Dark Day Coming

A Truce is Reached

The Great Hall was brightly lit, awaiting the students anticipating a new year at Hogwarts, for some, it was their last. One of these students was Hermione Granger, Head Girl, and a proud Gryffindor. She stepped into the Hall, and her breath was taken away at the sight. Suddenly she felt a lump rise in her throat, this would be her last Welcoming Feast ever at Hogwarts. She blinked rapidly and continued to her normal seat at the Gryffindor table, that one looking over at the Slytherin table. For some reason she felt more secure being able to look the Slytherins in the eyes, rather than have fun made of her to her back.

She sat down, and Harry sat on one side of her, while Ron sat facing them. Both Ron and Harry had grown over the summer and were taller by four inches. Although Hermione could still make them feel small, not that she did on a regular basis.

Hermione had changed since fourth year. Not just physically but, mentally as well, she was no longer as diligent as she had once been. Though she was still top student at Hogwarts she had more of a life, and found to her great surprise, that she was good friends with Ginny, Parvati and Lavender. Hermione was easily one of the best looking girls at Hogwarts; she was tall, 5'8 ft. She was curvy, though not outrageously, she was slim and her once bushy hair was now curly and bouncy. She had tan skin which her golden, brown hair complimented. However, Hermione remained totally oblivious to the attention, she unintentionally brought to herself

Hermione crossed her legs, and waited for Dumbledore to speak. She supposed that the rules and enforcements at Hogwarts would be stronger than ever, now that the Dark Lord had been proclaimed "The" Dark Lord once again. Voldemort was steadily gaining power, and was no longer hiding it. The older Slytherin students were being more and more withdrawn into their tight knit group.

The school was now split into two distinct groups. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, while Slytherin stood alone. Draco Malfoy, the leader of the Slytherins, was Head Boy and Hermione was still amazed as to why Dumbledore would make such a choice. He was more definitely the next Death Eater, while his father Lucius was Voldemort's right hand man, after Pettigrew had been killed last year in a Death Eater attack on Hogwarts.

Hermione had not been surprised that the attack had been during the end of year ball. However it appeared that the teaching staffs were. There were many casualties, and Padma Patilhad been the one closet to home that had been killed. Hermione had been devastated, her and Padma had been very good friends, though an odd friendship it was. Many others had been killed but mostly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Gryffindor and Slytherin now made up a large portion of the school after the attack last year.

Ron jabbed Hermione in the ribs.

"Hermione, where are you, you've missed the sorting and Dumbledore's speech, and there been food on your plate for ten minutes and you still haven't touched it!"

"Did I really miss the Sorting?" Hermione asked sadly disappointed, she'd missed her final witnessing of the sorting and not only that but she didn't now where the first years had been sorted. Some Head Girl she'd make now.

Ron scoffed and Harry snorted at the look of disappointment on her face.

"Don't worry, 'Mione, you'll still make a good Head Girl," Harry said this sincerely as if he'd been reading her mind.

Hermione was surprised that Harry still had a sense of humor at all after all that had happened to him. Ron didn't know, Harry hadn't wanted to burden him with it or as Harry had put him, take away his innocence. Though that comment still mystified Hermione somewhat. But anyway Ron just thought that Harry had been kidnapped, and returned after a hard fought battle, but Harry had gone through an ordeal. Though from his tough exterior you wouldn't guess it.

Hermione was still lost in her thoughts when Harry tapped her on the shoulder and gestured to the now empty hall, except for an expectant looking Dumbledore, who Hermione guessed was waiting for her to finish eating and being the Head Boy/Girl meeting.

"Oh right, Head's meeting. I'll see you guys tomorrow morning at breakfast. Bye," Hermione waved and made her way over to where Dumbledore and Malfoy were waiting.

"Nice of you to join us Granger" Draco voice drawled. Though Hermione noticed that it was no longer nasal, but deep and hollow. Draco had also filled out and was no longer the scrawny, lanky boy he was last year. He had broad shoulders and was easily 6'2. He had an aristocrat's features. His platinum blonde hair, was short, and fell about his eyes, making him look innocent. Malfoy was easily one of the hottest boys at Hogwarts.

"That's enough Mr. Malfoy, now you are both aware of the responsibilities of Head Boy and Head Girl. The most important of these is to promote inter school friendship and of course to set an example for good behavior." At this comment Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Malfoy, and looked him directly in the eye. Malfoy however, remained either unaware or he just didn't care.

"Now as you are both well aware, you will get living quarters to yourselves. You will both have a room, there will also be a common room, a small library, with books that rotate and change periodically. You will also share a bathroom." He looked them both in the eye meaningfully.

"I also expect you to both get along, preferably on a first name basis, in public. This pretence can be let down in private, but in this time of hardship it is important for the younger children to see a Slytherin and a Gryffindor getting along, not only this but it is also important for them to be able to look up to their Head Boy and Girl."

"Now, I think would be as good time as ever for say, a truce to be reached!" Dumbledore looked at Hermione, and she knew then that the truce would have to be initiated by her.

"Oh fine then," she mumble annoyed that her pride was being hurt and she was having to swallow her words. And give up an old habit that she had enjoyed considerably for years.

She stuck out her hand expectantly and waited for Draco to take her peace offering. When he did Hermione was taken surprised as the course feeling of his cool hands. She shook his hand, and dropped it, rather ungraciously, but a truce none the less was reached.