Chapter 2

Arriving at King's Cross Station, Hermione and her parents made their way to Platform 9 ¾, where the Hogwarts Express awaited the excited students. Saying good-bye and leaving her parents at the muggle barrier, the wall between platforms 9 and 10, Hermione stepped onto Platform 9 ¾. Scanning the crowd, she quickly spotted the Weasley family, though it was not hard considering they all had flaming red hair. Harry was with them, as usual. When Hermione came up to them Harry had to do a double take.

"Hermione? Wow, you look good." They hugged.

Hermione blushed; she was still not used to getting attention for her looks.

"Why thank you, Harry. You look good yourself." Which was the truth. Being Seeker for the past six years had done him well. He was tall, standing well over 6', very muscular, and very handsome. His dark hair was still unruly, but gave him an adorable, innocent look. No wonder he is the Hogwarts heartthrob, thought Hermione, even though she still thought of him as a friend only. She'd never thought of Harry as anything more than a friend. Hermione turned to see Ron staring at her.

"Hello, Ronald. How are you?" Ron shook his head as if getting himself out of a daze.

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm good, too." They looked at each other for a few seconds, then broke into wide grins. They then hugged each other and kissed, slightly, not being big fans of PDA. "I've missed you," he whispered into her ear.

"I've missed you, too. Hey, guess what, guys."

"You're Head Girl," Harry said immediately. Hermione just looked at him. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"C'mon, Hermione. What else would it be?" Ron kept his arm around her waist while they continued to talk to Harry. Hermione noticed because he'd never done that before. Deciding to get a compartment before they were all gone, the trio hopped onto the train.

Draco POV

Karl, the Malfoy's driver, was trying to make polite conversation with the boy in the back seat. "So, seventh year, eh? Yeah, I remember my seventh year. That was the year my wife and I started dating. Man, I'll never forget the time—, "he cut off abruptly, looked embarrassed, and grunted, "Well, never mind. So, besides being the last, any perks about the 7th year for ya?"

Draco sighed. "I'm Head Boy."

Karl smiled into the review mirror. "Are you? Well that's just great. I knew you were a good student 'n all. No surprise there."

Draco, bored with the conversation, smiled politely and turned his head to look out the window, just as they pulled into the train station. Once parked, he jumped out of the car and grabbed for his bags.

"No, no, Master Malfoy. I'll get those for ya." Following Karl into the station, Draco didn't want to talk to anyone. Once on Platform 9 ¾, however, everyone seemed to want to talk to Draco. Well, at least everyone in Slytherin. Pansy Parkinson practically ran up to him and squealed, "Draco! Oh! How are you? Have a nice summer? Ready for our last year in this stupid school?"

"Yeah, Pansy," was all he said as he moved past her, leaving her pouting behind him. He smirked to himself. He loved making Pansy mad. A few 6th years, whose names Draco had forgotten, came up to him to say "Hello". Blaise Zabini, a friend of Draco's, made his way over to him.

"Hey there, Drake." Draco rolled his eyes as Blaise said that stupid nickname he had given him. "Hey, Blaise. How you doing?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Just checkin' out the stock of girls who've gotten hotter over the summer." He was examining the crowd on the platform. "Maybe have myself some fun with them. How 'bout you? Ready to set the terms for the game?" He winked at Draco. Draco smirked back.

Although he's changed his ways, Draco used to have a sort of game with Blaise, to see how many girls they could sleep with in a given amount of time. Like they did with Draco, all the girls thought Blaise was hot. A little shorter than Draco, but just as muscular, his naturally dark skin and dark hair made Blaise one of the "Gods" at Hogwarts. Potter was considered one, Draco knew, but not his sidekick Weasley. Although Draco knew of some girls that pine over him, too.

"By the way. Have you seen our favorite mudblood? Oh man, she's sure changed. One hot babe now. I wouldn't mind giving her the ride of her life, if you know what I mean."

Upon hearing this, Draco quickly scanned the crowd for Granger, but he didn't see her. "Yeah, right, Zabini. I'm going to get a compartment." And he strolled over to the train.

"I'm telling you she's hot!" Blaise yelled after him, causing some heads to turn in their direction. Draco simply waved behind him as he stepped onto the train. Quickly finding an empty room, he slid into the seat near the window. His eyes immediately fell onto the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She was talking to Potter and Weasley. Weasley, Draco noticed, had his arm around her waist. He glared as he saw this. He heard they were going out. Psh, Weasley didn't deserve her. He was too much of an adolescent horndog and a git to appreciate a woman like her. He could see him now, not taking his eyes off her chest. What a dork, Draco thought.

Of course he could see that Blaise was certainly right, but he didn't know how Draco really felt about Granger; no one did. Ever since his father had been exiled to Azkaban, he had been experiencing new feelings. For instance, the desire to be good. He'd never felt that before. Sure he'd wanted to excel in everything he'd done, but to want to be good was new to him. But the one that stuck out the most was his attraction to Granger. It didn't start out as physical attraction, more mental. Her mind had drawn him to her. But now, seeing her with her hair so smooth and flowing, and her clothes that showed off her marvelous body, Draco couldn't help but want to hold her, and kiss her. But she'll never go for a guy like me, Draco thought. Hell, she'll never even go for me. Not after the way I've treated her. This thought saddened him. But what about the new Draco? What if I could show her how I've changed by being nice to people? Then she might change her mind...Draco decided to show to Granger that some people could change. He must show her he'd changed. He needed to have her.

Hermione POV

"I'm telling you, the Cannons are going to make it to the finals!" Ron and Harry were having a heated discussion about Quidditch, of course. Hermione was reading a book, her legs across Ron's lap, and Ron's hands resting on her legs. We're so comfortable with each other, Hermione thought.

"Whatever, Ron. Anyway, I'm going to find Ginny." Harry got up and left. He and Ginny had started going out over the summer.

Ron turned to Hermione. "Finally, we're alone," as he leaned closer to her. His lips pressed against hers and immediately licked her lips, asking for entrance. She let him in and his tongue started massaging hers. He was such a good kisser. A low moan to escaped from her throat. Ron smiled, and leaned more onto Hermione, making her lie down on the bench. He propped himself up with one arm, and the other one was moving up and down her side. He ran his hand over her breast, and stopped, looking at Hermione for an objection. She nodded and he proceeded to massage her breast. Hermione ran her hands through Ron's long, soft hair, then over his back, digging her nails into him. Then it was Ron's turn to moan. He started kissing her neck, working his way down to her chest.

Just then, the door opened and, "Oh my God!" A girl screamed and closed the door suddenly. Hermione and Ron both jumped about 5 feet in the air. Ron looked surprised, but Hermione looked horrified. She was Head Girl, she couldn't be caught snogging on the train. She opened the door and found Hannah Abbott staring wide-eyed.

"I'm sooo sorry, Hermione! I didn't know, and..." She looked like she was going to hyperventilate.

"It's OK, Hannah. Is there anything you need?"

"There's supposed to be a meeting for the prefects and Head Boy and Girl." She looked around nervously.

"Oh bollocks! I forgot. OK, let's go. I'll be back, Ron." And she left for the back of the train. She followed Hannah into the compartment and, noticing who the Head Boy was, her jaw dropped.