Knowledge is power, but so is your type of blood.
She made her way slowly down the passageway. Her hand grazing the side for support. What had just happened? Being female, all at once a flood of mixed emotions churned at the pit of her stomach. First, anger for letting him look at her in that way, secondly fear, of how he looked at her in that way, and thirdly just complete confusion.
His eyes were so different. She knew there was something more to the remark, but she didn't want to think of how he sneered 'better watch your front too'. His eyes looked over her as if she were a piece of meat. He wasn't meant to look at her in that way!
Yet the whole time, she couldn't tear away her eyes from his. His cold, piercing silver eyes. They had a strange depth to them, a danger. They were so rich with pain and anger.
She shook her head and gently pressed her temples. How could she have wasted 10 minutes of her time thinking about Malfoy? He certainly had changed over the summer. He was tall, about 6', but not gangly. His body had strength, and power. His hair was almost white as always, but his face had become slender. His nose was perfectly straight, although not too harsh, the same as his jaw line.
His cheekbones were high, and his skin was so pure and untouched by the flaws of puberty. Being a seeker may have helped him fill out, but even Harry didn't have the tone he did. She walked into the compartment quietly, they didn't seem to notice that her mind was away, they were all too busy eating sweets from the trolley.
She stared out to the fast moving country side. Why did he have to ruin her first day back? Why was she even thinking of him being attractive? Underneath the perfection lay the snarls of a werewolf, and the malice of a serpent. There was no good in his soul, infact it would surprise her greatly if his heart even had a beat. She then scoffed and thought 'of course his heart has a beat, it's just that nothing but his pureblood ran through it'.
"Mione? Mione?!", Hermione looked around startled.
"Are you ok? You look a bit pale", she had turned to see Ginny facing her with her lips moving, she had heard her, but hadn't really processed what she'd said.
"Yea, course, just thinking about a book". Her quick thinking seemed to work wonders, as a flush of understanding spread over both Ron's and Harry's faces. Her brow furrowed, she really ought to do something about her predictability.
"Anyway, shouldn't you get going?" Ginny asked with a smile.
"Going?"
"Yea", she replied rolling her eyes and giving the two boys a quick glance, "to the heads compartment?"
"Oh", she smiled shyly, a slight pink rising in her cheeks.
"You didn't tell us!" the boys stated, both with pretend shock on their faces, soon replaced with genuine warm smiles.
"I mean, c'mon, it was sorta obvious", Ron said with his eyebrows raised.
She smiled bashfully, leaving the compartment feeling somewhat lighter than what she did entering it. Making her way to the front of the train, she came to a compartment with a bold golden 'H' on the frosted glass. Smiling from ear to ear, she slid the door open and made her self quite comfortable on the purple velvet seating.
Hermione looked around, marvelling at the deep colouring of the wood furnishings, only slightly surprised to see that her suitcases were suddenly in the storage above. She stole a quick glance to the suitcases next to hers. They were made of a black leather, with polished silver handles and buckles. It did place a small concern at the back of her mind, hoping that the this years 'Head Boy' would be somewhat approachable. However she didn't dwell over it too long, and maximised one of the books from her pocket, reading from where she had left off last.
Hearing the door slide open, she didn't raise her head, but smiled inwardly awaiting and introduction.
"Well early as ever aren't we Granger" a cold voice sneered. Hermione's mind went blank, her heart
threatening to escape her throat. The figure momentarily stood at the doorway, the whole room seemed to heat up a few degrees.
Malfoy noticed the sudden change in her composure. Bu he simply smirked and fell into the seat opposite her. "You've always got your nose in a book haven't you Mudblood". It was more of a statement than a question, but still her insides squirmed at the word 'Mudblood'. She ignored him and refused to raise her eyes from the pages which from until two minutes ago she was quite happily reading.
"I've always wondered though", his voice was no more then a whisper, as he leaned forward in his chair, so much so she felt his hot breath on her face. Hermione tried to inconspicuously to move back in hers but this also, didn't escape his attention. His eyes flashed menacingly.
"Books make you smile, but what makes you scream Granger?".
Horror flooded her face, and she was finding it difficult to gain composure. But blessing the powers that be, Headmaster McGonagall walked into the compartment. "Right", she started with a stern voice. Malfoy relaxed into the back of his seat, a satisfied smile playing with his lips.
