Chapter Two

Hermione

The following evening she got an unexpected visit from headmistress McGonagall. She had been sitting reading through the Standard book of spells Grade 7 when a soft knock brought her out of her reverie.

ʺHeadmistress! ʺ she exclaimed, startled to see her, scrambling to straighten the books that were spread around her. The headmistress smiled at her.

ʺMs. Granger, it is good to see you again, always the early bird I seeˮ she said warmly. Hermione smiled cheekily in return at a complete loss for words.

ˮI am pleased that you have accepted my invitation for the Head girl positionˮ the headmisstress said looking around at the room Ginny and Hermione shared. There was a momentary pause before she continued.

ʺMight I sit down with you for a moment Ms. Granger?ˮ

ʺYes! Yes, I'm so sorry headmistress, where are my mannersˮ she jumped up, suddenly flustered as she scrambled to clear away her books from the bed. ʺEr…ˮ she gestured to the bed seeing that there were no chairs in the already small room. The Headmistress smiled and sat down.

ʺWell there's really no way for me to prolong the reason for my being hereˮ the headmistress started quietly, ʺI only request that you will consider what I am going to ask of you carefully before making a decisionˮ

She looked at the headmistress perplexed before nodding, her mind racing with possibilities.

ʺI'm afraid my motives for making you head girl as described in the letter were not entirely truthfulʺ the headmistress started, ʺIndeed whiles you are remarkably brilliant and quite capable, I dear say those reasons were only partially accurate.ʺ

Hermione regarded her apprehensively, but remained quiet.

ʺAs you are well aware, last September Narcaissa Malfoy came to the order seeking help for not only herself, but her son, whom you are quite familiar with. You may also recall that they were both acquitted of all involvement in Voldemort`s plans, having been forced by her husband you now sits in a secure cell at Azkabanˮ the headmistress stated. Hermione simply nodded, at a complete loss where this was leading.

ʺI have invited Mr. Malfoy back to Hogwarts too Ms. Granger, to take the position as Head boyˮ Hermione ̓s mouth dropped, but the headmistress continued, ʺand I would like you to help him along so to speakˮ

Hermione continued gaping at the headmistress, shocked and confused.

ʺBefore you make your decision Ms. Granger; let me first state my reasons for asking this of youˮ the headmistress continued hastily, before Hermione could object. ʺFirstly, I cannot ask this of anyone else. My first choice was to pick someone from amongst Slytherin, but due to several attacks perpetrated by some of his friends, and the general hostility he has received from members of the Slytherin house, I felt it best to choose such a person from another house. Secondly, I felt it best that a female would be better suited for this task, as it requires a delicate finesse. Yes, indeed I could have chosen any other student from Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, however, I also need someone who is familiar with Mr. Malfoy and would be patient with him. Thirdly, I need someone from the Order that I can trust within the walls to keep the young Mr. Malfoy out of harm. I contemplated my options vastly Ms. Granger, and given your circumstances, I would never have asked this of you if I had not felt you the perfect candidate for this taskˮ

The headmistress paused to look at Hermione who was struggling to compose herself. Help Draco Malfoy! She despised him so strongly she felt her anger threatening to escape. This was not what she wanted at all, the whole reason for going back to Hogwarts in the first place was to have some peace of mind! She couldn't do this, wouldn't do it! But just as she was about to tell the headmistress that she couldn't…

ʺYou know, if I ever had a daughter Ms. Grangerˮ the headmistress started again softly, smiling down at her, ʺI would have wanted her to be exactly like youʺ She looked up to the headmistress, her anger dissolving slightly as she saw how genuine she seemed. Whether it was the words, or her general caring nature that compelled her to do it, she soon found herself saying the words ʺI'll do my bestˮ

The headmistress smiled knowingly ʺThank you Ms. Grangerʺ she said, before getting up. ʺI have to return now, there is so much to do in preparation. I'll see you in three days' time thenˮ

ʺHeadmistress, what exactly do you expect me to do?ˮ she asked

ʺBe his friend Hermione, and keep him safeˮ the headmistress replied before disappearing through the door. She sighed. Befriend Draco Malfoy! Keep him safe? What had she just agreed to?

When she told Ginny about it that night, she received the reaction she had expected.

ʺAre you insane Mione?! This is Draco Malfoy we`re talking about. He will never let you become friends with him. Why would you even want to?!ʺ

ʺI know, I know; believe me, befriending Malfoy is the last thing I want to do. I don't know why I said yes to her Ginnyˮ she said, collapsing onto the bed exhausted.

ʺYou're too nice to say noˮ Ginny said softly, sitting on the bed besides her. ʺI'll help too if I canʺ Ginny added. She looked at her and smiled.

ʺYou're the best Ginʺ

Ginny laughed. ʺI knowˮ


Draco

Three days later he was standing on the platform of the train station that lead to Hogwarts, hating ever having agreed to go back. It wasn't that some of the students were giving him dead stares, no; it was the fact that he had to be escorted to the damn train station. His mother had bid him farewell, admitting how proud she was of him and happy he had agreed to return, but she couldn't leave the house for her own protection. The whole trip over was quiet, and he could feel the loathing emanating from the wizard that escorted him. He was used to it, even though he and his mother were cleared of all charges against them for helping Voldemort willingly, people still treated him as if he should be in prison. He couldn't blame them. He worried about whether the Order would put any real effort into keeping his mother safe. Who would care if the wife of a death eater was killed? This alone was almost enough to make him change his mind had it not been for the pure joy it gave his mother when he announced he was going back. He hadn't seen her smile in so long; it had left him feeling good that she did.

