Chapter 7
The final days of summer dragged by until August 31st, their last day, was soon upon them. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and George spent the whole summer playing Quidditch. Hermione joining in occasionally as the worlds slowest Chaser, but when she wasn't playing she read her new school books and practiced spells.
"Ronald! You said you packed already but I was in your room and saw no sign of a trunk!" Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"I told you I'd do it later Mum."
"No, I want it done now. You'll be far too tired to do it tomorrow morning before we leave for the train. Do it correctly or I'll have you pack it all over again."
He huffed and stormed up the stairs with his trunk floating behind him. They all followed him into the Burrow and stood in the family room.
"The rest of you are all set and ready for tomorrow correct?" Mrs. Weasley said sweetly.
Hermione, Harry, and Ginny had done it earlier that morning just to get it out of the way, and replied with a, "Yes ma'am." Ron seemed to have missed the memo and had been eating a 'little' snack in the kitchen.
"Splendid, splendid, you all have half an hour before lights out. Including you mister." Mrs. Weasley said pointing a finger at George.
"Of course Mother dearest," George said bowing down to his mother and plopped on the couch next to Hermione.
Mrs. Weasley exited the room and into the kitchen, where her voice could be heard enchanting the dishes.
"Hermione, do you know anyone that coming back to Hogwarts from our year?" Harry said with his arm around Ginny's shoulders.
"Neville is and I believe he said Seamus and Dean were coming as well. I haven't heard about Katie Bell or the Patil twins yet. Ginny, Luna is finishing her final year, correct?"
"Mmm hmm," she yawned and snuggled closer to Harry, "At Diagon Alley I recognized a few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws from both our years. Hey Hermione, Malfoy didn't happen to say whether or not he was going to Hogwarts this year did he?"
"Wait Hermione, you were talking to Malfoy? When did you see him?"
"To answer your question first Ginny, no, he did not bring that topic up. We were busy insulting each other so there was no time to really pop the question. Harry, yes, I was speaking with Malfoy in Madam Malkins Robe shop before your Birthday party."
"He didn't look suspicious did he? Did you see him wander around Knockturn Alley at all? What was he doing in the robe shop?"
"Of course Malfoy looked suspicious, when does he not? I'm telling you Harry, he is still a big git and is no different from eight years ago. Honestly, I have any clue why Malfoy was in a robe shop or if he happened to give Knockturn Alley a visit, but frankly it doesn't matter. Aurors have got to be trailing his every move, there's no way he's allowed to be roaming free in Diagon Alley," she said as a matter of fact and rubbed her tired eyes. "Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed before I end up like Gin."
Ginny was hanging halfway off the couch, her feet on Harry's lap, and her head swinging off the arm of the couch. Her mouth was ajar and her fiery red hair plastered across her face. What a sight she was.
"That—that . . . How does that even happen?" Harry stared in disbelief at his girlfriend.
"Well she's a keeper Harry," Hermione laughed.
"Hermione, Ginny's a chaser. Remember? With all that studying you do, I would think you could at least remember the measly positions in Quidditch."
"Goodnight Harry," She smiled and headed for the stairs, "Goodnight George."
"Night Hermione," the boys returned.
"George, could you take her feet?" Harry asked while he gathered Ginny's top half up in his arms and let George take ahold of her feet.
"You do know that your a wizard, right Harry? I'm not sure if any one has told you this before. It may come as a shock," Hermione called from the top of the stairs.
"What is she on abo—oh uh George, levitate! We should levitate her." He whispered the last part not wanting another snotty comment from Hermione.
Harry didn't get one as he, George, and a floating Ginny glided up the stairs, and off to bed.
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Hermione's POV
"Hurry now! Ginny and Harry, you too go through together now. Hermione and Ron next. Hurry hurry. Come along now Ron stop staring at that man! The train leaves in 3 minuets!" Mrs. Weasley nearly shoved her and Ron through the magic barrier, bringing them to Platform 9 3/4.
Smoke billowed around the train as the Hogwarts Express gleamed proudly before them. Loads of families surrounded her and her friends, checking every last item they were to bring with.
"-books, robes, dress robes, quills, parchment, cauldron, money, pets—pets Harry you left Castor in the taxi, here you are, okay does everyone have all they need? Ronald?"
"Yes mum," he grumbled, squinting at a pretty Ravenclaw.
"Oh my! It's your last year! How time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday I showed Harry here how to enter the platform!" Mrs. Weasley teared up and grabbed a handkerchief from her pocket. She gave each child an individual hug.
"Mrs. Weasley, we really should be going," Hermione said eyeing the train. They needed to get a decent compartment for once.
"Yes yes alright, you kids be careful, study hard! I'm talking to you Ronald!" She cried as we boarded the train.
Students roamed the halls of the express, excited to see the familiar faces of their friends. All chattering loudly about their holidays. It was cosy, just as much as Hogwarts was. Lanterns hung beside the wide windows of the train, compartment doors opening and closing in arbitrary rhythms. Hermione pushed through the crowd with Ginny behind her; looking for a deserted compartment.
