Days left until the Half-Blood Prince: 10
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter…
Author's Note: I realize that there hasn't been my Hermione/Draco friendship, lovey dovey stuff going on or that much interaction and when there is they usually want to kill each other, but these things take time. I've had a lot of stuff I've wanted to introduce before the time came for their relationship to change. But we are getting to the point, just please bare with me, the time will come soon…promise…
525,600 Minutes: In Truths That She Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Nine
I welcome all, old and new
To another Hogwarts year
I'm the Sorting Hat
I guide you to your home
Simply place me on your head
And I'll tell you were you roam
When this school first started
Four founders wanted those
With different traits
To make this school well known
They fought for sometime, but finally came to agree
Thus the four houses began
Uniting with mighty glee
Ravenclaw taught those who were the cleverest
Slytherin educated those cunning, pure-bloods
While Gryffindor informed the bravest at heart
Hufflepuff decided to train the loyal rest
When long and gone they couldn't choose
An idea came to be
"We'll use my hat," said Gryffindor
"He'll tell them where they ought to be."
So they gave me a brain and instructions of these
"For my Gryffindors
Make the courageous and brave hearted rest
Their nerve and daring are sure to be the best."
"And for Ravenclaw
I want the smart to dwell
Those who love to learn are sure to do well."
"For Slytherin, make so mistake dear hat,
The purest of blood with ambitions greater than all
Nothing can beat that."
"And don't forget those Hufflepuffs
The rest who were not chosen, loyal they are.
Hard-workers, they should be accepted by far."
They sewed me up with those instructions few
But I tell you now, I would change it if I could
For something went wrong in their simple plan
Unity went away and divided became
The houses and young man and woman
Now that the time for choices draws near
Divided this school can not be
But alas, that choice is not for me
I have a job and I do it just
But listen now, and listen well
Divided you may be, but stick together
Know where your loyalties lie
And make your choices right
Some rocky ends I see in sight
You've all heard, now heed my second warning
Keep it close to heart
Now place me on your head
And let the Sorting start!
An unsteady applause slowly filled the great hall until all students and teachers finally applauded the Sorting Hat's song.
"That's the second time that old hat's sung a weird song. You know, warning us." Ron whispered, leaning over the table towards Harry and Hermione. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Do you think that it can really tell what's going on in our world?" Harry asked.
"I suppose it could. I mean, it's been around for quite sometime now." Hermione said. "Though, I don't recall anything about it in Hogwarts: A History."
"But it must, if it can give us warnings like that." Ron said.
"Yes, I guess so."
Harry looked at the head table where all the teachers sat and noticed that there was an empty chair, besides Professor McGonnagall who was is charge of the Sorting.
"Hey, where's Professor Wiggot?" he whispered, referring to the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher from last year.
"She's not here? Wonder what happened." Ron asked.
"Didn't you guys hear?" Hermione asked. Ron shook his head. "Went missing. No one knows what happened to her."
"When did this happen?"
"About a month ago."
"Do you think" Harry lowered his voice even more. "Voldemort-"
Ron gave a shudder at the sound of Voldemort's name. "Honestly, Harry must you say his name?"
"Sorry. Do you think You-Know-Who was behind it?"
"He could have been. From what I understand she was doing something for the Order and disappeared."
"Who told you?"
"Tonks did the night before you," she looked at Ron, "came to." her voice lowered even more, "the headquarters."
"How come I didn't hear?" Harry asked, slightly confused.
"You were arguing with Malfoy about his snoring."
"Oh yeah I remember, I was ready to kick him out of the room." The three laughed.
The rest of the Sorting passed by in silence for Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Finally all first years had been sorted into their new houses and Professor McGonnagall took the sorting hat and the stool out of the great hall.
"What a wonderful song!" Dumbledore began his usual start of school year speech, "Welcome! To all those who are returning and to the new students. Just a few start of term announcements. Please keep in mind that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden," his twinkling gaze settled on Hermione, Harry, and Ron as he said that. The three looked at him and then each other with big grins on their faces.
At that precise moment Tonks walked in the back door behind the teachers table. "Ah, Professor Tonks, welcome."
"Did he just say Professor?" Harry asked, looking at Ron and Hermione.
"Everyone, may I introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tonks!"
"What!" Ron exclaimed
"I can't believe she didn't tell us." Hermione yelled over the applause that had erupted in the Great Hall. The applause died down, with Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny being last to stop clapping.
"Mr. Filch as asked me to remind you about the ban on certain items, you can find a list of them on his office door. Now, I must warn all of you that these are dangerous times. I ask that you mind the curfew rules and never go somewhere alone. With that being said, let the feast begin!"
