'Mione, come on! Were gunna be late.' Harry boomed up the stairs.
Upstairs Hermione was staring at the letter in her hands. For the smartest witch of their age she didn't have the foggiest idea who it was from. For half an hour she'd sat and racked her brain, trying to figure it out, but still nothing.
People who'd seen her reading Romeo and Juliet? Seeing as that was her favourite book and she had it out more or less every week that had been no help.
Who'd been in the library recently? But quickly realising that was useless as most of the school population went there to study.
People that had hurt her in her life? That list was pretty big… she'd thought to herself gloomily, so moved onto her next idea.
People who belonged to a Pureblood family… that list was also huge.
People who supported Voldermort and wanted their children to follow? She had no fricking idea on that one.
People who think of Muggle's as equals to Purebloods but act like there not? At least I can rule out Malfoy the stuck up arrogant prat… She'd nearly died from laughter at this thought, before realising she had already dissected the letter and still was none the wiser. Grumbling, she picked up her wand, aimed it at her trunk and muttered a quick 'Reducio' before placing it in her pocket.
'Okay okay' she shouted to Harry as she descended the stairs.
Her friends were once again scattered around the lounge, all patiently waiting for her. As she walked towards them they all stood and grinned at her.
'Ready for another year Mione?' Ron winked at her. Hermione smiled shyly and nodded.
'I'd be even more ready if I didn't have to think about what's going to go wrong this time round' she whispered, 'What rules do you think we're going to be breaking this time round Harry?' She mischievously asked wiggling her eyebrows at the dark haired boy.
'Who would have thought, Hermione Granger wasn't going to complain about rule breaking! Are you ill?' he mocked, Ginny giggled by his side.
'Being your friend means she's got to get used to it, right Mione?' Ginny playfully added, as Hermione laughed and nodded her head.
'Ginny's right Harry. Ever since I've known you, you've been corrupting my brain with all these wrong doings,' she tsk'ed and shuck her head, 'Anyway, come on or we're going to be late!' she mockingly grinned.
Arriving at platform nine and three quarters, Mr and Mrs Weasley said there far-wells, begging everyone to try and be careful.
'I want letters, Ron, Ginny. Don't forget,' she instructed, before embracing her two children, 'Oh and Harry, Hermione?' they both nodded to show they were listening, 'we expect to be seeing you in the next holidays darlings,' she once again instructed before giving them all hugs. 'Right, Ginny, Hermione you first. Then Ron and Harry' she began as she nudged them towards the barrier.
Within seconds Hermione and Ginny we're out of site, quickly followed by Harry and Ron.
As usual the platform for the Hogwarts Express was bursting with people, all rushing around, bidding their goodbyes to their parents before running of to find a seat with their friends on the train. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione walked onto the train, as they'd all casted a 'Reducio' spell over their trunks and put them in their pockets before leaving, and found an empty carriage.
As soon as they were seated, Harry and Ron began an animated discussion on Quidditch, leaving Hermione and Ginny to discuss the letter.
'So, any idea who it is?' Ginny whispered to her best friend.
Hermione shuck her head, 'I dissected the whole thing Gin', yet I still have no idea who it's from. I ruled out one person though. Malfoy' the two snickered at this.
'True, I mean seriously, the idea of him pretending so that his parents don't disown him makes me want to wet myself. Really though, the disgusted looks and insults he comes out with would be impossible to fake. The boys just fucked in the head if you ask me' she simply stated.
'Oh God Gin, don't get me started on what's wrong with him. He's just twisted' Hermione exclaimed, as the train jerked into action. 'So Gin, any plans for this year?' Hermione asked.
Ginny sighed, and shrugged. 'I wanted to try out for the Quidditch team, but mum doesn't like the idea. Says it's too rough for a girl. She honestly thinks I'm still five!' her friend murmured, looking down into her lap.
'Since when do you do what mum says anyway? Just do it Gin, I won't tell if you don't' Ron added.
'RON! You shouldn't be listening to our conversation…' Ginny frowned, before thinking over what he'd just said, 'You promise you won't tell her?' She enquired.
Ron simply nodded before indulging himself in another deep conversation with Harry.
'I agree with Ron, just do it. It would be sad to see you waste such a talent Gin' Hermione added. She'd seen Ginny play, she was brilliant. Even better than most of the male players who had been flying since they could walk.
'You always say the right thing Mione,' Ginny blushed, throwing her arms around her best friend. Hermione hugged her back until Ginny was ready to move away. Looking down at the time Hermione realised that she had, in fact, been chosen to be a prefect this year, and was late for the meeting.
'Oh no! I'm late, I have a prefect meeting, I'll be back soon Gin' Hermione stammered as she got up and left the carriage. Ginny turned to the two boys still deep in conversation.
'Erm, Harry, Ron… Did Hermione tell you she was made a prefect or is it just me that she neglected to tell?' questioned Ginny. Both boys exchanged confused looks before speaking in unison,
'Miones a prefect?'
Rushing out of the toilet after putting her uniform on, Hermione was looking down as she mentally cursed herself. How could I just forget something like that? And how on earth did I forget to tell Harry, Ron and Ginny? What an idiot. Smartest witch our age my ass.
