Hermione walked off of the train with Harry, Ron and Ginny. They climbed on carriage together and rode to Hogwarts.
"It's weird" Ginny said suddenly, "Being here without Dumbledore"
Everyone nodded and took a few moments of silence for Dumbledore. On the way to the school they discussed how things would be with McGonagall.
"I wonder how strict she is going to be" Harry mused out loud. "She was always pretty tough on Gryffindors."
"She wasn't that bad" Hermione told Harry. "She has always been fair"
"Whatever" Harry replied. He rolled his eyes, as he often doesn't when talking to Hermione.
"So, when are Quidditch tryouts?" Ginny asked changing the subject.
"Probably sometime this week" Harry advised her. "I have to talk to McGonagall and head of Gryffindor house"
"Do we know who is going to be head of Gryffindor now?" Ron asked looking as though he just though of it.
"I don't know" Hermione answered, assuming he was asking her. "No one mentioned anything."
At that moment the school came into view and the carriage slowed down. Harry climbed out first and Ginny hopped out after him. When Ron climbed out he stopped and turned around. He held out his hand to Hermione and helped her out of the carriage. For a moment after she was on the ground they continued holding hands.
Harry turned around to wait for them. He noticed their hands entwined and smiled broadly.
"What's that?" He teased walking over to them. They let go quickly as if their hands were burning.
"Nothing" Ron said quietly, he shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking toward the castle door. His ears turning a violent shade of red.
Hermione walked past Ginny who was humming obnoxiously and smiling like an idiot. Hermione made a face at her but it only made Ginny start laughing.
The group went into the Great Hall and found seats with Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. People were still streaming into the Great hall so the boys and Ginny started up a quidditch conversation. Hermione was happy to take out a book and read.
"Hello all" Lavender Brown sang out as she sat down. Hermione looked up and the two girls locked eyes. Everyone at the table stopped talking at once and looked at Hermione and Lavender. Hermione felt angry and she couldn't exactly say why. Ever since the Ron and Lavender thing, the sight of lavender made Hermione ill. But Hermione didn't want to seem jealous so she decided to try and be polite.
"Hello" Hermione said to her in a very frosty voice.
"Hello Hermione"
Lavender returned in an equally frosty voice.
"How are you?
I heard about your little adventure. I am glad you all made it back
safely."
Hermione's skin crawled at the tone. She fought to keep her own tone from reflecting her personal feelings.
"Yes" Hermione replied evenly, "Thank you"
Lavender turned and smiled sweetly at Ron. He smiled back uncomfortably at her. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. Ron pulled back quickly and turned to face McGonagall.
Hermione was thankful that McGonagall chose that moment to start the feast because Hermione wasn't sure she could control her tongue.
What is your problem, she chastised herself, and he's not your boyfriend.
The first years came through the door. Hermione noticed there weren't that many; they were sorted quickly with no problems.
"Welcome
back" Professor McGonagall said as she stood up. "It's
wonderful to see all of your faces back here again. I know for those
of you who are returning students it must be hard not seeing
Professor Dumbledore. I understand. I would take a moment here to pay
respects to the former headmaster but I think the time for mourning
is over. He would want us all to move on, so I intend to do just
that.
The Forbidden forest is off-limits to all students unless
taken by a teacher or a staff member. The village of Hogsmeade is off
limits to those under third year. Mr. Filch asks that I remind you
that anything From Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes is still off
limits in the castle, and he has upgraded his list of other forbidden
objects that list can be found in his office.
Now let me take this
moment to discuss teaching posts."
Hermione noticed now that Nymphadora Tonks was sitting at the staff table to the right of McGonagall. It surprised Hermione that it took them that long to notice her. Tonks was sporting a short black bob and blue eyes.
"Professor Tonks will be teaching transfiguration," McGonagall said motioning to Tonks. Tonks stood up and nodded. Some people applauded politely but Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny gave her a standing ovation.
When the applause died down. McGonagall looked around the room with a worried expression.
