chapter two

"No!" Ron yelled, but Harry nodded. "You're stuck with Malfoy!" Harry nodded as Hermione and Ron both looked shocked.

"Well I thought being stuck with Blaise was terrible, but he's actually pretty okay." Harry stared at Hermione. He was trying to get the message across that she wasn't helping the situation. "Well…. Harry…maybe Malfoy has grown over the summer. You never know." Hermione added, but immediately received a glare from Harry.

"Hermione…. HONESTLY?" Harry immediately regretted shouting at Hermione. He had just been getting his temper under control, the last thing he needed to do was yell at her some more.

"Harry, what did I tell you about taking your anger out on me? It's not my fault you were stuck with Malfoy." Harry looked at Ron, and he was nodding. He turned back to Hermione. "Maybe if you went to go talk to Scrimgeour …maybe he'd let you switch with someone…I don't know…." Harry looked at Hermione like she had just said he could copy her homework.

"Brilliant!"

But as soon as Harry began walking towards the Minister, he saw that a dozen of other students also had this idea. Rufus Scrimgeour was shaking his head.

"Now listen, this is meant to be different, and we are NOT changing any seating arrangements. Now, if you would please be so kind to board the train." This did not work however, there will still students pleading to him. Harry thought they looked kind of pathetic. "-Thank you, that WILL be all."

Disappointed, Harry returned to his two friends, who he found, were flirting. He patiently waited until they were done, and as soon as they realized he had been standing there, they blushed madly. Ron cleared his throat nervously and stepped forward to Harry.

"…So?" Harry shook his head, and Ron patted him on the back. "Well…you'll get through it. It's only a couple of hours…with…Malfoy." Ron shuddered at the thought and Harry laughed.

"Boy Ron, you really do have a knack for cheering people up don't you?"

Ten more minutes passed, and everyone was on the train. Hermione and Ernie were in the back of the train, in a private compartment with Professor McGonagall, discussing everything you could discuss about the upcoming year. They were supposed to go to their train car's but by the time they had finished talking about their duties and goals, they were only ten minutes away from Hogwarts, and decided to stay in each other's company.

Ron wasn't having a bad of a time in his car as he had predicted. He actually got along with everyone, especially Michael Corner. Michael had confronted Ron when he saw that Ron was staring, glaring at him, but then Michael almost immediately realized why Ron was glaring at him, and he laughed it off.

Meanwhile however, Harry was starting to have a miserable time with Malfoy. Terry Boot from Ravenclaw, and Megan Jones from Hufflepuff, both decided to talk amongst themselves, leaving Harry and Malfoy in an awkward situation. As soon as Harry stepped into the car, he sat down. Not even a minute later, Malfoy joined him, but to Harry's surprise, only made a couple of rude comments, then became quiet. Harry couldn't help but be mesmerized as Malfoy stared out the window. His eyes were soaking up all the scenery, as if he had only just seen it. Once or twice, Malfoy caught Harry looking at him and ignored him. Harry almost thought Malfoy wasn't being half bad….And then Malfoy got bored of the scenery.

"So…Potter, did you enjoy your summer living in a shack? Oh, but that's right, you must be used to it, seeing as how you spend almost every summer at the Weasel's house." Malfoy seemed pleased with himself, but Harry laughed.

"Is that the best you can do Malfoy? Didn't your dad and his friends teach you anything over the summer? Oh right, your father can't, because he's locked up! So I guess he just left you in the company of all his special friends, did they treat you nicely?" Harry smiled peevishly, not noticing that Terry and Megan now had their eyes glued to their fight. Surprisingly however, as soon as Harry spoke that last sentence, Malfoy's expression became blank, and he resumed staring out the window.

