Chapter One
The Unbreakable Vow
Author's Note: I know this chapter is kind of short, but I just wanted to set up the storyline. I hope you will continue to read and enjoy it!
This year was going to be difficult for Hermione Jean Granger. It felt like it was just yesterday she was dodging bullets in the hallways, and seeing classmates die before her eyes. In all honesty, it was a bit too surreal for her. The castle had been reconstructed the way it had always been. Part of her was happy to see these uncanny characteristics, but another part of her felt sick to her stomach. As she passed through the hall, she began to have flashbacks of previous years at the school. The fact that neither Harry or Ron were returning with her for their eighth year really bothered her. She had never had to face school without having her closest friends there with her. But at least she would be able to finish her schooling with a clear conscious.
When Hermione entered the Great Hall, she felt her stomach flip in half. She could still clearly see all the injured students and fallen fighters from Dumbledore's army in her mind. Normally, she would be so excited to see the long rows of tables with food piled on top of piles. But instead it felt eerie and wrong. There was still so much of her that was grieving and mourning for everyone's loss. Beginning to think that Harry and Ron were right, she hesitantly looked around the room. Before this year she never had to question where and whom she would sit with. They always sat at their normal spot, all three of them together. The rest just sat nearby and usually talked amongst themselves. Her eyes suddenly caught Ginny's and Hermione's face lit up. It was so nice to see a friendly face in the crowd of so many strangers.
Mrs. McGonagall stood at the front of the room and began to give an announcement. Hermione settled into her seat and watched the new students of Hogwarts looking up at the ceiling in awe. They were clearly amazed. She couldn't resist a small smile when she saw them. It didn't seem that long ago that she had walked into the room with new students herself while explaining everything she knew about Hogwarts from what she had managed to read in books. Giving a small chuckle, she thought to herself, "Maybe I am an insufferable know it all..." As this thought left her mind, she slowly looked upward from her plate and stared across the room. Her smile slowly faded and her eyes narrowed in on a specific person that she had hoped she would never have to see again. Draco stared back at her for a long moment. Hermione heard McGonagall finishing her speech as she raised her goblet to toast the beginning of a new year. When Hermione wrapped her small fingers around the goblet in front of her, she saw Draco raising up his and still looking at her. It was as if he was toasting her, for a new year.
This made her blood boil. It made her insides crawl and her temper rise. She wanted to whip out her wand and curse him in ways she had never wanted to curse anyone. He had done so much to her in the past, he had left so much unfinished. And after everything that had happened, after all the ways he acted, he had the nerve to finish out his eighth year? Taking a drink, she closed her eyes and tried to clear her head. This was not a year of revenge. This was a new year to start over fresh and finish her education. The less she thought about Draco, the better off she was going to be. Swallowing hard, Hermione kept her gaze down and away from the blonde git.
It had been two weeks and Hermione had successfully managed to avoid Draco Malfoy at all costs. That is, despite the constant hallway glares and classroom smirks. Draco had given her well-deserved space. But when McGonagall entered their potions class, Hermione knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. When their new potions teacher, Mr. Gnarls, saw the woman, he gave her a simple nod. It was evident that the two had talked about her interruption beforehand.
"Ms. Granger," McGonagall found the girl at the front of the room. "Mr. Malfoy, please meet me in my office after class."
Hermione shifted her gaze from where the Headmistress stood to where her enemy sat. Their eyes met for a slight moment. She quickly turned away and planted her eyes on her book. He kept his eyes locked on her though, curious to why she was still so rash. Clearly, she was going to hold onto the past. Letting out a small sigh, Draco returned to his work on the table in front of him. It was going to be a long year, if she didn't learn how to just let things go.
"Ms. Granger, can I have a word with you before you leave?" Mr. Gnarl questioned.
"Of course," She nodded as she put her belongings in her bag.
This was Mr. Gnarls first year of teaching, so he was still quite young. He was also the most attractive professor that Hogwarts had probably ever had. Hermione tried not to think about that as she put her things away and headed towards the front of the room. As she placed her bag over her shoulder, she gave her new professor a bright smile, trying to hide her frustration.
