Love is the Strangest Allusion
The sun was shining, the lake was gleaming, and the air was crisp and fresh. It was the ideal time for the restless children of Hogwarts to enjoy such a wonderful atmosphere. Only one student didn't even seem to notice as she walked to potions with her usual brisk and clumsy walk. All that could be seen was a bushel of brown hair behind a pile of school books and a piece of buttered toast stuck out of this girls mouth as she attempted to eat her breakfast while trying to locate her copy of Hogwarts: A History, Volume 3 in her book bag that she flung over one shoulder. Her Head Girl badge gleamed in the sunlight streaming in through the high arch windows as she rounded the corner to find 2 students casually leaning up against the window making rather unnecessary advances upon one another. Without missing a beat as she passed by she said loudly and firmly "PDA, 10 points from Ravenclaw!" and continued on her way. The boy looked angrily over his shoulder as the girl sulked; yet they didn't cease their activity. "Another 10 points for not following orders!" she called without even turning around. This was a normal day in the life of Hermione Granger top student/teacher favorite/ head girl/ and student extraordinaire.
This day would not be complete, however, without the usual snide remark and death threat from a group of Slytherin know-it-alls. She could practically count down to the second when she would see the infamous gang and could give you the outcome of each argument. Rounding the last corridor she saw the object of her distaste while frowning and rolling her eyes. There in front of her stood the ringleader of them all, Draco Malfoy, and the boy who had made her days at Hogwarts a living hell. As usual he was terrifying and picking on one of the new first years as he was casually leaning his muscular and tall frame upon the skinny short build of a first year Hufflepuff boy. Unfortunately Hermione couldn't do anything unless Draco did anything so she merely observed from the end of the hall the scene that was taking place. Draco's arm was propped up on the young boys shoulder as he struggled to stand under this 7th year's weight while Draco was vigorously describing a scene with his free hand.
"So you see.huh.what's your name again?" he said snapping his fingers in the air.
"P-.Peter-.Peterson.sir." he replied shaking with fear.
"Right. Now Praderson, you know about the toll, don't you?" and as the little boy shook his head Draco continued. "Well you see there is a toll that all 1st years, and especially Hufflepuffs, must pay. Right now it is up to 5 galleons in order to walk down this hall. And do you know what happens if you don't?" He shook his head again, this time a little more hesitantly. "Well have you ever heard of the Dark Lord? You see he likes to feed on."
That was where Hermione couldn't stand it any longer. This was her favorite part of this job. Stepping out from behind the corner she walked towards the little boy and the manipulative 7th year. "Malfoy!"
At hearing his name he released his hold on the 1st year who scurried along down the hall while choking into sobs.
"Damnit Granger, you're really not good for my business." He replied with a smirk and a "tsk"
"You should know better Malfoy. You scared that kid to death, you were threatening him, and trying to rob him! At least try to remember for a second that you are not allowed to abuse your Head Boy duties!" she said with a flare.
"And why should I take orders from stupid mudbloods like you Granger? At least I have some excitement in my life without having to hang around with the boy wonder and the disgrace that they have the nerve to call a pureblood. But then again the two of them are usually so busy trying to get into your pants that you're so dense to notice anything other than the end of your dirty nose in a schoolbook!" At this all his Slytherin cronies laughed and hissed at his rather evil remark to the girl they lived to despise.
"Well at least I don't have to scare some phonies into believing that they are my only friends in order to get encouragement from being.well.with lack of a better word.the devil reincarnate."
All the Slytherin's eyes turned towards Draco waiting for his hurtful remark as they were all in the mood to see a mudblood and a Gryffindor cry. Plus a remark while she is running away and crying in agony such as "You have ruined my life" wouldn't be unwelcome either.
But all that came out was "Stupid Mudblood!" Yet either out of fear or stupidity they all laughed heartily and congratulated Draco on his original and hurtful remark.
