Hermione groaned as she rolled over and hit the snooze button on her alarm. She opened one eye cautiously before snapping it shut.
"Stupid sun why wont you leave me alone." She continued to grumble as she got out of bed and pulled a robe over her silk nightgown. She walked into the kitchen and stopped when she saw the large calendar on the fridge. She let her face break into a large beaming smile. The giant box screamed in red letters: SCHOOL! Today was the day the façade went back up, and for some reason, she couldn't be happier. She turned the coffee machine on and went to get room to get dressed. She stood in front of her closet and pondered over her clothes. Regular or New Hermione? Hmmm… She sighed. I can't let them know. She threw all her old clothes on her bed and picked out many of her new clothes and piled them in the bottom of her truck. She dug through the pile of clothes on her bed and found an adorable jean skirt of modest length, 4 inches above the knee, and an aqua green halter with rhinestones down the straps. She pulled them on and pulled her hair into a messy bun high on her head and found her black converse with white-blue flames streaking up the sides. She went into the kitchen and poured a big mug of coffee. She pulled the butter out from the fridge and put two pieces of bread in the toaster. As she waited for it to pop up, she grabbed her keys and ran down the stairs to her mailbox. She ran the entire way back up and slowed when she neared the door. She used one hand to unlock the door while leafing through the mail with the other. She put her shoulder against the door and pushed so hard she dropped some of her mail.
"Fuck!" She tried again and remembered how only weeks ago she had gone through the same thing, only she had Draco at her side. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for a moment, leaned against the door with her head resting on the door jamb. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek. Hermione's eyes opened and she brushed it away. She turned the handle and put all of her weight on the door and pushed. Before she could stop, her momentum caused her to go sprawling onto her living room floor. She turned around to pick up her mail, and smelt something burning. Shit. She scooped up her mail and threw it at the kitchen table as she ran towards the toaster sitting on the counter. She popped the now blackened bread onto a plate and slid it carefully into the trashcan. She sighed in defeat and sat on one of her uncomfortable kitchen chairs. She glanced at the mail, expecting the usual junk magazines and such. She was shocked when on the top of the stack was a cream colored envelope with elegant emerald calligraphy on the front. She inhaled sharply at the sight of the standard Hogwarts letter. Wasn't it a little late for a letter from the Headmaster?
Dear Miss Granger,
It has come to our attention that a one Draco Malfoy visited you this summer. As I'm sure you are aware of his circumstances, it would not be good for him to return to Hogwarts this year. However we cannot leave him out of our sight. Therefore he shall be going to Hogwarts in disguise this year as Ryan Danielson. As of today, if you choose to help, you will be in charge of keeping an eye on Draco at all times whether he likes it or not. I realize that it is a little late to be sending you this letter, but I hope you will think about it and reply as soon as possible.
With fondest regards,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The thoughts whirled through Hermione's head like sand caught in a sandstorm. She knew Draco would hate her for forever, but she also knew that he had cared about her for that one night… and she had gone and screwed it up. She owed it to him, whether he wanted it or not. She grabbed her quill and a slip of parchment from her trunk and scrawled a quick reply.
Headmaster,
As much as I know Draco will hate me agreeing to this, I feel I have an obligation to play a part in this. I also know that if you know found my address you know about my summer. I would greatly appreciate it if we could schedule a meeting sometime during the year. Thank you for letting me help in this time of need.
Hermione Granger
She sealed the short letter in an envelope before realizing she had no way of sending it to Dumbledore. She sighed and felt her shoulders drop. She heard a tapping on her window and turned to see a small brown owl with dark brown eyes that was trying to perch on her sill. She opened the window and noticed the small tag around its ankle that read Property of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She smiled and silently thanked Dumbledore. She attached the letter to its ankle and dug a piece of the scorched toast out of the trash to feed the majestic creature. It shook its head at the burned pastry and flew out the window. She rolled her eyes and put it back in the trashcan where it obviously belonged. She heard her watch beep and shockingly realized she only had 2 hours till she had to be at Platform 9 and ¾. She still had to pack the rest of her trunk and she wanted to get there as early as possible.
