Disclaimer (for all the chapters that will follow): If the characters were mine, that would be fine (at least with me; I'd be rich and famous... imagine #laugh#). But as they belong to J. K. Rowling, she get's all the credits. I also do not get any money for this.


Part One

Everyday I feel the same

It was the 1st of September and Hermione was standing at platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station in London. Unfortunately, it was still rather early and there were not many people around, let alone the train. But being Hermione, it was normal to be too early for appointments. Better than too late.

As Hermione had gotten up quite early, she now felt like resting. So she moved her trunk to the station wall and sat down on it, leaning her head against the cold stones.

She looked at the new label on the front of her trunk, a baguette and a beret. Immediately the memories of her visit to France shot back into her mind.

Hermione had been to France with her parents, just like in the summer before her 3rd year. Hermione would have loved to go to a different country, such as Italy or Spain or Switzerland or whatever. But her parents were too fond of those baguettes and all the other food from the French cuisine to even think about a different place to travel to. And as Hermione would be out of school next summer, Mr and Mrs Granger had insisted on taking her daughter with them.

But France had turned out better than expected. At least Hermione had mentioned to talk her parents into visiting the bigger cities, such as Paris, Nice and Lyon, where she could spend some time on her own exploring her surroundings while her parents were in some galleries.

Two days before the end of the trip, Hermione had gotten an owl, inviting her to spend some days with the Weasleys, who, too, were in France to visit Fleur and Bill. And as Hermione had been in that country anyway, she decided to stay longer, much to her parents' irritation.

As a matter of fact, she had just gotten back with the others the weekend before school was about to start again. The Weasleys had done their shopping already and so Hermione had had a busy Saturday getting all her books and stuff for school in Diagon Alley.

As funny and interesting as her holidays had been, now normality was about to start again. At least this was how it used to be.

The 1st of September had always been the day where routine came back to Hermione's life. Being at Hogwarts made her feel the same way all the time. A mixture of responsibility, pride, the force to study hard and give her best, to help others and to take care of everyone; but there were also particles that did not feel so nice, frustration, irritation and derisiveness only to mention some of them.

And today should have been the same. Being nearly seventeen, Hermione did not grow any more, and having been to France – even being at Fleur's – hadn't changed her at all. Things were bound to be usual.

But with Dumbledore gone (Hermione refused to refer to him as 'dead') and Snape's betrayal, this new school year had to be different in every way.

Eventually, the train and the other students and their families entered. Hermione recognized some of her classmates, but also noticed many new faces. It took her quite a while to find Ron in the crowd; at least he wasn't late, but as there were only two Weasleys left to attend Hogwarts, there shouldn't have been too much chaos in the morning.

Hermione stood up and trailing her trunk she went to greet her friend. Ron kept watching out; he was standing on tiptoes, which made him even taller. "Whom are you looking for?" Hermione wanted to know.

"Umm, just thought that maybe… you know, Harry might be here."
"Oh Ron, I know. But I think we have to face it. He made his promise come true…"

They both got lost in their thoughts until Ginny approached them.

"Shouldn't you be in the train already?"

Hermione and Ron both looked at her surprised. Not only hadn't they noticed her coming, but they had also forgotten the time.

The Hogwarts Express let off some steam and the three students hurried to get in.

They had no luck; every cabin seemed to be full already. Ginny left to sit and chat with her friends and Ron and Hermione finally settled with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, who was busy flirting with Lavender Brown.

Halfway through the hide, Hermione bid the others farewell. "Duties." was her excuse.

Hermione was made Head Girl, like everyone had expected. She wasn't sure how she would have reacted it she hadn't been offered this position. She hated to fail other's expectations.

But Hermione didn't know who the new Head Boy was. Draco Malfoy would have been, she was sure about that. But after the events that had taken place at the end of the last school year, she doubted that he was still the new Headmistress' choice. She also felt quite sure that he wouldn't come to school any more. That made them two.

Curious as she was, Hermione made her way to the Head Boy's and Girl's cabin. From the outside, she could see that the room was already occupied. She opened the door and –

"Neville!"
"Hey Hermione. What are you doin' here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same question." Hermione was a little bit confused, but she did not show.
"Oh, well… this cabin was still vacant."
"I see. And did you read the sign outside? Hermione asked, taking seat.
"Umm… not really." Neville answered truthfully. "What does it say?"
"Actually, it indicates that this room is for Head Boy and Girl only."
"Hey, that's nice. You made it. Congratulations!" Neville smiled.
"Thanks. But…"
"I think I'd better be gone, right?" Neville inquired.
"I guess." came Hermione's reply carefully. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I wanted to get rid of you or something like that." she added.
"After six years, I think I can say that I know you quite well. Why should I have come to that conclusion?" Neville grinned.
"Don't know. But thanks anyway." Hermione said when Neville left.

Hermione was still a little bemused about the encounter, but she had no time to rest and work up.

A new figure was approaching the door; Hermione could see its shadow. With a feeling of anticipation and excitement, Hermione watched the door handle being pushed down…


So! What do you think? Who might be the Head Boy?

Like it? Or not? Tell me, please!