A/N: I know! I know! Took me long enough, right? Sorry about that! I had a 2nd chapter about a week ago and HATED it. I didn't feel like it was worthy of my readers. I hope you like this continuation. I apologize for ANOTHER Draco/Hermione story, but I just can't bring myself to do any different.
Anywho, let's continue on, shall we?
Chapter 2: What the?
Hermione and Ron made their way back to the compartment bickering as usual.
"Were you this lazy when we dated?" griped Hermione.
"Herm, I have always been lazy, you would think after six years you would know that by now!" stated Ron, "Besides, it's not like I am Head Boy, the privilege of spending a majority of our seventh year with you has been given to Malfoy."
Hermione stopped quickly causing Ron to just miss smacking into the back of her.
She quickly turned to see a puzzled Ron looking at her, "What's up with you?" he asked.
"Please do not remind me of the fact that Malfoy is Head Boy, alright. I'd rather not think about it just yet."
She turned back around and continued her retreat back to their compartment.
"But, you two seemed to be getting on fine back there," stated Ron with mild confusion.
"Yes well, I need to be civil, right? Us being Head boy and girl, we need to set an example," she stated with firm authority.
"Hermione, I would think you of all people would be passed that stuff from before. That was the old Malfoy. The rest of us have gotten past it, why can't you?" asked Ron with irritation.
Hermione didn't answer him. He was right, but something inside her wouldn't, or couldn't get past it. Ron and Harry were willing to give him a chance. That is a massive step for them. But she still had doubts.
Before she knew it, they were back at the compartment door. She grasped the handle and slid open the door.
"Oy!! Ginny! Harry!" Ron stumbled back, quickly covering his eyes with both hands, "Do you think you could do that somewhere a bit more private."
Ron and Hermione had seemed to walk in at exactly the wrong time. Harry and Ginny were in a rather compromising position. A position an older brother would rather not see his youngest in, especially with his best friend.
Harry pulled away from Ginny, his face scarlet, "Sorry Ron, guess we got carried away."
Ginny, however, was not phased by the interruption what so ever and was trying her best to contain her giggles.
"Now we see why you jetted out of the prefects meeting Gin," breathed Ron as he closed the compartment door behind him.
"What's up with you?" Harry asked Hermione who had already taken a seat across from them, barely even noticing the bickering that was being exchanged.
Hermione, who was staring out the compartment window with a glazed expression, shook to attention, "Hmm? Oh, nothing, just fine."
"Malfoy is Head Boy," said Ron as he pulled his robes over his shoulder.
"Well, that was obvious when you or Harry didn't get it," quipped Ginny who was also tugging her robes over her clothes.
"I am fine, I couldn't give a rat's ass if he was the new Defense teacher," huffed Hermione as she adjusted the Head Girl pin on her robes, which she had put on before the prefects meeting, "Let's just not talk about it alright," she moaned as she stood from her seat.
The remaining three shrugged and nodded in silent agreement. The train came to a halt and they made their way out of the compartment.
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Draco made his way to the Slytherin table alongside Goyle and Pansy. The three had worked for Dumbledore and the Order as spies on their parents. This of course surprised many of the students and faculty of Hogwarts. The fact that they were actually on the good side of the war was definitely a shock. Crabbe was also willing to defy his parents and once found out, was killed by the hands of his father, just minutes before Ron had hit the older Crabbe with the killing curse.
The students that had been a part of the war were a large part of the defeat of the Dark Lords and his Death Eaters. Only two didn't make it out of the war alive. Crabbe being one, the other, Padma Patil, who was killed in an instant by Bellatrix Lastrange.
The three Slytherins took their seat and Draco's eyes met instantly with Hermione Granger's. She quickly looked away and pretended to be stretching her back.
He grinned a bit at this and was tapped lightly on the arm by Pansy, "You two seemed to get along alright in the meeting, huh?" she asked sweetly, "Do you suppose she knows how much you fancy her."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Shut it Parkinson."
