Chapter 2: Boarding

Flipping her recently straightened hair over her shoulder, Hermione walked rather slowly to the platform. She wanted to really let her surroundings sink in; after all, this was her last school year. Sighing, she made her way to the column she saw, now in view.

"Hermione!"

Too caught up in what was ahead of her, she didn't hear her name being called.

"Hermione Granger, over here!"

She turned and saw the last person she ever expected to be here. Cole Simon, her next door neighbor.

"Wow you look amazing, Hermione, I haven't seen you in so long."

"Hey Cole, you look great, as always." He was like an older brother's best friend, like a brother, but still, someone she still admired growing up. "How'd you know it was me?" she asked, rather curious.

"You can't mistake that glow you seem to give off." He said, smiling his perfect, genuine smile.

She smiled, blushing a little; he was always so sweet to her. "I haven't seen you all summer; I've missed you!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, I've been checking out some new schools; I haven't had any time to myself, but I'm finally home now."

"That's so sad, I'm actually leaving for school today," she said, frowning.

"Isn't fate a funny thing," he said shaking his head.

"Oh, I'm going to miss my train if I don't hurry. I'm so glad I got to see you before I left!" she said, walking away.

"A pleasure as always," Cole said, kissing two fingers and pointing them at Hermione. He'd been doing that as far back as she could remember; she called it "the point."

She made sure no one was watching and walked through the barrier. She looked around for anyone she knew and soon spotted Ginny loading her luggage on the side of the train. Hermione made her way through the crowd to her friend. "Ginny! I've missed you so much!" she exclaimed giving her a hug.

With almost no time to react she hugged her back and looked at the new Hermione. "Man, when you said new look, I thought you meant just an outfit!" she said, smiling.

"I'm hoping it'll be to my advantage this year, maybe people will take me seriously. But anyways, where are the boys, I need to catch up on my sleeping while I can."

Ginny told her they were in cabin 23, as always and said she'd be there soon. Hermione thanked her and loaded her things as well, making her way down the isle. She couldn't help but notice quite a few looks from those she knew. Shrugging it off until she was fully awake, she found number 23 and walked right in. She sat down and started putting her book bag down and talking about needing to meet in the Head's cabin later. When she looked up she saw wide eyed expressions on her two best friends' faces.

"What?" she asked.

"You've...you've changed." was all Ron could say and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Oh yeah, that. Well it's not that I'm not glad to see you, I am, but I'm just so dreadfully tired. So I'm going to sleep." She gave them both a hug and a smile and laid down on her side of the cabin, leaving two open mouthed boys looking at each other.

Whizzing through the air, Draco grabbed his trunk, positioning himself on it and clutched his bag. And having the heavy trunk land on him while arriving would not be his ideal entrance. A few moments later, "BOOM," he landed in the service station, arms crossed and all. A Ravenclaw girl glanced at him and giggled a bit. He smirked; yes, he still had it.

In no way was he a philosopher, but he did in fact have a philosophy of his own; the 'it' factor. Meaning, he had a way to get what he want, anytime he wanted it; make any girl swoon and fall to their knees if he wanted. As long as he had 'it,' he'd be okay.

Stepping out of the fireplace, he used a charm on himself to remove the soot from his clothes. Muggle clothing anyway, he didn't really understand why he had to wear it if he went by floo. His mother was terrified of the floo system, so he had to make it seem like he was going to be taken by his father. But why would he? Lucius doesn't stand within three feet of his me unless it's a state of emergency, Draco thought while using a spell to change into his school robes.

"Wingardium leviosa," he mumbled (he was simply in no mood to carry things) and walked over to the man behind the desk, while his trunk and bag trailed behind him.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, I understand Professor McGonagol left me special instructions here," he said in a bored tone of voice.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy." He replied, handing him an envelope, "and your Head Boy badger, sir. The train is about to leave and the Head Girl has not come by to get her things, would you please take her badge and envelope to Miss. Hermione Granger?"

Draco grabbed the envelope and badge and walked off. "Hermione Granger, Head Girl? Hmm this is going to be a great year." He said grumbling to himself. When he got to the train, he was greeted by none other than Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle. "Make yourselves useful and put these in the luggage car, will you?" he said to his two cronies, walking up the steps into the train.

"Draco! I guess you didn't see me, it's me, Pansy!" she exclaimed, throwing herself at him. He pushed her off and nodded, "yes, nice to see you Pansy," and walked through the isle to the Head compartment to the front of the train. No sooner than he sat down, Pansy was right on his tail.

"What is going on with you? I don't even get a kiss or anything? Is there another girl, I'll kill her!" she shouted.

Not wanting a scene, he kissed her to shut her up. She smiled and sat herself down beside him. "Good, I knew you wouldn't do that to me" she said sighing, looking into his eyes.

"Yeah" Draco muttered. "Pansy, you know this is the Head's cabin, right? Only the Head boy and Girl are supposed to sit in here."

"Head Girl, huh? I'm not letting some girl come in here and throw herself at you, not on MY man!" she exclaimed.

"Ok, then you stay here and I'll go find her, just don't make a scene, alright? I'll be back in a minute."

"Don't be long, sweetie!" she said, blowing him a kiss. He winced, unsure if it was the thought of her calling him sweetie or blowing him a kiss. Either way, he was in no mood to let her push herself on him, especially on first impression's sake.