The skies were gray and dim as the second thru seventh years made their ways to the carriages. Harry, Ron, and Hermione found an empty carriage and sat down just as the carriages started making their way towards the entrance to Hogwarts.
"Hermione, are you all right," Harry asked concernedly.
Hermione was in her own little world. How was she going to survive a year, her last year, at Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy sharing a common room with her? Was she going to be able to take it, mentally? Was he all right? He looked so sad at the meeting, so aloof. Would he be okay? 'Wait, where did that come from? I don't care about Draco Malfoy; why am I worried if he'll be okay?' Hermione asked herself just as someone hit her on the shoulder.
"W-what? Oh, sorry. What were you saying," Hermione asked as she looked around.
"Are you okay," Harry repeated himself.
"Yeah. Just thinking," she said sounding a little more aloof.
"We're both here if you need to talk, 'Mione," Harry said sounding more concerned.
The rest of the ride to the entrance was very eerily quiet. Just as the carriage stopped, Hermione came back out of the trance-like state. They all stepped out of the carriage and walked into the Great Hall.
"Harry! So good to see you," said an excited Colin Creevy.
"Oh no. Not him again," Harry said under his breath. "Hello Colin. How was your summer?"
"Just wonderful, Harry, but I'm glad to be back again," he said snapping pictures of him.
"Colin, would you please stop taking pictures of me and go sit down," Harry said shielding his eyes from the flash.
Colin looked a little disappointed, but sat down anyway. Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way towards their usual seats at the Gryffindor table and waited for Professor Dumbeldore to begin his start of term speech.
The Great Hall was exploding with noise as almost everyone was talking and catching up with their friends whom they hadn't seen all year. Everyone was excited to be back at Hogwarts, except, of course, for the Slytherins. Professor Dumbeldore cleared his throat and the Great Hall instantly went quiet.
"Good afternoon students, I trust you had a wonderful break and are very excited to begin another years at Hogwarts. There are just a couple of announcements before we begin the feast," Professor Dumbeldore said looking through his half moon-eyed spectacles. "First, I would like to introduce all of the prefects to you; would you please stand up ladies and gentlemen?"
All of the prefects stood up.
"These people are here to insure the safety of all of you and your peers. Please treat them with the respect that they deserve and listen to what they say. Lastly, I would like to introduce you to your Head Boy and Girl. Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy."
They both stood. Draco still looked forlorn and held back, and Hermione was finally back with the rest of the world.
"These two people are here to take care of all of the prefects and make sure everyone in school follows the rules. It is the prefects' duty to report every disturbance to these two individuals, and they have the ability to take house points away where necessary. You two are to report to the Head of your House at the commencement of the feast."
"Now, on to the feast. Everyone have a great evening."
Professor Dumbeldore waved his hands and food appeared on every plate in the Great Hall, and the students erupted with conversation again.
At the end of the feast, Hermione parted with Harry, and Ron to go to Professor McGonnagall and get her new house password. As she made her way towards the Head table, she saw Draco walking up there trying to act as though everything was fine, obviously for the teachers. His eyes were still not his usual stormy gray, and Hermione was starting to get concerned.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonnagall, Professor Snape," Hermione said when she'd reached the table.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Granger. How was your summer," Professor McGonnagall asked cheerfully.
"Just great, but I'm eager to begin class again," Hermione said.
"Always the worker," Professor McGonnagall said complimenting her as Draco walked up. "Shall we get going?"
Draco, Hermione, Professors Snape, and McGonnagall all stood up and exited the Great Hall together. As they made their way down the hall, Hermione noticed Draco stayed unusually quiet and forlorn.
Professors McGonnagall, and Snape both stopped in front of a portrait of a fire dragon and turned around to look at Draco and Hermione.
"This is the entrance to your common room. Both of you are to be sharing a common room, and I know that you'll set aside your differences here and become great friends," Professor McGonnagall said staring at Draco who seemed to be off in another world still. "Hugely Horrifying Horklumps."
The portrait opened up to reveal a ravishingly decorated common room. The couch was a beautiful navy blue and the carpet was a Native American design with red and brown colors woven together to form an astonishing picture. The walls were covered with pictures of the past professors and current teachers. Professor Snape's picture was staring down at the four of them with the utmost disgust.
"Draco, your room is upstairs to the left and Hermione, yours is to the right," Professor McGonnagall said nodding her head in the direction she stated.
Draco looked up the stairs in the middle of the back wall then back down at the ground.
"You two are in charge of almost everyone at Hogwarts and are to behave as such," Professor Snape finally spoke up. "Or there will be consequences."
Professor Snape's eyes narrowed in on Hermione and she now knew the feeling Harry had explained to her about when Snape stares at him. The pit of her stomach felt like it dropped five feet below the ground. She simply wanted to throw up for the next three years.
"Here are your new wands," Professor McGonnagall said handing them wands. "These are strictly to be used in THIS room and your own. We are able to find out what spells have been cast on these wands and we will do that regularly, so don't try anything.
"We'll leave you two alone to get situated now."
Professors Snape and McGonnagall turned round and walked out of the portrait hole leaving Hermione and Draco alone. Draco looked up at Hermione but quickly looked away when she turned toward him. Hermione then walked up to her room leaving Draco to stand in the common room completely alone.