CHAPTER 1
Soft clicks echoed inside the empty halls of Hogwarts. As shiny leather shoes made contact with the cold stone floor, Draco Malfoy scowled. He looked at his watch for the 3rd time in 3 minutes and increased his pace. He was late for his meeting with Dumbledore, concerning the Head interviews. If he missed this, his father would slice his throat, literally.
He wasn't too keen on getting his father upset right now, since Lucius had more important matters to deal with, like clearing the Malfoy name with the Ministry.
Draco reached the Gargoyle that blocked the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Sugar Lumps." Draco mumbled. Couldn't Dumbledore think of a more suitable password?
He entered the opening and climbed the short flight of steps. When he reached the top, he saw that there was a crack in the opening. As he entered, he saw Dumbledore at his desk, unsticking two lemon drops.
"Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore acknowledged without looking up. "have a seat."
Draco walked wordlessly to the chair and sat down, waiting for the headmaster to start. The silence was deafening, and Draco had to break it, somehow.
"Um, sir-?" Draco started slowly.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, we will start. Just as soon as-" Just then, Hermione Granger stumbled into the office, trying to catch her breath.
"Professor Snape-late-20 points-" she panted.
"I see." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Take a seat, Ms. Granger."
Still panting, Hermione ambled toward the chair next to Draco's, as Dumbledore made his way to the back of the desk to sit down.
"Alright, lets start." He said smiling. "As you know, there are 2 candidates per house, for the position of Head Boy and Girl."
Hermione nodded vigorously to show Dumbledore that she was paying attention.
"For Ravenclaw, Ms. Padma Patil and Mr. Jeremy Boot. For Hufflepuff, Ms. Susan Bones and Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley. For Slytherin, Ms. Blaise Zambini and of course, Mr. Malfoy. And for Gryffindor, Ms. Granger and Mr. Seamus Finnigan." Dumbledore continued.
"Now, part of your job is to get along-" Draco was already dreading the next part. "and work well together." Dumbledore finished. "All I am here to tell you, is that, you're project is due 3months from now and the train leaves in 2 days."
Draco winced... 3 months with Granger, absolutely spiffing! If this was any normal time, his father would have been able to persuade the school to pick another partner for him, unfortunately, Draco remembered, this wasn't exactly perfect timing for his father, and if Draco dare bother him, he would probably end up with a broken neck.
The more Draco thought about it, he realized Dumbledore would listen to reason. Draco may not have been his favorite student, but he doubted Dumbledore was cruel enough to sentence him to 3 weeks with his nemesis...right?
"Professor," Draco started. "is there anyway we could, you know, switch partners?"
"No, Mr. Malfoy, that is the whole point of this test." Dumbledore smiled.
Wrong. Draco thought. Guess you really do have to be Potter to get your way with this old coot.
"Professor, what exactly do we have to do on this project." Hermione asked meekly. She cursed herself for not reading up on this part of the interview. Now, she seemed irresponsible.
"Its quite simple really, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore said, peering over his crescent shaped glasses. "All you have to do, is research on the History and the modern parts of the country you are assigned to, then give a full report on that, and how the test was able to improve your inter-house relationship, with Mr. Malfoy."
"Oh." Hermione said dejectedly.
"Where are we going?" Draco asked.
"Florence." Was Dumbledore's simple answer.
"Florence?" Hermione's eyes lit up. "As in Italy?"
"Yes, Ms. Granger." A small smile played on the old man's lips. "A very romantic city, especially at night."
That comment disturbed Draco. He hated Dumbledore's mysteriousness, he really didn't know why... and frankly, he doubted he wanted to find out what he meant by that statement.
"Very well, both of you, you have better things to do on a Friday night." Dumbledore said, as a sign of dismissal.
Damn right I do. Draco thought as he got up and headed out the door with Hermione.
"Nice job you did back there." Draco smirked as soon as they were out the door.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, already sensing an argument coming up.
"Florence? As in Italy?" Draco mimicked with a high-pitched voice. "Really mudblood, I thought you were intelligent. Guess I over estimated you."
