Back to School
"Ginny, honestly if you don't hurry up I'm leaving with out you"
"Calm down, I'll be there in a second"
September 1st had arrived, and a new school term had started. Ginny was now in her final year at Hogwarts. Being the last head girl Hermione had to go and give the new head girl her badge. Unfortunately this meant two things:
1. having to go face her ex-students, and be subject to their staring and pointing at her stomach. Great I don't bloody think so.
2. Draco being ex head boy would be there to hand over the badge to the new head boy.
Hermione and Draco hadn't come face to face with one another since their meeting in Hogsmeade, with Daphny. Hermione hadn't told Ginny about the encounter, but had since been in an extremely bad mood. Ginny just put her snapping down to hormonal imbalance. Honestly pregnant women can be so unreasonable.
"Ginny, I'm bloody serious, if you..."
"Would you calm down I'm ready" Ginny emerged from Hermione's room. She had her trunk floating in mid-air beside her, her school robes on, her engagement ring to Harry firmly in place.
"Ok now mum will meet you at Hogsmeade train station, after you've finished ok?"
Hermione stared at Ginny "excuse me, but whose the grown up here"
"Yes I know" Ginny said with an air of annoyance "but your not really in a fit state at the moment"
Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but realising Ginny had a valid point, quickly closed her mouth again and turned to the door "can we get this over with"
Ginny smiled and walked towards the door, her trunk followed as though on a dog lease, "are you gonna be ok seeing Malfoy after all this time?" she spoke sympathetically, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
Clenching her teeth slightly, so Ginny wouldn't notice, Hermione stared strait ahead and nodded "let's go we have to meet the train at Hogsmeade station"
***
The Hogwarts express rolled into Hogsmeade station. Malfoy headed down to the prefect cart at the head of the train. Many of the students got off the train and head to the 'supposedly' self-moving carriages. The first years headed towards the familiar site of Hagrid who was ready to take them on the traditional trip across the lake. Draco entered the prefect cart.
Unlike the other carriages, this one was homier. The Hogwarts crest was displayed on one wall, chairs and sofas where taken up by old and new prefects. Underneath the Hogwarts crest where two chairs, reserved for the head boy and girl.
Malfoy headed over to the seat reserved for the new head boy, he picked up an envelope that lay on it, and sat down. Many students turned to look at him; he did not return any of there looks. The door opened once more and everyone's head turned to look at who had just arrived.
***
Hermione and Ginny entered the prefect Carte, and found them selves greeted by the stares of many prefects. Malfoy was sat in the head boy chair beneath the Hogwarts crest. He wasn't looking in their direction.
Ginny nodded to Hermione, and walked over to her friend Luna Lovegood. Hermione made her way to the head girl seat, her eyes firmly fixed on Malfoy, Malfoy's eyes firmly fixed on the nearby window.
Wishing everyone would look away; Hermione picked up the envelope on the head girl seat, and awkwardly sat down. Everyone was silent and, every ones eyes where firmly fixed on Malfoy and Hermione. After a few minutes some one coughed, breaking the silence and tension that filled the room.
Malfoy got to his feet. He was wearing black trousers and bottle green jumper; his cloak lay strewn on the chair.
"As you all know the head boy and girl announcements are now, being presented by the ex-head boy and girl." Everyone nodded. The room was silence Malfoy had everyone's attention. This was something he was used to. He had always been able to keep a large crowds attention, he put it down to being a natural gift.
"So as not too keep you all waiting Hermione and I shall now tell you who, your new Head boy and girl are"
Hermione's head jerked slightly as Malfoy said her name. It had felt like years since she had herd her name, flow from Draco's soft tin lips
Hermione got gingerly to her feet; she wobbled slightly but remained standing. She smiled at the students around her.
Malfoy stood next to her. He slid one finger under the envelope flap and tore an opening, pulling out a single parchment he read it quickly and turned to Hermione "announce Head girl first"
Hermione looked at him curiously, he merely nodded. Hermione opened the envelope and took out the parchment. She smiled as she read the name on the parchment.
"Ginny Weasly"
Ginny sat stunned. Luna had to give her several sharp pokes in the arm before she seemed to realise she was alive. She slowly got to her feet unaware of the students around clapping their hands. As Ginny walked towards Hermione she seemed to realise where she was.
