Hey, guys-

I just realized something: I made Justin Finch-Fletchley the Head Boy, but he was not the boy appointed for Hufflepuff prefect for the Golden Trio's year (Ernie Macmillan was). I don't know if one needs to be prefect in order to be Head Boy or Girl, but I imagine that is the case (if someone could verify that point, I'd love you forever). Sorry for the mix-up, but I am just going to leave him to be Head Boy for this story. I am going to have it so that there is a replacement as the Gryffindor seventh year girl prefect spot that Hermione filled, but just for this story, so that the Head position is a separate entity from being prefect. Actually, this mix-up will end up lending itself to the story… but you'll find out about all of this later!

If you were totally confused by that, either read it over and try to understand it, or just ignore it. It's not really a huge deal, just a point I wanted to clarify and admit my mistake to.

Thanks to Son Christine, Lady Paine, mintytoothpick, Kiran, and chisox727 for reviewing.

And, now, on with the show…

Chapter 4: Some News, a Letter, and Another Detention

You can't find the words to say

All the things that come to you.

Island in the Sun, Weezer

As Hermione approached the end of the hallway, she saw a small crowd of people congregated around a stone gargoyle hiding the entrance to the Headmaster's circular office. She turned up her nose in disgust at the sight of Justin, for whom she still harbored contempt from the previous events of the evening. She was just about to go talk to Ginny when, with a swish of his flowing, cobalt robes, Dumbledore appeared in front of the huddle of students.

"Thank you for taking your time to come here," he addressed the puzzled, interested faces before him. "If you would all just step into my office," he said, making his way towards the stony creature guarding the way. "Drooble's Best Blowing Gum," he muttered at the statue, in response to which it sprang to life and moved out of the way. Dumbledore motioned for the students to follow him up the stairs.

The students, most of whom had never set foot in the office before, gazed around in awe at the many things all over the Professorhead's office. The portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses stared right back at them with looks of great interest and murmured through their frames to one another. Hermione noticed the regal Fawkes sitting on his perch elegantly who looked back at her unblinkingly, as she wondered why on earth Ron hadn't shown up yet. Sometimes, she would just love to kick him for ignoring his prefect duties. The Patils were carefully inspecting the Sorting Hat who sat motionless on the shelf. More prefects filed in, including Ron ("Finally", Hermione whispered under her breath), Pansy, of whom Hermione made a point of not being seen by, and Ernie Macmillan, who was still somewhat of a sore spot for Hermione. Subconsciously, she noted Draco's absence. Dumbledore, who had sat down at his desk, cleared his throat. The students reluctantly drew their gazes from all the curious things in the office and the Headmaster began to speak.

"I have summoned you all here to speak with you about the exchange program I mentioned in the Great Hall earlier. As prefects and Head Boy and Girl, it will be especially your duty to make these students feel at home here in ours. Each of you will be assigned a student who will attend your classes with you and who you will help to learn the ways of our school and the English language." He paused and some students let out excited whispers, urging the Headmaster to go on. "For those of you who were interested by the prospect of traveling to Greece, we will get others to fill your position. These students will be somewhat of an added responsibility, but I would not have named you prefects if I did not think you could handle it. The students should be arriving in about a month. Now, are there any questions?"

Ginny's hand wiggled furiously in the air. "Are we going to be, er, lodging with the students?" she asked, face turning a brilliant shade of scarlet.

"No, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said with a kind and knowing smile. "They will be provided with separate lodgings. Anyone else?" No one else raised a hand. "Well, then. If you do happen to think of any more questions, feel free to see me. Thank you for your time." The students left in threes and twos, Hermione meeting up with Ron and Ginny on her way out.

"I hope I get a guy!" Ginny gushed, and then giggled. "Not to offend Dean or anything, but, well, Greek guys are supposed to be really hot!"

Hermione laughed, while Ron rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, well, I hope I get a smart one so I can copy off of their stuff." Hermione gave him an annoyed look. "I know I'm supposed to be good and all, 'cause I'm a prefect, but how can you blame me? I'm not nearly as smart as you are."

