"Thank you, Professor. I shall do my best to uphold the standards and traditions of the school." Hermione said blushing, fiddling with the Head Girl badge.

"I think you'll do well. Not only are you the smartest student in the school, but you also have courage, determination and most importantly compassion. The Head Girl needs all these things. You also have the patience and dedication to the rules that the position requires. The Head Girl is the one whose job it is to keep the Head Boy in line; therefore she must be a strong woman, which you are." Dumbledore smiled at her.

"Thank you sir. I do have a query, though."

"Fire away."

"Where is the new Head Boy? Shouldn't he be here getting the briefing as well?

"I thought I had better talk to you first, before you meet your Head Boy. My choice may seem odd to you, and I wouldn't blame you if you thought me mad. As you know the Heads of school must be able to work together, for they have to for the rest of their lives, starting the summer before their year in the roles. Head Boys always marry their Head Girls. The last time one didn't was in 1543 I believe, but that was only because she died in childbirth before the school year ended and he hadn't married her yet. You were the obvious choice for Head Girl, no one but you could do it. I therefore had to take you into consideration when I chose your counterpart. Many would think that our friend Harry would be the obvious choice, since you're already best friends, you can keep him in line, and he has many of the qualities needed for the position."

"Naturally. I assumed it would be him."

"You are wrong. I did not choose him."

"You didn't? Who then? I can't think of anyone else who would be chosen."

"Before I tell you his name may I remind you that my choice is final and whatever objections there may be are fruitless? When I reviewed the boys in your year and compared them with you, I looked for compatibility, strength of character, similarities of opinions, views and beliefs not to mention similarities in temperament and qualities you both look for in a partner. I also looked for chemistry and intelligence and however much you may deny it you and the new Head Boy definitely have plenty of both. When I considered all these factors, one name kept coming to light. The same one. It was unconventional but I have consulted with several colleagues and they all agreed that, despite the irregular match, that boy was it. They even found a Prophesy concerning it."

"Who is he?" Hermione asked quietly, now slightly scared.

Before Dumbledore could answer her someone knocked on the door of his office. He called them in and Draco Malfoy walked confidently inside and approached the desk.

"You wished to see me sir?"

"Yes indeed. Hermione I would like to introduce you to your Head Boy."

"What!" Hermione rose from her seat with astonishing speed.

"He didn't tell you yet?" Draco asked casually.

"He can't be your choice. Please tell me this is a joke." Hermione snarled, now very pale.

"Sorry Hermione. It's no joke. I told you it was unconventional."

"Unconventional…would be the biggest understatement of the century." With that her knees gave way as she fell into a dead faint. Draco caught her and lowered her into her chair.

"You could have given her some more warning." Draco said reproachfully to Dumbledore, taking the second chair in front of the desk.

"I know, but she would have reacted the same way. You know that. Think you can talk her into it?"

"I have all summer. Without my parents around she can see the real me, the one I was forced to hide. She'll come round." Draco smiled confidently looking down at Hermione and gently brushing a lock of her curly hair out of her face.

"Speaking of, here she comes again."

Hermione woke from her faint and rubbed her eyes. Dumbledore conjured a goblet of water and Draco handed it to her.

"How are you feeling?" Draco asked her with surprising tenderness.

"Dizzy, and very confused. Now I know how Ron feels every day." She said weakly.

Draco chuckled. "It's a big shock, I know. I shan't tell you how I reacted to the news. It wasn't pretty."

"Did you faint?"

"No, so you've got that one over me. Very classy by the way."

"You're so nice. What have you done with the real Draco Malfoy?"

Again Draco laughed. "Oh, this is a great start isn't it?"

"Professor, I don't understand, how can Malfoy be your choice?"

"About a month ago I had every student in your year fill out full character studies which had to be answered truthfully, do you remember?"

"Yes. What about them?"

"It amazed me, and I have to say Minerva and Severus too, that you both answered almost identically. Your wording was nearly an exact match, and even your handwriting wasn't dissimilar. You two aren't that different."

"Aren't that different? He's a Malfoy! We're about as different as two people can be."

"Are you sure? Who was the second smartest in your year? And it never has been a big gap between first and second."

"Padma Patil I'd guess."

"It was me." Draco said kindly from beside her. "It was such a sticking point for my dad. Hermione only just beat my scores, only by a few points each time. I tried to beat her, put in extra hours, stayed in the library working as long as she did, but she still proved she was the smarter."

Hermione looked at him curiously. "I remember you in the library. We were always fighting over a book." To his surprise she laughed. "When Ron found out that we both stayed so late in the library, he got so jealous. He thought I was hiding a secret romance. He was so silly about it."

"How come?"

"You've heard of Romeo and Juliet, right?"

"Yeah. Oh he didn't think it was that scenario did he?" Draco laughed.

"Two households both alike in dignity. My only love sprung from my only hate, and all that." Hermione sniggered. "You have to admit, it would have been similar if it was a secret romance."

"I see that. Potter would be Tybalt and Weasley would be Lord Capulet."

"No other way round. Harry's Lord Capulet, and Ron is definitely Tybalt."

Dumbledore watched them carefully. During their talk Hermione had turned herself towards him and they were both leaning in towards each other, oblivious to Dumbledore's presence in the room. Dumbledore smirked and chuckled a little.

Yes, Albus, you were right- they are a perfect match. They just have to see it for themselves. He thought, studying the blush that was stealing over Hermione's cheeks.