Amore Rivalita

Chapter 2

"Malfoy, get a move on! We don't have time! The plane is leaving at twelve and now it is ten! The cab is coming here any minute! We are going to be late!" Hermione shouted at Draco's door.

"Shut up, Granger!" Draco shouted on the other end. Then there was a loud thud near the door and he yanked the door open, throwing his trunk at Hermione. Hermione dodged it quickly. "Get out of my way!"

Hermione shot Draco a nasty glare and went down the stairs to get her trunk. Draco followed Hermione out of the Leaky Cauldron to wait for the cab. They didn't have to wait long, before they saw the cab turn a corner and stopping abruptly in front of the pub. The driver helped Hermione getting her trunk inside the boot, along with Draco's.

"We're going in that?" Draco looked at the black cab with disgust.
"Don't stick out like a sore thumb, okay, Malfoy? Act naturally." Hermione warned him and sat in front. Draco imitated Hermione on opening the door, climbed in and slammed the door shut. Draco looked pale and scared, causing Hermione to smirk to herself.
"To the Airport please…" Hermione said pleasantly; the driver nodded.
"Why are cha' kids wearin' these kinds of outfits? Students' aren't cha'?" The driver asked as he drove to the airport. "Why aren't cha' at school?"
"We're going to Italy as foreign exchange students." Hermione explained.
"Why aren't cha' with your teachers' then aye? They should be accompanying you, shouldn't they? And what about cha' parents?"

"They trust us. We are very capable of doing things on our own. That goes for our parents as well."

"Granger, what's an airport?" Draco whispered only for Hermione to hear. Hermione smirked and ignored him.
"This trip keeps getting better and better" she thought to herself.

They arrived at the airport a quarter past eleven, Hermione hurriedly got herself and Draco a trolley, Draco was sitting on his trunk waiting for her to come back. He looked lost and scared; it almost made Hermione burst out laughing.

"So this is what you call an airport…" Draco mumbled carelessly as he heaved his heavy trunk onto the trolley Hermione had given him.

"Yes. We are going to Italy by plane. It is like a muggle's version of a broomstick, only it carries a lot of people, unlike brooms that can only support one or two." Hermione informed him.

Draco didn't answer. Instead he followed Hermione into the airport to one of the counters at the E section to check in.

There was an awkward silence as they were sitting on one of the many benches placed all over the airport. Hermione's stomach began to grumble as she finished a chapter in a book she was reading. She glanced to her right to look at Draco, who was sitting as far away from her as possible. He seemed completely out of place. He was quietly fiddling with his hands, occasionally sneering at random passer-by's before continuing to fiddle with his hands.

Hermione, being the gentle, caring person she was, made the decision to be nice to her enemy. So, she made her way to where Draco sat and tapped him on the shoulder. Draco stopped fiddling, and looked on at the place Hermione touched him at. He was quiet for a moment and slowly turned to face Hermione.

"Don't…" Draco hissed, "Don't you ever touch me again, Mudblood!"
"Call me that again and I will leave you here to suffer!" Hermione spat.

Draco opened his mouth, and closed them back again; unable to come up with a retort. Hermione knew she had won, so she went on.

"You want to grab something to eat, before the terminal gates open?" Hermione said as politely as she could.
"No." Draco said curtly.
"Fine, suit yourself. I'm going to eat at that restaurant, over there." Hermione said, pointing at McDonalds. Draco didn't respond; instead he got up and walked towards McDonalds. Hermione suppressed her laugh and followed Draco.

Hermione passed Draco when he came to a stop in front of the entrance and went to the counter to order. Draco followed and stop behind Hermione looking at his surroundings. The place was noisy but cheerful with people chatting happily and laughing with each other while little children ran around, having fun.

"Welcome to McDonalds, what would you like to order today?" The girl at the counter asked, using a pleasantly fake tone.
"I would like a medium set of Spicy Chicken McDeluxe," Hermione said.
"And you blondie?" The waitress winked at Draco; Draco looked like he was about to curse the girl, Hermione quickly answered for him.
"He'll have the same."
"That will be £3.08, Thank you."

Hermione paid the food, and carried the tray; looking for somewhere for them to eat.

"Here," Hermione said, pushing Draco's burger to him, after they had found a table.
"I am not eating this garbage!" Draco sneered pushing it back.
"Fine, starve until we reach Italy because I'm telling you, airline foods are disgusting!" Hermione said at took a bite at her burger. "Look, Malfoy… I'm trying to be civil here, could you at least co-operate?"