"Congratulations Ginny" Hermione beamed at her as she pinned the badge on Ginny's robes, and then gave her a quick hug. As Ginny took a seat in the Head girl chair the clapping dyed down. Hermione knew how much being Head girl would mean to Ginny, All of her brothers, with the exception of Fred and George, had been prefects, and only Bill and Percy had been Head Boy. Thus made Ginny the first and only, Head Girl in the Weasly family. Mrs Weasly would be so proud.
Everyone's gaze had fallen on Malfoy, who was now lent lazily against the wall, they held there breath waiting to hear who had made Head boy.
Malfoy looked lazily around the room and his eyes came to rest on a dark Ravencalw boy, sat in the middle of a few friends.
"Michael Corner"
Malfoy threw the badge to Michael, who caught it just as he stood up, grinning at his mates. Everyone clapped politely as the boy took his seat, beneath the banner, next to Ginny.
"Well" Draco said as the rest of the prefects got up to leave the cabin, he turned to address Ginny and Michael, completely ignoring Hermione, "I hope you to can manage to live up to our standards and make Hogwarts proud."
Gin smiled ware as Michael tried to stifle a snigger.
"Congratulations Ginny" Ginny smiled, as she stood up to hug Hermione.
"Thanks Herms" Hermione turned to grab her cloak. Ginny turned to look at Michael, who was still laughing. Some prefects where still inside the carriage, mainly Michael's friends, and Ginny's Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood.
"Why are you laughing?" Ginny asked Michael .His laughing now starting to irritate her.
He continued to laugh, but after taking a couple of deep breaths he looked Ginny in the eye and said, "I guess living up to their standards won't be that hard."
At Michael's words both Draco and Hermione turned to look at him. Michael had his back to them so he didn't notice the listing to him and Ginny.
"What do you mean Michael?" Ginny asked him curiously. Michael was slightly taller than Ginny, he was dark skinned, and reasonably handsome. He and Ginny had dated briefly in there fourth year, but had broken up due to Michaels inability to handle Griffindor beating Ravenclaw at Quidditch. Come to thin of it Ginny did find Michael rather annoying and immature, nothing like Harry.
"Well think about," Michael said, he moved forwards to Ginny so that she backed up falling into the Head girl chair. He moved his hand up to her cheek and stroked it gently. Ginny smacked it away. "Just think about it Gin' babe, all you have to do to live up to Malfoy and Granger's standards, is allow me to get you knocked up."
Michel began to laugh again, Ginny just sat there with a horrified look on her face, as though shed like nothing more than to shove Michael out of the nearest window.
*WACK* Michael now found him self pinned up against the wall. Malfoy had his arm across Michael' neck. Michael's feet where an inch of the floor, and his face, which was now turning purple, was inches away from Malfoy's now, red angry face. "You git!"
"Draco!" Hermione ran forwards. She tried to pull Malfoy off the struggling Head boy. "Draco let him go, please" she stared at Malfoy's face; he was glaring at Michael, his face full of anger and pain. Michael looked as though if Malfoy didn't let go soon, he would not live to see Hogwarts sorting ceremony.
Tears began o fall from Hermione's eyes, a she tugged at Malfoy's arms, "Draco please let him go, please!" Ginny also moved forwards, but did not try and pull Malfoy of the struggling, purple faced Michel.
"Malfoy let him go" she spoke in a voice of reason, as though she were merely asking him if she could borrow a pen, "please"
"You slimly little git," Malfoy loosened his grip on Michaels neck, and pulled out his wand and pointed it directly at Michaels face.
"Draco! Please!" Hermione let go of Malfoy's arm, and continued to sob. "Draco, I know what he said was harsh but he's just a child..."
"He's a year younger than us."Draco yelled at her, with put taking his eyes off Michael. A few green sparks shot out of Malfoy's wand, and cut in between Michaels eyes.
"Draco.." Hermione moaned slightly.
Malfoy ignored her, along with everyone else who remained in the carriage. He glared in to Michael Corners petrified eyes. "You.you." he struggled to find words to describe Michael. As white-hot anger surged through his vainest, Malfoy had the greatest desire to perform the Cruciatus Curse on him.
"Malfoy!" Ginny's stern voice sounded through the silent air.
Very slowly, Malfoy lowered his wand, and removed his arm from Michael's neck, "scum like you are not worth my time." Malfoy hissed in Michael's face, before turning and striding towards the door.
Michael opened his mouth to yell at Malfoy, but Ginny nudged him hard in the ribs, "Watch it Corner" she hissed, and he quickly shut his mouth.
Ginny ran over to Hermione, leaving Michael to the care of his friends. "Hermione, I'm so sorry, he's such a git and that was really."
