by squidward
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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyou (Kare-Kano for short, His and Her Circumstances in English). JK Rowling and GAINAX do though…
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HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCES~*Dreams Crashed! Personalities Clashed!*~
Finally! It was September first!
Hermione kissed her parents and hugged them. The next time she would see them would be on Christmas. She waved goodbye to them before heading to the Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
Hermione Granger walked gracefully as she approach the barrier. She could already see some of her fellow Gryffindors around. Boys were watching her with admiration at the corners of their eyes. She beamed at everyone politely and positioned herself between platforms nine and ten. She elegantly walked pass the barrier and disappeared.
The scarlet train was ready to go any minute now. Hermione reached platform nine and three-quarters and met more students there. She greeted them courteously. She went up in the train and headed to the prefect's compartment. Hermione smiled to herself. Everyone was admiring her. Boys were blushing over her and girls were looking up at her. She was just the Perfect Prefect Hermione Granger. And this night, she would be honored as the brightest student in Hogwarts and be selected as the school representative. Finally, her ultimate dream would be fulfilled!
She was the first to arrive at the prefect's compartment. She smiled again. Hermione lived her entire life being a model student. Always top in everything she did. She always had to be the first because Hermione Granger would not let anyone to be greater than her. She was always the best in everything, may it be in academics, sports, and even in the looks department. She would never let anyone beat her. Everyone HAD to admire her. And Hermione was living for all the praises people would give.
Hermione's clamor for glory started when she was in kindergarten. She was very happy when her parents praised her when she learned how to read. The feeling was so nice. Her chest was swelling in pride every time people would say how great she was. Since then, Hermione decided that she would work hard to be praised always.
She started to study harder. She became the top student in every grade. Teachers trusted her. She participated in all the school activities. She practiced in secret to do well in sports. She tamed her unbelievably bushy hair before facing the public. She was very polite and helpful. She was kind to everyone and humble. Everyone admired her. She was just - perfect!
But then, everything was just a show. Hermione, in reality, was very sloppy. When she was alone, she would tie her bushy hair in ponytail and lie lazily in her room, pondering at her nice image and swarming herself to the interests of 'average people'. Hermione was always associated with her passion for classical music, medieval art and other sophisticated interests intellectual people pursue. But the true Hermione was enjoying the same things 'average people' love. She would laughed hysterically at her comic books and bang her head at the sound of rock music. She was just a common teenager in reality, but then, Hermione Granger puts up an impregnable mask so people could not see the real her. And she would hide her real self at any cost, for her image's sake!
"Oh, hi there Ms. Granger!" It was Draco Malfoy. He smiled at her politely and Hermione smiled back. The other prefects, Ron Weasley, Hannah Abbott, Ernie Macmillan, Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil came in the compartment too. Hermione waved happily at them. Ron took the seat beside her.
"Hi," Ron muttered, his face turning red. Hermione beamed at him. She mentally smirked when she saw Ron blushed harder.
"Did Professor McGonagall already come?" Malfoy asked.
"No she hasn't. But I think she's on her way now," Hermione replied. In her opinion, Draco Malfoy was her male counterpart. Brilliant, handsome, and very popular. He was always polite too but Hermione didn't give any care to him at all. He was just a commoner, if you ask me…
"How was your OWLs by the way?" Padma Patil asked.
"It was a miracle I still got 'Acceptable' in Charms," Hannah mumbled.
"I guess mine was okay," Ron grunted.
"Mine was fine. And I'm pretty sure you two did well," remarked Ernie, gesturing at Hermione and Draco. Draco just smiled.
"I wonder who would be the school representative?" Hannah asked but before anyone could answer Professor McGonagall was already entering the compartment. All the prefects listened quietly as she gave instructions.
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"Would you like me to help you with that?" Ron asked when Hermione went down from the train.
"Oh, thanks," she said.
"I hope you'll be chosen as the school representative," Ron muttered as he helped Hermione with her trunk.
'Of course I will be chosen,' Hermione thought. "Oh, but there are other students who are better than me… well, thanks anyway," she said.
"I think you are the best in this school," Ron suggested, his ears turning red. "Do you want to go with us?"
