Unexpected Series of Events
AN: This story is barreling towards an end. It may take a couple of chapters to get there, but it is my current project to finish all of my unfinished multi-chaptered stories. Followed by a much needed clean up on grammar and spelling, not to mention structure. Please enjoy this new installment of my firstborn fan fiction. Don't forget to review!
The Private Study
Hermione waited impatiently on the train with the other prefects for Draco. She tapped her foot and pretended to read, despite not being able to take in what was on the page. She was anxious to proceed with their plan, but the longer Draco was away the more and more nervous she became. Professor McGonagall entered the cabin and began assigning duties for the new prefects. Hermione barely noticed that Draco slipped in behind her during the process.
"Where have you been," she asked him. "I've been waiting for almost a half hour."
For the first time in two years Draco looked at Hermione like she'd sprouted horns that started singing showtunes. Before he could give her an answer, Professor McGonagall came up to them and handed them the new passwords.
"I expect you two to set an example for the prefects and students," she said in her usual tone. "If you two so much as exchange sparks I'll have your badges." The latter was said in such a matter-of-fact tone that the two Heads could only nod. "Mr. Malfoy you may go, Ms. Granger, a word?"
Professor McGonagall led her out of the prefects cabin into an empty one, she then drew out from her sleeve a shiny, but old brass key. "This is the key to the private study in the library, it is located right before the Restricted Section. I've been given permission by the Headmaster to give this to you so that you may have a quiet place to study."
"Thank you," said Hermione, "I— "
"I'm afraid I have another bit of news for you," interrupted McGonagall. Hermione closed her mouth and listened attentively as if she were in class. "I'm afraid that your friend has been compromised."
"What—"
"Let me finish," McGonagall said with a wave of her hand. "What has been done to him, we are not quite sure of, but it is powerful magic. I advise you not to pursue your old friendship with this person, it will confuse and agitate them, and we can not be sure what they might do if they become overwhelmed."
"I don't understand Professor, when did this happen," Hermione felt stunned at this new revelation, "He was fine when I saw him last."
"Ms. Granger calm yourself," McGonagall chided. "As you know we were aware of your relationship to this person, but you must not attempt to remind him of his lost memories. It's imperative, for your own safety. We have reason to believe that there are eyes and ears that may be reporting to his father."
"I'm sorry Professor, but I can't do that," argued Hermione. "He's become one of my best friends and I wont let him become lost. I can't stand by and do nothing, it's not in my nature and it certainly isn't in his. If I were in his place, he would do the same for me, this I'm sure of."
McGonagall gave a knowing smile. "I had a feeling you might say that, that is why I am also giving you this." It was a second key, an exact replica to the private study. "The room is for both of the heads, it shall be your task to give this to Mr. Malfoy." She left the cabin leaving a puzzled Hermione behind.
Hermione returned to the prefects cabin and spotted Draco giving assignments to new prefects. She went up to hi and said, "This is for you. Opens the study by the Restricted Section."
"Just the Head Girl I wanted to see," he said icily. It made Hermione's skin crawl. He took the key from her and ushered her back outside of the cabin. "We need to set up some ground rules," he said. "I can't have you undermining me –"
"Excuse me?" Hermione interrupted. "If anyone's got a history of undermining authority it's you."
"That's neither here nor there, Granger," he said obviously not paying attention to her words, "We need to set up a schedule for the rounds, and –"
"I've already set one up," said Hermione. "I've already had it approved by the Headmaster, and it's non-negotiable. I'm sure you'll find a way to reconcile yourself with the times I've assigned to you for rounds." Truth be told, Hermione and Draco had both worked on the schedule over the summer. They had arranged it in such a way that they would be able to patrol together, but now that the circumstances have changed Hermione felt a deep sense of worry at how Draco would react once he found out that all of his rounds were with Hermione.
"We need to set up some ground rules," said Hermione, "It's important that we not fight. So I propose that the study be the only place we argue."
Draco's eye twitched at the suggestion, which Hermione knew from experience that he was amused with her. "I'm going to need to see you in the study," he said, "TONIGHT."
Before the Sorting Ceremony Hermione and Draco gave out the rounds schedule to all of the prefects, and made sure that they were familiar with their respective house's passwords. Once the banquet had ended, the rush began and Hermione directed the new first years to their proper common rooms. She finally found time to talk with Harry and Ron once everyone was safely tucked away in all the right places.
"Hermione," said Ron, "You said you had something to tell us. What was it?"
"Oh," said Hermione, "It' isn't important now. To be honest I've forgotten what it was with all this excitement." Hermione checked her watch, she was antsy. She agreed to meet with Draco at the study before their rounds, and time seemed to come a crawl.
"It's too bad that git Malfoy got Head Boy," said Ron. "Harry and I could've done a much better job." Hermione smiled at his comment, though she had her doubts about their ability to handle the job of Head Boy.
"Says the man whose already broken two rules before the sorting ceremony," said Harry with a laugh. "Took some fifth year out for a fly on the quidditch pitch, not even gonna say what the other rule was." Ron attacked Harry with pumpkin pasties as retaliation. Hermione let herself relax at this scene, she knew nothing of what would come to pass, but she at least had Harry and Ron still at her side.
"I've got to get going," said Hermione, "My shift's about to start, and what can I say, I want to get a head start." Bouncing to her feet she gave her goodnights to her best friends and left the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Crazy nutter, that one," she heard Ron say as she left.
