I hope you guys enjoy this! This story takes place after HBP and is a slight AU seventh year at Hogwarts. Dumbledore is alive, and Snape and Narcissa never made the Unbreakable Vow.
This story is based off the movie "Beastly" and does contain some dialogue directly from that movie, which I do not own. I also don't own the characters nor the setting- they belong to J.K. Rowling. Thank you!
Draco Malfoy was relishing in this moment. His Slytherin comrades were applauding and cheering enthusiastically for him. He had just been appointed Head Boy by Headmaster Dumbledore not fifteen minutes ago, and he had already dutifully thrown himself into the position. Well, at least into the position of being superior to everyone else. It's not like he hadn't already known he was superior, but now he had the title under his belt. He immediately went to announce his new calling at dinner to his fellow Slytherins.
He stood on the Slytherin bench in The Great Hall, stretching his arms wide to soak in the exaltation, which he believed he greatly deserved, as his inferiors sitting below him commended him over-zealously.
"Speech!" Blaise Zabini shouted with his hands cupping around his mouth. "Speech! Speech! Speech! Speech..." the students chanted. It echoed from the Slytherin side of the Great Hall and filled the whole room. Everyone in the room was watching now. Draco smugly smiled and nodded. He was only too happy to oblige in a speech. The Slytherins erupted in cheers as he accepted, and were quickly hushed as Draco put a finger to his lips to silence them.
Draco cleared his throat and spoke in a booming voice, "True or False: You are an aggressively unattractive person. Fatty-cakes, Snaggle-toothed...someone like Millicent Bulstrode."
The Slytherins burst with laughter, at the expense of Millicent's feelings. Malfoy patiently waited for the students to quiet down before he resumed his speech. "Or did you just miss the beauty boat? Any which way, best embrace the suck. Beautiful people get it better. That's just the way it is." The Slytherins cheered again at, apparently, such a rousing statement.
Millicent tried to block out the mayhem, which started when Malfoy entered the Great Hall, by sitting in her usual spot at the end of the table. But she couldn't help but snap up at the mention of her name. The girl tried to ignore the rudeness of her housemates, being used to this kind of ridicule, especially from Malfoy. However, she blushed with embarrassment at the comment. She turned her head away, again trying to block it out.
From the Gryffindor table, Hermione Granger was absolutely appalled at her fellow Head Boy. She glared at him, furious that he was so quick to be bullying people while boosting his already lofty ego , and completely going against model-student Head Boy behavior. She was just with him when he was appointed, as she was being appointed Head Girl. However, she did notsprint into the Great Hall exclaiming about her new position to her housemates. She did not, quite literally, put herself up on a pedestal and demand acclamation from her fellow students, unlike Malfoy. She preferred to keep it quiet. Yes, her house knew that she was the new Head Girl, but she did not require a celebration. She believed that there was no point in receiving such praise when she hadn't done anything of praise yet. That, and she was all too modest to ever elevate herself in Malfoy's fashion.
Hermione gagged at what Malfoy was saying. It was so shallow, it was almost humorous, even for Malfoy. She did feel bad for Millicent. She had always been a victim of Malfoy and his posse's tormenting. Malfoy just wasn't satisfied enough from harassing people, specifically Muggle-borns, outside of his own house. So he turned to Slytherin, seeked out people he deemed unworthy, and turned his oppression toward them. The bullying of Millicent had gone on for years, though it quieted down a bit last year. This was mostly due to the fact that Draco Malfoy was under the influence of Voldemort, and was busy carrying out his plan of letting Death Eaters into Hogwarts and assassinating Dumbledore. Millicent openly accused Malfoy of being a Death Eater in the middle of last year. With Malfoy being in the state that he was, he could not act out against her, for he was in fear that he would reveal himself. He did promise her, though, that she would regret the day she accused him, and she would pay dearly.
Draco hushed his housemates again, to continue his speech, "So, what does this have to do with being appointed as the new Head Boy? Not much, except you'll never respect me because of my commitment to Hogwarts; I don't have one."