'Good job Harry, yeah good job for telling him off.' His thoughts poured into his head. 'But…was it really necessary? You don't know what he's been up to over the holidays. He could've been tortured for all you know.' Now it seemed that there were two personalities in Harry's head, battling for control. 'Honestly! It's M-A-L-F-O-Y! He deserves every bit that he gets.' Harry nodded, but then frowned. '…Still…it seems wrong.' Harry glanced back towards Malfoy, and now agreed with his guiltier conscious. Malfoy didn't deserve what Harry had said. Harry bit his bottom lip out of nervousness and titled his head.

"…Malfoy?" Malfoy immediately looked up towards Harry, one eyebrow raised. Harry sighed; he couldn't believe he was going to apologize. "I … just…" Harry's gaze met Malfoy's and he found himself turning a slight shade of pink. "I'm—"

"Hey Harry! We've arrived!" Harry quickly looked towards the door and saw Ron smiling at him. Ron slowly looked at Malfoy and frowned. Malfoy laughed.

"Well Potter, we'll just have to continue this conversation later, unfortunately." Malfoy rose up and didn't look at Harry once as he stood in front of Ron.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron asked, leaning in towards his foe. Malfoy began laughing arrogantly.

"Well, Weasel…" Malfoy saw the immediate affect that his words had on Ron and snickered. "I would like it if you would move so I don't have to be in this dreadful car any longer… or is that too much to ask of you?" Ron's cheeks turned bright red, along with his ears as he stepped to the side and allowed Malfoy to pass by. Harry shook his head and made space for Ron to sit down.

"I can't believe I was going to actually apologize to that git…" Harry said quietly so only Ron could hear. Ron chuckled.

"You were going to say sorry…. To Malfoy?" Harry nodded, and Ron sat there in silence for a while to ponder over what Harry just said. "What did he do to make you say sorry to him?" Harry sighed.

"It's complicated…" Harry said, thinking of how Malfoy looked after Harry insulted him. "I said something I shouldn't have." Ron shrugged and stood up.

"Well…Hermione's waiting for us at the front of the train." Harry acknowledged Ron and said goodbye to Terry and Megan before leaving. Ron turned to him. "I didn't even notice they were there those two." Ron said, nudging towards Megan and Terry. Harry laughed.

"Yeah…it's funny how people can become invisible if they want to."

Before leaving the train compartment completely, Harry caught Malfoy's gaze from where Malfoy was sitting (inside a train car with Blaise) and Harry could've sworn Malfoy had almost, half-smiled at him. Shaking his head and messing up his hair, he continued to follow right behind Ron to where Hermione was waiting. Hermione smiled and looked glad to see her two friends.

"So… how was it?" Hermione asked Ron and Harry. Ron began in detail about how Michael wasn't that bad, and that the only problem was when the girl from Hufflepuff lost control of her kitten, and it began running around their whole car. Ron and Hermione both turned to Harry, expecting the worst.

"It wasn't that bad really. Malfoy said some idiotic things in the beginning…but he had more of an interest in the scenery than insulting me." Ron looked shocked, but Hermione smiled. "And…I never talked to Terry or Megan." Harry turned to Hermione who was still smiling. "….What?"

"I told you Malfoy might've changed." Hermione said as she pulled off her luggage from a shelf.

"He's still the same. He still made nasty comments about me and Ron." Ron glared at the floor. "….But I will admit, it was quite strange. And then, when I finally said something rude about his family and his dad or something…" Harry paused, thinking of the change of expression in Malfoy's face. Harry began to blush a slide shade of pink, and quickly shielded his face from his two friends. "…He almost looked hurt." Ron laughed.

"Well he deserved it. For everything he's done to us….to you. One nasty remark won't kill him."

As the three of them walked off the train and stared up at the Hogwarts castle, they all looked at each other doubtfully.

"This is our last chance to have a normal year…" Hermione said as she grazed her hand upon Ron's accidentally. Ron looked to Hermione and smiled sheepishly. Harry rolled his eyes and began slowly walking towards the castle.

"….Might as well just kiss that chance goodbye."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron all looked over to where the first years usually met. They saw a man they had never seen before. He had short blond hair, and had a stocky build.

