I'm not giving up on this story! The story is going to be a bit slow at first and then it'll pick up I just need to place a setting sort of with Hermione's feelings. These problems are going to brew instead of spontaneously popping up. Please let me know what you think and if I should change or improve something. Enjoy =].

Chapter Four – The Insecurities and the Competition Starts

Hermione woke up early the next morning thinking she overslept. She always had that dream whenever something important happened and the first day of school was always extremely important. Hermione had finished all her summer homework and read her textbooks so that she was prepared for the school year. You couldn't expect anything less than her because she was Hermione Granger, Miss Dependable. Her trunks were all unpacked (the letter her biological parents gave her was still in there) and all her books were sorted in order to prepare for the day. It felt like it was going to be a great day. Yesterday was the first time she didn't listen to Dumbledore's speech. She felt like it was a way of saying go to hell for keeping her in the dark all her life. Sure, she wasn't acting out, but she was projecting all the feelings she had about the adoption towards Dumbledore. Good thing he was old enough to deal with it.

She went downstairs to join Ginny for breakfast and remembered what happened yesterday with Emma. Was it all her imagination or did Emma really not like her? If she didn't like Hermione than Hermione would be mad. Emma didn't know her so how did she have the right to judge her? As long as Emma tolerated her, she wouldn't have a problem with her either. Walking down the stairs, she decided to talk to Ginny about it before Emma joined them. Maybe Ginny noticed that something was amiss too.

When Hermione met up with Ginny, the walk was quite quiet. Ginny hadn't fully woken up yet and Hermione's mind was working on overdrive already. She was trying to make up a list of what she had to do that day. Finally they sat down and when Ginny had had a bit of breakfast, Hermione decided to talk to her about Emma.

"Have you noticed that something is off about Emma?" Hermione asked Ginny cautiously.

"No what are you talking about?" Ginny asked.

Hermione sighed, "I don't know. There's just something about her that I don't trust and I don't think she likes me that much."

"I wouldn't worry about it Hermione, you were just probably overwhelmed that Malfoy was Head Boy and imagined it. I trust Emma and I think you might be a bit jealous that she's just as smart as you," Ginny explained.

Noticing that Ginny was starting to get a bit defensive, Hermione decided to end the subject, "Okay, you're right. I probably did imagine it."

Ginny nodded and as soon as they were done with that conversation, Harry, Ron and Emma came and joined them for breakfast.

"Guess who decided to join us for breakfast?" Ron laughed.

"Well I'm happy you decided to join our group," Ginny smiled.

"I appreciate you guys accepting me, it's kind of hard being the new girl," Emma admitted.

Harry chuckled, "Well, I don't think you have to worry anymore."

Ginny glanced at Hermione and Hermione added in, "Yeah, we're happy to have you."

Hermione was quiet for the rest of breakfast. No one really noticed, too busy caught up in helping Emma get used to Hogwarts and the shortcuts to certain classes. She wondered why Emma had to join their group. Couldn't she just be friends with Malfoy or something? Then she wouldn't have to worry about her. Hermione noticed Professor McGonagall walking towards their group.

"Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, Miss Dumont, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley, here are your schedules. Miss Granger there's a Head meeting tonight after dinner that you must attend. Good day," Professor McGonagall said as she walked towards another group of Gryffindors.

Looking at her schedule today she had:

Arithmancy

Potions

Lunch

Charms

Herbology

Tomorrow she had:

Ancient Runes

History of Magic

Lunch

Defence Against the Dark Arts

Transfiguration

Comparing with Ron, Harry and Emma, she realized that she had Potions and Defence with Harry and Ron, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes with Emma, Transfiguration with Ron and Emma and History of Magic and Charms with Harry. She had Herbology with Harry and Emma and she sighed at her luck. She had hoped that Emma was lying about how smart she was, but she obviously was telling the truth. Noticing that they had 5 minutes before class, Hermione went up to her dorm to get her Arithmancy book. She refused to walk with Emma, so she left before Emma could catch up to her.

