Chapter One- I don't know how I got so tangled
Hermione Granger pushed her way through the bustling crowd in King's Cross station. Her best friends, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Ginny Weasley trailed behind. Hermione checked her watch and quickened her pace. She and Harry had once again spent the summer with the Weasleys. Harry had risked his life to end the second war against Voldemort with the help of the Order of the Phoenix and some of his fellow Gryffindors at the end of the previous year. Hermione shook her head, refusing to dwell on it.
"We have five minutes to board the train! Move it!" Hermione called over her shoulder. Harry and Ron had begun to lag behind. Ginny rolled her eyes as she glanced back at them.
"They're probably going on about Quidditch again, Hermione. Give it up." Hermione sighed.
"Yeah, but remember what they did last time they were late?" reminded Hermione, referring to the incident 5 years previous when Harry and Ron drove an enchanted car to school. Ginny smiled good-naturedly as they finally reached the platform.
"Two minutes…" Hermione groaned, checking her watch once again. "C'mon Gin, let's go now," Ginny nodded and walked straight through the solid barrier between the platforms nine and ten. Hermione cast a last look at Harry and Ron, now running to keep up before waving to them, leaning casually against the wall, and falling sideways into the hidden platform. With Ginny out of sight, Hermione quickly lifted her trunk from the trolley, hurried to the scarlet steam engine and leaped onto the train just as the train blew a final warning whistle. Breathing deeply, Hermione started searching for an empty carriage. At a loud banging noise behind her, Hermione whipped around to find Harry and Ron crash onto the train just as it began to move.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry smiled sheepishly. Hermione rolled her eyes but nevertheless returned a small smile before turning back to the hall. She led Harry and Ron to the last compartment, which happened to be the only available one left in the train. Peeking inside a rather loud carriage opposite their own, Hermione found Ginny surrounded by a number of 6th years who seemed to be trying to light some of the Weasley's fireworks.
"So, Hermione," Ron started as they moved into their own compartment, Harry looking rather glum sitting next to Ron as they arranged themselves on the opposite seat to her. "Don't you need to go up to the Head's compartment this year?" Ron winked at Hermione, smiling smugly. Wrinkling her nose at him, Hermione kicked his shin… hard.
"Why thank you Ron. I'm so glad my friends seem to have no problem with me suffering the presence of an annoying, evil, diseased ferret!" Harry and Ron shook their heads. Everyone knew Hermione was the top student in Hogwarts and that the only person who even came close was their archenemy, Draco Malfoy. Hermione scrunched up her face and continued to utter rude words under her breath. Harry decided it was time to intervene.
"Don't worry about Malfoy, Hermione. You know that if he ever bothers you, me and Ron will beat him into a bloody pulp." Ron nodded viciously, eager to have an excuse to hurt Malfoy. Hermione snorted.
"Oh, and risk getting you two expelled, shall I? I don't think so. Thanks for the offer however."
"Oh please Hermione," Ron gushed, quickly brushing aside any notion of expulsion. "You know perfectly well that Dumbledore will never expel Harry, no matter what he does; and as Harry's best friend, Dumbledore can't possibly expel me either!" Hermione smiled, amused at Ron's simple logic, and then again as the subject changed to Quidditch before she could even respond. The way Harry and Ron can switch every conversation to Quidditch never failed to amaze her. Hermione slumped down in her seat, unable to contribute to the conversation. If only they could talk about classes or teachers or books… Hermione thought wistfully. Even if the range of conversation was somewhat limited, Hermione still loved her friends to no end. As she brushed a wisp of light brown hair behind her ear Hermione's gaze focused on Harry. Harry's hair was as untidy as ever, and his brilliant green eyes shined from behind his glasses brightly. It had taken Harry awhile after Voldemort's defeat to recover from the emotional and physical shock. Harry had lured Voldemort to an area surrounded by the Order, before performing a set of complicated spells (with the help of Hermione and Dumbledore), which trapped Voldemort into Godric Gryffindor's sword forever. The sword now hung on the wall in Dumbledore's office, that is, until the Order can find a permanent residence for it or a way to destroy it without freeing Voldemort. After everything that happened and the dark magic Harry had to invoke everyone tried to give him some space. With the new school year starting and no strange outbursts or scar clutching from Harry, Hermione concluded he had returned normal, at least for the moment. Harry had a deep tan from all the time he spent in the sun playing Quidditch with Ron and the other Weasleys. Yes, Hermione thought. Harry has grown up a lot… I can't wait to see how the Gryffindors react when they find out he's taken! No matter how handsome Harry had become over the summer, Hermione would never think of him as anything more than her best friend. Ginny on the other hand, had approached her renowned crush in a completely different manner than when she was younger. Hermione may have frowned upon Ginny's new wardrobe of tighter shirts and higher, more revealing skirts, but she did admit Ginny looked stunning in them. Ginny was still very petite, at least three inches shorter than Hermione, but with her long dark auburn hair, lightly freckled face, and fierce green eyes that rivaled Harry's, Ginny had managed to captured Harry's eye immediately, and later his heart. They were now the most sickeningly sweet couple Hermione had ever met.
