Hogwarts Guests

The next evening, Harry and Ron helped Hermione pack her things in the Gryffindor common room, though neither were prepared to let her go without a fight.

"Hermione, you can't live with Malfoy and two people who you don't even know!" Ron exclaimed while throwing her copies of Advanced Rune Translation and Confronting the Faceless into a large, cardboard box.

"Yeah, Malfoy's bad enough as it is." Harry interjected. "But two strangers? Come on, surely you don't want to do this!"

"They're not strangers, Harry." Hermione replied. "Christopher and Bianca are both very nice people. I think it will be interesting getting to know them."

"Get to know them during breakfast! During lunch! During dinner!" Ron cried. "You don't need to spend twenty four hours a day with them! They'll drive you bonkers!"

"You drive me bonkers, but I'm still living." Hermione muttered as she tossed Crookshank's cat toys into the same box as her books (Harry was surprised that they would fit next to the heap of books stuffed into that one box. He suspected magic, but said nothing because of its irrelevance).

"Yes, but I'm your best friend!" Ron countered. "I'm allowed to drive you bonkers."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Harry, can't you please knock some sense into him?"

"Nope." Harry replied. "I agree with Ron. You shouldn't have to live with them. Why Dumbledore would even suggest it is beyond me, but it's stupid and pointless and you shouldn't have to do it."

Hermione shook her head at him as if to say not you too.

"Well, if you're definitely going to do this, then I guess there's no stopping you." Ron said at last.

"You finally get it." Hermione replied sardonically.

"We'll visit." Harry smiled. "And you feel free to visit here anytime."

"I'm not moving schools!" Hermione exclaimed, chuckling. "I'm only moving a few floors down. No big deal. We'll still have classes, meals, and spare time together."

Harry smiled once more, though he did not feel reassured. "Yeah, I guess so."

They packed for a few moments in silence, each one reflecting they're time spent in the Gryffindor common room together and realizing that it had suddenly come to a halt. Hermione was optimistic, though. This was the beginning of a new life for her. She was moving up in her life, what with being Head Girl and now having the privilege of having a private dorm, even if it was with the biggest prat in the school. And plus, there was Christopher … this was an opportunity that she would not take lightly. Christopher was so caring and sweet and beautiful … no, Hermione would not let her feelings slide this time. She'd done that before with Ron and they hadn't even dated because she was too afraid to tell him how she felt. This time, Hermione would take action. Not right away, of course. She wasn't even sure if she liked Christopher; perhaps it was just lust at first sight. But if things progressed between the two of them at all, she would take action. Out with the old Hermione, in with the new. And this Hermione would not take bull from Malfoy. None at all.

"Okay, all packed." Hermione said as she chucked one last pile of robes into her traveling case.

"We'll miss you, Hermione." Ron said, smiling gloomily.

"Yeah, tons." Harry agreed.

Hermione grinned, and with one last group hug, all three Gryffindors gathered her belongings as she led them out the portrait hole, leaving what she'd known as her home for the last seven years behind her.

………………………………..

Over the next few days, Hermione had locked herself in her bedroom working on the Amortentia potion, only leaving for lessons and meal times. On countless occasions she had asked Malfoy for his assistance, and every time he had told her to go jump down a Hippogriff's throat. So, she was left to fend for herself on the Potions assignment, and it was proving to be more difficult then she had thought it would be.

However, by the time the weekend arrived, Hermione had abandoned all thoughts of the Amortentia potion and instead focused all of her attention upon the thought of the guests who would be arriving for dinner. Soon enough, Christopher Everett would walk through the doors of the Great Hall along with his sister, Bianca. Hermione was a sack of nerves; never in her life had she felt as anxious as she did that evening when she walked into the Great Hall with Harry and Ron.

"Will we like this fellow?" Ron asked doubtingly.

"Oh, you will." Hermione replied, the now-familiar butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "He's a very nice person. The same goes for his sister; she's just lovely."

"Is she decent looking?" Ron asked.

Harry snickered.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "What kind of a question is that?"

"I was just curious." He answered, grinning as Harry choked on a piece of meat loaf through his excessive laughter.

Suddenly, atop the heads of students enjoying their supper, Hermione caught Dumbledore standing up in the corner of her eye.

"Shhh!" Hermione hissed, providing the Headmaster with her full attention.