Near the end of the train she found a large one with only two occupants. A boy with short brown hair and a girl with beautiful long gold-blonde hair. Their good friends Neville and Luna.
Hermione noticed their hands were intertwined as Luna explained the difference between a Blibbering Humdinger and Umgubular Slashkilter to Neville. She smiled, the pair looked unbelievably happy.
The two turned just as Hermione rapped quickly on the door and slid it open, with the rest of her friends spilling in beside her. Luna sprung from her seat and nearly tackled Ginny and Hermione with a hug. Neville gave us an awkward pat on the back and shook Harry and Ron's hand.
Hermione stowed her belongings in the overhead, placed Crookshank's cage on the ground, and sat by the window alongside Ginny and Harry, not wanting to sit by Ron.
"How was the rest of your holiday Luna?" Hermione asked, trying to make good conversation.
"Marvelous. Neville spent most of the summer with father and I. We searched for Nargles and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks." Spoke Luna dreamily.
"That sounds brilliant Luna. Lucky guy you are, mate." Harry smirked causing a scowl from Neville. Normally Luna couldn't detect sarcasm or insults, but when she did, she would respond with an honest yet brutally awkward remark. That's what Hermione liked best about Luna; she'd call anyone out.
"So Neville, I heard from Hagrid at Harry's party, that you'll be aiding Professor Sprout with the new first years during a free period of yours," said Ginny. She was creating a barrier with her hands for her pet Pygmy Puff, Arnold; seeing as he was trying to roll off her lap and onto Harry's, whose was already stocked with liquorish wands and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
"Uh yes Professor Sprout felt she needed an extra hand with all the new first years and asked if I'd assist her," he began, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "McGonagall said I could do it as long as the rest of my grades are adequate and I don't—"
"I would love to hear you finish, honestly I would, but I haven't got all day Longbottom," drawled a deep, arrogant voice, who belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy.
He had snuck up on them easily. It was slightly embarrassing as they only now noticed him in the door.
Draco's hair was slightly tussled and not slicked back as it used to be. It was better that way, he looked less cruel in Hermione's opinion. His dark dress robes brought out the brightness of his cool gray eyes and the paleness of his face.
"Leave. Now Malfoy," Harry growled and brandished his wand. "No one asked you to interrupted us."
"Actually Potter, McGonagall did." Draco put his arms up defensively and smirked at their disbelieving glares. "I was just on my way to her compartm—"
"In trouble already, are you Malfoy? Merlin this must be a new record. What did you do this time?" Hermione interrupted while shooting him a dirty look and crossing her arms.
"Still holding that grudge since Diagon Alley I see." He chuckled, his eyes shining with humor. "Well Granger, unless your in the same boat as I, your being punished as well because McGonagall has requested your presence." Draco smirked and leaned against the compartment door.
"What are you talking about Ferret?" Ron said looking puzzled yet frazzled.
"Your girlfriend and I are needed by McGonagall, Weaslbee." Draco said, brushing off imaginary dust from his robes and motioned in Hermione's direction.
"She's not my girlfriend . . . anymore," Ron muttered barley audible for anyone to hear.
Hermione look down at her shoes, embarrassed that her relationship with him was a failure. And that he confessed it in front of all their friends and mortal enemy.
Draco, however, raised his eyebrows at the comment and cast a quick glance at Ron and then one at Hermione; then said in a far more delightful tone, "Hmm what a shame, I was sort of shipping the Romione for a while. Ah oh well, c'mon Granger lets get a move on it. McGonagall doesn't like to be kept waiting. Oh–grab your luggage as well."
"Why does Hermione have to bring her luggage, you prick? She'll be coming back won't she," Ginny sneered and crossed her arms.
"I don't know Weaslette, the headmistress told me to bring mine so I'm assuming she wants Granger to do the same. Now chop chop." Draco said tapping his foot impatiently.
Ginny ignored his nick name for her and pulled Harry back down into his seat. Accepting the fact the Draco for once, must be telling the truth.
After an agonizing silence Neville helped Hermione pull her trunk down from the overhead compartment and place Crookshank's cage on top. Knowing it would be heavy she quickly placed a feather-light charm them.
Hermione took a quick glance at her friends. They seemed worried that she would be alone with Malfoy, an ex–Death Eater, during the walk to the Headmistress' office.
"We'll see you later Hermione," said Luna with an encouraging nod and an apprehensive look at the Slytherin.
She approached Draco cautiously and slipped past him into the empty hall of the express.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
Draco's POV
The silence was agonizing as Hermione and Draco headed to the Headmistress' office. She hadn't spoken since she insulted him back with her friends. Draco couldn't have cared less about what she called him now-a-days but he was shocked to see that Hermione could hold a grudge that long. And especially against him. Who could hold a grudge against him?
He was dazzling.
"Have a good summer, Granger?" Draco asked, his hands clutched around his trunk and other belongings.
"Like you care," she snorted.
When he really thought about it. He didn't. He couldn't give a rats tail if her summer was good or not. It just made him think about his rubbish of a summer.
