Disclaimer: The very nature of this site refutes the possibility that I owned Harry Potter. Why else would I revert to writing fanfic about the characters? Though I suppose it would be awfully fun to write fanfic even if I was JKR… explore all those other ideas, the various plot lines, the intricacies of a character's personalities, silly plot bunnies that couldn't be fit into the actual book…
But alas, I still don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: I'm horribly cliché with this one, so you can't say you haven't been warned. Another AU, Harry got a lucky break sixth year, they're all headed to Hogwarts for their 7th year, Dumbledore's alive, Hermione Head Girl, and Draco's Head Boy. I know, I know. It's been done a million times, but I just had this idea and it wouldn't leave and it pestered me like no other! So, here it is. Originally a oneshot, this is now going to become a multichaptered story. Where I'm headed, nobody knows…
Any feelings you have after or while reading this, I'm nosy and would love to know! Spread the gossip and review if you feel so inclined!
Hermione Granger was so happy to be back at Hogwarts. Proudly adjusting her Head Girl badge, she looked over at Ginny Weasley, who was sitting next to Harry. The two of them were always smiling nowadays. Hermione knew it was from all the snogging sessions they sneaked into the day, though they had kept that from Ron.
Fortunately for everyone involved, said redhead was even more oblivious than normal lately, ever since Bill and Fleur's wedding – where he met Ellie, best friend of Fleur's younger sister. The couple had hit off right from the start, during wedding preparations, but the actual wedding day was the true beginning of their relationship. Hermione grinned at the memory of how red Ron had turned when he had asked Ellie to dance. Lucky for him, she was much more forward. To no one's surprise, they were found snogging in the garden before nightfall. Ron seemed to be going through withdrawal – going to school meant he had to leave Ellie, who had stayed with Gabrielle at Bill and Fleur's house until the couple had returned from the honeymoon. Even after their return, Bill and Fleur invited Gabrielle and Ellie to stay with them for the remainder of the summer. Ron was overjoyed to hear this news (After all, Bill and Fleur lived within walking distance of the Burrow).
Hermione had stayed out of such complicated relationships over the summer, sticking with her books and friends for companionship. She found out long ago that life was easier without those sorts of relationships.
"Aren't you sad, Hermione?" Ginny asked again.
"About what?" the bushy-haired girl absent-mindedly replied.
"This is your seventh year. Last one," Ginny explained.
Hermione had thought about this earlier. Yes, it made her sad. But the future looked so promising. Seventh year and beyond would be challenging, and Hermione loved a challenge.
"Yeah, I am. But it's going to be a long year," Hermione answered, smiling at the thought of how much she could possibly get accomplished in the coming months.
"So…" started Harry, trying to enter the conversation. "Who do you suppose the Head Boy is?"
"Don't know," replied Hermione curtly.
"Hopefully someone cute. Don't you have to share a common room with him?" commented Ginny.
Hermione blushed at the thought. "Yeah, I think so…"
Soon enough, Harry regretted bringing up the subject; it was the only thing Hermione and Ginny talked about the rest of the way to the castle. Deciding to simply ignore the girls and their chatter, he turned to Ron and they began a game of Exploding Snap. One game became two, which became four, which became eight, adequately entertaining the boys for the remainder of the train ride, or at least until Hermione and Ron left to fulfill their Head Girl and Prefect duties, respectively. At that point, Harry and Ginny didn't need anything other than each other to keep occupied.
When the train arrived, they all piled out of their compartment and fled to a carriage, eager to escape the sheets of rain pouring down on them. As the carriage came to a halt, the four of them climbed out and started making their way through the mass of people to the Great Hall. The enchanted ceiling seemed so welcoming, so familiar. Ron gazed hungrily at the empty plates.
"Be patient, Ron!" Hermione teased.
"But I'm hungry," Ron whined.
As Harry and Ginny joined Hermione in laughing, the students continued to pour in, and the four were joined by familiar faces. However, the chatter and greetings, mixed with laughter and hugs, died down as Dumbledore stood.
