Chapter 10 Two Heads Aren't Better Than One
Last Chapter: The kiss with Donovan fled her mind, washed away in the rush of emotions that went through her at the sight of Draco. Her already erratic pulse jumped even more. Gathering her scattered wits, she hurried onto the train. By the time she reached the door, he was already gone. Damn him, she thought, he can still make me feel like this. Just a tad unsteady, she went in search of her friends.
The brown eyed witch had regained her composure by the time she found her friends in one of the compartments. Luna was also there, comfortably leaning against Ron's side. Raising her eyebrows at him, Hermione greeted the Ravenclaw in a friendly manner. Ron looked at her sheepishly, as though unsure of her reaction. Apparently he and Luna had started dating during the end of last school year. Hermione just smiled and nodded at Ron, happy that he had found someone. He gave a grin, relieved that she was fine with the relationship.
Hermione was eager to hear how they had been. They told her about the end of the school year and what they had done over the summer in England. She was proud that Harry and Ron had destroyed two horcruxes, and she praised them saying that she always knew they could accomplish anything if they worked at it. They groaned when she said that now she didn't have to help them with homework so much. There was so much to share, but they knew they had time now that they were back together.
One of the first things her friends offered were their condolences about her parents. It was a little awkward, as they hadn't seen her in the intervening time, but Hermione was still very thankful for their show of love. She was able to tell them honestly that while she missed her Mum and Dad terribly, she wanted to concentrate on the good memories that she had of them instead of the method of their deaths. She had been working through her grief during the months while she was gone. The other four understood and allowed her to change the subject.
She told them about her newly found wizarding relatives. When her uncle was nine and her mother was just an infant, Hermione's grandfather who was an Oxford don, moved his family the the states for a few years to complete a project at Harvard University. It was while in Massachusetts, that Ethan came into his magical powers. He was invited to attend an American wizarding school, much like they had been selected for Hogwarts. When his family returned to England, Ethan stayed at the school except to visit home during holidays and vacations. He had chosen to remain a part of the American wizarding society after graduation and had stayed there ever since. His wife, her Aunt Eva, was a pureblood from Boston, though it didn't matter as much in the States. Over there magical strength and knowledge meant more than blood status.
"So my mother never even knew he was a wizard. She was only about eight when he stopped coming home," Hermione told them. "Uncle Ethan researched our family tree and couldn't find anyone else with any powers. So I'm still a muggleborn, there just happens to be two wizards in my family."
She went on to tell them about living with the Langstroms. Her aunt was a kind hearted woman, not unlike Mrs. Weasley. She doled out scolds and hugs in equal measure. She was a healer of magical creatures. Hermione told them about her cousins, who both took classes at the Wizarding University where Uncle Ethan was a potions master. Melissa was an apprentice mediwitch, while Thomas was working to be a blue robe, the American equivalent of an Auror. She smiled as she spoke of Donovan, who had just started to work as a cursebreaker. All of them had taken her under their collective wing and helped her get through the months. Her uncle had let her assist him with his classes, her aunt had given her a shoulder to cry on, and the three younger folk had filled up all of her free time. She found that she had fit in well with her cousins' older crowd of friends.
"Wow, Mione," Ginny focusing on one part of the narrative. "What's going on with that Donovan guy? That kiss was hot! He is some serious eye candy!"
"Hey!" complained Harry. "Boyfriend is right here, you know!" Ginny just rolled her eyes and laughed at him. Hermione just blushed.
"I don't know," she mused, "He's never done that before. He's just trying to get me to join their coven."
"What's a coven?" Ron asked indignantly as his face turned red. "It's not some kinky sex group, is it?"
"Gross Ron!" Hermione laughed. "For you information, it's an American wizarding thing. A group of witches and wizards bond their magic so that they can cast stronger spells by working together. The coven members usually have strong emotional ties to each other, though it doesn't have to be romantic. Donovan, Melissa, and Thomas are forming their own coven. It's really a beautiful thing to see a coven working together. My aunt and uncle have been in the same coven for years and years."
"I've heard of covens," Luna put in. "They can really be quite powerful. My dad interviewed a coven of five that single-handedly saved an American town from being over run by flying hairy vildeborgs. Really, it was quite amazing!" Ginny rolled her eyes again, but Hermione just looked fondly at the blonde girl. I've missed her too.
"So he wants you to be part of their coven," said Harry. "Is that what you want, Hermione?" He sounded a bit worried about her answer. The other two girls and Ron seemed to be awaiting her response as well.
"No, Harry, I told him that I'm an English witch and we didn't do things quite that way," she replied honestly. "Besides, if we did, I think I already have a coven." She looked meaningfully at all of the others seated around her. They smiled at her, understanding exactly what she meant.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Their conversation was interrupted by a second year student poking his head in the door and saying, "Is Hermione Granger in here? She's wanted in the Head's Compartment."
