Amore Rivalita

Chapter 1

"I still don't see why you're being such a prick about this whole Head boy business, Ronald." Hermione said as Harry, Ron and herself were making their way up to Hogwarts.

"Hermione, being a head boy or a head girl isn't that all great. It doesn't really serve you positive benefits. It's just total bullocks and a way to show off." Ron replied.

"You're not making sense." Hermione blinked.

"I am. You just don't understand it. It really is a simple concept. Head Boy, Head Girl equals to a big show off. Do you want people to hate you because you're such a big show off?" Ron asked.

"What?" Hermione blinked again and shook her head in defeat. "Honestly…"

"I'm telling you the truth. Look at Percy!" Ron said.

"Whatever, Ronald." Hermione sighed. She was highly tempted to add, 'you're just jealous.'

"Here you go, 'mione." Harry said handing her, her iPod. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Hermione huffed and stuffed it inside her carrier bag.

"Why are you red in the face?" Harry said carefully eyeing her.

"Ask him!" Hermione said pointing an accusing finger at Ron.

"I haven't done anything!" Ron defended.

"Riiiiight." Hermione scoffed and fasten her pace towards the familiar double oak doors.

"What did you do this time, red?" Harry whispered.

As they neared the gates, they noticed Professor McGonagall walking towards them.

"Miss Granger…" she started, "Follow me please," she instructed.

"Uhh, okay Professor, is there a problem?" Hermione said, following her.

"No, no problem at all… come along now." Professor McGonagall said, turning on her heel walking back to the castle.

"I'll see you later at the great hall." Hermione addressed to Harry and sneered at Ron; Harry nodded and Ron sneered right back.

Professor McGonagall brought Hermione to an empty classroom and closed the door.

"First and foremost, I would like to congratulate you Miss Granger, on becoming Head Girl. I am so pr-…"

"What? Perhaps I've heard wrong, Professor," Draco Malfoy's voice drawled, emerging from a dark corner of the room. It almost gave Hermione a heart attack from the sudden sound of his voice. "Granger… Head Girl?"

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, you have heard me correctly. May I introduce to you Miss Granger, the new Head Boy; Draco Malfoy." Professor McGonagall said.

"Malfoy… MALFOY IS HEAD BOY?!!?!" Hermione half shrieked.

"That's right Granger. You want to give up your title as Head Girl? Go ahead… Pansy would gladly take up the job." Draco smirked.

"No, she can't Mr. Malfoy. Hermione Granger is the best student Hogwarts has had after Professor Dumbledore, having Ms. Parkinson as Head Girl, the whole school would be burned down to ashes in less than a week on the start of term." The Professor said. "Now, on to a more serious matter at hand, your sleeping arrangements."

Hermione and Draco looked at each other. They gulped.

"You both will share a common room, and a small kitchen. You will get separate rooms opposite each other and as usual, boy's dormitories are on the left, the girl's on the right. Might I warn you that both of you will have a conjoined bathroom. You will report to Professor Dumbledore immediately after the welcome feast, which will be starting in a matter of minutes. I have to fetch the first years as of now, both of you are dismissed." Professor McGonagall said, opening the door, letting Hermione and Draco out.

They didn't have a chance to reply or fight back. She hurried them to the Great Hall and stop at the entrance door.

"Oh, and please do not tell any of your friends that you are seeing Professor Dumbledore after the feast." Professor McGonagall added. "There are matters that wished to be personally discussed." They nodded.

With that, she walked out of the castle to greet the newcomers. Hermione without a further ado, walked to the golden oak doors, and pushed it will all her might, but the door wouldn't open. Draco rolled his eyes, and pushed the door open with ease.

From the inside of the Great Hall, everyone went silent as what they saw wasn't welcoming. The kind of position Draco and Hermione were in, was as though, Draco was being a gentlemen, opening a door for a lady, and that wasn't what a Malfoy would do, even with Pansy Parkinson. They were also standing rather close to each other.

Hermione cleared her throat, pushed Malfoy aside, and went to sit next to Harry and Ron, who looked furious and confused. Harry was oblivious to his surroundings; he seems to be rather interested glaring at Ginny's new catch; Jeremy Faulten.

"Please tell me why Malfoy was with you?" Ron asked as calmly as he could master.

"He has been made Head Boy." Hermione said simply. "And, I will be sharing a common room with him."

"WHAT?!" Ron practically shouted in the great hall. "Are you kidding me?! How could you Hermione! How could you?!"

