Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A plain barn owl came flying through my window. It landed on my dresser and I took the letter attached to its foot. An elegant, flowing script filled the page.
Dear Head Girl Hermione Granger:
Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office tonight after dinner. The password is Sugar Quill.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
I panicked. What did I do wrong? Why does Professor Dumbledore want to see me?
Quickly, I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and threw on my robes. I added a bit of lip gloss and opened my bedroom door.
I entered the Common Room and headed toward the kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee. While it was being made by the magic coffee machine, I went to gather my books from the table in the Common Room. The I noticed Malfoy sitting on the couch, reading a letter with a broken red Hogwarts seal stamped onto it.
I was suddenly curious. "Hey, Malfoy."
"What do you, the filthy Mudblood, want from me, a high and mighty pureblood?" he sneered, not looking up from his letter.
I cringed at the name. "What's that letter of yours about?"
"And why should I tell you?" he smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
I decided to tell him. "Because I got one this morning that looked just like it."
"Well, if it'll stop you from bugging me, here," he threw it at me.
I unrolled the scroll, which had popped back into its original rolled-up shape.
It said,
Dear Head Boy Draco Malfoy:
Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office tonight after dinner. The password is Sugar Quill.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Same as mine. Exactly the same, save for the name at the beginning. I relaxed, and handed it back to him. He snatched it quickly from my hand, and a sharp slash of pain shot through my finger.
"Ow! Malfoy!" I yelled, running over to pick off my wand from the kitchen counter, using it to mend my paper-cut.
He just looked at me and smirked that annoying smirk again. "That's what you get for bugging me earlier," he said. "Couldn't have a little Mudblood like you ruin my day, could I?"
That's the second time this morning that he'd called me that. I sighed. Typical Malfoy.
I stalked off and picked up my forgotten coffee. Drinking it quickly, I hurriedly left the Head's Dorms, going down to breakfast, leaving my heavy book bag in my room.
"Morning, Harry, Ron, Ginny," I greeted. "Nice day, huh?" I gestured to the enchanted ceiling, which showed all blue skies and fluffy, cotton candy clouds.
"Yeah," Ginny said. "Maybe we can all take a stroll on the grounds after breakfast."
"Sure," I agreed.
"Hey Hermione," Ron said quickly, and returned to shoveling food into his mouth. I cringed. What a pig! Gross.
"Hermione, we have a game today," Harry told me. "I'm really nervous because it's against Slytherin."
"Oh, how bad is that," I scoffed. "They haven't got a decent team at all. They're horrible!"
"Not this year," Harry said. "Their new Chasers are really good and Malfoy has gotten a lot better. Even their Keeper is way better than ours."
"They can't be that good," I said, dismayed. "How do you know, anyway? You haven't even played them yet!"
"Oh yes we have, actually," Harry said. "They nearly beat us last time! We only won by ten points at the very end because Malfoy fouled me. They were actually up by 150 before the penalty was called, Ginny scored, and I caught the Snitch."
"Oh, I didn't know about that game! You should have told me so I could have gone to it!" I exclaimed, feeling bad about it even though I personally thought it was really boring.
Harry seemed to be able to read my mind, for he said, "Nah, you were too busy with your schoolwork. By the way, there's no use hiding it. Everybody can tell you're not into Quidditch at all." He grinned. "It's okay, Hermione."
"Well, I'm totally going today," I said. "Can't miss another one of your games!"
Harry laughed and stood up. "Yeah, well, I'd better go." He headed off to the Quidditch pitch.
Quickly, I finished my breakfast and headed off to the Quidditch pitch myself, following the crowd of Gryffindors in front of me. However, I didn't sit in the Gryffindor section of the stands. Instead, I headed up the stands until I got to the commentator's box. This was where the Heads were supposed to sit, according to Hogwarts, a History.
The commentator these days happened to be Luna Lovegood, since Lee Jordan had graduated a few years ago.
Professor McGonagall sat down in the seat to my left. "Good morning, Miss Granger," she greeted me politely. "What are you doing in the commentator's box? Oughtn't you be sitting with your fellow Gryffindors?"
"What?" I was confused. "This is where the Heads are supposed to sit, right?"
