Disclaimer: The plot is mine and that's it. All else (including Draco) are sadly not mine. sob
The rest of the trip passed happily enough. Well, as happy as a trip could pass under the circumstances. Hermione was rather disappointed that the Head Boy never showed up to introduce himself, but she figured one look at Malfoy scared him away immediately.
At long last, the conductor's voice came from over the loud speaker. "We will reach Hogwarts in ten minutes' time. Please leave all luggage on the train. It will be taken up to the school for you. Remain seated until the train comes to a complete stop. Thank you."
Hermione ignored the last instruction of the conductor and began reaching up in the luggage rack to organize her things for departure. Unfortunately, one of her many boxes was above a sleeping Draco. Standing up quietly, she crept across the compartment and climbed up on the seat. Taking a minute to catch her balance, she stretched up toward her prize, lithe curves arching gracefully.
Hermione had just about reached her target when the train gave a violent jerk as it was pulling into the station. For the second time that day, Hermione lost her footing and tipped back onto the floor. The noise of her impact jerked Malfoy awake. He looked around, then down at her. Both thick eyebrows shot high up in surprise.
"Having fun?" His mouth twisted into a grin.
Hermione glared up at him. "Yes, as a matter of fact. I heartily enjoy falling on my ass in front of people I dislike. It's become quite a hobby of mine, actually."
"Alright, alright. Take it easy."
He stood and swiftly moved to the door. Pulling it open, he waited for her to pass through. Hermione took her sweet time picking herself up off the floor and straightening out her skirt.
"Are you coming or not?" Malfoy's voice was slightly aggravated.
"I didn't ask you to hold open the compartment door open for me. You just wanted to."
Malfoy glowered at her. "I didn't want to. It's what a gentleman would do."
"I'm so glad you're up to date with the latest proper etiquette for modern gentlemen. I'll remember that in future." Malfoy chose not to answer that one, preferring instead to observe her movements with an impatient –and critical- eye.
Even though he thoroughly disliked the girl now prancing around making sure she hadn't forgotten any personal belongings during of the journey, he had to admit she wasn't bad to look at. Her wild, bushy brown hair had tamed itself into brown hair had tamed itself into lose, corkscrew ringlets that she wore just below her shoulders. Her frame was not petite but her curves combined to give her an overall voluptuous appearance. Her shoulders were bare due to the periwinkle, sleeveless turtleneck she was sporting (she hadn't changed on the train). The snugness of the turtleneck also allowed Malfoy to take note of the fact that she was fairly well endowed. He could not see the full extent of her figure as a yellow and blue floral skirt flared out from her waist effectively hiding the curvature of her hips. Her legs appeared long in proportion to her short frame and ended in remarkably dainty feet laced up in delicate, blue, cork sandals. Her toes were painted a pale pink, as were the fingernails on her equally petite hands. As she turned to check the front of the compartment, Malfoy observed that her face had thinned and become more angular. She had long, thick eyelashes that encased mahogany orbs in a dark ring. Her eyes sparkled with a secret she would let the world see but never know. Her lips were bow shaped, the bottom slightly fuller than the top which gave her the appearance of a slight pout. She was most interesting.
"I think that's it," said Hermione, surveying the room for one last time.
"Good. Are you now able to leave, your highness?" Draco mock-bowed to her, keeping his back overly stiff and straight.
"Shut it," Hermione snapped. Picking up her purse, she exited the cabin at last, hips unconsciously swaying seductively.
XXX
Outside on the station platform, the night air was thick with the calls of students, the harsh cries of cats, and the screeching of owls. Hermione breathed in the smell of engine smoke and magic. She was home.
"The young woman stood on the platform, inhaling the welcome scents of the place she loved most in the world. As the idea that she was finally back washed over her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She, at last, was home." Hermione turned quickly to see who had been narrating her thoughts so precisely. Malfoy grinned from right behind her.
"Why don't you skip this train platform, get off at the next, and go straight to hell?"
"Because then you wouldn't have anyone to annoy you. And that would be such a shame."
Before Hermione could respond, she heard a voice calling her name.
"Ah. Miss Granger. Mister Malfoy. There you are. Come right this way." Professor McGonagall was hurrying over to them. "The heads' carriage is right over there. Once you two get into the castle, wait for me and I will tell you what you are to do. And Miss Granger, why aren't you in your Hogwarts attire?"
"I wasn't able to change on the train. I'm sorry."
Professor McGonagall looked stern. "Well, can you change before you get into the great hall?"
"Yes, of course." Hermione smiled.
"Good. Well, see you there."
She turned and hastened away into the throng of people. Hermione watched her go, feeling as though something wasn't right, but she hadn't caught on as to what yet. Unbeknownst to her, Malfoy picked up his bags as well as hers and strode off toward the indicated carriage. Hermione turned quickly and, seeing what Malfoy was doing, stomped after him.
"What are you doing?"
"Why, I am helping a lady carry her minimal parcels to the designated transportation unit." He swung the bags onto the luggage rack.
