A/N: Hello everyone, my name is Brittney but you may call me Bee. This was my first fan fiction but I decided to scrap some parts, add new and make is completely different. I hope you all enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not now, not ever.
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An old grandfather clock chimed softly into the picturesque night. Its constants ticks played a harmonic rhythm that caused a young woman of seventeen to tap her foot along with the pulse. She was currently resting in a red velvet chair that was perched in front of the fireplace. It was midnight and no one was around. Leaving the young woman alone with her thoughts and text books, her golden honey eyes scanned the glossary, soaking up its context. She loved her Tower's common room like this, it was peaceful and for once all to herself.
Rain and snow pattered on the window, playing along to the already existing melody the grandfather clock was preaching. The young woman smiled as she started to hum along with the tune.
Bang.
A loud noise erupted throughout the common room, startling Hermione Granger, causing her to drop her book into the fire by accident. "What in the world?" Her eyes immediately moved to a mysterious silhouette that was walking towards her, but her mind was on her book. Without thinking she quickly reached in to the fireplace. Her fingers were burned by the hot flame making her drop the book once more. "Sh-" Hermione yelled as she enclosed her hand to her chest.
"Hermione?" Her eyes turned back to the silhouette, her mind was racing. "Hermione, what did you do?" It was Ron Weasley; he was drenched from the storm.
"Ron?! Um, Hi, this is a little unexpected." She shook her head as her eyes started to weld, hoping to hide the pain. "What were you doing outside so late?"
Ignoring her comment; she watched as Ron observed her hand; slowly extending his he gently brushing his fingertips over the crisp skin.
"Don't touch it!" She yelped; tears started to brim over. "It's obviously a second degree burn. I need to get to the Hospital Wing."
"Blimey! I'm sorry Mione, but how did you manage to burn your hand?"
Pulling her hand closer to her chest; Hermione's eye's locked with the fireplace. Her book was now embers glowing in the flames. "When you came in you scared me. I jumped and accidentally dropped my book in the fire. I wasn't thinking, so I just grabbed it hoping I would be able to save it but I got seared in the process."
Ron suppressed a laugh. "I seem to recall everyone constantly talking about how you're the brightest witch of your age." Reaching into his robes he retrieved his wand.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, "Oh shut up Won-Won. You've have had more injuries occur than the entire Hogwarts Quidditch teams combined."
Ron's laughter quickly died. "Let me see your hand." His voice sounded cold and slightly annoyed.
Taken aback by his request, her honey eyes enlarged and her lips stammered. "I-I would really prefer to go to the Hospital Wing, I'm sure Madame Pomfrey- -"
"You have absolutely no faith in me. Just trust me, give me your hand." Hermione hesitated; trust wasn't the problem it was the fact that she didn't know how fast she could run for Madam Pomfrey if her hand was blown off.
Finally giving into Ron, after he sat down in the chair across from her and gave her an endless speech about faith in best friends, she extended her hand and allowed him to gently grasp it. A small whimper escaped her lips when he touched the tip of his wand to her fingers.
Motionlessly; he casted a spell resulting with a cold breeze that flushed over her skin and repaired the several layers. Only a glossy bruise remained.
Hermione beamed as she examined her hand, she opened and closed it, and silently counted all five fingers. "Thanks Ron, how did you know what spell to use?"
"It's an old trick I've learned from Charlie. He learned it while working with Dragons. Burn spells come in handy when you are constantly under fire. Pun intended." He beamed than ran his fingers through his soggy hair, causing a few drops to splash her cheeks.
"Watch it." She laughed wiping her face. "Honestly though what were you doing outside so late? I could have sworn I saw you go up to the Gryffindor Tower a while ago. You do realize it is torrential out, right?"
Ron's smiled dropped a bit, "Um…well I was bored and couldn't sleep so I decided...to you know, go for a walk, you know patrol duties- -" He shook his head.
"It's not your night to patrol thought." Hermione interjected.
"But that's not why I'm here." Ron quickly interrupted. "When I was entering the Entrance Hall I bumped into Professor Dumbledore." Reaching into his robes once more, he pulled out a piece of parchment with the Hogwarts seal. "It's addressed to you and Malfoy. It's urgent."
"Oh?" Hermione took the letter and broke the seal. "I'm not sure where Malfoy is, he's probably in the dungeons." Gently unfolding it; her eyes scanned the neat cursive handwriting.
Dear Miss. Granger & Mr. Malfoy,
Would you please meet me, Professor Dumbledore, in the Great Hall in a half an hour? I have a very important assignment for you. Please bring your wand, cloak, and anything you believe to be necessary. Thank you.
Forever yours,
Albus Dumbledore
At that moment the Tower's portrait swung open reveling two new silhouettes.
