An Unlikely Love

--------------------

Chapter eight

------------------

The Opening Ceremony

-----------------

Hermione and her friends got off the train station in Hogsmead, outside waited twelve horseless carriages. Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Ron managed to squeeze into a carriage while Luna and Neville ended up behind them in a carriage with two second year Slytherins.

"It's so good to be back," Hermione commented.

"It's good to be home," Harry said.

"Yeah," Ginny and Ron said in unison.

"This is so exciting," Ginny said bouncing in her seat. "This is going to be the best year ever!"

"I just can't wait for it to start," Ron said looking out the window watching the trees go by.

"It already has," Harry murmured.

Everyone got quit for a few moments.

Watching her friends, Hermione smiled. She really was one lucky girl.

Looking around she saw Harry looked just as excited as Ginny to be back but Ron looked extremely sad for someone who was happy to be back.

"Ron, what's the matter?" She asked.

"Draco better not touch you," Ron muttered under his breath.

"Oh get over it already Ronald!" Ginny said agitatedly.

"I can't," he wined.

"Ron," Hermione said quietly so only he could hear. "You promised."

He shut his mouth and looked back out the window.

Once they reached the castle they hopped out of the carriage and joined the swarm of kids entering their school. Somewhere along the way, they ran into Luna and Neville.

"This excitement is so boring," Luna said after stumbling from someone knocking into her.

"Tell me about it," Hermione muttered after dodging being hit.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Everybody is always in such a rush to get inside. It gets boring year after year," Luna said.

"Maybe so, but I know I want to rush in there with them." Ron said, "I'm hungry."

"But… your always hungry," Neville said causing everyone to laugh.

"Well if it isn't Barbie and her woo tank clan," someone said snottily behind them just outside the great hall.

They turned around to see Pansy Parkinson standing there with Draco by her side, his arm around her shoulders. Crabbe and Goyle stood behind them, snickering.

"Excuse me?" Hermione said taking a step forward.

Feeling a hand on her upper arm she stopped short. Looking to see who was holding her back she saw Ron right next to her his hand on her arm. She ignored the feeling of brushing him off knowing that if it wasn't for his hand, she would hit Pansy.

"You heard me," Pansy said walking up close to Hermione, leaving Draco standing behind her.

"I think you better back off," Luna said coming to Hermione's defenses. She stepped up to Hermione with her wand in hand pointed at Pansy.

Hermione felt Ron's hand slip off of her arm fast.

"What are you going to do little girl? Turn me into a frog?" Pansy laughed.

"Shove it Parkinson," Ginny said, grabbing Hermione's arm and pulling her into the Great hall.

"I could have you know," Luna said before following her friends.

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle got into a Horseless carriage only to find Pansy Parkinson already sitting there.

"Well if it isn't Draco Malfoy," she said with a smile.

"Pansy Parkinson," Draco said coldly.

"I don't believe I've seen you since last year," She said warmly. "How are you?"

"I'm doing quit good, how about yourself," he asked stiffly.

If it was possible, her smiled widened. ""I've been wonderful. I've missed you dearly."

Draco nodded but chose not to answer.

Why, why, why didn't I look in here before I got it? I wish she would go swimming and drown. I HATE pretending to like her just be cause father thinks it is right for us to be together, two purebloods. I don't think I can pretend to date her anymore. Father will just have to be disappointed in me. It wouldn't be the first time.

Draco pretended to listen to Pansy jabbering all the way up to the school. He satisfied her with the occasional nod or a grunt.

When they reached the castle Draco immediately saw Hermione walking with her friends into the school. Keeping his eyes on her, Draco and his 'friends' followed shortly behind.

Realizing Draco was no longer paying attention to her, Pansy turned to see him staring off to his right. Harry Potter was there with the two remaining Weasley's, the Ravenclaw wanna-be Gryffindor Luna Lovegood, the chubby Neville Longbottem, and a light brown haired girl. Staring she finally realized who the girl was, Hermione Granger.

Then it clicked. Draco was staring at Hermione.

Angered, Pansy grabbed a hold of Draco and marched up behind the group of friends. Stopping behind then she pulled Draco up to her and putting his arm around her before saying. "Well if it isn't Barbie and her woo tank clan."

Draco smirked at her tone. She sounded exactly like a cold hearted bitch.

Hermione took a step forward, but the Weasley boy made a small movement that he caught. He had grabbed a hold of her arm. Draco's smirk turned into a glare, directed at Ron.

Draco saw Ron look at him with a look of surprise on his face. Ron's hand fell from Hermione's quickly. Realizing he was still glaring at Ron and Ron knew, but didn't understand why, Draco smirked again.

Ginny grabbed Hermione and pulled her away into the great hall, their friends following.

"I can't believe that little twit pulled her wand on me," Pansy complained huffing off into the Great hall. Draco had no other choice but to follow.

Draco sat in front of Pansy while Crabbe and Goyle sat on either side of him.

After the First years had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood at the head table. Holding his wand to his Adam's apple he cleared his throat until he had everyone's attention. Then he began to speak, "I would like to welcome everyone back to Hogwarts and hello to all of the new first year. Congratulations to the new perfects and the head boy and girl. After the feast I would like the Head boy and Girl to wait behind, I need a word with you both. I would like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is off limits. Not one student is allowed outside after dark. Now, enjoy the feast." He waved his arms and platters upon platters of food appeared on the tables lining the Great hall.

Ron helped himself to 5 plates of food. Hermione, feeling a bit nauseated picked at her plate.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked through a mouth full of food.

"Yes," she answered, "just a bit nervous.

"I don't blame you," Neville said, helping himself to some more sweet potatoes.

"Yeah," Ginny said. "Sorry you have to get stuck with him."

"At lease eat some more," Harry said placing a roll on her plate.

Hermione gingerly picked up the roll and took a nibble.

After a half an hour, the perfects stood and called for their houses to follow them.

Hermione hugged Ginny and bid a good bye to everyone else.

One the Great Hall was empty except for Professor Dumbledore, Hermione, and Draco the two students made their way up to the head table.

Professor Dumbledore smiled, "Ah, yes. You remembered." He stood slowly. "I would like you both to follow me."

Feeling Draco's eyes on her, Hermione ignored him and followed her headmaster.

They walked out of the Great hall and up the Grand staircase. On the seventh floor, they passed the portrait leading into the Gryffindors dorm. They walked all the way down the hallway until they reached the end. There sat an empty portrait.

Dumbledore smiled, "Ah yes. She's a bit wild. Never know when she's around. I'll replace the portrait in the morning if I get around to it. Stay right here a moment, I'll just go get her." He began walking away, but turned back, "When she gets here, the password is Pickley Pinky Punks. The pass word will change every month. Good luck," he said, and he was gone.