"Ova' here first yers'!" The man waved in the swarm of confused and bewildered first years, and Harry sighed. He wondered where Hagrid had gone, but he wouldn't blame him if Hagrid left Hogwarts forever. Harry wished he could've pursued another journey, but unfortunately, he was forced to attend his last and final year at the wizarding school. Harry also knew that Hagrid would think that it would be best to help the Order full time, since Dumbledore was no longer with them. Harry's thoughts were interrupted as someone covered his eyes from behind.

"Guess who?" Harry laughed, and grabbed the hands that were covering his eyes.

"Well I know that'd be Ginny!" He turned around, and indeed saw it was Ginny. She was laughing, and Harry smiled. He liked it when Ginny laughed. Ginny soon stopped laughing, and blushed madly; Harry was still staring at her.

"What's up with you?" Ginny asked as she ran her fingers through her hair. Harry smiled, and couldn't help but lean in and kiss her. It was a quick impulsive kiss, and Harry, immediately after ending the kiss, covered his mouth. Ginny was left speechless and confused.

"…Harry…what about what you said at the end of last year?" Harry sighed and stepped back. "What about all the 'dangers'?" Harry nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You know I can't take it when you do that…" She said seductively, and Harry smiled as they slowly got closer. Over Ginny's shoulder, he saw Malfoy snogging Pansy. Malfoy's hands were all over Pansy, and as soon as Malfoy got tired of snogging her, he shoved her away and turned to fellow Slytherins. Harry was disgusted that Malfoy would treat Pansy like that, but Pansy wasn't complaining…in fact, she was still clinging to Malfoy, even through all his nasty stares in her direction. Ginny noticed that Harry wasn't looking at her, and she stepped back.

"…Harry?" She asked as she snapped her fingers in front of his face. Harry suddenly snapped back to Ginny and sighed.

"Sorry…I just…" Harry searched for the word. "…hate how Malfoy treats Pansy." Ginny turned around and looked at what Harry had been staring at. After a couple moments of observation, Ginny nodded and turned back to Harry.

"Yeah, he's totally ignoring her, and she's still faithful. I guess she's just desperate. I mean, who would want to go out with Draco anyway?" Harry was startled what Ginny had said his first name, but then I guess she didn't mind him as much as everyone else in her family.

"So… Ginny… well, about us…" But before Harry could finish his sentence, Ginny pulled him in for a long kiss.

Tap. Tap. A couple minutes later, Harry and Ginny were interrupted by someone tapping Harry's shoulder. As Harry stopped kissing Ginny and looked to see who it was, he saw Malfoy standing with a smug grin on his face.

"Potter, you are in the way. And please leave your disgusting snogging with the Weasel girl for your own quarters. Preferably in a broom closet of some sort…." Ginny separated from Harry, and Harry saw that they indeed had been blocking the way. Dozens of seventh years were all waiting for him and Ginny to stop snogging and start moving. Although, all of them were polite enough to wait…except for Malfoy. Harry continued to stare at Malfoy, and as Malfoy passed, he turned back around and rolled his eyes at Harry. Malfoy then began talking to his gang of friends and in moments, Malfoy was laughing. Harry knew that Malfoy was making fun of him, but at this point in their "relationship", Harry expected that from Malfoy.

"….I'm sorry Ginny." Harry said to Ginny, but she shrugged.

"It's fine." Ginny walked away from Harry, and Harry knew that she was lying. She was obviously hurt that Harry hadn't tried to stick up for her when Malfoy called her the 'Weasel girl'. Harry didn't know why, but when Malfoy broke them up, Harry froze, and could only think about how hurt Malfoy looked in the train earlier that day. Harry slowly walked towards Ron and Hermione who were busy discussing something or other. When the two noticed Harry had come up next to them, Ron's smile faded.

"So… are you and Ginny…?" Ron asked. Harry sighed and shrugged.

"I don't know Ron. I mean we kissed—" Ron laughed angrily.

