AN: I decided I wanted to go ahead and put another chapter tonight, since I already got a review from "IamHazeldaughterofPluto". CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE THE FIRST REVIEWER; YOU WIN NOTHING! Thanks for liking my story, though! That's pretty cool!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ITS CHARACTERS!
Thankfully, after my horrible revelation, Malfoy decided that I wasn't that interesting and sat on the other side of the cart from me with his feet propped onto one of the polished tables. In his hands was a copy of the Daily Prophet; every now and again the pureblood would let out an undignified snort at something he found particularly stupid inside of the paper. At least we have something in common; we hate the Prophet and its badly written, at best, articles.
The prefects had been given instructions by Professor McGonagall to come to the Heads' compartment to get their patrol schedules for the year. I had been prepared for this, and made schedules accordingly during the ending of the summer when I was alone at my home with nothing better to do. I told Malfoy that I had made schedules; he didn't seem to care, so I just handed them out as the prefects arrived. Thankfully none of the Slytherins complained, as I made sure to pair them with the Ravenclaws as much as possible. Even Pansy Parkinson took her schedule without complaining!
About halfway through the train ride, a loud and nasally voice could be heard in the hallway shrieking about something. I heard Crookshanks hiss at the grating noise and absentmindedly began to pet the orange kneazle beside me. I didn't pay too much mind to the continued shrieking until I saw Malfoy grow distressed and hop out of his seat in a panic. At the sight of his panic, I began to panic, thinking that something was wrong. I lowered my potions book. "Malfoy? What is wrong with you? Should I be worried?"
His head snapped towards me as if he forgot that I was even in the compartment. "Granger! Hide me. Now. I refuse to let that idiot hang off of me for the rest of this train ride!" At my skeptical look, he added, "I will stay in this compartment and follow you around if she gets in here! If I have to suffer, you do too!"
I raised an eyebrow at the threat. "She? Let me guess… Is it Pansy?"
A frown marred his face. "Pansy isn't that bad, Granger. No, it isn't Pansy; that harpy in the corridor is Daphne Greengrass. She's been on my back since the end of the summer; she was willing, and I wanted a good shag. If I would've known how much of a leech she was, I would have never touched her, even with a ten foot pole."
I cringed at the thought of Draco Malfoy doing… that. The shrieking in the corridor began to get louder, and I could see the panic creeping growing on his face. I decided to spare him; I let out a long sigh as I rose and exited the cart. Standing exactly in front of me was a beautiful girl with long and straight dirty blonde hair and green eyes. I could see the emerald of her Slytherin robes and sighed. Why couldn't you be a Ravenclaw?
This is going to go well. "Do you need anything or are you just shrieking for the fun of it? I was trying to read, but I couldn't think straight with your incessant screaming."
The girl narrowed her eyes at me. "Excuse me? Do not talk to me with that tone, mudblood. I don't care who you are; all you'll ever be is a mudblood to the people that really matter. Now, move out of my way; I need to see Draco. I'm sure he's glad that you finally got out of his hair."
I stared in shock at the rude girl in front of me. "I would rather be a muggleborn than an inbred pureblood. Tell me, how do you fit all those extra toes in your shoes? By the way, Malfoy isn't in there. He left a while ago to sit with the other Slytherins. I'm surprised you missed him; that hair of his stands out in a crowd. Oh, and I'm docking ten points from Slytherin for verbally attacking the Head Girl." With that, I turned around and shut the door in the girls face and locked it.
Malfoy was staring at me in shock when I came back in. "What? If you're going to fight with me about taking points from your house, don't waste your breath. You heard how she was talking to me." His staring was beginning to aggravate me.
The blonde pushed his hair away from his eyes and continued staring at me pensively. "You've changed. I remember when that would've sent you running off to cry. Damn, Granger; that was impressive."
I made my way back to my seat without acknowledging him, and hoped that I wasn't blushing too furiously. "Better be careful; people might think you've grown a heart. That girl was extremely rude; someone needed to stop her." I opened my potions book, hoping that Malfoy wouldn't talk to me anymore. Crookshanks crawled back into my lap and plopped down moments after I seated myself.
I was disappointed, as I usually am when it comes to him. "A heart? Malfoys don't do emotions. I just know that I'll have to step up my game when it comes to you, since you've seemed to toughen up a bit. We do agree on one thing though; the slag needs to be put in her place."
I didn't respond. So he does plan to torture me all year. I'll hex him if he becomes too unbearable. Angrily, I replied. "Well, when you get physically tortured by a lunatic, you tend to grow a bit stronger. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and all of that." I noticed his immediate stiffening at the mention of his insane aunt. Surprisingly, I didn't receive a scathing retort; the pureblood seemed to decide that he was going to ignore my existence for now. Fine by me.
