FLAMES TO DUST

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in the book or film that you all recognise. The only things that I lay claim to is the plot and names that are not recognisable in ths story.

A/N: I made a few mistakes in the last chapter. In the fourth paragraph I wrote that Hermione was returning to her fourth year in Hogwarts. Ignore that, it's her final year. Sorry! When i get a chance I will amend it. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Everyone was congregated in the Kitchen at the Burrow. Molly Weasley was busy making breakfast, Hermione and Ginny were sat at the table glaring at each other, Arthur Weasley was absorbed with an article in The Daily Prophet And the boys, well, they were just being themselves.

"Ron will you stop eating the food, I haven't finished cooking yet."

"But mum I'm so hungry,"

"You're always hungry, you'd eat in your sleep if you could."

"Harry!"

"Well, you know you would."

"Come on now, everybody eat up, we don't want to miss the train. Ginny, are you sure you've packed everything that you need? I don't want to have to send errol with a parcel. Poor things on its last legs, I don't think he'd make it half way."

said

"Mum, don't say things like that. He's family."

"Yeh, but he's old."

"Ron!"

Ron shrugged his shoulders and looked at Harry for back up. "I'm not getting involved in this."

"Coward!" Ron muttered in between mouthful of food.

AT THE STATION

"We'll see you all at christmas." Mrs Weasley said as she gave them all a hug before they boarded the train.

As they were looking for an empty carriage, Harry pulled Hermione away from the group. "You haven't said much since we came back from diagon alley. Did anything happen?"

"This ones empty." Ron shouted

"Give us a minute Ron." Harry replied before Hermione could make a move to the carriage.

"Something did happen, didn't it?"

"Harry, it's... I have to get going. I need to go the Heads carriage." She tried to walk past him but Harry put his hand up to stop her.

"What? You're the head girl and you didn't tell us? Now I know somethings wrong. You've always hoped they'd choose you and you didn't even make a fuss."

"I'ts nothing."

"Nothing?

"Hermione, tell me. We're friends aren't we?" There was a look in Harrys eyes that resembled sadness.

"Yes Granger tell him." A smug voice sounded from behind him.

"Malfoy. What are you doing her?" He shouted as he pulled his wand out.

"Harry, Put the wand away. He's not worth it."

'"I've come for Granger. Mcgonagall wants to discuss head duties and she asked me to look for her"

"I didn't mean that, you shouldn't be allowed back at Hogwarts, so what are you doing on this train?"

"Hold on a minute Harry. Malfoy, Why would Mcgonagall discuss h... You've got to be kidding.

Malfoy started laughing. "For the smartest witch in our year, you seriously lack common sence. You are both looking at this years head boy. Apparantly, It was all written in the parchment Dumbledore left for the ministry. There's more but Mcgonagall said she'll explain later."

"Don't say his name, you don't deserve to." Harry screamed. He turned to Hermione. "You knew and you didn't say a thing. I guess are friendship doesn't mean anything. Just when I needed you the most." At that, he turned, walked into the carriage and slammed the door shut."

Hermione and Malfoy walked silently towarda their carriage. When they arrived Mcgonagal greeted them.

"There you both are. I was about to look for you both myself. Now lets get down to business. Mister Malfoy, You were allowed to come back to Hogwarts on two conditions. One, you must report to a ministry official once a week. They are monitoring your every move. Two, You must be accompanied at all times by Miss Granger. As she is the head girl, you will both be sharing a dormitory so it makes sence that she is to accompany you. You will both be taking the same classes together and you will eat together.

"Miss Granger, If Mister malfoy does anything that you deem suspicious will will need to report to me immediatley.

Hermione just stood there with her mouth open but speechless. Malfoy looked more pale than he already was. Hermione had to shake her head to bring some thoughts into her head.

"Proffessor. I don't think thats a good idea. You see, we don't get on, we can't get on, I don't want to get on. With him. It's Him. Him. Him... It's ferret, no one gets on with him. No one in there right mind would want to get on with him." she said as she wave and pointed her nhands at him.

Malfoy was giving her a deathly glare. "Like I want you to get on with me,"

"Miss Granger, you are over reacting. And please don't call another student names. You are the Head girl s o you need to set an example. Like Proffessor Dumbledore said, It will be a way to instill some house unity. The only way we can do that is to get the two Heads to get along together."

"Yes proffessor."

"Mister Malfoy?"

"Yes proffessor."

"Good. Don't forget Mister Malfoy, You are still on probation. I will bid you both good day and see you at the great hall. Do try to get on and behave."

Hermione looked at Malfoy and shoputed. "I can't believe that this is happening. Why couldn't you have gone and got lost somewhere or maybe dropped of the face of the earth and let me have a Malfoy free year. Is that too much to ask?

'Hey, I didn't ask to be here. I think I'd much prefer to be in Azkaban than have to room with you. But you know what? That's life. You just have to take what life throws at you. So deal with it.

For the rest of the journey they both sat in silence and stared out the window.

The train had stopped and all the students were alighting. Hermione saw Ginny and ran towards her. "Hey, How is Harry? You have to tell him you told me not to say anything. He was so angry and the look in his eyes, he hates me."

"He doesn't. I told him the truth. Just give him some time."

"Granger. Come on. Hurry up." Malfoy shouted

Ginny turned to Hermione with a confused look

"It's a long story. I'll tell you later. I've got to get going." she said as she gave Ginny a hug.