Hermione sat there confused and motionless. "What was that supposed to hurt or something? And that would also be 0 points for originality. I really thought there for a second Malfoy that you had it in you. But I guess considering the fact that you are 2nd best to the 'Mudblood'" making quotation signs with her fingers "I guess that it is just too much for you to handle."
Before more words and the presence of wands could be arranged Professor Snape rounded the corner while angrily shoving students out of his way to get to the door. That was when Ron and Harry came running out from behind the corner eating the rest of their breakfast with unkempt uniforms and books shoved under their arms.
"Are we late?" they said through chewed up toast and eggs.
"Haven't you boys been taught to not talk until you've swallowed?" Hermione replied as she closed each of their mouths. Ron quickly swallowed but only succeeded in a brief choking and coughing fit.
"5 points from Gryffindor Weasley for choking in the hallway!" Barked Snape as he opened the door and shouted "In!"
On the way in the door, however, Hermione and Draco both ignored the other and attempted to go in at the same time. It only resulted in them banging their shoulders on the sides of the door. "Blood before mud Granger!" he said in a sing-song tone laced with malice.
"Aww, how cute Malfoy! Did you think that up on your own or did Daddy hire someone too?" With that remark an evil smirk fell on his face as bumped her out of the way and sent her flat against the wall. Laughing along with the other Slytherin's he strolled into the classroom while Hermione received an angry look from Snape.
Regaining her poise she walked as proudly as she could to her seat with her head held high and stacked her alphabetically categorized books on top of her desk. How she hated Malfoy. It wasn't just a hate anymore, it had progressed to a loathing hatred that could only be matched with the fire of 10 burning hells. He represented everything that was wrong and evil in the world and everything that she had grown to despise. One would think that after 7 years their petty fights and disputes would have settled and matured with their age, but it only got worse. This year was no different. She had received her letter stating her new position as Head Girl and her happiness could not be matched for anything. The pride at being a Muggle born and the Head Girl at Hogwarts! Until realization and fear had dawned upon her. Who would be the Head Boy? McGonagall and Dumbledore being as mischievous and sneaky as the next Hogwarts teacher left out that minor detail stating that they paired the Head Boy and Girl together with who they thought complimented each other the best. But Malfoy with Hermione!? She understood that they had their reasons and intricate ways of deciding the factor but how in the world did they come together?
She had been nervous and excited as she stepped on the train at Hogwarts searching for the matching shiny badge that would give away the person that she would spend her entire 7th year in company with. Arriving at the compartment they shared she knocked casually on the door and when there was no answer she assumed that he had not arrived yet. But upon her opening the door she saw a very muscular yet fair back greeting her as the boy was removing his shirt from earlier while putting on his robes. Green and black boxers poked out of a pair of fine made black wizard brand slacks as Hermione's eyes popped out of her head at the sight before her. Removing his shirt she saw a silver blonde head and she suddenly regretted finding the compartment. Inconspicuously trying to turn and leave she knocked her foot into the doorframe causing a loud "Shit" and a sound to erupt from her side. Holding the shirt in front of his chest he spun around to face her. "Jesus Granger! If you wanted a look you could have just said so and given the proper payment!" to which she blushed furiously and exited saying something along the lines of "Sorry.ewww...damn ferret boy!" Yet one little detail, that she never told anyone, was how much she enjoyed looking at what that annoying skinny little boy had become. Now he was somewhere around 6'1 and Quidditch seemed to have done a lot of good for him. Of course no one would know that minor detail. And that has how the year has progressed, as it always has. They live less than 10 feet apart from each other yet the only communication is the occasional "Do you have an extra quill", "We have a meeting tomorrow night", or "Are you finished with that book?" is about as far as they have gone in that area. Of course there is the traditional hallway encounter which ends in Hermione having to hold onto the collar of Ron and Harry's robes.