Hermione gave him a friendly punch on the arm. "I'm only letting you off because you managed to turn that one into a compliment," she said as they headed towards the Grand Staircase. "If you really need help that badly, I suppose I can tutor you, if you'd like."

"Maybe. I kinda feel bad that me and Harry've been copying off of you for all these years. Plus, I'm not gonna be able to copy off you forever. I need to learn how to do things myself." He, along with Hermione, bid Ginny adieu as she headed up towards the Gryffindor common room and the other two headed down the fifth floor corridor. "But anyway," Ron continued, "what was it that you wanted to tell me and Harry?"

As they walked by the Muggle Studies classroom, Hermione thought about what she had wanted to talk with them about. Now that she did think of it, it seemed rather silly. I was just upset before, she reasoned with herself. I acted rashly.

Upon seeing Harry waiting in front of the portrait of Glanmore Peakes, who appeared to be trying to have a conversation with Harry, she said to Ron, "Oh, it was nothing. I was just- just, well, upset before. But all this business with the Greek students has put me in a much better mood," she added cheerily as they neared their raven-haired friend. "Oh, Harry, you wouldn't believe it! We're getting to each have our own foreign exchange student! Isn't that so exciting?"

"Yeah, great," Harry replied with mild enthusiasm, letting out a big yawn. "I'm really tired, Hermione, and I've got Quidditch early tomorrow. What is it you wanted?"

"Oh, that. It was really nothing. Like I was telling Ron, I was just upset before. Sorry for making you guys come here!" she said in a truly apologetic for making a big fuss about nothing.

"It's alright," Harry said, letting out another big yawn. "I'm gonna go head off to bed. Coming, Ron?"

Ron snapped abruptly out of a daze. "What? Oh. Yeah, I'm coming. Night, 'Mione."

"Night, 'Mione," Harry called over his shoulder as he strode off towards the Grand Staircase with Ron in tow.

"Night, boys," Hermione said as she muttered the password and entered her common room.

As soon as the two boys escaped Hermione's earshot, Harry interrogated Ron, "Why were you staring at her as if she had three heads? It's just 'Mione."

"I was not!" Ron fired back indignantly.

With a sly smile, Harry replied, "Ron, you mouth was practically touching the ground. You're lucky she was so flustered that she didn't notice. I think someone's in looooove…" Harry teased as they climbed stone stairs.

"Shut it, Harry!" Ron shot at him, face slightly flushed. After a moment of embarrassed silence, Ron inquired curiously, "What makes you think I like 'Mione, anyway?"

"Ron, let's just say that subtlety is in no way your strong point. I'm surprised she hasn't noticed yet. Some friendly advice: Just tell her."

"Yeah, alright, Harry," Ron retorted, voice heavily laden with sarcasm as the boys prepared for bed. Harry did not reply; instead, he went about the rest of the night with a knowing smile spread across his face.

'o'

Hermione woke up feeling far more refreshed than she had the previous morning. She couldn't help but think, once again, about why she had let Draco get to her. But she quickly abolished those thoughts out of her mind as she got ready for her first class. As she walked towards breakfast in the Great Hall, schoolbag slung over her shoulder, she met up with Ron and Harry on her way down the Grand Staircase.

"Good morning, boys," she greeted them. "Get a good night's sleep?" The two boys just stared back at her with eyes that longed to be shut once again that proved sufficient to answer her question. "Not morning people are we? Well, maybe a good breakfast will cheer you up," she suggested hopefully as they waited for one of the staircases to slide into place.