The Sorting and Start of the Year Feast were practically the same as last year. Hermione surprised herself by finding her attention and gaze drifting. She knew what she was looking for – that little, shiny badge on the robes of some seventh year boy.
Mentally, she chided herself. She never would have guessed she was so curious about this. In fact, she was impatient for everyone to finish eating so she could find out. By the time people were finally exiting the Great Hall, she had out ruled the Head Boy from being in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, leaving either Hufflepuff or Slytherin. She shivered at the thought of having to share a common room with a Slytherin for all of her remaining year of Hogwarts.
Anticipation was seeping from her skin as she bade goodnight to the others and walked over to Professor McGonagall, who had signaled for the girl to come forward. Hermione's eyebrows met each other as a frown formed on her face.
'Surely not…' she tried to reassure herself, searching to give Draco Malfoy another reason for also stopping in front of McGonagall. When he spotted her, his mouth dropped open. Hermione's heart fell when she saw the flashing badge attached to the front of his robes.
"This way." McGonagall motioned for the two of them to follow her. They gave each other looks that clearly stated they would rather burn up and die but followed anyway, first making sure they had a firm grip on their wands. McGonagall led them up to the fifth floor, turning to a section neither of them had seen before, leading them both to wonder what it was used for. She stopped in front of a portrait of a cheery old fellow who seemed ecstatic to see live people.
"Ah." He smiled. "Fresh batch of Heads for me, eh, McGonagall?"
"Indeed," she replied, turning to said Heads. "This will be your quarters for the following school year. The password for now is Gillyweed." As the portrait swung open, McGonagall led them inside. They turned their anger away for a moment to stare at the room. In neutral shades of brown, the room was comforting and strangely felt like home. Relatively smaller than the House Common Rooms they were used to, it was still plenty spacious and impeccably decorated.
"I won't bother showing you everything – you'll have to figure things out by yourselves. After all, you're supposed to be the smartest of your year," Professor McGonagall remarked to the two silent, unmoving Heads. She waited a moment longer and then made towards the exit.
Suddenly Hermione noticed something. "Professor?"
McGonagall stopped, almost as if she expected this.
"I don't see any doors," Hermione continued, "You know, to our rooms."
"Ah, yes." McGonagall seemed bored. "Professor Dumbledore believes that the Head Boy and Head Girl should be examples to the rest of the school, and, therefore, get along. So, as it has been done since the year Dumbledore became Headmaster, the two of you will have to sleep in your Common Room for the first month of the year." She continued despite the protests from the two students. "When the month is over, doors for both of your bedrooms will appear. Until then, your things have been put in the bathroom to your left. I'll see you both tomorrow morning."
With that, she left, two fuming students still protesting loudly inside.
"I can't believe this!" Hermione yelled.
"You?!?!" screamed Malfoy, "I'm the one who has to spend the night in the same room as a Mudblood."
Hermione shot him a look of pure disgust. "Please, Malfoy," she spat, "Your vocabulary must have grown since second year."
At that Malfoy drew his wand, Hermione following suit. He shouted a curse at the same time Hermione did, but both were shocked that nothing happened. Nothing at all.
"I… I can't do magic!" Hermione cried desperately.
Malfoy fell into an armchair nearby, completely collapsing, and balled his fists over his knees, angry that he couldn't do anything about the situation.
Hermione suddenly felt overwhelmed and extremely tired. She wanted to sleep. But first, she needed to bathe.
"I'm going to bathe," she announced, pushing the no-magic incident aside for now. He simply raised his eyebrows, so she continued, "I'll be out after a while. Don't you dare interrupt me."
"Ha. As if," Malfoy sneered. Hermione simply glared back at him before storming into the bathroom and slamming the door.
Still fuming as she entered the room, when Hermione turned around, all of her anger seeped from her body to make room for the overwhelming shock. She stood motionless in awe. The Head Boy's and Head Girl's bathroom was even bigger than the Prefects' bathroom. As in the bathroom she had grown accustom do during fifth and sixth year, the center of the room was simply a huge bathtub, the size of a swimming pool. There seemed to be a hundred faucets littered along one side of the pool, the wall beside them looking like the side of a mountain had been magically transported into the room, or almost as if the room was built around the mountain. Large boulders and rocks were crowned with wild flowers of every color, shrubs, and small trees. A path from the ceiling along the dark stone twirled down the mountain, clear of all plant life as if making way for water to flow into the grand tub like a real life waterfall.
