Chapter 2

"Draco, I love you" The bushy haired girl whispered into my ear, "I'll never let you go…" My heart leaped as her lips move closer towards mine…I leaned in, her lips inch closer and closer…

I woke up with a jolt. Something moved beside me, I caught a glimpse of our house elf whose name I often forget. It begins with a D, it's…something… But that's not important. Father just bought me some broomsticks today, seven of them to be precise. He's determined that he's going to get me into the Slytherine Quidditch team. I was initially against it: I'm just as a good flyer as Potter is, there's no reason why I can't get onto the team this year. But Father wasn't taking any chances.

I also spotted that Potter has a little girlfriend today, another redhead – looks like Weasley have more debt upon them. It's so fortunate to be an old family, without a worry for money. Most importantly, I finally got to see Hermione again! After the whole summer, I have to admit that she hasn't changed at all, still the adorable girl she was. I was going to send her some gifts for her birthday, anonymously obviously. For some reason, our house elf is often not locatable physically. I've never been able to get used to the loud crack when he Apparates into my room when I call him, so I always go look for him in his little home (or a hole or whatever) in the kitchen. He's usually there when I look for him, but I couldn't find him this summer. Need to inform Father of this problem. Not that he cares; he's always busy nowadays, having some sort of secret meeting in the Drawing Room. I did hear him say something about "going to put Weasley's name to shame" to someone, but I never enquired further.

I didn't see Potter and Weasley on the train today, but I may have spotted the elf. I didn't see it properly; Mother was nagging me as usual. I wish she would stop treating me as a child; I am perfectly capable to taking care of myself. Hermione was sitting with the Longbottom boy and other Gryffindor, but no redhead (I mean the boy, Potter's little girlfriend was with them) spotted, or Potter. Maybe Dumbledore finally came to his senses and expelled them as he should've done countless times? Hermione was looking rather worried, not sad I noted. Perhaps they were just a little late? I went into my carriage with Crabbe and Goyle.

Hermione was still looking worried in the Great Hall. I didn't see Potter or Weasley anywhere during the Sorting Ceremony. I looked up at the table, noticed that Professor Snape wasn't there either. It was all very confusing.

I found out the next day what happened. Apparently being Harry Potter wasn't enough for him, he had to FLY into Hogwarts. FLY. He's definitely getting into trouble now, I smiled smugly to myself. Things got more amusing when a Howler (a bright red one at that) was sent to Weasley. Look like the Weasleys didn't need any shame to be put against their name, their son has already done it.

I swear that I didn't mean it. I swear. The word just slipped out. She looked hurt. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me. I looked into her eyes and hope that she understood what I'm saying with my eyes. "I'm sorry" came out in a bare whisper that no-one can hear. She looked at me, nodded as if she heard what I said, then walked away to look after Weasley. I wish I was Weasley, getting all her attention. I don't care that he's spewing slugs everywhere. He really needs to fix his wand.

That night, when I found a note under my pillow: "I know you didn't mean it. I understand. I had to pretend I didn't know what it meant, but Ron had to explain it all over again. Like I didn't know what THAT word is. " I could recognise that writing from a mile away, it's her writing.

The happy mood that I had didn't last for long. Filch's cat was discovered by Potter (surprise, surprise) petrified on Halloween. After some attempted show-off from Lockhart, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, we began to disperse. Not before I offended Hermione further. I did not know what had happened to me at that point. She refused to meet my eye, and turned her back on me as she went with Potter and Weasley back to their common room.

I know what I had to do for her to forgive me. I sent her a message to meet me in the Owlery so that we could have sometime for ourselves. It had taken her what felt like hours to come. I looked intently as the bushy head appeared in the doorway, and instantly apologised.

"I'm sorry!" I said the instantly she appeared. She didn't look happy at all, not angry either. She looked worried. Her brown eyes stained with sorrow. She opened her mouth, was about to speak something when a girl rushed in:

"Ju-ju-…" she panted, "and Nick…."

Hermione and I looked at each other, and followed the girl without another word being exchanged.

So Sir Nick and a Hufflepuff have been petrified. I think it's more terrifying because a ghost was petrified. How can a ghost be affected by whatever it is?

Another note from Hermione, this time in my Cauldron, as I was on my way back to Slytherine:

"Looks like we're going to meet up soon, me in disguise of course. See if you can spot me and the guys"

What did she mean? I puzzled over the notes for a while, and then tucked it in my robe to have a look later.

Christmas is less than enjoyable this year, perhaps due to the whole "Heir of Slytherine" business. As much as I want to be the "Heir", I'm not. As I looked at Hermione across the table, I wanted to be the "Heir", just to know that she is safe from all this.

She wasn't here, but Potter and Weasley was. I knew it was them instantly. Why would Crabbe and Goyle suddenly enquire about the HoS business otherwise? Wonder why she has bailed on me?

She was petrified with a Ravenclaw.

Father has been sacked from his Governor's duties. He didn't tell me why. The whole "Heir" business was never revealed to the rest of us, but I'm glad that Hermione is safe. I smiled to myself in the train Compartment, as Crabbe and Goyle gabbled on about something. I thought to the note I found in my books.

All it said was: "Love". And I know that my love was returned.