Making her way to the library, she spotted some second years looking to misbehave and ordered them to their common rooms, with the threat of point deduction they scampered away as told. Upon reaching the locked door to the private study, Hermione readied her key when she heard a noise inside.
Unlocking the door as quickly as she could the sight that awaited her made her regret her hurry. Inside was Draco and a Slytherin Sixth year girl in the middle of a heated snog. Surprised at the interruption they pulled apart in an instant with the sixth year quickly straightening out her clothes.
"Out," said Hermione, "to your common room before I deduct points." The girl was out the door before Hermione could even finish her sentence. Draco leaned against the table, clearly proud of his actions with his arms folded across his chest.
"Spoiled sport," he remarked, his smirk pasted proudly on his face.
"That," said Hermione with emphasis, "Is definitely not going to repeat itself in this room. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No," he said, "have you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Hermione.
"You barged in here without so much as a knock," he said, "it's quite rude."
"Don't you try to turn this around on me!" Hermione entered the room and slammed the door shut. "I refuse to be taken advantage of, and you will treat me with respect."
"Bored now."
"Fine," said Hermione, "Let's get to what we're really here for then." Hermione sat at the table and took from her bag a piece of parchment and a quill. "Let's make this official so there's absolutely no misunderstanding between us."
"I have some rules too," he said taking the seat across from her.
They finished hammering out their rules with enough time before their rounds started.
"Alright, this looks about complete," said Hermione grumpily. "Rule 1: This is the only space in which the Heads shall argue."
"Agreed."
"Rule 2: Failure to adhere to Rule 1 equals in a demerit. Accumulating five demerits means the person at fault will take on an extra shift of hall monitoring."
"Agreed."
"Rule 3: No visitors in the Private Study."
Draco breathed a heavy sigh, but eventually said: "Agreed."
"Rule 4: No illicit activities."
"Agreed."
"Rule 5: Always clean up after yourself after using the study."
"Agreed."
"Rule 6: No name calling, hexing, cursing, or poisons shall be inflicted to either of the key holders to the Private Study."
"Agreed."
"Rule 7: Transfigurations of objects, animals or people into other objects and animals are herby banned from the Private Study."
"Agreed."
"Rule 8: The study shall only be used for A) Studying, B) Head Girl or Boy duties, and C) Settling disputes."
"Agreed."
"Rule 9: No," this time it was Hermione's turn to sigh, "Shenanigans."
"Agreed."
"Rule 10: Any new rules to be added or amended or repealed will be decided by a game of Wizard Chess."
"Agreed."
"Alright then," said Hermione. "Just sign the bottom and I'll post it up on the wall, so we can always refer to it."
"Granger," began Draco.
"'Hermione,'" she corrected.
"Hermione," he said in a slow begrudging tone, "Why is it that my patrol duties mirror your duties exactly to a tee?"
Lying, "To make sure that you are always on task," said Hermione. "Although I'm aware of your sterling academic record, I'm still undecided on your work ethic. When it comes down to re-working the schedules, I'll be sure to ask for your input, but for now, you're stuck with me and my watchful eyes." It hurt Hermione a little to lie to her friend, but she did what she had to to save face in front of him. "Now, as it seems that our shifts our about to begin, I'll take the odd floors, and you take the evens."
Draco gave a brief nod and left the room to begin his night's work with Hermione following after him. She locked the door and looked at his back, and she felt the oddest sense of loneliness. Years now, she'd built up a wonderful relationship with him, and now it was as if he was a blank slate. It seems like he's the same boy who was dropped on her doorstep years before.
As the night wound down, Hermione headed back to her common room. She was surprised to see that Harry and Ron were still awake.
"Oy," said Ron, "You got a letter." He produced a scroll and handed it to Hermione. "Looks important, thought we'd stay up and wait for you to open it." He added cheekily. Despite his tone, she knew that Harry and Ron were anxious to know what were the contents of this letter, should it be news from the Order of the Phoenix.
Hermione took the letter and opened it. All it read were two words, Tabula Rasa. Frowning, Hermione handed the note over so that Ron and Harry could read, and they exchanged looks of confusion. "Any ideas," asked Hermione.
Harry shook his head, and Ron for once looked pensive. "I think I heard Dad talking about something like this once. Said that an old Remembrall had been cursed and passed around, and it would erase people's memories."
"Do you think that Tabular Rasa might have something to do with that Remembrall?" said Hermione. Her mind was racing, clearly the note was meant to help her with her situation with Draco, but she was just too uninformed on the matter to know how the clue fit into her puzzle. "I'm going to have to do some research—"
"At the library," finished Ron and Harry.
"Give it a rest for tonight, Hermione," said Harry. "We've got classes in the morning, double potions."
"Yeah, just come back to it later," added Ron.
"Later might be too late," chided Hermione. "But you're right," she fought back a yawn, "the next free moment I have though, mark my words, I will be researching this topic." Hermione's heart beat raced, and she felt a glimmer of hope for the first time during her very long day. Someone was trying to help her, or warn her, but no matter what Hermione was determined to get Draco back.
AN: Thanks everyone for reading! Please remember to review and add this story to your fav's and watch lists. Every little bit helps to inspire me to keep writing! Review, review, review!