Chapter Three:
When everyone settles down I am slightly relieved. They have conjured up more seats, but my wishes have been answered and Dean is still left standing. Thank god. Although, Francesca still has not drawn her attention away from me. Despite discussions of which all are curious to hear, she will answer vaguely and flash me glances that show she is suspicious of me.
I wish that I could sink into the wooden benches and disappear. Something very unlike me. However, I shall sit up straight and pretend as if I am not within venomous serpent territory. Draco glares at me on occasion, but I don't care. What really disturbs me is Dean. His not-so-secretive gazes are filled with lust and admiration. Of course, I ignore them, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to be oblivious to my surroundings. Especially since I am treading on thin ice with so many people that can remember all my habits and doings. One also can't forget the dangerously curious Francesca. She may be shy, but she has the willpower of a lion. Hardly a Gryffindor though.
To the right of me, there is conversation becoming increasingly interesting with each word. Luckily, unlike Dean, I am discreet about my glances.
"So, how's Ralpha's relentless flirting Cleo?" Daphne asks eagerly, leaning in. She yearns for gossip. It is her lifeline. Pansy, even though I love her to pieces, is no better. They are the Lavender and Parvati of Slytherin. There is no doubt to that fact.
Making sure that the boys aren't listening, she comes closer and whispers, "I think I might be falling for it. Sure, it's annoying at times, but at other times, it's actually kind of cute." Who would have thought? Ralpha might actually be getting somewhere. Bravo.
Pansy and Daphne giggle slightly. "Will you accept his dating offers?" Pansy asks, wanting more. They draw in this information like vampires on the search for blood.
Cleo blushes, an uncommon occurrence. "Maybe, but wouldn't it mean that I'm giving up? You know that I hate losing a game and this one is too fun." She finishes mischievously, smirking. "I think I'll torture him for a while before I'll give him a chance."
They giggle again. Will this ever end? I am getting bored of this, even though Cleo's words are extremely amusing, I'd rather hear from the boys' and Francesca's end.
Switching my hearing to their side, I listen intently. Who would have thought that I would lower myself to eavesdropping out of pure boredom? I guess desperate times call for desperate measures so to speak.
"Draco, how are you holding up?" Matthew's playful look has disappeared. Concern has graced his slightly tanned face while the rest show the same. I wonder what they're speaking of.
"Life is miserable. I feel loss as each day passes. Not to mention the beatings a curses that have been sent upon me by my father. He is relentless in his attempt to force my view of the war. I can hardly take it anymore. Sometimes I wish he would just kill me and get it over with." He is holding back tears behind his stormy grey eyes. A pang in my heart pains me so, but I know he hates pity. No matter how much he may need it.
"Draco, you have to get over her. As much as we know that it hurts, you have to." Raphael says wisely. I would never expect that from him.
"You don't understand." The same growl and look from before. It makes me shudder inwardly.
"We may not feel the pain as much as you do, but we still feel it. Don't think for one second that we have forgotten her, for that is the farthest thing from the truth as it ever shall be." He defends himself, but shows anger towards the emotionally tormented blonde.
Draco opens his mouth, but someone cuts him off.
"I don't think that she is..." Oh no. She isn't going to say 'dead' is she? I feel panic overcome me. Whatever she says is not going to help me. Luckily, right at this moment, Professor McGonagall walks in with a flourish of her velvet green robes.
She has aged, but has not lost her respect. The same prim and proper lady from first year, though she seems tired and solemn. The war is doing this to her. If this continues, she shall be too weak to fight, ending up in her... No, mustn't think of that.
"I am proud to say that you have all become prefects. As for the Head Boy and Head Girl, they are Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass." I should have known. Both brilliant in mind, but logical at heart. Yes, Daphne is logical, though her gossip doesn't seem so to I.
"Now for my announcements. This year, the Prefects shall share a dormitory with one another while the Heads shall have their own nearby in case of urgent contact." My heart is beating faster. No. This can't happen. I know that it is for the welfare of the students, but I cannot be in the same area as them. No, no, no.
"You shall all have you own rooms, but will have the same common room, bathroom, and so forth. Please do not let ridiculous prejudices get in the way of your jobs. This is relevant to the security of all." No one makes a comment. All are so into shock that they are speechless. I of course, have reached the point of insanity from all the anticipation.
"Now, may I introduce the new students..." Of course, Ralpha interrupts her. One of the best people I know, but he has no idea when the right time to speak is.
"Sorry to interrupt." At least he has regained some dignity. "But we have already announced ourselves. We have no last names to be said for we find that it is an invasion upon personal privacy. I hope this is not a problem." He stands in the compartment and makes a big deal of himself of course. That boy is to vain for his own good.
McGonagall raises an eyebrow at this sudden declaration, but decides to let it go for reasons unknown to me. "Well, the usage of your last name is up to you, and if all four of you wish to follow this way, than I can do nothing to stop you."
"Sweet." You immaturity astounds me to no end Matthew.
The Professor ignores his comment and continues the waterfall of information pouring out her mouth. "You four shall all be sorted after the first years. The sorting is carried out by placing a hat upon your head which shall read you personalities and sort you into the corresponding house. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
Hmm... I wonder which house these people shall be sent to. In case you didn't catch my sarcasm (by the way, that would be idiotic in my opinion) I do know where they are going to be put. It would also be idiotic if you haven't figured it out.
