Just in case you were wondering, in this Fic Sirius IS still alive because I love his character and it is good for the plot…

CHAPTER 2-Hermione

This is just great, absolutely brilliant. Stupid Professor Bird had to put me with Lavender didn't she? We now have to do this totally pointless project on "Hogwarts Founders" what fun! I hate every bit of Professor Bird including her moustache and her, well; I just hate everything about her. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? I'm always reasonably good and I don't get into too much trouble and I never break the law (unless we are some crazy mission to beat Voldermort) so I can't think of why the world hates me so much.

Lavender keeps trying to make up with me but it is pointless, there is nothing she can say or do to make me forgive her. Unless… No blackmail would never work!

Hermione wondered about how Lavender could make herself forgiven, but she couldn't think of anything. She didn't want to hate Lavender but she didn't want to like her when she did what she did. She needed to teach her a lesson, the silent treatment was old and immature and never worked, so Hermione eventually decided on acting as if Lavender didn't mean a thing and was worthless. That would work for a while until maybe Hermione would forgive her…

She looked at her watch and suddenly realized that she was supposed to be meeting Malfoy about the ball. She grabbed her wand and shoved it into her pocket and rushed towards the library.

When she arrived there Malfoy and his gang were already there huddled over a piece of paper just as they were when she saw them yesterday. She walked over and sat down next to Draco again as she had done yesterday. He handed her a piece of parchment which he titled and after much discussion they managed to write the following:

The Hogwarts Summer Ball

Place-Hogwarts school grounds by the lake.

Dress-Formal dresses and robes

Time-Evening 8 till late

Music-Weird Sisters and school choir (?)

Food-Provided by house elves-sophisticated food but not too sophisticated that no one likes it

Special people-teachers sit at front on big table with head boy/girl and prefects

"I think that should be enough" Hermione said "If you think of anything else just tell me. Now you take this to Dumbledore and make sure he approves."

Malfoy got up from the table and walked out of the library leaving Hermione with his gang all of which were staring at her in amazement. No one had ever told Malfoy what to do and had got away with it.

"Do you have a problem?" Hermione snapped and followed Malfoy out of the room.

"Thanks a lot Hermione." Malfoy said when she caught up with him "I really do owe you."

"Yes I know, but I might as well do something to occupy my time and this feels like a good way to do it." She stared at the floor not wanting to make eye contact with her enemy, but now she wasn't sure whether he was an enemy or was actually trying to be nice for a change.

"Do you want money? Because if you do then that's fine." Malfoy asked honestly.

"What!" Hermione looked shocked, "No, I don't want your money. You being nice is thanks enough. Why are you being so nice to me? You're normally so mean."

"I've decided to turn over a new leaf where I am nice to people even you Gryffindors. It's the start of a whole new me."

Hermione looked up and saw through his eyes that he was telling the truth.

"I think that's a very good idea." She said staring deeply into his eyes.

Draco put his hand to her cheek and it felt so strange to Hermione but also so nice that she let him keep it there. They were staring longingly at each other for what seemed like a decade when they were interrupted. It was Ron and Lavender, they were hugging each other and laughing but when they saw Hermione they stopped and walked away quickly not making any eye contact with Hermione.

"What's up with them?" Draco asked.

"Ron was cheating on me with her behind my back so they are avoiding me. Quite pathetic actually if you ask me."

"I don't know why anyone would cheat on you Hermione. I've liked you for ages you know, but I was afraid to tell you as you hated me."

"I did hate you true, but I now believe that you have changed and I would like to give you a second chance, but we have to start off just being friends. Ok?" Hermione couldn't believe she was forgiving Draco Malfoy, the boy who made her life a living hell.

"Thank you." He said and they walked away to their separate common rooms.

LAVENDER

Did you know that Salazar Slytherin had 6 brothers and 5 sisters? No, and I bet you don't care either do you? I've just spent the last hour researching it. Probably the only person in the whole entire world who would care is Professor Bird. Her and her stupid projects.

Ron and I were walking towards the library yesterday when we saw Hermione with Draco. I don't understand why she's always with him lately. I know that we used to just hang out together, but we did have other friends. Why is she always talking to Draco? Its not like we used to be friends at all, we've always been enemies.

"Do you have to go Lavender?" Ron whined.

"Yes Ron. I have to meet up with Hermione. We need to do more research for our History of Magic project. Something you should……."

She was interrupted suddenly by the Fat Lady portrait being swung open angrily by Hermione.

"We were supposed to meet up in the library 10 minutes ago. Where have you been?" She yelled.

"Sorry Hermione. I'm just coming." She almost said goodbye Ron but thought better of it. She turned back and followed Hermione out of the portrait, quickly waving at Ron as she did so.

"I've found out some information about Salazar Slytherin" Lavender said, opening her folder to reveal sheets of meaningless paper.

"I thought we agreed that our project would be just about Godric Gryffindor. Lavender I know that we aren't exactly each others first choice of partner but we should at least make the most of it. You could have at least listened to me and shown up on time." Hermione scowled, before muttering under her breath, "Instead of spending time with Ron."

At that moment Draco walked into the library and whispered something into Hermione's ear.

"I have to go Lavender. I'll catch up with you later."

Talk about hypocritical.

Lavender was sat on her bed, staring outside, watching a group of first years trying to fly their broomsticks. She remembered Harry, what would he be doing right now? Probably planning some strategy for the upcoming England v. Bulgaria match, with the rest of the team. Lavender reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen.

Harry,

How are you? How's practice going? Hope your well. Nothing much has changed since you left. I've tried to apologies but she just won't listen, not that there's anyone else to blame apart from myself. I've blown it with her haven't I?

We started a new project in History of Magic. Professor Bird has put me and Hermione to work together. It's been awful so far. She's always shouting and screaming at me. I wish you were here. Please write back soon,

All my love,

LAVENDER X

She turned over again to watch the first year's attempts at flying again. She thought back to her first year at Hogwarts. Things were so much easier then, but now everyone was growing up. People were changing: and not always for the best.

Lavender got up and headed towards the owlery. Walking up the long windy steps to the Owlery, she bumped into Hermionie, though not literally.

"Sending post to Harry?" She asked.

"Yes… actually. How did you know?" Lavender replied, surprised.

"I know you to well Lavender" Hermionie smirked, heading back down the stairs.

Lavender continued upwards, smiling as she did so. Hermionie was right. Besides her parents, Hermionie was the only person who knew the real Lavender. They had been best friends after all, even if they weren't now.

so there u go... R&R as usual thnx