Dueling with Fate

Chapter One: Dueling in the Halls

Summary: Hermione and Malfoy get caught by Professor McGonagall, dueling in the halls. Professor McGonagall is tired of the bickering and fights, so she takes them to Dumbledore who agrees to allow McGonagall give them a punishment, neither of them will forget.

Author's Note: Thank you to Em who beta-read this chapter for me. I just slightly re-edited this chapter. Also thank you to Random One who came up with this brilliant story idea.

Hermione had made it into her final year at Hogwarts and had become Head Girl to no one's surprise.

Harry had defeated Voldemort and was making a painful recovery and to Hermione's delight he had become Head Boy.

Ron had become the Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor, and although at times he felt left out from Head duties, he had his own responsibilities as Captain.

The year went by very quickly, almost too quickly. All too soon it was just two weeks until their N.E.W.T.S. and every seventh year was on edge. Almost everyone had paid a visit to Madame Pomfrey for some sort of stress related problem.

While walking to the Great Hall for dinner, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were met by Malfoy's cold, drawling voice. As he was blocking them from entering, Malfoy sneered maliciously (he was always in need of a good laughs these days). "Hero-potter, the Weasel, and little Miss Mudblood," he drawled, a pale hand on his hip.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione asked, remaining as calm as she could. She had told Harry and Ron to ignore his cries for attention and was silently repeating the same advice to herself.

Malfoy made a clicking noise with his tongue. "Oh nothing," he stated casually, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, "I was just wondering why in the world I need to listen to vermin like you. I mean…the stuff on my shoe is worth more than you… more than you'll ever be worth. You're just a filthy little slut who happens to be a Mudblood, and who was so ungratefully born into this world."

Harry had to grab Ron so he wouldn't lunge at Malfoy. Behind them, Hermione was also trying to fight the urge to hex Malfoy, but after the all the horrible things he had been saying, a desire so great a strong grew up inside her and it was for too great to control. Quickly whipping out her wand, she muttered something and for the second time, Malfoy turned into a ferret. She levitated him into the air and made him spin all across the room. The students howled in laughter as they gathered around, watching the ongoing fiasco with amusement.

After a few more flips, Hermione finally changed Malfoy back into his human form.

Malfoy laid in a small heap, his hair no longer gelled back but tousled roughly, glaring at Hermione. She saw fire in his grey eyes, and heard him scream, "YOU LITTLE MUDBLOOD!" Then with great force, and without warning, he ran at her and tackled her to the floor. Hermione, who wasn't prepared for this reaction, fell back – hard -- onto the cold floor.

"MALFOY! GET OFF OF HER RIGHT NOW!" Professor McGonagall screamed. "I don't know what is wrong with you two... you fight so much! Too much, for that matter! For Merlin's sake, you fight as much as a married couple does."

Moving slowly out of fear, Malfoy got off of Hermione.

"Help her up!" Professor McGonagall said sternly, trying to fix her disheveled appearance after clearly having run into the Great Hall.

Groaning in defeat, Malfoy bent down to help Hermione up. Just as she was getting up Malfoy let go of her hand and she fell on her butt again.

"OW!" Hermione said, frantically getting to her feet. "What is your problem!"

"STOP IT!" McGonagall demanded. "Come with me. BOTH of you..."

Reluctantly, they did as McGonagall instructed, but not before exchanging death stares. After following her through the deserted corridors they approached a large gargoyle.

"Chocolate Frogs," McGonagall muttered. Immediately the gargoyle jumped aside and they all step onto the winding stairs that lead to Dumbledore's office. She knocked on the door, and then entered stating, "Both of you take a seat. Wait here, and I don't want to find either one of you dueling or harming one another. I will be back in a moment with Professor Dumbledore."

A few moments after the door had shut, Malfoy shouted, "This is all your fault! If you hadn't been such a hag back there, I wouldn't have had to lunge at you!"

Hermione defended herself with, "No, this is all your fault! If you hadn't been such a bastard when I hadn't said anything to you—"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Malfoy yelled, cutting Hermione off, who was very surprised at herself for saying bastard'. He glared at her. "WHO GIVES A FUCK IF MY FATHER'S GONE? YOU KNOW, IF YOU WEREN'T SO BLOODY STUPID ALL THE TIME—"

A small coughing noise was heard from across the room. Professor McGonagall had arrived, Dumbledore at her side. He stared calmly at the both of them.

"If you two are done, you may return to your seats," Dumbledore said as he made his way around to his desk. After sitting, he said, "So. Professor McGonagall says you two were dueling in the halls?"

"Yes, Professor," Hermione responded reluctantly, keeping her gaze to the floor. As she looked back on her actions she realized how childish and foolish she had been acting.

"Minerva, have you thought of a suitable punishment?" Dumbledore inquired with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Yes, I believe I know what might put an end, hopefully, to this argument, and even help the wizarding community," McGonagall said with the same twinkle in her eyes.

Both of the students involved suddenly had a great fear of what possibility their professor might have come up with.

Author's Note: Please Review, constructive criticism is welcome.