She rushed around the house grabbing books off the shelves and dumped them into her trunk along with her makeup bag. She looked around the house thinking of other things she would need..."Ah the potions." She said grabbing them off her vanity. She walked into the bathroom and grabbed her new robes and the rest of her school crap. She slammed the trunk and wheeled it over to the door.
"Lets see, I think I have everything." She said clicking her tongue. "Oh hell, I almost forgot my wand." She said running back into her room and snatching it out from the hidden compartment in her nighttable. As she grabbed her wand and stuck it into its usual spot at the small of her back, there was a knock on the door. "Keep your trousers on! I'm coming!" She yelled storming to the door.
She turned the latch and swung the door open. "What the... Draco? What are you doing here?" She said looking into his stone-cold gray eyes.
"I got caught trying to sneak out of London, but the oaf caught me." He said shifting his head to the side to show the person who had a tight grip on his shoulder.
Hermione looked up uneasily. "Erm...Hello Hagrid." She said nervously as he looked down at her.
"Time to go." He said grabbing her trunks in one quick swipe and lifted the hefty things as though they were nothing. "I'll take these out to the car." He said letting Malfoy go.
Draco stood quietly and shifted his weight from side to side as she grabbed her coat and locked the door. She turned around and smiled. "I see you got a hair cut." She said looking at his new style, somewhat short with the ever-so-popular spiked up tips in front. In addition to the new cut, he had dyed his hair a bright, yet deep, blue. The only things that remained constant in his appearance was his pale skin, cold eyes, and the single scar that blemished his face." I like it." She said smiling and giving him a nod of approval.
He looked away quickly but he couldn't hide the fact that her comment had made him smile. She closed her eyes, unsure of how to act. On one side, she still had feelings for him, but she had messed up her chance with him. On the other side of things, she was completly uncertain of how he thought of their meeting earlier in the summer, so she had no idea how to act. Should she be normal and pretend like it never happened? Or should she be awkward? Or just act flirty and hope he still cares? She decided on the first choice.
"Come on Draco.. I suppose I should be calling you Ryan now though, shouldn't I?" She shot him a curious look while nonchalantly checking him out. His hair was'nt the only thing he'd change. His body had always been good, but now it was better than every. He had also gone from prep to punk since their last encounter. He now wore black jeans and a tight black muscle shirt that showed off his extremely hott body. Chains and a studded belt and wristband completed the outfit that suited him so well.
"Yes.. Ryan... I don't know why Dumbledore had to give me such a Muggle name." He walked in stride with Hermione in the narrow stairwell that led down to the front of the building. He noticed Hermione glancing at him and checking him out but he chose not to say anything. He gave her the once-over also. He saw that unlike previous years, her outfit was flashy and more like her new self. Even though it was different, it wasn't quite the same as her style earlier that summer.
They reached the front enterance and Hermione saw a cab waiting for them along with Hagrid trying to get situated in the tiny car. She stiffled a laugh at the old cab driver's expression at the giant's feeble attempts. She quickly sobered though as she remembered that Hagrid probably knew of the things that had happened in her life. She remained awkward with him for the rest of the journey.
Half an hour later, Ryan, Hermione and Hagrid tumbled out of the eerily silent cab onto the main platform of Kings Cross Station. Hermione and Ryan managed to heave their trunks out of the back of the car and drag them somewhat inconspicously after Hagrid's massive form cleared a path for them. They reached the platform barrier and Hagrid turned to the two teenageers.
"See you on the other side. Hermione, Dumbledore says that he can see you in his office immediatly following dinner. Ryan, stay with Hermione as much as possible." And with those words said, he slipped through the barrier and the teens were left staring at a brick wall.