"Look," Hermione said, her voice edging on irritation. "I'm going to get enough of you're crap for the next 3 months, so if you don't mind, I want my last two days Draco-free before I have to live with you." She added before stomping off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.
"Goodnight to you too." Draco called to her retreating figure.
"Fuck off!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am really sorry for you, I mean really sorry. Arent you Gin?" Ron asked that night. The four were in the common room, dicussing what Dumbledore had told Hermione earlier.
"RON! That's the fifth time you repeated that sentence in the last half- hour. Its not helping!" Ginny said, smacking the back-side of her brother's head.
"This is horrible." Hermione moaned. She slumped in her chair and crossed her arms over her tummy. "Three months!" she added with a frustrated sigh.
"Its ok, Herm." Ginny reassured her as she sat down on one of the arms on the sofa. "At least its not here... how often do you get the chance to go to Italy?" Ginny said dreamily.
"Its not like its going to be a dream vacation anyway." Hermione said sitting up. "I mean, we're going to go to great meuseums and other great landmarks, but it'll only be Malfoy, Me and a student from FMA."
"At least there's someone to keep you company." Harry offered.
Hermione scowled at him. "With my luck, it'll be an Italian Veela with the hotts for Blondie." She said, referring to Malfoy. "Plus, FMA is an all girls academy for magic... and that's where we're living."
"I don't see the problem." Harry said shrugging.
"You wouldn't, would you?" Ginny said glaring at him.
"If only I were you, 'Mione." Ron said, putting his feet up on the table. "Three months of girls, girls and more girls."
Hermione and Ginny looked back and forth between the two boys, and found both wearing identical dreamy looks.
"I'm sorry I have to leave you with these two wankers." Hermione said turning to Ginny.
"You'll be doing worse...except with a BETTER LOOKING WANKER." Ginny said, making sure Harry and Ron both heard 'better looking'.
That snapped Harry and Ron out of their daydreams.
"He is not better looking!" Harry persisted.
Ginny smiled mischievously, while looking Harry straight in the eye. "I don't think all your fans will agree with you there, Harry." Ginny shrugged while Hermione tried to stifle a laugh. "Sure," Ginny continued. "he is your nemesis... but that doesn't mean the whole female population of Hogwarts and everyone in FMA wont fall at his feet, begging for a date."
Hermione snorted. "I doubt it'll take much longer for our little 'Mione here to start falling for him... I mean what with 3 MONTHS alone with him." Ginny added.
"How much you wanna bet on that Gin?" Hermione asked.
"Ten galleons say that by the time you're back, you'll be head over heels for him." Ginny said, jumping at the chance.
"I'll take that offer." Harry said, raising his hand.
Hermione groaned and slumped back down. "In two days, I will be on a train to Italy with my enemy and you are betting on me?"
"I believe in you Herm. Don't lose me that 10 galleons!" Harry said patting her on the back.
"Thanks for the pep talk." Hermione said, sardonically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days were too short for Hermione's liking because before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Hogwarts Express with Draco beside her, saying goodbye to her classmates and teachers.
"We'll be expecting an owl every week." McGonagall informed them before the got on the train. "Professor Welkin will be the one meeting you at the train station." She added, reading off her list. "When you get there, you will meet her and your FMA tour guide and then you have the welcoming dinner at 8:00 pm sharp." She said, checking the last thing on her list. "Your schedules and tourist books are in your rooms. Remember, you are carrying Hogwarts' name while you are there and your chance at Head boy and Girl. Don't cause any trouble!" Was her last warning, before they boarded the train.
"Finally." Draco breathed as the train started to move. "I thought we would never make it to Italy with her blabbering!" He said plopping down on the seat in the only compartment on the train. There was only one car attached to the train since it was only the two students, the conductor and the snack witch on the train.
"Stop complaining." Hermione scolded. "At least we got a nice country." Padma and Justin were going to Switzerland, Seamus and Blaise were on a train to Spain while Susan and Jeremy were going to Bulgaria.
"I thought you would've liked Bulgaria, since your boyfriend will be there." Draco said, sneering at the memory of 4th year.