"This carriage is for the head boy and girl you prat. So why are you stowing your things along with mine?"
"Granger, I am perfectly aware that this carriage is reserved for only the head boy and girl, which is why my things are going in the carriage too." He smirked at her, and then climbed into the carriage himself. When she did not follow him he looked out at her and said, "Coming?" She glared up at him with tangible hatred. Realizing that she had no choice, she grasped the handle on the side of the door and followed Malfoy into the depths of the 'transportation unit.'
XXX
A short while later, they pulled up to the castle in front of a small door to the left of the main castle entrance. Malfoy got out first and held the door for Hermione. She stepped down without a word to him and turned to Professor McGonagall who was waiting a little to the right of the door.
"Good, good," she said, clapping her hands smartly. "Now that you both are here, I will show you where you are to wait. Miss Granger,"
"Yes?" said Hermione, puzzled.
"Your robes." Professor McGonagall looked sternly down at her.
"Oh, right." She reached into her bag and pulled out a long set of black witches robes and slipped them on over her head. Professor McGonagall looked disapprovingly at her high heels, but made no comment.
"Very well. Come with me." She turned and marched through the door into a small side chamber that Hermione was sure led off the great hall.
Professor McGonagall turned to them. "Wait here until Professor Dumbledoor calls your names, then proceed into the hall. Let the applause die down, then move to your respective tables. I will see you after the feast to lead you to your dormitories." She turned and disappeared through the door.
"My God, for all that shit she just gave us, you'd think we were being forced to memorize choreography for a ballet," Malfoy said, chuckling at his words.
"Shut up. I'm more pissed at you than I can say right now."
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "And exactly why might that be?"
"Like you haven't guessed. Why didn't you tell me that you were head boy?"
"It's a very simple answer if you think about it. I'm surprised that you and all your brains haven't managed to figure it out yet." Yet another smirk was growing on his face. Doesn't he ever run out? Hermione silently asked herself.
"Answer the damn question already before I take a personal interest in ensuring that you never procreate."
Malfoy leaned close to her, fierce indigo orbs boring deeper into her than she would have liked. "You never asked." His voice was a whisper. Hermione stood speechless for a few seconds and was about to say something when Professor Dumbledoor's voice sounded from the other side of the closed door.
"If you could all give a great welcome to our new head boy and girl, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger!"
"Oh shit! That's us!" Hermione forcefully turned her head to the side, breaking the momentary spell Malfoy had cast. He pulled back with an annoyed expression.
"My ears aren't broken, Granger, I can hear just fine."
"Well, congratulations. Though it is a pity that your mouth isn't broken." Ha ha. I have regained the upper hand.
The side door opened and Hermione and Malfoy stepped out into the great hall to the right of the staff table. Both automatically pasted fake smiles on their faces.
Stepping out into the hall, they raised their hands in acknowledgment, the swiftly went to sit at their tables.
XXX
After what felt like hours later, the meal was at last finished. Hermione hadn't talked much throughout the duration of dinner. Though Harry and Ron both questioned her, she only snapped at them to leave her alone and continued eating. Staring blankly over at Malfoy, she wondered How in the hell am I going to get along with him all year long?
Suddenly, the scraping of benches surrounded Hermione, shaking her out of her day dreaming, and she realized that Dumbledoor must have released the students. Standing up quickly, she scanned the hall for Professor McGonagall. She saw her standing off to the side of the hall, Malfoy standing with her.
Grimacing at the thought of Malfoy's company, she made her way over to them.
"There you are," said Professor McGonagall. "Now that you're both here, follow me."
"What about the first years, Professor?" Hermione sped up a little so that she could both talk with Professor McGonagall and get away from Malfoy.
"That is the prefects' job. They will take care of it." Her voice had a certain finality about it that told Hermione there was to be no more talking. Slightly embarrassed, Hermione allowed her pace to slow ever so slightly so that she could get away from the angry professor.
After making their way through winding passageways, down rickety staircases and along several corridors, they at last stopped in front of a large painting of an exotic bird perched on a tree bearing some unknown, succulent fruit.
"Password?" The bird's voice was rich and velvety, not at all how Hermione expected it to sound.
"Transubstantiation," said Professor McGonagall. The bird nodded and the portrait swung open. Professor McGonagall turned them both. "The password changes every other full moon. You must say all previous passwords in order to receive the new one. Miss Granger, your dormitory is through the common room and up the stairs to your right, Mister Malfoy, the same on your left. I realize that there are walls between your houses, but I must ask that you limit your battles to minor concussions. That way I won't be responsible for the death of a student." She smiled at their shocked faces. "In other words, try to get along as best you can. Have a good night." She gave them each a small nod and left.
Well, there you go. I'm sorry for the long delay. My mom has been monopolizing the computer so I have had no chance to get on it. I am going to make it up to you, however. I will begin writing the fourth chapter as soon as this one is posted. Thanks for reading and please REVIEW!
P.S. – There you go BB Macintosh! Hermione is now thoroughly makeover-ed. ;P