Hey everyone! Well, I'm actually writing this story for once…. FORCING myself to actually. Once you get started you get really into the story though, so its not like I hate writing. Hehe. Anyway. Blur's 'Girls and Boys' is a really cool song. It reminds me of this weird roller-skating rink thing called 'stardust' in Vancouver (where I live) Because of the beat. Anyway, listen to it sometime, and tell me if you hate me yacking about music, so I don't continue wasting time. Anyway, I love this song… It's kinda confusing to understand them. Mostly I just hear something like "…Girls who want boys who like boys who do girls who do boys like they're girls…" A lot of 'Girls!' and 'Boys!' On that song… not surprisingly.
Anyway! Onto the Chapter!
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Ron and Harry talked all during dinner, but Hermione couldn't get her mind off of Draco. He seemed slightly different. Not a physical change, or a change in tone when he spoke to her, or anything really so big as to even be noticeable at all. Unless you were looking for it. But then, if she was looking so hard for a change, maybe she was just imagining it? She shook her head to try to clear away some of the confusion.
All she really noticed was in his eyes. He still sneered at her and made fun of her, but whenever their eyes met, she noticed that he seemed to be asking for something, and he always looked away quickly. But maybe he just didn't want to stare.
I'm probably over-reacting anyway. She thought. Even with that, she decided to see if he mentioned anything to his friends. Watching him leave with Crabbe and Goyle, she silently counted to one hundred then got up.
"I've got tons of homework to do, I got extra for not having a wand. So, I'm going to get started on it as soon as I can. See you guys later." She gave a small wave, turned and left before they could utter a word. She quickly hurried up the stairs, then stopped dead when she saw Malfoy standing in a group talking animatedly.
"Listen! I just told you, stop mentioning that stupid wand! Honestly, it's a shame you mother didn't kill you like I'm sure she wanted to. If anyone hears, they'll be off telling that muggle in a second and I'll be expelled. Now shut your traps, or someone will hear us…"
A series of thudding footfalls were heard, gradually getting quieter until all Hermione could hear was her own breathing. She listened intently but it seemed as though they had left. She peeked her head around the corner and saw Malfoy glance around before opening up the door quietly and locking it behind him.
Hermione was furious. The git had lied straight to her face without batting an eye! She decided to get McGonagall. The professor was tough but fair, she'd give Malfoy what he deserved, more so than Dumbledore would. Even though she dearly loved the old Headmaster, she sometimes thought he needed a little more follow-through when he disciplined his students.
She sprinted to the Great hall, and looked inside around one of the heavy oak doors that had been propped open. A quick glance told her the Head-of-House wasn't there. She decided to check her office and classroom, so she turned on her heel and ran up the stairs to the Transfiguration room. There, as usual, was her teacher.
Hermione proceeded to tell her what she had heard.
Near the end of her speech, she was nearly screaming at her professor. McGonagall stood up quickly and began briskly striding towards the Head-Boy's room. She turned around and saw Hermione still standing by her desk.
"Come on then, I highly doubt you've come up here for nothing." Hermione obeyed and followed the teacher. It felt like a death march, all the students who saw her trailing morosely behind gaped at her, thinking the perfect Head-Girl had finally gotten in trouble.
Hermione was just feeling worried. What if she had heard wrong? What if McGonagall decided to get new Heads of the school because they couldn't cooperate? She swallowed and decided to focus on the positive.
After all, I haven't done anything, and I'll be getting my wand back,. There's nothing to fear, McGonagall likes me better anyway, Malfoy's from Slytherin, and he's lied bef- She was cut off by McGonagall sharply wrapping on Draco's door.
"Mr. Malfoy, I've heard some unpleasant things about you. Concerning the location of Hermione Granger's wand. Now, if your not busy, which I doubt you are being it is a school night and almost past hall hours, let us come in so we can discuss some things." He nodded and they walked in.
It was nearly the same as her own room, but she saw it was laid out opposite. The bathroom here was on the right instead of the left, the bed was crammed against the far left wall, where as hers was against the right wall. Other than that, it was the same.
McGonagall motioned towards the bed.
"Sit down, both of you. Now, Draco, Hermione says she hear you talking to Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle about her wand. I'm sure you're quite aware of the circumstances around which it disappeared, and how they are fairly incriminating by themselves. Now, we've both already heard Miss Granger's side, please tell us yours." He straightened, and moved even farther to the side of the bed, as far as he could get from Hermione as possible without falling off the bed. He turned and shot her a glare.
