Chapter 3: Taking It Too Far
Hermione walked through the Fat Lady's portrait, yawning and stretching, not having slept very well last night.
"Hermione, come on, we need to get to breakfast. We can get our schedules and stuff," Ron said.
"Shit," Hermione muttered under her breath, knowing she wouldn't be able to take it again.
As they walked down to the Great Hall, they passed Draco Malfoy, who looked at Hermione and grinned, a very small grin, not wanting Harry and Ron to see him.
Hermione's heart melted. He had grinned at her. Oh god, could this really be happening. Hermione smiled and walked into the Great Hall, her spirits rising slightly.
"Schedules! Gryffindor schedules here!" Ginny said brightly, holding out three schedules and smiling. "This year is gonna be GREAT!" she said enthusiastically, sprinting back to where a few other 6th years were and sitting down.
Hermione looked at her own schedule, which read:
Monday:
9 o'clock: Muggle Studies
9 o'clock: Arithmancy
9 o'clock: Defense Against the Dark Arts
11 o'clock: Astronomy
11 o'clock: Herbology
11 o'clock: Ancient Ruins
Lunch
2 o'clock: Divinitation
2 o'clock: Care of Magical Creatures
4 o'clock: Potions
4 o'clock: Advanced Transfiguration
She frowned. "I can't believe I am taking Divinitation. Am I crazy?" She stuffed her schedule into her pack, and then ran out of the Great Hall, leaving Ron and Harry back, gazing over their not-so-tough schedules.
On her way out of the Great Hall, she tripped, and her pack broke at the seam and her books spilled out. She sat on the floor and cried until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me help you with that, Granger," came the voice, a very familiar voice, a cold one.
"Malfoy?" Hermione shrieked, turning around, gathering her books up as she went.
"Hey," he said, looking down at her with warm eyes. "I need to talk to you."