A/N – Thank you so much for the reviews. It means so much to me, you guys. Thanks to sweetbabe-101, Chantal, fleria and Kirby russel. Your questions will be answered... sometime. ;)


It was like a whirlwind. The day that the Weasleys were going to head off to King's Cross with Hermione and Harry came quickly. Hermione wasn't complaining, either. In fact, she thought as she lugged her items along her side, the busier I am this term, the better. Soon I'll be able to get back to the old Hermione. I mustn't let things get in the way. This is an important year. She began to think about her classes and her books, her face glossed over with sheer joy.

"Come on, 'Mione! Hurry up!" Ron called out.

"Ron, stop calling me that! My name is Hermione. Not Herm, 'Mione or…" she grimaced at the thought of the giant. "Hermy."

"You're forgetting one," Ron said softly. Hermione shot him an icy look and pulled ahead of all of them, stopping at the barrier.

"Ginny, you first." Mr. Weasley said. He straightened his glasses as he looked around the station, overflowing with giddiness. Hermione smiled at this. His affection for muggles and muggle technology was adorable sometimes. Once they were all safely across the barrier, Hermione charged ahead to the train, setting off her luggage and carrying a small purse-like bag with her. She clutched it to her chest as she waited for the others to join her.

When they were all together, Hermione pulled Ron aside to remind him of the prefect meeting. They quickly found that car and settle down next to each other, staring warily at the new prefects. Hermione offered a friendly smile which was returned by the Ravenclaw and other Gryffindor Prefects. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins scowled.

The meeting wasn't exactly off to a great start. Draco wouldn't stop leering at Hermione, causing her to shift around in her seat uncomfortably. Making matters worse, Ron kept elbowing her in the ribs as the Head Boy went off on a crazy rant about magic in the halls between classes. Hermione met his eyes as he cocked his head in Malfoy's direction. She finally noticed what the big deal was. Malfoy had his arm wrapped around Pansy Parkinson's waist protectively. She choked back laughter under the disguise as a sputtering disagreement towards the Head Boy's argument. They all erupted in to a heated debate, Ron and the newest Hufflepuff prefects eagerly staying out of it.

It didn't take long for the meeting to end. After the group disbanded, Hermione and Ron searched the train for the compartment that their friends would be sitting in. Ron was immediately bowled over by a pair of third year Ravenclaw girls.

"Oy! You two, stop!" he bellowed. The girls stopped and turned around, frightened. The one on the left bit her lip while the one on the right looked impassive. "Just… just be more careful next time." Ron finished. Hermione choked back more laughter as he dragged her ahead, finally happening on their friends. Harry and Ginny had been joined by Neville Longbottom, who had thinned out and grown upward over the short holiday. They were engrossed in a game of exploding snap. Neville looked up and grinned widely.

"Ron! Hermione!" he jumped to hug them both. Ron and Hermione sat down, watching the three finish their game and set it away.

"Malfoy still the little git he's always been?" Harry asked.

"Worse," Ron explained the meeting and what Malfoy had been ranting about. "Said he was going to be even stricter, keep those 'troublemakers' in line. Of course, we all knew what he meant by troublemakers…"

Harry shook his head and looked at Hermione. Her face was contorted as if she were about to burst with something. "What's wrong, Hermione!?"

She let out a haughty laugh and proceeded to tell Harry, Ginny and Neville about Draco's arm around Pansy. She focused on just how protective and possessive the gesture had been, and just how much Pansy seemed to enjoy it. The group laughed loudly, no doubt each imagining Pansy following Draco around like a pug on a leash.

"Keep it down in there, Potty. You wouldn't want a detention on your first day back, would you?" the drawling voice was familiar and unwelcome. Ginny rolled her eyes and folded her arms, exchanging a look with Hermione. The door slid open and Draco stepped through, his minions in tow.

"Mind your attitude, Malfoy." Ron chided. Realizing just who he'd sounded like, his face turned red. Draco sneered at him but turned to face Hermione.

"Is the little mudblood sure she can handle all the stress and pressure? I would feel terrible if I had to find a replacement so soon." At this, Hermione's posture became rigid. She clamped her jaw down and stared at Malfoy, he face emanating nothing but hatred. Harry slipped his hand in to hid robe, clutching his wand inconspicuously. Malfoy and Hermione were engrossed in some sort of staring contest.

Draco tipped his head back and let loose a cold laugh. "Always the overachiever, aren't you Granger? Always grasping at more than you can handle. Doesn't surprise me. Mudbloods like you never did have the greatest sense."

At this, Ron leapt up from his seat. He was held back by Neville and Ginny, who shook their heads and told him to calm down. Harry stepped forward, determination in his eyes. He stared at Malfoy as if he were about to say something cruel, heartless and breaking. His wand was pointed directly at Malfoy's chest.

"Leave," he breathed. It was a startling change from the explosion they all expected. Even Malfoy looked taken aback.

"Surprisingly passive there, Potty." Draco motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him away from the seething group.

When they had cleared out, Harry turned around with a thoroughly amused grin on his face. "Same Malfoy," He stated. Everyone nodded except for Hermione, whose eyes were glazed over. She heard his words in her head, repeating the same thing over and over again. To Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville, he had only made a reference to her being replaced as a prefect.

Her heart fell. She knew exactly what he was getting at. Viktor didn't plan on making this easy on her at all…