Chapter 2: New Beginnings

On September 1st, Hermione bounced out of bed and out into the upstairs hallway. The aroma of her father's "world famous" pancakes drifted up the stairs to greet her. As per Granger tradition, she and her parents sat down at the kitchen table for a sendoff breakfast.

"Happy first day honey!" her father exclaimed as he spotted her in the kitchen doorway. Hermione glanced up at the banner hanging above the sink and chuckled to herself. They always went way over the top with their sendoffs, but she knew that it was just because they loved her and would miss their only daughter over the course of the year. As she began to untie the ribbon on the box her parents had placed in front of her it moved. Startled, she glanced at her Dad. "We bought him so that you could stay in touch with us more easily. We know how much you loved that Cat and we thought that you would like another pet." The box popped open and Hermione squealed.

"Oh my! He's so cute!" The little golden owl would never be a replacement for Crookshanks after he had passed away, she was most definitely a cat person, but he was a very cute owl. "Thank you so much you guys! I think that I'll name him Thor. It sounds like a strong name to balance out his small stature." She giggled and with that Hermione bounced out of the room in the same manner she bounced in.

On the train, Hermione brought her stuff into the head compartment. Draco Malfoy wasn't there yet. She sighed and sat down to wait for him to show up. In order for her to be able to go and visit with her friends, he needed to get there so that they could delegate the new common room system for the Prefects. Hermione looked out the window and saw Lucius grab his son's elbow roughly and shake him.

Though the war with the Dark Lord had been finished since the February of her sixth year, Malfoy's smooth talking and generous financial contributions got him dismissed from all offenses he had been charged with. Hermione sighed. Well at least he's here so we can begin. Just as she completed the thought, Draco stormed into the compartment and slammed the door. Hermione was slightly taken aback as she watched him face the window, run his fingers through his platinum hair, and let out a quiet moan.

He turned and sat across from Hermione and he stared right into her eyes for the first time ever. She sat there with her mouth hanging slightly open for a few moments. God I feel uncomfortable.

"Granger" Malfoy stated, "We need to work together this year. So, can we maybe not kill each other? I mean, honestly, we're nearly adults so we should work as such. What do you think?" Hermione stared at him for a second before speaking.

"Um, Draco who are you and why did you drink polyjuice potion to become a Malfoy?"

"I didn't. This summer has been an, erm, experience. What do you say?" He stared at her expectantly.

"Well, alright. Let's get down to this rooming thing. We have to split up the Prefects and pick common rooms for every two. The seventh years should be sharing with other seventh years, and likewise with the sixth years. Also, the combinations for houses in each year should not be the same. No Slytherin with Slytherin and so forth. We have our own common room as the Head Girl and Head Boy. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Yeah. Don't put two girls in the same common room. They'll gang up on us and paint the whole school pink!" He smirked and ruffled his hair.

"O.K. fine. That can be arranged." She snorted and quickly covered her mouth. She could feel her cheeks getting warmer as a deep blush rose up her neck. "How 'bout we put Ron with Susan, Blaise with Ernie, and Rose with Sean? That takes care of the seventh years. We can put Ginny and that Slytherin boy Thomas together. Collin can room with that Jeanne girl from Ravenclaw, Alexia can go with the other Hufflepuff Matt, and finally Julie and Sam and be put in the same common room. Any objections?"

"Absolutely not! Now that we're done we should go and enjoy the company of our friends."

"Sounds good. Meet me in the entrance hall a few minutes before Dinner ends so that we can set up the Prefects with their room assignments."

"Will do ma'am." So, with another classic smirk Draco was off. Hermione just sat in her seat for a moment perplexed. Why was he being so nice? She wondered to herself. Whatever, I don't want to dwell on it. Might as well go and find Harry and Ron.

She left her heads compartment and went to find her friends. As she walked down the length of the train, she heard the group of voices that she loved so much. Hermione peered through the door and saw that Harry, Ron, and Neville were engrossed in a game of exploding snap. Ginny was lying idly on the seat next to Harry with her feet dangling over his lanky legs. Luna was also with them, laughing at something Neville had just shouted as a card blew up in his face. These were her friends, her family away from home. Some days she felt that even if her whole world collapsed, as long as she still had these people in her life she could get through anything. This must be true, unconditional love.

Opening the compartment door, Hermione plopped down on Ginny's stomach and was promptly dumped onto the ground. Laughter erupted from the group and their friendly banter could be heart throughout the halls of the Hogwarts Express. Draco Malfoy sighed, longing to be accepted into a group of friends like the ones that Hermione had.

AN: What do you think? I promise to try to not make this whole Romance thing with Severus too tacky. I totally understand that some of the stories get redundant after you've read a whole bunch! I also apologize for making Draco pretty OOC, Snape will be the same way so if you absolutely hate it the stop reading. That's all for now. It's summer so I should be updating more. REVIEW! Much Love, Jaime