Hermione and Ryan looked at eachother and shrugged simultaneously. He did the customary sweeping hand as though to signal after you. She looked at him incredulously.
"Like I'm going to trust that you won't run off the second you get out of my site. I know how much you dread going back to Hogwarts." She felt guilty the second the words were out of her mouth. He just stared at her for a few seconds, hurt. He shook his head and ask if she would rather go at the same time. She nodded and they lifted their belongings and casually leaned against the barrier. They stared into eachothers eyes.
Hermione was so entranced by the cold beauty of his silvery eyes that when they fell through the wall, she would have kept on falling until she hit the ground if the owner of the trance-inducing orbs hadn't caught her. Shaken out of her mesmerized state, she regained her footing and hefted her trunk back into a comfortable position. She only stayed that way for a few seconds though, then a group of red heads bowled her off her feet. Laughing, she was surrounded in a group hug by Ginny Weasley, who has grown quite a bit prettier over the summer, Ron Weasley, who remained just as tall and lanky as ever, but was indeed much more handsome than the year before, and finally the infamous Harry Potter. Harry for some odd reason was sporting bright hair the same shade as the Weasley's. When Hermoine finally stopped laughing, she asked about it.
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. " Fred and George thought it might be fun to test out their new hair color changing products on me. It should go back to normal in a few minutes. Luckily I've been able to avoid Malfoy. Speaking of the git, do you reckon he'll be coming back to Hogwarts at all this year? With everything that happened?"
Ryan inhaled sharply. Hermione shot him a nervous glance and in the calmest voice possible assured Harry that with his circumstances it would be just about impossible for Draco to come to Hogwarts again. Harry and Ron shot eachother excited glances and high-fived. As they walked to the compartment Harry and Ron had saved, Harry's hair slowly returned to its regular pitch black shade.
Once they had all gotten seated in the compartment, Ron and Harry both turned and stared at the new intruding face. Hermione cleared her throat and the boys' attention turned to her. It was only then that Harry and Ron noticed her new look and both boys wondered what had caused the change, they both thought, for the better. Both knew better to ask her though. They refocused as they realized she was talking.
"I'm sure both of you have noticed the new face following me. His name is Ryan Danielson and he's a transfer student from America. He's been sorted into Gryffindor and Dumbledore asked me to help show him around and such. I hope that you both will help him fit in. Now say hello and introduce yourselves."
As much as Hermione had changed over the summer, she was quickly reverting into her know-it-all, bossy self. It was a relief to know that she could change and cover the things she really felt just by returning to Hogwarts. The boys all exchanged greetings and started a fast paced conversation about Quidditch that Hermione just quite frankly couldn't be botherd to try and keep up with.
Hours later the train slowed to a screeching halt outside the massive stone castle that housed an immense number of witches and wizards, yet to a Muggle just looked like a run-down old ruin of a building. The first years were all herded over to a section where Hagrid was filing them all into boats. Harry, Ron, and Hermione (with Ryan trailing after them) linked arms and wealked towards the humongous doors that opened into the cavernous entrance hall. This was the start of their sixth year at Hogwarts and with the history they had at the school, it was almost garunteed it would be an interesting year.
The four slowly were drove into the Great Hall by the flowing mass of students. They made their way over to the end of the hall at which the Gryffindor table was arranged. Hermione noticed Draco kept shooting distressed glances over to the Slytherin table. Ron, for once observing something, also saw, but just assumed that Draco, like himself, felt the ominous waves of unpleasantness that were filling the hall as the wearers of silver and green began to gather. Harry was also looking at the other end of the hall; only he was watching Crabbe and Goyle blunder around aimlessly looking for the platinum blonde that they followed so faithfully in former years. Harry pointed out the dim-witted pair and they all had to choke down a laugh.
They seated themselves at the end of the table with Harry and Ron on one side, and Hermione and Draco on the other. It took only seconds for a flock of girls to surround them, only interested in Draco. In minutes questions were headed rapid fire at the blue haired punk sitting in the midst of the Golden Trio.