"Like I said, I just happened to be there to help. If anything, I should be commemorated for helping her. It would have served her right if her bag had fallen because of her own clumsiness-" Hermione whirled around.
"That's a bloody lie and you know it! It was as much your fault as mine, and it was just plain common sense to help me out, anyone would have who had half a heart, but then maybe you're right, seeing how you don't have a heart at all you ought to be given a bleeding medal for-"
"That's enough! Be quiet Miss Granger; and Mr. Malfoy, keep to the point. I do not have all night to listen to arguing." Professor McGonagall silenced them both and gave Draco a withering look. He cleared his throat and continued.
"As I was saying, all I did was help, and I don't have any idea what she means by the alleged conversation I had with my friends. There is no proof, and if you ask them they will deny it."
"We're not in a courtroom, Malfoy." Hermione hissed at him.
McGonagall ignored Hermione and smoothly answered.
"I have no doubt your friends would deny it, Mr. Malfoy. But with this disturbance, perhaps a letter to your father would be in order, if your not willing to be more helpful…" Draco paled. His father would be furious to learn he had been involved with the Muggle in any way. Especially if he was going to get disgraced in school because of it.
(A/N- Interrupting you all to tell you something VERY important!! Happy BC Day!! Everyone from British Columbia—Be glad to live in the best province this side of Canada! [Which is easy because everyone knows Alberta and Saskatchewan suck ass… kidding!] and If you don't--- Make a fool of yourself by running up the streets screaming "Go BC!" or "Happy BC day!!" So, there ya go… GO BC!)
"Alright… I didn't take it, per se, but I helped it get lost… But I still didn't steal the Muggle's wand, she had entirely no reason to harass me the way she-"
"It seems she does. Now, what do you mean, 'helped it get lost'?" Her eyes drilled into Draco's He got the feeling she was judging his every move, his every hesitation, and calculating how long it took him to answer… She was expertly reading him and he felt as though she already knew what he was going to say. The thought unnerved him.
"Well, I… I kicked it over the edge when she picked up her bag." He cursed himself for stumbling, now for sure she knew it wasn't an accident. He had hoped he could say it was and somehow talk his way out.
It was Draco Malfoy's 'third strike.' He was seriously in danger of being expelled, as McGonagall had informed him several times. 'If you break the rules in such a careless way again, Mr. Malfoy, you might not be returning to classes the next day.' He pictured his father's face after reading a letter of expulsion from Hogwarts.
Hermione watched Draco pale visibly, and she took it to mean he was finally realizing he was in trouble. She smirked inwardly. He was going to get it this time…
"So you purposefully knocked it over the edge of the staircase, then proceeded to lie about it, not only to Hermione herself, but to me, the Deputy Headmistress, as well as your teacher." It was not a question, but Draco nodded anyway. It was the truth… although only part of it. But if McGonagall didn't ask, he wouldn't tell.
"I think you will be serving detention for the next month or so, as well as one hundred points from Slytherin. I also feel that if you are in trouble for another thing, however minor, you will not get off so easily, that expulsion you are slowing working towards will be right there. Do you understand?"
Draco mumbled a yes. He couldn't believe his good luck. Not only had he not been expelled, but his Father wouldn't even receive a letter!
Hermione just glared at him. He had looked her in the eye and lied. Then done the same to McGonagall… and all he got was detention? He had been warned over and over… and he got off that easily! It was just… just unthinkable! She stood up quickly
"You can't mean that all he gets?? He lied! He would still be lying about it if you hadn't— And all the warnings you keep giving him, all he does is get detention and points off? I've lost that much for helping someone make a potion! He should get his position as Head Boy revoked, or expelled, or have something on his record, or-" She was swiftly cut off my McGonagall.
"Hermione! He has been punished, but yet you criticize my decision? Let me remind you, it is I who is the Professor, you're the student. And also, perhaps both of you should have your titles removed… if the Head Boy and Girl can't get along, then what kind of role model is that?" She looked at them both.
They wore nearly identical expressions of shock. They started protesting as soon as it had sunk in.
"You couldn't I haven't done-"
"She was the one who argued, why-"
"But he started it, I had a good reason to argue!"
"Yeah, but I confessed! You just couldn't handle that I didn't get ex-"
"Didn't get expelled like you should have! I shouldn't have to have my title stripped, I only wanted my wand back!"
