A/n: Hey! Here's another story for me to work on while I'm sort of in a writer's block with my story series. (Check out my profile and you'll know what I mean.) Here's another story, which has nothing to do with the Marauders whatsoever. Not that that means that I don't enjoy working with the Marauders. I do. I love the Marauders! But this is different, and I've had this story going through my head, and I've finally sat down to write it. I do hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimers: I own none of the characters or places in this fic. They belong to WB and J.K. Rowling. The only thing that is mine is the plot and the convos, etc…

Spoilers: None that I can think of… Except for the Harry Potter books in general… Actually, very little Goblet of Fire…

Dedication: To my very good friend, Miranda, who helped my considerably with this story. Thank you very much. I don't know if I could've done this story without you. Thank you. (She said I didn't have to, but I feel it is necessary.)

Chapter 1

It was another year at Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were starting their 5th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The first few months or so was uneventful. Just like normal. (Or as normal as you could get with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.)

School had gotten very hard with O.W.L.'s at the end of that year and everything. In November, Quidditch had started which gave Harry something else to think about. (Namely, beating Malfoy and Slytherin.)

Christmas had come and gone. Again, Harry had gotten more than he could have ever asked for. (Considering he has never really expected much.)

The second half of the school year started and all the students who left for the Christmas Holiday returned. The fifth years found that school was getting extremely hard. But most of them managed.

When all the snow had dried up and the weather was warmer and the end of the Quidditch season was approaching, Dumbledore and the other teachers had something planned – a competition of some sorts – which he was going to announce at dinner one night.

So that night came when Dumbledore and the other teachers had everything for the competition planned out. He was ready to announce it to the entire school.

This competition planned to be very interesting.

That night Professor McGonagall tapped her glass with her fork and asked for the rooms attention as she always does when Dumbledore is going to make an announcement. When the Great Hall quieted down, Dumbledore stood up, ready to make the announcement. "Attention, students! There will be a competition at Hogwarts this year before the end of term and the end of Quidditch." There was a tumulus of applause in the Great Hall. Dumbledore held up his hands and told the students to quiet down. "Now, now, students quiet down. Don't get too excited before you hear what it's about and what it's about… because there a very few of you qualified to do this competition. I know that because the competitors have already been chosen." That quieted them down. "It's a competition between the Head Boy and Head Girl of each year. So there will only be 14 competitors in 7 teams." Dumbledore paused to make sure everyone heard what he was going say. "I will take this time to announce them." He cleared his throat and got out the piece of parchment he written the name's on. "For the first years: Ashley Gregor from Ravenclaw and John Leone from Gryffindor." The first years (except for the Slytherins), Ravenclaws and Gryffindors applauded. "For the second years: Eleanor Branstone from Hufflepuff and Pritchard Graham from Slytherin." The second years, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins applauded. "For the third years: Trian Li from Ravenclaw and Matthew Elks also from Ravenclaw." The third years (except for the Slytherins) and the Ravenclaws applauded. "For the fourth years: Lisa McAnthony from Gryffindor and Adam Lee from Hufflepuff." There was applause from the fourth years (except for the Slytherins) and Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. "For the fifth years: Hermione Granger from Gryffindor-" Hermione smiled widely as her fellow Gryffindors cheered her on and clapped her on the back. Dumbledore paused before continuing. "-And Draco Malfoy from Slytherin." There was no applause. There was some scattered applause from of some of the fifth years, but the Gryffindors and Slytherins ceased to clap.

Draco and Hermione gasped. Not that either one of them was shocked at their name's being called, but at whom they had to work with. Neither one of them heard who the competitors were for Years 5 & 6.

"All competitors come into the room behind the Great Hall." Dumbledore announced. No one moved. "Now. Hurry!" The 14 people got up and made their way to the room behind the Great Hall.

When they got inside, Dumbledore said, "Now, stand next to your partner." All the teams did so…. except for Draco and Hermione. They stood three feet away from each, throwing daggers at each other with their eyes.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger," he said, trying to get them closer together. "Stand next to each other." They both refused.

"I can't believe I have to work with him." Hermione snapped.

"I would rather die than work with you, Granger." Draco spat.

"Believe me, the feeling is quite mutual, Malfoy." Hermione yelled.

Dumbledore walked over to Professor McGonagall and whispered, "Go get Professor Snape, please."

Professor McGonagall walked out, got Professor Snape, and returned.

"What's the problem?" He asked.

"Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger don't want to work with each other." Professor Dumbledore said. "I thought you could help Mr. Malfoy at least resort to work with Miss Granger."

Professor Snape sighed. "Listen, Mr. Malfoy. I more than understand that you don't want to work with Miss Granger, but frankly… you don't have a choice. You must work with her. I know you want to win, right?"

"Yes, of course." He answered.

"Well, the only way to win is to work with Miss Granger."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Miss Granger, listen. I know you don't want to work with Mr. Malfoy, but you don't have a choice. Do you want to win?"

"Yes, I want to win."

"Then you must work with Mr. Malfoy."

Hermione sighed. "I guess I will then. If that's what it takes to win."

Draco agreed, "For once, I agree with Granger."

"Good then." said Professor McGonagall.

"Alright then. Thanks, Professor Snape." said Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Snape nodded and left and went back to the Great Hall.

"Now, here are the details of the competition." Professor Dumbledore said. "There will be four different parts to the competition. The first: a report in which you and your partner will pick a topic and then research it and after a week present in front of the entire school." Hermione nodded, "The second: Partnership Dueling. Now, it's not what you think. You and your partner will both fight another team. Neither one helping the other." Draco nodded. "The third: a Resourcefulness Test, which will test your resourcefulness." Draco and Hermione looked in wonder, neither one of them knowing what that part to the competition was going to be like. "You will find out more about that later." He said. Continuing, "And the last and final is a broomstick challenge." Draco smiled as Hermione groaned. "There will be a team and an individual competition in this." Dumbledore sighed. "Well, that's it. You may go now."

They left and when they got out, Hermione walked over to Draco and said, "We should get together tomorrow and work on that report."

"Fine. Whatever," was Draco's reply.

Hermione turned her heel and walked back to Gryffindor Tower.

A/n: Hope you enjoy! I will try and update as soon as possible. R/R!