Chapter 9: Morning Thoughts

The figure stepped out of the shadows as Draco drew closer. When he reached the figure, he stopped.

Looking around, the figure spoke. "What have you found out?"

"Granger and I are sharing a dorm to present a 'united front.'" Draco said with sarcasm lacing his voice.

"I figure as much. The fool, he thinks he can make everyone worries disappear. I can't wait to see the panic when the Dark Lord finally strikes."

Draco smiled. "Yes, that will be funny. Have you had any success?"

The figure laughed menacingly. "I've already succeeded at my task. There was never any doubt in me succeeding. We have to watch ourselves though. We can't raise any suspicion."

"Yeah, we especially have to tread carefully around Dumbledore. He will be hardest to fool."

"Don't worry about me. It's you that will have to convince him that you're good with that family of yours."

"Yes. But I have one advantage in that department. Dumbledore believes that everyone is or has good in them."

The figure laughed again evilly. "Then he really is a fool. Be careful, write to your father. Don't raise suspicions."

They separated then and headed off in different directions. One to go to gain the trust of Granger and the other to live up a lie.

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Harry woke up with a smile on his face. She came to him in his dreams again but this time she had a face. The girl in his dreams was Raven.

She was beautiful! With her midnight eyes, she had him entranced. He wanted to get to know her better, though, before he trusted her fully. Lupin's warnings to him made him think twice before giving his trust freely. But surely it couldn't hurt to like at a distance, could it?

The sound of Ron awakening stopped his thoughts. It was time to get up and start the day. His first day. No, his last first day.

He rose from the bed and put on his glasses. Ron rose about the same time and fell back into his bed. Harry laughed at his friend. Ron always did have trouble getting back into the swing of things.

Grabbing his clothes, he headed towards the bathroom. He passed Ron on his way back dragging his feet. He went on back to the dorm and waited for his friend.

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About the same time, Hermione was waking up. For a minute, she couldn't remember where she was. Then she remembered: her new dorm.

Last night, she couldn't really see what her room looked like. But now, in the light, her mouth hung open in amazement. The walls were a deep maroon trimmed in gold. The furniture was stained in a deep mahogany color. The drapes and sheets were gold silk.

She decided to venture out of her room to find the bathroom. What she found made her stop in her tracks. The floor was black marble with silver specks. There was a large bathtub big enough for two. The walls were done in black and silver tiles. A large antique chandelier hung in the middle of the room. Hermione spun in circles, looking around the room in amazement. Giving a girlish giggle of excitement, she filled the bath.

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Everyone got down to the Great Hall for breakfast about the same time. Hermione was happy that she had avoided Draco on her way out. Raven was grumpy because she had to get up so early. Harry was just happy that he'd finally made it down to breakfast with the speed his friend was moving.

"Good morning everyone!" Hermione said cheerfully. Ron didn't answer because he was stuffing his mouth full of food. Harry offered her a weak smile while Raven glared. "Boy aren't you guys a happy bunch!" Hermione commented sarcastically.

Raven glanced at Ron. "I met your sister last night. She seems really nice."

Ron merely nodded and shoved another piece of toast in his mouth.

McGonagall came right then and handed them their schedules. Harry glanced at his and then looked at Raven's. She had the same classes as him and Ron. He smiled inwardly at this.

"We have all our classes together," Harry told her.

"Good, I won't get lost." Raven studied her list. "What's Divination?"

Hermione and Ron both groaned. Raven looked at them skeptically. "What? Is it that bad?"

"Yes," they all said together.

"Okay, Divination is this bloody boring class that teaches you about 'foreseeing the future,'" Harry explained.

"And the fact that the teacher is an old, loony fraud doesn't help," Hermione added.

"Yeah," Ron said. "Hermione walked out of the class. It was actually pretty funny."

"Great," Raven muttered, "just great. I have to spend my morning with a teacher that tries to predict stuff."

"Actually," Harry interjected, "she takes great pains in predicting your death. Rather enjoys it, I think."

"This just keeps getting better and better!"

"Great," Ron said and everyone looked at him. "Look what we have after Divination."

Harry looked down, then proceeded to bang his head on the table. Raven looked at him, concerned. "Is he okay?"

"I doubt it. He goes from one teacher who enjoys predicting his death to another who wants him dead," Ron said, taking a huge bite of toast.

"Snape?" Raven questioned.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione began, "Snape does not want Harry dead, he merely dislikes him."

"I think it's more that dislike," Harry said with his head still on the table. "It's more like… a mutual hate."

"A mutual hate," Raven repeated thoughtfully. "I have a few of those." She offered him a smile and he couldn't help but return it. "Personally I think those are the best kind of relationships."

"What do you mean?" Hermione questioned.

"Well think about it. If you and somebody hate each other and know it, then you don't have to act like you like each other. You don't have to pretend to be friends, you don't have all the false pretenses, there are no misconceptions about each other."

"Good point," Ron agreed, shoving eggs into his mouth.

Hermione nodded, trying to decide whether she agreed or not. Harry, however, rose his head from the table to look at her. "You have just summed up my relationship with Snape."

Raven smiled at him. "Okay, let's get to class then shall we?"

A/N: author humbly bows and asks for forgiveness for the time it took to update

I am soooooooooooo sorry that I took so long with this chapter. I've had so many things going on that I just haven't had the chance. Plus I'm trying to get my other story All My Yesterdays completely posted…which it should be soon. Please check it out if you have time. In case you guys haven't heard, I am also writing under the penname the lady marauders with two of my friends. The stories under there are part of a series. Two of the planned 4 stories are up on there so far though neither is completed yet. Please check it out if you have time. Thank you and please PLEASE review! Thank you!