A/N: I'm not really sure if you noticed, but after looking it over, for some reason, I changed up the storyline a bit. Like I said, I wrote this awhile ago and barely remember it. I actually made some major changes now that I think about it.
Oh well, It's just a fanfic.
Chapter 9:
Hermione placed her clothes and books into her luggage. She usually brought two luggages, one for clothes and the other for books, but did not feel that it was necessary. She grabbed a small toy from her desk and threw it into the cat carrier. Crookshanks pounced inside of the box, and Hermione closed the latch.
Summer had felt like it ended ages ago and she had received many letters from her friends, asking about her whereabouts. She replied to very few of them, telling them she was busy and could not meet them. She even got a few wordy letters from Ginny, asking millions of questions about her 'mystery man', but Hermione never really answered those.
Now it was time to go back and be the Head Girl she always wanted to be, but even that didn't make her feel better. Not a minute has gone by where she hasn't thought about him. Sometimes she would go back to their special place, hoping that he might come back; but not once has he shown. Gazing at the stars was not the same without his arm around her waist. Nothing was the same.
She apparated herself to the Burrow, preparing herself to be bombarded with questions. As she entered the quaint-looking home, it immediately went from calm to chaotic.
"Mum, have you seen my jumper?!"
"It was on the cat!"
"Dad, where are my robes?!"
"Next to the fireplace!"
"Mum, where's breakfast?!"
"Ahem." Hermione said, and the room filled with silence.
"Hermione!" they all yelled.
Molly gave her a big hug and Fred and George gave her a good pat on the back. As they all greeted each other, Harry came down the stairs.
"Hermione! Welcome back! Where have you been?" he said excitedly.
Just then Ginny came up beside him and Harry put his arm around her waist, she squealed,
"Oh Hermione! Where have you been? It's so good to see you!"
"Oh you know, just staying at home and spending time with my parents."
"Ahh," the redhead said, giving Hermione a wink. I'll have to tell her some other time, she thought, wincing at the memory of him.
Then another familiar face came running down the stairs, nearly tripping on the cat, and with a bright smile he said,
"Hey Hermione!" he walked towards her and pulled her in for a big bear hug.
"We haven't heard from you in ages! What were you living under a rock?" he said jokingly.
Before she could answer, Molly stepped in, "Oh, you'll have all the time in the world to talk about that. Now, how about a spot of breakfast?"
They gathered around the table, pulling in chairs and sat down. As they ate, questions were being raised on her whereabouts and she continued to answer them with the same diligent response. She put on her best smile and tried to hide the pain she's been keeping inside her.
After the meal, it was time to leave for King's Cross Station. After a teary farewell from the Weasley's, they set foot on the train and headed off to Hogwarts.
They sat themselves in the compartment, Ginny cuddling close to Harry, and Hermione and Ron sitting awkwardly across from them. As usual, the boys got into another heated discussion of quidditch, Hermione and Ginny simply listening.
"Wait, did the trolley already pass?" Ron exclaimed.
"I don't know, but I'm starving." Harry replied. They ran out of the compartment and chased down the trolley lady.
"Ha, boys." Ginny said with a smile.
"So tell me," she continued, "What's going on with you and mystery man? You haven't answered any of my letters."
"I know, Ginny, I'm sorry. It's just...well I...well things never really...worked out."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't know."
"It's all right, I suppose. Maybe it was for the best..." Just then, Harry and Ron raced back into the compartment, arms filled with treats. Harry handed Ginny her favorite, Cauldron cakes, and Ron gave Hermione some chocolate frogs.
"Aww, why thank you." Ginny said, giving Harry a kiss on the cheek. Ron made a gagging noise and Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
They arrived at the school and sat at the Gryffindor table. They waited patiently through another sorting before stuffing their faces once again. Hermione gazed around the room, looking for any sign of that blonde haired boy, but found nothing.
After dinner, McGonagall spoke to Hermione and the Head boy, Zacharias Smith, in her office about their jobs as heads. It was strange to Hermione how Draco wasn't picked as Head Boy; despite his insufferable personality, he did tell her that he was second in their class. She secretly hoped he would be there and they could make amends, but he never showed.
Soon after Smith left, Hermione couldn't help but ask her professor,
"Umm, Professor, I don't suppose you could tell me but...I believe Draco Malfoy was second in our class. And I was wondering...why he wasn't made Head Boy."
McGonagall looked shocked at her sudden interest, and Hermione quickly added,
"It's just that...he should be getting this position because he deserves it. Not that there is anything wrong with Zacharias, but..."
Not seeing where she was going with this, she added again,
"You know what, forget I asked. It does seem a bit irrelevant, I suppose. Oh well, curiosity killed the cat, haha."
McGonagall looked appalled at this statement, and Hermione mentally hit herself for forgetting McGonagall's animagus.
"Oh, dear! I'm incredibly sorry, it completely slipped my mind. I'll just be going then," she said turning to leave and bumping into a table and knocking over a few licorice snaps.
"Oops, sorry...again,"
As she opened the door, McGonagall said,
"If you are so curious about Mr. Malfoy's whereabouts, I might as well tell you. His parents decided it was best to remove him from his studies. For what reason, I'm not sure. I hoped that helped." she said, giving Hermione a look she couldn't quite decipher.
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione mumbled before closing the door and hitting herself on the forehead.