"Good evening, now before I run through the rules, I believe a congratulations is in order", a rare smile stretched out the fine but many lines above McGonagall's upper lip. "As HeadBoy and Girl, you will be expected to lead the fellow students of Hogwarts School, there is to be an equal amount of participation from each of you, no exceptions. You will be expected to set an example to the school, enforcing rules, organising seasonal dances and prefect meetings, helping out with extra curricular activities and so on." She paused for a moment, observing the two students very different behaviour. She continued though, her mouth in a hard line, gently pulling at the collar of her robes.
'Perhaps the heats getting to her too' Hermione thought without a huge amount of interest.
"I do not, want one to slacking off while the other works hard" she gave Malfoy a meaningful glance, "You will work as a team, I want a collaborated effort".
"You will share dorms and patrolling hours, any questions?". Each shook their heads as McGonagall handed out a neat parchment bound by a purple ribbon. "Right, you will be expected to assist the first years as they enter the school for the first time, then you may make you way up as you would normally by carriage to the school". Hermione looked at McGonagall, a silent plea in her eyes.
Hermione thought she saw her shrug her shoulders slightly, but McGonagall left as swiftly as she came. She scanned the parchment, but it was only the same list of instructions just in more detail, informing her of where their dorms were ect. Whilst reading through however, she felt heated. She chanced a look up only to see Malfoy leering at her. "Yes?", she stated her voice indignant. He didn't remove his penetrating glare, so she simply let her eyes fall back to the parchment to continue reading.
However, it wasn't the words on the parchment running through her head. It was Malfoys. "What makes you scream Granger?". His voice had been low and suggestive when he'd said it, it terrified her to the core.
For the rest of the journey, Malfoy had leered at her the entire way. She sat silently wishing someone, even a Slytherin to just walk in and interrupt, but no one came. His leg was moving very close to hers and it made her extremely uncomfortable. He watched as she fidgeted in her seat, a deep crease in between her brow.
He was making her uneasy, and he inhaled the satisfaction. He didn't know why, but taunting her this way had never made him feel so menacing, there was another feeling there, not quite malice, but something deep and strong.
To push her further, he raised his leg onto her chair, and placed his foot right next to her upper thigh. She shifted left as much as she could, desperately trying to avoid any physical contact. Huffing angrily, Hermione lividly stared out of the window.
Darkness was soon creeping through the sky, so they would have to change into their robes soon. Taking a calming breath she said with as much confidence as she could, "We'll be arriving at the school soon, do you think you could get out while a change please?". She had asked politely as she could, trying not to push any buttons of his.
"I don't think I will, why don't you just change in front of me?". Once again his eyes flashed dangerously, she realised then she ought to swiftly make an exit.
Grabbing her smaller travel bag, she hurriedly left the compartment, a soft laughter trailing behind her from where she had come. Finding a toilet, she locked the door and stared into the mirror. It was only then that she truly felt angry. Why was she letting him walk all over her like this? Where was her quick wit and spiteful comebacks?
She tore off her clothes stuffing them angrily into the bag, roughly pulling on her robes not bothering to fold in her elbows in the cramp toilet. She took one more fleeting glance at the mirror, before heading out into the corridor quite determined. She walked into the compartment with her chin in the air, not acknowledging the fact that he too, had changed into his robes.
He noticed her hair was quite ruffled, and smiled as he realised that she was really quite flustered. He chuckled, and thought it best to leave her for now, save the taunting for later.
When the train had come to a halt, Hermione made a swift exit to greet the first years. Already organising them into a group, Malfoy loped off the train, and she couldn't stop her self when she admired how he looked. The dark lighting made his skin glow slightly it was so pale. His cheekbones were high and cast a slight shadow on the hollow of his cheeks, but no so much so to make him look gaunt. It just accentuated his chiselled features. His appearance was so striking, his piercing grey eyes scanning the first years with amusement. His nearly white hair was no longer combed back, but left natural, wisps falling over his eyes. She averted her gaze and continued to instruct the scared looking first years.
"Hagrid will be joining us shortly, you can't miss him, but don't worry he's about as harmless as a-
"Dragon, not to mention he's twice and ugly". She cast him a warning look, but he simply smirked and walked towards the carriages.
"All righ' firs' years?". Hagrid appeared with a warm smile, his booming voice from the darkness left the new students turning and marvelling at his size with awe. Only the odd student looked up in displeasure, making it obvious which house they would belong.
Hermione allowed a smile to creep onto her face, the warmth that seemed to radiate from Hagrid diverted her attention for a moment at least.
She left Hagrid to it, and slowly made her way to the Thestral pulled carriages. Sure enough, a blonde headed boy was casually leaning against one. She abruptly stopped, and patiently waited for the next one to arrive. "Not riding in my carriage?" he sneered, doing the Malfoy eyebrow lift.