The Slytherins laughed as Hermione gasped, and snapped her head towards the northern part of the room where the professor's table was at. She looked for any sort of disapproving facial expression from Headmaster Dumbledore, and was disappointed to find none. She was then shocked to see that he was intently listening and watching Malfoy without making any sort of interruption. Hermione was already shocked at how Dumbledore appointed Malfoy, of all students, to be Head Boy. Yes, he exceeded in his classes, and obviously had a good connection with his housemates, but he was simply a bully. And a bully should never be Head Boy. Hermione huffed, and then turned back to Malfoy as he continued.
"But should you respect because I'm a rich, good-looking," Draco glanced at Hermione, "pureblood guy?" He paused, waiting for an answer.
Pansy Parkinson and Blaise relieved him by shouting in unison, "Hell yeah!"
Draco simply grinned as his entire house stood up and cheered for him. He scanned the sea of Slytherin faces, pleased to see that all of them were shouting with praise. Well, not all of them. Draco's eyes flickered to the exit out of the Great Hall to see Millicent Bulstrode scowling at him. She was looking at him with such loathing and anger, it almost frightened him. When he met her eyes, she hissed as she violently pushed open the doors and left the room. He winced at the heavy impact of the doors, but then turned to his adoring housemates and nodded with a smile. He stepped down from the bench and sat down with Pansy and Blaise, trying to forget the image of Millicent's vindictive expression.
Across the room, Hermione was glaring at him. She already knew Malfoy was a narcissistic prat, but this had fully proved it. And what the Hell was that glance to her before he snarkily said, "pureblood"? She sighed and rubbed her forehead, knowing exactly what it was. He was still as bigoted as ever. Hermione knew this all too well from years of Malfoy ridiculing and calling her a "mudblood".
"What an arsehole, but it's not like we didn't know it," Ginny Weasley began, while grabbing a roll from a bread basket, "I mean, the whole 'beautiful people' thing was a bit ridiculous and very condescending, even for Malfoy, but I can't say I'm surprised at the display."
"It doesn't mean that it was necessary," Seamus Finnigan grunted to the redhead next to Hermione from across the table.
"According to Malfoy, it is completely necessary," Ginny responded.
Neville Longbottom then chimed in, "It's not like his head isn't already full enough after that night in the astronomy tower." This got Hermione's attention. She turned to Neville with a puzzled look.
Neville explained himself, "He's been going around proclaiming himself as some savior for not killing Dumbledore."
Seamus guffawed, "That makes about as much sense as a serial killer deciding not to murder someone, and then calling himself a bloody hero!"
"He would find some way to turn that event to his favor. I'm surprised that he's even still allowed to attend Hogwarts, let alone being the blooming Head Boy," Ginny remarked.
"I just want to know what happened in that astronomy tower to cause him to yield from killing Professor Dumbledore," Neville quietly mused.
Seamus frustratingly grumbled, "Well I just want to know who gave him the right to be so pompous and give a speech about how he only wants to be Head Boy to boost his own ego, and why Dumbledore did nothing about it! I mean he bloody said that he doesn't care about Hogwarts, and Dumbledore didn't bat an eye!"
Hermione didn't hear what Seamus said because she was still thinking about what Neville said just before. Why did Malfoy yield? Was it out of fear, pity, or something else? And why did he still feel obligated to be supercilious and conceited? If anything, the attitude had gotten worse. Hermione would think that after that night, he would be more than humbled. Especially since he and his mother were shown mercy and spared by the ministry. His mother was even offered protection at a safe house. Could Malfoy's narcissistic exterior have been some sort mask or facade to hide something?
Hermione slowly turned her eyes across the room to look at Malfoy. He was laughing with Pansy, his girlfriend, and Blaise. Malfoy looked as happy and haughty as ever, but Hermione could tell he was a bit... off. His face exclaimed smugness and pride, yet his eyes spoke of something else. Pain? Uneasiness? Or perhaps-
"Hermione!" the three other Gryffindors shouted. Hermione jumped, suddenly interrupted from her deep thoughts.
