CHAPTER 3
Diagon Alley was as busy as ever. The word about Hogwarts staying open spawned a rush of last minute shoppers. Nervous first years shakily made their way to the new wand shop beside the boarded up Ollivander's, a constant reminder of things gone wrong.
No one had seen or heard from him since Neville bought his new wand there last summer…
"Hurry Harry, the train leaves in an hour", said Hermione, scolding Harry because he waited until the last minute to buy new robes.
"Hermione, it's ok," said Harry coolly "we can apparate now, we wont be late…"
Forty-five minutes later the trio boarded the Hogwarts Express from platform 9 ¾. Finding an empty compartment proved harder than expected, almost all of the seventh years had returned for their last year and all of the expected first years were aboard too.
"Sorry guys, I have to go to the head's compartment and then debrief the prefects. I'll be back as soon as I can", said Hermione with an apologetic look on her face.
There has to be a mistake, no way am I Head Boy, thought Draco as he sat smirking at his letter of congratulations from professor McGonagall.
Finally placing it on the seat beside him, he relaxed and looked around the head's compartment running over the plan in his head once more. Just as his thoughts began to turn to what he had to do to Granger, she walked in. He was not expecting that. Anyone but Granger.
Smirking he watched Hermione enter and roll her eyes dramatically.
I hate that mudblood, he thought, still smirking, but now looking down at his letter of congratulations.
"What are you smirking about Malfoy," she snarled. Draco looked up ready retaliate, but at the last minute thought of his mother. Instead he only rolled his eyes and got up. Brushing past Hermione on the way out.
Fingering his badge, Draco strolled into the prefects cabin, grazing over the room, momentarily pausing on Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood.
Fantastic, he thought, all we needed was Weaslette and Loony for prefects.
As if reading his thoughts, Draco heard Hermione's voice behind him, loudly congratulating Luna and Ginny on becoming last minute prefects since the originals withdrew from school.
Clearing his throat, Draco began, "I'm sure I'll need no introduction, I'm head…"
Cutting him off, Hermione continued. "My name is Hermione Granger, Head Girl. Clenching her teeth she went on, "this is Draco Malfoy, Head, erm, Boy.
By the end of the session with the prefects Hermione hastily left the cabin, saying a quick "see you later" to Luna and Ginny.
"Harry, Ron…you'll never guess who the Head Boy is,' without waiting for a reply she went on, "Malfoy"
Harry's mouth opened and shut several times as if he was going to say something.
Ron spoke for him. "Are you kidding me? Malfoy? What the hell? Over me or Harry? There has to be a mistake. How can he get head boy after the stunt he just pulled just last year? He should be expelled!
"I don't know Ron, but he is and I'm just as outraged as you are."
"There has to be an explanation," she said thoughtfully, "I'm going straight to Professor McGonagall when we get to Hogwarts.
--
Once the welcoming feast was over (though not nearly as fulfilling with Professor Dumbledore gone forever), many of the students were eager to begin the new year and retain some level of normalcy. As Draco and Hermione were instructing the prefects, Professor McGonagall lightly tapped Hermione on her shoulder.
"Once you are finished here I will need to see both you and Mr. Malfoy in my office," said Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione then turned back to Draco as he was finishing.
"…And only the Head Boy…and girl may deduct house points, now quickly lead your respective houses back to their common rooms."
Hermione used this moment to inform Draco of the headmistress' request. "Malfoy, Professor McGonagall wishes to see us in her office now." With that she turned on her heel and made her way to the Professor's office.
By the time she reached the gargoyle, she saw Malfoy quickly approaching behind her.
"Half-moon glasses," she said and the gargoyle jumped aside as a winding staircase made it's way to the office door.
Knocking softly, Draco let out an impatient sigh and knocked on the door a little louder.
A stern voice said "Come in", and Draco reached for the door knob and walked in and took a seat without glancing over his shoulder.
Hermione took her seat, taking in the familiarity of the office. Her eyes fell upon the old headmaster's portrait and for one fleeting moment she thought she saw the enchanted twinkle of his eyes, a second later it was gone and the Professor was resting peacefully once more.
"As you both know the head students are chosen based on the ranking in their class. Both of you Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, are first and second in your class respectively. However, in light of last terms events I thought it was most fitting that we choose a new Head Boy…"
At the Professor's last words Hermione sat up a little straighter in her chair, as did Draco.
"But," the headmistress went on, " it seems that the decision our headmaster made before his unfortunate demise is final. In his decision he left a reminder of the sorting hat's song from your fifth year."
Remembering the song about unity, Hermione stole a quick glance over at Draco. He looked lost in thought.
"So," said Professor McGonagall, "since Albus' plans are inflexible, it seems that in order to promote unity, he chose Ms. Granger, a muggleborn and Mr. Malfoy, a pureblood as his head students. Although it is a very unconventional method, he outlined that the two of you will share your own common room with separate sleeping quarters."
McGonagall's words caused Draco to cringe. He glanced over at Hermione, she looked equally appalled.
As Draco opened his mouth to speak, Professor McGonagall silenced him with a wave of her hand. "I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore's decision is final, my hands are tied. Please both of you stand and follow me", she said rising from her seat, " I will now show you to your common room."
On the way to their dormitory, the Professor explained all of their responsibilities, but Draco was not paying much attention. The last thing he heard was something about knowing passwords to all common rooms and not being able to deduct more than 20 points at any one time.
This is bloody terrible and wonderful at the same time. Sharing this living space with the mudblood means that I will have nothing but opportunity to get her to like me. And then lure Potter to the Dark Lord. But I must act fast…I just want my mother to be safe…
Breaking into his thoughts, Professor McGonagall turned to him and asked if he would remember the password.
"Err, sure. Got it," he said slowly without the slightest clue as to what the password was.
"Very well then, Phoenix Feathers," she said clearly and the portrait opened. "I trust you are able to find your rooms, please settle in, and remember," she added, eyeing them both sternly, "unity.