"Your right I don't," he nodded in agreement.
They sunk back into a deeper silence. The only sound was coming from Hermione's cat. It looked like a Weasley with hair all over that had been shoved into a cage.
As they kept walking Draco noticed she was slowly inching away from him until her shoulder brushed the other side of the train wall. It was like he was a Blast-Ended Skrewt ready to burst if she got too close.
McGonagall's compartment loomed ahead, he freed one of his hands and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Draco shoved his way in and entered first, earning an eye roll from the Gryffindor. Who cares about ladies first?
Hermione and Draco sat on the opposite bench from McGonagall and placed some distance between themselves. He couldn't allow himself to get nerd cooties right before the start of school.
"Ah, thank you mister Malfoy for retrieving miss Granger," McGonagall said, placing her hands gracefully upon her lap. "We have much business to discuss."
She looked older, McGonagall did, the war seemed to have aged her. The professor had her hair rapped into a tight bun underneath a pointed black hat along with an elegant emerald robe. There were slight bags under her eyes which had lost its previous sparkle. Of course she looked nearly the same, but it was just the little things he noticed about his Transfiguration teacher that got him wondering how much of a toll the war played on her life.
"Now, as you two may remember, Professor Dumbledore would choose the Head Boy and Girl along with the prefects whom he thought were worthy enough for he job, and send the positions to the appropriate students in their Hogwarts letters each year," Hermione fidgeted nervously next to him. And his heart dropped as the Headmistress spoke. They both knew what was going to coming next.
"However I would like to change the tradition, and ask the two of you in person." McGonagall paused and said,"would you Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy have the honor of becoming the new Head Boy and Girl?"
"WHAT?!" Draco and Hermione shouted at the same time.
"Professor, with all due respect . . . HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!" He shouted.
"Please Mr. Malfoy, I'm in no mood to argue. If you do not wish to become Head Boy, then by all means just say 'no'." McGonagall shook her head.
"Wha—I uhhhg," Draco growled and pulled on his hair frustratedly. He couldn't believe she wanted him to be Head Boy and share the responsibility with Hermione. Has she gone mad?
"Why don't you take a moment to think about my offer," McGonagall said motioning to the outside of the compartment.
He huffed and slid open the door to think about the life changing position the Headmistress had just given him.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
A long silence passed between McGonagall and Hermione. Both minds off in space.
Hermione cleared her throat and McGonagall snapped back into reality.
"Professor, why exactly did you choose Malfoy for the position?"
"Draco was not my first choice for Head Boy, but Professor Dumbledore's. Seeing as I am Headmistress now, it's my decision who is picked for the position. I could not leave one of Albus' last wishes to die with him." She grimaced thinking about his passing. "How was your summer Ms. Granger?"
Hermione was caught off guard and quickly responded,"It was fine, thank you professor."
"And you were able to restore your parents memories?"
"Most of them ma'am," Hermione frowned.
McGonagall sighed as another silence took place, "I need your help."
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, "How exactly can I help you professor?"
"Draco Malfoy spent his summer alone."
What did that have to do with anything?Hermione wondered. It's not her fault Malfoy got mixed into the Dark Arts. However, instead of saying that Hermione listened.
"It wasn't specifically addressed in the Daily Prophet, but Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy have were killed. After the war ended Lucius went into hiding in a deserted shop near Knockturn Alley. That was when a group of Aurors cornered him. Apparently he didn't fancy being sent to Azkaban, so he killed himself. The few remaining Death Eaters that had lived, were outraged by Lucius' death. They were in need of information that he supposedly had. Then they turned on Narcissa Malfoy, who they thought had sent the Aurors to capture Lucius, and killed her after she had known nothing of her husband's secrets.
However, Draco Malfoy had been 'rescued' before he landed the same fate as his parents, by a group of Ministry officials. They knew he was a Malfoy with just a single look at him, so they put the poor boy on trial. After many days Draco was just barely convicted as 'Innocent' by the court. Kingsley Shacklebolt himself made sure Mr. Malfoy had a comfortable place to stay, and rented him a room in The Leaky Cauldron, since Malfoy Manor was being stripped of Dark artifacts. Draco has been expected to stay there for the rest of the summer until Hogwarts started up again. But aiding Voldemort isn't a crime you can completely forgive, so Kingsley thought it be wise for him to be checked on by an Auror everyday."
Hermione stared at McGonagall in awe. Malfoy had lost so much in such little time. For once in her life she almost pitted Malfoy. Almost. "Professor," Hermione asked slowly, "How exactly does any of this involve me?"
"I know you, Potter, and Weasley have a . . . difficult relationship with Mr. Malfoy, but I need you four to put your differences aside. You and Draco in particular, Miss Granger. This year at Hogwarts will be different, you must know that, but nothing else will bring the school together better than Gryffindors befriending Slytherins. House unity is crucial now, more than ever. Please Miss Granger. . . Hogwarts needs you."
Ooooooo what do you think she will say?? And uh sorry for not updating for a while haha *sweats* I've been kinda lazy. Annnnnyway hope you guys are still enjoying the story! <3