A/N : Hello again… Okay, I think this story is getting more interesting. Oh yeah, before I

forgot, for those who had read the story earlier, I advice you to read it again 'cos I

have change the story yet again. Nothing major 'cos I had my friend help me. My

temporary Beta Reader. Actually, I drag her along and kinda force her to correct

me and stuff and she made some changes. Read it if you like. Just remember to

Review, k? More A/N at the end of the storie…

A/N 2 : English is not my first language so when you see mistakes, try to remember that.

Disclaimer : I do NOT own anything!

*~*A Change of Mind*~*

Chapter 7

Head Boy and Head Girl

"Harry… Harry wake up. Are you alright?" said a distance voice, pulling Harry back to reality.

Harry opened his eyes. He saw Hermione kneeling down by him, looking extremely worried. Harry found himself on the floor, lying on his back.

"Herm? Wha- what happened?" Harry asked weakly as he sat up.

Ron and Hermione were at his sides.

"You fainted. You gave us a scare there. Are you alright?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded his head slowly and turned to Ron.

"What happened?" he asked, still puzzled on why he was on the floor.

"Well… I guess the news of Dudley being in Gryffindor was too shocking for you. Are you sure you're alright?" Hermione replied.

Harry nodded again. He realized that the many students were looking at him, wondering what had happened. Seamus and Dean were one of those few who asked if he was all right.

"He- He can't be in Gryffindor. He's… He just can't be…" Harry stuttered, finding that Professor Dumbledore was standing in front of him. He was wearing dark red robes and wore his wizard hat lop-sided.

Professor Dumbledore was worried about Harry but seeing that it was the matter that Dudley being sorted into Gryffindor, he shook his head slowly, indicating that he couldn't do anything about it even if he wanted to. He then returned to his seat after asking Harry if he needed to be in the hospital wing, which Harry quickly refused for he had already attracted too much attention already. Ron and Hermione helped Harry back onto his seat. Harry looked down onto his plate.

"Harry, it's gonna be alright. Here, have some steak to take your mind off things," Ron said, putting a piece of steak onto Harry's plate.

Harry was so upset that he didn't realize that the Sorting Ceremony was over and that food had appeared in front of him. Harry pushed his plate away as he couldn't stomach anything.

"Ron, could you stop thinking about food at a time like this? Harry, I'm sure that everything will be all right. He can't bully you like before," Hermione pointed out.

"Yeah. If he tries anything funny, hit him with some spells. And since you are a prefect, you'll most likely be able to get away with it," Ron said in between chews.

Harry stared at Ron for actually saying such things. Ron just shrugged when he saw Harry staring at him and continued to eat his dinner.

"Harry, I'm so sorry. I forgot to mention this earlier but you're on duty today. You're suppose to show the Gryffindor first years to their dormitory," Hermione said, biting her lower lip.

Harry sighed again.

"First they had to come to Hogwarts, the only place where I am actually far away from them. Now, Dudley is enrolled into Hogwarts and on top of that, he ended up being sorted into Gryffindor! And plus the fact I actually have to escort him to his dorm. Things can't get worse than this," Harry groaned, burying his head in his hands.

"Harry, Professor McGonagall wants to see you after the banquet!" said Seamus as if things were planned.

"I take back what I said earlier. Things are getting worse and worse," said Harry, who was now banging his head on the table.

"Stop that Harry. She just probably want to talk to you about the stuff that she always say to the 'Captain' before school starts," Ron said, now trying to stop Harry from banging his head.

Seamus and Dean, who were the new beaters on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, quickly turned their heads to Harry.

"You're the new Quidditch Captain? I mean you're our captain?" Seamus exclaimed, dropping his spoon onto the floor with a clang.

"So much for it being a surprise," Harry mumbled, as he rested his head on the table.

"That's great Harry! Boy, that cup will be as good as ours!" Dean said, waving the drumstick in his hand into the air.

"Hey, now that you mention it, Harry and I were talking about a play that I thought the new captain could use before I realized that I was actually talking to the new captain. If you use that play, we would be unbeatable. Even you said it yourself," Ron said.

Harry looked up with interest, no longer feeling blue.

"You know what? We will be unbeatable," said Harry, as he banged the table with his fists.

