A/N: Like all new authors, I love reviews which tell me how I'm doing. :) Also, I would love to know if anyone would be interested in becoming my beta for this WIP.
"Bloody hell, Hermione. I leave you alone with the Ferret for two minutes and you take a wizard's oath? Are you out of your mind?"
Hermione groaned. Quite honestly, she hadn't been expecting any other reaction from Harry and Ron. "I know what I'm doing, Ron."
"Yeah, it sure doesn't seem like it," fumed Ron, "Back me up, Harry."
Harry leaned back, his green eyes thoughtful. "I don't know, Ron. This could be pretty useful."
Ron looked at him in surprise. "You are actually taking her side?"
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I just think that since Hermione is almost certain of getting Head Girl, we could use this wager to our advantage." Harry explained patiently.
"What if Hermione loses, Harry?" Ron asked, "Can you imagine the unspeakable things Malfoy might make her do?"
"I am still here. "said Hermione frustratedly, "Honestly, Ron. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Ron muttered something under his breath and looked out of the window. She settled back into her seat and closed her eyes, mulling over the consequences of her actions in the last few hours. She knew it was almost certain that she would become Head Girl. Then she would go on to win the bet and she had already decided what she would demand. This just could be the opportunity to get Malfoy out of their hair once and for all.
A few hours later…
Draco watched as the trio entered the Great Hall along with the rest of the Gryffindors. They looked like they had been fighting. Perfect.
Taking another swig of pumpkin juice, he shifted his gaze to the staff table. There were a few new professors, he knew for a fact that most of them were former Order members,
"Bunch of half-bloods," Zabini muttered with disgust. He absently nodded while Pansy turned to look at them with horrified eyes.
"Blaise!" she whispered urgently, "You know you can't say things like that anymore. If somebody hears you…"
Blaise looked at Pansy coolly before reaching for his goblet. "I have enough of a talent for survival to know I can't say it in front of those Muggle-lovers, Pansy. Stop worrying. "
Draco leant back slightly in his seat. He didn't want to get involved in these types of conflicts. Already, he could feel Pansy turning towards him to ask his opinion, and quite frankly, it was not a topic he wished to discuss.
"Quiet now, Pansy. The ceremony is about to begin."
She pouted petulantly and turned towards the staff table. Blaise shot him a grin, "I heard you have a little wager with Granger, Draco. Over the selection of the Head students. "
"Your information is as impeccable as ever, Blaise," he drawled, "But we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out, don't we?"
"But McGonagall's Headmistress now, Draco," Pansy said worriedly, "She is bound to choose Granger as Head Girl, isn't she?"
Draco made a non-committal sound but he could already feel the slow smile spreading across his lips. It was quite heady, this rush of power. Information. He could get used to this.
"Attention students!"
They turned to face the staff table even as Blaise muttered "Old bat" under his breath. Professor McGonagall called for silence once more before the Great Hall finally quited down.
"This year," she began, "This year we return to Hogwarts, changed from our experiences in the Great War. Let it not be said that the Wizarding population doesn't learn from its mistakes. Prejudice, in any form, will not be tolerated. To this end, I would like to have a word with the seventh year students after the feast. On a different note, you will notice several changes around the school in the next few days. These have been implemented to help the new spirit of inter-house co-operation. A Duelling Club has been started for the students of the fourth year and above. Professor Flitwick is in charge and will announce further details on a later date. To further aid in eliminating inter-house rivalries, it has been decided that the Head Boy and Head Girl will share their own dormitory.
The Head Boy for this academic year will be Draco Malfoy."
A hushed silence filled the Great Hall, which was soon broken by wild applause from the Slytherins. The other houses half-heartedly joined in.
"The Head Girl for this academic year will be…"
He watched as Granger visibly tensed. She was determinedly avoiding looking at the Slytherin table. Potter leant over to whisper something into her ear and she shook her head tightly.
"Miss Padma Patil."
Then, across the Great Hall Draco's gaze met a pair of stunned brown eyes. He smirked.