-1Disclaimer: I own none of these wonderful characters, they belong to J.K. Rowling. The plot is mine though.
Hermione finished putting her hair up into a ponytail, took one last look in the mirror, and headed down to the common room. Of course there was only a few stray people lounging groggily around the room it was really early, classes wouldn't be started for another 2 hours. Hermione greeted her fellow early rising Gryffindors and headed out to meet Malfoy in the Entrance Hall, they were to patrol the school and make sure everything ran smoothly and that all of the first years made it to the Great Hall alright for breakfast.
Draco was already there leaning against the wall. His tie was hanging loose and his shirt was only buttoned part way and he looked like he would like nothing more than to be back in bed. He somehow managed to look disheveled and put together at the same time. "So nice of you to finally join me Granger. While you were dawdling and fixing your hair, precious first years could have gotten lost on their way to the Great Hall. Not a good way to start the year now is it?"
"It's still early Malfoy, we were scheduled to meet here at 6:30 it's barely 6:20. Besides at least I look presentable, you'll be a great example looking like you just rolled out of bed." Hermione crossed her arms and gave Draco the look. It was the look she had been giving Ron for years when he was being insufferable.
"Please Granger, I could not possibly look less than presentable, I'm a Malfoy. Now if you don't mind I'd like to make our rounds so that we can get down to breakfast ourselves there is a cheese omelette with my name on it." Draco brushed past her and started up the stairs. I thought we would start at the top of the school and work our way down if you don't mind."
"If you wanted to start at the top why didn't we meet somewhere on the seventh floor rather than making me walk all the way down here?" Hermione grudgingly followed him anyways, no point in arguing with him he was already almost to the second floor already.
"More fun for me this way. Honestly Granger do you know me at all." Draco turned around at the top of the stairs and flashed her his trademark smirk. "Pick up the pace, I don't have all day."
"This is going to be a fun year isn't it, taking orders from the king of the ferrets." Hermione mumbled quickening her pace to catch up with him.
"What's the matter pussy cat, wake up with a hairball?" Draco laughed at his joke.
"Pussy cat, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Hermione was genuinely confused.
"I spent a lot of time last year with Moaning Myrtle. She told me all about your day as a kitty cat, I would have paid good money to see that Granger. I am amazed however that you and the moron twins pulled it off, I never suspected a thing. Well I should say the moron twins pulled it off, you were in the hospital wing coughing up hairballs. Oh to have been a fly on that wall."
"I can't believe you know about that. If Myrtle were still alive I would kill her myself. You've known about this for a year and you're just bringing it up now, it must have been killing you to hold the insults in for so long. Well, go ahead ,laugh it up, I know Harry and Ron had a good laugh at my expense, why should you be any different. Besides at least my furry moment was private for the most part. I wasn't bounced up and down for the whole school to see." Hermione shoved by him and went to help a couple lost looking Ravenclaws who were wandering around the corridors. She welcomed them to Hogwarts and pointed them in the right direction.
"Were we ever really that small. They look like little mice scurrying around a maze."
"I remember first coming here and being overwhelmed at how huge everything seemed. If I hadn't studied a map of Hogwarts in History of Hogwarts I can't imagine how I would have found my way around those first few days. It's rather intimidating."
"I'm used to places like this. There are eight wings to our manor house and that's not including the dungeons. I honestly don't even know what's in most of the wings, I have never really needed to use most of them, of course I'm not allowing to use some of them.
It's all a bit much if you ask me. All a house really needs is a family wing and then a wing for each member of the house, anything else is just overkill."
"Oh it must be awful for you living in a house that is so big you don't know what to do with it. Imagine having all of those extra wings and nothing to do with them. How do you get by."
"It's difficult, but I try to remind myself that it's my parents house not mine and what they do with it is their business. I have no desire to take over the manor."
"You don't want to take over Malfoy Manor?"
"Not in the least. It's never really been a home. I plan on living in our summer estate here in Scotland. It only has five wings and it has an amazing potions lab."
"Only five wings however will you make that work?"
"Are you mocking me Granger?"
"Not in the least. Would I ever mock a Malfoy?" Hermione tried to give him her most innocent look but failed miserably when she burst out laughing. "Honestly you should see your face right now, it's classic Malfoy. The poor wounded aristocrat finds out that not everyone looks up to him and fears him. It's really quite cute."