The rest of the train ride was spent in silence as we both became absorbed in what we were reading. The conductor gave an announcement that we would reach the station in half an hour; I put my book down and reached up to my trunk to get my school robes. Malfoy did the same, and we were both back into our respective reading material five minutes later.
When the train began to slow, I could see the glinting lights of the Hogsmeade Station on the Black Lake. I turned to look at the other occupant in my compartment. "Malfoy, we need to get going. We're going to have to lead the first years to the boats along with Hagrid." When I received no reply, other than a scoff at Hagrid's name, I let out a huff and left the cart with my trunk and Crookshanks. I headed towards the door and was the first to step out when the doors opened. I took a deep breath of fresh air; living in London doesn't exactly afford you the cleanest air to breathe.
I began herding the first years into a single group as best as I could. I finally saw Malfoy get off of the train after I had gotten all of the first years under control. Sarcastically, I thanked him for his help. The git just gave me a lazy smirk. I wonder if anyone would notice if I avada'd him?
We, meaning I, led the nervous first years down to the docks where Hagrid would take them across the lake on the boats. When I saw Hagrid, I ran up to the half-giant and gave him a huge hug. "Hagrid! It's so good to see you again!"
Hagrid squeezed me back tightly. "'Ermione! I didn' know you were comin' back. It's good to see ya too."
Before I could reply, I heard a scoff come from behind me. I turned to look at the pureblood standing behind me with a scowl on his face. "Granger, this is very touching, but, if you wouldn't mind, we need to be going. I'd prefer to make it to the castle before dinner is over." When he finished, Malfoy turned around and began walking back towards the lone carriage that was waiting for us.
I turned back to Hagrid, apologized for Malfoy's rude behavior, promised to come visit him at his hut, and then finally headed for the carriage. My face dropped as I realized that I could finally see the thestral that was pulling the cart. I dreaded this ride. At least in the Heads' compartment I didn't have to sit near him. Maybe I'll just sic Crookshanks on him if he acts like a git. At the thought of my beast of a pet attacking Malfoy, I smiled again and got into the carriage.
Immediately, Malfoy started complaining. "I swear, Granger, if you made us miss dinner because you couldn't separate yourself from that oaf, I will hide every one of your textbooks all across the school. Honestly, these carts go slow as it is…"
I did my best to tune out Malfoy's complaints. I learned through the years that ignoring him was always the best way to get under his skin. People like him thrive off of attention; deprive him of it, and he'll be miserable as everyone around him. My plan worked; I could hear him huff or sigh every few seconds. I smiled a bit at his aggravation. Serves you right, calling Hagrid an oaf!
The carriage finally reached the school. Malfoy hurriedly flung himself out of the carriage and went into the school quickly. Men: always thinking with their stomachs. I snorted at the dignified Malfoy running to dinner like he is Ron. I immediately felt bad at the thought of Ron. I really hope he forgives me; I also really hope he doesn't tell everyone out of spite. Knowing him, he'll turn it around so that it sounds like I was the one who was hurt. I finally reached the Great Hall, and laughed. The last time I came through these doors, I had a floating Malfoy behind me. I looked towards Malfoy and realized he must've had the same thought, because he had a slight smile on his lips. He looks much better when he smiles instead of smirks. It kind of makes his face look less severe and sharp. I shook myself out of my thoughts, though, as I sat down across from Ginny.
She immediately began asking questions. "You just missed the sorting ceremony. I think this is the first time that the sorting hat didn't prophesy something horrible. Oh Merlin! I heard that Malfoy got Head Boy; that must've been terrible on the ride here! Is he as bad as usual?"
I gave Ginny a reassuring smile. "He isn't anything that I can't handle. I would've preferred anyone else, really, but I'll just have to deal with it. I did have to save him from Daphne Greengrass on the train ride, though; such a nasty person. I stopped her incessant shrieking, and got to deduct points from the Slytherin house, so it was bearable."
Ginny opened her mouth to reply, but Professor McGonagall stepped up to her podium and called for our attention. "Students, if I may have your attention. Most of you know by now, but I am the new Headmistress of Hogwarts. I want to welcome you all back! Hopefully, we can manage to have a year without any… excitement." At this, she looked pointedly at Ginny and I. She continued, "I want to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is, well, forbidden. Also, do not provoke the Giant Squid in the Black Lake; we will not be held responsible if you are harmed. The curfew each night is at ten sharp. If you are found out after curfew, you will be punished accordingly. Enough of rules; dig in!"
The tables were immediately laden with all sorts of food; you could find anything you wanted. I absentmindedly nibbled on a roll as I thought about the situation with Ron. I wonder if I can talk to Ginny about it? Maybe she'll understand; then again, he's her brother, and she might be angry with me. What to do?
After the feast was finished, Headmistress McGonagall told the prefects to lead the first years to their dormitories. Before I could question her on why Malfoy and I weren't helping, she beckoned for us to follow her. My curiosity was piqued. "Professor, where exactly are we going? Shouldn't we be helping the prefects?" I could see from the corner of my eye that Malfoy was listening, even if he was pretending that he wasn't. So he doesn't know either?
