Disclaimer: I wish I did, but I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with him…that joy belongs to only J.K. Rowling.
Just to be clear: thoughts will be like this, while dreams will have something like this.
Draco's Darkness
Hermione's POV
"Hermione, hurry up! We're going to be late!"
Upstairs in my room, already dressed, I sat thinking. I wonder who the Head Boy will be. I hope its Harry. Though his grades weren't always that great…eugh, it'll probably be Ernie Macmillan. Oh well. Whoever it will be we will have fun…right?
The open Hogwarts letter lay next to me on my bed stating that I was appointed Head Girl.
Normal POV
Hermione Granger was in danger and she was perfectly aware of it. She knew that at any moment her family could be targeted, her along with it, by Lord Voldemort. But that little fact was not going to get in the way of her being the best Head Girl she could possibly be.
Slowly, Hermione rose to her feet to gather her trunk and her letters. She stopped when she realized what time it was. 10:45…the train leaves at 11:00 AM.
"Shit!"
Hermione stuffed her feet into a pair of white flats that she could run in and quickly ran downstairs with everything in tow.
"Hermione Jane Granger, do you realize what time it is?" Her mother yelled as they ran to the car where her father was waiting. "We are going to have to speed and break a lot of other laws to get you to the station on time…I hope you're happy young lady."
Mrs. Granger sat fuming in the front seat as her husband weaved expertly through lanes of traffic. When they arrived however all enmity between mother and daughter was lost as they hugged goodbye. "I'm so proud of you sweetie."
"Thanks Mum, and I'll try to come home for Christmas and I'll bring Harry and Ron. But seeing as though its three minutes until the train leaves, I've gotta go!"
"Bye sweetheart!" chimed Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
"Bye." Yelled Hermione as she ran through the barrier of 9 ¾. She was instantly greeted by the sound of squawking owls, meowing cats, and the chatter of excited students. She was suddenly crushed as a body collided with her left side.
"Hiya Mione!" said the voice of a boy whose ginger hair was obscuring her vision.
"Hey Ron!" it's good to see you. Well, actually I can't really see you because you are crushing me."
"Huh?"
"Get off me Ronald!"
"Oh, sorry." and with that Ron let her go.
"Thank you. Where's Harry? Don't tell me he is even later than I am."
"No, he is already on the train saving a compartment for us. We were getting worried about where you were so I decided to go keep a lookout. Also, speaking of your tardiness, why are you so late?" Ron wondered.
"It's really stupid actually", explained Hermione as Ron steered her toward their compartment. "I had gotten ready almost an hour ago, but I was just thinking and lost track of time."
They arrived at the compartment and were about to enter when a cold drawl reached their ears.
"Oi Mublood and Weasel…where's Potter? He can't be far behind." Malfoy peered into the window and saw Harry, Ginny, and Neville chatting amongst themselves. "Too bad the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord didn't finish you over the summer." He leaned against the wall, eyes flashing with annoyance.
When Harry heard Malfoy start talking he got to his feet and tried to get at him the same time Ron did, but Hermione spread her arms to stop them. "Don't. I'll handle this." Hermione turned to face to guy who had made their lives Hell all these years.
But before she could get a word out, her hormones took over as her eyes took in the 6'2 muscular form that was in front of her. She was so occupied with looking at him that she didn't even notice that he was doing the same thing to her.What the Hell? When did Granger grow up?
Hermione was wearing a white singlet that showed off her tan. To accompany the shirt, she was wearing a pair of forest green shorts along with white flats. Her curly hair was loose and falling gracefully down her back.
Draco was actually in muggle clothing. He was in a pair of dark blue jeans with a green and white polo shirt. His hair was no longer slicked back, but instead falling into his light blue eyes.
Hermione was the first to recover. "Well Malfoy, I am surprised to see you once again surrounded by your posse of best friends," gesturing to Crabbe and Goyle who had just shown up and were cracking their knuckles in a way they thought was menacing. "What a shock. That is actually very unexpected." She said with sarcasm.
Malfoy only sneered. "That's the best you can come with Granger? Whatever, I am only here to escort you to the Heads Compartment by request of McGonagall."
"Excuse me?" asked a clearly confused Hermione. "Is this a joke?"
"Nope. I am in fact the Head Boy and McGonagall just informed me that you are the Head Girl. That's no surprise. Anyone who had seen you in our first year practically jumping out of your seat to answer where we were in the chapter could've guessed it." said Malfoy with a hard edge to his voice.
Hermione's cheeks burned with embarrassment as he pointed out what she was like six years ago. She was about to retort when she was cut off by a very pissed off Harry.
"Too bad Malfoy. She's not going anywhere with you."
"Oh how nice Potter, believe me, I have no interest in being in any vicinity of this thing." Looking down at the girl.
