Hermione walked into the castle, Draco was slightly ahead of her. She could hear the bustling, busy school attending to the feast inside, she and Draco more than likely missed the Sorting Ceremony. "Where have you two been?" said a high-pitched voice from behind. Hermione turned to see Professor Flitwick walking towards her and Draco. "Sorry, Professor, I left something in my carriage on the train," Hermione said. Professor Flitwick then turned his attention to Draco."And you?" Draco did not answer, he stood there with a glum impression, hands in his pockets leaning against the door of the great hall. Professor Flitwick sighed."You'd better go inside, or the feast'll be over," he said, and with that walked away down the corridor. Hermione could not picture Ron and Harry's face when they would see her walk in late with Malfoy of all people but luckily she did not have to see it, as Malfoy strode off towards the dungeons. Hermione was about to stop him and remind him he wouldn't know the new year's password, but she stopped herself from doing so as she remembered she could not care less if Malfoy was stranded outside of his common room. Hermione, however, proceeded into the Great Hall, and was stunned by the warm feeling she was greeted with. The castle looked as beautiful as ever, the thousands of candlelight floating in the air and the infamous ceiling of the Great Hall reflecting the sky outside was as cool as ever. The night was filled with a million stars, almost rendering the candles useless. She walked in and saw the first years at the end of all the house tables, they were talking excitedly and were as stunned as Hermione was at the food before them. She spotted Harry and Ron who hadn't noticed her yet. She walked up towards where they say and turned to face her.