A young man with shaggy silver-blonde hair thrusted his way through. His full lips were stuck out in a pout. "Pansy!" The silky voice snarled. "I've had enough; now go back to your dormitory before I write you up for stalking."
"I'm not stalking you!" The second voice scoffed. "I'm merely trying to have a conversation with you. It's not my fault you are even more smug and arrogant ever since you were announced Head Boy." Pansy crossed her arms over her chest, her green eyes narrowed into slits. "Which I highly doubt that's even possible."
"Fine; what could you possibly want now?" The young man tossed his book bag on the couch, completely ignoring the audience that was watching the show.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the scene before her. Since Malfoy and she were pronounced Head Boy and Girl; Pansy was constantly trying to weasel her way into the Tower. However, to her amazement Malfoy never wanted her around; he would always brush her off, along with his posse. Which was very off-putting for Crabbe and Goyle since neither of them knew how to act when they're leader wasn't around.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders absentmindedly. Maybe he enjoys his alone time just as much as she did.
"We need to talk about the spring ball and several tasks- -"
"Let me stop you there." Malfoy held up his hand. "One: It's December a little too early to be thinking about those things. Two: Every year you ask me to the Graduation ball and every year I tell you the same thing. No." He smirked. "Now if you don't mind I would like to be alone." Without another word he slammed the portrait in Pansy's face leaving her dumbfounded. "What's this Granger?" Malfoy turned around and pointed towards Ron. "Looks like you've been giving out the portraits' password like socks for those house rats."
Gritting his teeth, Ron stood up, "Well Malfoy I was sent here to give the Head Girl and you a letter. Now that you've finally decided to show up; I'll leave." He turned back to Hermione and smiled. "See you later Mione." Shoving past Malfoy and knocking him in the shoulder Ron left the same way Pansy was thrown out.
Giving a small wave goodbye to Ron, Hermione rose to her feet and stacked her remaining text books on the coffee table. "Grab your cloak, Dumbledore is waiting for us." She watched Malfoy cross the room to her now vacant chair. He placed his hands behind his head and put his grubby shoes on the table, dangerously close to her beloved books.
"What the bloody hell does he need us for at this time of night?" He sneered.
"Doesn't say, let's go. We are late enough as it is because of your ludicrous escapades." She put her left foot on his shoes and jostled them away from her books.
Malfoy snarled when his feet fell to the ground. "Why don't you go without me you do-gooder twit."
Pulling on a pair of boots and slipping on her winter coat and cloak she turned towards the blonde. "It's your job Malfoy, if you didn't want to do night patrols, mission, stalk students around and be up all hours of the night then you should of declined your prefect badge our fifth year."
Fuming; Hermione stormed out the Head Tower and into the corridor. She could hear Master Roggan, the portrait; complain about her vulgarity and how he didn't like being jostled.
The Head House's Tower was located on the seventh floor in its own private section of the castle it was a small but cozy place. Malfoy and she had their own rooms, bathroom and both shared the common room.
Something she wasn't too thrilled about but accepted it over time. Malfoy on the other hand was appalled to discover how close they would be, resulting in them to have constant fights over the last few months. However, Hermione expected they would be the ones to share the Tower. Since they both had top grades and marks for prefect.
Rounding the corner and entering the Grand Staircase she contemplated on taking the hidden pathways to get to the Great Hall faster. Lately Malfoy had been getting on her nerves more than ever. He had been dodgy, ditching patrols and never helping her with the countless students. Especially whenever Dumbledore would call on them; Malfoy always had an excuse and barley showed.
Hermione heard the Slytherin groan with frustration when he caught up with her on the fourth flight of stairs. "Nice of you to show up Ferret; don't have somewhere to run off too this time?"
"Well Brown is currently waiting for me in the sixth floor broom closet but I'll let her sweat it out for a while."
"The Lavender Brown?" She asked, side glancing him.
Malfoy looked amused, his lips twitched into a sly smirk. "Better not tell your side kick boyfriend that his other girl is cheating on the sly, moaning out another man's name then returns to his bed later."
Hermione felt her stomach churn and cheeks flush crimson; never did she need to know Malfoys sexual encounters. Or think of Lavender rolling around in the sheets with Ron.
"Ron is not my boyfriend."
"Last I heard you were chasing the prat. Didn't you almost claw out the bimbo's eyes for snogging Weasley in the corridors?"
It was true; in her sixth year Ron and she were getting serious, she had strong feelings for the redhead but over summer holiday the couple decided to end the tryst. There was something about the relationship that just didn't seem to work. Being best friends was a better label for them and Harry. She needed the Golden Trio to remain intact and untouched from harm and a relationship with one of her close friends could end in disaster if things didn't work out.
"I bet he dropped your arse once he realized how much of a waste you truly are."