Even though Hermione was 5'7, Malfoy still towered over her in an uncomfortable way.
"Guys, forget it. I can take care of him." Hermione tried to convince them while Malfoy chuckled to himself.
"Oh that's a good one Granger." With that he turned around and began to walk towards the front of the train. With one look behind him, he was surprised to see that Hermione was not behind him, but defiantly standing with her arms crossed.
"Granger, come on!"
"Fine! Harry, Ron, Neville, Ginny…I hope I'll be back." With one final sigh, she turned to follow the arrogant git that was before her.
The two Heads made their way down the corridor until they finally reached a door at the very end that had a gold plate that read:
HEAD BOY & HEAD GIRL
Malfoy opened the door and plopped himself down onto one of the numerous couches and propped his feet up with a bored expression on his face. Hermione was just entranced by the fancy compartment as she tried to take in the expensively furnished walls and couches. "Wow."
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "This place is weak compared to the parlor at the Manor. But to a Mudblood like you, this is probably a dream."
"Twenty points from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy I suggest that you refrain from using such language, especially in the presence of a teacher." This statement announced the arrival of Professor McGonagall. Malfoy sat there furious and if looks could kill, the professor would have melted on the floor. However, she was not intimidated by a seventeen-year-old. "Mr. Malfoy, if you wish to lose more points, by all means keep your feet up." Malfoy sent another withering glare and reluctantly put his feet on the floor. "Miss Granger, please have a seat." Hermione chose to sit on the couch that was as far away as possible from Malfoy.
"Well I can already see that this is going to be an extremely non-stressful year," claimed McGonagall with a sarcastic tone. "You two have to work together because you will be planning balls and other events for our school. As we arrive at the castle I'm afraid that you will be missing the feast because we will be in the Headmaster's office. Then I will show you to your dormitories. Now, you must stay in this compartment until our arrival. I will have your trunks delivered to your rooms so don't worry about retrieving them. Have a pleasant trip." With that, she was gone.
Hermione and Malfoy were left with identical looks on their faces. "No! I will not be left in here with you!" exclaimed Hermione. But when she tried to open the door she found that it was charmed shut. "Alohamora!" She tried again. Nothing.
"Give up Granger. If that whack-job wants us to stay here, there's no way of getting out."
Hermione let out a scream of aggravation that had even Malfoy taken back. "What are we going to do in here? Chit-chat and get to know each other to be bestest friends? I don't think so." She muttered to herself.
"Bestest isn't a word Granger and I don't know about you, but I'm taking a nap." Yawned Malfoy who spread out on the couch.
Hermione thought to herself, look at the bastard. He doesn't have a care in the world. Though when he is asleep he does look kind of peaceful and not full of hatred. He looks innocent and maybe…kind of cute? Whoa. I did not just think that did I? I mean…Draco Malfoy is not cute. I think I need to take a nap. I'm getting delirious.
Hermione took off her shoes and wriggled her red-painted toes and curled up into a corner of the couch. She was instantly overcome with sleep.
A few hours later, Malfoy woke up to hopefully have yet another verbal sparring match only to find that she was sleeping. Seriously, when did Granger grow up? The last I remember of her was that she was short and flat-chested. Now, she is a bit taller and has definitely…filled-out. Oh my God. What the hell is wrong with me? I must be having a stroke. Yeah, that's it. A stroke. Well when she is sleeping, she's not so bad. You can't hear her annoying voice.
The rest of the journey was not very eventful. Back in Ron and Harry's compartment, the occupants were growing more worried.
"What is he killed her? Asked a very panicked Neville. "No one would know…he could transfigure her body!"
"Neville! Calm down." Yelled Ginny. "That would never happen because A) 'Mione can take care of herself and B) McGonagall will be checking in on them every-so-often, so calm down. That goes for everyone else too. I know Hermione and-"
"-And we don't?" Ron interrupted. "Ginny, I have known Hermi-"
"Yes. I know you've known her longer, but have you lived with her? In the same room? No, so shut up! She has a million curses and jinxes up her sleeve if Malfoy ever tried anything." Ginny calmly said while stroking Crookshanks' head.
Finally the train pulled into Hogsmeade station and the friends realized that Hermione's trunk had floated through the window and was meeting up with a black trunk and both were floating towards the castle. "Huh." Was the response of five people.
Back in the Heads compartment, McGonagall was waking Hermione while Malfoy just looked out the window.
"Please follow me. Don't worry about escorting youngsters. The prefects can handle it.
Hermione and Malfoy both obediently followed their Professor up the hill to the carriage that was waiting for them. Once the two reached the castle gates, they all hurried inside.
"Oh My God! Professor, wait!" cried Hermione.
"What is it Miss Granger?"
"My cat! Where is he? Do you know?"
