Chapter 3: Reluctantly Civil
The Hogwarts Express finally reached Hogwarts. All the students rushed to the carriages that would take them to the castle and into the Great hall for the Sorting Ceremony and the Feast. Hermione felt a jolt of excitement. Her best year at school was about to begin and she couldn't wait for it. But still, every now and then Draco Malfoy crossed her mind.
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Draco was clueless as to how he was going to get Hermione to trust him. He could see her head as all the students above first year made their way to the carriages. He hopped into a carriage that was only for the Head Boy and Girl. It would arrive at the school before all the other carriages. Draco sat patiently waiting for Hermione.
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Hermione knew that she was supposed to go into the Head Boy and Girl carriage, but she really didn't feel like talking to Draco again. However, she knew that she had no choice. She took a deep breath, walked up to the carriage and jumped in.
To her surprise Draco didn't even insult her. He didn't give her his trademark smirk. His look was one of deep sorrow and he immediately looked away from Hermione when she made eye contact with him.
He sat on the seat, with his head leaning against the window, looking out in a complete daze. Hermione stared at him and realised how remarkably handsome he looked staring out the window like that and for just a second she understood why other girls thought he was cute. Again her thoughts crossed to their encounter on the train and whether he had meant what he said.
Draco knew that Hermione was staring at him, but he let her look for a little while before making a comment.
"Staring at me, are we Granger?"
She glared at him. "Don't talk to me Malfoy."
Now it was her turn to look out the window with a sorrowful look on her face and it was Draco's turn to stare.
The same thoughts crossed his mind that had crossed Hermione's when she was staring at him. 'She looks pretty like that'. He had a sudden urge to remove the hair from her face that had fallen and blocked his view of her, but his Malfoy instincts took over and fought against his desire.
He was suddenly interrupted by the carriage coming to a stop and Hermione jumping out.
Hermione ran up the steps into the castle. It was as if she was running away from the thoughts that she had had about Draco in the carriage. She took her seat in the Great Hall and waited for her two friends to arrive.
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When everyone was seated and the Sorting ceremony was finished, Professor Dumbledore stood up and made a few announcements. He then mentioned the Head Boy and Girl.
"As I'm sure you all know, that if you need assistance with school issues and don't feel you can approach a teacher, then consult our Head Boy and Girl. This year they are Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger."
The two stood up so that those who didn't know them, especially the first years, would know whom they were. For one moment, the two made eye contact across the room before they sat down again.
Professor Dumbledore continued. "Let the Feast begin." And just like always, wonderful food filled the plates in front of them.
Hermione thought about the House Elves in the kitchen and felt that this year, since she was Head Girl that she would be able to do more for them, if she could just get them to listen. She then turned to Harry and Ron and started talking while she filled her plate.
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Draco gave Hermione a chance to finish her dinner before he walked over to the Gryffindor table. He stood behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned around laughing, but immediately stopped when she saw who had demanded her attention.
Draco saw her laughing with her friends and for a second wished he had that sort of relationship with Crabbe and Goyle. They only hung around him so they would get noticed. And he only let them hang around him so he would be protected from anyone who wanted to bash him up.
"What Malfoy?" Hermione intruded on his thoughts.
"Um..oh yeah. We have to meet Dumbledore in his office in 10 minutes. He wants to talk to us."
"Oh, ok then. I'll meet you there."
Draco had hoped that they would go together. 95 of the reason was so that he could work on achieving his task. The 5 that was left was because he wanted company that wasn't Crabbe, Goyle or Pansy. But as it looked like she wasn't going to join him, he simply walked away without an insult thrown at anyone.
Hermione noticed that he hesitated before he walked away. She also noticed that that was the first time that he hadn't called her or her two friend's names. For a second she contemplated going up to the office with him, but continued on talking.
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10 minutes later Hermione walked up to Dumbledore's office and found Draco sitting there.
He stood up when he saw her approaching and held out his hand in front of him.
"Ladies first," he said.
"I don't know the password Malfoy."
But she didn't need it. The Gargoyle suddenly sprung to life and jumped aside. The two ascended the staircase and found themselves in Dumbledore's office.
Draco was surprised at how the Gargoyle has let them in without a password. He had never gotten in without a teacher saying the password for him.
Professor Dumbledore saw the look of confusion on his face and smiled. "In case you're wondering Mr Malfoy, I said a simple spell to let you pass my Gargoyle. I knew that you were there."
"Oh," replied Draco and took a seat, as did Hermione.
"Well, I guess that you both know why you are here," Dumbledore said. "I'm sure that you know what being Head Boy and Girl consists of and I trust that the two of you will go fine in the position. However, I do need to tell you of some responsibilities. Number 1. I do expect that you both act civil to each other. At least while you are in the corridors and around other students."
Hermione knew that Dumbledore was right. They knew that they would have to set a good example, but being civil to Malfoy was almost out of the question and she didn't see how she could do it.
"Number 2. As you both know there is the seventh year graduation ball at the end of the year which you will be organising."
Hermione knew this and she also would probably be expected to go with Draco, but Dumbledore didn't say this just yet.
