Love Is Never Simple by PhoenixFirebolt Rating: PG13 Ship: Harry & Hermione Canon: Books 1 - 5 Genre: Angst, Romance Status: Paused Length: 7,547 words in 4 chapters Published: 20 May 2004 Last updated: 15 Jun 2004 A/U: Love. Such a simple word with so much meaning behind it. Hermione enters her 7th year at Hogwarts, never expecting to fall in love for the first time or have her heart broken for the first time. This is her story of that long year she will never forget. *Based on a true story* *Paused until I finish 'The Heirs of Hogwarts.' From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/2193/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Prologue: Love Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing affiliated with Harry Potter. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling and her wonderful imagination, I’m simply borrowing for the story. The idea for the story is mine though and since its based on a true story, there is no way I am stealing from anyone. Author’s Note: Yes, this story is based on a true story, my story. I always wanted to tell this story but I never wanted to use the real names in it and I’m a huge Harry Potter fan so I thought it best to tell it this way, I also thought it would just make for a great Harry/Hermione love story. Some of the events and conversations, and certain names are all real and really did happen. Some things naturally had to be changed to fit the world of Harry Potter but I kept it as close to the original events as possible, without making everything sound ridiculous. This whole situation happened to me during my senior year of high school, which just ended. The story as a whole started my junior year but to make it shorter and get to the more important events, I’m starting the story with what would be technically the beginning of my senior year. This is an Alternate Universe (AU) story and I do warn you, there have been some major changes. It would take too long to list them all but you will catch on eventually. So, don’t e-mail me or leave me a review saying I made a mistake, the changes are more likely than not, on purpose and made to fit the events that happened in my life. I really hope you enjoy this story, this truly is my story and I’m a little nervous to share it but I’m kind of glad I’m getting it out as well......in reality, the story is not really finished in my life...so, toward the end of this story, I will probably have to start making up things that I wish would end up happening to me. Ugh...I’m rambling now.....so I better end this note. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to e-mail me or leave me a review, I’m more than happy to answer anything! I’ll try to explain at the beginning or end of each chapter something that may confuse you as a reader. Please review and thanks so much for reading! I know this first part is short but give me your opinion and I’ll update asap if enough people seem to like the idea! Btw, about my other stories Light and Dark & The Heirs of Hogwarts, I am soooooo incredibly sorry to all the fans of those stories for not updating in forever. I’m going to try to finish Light and Dark asap. Summer is here now and I have more free time until July. I promise to finish them both, just give me time and thank you for being soo wonderful and patient! I love you guys and thanks for sticking by and reminding me I should finish them! Enjoy this new story as well! Love Is Never Simple by PhoenixFirebolt Prologue - Love Love. It seems like such a simple word, being only four letters long. But behind that seemingly simple word, there is so much meaning. Love holds a vast definition that is different to each and every person. Love is what connects the human race together and is the one thing in this world that everyone has in common. Every person is capable of love and knows what it is like to truly feel it. Without love, each person would feel empty inside and not understand the need to live. Love is what keeps us breathing. To be open to love though, means a person must also be open to having that love, and their heart, broken. As much as love gives us, it can be easily taken away. And then the ache starts. All the pain from having that love taken away builds up inside a person until they almost can’t take it. We cannot live without love and we cannot live with having it taken. Each of us takes a risk by falling in love with someone else. It is a great leap of faith that can either have us landing on our feet or have us falling and crumbling to the ground. Love, in itself, is one big risk but each of us desperately wants that risk. I took that risk. I fell in love and fell hard but then, I had my heart broken. I have never fully recovered from that broken heart and I doubt I ever will. I gave my heart away to a boy and he never fully returned it. The love I feel for him will never go away and I do not regret it because a love like this happens once in a lifetime. My name is Hermione Granger and this is my story of how I found love and its true meaning, all in a boy named Harry Potter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Chapter One: How It All Started Disclaimer: Everything within the Harry Potter world belongs to J.K. Rowling and her wonderful imagination. All I own is the plot and some of the names of the characters. This is a true story so some of the things are real. Please, do not steal! Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! I'm so glad you liked my intro! Here is chapter one for you. There's not a lot of action happening yet cause I'm trying to give you guys a basis for the story and not just suddenly throw you into it. I'm also trying to get you to understand how I'm portraying Hermione's character. I'm trying to keep her as close to the canon as possible but there are some obvious changes made to make her fit what happened in real life. If you have any questions at all, please ask! I'd be happy to answer them. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I will try to write more asap and get more to the action and interaction between Hermione and Harry. Please review and thanks for reading! Chapter One - How It All Started Bright sunlight streamed through the upperstory window of a quaint, two-story home which rested in the suburbs on the outskirts of London, England. The neighborhood was just beginning to wake up and start its daily routines. Birds were singing in the trees and the sound of lawn mowers being started up for another day of work slowly began to drown out the cheerful sounds of nature. It was Saturday, September 1, and to most people it was just your normal, everyday Saturday morning in England. Inside the room of one of the homes though, lay a sleeping girl who was anything but ordinary. She was deep in her dreams, a small smile gracing her face, content with just staying in her bed, letting the beautiful day pass her by. At that moment, the silence of the room was broken by the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand. It began blaring its awful ring to announce it was 8 o’clock and time for the girl to leave her dreams. Seventeen-year-old Hermione Granger grumbled in her sleep, rolled over, slapped the snooze button to stop the noise, and then snuggled deeper under the covers, determined to waste the day away. A few minutes later, a knock at her door was made but she utterly refused to acknowledge it. The knocking persisted until finally they gave up and opened the door. A middle-aged woman entered, who so closely resembled Hermione that the two could be mistaken for sisters. “Come on, Hermione. Time to rise and shine. You have a big day today,” Kathy Granger said while opening the windows, trying to coax her daughter out of bed. Hermione mumbled something again in her sleep and just rolled over, burying her face even further in her pillow. Kathy shook her head in exasperation at her daughter. Hermione had to be one of the most responsible teenagers she knew but when it came to sleeping in during the summer, she was the laziest. Kathy surveyed her daughter’s room and marveled at how orderly it always was. The books in the book shelf were alphabetized and stacked very neatly from top to bottom. Every cd Hermione owned was categorized and the cases placed neatly by the stereo. The tops of her dressers were spotless and everything put in a certain place. Nothing littered the floor except for a rug in front of the canopy bed and Hermione’s orange cat, Crookshanks, which she had owned since her third year at Hogwarts. Hogwarts. That was what made Hermione so different from other teenagers. Kathy’s gaze drifted to the desk in the room, the one area that was in complete disarray. Books, pieces of parchment, ink bottles, quills, potion ingredients, and of course, Hermione’s wand, were scattered all over the top of the desk. Hermione was a witch so all of these things were necessary and needed to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Today would be the start of Hermione’s seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Kathy knew how much her daughter loved the school and how saddened she was to leave it. She was to leave her old life behind and start a chapter in her new life. Hermione was the smartest witch in her grade though (as well as throughout the entire school) so Kathy knew her daughter would have no trouble succeeding in her future. Kathy stopped herself from all the reminiscing and walked over to her daughter’s bed once more. She leaned down and slowly shook her daughter. “Hermione, wake up. You don’t want to be late for your first day of your last year at Hogwarts do you?” Hermione’s eyes popped open and she quickly sat up in bed, shaking her head to be rid of all the fuzziness. “Oh my! I almost forgot! Today is September 1! Why didn’t you wake me up sooner, Mum?” Hermione threw the covers off of her and scurried out of her room and into the bathroom down the hall. Kathy laughed and shook her head, she was absolutely impossible. “I did try to wake you up but you know how you are in the morning, Herm.” Hermione came walking back into her room, trying to run a brush through her tangled brown hair. “I know, I just have so much to pack, my trunk has barely everything I need in it!” Hermione pointed to the large brown trunk in the corner of the room that was flung open with a stack of robes and other uniform items spilling out of it. Her mother shook her head, “I’ll leave you to it then. Just be ready by 10 o’clock ok? That gives you about two hours.” Kathy went to leave but something drew her attention on Hermione’s