Chapter Two: Release And Let Go

The train had slowly come to a halt; the fog was rolling in like a sign death was here to stay. The weather had not changed within the past three months; some were starting to wonder if there would even be snow, Mother Nature knew what was happening, her mood seemingly matched the rest of the worlds. One by one what was left of Hogwarts students stepped off, the first years looked scared, not of what the school year held, but the fact that they would soon by at the front line once they knew enough. The castle had even seemed to be gloomy, along with all of its tendents. Hagrid had just barely made it across the lake without bursting into tears, Dumbledore made his speech after first years were sorted, and the hat sang, there was no longer a twinkle in everyone's dear headmaster's eyes. Even the ghosts had nothing to celebrate, Peeves had tried to pull pranks, but that wouldn't even make him smile. The same thing was on every mind in and around that castle, who was the next to die, what would be taken over and how many more times must tears and blood be shed before it was over.

"I'm not hungry, haven't been for some time now." Said Ron as pushed the dish aside, it seemed everyone felt that way, the Great Hall was so quite you could literally hear a pin drop.

"I see that many are not in the eating mood, I daresay that is not the best way to handle your feelings, but for now there is nothing I can do about that. So might I suggest that Perfects take houses to their dormitories, while Head Boy and Girl take a moment to have a little chat with me." And with that Dumbledore waved his hand and all tables cleared of food and such, the students left as Draco made his way to the Headmaster at his chair.

"Sir, I am afraid I don't know where Hermione is." Draco started.

"No need, no need. She has gone to see Madam Pomfrey for a sedative, she hasn't gotten much sleep. I didn't want to draw attention to her not being at dinner." He had added with a bit of confusion on Draco's face.

"Well then, what was it that you want to speak to me about sir?"

"I need a favor from you Mr. Malfoy."

He raised an eyebrow at his headmaster before he spoke in a minor stuck up tone. "Draco please sir, that was how people had and do refer to my estranged father."

"Terribly sorry Draco, I do not know how this is affecting you, but maybe you could find comfort in other students as well as them in you."

"I thank you sir for the advice. But I think not, touchy feely isn't really my thing."

"Quite right I must say I hadn't really pictured you as the sensitive type." A small twinkle came to his eye just a fast as it left, whether or not Draco caught is unsure.

"Umm, sir that's n,"

"Back to business, Ms. Granger and yourself are the Heads, therefore the two of you are in charge of school activities and events. It is my beliefs as I am sure yours that the school could use a, what's the phrase, oh yes, pick – me – up. So I am hoping that you two could plan something for Halloween, feel free to put together a committee, use resources and pick the perfect thing for everyone's joy. Ms. Granger needs to get her mind off the summer, as does the rest of the school, and this is just what she can do. So this is my plan."

"Sssir, I think that this is an excellent idea." He had almost yelled, but tried his best to keep calm while the words flowed out.

"Great, now off you go to bed, good night Draco."

"Good night sir. Hey wait what's th,"

"Peppermint Shnauz."

Finally something to bring everyone together, something to lift all spirits, no pun intended to ghosts. This is just what we need, what I need, what she needs. Thoughts kept creeping through his mind, he hadn't even noticed already changing and drifting off into the deep slumber. Tomorrow he'd ask her for a congruence and they'd start, his last thought before all went peaceful, what an idea...

Next Morning

"Hermione wait!" Draco's words sprung out as he gasped for air, while pouring down the last set of stairs.

"What is it Malfoy? I am very hungry and cranky." The rush and the being worn out were very distinct in her just trembling voice.

"Ok, it can wait, just meet me after breakfast in the common room." Sounding very sorry and sympathetic, had made her decide not to question.

"Alright." She headed down more stairs.

"Oh yeah, call me Draco." He smirked as he past her, and gave what seemed to be a wink, a wink yeah right Hermione you really do need sleep she though.

"Whatever!" Was all the more than irritated voice replied.

Hermione's POV

"Hermione's over here I saved you a seat." Ginny yelled over the crowed, though it was still very quiet, but not like the night before.