So here they are 7 years later and not one day more mature as far as their rivalry is concerned. "Dumbledore specifically said that we were to try to end it and start to show a friendlier atmosphere towards the 2 houses" Hermione thought as she pulled out her cauldron and supplies for class out of her bag. But so far that hasn't been very successful, yet Hermione Granger is not one to fail a mission. So now matter how tempting, easy, or amusing it is to start an argument with Malfoy or just perform the occasional hex she must try to exert some effort towards the project. Her musings were interrupted with the start of class as Snape went down the roll and called out the pairings for today's assignment. Anyone but Malfoy.
He stalked into class surrounded by the laughter and support that erupted from the Slytherin side while he acknowledged their presence and took his seat. Leaning back in his chair with a plastered smirk he glanced in the direction of the Gryffindors while the only thought that ran through his mind was "I love being the favorite." He could walk in this class 10 minutes late, trip a student, and boast about Voldemort and Snape would somehow find a way to take points off from Gryffindor. Though he didn't usually come to class late, only occasionally tripped a student, and could give a hippogriff's ass about Voldemort and the dark side, it was reassuring to know that he could get away with it and cause havoc on those he despised. For that, the Malfoy would always be in him.
He watched as Granger took her seat trying to regain back some of her dignity and stuck her little nose in the air just as Draco knew she would. How he hated her. But it wasn't really her he hated. It was what she stood for. She was muggle-born, just a hair higher in grades than him, and occasionally (though he would never admit it) she was even smarter than him. He hated her stupid Gryffindor pride and her squeaky-clean atmosphere and beliefs. But most of all he hated her company. Potter, the boy-who- lived-to-annoy-him, was more than Draco could bear. On his first day at school Lucius had ordered him to befriend Potter and try to get him for Voldemort, but after his failed attempt.well lets just say that you can still see the scars on Draco. He didn't mind though, he was used to it by now. Yet if it wasn't for his mother he would have either been dead or a death eater long ago. Personally he didn't care about either side or taking the mark for that point, yet Lucius wouldn't allow that. Draco was only hoping that his father would be killed or thrown in Azkaban before that would happen. But he still retained that hatred and that prejudice towards muggles that he grew up knowing, and that was still present in his hatred for Granger.
He wasn't surprised when he got his letter stating that he was Head Boy and there was no doubt in his mind that it was Granger. That was the main reason that he didn't overreact when he caught her in the compartment on the train over. But it was the strange and foreign look in her eyes that threw him for a loop. He had seen many of her expressions through her eyes in all the years that he knew her, yet none had been like that. That was her weakness and his strength. He had been taught that your emotions and your weaknesses could be seen through your eyes so Draco grew up with them being an emotionless and unreadable as possible. Granger on the other hand was the opposite. You could read her eyes like a book, and that expression she gave him on the train was confusing and suspicious, which is what feeling he despised the most. He was sure that she enjoyed the view; his Malfoy vanity and his own self-esteem told him that. Yet it was different with her, and that angered him even more.
Glancing over at her he saw in her eyes a look of self-reassurance and wit as she looked at her two best friends and rolled her big brown eyes in the direction of Malfoy to which she made a twisted face and they both laughed heartily. Most of all he hated that. He hated what she had. Sure they were Pothead and the Weasel but still they were wonderful and protecting of her and friends that you rarely find in a lifetime. He would never admit that he had this jealously about that but it was present. Draco had seen her parents that day 2nd year in Flourish and Blotts and saw how proud, loving, and supportive they were of their clever daughter that was worth stuffing your wallet with pictures for. Sure Draco had a loving mother, yet she was restricted just as he was as far as showing any emotion, least of all love, was concerned. But with what presence he gave off and the crowd he associated with, every one of them thought that he was incapable of loving someone. He believed so himself. Yet there was that possibility. "I just cant wait until Lucius is out of the picture, than my mother and I can live our lives as we see fit, and not worry about what creature my father is a lapdog to." He smiled at the thought, until Snape cut him off with talk of roll call and then potions pairing. "Anyone but Granger."
