"7th year at last" she sighed.
Predictably Hermione had become head girl, to the delight of Professor McGonagall, and now had to work extra hard at keeping up her "Miss Perfect" image. She hauled her trunk into the over-head storage and slumped down onto one of the seats on the Hogwarts Express.
"I guess at least I get to work with someone interesting as Head Boy, because I know it isn't one of the Gryffindorks" she mumbled, just as Harry and Ron barged into the compartment like the clumsy oafs they were.
"What was that Hermione?" said Harry.
'Shit they heard me'
"Oh, I was just complaining at how the Head Boy isn't from Gryffindor, who knows who it's going to be!" she exclaimed.
The boys seemed to buy it, and went on to talk about their summers, ultimately ending up in a mind numbing discussion about Quidditch. Hermione switched off, getting out her iPod and putting on some music before staring out the window.
She was bored having to hide her truest nature but, she thought, at least it wasn't for much longer. The war was looming and she knew that would take some focus away from her too. Ron had been making advances towards her ever since the end of last year, and if his attention was drawn to Voldemort instead of her Voldemort would certainly be in her good graces!
The food trolley passed by some time during the journey, and the boys began stuffing their faces whilst she wrinkled her nose. God, they were disgusting sometimes. She may have been raised in a muggle home, but for all wizards thought they were superior they were severely lacking in some departments.
Ginny and Neville joined the trio nearing the end of the ride, informing them that they should probably change into their robes soon. Everyone fussed about and sooner rather than later they were being pulled up to the castle in the carriages and piling into the main hall for the sorting ceremony.
She was completely un-interested in her new housemates, instead remembering her own sorting with a smirk. Yes, she had had quite a discussion about her placing with the tatty old hat.
Suddenly she was shaken from her thoughts by Harry whispering at her.
"Listen 'Mione. McGonagall's about to announce the Heads! We finally get to see who it is!"
At this she turned her eyes to the old woman, listening as she heard her name and stood up, curtly nodding her head at the students. As she sat back in her seat McGonagall continued her introductions.
"And I am pleased to announce…" her lips pursed slightly, indicating that perhaps she wasn't at all pleased with the appointment "… Draco Malfoy as this years Head Boy".
The blond Slytherin stood up, mimicking her acknowledgement. She could hear the groans of Harry and Ron next to her, but secretly she was leaping for joy inside. At least with him in the position she was going to have the opportunity to have some fun this year. He was the perfect victim for some little mind games, and she just knew he wouldn't go and rat her out to anyone.
"Damnit, I know I helped clear his name, but I feel so sorry for you Hermione, having to put up with the ferret for a year" sighed Harry.
"Yeah, if he gives you any hassle, just let me know and I'll hex him into tomorrow!" growled Ron.
'Oh dear, he's getting protective again. The fucking gits, I'm more than capable of handling him. They seem to forget that they'd both be dead without me'
After the death of Dumbledore, Harry had been coaxed into returning to Hogwarts to research and prepare himself for the inevitable battle between him and the Dark side. Malfoy had been caught by the Ministry over the summer, obviously on the run from the Dark Lord after failing in his mission. He was almost sent to Azkaban, but Harry having witnessed the murder and knowing he wasn't guilty took pity on him, and he was allowed to go free and return to school for the final year.
"Thanks guys, but it's alright. I'm sure I can handle him now he's been humbled" she replied after swallowing her thoughts.
The feast was long and enjoyable, and it was one of the things Hermione actually liked about Hogwarts. At the end she made her way over to the teachers table, after saying goodbye to the boys. As a special privilege she was to have a separate dorm this year, only sharing a common room with the Head Boy.
"Well look at what we have here. They actually stooped so low as to make mudblood the Head Girl. This place really has gone to pot" she heard Malfoy whisper in her ear after drawing up behind her as the headmistress approached them. She just turned her head from him, sporting a smirk that would have made any Slytherin proud and focused her attention of Professor McGonagall, trying her best to look interested and innocent.