Immediately the golden dishes that sat on the table filled with food and the students began to fill their plates.
Hermione looked around the Great Hall, at the ceiling that resembled the night sky, the teachers table, and the other house tables. It was good to be back. Here, is were she truly felt at home. Sure she had been brought up in the Muggle world for most of her life, but she never truly felt like she belonged. Weird things always happened to her as a child, but here, here weird things happened to everyone and every place. It was truly home.
Her gaze traveled over to the Slytherin table and paused. Malfoy was sitting at the very end of the table, with Annabeth sitting to his right. The two were completely surrounded by first years. It was quite a sight to see, for Malfoy always sat in the middle of the table, surrounded by his gang, acting as if he owned the whole hall. But tonight was different, he was staring at his plate of food, hardly talking to anyone. Not even Annabeth, who had taken up a conversation with one of the first years.
Hermione shook her head and turned her attention back to her table. Who cared if Malfoy was all alone, he deserved it for all that he did in the past. For that she was certain.
"Now that you're all well fed, I ask that you go to bed. We want you well rested for classes tomorrow," there was a small groan from the students which caused Dumbledore's eyes to twinkle even more. "So, Prefects if you would please lead everyone to the dormitories." he began to sit down, but before he did he paused and addressed the hall one more time, "Oh, and will the Head Boy and Girl come have a word with me. Good night."
The Hall erupted into sound as people began their sleep trek towards their respected dormitories.
"I'll meet you guys in the common room." Hermione said, as she walked in the opposite direction towards the teachers table.
By the time she had pushed her was through the mass of people that were going the other way, Malfoy was already at the high table.
"Good evening."
"Good even Professor," they said together.
"Now, I understand that you two don't usually get along. But I am hoping that you can at least put aside some of your differences to work together. I am not expecting you to become best friends, but I do wish that you try and cooperate with one another. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." they, again, replied in unison.
"Good, also I want the two of you to do your patrols together. As you can plainly see no the patrol schedule papers. Please keep in mind that I do not want you, or any of the prefects for that matter, to split up on patrols to get them done faster. Please cover the school together. You both know that we are approaching very dangerous times and I want everyone to be as safe as possible.
"Finally, I want the two of you to set good examples for the rest of the school. The houses could not be more divided than they are right now, and the time is desperate for them to be united. So I repeat myself. I am not asking that you become the best of friends, but please try and get along or at least work together.
"Now, I'm sure you both are very tired, you may go back to your dorms. Good night."
"Good night Professor."
The two made their way out of the Great Hall in silence. When the reached the Entrance Hall Hermione made her way to the grand stair case while Draco made his way towards the dungeons. Dumbledore wants us to get along? Don't see how that will be possible, but we can at least try. Might as well start now. Hermione thought. She paused on the second step.
"See you tomorrow Malfoy."
"Yeah, you too." Malfoy said without even looking at and as coldly as possible.
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued towards the Gryffindor tower. How Dumbledore expects us to get along, I'll never know…
Author's Note: What do you think? Like I said before, the story is slowly getting to the Hermione/Draco stuff. Just bare with me, please….
Exploded toilet bowl: Yes, he still has her book…Glad that that detail makes you happy. Just keep reading, the book topic will come up again. Thanks much for the review!
Queen of Duct Tape: I don't want to give a lot away, but I will say that Annabeth Littledon is not related to Malfoy….Thanks for the review!
Alanpatty07: Hiya! Oi, I hate popups…such a pain. I'm glad you like the story…and I'm sorry to inform you that Annabeth is not related to Malfoy. Lol, no worries, I won't go soft on yeah, but the story will be getting to the Hermione/Draco stuff soon! And I'm on the fifth chapter of your story…I'll review on the last chapter posted! Thanks for reviewing!
stephanie: Glad you like the chapter and the story! 128 days! EEK! Oh, and I was wondering if you have or have seen the Rent book? It's not like the story line, but backstage stuff…juset wondering. Thanks!
shortsinger: Nope, it's not Bellatrix Lestrang…but I like your way of thinking that it's someone in disguise….and I won't say anymore on the matter…:smiles: Thanks for reviewing!
Redberry Greenleaf: Isn't the trailer for Rent amazing? I can't wait to see it! It's great music and such, I'm sure you'll like it. Thanks for the review!
Me: Glad you like the story! Thanks for reviewing!
Draco's-Ice-Princess666: Glad you like it! Thanks much for the review!
mAI: Glad you liked that line! Thanks for reviewing!"
Ok, so I don't know when the next chapter will be up. I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow (sarcastic: Oh joy). I might be able to update Friday, but if not I would definitely expect one on Saturday or Sunday.
Any questions? Please ask!
More to come soon!
The Lonely Goatherd