CHAPTER THREE- Third year
Hermione sat by herself on the Hogwarts Express rereading a book Professor Snape had given her to study over the summer. She had already read it a few times and when the trolley came by she got a copy of the Daily Prophet.
HOGWARTS TO STAY OPEN DESPITE DEATH OF YOUNG GIRL
The title on the front page read. Hermione did not know the first year who died but was still sad at the loss. From the rumors around school, the girl had gotten a hold of a cursed diary and had been attacked by a basislk before Harry Potter and the girl's brother came to save her.
While the diary and monster were both destroyed, everyone still thought for sure that they would close Hogwarts. No one was happier than Draco Malfoy because if Hogwarts had indeed closed he would have gone to Drumstrag Academy.
When she talked to Professor Snape about what would happen if the school closed he said he would write a recommendation letter to any school Hermione would have been interested in going to and have Dumbledore sign it and if that didn't work he offered to tutor her privately.
She was still reading the article about Ginny Weasley when she heard laughing outside of her car. "Looks like we found where the smell was coming from, it's just the Mudblood," Draco said to all of his cohorts.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" She said not taking her eyes off the paper. "I'm just surprised you showed your ugly face back here after that girl died and with Sirius Black on the loose. We had a bet going to see how long you'd last," he informed her.
"Well isn't that just lovely-" Hermione started to say before the train came to a screeching halt. "We're not there already, are we?" Goyle asked confused. "What is that outside, Draco?" Pansy Parkinson asked afraid, pointing to the window.
The windows began to freeze and black figured were slowly swaying by the window. Suddenly the once loud train and busy train became silent and still. Hermione felt every ounce of happiness leave her and her heart fill with sorrow.
"Dementors… They're looking for Sirius Black," she whispered. Hermione knew of a spell to repel them and wanted to try very hard to cast it but couldn't gather the strength. She saw a bright white light come from somewhere on the train and she soon felt better.
Once they had safely arrived at Hogwarts everyone was still a little shaken from their encounter with the Dementors. Malfoy had gotten word that Harry Potter had fainted on the train he wasted no time in finding him to torment him about it.
Draco had been teasing him about fainting and for being responsible for the death of Ginny Weasley last year. This lead to the two boys getting in a squabble and a few seventh years had to separate them.
After the sorting ceremony and the introduction of their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher she went for a quick walk before bed.
She had barely made it to the Whomping Willow when Draco popped out from behind the path. "I am going to win my bet, Granger. You won't last another year here, even if I have to make sure of that myself" he hissed. "Did you follow me out here? Do you really have nothing better to do?" Hermione asked and kept walking.
"Don't walk away from me!" Malfoy said, getting upset that he didn't get a better reaction out of her. Hermione's lessons with Professor Snape had been paying off and she was controlling her temper and becoming a better witch than she ever thought possible.
Draco was about to throw her into the huge tree when they heard the voice of Rubeus Hagrid.
"Oi! What do you kids think yer doin out here? Supposed to be in the castle! Everyone is with that Sirius Black running around! Get inside you two!" Hagrid the groundskeeper said shooing them away.
"How dare you tell me what to do, you halfwit!" Draco said to Hagrid. Nobody talked to Draco Malfoy like that, especially scum like that giant. Hagrid remained calm though and said, "Fine then, let Sirius Black find you. I'm sure yer going to be be fast friends."
That was enough for Draco to scuff his feet and head back into the castle. Hermione quickly followed Hagrid back into the castle as well, she did not want to take any chances.