Hermione Granger attempted a smile as she entered the Great Hall once again. The school had finally been repaired and everyone was back for their next year of school- or repeating a year they had missed. Harry and Ginny walked in front of her, hand in hand. They had been dating for months now, and all of Hogwarts agreed that they were the couple to be admired. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, not so much. 

During the time after the battle, the Weasleys had needed each other to lean on, but Ron had refused to be there. He'd grown cold and angry. Hermione didn't like the turn he was taking, but she was sure she could bring back the boy she had fallen in love with. Ginny and Harry weren't so sure. Not after George, Bill, and Charlie refused to speak with him anymore. Not after....

Well, let's just say that Ron had done some things that Hermione wished he hadn't. They were still together, but not exactly willingly now. It was more that she was afraid of what Ron would do if she left him. He'd gotten more demanding and she was sick of it, but she also feared for her friend's mental state. He'd lose it if she dumped him.

*--------*

Draco Malfoy sat next to the only person in the whole school, it seemed, that could stand him. Blaise Zabini. Draco wasn't excited to be back, but it was better than being all alone in the manor, letting horrid memories relive in his head every time he entered a room. Hogwarts this year would be good to him; he was sure of it. He just didn't know why.

"May I have your attention please!" McGonagall announced. The Great Hall quieted as their new Headmaster spoke. "Welcome, new and returning students, to a fresh start at Hogwarts. To start out year, the other professors and I have decided to announce a mandatory assignment. It has come to our attention that the houses are very divided, especially this year. So, to encourage House Unity, every student will be paired up with someone fro a different house, to preform a song and dance routine at a Winter concert. This performance will be shown in front of the entire school. Students that are not confident in their voices or dance moves can choose to take a potion to enhance those abilities for the final performance only. Pairs will be chosen after breakfast. This assignment is not negotiable. You will participate, or you will fail this year. Understood?"

Everyone nodded blankly, stunned at this task. 

"Wonderful. Let the feast begin." Food appeared on the tables and conversations shot up.

"A song and dance competition for House Unity?" Ginny questioned. "Is she mental?"

"Ginny, we all know you're just sore that there's no chance of you getting to be with Harry." Hermione retorted with a smirk. Her friend glared at her, but didn't deny the claim.

"I don't like the sound of being with another girl here." Harry admitted. "Can I hire Gin as a bodyguard?"

"You don't have to pay me for that." Ginny insisted. 

"The whole idea is idiotic, just like the people suggesting it." Ron snapped. "I don't even know why I agreed to come back to this pathetic school anyway." 

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. 

"What?" he snarled back, his eyes glowing dangerously. Ginny, Harry, and Hermione exchanged a glance.

"That wasn't very nice." Hermione explained.

"Well neither is your face, but you don't see me complaining now do you." he replied. She felt her face go hot. If she wasn't so afraid he'd kill someone, Ronald Weasley would've been dumped on his arse right then and there. 

*---------*

"Singing and dancing? This is like something straight out of those muggle movies." Blaise commented. 

"I wouldn't know. Never seen one." Draco replied.

"Well they do this a lot. Spontaneously singing in random moments for no apparent reason. Doesn't make sense if you ask me." 

"This whole assignment doesn't make sense."

"Well, we better get used to it either way."

"Unfortunately, yes. We do."