desk. She walked over and picked up the large and fairly heavy textbook on the top of the pile. “Muggle Studies Year 7,” she muttered, a little confused, “Hermione, why are you taking Muggle Studies?” Hermione stood up and turned around, holding a pair of jeans in her hand and shrugged. “Its a fascinating class! Its one of my favorites actually.” “But, you were born as a Muggle, why do you need to learn about them? You know how we live.” “But I’m learning it from the perspective of a wizard now which makes it so much more interesting. I dropped it back in third year but I took it back up again last year. Its a very small amount of students who take it so they’ve combined the fifth through seventh years in it. We all get the same book and the same material. I love being in that class, meeting so many students from different years and our teacher, Professor Rapp, is just lovely!” Hermione gushed about the class, her eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. “I still don’t understand it dear. But if you enjoy it, that’s ok with me,” Kathy set the book down, “ What are you learning in there now?” “Oh, we’re learning about computers right now,” Hermione said as she found a shirt and quickly began to change out of her pajamas, “We’re learning about how to use them and the different features that go along with it. We actually get to use real computers as well.” Suddenly Kathy remembered something. “Is this the class that you met those two boys that you talked about quite often when you came back? The two you joked with quite often in class. They were fifth years weren’t they? What were their names.......” “Harry and Ron,” Hermione said quickly, “Yes, they’re sixth years now. I hope they took the class again, it was so much fun having them in it. Professor Rapp always thought we were a bit too loud. We were always joking, I kept my grade up though, I never let that slip,” she stated firmly. “Yes,” her mother nodded, “you did mention them a lot, especially the one, Harry, he seems to be quite special.” Hermione blushed and looked away from her mother. “He’s just another boy, granted he is Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, but I don’t seem him that way. We’re just friends anyway, all we did was tease each other.” “Ah, but you know what your father says ‘Boys only tease the girls they like so they can get her attention,’” Kathy said with a smile. “Oh Mum, please,” Hermione said in exasperation, “I never believe any of Daddy’s lines. He just says them to make me feel better about all the guys who have teased me over the years. I’ll never get a guy to like me. I’m too bookwormish and obsessed with my studies. Besides, I’m not pretty either. So many other girls at Hogwarts are wanted by the guys. What makes me stand out?” Kathy quickly stepped in front of her daughter and lifted her chin so Hermione was looking right in her eyes. “Listen to me Hermione. You are beautiful, smart, funny, outgoing, and wonderful. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Never sell yourself short because you are amazing. You will find your right guy one day. Maybe he’s at Hogwarts, maybe he isn’t. But do not worry, he is out there, waiting for you.” Hermione’s eyes filled with tears and she gave her mother a huge hug. “Thanks Mum, I needed to hear that.” Kathy hugged her daughter back and stroked her hair. “Anytime dear, anytime.” She pulled back and looked in her eyes again. “Now hurry up. We leave in an hour now. Get your trunk packed and get Crookshanks ready to go. Time for your final year to begin.” Kathy left the room and Hermione watched her go, thanking God she was blessed with such a wonderful and understanding mother. Hermione sighed and walked over to her desk, staring down at everything that was a symbol of who she was. Excitement and sadness filled her that she was to be leaving Hogwarts soon. Another feeling filled her though. A feeling that something big was going to happen this year. She smiled softly, hoping the feeling she had included a certain boy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Chapter Two - Conversations On The Hogwarts Express Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Harry Potter world. It all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot and some character names. Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for your wonderful reviews! I'm so happy you like my story! I'm really enjoying writing it. Someone reviewed and said the only real changes they noticed were Hermione is a year older than Harry and Ron and that she did not meet them until her 6th year. Those are the major changes but there will be a few more minor ones and I hope they won't upset anyone, if you have a problem with the story, please do tell me! Just don't criticize me, I've had people criticize some other stories of mine very harshly and I do not appreciate that. This chapter is a bit longer which I hope you guys will like. The Harry/Hermione action will start in the next chapter, I promise! I had a reader leave a review that made me think and I thought I would just clarify something about this story. Yes, it is based off of events that happened to me and even though my own story did not turn out the greatest in the end, that is not where I am taking this story. Yes, it deals