"Ron! It's not my choice! Please don't make a scene! Harry, make him shut up!" Hermione tugged on Harry's robes.

"Ron, shut up…" Harry sighed, tearing his gaze from Ginny and ate his desert.

"Thank you, you were very helpful." Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "Couldn't you be mature about this, Ronald? Honestly…"

Before Ron can reply, Dumbledore started the feast with his usual warnings and welcoming speeches and some new announcement such as: Hermione and Draco are the new Head Boy and Head Girl. There were a few cheers, boos and hisses around the four tables. There will be extra curricular activities for the fifth, sixth and seventh year to sign up for and a few new professors that will be leading some of the extra curricular activities and he added that he will announce a very exciting news on Monday. After all was said and done, the food appeared in front them and Ron hungrily fills his plate.

They were silent the whole entire event, Hermione having finished her meal; she waited for the others to finish as well, while wondering what Professor Dumbledore would want with her and Malfoy. Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice interrupted her train of thought, she looked up.

"Now that we have filled our stomach, let us sing our school song! Stand up please, find your tune, now…Here we go, 1…2…3…" Dumbledore announced.

Everyone stood up, Dumbledore waved his wand, and a gold banner shot out of his wand with black letterings emblazoned on it. They all sang their school song; Dumbledore conducted the last few people who sang the song to a slow melody.

"Well done everyone! Well done! Now, off to bed you all trot! Get a good well rest, tomorrow is Sunday and I predict it is going to be a beautiful day! Goodnight!" Dumbledore smiled.

While the other students shuffled out of the Great Hall, Draco went to Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Ron spotted him and stood up quickly, shielding Hermione from Draco.

"W-What do you want M-Malfoy?" Ron said bravely.

"Granger… I want Granger." Draco smirked when the red haired looked furious. Ron was about to retort back, when Hermione stood up, pushed Ron aside, and asked,

"What do you want Malfoy?"

"Don't you remember, H-Hermione…? We've got a meeting to go to." He hesitated on saying her first name, but it was worth while when he saw the look on Ron's face; he winked at him.

"What meeting?! I'm a prefect too… Tell me, what meeting?!" Ron said quickly.

"You can't go Ron, this meeting is for me and Malfoy on the Heads duties." Hermione sighed. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Bye, Ron… Bye Harry."

Harry simply waved, while staring longingly at Ginny, who was trying to make her way out of the great hall.

Draco and Hermione walked towards the stone gargoyle where Dumbledore's office is, and said the password. The gargoyle jumped aside revealing a spiral staircase. Draco was about to step inside when Hermione cleared her throat.

"You called me, Hermione just now…" She started. "What's up with that?"

"Don't flatter yourself Granger. I was only doing that because I love a little entertainment from Weasley. Just for my own amusement…" Draco sneered and walked up the stairs, his cloak bellowing behind him. Hermione sighed and followed him up.

They entered Dumbledore's office and saw him merrily stroking Fawkes the Phoenix's head. Dumbledore turn to them and beamed.

"Ah, congratulations…congratulations…"

"Professor, why did you want to see us?" Hermione asked politely as they approach his desk.

"Well, sit down and let me explain. I think you are going to find this very exciting!" Dumbledore said, pointing at the two chairs in front of him.

Draco and Hermione sat, and waited for Dumbledore to start. He was searching for something apparently, seeing as he was shuffling his parchments, files and drawers. Finally he found two yellow envelop and handed it to Draco and Hermione. Hermione tore open her envelop and took out a piece of pink parchment.

ROUGETTE MAGIA ACCADEMIA

Welcome to Rougette Magia Academia and Hogwarts School's student exchange program.

We are proud to host two very talented and hard-working students from Hogwarts School:

Draco Malfoy

Hermione Granger

In your place, our Head Boy and Girl will stay there until the first term:

Rafaelllo Rinaldo

Amelia Mortello-Montez

We gain intelligence that both of you are the Head Boy and Head Girl of Hogwarts school, and were thrilled to have you here with us.

Your accommodations are all well prepared; transportation and spending money are as follows:

Transportation : Plane; Plane tickets are available with your Headmaster.

Money: 5000euro (Muggle)* 1000 Musos (Magic)*

*Collect this from your Headmaster.

Requirements and needs:

Able to understand and speak Basic Italian.

Winter coats, as it will get chilly.

Passports

You don't have to bring along your pets.

We hope to see you soon in Rougette Magia Accademia.