When they finally reached the Gryffindor table, Hermione found herself shooting glances at the Slytherin table, noting, once again, Draco's absence. She sat down to eat the eggs and bacon on her plate, and, with another glance in the direction of the Slytherins, caught Pansy glaring evilly right back at her. As if the Slytherins didn't already hate me enough for being non-pureblood and a Gryffindor, she thought to herself, I had to go and be in detention with him and now they think I'm the one who landed him in the Hospital Wing. Hermione sighed heavily, shoving a forkful of eggs into her mouth and catching another glimpse of Pansy, who was now whispering something undoubtedly malicious to Millicent Bulstrode, who sat beside her. After swallowing that first bite of her breakfast, she realized that she was in no way hungry.

Ron looked at Hermione with a worried expression. "Are you okay, Hermione?"

But she didn't get the chance to answer his question, because a large, brown owl landed right on top of her bacon. It stuck its foot out at Hermione, who unleashed it from the letter it carried. The owl immediately swooped off and out the window, knocking over a jar of raspberry marmalade on its way. Hermione opened the letter and a smiling picture of a handsome and unfamiliar young man fell onto the polished wooden table. She put aside the picture and began to read the letter:

Hermione Granger:

Hello! I am your pal of pen, Costas Papaconstanzas. Our head of school told to us that we could write a letter to the student for our exchange foreign. I wanted to write to you so we could learn of each other before a first meeting in the month. I have in the letter a photography of I so you can know my looks. Please send me one if you can possibly. I can wait not for to meet you.

Costas Papaconstanzas

PS: I am sorry for bad English. I still am in learning.

When she finished reading the letter, Hermione gave a shriek of delight.

"What's the matter Hermione?" Ginny asked worriedly as she approached the table, rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes.

"Isn't he just gorgeous?" Hermione cried excitedly as she thrust the photograph of a smiling Costas into Ginny's hands as she re-read the letter.

"He is!" Ginny consented.

"And he's so sweet, too," Hermione added. "Read this. He tried so hard to write correctly in English. It could use a little work, but still, it's so adorable of him!" she shrieked again as Harry and Ron rolled their eyes.

At first Hermione was the object of more than a few strange looks, but as more people began to get similar letters, people became preoccupied with shrieking about their own exchange students.

Hermione turned to Ginny, "Did you get one?"

Ginny said halfheartedly, "No, I -"

An owl interrupted Ginny with a letter addressed to her. She hurriedly tore it open, eyes darting across the page. "I didn't get a guy," Ginny said with slight disappointment. "But I did get a girl who seems really nice," she consoled herself. "Her name's, er, Pamela Brettos. She didn't send a picture, but she said she would next time. Here, read it," she said, returning Costas's letter back to Hermione and also handing her Pamela's.

After reading the letter, Hermione said, "She does seem nice. What about you Ron? Who did you get? Or did you not get one?" Hermione asked her red-haired friend, who was wolfing down platefuls of breakfast food and had discontinued to pay attention to the situation once he realized nothing was wrong. Hermione repeated, "Who did you get?"

"Me?" Ron asked in surprise, mouth full of an assortment of food. He swallowed his food and continued, "Maybe mine just didn't send me a letter. Who knows? I'm not gonna fret about it, though. Try some toast, 'Mione."

"No, thanks, Ron. I'm not really hungry. I'm going to head to Transfiguration early. Coming along?" she asked her friends, who declined. "Fine, then. Don't be late!" she called over her shoulder as she headed out of the Great Hall.

'o'

At the end of lessons, which Hermione found as easy Transfiguration and even easier Charms, Hermione found herself with a supply of extra energy. She figured she would use it to tackle the Charms essay they had just been assigned, which was due at the end of next week. Somehow, she found her thoughts flickering back to Draco and realized that because of this, she would never be able to concentrate properly her work.

As she made to leave the Professor Flitwick's classroom, she realized also that it had been a long while since she enjoyed the presence of Ron and Harry. It was a rather nippy night, so she invited the boys up to her common room to accompany her by the fire for a cup of afternoon tea. They agreed and followed her up to the fifth floor. She hoped that Justin had decided to stay out for the day so she wouldn't be bothered with his unwelcome presence.

