Disclaimer: Harry Potter and such belong to J.K. Rowling.
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Pansy and Draco made their way to the Prefects meeting at the front of the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Hermione were already there, waiting for the meeting to start. Pansy did not even wait for a hello before she started making out with Ron.
Draco sat down next to Hermione. "Kids and their hormones." He shook his head in mock disapproval. "Was that what Pansy and I looked like? It's almost sickening."
Hermione laughed. "You and Pansy were just as sickening."
"Sorry for all of that."
"Yes..." Hermione looked down at her shoes to avoid looking Draco in the eyes.
The door opened and the meeting began. The Head Boy was from Ravenclaw and the Head Girl was from Hufflepuff, a very unlikely combination, but they offered a few surprises for the school year.
"We're going to try to keep this short," said Peter, the Head Boy, "As Prefects, it is our job to keep order in our houses. It is also up to us to be role models for younger students. Starting this year, it is our job to keep spirits up. With You-Know-Who back, students will be scared and stress levels will be up. Our fifth- and seventh-year Prefects will have O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s to prepare for."
"Last, but not least," Emma, the Head Girl, took over the speech, "Our sixth-year Prefects will be in charge of certain spirit days and three balls."
Peter noticed Ron and Pansy in the corner. "Ron! Pansy! I need to see some air between you two, thank you." Ron and Pansy turned five shades of red and separated. "OK Prefects, get to work." He clapped and the door opened.
Ron, Pansy, Draco, and Hermione made their rounds towards the back of the train, close to where Harry and Ginny waited.
The compartment door opened and Hermione fell onto the seat next to Harry.
"We're in for a long year!"
"No kidding!"
A feast was waiting for all of the returning students and the first years. Professor Dumbledore sat comfortably at the head of the teachers' table next to a handsome wizard. The new wizard was tall with blond hair and dazzling blue eyes.
Harry pointed at the new teacher. "Looks like a Lockhart knock off! Is that the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
Hermione looked up. "Sure is."
Ginny was mesmerized, as were many of the girls in the dining hall that evening.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and the hall quieted. "Thank you students for such a delightful start to a new school year. I know that our older students would be delighted to help first years out. Know that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. Centaurs will not take kindly to any human visitors. Our last Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher can stand testament to the centaurs' cruelty towards any human entering the forest. Which brings me to my next point: may I introduce Professor Robert Douglass. He comes to us from the Ministry of Magic."
Many of the students grumbled, thinking that Professor Douglass would be another Umbridge.
"Not to worry," Professor Dumbledore continued, "He has the highest credentials for a wizard of his age. He applied for the position and I was more than happy to accept him as one of my staff."
With Professor Dumbledore's reassurance, the students quieted down.
"As many of you know, this is a dangerous time. We must stick together and stand against any evil. You will be safe within Hogwarts, but nowhere else. That is why there will be no trips to Hogsmeade this year."
The complaints started rising again.
"Students, please understand that there are many other ways to get away for the weekends. I personally will be teaching a new class, started by one of your very own. Aptly called 'Dumbledore's Army', I will be teaching defense techniques that will aid you if you are ever in any trouble."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled at each other.
"Now, off to bed."
After showing the first years how to get to Gryffindor tower, Hermione, Ron and Harry sat in their normal seats by the fireplace.
"What do you think of the new professor?" Hermione asked.
"He's a great guy," Ron answered, "Very amusing, and he knows what he's talking about."
"How do you know so much?"
"Robert has been helping me with Auror training. He's a part of the Order, you know."
Harry looked confused. "No, I didn't know. Why are Aurors taking jobs at Hogwarts?"
"No mate, Robert has not finished Auror training."
Ginny sat down on the carpet in front of them. "So that's why he is so young. He's not even out of school yet."
"He graduated Hogwarts in Oliver Wood's year. He was Head Boy. Didn't play Quidditch, though he could have."
Harry laughed. "Probably didn't want to mess up his pretty face."
Ginny hit Harry with a pillow. "You take that back!"