Snape was intensely watching his best student and his favorite student, with a glare for one and a raised eyebrow for the other. He saw their little encounter in the doorway and the way they both tried to ignore the other, which struck him with a little idea. "This should be interesting", he thought with a smirk as he crossed off two names on his group list. "If Dumbledore wants the houses to be together, so be it."
"Quiet!" he barked as everyone froze in their seats. "Now, today will be a little different. You will be in pairs. And since the Headmaster wants to enforce this 'unity' nonsense than that is what we shall do. When I assign your partners quietly sit together and gather your supplies. Potter, Parkinson.Weasley, Zambini.Patil, Goyle." As he called off the names and 1 by 1 the Gryffindor/Slytherin ratio narrowed down, fear struck the hearts of 2 students in particular. Both held their breath waiting to be paired with someone, anyone other than who they knew they would be placed beside. At the end of his roll, Snape looked up from his podium with a small smirk and mischief in his eyes.
"Hmm, let me see.who has not be chosen?" as his eyes fell on Draco and Hermione. "Oh, how foolish of me.my mistake. Granger and Malfoy." He waved his hand to the empty seat at the front. "Please take a seat and get to working like the rest of the class." he said with a snicker at the shocked expressions of the students.
Hermione slowly gathered her things with shaking hands and walked, regretfully, up to the front seat. "It just had to be him." She gave a fearful look in Ron and Harry's direction but all they could do was give an apologetic face and shrug their shoulders. Hermione felt slightly better knowing that they were near her but that feeling quickly went away as she saw Malfoy moving to the seat.
"That bastard!" was the only thing that Draco could think clearly on as he shot Snape a glare of disbelief and gathered up his things in one swift movement. "I guess I should take back that favorite student comment." He looked over at Granger and he saw her give the Pothead and Weasel a 'help me' look as they shrugged in her direction. Rolling his eyes he hurried to the seat, intent on making her do every bit of work.
They both arrived at the same moment as they stopped, stared, and sat all the while glaring daggers at each other. "Try not to sit too close mudblood." He whispered aloud to her as she took her seat. "Trust me I won't," she replied back as he sat down next to her.
Snape simply ignored this encounter and turned to face his blackboard. He hastily wrote and explained the ingredients for a simple short-time hallucination spell. The students immediately began their assignment as it was rather intricate and they focused intently on the task ahead. Hermione and Draco worked silently and swiftly, as the only conversation was the same as in their shared rooms. It was only to ask for ingredients or to repeat a direction from the board.
"Alright, now we need the knotgrass. Malfoy could you go get and cut up 3 pounds for me?" she asked while she was staring intently at the cauldron and stirring while adding something here and there.
"A Malfoy doesn't take orders from Mudbloods like yourself. If you want it, you can get your lazy ass over there and do it."
"But I'm busy stirring the potion Malfoy!"
He hastily grabbed the stirrer out of her hand and began doing her job. "Now you're not. Go get it!"
Hermione had absolutely no patience or time to begin another argument so she just complied to shut him up about it and to finish the assignment on time. Walking over to the potion cabinets she took from the open jar that other students were weighing and measuring from. Carefully she took the right amount and weighed it down to the very piece of the knotgrass and walked slowly and cautiously back to her table. The only thing she didn't see, however, was the plotting Crabbe and Goyle as she passed by where they were standing and making their Gryffindor partner do all the work. Thinking that Malfoy would give them a treat for their cruelty and cunningness Crabbe inconspicuously stuck out his rather large foot in Hermione's walking path. She was too intent upon keeping each bit of grass together that she didn't notice what was in front of her until it was too late. Hermione's rather small feet collided with his fat one as the knotgrass flew out of her hands and straight into the potion just as Draco was adding the wolf fang to the simmering mixture. She on the other hand fell straight on her face as she barely caught herself with her hands. The abruption of laughter from the Slytherin's and the congratulations on Crabbe and Goyle's part gave them away immediately as Draco looked furiously at the girl on the floor and his bodyguards.