Dumbledore tried to approach her on her way out, but Hermione glared at him and sped up before he could reach her. She refused to speak to him or even look at him. All the faith she used to have in Dumbledore had disappeared. She knew that she was being a little harsh, but she just hated that he tried to do everything for the greater good. After grabbing her books for the day, she left for class.

The morning passed by quickly. The classes told them what to expect this year and Potions was hard just like it usually, but overall it wasn't that bad. Professor Snape had been a lot worse some years, so she wasn't too worried. She was headed to the Great Hall when she bumped into someone.

"Watch out mudblood!" a voice snarled at her.

"Oh shut up ferret! It's not my fault you weren't paying attention to where you were going," Hermione snapped at Malfoy.

Malfoy smirked, "Touchy today, aren't we? What's wrong, afraid of getting replaced by Dumont? You know that she is a pureblood."

"No I didn't, but thanks for the information. And no I'm not afraid, Harry and Ron would never do that to me," Hermione replied defiantly.

"Sure, whatever you say. Just watch it happen, I know I'll laugh," he said as he walked away.

Feeling like kicking someone, Hermione walked into the Great Hall frustrated. She hated how right Malfoy had been about Emma, she really didn't care to be replaced. It was something she was scared of. Convincing herself that her friends would never do that, she continued on to the Gryffindor table. Harry, Ron, Emma and Ginny were all there sitting eating their lunch and noticed that Hermione looked mad.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked as he gave her a quick peck.

Hermione groaned, "Malfoy. I swear I'll end up killing him one day."

"What did he do this time?" Harry asked concerned.

"Just insulted me again, don't worry about it," Hermione said as she piled food on her plate.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked her.

"I'm sure don't worry about it," Hermione smiled.

Lunch dragged on for a little bit and finally it was time for Charms. Hermione picked up her book bag and threw it over her shoulder excited. She was quite good at charms and she loved it. Hermione knew that Ron would just groan and tell her that she was good at everything, but she loved Charms. It really reminded her that she was a witch even though she was muggleborn. Like a flash, she remembered that she wasn't muggleborn, but she refused to let that information get to her. This was the first day of school, it was what she thrived for! With a last quick kiss to Ron, she finally left.

Hermione was once again 5 minutes early and no one was there yet. She set out all her stuff perfectly and reflected on her day so far. She found out that Emma Dumont was actually as smart as she claimed to be which made Hermione upset. Wait until Snape found out, she groaned just thinking about it. Another thought came and she thought back to the conversation she had with Malfoy. Yes, Emma was a pureblood, but Hermione could be one too. What would she say to him if he called her mudblood? Tell him that she definitely wasn't one or ignore him? He might tell the whole school though, so it would be better just to ignore it no matter how angry he would get her. She didn't want people like Emma knowing about her situation.

"Hey 'Mione, what are you thinking about?" Harry asked her while he slid in the chair beside her.

Hermione looked at him, "Can you do me a favour?"

"Yeah sure, what do you need?" he asked.

"Could you keep the whole adoption thing to yourself? I don't really want anyone knowing about it. Especially someone like Emma," she pleaded with her eyes.

Harry looked confused, "Okay, why?"

"I just don't want anyone finding out okay Harry? It's just something I don't want getting out. Even when Malfoy will call me a mudblood. Just lie down and take it okay? Don't correct him," she told him.

Professor Flitwick entered the classroom and Harry just nodded confused. Hermione sighed. She thought that someone like Harry would understand. Everyone either loved him or hated him so wouldn't he understand about keeping those things to himself. He's been good at keeping the Horcrux secret so this shouldn't be too much of a problem. Hopefully Ron would watch out since he did have a bigger mouth than most. She was sure that was why he went out with Lavender last year. Hopefully, the flock of canaries would remind him? She doubted it but then decided to listen Professor Flitwick.

The class let out and Hermione quickly packed her things for the next class. She had Herbology and it would take awhile to walk outdoors. Walking down the hall, she saw Malfoy grinning at her. Knowing it was bad news, she looked at what he was pointing at. Glancing over, she saw Ron and Emma talking. Actually, they were laughing, but Hermione pushed down the twinge of jealousy she felt. He was just helping her around. Malfoy smirked and walked to his next class while making some gestures insinuating Ron and Emma hooking up. Rolling her eyes at him and to also not let it show how close to the mark he was, she walked over to Ron.