"Glad to amuse you Granger as always. You know I think that we were actually having a semi-civil conversation there for a moment before you had to go and get all rude. If you'll excuse me, I'm off to breakfast now." He stuck his nose up in the air and began to walk away, then stopped and turned back around. "Oh, and Granger, I'm not cute. Handsome, yes, gorgeous, obviously, hot even, but not cute." He then turned on his heel again and walked off into the Great Hall.
Hermione was absolutely floored. She did not expect him to turn it around on her. Did she actually say the word cute. She couldn't imagine herself saying that about Malfoy, but when she thought about the look on his face when he realized she was teasing him, it was the only word she had for it. And he was right about one thing, they actually had been having a semi-civil conversation. What was the world coming to? Hermione shook her head and walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. True to what Malfoy had said they were having omelettes for breakfast and Hermione's mouth was watering just thinking about them.
"Morning, 'Mione. How were your rounds this morning? Any trouble with the ferret?" Ginny asked.
"He is honestly the most frustrating man on the face of the planet. He can flip anything around and make himself come off looking good in the end. Do you know that Myrtle told him about the polyjuice incident. I called him a ferret and he called me a pussy cat. Can you believe it. I'm going to give that ghost a piece of my mind." Hermione huffed digging into her ham and cheese omelette.
"Pussy cat." Ron laughed. "I hate Malfoy, but that really is a good one."
"Stuff it Ronald." Hermione kicked him under the table.
Ginny decided a change of subject was in order. "So 'Mione, sleep well last night? Any interesting dreams I should know about?" She was talking low so that she wouldn't be overheard.
"Yes, and it's driving me crazy I have to figure out who he is. If I could just see anything, the color of his hair, his eyes, anything that would help me figure out if maybe he's someone real, someone I know. What am I supposed to do start asking every guy I see if I can see them without their shirt on?"
"It could work, although there are a lot of guys at this school I would pay good money to see shirtless or more, there are just as many I would pay to keep their clothes on." Ginny shuddered. "Crabbe and Goyle in the altogether, brrrrr. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it."
"Thank you Ginny, I'm officially not hungry anymore. Honestly, you know how to kill a girls appetite." Hermione pushed her plate away and picked up her schedule. "Double transfiguration with Hufflepuffs, we get to be in Tonks' first class. Then double defense against the dark arts with the Slytherins after lunch. An evening with the snakes, can't wait. Well, I'm off to get my stuff I want to get to class early and visit with Tonks. Are you two coming?"
"Right behind you 'Mione. I'll see you for lunch Gin." Harry kissed Ginny goodbye and got up. "Come on Ron."
"I haven't finished my breakfast yet." Ron protested.
"Ron, you've already ate enough breakfast for four people mate. Come on, it will be lunch time before you know it." Harry dragged Ron away from the table and followed Hermione up to the tower. They then all made their way to the transfiguration classroom to see one of their favorite order members.
"Wotcher Harry, Ron, Hermione. You guys are in my first class I see. I hope I do alright, I never really pictured myself as a teacher, but it's best to have an auror present. I hope I don't do anything awful like trip over a desk and fall on my bum in front of the whole class. I was thinking of opening up the class with a pig nose and purple hair. What do you guys think?" Tonks morphed her appearance to show what she described.
"I don't think it would seem like you if you did it any other way Tonks." Hermione laughed at her friend. She and Ginny especially had gotten really close with Tonks over their time at Grimmauld Place. Hermione loved it when Tonks morphed her face. Hermione gave her a huge hug. "I can't wait for class to begin I know that you're going to do great. I'm sure you won't trip and fall on your bum, you usually knock something else over not yourself."
"That's comforting Hermione, thanks. I won't fall I'll just take out a couple students. I feel so much better now." Tonks laughed and with her pig nose it came out sounding like snorting which started them all laughing.
"What's so funny?" Neville asked coming into the room. "Hey guys, Professor Tonks. Ummm…what's with the nose?"
"Tonks, I mean Professor Tonks is a morphmagus, she can change her appearance at will, sometimes it changes with her moods as well. She thought it would be a good opening for the class." Hermione explained.
"I never met a morphmagus before. They're rare aren't they. I wish I could do it. It would be nice to be able to change my face into anything I wanted." Neville looked really impressed.
"There is nothing wrong with your face the way that it is Neville." Hermione assured him. "Luna doesn't seem to mind your face at all."
Neville blushed. "I never said there was anything wrong with it, it just might be nice to try something different for a change is all."