"Hermione! Would you like anything off the cart?" Ron seemed to have surfaced from his enthralling Quidditch discussion long enough to notice a cart full of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes and many other various assortments of sweets pushed by a plump woman. Hermione flashed Ron a smile but politely declined. Ron had gotten a job in Diagon Alley working for his brothers, Fred and George, over the summer. He now has enough pocket change to satisfy him and took every opportunity to spend it on his best friends. Hermione found it endearing. Ron was still extremely tall and lanky, but Hermione was more attracted to Ron with each passing day. His freckled face gave him a boyish look, and his hair was still flaming red, as it had been through all his years at Hogwarts. But there was just something different about Ron that Hermione couldn't place her finger on. Maybe it was just that he was so much more good-natured than her last boyfriend.
"Granger," drawled Malfoy, shoving their compartment door open violently, ignoring the looks of disgust flashing on Harry and Ron's face. "Missed you in the Head's compartment. You do know that we were suppose to meet there for a reason, don't you?" Hermione shrugged her shoulders indifferently, not looking Malfoy in the face.
"Yes, to get acquainted with the other Head, which I already am, and give directions to the prefects, which I figured you could handle. Did you feel compelled to come all the way back here just to inform me of this?" Hermione snapped, raising her gaze to find Malfoy's almost darkened gray eyes studying her face with amusement. Malfoy was over six feet tall, making him unavoidably able to tower over her. The menacing black robes didn't help much either. Malfoy's silver-blonde hair had grown out a bit, and was now gelled to frame his face. Hermione amused herself for a few moments, enjoying the annoyed expression on Malfoy's face every so often as a wisp of his blonde hair fell into his eyes. His calm composure was hindered only by his ever-present sneer focused on Hermione.
"I came to inform you that McGonagall wants to talk to both of us, and is wondering why the Head Girl thinks she's too good to sit in the Head's compartment." Hermione felt the heat rising to her face. Malfoy seemed to be enjoying himself. "Slacking off already Granger! I mean I know you're a Mudblood and all, but the term hasn't even started yet!" Harry and Ron jumped up from their seat immediately.
"What did you say, ferret face?" Ron growled, livid. Malfoy smirked.
"You don't want to be jumping to Granger's rescue so quickly Weasley, people might suspect you've got something for the Mudblood." Hermione stepped between them, her eyes flashing.
"That's the second time you've used that word today Malfoy. Don't you ever think of new insults? Honestly!" Hermione poked Malfoy in the chest menacingly. Suddenly she realized she was standing closer to him than she had ever in her life. Malfoy seemed to pick up on her trail of thoughts a smirked. People should not be allowed to twist a smile into that… Hermione thought, her gaze lingering on his lips.
"Like the feeling of being this close to a respectable pureblood, Granger? Savor it, it will probably be your last time…" Hermione rolled her eyes, willing herself not to hit him.
"Can you please move so I can get out of my compartment, Malfoy?" she said, her voice level with controlled anger. Malfoy silently turned around and opened the door for Hermione.
"Mudblood's first," He said, ushering Hermione out with one hand while sending Harry and Ron a trademark sneer. Harry slammed the door behind him, shattering the glass. Hermione ignored it, walking swiftly to the front of the train.