Professor McGonagall sucked in a deep breath before stopping and turning around to speak to us. "You're both aware that Professor Dumbledore wished to see the four houses more unified. Well, you two are where he wanted to start. He picked you two to be Head students during your second year after he saw the obvious strife between the two of you. He was insistent that we do this, to the point of mentioning in his final will that you two would be Head students… and that you would share a common room, as every pair of Head students after you two will. I am taking you to the Heads' common room."
My mind had gone blank. What? Before I could protest, Malfoy beat me to it. "What?! We have to live together? What was that lunatic thinking?! We cannot stand each other! I refuse! She'll try to kill me in my sleep!" I could hear him taking in ragged breaths after his outburst. Well, even though I don't want to do this anymore than him, it kind of hurts that he would assume I would kill him!
Professor McGonagall didn't look impressed. "Mr. Malfoy, if you refuse, then you will forfeit your position as Head Boy. I know you won't do that, so you are just going to have to accept living with Ms. Granger. I don't like this anymore than you two do; honestly, who encourages two teenagers of the opposite sex to live together! I trust that you two won't do anything… tasteless during your stay."
My face grew red. Did she just imply that we would sleep together?! "You don't have to worry about that professor. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole, not that he'd let me, in any case." McGonagall nodded and turned around to a painting of a gaunt looking woman playing a piano. "The password is Requiem." The woman stopped playing her piano as the door swung open. "I'll leave you to settle in. Goodnight." The elder witch turned in a swish of robes, and left us in front of the opened passage.
I walked in first and smiled at the common room. The walls were a warm beige color, while the floors were a dark hard wood. There were a few cushy-looking chairs dispersed throughout the room, and all of them were upholstered in a dark leather. One wall held a large fireplace with the only couch in the room facing towards it. The wall opposite the fireplace had two staircases, which I assumed led to our bedrooms. There was a doorway that led to a small kitchen. The final wall was a dedicated bookshelf, with a window seat set in the middle of the large bookcase. I can't wait to curl up right there and read a few books! I bet Crookshanks will love it, too!
Until then, I had forgotten about Malfoy. That was, until he pushed me aside to get into the common room. Deciding that I didn't feel like dealing with him, I held my tongue and went up the staircase to the right. I pushed open the door at the top and smiled again at the same warm coloring that was in the common room. There was a large four-poster bed with beige drapes and white sheets in the center of the room. I unpacked all of my things using my wand into the cupboard in the corner of the room. I noticed a door on the wall that my bed was facing towards and went to investigate. I pushed the door back and let out a happy sigh.
The bathroom that I had just stepped foot into was magnificent. The prefects' bathroom had a nice bathtub, but this one was just as nice, if not nicer. The entire room was made of a light brown marble, but still felt warm. It must be charmed. I'd love to know what charm is used to do this! It would be lovely to never have to go into a cold bathroom again.
I decided that I wanted to take a bath, so I went back into my room to get my bath bag, as I had taken to calling it. It had everything I needed for a bath: soaps, shampoos, a towel, a razor, lotions, bath salts, etc. I fit it all into a small bag with the use of an Undetectable Extension Charm.
After drawing a bath and settling into the steamy and bubbly water, I began to relax. My mind began drifting towards Ron again. I've got to make things right. He probably needs space at the moment, though. I'll write Harry tomorrow and explain to him what happened. If anyone will understand, it'll be him. Maybe I'll get to him before Ron does; at least that will help with damage control.
I let out a sigh at the wonderful feeling of warm water all over me. I could feel myself getting pruney, so I decided to get out. I barely had my towel wrapped around me when the door opposite of mine opened. Draco Malfoy stood in all of his glory with nothing but a pair of boxers on. I shrieked, and could feel myself blushing from head to toe. "Get out! Right now Malfoy!"
Instead of leaving, he walked closer to me. "Why do I have to leave? You seemed to be leaving already; you've been in here long enough already. I am going to drop my underwear in ten seconds, either way. I suggest, if you don't want to see my bits, you ought to get a move on."
I have no words for this vile person! I let out a frustrated scream and hightailed it out of the bathroom before I could find out if he was bluffing or not. I slammed my door shut, locked both of them, and got dressed quickly as I could into my pajamas.
I lay down on my bed and felt Crookshanks jump up right beside me. I began to stroke the kneazle's orange fur. "He's such a git, boy. I don't understand why he has to act so rudely to me. At least I've got you here with me; you won't let him walk all over us!" I continued to rub Crookshanks' fur and let his purring put me to sleep.
AN: At least there was a bit more to this chapter than the last. The last chapter was a sort of introductory chapter that I used to set things up. This chapter is really where the story begins. Again, don't forget to FAVORITEand REVIEW!