All four of them started talking and Harry, along with Ron, told them about the new moves that they, together with Bill and Charlie, created over the holidays.

Hermione shook her head as she saw the drastic change in Harry's face.

'Leave it to Quidditch to make Harry feel better,' Hermione thought as she took a bite of the Kidney pie on her plate.

She was lost in her thoughts when she heard Ginny calling her.

"What?" asked Hermione, when she noticed Ginny calling. Lavender and Parvati too was staring at her.

"What's wrong with you today Herm? I called you twice now and only after the third time you hear me. Are you okay?" Ginny asked, in concern.

Hermione smiled at her.

"Sorry. Oh, don't worry about me, Gin. I'm okay. I was just thinking how I was going to survive the year, you know, working with Draco. I don't think I'll make it through alive," Hermione sighed.

"Oh, so that's what that has bothering you. Well Herm, I'm sure that it's gonna be fine. He'll come around and maybe you two will even learn to cooperate," Lavender said. Hermione couldn't help but notice her face changed in a way but it quickly returned as it was before.

Hermione looked Lavender, who was sitting beside Parvati, in disbelief.

"Are we talking about the same Malfoy? You know the one with silvery blond hair, blue-gray eyes, about this tall and not to mention, mean looking?" Hermione asked while doing all the hand gestures.

Ginny, Lavender and Parvati giggled at the sight of her friend's reaction.

"Oh, c'mon Herm. People can change. I know one that changed," said Parvati, leaving hints that she was actually talking about Hermione.

"Well, not Malfoy. Only this morning on the way here did he manage to insult me again," Hermione protested.

Ginny frowned. She saw that the boys were still nicely talking about Quidditch.

"What I'm trying to say is that you should give him a chance or two. You'll be surprised," Ginny said while playing with the ice cream she had just scooped.

Hermione started fiddling with her food too.

"A bit too old to be playing with your food now, aren't we Granger?" a familiar voice came from behind them.

Hermione quickly turned around and saw Malfoy behind her.

"What do you want Malfoy? And where are your two sidekicks?" Hermione sneered.

"They're enjoying themselves with dinner. I'm just here to tell you that Dumbledore is going to announce us as Head boy and Head girl. He told me to tell you that he wanted to speak with the both of us after dinner. He told us to meet him at the entrance," Malfoy said, crossing his arm across his chest.

Hermione was surprised that Malfoy didn't even insult her but when Malfoy opened his mouth to say 'Mudblood', Hermione understood why. Lavender, Ginny and Parvati was giving him sharp looks, in so making Malfoy stopped.

"Okay, I'll meet you there. Thanks," Hermione mumbled and turned around to face her plate.

She heard Malfoy walking away.

"What's going on with you guys and Malfoy?" Hermione asked suddenly after a while.

All three of them was surprised but then quickly looked at her friend with a questioning look instead.

"What- what do you mean? Nothing's going on between the two of us. I don't even like him!" Ginny replied hastily.

She quickly turned her back to Hermione and started to eat her melted ice cream, obviously making sure that Hermione doesn't see her face.

"Don't give me that. I saw that glare you gave him to stop making fun of me and he obeyed! Don't tell me that nothing's going on," Hermione pointed out, leaving her desserts astray.

"You'll find out soon enough Herm, but not yet. It will be either from one us or from him but you'll find out about it one way or another," Ginny smiled, not bothered to finish her 'water cream'. Lavender and Parvati on the other hand, kept quiet.

Hermione was about to protest but saw Professor Dumbledore standing up and clearing his throat. She knew that he was about to make an announcement as he waved his hands and all the food on all the golden plates and drinks in all the goblets disappeared. The hall was now silent and attentive to Professor Dumbledore.

"Now, I would like to say a few things. First and foremost, we will be having a new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher although he had taught some of you before. Please welcome back, Professor Remus Lupin," announced Professor Dumbledore.

The whole Great Hall burst into applause. Even a few Slytherin students were cheering (but they quickly stopped as they were receiving glares from the others who weren't). Professor Dumbledore then motioned his hands so that the hall would be silent once more.

"Next, I would like to introduce to you, your new Head Girl and as well as your new Head Boy. The Head Girl for this year will be none other than Miss Hermione Granger," announced Professor Dumbledore, smiling and applauding himself.

