Hermione sent stunning spells in every direction, never turning back to see how well she'd aimed. She ran down the corridor, the walls becoming closer together as she progressed. Hermione felt herself becoming crushed between them, unable to free herself. As she lost oxygen, the world began darkening a the edges. She was losing consciousness... "Hermione. Hermione? Wake up." Harry said firmly, attempting to be loud enough without shouting. Hermione jumped as she jolted awake, cracking her head on the window. She rubbed her temple. "Sorry." Harry said, chuckling slightly as he left the room with Ginny. Hermione picked up Crookshanks in his basket, exiting their compartment. She was staring at the floor, analyzing for the millionth time this dream she'd had. It wasn't new. This was a dream that had been reoccurring since summer began, often interrupting her sleep. Suddenly, Hermione crashed into someone and dropped Crookshanks, who hissed and clawed at her leg. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, shuffling to retrieve the basket. "Oy. Watch it, Granger." a familiar voice said. Hermione glanced up, to see none other than Draco Malfoy. She suddenly felt thoroughly flustered, heat building up in her cheeks. "Um.. Sorry." she said again, maneuvering around Malfoy once she'd picked up all of her belongings, and starting off towards the door. She looked back once, surprised to find him still looking at her.
"Why is Malfoy staring at you, Hermione?" Ron asked through mouthfuls of potatoes. He'd never been much for manners. Hermione shrugged, "I don't know." Ron raised his eyebrow, but then shrugged, continuing to shovel food in his mouth. She rolled her eyes, taking well proportioned, civilized bites of her dinner. Professor McGonagall welcomed back previous students, congratulated the new ones and explained that she herself would be taking role as headmaster. There was an eruption of cheers from the Gryffindor table, obviously gleeful about having a headmaster from their house. Hermione clapped too as she rose from the table, her duty being to lead the first years to the dormitories. "This way, if you will." She shouted over the group, as the descended from the great hall in a flood. Hermione, Harry, and Ron walked their way home, she and Ron explaining the password and portrait to the new students.
Hermione was curled up in a chair by the fire, reading some muggle novel about outlaws and romance. How did women take interest in this? So mindless, she thought. Unrealistic. She continued thinking this, not aware of the sleep that was engulfing her. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the darkness of the room surrounding her. The fire had turned to embers and the common room had long cleared out. Hermione drug herself upstairs, falling out as soon as her head hit the pillow.
"We've still got loads of our classes together." Hermione told Harry and Ron as she read all three of their schedules. The boys nodded sleepily, picking at toast and bacon. She patiently waited for them to be done, her bag packed and ready to move to class. She stood up first, "Potions." she told them, and they all exchanged glances. "But.. Who?" Ron asked. Harry winced, and Hermione knew what he was remembering. She rubbed his shoulder, "It's okay. Come on." They walked in silence, and hesitated when they arrived at the door. "Can't be any worse." Harry said, attempting a light tone. They entered slowly and cautiously, not knowing what to expect. Harry and Hermione relaxed their shoulders as they looked up to see Percy Weasley, Ron looked flabbergasted. He made his way to the front of the classroom. "Why did you tell me you'd be teaching here? Why are you here?" Ron demanded, seemingly confused with his brother. "It was last minute, and it's just temporary while they look for someone else, you git." Percy answered. Ron frowned, Harry and Hermione attempted to hide their laughter as they sat at one of the round tables. They chatted giddily as the rest of the Gryffindors and Slytherins shuffled in, and Hermione watched Draco enter and choose his seat. She was aware of the loss he'd experienced the previous year and wondered how he was taking it. Did Malfoy even have feelings? She chuckled. Crabbe entered the room, and unexpectedly, picked a seat as far from Draco as he could've. Hermione thought about this. Their friendship must've not survived their grief, and she frowned. She hadn't taken time to appreciate that she hadn't lost her friends.
Percy began their lesson, starting them off with a simple calming draught, which Hermione aced, and then aided Ron in his. Percy circled the room, inspecting potions and complimenting their brewers. Hermione looked at Draco, who looked frustrated with his cauldron. She thought for a split second of attempting to help him, but laughed out loud at the thought. He'd only scoff at her offer. She wasn't even sure why she was thinking of assisting him
"Hey, Mione. Class is over. What are you staring at?" Harry asked, trying to find Hermiones line of vision. "Hm? Oh, nothing. Lets go." She told him, grabbing her things and almost sprinting towards the door. She was eager to no longer be in Dracos presence.