As the three made their way into the room, they found, much to Hermione's chagrin, Justin sitting in one of the large, yellow, squashy armchairs writing what seemed to be a letter of sorts. When he saw Hermione, and then Ron, enter the room, he grabbed his ink, quill, and parchment and fearfully tore up the stairs to his dormitory.

"What's his deal?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh, him. Well, he, I guess, he's a might bit afraid of me after I kind of exploded in his face yesterday," Hermione replied.

"What did he say to you that got you so upset?" Ron demanded to know.

"Well, let's just say it was something that wasn't true. He was just trying to verify a rumor. But it wasn't true so it doesn't matter," Hermione said, a tone of finality in her voice. Ron and Harry gave it up, giving each other significant looks that Hermione thankfully didn't notice.

Some moments of slightly uncomfortable silence passed as she conjured up a full tea set from the tip of her wand, tray and all, and poured them all a cup of tea. Hermione sat back in her chair and sighed. She broke the silence, "I just cannot believe that I have to serve another detention tomorrow night while Malfoy gets to sit up in the Hospital Wing. He is such an actor. I shouldn't have to serve that detention until he is well enough to serve it with me. Then again, it's Snape who gave them to us, so I'm not surprised that he got let off the hook."

"Speaking of Malfoy, what happened to him that landed him in the Hospital Wing in the first place?" Ron inquired curiously.

Hermione's eyes grew wide, her thoughts and heart racing at top-speed. I should just tell them the truth, she told herself, but she was determined not to play into Draco's hand. She wasn't predictable; she didn't want to be. Hermione cleared her throat and shook her head. "I, well, I really don't know," she lied. "Maybe it's the flu?" she offered.

"Maybe. I just thought something happened while you were in detention with him," Ron explained.

Hermione found that she could not meet his eyes. She had hardly ever lied to Ron's face, or Harry's, for that matter. She sought quickly to change the subject. "So, how had Quidditch been lately?" she asked. Yes, she was that desperate…

'o'

The next night found Hermione heading towards Professor McGonagall's office to find her fate for the remainder of the night. It had been rather nice to spend sometime with Harry and Ron, even if it was talking about Quidditch. Actually, she had surprised herself as to how much she could contribute to the conversation. Hermione had, after all, dated Krum, even if it was for a short while. You'd have to be dull not to pick up some Quidditch terms and ideas while dating the most famous Seeker in the wizarding world.

She had even, after the boys had left, managed to do that Charms essay; Quidditch had put distracting thoughts of Draco out of her mind. But now, as she opened the door to McGonagall's office, she was glad she wouldn't have to be bothered with Malfoy for tonight.

"Ah, yes, Miss Granger. Please sit down," Professor McGonagall greeted her, gesturing towards a straight-backed chair positioned in front of McGonagall's desk. Hermione sat down and she continued, "Your detention tonight. I pleaded with Professor Snape to wait until Draco had recovered and to then let you serve it together, but he refused. No matter, because your detention should not be too awful. There has been a large influx of students into the Hospital Wing, and since Draco Malfoy is supposed to be under twenty-four-hour care, but due to these ill students, Madam Pomfrey cannot provide that. You will be doing it instead."

Hermione stared at her in disbelief for a few moments.

"Well, Madam Pomfrey is waiting, so hurry along," the Professor said, returning to her work.

Hermione tried to protest, "But, I… So, it's me? With Draco? All night?"

"That seems to be the case. At least until Madam Pomfrey is free again. Now, off with you," McGonagall said as she stood up and ushered Hermione out of the room. "You'll be fine." Professor McGonagall shut her office door, leaving Hermione out in the stone cold corridor, frozen with shock, wondering how she was going to survive through the night.

I am soo sorry that their was such a Draco draught in this chapter!! But I completely promise, there will be a lot of Draco goodness in the next chapter. I'm also REEEEEEEEEEEALY sorry that I took so long to update!!! Don't hate me! J I'll post a lot sooner than I did this last time!! Sorry again!! (I'm just full of apologies today)

Charlotte ;)