"Well" she said. "Our other new professor seems to be late"
At that moment the doors of the great Hall opened and in walked Remus Lupin.
"Sorry I'm late" he said as he walked up to the staff table, shaking McGonagall's hand.
"Some of you already know him," McGonagall said to the students," but some don't this is professor Remus Lupin, he will be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts. Just so all of you know, he is a werewolf. I have sent letters to your parents explaining that and explaining that he is safe. I don't want to hear anything about it. If you don't like it then you can choose to attend another school."
Hermione and the other Gryffindors led another, longer standing ovation for Lupin, who just smiled in response.
"Professor Lupin will also be head of Gryffindor house," McGonagall said. "Now, I would also like to introduce Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, they are head Boy and Girl this year"
Hermione and Ron stood and smiled at the crowd as they applauded.
"Now, tuck in" Professor McGonagall said and she sat down.
Hermione turned and looked at Ron he was staring at her. They both looked away quickly and began to eat silently.
"Hermione" Harry called from a few seats away. "I was just telling everyone Quidditch tryouts are the end of next week and we decided to bar you from coming."
"Why?' Hermione asked hurt and confused.
"We don't want you confounding anyone," Harry told her. The crowd erupted in laughter and Hermione turned red. She had confessed to Ron during the summer what she had done during keeper tryouts and instead of being hurt Ron was touched that she cared enough to help him.
Ron laughed good-naturedly at Harry's joke and he nudged Hermione.
"Come Mione," he whispered to her. "Learn to laugh at yourself, I have."
She smiled but stuck her tongue out at Harry when Ron looked away.
Before the feast ended McGonagall came over to Hermione and Ron.
"When the feast is over let the prefects take the first years to the dormitories, and you too meet me outside Gryffindor Tower." she told.
"Yes Mam" Hermione answered, Ron nodded but couldn't answer because his mouth was full.
Hermione and Ron kept stealing glances at one another dropout the meal but avoided actual conversation with one another. When everyone finished desert Harry and Ginny were the first to stand up.
"First Years this way" Harry called as he made his way to the door.
Hermione and Ron waited until the Great Hall had cleared out a little.
"Ready?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded and she stood up. Ron opened they door for her and the walked to Gryffindor Tower.
"I wonder what she wants," Ron said. "We already got our instructions"
"I don't know" Hermione told him. "Maybe she forgot something"
They saw McGonagall waiting for them by the Fat Lady. They approached her and she smiled at them.
"I wanted to talk to you about living arrangements." McGonagall said. "One thing that wasn't mentioned in the letter was about where you will stay."
Hermione almost fainted, what if she and Ron really did have to share a dorm?
"As Head Boy and Girl you will have differing schedules than your classmates so we separate you a little"McGonogal continued not noticing Hermione's horrified expression. "So follow me"
"Lollypop guild" McGonagall said to the fat lady who was half asleep. She swung the door open wordlessly. Hermione and Ron followed McGonagall inside. She led them to the back of the common room and unlocked a door, that neither Ron nor Hermione had ever noticed in 6 years at Hogwarts. She led them up a small flight of stairs. When they reached the top she motioned at two doors.
"Mr. Weasley your room is on the right and Ms.Granger your room is on the left" she told them. "Your rooms are connected to a bathroom you will share. Now, you are of course still welcome to use the prefect's bathroom but this is a little nicer"
"Yes Mam" Hermione answered, thrilled they didn't share a room. Ron nodded but remained silent.
McGonagall looked at them sternly. "I expect you two to behave in way that is deemed appropriate of a head boy and girl"
"Yes mam"Ron and Hermione answered at the same time.
"Ok" McGonagall said. "Goodnight"
Ron and Hermione stood there for a moment silently.
Ron finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"So, um, I guess you can shower first" Ron said as he headed to his room.
"Ok" Hermione told him. "I will knock when I am done and tomorrow I will make shower schedule"
Ron smiled and shook his head.
"Goodnight, Mione" he told her and disappeared. She stood there for a moment taking in their circumstances and sighed. It was going to be an interesting year. (1624)