Applauses boomed again but this time, all the Gryffindors were clapping and whopping so hard that it drowned the cheers from the other tables. The Slytherins remained silent.

"And your Head Boy this year will be none other than Mister Draco Malfoy," said Professor Dumbledore, also in a cheerful tone.

Cheers filled the hall but not as loud as Hermione got. The Gryffindors were hardly clapping but the Slytherins were whopping and cheering loudly that they didn't need them too. Both Hermione and Draco stood up. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were the loudest to cheer, both competing with each other to be the loudest. Hermione smiled warmly while Draco's face showed no emotion what so ever. They both sat down again, after the applause began to die down.

"Then there are the House Quidditch Captains. From Slytherin, Drake Roderick. Hufflepuff, Evince Hearting. Ravenclaw, Amber Trechrict. And finally, from Gryffindor, Harry Potter," Professor Dumbledore announced.

This time, the cheering, applause and whooping were louder if compared to the applause for Hermione and Malfoy. All the four Quidditch Captains stood up as their name were announced. Harry glanced at the Dursleys' whose jaws dropped when they had heard Harry's name being announced as the Quidditch Captain. Harry was amused by their reaction that he felt that this was the best moment of his life. He knew they had no idea what Quidditch was but he being a captain at something was shocking enough for them. The cheering calmed down when the four captains were seated once again.

"And now for some warnings. No student is to go outside the school compound alone. They will only be allowed outside if they are in a group of fours or more but not one person less. Lastly, please report to any prefect of any of the house if you were to notice anything unusual. Thank you. Now off to bed. Chop! Chop!" Professor Dumbledore announced.

After he finished his announcement, students got up and started walking to their dormitories. From where Hermione was standing, she could hear Harry calling for the Gryffindor first years to follow him. The hall was now almost empty of people. She then made her way towards the Hall entrance and saw Malfoy already there.

"Malfoy," Hermione said.

Malfoy was leaning against one of the hall doors, his arms crossed on his chest and staring down at his boots.

"Granger," he replied without glancing at her.

They waited for Professor Dumbledore in silence. A few minutes later, he showed up.

"Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger. As you know, the head boy and head girl will have their own room and study. I am here to show you where it is and to discuss a few small matters with the both of you. Please, follow me," Professor Dumbledore said as he led both of them towards a passageway that Hermione never noticed before.

After minutes of walking, all three of them came to a stop in front of a portrait of a beautiful lady wearing a gold dress. She was in a sitting position, having a book in her hands to read and from details in her background, she was in a grand study room with a shelf filled with books behind her. She smiled warmly at them.

"So what shall the password be?" asked Professor Dumbledore suddenly.

Both Draco and Hermione were surprised at first for they didn't expect to be asked for a password because in all their years in Hogwarts they were only given passwords to use.

"Quidditch!" "Unicorn!" they both said at the same time.

Professor Dumbledore looked quite amused. He has been headmaster for many years and no doubt that this has happened many times before. Even if it did, it never failed to amuse him as he gave a small smile.

"Well, you can only have one password, so which one shall it be?" he asked again.

"Quidditch!" Draco exclaimed again.

"Unicorn!" Hermione replied, just as loud.

"Quidditch!" Draco says, staring at Hermione.

"Unicorn!" Hermione says, who was also staring at Draco.

"Quidditch! Quidditch! Quidditch!!!!" Draco shouted, his face now inches away from Hermione's.

"Unicorn! Unicorn! Unicorn!!!!" shouted Hermione, her rage could be heard when she shouted.

"All right. Calm down both of you. Very well, since you can't make up your minds, I shall choose the password for you myself. It shall be 'Honey'," Professor Dumbledore said.

"Honey?" both of them repeated.

The lady in the portrait nodded and the portrait swung, revealing an archway.

All three of them entered the room, looking around in awe. Hermione admitted that being a head girl has its privileges. The study itself was amazing. It was a large, white room with purple drapes. Most of the books that Hermione saw in the bookcases would help her lots with her subjects. There were two grand study tables made from oak, facing each other near a window that looked over the Quidditch field. At one side of the room, where the fireplace was, stood two big comfy armchairs and a small, round, wooden table in between them. At the other side, were two identical grey doors and an old brown door near to where the portrait door that they came in from.

