A/N: Kiss me, I updated! It won't happen again for a month. I own nothing but Arielle and DADA man.

Chapter Five

Draco walked towards the horseless carriages, still flexing the wrist of his wand arm. He really didn't know what to think about his dream. It all felt rather ridiculous, really. And anyway, who could he honestly tell this to? His father? He'd either say he was mad or sell him off to the Dark Lord. Dumbledore? Ha, the old fool had never given a damn about him. What could he possibly have to say to Draco now? Crabbe & Goyle? All they'd do is blink back stupidly. Draco was at a loss, there was no one there for him.

His eyes blazed with anger as he saw Harry, Hermione and Ron walking towards a carriage with Arielle. How is it Potter is always surrounded with people who cared when he, Draco, was left alone so often? Draco looked again at Arielle who saw him and smiled softly. He couldn't smile but waved and stepped into a carriage; he didn't care that he ought to find Granger and get to the heads carriage. He didn't want to deal with the Mudblood's nosy questions. He let his head fall back against the carriage seat and closed his eyes. He was thoroughly devastated when a minute later he heard Pansy Parkinson's whiny voice.

'Drakie? Is that you?' she asked climbing into the carriage.

'No.' Draco squeezed his eyes praying it was just his imagination.

'Don't be silly Draco. So, I heard Granger's been made Head Girl. Not much you can do with her dirty, mudblood self,' Pansy said, crossing her arms and looking extremely satisfied.

'Oh, I think you'd be surprised.' Pansy looked as angry as she had back on the train. She opened her mouth to protest when another figure jumped into the carriage just as the thestrals began trotting.

'Congrats, mate on this Head Boy business,' Blaise Zabini said smirking at Draco as he sat down across from him. Draco smiled back happy for intelligent company. Blaise was just as snobby as Draco but unlike Draco he was a true backstabber, he'd sooner use an unforgivable on a friend than risk his own safety. Draco was still grateful for his presence.

'Oh, sorry, Parkinson. Have I interrupted something?'

Pansy frowned. 'Actually, you di-'

Blaise cut her off. 'So how was your summer? You had the mansion all to yourself; throw many parties?'

'Empty? Ha. You know better, Blaise.'

Blaise shrugged and said, 'Well, it's as good as. Your father can't leave the one room, what bother can he be?' Draco shook his head smiling amusedly. They just didn't know, he thought. Oh well, he couldn't expect them to.

'So what about…him?' Blaise asked. 'What's last you heard of his plan?'

'Well, not much. I know he'd really love to be rid of Potter, but seeing as none of us can do that and Dumbledore is on us at all hours…'

'Yeah.' Blaise looked worried. Then he shoved Pansy over so he could sit by Draco; Pansy merely whined and crossed her legs, looking positively livid.

Blaise leaned in towards Malfoy so Pansy couldn't hear. 'I can't look at him, Draco. He's our leader but I'm too afraid to look at his face; the red eyes, the nose, the veins spreading across his skull. I just want to vomit.' Blaise's eyes were wide his whisper desperate. 'What the hell am I supposed to do?'

'Nothing,' Draco said sharply, taken aback by what Blaise had disclosed to him. 'If he found out, he'd probably kill you for your weakness.' Blaise climbed back across the seats and Pansy continued to pout supremely from her corner.

Honestly, Draco himself was more than disgusted by Voldemort. Because of Voldemort, Draco hadn't seen his mother in months. Because of Voldemort, Draco was forced to share a house with the sadistic bastard he was forced to call 'Father'.

Draco's mind flashed back to his dream. He didn't want Voldemort to gain from whatever it was the founders had done to him. Then again, if the Dark Lord found out, he'd have no choice.

Bugger it, he said to himself, tightening a fist that made his pale hand glow again with that light. He shook his robe sleeve down over it so Pansy and Blaise wouldn't see. The carriage stopped and Pansy pushed herself in front of Blaise and out first hissing 'Ladies first.' Blaise snickered to himself and hopped out behind her. Draco took his time getting out and as he did he saw Hermione Granger looking up at him.

'Er—we've got to go up to the castle together. T-to meet Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore before the sorting.'

'Whatever.' HE followed her up the castle steps, expression unreadable until he caught the look on Pansy's face and his lips curled into a smirk.

'Erm, Malfoy?' Hermione whispered as if she hoped he wouldn't hear.

'What?' he asked impatiently.

'I'm really sorry about what happened on the train. I was just trying to help, I know you've been—well what I mean is—I didn't mean to intrude.'

'Ha, were you worried about me, Granger? I don't need your sympathy, so just make sure you tell no one what you heard, or else.' She opened her mouth to retort but closed it as Professor Dumbledore came into view.

'Ms. Granger! Mr. Malfoy! May I congratulate you both on your headship and wish you the best this coming year.' He bowed his head slightly looking at them over his half-moon spectacles. They both mumbled their thanks.

'And now, down to business. There will be a short meeting with the prefects after the feast in front of the staff table in the Great Hall. We will discuss hallway patrol and other duties for the upcoming school year. You will both report to the front of the hall after the feast.'

'Yes, Professor.'