"Harry, you can't just snog my sister and then walk away! You can't do that!" Ron's face began to flush.

"Ron, I know! I'm not using her obviously…its just…things are complicated." Hermione rubbed her hand up and down Ron's arm, trying to get him to settle down. "I still like her, but I'm not sure if things should continue." Ron softened up a bit because of Hermione's touch and Harry's reassurance.

"I know I can trust you Harry…I mean…you already know I'd rather that she go out with you than any other bloke…." Harry smiled, complimented by Ron's statement. "It's just; you didn't see her when we came home for the holidays. She shut herself in her room, and didn't come out for practically two weeks….of course its not your fault, you were only looking out for her…I just don't want to see her so upset again." Harry nodded, but was really surprised that Ginny was that upset when he ended things. When he did it in person, she was much calmer about it; he almost wished she had cried in front of him, so that he could've seen how much it affected her.

Fifteen minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sitting at the Gryffindor table, eagerly waiting to see the new staff…and the new headmaster. All the students poured into the Great Hall, causing commotion and chaos. Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder, and pointed behind him. Harry turned around and saw Malfoy leading at least twenty other Slytherins to their table. Harry's eyes followed Malfoy, and began looking up and down the posse following him. It was mostly composed of fifth to seventh years. Harry turned back to Ron, who was glaring.

"Just who does he think he is?" Ron asked as Harry turned around again to see how Malfoy was acting. He was ignoring all of them except for Blaise, Pansy, Theodore Nott, and Daphne Greengrass. On the contrary, instead of paying attention to Pansy, Malfoy was now holding Daphne by the waist, and Daphne smiled seductively at him. Pansy's expression was priceless; she was hurt and shocked, but too scared to say anything.

"I don't know why those girls go after Malfoy." Hermione said, and Harry's attention was turned to her. "I mean, even if he was in the least bit attractive physically…" Ron looked immediately jealous, Harry forced back his laughter. "…He's dreadful to be around!"

"Girls are just shallow." Ron said spitefully. Hermione turned to him and shook her head.

"Not all girls." Ron shrugged. "I mean, Lavender wasn't…" Harry and Hermione began laughing hysterically as Ron shot them evil glares.

"Oh, very funny." There came a clinking sound from the head table, and they saw Professor McGonagall tapping her glass with her wand. Within seconds, the whole Hall quieted, and she cleared her throat.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. As you all know, last year, we lost a great Headmaster." There were murmurs within the students. "It was tragic, but we must move on. We will honor Professor Dumbledore every day at dinner with a moment of silence. So, let's take a moment to honor the memory of a great man, a great teacher, and a great friend." Before Harry closed his eyes, he glanced over at the Slytherin table, and saw Malfoy playing some sort of card game with Blaise. Harry shot him an evil glance, and surprisingly enough, Malfoy looked up at Harry in that exact moment and smirked. Harry lowered his head and closed his eyes. After a minute of silence, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and smiled.

"Since I was Deputy Headmistress while Dumbledore was Headmaster, I will now become the Headmistress, which means I will not be teaching transfiguration anymore." Ron turned to Harry and a grin formed from ear to ear, but as soon as he turned back to Hermione, he saw her scowl at him.

"What!"

"That also means that I will not be the Head of Gryffindor any longer." There were moans from the Gryffindor table. "It was wonderful being your Head, but now I must assign a new professor. Your new Head Professor will be Professor Filius Flitwick." Hermione clapped loudly, but Ron and Harry both applauded half-heartedly. They had never really taken a liking to him as much as Hermione. "Now, seeing as how we are short two professors," Harry glanced at Snapes's empty seat and glared. He was glad Snape was gone, but if he ever found him alone, Harry was sure he would kill him. "I shall introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and your new transfiguration professor." All the students glanced at the entry way in anticipation. "Your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be Professor Silva Popplewell. She has been in France for the past 6 years, battling Inferi." There were excited murmurs from the students and Hermione seemed impressed. They had never had a great female teacher in that subject. "She will only be with us for a year unfortunately, because she will be moving on to a special organization after her Wizarding Visa is accepted," Harry glanced at Hermione; they both knew this 'special organization' was really the Order. "Join me, in welcoming Professor Popplewell!" A tall woman with medium length curly blond hair gracefully entered the Great Hall. Harry began clapping, and noticed that Ron's jaw had dropped and he was staring rudely at their new professor. Harry gently nudged him on the shoulder, and Ron immediately came back to reality. Luckily, Hermione hadn't noticed.