Sincerely,

Professoressa Lidia Segre

Deputy Headmistress of Rougette Magia Accademia Di Stregoneria E Ingegno

"This is an envelope sent by the Deputy Headmistress of Rougette Magic Academy informing that you have been accepted as student exchangers representing our school." Dumbledore said. "My dear friend, Antonio Martelli the Headmaster of the school and I had discussed that we haven't done a student exchange program for years and now we came up with that same program for this year. What would be a better idea to send the Heads to represent our school? Antonio Martelli is the Headmaster of the most prestigious Italian magic school. It is an honour to be invited to study there and experience on how they teach magic. The Heads of the Italian school will come here in your place. You will be meeting them at the end of first term. We will be having a ball as a farewell party for our guests. Students from Italy are invited to join this festive night, as well as the teachers. So it is going to be a wonderful event." Dumbledore said brightly.

"Is this the news you will be having on Monday?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"Very sharp, Miss Granger. Yes." Dumbledore nodded.

"We have to discuss this with our parents first…" Hermione said.

"Don't you worry, Miss Granger, I have owled to both of your parents and they replied immediately saying that 'please be careful, contact them everyday about how Italy is…'" Dumbledore said. "And for your case, Mr. Malfoy, 'Do not let him share a room with that muggle-born, accommodate him with the best of everything…'" Draco smirked when he listened to what his parents had said. "But I have to say, I don't arrange the accommodations, you have to live the way they live, so, I am not sure if both of you would be sharing a room together." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.

"I'll go then…" Draco said simply, and smirked at Hermione.

"But Professor, this paper doesn't say when we will be leaving." Hermione said. Draco looked at the yellow paper in his hand.

"You will be going on the second week of term, Monday, 10th of September." Dumbledore replied.

"But, that's too soon!"

"The sooner the better…" Dumbledore said.

"Plane…? What is a plane and a passport?" Draco asked suddenly.

"What?" Hermione looked confused and reread the paper. There it was stating 'Transportation: Plane.' "Professor…What's the meaning of this? Why aren't we going on a magical transportation?"

"Aha, good question Miss Granger. This is because, the ministry didn't approve of this program. They think it is a waste of time, and money. They still didn't see reason when I said, I will arrange for all of that, and all I need was an approval to use the magical transportation. But the minister wouldn't hear of it. So, we have brought this to our own hands. It is just a matter of time when the ministry have seen reason about how important it is to strengthen the bond between England and other countries. As the muggles says, 'United we stand, divided we fall'." Dumbledore said. "And as for Passport, I'm sure you have one, Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded. "Here you go, Mr. Malfoy. Do not lose this; this is very important, without this you won't be able to enter Italy." Dumbledore said, handing him a little red booklet.

"Yes, Professor…" Hermione said. "Rougette Magia Accademia… That is a nice name. So the Head Girl in Rougette is… Amelia Mortello Montez." She said, reading the yellow paper.

"How long, may I ask, are we staying there?" Draco piped in.

"You will be staying there until you have sat in their mid-term exams." Dumbledore said simply. "Isn't it exciting? Being in Italy that long? You will learn about their culture, their history and the way they learn magic. It is so interesting, I wish I myself would want to join, but duty calls."

"That long?!" Hermione choked. "But…but…but…"

"But what, Granger?" Draco snapped.

"It will be alright, Miss Granger. Now, allow me to show you to your Head dormitories."

Dumbledore stood up, Draco and Hermione followed silently behind him. They climbed to the seventh floor into a door that Hermione never noticed before walked passed the deserted corridor and stopped in front of a portrait with people in black uniforms playing chess.

"Aah, Albus Dumbledore… Haven't seen you in ages! You've aged quite a lot!" Chuckled on of the men.

"Yes, it seems so." Smiled Dumbledore. "I've come to show these two new Head's their room."

"I see…" The man said, "Well then, the password is stalemate…"

Draco and Hermione nodded, and the portrait sung open.

"This is where I leave you, goodnight." Dumbledore smiled.

"Goodnight Professor," Hermione whispered.

Draco walked in first and went straight to his room without saying anything. Hermione retreated to her new room and got ready for bed.

The next morning, after a well earned rest, Hermione headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She glanced at the Slytherin table and saw that Draco wasn't there.

'Must still be sleeping…' she thought sitting herself next to Harry who was going over a few notes.

"Seeing you studying this early of term is really rare!" Hermione nudged him. "What are you studying anyway?"

"I'm not studying… I'm going over the quidditch formation, for practice next Saturday. You want to see us practise? Ron needs someone to support him during the practices."

"Of course…" Hermione sighed. He wouldn't get a head start on studying; he's the study-last-minute type. "Yeah, about next week, I won't be here until the winter holidays."