"Do you often look at Malfoy like you're reading about Ancient Runes?" Seamus teased. Hermione blushed- though she didn't know why- and then swatted Seamus in the head.
"Ow!" Seamus exclaimed, rubbing his temple. "Was that necessary?"
"More than necessary," Hermione deadpanned. She then turned toward the other two, "Sorry, I wasn't listening. What were you saying?"
Ginny turned from laughing at Seamus to answer, "We were just wondering if you were going to ask Dumbledore about it."
"About what?" Hermione was simply dazed.
"About Malfoy's 'rousing' speech this morning. It was very un-Head Boy-ish, and Dumbledore did nothing about it." Neville used his fingers as air quotes on "rousing". Hermione laughed. She agreed that his speech on being "aggressively unattractive" and "missing the beauty boat" was hardly inspiring.
"I mean you're the Head Girl. You have every right to ask him about stuff like this," Seamus added, still rubbing the spot where Hermione hit him.
Hermione nodded. Seamus was right! She was the Head Girl! And appointed by Dumbledore himself, nonetheless! It wouldn't be tattle tailing, just asking out of curiosity. Hermione said, "Okay, I'll ask. But after dinner in his office. I'd hate to cause a scene."
"Unlike some people," Ginny said while cocking her head at Malfoy. Hermione's eyes followed the motion to look at Malfoy. She again began studying him. He was still laughing with Pansy and Blaise. She slowly became bewitched by the way he laughed. He lifted one eyebrow to show amusement and then both eyebrows the moment he began laughing. He leaned back, eyes squinted shut, and his body began shaking with laughter. What Blaise said must have been particularly funny.
Ginny tapped her on the shoulder and said something, but Hermione didn't notice. She was too distracted by Malfoy. After she studied his laughter, she started to examine the way he held Pansy's hand. His hand was on top of hers, and she saw how his thumb gently caressed the back of her hand in a circular motion. Hermione looked down and blushed; she was subconsciously imitating the same motion with her own hands. She looked up again to see Malfoy's unoccupied hand lightly scratching Pansy's back. This caused Malfoy's shoulder and part of his chest to press against Pansy. Hermione's heart rate increased. Pansy seemed so sheltered, so protected by Malfoy. Hermione was then practically entranced by the way Malfoy turned and looked at Pansy. His left corner of his mouth rose slightly and his lips slowly parted to reveal a toothy, crooked smile. A smile that said everything without saying anything. Hermione's stomach lurched and was suddenly filled with butterflies. She read the expression of affection and admiration just from his smile.
Hermione couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be held and looked at like that. To be cocooned in someone's embrace, knowing that this person will keep you safe and comfort you. To be the reason someone smiles, and they don't have to say the words, "I love you," because their expression is already saying it. It seemed perfect until Hermione looked at Malfoy's eyes.
His gray irises evoked something so different from the rest of his body. His eyes didn't read of love. His eyes read the same thing that Hermione saw the last time she was studying Malfoy, before she was interrupted by her friends. She recognized it, but she couldn't place it. Discomfort? Worry? Or maybe his eyes were telling the truth. The truth which is what his body was doing does not match what he was truly feeling. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; no matter how hard you try, it will not ever fit. Was this some sort of mask to hide the true Malfoy? This, and his deep narcissism, some sort of facade to prevent himself from being exposed? Hermione was lost in his eyes until they flickered to her own.
When Malfoy met her gaze, Hermione's breath suddenly jumped. Her body did the same as she quickly looked away. She then suddenly noticed that all of her friends were gone. She groaned, and threw her head on the table. That's why Ginny was trying to get her attention; they were leaving her to stare at Malfoy some more. She looked to the professor's tale and noticed that Dumbledore was gone. Hermione stood up and walked to the exit of the Great Hall. Before she exited, she subconsciously tried to steal one more glance at Malfoy. She was surprised to find him already looking at her. She jumped again as she met his eyes, and quickly exited, blushing furiously.