"Let me be the first to congratulate you, Ms. Granger," He warmly stated as he stood up from his chair.
"Congratulate me?" She asked innocently.
"McGonagall is about to inform you that you are Head Girl this year," He paused, "You're a brilliant girl, Ms. Granger. I just wanted you to know that I am very proud of you. I am thoroughly impressed by your previous achievements throughout your years here. I am also very thankful to have the opportunity to teach you."
"T—thank you," Hermione whispered, feeling embarrassed by how nice and welcoming he was.
"Also, I wanted you to know that the staff has taken it upon themselves to let me know quite a good deal of information about you. I understand that this past year has been very difficult for you." Mr. Gnarls walked around his desk and watched her intently.
"It's been a tough seven years, professor." Hermione softly stated.
"Well, I just wanted you to know that if you ever need anyone to talk to, my door is always open." Gnarl stuck out his hand, "It was very nice to finally meet you,"
"Nice to meet you too, professor," Hermione firmly shook his hand and then headed out the door.
When Hermione entered the office, she realized how late she was. McGonagall was sitting at her desk and Draco was sitting across from her. Hermione quickly rushed towards the two and began frantically apologizing for being tardy. However, McGonagall did not care about her talk with Gnarls. So Hermione hurriedly sat down and ran her fingers through her thick, curly hair.
"Ms. Granger, I have elected you as Head Girl this year," McGonagall explained, "You have shown your extensive knowledge and upmost bravery. Mr. Malfoy, I have elected you as Head Boy this year. Between your book smart qualities and your ambition, you have earned it. The two of you are the top students in Hogwarts. You are leaders and role models for so many underclassmen. I hope the two of you will find your last year of Hogwarts both interesting and rewarding."
"Thank you," Hermione nodded.
"Yes, thank you, McGonagall." Draco had sincerity in his voice that Hermione had never heard before. This caused her to turn and look at him with curiosity and a hint of disgust.
"I know that the two of you have had your...differences in the past, but I hope you can overcome those this year and learn how to work together." McGonagall watched the two.
"With all due respect, Mrs. McGonagall, I think that certain…relationships, cannot repair themselves." Hermione firmly said.
"Relationships cannot be repaired if they weren't on good terms to begin with," Draco looked over at the girl.
"From day one, you had it out for us!" Hermione cried, "What did you think was going to happen?"
"As I recall, I offered to be Potter's friend." Draco remarked.
"After telling him that Ron wasn't worthy of being his friend!" Hermione cried.
"So you resent me because I don't care for your little Weaselbee?" Draco laughed.
"Did I mention maturity? You both are normally so mature about everything…" McGonagall rubbed her forehead.
"Speaking of Weaselbee, when's the wedding, Granger?" Draco crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"You and Mr. Weasley are getting married?" McGonagall's eyes widened.
"No, no we are not." Hermione shook her head, "We're not even together."
"Trouble in paradise?" Draco inquired, having a good time messing with her head.
"Shut your—" Hermione began.
"Please," McGonagall took control of the discussion again. "I'm glad you and Ronald aren't getting married…or in a relationship for that matter. That would cause more tension between all of you."
"What?" Hermione asked with a confused look on her face.
"I want you to know that this isn't an easy question for me to ask. Please know that I wouldn't ask such a thing unless it was an extreme state of affairs. My hands are tied and your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. This is not the ideal situation and I do understand that. But desperate times do call for desperate measures." McGonagall paused, "Our student body has shrunk this year by hundreds. People fear sending their kids here due to the events that took place the year prior. Many feel that Hogwarts is unsafe. We also had a very high casualty number and a number of students who didn't return to finish out their last year. There is no sense of unity in this castle right now. Most of the student body is fearful of history repeating itself. Likewise, many students cannot overcome their differences to get along with one another. We need to push friendship this school year. These students need to make amends and build relationships with each other. We need to stress to the students that Houses are not meant to separate them or turn them against one another."
"Please don't ask us to pretend to be friends," Draco sighed heavily.
"I'm asking the two of you to pretend to be a couple." McGonagall finally admitted.