"I think you'd look nice with a beak and green hair. However it would have made you stand out like a sore thumb in the department of mysteries. You guys should take your seats the rest of the class should be arriving soon. Wish me luck." Tonks smiled and tried to look confident.
"Good luck Professor." Neville blushed and
"Break a leg." Harry said patting her on the back before taking his seat next to Neville.
"You'll do great." Ron gave her an encouraging smile taking the seat next to Harry.
"You don't need luck you're going to do fine." Hermione gave her another hug and took the seat on Ron's other side.
The other classmates started pouring in and they all enjoyed what turned out to be the most fun transfiguration class they had ever had. It took a while for things to calm down with everyone asking Tonks to change her appearance in different ways, and for their lesson they learned all about morphmagi. Hermione thought that it was one of the most interesting lessons she'd ever had and transfiguration was her favorite subject. For homework they were assigned two rolls of parchment on the pros and cons of being a morphmagus. Hermione couldn't wait to get started, she knew a lot already but planned on stopping off at the library after dinner for a couple books on the subject.
They had time before lunch so they went outside to enjoy the nice weather, it wouldn't be long before it started to get cold. They headed out to their favorite rock by the lake. Ginny and Luna were already there. Hermione plopped down on the grass and leaned back against the rock.
"How was class with Tonks? Did she do the snout?" Ginny inquired.
"It was amazing and of course she did the snout. The whole first hour she was taking requests. How was charms, learn anything exciting?" Hermione asked.
"Not really, it was the same as always. Tons of homework though three rolls of parchment on the fidelius charm. Want to help me out on that oh wise Head Girl?" Ginny pleaded sticking out her bottom lip and pouting.
"Well if it isn't the mama cat and all her little kittens. I thought I find you here." A voice drawled from the other side of the rock.
"I assume you have something to say ferret, so say it or sod off." Hermione was not in the mood for him at all right now.
"Is that what you want me to tell McGonagall, 'Sorry Headmistress Granger said sod off.' I don't think that would go over really well kitty cat." Draco said clucking his tongue and shaking his head.
Hermione stood up and turned around brushing herself off. "Call me kitty cat again Malfoy and I'll turn you back into a ferret and feed you to the hippogriffs. I'll see you guys later. Duty calls. Lead the way rodent."
"Watch that feline temper of yours. It's not nice to make empty threats."
"Who said they were empty?"
"Do I have to tell the Headmistress I don't feel safe around you? It's not becoming behavior for the Head Girl to go around making death threats Granger tisk tisk."
"Does the poor little ferret need McGonagall to rescue him again?"
"Rescue him from what Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked looking down at her favorite student.
"From the big bat cat Headmistress." Draco smirked and crossed his arms over his chest.
"It's nothing Professor, you wanted to see us?" Hermione glowered at Draco.
"Yes, I was hoping to find you two getting along a little better, but perhaps you think that is too much of me to ask of my Head students?"
"Not at all Professor, if Malfoy chooses to be civil with me, I'm more than willing to return the favor." Hermione looked down to avoid her mentors disapproving gaze.
"Likewise." Draco stated.
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to learn civility with your new assignment. I've discussed this at length with the other Professors including the past Headmasters and mistresses, and it has been agreed upon that the two of you will be setting a new example for the school. In the interest of unity amongst the houses we'll be trying something new starting this year. New dorms have been set up for the two of you, you'll be sharing a common room and study area. Your things are already being moved as we speak from your house dormitories. If you'll follow me, I will escort you to your new home." McGonagall did not leave room for any protests or questions she started off up the stairs. She lead them to a portrait of a centaur on the third floor. "This is Cale, he will give you the password to your new dormitories. I expect no arguments about this, it has already been decided and I will not back down. I do hope that you will both think about what this arrangement can mean for not just the two of you, but the unity of the school as a whole. Now if you'll excuse me I will leave you to get settled before lunch." With that she was gone and they were left standing there staring open mouthed first at each other and then at the portrait to their new "home."
"Good morning. The password is fusion. Don't look so down, the rooms turned out quite well." Cale smiled at his two tenants.
"Yeah that's my big concern, the rooms." Draco just stared at the painting in disbelief.
"Well, let's not stand out here all day. Fusion." Hermione said, squaring her shoulders, and preparing for what she knew was going to be the worst year of her life. When the portrait swung open Hermione's breath was taken away. She had never seen a more gorgeous sight in her life. Maybe this new dorm wasn't going to be all bad.
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A/N: I wasn't going to have them live together, but I couldn't resist. Please let me know what you guys think.