MinnEsoda
2008-03-04
ch 1,
Hush you! Slytherins are people too! And I see you've changed your sn! What happened to Mr.Sam? I thought that was cute.
mariecke
2008-03-04
ch 1,
Ty! Characterization compliments are my favourite!
Snowe
2008-03-03
ch 1,
Ack I can't believe I forgot that! facepalms oh well I suppose in this instance the heads must be from separate houses to promote inter-house unity.
uckpa
2008-03-02
ch 1,
I promise I will never abandon my tom! I lurve him too much!
Quidditch
Chapter Two: The Pre-game Warm-up
"This year will begin a bit unorthodoxly," Professor McGonagall's voice sounded across the Great Hall. She stood in front of Professor Dumbledore's old chair, looking older with more white hair in her black bun, more tired, but determined.
The students were seated at their respective houses. Hermione had expected the tables to be longer to be able to accommodate an extra year, but she had been wrong. The house tables were the same length as the previous years', but there had been plenty of vacant chairs for the new first years during the sorting. Hermione realized with a start that the reason there had been empty chairs had been because students had died the previous year fighting Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters. The Slytherin house was smaller as well, many students having not returned after the last school year's events.
"I am pleased to see so many faces have returned," McGonagall continued. "And saddened to see so many faces absent." She looked momentarily distraught. "Let us have a moment of silence to remember those who fought bravely and died in the war against Lord- Lord Voldemort," she said, saying the name with more force than necessary in order to get it out of her throat.
The Hall hummed with mummers before every table fell respectfully silent. A few moments passed and sniffs and sighs could be heard across the Hall. Hermione felt tears sting her eyes as she mourned the Gryffindors who had been lost and would never return. She felt Ron drape a comforting arm around her shoulder.
Finally they heard McGonagall blow her nose and continue.
"This year we have students who are attending their eighth year at Hogwarts. We will be working to organize classes so that they may flow smoothly. The courses this year will be more rigorous so that both the seventh and eighth years may graduate and Hogwarts will be able to return to its normal pattern."
McGonagall continued to announce there would be fourth year prefects temporarily and also to introduce the new professors taking over Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Muggle-Studies: two witches, Professors Yulipe and Harkness, and a wizard, Professor Rorkeshire.
Hermione felt confident that the curse over the Defense class had been lifted and Professor Harkness would be with them for the long run. She waited in anticipation for the announcement she knew was to come next…
"Because of the extra year of students, the Professors will be in need of assistance. It is with great pride that I announce that a few select eighth year students will be helping to teach the lower years. Hermione Granger will be assisting in Charms, Harry Potter will be assisting in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Draco Malfoy will assist in Potions, Neville Longbottom in Herbology, and Ernie Macmillan in Transfiguration."
McGonagall's voice was drowned out as students' whispers grew and heads turned to look at Hermione and her famous group of friends, particularly Harry. They also strained to look at Malfoy, interested in the boy who was rumoured to have been a Death Eater.
"Finally," McGonagall said raising her voice, "I would like to extend a request that all peoples of Hogwarts extend branches of friendship to each other, including other houses," McGonagall gave the Slytherin house a fleeting glance. "Only that will heal the terrible loss that the occupants of this school have suffered."
No one dared object the new Headmistress while her lips were that thin.
"And now in the words of Albus Dumbledore," she continued more brightly. "'Tuck in.'"
Food filled the plates of every student and they were happy to oblige. Hermione felt her spirits lift as she filled herself with food.
"Did you see the looks they were giving Malfoy?" Ron asked as he served himself a second helping of shepherd's pie. "He doesn't have many fans."
"Everyone knows he was a Death Eater," Neville said spearing his carrot with vigor.
"No," Hermione corrected. "Everyone thinks he was a Death Eater and it would be best if we didn't encourage that," she warned.
"But he was a Death Eater 'Mione," Ron said impatiently.
"Still, we wouldn't be helping anyone by causing distrust around the school," she said looking toward the Slytherin table. "Especially towards an assistant Professor."
She noticed Malfoy was sitting beside Blaise Zabini and a group of Slytherins she did not recognize. Where were Pansy and Goyle? He seemed just as frustrated as he had been on the train, glaring at the students around the hall who were trying to sneak glances at him. Hermione sighed. Could Malfoy be frustrated because everyone thought he was a Death Eater?
Malfoy suddenly turned his head toward Hermione and she jumped. He did not give her the same sneer as the rest of the nosey student body, but his expression was certainly no friendlier. Hermione blushed and look away quickly, joining in Harry's discussion of the new Professors.
Hermione yawned as she made her way towards her suite. She was thrilled she no longer had to share a room with the overly chatty Lavender and Parvati. She was sure that now Hermione's watchful prefect eye was no longer around they would attempt to find ways to sneak boys up the chanted dormitory stairs. Great chance of that.
She stopped in front of the great Hogwarts crest on the fourth floor. What was that password again?
"You really should do something about your hair."
No, that was certainly not the password.
Hermione tensed and turned to see Malfoy walking towards her, seeming to have regained his confidence.
"Why are you looking so pleased? Excited at the prospect of torturing a few first years in Potions?" she scoffed.
Malfoy raised his blonde eyebrows at her.
"I don't think I'd be able to do it with quite the same finesse as Professor Snape."
Hermione opened her mouth to disagree but her heart clenched. She turned away from him and concentrated on the Hogwarts crest. She had never particularly liked Professor Snape but the way he had died… and the truth behind his hatred for Harry… she did not like to think about it.
"What's the matter, Granger? Couldn't disagree?"
