New Acquaintances

New Acquaintances, Chapter One

It was her final year at Hogwarts and she was Head Girl. Life was going to be good. Everyone was happy and healthy and all was well. But then...

It all began on the Hogwarts Express, seventh year. The weather was awful and Hermione Granger was stumbling along outside King's Cross Station, soaking wet, 10 minutes before the train was supposed to leave London. Hermione had been walking for almost an hour; she was exhausted. Once she had finally made her way into the station, she collapsed on a convenient bench on a near platform.

'Never again!' she thought. Her idea to walk to King's Cross to save her parents some time had ended up being supremely stupid.

Suddenly, a voice behind her called out, "Hullo, Hermione!"

She knew who it was before she even turned around. She smiled broadly when she practically leapt up and nearly threw herself into his arms.

"Harry! I've missed you so much!"

They gathered up their luggage and began walking towards Platform 9 ¾. Along the way, Hermione was chattering away with enthusiasm the rain had not dampened. They reached their destination with no trouble and just barely caught the train before it left.

Once on-board she and Harry went their separate ways - he to find Ginny and she to the Head compartment to receive instructions. She couldn't wait to see who the Head Boy was. A few seconds later, she stopped dead, not wanting to believe it.

'Oh. No.'

There was Draco Malfoy walking toward the same compartment she was going to. That meant...

"Hello Granger."

"Malfoy," she said coolly.

She moved past him, forcibly squeezing into the compartment when they tried to step together. Inside, she found a letter addressed to the Head Boy and Girl.

Malfoy sighed over-dramatically, "Open it already! I don't have all day, you know."

She slit it open and began to read aloud:

"Dear Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy,

Welcome back to Hogwarts. As Head Girl and Boy your responsibilities exceed those of the other students of Hogwarts. This means they will be looking up to you for example; I expect you both to lead your classmates and set the standards. In a moment, you will be going to the prefects' compartment to tell them what they need to do on the train and in the halls of Hogwarts. After that, you are free to do as you please, but remember to patrol once an hour. You will receive further instructions at the school. There has also been a change in how the houses shall live. All will be explained at the feast.

Sincerely,

Professor McGonagall."

Both students looked up in mild confusion. Hermione was the first to break the silence.

"Well," she said slowly, "I suppose we should get to the Prefect compartment. They will be wondering what they have to do."

The two of them set off towards the prefects' compartment, setting aside their questions for a later time.

After the meeting, Hermione went off in search of her two best friends. She found them in their usual compartment, cooped up with their girlfriends of two years.

"Hello Parvati, Lavender."

She hugged Ron tightly and smiled broadly, saying, "Oh, Ron, I missed you."

At this point, Lavender's eyes had narrowed slightly, but she brushed it off when Parvati leaned over and said, "Relax, Lavender. You know they're just friends! Besides, Ron snogged you for ten minutes when he first saw you today."

Lavender smiled a little and began chatting with Parvati.

Many hours and too many card games later the train came to a stop.

"Yes! We're finally here!" An overly enthusiastic first year shouted.

As they stepped off the train, Hermione relished the excited feeling she got every year when they arrived at Hogwarts. Then a wave of melancholy brushed lightly over her - this would be the last time.

She went up to the treacherous-looking thestrals that pulled the carriages and patted one gently, a feeling of sadness pulling at her that she brushed away; she remembered when she had no idea what these creatures actually looked like. Then she hopped into the carriage reserved for the Head students and she and Malfoy rode to the school in silence, Listening to the clomping of the hooves and creaking of the carriage. After what seemed like an eternity of avoiding eyes, they reached the front doors and the students began exiting their carriages. Hermione strode up to the Great Hall ahead of the other students. Once everyone had taken their seats, the First Years filed in behind Professor McGonagall. They situated themselves at the front of the Hall and the Sorting Hat began its song:

"In these dark, sad days,

We must learn to together unite,

Under one roof,

In one Great school,

Hufflepuff with Ravenclaw,

Strong together, there is no doubt,

Common sense with great knowledge,

Together stopping strife,

And Gryffindor with Slytherin,

Two noble houses, it is not chance,

Between grand bravery and impressive cunning,

No more will evil rule,

For where would we be,

Without self-same loyalties?