"Hey," she said as she pecked Ron on the cheek.

Ron looked at her confused, "Oh hey, what are you doing here?"

"I'm on my way to Herbology," Hermione said as if it were obvious.

"Oh, well I was going to walk Emma there, but why don't you show her? I'm going to be late," Ron said before he kissed her and ran off.

Confused and hating her bad luck, she signalled Emma to follow her. Emma rolled her eyes and walked beside her. The tension between the girls was thick and anyone passing by could feel it. The only time she had felt tension this thick was with Malfoy and yet that was a little different than this. She felt like Emma was glaring at her, but whenever she turned to look at her, she was just staring ahead indifferently. Merlin, she would get along great with Malfoy.

"What's your problem with me?" Hermione couldn't help but blurt out.

Emma looked at her, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Look, I haven't done anything to you. I don't know why you don't like me. I think you should give me a chance before you judge me," she told Emma.

"I just think that you're too stuck up for my tastes. And ugly," Emma replied before she sat down beside Harry, in her spot.

The class was about to start so Hermione went to sit beside a tall Ravenclaw guy. Hermione was mad. What gave Emma the right to not like her because she was ugly? She didn't mean to come off as stuck up and never thought she gave off that impression. Did she really act stuck up? If Hermione had been looking at Emma, she would have seen the triumphant smirk that Emma was wearing when she noticed Hermione's insecurity. It wasn't fair, because she knew that Emma was pretty so she couldn't even say that she was ugly. It seemed like Emma was all the guys were talking about and it frustrated her. It seemed like she was slowly taking over their world and Hermione was disgusted. Emma reminded her of a girl in her neighbourhood and the girl was sneaky and manipulative. Why wasn't Emma in Slytherin?

The class soon finished and Hermione looked over to see Harry laughing at something Emma said. They (Ron and Harry) never laughed at anything she said and it caused her bad mood to get worse. Mad, she walked right past Harry and on her way to the Gryffindor Common Room. Once she arrived in her dorms, she told herself to take a deep breath. Harry and Ron would never replace her and Hermione was being stupid letting someone like Emma influence her. So what if she was the only person to see how manipulative she was, everyone would discover it sooner or later. Hermione put her book bag away and decided to go down for dinner. She had to eat quickly because Professor McGonagall was expecting her and Malfoy after dinner for the meeting and she didn't want to be late. It would definitely make her lose points with the Professor. Walking towards the Great Hall, she couldn't believe her eyes. Emma was talking with Blaise Zabini, Malfoy and Parkinson! Looking closely, she noticed that Zabini and Malfoy were laughing! Parkinson looked bored out of her mind though, but when didn't she? What was Emma telling everyone that was so funny and why was Malfoy of all people associating with her? Frustrated, she walked to the Gryffindor table without acknowledging Ron and just started eating.

"Umm... Hermione? Is everything alright?" Ron asked her carefully in case she exploded at him.

Hermione swallowed, "I have a meeting after dinner and I don't want to be late."

"I'd slow down a bit, you're kind of eating like Ron," Ginny laughed.

"I never thought that anyone would compare me to Ron, but I should be more polite," Hermione rolled her eyes.

Harry was talking about something quidditch to Ron when the devil in disguise, Emma, sat beside Harry and across Ron. Hermione observed her and she was just sitting innocently there when she knew first hand that if Harry and Ron knew that Emma was talking with Malfoy, they would get pissed off. She almost had the thought of telling them, but she wouldn't stoop that low. Hermione assumed that Malfoy would let Harry and Ron know eventually and it wasn't her place. Sighing at the situation, she decided to head to the Heads Common Room for the meeting that should take place any minute.

"Alright, I have to go see you later guys," she said as she quickly disappeared out of the Great Hall.

Hermione walked down unfamiliar hallways and noticed that the common room was far away from the Gryffindor Tower. You would think you'd place it in the middle of the four houses, but apparently it was closer to the Slytherins which confused her, but she didn't dwell on it. Finally she arrived to a portrait of a beautiful girl and boy. They looked like they were a few years older than them and they seemed like they were going out.