"Ummmm… I'm Ryan Danielson. I lived in the United States until I was 12, and then moved back to England. I was born here, but moved to Utah to live with my uncle after my parents died when I was 5. I started magic school in the states, and then changed to home schooling myself after I moved. Dumbledore sensed my power and came to me over the summer about enrolling here. He's already sorted me into Gryffindor and has asked Hermione to show me around and stuff." At this last sentence many girls turned to glare at Hermione.
Hermione was intently listening to the story Draco wove, looking for holes in his tale. Impressed, she found none, and as she tuned back into her surroundings she noticed the many girls' fierce stares. She looked back at Draco and saw him staring at her smugly, daring her to find a flaw. She nodded in approval and smiled a bright smile that was returned.
The group of girls slowly dissipated as Dumbledore began to ring his fork on the gold goblet held in his left hand. The entire Great Hall quieted to listen to the headmaster announce the start of the sorting. Hermione tuned out and thought about other things instead. Mostly she thought about Draco.
After the sorting was finally complete and all the first years were seated in their new houses, Dumbledore again stood. He gave the regular lecture about the Forbidden Forest and the newly updated list of illegal items. The next thing he talked about was a surprise. He announced Ryan's name and grade. Draco looked at the old man as though he had gone insane. Dumbledore motioned for him to stand up and Draco could do nothing but oblige. The girl's all took in a sharp breath and felt their hearts patter. Of course not a single one of them realized it was the same patter they felt every time they saw Draco. As Draco sat he noticed Hermione avoiding his gaze. Puzzled by this, he decided to ask her about it later, distracted by the fact food was now appearing in the middle of the table.
Nearly an hour later, the students walked the halls up to their houses. Draco, out of habit, headed towards the dungeons. Hermione quickly ran after him and grabbed his arm. He looked at her as she shook her head. He rolled his eyes and sighed, allowing her to lead them to the portrait of the Fat Lady. She said the password and watched as the door swung open for them. They entered the busy room full of chattering people and climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitory. They stopped on the highest landing where there stood a strange looking portrait of a green, Tinkerbell-esque fairy flying around vase of black roses.
Hermione smiled in a teasing kind of way. "Dumbledore felt that it might do you good to have your own room. The password is fry cook." At those words, the portrait swung open to allow them access to a room Hermione imagined must be reminiscent of his old room in Slytherin. It was decorated in silver bedding on a black bed and there were green accents all around the room. Draco sighed, rolled his eyes, and said, "Home sweet home." Hermione furrowed her brows in question. She had expected him to like his new room but she just shrugged.
"Your schedule is on the bed. First class is Potions with Slytherin, so be prepared for it. I'll talk to you in the morning. Later." And with that she left the room, closing the portrait behind her.
As Hermione walked down the stairs she decided to go visit Harry and Ron. She opened the door to their room to the sound of yelps and a sight that made her laugh so hard that she had to use the doorframe to keep from falling down.
Harry hadn't noticed his female friends entrance and was walking around in nothing but his boxers, which had little Snitches zooming around on them. His hair, instead of being its usual black shade, had turned bright pink and he was covered with purple scales. She finally stopped snickering and stood silently to eavesdrop on Harry fuming and ranting. "Dammit Ron! What the bloody hell did you just give me!" He exclaimed looking in the mirror. His face was nearly the color of Ron's hair, out of anger, not because of yet another Weasley confection. "Your brothers better not have made this a permanent change."
Ron balanced himself as he laughed. Hermione started to laugh loudly. Harry, finally noticing the girl of the Golden Trio, whipped around and yelped as he dove into his bed under the covers. "GET OUT!" He yelled as Ron collapsed with laughter. "I'm sorry Harry. I just couldn't resist." He laughed grabbing his stomach. Hermione rolled her eyes and told them both goodnight before descending the rest of the stairs and going to the girls' dormitory.