The Aftermath

02

"BLAISE YOU ABSOLUTE git!" Draco roared once he entered his compartment filled with fellow childhood friends. Being used to Draco's melodramatics, almost everyone continued on with their conversations — paying no attention to the overdramatic blonde.

"What?" Blaise drawled in boredom, looking right at the blonde standing by the door then back down to the playing cards. Draco growled at the lack of attention from the Zabini. "The amulet, " he paused. Everyone in the compartment seemed to freeze at mention of the amulet, fearing Blaise's reaction.

Blaise, however, only nodded distractedly. "You've seen her," he concludes. "I have," Draco nodded slowly. Blaise sighed in return, dropped his cards and motioned for him to sit. "You knew this whole time?" Draco asked, hurt.

Blaise glared at his best friend. "Of course not! If I did I wouldn't have let you torment the poor girl!" Blaise replied. The boy sighs and glanced around the compartment — everyone frowning sadly. "I didn't know," Blaise muttered.

"The amulet," Blaise hesitates. "It possesses unique qualities," he paused, as if collecting his thoughts into words. "It will present itself upon the eighteenth birthday of the rightful Zabini heiress, and can only be worn by the said heiress," Blaise spoke, his voice nervous and uncomfortable.

"So," Pansy Parkinson spoke. "You're saying we can finally be close to her again?" Hope ignited inside Pansy's chest at the mention of her childhood best friend. Blaise shook his head, and all hope was crushed. "It's complicated, Pans."

Pansy sighed. "It always is," she muttered.

Ignoring that, Blaise looked at Draco as if trying to figure out what he should do next. "You don't even know who your best friend has become," Blaise pointed out to Pansy, an eyebrow raised.

Pansy scoffed, shrugging and waving her hands in dismissal, " —details."

Blaise shook his head at Pansy's comment. "Just because she has the amulet now, doesn't mean she'll remember," He told everyone with a sigh.

Draco rolled his eyes at the Blaise. "Her memory charm won't last forever, Blaise," Draco reminded. Blaise scowled, "I know that!" he replied. "But it was a powerful charm, Draco! Even if she remembers, I don't reckon she'll want to be around us."

"Then, we should do something you dimwit!" Theo retorted with a scowl. "We can't lose her again," Theo continued. An understanding developed between everyone in that compartment, albeit silently.

In the other side of the train, Hermione sat quietly with Ginny, Luna and Neville. While Ginny and Neville - whom developed an interest in quidditch over the course of summer holidays - talked about Quidditch and new brooms, Luna was reading The Quibbler in silence.

Hermione didn't know what to think or where to even begin. Heads — she had been chosen as a head girl. It had been her dream for years, perhaps ever since she stepped foot inside Hogwarts. Glancing at her watch, Hermione's eyes widened slightly and abruptly stood up — startling everyone.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Ginny questioned, confused by her abrupt action. "Oh, Gin! We have to go! The Prefects' meeting is about to start!" Hermione told her. Ginny widened her eyes and scrambled up on her feet.

"We'll see you both soon," Ginny bid then dragging Hermione away towards the Prefect's carriage for the meeting. Considering Ron and Hermione hadn't been around for seventh year, McGonagall had chosen Ginny and Geoffrey Turbin to replace them.

Arriving at the Prefect's carriage with barely a minute to spare, Hermione quickly grabbed the Prefects and Head Girl pins by the door — giving the former to Ginny.

"Miss Granger of Gryffindor and Mister Malfoy of Slytherin are our Heads for this academic school year. I expect everyone to comply with their assignments and the jurisdiction of the Heads. For today, I want everyone to be acquainted by each other," McGonagall explained as the students listened intently once everyone was settled down.

"Should there be any trouble between Prefects and Heads, I will not hesitate taking you off the position and responsibilities," She added, staring intensely between the assortment of students selected. "Is that clear?" she asked.

Everyone quickly nodded and the Prefects carriage came to a silence. "Very well. Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger, please take lead," McGonagall instructed, nodding with approval.

"Right then," Hermione mumbled. She and Draco stood side by side, next to where McGonagall stood. The prefects all looked weary at the arrangement of Heads for this particular school year — knowing fully well how explosive Draco and Hermione's arguments can be, along with the roles they each played during the war. But they said nothing under the scrutinizing gaze of McGonagall.

As Draco spoke, Hermione took her time letting her eyes wander from prefect to prefect. She placed names to faces she recognized, and mentally assessed what she can remember of their strengths and weaknesses; their capabilities.

"For now, we need to remind students to change into their robes and get ready for arrival. Also, to remind them to bring all their belongings and pets," Hermione chimed in after Draco explained on what the prefects should do upon arrival. "I reckon, we can have the Gryffindor prefects patrol Coach A, the Ravenclaws to Coach B, the Slytherins to Coach C, and the Hufflepuffs to Coach D?" Hermione spoke, sneaking a side-way glance to Draco to ask if he'd agree — to which, he nodded.

"And it would probably be best if have a meeting soon to organize patrolling schedules as well as other priorities," Hermione added. "Granger and I will organize a meeting as soon as possible, so please keep your schedules open and flexible," Draco announced.

After finalizing a few tasks, the crowd of students dispersed. While the prefects have the responsibility of patrolling the coaches now, the heads have the responsibility of scouting the entirety of the train to ensure no one is left behind or had left behind their luggages once they arrive.

"Granger!" Draco had called, almost right after the last of the prefects walked out. "McGonagall told me the announcement is tonight. Shacklebolt will come and explain it to the students, we are to stand by the minister when it is announced," he informed almost robotically.

Hermione wanted to reprimand him for addressing their minister for magic so casually but bit her tongue to avoid an unnecessary argument, especially since they still have to spend a lot of time with each other before the day ends.

In light of that, she nodded instead, stepping away as soon as he finished talking — still a bit apprehensive of him. "Thank you," she had bid.

Draco however stood his ground, his eyes glued to the amulet dangling freely from her neck. "The amulet," Draco had muttered, making Hermione pause mid-step.

"Do you know where it's from?" He asked, this time his voice was still and calm — making the hair on Hermione's arm rise. It was eery. He had been quite particularly yelling questions at her only a good hour ago, now he was calm? It terrifies her.

"No," Hermione answered with a shrug, and walked away.

"Are you not curious?" He asked again while Hermione walked away.

Hermione only let a half-hearted laugh escape from the confinements of her mouth. "No," she had said, and just like that she was out of the Prefects' carriage.