Head Above Water

Back to Hogwarts

As I walked through the familiar train station barrier, memories of the first time I came here came flooding back. I was all buck teeth and bushy hair back then. I remember everyone making fun of it, calling me a beaver, and the worst of it all... a mudblood. While I'm here, pushing my cart and thinking, I wasn't paying attention and crashed straight into someone. 

"I'm so sorry! I can't believe it, only the first day and I'm already back to my old clumsy self, let me help yo-"

I look up at the person whose ear I'm blabbering off and see the unmistakable white-blonde hair of Draco Malfoy. Without thinking, I turn abruptly, handing off my luggage to the train attendant, and rush to the back of the train. I don't stop until I find an empty car, and hurriedly sit, pulling down the blinds to hide from everyone else. I don't want anyone seeing me break down, especially as I'm technically a war hero now. As the panic truly sets in, I pull my legs into the seat and start to sob. I hate that he's here, I hate that I have to see his face. Why isn't he in Azkaban? I know he's "good" now, but what about when he wasn't? What about when he stood by and watched as his deranged aunt carved me open and tortured me? Before I can sink too deep, Luna and Ginny find me. I hurriedly wipe away my tears and put on my best fake smile.

"Hey 'Mione!" says Luna brightly, "we've been looking for you everywhere!"

Still smiling brightly, I respond "Well you seem to have found me!" I secretly wish they hadn't. 

"I'm actually a little tired, mind if I use you as a pillow Gin?"

"Of course not."

As I snuggled up to the closest thing to my best friend, I pretend to sleep and think about where my best friend truly is. Harry took his NEWTS over the summer, and is currently at a muggle university, studying for his teaching degree. Ron took over Fred's role in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Things were still tense with him. After I broke it off with him, he went back to his old flame Lavender, and I hadn't heard anything of him since, other than a few terse letters asking me to look after his sister while I was at school. She didn't seem to need it, as she spent the rest of the train ride chatting merrily with Luna.

The sorting ceremony went uneventfully, even with notably empty places in the teacher's section, and McGonagall's speech was certainly sterner than Dumbledore's used to be. Then came the time to announce the new Head Boy and Head Girl. 

"As Head Boy this year, we will be having Blaise Zabini of Slytherin House!"

An eruption of cheers came from the Slytherin table, and green and silver banners fell from the enchanted ceiling on McGonagall's left side. 

"And it is my honor to announce that as Head Girl this year, we will be having Hermione Granger, of Gryffindor House!"

As everyone around me began to cheer, I took in what it would mean for me to be Head Girl. I would have almost supreme authority over the school, and near complete freedom, as well as a private dorm. It wasn't like I didn't see it coming, but I was still speechless. As my housemates congratulated me, I stood, nodding to acknowledge my new role, and he met my eyes. Malfoy. Again. He gave me a curt nod, an almost smile, and looked away. What is his deal? I almost ran him over, that doesn't exactly make us friends. The feast begins, and I try to put thoughts of Malfoy out of my head. 

Once the feast is over, I go upstairs to my new dorm. It's small, with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and a small living room made smaller by a huge bookcase on two walls. McGonagall must have had that put in for me. Over the summer, the castle had been magically remodeled and though signs of the battle still remained, it almost felt normal to be back. Almost. 

I looked a my trunks, and decided packing would be best left until morning, and I went to bed. 

A/N: Well there it is! First chapter done! Next chapter will be out soon! Thanks for reading, Tay. <3