Draco sneered at Hermione for a while and to her surprise, Draco picked up his burger, unwrap it and cautiously put it near his mouth.

"You sure this won't poison me, Granger?" Draco asked suddenly stopping midway.
"It won't, I assure you." Hermione said, and took another bite off hers.

Draco once again resumed and took a bite and chewing it slowly.

"Well, how is it?" Hermione asked excitedly. Draco didn't answer but took ate some more. Hermione smirked and continued eating her own burger.

Draco and Hermione ate silently and sat there; Hermione sipping her coke, Draco tapping impatiently.

"Attention, passengers to board flight LI014 to Rome, Italy, please proceed to the boarding gate, thank you." They heard a cool female voice announce from hidden speakers.
"That's us, Malfoy." Hermione said, putting her coke down, and stood up.
"How would you know?" Draco sneered.
"That's the advantage of being a mudblood; you have the best of both worlds. So, of course I know that they're calling us, because our plane tickets have clearly stated that, that is our flight." Hermione said. "Now, come on!"
"Fine, Granger!" Draco snapped, and stood up as well.

There were a few questions arises as they walked through the metal detector barrier. The attendants was very suspicious of their wands until they called in their specially trained dogs to sniff if there were any traces of drugs in or on the piece of wooden stick. Until it was confirmed that it was just a 'plaything' to them, they let Hermione and Draco go.

"Welcome aboard, miss." A stewardess greeted Hermione at the entrance of the plane.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled sweetly.
"Welcome aboard, sir." She greeted Draco. Draco looked like he was about to explode with disgust; before he could give out a nasty remark, Hermione pulled him inside and went to find their seats.

They found their seats, but much to their dismay, they were seated side by side.
The flight wasn't as bad as Hermione thought it would be. Draco followed everything that the pilot and the flight attendants said, keeping quiet in his seat, and drank only water throughout the journey. Hermione slept peacefully for the whole three hours on the plane and she felt refreshed and happy. She didn't care if it was Draco Malfoy who is sitting next to her, she just couldn't wait to see Italy for the first time in her life, and to represent Hogwarts the best she can.

"Passengers, please return to your seats, bring it to the upright position and please fastened your seatbelt, we will landing shortly." The pilot announced through the intercom. Everyone including Draco did as they were told.

The landing was very smooth. At first it scared Draco, thinking that they would crash and die, 'Damn these muggle transportations! They want us killed!' Hermione brought Draco to the luggage collection department and they waited for their trunks to come out.

"This is stupid, Granger. Why can't we just accio our trunks out? It's easier, and it saves time!" Draco said impatiently.
"Patience, Malfoy. You don't want muggles to see magic, do you? The law clearly states that witches and wizards aren't allowed to use magic outside of the magical world. It's coming any second." Hermione said; eyes fixed on the door flap where all the luggage was coming out from.
"It's here!" Hermione said as her trunk and Draco's came into view. She quickly ran to her trunk and tugged it out from the conveyer belt; Draco followed her, carrying his trunk out of it as well.
"Now what, Granger?"
"Now, we go find a trolley." Hermione said, searching for a trolley. She found one near a water fountain. She dragged her trunk to the trolley and heaved it on, along with Draco's.

Hermione pushed the trolley out to the arrival department and search for a man with long black hair and olive skin.

"Granger, I can hear a man calling our names." Draco suddenly said, interrupting Hermione's thoughts.
"Where…?" Hermione asked, tip-toeing searching for the man.

Sure enough, there was a man, just like Dumbledore had described. He was motioning them towards him. Hermione and Draco walked out of the arrival terminal and joined the man.

"Ciao, it is a pleasure to be seeing you, Miss Granger, Master Malfoy." He man greeted as they approach him. He gave a slight bow and said, "My name is Ernesto Bandieraes."
"Hello, it's nice to meet you too." Hermione replied, nodding her head.
"Same here," Draco said in a bored voice.
"Come; let us go to the school. Everyone is expecting your arrival." The man said and offered to push the trolley.

They followed Ernesto out of the airport and into a black limousine. Hermione was excited as she had never ride a limousine before, and as usual Draco looked bored and couldn't care less.

They were on the road for about an hour till they reach the city of Rome. But they didn't stop in the busy streets of Rome; he drove into a road that was rarely used by other vehicles, and deserted. He parked in front of a closed club, and opened the door to let Hermione and Draco out of the car.

