Please do read and review!

Chapter 2

Recap:

"Malfoy! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked in tone filled with surprise and anger. But then her eyes moved wide when she saw a shiny badge stuck to his chest and a smirk on his face which she had come to hate for a few years now.

"You gotta be kidding me!" she spat when realization dawned upon her.

This was going to be a long year ahead….

Draco Malfoy knew that if he was appointed as the Head Boy then no doubt, Granger would be made the Head Girl- she was after all every Teacher's Pet. So he was prepared for the inevitable but by the looks of it, she wasn't.

"Yes Granger, any problem?" he asked not wanting to get into an argument right at the beginning of the term.

"What the hell are you doing in this compartment?" asked a visibly irritated Hermione in a slightly high-pitched tone.

"Well, I thought that you could have done better Miss Know-It-All. I couldn't have come here to have a heart to heart chat with you, so it makes more sense if I am here with a purpose." Snapped Draco who was now trying hard to keep his temper in check.

"And what may this purpose of yours be? "Hermione asked still not able to digest the fact that Malfoy was made head Boy of all the people.

"Spending too much time with the Weasel has rubbed off on you I guess, which is why you seem to have trouble grasping thi-"Draco retorted, but was not able to complete as a knock on the door interrupted them.

"May we come in?" asked a fifth-year prefect. She had a confused and nervous expression on her face as though she was committing a crime of interrupting what looked a heated argument.

Hermione looked over the girl and saw that most of the Prefects had arrived. She gave an apologetic smile and said, "Definitely, and sorry for making you guys wait." She let them all in, performed a spell to make the compartment more spacious for all and waited for another five minutes. As all of them had gathered and made themselves comfortable, she looked around again to check if any other seventh year arrived claiming himself to be the Head Boy. When none came, she knew.

She gave a polite smile and began, "Hello everyone, I am Hermione Granger, Head Girl for this Year and this is," she paused and waited for him to speak something. He nodded and just said, "Draco Malfoy." He didn't need to say anything as the badge said it all. Hermione gave him a disapproving look and continued, "Right, now since there are twenty four of you, we will divide you into pairs. A rotation chart will be made to assign positions and you will perform the patrolling duties according to them. You will have the power to award as well as deduct points from all the houses but misuse of those powers shall have serious repercussions and also.…" Hermione continued with the instructions for another half an hour after which she asked them to start their duties.

All this while Draco had been observing her and nodding occasionally but not giving inputs. Once everyone dispersed, Hermione turned around and spoke, "You must be the most disgusting Head Boy Hogwarts has ever come across. You were supposed to give out instructions and tell-"

"I didn't ask for your suggestions Granger, keep them to yourself," he cut her off in a cold voice and walked away.

"I can't believe this. I just can't believe this. Malfoy! Was McGonagall drugged or was she-"Hermione was mumbling under her breath so furiously that she didn't notice Ginny jumping from her seat and hauling her by the shoulder.

"Herms, who is the Head Boy?" she asked curiosity oozing from her mouth. Others behind her were also waiting for an answer just as curious or maybe a little less.

Hermione saw their expectant gazes and answered in a low but audible voice, "Malfoy."

There was complete silence for a few seconds when no one spoke, but their faces gave away the expressions of shock, anger as well as disgust.

"Is this some kind of a joke, Hermione?" Ron shouted, only to receive a stern response from her.

"Bloody Hell! Malfoy! Are you sure Hermione?" Harry asked.

"How could they make that death-eater a Head Boy", Ginny replied, her previous excitement all gone.

"If he was chosen as the Head Boy, then maybe even I could have been one." Neville muttered to himself but was heard by all who gave him a small smile. Ginny placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "You are a hundred times better than him Neville and you know it."

But Luna, the calmest among them all slowly replied, "I think we should let Hermione talk. Maybe he is some other Malfoy." Ron snorted at that but Hermione gave him a glare which put him off. She turned towards Luna and said, "No Luna, he is the same prat Malfoy we have known for all these years." Then she told them all that happened.

Even when she completed they had a disbelieving expression on their faces. They were still in denial when Ron spoke, "Do you think he might have charmed the Badge or something and made it look like a Head Badge or maybe even stolen it?"

"No Ron, you can't charm the Prefect and Head Badges. The logo on the Badges are specially made by Goblins who work for Hogwarts and-"Hermione answered.

"Okay okay, I geddit," Ron scowled and muttered something like 'Unbelievable', 'Git' and 'McGonagall'.

"Oh Hermione, I feel sorry for you. Spending an entire year with that git is not what you deserve." said Ginny trying to calm her best-friend but Hermione froze in her seat. She was too absorbed sulking over Malfoy being appointed the Head Boy, she forget that the Head Boy and Girl were given a separate quarters with a common room to share. Only then it seemed as if everyone in the compartment realized what Ginny spoke about.

Ron was the first one to overcome the shock and speak, "No way are we going to leave Hermione to suffer with that git." Harry nodded quickly and spoke, "I suppose we could talk to McGonagall and arrange something or Hermione could come back to the Gryffindor Tower." All of them agreed to it but Hermione slowly replied, "No guys, you all will do no such thing. I think its best not to involve our personal differences with our duties. Also, bothering the Headmistress just because I have issues with a student doesn't seem right not to mention doesn't set a good example for the juniors too. But thank you guys, this means a lot to me."

Others seemed a bit a skeptical at first but then when had someone won against Hermione Granger.

Most of the Slytherins had a tough time with all the disliking glances thrown at them. All the other houses in a subtle way had outcast them. As Draco walked to his compartment an hour later, it seemed as if his own house refused to accept his presence and made it clear through their stares and comments. He returned their stares with scowls and cold glares which scared a few first years.

On reaching his compartment he was surprised to see a few of his previous classmates which included Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass and a little younger girl whom he recognized as Daphne's sister, Astoria who was in her fifth year.

"Hey mate, have a seat." Nott was the first one to see him and spoke to which Draco nodded.

"So, how did it go?" Blaise asked as Draco joined them.

Draco made a repulsive face and answered, "Granger is the Head Girl."

Blaise snorted and replied, "Then I don't think anyone else even had the opportunity to speak."

Draco smirked at that. He knew that Granger being the Head Girl would lecture the Prefects to death. He didn't want to argue with her in front of many knowing that they disapproved of him from the beginning. He knew that they would have to share a separate quarters and had already decided to warn her to stay away from him. He wanted to get done with his education as soon as possible but definitely didn't want a certain Granger to spoil his year. He made a firm mind to be cold and unresponsive towards her unless required for their duties and ignore her for the rest of the year. The Golden Trio might have saved his life but in no way was he going to lick their feet.

Few hours passed with all of them making small talks, having their lunch and killing time. Draco had to excuse himself some times to check on other students as his duty required.

At last the Hogwarts Express came to a stop giving all students a view of the castle. They all were amazed to see that the renovations had gone well and the castle was back on form though it did not look how it used to before as some last touches were still underway. The older students including the repeating first-years made their way to the Great Hall whereas the new comers were led by Hagrid to the entrance of the Hall where they were to wait before the Sorting began.

As all students settled down and waited for the Sorting to begin, McGonagall rose from the Head Chair to speak a few words. All were surprised as the speech was always given after the sorting. Murmurs began to spread around the hall when McGonagall started, "Silence please. You all must be curious to know the reason of this sudden change in our routine as the beginning speech is always after the Sorting but today, before the ceremony begins I have to make an announcement."

A/N: Hello guys, here is the second chapter of A Fine Mess. Hope you all find it a good read. Thank you to all those who read the first chapter and gave me encouraging comments and a warm welcome to all new readers.