Snape slightly smirked as Ron and Harry ran to assist her from off the floor. That was when Draco swooped in, not only on Hermione, but Crabbe and Goyle as well. "What the hell was that!?" he shouted angrily at the two of them as their expressions changed from that of victory to of fear. Both just mumbled as the potion gave a loud sputter and turned lime green instead of light blue.
Hermione could barley look at what had happened to their, but a moment earlier, beautiful potion and was fearful of the outcome. "Well, well." Snape murmured out loud. "Time for a taste testing of what this potion has become. Malfoy, Granger." He said motioning for them to come. Each filled their vial with a shaking hand as they stepped in front of the classroom and looked fearfully at what they were about to drink. "Please don't hold us in suspense much longer. Drink!" he said as hushed whispers and a few gasps erupted from the class. Both hesitantly held the vial up to their lips and slung it back in one go as they waited for large bubbles to erupt on themselves or a horn to appear from nowhere. They held their breath for a few moments, but what felt like eternity, and waited for something to happen. But nothing ever did. The only reaction was a rumbling stomach and warmth behind their eyes.
Snape seemed rather disappointed that neither of these students had grown wings so he dismissed the class early as he sadly went into his office.
"Good going Granger!" Draco yelled as they were the only two remaining in the classroom.
"Me! How was this my fault when your two ogre cronies tripped me!?" she replied in her defense as she gathered up her supplies.
"Well if you had been watching where you were going this wouldn't have happened you." but Draco could go no further as he suddenly felt strange. Hermione noticed this as she too felt the same.
"Do you feel that too?" she asked while clutching her forehead.
"Dizzy you mean?" he asked and she nodded in reply.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll just go lay down, screw class." He said as he groggily made his way to the door but not without knocking into a few desks.
"I.agree." She said with difficultly as she followed suit out of the room. As they stepped out of the classroom both froze in place, as they had to stop to figure out which way to go. "What is going on with us?" Hermione asked.
"I have absolutely no idea." He replied, and after a moment, "But its probably hunger, maybe we should just go to lunch?"
"Maybe." She said in response as they hesitantly made their way down the hall. Suddenly, as soon as it had happened their symptoms eased up as they began to have a better understanding of where they were. They began to walk at different paces and in different routes to the Great Hall as they separated feeling normal compared to what they were only moments earlier. Hermione arrived after Draco as he was already laughing and eating with his fellow Slytherin's and she made her way to the Gryffindor table. Briefly explaining her delay she looked at the delicious food that lay before her. She really did not feel that hungry. In fact she had never felt better. Everything was just normal.too normal after drinking an unknown potion. It was then that the odd began to happen.
"Granger can really be a pain sometimes." Hermione heard over the conversation around her. It was clear as a bell to her as she wondered who could have said that. Looking across the Hall she saw Malfoy staring in her direction though he swiftly changed his gaze to his plate. Returning to listening to Ron's conversation with Ginny she heard it again. "Why cant she just be normal like everyone else?" That time she knew that she heard it. And she also knew that voice. But the only thing was, why could she hear Malfoy when he didn't open his mouth and was on the other side of the Hall from her?
Another voice was heard but this time it wasn't Hermione who was hearing things. "What is Malfoy's problem?" Draco quickly looked up to challenge the person that dared to defy him. But there was no one. Nobody was even paying attention to him. Except for Granger. He noticed how she suddenly put her focus towards the Weasel, and completely ignored him. Draco wanted to try to see if it was her or just him going insane that caused that voice to echo in his head. "Look at me Granger." he silently pleaded to himself while watching her intently. He saw her eyes widen in shock as she slowly turned her head to face him. That was the shocking part for Draco. "You can hear me can't you?" he thought to himself, as all he heard in reply was a silent "Yes."
"How can you hear me?" he asked back.
"I don't know."
