending speech. The halls started to clear out, and Harry, Ron and Hermione caught up on what happened.
"He's going to walk me to my dormitory and then we're going to Hogsmeade on Saturday," said an anxious Hermione. She looked at the two boys, who looked confused.
"It's okay. He has a pass that lets him go to Hogsmeade whenever he wants to go, as long as it's not after dark or during classes," she reassured them.
"Oh...that sounds...erm...great, Hermione," Ron said with difficulty.
"I'm sure you both will have a great time. Oh, here he comes. We'll leave so you two can walk to the common room alone. 'Night, Hermione! See you at breakfast," said Harry as he grabbed Ron's arm.
"Night, Ron! Night, Harry!," Hermione loudly said as they walked in front of her to their dormitory.
"'Bye, Hermione! See ya tomorrow," Ron yelled as he was being dragged away by Harry.
"Well, I'm full! I remember coming here two years ago for the Triwizard Tournament. Food is even better this year," said Benji catching up with Hermione.
"Yeah. Well, don't talk to Harry about that Tournament at all. He's still getting over what happened with Diggory and all. He didn't have the greatest time fourth year," said Hermione, looking mournful about what happened that year with Cedric.
"I know. Well, let's switch to a different subject. What do you like to do, normally?," asked Benji.
"I like to read a lot, if you didn't know, and I love practicing spells. You never know when you're going to need a silly little spell. Harry and Ron are my two best friends. We've known each other since first year, so I'm with them a lot. What about you?," Hermione asked Benji back.
"Well, I like playing Quidditch, writing songs, and playing the ones I write," he answered.
"You play Quidditch, too? Harry's on the Gryffindor team. That's great that you write songs. It shows creativity and sensitivity," Hermione said with an innocent look on her face.
"You're really sweet, you know that? Oh! Looks like we're here already!," Benji exclaimed, Hermione still blushing from the compliment.
"I didn't even realize we were here so soon! Oh! The password," Hermione said as she approached the fat lady at the front of the door of Gryffindor.
"Pixie pie," said Hermione as the fat lady allowed the door to open, "The passwords get weirder and weirder each year, I'm telling you!" They walked into the common room and sat down at one of the tables. Ron and Harry weren't there, so Hermione figured they went up to bed. Benji and Hermione started to talk once again, and before they knew it, it was a quarter past eleven.
"The time flew by fast, didn't it!," said Hermione. They sat in silence for a few minutes just staring at each other.
"Oh, well...uh," they both said at the same time.
"You can go," Benji said.
"Thanks. This was really fun tonight. I'm glad I got to know you better, Benji. I hope you like it at Hogwarts, even though you left Durmstrang. I'm kinda happy you did, though," Hermione gushed. Benji was smiling at her.
"I'm glad I came here, too. I wouldn't have been able to meet you," Benji complimented. There was another few minutes of silence as the two stared at the roaring fire in the common room.
"Well, we'd better go to bed. Tomorrow's the first day of classes. We need to rest," Hermione finally said. He nodded in agreement. They both stood up, and right before he went to the boy's dormitory and she went into the girl's, he asked her a question.
"Do you mind if we give each other a hug goodnight?," he asked. Hermione thought for a few seconds, like she did when he asked her out earlier.
"I'm sure that'd be alright," she replied. He gave her a strong, but comforting hug, then they headed to their separate dormitories with big smiles on their faces.
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. I thought I'd make it a little longer for your enjoyment. If you hadn't already noticed, Ron is starting to get really ticked off, and it's pretty obvious to you (the readers) why. Now, I'm not going to tell you why. Try to figure it out. It's not that hard. Benji and Hermione seem to be warming up to each other, don't they? Chapter three will be up soon! Just remember...REVIEW!