"Number 3. This year, as something different, we will be having a Halloween Dance for third years and above. You will be able to dress up and take dates if you wish. You two will be expected to go together."
Hermione's heart sunk. She really didn't want to go with Malfoy, but if she didn't maybe her position as Head Girl would be taken away from her, and it wasn't like she had to spend the whole night with him. All of a sudden Hermione started to look forward to Halloween.
Draco smiled. He knew that they would be forced to go to a ball or something together, but he didn't realise it was going to be so soon. Again his task seemed easier.
"No problem Professor," he said with a smile. He looked at Hermione sitting next to him.
"Yeah, no problem," she replied also putting on a smile for the professor.
"Great, I think you two will be wonderful in these positions." Dumbledore stood up and motioned for them to leave.
The two got up and made their way towards their own common room.
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When they walked in Hermione gasped. The room was beautiful. It was decorated with a range of colours and the Hogwarts emblem. There were 2 single chairs and a 3 person lounge chair. There was also a table for studying and a roaring fire.
There were 3 doors leading out. 1 went to the bathroom, which was the best bathroom Hermione had ever seen. Another of the doors was green and silver and had DM on it. The other was red and gold and had HG on it.
Hermione's room was red and gold with a very comfy looking bed with a desk and chair and everything else you'd find in the perfect bedroom.
When the two had stopped studying the place they found themselves in the common room.
"Hey Granger. What do we do now that we are all alone?" A smile was plastered on Draco's face that he hoped would help get him on Grangers good side.
"Look Malfoy. Just because we have to be civil to each other while we're around other students doesn't mean we have to be when we're alone. I'm going to bed."
She did not let Draco say another word as she swiftly went into her bedroom and closed the door.
Draco didn't feel there was anything else he could do for now. He would just have to try again tomorrow.
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The next day, their first day of class, Hermione found she had a lot of her classes with the Slytherins.
"I can't believe this. There are two other perfectly good houses in this school and they have to pair us with the Slytherins. Are they trying to make school bad?"
As usual. Ron was complaining about his classes with the Slytherins and, as usual, Hermione and Harry just silently agreed with him and let him do their complaining for them.
"Hermione, your Head Girl this year, can't you do something about this?"
"Ron you know there's nothing I can do about timetables." Ron knew this, but hoped that Hermione would at least try, but he couldn't talk her into it.
"Man, it's like you want to be with the Slytherins." Hermione didn't say a word.
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Their first class was Care of magical Creatures, with the Slytherins, so they made their way up to Hagrid's hut.
The Slytherins were already there and Draco heard them coming up behind him. He turned around and glared at them.
"Hey Weasel, are you sure you can afford to be here?"
As they always did Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of Ron's robes to stop him doing something that would land him a detention.
"Maybe you should quit school. Give your parents a little extra money and give us all a break." Malfoy sneered and the rest of the Slytherins laughed.
"Gee Malfoy, can't you think of any new insults to throw at us?" Harry replied and now it was the Gryffindors turn to laugh.
"Shut up Potter or you'll get what's coming to you." Draco snapped as he pulled out his wand and pointed it straight at Harry. Harry pulled out his wand also, although neither made a move to curse the other.
Everyone fell silent and watched as Draco and Harry glared at each other with their wands at the ready. As if right on cue Hagrid came out of his cabin. "Right, we all ready to start the lesson?"
Everyone started to move off except for Draco, Harry, Ron and Hermione. Both Draco and Harry put their wands away and as Draco proceeded to walk past them he put a smile on his face and directed it at Hermione.
"Ready for class Granger?"
Hermione just looked at Draco and didn't say anything. She wasn't glaring at him either. Draco took this as a good sign. 'My plan is slowly working'. However this time he didn't feel the surge of power or satisfaction he usually felt.
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That night Draco's father traveled by Floo Powder into the common room. Draco had made sure that Hermione wasn't there.
The two went into Draco's room. "How's the plan going son?"
"It's a working progress father."
"Good, make sure you don't fail Draco. Everything depends on this."
"Why? Why do I have to do this?" Draco was surprised at himself for questioning his father. As was Lucius. He hit his son hard on the face and Draco felt the stinging pain.
"Sorry father."
"You have to do this because that Mudblood is going to kill our master. If you earn her trust we will be able to trap her. I thought that would be obvious."
"Of course father," Draco said with his head bowed.
"If you fail this you know you will be killed. If you fail you are a disgrace to the Malfoy name and I will kill you myself."
Draco's head snapped up and he looked into his father's eyes. He could see that he wasn't kidding and all of a sudden he felt a surge of hatred towards his father. All he wanted to do was curse him right then and there and he knew he had the ability to do it. He had been taught every curse in the book, including the Unforgivable Curses. But he knew he couldn't so he fought against the urge and bowed his head again.
He heard his father leave and then collapsed onto his bed. He had never felt that way towards his father before and he was almost exhausted from having to fight it. He lay there for what seemed like hours before he fell asleep, thinking about his encounter with his father, but most of all, whether he actually wanted to hurt Hermione.