"Ron…what's with you?" Harry whispered into Ron's ear. Ron turned towards Harry.

"Do you not have eyes! She's blimey gorgeous!" Harry turned to look at Professor Popplewell again, and he shrugged. She was pretty, but he wasn't going to gawk at her like Ron. Hermione began lightly chuckling and turned to Harry and Ron.

"I bet you…10 Galleons there will be at least five boys in class who won't be able to keep their eyes off of her….I mean really, she's a professor!" When Hermione turned away, Harry raised his eyebrows and he held back laughter as Ron blushed.

"Now to introduce your new transfiguration teacher. I myself have been a friend of this man for a good half of my life. He just moved back from America, so I want you all to give a very warm welcome, to Professor Peter Baltar." There came a faint applause from the students, and a greater applause from the teachers. A man with auburn hair, wearing an expensive silk robe, walked through the door and waved at all the students. He wore glasses, and his hair was cut short, with a scruffy beard. He stepped up to the Professors' table and sat down. Harry was almost intimidated by the man's stature; he commanded attention whenever he walked into a room, just like Dumbledore.

Professor McGonagall continued with the sorting and then began the beginning year speeches. After a long forty minutes, food finally appeared in golden bowls and platters. Everyone began shoveling food onto their plates, talking amongst themselves. Harry heard a loud squeal from across the hall, and shot around. He saw Malfoy sitting next to Daphne, and he thought the squeal came from her. He studied them for a while, but saw nothing that would make Daphne yell out like she had, and then he noticed it. Malfoy was talking to someone in front of him, but Daphne was becoming flustered, and her breathing pattern had changed, she was now breathing faster and shorter breaths. Harry looked around him to see if anyone else had noticed what they were doing, but no one seemed to. Harry glanced back at Malfoy and Daphne and saw that Malfoy's hands were beneath the table, and he was acting perfectly normal…Daphne however, just tilted her head back and sighed deeply. He saw Malfoy lifting his hand above the table and placed it on his napkin. It one swift movement, he cleaned his hands, smiled at Daphne, and turned back to his friends. Utterly disgusted, Harry returned to Ron and Hermione, eager to change the subject.

"So, what do you guys think of the new teachers?" Hermione swallowed her food quickly, keen on answering Harry.

"Well, I am glad they finally got a female professor that isn't totally inadequate, but I do think that she is going to be attracting some of our fellow students' attention." Harry nodded, and Ron fell silent. As the trio sat there, discussing their teachers, and what they hoped to learn (or not in Ron's case), envelopes dropped onto each person's lap in the Great Hall.

"These must be our new schedules!" Hermione said with enthusiasm as she tore hers open. Ron and Harry placed theirs aside, and continued eating. Hermione looked up at them both. "Aren't you going to open yours?" She asked. Ron swallowed a mouthful of potatoes and looked up.

"Yeah…in due time." Hermione glared at Ron and Harry, they sighed and began opening their course schedules. "Alright, already!" Harry glanced at the piece of paper and smiled. Tomorrow morning he had double Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Popplewell, Charms, lunch break, study period, and then double Transfiguration. In reality Harry had no intent of going to the library to study on the first day back to school. He was going to use his study period to do whatever he wanted. Harry glanced at Hermione's schedule from across the table and winced. She had a double period of History of Magic, Charms, lunch, Herbology, and then double Transfiguration. She however kept glancing at her schedule as if she was missing something.