What was he, some kind of Veela?! Why was she suddenly obsessed with learning the inner workings of Draco Malfoy? She couldn't care less about him the past six years , so why now? He was even more a bully now than before, and the extra arrogance this year didn't help. Hermione sighed as she walked to Dumbledore's office. She really should mind her own business, but she really wanted to know why Dumbledore didn't interfere with Malfoy's Head Boy speech. He openly spoke out against Hogwarts. She also wanted to know why Dumbledore chose Malfoy as Head Boy in the first place.
Hermione stood outside of the Headmaster's office and spoke the password. She walked up the revealed stairs and saw Dumbledore at his desk reading a book.
"Ah, Miss Granger!" Dumbledore said without taking his eyes off the book, "I've been expecting you."
Draco watched as Granger pushed through the doors furiously. He knew she had been staring at him for the longest time. He saw with his peripheral vision at how she was intently looking at him. He wondered why. It was probably because she was upset with him being the Head Boy and they would have to work together. Hey, he hated it as much as her! He would now have to be at least civil with the mudblood, but at the same time she would have to be civil with him. Still, it was odd how she stared at him. She was practically studying him for dissection, and he was afraid she would pick him apart and learn his inner mind.
Looking at the door, though, he remembered the way Millicent looked at him before she exited. He tried to shake off the thought and was angry that it made him so nervous. He stood up to leave as Blaise and Pansy did the same. The three walked out of the Great Hall, with Blaise and Pansy still raving about his speech.
"Palm of your hand, mate! Palm of your hand!" Blaise exclaimed as he slapped Draco on the back.
"They were practically eating out of it!" Pansy said, grabbing a hold of Draco's hand. "The speech killed!" Blaise and Pansy were desperately trying to keep up with Draco. He was walking with a vengeance toward the dungeons, and they could tell he was upset.
"Speaking of killing, you see that flabby-assed, plug-ugly, slag?" Draco was referring to Millicent of course. He was furious and felt like breaking something. Specifically her.
"Oh, Millicent?" Blaise made a "pfft" sound with his lips. "Really, who gives, okay? Just stick to my mantra: 'steer clear of the witch'. "
Pansy stopped Draco and said with a wink, "I'll put her out of your head later." Draco smirked and bent down to kiss Pansy goodbye before she ran off to talk to Daphne Greengrass.
Draco and Blaise continued walking to the Slytherin common room, but they were suddenly both hit with a piece of parchment in the face. Draco fiercely grabbed the parchment from his face to look at it. On the parchment was a childish, mocking, cartoon drawing of Draco. There was a speech bubble forming from the cartoon's mouth and inside it read, "Don't embrace the suck!"
Draco ripped the parchment and threw it on the ground with an angry grunt. "Ooh littering. Hardly Head Boy behavior."
Draco looked up to see Millicent smiling with copies of the parchment levitating around her. Of course, she was the culprit. Whenever a student walked by, Millicent flicked her wand and a copy of the drawing threw itself to the student. Draco looked around to see copies of the drawing under a levitation charm, floating around the dungeons and the inside of the Slytherin common room. This obscene drawing was being advertised to the whole Slytherin house!
He looked back to Millicent, fuming. Before he could express his ire, Millicent spoke again, fanning the flame, "Maybe it's just me, but shouldn't the Head Boy of Hogwarts actually care about Hogwarts?"
Draco was thinking of some response, some mind-blowingly hurtful thing to say. What he got out was, "Or be a hog like the rest of your facially-disabled coven."
Millicent snorted, "Come now Draco, that's the best you could do?"
Draco winced, and accosted her with a slight swagger. He tried to appear collected and unbothered. Millicent continued, "Anyway, I think I can speak for the rest of the school and say that we're hoping your Slytherin bandwagoners will stop fearing for their social lives, and stand up to you."
"Oh, so I take it that you're not one of my bandwagoners, though you're in Slytherin house?" Draco replied, trying to appear unfazed.
Millicent laughed, "Oh, Draco. I thought you had to be academically excellent to be Head Boy. I guess Headmaster Dumbledore made an exception."
