'Okay Students,' Dumbledore said. 'I'm going to call you all up pair by pair and you will go through the door behind me to see Professor McGonagall who will bond every couple together and show you to your apartments. Tomorrow we will collect the DNA needed to create the tablet which will start the pregnancy process. So let's get this show on the road. How about we start with…..
Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger!'
Hermione groaned and started to walk towards the door, staying as far away from Draco as she could in the small gap between the tables, going straight through the door and standing awkwardly next to Professor McGonagall as Draco strolled in.
"Right, let's get you two bonded and then we can get you settled into your apartment. I promise you they're nice places." McGonagall said, smiling kindly at Hermione. "So, if you could just join hands so I can bond you."
"I'm not touching That." Draco spat at Hermione, sneering.
"Don't worry, I don't want to touch you either, Malfoy," Hermione spat back.
"You two are going to do this one thing or you will both fail this class." Professor McGonagall told them sternly.
With a sigh, Hermione grasped Draco's hands, both staring daggers at each other and Professor Mcgonagall started to wind her wand around their hands, creating chains in a similar way to the unbreakable vow. When she pulled it away, the chains evaporated into a shower of gold stars, rising to the ceiling and she stepped back surprised.
"Well, I think this will be an excellent partnership," McGonagall said with a startled smile.
Draco grunted sarcastically, "right. Me and the nerd will get on soooooooo well."
Hermione and Professor McGonagall ignored him and they started to walk to the new room, McGonagall leading the way. When they arrived, it was to see an average sized semi-detached house in a street of houses all looking the same, the only difference being the colours of the doors, which were just outside the castle. Their humble abode had a deep purple door and was simply made ut of a warm red toned brick.
"Okay, this is your home for the year. I'll leave you to pick a password, as the door acts like a painting. Just say your password and it will record that and open to it." McGonagall said before walking away and heading back towards the castle.
"Sooo… how about… 'Mudbloods' for our password? I'm sure it's what you would like," Hermione snapped at him.
"Oh? I thought that was what you would want? Seeing as it is what you are." Draco sneered.
"Oh, no thanks. Couldn't focus on me like that." Hermione told him condescendingly.
They stayed in silence thinking for a moment before Hermione looked up like she had been hit. Hit by an idea perhaps.
"How about 'Home'?" She suggested.
"'Home'" Draco mused. "Short, Snappy, easy to remember. I guess it will do."
"Okay." Hermione replied and then set it as the password, opening the door and walking inside and turning to face Draco.
"Well, Malfoy, I was thinking, we are stuck in this for the full year. And we have to raise a child together. This hatred filled atmosphere we have isn't suitable for that. So, can we please try to be, if not friends, at least civil to each other?" Hermione asked with a nervous smile directed at him.
"Okay Granger. That sounds like a suitable idea. How about, we start afresh like we have never met?" He asked her politely.
"Lets." She smiled at him and held out a hand for a handshake. "Good Afternoon. My name is Hermione Jean Granger. What is yours?"
"Nice to meet you Hermione," Draco replied, taking her hand firmly in his larger one and shaking it. "I'm Draco Lucius Malfoy."
They smiled warmly at each other and held onto each others hands for a few moments longer than was strictly necessary. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad.
