I Won\'t

The train came to a halt in the Hogsmeade station. Hermione picked up Crookshanks and carried him off the train along with her handbag.

It was a bit windy outside, causing Hermione to shiver a bit, even with her robes on. Luckily, there wasn't a trace of cloud in the dark black sky.

'Firs' Years! Firs' years this way!' Hagrid called. 'Why, hello, Hermione!' he added upon seeing her.

'Hello, Hagrid,' Hermione said, feeling a bit happier. Hagrid would always be there for her.

'Best get to the carriages,' Hagrid told her. 'But I'll see yeh at the feast!'

'Bye, Hagrid!' Hermione said. She made her way to the carriages. She quickly got inside an empty one. Several fourth and fifth years filed in after her. They chatted quietly and Hermione stared out the window as the carriages began to move toward the castle.

When they arrived there, Hermione climbed out of the carriage and headed inside the castle. She dropped off Crookshanks with the other pets before heading to the Great Hall.

'Oy! Granger!' a terribly familiar voice called after her.

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. Not now. Not when I am in the worst mood. 'What do you want, Malfoy?' she asked.

'I heard that you met my father over the summer,' Malfoy sneered. He seemed to think that he was pushing her buttons, but he had another thing coming. She could push him back.

'Then I'm sure you heard about how Harry stunned him,' Hermione said and continued to walk toward the Great Hall.

'You and Potter will pay for that, you stupid Mudblood,' he said, following her into the Great Hall. 'You just wait until tonight.'

'What are you talking about?' Hermione said, turning to face him. But he was gone. Malfoy had headed over to the Slytherin table where his cronies sat.

Hermione paid no mind to Malfoy. He was always telling her, Harry, and Ron nonsense. She sat down at her spot at the Gryffindor table. Hermione wondered if Harry would sit next to her still. It was his usual spot. But, after what she had said, she would be lucky if he'd forgive her.

She spotted Ron entering the Great Hall with Luna. They departed and headed to their tables.

'Hermione,' Ron said as he reached the table. 'You're supposed to go to Professor McGonagall's office. Harry is already on his way up.'

'Thanks, Ron,' Hermione said. She got up quickly and headed back out of the Great Hall to Professor McGonagall's office. She had forgotten that they were supposed to talk to her about their duties.

'Hermione,' Harry said quietly when they met in the corridors. Hermione stopped and stared at him. 'I'm sorry.'

'No, Harry,' Hermione said, shaking her head. 'I should be telling you sorry. I can't believe I said that to you.'

'I know you didn't mean it,' Harry told her. 'I just don't want your parents to be mad at you because of me. But, really, it's none of my business what goes on between you and your parents.'

'I'm going to send Mum and Dad a letter tomorrow,' she told him.

'I can talk to them, too,' Harry offered. 'If you'd like. I don't know how much good it'll do, but it couldn't hurt, could it?'

'That sounds great, Harry,' Hermione agreed with a smile as the reached Professor McGonagall's office.

'You're late,' McGonagall said, sounding a bit annoyed.

'Sorry, professor,' Hermione said promptly. 'I forgot that we were supposed to meet here, and Ron had to find me and - '

'Miss Granger, I did not ask for an explanation,' she said sharply. 'I simply stated a fact. Now, I do not wish to waste anymore time; I'd simply like to get this meeting over with. As Head Boy and Girl, you are to lead your house up to the dormitories. The password for the Fat Lady's portrait is Day Lily. Then, at nine thirty, you will report to the Astronomy Tower, where you will give detention to any students out of bed. You may return to your dormitories at approximately ten o'clock.'

Harry and Hermione nodded, signifying that they understood.

'Now, let's head down to the Great Hall,' McGonagall told them. She looked at her watch. 'It's too late to see the sorting, but there is surely a wonderful feast awaiting us.'

When the three of them arrived in the Great Hall, McGonagall left Harry and Hermione to sit down at the staff table while Harry and Hermione sat down together at the Gryffindor table. Sure enough, the sorting ceremony was over and everyone had begun eating.

'Awyututugethaagun?' Ron said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

'What?' Harry and Hermione said in unison. Ron was known for his attempts at eating and talking at the same time, but neither of them had managed to comprehend what he was saying.

Ron gulped down his rather large mouthful off potatoes and repeated himself. 'Are you two together again?'

'When were we apart?' Harry asked as if it was a most absurd question.

Ron raised an eyebrow at Harry and said, 'What?'

Hermione rolled her eyes. She hadn't thought it was possible, but it seemed that Ron was getting stupider by the day.

'You're lucky that it worked out with you and Luna, mate,' Harry told him. 'At least she's a bit brighter than you and will be able to help you out.'

Ron still seemed a bit confused. 'What?' he said again.

'Would you like a translation, Ron?' Hermione asked. He nodded. 'Harry said that we are back together, but you are a complete moron and will need Luna to explain everything to you.'

'Oh,' Ron said, returning back to his food. Mid-chew, he realised that Harry had called him a moron. 'Hey!' he yelled, splattering food onto his plate.

'Eww!' Parvati yelled. 'Ron! That's absolutely revolting!'

'Sorry,' Ron apologised, his mouth still half-full.

Hermione smiled. This is where she felt truly at home, where Ron and Harry were, where Ron was completely moronic and disgusting, and where her parents had no control over her actions.