267The 7th year, from the beginning
And she was finally back at Hogwarts. So much had happened. So many people had died in the War, including You-Know-Who. No. He was dead now. There was nothing to fear about saying his name. Voldemort. Voldemort had died thanks to Harry. Many of the Death Eaters had died as well, such as Bellatrix. Bellatrix had tortured her and she could still remember herself crying out in pain when Bellatrix crucioed her. And that was all finally over.
Hermione was in the Great Hall, waiting for Professor McGonagall to give her speech. Professor McGonagall walked up to the podium and began to speak. "This is what a great wizard said, and I agree with it. 'There is a time for speeches, and now is not one of them.' Dig in everyone" Hermione's thoughts travelled to her late Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, who had been killed by Professor Snape. Suddenly a face popped up in front of her, interrupting her from her thoughts.
"Hey, let's eat!" Harry said.
"Don't just sit there and stare off into nowhere, when there's all this brilliant food right here in front of us!" Ron said.
"Boys…" she mumbled to herself.
She started eating, and was delighted to the familiar taste of Hogwart's food.
"Mmm… I almost forgot how good the food here was…" She said.
"Don't you remember, house elves made this. What happened to S.P.E.W.?" Ron said.
"That was…. I mean… if house elves want to make food for Hogwarts, than they should be able to. That's why I think freedom is!" she said at last.
"And that's what we've been wanting to hear for a long time Hermione." Harry said, chuckling.
"Hey, I heard you got Head Girl! Congrats!" Neville called out to her.
"Yeah I did… thanks." Hermione mumbled back, looking down at her feet, embarrassed.
"You don't sound so excited…" Ron said.
"Well, the Head Boy is Malfoy, and who'd want to do it with him?" she said.
"Good point. But it can't be that bad can it?" Harry said.
"I'll live, I suppose." Hermione said.
After they had finished eating, Professor McGonagall passed out their time tables.
Hermione scanned her list:
Muggle Studies (with Hufflepuff) Professor Smith
Potions (with Slytherin) Professor Slughorn
Defense against the Dark Arts (with Slytherin) Professor Withes
Transfiguration (with Ravenclaw) Professor McGonagall
Charms (with Hufflepuff) Professor Flitwick
History of Magic (with Ravenclaw) Professor Binns
Astronomy (with Hufflepuff) Professor Sinistra
Arithmancy (with Ravenclaw) Professor Tofty
Herbology (with Slytherin) Professor Sprout
"Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, I need to see you now!" Professor McGonagall called out.
"Good luck!" a chorus of people said to Hermione.
"Thanks…" she mumbled as she got out of her seat.
"The Ministry of Magic wants us to have a house-unity project. Since the two of you are the Head Boy and Girl, we expect ideas from you for the two of you to be role models." Professor McGonagall said primly.
"Kingsley said that? We have to be role models? We have to work together?" Hermione shrieked shrilly.
"Why do you think we're Head Boy and Girl, Granger?" Malfoy drawled.
"Yes, you have to work together. Now the two of you are dismissed." Professor McGonagall said.
"So… what do you think we should do?" Hermione said cheerfully.
"I don't know… you're the bookworm, aren't you supposed to figure that out?" Malfoy said dully.
"I will NOT do everything for you. I am NOT your servant Malfoy. You are Head Boy, and I demand you to do SOMETHING!" she shouted.
"Whatever. How about a Quidditch battle with teams that are all 4 houses?"
"Hey… that's actually a decent idea."
"Just because you think I'm an idiot, doesn't mean I'm an idiot."
"I don't think you're an idiot…"
"Than you think I'm smart?"
"No…"
"Than you think I'm an idiot?"
"NO!"
"Than you think I'm smart?"
"UGH! Forget it. Anyway, how about a dance, that you have to have a different house as your partner as?"
"No… than everyone will hate it because of that!"
"That's only you Slytherins, and maybe not all of you…"
"Are you referring to me by a chance in that, Granger?"
"Did I say that I was?"
"No…"
"So that means I wasn't."
"You could have just been referring to me but a little indirectly."
"You know what? Let's just talk about this another time… when you're not acting so pig headed."
"So you think I'm pig headed?"
"YES! Now good bye!"