"Oh Please." Hermione said, waving it off. "That was two years ago... and he's my EX-boyfriend." She corrected.
"What... did he finally realize that he was dating someone who looked like you or did you dump him?" He asked spitefully.
"No, actually, we just realized a long distance relationship wouldn't work." She said calmly. "Why, where would you like to have gone?"
"It doesn't matter to me." Draco shrugged. He could speak any European language anyway, its not like he would have a problem... plus, all countries had girls...he wouldn't be left dateless on a Friday night, and most European Academies were for Purebloods only... 3 or 4 allowed muggle- borns outside London. He voiced his thoughts to Hermione and she nearly smacked him.
"That's all you care about isn't it? Being left dateless or having to mingle with muggle-borns! Chauvinist!" She said, opening a book to cool her down. "Why are you so prejudiced anyway?"
"I only apply what I am taught." Draco said simply. "I was taught that Purebloods are the best and I believe it."
"You need counseling." Hermione said, staring at him in the eye.
"Oh do I?" Draco said raising an eyebrow. "You, are the 16 year old GIRL that doesn't give a damn about anything except grades."
"Don't stereotype me... don't say things about people you don't know." Hermione said, finally setting her book down.
"YOU SHOULD TALK." Draco said raising his voice. "Hypocrite! You don't know me, you know nothing... you don't know how I grew up, how I was taught! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" With that, he got up and left the compartment.
"Great." Hermione breathed. "I just got, the only person I know, very pissed off at me." It wasn't really that she regretted getting Draco angry, on contraire, she finally got him so pissed of that he lost his temper... a first actually. It was usually Ron who got pissed off and hit him. But now, she was alone... if she didn't apologize, she would lose her shot at the one thing she worked for, for the last 7 years. "Either embarrass myself by having to admit that I need him, or lose my chance as head girl...decisions, decisions." She said sarcastically. "At least I get to wait until we get to FMA." She resigned herself to the fact that she's rather be embarrassed then disappoint her parents who were already throwing her a congratulatory party at the end of the year.
Soft clicks echoed inside the empty halls of Hogwarts. As shiny leather shoes made contact with the cold stone floor, Draco Malfoy scowled. He looked at his watch for the 3rd time in 3 minutes and increased his pace. He was late for his meeting with Dumbledore, concerning the Head interviews. If he missed this, his father would slice his throat, literally.
He wasn't too keen on getting his father upset right now, since Lucius had more important matters to deal with, like clearing the Malfoy name with the Ministry.
Draco reached the Gargoyle that blocked the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Sugar Lumps." Draco mumbled. Couldn't Dumbledore think of a more suitable password?
He entered the opening and climbed the short flight of steps. When he reached the top, he saw that there was a crack in the opening. As he entered, he saw Dumbledore at his desk, unsticking two lemon drops.
"Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore acknowledged without looking up. "have a seat."
Draco walked wordlessly to the chair and sat down, waiting for the headmaster to start. The silence was deafening, and Draco had to break it, somehow.
"Um, sir-?" Draco started slowly.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, we will start. Just as soon as-" Just then, Hermione Granger stumbled into the office, trying to catch her breath.
"Professor Snape-late-20 points-" she panted.
"I see." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Take a seat, Ms. Granger."
Still panting, Hermione ambled toward the chair next to Draco's, as Dumbledore made his way to the back of the desk to sit down.
"Alright, lets start." He said smiling. "As you know, there are 2 candidates per house, for the position of Head Boy and Girl."
Hermione nodded vigorously to show Dumbledore that she was paying attention.
"For Ravenclaw, Ms. Padma Patil and Mr. Jeremy Boot. For Hufflepuff, Ms. Susan Bones and Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley. For Slytherin, Ms. Blaise Zambini and of course, Mr. Malfoy. And for Gryffindor, Ms. Granger and Mr. Seamus Finnigan." Dumbledore continued.
"Now, part of your job is to get along-" Draco was already dreading the next part. "and work well together." Dumbledore finished. "All I am here to tell you, is that, you're project is due 3months from now and the train leaves in 2 days."