"I do believe that Miss Weasley or Mr. Potter will be transporting your cat to your dormitory, later you may go and retrieve him."
"Okay…thank you."
Behind her, Malfoy was chuckling to himself. "What?" demanded Hermione.
"I just think its funny that you forgot about your cat until now. What a great mother you are." He snarled back with a smirk.
"Quiet Mr. Malfoy." Interrupted Professor McGonagall. They had reached the Headmasters office.
"Jelly Slugs." The gargoyle jumped aside and without hesitation, the three climbed the spiral staircase and then the Professor knocked three times.
"Come it." Said a cheery voice.
The three entered the circular room and upon the gesture by Professor Dumbledore, the two students sat down in the squishy chairs in front of the older man's desk.
"May I ask what the Head Boy and Girl are doing in my office?" questioned the man with the twinkling blue eyes.
"Well, when I was just in the Heads compartment on the train with these two, I realized that there is no way things will get done without some help from you." Explained the Transfiguration teacher, nodding her head a little as if to jog his memory on something they had previously discussed. "Well, you know what to do so I'll be waiting beside the stairs when you're done." With one final nod to the Headmaster, she left briskly through the door.
"What the hell was that all about?" asked Malfoy.
Dumbledore gave a little chuckle. "Please mind you mouth Mr. Malfoy. Now I understand that you two have not gotten on particularly well in the past. But that should change this year. You will be sharing a dormitory and will be spending a lot of time together so I have come up with a friendly threat that will hopefully get you two to act correctly."
Uh oh, what could he be doing to us? Binding us together…surely not. Thought Hermione.
Shit. We're screwed. Malfoy summed up.
With a slight tug on his beard, the old man said, "I hate to do this, but you will have severe consequences if your behavior continues. The spell I am going to put on you will ensure that you get closer…in the physical and the emotional way-"
"Whoa! Hold on there buddy. What do you mean physically get closer? I will NOT be in the immediate vicinity of Granger if I don't have to be." Interrupted Malfoy.
"Well as I was saying, if your behavior continues to get nastier and nastier, then a series of things will happen gradually. First, a metal bracelet will appear on your wrists'. Every time something unnecessary is spoken or acted out, these bracelets will emanate a slight shock. If you do not learn and just learn to cope with the pain, then they will sense it and increase the charge of the shock. Don't worry miss Granger," said the Headmaster as he saw the look of slight anxiety/apprehension on her face. "If you work together and, if I may say it, get over yourselves then it may never come to the severe shock treatment."
Malfoy simply looked furious. He was about to leap at the man standing before them as if telling a pleasant bed-time story. He was half-way out of his chair when he glanced at the curly-haired girl sitting beside him. The look on her face made him face back into his chair in slight shock. Hermione was just staring forward with such a "deer in the headlights" look. He could tell she was unbelievingly angry because he could see her clenching her teeth.
Just the soft-spoken manner in which he was talking made Hermione want to throttle the Professor.
"Ready? Good now stand up and face each other." The two Heads obediently turned toward each other, hate etched into both their features. The Headmaster waved his wand in a circle a couple times and an orange glow surrounded them. "Keep eye contact or else this won't work and then you two will be stuck together at the hip." With that threat, both 17-year-olds grudgingly looked into each others eyes.
Hermione saw cold ice-like blue eyes, while Malfoy looked into warm honey eyes.
Simultaneously, they both felt an electric jolt go through their bodies and then seemed to linger on their right wrists a little longer than comfortable. Both knew that the process was complete, but for fear of being bonded, neither looked away.
"Now, that should do it. Shall we test it?" inquired the old man.
"NO!" Both teens yelled.
"Are we done here because I'm kinda tired." Whined Malfoy.
"How could you possibly be tired? You slept the entire journey here!"
"You may go and please enjoy your living arrangements."
Both Heads all but ran to the door and down the circular stairs where they were met by Professor McGonagall.
"So, how'd it go?" asked the teacher in a humorous tone.
"Oh, just peachy." answered Hermione in a hateful tone.
McGonagall just gave them a look and said, "Right this way." Down the corridor, left, right, another left, and down a flight of stairs was the path they traveled. Hermione recognized this to be the way to the kitchens. The Professor led them to a painting of a young couple having a picnic near a river. The man spoke to them, "May I ask what the password will be?"
Hermione was quicker than Malfoy and said, "I LOVE GRYFFINDOR!"
"Hell No! The password will be-"
"I'm sorry sir," said the young lady, "but that will be the password for one month. You can change it in October."
"Ha!" gloated Hermione as she climbed through the hole.
Malfoy was furious and turned to complain to McGonagall only to find that she was no where in sight. Without any choice, he followed through the entrance and it swung shut behind him.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Now, see that pretty light purple button?
Click it! And review please