Fascinated, Hermione walked down the row of handles, twisting them all to the right as she went. Water started rushing out of the first ones, filling the air with a loud, but gentle roar. Different colors spewed from each spout, combining in a twirl of beautiful swirls rather than mixing. From the other faucets drifted pleasant scents and perfumed, colored gases. Some released bubbles into the tub of water, others, bubbles into the air. When the row ended, Hermione found herself staring into a gigantic mirror, taller than herself and at least four meters wide. To the left of the mirror, rested a cupboard carved of white marble. Its shelves were stacked with scented shampoos, soaps, lotions, and sprays, alongside mouse, hairspray, gel, anti-frizz, and an arrangement of other hair and body products.
After selecting an assortment of vanilla-scented items, Hermione walked back to the tub, which was almost full. As she set down the bottles, she stood and noticed another handle on the wall. Her curiosity overwhelming her, she wondered over and gave the metal a twist. Suddenly, the room was interrupted by a gentle roar. Spinning around, Hermione gasped at the sight of the pure water drifting down the mountainside.
Completely letting go all of the bad memories of the days' events, Hermione swiftly stripped off her dirty clothes and slipped into the warm water. It was heaven.
Twenty minutes later, however, when Hermione was still relaxing in the soothing water, she heard shouts of protest and banging on the bathroom door over the noise of the waterfall.
"Hurry up you Mudblood! Don't bother trying to get all the mud off – it won't come! So let me in! I want to bathe too you know! Open this door you worthles-"
Hermione had heard enough. Sinking under the water where Malfoy's voice was muffled, she decided that perhaps it was time for her to retire to bed anyway. Rising with a sigh, she picked up the vanilla-scented shampoo and poured some into her hand. It smells so good, she thought to herself, breathing it in. Lifting her hands to her scalp, she started to massage the shampoo into her damp, curly hair. Making sure she took her sweet time, she continued to cleanse her body with the sweet vanilla.
Though the shouting quieted, Hermione knew Malfoy was probably still fuming. Smiling, she rinsed the last of the soap off and started looking around for towels. After only a quick second, she saw them; there in a pile was a neat pile of pure white, fluffy towels at eh other end of the large tub. Climbing out, she wrapped one of the towels around her body before walking back to the cabinet that held all the different accessories.
After spreading vanilla-scented lotion over every inch of her skin, she replaced what she had taken on the shelf. Her hand paused, hovering in midair as a strange shaped bottle caught her eye. It seemed to be made of clear crystal, with a bubbly liquid resting inside and a spray nozzle sitting on top. Curious, she picked it up and searched for a label or marking, only to be disappointed. In her hand the crystal felt cool, its smooth body fitting snugly inside her palm. Up close, it seemed to shine with a slight pink tinge.
Hermione knew that it was foolish to use an unknown item, especially when one was inside a magical castle and a world filled with all sorts of charms and potions.
Yet something nudged her to use it anyway.
Though it went against all her common sense, she found herself spraying it up and down her body. The air was filled with an attractive aroma that tempted her to close her eyes and inhale the scent, letting it drift over her body lusciously.
Suddenly, Hermione's eyes snapped open again, and she found herself searching through the cupboard again. For some reason, she felt like going all out, and found herself experimenting with hair and body products. Eventually, her hair was curled and shiny, flowing down her back like hair only did in movies and romance novels.
Her body steered her across the room to her trunk, where her hands pulled out some black lingerie and a midnight blue nightgown she didn't know she owned. She returned to the mirror and slipped on her bra and panties. She slid one arm into the silky material of the nightgown, which was fashioned more like the style of a robe than a dress, adoring the feel of the fabric on her skin. The top was left in a V-shape, with the long, flowing sleeves ending three quarters down her arms. The tie was almost the same color as the nightgown itself, but was made of a more rope-like material.