McGonagall is rambling again. I'm sure no one is listening, hardly anyone does. All the attention is reserved for Albus Dumbledore, the most brilliant wizard of time. Can you imagine how disappointing it is for him not to have seen through my rouse? I thought not.
She leaves, her words following. Thank god.
The rest of the train ride commences as it has before. Boring conversation while the rest look on with curiosity. Although, there is one memorable incident...
A Ravenclaw boy is staring at Francesca much like Dean is to me. She is becoming more uncomfortable as each minute passes, fidgeting with the end of her halter top. Matthew, however, makes himself known.
"My sister is not an exhibit at a museum. I know that Ravenclaws study excessively, but I think that you've gone to far." He says coolly. The Ravenclaw turns bright red in response. I wish Dean would do that.
Yawning slightly, I remain silent for quite a while until the politest girl on the planet has to stop that.
"What is your name?" Cleo asks, drawing away from Daphne and Pansy. Ralpha, Matthew, and Francesca seem interested too. The other Slytherins just glare.
"Hermione Granger." I say quietly. I know well not to avoid her gaze, she sees that as a sign of weakness.
"You already know us, but what about the rest?" She indicates her friends from Slytherin. This questionaire is becoming uncomfortable.
"We aren't exactly on friendly terms." Draco offers. Thanks ever so much. If you ever speak to me as Sierra again, I might have to hurt you.
"How so?" She looks towards me again, though warily.
"He calls me a..." I fade off. You might think this strange, but the foursome are extremely against prejudice. The others used to be too, but I guess their parents took advantage of their weakest time.
"A what?" Her eyes soften, while the others stiffen slightly.
Might as well not hide it any longer. "A mudblood."
Noticeably, the others wince while Ralpha, Francesca, Cleo and Matthew all say the same thing:
"Can we talk to you outside?" He winces once more at the foursomes reaction, I do so myself. Whatever they have to say is not going to be pleasant.
As the five all walk to the corridors the ones who have been watching with interest look at me in shock while Daphne, Pansy, and Blaise glare relentlessly. Dean reacts differently.
"I'm glad they're finally getting what they deserve." He sits on the now vacant spot next to me. Oh joy.
"I feel kind of sorry for him. The four are furious." I move slightly away from him, it goes unnoticed.
"After all the ridicule for the past seven years, I think that whatever happens to him will cover that." I smile slightly and turn away, looking out the window at the passing scenery. It is getting noticeably darker.
This is so wrong, on so many levels, but I must do it. Focusing on the window, I let my mind go blank and concentrate on the vision of the corridor. Searching for a weak mind to let me see through their eyes. Who? Draco. He has been invaded so many times that he will not notice.
Through His Eyes:
"What are you doing to yourself? Have they finally corrupted you?" Cleo asks with concern and disgust.
"No, they haven't, but..." He begins. Draco, you disappoint me.
"You promised her! You promised her that you would never become your father. We had plenty of muggleborn friends! Did you drive them all away?" He looks to the floor in shame.
"Cleo, I'm weak. I can't hold myself up against him anymore! He knows it and he's using it to his advantage. If someone doesn't stop him, I'll soon become what he wants me to be!" Draco looks up in hope for redemption.
"You are not weak Draco. You are merely hopeless. You've given up all hope to live! Don't you see? If you continue this, you'll end up fighting against us and we shall show no pity for you as you fall to the ground dead." A powerful speech for such a small girl. Francesca has spoken. She of course, have seen more pain then anyone. I shudder at the thought.
"Wait. Someone's looking through your eyes Draco." Dammit. Curse you for being so brilliant Francesca.
I draw away. They're running to the compartment. What do I do? They'll find out it's me. I look around wildly for a distraction. Dean. I can't believe I'm about to do this. I pull him towards me and... well, let's just say that he is very happy right now.
"Whoa. I didn't see that coming." Matthew, I hate you so much right now.
I pull away and push Dean back into his seat. He doesn't notice for he is a deep trance right now. Besides the fact that he is smiling like a fool. I am utterly repulsed right now. I cannot believe I was that desperate. I am so glad that I don't blush. They rest come in just in time to find out what occurred.
"Umm... That was interesting." Blaise raises an eyebrow at me. Daphne and Pansy are hardly containing themselves. The rest are in horror while Daphne makes a comment.
"Who would've guessed that sweet little Hermione would do something as bold as that." I am confused at her usage of my first name, but my plan is working, no matter how disgusting it was.
Draco seems to have gotten out of his state of terror. "I sure as hell didn't."
Everything returns to a sense of normalcy, although, I could do without the awkward silence. Dean is standing again as Draco threatened to kill him if he didn't get out of his seat. I guess the conversation angered him quite a bit. I do not feel sorry for Dean as I want him to be as far away from me as possible. Too bad this compartment is small. How depressing.
Eventually, the crowd thins out to change into their robes. I am one of the first. I hate silence. It reminds me too much of a hearse. Oh wonderful, I have begun using death terms in everyday conversation. Next I will be wearing all black and be on the brink of suicide. Such happy thoughts I have hmm?
Author's Notes: Yes, that is the end. Strange, huh? Well, Dean's wish has come true and Hermione/Sierra is disgusted. I live to make my characters miserable. Soo... anyways, read and review! Either do that, or I shall... do something. Use your imagination.