with heart break and I hope I didn't worry people that this won't end up being H/Hr in the end. For a while it may seem that way and I'll probably have some readers cursing me about having Hermione get her heart broken but I promise you, this will end up an H/Hr story in the end. Everything will work out so don't get angry with me! I couldn't have this story on this site if I didn't have them get back together in the end, so no worries, they will get together! So, now that I ruined the ending, lol, I'll let you continue on with the story. Please review and enjoy! Chapter Two - Conversations On the Hogwarts Express An hour later, Hermione found herself in the back of her parents car, her trunk on the seat next to her and Crookshanks in his basket on the floor. The cat was obviously very unhappy with the car ride as he kept hissing and clawing at the door of his cage the entire time. The drive to King’s Cross Station took about an hour and when the car was finally parked, Hermione leapt out of the car in all of her excitement. She felt as giddy as she did when she was coming to Hogwarts for her first year. Michael Granger got out of the driver’s seat and laughed in amusement at his daughter. “Honey, calm down, you’ll be on the train in a few minutes.” Hermione smiled brightly. “I can’t help it Dad! Its my last year and I’m just so excited at the moment. I know I’ll be sad later but for now, I’m just enjoying it.” He shook his head and smiled before busying himself with getting Hermione’s trunk and other things out of the car. Her mother walked up a few seconds later, towing a cart behind her. “Here you are dear. Better get your stuff on here fast, the train leaves in ten minutes.” She pointed to the clock on the wall. Hermione’s eyes widened. “Oh goodness! Lavender and Parvati are going to be wondering where I am! I always meet them on the platform before we get on the train. Hurry up Dad!” Her father lifted the large trunk out of the back seat and practically tossed it on the cart. “What do you have in there? Rocks?!” he gasped out as he wiped his brow. “Oh Dad, its not that horrible. I just brought a lot of books for studying and to catch up on my reading,” Hermione said simply as she placed Crookshanks cage on top of the trunk, the cat still spitting angrily. Hermione rolled the cart down to just a few feet in front of the gate that separated Platforms 9 and 10. She turned to her parents with a smile, who had stopped just behind her. Her mother stepped forward and drew her into a large hug. “Have a wonderful year sweetie. Enjoy this remaining time at Hogwarts, I bet you have a lot in store for you!” “Thanks Mum. I promise to write you once a week and keep you posted with everything that is going on.” Kathy clapped her hands in delight, looking as excited as a schoolgirl. “Oh wonderful! I love hearing all the gossip that goes on over there!” Hermione laughed and gave her mother one last hug goodbye. So many other teenagers tried as hard as they could to pry themselves away from their parents, especially their mothers. They wanted to go and live all by themselves and not tell their parents one bit about their personal lives. Hermione was different though. Her mother was not only a mother to her, she was her best friend, always there for her and willing to give advice on any subject. Hermione never felt scared to go to her on anything and valued her mother’s advice above anyone’s. There was a bond between the two of them that Hermione cherished deeply and wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Hermione turned to her father next and gave him a hug as well. “Bye Daddy, I’ll miss you.” “I’ll miss you too sweetie.” He pulled away and tapped his finger on her nose. “Just remember to keep those grades up!” “Oh Dad,” Hermione said as she swatted his arm. Michael laughed and roughed her hair up. “Just have fun and be safe!” Hermione nodded and turned back around to face the metal barrier that was the only thing standing between her and Platform 9 and 3/4. “Bye sweetie! We love you,” Kathy called out one last time. Hermione quickly turned and gave a last wave. “I love you too!” And with a determined stride and a deep breath, she ran toward the barrier and quickly found herself standing in front of the scarlet Hogwarts Express. Steam was billowing out from under it and the chattering of many students rushing to get on the train was heard all over the platform. A loud whistle rang over the din and Hermione knew it was announcing five minutes until departure. She glanced hurriedly up and down the platform, looking for Lavender and Parvati but suddenly a voice rang out behind her, “There you are Mione! We’ve been looking everywhere for you! You’re never this late!” Hermione spun around and smiled when she saw the voice belonged to Parvati Patil, one of her best friends. Walking next to her was Lavender Brown, her other great friend. The three had known each other since first year, when they were all sorted into Ravenclaw and naturally had the same sleeping quarters. They had hit it off immediately and an instant bond was formed. They did everything together and spilled out all their problems on to each other. Hermione didn’t know how she would have survived Hogwarts without them. “Eeee! It's so good to see you two