"Your Head Girl I thought we were meant to show unity?", he waited for a comeback, but when none came he simply rolled his eyes and smirked.
She could feel her anger slowly bubbling to the surface, ready to spill over should he make another sound. He smiled, enjoying her annoyance. "Going soft are we?" he snorted.
"I don't give a shit what you think Malfoy, keep your opinions to yourself or so help me I'll jinx your lips together" she spat, scowling with venom.
He let out a long whistle, "tou-chy".
She searched the tracks for another carriage, but thought better of it and marched onto the one Malfoy was leaning on. He smiled, and gracefully sauntered onto the carriage straight after her. The carriage went forward with a jerk, and Hermione stared down at her hands for the journey. "Funny you staring at your hands, usually its into a stupid book" he smirked. 'Why did he have to make a stupid remark about every little thing?!'.
"Well knowledge Is power", she narrowed her eyes at his silver ones.
He stood up as the carriage came to a halt and paused. Slowly he bent down, his cheek within a hair widths of hers. He breathed into her ear ever so gently his lips brushing her jaw, "So is the purity of blood". With that, all gentleness vanished. He shoved past her, slamming her into the walls of the carriage, loping through the great doors of Hogwarts. 'Wonderful to be back' she thought sarcastically as she stumbled into the school, rubbing her elbow as she went.
*******
She concentrated on enjoying the feast, but the conversations buzzing around her seemed of little importance. She could still feel a heated glare coming from the Slytherin table and is was extremely off-putting. Sitting in the great hall this year, she realised there was indeed a sadness to it.
From now on, first years would never be able to look back, remembering and laughing over Professor Dumbledore powerful words of babble; or his sky blue twinkling eyes and long silver beard he always tucked into his belt. The senile headmaster was truly no longer with them.
Of course he would always be remembered and honoured, but hoggy hoggy Hogwarts would never be the same without him. That thought however, seemed to play over the minds of many during the feast, the golden trio especially. Deep purple banners hung in the great hall in his honour. The colour, was the exact shade of his favourite 'moon and stars' robes.
On the teachers table, Headmistress McGonagall stood. Silence soon fell over the students, and she gratefully looked over them all.
"Now, as I'm sure your all aware, this year may not be the same as the previous years we have shared", her tone of voice was not its usual harsh enforcing manner, but softer. "These banners that hang here today" she smiled as she looked up at the glorious violet banners, "allow us to share with Headmaster Dumbledore and those we have lost, this delicious feast".
Hermione's head turned to the side slightly, usually the speech came before the feast reinforcing rules and good wishes. Each teacher in turn smiled with the students, remembering Dumbledore and lost loved ones.
"Hogwarts has seen through two great wars of the wizarding history, infact the second was fought within its grounds. We lost many loved ones, but with each of us here in this hall, together we celebrate their memory". A pained expression flooded across both Ron's and Ginny's face, never would they hear Fred's laughter again.
"Many of our seventh years have returned to us, if not for education, but finality of completing their seventh year, and those who last year were sent home for protection have returned, however, many others will soon join us", at this a soft murmur filled the hall, and McGonagall smiled.
Her voice did not falter as she said the dark lords name, "We have seen the fall of Voldemort, and I think this year should be one of unity, happiness and celebration".
She broke away from the teachers table, striding in front of it. "You as people should not be defined by house, or perhaps by qualities of which a house may be associated with". She took one fleeting glance towards the Slytherin table. "Three years ago, Hogwarts welcomed the presence of the Beuaxbatons Academy, and Durmstrang students, this year again, we will welcome them, as well as witches and wizards who helped defeat Voldemort".
Excitement enveloped the great hall, no one seemed to flinch at the mention of Voldemorts name, too eager with anticipation of McGonagall's next words. "We welcome almost anyone who wishes to participate in this year of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and Wizardry, now we will meet again tomorrow morning at precisely 10 o'clock, breakfast will not be affected from 8 till 9, but" she glanced at the teachers behind her, "we will inform you of further plans tomorrow, if you would leave the hall in an orderly manor, I bid you goodnight".
Ecstatic students filed out of the Hall, each house prefect in turn leading the newly housed chattering first years to their common rooms, whilst Draco and Hermione made their way to the front table. She ignored his presence, he in turn to didn't even smirk.
