A/N: I own nothing.
The class exploded in thunderous laughter while Draco and Hermione stood frozen to the spot, seemingly in total shock - even Neville let out a tremulous giggle before clapping his hand to his mouth and looking over at Harry and Ron guiltily.
If either boy registered Neville's faux pas they made no indication of it, their mouths were agape in identical masks of horror. The only other students who weren't laughing were Crabbe and Goyle who cracked their knuckles menacingly at their classmates with faithfully blank faces.
Even Snape's mouth had begun to twitch at the corners.
"You two." He drawled in a bored fashion pointing a slender finger in Hermione and Draco's direction, "are excused from the rest of the lesson, make your way to Dumbledore's office, and the rest of you, continue in silence."
Everyone's eyes snapped back to their cauldrons as they hastily continued their work, leaving Harry and Ron motionless, staring at their friend.
Draco grunted in frustration at his professor's words, he yanked his arm roughly and began to stride towards the dungeon doors. This sudden action caused Hermione to let out a high pitched yelp, her patent leather school shoes scuffing the hard stone floor as Draco half-dragged her out of the class room.
"Malfoy! Slow down, you're hurting me!" Hermione squeaked her arm stretched forwards painfully ahead of her as she struggled to keep up with the blond Slytherin's furious pace. Draco ripped round his eyes blazing, his face flushed pink with anger and humiliation.
"Just shut up you filthy mudblood! The faster we get there the faster I can get you off of me!"
He turned round continuing with his unrelentingly fast pace muttering something about needing a shower after this ordeal is over with. Hermione rolled her eyes skyward but made no further protest during the rest of their journey. Upon arriving at Dumbledore's marble gargoyle Draco took a deep calming breath and ran his free hand through his now dishevelled hair, smoothing it completely flat against his head before clearing his throat.
"Chocolate Frogs" He said in a in a sharp clear tone. Hermione was amazed, how on earth was he not out of breath! Hermione's breathing was ragged and she clutched at her side trying to ease the painful stitch that had developed there.
Draco turned to look at her cocking a perfect eyebrow. He took in her tomato-red face, wild bushy (bushier than usual!) hair and her hunched postured and suppressed the desire to roll his eyes.
"Gods Granger, You are so un-fit!" he muttered before yanking her painfully up the stairs, cutting short whatever retort she was about to utter.
Albus Dumbledore looked up from his correspondence and smiled knowingly as two of his students bundled themselves awkwardly through the door. His smiled broadened as he took in the sight infront of him and he placed his quill delicately on his desk allowing the pair to dust themselves off and approach him.
"Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger! What an unexpected pleasure." he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Draco shot the older wizard a mutinous glare while Hermione straightened her spine, calming herself. It would all be over soon she thought reassuringly gathering her wits and maintaining her composure.
Dumbledore's sapphire eyes sparkled mischievously. "Now then, what appears to be the problem?"
Draco gritted his teeth in frustration. "We. Are. Stuck. Together." He ground out, speaking slowly as if he were explaining something to a particularly bothersome child.
"So I see Mister Malfoy." The headmaster replied politely, "And just what is it that you propose I did about it?"
Malfoy opened his mouth but was silenced with a graceful wave of Hermione's hand, Draco slammed his jaw shut outraged. How dare she?!
"We were hoping sir, that maybe you could separate us?"
At this Dumbledore laughed. A light tinkly chuckle that was somewhat reminiscent of wind chimes.
"Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that, you were doused with a very potent binding potion, it would take Madam Pomfrey at least a month to brew the potion required to free you."
Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock, her recently regained composure rapidly abandoning her. A MONTH?! How was she supposed to handle a month with that insufferable prat?!
Malfoy's scowl deepened, so that his face was contorted with fury.
"WHAT?"
Dumbledore smiled pleasantly.
"Now now, don't worry Mister Malfoy the school will make the necessary accommodations for you and your lessons will - of course - continue as normal."
Draco and Hermione didn't react, barely digesting the fact that they were going to be stuck together for the next four weeks, Dumbledore took their silence for acceptance and continued merrily.
"You will be provided with separate dorms away from your respective houses for your comfort and safety. If you'll just follow me I'll show you to your new chambers!"
And with that Dumbledore regally swept out of the room in a flurry of violet and blue robes.
Draco and Hermione stood flabbergasted staring after their headmaster. This time it was Hermione who came to her senses first and pulled her arm harshly.
"Come on Malfoy!" she huffed and it was her turn to drag the scowling boy away after their headmaster.
"Here we are!" exclaimed Dumbledore proudly coming to a halt in front of a portrait of a very sour looking witch. "The password is 'Unity', very appropriate wouldn't you say? Now, you are to remain here for the rest of the day, normal lessons will resume tomorrow. Have fun!"
Malfoy grunted gruffly, fun indeed, and he spat the password at the portrait who looked instantly affronted. The door swung open creakily on its hinges and Draco was almost positive he could hear the witch complain in a throaty voice about young people and their manners.
Hermione and Malfoy stumbled unceremoniously though the portrait hole.
It was a fairly simple room, decorated in pale blue with light wood furnishings - probably a deliberate avoidance of school colours thought Hermione. There was a door to the left which she could only assume led to a bedroom, turning to face the centre of the room she spotted a small table and chairs with a large plate piled high with sandwiches and a flagon of pumpkin juice glistening with condensation.
Malfoy must have noticed the food just as Hermione did. Without paying any heed to the girl on his arm Draco marched purposefully towards the food and began to help himself whilst Hermione sipped at a goblet of pumpkin juice. They continued in silence, both silently cursing the situation they'd found themselves in.
Several minuites passed like this when Hermione began to wiggle in her chair.
"What are you doing?" Draco spat, irritated.
Hermione furrowed her brow and murmured something under her breath. He didn't hear what she said but the admission made her cheeks blaze scarlet.
"What was that?" he snapped at her, his mouth full of ham and turkey sandwich, he didn't care to waste manners on a mere mudblood.
"I said I need the toilet!" Hermione squeaked, mortified, as Draco's lip curled in disgust.
Meanwhile, back in his tower Dumbledore hummed contentedly to himself as he scrawled on a peice of parchment.
"Hello Severus." he said, not looking up from his work as the potions master walked through the door.
Snape regarded the wizard in front of him.
"I hope you know what you're doing." he intoned a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Oh Severus." Albus replied mildly rising from his desk and tying the parchment to the leg of a proud looking eagle owl that had swooped down from one of the high windows and watching it soar back out again.
"So do I."