After a few more moment in front of the mirror, she found herself rummaging through the bathroom supplies again. She had stumbled across some make up, and for some odd reason, had felt inclined to apply some. Though she hardly knew how to do so, her face was soon covered in a light layer of cover-up, cheeks accentuated with a mauve colored blush. Her eyes were outlined in a dark, dusty grey that blended perfectly with the dark blue eye shadow and silvery dust before her long, blackened lashes. She layered her lips with a soft pink, and added a smooth lip gloss.
When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she barely recognized it. She felt so different in these extremely feminine clothes, her hair and makeup done like she had something special planned. She didn't know why she had felt compelled to dress up like this. It was almost as if she was in some sort of dream state, with someone else controlling the motions of her body.
Thoughts still jumbled and tumbling through her mind, she walked out of the bathroom back into the common room.
Draco was about start complaining again when he turned his head. What he saw shocked him, even more than out that Granger was Head Girl. He shook his head, thinking he must be having some crazy dream. But no. Here was Hermione Granger, yet, she was… different. Her hair was shiny and smooth, in controlled curls. She had put on makeup that enhanced her natural beauty. Her nightgown was actually flattering to her figure, hugging every curve. And more than anything, there was this overpowering scent she carried with her. It was so… tempting. Just like her. Draco found himself wanting to hold her – wait! No way! This was Gran – wow, she was beautiful. What was that wondrous smell? It was so intoxica – WHAT IS WRONG WITH YO – oh Merlin, she was gorgeous. And coming closer…
Hermione was confused. Strange thoughts and feelings that she was sure were not her own kept sweeping over her, too powerful to ignore. As she approached the only other occupant in the room, she couldn't help but notice the way the Slytherin's blonde hair fell atop his shoulders. His cloudy grey eyes were staring right at her. Strangely, under his piercing gaze she felt… excited. These strange emotions within her controlled her actions, each footstep she took closer. Something seemed to be controlling his movements as well, guiding them both to sit next to each other on the couch, the entire time keeping their gazes locked.
The power that had been raising within her curled her lips into a satisfied smile, the feminine it groomed growing proud of the control she held over his own emotions. Just by entering the room, she made him venture against his wishes, and want her.
When he sank into the cushions next to her, he let out a breath he hadn't been aware of holding. His breaths came in quick recession as they continued to stare into each other's eyes, unable to break the connection that held them captive. Hermione found herself studying his eyes, how they curled in clouds of grey, how something seemed to dance within them, before letting her gaze explore the dips and curves of his face like she had never explored another person before. Almost as if she was a blind person intimately getting to know his face until she could see it through touch alone. Everything about him seemed so… appealing. She liked it.
Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with the desire to touch her, kiss her. From the look in her eyes, he knew she wanted it too. Slowly, he leaned in closer, until his breath mingled with hers as their lips rested mere centimeters apart. He paused, frozen in midair, before reaching out and sliding his arm around her slender waist and pulling her body just as close. He searched her eyes once more before she closed them, waiting. Finally, their lips met.
It was unlike what either of them expected. So gentle and soft, but flirting with the line of temptation and lust. Draco couldn't resist; his arms found their way to her back, his other arm swiftly joining the first, pressing her body full against his own. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck, fingers pulling at the blonde hair, never protesting as he pushed her body harder, arching her back. Still, he wanted, needed more. She felt his tongue brush her lips, begging for permission to enter. Immediately, she consented, parting her mouth as his tongue explored its depth. Her own came out to meet his, and a fierce battle erupted, quickly growing frantic, as her hands pulling at his hair, his own moving in repetition from her face to her hair to her back to her waist, never dwelling for longer than a second, always grasping for as much as he could find.
Their kiss was intoxicating, but it still didn't feed their newfound hunger. As their hands never stopped moving, Draco dragged his lips away from her mouth and kissed a line of fire across her jaw and up her cheeks towards her ear. He bit lightly on her earlobe and nuzzled the side of her face with his own as he continued to apply kisses to her hairline.
