"You mean they don't fly?" he asked.
"No, remember: they're Muggles. They can't fly."
"Well, then where's the fun in it if they can't fly?"
"They kick this ball around and try to get it in a net."
"Net? What's a net?"
At this question, Harry gave up and pulled out his pack of Exploding Snap cards. Fred and George soon joined them, but, without avail, they were soon joined by Malfoy, and his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle.
"So, it's Potty and the Weasels. Are you ready to get beat at Quidditch again?"
"And exactly when did you beat me at Quidditch, Malfoy?" Harry asked back.
"Well, after losing Flint last year, we decided to take things into our own hands. You're looking at Slytherin's new Quidditch captain."
"But they haven't even declared the captain yet Malfoy." Hermione spoke up.
"Not yet, but it's only a matter of time. Let's go. In between the Muggle germs and the lack of money here, I feel like I may be sick." Malfoy strode out of the compartment and Hermione slipped over and closed the door.
"Stupid git. As if we care about his stupid opinion. Harry, don't let him get to you, he's just trying to waggle you before he has to play you at Quidditch."
"Probably right." But Harry was worried. What if they had already chosen Malfoy as Quidditch Captain? After all, he had bought his way onto the team in their second year. What if he had bought himself the role of Captain? He wouldn't put it past Malfoy, not in a minute.
* * *
"And let the feast. . .begin!" Albus Dumbledore's voice rang out over the din in the Great Hall. At once, the plates in front of them filled with food and Hermione, Harry, and Ron ate to their fill. The Opening Feast was always excellent, it was great being back in the castle and seeing all of their friends. Hermione met up and was deep in discussion with Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown, whom she roomed with in Gryffindor Tower. Lavender was raving about her new pet cat, which had accompanied her to school. Hermione hoped that this cat would get along with Crookshanks, for she remembered the ordeal her third year when Ron thought that her cat had eaten his rat.
"Oh yes, Gypsy's wonderful. She's completely black, except for a little snippet of white on her nose and a dollop of gray on her ears. She's so playful too. She likes to chase ribbons, and plays constantly with. . ." Hermione tuned Lavender out and began listening to Parvati, who was telling her about the boy from Beauxbatons she had visited over the summer.
"Jean was wonderful! First, we went swimming. Then we went sailing. Then he took me on a tour of Paris. We went to Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Paris Witches Museum. But the best part was when we. . ." Hermione then tuned Parvati out, and got up, deciding that the long day needed to come to an end. She left, only catching fragments of several different conversations, and finally deciding that she would catch up with everyone tomorrow. All she needed now was some rest, and quiet.