AN: Thank you to those who reviewed, you're comments are always welcome. Here's chapter 2. Oh! And I own nothing except the plot and two characters who have yet to be introduced.

You Are What You Pretend to Be

Chapter 2: Home

There was almost nothing that could compare to the sound of the busy people on platform 9 ¾. It was almost like music; the hoots and cries of the animals, the happy sounds of friends reuniting after the summer, the nervous chattering of new first years and of course, the hoots and whistles of the Hogwarts Express. I smiled, this was normality, this was my world.

"'Mione!"

I winced inwardly. As much as I loved Harry, Ron and Ginny this music of the train station was something I wished to enjoy alone. This was not granted to me, as soon as I reached the train Harry and Ron had lured me into their current argument over what they were going to do with this year's Quidditch team (Harry had been made captain.) I smiled at Ginny, who had latched onto my arm as soon as she approached me.

"Hermione! How've you been? How was your summer? Total bummer that you couldn't come over. The house was soo noisy…"

I giggled in my mind at the endless prattle that was spewing from Ginny's mouth. The girl certainly could hold a conversation, that's for sure. I made sure to nod, react and comment where necessary. Her talking still hadn't ceased by the time we had found a carriage and sat in our seats. Sitting back in my seat I realized something, none of the three before me had noticed my change in appearance. Slightly disappointed I didn't let it get to me. I in stead focused my thoughts and feelings to the people around me.

I noticed how close Ginny and Harry were sitting and I smiled inwardly, obviously Ginny's feelings did not go unrequited. Harry just refused to act upon them due to Lord Voldermort. My heart ached for them; it was because of this war that their relationship couldn't flourish. That fact alone made me angry enough to blow something up, but I didn't. I kept my feelings carefully maneuvered off my face.

Ron sat up, remembering something. "Hey 'Mione! You made Head Girl this year right?"

I jumped up, "Oh my gosh you're right! I have to go to the Head's compartment!" I smiled and waved bye to everyone before heading to the front of the train.

Sliding the door open I let my face fall upon the site that greeted me. Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini were now staring up at me, a bit mad that their conversation had to be cut short because of my arrival. Blaise looked back at Draco and raised his brow. Draco nodded as a silent message was exchanged. Standing up Blaise nodded at me as a greeting and quickly left the compartment.

I nodded at Draco. "Malfoy."

He smirked, "Mudblood."

I frowned at his comment but kept my mouth shut. Now was not the time for me to get into an argument with him. I sat down on the opposite corner, closest to the door. Putting my purse by my side I pulled out my wireless headphones and after placing them in my ears they began playing a soft classical song. I sat back, my eyes closing as a light sleep took over.

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Draco's POV

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Her lack of reaction was enough to confuse the hell out of me. Usually she would throw another comment or threaten me with a curse. I sat there, my legs stretched out in front of me, my arms crossed in front of my chest. I let my gaze travel over to her, there were definitely some differences about her.

I took the list of our duties and placed in next her, careful not to wake her. For some reason she looked too peaceful for me to want to wake her up.

I quietly slipped out of the compartment to see what fellow Slytherins were up too. Heading down the corridor I scowled at a passing first year that jumped and ran into the nearest compartment. Walking down I stopped at the compartment that was one of the loudest. Pansy's annoying voice cut through everyone else. Opening the door I was greeted with the annoying screech, "DRAKIE POOH!" One foot in and I already had the annoying tumor attached to my arm. This was going to be a loooong year.

Dissecting myself from Pansy's grasp I glared at her. "Knock it off Parkinson." I sat next to Blaise, leaving no room on the other side for her to sit. Sadly that didn't seem to daunt her. She proceeded to sit on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. I scowled, "Parkinson, Off." My voice was cold, matching my eyes. Pansy whimpered and with an attempt at nonchalance she slid off my lap and out the door.

"Way harsh Draco."

I shrugged, like I honestly cared. The girl was already betrothed to me; the fact that she knew this and still acted like she owned me was enough to make my blood boil. I would find a way out of the marriage, even if it killed me.

Blaise changed the subject back to what we had been discussing in the train. Crabbe and Goyle obediently left the compartment, giving us privacy.

"Has your father given you a date for when you're to get your dark mark?"

I nodded, it was the last thing we had discussed before I had left to come here.

---

"Father. You called?"

"Yes Draco. You have begun the process of receiving your Dark Mark have you not?"

I nodded obediently. "Yes Father, Blaise and myself have successfully completed all the training sessions."

"Very good. I have spoken with the Dark Lord and he agrees. All those at Hogwarts who have completed their training will be receiving the Dark Mark during Christmas break."

"Christmas break sir?"

"Do you have a problem with that son?"

I shook my head, "No sir."

"Very well, you may go and finish packing."

I bowed and left without another word. He was angry at me for questioning, I could tell by the quick, almost unnoticeable flash in his eyes. I would definitely have to be more careful about what I said around him.

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"That's what my father told me too. Christmas break you, me, Parkinson and a few others will be going to get the Dark Mark."

"Yeah." I looked at him, did he want this? Did I?

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Hermione's POV

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My eyes snapped open the minute I heard the compartment door shut. Looking around I noticed Draco had left. Why did we argue so much? Oh yeah, because he felt himself superior to me. I wondered what he would say if he knew about my summers, but I already knew. If he knew what kind of stuff I have done then he definitely would have reason to insult me more. I didn't need to add fuel to the fire.

I noticed the parchment at my side. It was our list of duties. Scanning through it quickly I noticed that there were two activities that had been planned for this year. A Halloween activity and an end of the year dance. It was our duty to plan these events. Ideas were already beginning to appear.

Stuffing the list in my bag I took out my headphones and quickly placed my school robes on. We were approaching the school and I didn't want to be in a rush to get ready. It was time to patrol the compartments anyways and students tended to take people in uniform more seriously than those in casual clothing.

Walking down the corridor I broke up a few arguments, separated couples and helped locate lost items. I had almost reached the end of the train when I stopped dead in my tracks.

"That's what my father told me too. Christmas break you, me, Parkinson and a few others will be going to get the Dark Mark."

I almost gasped out loud. I turned and quickly strode back to the head compartment. So the Slytherins were getting their Dark Marks over Christmas break. I would definitely have to inform Dumbledore of this.

The whistle sounded, we had arrived at Hogwarts. Pushing the Slytherins out of my mind, I smiled. I was home.