"Hi, I'm Annabelle and this is Edward. You must be Hermione?" the girl in the portrait asked.

"Yes I am, nice to meet you. Do you know what the password is?" Hermione asked.

"We're only allowed to tell you this once, it's la liberté and it's up to you and the Head Boy to change it but with both of your permission," Edward informed her.

"Thank you, may you let me in?" she politely asked.

"Sure, sorry about that," Annabelle laughed as she swung the portrait open.

Hermione tried not to seem that impressed with the common room, but it was gorgeous. All four house colours were incorporated in the decor and there were two nice dark brown desks annoying facing each other (she didn't care to look at Malfoy as she worked), a huge bookcase so they wouldn't always have to go to the library, a couch and a fireplace. Hermione could picture herself working here all the time on her assignments, it was perfect for her. Malfoy entered and looked indifferent so you couldn't really tell what he thought of the place. It was a shame, she wanted to see what he thought of their common room. Finally Professor McGonagall entered the common room briskly.

"Congratulations on your position Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy. There are a couple of rules as you should know to being a Head Boy or Girl. You can't abuse your position to take away points from the other houses. If we catch you, you'll no longer be able to take away or add points. You must alert me every time you change the password on the portrait in case of an emergency. I don't want any parties thrown in here, you will lose your position if you do so. I'm afraid I'm running late for a meeting, have a good year Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy," Professor McGonagall swept out of the room in a hurry.

Hermione felt a little annoyed as Professor McGonagall left them. The meeting was incredibly short and she had expected it to be a lot longer. She had no idea what to do now so she sat on the couch and closed her eyes warily. NEWTs were going to be the death of her and they hadn't already started. She wasn't sure if her colour coded schedule would save her from the workload this year. It was a huge amount and she had heard how overwhelming it was. Worse than OWLs and that was going to be very difficult to accomplish.

"Shame you don't have anyone to hang out with right now. I'm sure all your 'friends' just feel sorry for you. After all who would befriend you?" he spat out.

She opened her eyes immediately, "Wow, we're really talking about me? What about you? You walk around here like you own the place with your stuck up attitude and your prejudices and expect everyone to fall to your feet. Get it through your head, no one likes you."

"Trust me, people like me it's only your friends that don't. I feel bad for you Granger. You spend your life trying to be so perfect, but now you can only fall. One day you're going to break and fall and no one's going to be there for you. No one's going to care and that's all your fault. I have plenty of friends Granger and I know they'll be there for me. Can you say the same for your friends?" Malfoy asked her seriously.

Hermione looked at him speechless. She hated how he had been able to read her all day. She wondered if Harry and Ron would stick with her. They had so far in her life, there wasn't any reason to doubt them now. Looking at Malfoy, she walked up to the door and turned to him.

"Yes Malfoy, I know that they'll be there for me when I need them. They're my best friends and have been for the past 7 years. Now answer me this, why do I need to explain myself to you?" she spat at him and walked away.

She stormed to the Gryffindor tower. Malfoy always knew exactly what buttons to push and this year he seemed to like expressing his opinions on her life. Before the rivalry had been between Harry and Malfoy, they absolutely loathed each other. They were on opposite sides and they were rivals at everything. Malfoy would constantly tear at Harry and Harry would always try to find ways to get Malfoy in trouble. Last year though, she became his target and rival instead while Harry took a back seat. Soon her and Malfoy were competing for the top of the classes, Head duties, status and even power. They were complete opposites set to hate each other and try to take the other one's spot. Harry didn't even mind the lack of attention, but did defend her from Malfoy often.

This was going to be a long year stuck with Malfoy. Thankfully it was the last year she would ever have to see his face. Muttering the password to the Fat Lady, she entered the common room and went to join her friends plus Emma. They were all seated around the fire talking about things and they looked like they were all meant to be friends. It actually looked like she didn't belong. Pushing that feeling away, she sat on Ron's lap and leaned into him. They all continued to talk about quidditch while her mind drifted. It was hard to keep pushing down the feeling of being excluded, but she did it once more. This was going to be a long year at the rate everything was going.

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