SECRETS

Chapter 1: Pretenses

"You don't have to do this Hermione," Ron reminded her for the millionth time, his brow furrowing into a frown that seemed to be superimposed onto his face as of recently. "Merlin knows you've done enough for a life time. Do you really want to work with that slimy git?"

The landscape flew past them as the train sped towards Hogwarts. Hermione sighed as she stared out the window, watching the familiar scenery appear and disappear past their compartment. Fall was beginning to take hold of the earth outside, but the imposing green still held strong amongst the trees and rolling hills the Hogwarts Express passed. She didn't think she'd make this journey again – not after all they had been through. It was a strange sort of relief to see these rushed yet familiar surroundings speed past them once more.

Hermione had already considered turning down the position of head girl hundreds of times. There was probably someone else who was just as well suited as she was for the job, someone who was smart and capable and had no qualms against working with the arrogant prick. But when the ministry requested that all students had to return to Hogwarts to finish their year that was cut short after the war ended, McGonagall had requested that she take the position, an offer she couldn't refuse.

But working with Draco Malfoy? What were they thinking when they made that decision? After everything that had happened between them, picking Malfoy seemed like an odd choice. From what she had heard his father died during the war and although Narcissa Malfoy had been cleared of most of her charges after she had saved Harry's life, people said she never left the Malfoy Manor anymore. As for Draco, they hadn't seen each other since the battle of Hogwarts.

But then again, Hermione hadn't seen very many people after the war either. Her time was spent trying to avoid the spotlight as she searched for her parents. When she finally found them and their lives had returned back to as normal as they could make them, the rest of her time was divided between her family and Harry and the Weasleys.

"I'm sure McGonagall would understand if you just gave the position to someone else," Harry added, "Besides, what with this being our final year, I think it would be nice if we all just enjoyed ourselves. No battles, no wars, not anything."

"Exactly," Ginny agreed, her fingers intertwined with Harry's, "How you're ever expected to work with him is beyond me."

Ginny and Harry had since become a couple, much to Ron's dismay. Her own relationship with the red haired boy however, was still hazy. Hermione had thought they would be able to work it out during the school year, but she was beginning to doubt that was going to be a possibility if she was going to be constantly busy with her head girl duties. They never mentioned anything about their kiss after it happened, but over the past few weeks they had become a lot closer, something that she wasn't sure how to feel about. He was still one of her closest friends, but could they be more?

"I think everything will work out eventually," she responded, tearing her eyes away from the window to stare at her three friends. "I don't particularly like working with him, but I trust McGonagall's judgment. We just won't be spending any time with each other. Besides, it's not like I would ever want to spend time hearing him rant about his pureblood complex."

She could hear Ron scoff incredulously beside her, but she ignored it.

Hermione was trying her best to be optimistic, but was finding it harder than usual to but a positive spin on this situation. When she first heard she was going to be working with Malfoy she didn't have a response because, after all, she thought it must have been a joke. She pleaded with Professor McGonagall to reconsider, to find someone else – anyone else – who would take Malfoy's place as head boy.

"Wouldn't Neville be a good choice?" Hermione had offered, pleading Professor McGonagall to change her mind, "He's just as smart and capable to do any job that Malfoy could do. He's a perfect fit!"

"I don't disagree that Neville would be a good choice," the professor had begun, giving Hermione a glimmer of hope that maybe she would change her mind, "But the truth of the matter is Draco Malfoy has a better academic record, comparable to yours I might add."

Before Hermione could interrupt Professor McGonagall continued, "It would not be fair to offer the position to someone else just because you and Draco do not get along. I know you two will be able to get over your differences eventually. This is a second chance for someone who needs one, and an opportunity to encourage interhouse unity, something I'm sure you understand will be lacking this year extensively."

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing, but didn't respond. Professor McGonagall seemed adamant that Draco was to be head boy, and there would be no convincing her otherwise.

"I understand Professor," Hermione sighed.

Professor McGonagall nodded, giving Hermione a small empathetic smile. "Good. I hope this doesn't deter you from the position. If there's anyone that can do it it's you."

That conversation was months ago and since then she had agreed to be appointed head girl. She didn't know what this year was going to bring. The school was in shambles the last she saw it, but they had been rebuilding since then. Divisions between houses would be apparent, but she would work on that. Although with Draco as head boy she wasn't sure how possible that was going to be.

"So does this mean you won't be in staying in the Gryffindor dormitories?" Ginny asked, Hermione.

"I don't think so. There's supposed to be a shared dormitory for the heads and -"

There was millisecond as her friends digested this new information, before they all started talking all at once.

"So does this mean I'm stuck with Lavender and Parvati by myself?"

"That's terrible, we're gonna miss you."

"You're going to be living with that conniving ferret?!"

Before Hermione could respond, the door to their compartment opened, stopping her from giving Ron a sharp look of disapproval. He was going to have to work on being more tolerant. She didn't want to have to take points away from her own house because her friend couldn't hold his tongue.

As the door opened further she saw that Draco was standing there in his usual black. His blond hair slicked back and his skin a lot paler than she remembered it, almost sickly. She expected him to say something vile, but instead of making a rude comment on the odd and flurried state her friends, he just sneered.

"They need us in the heads compartment soon," he said, his voice sounding if he was already bored with their conversation, "It seems we're going to have some work on our hands when we arrive." His face was terse and unpleasant as he looked at her. His constant sneer gone, but now replaced with an almost rude and arrogant indifference.

"Fine," Hermione replied, her voice trying to remain professional, "I'll be there in a few minutes."

Draco nodded, but didn't say anything else.

The rest of her friends were quiet, silently watching the encounter.

Maybe he's changed, Hermione thought, he hasn't said anything rude in the few moments we've been talking. It was a promising start.

But just as she had that thought, Draco paused just as he was closing their compartment door.

"I see you've hit it off with one of the Weasley's Potter," Draco smirked at Harry, "I'm just sorry it wasn't the one you wanted." He quickly nodded towards Ron before closing the compartment door and left.

"What the hell did he mean by that?!" Ron roared seconds later, "That arrogant bastard!"

"Forget about him Ron," Harry replied, "It's best if you just ignore him."

"Yeah, he doesn't know what he's talking about," Ginny added, giving Harry a smile and quick peck on the cheek.

"And you kissing my best friend is supposed to make me feel better?" Ron cried, "You're all mad."

Hermione sighed.

Maybe some things never change.

A/N: Hey guys! This is my first try writing Dramione so be gentle! I want to start frequent updates on this (it's the summer – what else do I do besides read and write?), but I would some feedback! I hope you all liked it and I hope you stick around! Also, as a disclaimer, even though I wish I owned the rights to Harry Potter, I don't.

gnomenut