Why the hell is Malfoy such an asshole? Oh yeah, because he's Malfoy! The sad thing is he never even bothers to think of anything new! You shouldn't be allowed to be a Head if you can't think of any good comebacks! I should check Hogwarts: A History. Maybe there's a rule I overlooked about it that I can show Dumbledore or something. Anyway, he's just pissed that I beat him on all the NEWT's. So there! Her ranting subsided as she reached the Head's compartment. After sending Malfoy an evil glare over her shoulder, Hermione slid open the compartment door cautiously to find her Transfigurations professor and Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall, waiting for her.
"Miss Granger! Not even reporting here to meet with Mr. Malfoy is not something I would expect of you! Please, at least try to make an effort to not create any friction between you two!" Hermione winced at McGonagall's words, but had the decency to look ashamed as Malfoy entered the compartment, taking the seat beside Hermione. "I have something very important I would like to speak with you both… and I've already been delayed." The professor continued, glaring at Hermione for the first time in Hermione's life. "Since the defeat of You-Know-Who, Professor Dumbledore has been trying very hard to bridge the differences between the houses to unite Hogwarts. One of the ideas, which you are already familiar with, will be announced after dinner tomorrow to the seventh years." Hermione and Malfoy nodded. "Also… since you two will be representing the whole school as the Head students, there can not be any animosity between you two," Hermione and Malfoy glanced at each other, shooting the other accusing looks. McGonagall took a deep breath before continuing. "Therefore you two will be sharing living quarters when we reach the school, separate from your own house." McGonagall quickly raised her hand to silence their outbursts. "Due to your backgrounds, this is very important to unite the school, especially the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Dumbledore knows the Head students would be more than happy to comply with his wishes." McGonagall looked meaningfully over her square shaped glasses, wondering briefly if Dumbledore had at last gone insane. McGonagall stood up to leave without another word, closed the compartment door in a manner that told Hermione and Draco they were not to open it again until the train stopped at Hogwarts. Hermione sighed and moved to the opposite bench, taking McGonagall's previous seat.
"You know what she meant by that last statement, don't you Malfoy?"
"Of course I do. If we don't do exactly what the crack-pot old fool tells us, we're going to be booted from our positions." Malfoy glared at Hermione, absentmindedly fingering his Head Boy badge.
"It's not my fault, so don't look at me like that!" Hermione snapped at him. Malfoy opened his mouth to retort but Hermione put a silencing charm on him. "Not now Malfoy I want to get some rest before we arrive." Hermione told him, closing her eyes as Malfoy's face contorted in fury, mouthing rude words at her. Giving up, Malfoy retreated to the corner of the compartment and looked out the window, watching the fields go by through the soft rain falling from the darkened sky. He cast a dark look back at Hermione, who was now breathing deeply against the far wall, her eyes closed.
Granger's such a bitch… the minute this stupid charm wears off I'm going to yell to wake her up. What is Dumbledore playing at, making us share living quarters? Oh well, at least it wont be for long with the project starting in November… unless he pairs us up for that! Crap he probably will just to aggravate me! If only old Voldy had finished Potter off I would never have to deal with this… Malfoy looked over at Hermione's sleeping form, her skirt riding up her leg just enough to make Malfoy smile with appreciation. Hermione's hair was a light wispy brown, no longer quite as bushy. Somehow it had been transformed into some more reasonable soft curls that fell halfway down her back. Her skin had a moderate tan that had actually been complimented with some sparse makeup. Weasley, Malfoy referring to Hermione's slut of a friend, as he noticed the slight improvement. Of course no one would ever be able to know what is under those hideous clothes she wears. Malfoy concluded, still staring blatantly at Hermione, whom he had tormented for years, the best friend of Harry Potter, and the most untouchable girl in the school. Feeling the charm lift an evil grin spread across his face. Moving towards Granger, Draco placed his lips mere inches from Hermione's ear.
"GRANGER!!!!" he yelled as loud as he could, jerking back as Hermione shot up from her position against the wall, eyes searching the compartment frantically.
"What?" she screamed back, seething.
"I just wanted to know if you were asleep," Malfoy replied sweetly, giving Hermione his best innocent look. He noticed Hermione looked like she was about to strangle him and decided to take a step back.
