A/N: So sorry for the late update. College started. :( Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 4

Draco scowled as he stepped out of the train onto the Hogsmeade Platform. Just what he needed, a pouring rain to match his already thunderous disposition. He performed a quick water repelling charm over himself though he knew it would be ineffective against the clamminess he'd surely feel afterward. He glanced behind him to see if Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle followed.

"Where's Crabbe?" He asked.

"Down by the lake with Zabini. They're plannin' to drown them first years."

He shook his head in disgust at the futile idea as it was already raining.

They walked up to the well-worn road where dozens of horseless carriages stood waiting. Almost immediately he spotted Granger's bushy beaver head among the crowd of students hastily boarding. She stood waiting by a separate carriage that stood a few feet away from the main fleet and even through the thick rainfall he could see that she was staring directly at him. As they walked past her he made sure to give her a wide berth and a look of pure revulsion. Pansy, of course, chose to do the opposite and bumped into her shoulder as hard as she could.

"Watch it, Mudblood."

He subtly angled his head to see her reaction but only caught a brief glimpse of her hair disappearing into the carriage.

So, she must have been waiting for him even after their little dispute in the train. Gryffindors were odd like that. He'd sooner swallow a fistful of flobberworms than travel in the Heads' carriage alone with her. Merlin knew what he'd catch.

In his six years of knowing her he had sorely underestimated Hermione Granger. No matter what trick she managed to pull out of her sleeve every year to help her best friend Harry Potter, he realized that he frequently overlooked them as flukes. She was a know-it-all, a teachers' pet and a nuisance who simply believed that by learning spells she could overcome the vast chasm of knowledge, customs, and beliefs that separated her from the magical community. She could always find her own filthy, underprivileged niche but she could never gain the footing she hoped to achieve.

Then there was the matter of her appearance. She was a strange one, alright. Most girls in her place would make an effort. He was aware that pretty lowborn witches of muggle ancestry were in demand by a certain faction of pureblood society. These men were either ugly or old and filthy rich. They sought an unequal relationship, a meek companion less likely to demand anything but the privilege of carrying their name and produce healthy heirs. This arrangement came without the complications of dealing with a pureblood wife who exacted a claim in the property, business and society and carried the additional risk of birthing a Squib.

Granger could only become a clerk or a librarian at best…which would undoubtedly suit her just fine. Her association with Potter could land her a decent job in the Ministry at some time but then, Potter was soon to be dead.

One uncomfortable carriage ride later, they entered the Great Hall. Younger students stood wet and freezing while the older ones hurried forward to occupy the best seats at the House tables. The Great Hall looked majestic, and in Draco's private opinion, homely. The roaring fireplaces emanated the kind of soothing warmth he could never find at the Manor. Perhaps it had something to do with those countless airborne candles. The enchanted ceiling revealed fading grey clouds and just a hint of the pale moon. The scene was all the more pleasing to his eyes as he took in the conspicuous absence of Albus Dumbledore from the Staff's high table.

He didn't hate Dumbledore for the same reasons as his father did. In fact, he wasn't sure he hated him at all. What he felt was the vexing displeasure of being under his blue-eyed scrutiny. He hated feeling transparent and he couldn't stand the thought of somebody examining him in the same way he examined others. Every brief encounter with the eccentric headmaster left him feeling hollow and inexplicably childish.

"Look at all those first years." Goyle snickered by his side.

Crabbe and Zabini had apparently succeeded with their start of the year prank. He took in the wet, pitiful figures and their pale faces. Yet unaccustomed to wielding their own magic, they stood shivering and huddled into a tight group. He wondered whether he was expected to do something about them as one of them glanced towards his badge, but Minerva McGonagall interrupted his thoughts by marching in and performing a swift, powerful "Exaresco."

They brightened instantly.

The Sorting progressed with a slow pace as usual and Draco occupied himself by watching the other houses. Gryffindors were the most raucous group, all too pleased to be back at the castle and their spirits remained high in spite of the presence of the new Slytherin headmaster who seemed to be watching the Sorting with a calculated stillness. Ronald Weasley had regained his ghastly hair colouring and was staring moodily into his water goblet, clearly waiting for the feast to arrive. Potter was glaring daggers at Severus Snape, his gaze so intense he was sure to burst a vessel. Granger chatted animatedly with the ghost Nearly Headless Nick who appeared to be congratulating her on her new status.

He was so absorbed in watching them that he completely missed when Pansy slipped in close beside him and linked an arm through his.

"I hear you'll be receiving a private room this year," she lilted, undisguised mischief in her eyes.

"If I'm lucky." He responded in kind.

"I do wish they could've made someone else Head Girl. Granger's smart but she's so filthy and annoying." She made a face which reaffirmed why she was described as pug-faced by others. "Make sure you never listen to her, Draco. She sure bosses those two around all over the castle. But you should simply ignore her."

He ruminated over her two Knuts' worth for a moment, while she fingered his silver badge.

He watched as Severus Snape stood up to address the students of Hogwarts for the first time. The Hall fell silent without the help of a Silencing charm.

"Welcome for another new year at Hogwarts. I, Severus Snape, will be your new Headmaster."

This was received by a deafening silence. Before it could turn into hushed whispers and murmurs, he continued.

"Albus Dumbledore has been unavoidably detained from attending this session and will remain indefinitely absent from the school proceedings. Anyone with a particular wish to communicate with the previous headmaster shall do it through myself. In my office." He glanced pointedly at Potter. "I advise the prefects and House teachers to aid the first years into getting finely acquainted with the castle and its rules, and I strictly recommend the new students to read the book Hogwarts, A History lest you remain ignorant of its customs. Many older students will benefit from this direction too, I might add."

"Several qualified guards have been appointed at the castle boundaries and Hogwarts stands ideally protected. You are perfectly safe here. And it shall do well for you to believe so and not pay attention to idle falsehoods."

"I have decided to make a few minor changes in the rules. From this night on, any misbehaviour reported directly to me by the caretaker Mr. Argus Filch will be dealt with and the student shall be severely punished. His word carries significant weightage and my decisions will be firm and irrevocable. So I advise you all to take these words seriously." He glanced at the Weasel who was failing miserably at containing a yawn.

"In addition, I will continue to teach Defence Against Dark Arts and the rest of the teachers will remain similarly unchanged. You may now-" He cleared his throat as if it took a great effort for him to utter the next few words "the welcoming feast may now commence."

Even Draco had to snort as he started to fill his plate with roasted chicken and creamed spinach that appeared straight within his line of sight.

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