So involved in her thoughts, she didn't notice the person stood in front of her looking down at a piece of parchment in his hands. In the blink of an eye she'd walked heavily into him, knocking them both over and falling straight on top of him. In the process, Hermione had managed to hit her head of the wall, letting out a load groan as the pain throbbed through her skull. Her hands rubbed over the lump which continued to increase in size on her head as she rolled onto her back next to the person she had momentarily been lay on.
Tears prickled in her eyes as the pain continued to increase; she unconsciously let out small sobs as a pair of hands gripped her waist and gently pulled her up.
'Should watch were you're going next time Granger, even I wouldn't be able to pull of a lump that big.' Laughed a very familiar voice.
'Thanks for your concern Malfoy' she spat back, still not looking up. Letting Malfoy see her cry was like volunteering to be his bully victim for the rest of the year, not like he'd need a reason to do that anyway…
'Erm… sorry. Here' he stammered, handing her a handkerchief before walking away. Hermione stood still, utter shock present on all of her features. Had Draco Malfoy, King of Slytherin, just apologised to her, the most well-known Muggle of Hogwarts? Must have a mild case of concussion, because I'm definitely imagining things she thought to herself.
Using the handkerchief, she patted her eyes dry and blew her nose before placing it into the inside pocket of her robe. She was definitely keeping this, it was black with green trimmings, and made of a very soft silk, Malfoy could piss of if he thought that he was going to take it back from her she maliciously thought.
Walking into the prefect's carriage with her hand clutched to the painful throb on her skull, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to gain her attention.
'Professor, I'm so sorry I'm late, I hit my head and I feel very ill…' she began before she was interrupted.
'Yes Miss Granger I know this. Mr Malfoy told me, I was just about to ask if you would like to go to the carriage on the far right side as Madam Pomfrey should be in there. Then report straight back here please' instructed the Professor, Hermione nodded then gasped in pain, falling back into a vacant seat, the sudden motion throwing her of balance.
'I think it would be best if we had someone escort you, don't you Miss Granger?' she asked.
'Please Professor' Hermione weakly said.
'Luna, would you do me the pleasure of escorting Hermione please?' Luna nodded and a large smile spread across her beautiful features.
'Of course Professor', Luna spoke dreamily. Setting down The Quibbler in her seat, she got up and gracefully walked towards Hermione and held out her arm. Hermione took it to help steady herself as she stood, and walked out by the side of her Ravenclaw friend.
'Hey, Luna? How did you become a prefect, I mean your fifth year right?' Hermione questioned the blonde haired girl.
'Ahh yes Mione. Well yah see, Professor McGonagall asked me to help out. She said it would give me something to do… I don't know what gave her the idea that I had the spare time' Luna hummed.
Or maybe to preoccupy her from the fact that everyone choses to bully her… she's so clueless Hermione thought sadly to herself. Luna was an amazing girl, but many people found her a bit strange, this being the reason she was called 'Looney Lovegood' rather than Luna.
'If he didn't chose to act so horribly he'd be a lovely boy I think. I particularly like his hair' Luna cooed in her sweet Irish accent, unaware that Hermione had no idea what she was talking about.
'Erm, who are you talking about Luna?' Hermione replied.
'Malfoy' she simply said. 'We're here Hermione; I hope you feel better soon. See you in a few minutes' Luna reassured before turning and walking away leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
After Madam Pomfrey had performed a simple spell, instantly ridding her of her banging headache, Hermione had slowly walked back to the prefect's compartment. Luna was right; Malfoy did have nice hair… Oh shut up Hermione. She mentally screamed at herself, he may have nice hair but that doesn't change anything, he still thinks your bloods 'dirty'. Loudly and quite aggressively, she thrust open the carriage door, making sure to slam it behind her and walked over to the first empty seat she saw. Most of the students had gone back to their compartments so only a few were left. She looked to her left at the sound of voices to see who she could recognise. Ernie MacMillan sat talking to Hannah Abbott and Terry Boot. Regaining her composure, she looked fully up to where Professor McGonagall had previously been sitting. Now in her place sat none other than Draco Malfoy, who she noted, was smiling in her direction.
Greatttttt, the ferret wants to bother me even after giving me concussion. What. A. Tool.
'Would you like a picture Malfoy' she bitterly spoke after being unable to watch him smile at her like that. She had never seen him smile so genuinely before, and quite frankly it scared her. Dimples sat just above the ends of his lips, and his grey eyes glowed. He should smile more; it suits him she thought to herself. And God was Luna right, his hair looked great today. Once again she mentally cursed herself for thinking such profanities. Obviously Madam Pomfrey hadn't healed the concussion, just took away the pain.
'Yeh sure, that will keep me busy later' he winked at her. Hermione's mouth opened in disgust, 'That would also be a nice picture to look at Granger' he laughed. Even though he was being disgustingly pervish, his trademark smirk and bitter tone weren't present.
'You disgusting pig!' She snapped, before jumping up and marching of in a huff.
He really will never change she decided mentally as she reached Harry Ron and Ginny's carriage. What a pity.