"Someone's touchy. Why don't you go to bed, Gin? We have to talk."
Ginny went to bed like Harry asked her without another word.
Hermione got up too. "I am tired. I need sleep for classes tomorrow." She walked up to her dorm and pulled on a nightgown. She fell into sleep after many restless hours.
Draco also tossed and turned. He wanted to get up, but the last time this happened he ended up dating Pansy. He did not want to make that mistake again.
Instead he thought about Hermione. She had grown some over the summer, but she was still short. About 5'3'' or 5'4'', Draco thought. Her hair was still a mix of brown, blonde, and orange, but it had lost some of its wave and gained a little curl. Her hair had changed from bushy to long and shapely.
Her body had also changed. Draco was being driven mad at the thought that Hermione was no longer a girl, and Draco would not be the first to call her his.
Draco pulled off the covers and went for his trunk at the end of his bed. The watch he had there said it was six in the morning. He did not get one minute of sleep.
Draco threw on a robe over his undershirt and boxers. He picked up clothes for the day and headed for the showers. When he was done he went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Hermione was in the Great Hall when he got there. Draco pretended that he was too busy getting his schedule to pay attention to her.
Hermione walked over to him. "You can stop pretending to ignore me now."
Draco nodded. "Right, so what am I supposed to do?"
"Think about other people, date a bit. I'm easy to get over."
"You can keep telling yourself that, but it does not change the fact that I still care about you. Anyways, are we studying this year?"
"I guess so. I don't think that I would feel right if I did not go to the library every night." She gave him an unsure smile.
"Great. I'll be there tonight. Let me see your classes." He reached for the piece of parchment she held in her hand.
"We have Arithmancy together, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures."
"Just like every year."
The bell rang. Hermione gathered her books and started walking to class. "I'll see you later in the library."
Draco rushed to the library. He did not want to leave Hermione waiting. He set his books on his chair and started to think of a sexy way to lean against the table. He was in the middle of changing his pose when Hermione walked in. He hopped up and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to cover up what he was doing.
Hermione laughed. "You don't have to wait for me to sit down, you know."
"Right," Draco said aloud while thanking Merlin that she did not notice what he was doing.
"Since we have no real homework, I was thinking that we could use tonight to get a head start."
"Hermione, while I have this chance, I want to talk to you."
"What is it that is so important?"
"I told you I love you. I still do..."
Hermione looked into his blue eyes. They were full of an intensity and passion that scared Hermione, but called out to her all the same.
"I have been in therapy during the break. I know that I need to get over you and that this could never work. But Hermione, I need to hear it from you. I need you to tell me that you don't love me." Draco kneeled down in front of her and put his arms around her waist. He leaned into her and rested his head above her heart. "I need to know that you don't need me the same way that I need you. I've been reliving that kiss at the Shrieking Shack in my dreams."
Hermione could feel her body reacting to his touch. "Draco, you have to get off." She tried to pick up her arms to push him off, but it was no use. She gritted her teeth and started to pry his fingers off. "Draco....get...off..."
He backed up and looked her in the eyes. "Tell me."
"Do you have to ruin another school year like this? We are just friends. Now if you don't mind, I am going to end this session a little short."
Hermione picked up her books and ran out of the library.
Draco slammed his hand down on the table. "Damn it!" The other students all turned to stare at him. He blushed and ran a hand though his hair. "Sorry."
Hermione walked back into the Gryffindor common room from her study session with Draco. Harry was sitting alone. Hermione sat down next to him.
"What's wrong?"
"My scar...it is hurting again."
"Are you going to see Professor Dumbledore?"
"I don't suppose that I have a choice." He pulled a crumpled piece of parchment out of his pocket. It read Permanent Hall Pass to Professor Dumbledore.
"I can go see him any time that I want to. I suppose that he will want this information. Hermione, will you promise me something?"
"What?"
"If Voldemort should win, take Ron and Ginny and Draco and Hedwig into hiding."
"Harry, you are going to win, Voldemort doesn't—"
"Just promise."
"I promise Harry."