The Gryffindor table screamed in outrage, Ron jumping up and yelling curses the whole time, his housemates backing him up. They knew the trouble Draco Malfoy could be, knew he despised the whole lot of them.
Dumbledore raised his wand and a bright red light, followed by a BANG was heard and the hall quieted down. Dumbledore looked around at the standing Gryffindor house and the smirking blonde Slytherin at the front.
"Mr. Weasley if you may come forwards," Dumbledore said, "and will the Gryffindor house please take your seats."
Glowering, the students sat, sending looks of malice at Malfoy the whole time. Ron looked at his friends and Hermione smiled encouragingly at him.
"Don't worry mate," Harry whispered and nodded towards the front.
Ron, looking pale, slowly made his way upfront.
"Mr. Weasley if you please," Dumbledore said gesturing towards the Slytherin table where they sat, identical looks of loathing and hatred on their faces. Swallowing Ron walked over and sat at the very end of the table, and on the edge of his seat. "Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said sweeping his arm towards the Gryffindor table. Malfoy strutted over and glared at a first year who hastily got up and moved away leaving an empty seat for him. Chuckling he sat down.
"A few more rules to go over," Dumbledore said once the four were settled into their temporary houses. "I want these students to be treated as you would treat your own. Teachers, points will be awarded to and taken away from the house they are currently residing in. Also, I think it only fair if those of you on a Quidditch team," here his eyes looked at the two males, "will play for the team of the house in which they represent this year. Mr. Weasley will play for Slytherin and Mr. Malfoy will play for Gryffidnor."
"What?" Harry screamed, along with the Slytherin captain as more cries of protest were heard throughout the hall.
"The decision is final," Dumbledore said loudly quieting the Hall. "Now, I believe that is enough excitement for one night. Since the Prefects have been split up already, I believe each of you shall work with that Prefect assigned to your house. Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy, Miss Patil and Mr MacMillian, Mr Goldstein and Miss Abbott, and Mr Weasley and Miss Parkinson. This will be your partner for the year. Please show the first years, and your new partner to your houses. Thank you and Good Night."
Sitting back down Dumbledore turned to McGonagall and began conversing. The students of Hogwarts all sat for a moment, too shocked to know what to do. Then, slowly, Anthony stood up and looked at Hannah. "Ready to go Hannah?" he asked, breaking the silence. With a small smile Hannah stood and helped him gather the first years.
That was the cue everyone was waiting for and slowly the tables began to empty. Hermione glanced over at the Slytherin table to see Ron, face red and arms crossed, glaring at Pansy Parkinson who looked to be laughing at him. She smiled sympathetically at him, but he didn't see it.
"Mudblood," a voice drawled. Hermione sighed and turned to see the blonde leaning against the table examining his nails. "Shouldn't you be showing me to your pathetic excuse of a house?"
"Say that again Malfoy," Harry said drawing his wand.
"Easy Potter," smirked Draco, "I'm a prefect and I would simply hate if I had to take points from my 'house'. Oh this will be fun,"
"You're out numbered here Malfoy," Harry said as Ginny Weasley stopped and glared.
"Watch what you say you little ferret," Ginny snarled.
"What are you going to do Weaselette? Hex me with your 'famous' bat bogey hex? I'm not afraid of you."
"You should be," Seamus said.
"Yeah," Dean agreed, "we know where you sleep now."
Laughing the group of Gryffindors stalked off.
"Mione?" Harry asked looking back at her surrounded by the group of first years and a scowling Malfoy.
"I need to bring this lot up Harry," Hermione said. "You go on without me, I'll be fine."
Harry glanced one last time at Malfoy before nodding and walking off. Hermione sighed and looked at the Slytherin. "Listen here Malfoy," she said sounding business like. "I don't like this much more than you do but if I'm going to be stuck working with you all year then I'm going to try my best to let bygones be bygones."
"Bygones?" sneered Draco, "what the bloody hell does that mean? Don't use your rubbish muggle terms on me Granger."
Hermione sighed, "it just means I want us to work civilly, put the past behind us, and forget our differences. I don't like you and you don't like me, that much is obvious but…"
"You think I don't like you?" Malfoy smirked. "You got it all wrong Granger."
"What?" Hermione asked taken aback, "Oh, well I just figured, you know, with the way you treat me…"
"It's not that I don't like you," he continued, "I hate you Granger. Hate. I despise you and your dirty mudblood race. I want nothing more than to see your filthy race wiped out. So no, Granger, I won't work civilly with you, forget our differences, or put the past behind me. You can do all the work, and I will get all the credit. As it should be. Now lead away, I grow weary of this conversation."
Hermione stood there, hands shaking at she stared at the boy. With a deep breath she turned swiftly on her feet and marched out the door.
"Well what are you waiting for?" she screamed at the first years when she noticed they weren't following her. The eleven year olds quickly rushed out the door and Draco, smirking harder than ever, followed behind.
"Up these stairs," Hermione said angrily, "c'mon quit dawdling. Hurry along, let's go!"
"Granger you might consider being a little more nice," Draco smirked, "you're scaring the firsties."
"Malfoy," Hermione seethed between clenched teeth, "if you knew what was best for you, you would shut that enormous trap of yours."
"But I'm having so much fun," he said.
Hermione quickened her pace, causing the first years to jog to keep up. "Watch these stair cases," she said flippantly, "they like to change."
"Change?" a small voice asked sounding frightened.
Hermione glanced at him, saw his pale face, wide eyes, and shaking hands and let out a slow breath, forced a smile on her face, and nodded.
"It's nothing to be afraid of," she said gently, "but they can confuse you. Until you get use to the set up of the school give yourself a lot of time to get to classes, the professors won't excuse you for getting lost. I can make up some maps if you like," she added as an after thought.
They had arrived outside the Fat Lady and Hermione smiled at her, "Loyalty," she said smiling.
"An important trait to have," the portrait smiled and swung forwards; Hermione turned to the group, "Loyalty is our current password, it tends to change about three or four times a year depending on the number of outside visitors we have. If you ever forget the password I, or one of the older students, will be pleased to help you, but please don't mention it to anyone outside out house. That means you, Malfoy," she said with narrow eyes.
"Oh he won't be able to," The Fat Lady, who's picture was still open, said, "The Headmaster has charmed all entrances for those who don't belong in the house this year. They are unable to utter the password to anyone outside their respected house."
Hermione smirked, "wonderful to hear. Alright let's go in everybody."
The first years walked in looking around at the scarlet couches, the fireplace, the portraits on the walls. "This board will announce any news you may need to know, such as class cancellations, group meetings, and anything else going on in the school. Girls dorms are to the left, boys to the right."
"Where do I sleep?" Malfoy drawled.
Hermione turned to look at him and quirked an eyebrow, "good question, why don't you head on up to the boys dorm and find out, huh?" she asked. "Alright," she added looking at the first years, "you may go on up, your belongings are already up there for you. Have a pleasant evening." Smiling Hermione headed towards the staircase that led up to her room.
"Granger," Malfoy said reaching to grab her robe then stopping, thinking better of it, "seriously where do I sleep?" he asked sounding annoyed.
"How should I know Malfoy, it's not like I know any more than you about this bloody exchange program. Now if you excuse me I'm going to bed."
Turning on her heel Hermione marched away and up the staircase, leaving Draco Malfoy standing at the bottom, alone.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating! But at least I've finally got it up! This story is coming along nicely, although slowly. I'm still thinking of ideas for it so if anyone has anything they want to add, feel free to leave it in a review/PM!
I'm so happy with the response I've received so far! Thank you everyone!
As always, please review!