again!” Hermione raced toward them and enveloped them in a hug which they eagerly returned. “I missed all of our girl chats over the summer!” “Oh I know,” Lavender replied with a nod, “me too. But you got all my letters and postcards, right?” “Definitely. I was so jealous of you, traveling to New Zealand and Japan. You have to tell me every last detail!” Lavender opened her mouth to reply but just then another whistle rang out. “Come on Herm. We gotta get your things on the train,” Parvati said as she started pushing Hermione’s cart toward the end of the train. The three friends quickly raced to the last compartment and shoved Hermione’s trunk up above the seats. Crookshanks basket was placed on an empty seat and the three piled in and shut the door. A few seconds later, another whistle blew and slowly the train began to make its way down the tracks, beginning the three’s final year at Hogwarts. “Are you sad?” Parvati asked a few minutes after the ride began. Hermione looked away from the beautiful countryside whizzing by outside and nodded her head. “Oh yes. But I’m planning on coming back to teach. I was going to talk to Professor Dumbledore sometime today to see if I can make some plans with him. I want to go to college first but I’d love to come back and teach Muggle Studies or Arithmancy. I could never leave Hogwarts forever, it has too much of me in its walls.” Lavender laughed and shook her head in amazement. “Only you, Herm, could be that excited about going back to school.” Hermione stuck her tongue out at her but couldn’t help laughing as well. Parvati didn’t join in though and instead got a gleam in her eyes while turning to Hermione. “So, how was your summer? Anything interesting happen while we were off vacationing around the world?” Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation. “NO, nothing happened. You know me and the guy area, nothing ever happens. I can’t get guys and I really don’t want to either. This is my last year at Hogwarts. I just want to focus on my studies, get good grades, and enjoy myself. I don’t need boys getting in the way, its just a bunch of trouble. I always told myself I would never get involved with guys during school. I haven’t so far and I definitely won’t this year.” Parvati looked in shock at her best friend. “Oh come on, Mione. I love you to death but sometimes you need to lay off the books and enjoy life. I mean, I’m not really rushing for a guy either but it doesn’t mean I don’t look and let wonderful guys pass me up. There’s some good catches at Hogwarts and I know you aren’t ignored by the guys either.” Hermione just stared at her in surprise so she continued. “No joke, I know some guys who’ve had crushes on you and I won’t name them either,” she almost laughed at the glare she received, “I know you have to like someone. What about Harry Potter? You mentioned him a lot last year when you two had a class together. He is a year younger but come on, he’s Harry Potter. He’s pretty cute too.” Hermione’s jaw dropped open. “You’ve got to be kidding me! Me with Harry Potter? Now that’s funny.......” Lavender rolled her eyes and sighed. “You did mention him a lot hun and whenever his name is brought up, you brighten. You have to have a crush on him.” Hermione blushed and looked down at the floor while twisting her hands nervously in her lap. “No, I don’t have a crush on him. And come on, I only met him last year and we only teased each other throughout the class. We haven’t talked all summer and frankly, I sorta forgot about him.” “Didn’t he tell you at the end of the year though that you could write to him?” Parvati questioned. “Ummm....well....yes....he did....I didn’t really take him seriously though and I was a little nervous to,” Hermione stumbled over her words, flushing with embarrassment. “Aha, you’re blushing, you do like him, don’t you?!” Parvati exclaimed triumphantly. Hermione glared at her, her brown eyes flashing. She crossed her arms in front of her and looked away from the two girls who were both suddenly wearing smug smiles on their faces. She wasn’t going to let them win this argument. She did not like Harry Potter. What would he see in her anyway? He was fricken Harry Bloody Potter, the Boy Who Lived. The one who had defeated Voldemort more times than she could count. He would never like her, plain, bookworm, studious, Hermione Granger. Granted, even though he was Harry Potter, he wasn’t the most popular boy in the school. He was loved by many but he was also very shy, having only a small group of friends that he stuck close to, Ron Weasley being one of them. Hermione had been drawn to him though last year, even before she knew he was Harry Potter. He was so quiet but....he seemed special. She had actually gotten to know Ron first, having her desk next to his, and the two of them had made fun of each other the whole year, seeming to hate each other but deep down they knew they had a friendship. When she met Harry, they teased each other as well but she found herself slowly forming a crush on him, not cause of his name, but of his personality. He was funny, shy, outgoing, and friendly. Hermione had shoved her feelings away though, never thinking a guy could like her and just letting herself admire him from afar. Now, after no contact with Harry over the