Disclaimer: We all know who he and the rest of Hogwart's belongs to. And it isn't me.
CHAPTER 4: HOGWARTS
Hemione stepped through the barrier to Platforms 9 and 3/4 only to see parents giving their children last minute goodbyes. She hadn't seen her parents for most of the summer, and she felt awful for not being able to say goodbye to them. Her heart began to fill with dread until amongst the crowds she spotted a group of redheads with a tiny speck of black hair among them waiting for her. There stood her emotional salvation!
"Ron! Harry! Ginny!" she squealed excitely.
At the sounds of their names, they turned to see a sight that had taken them a year to get used to seeing. She strode towards them smiling, with an absent flip of her hand into the light brown hair that had been highlighted with dark Auburn streaks. She was wearing a short gray pleated skirt, a white tank top with wide strapes, black thigh high socks, her favorite 5 inch platform Mary-Janes, and a black fishnet duster that reached the ground. She had also charmed her eyes to be gray. In her fourth year, she agreed to let Pravati Patel, Lavender Brown, and Ginny to give her a make-over for the Yule Ball. Together the girls trained her all the girly things they could. Luckily for her, in third year her bushy hair slowly turned into soft curls, and continue until the winter of sixth year. By the time sixth year was over, the 'bookworm Hermione' was easily said to be one of the most beautiful girls in the school.
"Whoa! Hermione, are you trying to give everyone whiplash from doing doubletakes at you?" Ginny Weasley teased embracing her in a hug. Ginny was like a little sister to Hermione even though Ginny towered her by 4 1/2 inches standing a stunning height of 5'7 1/2".
"Ginny! Merlin....you've sure grown up over the summer! Ron be glad that Harry is dating your sister or else you'd never have any peace." Hermione said looking over her fiesty friend. Ginny stood there in a baby blue shirt that hung on by one shoulder with a pair of pants that hung on her hips and shoes that matched her shirt perfectically. Her hair was a vibrant red that she had done in french braided pigtails.
"Harry is just lucky that I like him, cause if I didn't, he'd never be able to date my baby sister."
"Okay now! Can the guys get some lovin?" Harry said taking her into a group hug.
"We've missed you over the summer," Ron whispered in her ear, then raised his voice back to normal. "Too bad your parents had to go away on a conference and leave you alone to watch your house. It must have been so lonely there with no one to talk to. And you never owled us, just what have you been up to? And to let you know that in your absence Ginny has been making us shop with her and dragging us everywhere since dad became Minister. We thought we'd never live through it. You could have atleast come for one night to the Minister's Ball they held for dad. All I have to say is thank Merlin you're here now!"
At the scowls on her friends faces, Hermione laughed. Within minutes, they boarded Hogwarts Express and hurried to find an empty compartment. After only being settled in for a few moments, Luna bounced into the compartment looking for Ron. Ron had started dating her in her sixth year. The boys told Luna about Ron's esapade with the garden gnomes while doing some chores for his mum before moving into the Minister's Mansion and Ginny talked to Hermione about how Pravati and Padma were fighting because Pravati wanted Lavender to be around all summer. While all the conversations were going on, a knock came to the door and Seamus Finnigan stuck his head in. (After Ron gave up his prefect duties, Seamus was appointed to the job.)
"Hermione? You're needed by Professor McGonagall."
She looked at her friends. "I'll see you later."
Draco Malfoy approached the Heads compartment when something bumped into him. When he looked up he saw a girl in Gryffindor robes standing there. With an apology she strode off. Her long wavy hair swaying loosely to her waist and her dark choclate eyes looking surprised, her cheeks flushed. Being a teenage boy, Draco wanted to follow her. Being Head Boy he couldn't. Being a Malfoy he wasn't someone to chase anyone. As he sat in the private compartment awaiting the arrival of the Head Girl, which everyone knew that the mudblood Granger would get it, he let his thoughts drift back to the beautiful girl in the hallway. 'Wonder who she is? I've never seen her before and she can't be new because she already is in Gryffindor.'
After several minutes of daydreaming of this mystery girl, Draco realized that Granger still wasn't there yet.
"Ohhh! Where can this idiot be?" he said outloud. "Professor McGonagall told me to wait for her so that we can patrol the train and have the first prefect meeting."
After some more time flew by he decided to hold the meeting without her, in hopes of having her removed from being a Head. As much as he noticed her transformation into a beautiful girl, the thought of sharing a dorm with a mudblood for a whole year was not something on his wish-list. After a quick meeting with the prefects, they arrived at the castle that would be their home until June As they got off the Express, Draco still didn't see the Head Girl. Nor did anyone else. A silence was formed around those who were always at her side. Especially Harry.
At the feast inside, the sorting hat didn't burst into song (everyone being surprised since he sung at the beginning of every year)before he started sorting first years into their correct houses but said with grimace.
I was once new, but now I'm old
But I have never forgot my task
I shall sort and separate each one of you
So let me part you and go you own ways
Of the noble Houses of Hogwarts, you will belong
But the bonds that grow between you should never falter
As once before when Hogwarts was young
But our Founders had struck no truce
And have been divided long since then
Listen to my words
For I only sing once
How will you ever know
That I only give this warning
Mighty Gryffindors, be brave for all
In times wary and desparation
Clever Ravenclaws, know the signs
In time some may need your anwers
Accepting Hufflepuff, help those around
For true friends are in great need
Cunning Slytherin, you should smart
To know your time to change when it comes
Gryffindor's heart will be torn
Ravenclaw's mind will be stumped
Hufflepuff's kindness will prevail
Slytherin's one will fall
After the sorting was done, Dumbledore made his every year announcements. Everyone waiting quietly for him to say 'Tuck in' so that they could eat.
At the end of his announcements he said, "It gives me great pleasure to announce that this years Head Boy is Slytherin's Draco Malfoy!" applause all around, "and Head Girl is none other than Gryffindor's Hermione Granger!" more applause. "However, after an incident unknown on the train Miss Granger was transported to the Infirmary and will return shortly. Mr. Malfoy after the feast, may I have a word?"
"Yes, Headmaster." the boy replied.
After the feast, Dumbledore led Draco out of the Great Hall only to be followed by Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Upon seeing their faces he told them that they may indeed go to see Hermione. As the trio ran away, Draco looked to the Headmaster with confusion. Showing Draco the way to the Heads' dorm, Dumbledore spoke to Draco quickly explaining things that were to be expected of him as a Head. Draco not knowing what was going on because Professor McGonagall had already went over this with him on the train.
Once they reached the dorm Dumbledore gave the portrait the passward 'Lemon Drops'. Once inside, Dumbledore started talking again, but about a matter Draco wasn't expecting.
"Mr. Malfoy......I was wondering, did you know that Miss Granger was involved in an accident?" he was replied with a shake of the head. "Very well, there is something of great importance that I would speak to you about that is why I personally escorted you to your dorm. So that we may have some privacy. As I explained, Miss Granger was attacked on the train. It was very tragic incident, but as Head Boy I would like for you to do me a favor........shall we say as part of your final grade................".
A/N: Was that a horrible place to leave off or what? Guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter.
Hugs from a fruit,
Cherry