"Hermione," her first name escaped his mouth in a reverent and pleading tone, his breath heating her skin and tickling her ear in the most pleasant way. Using her first name seemed natural to both of them. His wild, darkened eyes found hers as his mouth moved back across her cheeks, pleased to discover her brown swirls also overflowing with eager excitement and desperate hunger. His hands slipped beneath her robes and held her close to him as he lowered her to the couch. His fingers began exploring the skin under her robes, running up and down her back and around the curve of her body. Her own hands reached for the front of his robes, delving beneath them to touch the hardened skin of his chest as he worshiped her neck with his mouth. She moaned at the feeling of his lips and tongue against the skin of her neck, shoulder, collarbone, slowly, tantalizingly slow, moving lower and lower along her body. She wrapped her arms around his chest and pulled him snug against her body as she moaned again, speaking this time, letting the air form into words as she responded to his pleading. "Oh, Draco."
Suddenly, they heard the portrait swing open. Draco's head shot up immediately, throwing him off balance and causing him to fall off of the couch and his place atop Hermione, ripping their arms away from each other as he landed on the floor with a resounding thud. Both were dazed and breathing heavily as a figure emerged from the portrait hole.
The strange feelings suddenly disappeared, leaving each overcome with worry that it was their friends coming into the room. Sighs of relief seeped from both of their mouths as the Headmaster revealed himself. Then they reddened simultaneously, each partly angry, partly embarrassed, and extremely confused. As Draco scrambled over to the other couch, Hermione sat up and frantically attempted to fix the smeared make-up and adjust her robes. While the Headmaster straightened himself to his full height after crouching to get through the small entrance, Hermione saw, in the corner of her eye, Draco desperately striving to clean his face from her lipstick. Quickly she diverted her gaze, resting it on the carpet beneath her feet.
Professor Dumbledore, who had always had an uncanny tendency to break awkward silences, spoke first. In his calm, mystical voice he greeted, "Good evening Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger." He paused, probably expecting them to greet him in return. Neither did, both still consumed in their thoughts, though Dumbledore continued to speak as if everything was normal.
"I see Minerva has showed you to your Common Room for this year, though she did not go into much detail no doubt. She never does, says the smartest of the year should be able to figure these sorts of things out by themselves. I completely share her opinion. However, I do feel there are a few things you need to know right from the start. First of all, as you may have guessed, you both still represent and belong to your respective Houses. However, since you are required to watch over other students, you are not required to eat meals at the normal time nor at your normal House tables." He gestured to the right wall, where Draco and Hermione saw a tapestry depicting the Hogwarts' crest.
"Behind that tapestry is a rather amazing room. The contents themselves are simply two chairs and a low counter to dine at. The magical part is that when one walks through the doorway, the food or drink they desire has already appeared at the counter. It works 24/7, so you may eat at a time that fits into your busy schedule. Ah, yes. Now for your schedules. Since the Head Boy and Head Girl need to patrol the corridors together at multiple times of the day, it is imperative that you have the same classes. As expected, you have both managed to get grades that allow continuation into all the classes you were originally planning on taking."
Dumbledore paused and walked over to the blank billboard to the left of the portrait hole. A weeklong schedule appeared when he tapped his wand against the hard surface. To both of the students' dismay, there were very few blank slots that allowed them free time. The Headmaster continued. "This is both of your schedules for this first week of school. Every Sunday morning, the patrolling hours for the week will change at random, so it will be necessary to check upon it frequently. Now, I think that is it for now. But remember, this room has many other magical properties, not all which are known, even to me. Be careful and goodnight." He turned around and started heading out of the Common Room when he paused, looking over his shoulder, "Oh, and Miss Granger."
Hermione nervously raised her gaze to meet the Headmaster's for the first time since he had entered the room. She noticed that his eyes were twinkling, almost as if… as if… 'As if he knew,' Hermione groaned inside at the thought. 'Why does he always have to know?' She kept her gaze locked with the Headmaster's, but started shuffling her feet nervously. He continued, as if he didn't notice the tension in the air.
"I suggest you wait to experiment with the magical contents of that wondrous bathroom until later."
With this, Dumbledore exited through the portrait hole, leaving a furiously blushing Hermione and extremely baffled Malfoy alone once again.