summer, she didn’t know yet if she felt the same for him anymore. She sighed deeply, knowing that she would have to face him at school and then only time would tell. Hermione finally snapped herself from her thoughts and turned again to her friends, who were both watching her intently. “Look, I’m not going to say I like Harry but I’m not going to say I don’t like him. I don’t know yet, I haven’t seen him in three months so, when I see him again, I will tell you if I still have a crush on him like I did last year.” “Well,” Lavender said with a grin, “we were right about you having a crush on him last year.” “You two are impossible,” Hermione muttered, hiding her smile. That smile quickly disappeared though. “Oh my God! I completely forgot. Prefect duties!” Without another word, she rushed out of the compartment and raced to the front of the train. “Boys,” she mumbled under her breath, “always getting in the way of responsibilities.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Chapter Three - The Sorting Ceremony Disclaimer: All characters and anything else affliated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot and a few names you may not recognize. Author's Note: Oh goodness, sorry about taking so long to update! I got so caught up with finishing my story Light and Dark I put this one off to the side for a while. Now that the other one is completed, I can devote my time fully to this one! I'm really excited about writing this one, my first novel length romance. I hope you enjoy this story as much as Light and Dark which got a lot of great support! Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter, finally some H/Hr interaction, lol. Please please review!! I love feedback! Oh, and I almost forgot. I changed it a little again so that Hermione is now in Ravenclaw, it just makes more sense for the story, so I'm re-loading chapter 2 to have that in there instead. This is an AU. Now, read away, lol. Much Love, PhoenixFirebolt Chapter Three - The Sorting Ceremony The Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the Hogsmeade’s station later that day. The sky was already an inky black and a few stars were beginning to glimmer against it. Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati all piled out of their compartment with Hermione going right into her Prefect duties and ushering students along. A light mist was falling, making it hard for everyone to see and more than once Hermione found her foot being stepped on. “Ow! Damnit,” she cursed, rubbing her foot as the last student went past her. Hermione grumbled under her breath and gingerly walked to the carriage that Lavender and Parvati were waiting in. In the carriage, Lavender and Parvati were discussing everything from the Sorting Ceremony to new boyfriend prospects. Hermione snorted at their words and stared out the window silently, watching the beautiful Hogwarts castle come closer into view. She didn’t want to leave this place at the end of the year, her entire life was here. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, waiting for the swaying carriage to stop. It finally reached the front of the castle and the three girls jumped out and raced up the steps, eager to get to the feast and begin their last year. The students started filing into the Great Hall and Hermione found herself unconsciously looking for a head of unruly black hair. She bit her lip when she didn’t see him and sighed in defeat. Lavender nudged her shoulder and gave Hermione a sly smile. “Wonder who you are looking for.....” Hermione raised her eyebrows up and refused to answer, which just made Lavender laugh in triumph. They walked along past the long tables before settling themselves at the Ravenclaw one, waiting anxiously for the rest of the school to arrive. “I wonder who the Head Boy and Girl are,” Parvati whispered suddenly. “Well, Dumbledore doesn’t announce that until the end of the feast,” Hermione responded haughtily, “you know that.” Parvati rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know, Herm. I was just saying I was wondering. I bet you made Head Girl, you’re the smartest witch in the school!” Hermione blushed and shook her head. “I don’t know, I may be that but I’m too shy and quiet. Dumbledore will want someone who is really good with the rest of the students and is popular and knows how to socialize, he won’t pick me.” Lavender glared at Hermione. “Don’t say that about yourself. You are a wonderful person, exactly the type Dumbledore would want to lead the school.” “Just drop it ok?” Hermione returned to looking at the entrance to the Great Hall while her friends dropped the conversation in defeat. “Hermione!” a voice called excitedly behind her. She turned quickly and her face broke into a large grin as she leapt from her seat and hugged the young girl who called her name. “Mallory! Its so wonderful to see you again!” Mallory Griffin was starting her fifth year and was in Ravenclaw as well. She had long, straight brown hair and brown eyes which were covered in glasses. She was a pretty girl and incredibly sweet. The two had never really known each other before until they had taking Ancient Runes together last year, immediately becoming friends. Even though Mallory was younger, Hermione found she could talk to the girl about almost