November: Chapter One

Summary: AU – Ten 7th Year students are nominated by the Hogwarts teachers to compete in the Annual Hogwarts Research Challenge. Hermione cannot believe who she's partnered with. HG/DM.

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Chapter One: The Outrage.

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Minerva McGonagall sat back in her chair, surveying the piece of parchment before her. She was sitting in the Headmaster's Office, a lump seemed to grow in her throat. This was surely not right.

She glanced around at the other professors present. Dumbledore was sitting back in his chair, as she was, re-reading the notes he had written, just as she had. Snape shook his head slightly, his mouth grim. Professor Sprout sighed heavily, her eyes coming to meet McGonagall's own. McGonagall could have sworn she saw sympathy there. And she felt she needed it. She was going to be the one delivering this news.

Flitwick, still re-reading his, looking puzzling, as if he was written it down wrong. Slughorn was the last. His double chins wobbling slightly as he moved his head back and forth, reading over and over again, what appeared to be the same line.

Dumbledore collected himself first. He cleared his throat, perhaps he had developed the same lump she had. "It will simply have to do, they are the best in the field, and neither should have to miss out due to their rivalry."

"Sir, with all due respect, are you sure this is wise?" Snape asked, his eyes flicking to McGonagall. "There could be consequences."

"I agree with Severus," Sprout put in, "We've all seen it. And a Gryffindor with a Slytherin. Can they really work together as a team?"

Flitwick nodded his agreement. They all turned to Dumbledore, but before he could speak, Slughorn chimed in. "Now, now. They're both great students, very good in the discipline, they best. She's a sweet girl, and he's an honest boy. They'll be fine. This is a spot of hub-bub over nothing."

By the expressions of the other professors, they definitely didn't share Slughorn's point of view. Dumbledore nodded, taking in everyone's point of view. He paused again before continuing.

"We don't appear to have any other choice. They will have to be closely watched. I believe they will both force themselves to work together for the sake of winning. They are Head Boy and Girl, this won't be the only time they have to work together."

McGonagall glance at the other professors once more, taking in their mood. None of them looked to happy about Dumbledore decision, minus Slughorn, but they all seemed to accept it as the only option.

Mentally readying herself, McGonagall stood. "I suppose I should gather the students."

A sharp knock at the door brought Flitwick's monologue to a halt. As one, the class seemed to turn to the opening door. Professor McGonagall's head appeared in the doorway.

"Filius, I couldn't have Hermione Granger, could I?" she requested, her eyes already on Hermione, "And Neville Longbottom also?". Flitwick nodded, waving Hermione and Neville from the room, before continuing on with the lesson.

Hermione stared sorrowfully back at the classroom. It was the first day on term, she couldn't afford to get behind already. And what on earth could Professor McGonagall want with her?

"Er- Professor..." Hermione began, but McGonagall stopped her with a raised hand.

"In a moment, Miss. Granger."

McGonagall led them up a flight of stairs and straight into her office, that appeared to be filled with other students. Hermione looked around, recognising Hannah Abbott and Ernie McMillen from Hufflepuff, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zambini from Slytherin, a group of Ravenclaws and one other Slytherin whose name she did not know. She and Neville were the only Gryffindor's present..

Turning, Hermione watch McGonagall taking her seat. She took out a pile of parchment, and began handing them out to those present.

"You have all be selected from amongst the best out of the 7th year students at Hogwarts to compete in the Annual Research Challenge," McGonagall began as she passed the final sheet. "Now I'm sure you remember how the challenge works. There are five top disciplines: Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. You will be broken into five different group, each being assigned a discipline, with two to a group. You have until March next year to complete your research. Preliminary judging will take place in January, after the Christmas Break. The sheets I have just given you outline the rules and responsibilities of the Challenge. If you have any questions you may come to me or any member of the staff. The Heads of your disciplines have agreed to be available twenty-four/seven. Is there anybody who would like to not be involved in the Challenge, now is the time to come forward."

Everybody knew this was more of a formality question. No-one ever pulled out of the Research Challenge. It was a high honour to receive, to be chosen.

McGonagall paused for a moment, and upon hearing no withdrawals continued. "The groups are..."

As McGonagall took a sheet of parchment from her desk drawer, there was an uncomfortable shuffling amongst the students as they judged who would be put in what groups. Hermione wasn't even sure which discipline she would get, let along who her partner would be.

