Disclaimer: I don't own the HP characters, blah blah blah. You all know the drill.
Author's Note: I haven't been on the site in…oh…forever. But now that I'm back, plot bunnies have been attacking my face. So, this is just the assignment for now. More soon, my lovelies. I promise.
"Malfoy. Granger." Snape motioned the two students forward. The rest of the class was studying dutifully or – in Ron's case – dozing quietly. It was the last week of the year, and Snape had a headache, so he let it slide. I must be getting soft in my old age, he thought, watching Ron's red head droop lower on his neck. Because I really don't give a damn if he's sleeping. Let the Muggle-lover doze. He's not going anywhere with his life anyway. As Hermione and Draco approached his desk, his head began to throb worse in light of the ensuing complaints, so he held up a hand.
"Understand me now. There will be no arguing. There will be no complaining. You will do as you are told. All I want to hear from the two of you is 'Yes sir.' Is that understood?"
They both nodded.
"Good. The Headmaster has asked me to bestow upon you a task to be completed over the summer holidays. As you have both been informed, the two of you will represent Hogwarts as Head Boy and Girl next year. Seeing as you come from rival houses, Dumbledore thinks that this will be a golden opportunity to promote inter-house relations." He scowled a little. Inter-house cooperation was not his strong suit. In fact, he wasn't even sure it was suit he owned. But Dumbledore was the Headmaster and Snape himself was nothing more than a lowly Potions teacher. He knew his place in the pecking
order. Snape could sense, rather than see, both the students before him resist the urge to roll their eyes. Granger looked like she was paying him the utmost attention but he knew her clever Mudblood mind was racing, trying to predict and prepare. Draco looked the part of the bored rich kid, obviously unconcerned and convinced that Lucius would get him out of whatever Snape was about to assign him. Little did he know.
"You parents have been informed, signed the papers, and given their permission on this particular matter, so give it up Malfoy."
Draco started a little and Snape couldn't help but let a smirk cross his face. Contrary to popular belief, he really didn't like this particular student. But Draco was a Slytherin, and therefore had Snape's loyalty in most school-related matters. But he was still a spoiled brat who needed to be taken down a notch.
"Now, the assignment is this: you will remain at Hogwarts for most of the summer to do research for an upcoming event Dumbledore has planned. As you will undoubtedly know, Muggle Studies has been added to the list of required courses, starting with next term's first years. Part of the curriculum is to implement standard Muggle school courses into the class. They will, of course, be shorted versions, but they will be there nonetheless. Your job is to research different Muggle high school courses and select six courses to be studied. You may each choose three other students to remain at school with you and aid in your research. You will be allowed to go home for two weeks before returning to visit your families and collect any belongings you wish to bring with you. Because of the nature of your research and the fact that school is not technically in session, you will be allowed to bring Muggle electronic devices and other such things with you if you wish. Also because school will not be in session, you will not be required to wear your school robes, but will remain in your respective dorms. Please have your list of people to stay in to either myself or Professor McGonagall by the end of the day." The bell rang as he finished. "That is all. You may go."
"Yes, sir," they both answered in unison. As they turned to go, they both shot Snape similar glances that mostly just read "If looks could kill…"
Snape smiled to himself and he shuffled bits of parchment. He loved when students gave him that look.
---
"Can you believe that?" Hermione dropped her bag onto the floor and plopped into a chair in front of the fire. "As if I don't get enough of Malfoy's taunts and insults during the regular school year, now I have to deal with him in the summer. And I have to miss the trip I was supposed to take with my parents. Sometimes, I think Dumbledore does these things just to get a laugh. Deep down, he's evil. I swear."
Harry sat in the chair across from her and laughed a little. "I seriously doubt that, Hermione. Besides, Dumbledore's a genius. If he was evil, I'm sure he could find better ways to torture his students. Besides, Ron and I will be here. Who else are you going to ask to stay?"
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. Probably Ginny. She's smart, plus I wont have to be surrounded by a bunch of stupid boys for my whole break."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Thanks, 'Mione."
She smile beatifically and stood, picking up her bag as she did. "Anytime, Ronald," she said as she headed up the stair to the girl's dorms.
---
"Oh, Draco, that's horrible. Stuck in this damnable castle all summer with a Mudblood and her pitiful friends." Blaise chuckled. "Have fun with that."
"Piss off, Zambini. You're staying with me." Draco looked pointedly at Pansy and Millicent. "So are you two."
"Oh, not keeping your thugs with you, Malfoy?" Pansy asked, jerking her head toward where Crabbe and Goyle were playing Exploding Snap. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Please. They make good bodyguards, but they're dim as stones. At least there's a semi-functioning brain between the three of you."
"Oh, thanks. That really makes me want to stay and help." Millicent lobbed a book at his head but he dodged it with the easy grace his pureblood heritage had granted him.
"I'm going to bed," he said, and swept off to his dorm.