Draco cleared his throat at the insult, and said back coolly, "Come now, Millicent. that's the best you could do?" Millicent raised an eyebrow, and Draco smiled. He signaled for Blaise, and they both proceeded into the common room. But the sound of Millicent's voice stopped them in their tracks,
"Oh, and might I just add," Draco turned around to face Millicent. "Wow, looks are important to you."
"They're important to everyone. Except you, clearly," Draco replied smugly.
Millicent just snickered and started to walk away. Draco turned around, and his face was hit with another copy of the cartoon. He violently grabbed it and yelled to Millicent, "As Head Boy, I demand you dispose of this trash!" Millicent seamlessly took out her wand and flicked it. All of the pieces of parchment flew themselves over to Millicent and into her arms. She continued walking away uninterrupted.
"You were expecting me, Headmaster?" Hermione asked, puzzled, as she entered the room.
Dumbledore closed the book he was reading. "Yes, I was." Dumbledore stood up and walked into the sitting area. "And I know that you are looking for clarification," Dumbledore said, motioning to an arm chair.
Hermione sat in the arm chair nervously. She did have every right to ask him these questions she had, but were they out of line?
"I know what you're thinking," Dumbledore said.
Hermione tried to begin, "I just-"
Dumbledore interrupted, "I know that you want to know why I appointed him Head Boy."
Hermione tried again, "And-"
"And why I didn't stop him this evening in the Great Hall,"
"But-" Dumbledore put up his hand to stop her. Hermione sighed. She knew she shouldn't be questioning his judgment. But all of this was very unusual, and she had to know.
Dumbledore began, "Listen, Hermione. I know he doesn't fit the usual mold for Head Boy. And I know this sounds odd, but Draco needs this. I know, given his history, he would probably abuse his power as Head Boy to further terrorize students."
Dumbledore paused, and Hermione nodded in agreement.
He continued, "But I believe that this position will give him what he needs to redeem himself. Giving him these responsibilities will further his character."
Dumbledore paused again, waiting for Hermione to answer.
"But sir," Hermione started, "how can he develop his character if he doesn't see the consequences of his actions? He must be reprimanded if there is any hope for him!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. He needs to see things on his own."
"But he won't! Especially since he is Head Boy!"
"Miss. Granger-"
She stood up angrily. "Draco Malfoy is a narcissistic git, who gets off on tormenting innocent students, especially Muggle-borns like me. He has for six years! Making him Head Boy won't change that! I can't help but wonder that you did this because you feel obligated to repay him for-" Hermione stopped herself before saying, "sparing you on the astronomy tower." She knew she spoke out of line. She sat down again, feeling guilty. "I- I'm sorry. That went too far,"
Dumbledore sighed, "Don't apologize. Many, even the staff, have accused me of that too. I do not blame them. But I do have my reasons. I cannot tell you everything, but I can tell you this: One reason I chose him to be Head Boy is because I chose you for Head Girl."
Hermione leaned forward slightly, listening intently.
"I've been watching you both for six years, and you two have a remarkable connection." Hermione actually laughed out loud at the statement. She then quickly tried to cover it up with coughs as Dumbledore gave her a serious look. She nodded once her coughing fit ended, and Dumbledore continued.
"It's remarkable because you two are so different, yet you keep each other going. He lives off of bickering, you in particular, yet you ignore it. If anything, it hardens your skin. Mr. Malfoy sees this, and he pushes harder to break you. Yet, he has constantly failed. Unknown to Mr. Malfoy, every time you ignore him or push back, your ideals are planted in his mind. Tell me, what are some names he calls you?"
Hermione was taken aback, but it didn't take long to answer, "'Mudblood', 'ugly'-"
Dumbledore stopped her, "When you ignore him calling you a 'mudblood', you teach him that you think blood status is not important. When you ignore him calling you 'ugly', you teach him that you think appearances don't matter. If you don't care about these things, why should he?"
Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "Sir, I don't think he's learned anything."
