Chapter 1

Hermione Granger, Draco and Pandora Malfoy, Ginny and Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter, stood on Platform 9 and Âľ, watching as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley disappeared into the throng of people.

"I guess we're too old for them to wave goodbye," Ginny said, sounding rather hurt.

"Nah," Ron said, ruffling her hair. "They have Order business, it's not us. If it was, they would have told us." This seemed to comfort Ginny a little, but she was still very upset.

Draco turned toward the giant red engine that was before him, hissing and steaming. "Well, I guess we have to begin school sometime. I'll see you all later."

With that, he vanished into the crowd, looking for his old friends, and leaving his current ones rather disgruntled.

"I don't understand why he has to go back to his old house," Pan said grumpily. "I mean, everyone likes him over here, not over there."

"Pan, you haven't been sorted yet," Hermione said. "You might end up in Draco's house, and then you'll have to put up with all those Slytherins."

"I was raised by Albus Dumbledore," Pan replied haughtily. "You think I'd really be sorted into that house, be realistic Hermione."

"I am being realistic," Hermione replied, slightly miffed.

"This isn't a good beginning for a year," Harry said. "You two stop fighting, or I'll curse you."

"Can't," Hermione teased. "We're not at Hogwarts yet!"

"You can count on me doing it anyway once we get there," Harry said with a grin. Hermione was quiet, but then started randomly poking Ron.

"Hey, cut it out!" Ron said, grabbing her hand. "No poking."

"Hermione!" Ginny snapped, "What has gotten into you?"

Suddenly, Pandora looked up from her bag, which she had been fiddling with.

"My brother's here," she announced.

"Of course he is," Hermione said gaily. "He was in the car with us when we drove here, don't you remember? He was sitting next to you."

"Not that brother," Pan said distinctly. "Not that brother."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, clearly alarmed. "Not that kid that got Hermione and Draco tossed in jail?"

"Oh yes," Pan said, her eyes narrowing. "Crazy old Luc."

And suddenly, there he was, standing in the middle of the platform, his grey eyes wide with confusion, apparently lost.

"Draco's not going to be happy about this," Hermione groaned, shaking her head. "He's got such a grudge already."

"I can't believe it," Ginny said. "He's gorgeous."

"Whatever you do," Ron said through the corner of his mouth. "Don't date him. He's psychotic."

"Oh, look at him," Ginny cooed. "He's lost. Let's go rescue him."

Ron grabbed her by the shoulder as she started off, shaking his head. "Don't you dare."

"But why?"

Pan shook her head, mirroring Ron's expression. "He's not all there."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "And like you are, Pan."

Pan grinned. "I'm more sane than he is, think of it that way."

"He doesn't look insane," Ginny insisted, edging in his direction.

"Neither do I," Pan replied serenely, picking up her bag. And at this moment, she didn't. However, her friends knew better. They watched her as she started toward the train, but luckily, Harry dragged her backward before she fell off the edge and onto the tracks.

"Anyone wanna get on the train?" Ron asked glibly.

Luckily, they found an empty compartment toward the end of the train, and they all piled in.

"As Head Boy and Girl," Hermione said, turning to Harry. "We need to go prep the new Prefects."

"What?" Harry asked, completely dazed. Hermione dragged him by his pants into the hallway.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, pulling him down the hall. "Didn't you read any of the material in the letter? It clearly stated what we're supposed to tell them, where their bathroom is, and all that."

"Yeah?" Harry asked half-heartedly. "Did it really?"
"Ye Gods!" she said loudly, causing a bunch of timid first years to jump. "You can read!"

Harry blushed as a bunch of third years waved seductively in his direction. "Uh, yeah, whatever you say, Hermione."

She whirled on him, and motioned the third years off with her hand. "You behave yourself, Harry Potter. The third years are off-limits."

"I know that!" Harry said indignantly, straightening his collar, which she had crushed when pulling him close to lecture him. "I wasn't doing anything wrong."

She narrowed her eyes, and marched down the hall, with Harry close on her heels.


Draco rolled his eyes and sighed loudly.

The young prefects seemed very uneasy around him, and were staring at him as if he was some sort of demon. Where was Hermione when he needed her most?

Suddenly the car door swung open, and there were standing Harry and Hermione, flustered.

"Hello, Prefects," Hermione said smoothly; immediately stepping into her authority figure role with ease. "I am Hermione Granger."

"I'm Harry Potter," Harry volunteered, turning bright red

"And I'm Draco Malfoy," Draco sneered, enjoying the small smile Hermione had donned. She always found it funny when he slipped back into his former personality, wearing it like one would wear an old pair of shoes that you especially like, but has a hole in the toe.

The car door swung open loudly.

"Am I late?" the person gasped, and they found themselves looking at a very embarrassed and bright red Padma Patil.

"Yes, but that's okay," Hermione replied cheerfully. "We were almost late as well. Introduce yourself to the Prefects, please."

"I'm Padma Patil," she said, waving slightly to the seemingly tiny Prefects.

"As I was saying," Hermione continued without missing a beat. "You are the Prefects, and it is your duty to guard and lead the underclassmen…"

After their speech, Hermione and Harry headed back to their compartment.

"It's so weird having four Heads," Harry said musingly, "I mean, it goes against tradition. And even though change is good, there was nothing wrong with the old way."

Hermione agreed. "Yes, but Harry, I think that Dumbledore wouldn't change it without a legitimate reason."

"That's true," Harry said tiredly.

Hermione went on. "And Harry, I think this won't be the only thing that's changed at Hogwarts."


A/N: Okay, if you haven't read my two stories before this, Disfigurement and Prophecy, you're probably confused beyond all belief. Read those ones first, and then come back to this. If you are a follower, just leave a review, and I appreciate that you came to look for this. :)