Suddenly the warmth behind his eyes returned once more as their gaze intensified between one and the other. Their eyes pierced into one another as a new meaning was found with them. They couldn't explain it, but they understood what was happening to them. Both stood up at the same moment, and without losing eye contact, they began to walk towards the doorway. Their focus remained intact upon the other as though they were reading each other's mind. Slowly and in step they walked and approached the other. The eye contact couldn't be broken by anything in the world as they finally neared each other. Standing less than a foot apart, their eyes were still locked together. "What is happening to us?" Draco silently asked.
"I don't know."
"Can we control it?"
"I don't think we can."
"Can we stop it?"
"I know I cant."
"Do you want to stop it?"
"I cant now."
"Good."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because neither can I." They remained intact in their present positions until Draco slowed reached out his hand to touch hers. It was a soft and gentle touch but yet it was strong and Hermione felt safe for some strange reason. Their eyes began to cloud over lightly as the room became darker and darker as everyone seemed to be fading out around them. A light mist encompassed them as they felt their eyelids slowly close as all noise ceased around them. Slowly the light disappeared until they were in complete darkness, both having passed out on the floor of the Great Hall.
The sun was shining, the lake was gleaming, and the air was crisp and fresh. It was the ideal time for the restless children of Hogwarts to enjoy such a wonderful atmosphere. Only one student didn't even seem to notice as she walked to potions with her usual brisk and clumsy walk. All that could be seen was a bushel of brown hair behind a pile of school books and a piece of buttered toast stuck out of this girls mouth as she attempted to eat her breakfast while trying to locate her copy of Hogwarts: A History, Volume 3 in her book bag that she flung over one shoulder. Her Head Girl badge gleamed in the sunlight streaming in through the high arch windows as she rounded the corner to find 2 students casually leaning up against the window making rather unnecessary advances upon one another. Without missing a beat as she passed by she said loudly and firmly "PDA, 10 points from Ravenclaw!" and continued on her way. The boy looked angrily over his shoulder as the girl sulked; yet they didn't cease their activity. "Another 10 points for not following orders!" she called without even turning around. This was a normal day in the life of Hermione Granger top student/teacher favorite/ head girl/ and student extraordinaire.
This day would not be complete, however, without the usual snide remark and death threat from a group of Slytherin know-it-alls. She could practically count down to the second when she would see the infamous gang and could give you the outcome of each argument. Rounding the last corridor she saw the object of her distaste while frowning and rolling her eyes. There in front of her stood the ringleader of them all, Draco Malfoy, and the boy who had made her days at Hogwarts a living hell. As usual he was terrifying and picking on one of the new first years as he was casually leaning his muscular and tall frame upon the skinny short build of a first year Hufflepuff boy. Unfortunately Hermione couldn't do anything unless Draco did anything so she merely observed from the end of the hall the scene that was taking place. Draco's arm was propped up on the young boys shoulder as he struggled to stand under this 7th year's weight while Draco was vigorously describing a scene with his free hand.
"So you see.huh.what's your name again?" he said snapping his fingers in the air.
"P-.Peter-.Peterson.sir." he replied shaking with fear.
"Right. Now Praderson, you know about the toll, don't you?" and as the little boy shook his head Draco continued. "Well you see there is a toll that all 1st years, and especially Hufflepuffs, must pay. Right now it is up to 5 galleons in order to walk down this hall. And do you know what happens if you don't?" He shook his head again, this time a little more hesitantly. "Well have you ever heard of the Dark Lord? You see he likes to feed on."
That was where Hermione couldn't stand it any longer. This was her favorite part of this job. Stepping out from behind the corner she walked towards the little boy and the manipulative 7th year. "Malfoy!"
At hearing his name he released his hold on the 1st year who scurried along down the hall while choking into sobs.
"Damnit Granger, you're really not good for my business." He replied with a smirk and a "tsk"
"You should know better Malfoy. You scared that kid to death, you were threatening him, and trying to rob him! At least try to remember for a second that you are not allowed to abuse your Head Boy duties!" she said with a flare.
