Harry Potter stared, agape, at Professor McGonagall. She had to be kidding. She couldn't possibly be serious.
Christmas break was rapidly approaching, and, because of the Sorting Hat's warning at the beginning of Harry's fifth year, Professor Dumbledore decided it would be a good idea if each Slytherin was paired with a Gryffindor and spent the holidays together.
Disbelieving, Harry looked down at the slip of parchment, neatly creased at the folds, and reread it for the twelfth time. In Dumbledore's loopy handwriting, gleaming green ink stated two words.
Draco Malfoy
"Professor…" Harry began, half-heartedly, cowering under her strict gaze. She shook her head briefly.
"No, Potter, you cannot change persons," she said before Harry could say anything.
"But…Professor! It's Malfoy!" he exclaimed. Her mouth tightened into a thin line, and Harry knew to beat a hasty retreat. He joined his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who were in their favorite, overstuffed chairs by the fire, both talking animatedly about their partners.
"I got Blaise Zabini," Hermione said, filling in Harry. "He's supposed to have the highest grades of the Slytherin sixth years. Ron scowled.
"I got Pansy Parkinson. That girl is obnoxious. But still, I'd hate to be the bloke who got Malfoy," Ron said with a smirk. Harry groaned. Both Ron and Hermione swiveled their heads around you look at him.
"You didn't!" Hermione gasped.
"No way!" Ron exclaimed.
"I did," Harry moaned, melodramatically. "I have to spend the Christmas holidays with Draco Malfoy." Ron looked revolted. Hermione pursed her lips, thoughtfully.
"You know," she began, choosing her words carefully, "It probably wasn't chance you got Malfoy. I mean, what are the odds? Dumbledore probably wanted you two together in the hopes of forming a truce between you." Ron snorted, and Harry looked disgruntled.
"You're too smart for your own good, 'Mione," he muttered, angrily. She smiled.
"It's common sense, Harry."
"Yeah, but it's common sense that I don't want to hear! I can't spend my Christmas break with Malfoy!" Harry shrieked. Hermione clucked her tongue disapprovingly.
"You have to, and you're going to! This is for your own good, and you know it! So suck it up!" Harry slumped in his chair.
He knew it was for the good of the school, but that didn't mean he was going to be happy about it. Rereading the slip of paper, Harry groaned again and shuffled off to bed.