"Ginny forget it," Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes, "please." Ginny nodded and hugged Hermione then bent slightly lower and hugged Hermione's stomach, "ill see you soon baby." Ginny stood up strait.
Hermione smiled at her "you're going to make a great head girl Gin'"
"And you're going to be a fantastic mother." Both girls hugged several more times, before leaving the train carriage.
***
Draco apparated into his apartment. He slammed himself onto his bed. He wanted to destroy everything in site. Michael's words had really got to him. How could he have lost it like that?
He hadn't been that rash since.. since.since he'd hit Hermione. His anger slowly ebbed away as he thought about the day Hermione told him she was pregnant.
It had been an Arithmancy class, they had both stayed behind. Draco had excused her of having an affair. He remembered yelling at her to tell him why she had been avoiding him; he remembered the tears streaming down her face as she yelled, "I'M PREGNANT!"
He remembered the stunned silence that had followed. For a few moments he had sworn he had misheard, god how he wish he had misheard. But no he hadn't, he screwed up his eyes and watched the final part of his memory play out. He watched himself walk forwards, he watched his hand come back, he watched it come forwards, I don't want to see this, and too late it happened again in his mind he saw his hand connect with Hermione soft cheek. NO, NO, NO!
Malfoy lay flat on his front, his eyes closed, trying to banish the memory from his head, he would murder or some Pensieve. For about the next hour he lay beating himself up inside his own head.
He looked up at last when the sound of wings came through his window. In his window, he turned to find his families' old eagle owl. He had not seen this owl since the beginning of his seventh year in Hogwarts. He had had no reason to receive post from his parents once; his mother was deceased and his farther imprisoned.
He strode over to the eagle owl cautiously and took the letter from his leg. The bird immediately flew away. Draco did not take any notice. He sat on the edge of his bed, and unrolled the parchment and began to read.
Dear Mr Malfoy,
I am sorry to inform you that you're father (Mr Lucius Malfoy), and his fellow Death Eaters, are sentenced to be receive the Dementors' Kiss, on September 27th, at 6:30pm, at the wizard prison Azkaban. Your father has asked us to owl you informing you of his last request, that you attended this tragic ceremony.
Deepest Sympathy,
Yours sincerely,
Mr C. Hogskin,
Office of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry Of Magic.
"Ginny, honestly if you don't hurry up I'm leaving with out you"
"Calm down, I'll be there in a second"
September 1st had arrived, and a new school term had started. Ginny was now in her final year at Hogwarts. Being the last head girl Hermione had to go and give the new head girl her badge. Unfortunately this meant two things:
1. having to go face her ex-students, and be subject to their staring and pointing at her stomach. Great I don't bloody think so.
2. Draco being ex head boy would be there to hand over the badge to the new head boy.
Hermione and Draco hadn't come face to face with one another since their meeting in Hogsmeade, with Daphny. Hermione hadn't told Ginny about the encounter, but had since been in an extremely bad mood. Ginny just put her snapping down to hormonal imbalance. Honestly pregnant women can be so unreasonable.
"Ginny, I'm bloody serious, if you..."
"Would you calm down I'm ready" Ginny emerged from Hermione's room. She had her trunk floating in mid-air beside her, her school robes on, her engagement ring to Harry firmly in place.
"Ok now mum will meet you at Hogsmeade train station, after you've finished ok?"
Hermione stared at Ginny "excuse me, but whose the grown up here"
"Yes I know" Ginny said with an air of annoyance "but your not really in a fit state at the moment"
Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but realising Ginny had a valid point, quickly closed her mouth again and turned to the door "can we get this over with"
Ginny smiled and walked towards the door, her trunk followed as though on a dog lease, "are you gonna be ok seeing Malfoy after all this time?" she spoke sympathetically, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
Clenching her teeth slightly, so Ginny wouldn't notice, Hermione stared strait ahead and nodded "let's go we have to meet the train at Hogsmeade station"
***
The Hogwarts express rolled into Hogsmeade station. Malfoy headed down to the prefect cart at the head of the train. Many of the students got off the train and head to the 'supposedly' self-moving carriages. The first years headed towards the familiar site of Hagrid who was ready to take them on the traditional trip across the lake. Draco entered the prefect cart.
Unlike the other carriages, this one was homier. The Hogwarts crest was displayed on one wall, chairs and sofas where taken up by old and new prefects. Underneath the Hogwarts crest where two chairs, reserved for the head boy and girl.