Hermione didn't answer but continued to rack her brain for the password she had forgotten.
"Granger?"
She was sure she remembered it. Wasn't it balderdash? Or blubber? Something like "dunderheads."
She heard Malfoy sigh behind her.
"Alright, alright. The password's 'dung beetle,'"
The crest swung forward, allowing them to enter their new dormitories. Malfoy paused, watching her nervously. Hermione quickly wiped a tear from her cheek and scrambled inside the hole in the wall. She heard Malfoy let out a breath of relief. He obviously had not wanted to deal with an emotional female tonight.
He climbed in after her and joined her in taking in their common room. It was spacious and consisted of couches and chairs in yellow, red, green, and blue. Each House's crest decorated the walls and a fire was already lit for them.
The ceiling was high, but did not spiral upward like in the Gryffindor common room since they were not in a tower. There were no stairs leading to their rooms, which were on separate sides of the common room. Hermione saw a plaque with her name decorating the oak door on the left. She squealed and darted toward it. Malfoy jumped at the sudden noise and scowled at her, heading to his own room on the right.
Hermione burst through the door to see a large room decorated in Gryffindor scarlet and gold.
Hermione smiled at the familiar colors and sank onto the large four-poster, exceedingly pleased that she would have some privacy this year.
Her eyes passed the closet, already adorned with her wardrobe, the mirror, and the desk, coming to rest on the open door. Hermione frowned.
"Figures this place would be bleeding bloody scarlet and gold," he sneered looking around her room.
"And I suppose your room is dripping in green and silver?" she said standing up from the bed.
"Naturally." He stepped further into her room.
"Malfoy," Hermione said with an edge to her voice. "Wasn't it you who said we should try to stay out of each other's way?"
Malfoy's smirk hardened.
"What of it?"
"Why are you in my room?"
Malfoy's cheeks coloured, something Hermione found she enjoyed watching. She grinned.
"You looked like you were about to have a damn breakdown a few minutes ago," he said angrily, "I didn't want McGonagall to show up and find you blubbering and blame it on me!"
"A true gentleman," Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Why did you nearly have a breakdown?" he asked scrutinizing her and stepping further still into her room.
"I did not nearly have a breakdown!" Hermione snapped, the grin falling from her face.
She stepped back away from him and felt the back of her knees hit the bed. She scowled.
"I think you did," he said stepping in front of her, seeming to like having her cornered. "You went completely unresponsive. I don't think I've ever seen you shut up before."
Hermione almost growled in anger at him.
"I don't think I've ever seen you this close to a mudblood before," she mocked scathingly.
It was his turn to scowl. He quickly recovered and placed the smirk back on his face, taking a step closer to her to antagonize her.
Hermione was not afraid of him but she did not like the feeling in her stomach when he was this close… she leaned back and ended up sinking into the bed.
Malfoy laughed.
"What's the matter?" he asked leaning over her. "Afraid the horrible Death Eater will hurt you?" His face looked less humorous and more challenging at these words.
Hermione was overwhelmed with a sense of pity as she stared into his hard face. He was taking his anger at his student body out on her… stupid really considering she was one of the only people who understood what he had gone through in the past two years.
But maybe that was why he was doing it… she was safe.
"Draco…" she said softly, surprising herself with the use of his first name.
He stared at her incredulously and straightened, stepping away from her.
"Where the bloody hell do you get off calling me that?" he demanded.
She stood, feeling embarrassed.
"I don't know," she said hurriedly. "It just seemed appropriate."
He snorted.
"Let's get a few things straight while we're still speaking to each other. One: do not call me 'Draco,'" he sneered. "I am not your friend. Two: I get first dibs on the bathroom. At all times. Three:" he continued before Hermione, who looked mutinous, could protest, "I don't want to see Potter or Weasley hanging around. If you want to see them go visit the Gryffindor common room."
"Excuse me!"
"And likewise, I'll do that same with my friends," he added letting out a dramatic sigh.
"Excuse me, I don't have any problems with you having friends in the common room—"
"Oh, excellent then. I'll invite them up. Just keep Potter away—"
"I will not accept a double standard!"
Malfoy groaned.
"Fine. If I say it's ok for them to visit will you quit nagging?"
"I don't need your approval!" she hissed furiously. "And I do not nag!"
"Oh, yes, Granger, you do," he said crossing his arms. "To both statements."
"Get out of my room already!" she shouted throwing her hands up, utterly frustrated with the boy.
"That's the first time a female has asked me to leave her room," he said wiggling his eyebrows at her and walking towards the door.
Hermione growled in frustration and grabbed a pillow from her bed, chucking it at him. It thudded with the back of his head and landed softly on the floor.
"Ouch… that hurt."
Hermione slammed the door shut after he had exited through it and leaned against it, regaining her breath.
She had tried to show him an ounce of sympathy but he certainly was not willing to accept any or make any kind of effort whatsoever.
Hermione flopped onto her bed. He had come to her room first, though. And the reason was very peculiar. Had he been concerned for her? Or had he honestly wanted to keep out of trouble? Maybe he just wanted to aggravate her to relieve his own stress. The latter was the most likely option. She wasn't sure whether to hate the bastard or to feel sorry for him.
Hermione yawned. It was late. She would have to decide tomorrow.
She quickly changed out of her school robes and snuggled into bed. There was so much to do this year… she would be performing her Head Girl duties as well as teacher assisting. Luckily she was advanced in most of her classes and would be able to handle her workload.
She felt her brain begin to cloud as sleep overtook her. She was vaguely aware of a faint hissing noise of a nearby shower as she finally drifted off.