Not only to our houses,

Not only to this school,

But also to each student,

Jointly we can be great!

Do not forget-

Friendship is not ghastly!

So therefore alliance between houses,

Cannot be ALL that gloomy!

Without the other houses,

Just where would you be now?

In some awful, little school,

Which just cannot be proud?

Do not be that little school,

Show yourselves some pride!

Delve into new acquaintances,

Judge only by what's inside."

The Hall sat in bewildered silence for several moments before the students began murmuring to each other about what the Hat had just said. Professor McGonagall rose after a moment to begin the Sorting.

"Aria, Magna."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Down to Seamus' little sister-

"Finnegan, Brigid."

"RAVENCLAW!"

And to the bottom of the list-

"Zo, Charlee."

"SLYTHERIN!"

As Charlee joined the other Slytherins, Dumbledore stood. Silence slowly fell as the students realized that he wished to speak.

"Welcome all new and returning students. Before we begin our excellent feast, there is an announcement I must make. This year, the houses will not reside in their usual dormitories. As we are trying to form bond between the houses, the dormitories will now be organized...by year."

At this, the Great Hall erupted in noise. Shouts of confusion and anger followed the yells of indignation around the hall.

"SILENCE!"

"Please, there is no need to panic! The houses must work together this year and for that, friendships - not feuds - will be necessary for success. After the feast, a teacher will guide you to your new dormitories. Now without further ado, dig in!"

Nearly every student wore a horrified expression on his or her face.

"Ugh, living with Gryffindors?! No! Absolutely not," said a particularly loud Slytherin.

Hermione was sitting, frozen, a look of shock on her face. She turned around, feeling eyes on the back of her head. The eyeballs that met her searching eyes were none other than Draco Malfoy's. She looked at him questioningly and he mouthed, "After the feast. Dumbledore's office."

She nodded and turned back to the table laden with food. She helped herself to some and began to chew thoughtfully.

After Dumbledore dismissed them, Hermione and Draco walked to his office. They weren't surprised to find him already there, sitting comfortably in his fluffy chair.

"Hello Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. I suspect you are wondering where in the world you are going to stay, as well as why the other dormitories have been changed, correct?"

The two students nodded, confused.

"Then allow me to explain. You will, of course, be sharing the usual Head Boy and Girl dormitories, as is custom and because they are centrally located to all four houses. I will show you where they are in a moment." He stopped and stood, walking around to the front. "As to the other question, it is as the Sorting Hat said: the students no longer live in separate Houses because that arrangement promoted disagreements. Now the students must live and work together to keep themselves safe, and on good terms. They must start getting along or it will be their downfall. Now, let me show you where your quarters are."

They walked out of Dumbledore's office and down to an old, worn tapestry. It went from floor to ceiling and was about six feet wide.

Dumbledore said the password, "Pegasus" and the tapestry rolled up, revealing an immense stone archway and a beautiful room, in which everything seemed to be covered in pearly white silk. He led them into their new common room and began telling them what their duties were as Head Boy and Head Girl.

"Patrol the halls three times after lights out. The prefects will help you with that. Schedule a meeting with me once a month so any special duties can be assigned. Last of all, I expect you to be civil to each other - Head Boy and Girl simply cannot fight. Now, Miss Granger, your room is on the right. Mr. Malfoy, yours is on the left. Your bathroom is right through that door. Have a good night and congratulations."

At that, he strode out, the tapestry rolling down behind him. Hermione yawned, trying to stifle it in front of Malfoy.

"I think I'll turn in now. Goodnight, Malfoy."

"Night, Granger," he waved sarcastically.

'And I was just beginning to think he was going soft.' She walked into her room and smiled, forgetting Malfoy. It was adorned in beautiful red and gold silk, matching the tapestries and the walls. And, most importantly, it was all hers. A slow smile spread over her face as she changed into her pyjamas and slipped into bed, falling gently into Orpheus' arms, wondering what was happening at Hogwarts.