"I believe a congratulations is on order" the professor said and smiled sweetly at Hermione. "As you well know along with the ability to deduct points and give detentions you will also gain your own private rooms. I ask that you do not give your passwords out to anyone else, it is not wise to let others into your rooms in these current times and it is only for your safety that I ask this" she lectured. "Furthermore there will be no arguments over the common room décor, it was worked to include the colours of both houses…"
"Oh great" Malfoy mumbled.
McGonagall scowled but carried on "Well then, follow me to your rooms" and with a turn headed out of the main doors.
The two followed, into a part of the castle she assumed was between the dungeons and the tower and pulled up next the headmistress at a portrait they had never seen before.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy this is your room's entrance, I trust you can remember your way here. The password is "absconditus", and if you need to change it at any time you must contact me. This is…" she gestured towards the figure in the portrait "Lord James Garion the third and he will be keeping your door for you". The figure bowed to them. "And with that I bid you goodnight".
Hermione watched the old woman walk away, and walked into their rooms after Malfoy had spat out the password and barged through.
Appreciatively she looked around the room. It was very homely and warm – she guessed that was the Gryffindor side of the decorations, yet looked very expensive with lots of dark leather and grand furniture which could only be from the other side.
Malfoy had already headed up to his room, which was behind a large portrait of a snake, whispering his personal password and slamming the picture shut behind him.
So much for pureblood manners Hermione thought as she made her way up to a grand portrait of a lion.
"Audacia" she stated, smirking at the Latin word for boldness and daring. She stepped through the now open door and into her room. It wasn't too different from the common room, yet was without the obvious Slytherin side to it. Pity, she thought.
It took a while to unpack her trunk and get her self settled, but she was eventually satisfied and made her way to the common room to read a book by the fire.
To her amusement she saw that Malfoy had gotten there first.
'Time for some fun'
Contorting her face into one of fake disgust and annoyance she walked over and sat down into an armchair near to the blond haired boy, opening her book "Amusing Potions and their uses".
She waited, pretending to read, for the inevitable onslaught and was rewarded when after a few minutes Malfoy decided he couldn't stand the silence anymore.
"What do you think you're doing muddy?" he snarled.
"Reading" she replied, in a bored tone.
"Don't be a smart ass with me you bitch. I know you're reading. What I mean is WHY are you in the same room as me? This is my common room and I don't appreciate you soiling it with your filth whilst I'm in it".
Raising an eyebrow in amusement she replied "Contrary to whatever delusions you have in your head about me actually obeying anything you say, this is my room as much as yours and you're just going have to learn to deal with. So I suggest you shut that stupid little mouth of yours otherwise I might be forced to take drastic measures".
Pulling the trademark sneer he retorted "Drastic measures? Ha, and what would those be? Should I be saying 'Oh no she's going to go and set Potty and Weasel on me, I'm so scared!!'"
He got up, walking over and standing before her, leaning in so his face was inches before hers.
"Please Granger, give me a break. You and your little lapdogs stand no chance against me. Potter might think I owe him now, but that doesn't mean I'm going to treat you any differently. You will do what I tell you and you better learn not to talk back to your superiors otherwise you'll find yourself in some dangerous situations sooner or later".
He looked her in the eyes, staring, almost daring her to make a comeback.
Just as he was about to pull away she placed her hand on his arm, pulling him back.
Hermione moved so that her mouth was next to his ear, the grip on his arm tightening so as to warn him that she meant business.
"Oh, I wouldn't stoop so low as to go running to my lapdogs as you so well put it. I'm more than capable of handling things myself. I think you'll find that your threats mean nothing to me. I'm not scared of you Malfoy, I never have been."
With this, he tried to shove her arm off his and regain the upper hand but her grip only tightened.
"I wouldn't if I were you. It's time you started learning that I'm not someone you can walk all over. I would seriously think twice before fucking with me you filthy rodent, because I'm not as forgiving as my friends and I'm more like you than you know".
She pulled back from his ear, engaging him in a stare, a battle of wills. Her eyes had darkened to almost black and were focused so intently as if she were a predator and he her prey.
She saw an understanding pass over his face, as if he were evaluating her in a new light. With a sneer he got up and walked towards his portrait, but turning around to face her at the last minute.
"We'll see Granger, we'll see" and with that he was gone.