"Right through here, signorina, signore." Ernesto said, leading them into an alleyway between the closed club and an abandoned shop. "Be careful, now."

Ernesto stopped in front of a rusty faded blue metal door and motioned them to come closer.

"This is the pathway to the magical world in Italy. Through here is where you will get you books, quills, inks, and money." He explained. "Right through here."

He opened the door with a loud creaking noise and stepped inside the dark empty space inside. It was as small as a broom closet in Hogwarts so they all squeezed in tightly; Ernesto pulled the door shut and they were swallowed into darkness. Suddenly they felt the ground shaking, sort of like an earthquake; but it stopped suddenly just like how it started.

"Here we are," Ernesto sighed with relief as the lack of air circulation inside was getting to him and pushed the door open. They stepped out to find a big, bright and busy street. "Welcome to, Impegnato Strada. It means busy street in Italian." He informed.
"Yes. I know that." Draco mumbled.
"Come; let us get you, your school books." Ernesto said, and led the way through the noisy crowds.

They entered a nice cozy bookstore whose name Hermione didn't catch.

They bought books for every subject they were to take, all of the books in Italian and bought a Magical terms translation Italian-English dictionary for each of them.

"I know you have some understanding in the Italian language, but this book with tell you any magical Italian words that you aren't familiar with." He explained when Hermione protested to purchase such a book; those kinds of books would make her look unintelligent.

They have bought everything they needed, compliments of Ernesto; they headed back to the broom closet. At first, Hermione thought that this isn't possible. With all their purchases, how could they fit in this tiny broom sized space?

As though reading Hermione's mind, Ernesto replied…

"Do not worry, Signorina Hermione, this room will expand and make room for all of us to fit in as well as our purchases."
"Oh," said Hermione, perplexed.

Nonetheless all three of them fitted in the broom closet; Draco standing behind Ernesto, to prevent himself from touching Hermione. Sure enough, the room somehow expanded, with enough space for everyone to breathe. They went through the same process of vibration under them, similar to what happened on their trip there.

Ernesto opened the door and they were back at the damped alleyway.

"I feel that it is time for you to be going to Rougette," Ernesto said, pulling the limo door open for Hermione and Draco to enter.

He drove to a train station in Rome called the Termini Station. He helped Hermione and Draco with their trunks on their own separate trolley and pushed it into the semi-crowded train station.

"Here is your ticket." Ernesto said. "To get onto the platform is similar to the process in your hometown. The platform is in the middle of platform 5 and 6."

They nodded. They made their way to platform 5 and 6; Draco ran into the barrier first, next Hermione, then Ernesto.

The train didn't look like the Hogwarts train at all. It was a white bullet train with gold 'Rougette Magia Accademia' lettering on the sides of it.

"Wow… The Rougette students get to travel to school in this?" Hermione breathed.

"Yes, they do. Now, please allow me to bring your trunk inside." Ernesto said, bowing slightly.

"Thank you," Hermione blushed.

Ernesto carried Hermione trunk inside the train; Hermione followed Draco who was carrying his trunk inside as well.

Inside, there were no compartments, only seats with; 4 seats; two facing each other. It went down to the back of the coach; in the middle of the train, was a refreshment bar.

Ernesto heaved Hermione's and Draco's trunks on the luggage compartment on top of the seats and walked towards where Hermione were standing.

"Your trunk has been put away." He bowed.

"Thank you, you are much too kind." Hermione blushed.

"I am afraid this is where I have to leave you, signorina, signore." He said; acknowledging Draco when he approached them.

"Goodbye then." Draco said curtly.

"Si," Ernesto nodded, kissing Hermione's hand. "Arreverdici."

"Arreverdici, Ernesto. Grazzie Mille for helping us..." Hermione said, and curtsied which made Draco huff and roll his eyes.

"Figurati, Signorina Hermione." Ernesto bowed once more. "Please take your seats; the train will be leaving in two minutes." Then, he left.

The train doors slid closed with a soft hiss, and the two students went and sat wherever they want; that is to say, the further they are, the better.

The train ride was pleasant. Hermione was propped cozily with a book while way back, Draco was sleeping soundly with his cheeks pressed on the cool window.

