The ride to the train station was a rather boring one. Hermione spent the time listening to her new U2 CD on her portable CD player, and her mother was listening to her usual classical music on the radio.
About an hour later, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder that made her jump a couple of inches. She turned off her CD player when she looked up and saw the entrance to the train station. Hermione got out and went to get a trolley to put all of her school things on.
"Mom, I can handle it from here," Hermione said as they came close to Platform 9 ¾.
"Okay, honey. I love you, and have a good year," her mother said giving her a bear hug. "Make sure to write me and tell me everything that's going on."
"I will, mom. I love you too, now go," Hermione said shooing her mother off in the opposite direction.
Hermione took one last look at her mother, and as she did so, she caught a glimpse of a boy with brown hair and a lightning scar on his forehead.
"Harry! How's your summer been," Hermione yelled as she ran over to give Harry a hug.
"Hermione! My summer's been the same- a summer with the Dursleys is never a good summer, but I survived if that's what you wanted to know," Harry said embracing Hermione.
Harry had grown a couple of inches, but looked no different than what Hermione was used to. He had some baggy clothes, no doubt Dudley's hand-me-downs. With those baggy clothes, he looked skinnier than he already was.
Hermione came out of the hug with a huge smile on her face and a look of pure happiness on her face.
"Harry, I've missed you. I haven't heard from you all summer; I thought something had happened to you," she said.
"Sorry 'Mione, I couldn't send you an owl, Uncle Vernon locked Hedwig up again. He would only let me let her out once a month and he watched me let her out so I couldn't send you anything," Harry said sadly. "I got your owls, though, and your gift. Thank you for more quidditch supplies, I appreciate it."
"No problem," Hermione said. "I saw it in Diagon Alley, and I knew you'd love it. Let's get going, we don't want to be late."
Harry and Hermione snuck into Platform 9 ¾ without any muggles noticing. They both got their footlockers and pet cages on the Hogwarts Express and found an empty compartment to sit in.
"I wonder where Ron is. He knows we have a Prefects meeting as soon as the train moves," Hermione said a little worried.
"I'm sure he's okay," Harry replied. "He's got ten more minutes to get here."
Just as he finished, Ron opened the compartment and pulled Pigwidgeon's cage in behind him. Pigwidgeon was flapping like mad which made it hard for Ron to carry the cage correctly.
"Ron, do you need some help," Harry asked while he saw Ron struggling to pull the cage in.
"No, Harry, it's ok," He said sweetly pulling the cage onto the bench and taking a deep breath.
Hermione ran up and gave Ron a bear hug; similar to the one that she gave Harry.
"How've you been, Ron? Are you okay," Hermione asked still hugging him.
"I'm okay, 'Mione, except that you're crushing my lungs," Ron said out of breath.
Hermione let go of Ron and pulled back to give him air.
"Sorry, Ron. I didn't mean to," Hermione said blushing. "We need to get to the meeting, though. Sorry we have to leave you Harry, but we'll be back in a little while."
"Don't worry about it, 'Mione. I'll find something to do," Harry said acting as if his two best friends leaving him didn't bother him one bit.
"Okay then. We'll see you in a little while," Ron said leaving the compartment in front of Hermione.
Ron and Hermione made their way to the first compartment and packed in there with all of the other Prefects waiting for Professor Dumbeldore to apparate in for the meeting. Hermione looked around and noticed that Draco Malfoy was sitting in the corner alone. He didn't look like his usual, I'm better than you, self. His eyes were not the usual sexy stormy gray, but they seemed darker- almost like they had no color to them at all.
"I wonder what's wrong with ferret," Hermione whispered, pointing him out to Ron.
"Does it matter, he's not being his usual rude self," Ron said brushing it off.
Professor Dumbeldore, then apparated in and began to give his speech.
"Good afternoon to you all," He said. "I trust that you've all had a wonderful summer and are eager to begin another wonderful year at Hogwarts. First I will start off by telling all of you that each and every one of you are responsible for keeping the halls of Hogwarts safe and orderly for the students here. There is not one of you that is above the law, though. You all may be prefects, but you are still to obey the rules as any other student of this school does.
"Next, I shall have to tell you who the new Head Boy and Girl are. Congratulations to Hermione Granger, from Gryffindor, for becoming the new Head Girl, and also a congratulations to Draco Malfoy…"
'Draco Malfoy! I have to share a common room with Draco Malfoy!' Hermione thought. 'I'm not going to be able to stand it. He's going to be calling me that damned word all year.'
"Both of you are to report to your house leaders as soon as the feast is done," Professor Dumbeldore elevated his voice, so Hermione would tune back in. "I'm sorry to the others who were hoping to make it as Head Boy and Girl, but these two people have shown me the leadership and responsibility that tell me they should be Head Boy and Girl."
Professor Dumbeldore finished out his speech, and excused everyone back into his or her own compartments. Hermione followed Ron down the hall, lost in thought.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry said after Ron told him the news. "But I'm happy that you're Head Girl."
"Yeah," was all that she could say. Hermione was still in shock and would remain that way for the rest of the train ride.