"Yes, but only if you're supporting both teams that are playing equally. Surely you won't be happy if Slytherin beats us?" Professor McGonagall asked. (A/N - I got this idea from another Dramione fic that I read; thanks to whoever wrote that fic!)
"Oh, I didn't know that!" I exclaimed. "I'd better go, then."
"I'll see you in Transfiguration, then, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said.
"Good day, Professor," I replied, and walked down to the Gryffindor section, to sit by myself, due to the fact that Harry, Ginny, and Ron all played on the Quidditch team.
I wondered how I could have missed the fact that the Heads only sat in the commentator's box when they were undecided between the two teams that were playing. Maybe Hogwarts, a History really didn't mention it at all. Oh, well.
I watched as the game began and Ginny took possession of the Quaffle almost immediately. I cheered halfheartedly as she scored, but finally stopped in my failed attempt to show some enthusiasm. Then, Luna cried out, "And Malfoy has seen the Snitch, and Potter is hot on his tail!"
In a blink of an eye, Malfoy's hand flashed out and closed around the fluttering Snitch, winning the game.
The Slytherins all stood up in a huge wave of green and silver, screaming and yelling, cheering for their team. I hurried off the stands, heading for where Harry, Ginny, and Ron would soon come out of the locker rooms.
Soon enough, the three of them trooped, out, looking utterly dejected.
"It's okay, guys," I said. "One little loss isn't so bad."
"Yes, it is!" Harry said. "Now we're in last place for both the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup!"
"We need to practice harder," Ginny said. "Otherwise there's no way we're gonna be able to win anything."
"Let's go," Harry said. "We'll practice more, of course."
"Let's go back to the Common Room," I suggested. "We have that five foot long essay Professor Snape assigned us yesterday, which is due on Monday; thank goodness it's the weekend!" I exclaimed.
"Wow, Hermione, I'm surprised you're not done with it yet," Ron teased as we headed in the direction of the Fat Lady.
When we arrived, Ginny said "Gobbledegook" and the portrait swung open. Then I remembered that I didn't have my book bag with me; it was in my bedroom.
"Sorry, but I can't work on it here with you," I said sadly. "I left my book bag in my room. I'll see you guys at dinner."
They nodded, totally understanding. I left and hurried through the corridors, and stopped in front of two statues: one of a young man with a sword and shield, and the other, also a young man, with a smirk on his face and his wand held out. Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. Founders of my house and Malfoy's house.
Gryffindor sprung to life and asked me, "Password?"
"Quidditch," I sighed. Malfoy and I had decided the password. He must have said the first word that popped in his head, and I agreed, not wanting to start an argument.
I had never seen Slytherin come to life; I figured that he must only talk to Malfoy.
I stepped into the Common Room and headed straight for my desk in the corner of the room.
I was working on my Potions essay when I felt warm breath on my neck. I turned around and started straight into the silver eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"You missed dinner; it's time for Dumbledore's meeting," he said shortly. "Be glad that I even reminded you."
"Thank you, Malfoy," I said sarcastically. "Let's go."
We exited the Common Room together. I had to almost jog to keep up with his long strides. Finally, with me huffing and puffing, we reached Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Sugar quill," we said simultaneously. The stone gargoyle stepped aside, and we went up the spiral staircase.
I knocked on the door and Dumbledore's voice said, "Come in." I pushed the door open and walked in, Malfoy entering behind me.
"Good evening, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. Please, sit," Professor Dumbledore said, gesturing to two plush armchairs in front of his desk.
We sat, me on the right and Malfoy on the left.
"I know you are both wondering why I called you to my office tonight," Professor Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Well, I have something important to tell you. As Head Boy and Girl, you have many responsibilities. You already monitor the prefects, patrol the hallways, set the Hogsmeade weekends, prepare for holidays and dances, and many other things.
"However, now I would like to ask you to do one more thing. This will not take off more time from your day, but you will not like it."
"What is it, sir?" I asked, curious.
"You and Mr. Malfoy will be working together for the remainder of the school year."
"What?!" we shouted at the same time.
"You expect us to work together?" Malfoy exclaimed. "Are you insane?"