"Oh, but he has. It's a cycle that has started the moment you two met. After six years of this cycle, layers of Mr. Malfoy have peeled off to reveal more about him. He only fights harder because he knows that he is being exposed, and he does not want that. Miss. Granger, I'm afraid you make Draco Malfoy vulnerable,"
Hermione didn't know why, but she blushed. She looked to her feet, trying to hide her red face. Could she really have had such an effect on Draco Malfoy? Was she the only one that really has ever exposed him?
She was so lost in thought she almost didn't hear Dumbledore say, "However, since that night on the astronomy tower he has put on new armor. His narcissism and selfish disdain for the feelings of others have increased tenfold. This is very likely because he was more vulnerable than he has ever been on that astronomy tower. He was most vulnerable when he lowered his wand that was pointed at me and defended me from the Death Eaters. Now with a broken family, lost connections, and a target on him from Voldemort, it only makes sense that he is more guarded than ever."
Hermione was shocked to hear this. Draco Malfoy not only didn't kill Dumbledore, but defended him? He did this, knowing that Voldemort would take revenge against him. And not only him, but his family too. Hermione was so moved, and she suddenly understood why he acted the way he did today. She also understood what she saw in his eyes today; his gray eyes that spoke of something different from what the rest of his body was saying. They were full fear for himself, fear for his family, and fear of vulnerability.
"Now you see why I cannot interfere," Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by Dumbledore again, "for if I interfere, I may break the cycle that you two have started. And you already have done much today."
Hermione just looked at him, confused.
Dumbledore smiled. "I saw the way he looked at you when he said, 'pureblood'. And I saw the way you looked at him, trying to figure him out," He paused. "And I also saw the way he looked at you when you weren't looking. He was scared that you, again, made him vulnerable."
Hermione's stomach filled with butterflies again, and she literally giggled. Again, she didn't know why. Dumbledore gave her a quizzical look, and she tried to calm herself down. Oh Merlin, what was Malfoy doing to her?!
Hermione cleared her throat and stood up. "Thank you, Headmaster. I again am sorry if I offended."
"Not at all," Dumbledore said, motioning her towards the door.
Before she left, Hermione had one more question, "Headmaster, why did Harry and Ron leave to look for Horcruxes without me?"
She felt herself choke up as she asked the question. Her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, were both tasked to search for and destroy Voldemort's horcruxes by the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione was also tasked by the Order, but neither Harry nor Ron let her come and she didn't know why. She couldn't help but feel abandoned, and she knew that Dumbledore would have the answers, if anyone. Hermione watched the Headmaster make a sad expression, and then turn around to go to his desk and return with several envelopes tied together with string. Dumbledore handed them to her saying, "I wish I could tell you, my dear. But these might help." Hermione looked down at the envelopes. Her heart skipped a beat as she read that they were letters from Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
Draco was furious. The slag, Millicent, was just asking for it! He still remembered the way she called him out last year. He promised her revenge, and she was going to get it.
Blaise grabbed Draco's shoulders and put him in an armchair, trying to calm him down. "I told you, mate. Steer clear of the witch!" Blaise said while plopping himself on the couch.
"Well, I can't bloody do that! She's always around!"
"At least you kept your cool. If she'd stayed longer, though, I thought you would attack her."
"I wanted to," Draco said. He threw his head back on the arm chair and rubbed his temples with frustration. He knew he couldn't though. If he did, he could kiss his position of Head Boy and his mother's protection goodbye. He was walking a thin line already, with the whole Death Eater disaster last year. Especially since his father was still a loyal follower of Voldemort. He was completely at the mercy of Dumbledore. One slip up, and it could be horrible what could happen to him, and his mother.
"Don't worry, Draco. She will pay."
"She had better."
After a minute of thought, Blaise was suddenly jolted with an idea. "So, you can't do anything to her directly?" Blaise started.
Draco made an assuring grunt.
"But I bet you could do something to her indirectly."
Draco sat up and leaned over with his elbows on his thighs, making fists under hands to lean on. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that we give this bitch what's coming to her."
Draco smiled. "I'm listening."