DISCLAIMER I don't own harry potter, wish i did, but i dont. HOWEVER this idea is my own, well the idea of the storyline...for this fan fic. Thanks for the rate, and please, if you read it RATE!!!!!...love y'all!!!!

Thanks for waiting so long for chapter 3!!!!

CHAPTER 3:

All Prefects please report to the Headmaster's office immediately. I repeat, all Prefects please report to the Headmaster's office immediately.' Professor McGonagall's shrill voice barked out the orders.

Hermione looked up at Ron, she then noticed how close she was to him, her arms wrapped around his.

Ron stared down at her arm, Hermione's knuckles were white from hanging on so hard. He turned a shade of red and Hermione stepped back, dropping her hands. Ron couldn't help but smile and wonder at her embarrassed look.

'We have to go.' Hermione panted out, her voice wavering.

'Yeah, yeah we should.' Ron said, his voice small and almost a mumble.

They started up the giant stone staircase, heading up towards the second floor, where the gargoyle stood in front of the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office.

Almost all of the Prefects from the other Houses were already there. Ron could see Hannah, Ernie and the Ravenclaw Prefects, but not Malfoy and Parkingson.

Where are they? He thought, probably snogging somewhere, or else trying to fit Malfoy's fat head through their common room doorway. Ron snorted at the thought, causing Hermione to look at him as if he were nuts.

Gosh, he even looks adorable when he snorts, Hermione thought. She looked over at the bronze gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office and study. Last time she had been here, the password had been lemon drop, she wondered what it was now when her thoughts were interrupted by a cold drawl coming from behind her.

'Ah, if its not the little bush head and the weasel king.' Draco Malfoy's icy voice said, attempting to make fun of the two. Hermione whipped her head around, to see Pansy and Malfoy, standing side by side, arms crossed in front of them. Hermione couldn't help but smile, the two looked so fake. They tried to look menacing, yet they were just the opposite.

'Eat slugs, Malfoy.' She saw Ron move in between Malfoy and her, blocking his view. Hermione watched Ron's back as she waited for Malfoy to say something again, to counter Ron's statement.

'Oh, if I remember correctly, it was YOU who ate the slugs last time .' Malfoy's voice was venomous as he spat out the last words. "And anyways, I'm surprised you still don't eat them, considering that they're probably the finest food you've ever had."

"YOU LITTLE-"Ron moved forward, whipping his wand out and causing Pansy to back away.

"Ron, no!" I cried, reaching forward and grabbing his wrist. He tugged it out of her grasp.

'Hermione, stop it,' Ron said, raising his wand. 'didn't you hear him? He-'

"Yeah, mudblood, listen to the weasel. Let him defend himself and his poor little family.' Malfoy said, Pansy doubling over in laughter behind him. Hermione clenched her teeth, knowing that she had to keep a civil tongue. She stepped up beside Ron, but he put his arm out, blocking her way. He looked over at her and nodded back towards the wall, signaling for her to back away.

'You'll pay for that one Malfoy, one day, but I'm a prefect, and aren't about to stoop so low as to hex you inside the corridor. I'll wait to just knock you off your broom during quidditch." Ron said, smirking at Draco and turning back to Hermione.

Hermione was astonished. Ron had grown up over the summer, really, he was acting much more mature. She was surprised that he would not give in like that, when he would have been ready to fight with his bare hands a year ago. Ron must have seen her face, because the tips of his ears sightly tinged pink, while wanting to smile, he kept his face serious and secretive.

Hermione stood there, gapping at him, when she heard footsteps advancing on them from around the corner.

'Ah, you're all here then, well, go on then step up to the gargoyle.' Professor McGonagall's voice rang loudly through the hallway.

'Oh yes, Peppermint toads.' As soon as McGonagall said he password the old bronze statue sprang to life, moving aside to reveal a small staircase, spiraling up into a tower.

Hermione and Ron stepped up behind a timid looking Ernie and Hannah, and watched as the marble revolved slowly, taking them upward towards a large oak door. It had a wrought iron knocker in the shape of a magnificent bird, a pheonix. Professor McGonagall walked up and gently pushed her way through the small crowd and rapped swiftly with the knocker. The door swung in with the squeak of un-oiled hinges and Hermione sucked in a small breath, staring into the darkened room.