"What? Why? Where are you going?"

"Italy, as an exchange student," Hermione said quietly.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore told me about it after the feast, when all of you have gone to bed…"

"Are you going alone? Wouldn't that be dangerous? When are you going?" Harry asked again, putting down his papers.

"No, I won't be going alone, Malfoy's coming. Dumbledore appointed us to be the exchangers." Hermione said quickly. "This is strictly a duty for me and I told you, next week on Monday."

"Malfoy? What about Malfoy?" Ron asked when he entered grasping the word 'Malfoy' as he sat next to Harry and took a few pieces of paper to inspect what Harry was doing.

"Hermione's going to Italy with Malfoy for 4 months." Harry said simply turning to Ron.

"WHAT?!" Ron stood up fuming.

"Ronald! Shut up!" Hermione hissed.

"Hermione, WHY ARE YOU GOING THERE WITH MALFOY?!" Ron shouted; the whole hall went silent. Hermione flushed, she was just about to answer when a voice behind her said,

"Because we want to spend some time alone to be with each other without preying eyes watching our every move, we hate stalkers like you Weasley!"

"What?" Hermione looked furious. "How dare you say that?"

"Look at her; isn't she just so adorable trying to cover up our relationship?" Draco smirked at Ron. Ron advanced on Draco and grabbed his neck.

"Ron! Stop it!" Harry pulled Malfoy off of Ron and Hermione hold onto Ron who was struggling to get free.

"Let me at him!" Ron shouted. Draco coughed trying to catch his breath.

"That is enough! The both of you, for once, be matured, be an example for the younger students!" Professor McGonagall came striding into the Great Hall. Ron stopped struggling at once, breathing heavily. "50 points from both of you! Really, Mr. Malfoy, you are Head Boy, show a bit of responsibility, please!"

Draco sneered at Ron, and walked out of the Great Hall.

"Not so fast, Mr. Malfoy. Dumbledore wishes to see you and Ms. Granger up in his office immediately." Professor McGonagall said.

Draco and Hermione hurried off to Dumbledore's office, told the password, and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" said Dumbledore.

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Hermione asked, opening the door slowly.

"Yes, I guess I have bad news to inform you, please have a seat."

"Is the trip cancelled?" Hermione asked expectantly.

"No, no, quite the opposite actually… It seems that there aren't available tickets to Italy for the 10th of September and for the rest of next week, however, there are a few available for this week, though." Dumbledore said, peering both of them through his half-moon spectacles.

"What do you mean?" Hermione eyed the aging Headmaster suspiciously.

"I mean, that you two will be leaving for Italy this Friday." Dumbledore said.

"What?!" Hermione jumped; shocked.

"You will leave on Thursday night to the Leaky Cauldron's inn, and leave for the airport at twelve in the afternoon on Friday. Any questions?"

"No sir." Hermione said softly; Draco shook his head.

Monday came along, classes starts. Hermione and Draco were excused from classes to get ready for their trip. Hermione lent Ron all her textbooks because Ron's second hand books are covered in ink blotches and it was difficult to read with it. She kept going to Hogsmeade alone; visiting a clothes shop three shops down from The Three Broomsticks. She bought two new coats as it was chilly there or so she was told and bought herself a butter pecan ice cream. She was enjoying the day window shopping, looking at beautiful jewellery and a flower shop nearby.

She stopped at the three broomsticks and sat by herself at a corner finishing her ice cream, and sipping her hot butterbeer. It was somehow crowded today, working witches and wizards came in to eat and drink here for lunch. She saw Draco pushing himself in and looked for an empty space. He spotted Hermione but made no movement towards her. Hermione was fine with it and continued to enjoy her butterbeer.

She had her eyes closed relaxing when something hit the table. It was Malfoy's fist. He hastily sat down opposite Hermione who still had her eyes closed.

"Granger!" Draco snapped. "Oi, Granger!"

"What?!" Hermione opened her eyes and glared at Draco.

"We have to go back, it's already 2." Draco said.

Hermione didn't answer she picked up her shopping bags and left; Draco following behind her scoffing.

Tuesday, Wednesday soon followed. Hermione becoming anxious every day; Ron and Harry have decided that they might as well support her in doing this as this was Dumbledore's idea, not on Hermione's free will. They spent their free time in the common room, or near the lake. Hermione had all of her belongings ready and packed.