"Well I just told you where it was!"
"Not until she made you, you stupid prat, you wouldn't have unless-"
"Well why should I, I accepted the punishment, it was you who couldn't!" The were talking loudly and at the same time, they had both stopped listening to each other to throw accusation and pleading her way. McGonagall raised her hand and spoke loudly through the melee.
"Both of you! This is exactly what I mean! I will not accept that the two students that are supposed to be setting an example, who are supposed to be showing inter-house friendliness and cooperation, are bantering like children! You were chosen because of your work and willingness to learn, as well as I thought both of you would strive to. Yes Malfoy, you too. Even if you deny it." He wore an expression of doubt anyway.
"If you worked together, you would accomplish so much, but instead you have to fight over everything. I am honestly disappointed in you. Especially you, Hermione, I would have expected you to be more… diplomatic. But my feelings aside, it would be disruptive to change Heads this far into the year, as well as I'm sure neither of you would like that… But if you cannot agree…" She trailed off purposefully, and sure enough they took the bait.
"No! We'll try harder, it's just a minor problem anyway, right, Malf- I mean Draco?"
"Yes, we've worked it out, there no need to inconvenience everyone by changing the Head Boy and Girl… I'm sure we could agree more if we just tried to see through… the other's perspective."
McGonagall rolled her eyes in her head… amazing how fast the canaries sang a different tune… but still, they needed to work together to accomplish anything. Especially with Voldemorte and all his ilk. Unity was important during this time.
"Yes, I'm sure you could. But that 'perspective' you mentioned, Draco, has given me an idea. You would know each other much better, if you spent time together… therefor I think you should share a room." They immediately looked shocked, then repulsed. She realized her slip.
"Pardon. Not a room, I meant a set of rooms. You naturally would have your own place to sleep…" Minerva stopped herself from blushing. She needed them to see this in all seriousness, not get childish ideas.
"Instead of each having your won quarters, you will both move into Mr. Malfoys rooms. You don't have much decorating the walls, so it will be easy enough for me to simply teleport Hermione's things here. All you will stand to lose is that extra storage room." She gestured to the closed door to the left of her, across from the bathroom. It was about as big as the main bedroom, so there should be no trouble.
"I hope that living together, if only for part of the time, will help you two see eye to eye. Or at least respect one another. Now, Draco, you have until tomorrow to clean out whatever may be in that room as well as clean up a bit. Hermione, you will go back to your room and pack up all your things. If a shrinking spell is not too difficult, you could perhaps make some things smaller. I doubt you'll be able to shrink the larger things, like the bed, but those I can teleport.
Now, you have around ten minutes until students are not allowed in the halls. You can decide things now if you want… I expect you'll want to divide up the rooms or some such thing.
I must be going, I'll be there to move you belongings after classes tomorrow, Hermione.
I trust both of you will be happy with my decision in the long run." She walked out the door, her robes swishing. Hermione and Draco were left sitting on the bed.
"Damn you, Granger! Why did you-" She silenced him.
"Just shut it, Malfoy. It's not as if I'm happy… we might as well try to get along, though. So please, make some effort. I really don't want to watch another seventh year become the Head Girl in my place."
She left with that, slamming the door as if to emphasize her point. Draco just stood there, staring at where she had departed from for a long while, before going to bed.
McGonagall walked briskly down the hallways, passing her office in favor of going down some stairs. The air got cooler the farther down she went, and she pulled her robes closer to her.
It was uncharacteristic of her to be visiting Severus, but seeing how it was his student she thought she ought to tell him. She bet he would see the humor in it as well. The two students were both so alike, even if they didn't see it. They would get along extremely well if they tried, or, like they were now, they would be enemies.
Even if Severus wasn't particularly fond of the Gryffindor, he saw the similarities between Hermione and his favorite student.
Just think of how much they could accomplish if they worked together… really, if there is two people who disprove the pureblood/muggle bias, it's them. Not that either would ever notice, or admit it.
(A/N- Heyhey! Finished at last! Argh, I'm busy being a camp counselor this past week, and this one too, and after that I'm flying to Ontario to visit my relatives in Toronto! So in other words…. Don't count on many updates… well, please, please review, I'm really happy about the ones I've gotten, and thanks to you all. This is a fairly good-sized chapter, I hope you agree… its around 2700 words.)
The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.