((A/N: As promised, thank you to my wondrous reviewers!
Unbroken0516061
Geeky-DMHG-shipper
Ya'll are wonderful, and keep me going so quickly. I hope this chapter won't take long to get up there!))
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Hermione stared down at the person sitting in the compartment, smirking up at her. He put down the book he was reading before Hermione could get a glimpse of the title. He turned towards her, and put one of his feet up on the seat, as though telling her to sit on the other side.
She scowled at his remark, having just realized he'd said it.
"Surprised to see me? Or just by how good-looking I am? You'd think after all these years, you'd be used to it."
She rolled her eyes at him evilly, already knowing this year wouldn't be even close to a walk in the park. Sighing, she put her bag on the seat across from him, and sat down next to the door. If he tried anything, she'd be as close to the door as possible.
"Ah, already intoxicated by my presence? I see you're trying to pretend like it isn't working, by sitting away from me." He grinned.
Hermione gaped at him in awe.
"Yes, I've been known to draw that type of reaction by many. Usually not a Gryffindor, though." He added thoughtfully.
"Merlin, Malfoy!" Hermione burst out, unable to take it anymore. "You conceited, annoying, ruddy piece of dirt!"
"Sorry, I thought you said piece of dirt? I believe you've got the two of us confused." He said, as though he felt bad for her. As though she had amnesia or something.
"Right." She rolled her eyes. "You're just a word twister. And a bad one at that."
At that moment, one of the prefects, Hannah Abbot, knocked and came in. Seeing them both fuming at each other, Hannah raised an eyebrow. "You two alright? Not fighting already?" She seemed pleased by the idea.
Probably wants us to lose our positions. There is no doubt she'd be next up for Head Girl. Hermione thought bitterly.
"Actually, I was just telling Malfoy how annoying he is." Hermione said pointedly, widening her eyes in Draco's direction.
"Oh whatever. You just wish you were as well-liked and popular as I."
This time, Hannah joined Hermione in the well-earned scoff at Draco.
"Nobody even likes you, Draco!" Hermione said, aghast that he would even think so.
"She's right." Hannah nodded. "It's true."
"Yeah. Right. Coming from Hermione Stranger!" Draco said, though he was obviously embarrassed. ((A/N: This came from A Very Potter Musical, Courtesy of TeamStarKid))
Hermione raised an eyebrow, obviously not thinking this pathetic excuse for a comeback deserved any response.
"The meeting is about to start." Hermione said to Hannah, standing up, and bringing her back with her. "Let's go, then, Malfoy." She said, as though she were talking to her pet.
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"I heard there was some new project this year." Bernie, a sixth year Ravenclaw, was saying. "Do you know anything about that?"
"I heard the same thing." Hermione nodded. "However, we have not been informed as to what this project is. All we know is that you can choose if you want to complete it." She shrugged.
Draco, sitting off to the side, scowling at nothing, had hardly spoken all throughout the meeting.
Ron, sitting to Hermione's right, was watching her intently. As though he was afraid she would hurt him if he missed anything. Or demote him, or something. Hermione noticed this, and leaned on her left leg, against the desk they'd put in the middle of the Prefect's compartment, attempting to get slightly away from him. It was a bit scary. After he and Lavender had broken up, on her account, Hermione had felt horrible. She knew Lavender still had a thing for Ron, and a grudge against Hermione. She was pleased to know, however, that she wouldn't be in the same room with "Lav-Lav" this year. She had a feeling Ron still liked Lavender. He had never once mentioned his and Hermione's kiss, and she was getting pretty annoyed. She'd pretty much decided that giving up on him was the way to go at this point.
"Alright, alright." Draco said grumpily after nobody had anymore questions. "Meeting over."
Hermione shot him a look, but said nothing. Upon gathering up her papers, which she had used in case she forgot anything, she headed back towards the Compartment of Doom once more. This, officially, was her least favorite compartment on the train. And the other compartments, she didn't have feeling for. So, she supposed, the fact that she hated one specifically was saying something. However, she didn't say anything to Draco as they reentered.
"We'll be there in five minutes." He said, getting his trunk down. "Just checked on the way back."
"Yes, alright." She said, waiting for him to leave.
He gave her a look like, 'Yeah. Right.' and just put his robes on over his current outfit. She tilted her head to the side, surprised that she'd never thought of that on the train rides. Smiling to herself, though she hoped Draco didn't notice, she pulled her own robes on, and sat back down, feeling a bit sheepish.
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"First years to the boats!" Hermione said, wand to her throat. She had cast a charm to make her voice as though over a muggle megaphone. "All other years to the carriages."
"HURRY UP, YOU!" Draco shouted, obviously having forgotten about the spell.
Hermione shot him a look, and he stared at her wand. Rolling her eyes, she continued leading people along.
"Where's Hagrid?" Some students were asking.
"He's away." Draco told the student. "Upon his own request."
Hermione hadn't heard this, and raised an eyebrow at him.
"McGonagall allowed teachers to take a break if they wanted. He had to go round up creatures for class." Draco informed her.
She nodded, surprised he had known. Maybe it was in the letter? She couldn't have missed it. Instead of worrying about that, she ushered little nervous-looking first years towards the boats. All of them, wide-eyed and looking as though they wanted to throw up, headed off without a sound.
"No doubt they've heard about the battle." Draco said, stating the obvious.
"Way to freak them out." Hermione said, taking the charm off, as the last student had finally walked by. Unfortunately, that student had heard Draco, and ran off, looking terrified. "Good job."
Upon reaching the castle, Hermione and Draco went and sat in the Great Halls at their separate tables, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony. It was long and tedious as usual, Hermione realized. Sure, it was exciting for the tables when they got new students, and for the students themselves, who were getting sorted. For everybody else, and when students weren't going to your house? Boring. After yawning, and covering it up, she noticed that someone was staring at her from the Slytherin table. Malfoy. She shot him a look that clearly said to leave her alone, and stop staring, or he might lose a very valuable part of him.
He looked away almost immediately. The sorting was over, Hermione noticed.
Headmistress McGonagall stood to give the speech that used to be Dumbledore's job. Hermione frowned, and hoped the Headmistress didn't think Hermione was upset with her. Just missed her old Headmaster was all.
She gave the usual information: No students in the Forbidden Forest (duh, it was Forbidden.), don't mess with Filch or his cat, blah blah. Hermione, having heard it so often, knew it by heart. At least, that part anyway. The next part was the interesting information.
"This year, we have a surprise for our Seventh Years." She said. The entire year burst out in cheers, except the prefects and head students. They already knew what it was. Sort of. "A special Project." Enter loud groans here. And a few sniggers from the other years. "If you choose, it can replace your finals. However, it is a year long project, and you will be assigned partners."
She went on to explain the rules of the project, which Hermione noted down.
1) You must complete this project with a specific member of another house (will be assigned should you choose this path)
2) You must create a question that you will answer thought the year by way of extensive study and research
3) You will present the project at the end of the year
4) It can take the place of all of your finals, but if you wish to follow a certain career, some will be required regardless
5) The question you ask must be appropriate, include nothing that could cause something dangerous, and may not include any WWW products or anything else that has been banned as part of the research
6) During the extent of the project, you will share a living space, common room, and study area with your partner so you can use every moment available
Then, the food came.
Yum, Hermione thought.
"Finally!" Ron grinned, and tucked in.
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((A/N: this chapter may be subject to change. Just to add in that Hermione and Draco led the first years to their dorms, and headed back to their new room, choosing a password, etc. Again, reviews are awesome. Thanks for everything, readers!))