"Well, I'll be sure to make sure you're asleep when we're sharing living quarters together," Hermione retorted, smirking. Malfoy glared at her.
"Granger… is that drool?" He smiled sweetly while pointing to her shirt. The innocent look was really grating Hermione's nerves.
"Ugh, no of course not you rude, uncivilized, little ferret!" Malfoy raised an eyebrow, controlling himself from laughing in her face.
"And I'm the one who needs to think of new comebacks?" Ignoring the screeches of profanity he turned his back on Hermione, shuffling through his bag to retrieve a copy of "Hogwarts: A history." Silence filled the compartment.
"I read that in first year," Hermione couldn't help but brag. Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
"This is the revised 'Hogwarts: A History' that just came out, Granger. No one has it, it's not even on the shelves yet." Hermione eyes widened in shock and surprise as she noticed a different cover on the book.
"How did you, the son of a well-know Death Eater get your hands on it if it's not even on the shelves yet?" Hermione sneered at him. Malfoy glared at her.
"Lucius is dead, and I have a hell of a lot of connections," he snapped. Hermione decided not to retort, as she suddenly realized it might be painful for Malfoy to talk about his father… even if he had been an evil Death Eater.
"Can I see it?" Hermione asked offhandedly, hoping Malfoy wouldn't notice the excitement in her voice. Malfoy looked up at Hermione and smiled before turning back to his book.
"No."
"Please?"
"No." Hermione paused, wondering if it was worth sacrificing her pride to read the book. She decided it was.
"Malfoy please? Please, please, please?" Malfoy looked up again suddenly, his grin growing wider. Hermione noted suddenly how weird Draco Malfoy looked when he was smiling.
"Um, let me think… no." He was enjoying this way too much.
"Fine! I didn't want it anyway!" Hermione pouted, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. Malfoy smiled at his victory.
Hermione stood up quickly as the train pulled to a grinding stop. She was anxious to get away from Malfoy, who had spent the rest of the train ride holding onto the stupid book like it was his lifeline, giving Hermione no chance of stealing it. Malfoy emerged from the compartment right behind her, giving her a sharp prod in the back.
"Move it Granger. I have places to go, people to-"
"Torment?" Hermione offered.
"Screw." Malfoy corrected with a smirk, enjoying the look of disgust spreading across Hermione's face.
"And to think I have to share a common room with you," Hermione muttered under her breath.
"Yes, you'll be the envy of ever girl in school," Malfoy called out as Hermione stomped off. Shaking her head, Hermione exited the train and waited in the rain for her friends, cursing Malfoy when he shot her yet another wide grin as he passed from the rain to the safety of the carriages. Hermione jumped back a bit as her gaze fell on the threstrals, who were clearly visible for the first time.
"Oh!" She said softly, moving towards one without thinking.
"Hermione!" Harry called, as he, Ginny and Ron made their way though the rain to Hermione. "Quick let's get in the carriage!"
"Hermione you're soaking wet!" Ginny exclaimed frantically, eyeing Hermione's smeared mascara with horror. Ron looked up startled at his little sister's voice and hastily handed over his cloak to Hermione.
"Thanks Ron." Hermione smiled, wrapping his cloak over her shoulders, amused to see a blush creep across Ron's cheeks.
"Anytime," Ron mumbled back. Harry and Ginny shared a smile as they interlocked fingers. Hermione rolled her eyes, waiting impatiently for the carriage to stop.
A/N: Alright, here's the first chapter of the story. Like it? Hate it? Let me know. I know it seems more drama, but I promise the humor will be coming really soon.
Also, I'm absolutely not going to shove Draco and Hermione together based upon physical attraction (it would take a HELL of a lot more than that). The descriptions were in there for the reader, and were also applied for Harry, Ron, and Ginny. So no flamers!
The reason Dumbledore wants to unite the school will be revealed when he tells the seventh years about the project, just in case anyone think I just stuck it in randomly.
Characters that might seem OOC in future chapters will be McGonagall … that is if my beta-reader doesn't take it out. :)
OK, thanks so much for reading!!!!! More chapters to come of course, I never abandon fics. I've spent a lot of time writing and editing this, so if you could drop a review it would be greatly, GREATLY appreciated. Shamelessly begging… :) Thanks again!