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore said. "You are expected to work together during class, during patrol, and most other parts of you everyday lives. All the teachers are aware about this change."
"Professor Dumbledore, sir," I pleaded, "why do we have to do this?"
"Miss Granger, this will promote both inter-house unity between Gryffindors and Slytherins and cooperation between you and your fellow Head, Mr. Malfoy.
"If things flow smoothly between our two Heads, the school will prosper and you both will achieve more. This is the main reason that I have made this decision, because previously, when the Heads work together well, the schools' events flow more easily. This year is the worst I've ever seen; therefore my choice of bringing you two together." Professor Dumbledore finally finished his explanation. I sighed.
"Now, Miss Granger, our meeting here today comes to an end," he said.
"Thank you, sir," I said and rose to leave.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you would please remain behind. I have important matters to discuss with you," he said.
As I left Professor Dumbledore's office, I couldn't help wondering what he wanted to say to Malfoy that wasn't meant for my ears.
"Quidditch," I muttered as I stepped into the Common Room. Picking up my eagle-feather quill, I started off where I left off on my Potions essay.
A few minutes later, an angry Malfoy strode in, glowering at me. He stalked to his desk, where he forcefully threw a roll of parchment, a quill, and a pot of ink on the table. His desk had been moved next to mine in the time we were gone. Malfoy started working on his Transfiguration essay. I started at it. I haven't even started it! He must not have finished his Potions essay, though.
An hour later, I gaped as he pulled out his finished Potions essay and rolled it up. Gathering up half a dozen other scrolls, he placed them neatly into his bag. Then he said to me, "It's time to patrol."
I got up and we exited the Common Room. We walked through the silent hallways without a word. Finally, I decided to speak first. "Let's be civil to each other," I said. "We might as well be, since we'll be spending a lot of time together."
He thought about it for a long time. "All right," he finally agreed.
"Let's start over," I suggested. I extended my hand. "Hi, my name is Hermione Granger, Head Girl. Nice to meet you."
He smirked and shook my hand. "My name is Draco Malfoy, Head Boy." Then he shook his head. "I can't believe I just shook hands with a Mudblood."
"Malfoy!" I admonished. "You promised to be civil!"
He half smirked, half laughed. "Just joking," he said.
I smiled back. I realized that I liked this side of Malfoy a lot better than the bully that had tormented me for six years.
Then he frowned. "My friends won't like this," he said. "They don't like you. At all."
"Well then, just pretend you have me whenever they mention me," I said.
"It's not that easy," Malfoy said, thinking it over. "If they see you with me during the day, they'll go crazy. Blaise will think I'm weird, and Pansy will think that you've stolen me from her." He grimaced. "Not like I want to be her boyfriend anyway. She's so annoying! I can't stand her." He sighed. "Whenever I try to break it up with her, she changes the subject. I actually never wanted to be her boyfriend; she was the one who told everybody that we were together."
"Well, then just stop going out with her, turn your head when she tries to kiss you, and eventually she'll ask you why you're avoiding her. Then you can say you don't want to be with her anymore." I smiled. "It's that easy."
"You make it sound that easy," he sighed again. "Now back to the subject. They'll see me with you. Talking to you civilly." He smirked. "So I have a plan. I'll be uncivil to you when we have company, and I'll be civil to you when it's just us, like patrolling or working in the Common Room or if the library's empty."
"That's a good idea," I said. "I know Harry and Ron won't approve of us being friends. I know Ginny would, though."
"Okay, but just know that maybe my words still have some disgust behind them," he smirked, "there's a reason behind them too. You can't blame for calling you Mudblood! Ha ha ha!" He made an evil laugh, and I snickered.
By that time, we had finished our rounds and back to the Head Dorms. This time, both Gryffindor and Slytherin sprung to life. "Password?" they asked.
"Quidditch," I said, and they let us in.
I started worked on my Transfiguration essay. "Goodnight," Malfoy said as he went off to bed. I stayed up for another hour, finishing my essay.
It was midnight by the time I finished my essay. I didn't usually stay up that late on weekends, but I had lost a lot of time talking to Professor Dumbledore in his office.
Oh well, I could sleep in tomorrow, anyway. It was Sunday the next day, after all.