As the sun begun to set, Hermione saw a glimpse of where she would be staying for the next six months, it was beautiful, different than Hogwarts but still maintaining the same majestic feel to it. The moon had finally come up and the train started to slow down. Hermione tucked her book under her arm and stood up, fixing her hair and straightening her robes.

"Stop at what you're trying to do, Granger. You don't look any different." Draco's voice drawled behind her. Hermione turned angry.

"Shut it, Malfoy. At least I'm making an effort, unlike you. You look like shit, with that stupid face you've got on. Come on Malfoy, would it kill you to at least, smile? For first impression's sake?" Hermione asked.

Before he could answer, Hermione made her way to the exit of the train.

"Let's go, the train stopped." And she jumped out of the train onto the hard cold concrete that was to be a train station.

It was dark and chilly, Hermione pulled her robes tighter. The dim lighted torches on the walls gave some sort of an eerie feeling.

"Now, what?" Hermione asked to nobody apparently.

"Welcome!" A female voice greeted Hermione suddenly which gave a small fright. "Oh! I'm so very sorry, I did not mean to scare you," she smiled apologetically. Hermione replied to her with a smile of her own clearly indicating that she forgave her.

"Welcome to Rougette Magia Accademia" the lady continued, stepping out from a dark archway and into one of the dim lighted torches. "Mi chiamo Professoressa Lidia Segre, my name is Professor Lidia Segre; Deputy Headmistress of this school."

"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger," Hermione said, stepping closer to shake hands.

"And, this is…" the professor said, eyeing Draco after he walked sulkily out of the train. "Draco Malfoy, am I correct?"

"Yes, thank you for having us here. I am sure this experience will be a memorable one." Draco said, kissing the professor's hand.

Hermione was a little startled by the drastic change of his attitude, she was speechless.

"Why, aren't you a charming lad?" Professor Segre said, giggling slighty. "Well, why don't we proceed to the castle, shall we?"

"Yes, of course. I am feeling rather famished." Draco said smoothly and walked tall beside the petite Professor.

The Professor was short, why; she was as tall as Hermione. She had long silky red hair that flowed straight down until it reached her hips, she had a tiny body and sparkling green eyes, the kind of eyes that would put Harry's in second place.

Hermione sighed and followed silently behind them. They stopped at an elegant looking white carriage with gold carvings on it; tied to a magnificent white horse that seemed to glow in the dark. Hermione was in awe by the beauty of the horse, just when she came close to touch it; the damned high pitched of the professor's voice reached her ears.

"Herrrrmiiiioooneee!!" she sang brightly, waving her hand out of the window of the carriage. "Come get inside, it's getting windy out here. The faster we get to the castle the faster you will be fed!"

"Okay." Hermione said grumpily. She climbed inside the carriage and sat opposite Draco, who was smirking, is stupid annoying trademark smirk. Hermione decided to focus her attention to the view outside when the carriage started to move forward; soft cold wind hit Hermione's face which calmed her down.

They got to the castle; it wasn't like Hogwarts at all.

"Wow…" Hermione breathed.

"Yes, beautiful, isn't it?" The Professor said happily. "This castle was built in the 15th century." She said, as they went across a moat. "The castle was built entirely by, what did they call it… oh yes, brick and the material characteristic of the Mudéjar style, laid in decorative patterns. This bridge right here is the main gateway for students to go in and out of school; usually on Christmas holidays, and summer holidays." She explained.
"That's interesting…" Draco said thoughtfully.

"There are two sections in this castle." The professor continued as they past the fresh dew drops on the green grass, lighted warmly by the torches that were stuck to the ground. "This outer part here, where we are right now is the courtyard and the school's village, and as you can see, there are little shops around lining at the walls of the castle. This is where the students spend their free time, or buy supplies for their potion making or other school items."

"I see…" Hermione nodded.

Then they went through another gateway leading up to the huge castle.

"Welcome, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy…to Rougette Magia Accademia." The professor said as they stopped in front of the staircase to the entrance door.

They climbed out of the carriage, and made their way towards the grand staircase into the castle. Once inside, the professor led them into the entrance hall, in front of giant oak doors.

"Are you ready to meet the whole entire student body?"

"Yes…" Hermione said, and took a deep breath.

"Draco? Are you ready?"

"Yeah" He nodded.

"Alright, just through here." The professor said and pushes the doors open.

When the door was swung open, Hermione could hear the last sentence of the headmaster's speech.

'Let us give a warm welcome to the students of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.'