"One room for each of you. There, you will find a door that will lead you to anywhere you want to go. All you have to do is state the place you want to go clearly and it will take you there as long as it is within the school grounds," Professor Dumbledore smiled, his hands held in front of him.

Both Hermione and Draco nodded their head in agreement. Professor Dumbledore then motioned them to sit on the armchairs. They sat down on the armchairs, wondering what else did Professor Dumbledore have in his mind. He himself stood by the fireplace and took his wand from his robes and lighting a fire in the fireplace. And then he turned to them, his face no longer very cheerful but seriousness and worry displayed on it.

"Well, as you know, we are in danger of attacks from Voldemort. He will do anything to get his revenge on Harry and three other people in this school. Since one of you know just about every hidden passageway that leads away from the school and back, while the other one of you is the mastermind at tricks, we need both of you to help the school to protect its students. Both of you about the smartest students in this school and you will know what to do in situations like this. You will need to do research and find out new ways to protect the school. This may seem like a joke to both of you but I assure you, this is the most important thing you have to do to save the lives of many people. Are you willing to help us?" Professor Dumbledore explained as Hermione could see that the light from the fireplace now highlighted his expressions.

Hermione looked shock and turned to look at Draco. She was even more surprised when she saw that Draco seemed to think the same way she did. They looked at each other for a moment before Hermione gathered herself to ask him.

"You mentioned that Harry and another three people are in danger of Voldemort planning revenge on them. Who are they exactly?" she managed to ask.

"I am not sure who the forth one is but the second and the third one are very close to Harry. It's you and Ron, Hermione. He wants all four of you, including the unknown person, to be at his side. He will go to any extension to get you. Are you prepared to take this responsibility?" Professor Dumbledore replied calmly.

Hermione nodded her head. After a moment of thinking, Hermione finally understood that there would be many risks and dangers in store for them.

"What about you, Mister Malfoy?" said Professor Dumbledore as he turned to Draco.

"Sure, whatever," Malfoy mumbled.

"Good… Good… Now, I shall leave you to settle in. Your belongings have already been brought up for you. Miss Granger's on the right, Mister Malfoy's on the left. Good evening," Professor Dumbledore greeted them before leaving the room.

When he finally did, Hermione let out a sigh.

"Like Harry said, this is going to be one very interesting year," she mumbled.

Beside her, she heard Malfoy snorted.

"You and your Potter. I am surprised on why Voldemort would want you and that Weasel by on his side when he can have me, a pureblood instead you, who nothing but a 'Mudblood'. I am curious," sneered Malfoy, his eyes cold.

Hermione was too tired to even argue. Anyway, she didn't feel that Malfoy was worth wasting her breath and energy for.

"Say what you want, Malfoy 'cos I don't care. I'm too tired to care. I'm going to bed. Good night," Hermione said, getting up and made her way from the chair to her new room, leaving Malfoy sitting alone.

Malfoy watches as Hermione slowly disappear out of his sight and a few moments later, heard the door of her room slam shut. Malfoy sighed alone and got up, following Hermione's suit to retire to his own room. He was just about to throw himself onto his bed when he remembered what Professor Dumbledore had said earlier about the door that could lead them to anywhere they want to as long as it is within the school ground. Smiling to himself, he made his way towards the door at one corner of the room and stared at it for a couple of second while glancing at the watch at one corner of the room. 12.20 p.m. Knowing most of the students had already gone to bed because of their exhaustion, he smiled to himself again. After a few minutes of doing nothing, he finally said, in a soft but clear voice:

"Gryffindor common room."

A/N: Muahahaha… Why is Malfoy going to the GRYFFINDOR common room instead of

Slytherin. Hmm… kinda like a cliffhanger, isn't it? Anyway, my thanks go out

to…

snow_wolf: thanks YI!!! Muah, I love you… for those of you who don't know her, she's

my temporary beta reader until May next year… Thanks Yi!

Faubert: thanks and it will be somethin' like that. Read and tell me what u think…

Kimbra: Next to snow_wolf, you're the best. I have my reason for putting him there.

Both good and bad, which you will find out later in the storie. Thanks for

reading!!

…: You'll see later on why.

Something: My story, my choice. And don't worry, he's not gonna be popular. He'll be

far from it, I hope…

Whippy, JJ and vmr: thanks lodes for reading….