Stopping at the bottom of the Grand Staircase and blocking the archway to the Entrance Hall, Hermione rounded on Malfoy. "Enough, I swear to Merlin I will take you out and not with a stunning spell."
"You don't have the guts; I've watched you fight over the years. All you do is point and hope you hit something. Let me tell you something Muddy, you wouldn't last twenty minutes in a war. Now move out of my way before I regrow those buck teeth of yours."
Entering the Great Hall Hermione looked towards the Head Table. Dumbledore was standing at the middle of the room; he was dressed in deep purple robes, his half-moon spectacles were sliding off his crooked nose for his head was bowed reading over a worn-out document. His mouth formed a wide smile when he laid his eyes on the students. "Good evening."
"Evening Professor." She returned the warm smile and stepped closer to the Headmaster. Malfoy was in step with her but seemed to back off at the same time. He nodded politely to Dumbledore and offered his greeting. "May I ask what this is about?" Hermione inquired, breaking her thoughts of Malfoy and his odd behavior.
"Yes, yes. Now I will assume both of you have heard about our young Wesley Thomas?" The Headmaster asked as he rolled the document up and tucked it away in his deep pockets.
Instantly Hermione's face lit up, numerous times she had been told throughout the day about the missing boy from students and professors. "Yes sir." She nodded her head. "He is a First year and is in the Ravenclaw House. Apparently he ran away this morning due to some news he received from his parents. No one knows for sure what the new was or why he took off but word through the grape vine says he might be residing in the Forbidden Forest."
Malfoy rolled his eyes and whispered low enough for only her to hear. "Leave it up to you Granger to know everything that's going on behind castle walls."
"Correct. Now, I've chosen you both to retrieve the young lad and bring him back at once. His parents will be here first thing in the morning." Dumbledore clasped his hands together. "Also, please bring him back in one piece Mr. Malfoy. We all know how ill-tempered you can get."
"Forgive me sir but that's rubbish." Malfoy stepped completely forward, pushing Hermione back. "Sir, there is a severe storm raging; the child will probably be back before dawn. If he has half of a brain he will be on his way back now. Even Granger has to agree with me on this one."
Hermione couldn't help but notice Dumbledore's blacken hand before she answered; it seemed to be a wound that was never going to heal, she wondered if it caused him severe pain.
"Granger! A little help here is needed." She tore her eyes away from the dead flesh and turned towards the stern blonde.
"It has come to my attention that our Head Boy and Girl have not been getting along so far and we cannot have that. We need to show a united front, and you two are supposed to symbolize team work. You both need to prove to Hogwarts and her inhabitants that you deserve these positions."
Fear coursed through Hermione's veins making her blood run cold. She could possibly lose Head Girl, all because of Malfoy. Her hatred for him started to run even deeper. "Yes sir, it's no problem."
"Wonderful. Be safe and keep your wits about you." In a matter of seconds Dumbledore disappeared into the one of the side chambers, leaving the couple in bewilderment.
"He's mad." Malfoy guffawed. "Well, have fun with this one Granger."
Hermione's felt an inner rage bubble and her eyes grew wide. "Oh no; you don't." She pulled her wand out and placed the tip at his throat. "We are in this together and if you even think about leaving this all up to me I will kick your bum into the middle of next week."
Smiling from ear to ear Malfoy grabbed Hermione's wrist."Then I'll kick your sorry arse on Thursday. Now tell me why I have to go, I have a better night planned."
"If you don't come along I'll make damn sure to let Dumbledore know that you ran off like a coward, to be honest I bet he expects it. Or better yet I can let it slip to Lavender Brown, the bimbo as you call her, on how you chickened out and every girl in this whole school will know in under an hour." She smiled sweetly. "Now you wouldn't want that; would you? I mean that can't possibly be good for your ego."
Malfoy tightened his grip on Hermione's wrist. She winced as he slightly bended it backwards, allowing her bones to strain.
She thought about making him release his grip from her with a stunning spell but she was stubborn and needed to hold her ground. She didn't want him to know that he was hurting her.
"Don't test me Granger." He pulled her in close; she grimaced when she felt his hot breath on her cheeks. "I can promise you, you will regret it." Still having her wrist in his grip Malfoy marched over to the oak doors. With one swift heave the door opened with a sinister groan.
The rain and snow collided with couple making Hermione tremble. Her eyes engulfed the storm as Malfoy and she looked up at the sky. Side glancing the Slytherin, she noticed how the storm seemed to reflect in his eyes, making him seem even more dangerous.
"Ladies' first." He sneered, pushing Hermione out into the storm causing her to lose her footing and fall hands first into a mud puddle.
Hermione bit her lower lip when she saw herself in the opaque reflection. "Don't let him get to you." She whispered as she got to her feet.
This was going to be a long night.
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