Hermione's POV
F/N had looked in my direction as he left the Quidditch field, yes I was there watching him. I had free time so I decided to see how good he was at Quidditch and from what I saw, he was great. He was trying out for seeker and there was something about the way he flew, the way he played that reminded me of something that I had seen before. For some reason, sitting there, in the stands watching F/N play Quidditch reminded me of the times where I would sit in the stands cheering Y/N on whilst he played.
"Hermione, look at this." I heard Harry say, at the Gryffindor table whilst passing me the Daily Prophet.
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM: DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR
"What does High Inquisitor mean?" asked Ron.
I looked at the article and read it aloud for the two boys.
"In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
'The Minister has been growing uneasy about the goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley, 'he is now responding to concerns, voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve of.'
This is not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the wizarding school. As recently as Thirtieth of August, Educational Decree Number Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.
'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night, 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone so the Minister put in Umbridge, and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionising the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts. It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalised with the passing of Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor. This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts. The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'
The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.
'I feel much easier in my mind now that I know Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr Lucius Malfoy, fourty-one, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night, 'many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and are glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.'
Among those eccentric decisions are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the employment of werewolf Remus Lupin, Half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and delusional ex-Auror, 'Mad-Eye' Moody.
Rumours abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.
'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step towards ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose our confidence,' said a Ministry insider last night.
Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.
'Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office,' said Madam Marchbanks, 'this is a further, disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore.'
(For a full account of Madam Marchbanks's alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page seventeen.)'"
As I finished reading the article out loud, Harry spoke.
"Well, that's not very good is it." he said grimly.
"Well I personally think it's quite good." a voice said from behind us. I looked up to see Draco, accompanied by his usual group of friends and F/N who was standing next to his brother. He had seemed to of ditched his robe and was just wearing a jumper. He looked...hot.
Wait no, I had a boyfriend. Was I really over Y/N? It would just be disrespectful to disregard Y/N as I slowly caught feelings for a Slytherin, of all people, a Slytherin!
"Shut up Malfoy." Ron said angrily.
"You better watch your mouth Weasley," Draco said in a menacing tone, "I can't take points off you since by dumb luck you're a Prefect but I can take points of Potter here."
His friends, except F/N laughed.
"So how about, five points from Potter for associating with Blood-traitors, five points for being himself and how about ten points for being friends with a Mudblood." Draco continued. I felt myself flinch a little at how he referred to me, I had gotten used to it but it still hurt.
Harry opened his mouth to say something but F/N cut in. "Draco, do you really have to say that?"
Draco glared at F/N but the other boy didn't seemed to be phased. Running a hand through his medium-length platinum blonde hair, he spoke. "You won't get those points taken off Harry and I'm sorry for what he called you Hermione, we'll be on our way now."
He sent stern looks to everyone who seemed to obey, the Malfoys seemed to be the leaders of their group. As they walked away, F/N looked back, mouthed. "Meet me in the library." and gave me a wink, leaving me flustered and blushing.
"What the hell was that about?" Ron said, furiously.
"What?" I said innocently.
"You and the other Malfoy, are you two dating?" Ron interrogated. "He's a Slytherin, not to mention he's a Malfoy!"
"Ron, just because he's a Slytherin doesn't mean he's bad and it's rude to assume his personality just based off his surname." I said, sticking up for F/N.
"Well what about Y/N?" Ron said, still angry. "You going to just forget him for that blonde-haired git?"
"Ron..." Harry said quietly, "that's enough..."
Him mentioning Y/N really struck a nerve. He had a valid point, was I really just going to throw away all the memories with Y/N just for a new guy I had just met. But there was something about F/N, something that reminded me so much of Y/N. I didn't know what it was but whenever I was around him it felt like I was around Y/N again.
"I'm going to the library." I said quickly to Ron and Harry before disappearing. Like I had predicted, F/N was sitting there, waiting for me and had a goofy smile so much like Y/N's when I had saw him.
"Damn 'Mione, almost thought you were going leave me here." he said smiling.
"Well, I like you too much to do that." I replied before making my way over and sitting next to him. "Why'd you tell me to come here?"
He shrugged. "Just wanted to talk to someone."
"And why specifically me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Do I really need an excuse to spend time with you Hermione?" was his reply.
"Well you definitely wanted to talk to me about something." I said.
"Fine, if you must know. Hogsmeade is coming up and I was wondering if you would accompany me." he said.
I gulped. "Like a date?"
"Only if you want it to be."
I cursed internally, I already had plans with Ron and Harry, but I also wanted to hang out with F/N.
"Well, I already have plans with Ron and Harry but if you want to join us, we'll be in the Hog's Head."
F/N looked slightly disappointed but covered it up with a half smile. "That's great. I'll see you there."
He got up and started to leave, before he left he turned back to say one last thing. "But you owe me a date now Granger."
I smiled and watched the boy leave, this was fine...right?
Y/N would've wanted me to move on...right?