Taming Dragons

Chapter 2: Break Me Down

A/N: I hope you have fun reading this! Thanks to my new beta Libby. *hugs*

Disclaimer: I do not own these people (J.K. Rowling), I do not own the song (Down by Social Burn), but I do own this sorry excuse of a plot!

HAVE FUN!

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Seeing how his height was slightly decreased by this position, Draco found it an opportune time to look at Hermione's ass. Smirking as he found himself quite pleased with this…. view. Traveling up the summer-tanned legs, his eyes found their destination. Thinking back he couldn't ever remember Granger's ass looking like that. It was oddly alluring. It nicely complimented the rest of her shapely curves. Which he noticed, had also developed to new proportions over the holidays. The thoughts put in his mind by this image would shock even his Slytherinmates. The things he could do to that mudblood Granger... Draco's thoughts came to an immediate standstill,the last two words having caught his attention. Seemingly startled by this he emitted a small gasp, the smirk quickly dropping from his face. Quickly straightening himself out he walked at a fast pace to catch up with Hermione, the now empty halls echoing with their constant footsteps. Reaching her side, the artfully-tousled blond banished all of his previous thoughts from mind.

"See anything you like, Malfoy?" Hermione broke in.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you see anything you like?" she repeated more slowly, attending to his evident lack of hearing.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

Slightly annoyed with the sardonic tone her voice began to take Draco sneered at the know-it-all.

"I'm not as daft as you think, Malfoy. I know you were watching me as I left. Well, more importantly, watching my ass."

Turning around he saw Hermione smirk at that little comment. Obviously quite pleased with herself.

"You're delusional, Granger. Why would I look at your ass? You're nothing but a stupid mudblood Gryffindor."

"Oh, quite the contrary, my dear foe. As my marks prove I am somewhat intelligent. More so than you I believe?" The brunette bit with a small burst of anger, her cheeks tinged pink.

Receiving his desired reaction Draco continued with his antagonizing, "Granger, no matter how hard you study, how many dim-witted wizard friends you make, and correct answers you deliver, you will NEVER be good enough."

Opening her mouth to contradict the boy before her, she was rapidly cut off as he continued with his little tirade.

"You will always be the dirt on someone else's shoe. You're a mudblood, Granger. You will never fit into our world, don't you see that? You're nothing and in the end you'll be alone."

With that Draco walked ahead of Hermione, leaving her in the empty hallway. Quickly she wiped away a tear, which had silently made its way down her cheek, as to not let anyone see. (Not that anyone was even around to see.) Knowing he was just being the arrogant, egotistical jerk that he normally was, she couldn't help but replay his words throughout every cavern of her mind. Dejectedly, the silken haired girl made her way to Professor McGonagalls office.

Tell me, how does it feel

When it comes to you

And all the things you say to me

You make me feel like nothing

Like Nothing

Arriving to the spatial enclosure that was called an office, both students sat behind the massive desk. Though, not to be mistaken, they were a good 10 feet apart. Looking around, they both noticed Minerva was nowhere to be seen.

Finding another good opportunity to exchange words, Draco cleared his throat.

"Well, well, well. The truth hurts doesn't it? Did my cruel words upset your feelings?" he inquired, more sarcastic than rightfully intended.

Remaining still, with a dead-pan voice, Hermione replied to his little barb with such eloquence even he would be jealous. "Shove it, Malfoy."

"Ouch, that almost hurt. I would have expected more from you, Granger. Well…. Actually no, I wouldn't have."

"Mr. Malfoy! That is quite ENOUGH!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed over the bickering pair. "Do not make me regret my decision to make you two the Head Students."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a sneer, shooting Hermione a deprecating look.

"Having said that, let's move onto a lighter subject. We have some new additions to your living quarters as well as responsibilities you two are to see after."

Listening intently, both Draco and Hermione mentally took notes on their new tasks.

"Proceeding curfew, the two of you shall pay a visit to each house to guarantee that they are in fact asleep," the professor continued.

When she concluded with the explanations of the recently acquired duties she handed them each a slip of paper with the routines on them. The first being room checks, followed by the daily tallying of detentions assigned to each house. Finally, the last task required both of them to pair the houses of for classes. Equally….

Relieved to finally be able to go to sleep, Hermione stood with an exhausted sigh and slipped the paper into her pocket. But before she could turn to leave Draco decided to speak for the first time since being silenced.

"What about our dormitories?" he said with a beyond bored quality to his voice.

"Thank you for reminding me, Draco." McGonagall chided, sounding tired herself. "We have decided that, in order to help guarantee the safety of you two, we have added a conjoining door between the two sleeping quarters. Your common room, bathroom, and study, along with the bedrooms will all have voice activated alarms. This means that any unauthorized voices detected within the rooms will result in the said person being placed under a spell with effects much like that of a full body bind. If you wish to have persons, other than staff, enter you must clear it with the portrait. This will take a different password than that of which you use to enter." The professor finished slightly winded.

Escorting the pair out the door she led them to their Head Commons area. The portrait covering the entry was quite breathtaking. The massive canvas held a woman about Hermione's age silently stroking a giant dragon.

"Professor," inquired Hermione. "There is something peculiar about this painting. It's almost as if the dragon is under a charm or spell."

"Close, but things are not always as they seem."

Smiling to the blonde girl in the painting the weary Professor asked how she was doing and the other niceties.

"….. Glad to hear that. Now I must introduce you to your new 'housemates.'" She paused slightly pointing to Hermione, "This is Hermione Granger and the gentleman is Draco Malfoy."

The girl in the portrait broke into a grin, "It is nice to meet you both. My name is Corinne and this is Braeden."

Patting the dragon just below it's neck it laid at her feet, falling in a rather placid state.

"What would you like your first password to be?"

"Ombres de la nuit," Draco answered immediately shooting a condescending glare towards Hermione daring her to disagree.

Shaking her head she silently approved.

"Figures, wouldn't expect a mudblood like you to do such a simple task."

"The only reason I avoid hexing you until death is because, unlike you, I have morals. I agreed with your password because I thought it fit not to bruise your abnormally large ego and then live with you. Unlike you I know better, to KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT and not say every moronic insult that comes to mind." Hermione hissed causing the portraits occupants to flinch ever so slightly.

"Ms. Granger! Mr. Malfoy! I do not want to tell you AGAIN, ENOUGH!" Minerva yelled at the teens. "If you push me to have to say this again your newfound authoritative positions will be seriously reconsidered. Now goodnight." And with that she stormed away.

"Good job, mudblood. You almost lost me Head Boy!" Draco sneered.

"I what? If anything you-"

"But then again… even if you did manage that I would still amount to something. You, on the other hand, will be even more bloody pathetic than you are now." He cut her off mid-sentence interjecting his little snipe.

"Pathetic? Who's pathetic, Malfoy? You have no right. The only thing you could ever amount to is a whore of a death-eater like the man you call father!"

Hermione so far beyond fury was shaking with rage as if any moment she would explode, possibly taking ½ the school with her.

"NEVER speak of my family." Draco raged.

"Scared to go into the family business, Malfoy?"

With that he slapped her, his toned muscles taking his hand across her face. Her eyes tearing, Hermione fled to her bedroom.

With a short mirthless laugh, Draco turned and departed to the Slytherin commons.

Desolate in the previously occupied hallway the portrait remained…. Watching…. Waiting…

When you break me down

I'll fall apart and

Wrestle with myself, inside

I'm nothing

Tell me, how does it feel

When it comes to you

And all the things you say to me

You make me feel like nothing

Like Nothing……

A/N: Sorry it took so long.. I've been kinda busy enjoying my holidays! R&R!