anything and she was wise beyond her years. She had a deep affection for the girl and hoped they would become better friends over the year. “How was your summer?” Hermione asked after she pulled back from the hug. “Oh, boring as usual,” Mallory responded with a laugh, “I couldn’t wait to get back here, I was missing someone.” She immediately blushed and looked down the long table until her eyes settled on another fifth year she had fancied since she had first come to Hogwarts. Hermione followed her gaze and smiled softly at her friend. “Don’t worry Mal, just keep trying. One day Dan will get it through his thick skull how amazing you are.” “Thanks Hermione,” she said while looking at her in admiration, “I better get back to my friends, see you in classes.” And she hurried off down to her seat again. Hermione re-took her seat just as Professor McGonagall came walking through the doors, a long line of very nervous looking first years trailing behind her. Hagrid came sliding into the Hall after them and Hermione waved at him while he beamed back at her. She had been friends with Hagrid ever since first year when Hermione had run into his cabin in an attempt to get away from some rather nasty second year boys who were chasing her around the grounds, trying to curse her and yelling “Mudblood!” the entire time. A tearful Hermione had found comfort in the big, scary looking half-giant who was as gentle as a kitten. Hermione always ran to him whenever she was stressed about school or had gotten into an argument with Lavender or Parvati. She considered him a second father to her. Professor McGonagall set down the three-legged stool she was carrying with the very frayed and dirty Sorting Hat on top of it. The first years lined up facing the rest of the school. Several of them were shaking and wide-eyed. Others were staring in awe at the ceiling, which was currently showing a black sky with many stars and a few wispy clouds. Suddenly the Sorting Hat wiggled on the stool and the fabric on the hem broke apart and the Hat burst into song. So many long years ago, when I was still new and clean, four wizards came together each bearing the same dream. They wanted to teach their ways to young wizards all around, so Hogwarts school began and four houses born within. Gryffindor is for the brave who strive to protect and succeed. Ravenclaw is for the wise who have the brains for anything. Hufflepuff is for the loyal who will never leave your side. Slytherin is for the ambitious who wish only to prove themselves. So step up and put me on and I will tell you where you belong. But is the house that I chose truly the one for you? So many within these walls are wonderful at deceiving. Beware of who you trust and who you keep as friends, for if you are not careful you will be hurt instead. This year is full of turmoil and heartache everywhere. But in the end a lesson shall be learned, for love is never wrong but is always mistaken. I only pose one question to be pondered throughout the year, what truly lies within your heart in everything you do? Now that that is over let the Sorting now begin! Applause filled the Hall but Hermione noticed that it was more forced then the years before. She too was as puzzled by the Sorting Hat’s song like everyone else. What exactly had it meant? ‘What truly lies within your heart in everything you do?’ Was it some sort of message or was the Hat just being as weird as it always seemed to be? Hermione glanced over at Lavender who simply raised her eyebrows and shrugged, also looking confused. Parvati looked extremely perplexed and was still staring at the Hat as Professor McGonagall called out “Alder, Brian!” who was sorted into Gryffindor. The line of first years slowly diminished but Hermione barely paid any attention, her mind reeling still from what the Sorting Hat had said. What did that mean? she thought desperately, The Hat never has said anything like that before. Hmm...I wonder if there is a book in the library about Sorting Hat songs. I’ll have to look tomorrow..... Finally, the Sorting ended with “Zander, Lisa!” going to Ravenclaw. Hermione clapped automatically with everyone else at her table as the blonde girl sat down, blushing. The Sorting Hat was carried out and Dumbledore stood up, his bead gleaming silver in the candlelight and his arms spread wide. “Welcome! Another year at Hogwarts is beginning! I know you all must be famished so I will say two words to you, Eat up!” He smiled and sat down to eat his own dinner while the tables in front of the students suddenly filled with food. Everyone quickly filled their plates with food and the Hall was full of the noise of students chatting about their summers and knives and forks clinking. Hermione only picked at her food, not really hungry suddenly. Lavender was looking at her in concern but Hermione ignored her, wanting to be left to her thoughts. Parvati couldn’t take the tension though. “Hermione, forget the song. Its just a stupid hat. I know that’s what is on your mind but ignore it, it means nothing!” Hermione looked at her in surprise but before she could answer another voice spoke behind her. “Hey Hermione.” She froze, recognizing that voice and slowly turned in her seat, her breath catching slightly in her throat. Harry Potter stood in front of her, a