Repercussions

Draco heard the crack from the apparition, and knew that she had gone, leaving him on
the floor feeling extremely uneasy. He listened to the Dark Lord specifically tell his
father not to do anything to the girl, but he still didn't trust that he would obey. He was
therefore completely caught off guard by the whip-like sound of his father returning a
very short time later. He didn't bother to look up, but a swift kick to his side let him
know that the older man did intend to converse with him.

"So help me Draco, if you do anything else to disgrace the Malfoy name, I will kill you
myself. I'm sure the Dark Lord has already made his wishes clear, but I shall refresh your
memory, so there will be no excuse for failure. I don't care what you do but you must
keep an eye on her. Don't let her on to you, if the Order finds out the truth they will be
immediately put on guard, and that child will be so well protected our Lord will be lucky
to get a glimpse of him, let alone abduct him. I will be sending you further instructions,
and I have spies at Hogwarts. If you think you can get away with your usual irrational
behavior, you are wrong."

The younger Malfoy was only half listening, but nodded in response when his father
finished talking, not caring if he was being disrespectful. There was nothing more he
could take away or do to him that he hadn't already done.

"I promised your mother she could spend some time with you before your return to
school. If you behave I may keep that promise."

'What can I possibly do to misbehave in a fucking prison cell?' Draco sulkily thought to
himself, but replied with a simple "Yes Father."

With that Lucius fled from the cell, leaving his son to dwell on his thoughts about the
coming year at Hogwarts. Part of him wanted to revolt against the Dark Lord and his ass-
kissing father, and go to the Order and tell them everything. Another more forceful part
of him was afraid of what would happen to him and his mother if he did defy them, more
so than he already had anyway. He decided he needed to be as compliant as possible
towards the evildoers in order to cover up the fact that he'd already most likely screwed
up the Dark Lord's plan. He then started to wonder what Granger was doing. 'Probably
looking up every book she can find on pregnancy,' he thought to himself with a smirk.

However, at that very moment, Hermione was just waking up from what she thought was
a very short nap. Crookshanks was frantically pawing her face to get her attention, as if
she'd been gone for weeks.

"Geesh you fat cat, I'm up!" she said, sitting up quickly and pushing the overweight animal onto the
floor. He glared at her for a moment, then brushed his face against her legs in a peaceful
gesture, as soon as she stood up. She felt achy, winded, and slightly lightheaded, but just
assumed it was from sleeping in a chair, so she figured the feelings wouldn't last.

"Aww I'm sorry baby, did I forget to feed you? It is already 5:00, I guess we could have
an early dinner." She was slightly startled when she looked at the clock on the
microwave, she didn't think she had slept for that long. Looking outside through the
sliding glass doors confirmed it though; it was already pitch black outside.

She poured some cat chow into the bowl on the floor for Crookshanks, and then
rummaged through the pantry trying to find something easy to make for herself. She
didn't really have an appetite at the moment, but thought she might feel less shaky and
weak if she ate something. She finally settled on mac and cheese and some leftover pork
chops she thought were only a couple days old. She started to boil water and threw the
pork chops into the microwave. She knew it wasn't a very healthy meal and that her
parents would definitely not approve, but she didn't have that many options.

As she waited for the water to boil she decided to turn on the tele to get it out of her
system before going back to the electricity free zone that was Hogwarts. Flipping through
the channels she found a whole lot of nothing to watch. From paid programming to
infomercials, even what looked like cheesy soft-core porn! She hadn't watched television
in awhile but was appalled that this was now what prime time TV consisted of. She
sighed in defeat and turned the TV off, throwing down the remote and heading back to
the stove.

Once her food was ready she sat down and ate in silence, the only sounds coming from
the cat chewing, and her fork moving the noodles across her plate. She really wasn't in
the mood to eat. She was actually feeling quite sour; she'd thought that after spending
some time alone relaxing she would be refreshed, instead she felt bored and sluggish. She
put her plate in the sink and decided maybe an early trip to the Burrow was in order. She
had already packed since her parents would have been suspicious if she hadn't, so there
wasn't much left to do.

