Chapter 6

Same Old

When the Hogwarts Express finally arrived at its destination, Hogsmeade Village a buzz went through the train.

As Harry and Ron disembarked they saw the nervous faces of many first years. Harry gave them a nod and the moment he turned around he heard them say, "That's Harry Potter."

Another one replied, "No, you're joking. That's not him."

Ron took this opportunity to turn and face the first years again. He broke into a grin and said with a laugh, "Well, actually I'm afraid that is Harry Potter."

The first years stared at Ron open-mouthed. "Well, I'll be seeing you." Ron said and turned back to Harry.

They found Hermione with Hagrid, who was, once again, in charge of the first years.

Harry and Ron said their 'hellos' before turning to leave.

"Hermione, aren't you coming?" Ron asked.

"Oh yeah....right." And with that they proceeded to the carriages, Hermione trying desperately to keep Ron in between her and Harry.

The trio found an empty carriage and got in. Ron took the seat next to Harry and Hermione claimed the seat across from Ron.

It was evident to Harry that Hermione was trying to avoid him. Harry had expected this, but he wasn't entirely prepared for it.

He tried to get Hermione's attention several times throughout the ride up to the castle but she expertly avoided his gaze.

"Ashland, Michael."

A scared looking blonde boy made his way over to the stool and placed the hat on his head. It skipped a beat before shouting, "Hufflepuff!"

Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table. And Professor McGonagall went quickly through the rest of the names. Altogether Gryffindor obtained seven new faces: Kailey Banks, Samantha Banks (twins), Jeffrey Haile, Alexa Lee, Daniella Mitchell, Kevin Winston and Jacob Zeile.

Harry and Ron were, once again, immersed in a conversation about Quidditch and what this season would be like. Hermione was listening to Ginny ramble on about how good-looking some of the boys were.

"Well," Ginny said, "Dean and Seamus look great. From what I understand they hung out all summer training for this quidditch season."

Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas had been made Gryffindor beaters during their sixth year and were, from what Hermione had heard, relatively good.

"Oh 'Mione. Even Malfoy looks good. He gets a little better every year, don't you think?"

Hermione knew it was true; Malfoy had outgrown his ferret-like looks. He was just south of six foot and he was lean and muscular. His hair was no longer slicked back; it was shorter now and hung freely in his eyes. Evidently all that quidditch had done him some good (as it had Harry and Ron).

But Hermione and Ginny weren't the only ones to notice Malfoy's appearance. Apparently most of the Slytherin and Ravenclaw girls wanted him too.

Hermione's gaze shifted from her plate to the Slytherin table. She found Malfoy in his usual seat between Crabbe and Goyle, but it appeared that Pansy Parkinson had edged Crabbe out of his and was now hanging all over Malfoy. Hermione felt a pang of jealousy but she quickly forgot it as Ginny snapped her out of her thoughts. "Hermione? Hermione, doesn't he?" she asked.

Buying herself some time, Hermione played dumb, "Huh? Who? What?"

"Malfoy. Doesn't he look....err....good?"

Just then Professor Dumbledore rose, saving Hermione from answering.

"I hope all of you enjoyed the feast. Now before I send you off to bed I would like to remind you of several things. First, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to everyone. Those who are found there will face expulsion. Second, I ask that you exercise caution when near the lake; the drowning of a student is never welcome news. I also ask that anyone outside on the grounds after six in the evening, take with them a friend. Curfew for all students that do not hold a prefect or head position has been moved to eight thirty from nine o' clock, due to these dark times. Prefect and Head patrols are to end at eleven PM, no later."

Dumbledore cleared his throat before continuing.

"As most of you know, breakfast is served starting at seven thirty. First classes are at nine. Classes continue until eleven. Lunch is served at noon giving each student a newly added, hour long break. I hope most of you will use this to your advantage. Classes will then resume at one and continue until three. Dinner is served at five."

The headmaster paused, trying to gather his thoughts. "Ah yes...and this year's Head Boy and Girl and Draco Malfoy of Slytherin house and Hermione Granger of Gryffindor house."

The Great Hall burst into thunderous applause. Harry and Ron sat beaming proudly. Hermione heard remarks like. "That's great, Hermione!" or "We always knew you'd be Head Girl." and to Hermione's delight "How'd that git Malfoy get to be Head Boy." and in response to that someone had said, "I bet his father paid for it."

The talking quickly died away as Dumbledore spoke once more, "I would ask that the Head Boy and Girl see me after the feast. As for the rest of you, you can follow your house Prefects up to your common rooms. And do try to get some sleep, there are classes tomorrow."

And with that the students in the Great Hall rose in a clatter and proceeded to the Entrance Hall.

Hermione walked happily towards Dumbledore. When Malfoy arrived Dumbledore ushered them into the antechamber that had been used during Hermione's fourth year for the Triwizard Tournament. As Hermione entered she saw that Professor McGonagall was waiting for them, and to Hermione's dismay so was Snape.