"Right, the heads common room is on the third floor, behind the Dux Ducis portrait, the password should be changed every 3 weeks. To start off with the password is Amor, any questions?", once again the two nodded their heads and departed. Hermione frowned as McGonagall made her way to the teachers exit, she would have thought being Head Girl meant she would be informed a bit more than the other pupils.
Making their way in silence through the many moving staircases, they kept to themselves, not so rude to ignore each other, but simply too tired and confused to make conversation. Pausing in front of the portrait hidden behind an ancient tapestry, they marvelled at the sight before them.
It was a medi-evil painting. The main figure who had asked for the password was a peasant leading an army of witches wizards and magical creatures of all sorts against a castle. Stepping over the threshold they were greeted by a warm fire and beautiful décor.
It was a combination of red and green. The sofas were expensive looking, taut leather, and the darkest of green colouring, whilst the curtains were a deep wine colour, hanging thick and heavy over the paned windows. The furnishings also were of the darkest colour, near black, like that on the Hogwarts express in the Heads compartment.
The walls were like those in the Slytherin common room, grey stone. However, it didn't have a cold, dungeon effect. The layout of the room was like a Gryffindors, warm, and cosy. The colours brought each other out superbly, there were no house emblems though, just the two main colours- red and green.
He wouldn't admit it, but even Malfoy felt at home here. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see he appreciated the interior design, but said nothing of it and announced she was off to get some sleep. Her room was very much a Gryffindors however, the walls and satin bed covers a deep red, almost maroon.
But, the posters drapes and pillows were gold. Chucking her shoes as neatly as she could into the corner, and taking off her suitcase from the bed, she climbed underneath the fresh covers, a relaxed feeling overtaking her body-she was at Hogwarts. She released any thoughts of puzzlement that continued to question McGonagall's speech, and let the satin sheets engulf her.
Draco's room was very much like the boys dormitory in the Slytherins common room, only grander. His walls were also the main colour of his house, a deep emerald green, with silver drapes and cushions. Striping to his boxers, he fell lazily into his bed, exhaustion of the first day knocking him unconscious, clearly not bothered by the excitement everyone else shared.
Waking up bright and early, Hermione cheerfully leapt into the Head's bathroom and stood gob smacked at the sight before her. It was twice as big as her gigantuous bedroom. Spotless brilliantly white tiles lined the walls, and then led to a deep crevice in the floor. It looked like a bomb had gone off in the floor, and the decorators just decided to round off the edges and tile it.
Behind this so called bath, was the ceiling-high pyramid of taps. Each tap, beautifully gold and polished. It was a wonder if anyone had actually reached the highest single tap manually, the ceiling itself was so high. The bathroom was of a Victorian style, the taps looked very delicate, with intricate carvings on the spouts and handles.
She carefully walked around the bath, turning on a few taps, that emitted different soaps and bubbles of extraordinary colours. Three very large taps squarely in the middle of the pyramid on the bottom level, emitted dazzling warm water, sparkling like diamonds. She let her clothes fall to the tiles, and gently let the water welcome her tired skin.
Using a spell to quick dry her hair and body, she then put on a frizz-ease potion that made her curls tamed, shiny and bouncy whilst still retaining the volume. She skipped out of bathroom to fall straight into someone. "Sorr-
Hermione looked up in horror as Malfoy held her up, his pale imperfection-free skin exposed on his entire upper body. She couldn't tear her eyes away, his body was chiselled to complete perfection.
His torso was so defined, each muscle could be seen to flex and ripple under his soft milky skin. He looked so powerful, his skin like marble, but surprisingly warm and soft to touch. She thought briefly of a Greek Adonis, how their bodies were of another-worldly beauty, almost painfully so. Her eyes travelled up to his face, his hair a casual disarray, fresh from sleeping.
He noticed her eyes travelling over his chest and stomach at once, her gaze leaving warmth on his skin where her eyes had travelled. But, wasn't she used to it with hanging round boys so much?. His thoughts were interrupted, as Hermione stood up quickly, smacking his hands away. Making a hurried exit, a pool of warm pink rising in her cheeks.
He was yawning as he entered the colossal bathroom, a slight smell of 'Perhaps coconut?' in the air. He was thinking over the image of Hermione slapping his hands away, her face flushed with embarrassment. Of course he knew the effect he had on girls, but Hermione wasn't a normal girl, she shouldn't react that way.
More so why is he still thinking about the stupid Mudblood? Jumping into the shower, he pleasantly washed away the thoughts that were starting to give him a headache. But as he thought of holding her
delicate figure in his arms, her face slightly flushed and coy, he smiled and thought 'what a away to wake up'.