The only thing left was to decide on flooing or apparating. It had been awhile since she'd
passed her apparition test, and she hadn't had a chance to try it yet. She wondered how
Crookshanks would take it. He probably wouldn't like it, but there was only one way to
know for sure. She got out the kitty carrier from the front closet and coaxed the reluctant
fur ball inside. She then carried him up to her room where her trunk was, and changed
into a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She noticed a small spot of blood on her bathing
suite bottoms and groaned aloud. She wasn't supposed to get her period for two more
weeks and she wanted to enjoy all her time with Harry and Ron without turning into an
emotional wreck. She made a pit stop to the loo then tried to get in a position to hold on
to all of her belongings at once.

"Ok... determination, destination... err... deportation? Oh no, that's not right.
Deliberation! Ok, destination, determination, deliberation!" She took a deep breath and
spun around on the spot thinking only of the Burrow. She felt the air pressure on all sides
of her body and closed her eyes, opening them when she felt her feet hit the soft dusty
ground that was the Weasley garden. She put down her things and squealed and clapped
like a little kid, proud of her first time making use of her apparition license.

She tried to pull her trunk and Crookshanks at the same time, but her trunk was so
weighed down with books she deemed it impossible, and left it for the boys to get. She
figured the family would be sitting down to dinner soon, and was happy that she finally
felt her appetite returning to her, just in time for some real food. She reached the shabby
front door and knocked loudly, expecting to hear voices inside, but the air was still and
quiet. She hoped she wasn't intruding on something by coming a little early, but it never
occurred to her that they wouldn't be home. She knocked again and finally heard soft
footsteps coming towards the door.

"Who's there, identify yourself!" Mr. Weasley yelled out, she was surprised to hear how
tired his voice sounded.

"It's Hermione, my parents left early so I thought it would be okay if I came and stayed
early as well. Err... is that alright?"

"Yes of course, we just weren't expecting you yet, especially not in the middle of the
night! Just say something so I know it's really you and I can let you get off to bed."

"Well... I started S.P.E.W in fourth year and I'm still working on it. Is that good?

"Of course," he said as he opened the door and threw his arms around her.

"Yeah, only you would take the time to say S-P-E-W instead of just calling it spew," said
another familiar red head from behind his father. She squealed and hugged him tight
around the neck. She didn't realize how much she missed her best friends until seeing
Ron again. Lights started to ignite in the kitchen as she heard more footsteps coming
down the stairs. When she finally finished hugging and greeting everyone, she stepped
back to take a breather and let her cat out. Taking in the appearance of everyone's
disheveled hair and pajamas she realized something...

"Hang on, Mr. Weasley, did you say 'middle of the night'?''

"Well yes I believe it's nearly 5:30, you definitely know how to make an entrance," he
said laughing to himself. Then he noticed the shocked look on Hermione's face and
changed into parent mode at once.

"Are you okay Hermione? It's fine I was only kidding about making an entrance, you
know you can come over at any time you're always welcome."

"Yes it's just that... Oh never mind it's nothing I'm just so happy to see you all! Sorry I
woke you up!" she said apologetically, not wanting to sound like an idiot by telling them
she thought it was actually five at night.

"You should be sorry, some of us need our beauty sleep to look as good as you, you
know." Harry tried to sound serious, but his small snorting noises from holding in the
laughter gave him away. Hermione punched him in the arm and ordered him and Ron to
get her trunk from the yard. She walked with the boys and Ginny outside after insisting to
Mrs. Weasley that she didn't need anything to eat, and that they should all go back to
sleep.

"You know Hermione, the school has a library, you didn't have to bring your own,"
Harry told her as he struggled with his half of the trunk.

"You're just lucky I haven't gotten my school books for this year yet, then you'd really
get a workout. I actually didn't even get my list yet, did you? I hope they know we want
to come back."

"I'm sure they do, I mean, why wouldn't we? There's been no sign of Voldemort or any
Death Eater's since the attack. And I don't have a clue as to where to start the search for
the Horcruxes. We might as well do our research at school. It's probably just taking
longer since they just recently decided Hogwarts was even going to be open. Don't
worry Hermione, you'll be Head Girl soon enough."

"No we don't know that for sure."

"Of course you will be, you're the smartest witch in our year, probably even the whole
school."

The dawn was creeping in, but she hoped it was still dark enough to hide her blushing red
cheeks. Deep down she knew she would be Head Girl, but she wouldn't believe it for
sure until she got her letter. Instead of arguing she decided to change the subject a little.