Dumbledore motioned for them to sit. Hermione took the empty chair next to McGonagall, Malfoy sat next to her in the other empty seat and on Malfoy's other side sat Snape, looking as grim and ugly as ever.

"Welcome back Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said as he took the seat opposite them. "I hope you both enjoyed your summer. Now let's just get down to things shall we. I'm sure you both know what your positions entail. You are an example for the entire school and I do hope that you are a good one. That's all I'm going to say, I hate to bore you with the tales of an old wizard who has seen too much for his own good." Hermione knew this remark was supposed to be humorous but she couldn't help but think that Malfoy agreed whole-heartedly with every word.

"Now Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. I know you two have had your disputes in the past," Professor McGonagall began, "and I know that interhouse relations between Slytherin and Gryffindor are not of the greatest, but I must ask that you keep things at least civil between yourselves. During these dark times everyone must band together, for 'together they stand, divided they fall'." Hermione gave McGonagall a pleading look, as if asking, how do you expect me to be civil to a Death Eater? McGonagall returned a look to Hermione that pretty much said, I will not hear another word about it.

Evidently Malfoy had been thinking it was impossible to survive a year with Granger as well, and he spoke up, "Do you really expect me to live with that mudbl-"

"Mr. Malfoy. I will not have that kind of talk in my school." Dumbledore said sternly.

Malfoy did not seem at all put out by this remark but sat in silence as Snape began speaking. "Well...we should be showing you to your dormitory now." Apparently wanting to avoid another remark from Draco that could cost Slytherin house points they didn't have.

McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore rose and Malfoy and Hermione quickly followed. They walked back out into the Great Hall, the tables now pushed along the walls. The silence was unsettling. They made their way through the Entrance Hall and up the five flights of stairs to the sixth floor (yes the sixth, not fifth, think about it.). Dumbledore led them down a corridor to the right and down to the end of the hall. There hung a picture, the only picture in Hogwarts of the four founders. Hilda Hufflepuff waved happily at them, while Rowena Ravenclaw immersed herself in a book. Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin sat on opposite ends of the frame, sending sly glances toward one another. When Godric and Salazar had seen a Slytherin and a Gryffindor walking down the hall, together, and not throwing countless spells toward one another they strode out of the portrait, evidently disgusted.

"Well, here we are." Dumbledore said happily. "The password is Skiving Snackboxes."

Hermione laughed at this, "Don't tell me Fred and George got you too?"

"Actually Miss Granger, they did. Quite clever when they want to be, those two." Dumbledore replied with a laugh. "Now, the professors and I must be going. You know the password; your common room is up the stairs..." a puzzled look crossed Malfoy's face, "It's a tower, Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh...right."

"Your bedrooms and bathroom are off the common room, yours is to the left Miss Granger and yours to the right Mr. Malfoy. They bathroom is accessible from both of your rooms and it has a lock. Yes, well, I think that's all." And with that Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape strode back down the corridor leaving Hermione and Malfoy standing at the foot of the stairs.

Malfoy thought this would be a good a time as any to get into Granger's "good books" in order to follow through with his plans for the Dark Lord. He looked at Hermione who looked back at him, "Ladies first, Hermione." Slightly taken aback she stared for a moment before shaking it off and proceeding up the stairs.

The Head common room was beautiful, decked out in silver and gold. A large fireplace was on the same wall as the doorway; above it was a banner with the Gryffindor and Slytherin crests, entwined. This sight made both Malfoy and Hermione slightly sick. Facing the fireplace was a large sofa, and two squashy armchairs. To the left of the door when walking in was a large bookcase that stretched to the ceiling. This instantly caught Hermione's eye. And next to that were windows down the expanse of the wall. Behind the sofa were two doors about 10 feet apart. The one on the left had a plaque on it which Hermione read with interest:

Head Girl

Hermione Granger

Gryffindor

She smiled with satisfaction and looked towards the other door; it too had a plaque on it, identical to Hermione's:

Head Boy

Draco Malfoy

Slytherin

Hermione opened the door to her room as Malfoy did the same. In it was a large, king size bed under the windows which lined the back wall. The entire room was donned in Gryffindor colors. There was a door in the wall on the right side of her room which she assumed led to the bathroom. On the far side of the door was a large wardrobe and on the near side a mahogany desk.

Malfoy's room was identical to Hermione's only in reverse and it played host to the Slytherin colors, green and silver. Curiously he opened the door to the bathroom only to find Granger already scoping it out. A smirk appeared across his lips as she opened her mouth to say something. "You again?" she sighed, she shouldn't have said that, an argument was not what she needed, "So...what do you think of this place?" she asked trying to be as civil as possible.

"It's nothing compared to the Manor." he replied haughtily.

"You think you have everything don't you?" she asked.

"That's only because I do." Malfoy stated with a smirk.

"No one has everything." Hermione replied matter-of-factly.

"I can have anything I want, Granger." His trademark smirk still stretched across his lips.

"Prove it." she said, knowing he couldn't. She turned on her heel and strode into her bedroom slamming the door behind her.