He knew she was joking with him. It definitely wasn't jealousy. The fact that Pansy now fancied none other than Ron Weasley was enough of a shock. After he had pulled her quickly out of harm's way, a stunning charm delivered from a stray wand, the Weasley was now her night in shining armor.
"Will you just talk to her? That is what I did, walked right up to Ronald and told him I fancied him and wanted him to take him to the first Hogsmeade weekend. It's not hard."
Draco raised his eyes in shock, "When did you do that," he asked.
She smiled sweetly, "Right before the prefect's meeting. I made sure no one was listening, just in case he turned me down," she said with a blush.
"And, what did he say?"
"Well," she moved around uncomfortably in her seat, "He hasn't answered me yet. He just kinda wriggled around a bit, said he would let me know."
Draco laughed and shook his head, "Who would have thought? Pansy Parkinson and Ron Weasley. Things are definitely changing around here."
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Hermione watched Ron anxiously await the end of the rather long Sorting ceremony, the sight was rather amusing.
"Why do you suppose there are so many new students, this is taking forever," moaned Ron as he started longingly at the plate in front of him, "I could eat three hippogriffs!"
"Calm down Ron," said Hermione calmly, "I am assuming more parents would like their children looked over by Dumbledore."
"'Suppose your right, but- Oh! Finally!"
The trio watched on as food magically appeared before them. Ron didn't hesitate, he grabbed anything he could get his hands on and began furiously stuffing his mouth with roast and rolls.
Hermione rolled her eyes and began dishing out her food. She soon felt the feeling that she felt all through the meeting on the train. She looked up and caught eyes with Malfoy, for the second time since they were in the Great Hall. But this time, she didn't look away as quickly. He smiled sweetly at her but she didn't return one. She looked to her left, pretending to be involved in a conversation between Lavender and Dean.
"So Parvati is missing her seventh year?" asked Dean with a mouth full of potatoes.
A mournful looking Lavender nodded, "She just didn't want to face things here, too many memories, you know?"
Hermione smiled weekly at Lavender. Last she had seen her was at the memorial service for Padma Patil, "We will miss her, both of them. Will you be alright Lavender? You know, with out Parvati here?"
Lavender let out a small chuckle, "Oh yes, fine, just fine. Thank you Hermione, but I try not to be too selfish, at least I didn't lose a sister."
Dean and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"So, Ron, heard you got asked out today on the train?" snickered Seamus
Hermione head turned quickly to see Ron turning beet red, "I don't know what your talking about, Finnigan," stuttered Ron. It was obvious he was lying.
Seamus leaned in closer and spoke in a whisper, "Come one, Hannah heard Pansy ask you to the first Hogsmeade, you going?"
Hermione's jaw dropped, as did the Dean and Lavenders, and Harry and Ginny who had been in there own deep conversation brought their conversation to a hault.
"That's none of your business," sputter Ron, who dropped the buttered roll that was in his hand. He stood from his chair, and walked quickly out of the Hall.
"Why'd you have to bring that up now, Seamus," asked Ginny with disgust.
"What? I didn't know he would get so upset," he looked around at the rest of the group, "Well, what do you suppose is going on with them?"
"Dunno," quipped Dean, "But looks like we may find out soon enough," he jabbed his thumb towards the doors where Pansy was quickly following the path Ron had just been on.
Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and once again saw Draco, who simply shrugged his shoulders. This time, Hermione gave him a sweet smile."
A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know, Ron and Pansy, what the hell!?? I thought I would throw something interesting in there. I think it will be fun to write about.
For those who want longer chapters, I apologize, but, being that I work 45 hours a week and that is the only time I have access to a computer, I am limited to writing more. Unless you want updates every three weeks, which I know my readers wouldn't like.
I really hope this is okay so far. I feel my writing is a bit off these days. Let me know, Please R&R!!!