Neville was surely going to be Herbology, that was obvious. Hannah too, she was very good at it. Zambini knew everything there was to know about the Dark Arts, surely he would get the Defense discipline. The blonde Ravenclaw girl, Claire Horton, Hermione thought her name was. She had come first in the OWL's Charms exam and practical. She would probably get that. The rest, who knew.

McGonagall examined the group before continuing. "Lanley and Crue, Transfiguration." One of the Ravenclaw boys and the Slytherin boy nodded, moving to the side.

"Abbott and Longbottom, Herbology." McGonagall smiled at Neville as she said his name. Hermione could tell she was proud to have him in the Challenge. That would give his Grandmother something to be proud of.

"Horton and McMillan, Charms." Ernie and the Ravenclaw girl followed Neville and Hannah to the side of the office. Leaving, Hermione realised, Malfoy, Zambini, the other Ravenclaw boy, and herself.

"Zambini and Ridley, Defense Against the Dark Arts," McGonagall watched them move as well before turning back to Malfoy and herself.

Hermione's eyes widened and snapped to Malfoy, he was looking back at her with the same disbelief. Hermione gapped at McGonagall.

"Professor, no..." Hermione began, but Malfoy cut her off.

"Surely not! Her?! Professor..." Malfoy raged, turning from McGonagall and back to her.

"Granger and Malfoy, Potions," McGonagall finished formally.

The room was silent, every eye on Malfoy and herself. Hermione was silent with shock now, but Malfoy definitely wasn't.

"Professor McGonagall, there must be some mistake."

"I can assure you, Malfoy, there is no mistake," McGonagall replied, her voice calm. She had obviously predicted this reaction.

Malfoy did not seem to intend of accepting this answer, nor the decision. "I'm good at Defense, and Charms, surely I could swap," he seemed to be pleading now.

Hermione still stared at McGonagall, her mouth a little agape. She was going to have to work with Malfoy, she couldn't possibly be the first student ever to pull out of the Research Challenge. And her future prospects, she wouldn't allow something as ridiculous as working with Malfoy ruin that for her.

Malfoy on the other hand, was not as accepting as she was. He had obviously concluded that he would get nowhere with McGonagall about this. Pushing passed Hermione, he left the room, the door slamming in his wake.

Sighing, Hermione followed him, as did the rest of the students. If she was even going to get started, she needed to catch up with Malfoy.

"Malfoy, wait!" she called, following the sound of his footsteps up the hall.

He didn't stop, or even slow. Hermione raced to catch up with him, keeping his pace.

"We're working together whether you like it or not, Malfoy, can you stop and be a little mature about this?" she asked, seriously struggling to keep up.

Malfoy glared at her. "Get away from me, Mudblood."

Hermione stopped in her tracks, her eyes cold. Malfoy turned to see the affects of his words, this brought him to a stop also.

Hermione advanced on him, her eyes like fire. "I'm not taking your shit, Malfoy. I want to win, you hear me, and I'm not going to let some snot-nosed, daddy's boy hold me back. Now when you're ready to start working, and I mean really working, come and find me."

And on that note, she turned on her heel, marching back the way she had come, with Malfoy glaring after her.

Hermione fumed for hours, her anger still simmering at night at dinner. Ron and Harry being no help, their similarity to Malfoy in not finding it possible to get over her predicament was almost comical to Hermione.

Malfoy entered the Great Hall not long after her. His attention waving constantly to her position at the Gryffindor table. She dared not look at him, afraid she was say something to make the situation worse. Well, if it could get any worse.

It took Malfoy a week to speak to her. She was sitting in the library, catch up on the Charms lesson McGonagall had pulled her out of. Malfoy entered the library, paused briefly at the door, his gaze on her once more.

Hermione found it easy to ignore him, as she had the entire week. His constant staring a nuisance at first, but now she just carried on with her work.

Malfoy sat down opposite her, sighing heavily, probably in a vain attempt to get her attention. Hermione didn't even pause from her note-taking.

"Yes, Malfoy?" She asked, still not looking at him.

"I want to win too," he admitted, his cold eyes piercing her when she finally looked up at him.

She nodded, knowing this was hard for him, it was hard for her too. There were few other people in the world she loathed more than Malfoy.

Malfoy sat uncomfortably now, the hard part over. He cleared his throat, looking away from her now. "So did you have any ideas?" He asked, getting straight to business.

End Chapter.

- Elle.