He found the Heads compartment located to the front of the train and was pleased to see no one else inside. He sat down and starred out of the window hardly aware of his 'protector' sitting beside him.

ʺIt's this way I thinkʺ he heard muffled noises outside the door after five minutes or so. ʺOh here it is, Head prefects compartmentʺ His head snapped to the door as he heard it opening, as Hermione Painger and Ginny Weaselette walked in.

ʺWhat do you two want?ˮ he snapped before they could even sit down. They ignored him and sat down anyways. He clenched his fists, his blood simmering in anger already.

ʺAre you both deaf? Get out! This is my compartmentʺ

Hermione looked at him with disgust ʺThis isn't your compartment Malfoy, it's a compartment for head prefects and since I am a head prefect you cannot make us leaveˮ she responded, deliberately stressing her words.

ʺThank you for pointing that out Granger!ˮ he smirked ʺWeaselette get out!ʺ starring at the ginger haired girl.

ʺYou cannot put her out!ʺ the brunette replied, clenching her teeth. He smirked again, exactly the response he was looking for.

ʺWell as you so forcefully pointed out, this is a head prefect's compartment and since the weaselette isn't a head prefect, she has to goˮ he replied stoutly. He could practically feel Grangers daggers shooting from her eyes.

ʺYou know what Ginny? Now that I think about it, its abit stuffy in here, almost sickly. Perhaps we should go sit with the other prefectsˮ Granger said, getting up calmly and walking out. The weasellette gave him a look of loathing before following her out. He smiled, satisfied to have the compartment back to himself.

ʺYou might try to at least be civil towards people, not like you Malloy's have a lot of friends' latelyˮ he heard his escort say gruffly.

ʺMind your damn business!ʺ he snapped. The man grunted at his remark but didn't reply. Draco was almost disappointed that he didn't respond further. Instead he continued to stare out the window until they arrived at castle had been repaired fully, it looked the same to him, but somehow he felt differently here. He got off of the train quickly and walked straight to the nearest carriage. A third year was already sitting in it waiting.

ʺGet outʺ he said, and when the boy didn't move he was about to yank him out before Granger stepped in.

ʺIts ok Percivas, you stay right where you areʺ she said, walking along cheerily. She climbed into the carriage followed by the weaslette and loney lovegood.

ʺOh I'm sorry Malfoy, it looks as if this carriage is full, guess you'll have to take anotherˮ she said, closing the door in his face, muffling their laughter. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath and walked over to another carriage. This one had some second year students who looked terrified of him. When the carriage arrived at Hogwarts, he had planned to go directly to the great hall but it seemed Granger was intent on annoying him as she corned him as soon as he started walking away.

ʺMalfoy, aren't you forgetting something?ˮ she asked purposely. He didn't answer. She sighed and pointed to the nervous looking first years gathering around the front steps. He continued looking at her, a surge of annoyance filling him.

ʺWe have to take them to the great hall in an organized mannerˮ she replied.

ʺOh I'm sure you've got it coveredʺ he sneered, walking away quickly.

ʺUgh! You're insufferable!ʺ she yelled after him. He smiled and continued walking away. He had forgotten how much he liked picking on Granger. After the sorting ceremony and the feast, he was about to depart for the Slytherin common room when the headmistress corned him.

ʺMr. Malfoy, a word pleaseʺ He turned around to face her warily.

ʺYou accepted the post of Head boy and with that the responsibilities that come with it. I noticed you did not help Ms. Granger with the first year students, and while she didn't complain, I on the other hand take it very seriouslyˮ she stated, ʺI expect you to perform your best in the role and will not have you taking it lightlyʺ

ʺSorry headmistressʺ he mumbled, staring at his feet.

ʺNow then, if you would so kindly follow me, I need you and… ah! There you are Ms. Granger. Both of you, follow me if you pleaseʺ He looked at Granger who looked flushed from having sprinted down the hall. They walked towards another hallway opposite the Slytherin house.

ʺAs you both know, it is customary for the head prefects to share a commonroomˮ the headmistress stated.

ʺWhat?!ˮ He and Granger exclaimed, both stopping suddenly.

ʺI'm not sharing anything with him!ˮ Granger stated looking at him crossly

ʺThe feeling is mutualˮ he replied, returning her look.

ʺKeep upʺ the headmistress instructed who did not bother to stop nor care about their disposition. They hurried to catch up.

ʺHeadmistress…ˮ Granger started saying

ʺAh! Here we are. Now you may both choose a password and enter, if you'll excuse me, I have an urgent elf matter to attend toˮ the headmistress said, then turned down the hallway and disappeared leaving the them standing gaping at each other.

Before he could say anything Granger said the words ʺElementisʺ and disappeared behind the painting of a knight. He waited afew minutes before entering, trying to calm his nerves. The common room represented both their houses and as a result bore a mixture of red, gold and green. He had to admit, it was almost luxurious as one of the smaller rooms at his house. His eyes scanned the big plush couches, elegant study tables and crackling fireplace admiring the beautiful details in its design. To add to a homely feel, small photographs were displayed above the mantelpiece. He walked over and immediately felt his insides turning at the sight of a photo with him, his mother and his father. He turned it down and glanced at the other photos. Two were of Granger and her parents, and he was taken by how much Granger looked like her father; though she had her mother's thick hair.

He looked around again to the spiraling steps, walked to his room bearing the Slytherin crest and crawled into bed without even taking it in.