Draco winced... 3 months with Granger, absolutely spiffing! If this was any normal time, his father would have been able to persuade the school to pick another partner for him, unfortunately, Draco remembered, this wasn't exactly perfect timing for his father, and if Draco dare bother him, he would probably end up with a broken neck.
The more Draco thought about it, he realized Dumbledore would listen to reason. Draco may not have been his favorite student, but he doubted Dumbledore was cruel enough to sentence him to 3 weeks with his nemesis...right?
"Professor," Draco started. "is there anyway we could, you know, switch partners?"
"No, Mr. Malfoy, that is the whole point of this test." Dumbledore smiled.
Wrong. Draco thought. Guess you really do have to be Potter to get your way with this old coot.
"Professor, what exactly do we have to do on this project." Hermione asked meekly. She cursed herself for not reading up on this part of the interview. Now, she seemed irresponsible.
"Its quite simple really, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore said, peering over his crescent shaped glasses. "All you have to do, is research on the History and the modern parts of the country you are assigned to, then give a full report on that, and how the test was able to improve your inter-house relationship, with Mr. Malfoy."
"Oh." Hermione said dejectedly.
"Where are we going?" Draco asked.
"Florence." Was Dumbledore's simple answer.
"Florence?" Hermione's eyes lit up. "As in Italy?"
"Yes, Ms. Granger." A small smile played on the old man's lips. "A very romantic city, especially at night."
That comment disturbed Draco. He hated Dumbledore's mysteriousness, he really didn't know why... and frankly, he doubted he wanted to find out what he meant by that statement.
"Very well, both of you, you have better things to do on a Friday night." Dumbledore said, as a sign of dismissal.
Damn right I do. Draco thought as he got up and headed out the door with Hermione.
"Nice job you did back there." Draco smirked as soon as they were out the door.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, already sensing an argument coming up.
"Florence? As in Italy?" Draco mimicked with a high-pitched voice. "Really mudblood, I thought you were intelligent. Guess I over estimated you."
"Look," Hermione said, her voice edging on irritation. "I'm going to get enough of you're crap for the next 3 months, so if you don't mind, I want my last two days Draco-free before I have to live with you." She added before stomping off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.
"Goodnight to you too." Draco called to her retreating figure.
"Fuck off!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am really sorry for you, I mean really sorry. Arent you Gin?" Ron asked that night. The four were in the common room, dicussing what Dumbledore had told Hermione earlier.
"RON! That's the fifth time you repeated that sentence in the last half- hour. Its not helping!" Ginny said, smacking the back-side of her brother's head.
"This is horrible." Hermione moaned. She slumped in her chair and crossed her arms over her tummy. "Three months!" she added with a frustrated sigh.
"Its ok, Herm." Ginny reassured her as she sat down on one of the arms on the sofa. "At least its not here... how often do you get the chance to go to Italy?" Ginny said dreamily.
"Its not like its going to be a dream vacation anyway." Hermione said sitting up. "I mean, we're going to go to great meuseums and other great landmarks, but it'll only be Malfoy, Me and a student from FMA."
"At least there's someone to keep you company." Harry offered.
Hermione scowled at him. "With my luck, it'll be an Italian Veela with the hotts for Blondie." She said, referring to Malfoy. "Plus, FMA is an all girls academy for magic... and that's where we're living."
"I don't see the problem." Harry said shrugging.
"You wouldn't, would you?" Ginny said glaring at him.
"If only I were you, 'Mione." Ron said, putting his feet up on the table. "Three months of girls, girls and more girls."
Hermione and Ginny looked back and forth between the two boys, and found both wearing identical dreamy looks.
"I'm sorry I have to leave you with these two wankers." Hermione said turning to Ginny.
"You'll be doing worse...except with a BETTER LOOKING WANKER." Ginny said, making sure Harry and Ron both heard 'better looking'.
That snapped Harry and Ron out of their daydreams.
"He is not better looking!" Harry persisted.
