Hermione Granger looked sadly out the rain-splattered window of the Hogwarts Express, her bangs falling into her eyes. It was nearly dark, but she didn't bother checking her wrist watch to see what time it was. Usually the immature comments made by Slytherin Draco Malfoy didn't bother her. But this time they did. She wasn't convincing herself that over the summer she and Malfoy had become friends, but they definitely closer than they were. She sighed as she half heartedly listened to Ron and Harry and the other occupants of their compartment. The only time she tore her eyes away from the window was to insult Loony, oops I mean Luna, Lovegood about the Quibbler, which she then regretted, after learning that Luna's father was the editor.
She decided it was best for her to look out the window until Ron and her, both the new Gryffindor prefects, had to patrol the train. Numerous thoughts crossed her mind. I wonder who the next Defense against the dark arts teacher is, or I wonder how everyone will act towards Harry, seeing as his name was mentioned in quite a few Daily Prophet articles. She didn't know why, but she always felt somewhat protective of Harry. He was always getting himself into dangerous situations, and when he did, she felt herself worrying all night about him.
And then there was Ron. When she first met Ron, four years ago, she had to admit she didn't find him admirable. But somehow in those four years he grew on her. A lot. She only went to the Yule Ball with Viktor to make Ron jealous, which she did. She sighed loudly again, to herself. But what about Malfoy? She thought.
In the summer Hermione had met Malfoy on holiday. She didn't exactly know what happened, but that afternoon they were laughing and talking like old friends. He had wrote her all holiday after that. So why was he being so cold to her know? She didn't understand. "That's Malfoy," she muttered under her breath.
"What Hermione?" Ron asked, looking up from his pile of Chocolate frogs. Harry, Neville, and Ginny looked up too, whilst Luna stared dreamily into space.
"Nothing," Hermione said abruptly, sure that she was blushing. Ron simply shrugged and went back to what he was doing. Harry looked at her for a second, and reverted back to Ron.
Just then their compartment door slid open and a pale boy with bleach-blonde hair stood in the doorway, his two cronies on either side of him.
"Well, well, well," Malfoy said with a sneer. Hermione's head popped up and wheeled in the direction of Malfoy, her eyes narrowed.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" She asked coolly. He raised his pale eyebrows and laughed.
"Remember, Granger, I'm a prefect now. Don't want to make me mad, would you?"
"Remember, Malfoy, I'm a prefect as well. You can't do anything to other prefects." She tried to smile triumphantly, but it didn't work.
Malfoy's smile somewhat vanished, and his eyes darted to Harry. "No," he said, "but I can take points away from your little friends." He said, eyeing Harry with a mixed look of envy and loath.
"Oh shove off, Malfoy," Ron said angrily. Malfoy muttered a barely audible 'whatever' and turned on his heel to leave. Before he shut the compartment door shut he winked friendlily at a still scowling Hermione. She was quick to shake it off.
Not long after, the scarlet train was easing to a halt in Hogsmeade station.
"Ron!" She exclaimed, remembering that they were supposed to perform their perfect duties. They made sure all the students were off the train, before stepping on to the platform.
"Where's Harry?" Ron asked, looking around.
"Right there," Hermione said, pointing to where Harry was standing with Luna, looking confused. Hermione and Ron walked up to them.
"Can you see them?" Harry asked Ron, bewildered.
Hermione knew Harry was most likely talking about, and tuned out Harry and Ron's conversation. She looked around the platform for Malfoy, but didn't see him. She sighed again, and stepped in to the carriage.
The ride up to Hogwarts was bumpy. As soon as she sat down in the great hall, her eyes skimmed the long teachers table. There was Dumbledore, right in the middle, and an empty spot where Professor McGonagall sat. She probably wasn't there because she was out with the first years. Hermione kept looking around, as she identified each of the teachers. There was one new person sitting at the table. She looked squat and ugly, and just by looking at her, Hermione knew she didn't like her. And, she noticed, someone was missing; Hagrid. Maybe he is still with the first years. She thought, slightly panicked. But, come to think of it, he wasn't at the platform, either.
She didn't even notice the missing familiar call of 'Firs' years, this way please!'
Maybe this isn't going to be such a great year, she thought, as she looked down the table at all of the Gryffindor students. She looked down pitifully at her plate, which had filled with food.
After she had she had felt a little better. Hogwarts always made her feel good. But it had only lasted for a while, and she was sure that she was going to fall asleep when the new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Umbridge, began to talk. Even though she highly disagreed with what she was saying, she listened to every word, because she was sure Harry and Ron weren't. And she was right. After her long, boring speech, Ron and Harry both looked completely clueless.
As she stood up from the long table, she remembered that she and Ron were supposed to show the new first year Gryffindors the way to the common room. As they were walking she convinced herself that she was not that small, or scared looking when she first started Hogwarts. The common room was crowded with student's, and the people didn't thin out until about midnight. After bidding good-night to Ron and Harry, she followed Lavender Brown up to the fifth year Gryffindor girl's dormitory.
A/N: This is my first HP fanfic. I hope you like it so far. Please review!