"Good evening, students." Dumbledore addressed, beaming at them all.

From the Slytherin table, Malfoy gave a great yawn. Hermione glared at him.

"I do apologize for disrupting your meal," Dumbledore continued, disregarding Malfoy's rudeness. "But it is for cheerful news, so I shan't apologize too much. As of today, Hogwarts will be seeing two new students, both of whom will be coming from a small, distant town called Serenity."

Sudden whispers erupted through the Great Hall. No one was really decipherable to Hermione, but the one word that she did manage to catch from several conversations was Azkaban.

"Yes, you are correct." Dumbledore said, as the talk slowly died down. "Serenity is the town of which is nearest to Azkaban, the wizarding prison. Hopefully, this will not alter your judgment of these new students. Neither is connected to the Dark Arts, nor to those locked up in their Azkaban cells. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce Hogwarts new students, both of which have been proven to be Gryffindors but will reside in the Head Boy and Girl dormitories. Christopher Everett, Bianca Everett, please enter."

Every head in the Great Hall turned to face the doors, which slowly opened to allow entrance to the nervous brother and sister who slowly entered.

Several of the boys let out whistles, including Harry and Ron. Apparently, Hermione wasn't the only one who found Bianca to be good-looking. Christopher too appeared to be seen as attractive in the eyes of Hogwarts, because almost every girl was muttering to their girlfriends and glancing in his direction.

Hermione raised her hand in the air and waved for Chris and Bianca to go over to her. Smiling, they did.

"I hope you two enjoy your place here at Hogwarts. Your head of house will be around shortly to give you your timetable. Now, eat up!" Dumbledore grinned, sitting back down.

Chris and Bianca smiled at him as they took places across from Hermione, Harry and Ron.

"Hey, guys!" Hermione greeted enthusiastically.

"Hello, Hermione." Christopher said. Bianca smiled at her.

"How was the journey here?" She asked.

"Not too bad. Dumbledore sent Thestrals for us, so it was very interesting." Chris replied.

"Er, where's Draco?" Bianca asked, curiously.

Hermione made a face of disgust, but quickly disguised it as a smile. "Oh, he sits over at the Slytherin table." She said, pointing at it. "See, right over there."

At that exact moment, Malfoy happened to be staring over at the lot of them. Bianca caught his eye, but he quickly broke it and began a conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.

After a quick introduction of Harry and Ron and a basic conversation over supper, Hermione offered to show them to their dormitory.

"Excellent." Christopher grinned, patting his stomach. "I could use a good lie down after such a hefty meal."

"You should get used to them." Harry said. "Hogwarts never slacks off when it comes to food."

"Yup, the house-elves work hard down in the kitchens." Ron agreed, covering as much of himself as he could for fear that Hermione would swat him over the head.

"Well, good night Harry. Ron." Bianca said, smiling at them both. Christopher also exchanged good-nights with them and soon enough, Hermione and the Everett's were off to their dormitory.

"You guys have both got pretty much all of your classes with me this semester." Hermione said, referring to the timetables that McGonagall had given them.

"It's weird how Beauxbatons has eight years, whereas Hogwarts only has seven." Christopher noted. "It'll be strange having classes with a bunch of people who are younger than I am."

"Oh, hush." Bianca said as they turned a corner into the main stairwell. "You'll have them with me. And Hermione. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Snape is a nasty little bugger." Hermione said, pointing at the Potions class on the timetable. "You'd better watch out for him. He favors Slytherins and only Slytherins."

"He'd be the head of house for Slytherin, then?" Christopher asked.

"Yup." Hermione replied. "Stay out of his way, do your work perfectly and you should be okay."

"Duly noted." Bianca grinned.

"Ah, here we are." Hermione said as they stopped outside the only door in the corridor on the fourth floor.

They stepped inside, one behind the other, only to be greeted by Malfoy lounging on the sofa.

"Hello, Draco." Christopher greeted. Hermione and Bianca remained silent.

"Christopher, hello." Draco replied, standing up and extending a hand to Chris, who shook it. "How goes you?"

"Well, very well." Christopher said. "Your school is magnificent."

"Yes, Hogwarts is a bit of a treat, I suppose." Malfoy said. He could barely conceal his disgust.

"Where's my bedroom, Hermione?" Bianca asked. "I'm rather tired; I think I'll turn in early today."