"I wonder who Head Boy will be? I bet it's you or Ron. Either way we could try to all
move in to the Head quarters together. That would be so much fun."

"Well I hope it's not me. I can take being quidditch captain again, but Head Boy would
be too much responsibility, especially when we need to be looking for the Horcruxes too.
I'm not as good of a multi-tasker as you are." Hermione understood where Harry was
coming from, but she still hoped one of her best friends would get it so they could have
the Head common room to themselves.

"I'm with ya mate, I just want to get through this year alive, let alone worrying about all
that extra work. Besides, I think Ernie will get it, he was third in our year, and a pompous
arse, but sometime the teachers go for that."

"Well we should know soon I hope," she replied as they reached the landing where
Ginny's room was located. The sweating boys dropped the trunk by the bed and
Hermione set Crookshanks' empty cage on top of it. They said their goodnights and the
boys continued upstairs to Ron's room. Hermione changed into cotton shorts to sleep in
while Ginny got into bed and fell asleep almost instantly. Hermione got between the
sheets but expected to just lay awake, seeing as she thought she already slept almost an
entire day. She was therefore pleasantly surprised to be woken up later that morning by
the sweet smell of sausage and eggs wafting through the door.

She looked across the room and saw that Ginny was already gone. Even though she felt
fine, Hermione clapped her palm to her forehead. She couldn't possibly be well and sleep
this much; it just didn't make sense to her. Not sensing a fever, she rolled out of bed with
a groan and dug in her trunk for something to wear. She found a comfortable but cute pair
of Capri cut jeans, and a plain white t-shirt.

She had just finished zipping up her fly when Ron and Harry burst through the doors.

"HERMIONE! They're here!!" he yelled, shoving a large envelope in her face. She
swiped it out from under her nose, and her face split into a huge grin.

"Ok, let's open them together. One... two... three!" she screeched and tore at the thick
paper. She quickly pulled out the contents, flipping through the two pages of her supply
list, and then looking at a letter. She saw both Harry and Ron had the same letter.

Dear student,
We are sorry for the delay in your letters, but are pleased to inform you
that Hogwarts will remain open, even under the current conditions, and we hope
to see you back this year. All the staff members have been well trained for an
emergency, and the new security should be impenetrable. However, even with
Aurors guarding around the clock, we cannot guarantee a safe environment
without the cooperation from the staff and students. Therefore, we are asking that
all students report any suspicious activity. We are setting up a box in each
common room so you can do so anonymously if you wish, or report to any of the
teachers, or myself. This needs to be taken seriously as to ensure the safety of the
students, and allow us to keep Hogwarts open and running smoothly. We look
forward to seeing you on September 1st, and enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Headmistress,
Minerva McGonagall

Hermione finished reading the letter, and flipped it over to the back, looking at the next
paper in the pile. She was frustrated to find that it was another supply list, and after that
another letter, and another supply list. Her heart sank as she realized there was only three
pieces of paper in her hand. She peered back into the envelope nonchalantly but it was
empty. 'There must be some mistake!' she thought frantically to herself.

"That's great, now we get to tattle on each other, to keep the school safe! How much you
wanna bet the Slytherins completely abuse it. Oh and congratulations Hermione, not that
it's a surprise," Ron said, patting her on the back in a friendly gesture.

"Yeah..." she trailed off, not knowing how to respond, she was so upset on the inside but
wanted to stay strong on the outside, like she always was. The boys immediately sensed
something was wrong when they saw the look on her face.

"Hermione?"

"There's no letter, it's no big deal, at least we'll still be in the same common room. So
what was for breakfast? I'm starving! I'll meet you down there, I just have to find my
slippers." She watched the boys nervously leave the room as she sat on the bed letting the
news sink in. She didn't get her Head Girl letter, or Head Girl badge. Her dream from her
very first year at school was broken.

"How could this happen?"






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So I know this chapter was slightly uneventful, but I am trying not to rush things, even
though I really want to! I keep thinking of all these ideas for later in the story, but getting
there is going to be harder than I hoped. I hope you like it anyways! Thanks for the nice
reviews so far, they really motivate me to write more. PLEASE keep them coming : )