"What in Merlin's name is so funny at that end of the table?" Hermione was still irritated, and hearing the first years giggle like that wasn't improving her mood much.

One of the first year's names was Mary, and she was acting as though she were the queen of the world. "I daresay everyone here is such a dull, you'd think someone just died. Hehehe."

"I can't believe her." Hermione had gritted her teeth, debating whether or not to go down there.

"She's been at it sense last night, going on about how the school was such a bore and that this was nothing like she had expected."

"Yeah Gin's right." Harry added, feeling as if he should say something and Ron just nodded, not really paying attention.

"I am glad we are at war, then this bloody dark stuff will be over with. Sure some will be killed, but then that's no big loss, they should have better prepared themselves." The snootiness in her voice was worsening; at this point Hermione had already rose from her seat and made it down to the other end of the table.

"You dumb bitch!" Hermione was breathing so loud and deep her face was turning red and her cheeks were puffing out: at this point everything had stopped and everyone was staring. "These people had no idea what they were getting into, and what about those who didn't even know, muggles, innocents, dead. Were you there? No! You didn't see them grab bottles of liquor before battle to keep if off their mind and a have a few last laughs, hoping that there'd be more to come. Then they went, to their eternal darkness; this isn't murder or casualties, it's suicide." And with that Hermione sharply turned around pushing who ever was in her way to get out, the anger was strong enough to hold back the tears.

"Whiskey suicides." Ginny whispered to herself.

Draco's POV

"Draco, are you aright?" Pansy asked while looking him dead in the eyes but knew his mind was elsewhere.

"Uhh... what? Oh yeah, umm fine, just out of it I guess."

"You haven't even eating a bite yet, you're always hungry."

"Relax Pans it's not like you're my girlfriend, God!" His voice had started to rise with anger, out of what was left for Slytherins a few turned to look.

"Geez, I was just worried szal." She now was even more concerned: over the summer she ditched the bitchiness, and became a better person. Pansy was still getting used to it, but being a nurse at Malfoy Manor all summer she had really gotten a knack for worrying about people and their health.

"I'm real sorry Pans, I am just a little preoccupied right now."

"If I didn't know better I would say you're going soft." She nudged his arm and gave a little wink. "Possibly for dumb little mud-bloods." That time she had tried to sound all macho while trying to mimic Draco's earlier years, she had leaned in close looking over at the Gryffindor table where Hermione, Ron and the infamous Harry Potter sat.

"Ha ha, very funny." He had finally looked away; unaware that Pansy was so close and went to look at her and instead came face to face with her and started laughing. "I know I am that gorgeous, but if I have told you once I have told you twice, you can't have me." He had smirked when he finished and then laughed at the face she made.

"Sorry to brake it to you, but I got over you during the summer. Besides you want girls to want what they can't have, because you are just sooo sexy." She had rolled her eyes at the last part, and Draco was nodding his head showing that he had agreed with her.

That's when they heard it, the scream of someone being called a bitch. Draco knew the voice anywhere: the two jumped up and ran over.

"These people had no idea what they were getting into, and what about those who didn't even know, muggles, innocents, dead. Were you there? No! You didn't see them grab bottles of liquor before battle to keep if off their mind and a have a few last laughs, hoping that there'd be more to come. Then they went, to their eternal darkness; this isn't murder or casualties, it's suicide."

Hermione had run by, pushing through the crowd causing a chain reaction of people falling over, one of which was Pansy.

Normal POV

"You ok Pansy?" She looked up to see not Draco but Ron Weasley; he was holding out his hand and then helped her up.

"Thanks, what was that all about?"

"Here have a seat and I'll tell you."

"I can't believe her, freaking out about a conversation that wasn't even her's." Mary had turned back around as if nothing had happened. "She really needs to move on from this dreadful period."

"Yeah really, just move on and forget, let go." Added a Black haired first year, as they went on mumbling.

So yeah, this is my first fic, what do you think? Like I said before with school starting up I am not all that sure how often I'll be updating.....