Ron was Harry Potter's bestfriend. Yes, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Hermione was in the same house as them, and she was good friends with them. But Hermione didn't want their company. Yes, they were nice and friendly and really funny, but the point was she would be joining Harry Potter's company. And Harry Potter was more famous than her. She flinched at the thought that someone could be so popular since he was a baby. And Harry wasn't aware that he was well known until he received his letter from Hogwarts. Really stupid. A close relation with Harry Potter was not 'healthy' at all for Hermione because she would just look like a 'common' sidekick. Harry would overshadow her. A popularity freak like her would prefer the company of the commoners so she would always stand out.
"Oh, sorry Ron, but I think I can handle myself," Hermione said and she put up a sorry face. Ron's face fell.
"Well, if that's what you want, I'll go ahead now. See you in the feast!"
Hermione sighed. She perfectly knew that Ronald Weasley fancied her. Well, almost half the male population of the school did too. But no one dared to confess their feelings yet, and Hermione was glad about that. Dumping a guy would be a deduction in her good image. She had to be kind to everybody. That was the number one rule in her "Image Protection Act."
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The Sorting was finally finished. The new Gryffindors nervously joined the Gryffindor table. Hermione walked to each one of them, shook their hands, and gave them a warm welcome. All the first year boys blushed when she smiled at them. Professor Dumbledore signaled the start of the feast.
While most students hungrily ate the mouth-watering foods on the table, Hermione ate her dinner with poise. Her thoughts were focused on the next event: the selection of the school representative. She already wrote her speech and memorized it. She stopped herself from shaking. The excitement running in her veins was tremendous. Still, she managed to look normal and elegant.
She kept her ears alert on Dumbledore's voice. She looked up at the teacher's table and an immense delight came over her. All the chairs there were occupied and she saw Professor Lupin sitting with the rest of the teachers. She was happy to have him back but for now she wouldn't think about him. There were more important matters to think about.
She would be walking up there after a few minutes, facing the admiring faces of all the students and delivering her speech. She could already imagine the praises she would get…
I knew she would be chosen! She is really brilliant!
She's so beautiful, smart, and very polite. She really deserves it!
I wish I could be as great as her…
She's like an angel standing her, I wonder if she would like someone like me…
She smiled. It would be very wonderful. The entire Hogwarts would be aware of how great she was! She restrained herself from shrieking in excitement. She had to be modest and graceful because she is the Perfect Prefect Hermione Granger.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. Hermione's heart raced. It was thumping incredibly fast. This is it…
"Now that we are all full and satisfied, I would like to make some announcements, as usual," Dumbledore beamed at everyone before he continued, "First years should know that the Forest is out-of-bounds and I'm happy to remind our older students about that too," he looked at Harry's direction and Ron smirked. "And as Mr. Filch always remind me, magic is prohibited in the corridors. There are also a number of prohibited items - you could check the extensive list in his office.
"And we are very glad to welcome back Professor Lupin. He would be teaching Defense Against Dark Arts again for this year." Everyone clapped and many students cheered.
"This year? He will only teach for this year?" Harry asked. He was slightly disappointed but the fact that Lupin was back made him happier.
When the noise subsided, Professor Dumbledore continued, "Quidditch try-outs will take place next week, and we will have the Quidditch season on October as usual."
Dumbledore paused again and looked at everyone in the Hall. Hermione's heart rate was getting faster and faster. She tried to pay attention closely to everything the Headmaster said, but she couldn't. She wanted to burst in excitement, but of course, she couldn't. Dumbledore started again.
"It was a tradition to annually choose a school representative among the sixth years. The student who got the best OWLs' results would be invited to come up here and talk in behalf of all the Hogwarts students."
There were excited buzzing in all the tables. Hermione tried not to look too pleased. She could hear many students whispering her name. She shifted in her chair and focused her attention on the Headmaster. Here it goes, Hermione.
"This year's school representative is…"
Hermione was getting really nervous. She was expecting to hear her name. She imagined again the praises she would get. The praises, the adoring faces… Her heart could leap out of her chest!
"This year's school representative is…" Dumbledore announced, "…Mr. Draco Malfoy of Slytherin!" Hermione stared in Dumbledore, horrorstruck.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Oh my I already got reviews! It was only two hours ago! I didn't expect to ge reviews in a prologue! I was continuing to write this chap and when I checked my mails again I saw two reviews! Whew! Tnx a lot to RandoMaia and America Kisses.
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