"You're sharing a room with me." Hermione replied. "I'll show you the way."

"And I'll show you ours." Malfoy said to Christopher. Hermione stared at him suspiciously; why was he being so nice to Chris?

In their bedroom, Bianca threw her traveling case down on the floor and sat down on her bed, bouncing up and down to feel the comfort.

"Hey Bianca, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Hermione inquired cautiously.

"Of course, ask away." She smiled.

Hermione braced herself. "What's up with you and Malfoy? There seems to be some tension between the two of you."

Bianca shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Nothing, nothing at all. I kind of get the impression that he doesn't like me much, but that's normal. After all, I am new. I'm sure we'll grow to be friends as time passes."

"That's it?" Hermione asked, rather disappointedly.

"Yup, that's it." Bianca replied. "Why? What else would it be?"

"Nothing." Hermione answered. "You're right; I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry."

Bianca beamed. "Don't be sorry! It's so great having you as a friend here, Hermione. Otherwise, I'd be so lonely. Well, with the exception of Chris. But you know, who wants your brother as your only friend, right?"

Hermione chuckled. "It's great having you as a friend too, Bianca. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

"Okay." Bianca agreed. "Good night, Hermione."

"Good night."

………………………………..

For the remainder of the evening, Hermione resided in the common room, following the directions step-by-step in the Advanced Potions textbook for the Amortentia potion. She felt it was finally coming along nicely; soon enough, the only thing left for her to do would be to wait. Wait about two months until it has settled. After those months would pass, she would only need to add one single unicorn tail hair (though from where, she had absolutely no idea), and she would be finished. This thought was exhilarating; so, she poured some of the potion into a goblet and set it on an end table to settle. Then, she picked up her cauldron with the potion remains in it and quietly put it under her bed in her bedroom. Returning to the common room, she plopped onto a couch, completely exhausted. Closing her eyes, she rapidly fell into a deep dream about Christopher.

The two of them were prancing through an open meadow, hand-in-hand, neither wanting to let go. Eventually, they both fell into the tall grass, Hermione falling on top of him, both laughing giddily.

"You're so beautiful, Hermione." He'd whispered into her ear, causing her to blush madly.

Just as they were about to share a kiss, a distant voice called out her name: Hermione. Both sat up, looking in every direction for the mysterious voice. Then, suddenly, a figure floated towards them, shining a mystifying, white glow. It called out her name again: Hermione. Hermione stood up, slowly walking towards the glowing figure. Christopher called out her name, but she ignored him, only having eyes for the unknown that stood before her.

As they came close, he touched her face. "Hermione." He said once more. She closed her eyes, rubbing her cheek against his palm. After a moment, she opened them, gazing into his own glowing grey eyes. "Malfoy …"

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, this time for real. She bolted upright.

"Did you just utter my name in your sleep?" Malfoy asked as he emerged from his bedroom into the common room.

She took a moment to realize where she was before remembering her dream. "Ugh!" She exclaimed with revulsion. "Why aren't you sleeping!"

"I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep!" Malfoy replied, shocked at her sudden demand. "What's it to you?"

"Nothing." She replied, shaking slightly from her dream. "Nothing."

"Why are you out here?" Malfoy demanded. He jerked his thumb towards her bedroom. "Is the female Everett not a really good roommate?"

"She's fine." Hermione shot back. "I don't have to answer to you. I'm going to bed now. Good night, Malfoy."

"A good night, I'm sure." He retorted, taking a seat on the couch as she got up and headed towards her bedroom. His eye caught the goblet on the end table beside him. Taking a deep sniff, he realized that it smelt like his mothers cooking.

"Wow," He said, impressed.

Hermione turned around to see what he was talking about.

Taking hold of the goblet, Malfoy pressed it to his lips, allowing the drink to trickle down his throat.

"Noooooo!" Hermione shrieked, racing towards Malfoy.

Wiping his lips, he lowered the goblet.

"Malfoy?" She asked carefully as she reached him. He looked at her, but said nothing. She grabbed hold of his shoulders, shaking him incessantly. "Draco? Draco, speak to me!"

"Gra … Granger." He said. And with that, he fell back into the couch, his eyes rolling up into the back of his head as his motionless hand tipped the goblet over, causing the remains of the potion to leave a stream across the floor of the common room.

Uh oh, that can't be good.

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