'Very well,' Dumbledore said smiling softly. 'I know Professor McGonagall mentioned this before, but I want to impress this upon you both. I know only too well the animosity between Slytherin and Gryffindor as well as the two of you personally. I expect you to act maturely to overcome these feelings and work together in harmony. You need not say "yes, professor", just try to do as I have asked.'

Draco nodded but internally thought this was impossible, they had hated each other for too long for anything to change now.

'Mr. Malfoy, I know it seems impossible, but as we all know, nothing is.' Draco blinked up in surprise at Dumbledore's accurate response to what he was thinking.

'Now, both of you, inside for the feast! I daresay you are hungry after your long train ride.'

Draco and Hermione followed Dumbledore into the hall without making eye contact or saying another word.

Hermione turned quickly and headed toward the Gryffindor table where Harry, Ron and Arielle were waiting.

'Come on, we've saved you a seat!' Ron yelled over the din of the other students.

'So Hermione,' Harry asked as she sat down, 'What's up with Malfoy, he hasn't been torturing and docking points today.'

'Harry, I really don't know,' Hermione said desperately.

Harry shrugged and said, 'Whatever, it's just really weird seeing him docile.'

You're telling me.

'Ooh, they've brought the sorting hat out!' Lavender squealed as Professor McGonagall set out the raggedy old hat and stool. The hall grew quiet and the hat opened the brim and began its song:

'Welcome students, one and all
To Hogwarts school this year
I greet you now with hope and faith
But most of all with fear.
The founders put some brains in me
Those many years ago.
I was to pick and sort and choose
The house to which you go.
I first warned of the wrong in this
Back just two years before.
But now again I choose to speak
For we approach great war
The battle Seen in prophecy,
It soon shall come to pass,
The only way we can prevail
Is if our union lasts.
My warning has been short and quick
To end it I shall say
"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus"
And bid you all good day.'

Hermione frowned. What was the hat playing at? It had said all this before. And what was the school motto doing there after the vital warning? 'Never poke a sleeping dragon'? What good was that?

'That's the shortest the song's ever been,' Ron whispered adding to the confused voices tittering about the hall.

The noise stopped abruptly as Professor McGonagall glared out at them. She promptly called the first name.

'Agassi, Monica.' The frightened looking 11 year old scampered on to the stool and gasped as the hat fell onto her head and covered her face.

'Ravenclaw!' Cheers mounted from the Ravenclaw table as the girl hurried to the new seat.

After the sorting, Dumbledore said simply, 'Tuck in!'

As soon as the food appeared, Hermione jumped in and took her share. She was extremely hungry. As of course were Harry and Ron, who had already filled their plates and were noisily munching away. Arielle picked a bit at her drumstick. Hermione looked at her questioningly.

'Sorry, it's just—I'm not used to Hogwarts yet. It's absolutely lovely, but I still miss home, you know?'

'Don't worry, you'll feel at home soon,' Ron said after a gigantic swallow. Arielle smiled at him and his ears burned red. Hermione rolled her eyes giggling.

At the end of their meal, Dumbledore stood to greet them.

'Welcome all to Hogwarts this new year! I'd like to start by announcing our head boy and girl this year: Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy!' There was a little polite clapping from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, but Gryffindor and Slytherin stayed quiet, each not wanting to accept the other's power.

'As usual, all students are banned from entering the forbidden forest and there is no magic in the halls. And now I'd like to introduce a new addition to the Hogwarts staff, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Landoll.' A man stood from the left of Professor Sinistra to acknowledge his welcome. All around her, Hermione heard the sharp intake of breath as the girls looked at the new teacher. He had close cut dirty blond hair and contrastingly dark, dark green eyes. He couldn't have been more than 25. Professor McGonagall sniffed her distaste at the girls' widening eyes.

Oh, wow, Hermione thought. He is rather gorgeous isn't he? She nudged Arielle who giggled and met eyes with Ginny who sat 3 seats away. Ginny also wore a massive grin.

Ron looked confused. 'What are you lot twittering about?'

'They think he's fit, Ron,' Harry said shaking with laughter.

Ron guffawed. 'Ha, as if! He's a teacher. What are you going to do to seduce him, Hermione? Dazzle him with your perfect homework?'

Harry laughed harder and Hermione scowled.

'Oh please Ron. What was your plan for Fleur? Gape at her so she'd marvel at how wide your mouth was?' Harry fell forward laughing fit to burst; Ginny, Parvati, and Lavender joined in.

'Fleur? Delacour, from Beauxbatons? I remember her-' Dumbledore called for silence.

'I'd like to reinforce some of what the sorting hat has already, and most wisely, said. Unity is what will preserve us this year. So I'd like to bring to your attention something that has always been true: you are not confined to your house tables, sit as you wish; houses integrated.' Hermione bit her lip, knowing there was little chance of a Slytherin-Gryffindor integration.

'And now off to bed with you all so I may see you bring and early tomorrow morning.' The scraping of benches was deafening as people rose to leave the hall.

'See you later, Hermione!' Ginny and Arielle called as the rest of Gryffindor house made for the doors of the Great Hall. Hermione waved back and turned to see Malfoy staring directly at her. She shivered at the shock of his eyes boring into hers and looked away quickly as she made her way towards the front of the hall.

A/N: I can't wait to keep writing, it takes a while to write, type out, and upload, but it's worth it. Read and Review.