Disclaimer:

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: This is in response to the 48 Hour Challenge issued by Rotiart at FAP. Also, pretend like HBP never happened, because I did, when writing this story. Er, I think I pretended like a lot of things didn't happen...so, let's make this an AU. :D

STUCK
And It Begins...

-- 09:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Transfiguration --

BRRRRRING

"Good morning class and welcome back." Professor McGonagall greeted us, standing at the front of the class.

We replied with the customary "Good morning Professor," and she began her lecture, which I listened to attentively. Of course, I sat in the front, taking down notes studiously.

Twenty minutes into the class, she ended her lecture and began with the practical side of the class. I thought it was quite early to begin practicing, since we had just come back from holiday and might be a bit rusty. But I guess she expected more from us now that we were older.

She started by pairing us up, and I think that's where all the trouble started.

"Your partners will remain your partners until the end of term. If you have a problem with whom you're assigned, you will have to bring it up with me. If it is reasonable, I will see if I can change it. Now, let's see...Mr. Finnigan with Mr. Weasley, Miss Bulstrode with Miss Davis, Mr. Malfoy with Mr. Zabini, Mr. Longbottom with Mr. Thomas, Mr. Nott with Mr. Potter, Miss Brown with Miss Granger, Miss—"

"Excuse me, Professor!" A feminine voice interrupted her. Actually, that voice came from next to me. Turning to look, I see that Lavender has her hand up. She's waving it around quite frantically, too. Must be important.

"Yes, Miss Brown?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't work with Hermione."

Heh...she can't work with...WHAT?

I swivel around to look at her too quickly, and fall off my chair, eliciting laughter and snickering from the class. Most likely from the Slytherin. I can definitely tell the one sitting behind me is snickering, quite loudly too! I give him a good glare before sitting in my seat again, waiting to hear Lavender's reason.

"Why not, Miss Brown?" asks Professor McGonagall.

"Personal reasons."

"Well, you're going to have to elaborate, Miss Brown."

"All right, but I'd rather not have the whole class hear, so if you could come closer please."

McGonagall agreed, and Lavender whispered her reason into McGonagall's ear. But I could still hear, and judging by how loud the snickering from behind me was getting, I could tell he heard too.

In case you're curious, this was Lavender's reason:

"I can't work with her Professor. She stole my boyfriend!"

Which is very untrue. I don't even like Ron in that way.

Of course, Professor McGonagall gave her a look before announcing that Lavender could not let these personal matters get in the way of school, and that her reason was not sufficient enough for a change. So we were stuck with each other. And the snickering from behind just got louder, until I couldn't stand it anymore. That, and finding out what someone whom I thought was a friend really thought about me, caused me to crack.

"SHUT UP MALFOY!" I screamed, to the shock of everyone, including him. But he recovered quickly, giving me a smirk.

"Make me."

I fumed. But before I could do anything else, Professor McGonagall told me to face forward.

"I'll let that go, this time, since it's your first offense," she said. "But the next time, it's detention for interrupting my class."

"Yes Professor."

"Good. Now, with your partner, I want you to practice what we learned today. Begin."

I watched as everyone worked with their partners, chatting and being friendly all the while. My partner looked at me with barely concealed hate; her smile was so forced.

"I guess we should start," I said in a strained voice.

And that's how everything went, until just fifteen minutes before class ended.

At that point, someone threw something at my head. I ignored it the first few times. But after the fifth time, I turned around. Malfoy sat there, trying to look innocent, but I knew he was the one throwing those balls of parchment. I glared at him, before turning back around.

Only fourteen minutes before class ended. I didn't want detention on my first day, so I hoped Malfoy would not cause me to make another scene.

The world is against me, apparently.

Malfoy continued with the flinging of wads of parchment at my head. How he became Head Boy, I will never know. He's such a prat, not to mention childish.

Every little piece hit this one spot precisely, and I was beginning to get a headache. A slow ticking was beginning too, growing with each hit, until I couldn't take it anymore. Once again, I cracked. This time, I lunged at him, and then I screamed.

Needless to say, I got detention. Malfoy on the other hand, did not receive any punishment. He played the victim card, and McGonagall actually believed him!

I sat quietly for the rest of the class, brooding. No one dared to talk to me.

The last five minutes seemed so long. It was enough time for McGonagall to announce that an essay was due in a week, that a research project was due in a month, and that a presentation with our partners (on a topic she would choose) would be expected two months from now. This was followed by groans, which McGonagall smiled at.

"Welcome to Seventh Year, students. And Miss Granger, meet me in the Great Hall after dinner."

And then the bell rang. Thank Merlin.

-- 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM: Break --

-- 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Care of Magical Creatures --

-- 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Lunch --

-- 01:00 PM – 03:30 PM: Double Charms --

-- 03:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Homework --

-- 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Dinner --

That's how my schedule went for the rest of the day.

I was dreading detention. I didn't know what McGonagall would make me do, and I felt like a disappointment. But at dinner, I decided I would face whatever she gave me face on. So I went straight to see her, once I was done eating.

"Hello, Miss Granger. Follow me."

"Yes, Professor."

"Your detention will be in the Divination room. It needs to be cleaned up. Do a good job, Hermione. And next time, no more outbursts. You must remember your role as Head Girl."

"Yes, Professor."

She turned to leave, but before she got to the second step, she turned back.

"Oh, I forgot. Though Professor Trelawney has asked for her room to be cleaned, she has another appointment and can't watch over your detention. But, the Head Boy has graciously offered to watch over your detention."

"WHAT? Professor! You must be joking! Malfoy and I despise each other! One of us will end up killing the other."

"Now Hermione, that's not true," drawled the bane of my existence, from behind me.

"Ah, good, you're here already. I'll be going then."

She turned to leave once again, but turned back once more.

"I almost forgot...Hermione, your wand please. You must clean without magic."

"But Professor! What if I need it for my protection?"

"Nonsense! Wand?" she asked, with her palm outstretched. What could I do, but give it to her?

And as I was left alone with him, I knew that something was going to happen. I would place my bet on a murder. I would never have placed it on what really happened.

A/N: It's good to be writing again. Ah...more dramione-ness. Heh. What did you think of the beginning? Constructive criticism is welcome. :)