"That's me. Thanks, I'm coming," answered Hermione. She stood up as the boy wandered out again and realized that everyone was looking at her strangely. "I forgot," she mumbled, "but I'm Head Girl this year!"
"Why would they pick you?" Harry asked her in a confused voice, when everyone else congratulated her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she said, hurt that her best friend wasn't excited for her.
"Nice comment, Harry," said Ginny poking him in the ribs.
He blushed and explained, "I didn't mean it that way! I know you'll be fantastic, but I didn't think you could be picked since you didn't finish last year."
"Dumbledore wrote that the grades that I had when I left, plus the all the extra credit assignments that I had already completed were enough to pass me for last year. When they added in my extra classes from third year, I was still at the top of the class. The letter said that while it was an unusual decision, it was backed by a majority of the professors." Hermione explained.
"Where's your badge?" asked Ginny. "Can I see it?"
"They didn't send it. I'm supposed to get it today," Hermione shrugged. "I'll show you later."
"Well, I think it's wonderful," said Luna dreamily. "I'm going to make you a special wall hanging so that the snilty gulliwinks don't infest your Head Girl Room."
"Thanks, Luna," Hermione laughed as she headed out the door to the Head's Compartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When Hermione entered the first compartment of the train, she was welcomed warmly by Professor McGonagall. Hermione impulsively hugged the older witch, glad to see her mentor again. With a smile gracing her usually stern face, the elder witch indicated that Hermione should sit.
"Miss Granger, I am so relieved that you decided to come back to Hogwarts. None of us would have blamed you, but it would have been a great loss to us if you had chosen not to return. You are perfectly safe now. As you know, Theodore Nott's father has been sent to Azkaban for your parent's death. Both Theodore and Blaise Zabini have been expelled. Three of the others have graduated and are no longer at Hogwarts. The only students that remain, who know the full story, are Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. They will say nothing of it to anyone."
Hermione nodded her head in understanding, feeling a pain in her heart at the mention of her parents.
"Now about the Head Girl Position. I know you are fully capable of performing the role and hope you will take it upon yourself to do the job. In this instance, I wanted to speak to you before you officially accept the position," the head of Gryffindor looked at her solemnly. "Contrary to what many students believe, we professors are not always blind to what goes on in the school. You have been through so much and I do not want to be the one to add to your pain. However, this has to do with your relationship with Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione's face burned with embarrassment. She hadn't realized that the staff knew about the original fiasco with Draco. "Professor, I-" she stammered.
"Hear me out, Hermione," McGonagall continued. "If you choose to keep the Head Girl Position, you will need to put that situation behind you and work with him ..."
Merlin, she's not saying what I think she's saying, thought Hermione, paling where she had been bright red before.
"...as Draco Malfoy is this year's Head Boy. For reasons that I can't discuss right now, it is necessary for him to retain this position. Professor Snape is currently talking to him about how he is expected to act towards the Head Girl. He has already chosen to accept his post, so it is up to you to decide if you can work with him civilly. Do you need some time to think about it? I must know by the time we reach the school, so that the announcement can be made at the feast."
They think I hate him, that it'll be hard to be civil to him, she thought with irony. They don't know it's almost the exact opposite. How am I going be with him all the time and not fall in love with him again?
"Professor, does Dra-... Malfoy know that I'm supposed to be Head Girl?" she asked.
"No, he doesn't,Miss Granger; we wanted to hear your decision before he was notified."
Hermione took a deep breath and then let it out. "I can do it, Professor McGonagall. I was put into Gryffindor for a reason, and I won't give up this opportunity because I can't deal with Malfoy. I'll be civil, so long as he can do the same."
The professor looked at her protege and smiled again. "I'm proud of you, Hermione. Know that I will support you if you need any assistance in dealing with Mr. Malfoy. Don't hesitate to come to me if you need it. I'll have Professor Snape send him in. Do you wish me to stay?"
"No thank you, Professor. I'm going to have to deal with him on my own for the whole year, so I might as well start now," Hermione assured her solemnly.
McGonagall nodded briskly and then reached into a bag that was on the bench nearest to her. She handed Hermione the Head Girl Badge, watched her pin it onto the front of her robes, then turned and left the compartment.
Hermione jumped up and began smoothing her hair and checking her robes to see if they were falling just right. Then she stopped abruptly. Idiot, she told herself, I'm trying not to attract him. Taking a few deep breaths to ready herself, she turned to face the door. The door handle rattled before slowly starting to open. Calm down...calm down...calm down, she chanted to herself as she schooled her face into a neutral expression.
The door opened completely to reveal Draco Malfoy. He was saying, "So who have they matched me up wi-" His voice cut off when he caught sight of her and his eyes widened. "Hermione?" he asked incredulously. As if realizing that he was showing too much emotion, he quickly wiped all expression off of his face.
"Hello Malfoy. I'd prefer if you called me Granger," she managed in an amazingly steady voice. "I guess we'll be working together this year."