Ginny smiled mischievously, while looking Harry straight in the eye. "I don't think all your fans will agree with you there, Harry." Ginny shrugged while Hermione tried to stifle a laugh. "Sure," Ginny continued. "he is your nemesis... but that doesn't mean the whole female population of Hogwarts and everyone in FMA wont fall at his feet, begging for a date."
Hermione snorted. "I doubt it'll take much longer for our little 'Mione here to start falling for him... I mean what with 3 MONTHS alone with him." Ginny added.
"How much you wanna bet on that Gin?" Hermione asked.
"Ten galleons say that by the time you're back, you'll be head over heels for him." Ginny said, jumping at the chance.
"I'll take that offer." Harry said, raising his hand.
Hermione groaned and slumped back down. "In two days, I will be on a train to Italy with my enemy and you are betting on me?"
"I believe in you Herm. Don't lose me that 10 galleons!" Harry said patting her on the back.
"Thanks for the pep talk." Hermione said, sardonically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days were too short for Hermione's liking because before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Hogwarts Express with Draco beside her, saying goodbye to her classmates and teachers.
"We'll be expecting an owl every week." McGonagall informed them before the got on the train. "Professor Welkin will be the one meeting you at the train station." She added, reading off her list. "When you get there, you will meet her and your FMA tour guide and then you have the welcoming dinner at 8:00 pm sharp." She said, checking the last thing on her list. "Your schedules and tourist books are in your rooms. Remember, you are carrying Hogwarts' name while you are there and your chance at Head boy and Girl. Don't cause any trouble!" Was her last warning, before they boarded the train.
"Finally." Draco breathed as the train started to move. "I thought we would never make it to Italy with her blabbering!" He said plopping down on the seat in the only compartment on the train. There was only one car attached to the train since it was only the two students, the conductor and the snack witch on the train.
"Stop complaining." Hermione scolded. "At least we got a nice country." Padma and Justin were going to Switzerland, Seamus and Blaise were on a train to Spain while Susan and Jeremy were going to Bulgaria.
"I thought you would've liked Bulgaria, since your boyfriend will be there." Draco said, sneering at the memory of 4th year.
"Oh Please." Hermione said, waving it off. "That was two years ago... and he's my EX-boyfriend." She corrected.
"What... did he finally realize that he was dating someone who looked like you or did you dump him?" He asked spitefully.
"No, actually, we just realized a long distance relationship wouldn't work." She said calmly. "Why, where would you like to have gone?"
"It doesn't matter to me." Draco shrugged. He could speak any European language anyway, its not like he would have a problem... plus, all countries had girls...he wouldn't be left dateless on a Friday night, and most European Academies were for Purebloods only... 3 or 4 allowed muggle- borns outside London. He voiced his thoughts to Hermione and she nearly smacked him.
"That's all you care about isn't it? Being left dateless or having to mingle with muggle-borns! Chauvinist!" She said, opening a book to cool her down. "Why are you so prejudiced anyway?"
"I only apply what I am taught." Draco said simply. "I was taught that Purebloods are the best and I believe it."
"You need counseling." Hermione said, staring at him in the eye.
"Oh do I?" Draco said raising an eyebrow. "You, are the 16 year old GIRL that doesn't give a damn about anything except grades."
"Don't stereotype me... don't say things about people you don't know." Hermione said, finally setting her book down.
"YOU SHOULD TALK." Draco said raising his voice. "Hypocrite! You don't know me, you know nothing... you don't know how I grew up, how I was taught! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" With that, he got up and left the compartment.
"Great." Hermione breathed. "I just got, the only person I know, very pissed off at me." It wasn't really that she regretted getting Draco angry, on contraire, she finally got him so pissed of that he lost his temper... a first actually. It was usually Ron who got pissed off and hit him. But now, she was alone... if she didn't apologize, she would lose her shot at the one thing she worked for, for the last 7 years. "Either embarrass myself by having to admit that I need him, or lose my chance as head girl...decisions, decisions." She said sarcastically. "At least I get to wait until we get to FMA." She resigned herself to the fact that she's rather be embarrassed then disappoint her parents who were already throwing her a congratulatory party at the end of the year.