"Hermione?" Ron asked as he finished up the last of his treacle tart. She turned towards him and ran her hand through her hair.

"Something's missing! We are supposed to have one more class before dinner. Hermione quickly and quietly rose from her seat and made her way over to Professor McGonagall. Harry and Ron watched curiously as they talked and Hermione made her way back to the table.

"..Well?" Hermione smiled, and pointed to Professor McGonagall who was now standing up to the podium.

"Attention!" Heads snapped towards the front of the hall and McGonagall smiled. "As some of you have noticed, there is no third class after lunch. You merely have your first class, then your double period class. The reason for this is the new idea formed by the Ministry of Magic, called the Intre-House Connection. Every Monday night you will be participating in varying activities with different houses, you are with a different house each week. Tomorrow night, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor will be paired, and Hufflepuff and Slytherin will be together." A sign of relief came from both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor; they were both ecstatic they weren't paired with Slytherin. Hufflepuff on the other hand was moaning and complaining. Professor McGonagall ignored them.

"These activities usually are two hours long, but there will be some shorter and some longer. Tomorrow night you will simply be getting to know the people in the different houses better, so there will be no need for supervision. Ravenclaw and Gryffindors will be in the Gryffindor common room, and Hufflepuff and Slytherins will be in the Slytherin common room. Further more, we have all decided that it is best to split you up into age groups. First years through third years will be together, fourth and fifth years will be together, and finally, sixth and seventh years will be together. If you have any further questions, please ask the head of your House, thank you." With a swipe of her wand, the food immediately disappeared from the platters and desert appeared.

"I've been waiting for this all summer!" Ron said as he grabbed a brownie. "Since Mum's new diet, she cut out all the sweet from our meals, I've been dying to lay my hand on a brownie." He stuffed the whole brownie into his mouth as Harry and Hermione laughed.

After everyone was done eating desert, the different houses parted. The prefects led the way for all the first years to the common rooms as everyone else walked in unison.

"Are you looking forward to tomorrow night Hermione?" Harry asked as a confused bunch of first years just discovered the moving stairs.

"I guess…I mean, I'm all about unifying under the circumstances, I'm just not thrilled about having to unify with certain Slytherins." Ron nodded.

"I know what you mean, well I'm just glad tomorrow night's with Ravenclaw. They're nice people after all." Harry nodded, but all he could think about was how he and Ginny were going to finally have time to talk. He had to tell her exactly how he felt about the situation. Harry found himself lagging behind his two friends, leaving him alone. When he finally noticed he was far behind Ron and Hermione, he left it be. They were obviously having a good time from the wide grin on Hermione's face. As Harry checked his watch, he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry!" He said instinctively. He lifted his head to see who he had run into, and saw Malfoy, with his arm around Pansy.

"What's the matter, Potter?" Malfoy drawled. "The weasel and Mudblood kick you out of the threesome?" He put on a mock pouting face and Pansy giggled girlishly. Harry didn't have the energy to fight Malfoy so he just gave him an evil glance and walked passed him. Malfoy had to say he was shocked that Potter had walked by him without even a comeback. Though, he couldn't help thinking that Potter had grown physically over the summer. He had risen at least a good three inches, and his raven colored hair had somehow stayed the same length, even though it was obvious Harry never got a haircut. He guided Pansy in the direction towards the Slytherin common room, but Malfoy couldn't help but watch Potter walk down the hallway, his gaze still fixed on the ground.

By the time Harry reached the Gryffindor common room, he was tired senseless. He made an effort to look for Hermione and Ron, but no such luck. They were no where to be seen. Worn out and only the tiniest bit lonely, Harry fell decided to head up to bed. He walked over to Hedwig and unlocked her cage. He figured she would want to stretch her wings after being locked up. Harry took off his robe and shirt and lazily threw them on top of his trunk. He pulled off his pants and left them where they were as he climbed into his bed. Harry finally closed his eyes, and couldn't help but think about how Malfoy must've loved that he had finally given him the power he always wanted.