small grin on his face and running a hand through his messy hair. His emerald eyes stared at her intently and she fought to keep from blushing under his gaze. “Hey Harry,” she finally replied, smiling at him. She heard Parvati distinctly giggle across from her and she kicked her friend under the table, who gave a soft cry of indignation. “I was wondering, did you sign up for Muggle Studies again,” Harry asked, a hopeful look on his face. Hermione nodded. “Yes, I did. But I’m not sure if we’re in the same class anymore because Professor Rapp informed me at the end of last year that more people were starting to sign up and she was going to be splitting up the years again.” “Oh, well, maybe we’ll be lucky,” he said, looking disappointed, “last year was so much fun with you and Ron in the class, it’d be great to have that again.” “Oh, definitely. I loved that class last year, you sure made it interesting,” Hermione laughed. Harry smiled wider at her, his eyes sparkling. “Well, even if you don’t have the class with me first term, maybe second term we will.” “Hopefully.” They stared at each other for a couple more seconds before Harry glanced back to the Gryffindor table and said, “Oh well, I better go. Dessert is coming up now. I’ll see you around Hermione.” He waved and quickly dashed back to his table. Hermione watched him go and sit down next to Ron and across from a girl and boy she didn’t know. Hermione nudged Lavender and pointed to the table. “Lav, who are those two?” Lavender craned her neck around to look at the blonde boy and the red-head girl Hermione was pointing to. “Oh,” she got a sort of disgusted look on her face, “those two? That’s Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley, the two biggest prats in sixth year and practically the whole school.” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Why the bloody hell is Draco Malfoy at the Gryffindor table? He’s a Slytherin, I thought he hated Gryffindors.” The two watched as Harry and Ron laughed at something Draco had said and Ginny giggled with them before giving Draco a punch on the arm. Lavender’s jaw dropped open. “Harry Potter is friends with Malfoy? Now, that’s interesting news. Never thought I’d see that.” Lavender glanced at Hermione’s wide-eyed expression and shook her head. “Hang around Harry all you want but I’m telling you, avoid Malfoy, he’s bad news. No one really likes him because he’s such a jerk to everyone. There have been rumors about him and Ginny dating but that’s no shock, birds of a feather. Ron seems nice enough as well, from what you told me, strange but nice. How he has a sister like that I will never know.” And she turned back to her strawberry ice cream. Hermione stared at Harry for a few more seconds until he looked up and caught her eye and grinned. Hermione turned beet red and looked away quickly. “Damn,” she muttered, “why was I staring?” “Cause you fancy him!” Parvati exclaimed, laughing. “Parv! Will you shut up?” Hermione snapped, hoping no one had heard her loud friend. “Oh come on, ‘Mione! You were so depressed during dinner but Harry shows up and you’re suddenly glowing and turning all red. I think he fancies you too, with the way he was acting about having a class together again. You should ask him out.” “No,” Hermione hissed defiantly, “I will not. And I’m not glowing, he’s just a friend. I do like to be around my friends you know.” She gave Parvati an icy glare which only got waved away dismissively by a hand. “All right Herm, keep on telling that to yourself. Maybe you should think more about what the Sorting Hat said.” And she returned to her dessert. Hermione remained in stony silence but Parvati’s words still rang in her head. Did she really like Harry? Was something like this what the Sorting Hat had meant? Hermione felt a headache coming on from all of her thinking and only wanted to go and curl up in her bed. Before that could happen though, Dumbledore stood up once more, a smile on his face as he looked down upon his students. “Well, now that you are relaxed and well fed, I think its time to announce your Head Boy and Girl for this year. When both of you are announced, please come up here to collect your badges and receive your instructions. Everyone else may leave after their names are called.” Dumbledore reached down and grabbed a slip of parchment, which he looked at over his half-moon spectacles. “Our Head Boy for this year is Oliver Wood.” There was a tremendous amount of applause from the Gryffindor table as Oliver stood up and walked to the teacher’s table, an embarrassed grin on his face. “Our Head Girl is Hermione Granger.” The Ravenclaw table clapped loudly as Hermione sat dumbstruck. “Me? He picked me?” she uttered in disbelief. “Told you he would!” Parvati said proudly. “Miss Granger, if you would please come up here!” Dumbledore called. Hermione walked to the front, still in shock but a slow smile spreading on her face as the rest of the school filtered out of the Great Hall, Harry giving her a thumbs up before following Ron out. Oliver gave her a friendly smile as Dumbledore congratulated them and begin to give his instructions. Maybe this year won’t be so bad after all, she thought, suddenly feeling elated. And as her mind wandered to Harry she grinned inwardly. No, not bad at all.