It was already Thursday and Hermione dread every second of it. She heaved her trunk down to the entrance hall and set it aside. She saw Malfoy tugging his trunk up from the dungeons. Hermione quickly entered the great hall and sat between Ron and Ginny.

"I am so going to miss you Hermione!" Ginny hugged.

"I'm going to miss you too! Promise me you'll write every week. Update me on the on goings at Hogwarts!" Hermione hugged her back tightly.

"No problem." Ginny smiled after they let go. Hermione turned to Harry and Ron.

"Boys, be good. Don't go into any trouble, Ginny will tell me all. But I still want you both to write to me. Tell me about your homework any case you would need assistant, and no Ron, I will not help you out to a whole essay, I will only guide you. N.E. are coming, you should both start from now." Hermione said, and the trio hugged each other.

Dumbledore entered the great hall and silence fell.

"I wanted to wait for this coming Monday to announce this, but due to some unfortunate event, it was pushed forward. I am thrilled to inform you all, that I and a colleague of mine agreed to have an exchange student program. I have chosen two reliable and trustworthy students to represent our school and those two students are Hermione Granger, Head Girl, and Draco Malfoy, Head Boy. These two will fly to Rougette Magia Accademia in Italy and would stay there until Christmas. They will be leaving tonight after the feast, so let's have a nice surprise farewell feast for our two representatives!" Dumbledore said, everyone applauded and the plates were suddenly filled with delicious food.

After the farewell feast, they sang the Hogwarts school anthem and Hermione gave a small impromptu speech, whilst Draco stood sulkily behind her. Dumbledore beamed and announced that it was time to go.

"Hermione, be careful, be alert if Malfoy tries anything funny." Harry said hugging her tightly at the entrance hall.

"I will, Harry. Thanks, I'm going to miss you." Hermione sobbed, hugging her best friend.

"Eat well, 'mione. If you don't like the food there, we'll floo our food to you." Ron said, hugging her next.

"All you think is food, don't you?" Hermione laughed between sobs. "Thank you…"

"Hermione, I promised to give you up to date news on these two –…" Ginny pointed at Harry and Ron, "and on the latest gossips of anything going on here. Oh my, you do the same. Tell me how Italy is." Ginny hugged.

"I will! I've bought enough ink to last me for three years!" Hermione laughed, so did Ginny. "I will write to you everyday!"

"Miss Granger, it is time to leave." Dumbledore said softly.

Hermione nodded. She turned to her trunk, levitates it, and walked out through the big oak door. She turned to look back at her friends who were waving to her; she waved back, choking back tears.

Dumbledore lead the way down to Hogsmeade train station. When they got there, the Hogwarts train wasn't there anymore. It was replaced by a speed train.

"This here will get you to London faster." Dumbledore said, acknowledging the train. "Here are your flight tickets and off you go, this is where I will leave you. Good luck to the both of you. Owl me as soon as you have settled down. My greatest apologies of not informing you sooner, and can't accompany you to London. I would of course, but whenever I came across to do it, problems arise, and I am an old man, keep forgetting stuff." He smiled.

"Don't worry professor." Hermione said.

Draco was already in the train, sitting at the window facing the other side of the train. Hermione waved goodbye to Dumbledore. As soon as she got her whole body in, the doors slid shut. Hermione turned to look for a seat furthest away from Malfoy as possible. But, only one coach was available, and Draco is in it. She had no choice but to sit with him.

Draco didn't open his mouth to pick a fight. He merely slouched in his seat, trying to sleep. Hermione who was happy that she has no reason to pick a fight, she decided to read a book to pass the time.

They were zooming through mountains, a blur vision of the Hogwarts castle could be seen for only a few seconds and the scenery changed to a cool night meadow, then to a small lake, zoomed through a thin forest and arrived in London, 4 hours flat (The usual train might have taken hours, seeing that they left at 11am, and arrive at night).

They walked out of the barrier and darkness swallowed them. Of course, it's already 1am.

"Let's apparate to the leaky cauldron," Hermione suggested; Draco didn't answer. She heard a tiny pop indicating Draco had apparated. She did as well.

She popped in a dark alley taking in her surroundings. She tugged on her heavy trunk and set off to the leaky cauldron. Draco was waiting grumpily semi-conscious at the front door; Hermione poked him with her wand.

"Wake up…" She whispered.

"I'm up Granger. No need to poke that thing at me!" He snapped.

Both of them went into the pub. Tom, the owner of the pub greeted them and showed them to their rooms. Hermione didn't bother changing; she pushed her trunk in a corner and collapsed on the bed drifting off to a dreamless sleep.