"No, absolutely not. I'm sorry, I cannot do this," Hermione immediately turned down the offer.
"Please, think about this for a moment. You are Head Boy and Head Girl. Everyone is striving to be what you are today. They all look up to you both. If they believe that the two of you have seen past your differences and fallen in love, it will encourage them to overcome their own problems." McGonagall watched the two of them who were thinking quickly.
"I really don't believe this could ever work out," Draco shook his head.
"Draco, you're a role model to so many young Slytherins. Don't you want them to see you in a different light? Your reputation could be wiped clean. This is your chance to start over Draco. Don't you want that?" McGonagall questioned. Draco became silent as he mulled this over.
"Draco, you can't seriously be considering this. It's me, Hermione Granger. Hello?! You loathe me, Draco!" Hermione tried to help level his mind.
"Hermione, do you refuse to see how grateful and proud Dumbledore would be? You would be honoring so many people, Ms. Granger. We have to make sure that they didn't die in vain, don't you get that? They didn't die for all this hatred to just be continued." She paused as she stared between the two students, "Sirius…Dumbledore...Serverus…"
"I'm in," Draco said suddenly.
Hermione whipped her head around to see Draco sitting there with his eyes concentrated on the ground. She wanted to protest. There were hundreds of reasons for why this was a terrible solution to the problem. But as Hermione saw Draco's demeanor and his almost defeated look, she decided to keep her mouth shut. Maybe she was wrong after all. Maybe Draco Malfoy was an actual human being with a beating heart. Hermione's eyes drifted over to McGonagall and when their eyes met, she simply nodded.
"Alright, all you have to do is sign this contract."
"McGonagall—" Hermione interrupted as she skimmed the first few lines, "You can't possibly be asking us to create an unbreakable vow."
"Apparently, I didn't make my grievances quite grave enough. This is a very serious matter, Ms. Granger. The school could permanently shut down before too long if all of this continues. The two of you cannot back out on this, do you understand?" Her eyes switched between the two.
"Of course," Hermione was barely audible.
"Yes," Draco voiced a bit louder.
"This is just for one year. Your teachers will be the only ones aware of this being a set up. Besides that, no one else will know the truth." McGonagall passed her quill over to Draco who neatly signed his name. He then passed it to Hermione who was more reluctant. Her eyes fell from the Headmistress to the paper and then to Draco. Finally, she drew in a sharp breath and signed her name.
"Is there anything else?" Draco stood from his chair.
"Yes, I will show you to your new rooms." McGonagall stood up and carefully led the two into the hallway.
As they walked through the crowded hall, McGonagall flashed them back a stern look. Draco quickly reached his hand under Hermione's and intertwined their fingers. Passing students gaped at the two walking alongside one another. Hermione felt her face turn a dark shade of red. She had the sudden urge to pull her hand away from his and punch him, just like she had in third year. But she knew that she couldn't do that. So instead she tried to focus on what McGonagall had said in her office. The witch had been so incredibly convincing.
"The password is Dragon Lilies," McGonagall whispered to them when they reached a rather large painting. The three of them carefully slid into the room. "So this is your living area, it resembles the common rooms. The left door is Draco's room and the right is Hermione's. The room in between is the bathroom. There is a door from both bedrooms leading into it, so be careful to lock the doors. I will head back to my office now. If either of you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask." She disappeared from sight.
Hermione and Draco stood silently, with their fingers still interlocked. When she noticed this, she quickly pulled herself away. Draco released her hand easily and then sighed. Rubbing his forehead, he thought about everything that had just happened. The reality of what he had just agreed to hit him like a ton of bricks. As he turned to look at her, he noticed her heading towards her bedroom.
"Granger," Draco called after her.
"What?" She shot him an angry glare.
"Are we going to get this over with now, or what?" He stammered.
"Get what over with?" She snapped.
"You bloody know what!" He shouted, "Don't act dumb, Granger. It's not flattering on you."
"And I suppose you find it flattering on yourself?" She questioned eagerly.
"Great comeback, Granger." He crossed his arms coolly.
"Bug off," She turned and walked into her room, slamming the door behind her.