Malfoy headed over to the seat reserved for the new head boy, he picked up an envelope that lay on it, and sat down. Many students turned to look at him; he did not return any of there looks. The door opened once more and everyone's head turned to look at who had just arrived.
***
Hermione and Ginny entered the prefect Carte, and found them selves greeted by the stares of many prefects. Malfoy was sat in the head boy chair beneath the Hogwarts crest. He wasn't looking in their direction.
Ginny nodded to Hermione, and walked over to her friend Luna Lovegood. Hermione made her way to the head girl seat, her eyes firmly fixed on Malfoy, Malfoy's eyes firmly fixed on the nearby window.
Wishing everyone would look away; Hermione picked up the envelope on the head girl seat, and awkwardly sat down. Everyone was silent and, every ones eyes where firmly fixed on Malfoy and Hermione. After a few minutes some one coughed, breaking the silence and tension that filled the room.
Malfoy got to his feet. He was wearing black trousers and bottle green jumper; his cloak lay strewn on the chair.
"As you all know the head boy and girl announcements are now, being presented by the ex-head boy and girl." Everyone nodded. The room was silence Malfoy had everyone's attention. This was something he was used to. He had always been able to keep a large crowds attention, he put it down to being a natural gift.
"So as not too keep you all waiting Hermione and I shall now tell you who, your new Head boy and girl are"
Hermione's head jerked slightly as Malfoy said her name. It had felt like years since she had herd her name, flow from Draco's soft tin lips
Hermione got gingerly to her feet; she wobbled slightly but remained standing. She smiled at the students around her.
Malfoy stood next to her. He slid one finger under the envelope flap and tore an opening, pulling out a single parchment he read it quickly and turned to Hermione "announce Head girl first"
Hermione looked at him curiously, he merely nodded. Hermione opened the envelope and took out the parchment. She smiled as she read the name on the parchment.
"Ginny Weasly"
Ginny sat stunned. Luna had to give her several sharp pokes in the arm before she seemed to realise she was alive. She slowly got to her feet unaware of the students around clapping their hands. As Ginny walked towards Hermione she seemed to realise where she was.
"Congratulations Ginny" Hermione beamed at her as she pinned the badge on Ginny's robes, and then gave her a quick hug. As Ginny took a seat in the Head girl chair the clapping dyed down. Hermione knew how much being Head girl would mean to Ginny, All of her brothers, with the exception of Fred and George, had been prefects, and only Bill and Percy had been Head Boy. Thus made Ginny the first and only, Head Girl in the Weasly family. Mrs Weasly would be so proud.
Everyone's gaze had fallen on Malfoy, who was now lent lazily against the wall, they held there breath waiting to hear who had made Head boy.
Malfoy looked lazily around the room and his eyes came to rest on a dark Ravencalw boy, sat in the middle of a few friends.
"Michael Corner"
Malfoy threw the badge to Michael, who caught it just as he stood up, grinning at his mates. Everyone clapped politely as the boy took his seat, beneath the banner, next to Ginny.
"Well" Draco said as the rest of the prefects got up to leave the cabin, he turned to address Ginny and Michael, completely ignoring Hermione, "I hope you to can manage to live up to our standards and make Hogwarts proud."
Gin smiled ware as Michael tried to stifle a snigger.
"Congratulations Ginny" Ginny smiled, as she stood up to hug Hermione.
"Thanks Herms" Hermione turned to grab her cloak. Ginny turned to look at Michael, who was still laughing. Some prefects where still inside the carriage, mainly Michael's friends, and Ginny's Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood.
"Why are you laughing?" Ginny asked Michael .His laughing now starting to irritate her.
He continued to laugh, but after taking a couple of deep breaths he looked Ginny in the eye and said, "I guess living up to their standards won't be that hard."
At Michael's words both Draco and Hermione turned to look at him. Michael had his back to them so he didn't notice the listing to him and Ginny.
"What do you mean Michael?" Ginny asked him curiously. Michael was slightly taller than Ginny, he was dark skinned, and reasonably handsome. He and Ginny had dated briefly in there fourth year, but had broken up due to Michaels inability to handle Griffindor beating Ravenclaw at Quidditch. Come to thin of it Ginny did find Michael rather annoying and immature, nothing like Harry.
"Well think about," Michael said, he moved forwards to Ginny so that she backed up falling into the Head girl chair. He moved his hand up to her cheek and stroked it gently. Ginny smacked it away. "Just think about it Gin' babe, all you have to do to live up to Malfoy and Granger's standards, is allow me to get you knocked up."
