Chapter 3

As the scarlet engine pulled into Hogsmeade, Hermione and Draco were to be found putting away their books, and still not talking to one another. When the train pulled to a screeching stop the door to their compartment flew open and Draco glided out as quickly as he could, leaving Hermione to finish packing up her books. Damn Malfoy, she thought venomously, I can't believe I'm going to have to put up with this all year. One good thing though, McGonagall mentioned a library in the Head's Dorms, so Ill just spend the year reading books, and try to spend as much time away from him as possible.

"There you are 'Moine!" Harry cried from further up the train and Hermione left the Head's Compartment, "What took you so long?Malfoy stormed through here ages ago! C'mon, I think we're the last ones," he indicated Ron, Ginny, Neville, and himself, "I hope there's a carriage left!"

"I'm STARVING!" proclaimed Neville, a very grown up and handsome Neville, with dark brown hair that fell to cover his baby blue eyes. "Well come on then," said Ginny, pulling Neville's hand playfully, "lets go get some food in you." Hermione, Ron and Harry watched Ginny playfully drag Neville off the train. Hermione spoke first, "so is she-?"

"Dating Neville? Yeah," replied Harry.

"I swear, if he touches her-" growled Ron, "I'll-"

"Do nothing? Ron, if you try to hurt him for having an intimate relationship with your sister, that'd be a bit hypocritical, since you've had sex with people before now too."

"Shut up Hermione. I'm trying to act like an older brother here."

"Ah, I'm sorry Ron. It's just the thought of having to put up with Malfoy for the entire year is driving me absolutely nuts. Did you know that I actually have to share living quarters with him?" Harry and Ron winced at hearing this, and stepped up into the one remaining carriage, already occupied with Neville and Ginny who were sitting close and talking in hushed tones. They didn't talk much, though the occasional grumble of someone's stomach would make them all turn around and laugh.

The Great Hall was as magnificent as ever. Candles floated over people's heads, illuminating the gold plates and goblets. Hermione looked up at the enchanted ceiling and saw that it was a clear, star-filled night, with a moon that was about half full. Sighing, she sat down between Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. Everybody in the Great Hall turned and stared at the new first years as they made their way up to the teacher's table for the sorting. Cheers issued from each of the tables as the nervous first years made their way to the table belonging to the house they had been sorted into. At last the sorting finished, and Dumbledore stood, "now, it is wonderful to have you all back this year, and even though I know you are hungry, I would ask that you listen to me babble for a little while about a few important things," Ron, Harry, and Neville weren't the only ones in the Great Hall who groaned, but Dumbledore merely smiled and forged ahead, "Yes, yes. We'll get to the marvelous feast shortly, but for right now, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all to check the list of forbidden items in his office, also, I would like to remind everyone. The Forbidden Forest is still off limits to all students," he looked in the direction of Harry and Ron, "also, Hogsmeade is off limits completely to anyone below third year. With that, my last thing to say to you all is Tuck in." He sat down and immediately turned to continue with his discussion with Professor Sinistra.

Harry, Ron and Neville watched with completely thrilled looks on their faces as the platters and plates spread across the table filled up; and, once filled, they dug into the food, like ravenous dogs. Hermione watched them for a moment, then was surprised as Harry started shoveling food onto her plate, "C'mon 'Er mi nee," he sputtered through a mouth full of food, "eat." She smiled at him and picked up her silverware and dug into her meal also.

As the last of the deserts were cleared away from the table, everybody leaned back appreciatively, and looked expectantly up at Dumbledore, who stood once more, "Ah!" he exclaimed, "another exquisite feast! And now, students may follow their designated prefects to their dormitories, sleep well, and we shall see you in the morning! Good Night!" As one, everybody in the Great Hall stood, and trooped out behind some important looking prefects, leaving only Hermione and Draco behind, who were still looking up at Professor McGonagall.

"All right you two," McGonagall said, walking toward the entrance of the Great Hall, "If you'll follow me, I'll show you the way to your dormitory." Hermione and Draco rose and followed McGonagall, keeping a careful distance between themselves. They were led through corridors and secret passageways up to a tower of the castle, and at a painting of two lovers dancing in a clearing by moonlight, McGonagall stopped and said, "the password to our dormitories is 'Unity' you may change it if you so choose at a later date," she said as the portrait swung open to admit them.

As they stepped inside, Hermione was dazzled by how beautiful it was. The walls were done in a red so deep, it was almost black, and the trim around the edges, and around the big glass doors leading to a balcony, was silver. A fire crackled merrily in front of the leather furniture. Antique lamps sat on tables next to the couch and chairs. The paintings on the walls seemed to focus mainly around lovers and moonlight.

"These paintings are especially rare, so I would ask you to please be careful around them. They were painted so the scenery will change between night and day, and everywhere in between," she waved back at the miniature people in the picture who were waving at them, "now, kitchen is over there," she said indicating the door to her left, "and the library is through that corridor to my right. Ms. Granger, your Dormitory is the one on the right up there, while Mr. Malfoy's is the one on the right. Your duties for patrolling will begin tomorrow night, so I suggest getting a good night's sleep tonight. See you in the morning," she said, backing out of the room.

"Ack, finally," Draco said.

"Shut up Malfoy. I'm going to go take a shower, so don't you dare come in!" Malfoy just smirked, then, before Hermione knew what was happening, Draco had her hands trapped above her head, and had the full length of himself pressed up against her, "You sure you don't want me to walk in on you mudblood? I know what you want, and I saw you look at me on the train," he smirked and went to kiss her, but she shoved him off and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. Tears running down her face, she headed for the adjacent bathroom, and made sure the doors were locked before starting up the shower.

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