That last chapter was one of my favorites. It really came together somewhat nicely. This one should be about as good if not better and it WILL be longer. Let the next chapter begin. I really need to stop watching so many movies. They're starting to brain wash me. AHHHH!!!! LOL.
In the Great Hall after everyone had finished their share of food Dumbledore rose to his feet and asked for everyone's attention.
"I have a short, but important announcement to make. This year we will have some exchange students from America coming to join us. Most of them are in their sixth year. I am hoping that you will all be kind and welcome them to our wonderful school. Also our Prefects have decided to have a welcoming ball for them after they arrive. They will be arriving in a week, so please take the Hogsmeade trip that is to be held next weekend and pick-up something to wear. That is all I have to say. Goodnight!" Dumbledore said proudly.
"Short speech, yeah right. It took at least 10 minutes" complained Draco as the prefects all left the Great Hall.
"Actually, Draco, it only lasted about 5 minutes at the most. I suggest that you quit complaining about it. We have more important things to worry about." Hermione scold him.
"Hermione is right. We need to figure out the decorations for the ball. Like, should we have a banner that says 'Welcome To Hogwarts' or something like that?" put in Jordan.
"You know, we could have us prefects standing at the door to greet our guest along with Dumbledore and McGonagall. Justin and I could stand right next to the doors, one of us on each side, Hermione and Draco behind us, then Jordan and Ben behind them. Dumbledore and McGonagall can stand a bit farther back than Ben and Jordan, but also be between all of us." Padma explained.
"That would be an excellent idea. We could then have Dumbledore and McGonagall lead them into the Great Hall, we would follow them in." Justin added.
Just then Dumbledore started to make an announcement over the loudspeaker. This made all the students stop where they were to listen.
"I was just informed that the exchange students will be arriving within the next couple of days. So we will use tomorrow instead of next weekend to buy the things for the ball. Thank you." Dumbledore finished.
There was a big uproar of voices throughout the school as the students heard the last part of the announcement. Draco, Hermione, Jordan, Ben, Padma, and Justin hurried up the stairs to their dorms and went to bed.
Hermione was lying in bed, too excited to sleep, when she heard a tapping noise on her window. She crept slowly and cautiously over to the window and opened it. An owl flew in and landed on top of her nightstand. She went to the owl and hurriedly untied the parchment from its leg. Her eyes scanned over the words a few times before she heard a knock at the door.
"Come on in." She said absentmindedly.
"Hey Hermione, do you want to hang with me tomorrow while we're shopping?" Draco asked nervously.
"I guess I can, Draco. Harry and Ron are not going. They said that they already have something to wear. I really doubt they do, but it's their choice what to wear not mine." Hermione answered.
"Okay, thank you. I don't mean to be nosy or anything, but what is that, there in your hand?" Draco said curiously.
"I'm not really sure what it is, but I'm kind of afraid to find out." Hermione said starting to read the letter again.
"Well, is it something you don't want me to see?" asked Draco.
"Oh, you can read it, I don't mind. You may understand more than I. I'll read it to you. It says." Hermione paused. "Dear Miss Granger, I am informing you of a serious decision that you and another prefect of your choosing have to decide on. You are to be the guides of the new students from America. I thought you could also show them some of the more useful books you have found in the library. That includes the restricted section."
"Well, Dumbledore, I'm guessing wants you to show the students around the school. I bet there is more to it though, but I don't know for sure" Draco told her.
"I figured. I'm going to bed, I'm really tired. Oh, and Draco, do you mind giving the tours with me?" She asked.
"Not at all, Hermione. Good-night." Draco responded and started out the door to his room when Hermione called him back.
"Hey Draco, I'm not felling really well, do you think you could sleep in here with me? I don't care where at as long as you are in the room." Hermione asked hopefully.
"Yeah, sure can." He replied as he conquered up a mattress to put on the floor.
"Thank you Draco, I've just been under some stress with the new students coming in a couple days and all and making sure we're ready for them." Hermione admitted to him.
"You're always welcome." Draco mumbled as he drifted off to sleep.
Hermione tossed and turned most of the night thinking about what may happen this year and the changes that are about to be made. She was hoping the changes would be good and for the better. When she finally got to sleep she dreamed about the ball and what the people would be like. She hoped she would get along with them like she did with Jordan and Ben. They had both moved from the states the summer before. She would have to just wait and see.
Total words for that chapter were 1,001. Thanks for all the reviews, I really do appreciate them. I hope this chapter is okay, I loved it. I will try to update ASAP. Thanks again and please review.