Michel began to laugh again, Ginny just sat there with a horrified look on her face, as though shed like nothing more than to shove Michael out of the nearest window.
*WACK* Michael now found him self pinned up against the wall. Malfoy had his arm across Michael' neck. Michael's feet where an inch of the floor, and his face, which was now turning purple, was inches away from Malfoy's now, red angry face. "You git!"
"Draco!" Hermione ran forwards. She tried to pull Malfoy off the struggling Head boy. "Draco let him go, please" she stared at Malfoy's face; he was glaring at Michael, his face full of anger and pain. Michael looked as though if Malfoy didn't let go soon, he would not live to see Hogwarts sorting ceremony.
Tears began o fall from Hermione's eyes, a she tugged at Malfoy's arms, "Draco please let him go, please!" Ginny also moved forwards, but did not try and pull Malfoy of the struggling, purple faced Michel.
"Malfoy let him go" she spoke in a voice of reason, as though she were merely asking him if she could borrow a pen, "please"
"You slimly little git," Malfoy loosened his grip on Michaels neck, and pulled out his wand and pointed it directly at Michaels face.
"Draco! Please!" Hermione let go of Malfoy's arm, and continued to sob. "Draco, I know what he said was harsh but he's just a child..."
"He's a year younger than us."Draco yelled at her, with put taking his eyes off Michael. A few green sparks shot out of Malfoy's wand, and cut in between Michaels eyes.
"Draco.." Hermione moaned slightly.
Malfoy ignored her, along with everyone else who remained in the carriage. He glared in to Michael Corners petrified eyes. "You.you." he struggled to find words to describe Michael. As white-hot anger surged through his vainest, Malfoy had the greatest desire to perform the Cruciatus Curse on him.
"Malfoy!" Ginny's stern voice sounded through the silent air.
Very slowly, Malfoy lowered his wand, and removed his arm from Michael's neck, "scum like you are not worth my time." Malfoy hissed in Michael's face, before turning and striding towards the door.
Michael opened his mouth to yell at Malfoy, but Ginny nudged him hard in the ribs, "Watch it Corner" she hissed, and he quickly shut his mouth.
Ginny ran over to Hermione, leaving Michael to the care of his friends. "Hermione, I'm so sorry, he's such a git and that was really."
"Ginny forget it," Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes, "please." Ginny nodded and hugged Hermione then bent slightly lower and hugged Hermione's stomach, "ill see you soon baby." Ginny stood up strait.
Hermione smiled at her "you're going to make a great head girl Gin'"
"And you're going to be a fantastic mother." Both girls hugged several more times, before leaving the train carriage.
***
Draco apparated into his apartment. He slammed himself onto his bed. He wanted to destroy everything in site. Michael's words had really got to him. How could he have lost it like that?
He hadn't been that rash since.. since.since he'd hit Hermione. His anger slowly ebbed away as he thought about the day Hermione told him she was pregnant.
It had been an Arithmancy class, they had both stayed behind. Draco had excused her of having an affair. He remembered yelling at her to tell him why she had been avoiding him; he remembered the tears streaming down her face as she yelled, "I'M PREGNANT!"
He remembered the stunned silence that had followed. For a few moments he had sworn he had misheard, god how he wish he had misheard. But no he hadn't, he screwed up his eyes and watched the final part of his memory play out. He watched himself walk forwards, he watched his hand come back, he watched it come forwards, I don't want to see this, and too late it happened again in his mind he saw his hand connect with Hermione soft cheek. NO, NO, NO!
Malfoy lay flat on his front, his eyes closed, trying to banish the memory from his head, he would murder or some Pensieve. For about the next hour he lay beating himself up inside his own head.
He looked up at last when the sound of wings came through his window. In his window, he turned to find his families' old eagle owl. He had not seen this owl since the beginning of his seventh year in Hogwarts. He had had no reason to receive post from his parents once; his mother was deceased and his farther imprisoned.
He strode over to the eagle owl cautiously and took the letter from his leg. The bird immediately flew away. Draco did not take any notice. He sat on the edge of his bed, and unrolled the parchment and began to read.
Dear Mr Malfoy,
I am sorry to inform you that you're father (Mr Lucius Malfoy), and his fellow Death Eaters, are sentenced to be receive the Dementors' Kiss, on September 27th, at 6:30pm, at the wizard prison Azkaban. Your father has asked us to owl you informing you of his last request, that you attended this tragic ceremony.
Deepest Sympathy,
Yours sincerely,
Mr C. Hogskin,
Office of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry Of Magic.