note: i forgot to include this in my first chapter. Voldemort is dead, but he still has supporters that believe he will 'rise from the ashes' again. therefore they still give people the dark mark. o, and to RedAndGold4LeafClovers, THANKS A TON! it felt so good to get a review:P

Chapter Two

Upon arriving in Hogsmeade, the first thing Hermione saw was a large group of under-dressed seventeen year-olds with three older looking figures. Many of the students were in what would be considered 'summer wear' in Hogwarts. A dark blue cloak, and sky blue T-shirts, coupled with thin slacks were definitely inappropriate for November in Great Britain. Draco could see that one of the more intelligent students had conjured a bright purple fire for warmth.

As Hermione's eyes roamed over the group, she couldn't help but pick out several of the better looking guys and comparing them to Hogwarts' students, namely Malfoy, as he was the only one present.

Mystery American #1 was tall and well built, with shocking blue eyes. He had slightly sun bleached crown hair, which seemed almost blond in the odd lighting. He had a large, slightly crooked grin plastered across his face, which was directed to a pretty, athletic-looking girl. Compared next to Draco, they were very similar, but #1 was stockier, while Draco was slim. American #2 was not as muscular as #1, but he had dark hair and eyes. His eyes were those sad, puppy-dog eyes, which tended to belong to more artistic guys.

At the same time, Draco's eyes were roving over the females in the large group. More specifically, their bodies. The first girl he laid his eyes on was a tall redhead. She had gray eyes, and was extremely curvy, to Draco's pleasure. He allowed his line of vision to drift downwards. He legs were long, and perfectly shaped. This pleased him very much, but he overheard some parts of her conversation. She appeared to be deep in discussion about whether 'Flamingo Pink' nail polish was a lighter or darker shade than 'Cocktail Pink' nail polish. She was an obvious airhead.

'The perfect one night stand.' Thought Draco, already imagining what they could be doing that night.

Another girl caught his eye. She was chatting with Hermione's Mystery Man #1. Her eyes were and interesting color, a light brown, but wavering on green. They sparkled as she laughed, and she let loose a dazzling smile. She had perfect rosebud lips that somehow complimented her athletic figure. Long, toned legs, obviously a runner, and a not too heavy a chest. Her light brown hair came in thousands of different shades, and it shone a deep red, when it caught the purple firelight.

A small, scholarly looking wizard, dressed in navy blue robes, interrupted Draco's daydream. He introduced himself as Professor Spadafora.

"Hello. I am the Headmaster of SDMA. I take it you two are the Head students here. Thank you so very much for allowing us to stay with you! Here, let me introduce our Head students." His voice was slightly squeaky, and he reminded Hermione of Professor Flitwick. He called to Hermione's Mystery American #1, and to the sporty girl he was talking to.

"This is Sascha and Chad. I believe they will be sharing a dorm with you two for the remainder of the year."

The Professor then left them to go discuss something with Dumbledore.

"Hi. I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you." Hermione exclaimed, with a smile.

"It's my pleasure. Chad." Chad said, with a sly grin. He extended his arm and shook Hermione's hand.

Sascha turned to face Draco, and said, rather seductively,

"You must be a Malfoy. Draco? I've heard a lot about you in particular. There's a lot of stuff about you, going around the States. I've heard that you're quite… active."

After this statement, Draco gave her his signature smirk.

"Really? Well once you get to the school, you'll be able to see just how 'active' I am. I'm quite surprised my reputation extends that far."

Dumbledore walked over to the four, and announced that they were leaving. Out of his sleeve, Dumbledore pulled out a small silver bell, and rang it. Immediately after, they could hear the wheels of carriages, and the hoof-falls of the Thestrals pulling them. When they appeared, Hermione noted that a majority of the group stiffened, looking apprehensively at where the horses would be. Dumbledore spoke:

"Four to each carriage. I would prefer it if the four Head students sat together, to familiarize themselves with each other. Thank you."

He then opened the door of the first carriage letting the three American professors in, before alighting himself. The Head students saw to it that all the other students had gotten into their carriages before getting in their own.

On their way back to the castle, they exchanged facts about themselves, and they talked about the other students in their year. Hermione's 'Mystery #2' was Jeff, and Draco's bimbo was Clarissa. Hermione remembered the foreign students looks of apprehension upon seeing the Thestrals, and she asked Chad cautiously.

"Um… Chad? Did lots of the students here see someone… uh… die?"

Sascha seemed to have overheard the question, and her eyes widened.

"Well…" she said, looking at Chad for reassurance "you know what happened to Professor Sadler, right?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, see, in the Upper Dorms, where the kids who are in their last year of school stay, um… one of the girls was…" Sascha's eyes began to water, and Chad took over.

"Sadler had managed to make it past our front door. We had put some repelling charms on it, but she got past them. One of the girls, Laura, was sitting in the entrance hall, reading with her friend, Annie. Sadler went for Laura, and she somehow stuck her arm through her." His voice began to get hoarse, but he ploughed on. "Annie screamed, so everyone went down to see what was happening. Laura had already died, so most of us saw… Annie… go." He finished and gave a shuddering sigh.

"I'm so sorry." Hermione said quietly. Sascha's eyes were glazed over, and she was obviously trying not to cry. Hermione moved over, and gave Sascha a hug.

"It's all my fault." Sascha whispered. "I'm the one who put those charms on the door. If I had only made them stronger…" She trailed off, her face buried in Hermione's shoulder. "It's my fault Laura, Annie and Mark're dead."

Draco looked slightly stunned, and he whispered to Chad,

"Who's Mark? I thought only Laura and Annie died."

"Mark was Annie's best friend, and Laura's boyfriend." Chad took a deep breath. "He jumped from the top of the school after he was what happened."

"Oh." Draco said in a small voice.

The rest of the carriage ride continued in silence, with Hermione's arms wrapped around Sascha. Eventually, her shaking subsided and she sat up straight. She looked out the window, and saw the castle looming up against the purples and pinks of the sunset.

"Wow."