After Arithmancy, Hermione made her way to the Great Hall for dinner. She was considerably calmer although, now that she was back into potential facing of Draco, she felt embarrassed. She walked to the Gryffindor table, not able to avoid looking at the Slytherins. At least Pansy wasn't sitting next to Draco.
"Hey," Harry said happily, as Hermione sat opposite him. "How was Arithmancy?"
"'Lo, Herfmione," said Ron as he tried to swallow his food.
"Hello, you two. It was fine, how was Divination?"
They rolled their eyes. "I have a terminal disease," informed Harry. "Something about," he changed his voice to a higher pitched, spooky but stupid tone, "You were born with this, my dear. I see it in you now, like a grey mass fighting to spread into your very veins." His voice changed back, "I asked her if it would kill me before the other threats against me would." Ron snorted, drinking his pumpkin juice. "She got all mad."
"Well, we had a chance to talk to Professor McGonagall on the way back," said Ron, making Hermione start. "Yeah. We saw her and sortof went up to her, and asked her if you'd still be in the running for Head Girl." Hermione bit her lip and was again reminded of why she didn't like Malfoy. "And she said yes!" said Ron, excitement suddenly filling in his voice.
"What?" gasped Hermione, stunned and overjoyed at the same time.
"I know! She said she's been speaking to Dumbledore and 'He will have the final say.' She actually told us that Malfoy's dad wasn't happy at all about that. She looked kindof content at that."
"I can't believe it," grinned Hermione.
"But," Harry cut in. "She also said that the strict rules are still being enforced, so you should talk to her. She said," and Harry imitated a teacher's voice for the second time, "'really must find her and tell her to speak with me.'"
"You're going ta be Head Girl," Ron said evilly. "And there's nothing Malfoy can do to stop it."
He seemed right, even though Draco had obviously tipped off his dad, there didn't appear to be anything that could be done. So, Hermione had floated through the halls for the next two days, eagerly awaiting her meeting with Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall had told her that she would only have to talk to him once, and that it seemed inevitable that she would be pronounced next year's Head Girl.
"Think you're so great, Mudblood," spat a jealous voice as Draco passed her in the hall, as she was on her way to Dumbledore's office.
"Shut up," she growled at him, turning around to look at him. Neither of them had mentioned the lakeside incident. A Ravenclaw boy, James, was on his way from the other side as it seemed he would probably be placed Head Boy since Dumbledore had interfered.
"Look, Granger," Malfoy sneered. "It's your Mudblood boyfriend."
"You look really stupid when you're so jealous."
"Since when did you care how I look," he said to make her awkward.
And it worked, she seized up before stating, "I don't. Clear off." She swished her long hair as she turned away from him, marching proudly away.
Malfoy turned away from her too and started to stride away, his black robes billowing behind him. As he turned he met Pansy, who was leaning against a wall and looking sour. "What?" he said after she didn't move.
"So," she said as she cleaned on her nails lazily.
"So what?"
"So, you're not Head Boy."
Draco tried not to contort his face in anger as he glared back at her, his eyes narrowing. "Probably won't be in this place," he gave the hall around him a snobbish look. "This place is obsessed with muggleborns. You know the two Heads are both going to be Mudbloods?"
"No," Pansy gasped as she stopped cleaning her nails, looking outraged.
"Yea," he sneered, his disdainful look back. "I should have gone to Durmstrang."
"So we all should have," said Pansy, not making much sense but Draco seemed to understand. "But what can we do? I mean, it's so far away, it's not like it can suddenly accept all these British kids."
"Well I should have gone."
"Yea, than I wouldn't have to deal with you."
"Whatever. Out of my way, Pansy."
"Malfoy," called a livid voice coming behind them. Hermione appeared from behind the corner.
"Why is that Mudblood here?" asked Pansy.
Hermione felt a pang of offense, but she ignored her and looked at Draco. "Dumbledore wants you."
"What?"
"He told me to come for you."
"Why?" Draco said suspiciously.
"Are you coming or not?" she snapped angrily. Hermione turned and left.
Draco turned to Pansy, thinking. "Well?" demanded Pansy. "Go! I don't want this school run by muggles!"
"Shut your gob," order Draco as he turned and ran to meet Hermione, giving Pansy a farewell look before turning to the brown-haired girl beside him who was pretending he wasn't there. "So why am I coming?" Hermione continued in her fast walk, head held up high. "Hermiiiione," teased Draco. "Oh, muggle," he called.
"Ok, first thing," Hermione snapped, turning to him. "I am NOT a muggle. I am not a Mudblood, I am a witch! I am a sixteen year old girl who has the gift of magic. I am the future Head Girl and it looks that you will be the future Head Boy." Draco blinked his eyes open. "I will NOT stand for this anymore!" A struggling was heard in the back of her voice. "I don't deserve to be called Mudblood, and I don't care how I was born I am here now and I have proved that I deserve the highest rank a student can have. You can think whatever you want! Just don't bother me with it!"
There was an awkward pause before Draco said, "Fine." He didn't know why he said that. He tried to say, 'Alright, Mudblood,' as a taunt, but those weren't the words that left his mouth. They walked again, more quietly, to Dumbledore's office. "Geez, Mudblood," Draco heard himself say. Hermione turned, a furious look her face as she opened her mouth. "Sorry!" he added. He gawked at his comment, not knowing really what he was saying or about to say, words just kept spilling out of his mouth. "I'll just have to get used to calling you 'Granger.'"
Hermione paused, a peculiar look on her face. 'Did he just say something thoughtful?' she asked herself. 'Then again, he's the type of person who'd do that. Make fun of me I mean. I bet he's up to something.' Hermione stood there, wondering how he could possibly be nice to her as a come back.
"What are you looking at, Mu…Grangy," Draco said.
"Come on," sighed Hermione and she turned to face a gargoyle statue. "Earwax." The gargoyle moved and Draco stared, wondering why that had been the password.
They entered Dumbledore's office, the Ravenclaw boy, James, was standing to one side looking nervous. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy," said Dumbledore, standing up. "I have called you here to ask you if you would be interested in Head Boy."
Draco stared. "But-I thought you were giving it to him," he jerked his head towards James who twitched.
"Mr. Teren has declined, and thought it would be excellent to have the Head Boy and Girl from opposite houses."
"So I'm the back up?" Malfoy said, sounding rude.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "No, Mr. Malfoy. The next in line is Mr. Isaacs, also from Ravenclaw. But I thought I would offer it to you first."
Hermione looked at Draco, who seemed to be thinking it over. He paused and then said, "Alright, fine. I will be." Hermione couldn't help thinking that he might have only said that because Nicholas Isaacs was half muggleborn. She stared at the floor, uneasy.