"And why should I take orders from stupid mudbloods like you Granger? At least I have some excitement in my life without having to hang around with the boy wonder and the disgrace that they have the nerve to call a pureblood. But then again the two of them are usually so busy trying to get into your pants that you're so dense to notice anything other than the end of your dirty nose in a schoolbook!" At this all his Slytherin cronies laughed and hissed at his rather evil remark to the girl they lived to despise.
"Well at least I don't have to scare some phonies into believing that they are my only friends in order to get encouragement from being.well.with lack of a better word.the devil reincarnate."
All the Slytherin's eyes turned towards Draco waiting for his hurtful remark as they were all in the mood to see a mudblood and a Gryffindor cry. Plus a remark while she is running away and crying in agony such as "You have ruined my life" wouldn't be unwelcome either.
But all that came out was "Stupid Mudblood!" Yet either out of fear or stupidity they all laughed heartily and congratulated Draco on his original and hurtful remark.
Hermione sat there confused and motionless. "What was that supposed to hurt or something? And that would also be 0 points for originality. I really thought there for a second Malfoy that you had it in you. But I guess considering the fact that you are 2nd best to the 'Mudblood'" making quotation signs with her fingers "I guess that it is just too much for you to handle."
Before more words and the presence of wands could be arranged Professor Snape rounded the corner while angrily shoving students out of his way to get to the door. That was when Ron and Harry came running out from behind the corner eating the rest of their breakfast with unkempt uniforms and books shoved under their arms.
"Are we late?" they said through chewed up toast and eggs.
"Haven't you boys been taught to not talk until you've swallowed?" Hermione replied as she closed each of their mouths. Ron quickly swallowed but only succeeded in a brief choking and coughing fit.
"5 points from Gryffindor Weasley for choking in the hallway!" Barked Snape as he opened the door and shouted "In!"
On the way in the door, however, Hermione and Draco both ignored the other and attempted to go in at the same time. It only resulted in them banging their shoulders on the sides of the door. "Blood before mud Granger!" he said in a sing-song tone laced with malice.
"Aww, how cute Malfoy! Did you think that up on your own or did Daddy hire someone too?" With that remark an evil smirk fell on his face as bumped her out of the way and sent her flat against the wall. Laughing along with the other Slytherin's he strolled into the classroom while Hermione received an angry look from Snape.
Regaining her poise she walked as proudly as she could to her seat with her head held high and stacked her alphabetically categorized books on top of her desk. How she hated Malfoy. It wasn't just a hate anymore, it had progressed to a loathing hatred that could only be matched with the fire of 10 burning hells. He represented everything that was wrong and evil in the world and everything that she had grown to despise. One would think that after 7 years their petty fights and disputes would have settled and matured with their age, but it only got worse. This year was no different. She had received her letter stating her new position as Head Girl and her happiness could not be matched for anything. The pride at being a Muggle born and the Head Girl at Hogwarts! Until realization and fear had dawned upon her. Who would be the Head Boy? McGonagall and Dumbledore being as mischievous and sneaky as the next Hogwarts teacher left out that minor detail stating that they paired the Head Boy and Girl together with who they thought complimented each other the best. But Malfoy with Hermione!? She understood that they had their reasons and intricate ways of deciding the factor but how in the world did they come together?
She had been nervous and excited as she stepped on the train at Hogwarts searching for the matching shiny badge that would give away the person that she would spend her entire 7th year in company with. Arriving at the compartment they shared she knocked casually on the door and when there was no answer she assumed that he had not arrived yet. But upon her opening the door she saw a very muscular yet fair back greeting her as the boy was removing his shirt from earlier while putting on his robes. Green and black boxers poked out of a pair of fine made black wizard brand slacks as Hermione's eyes popped out of her head at the sight before her. Removing his shirt she saw a silver blonde head and she suddenly regretted finding the compartment. Inconspicuously trying to turn and leave she knocked her foot into the doorframe causing a loud "Shit" and a sound to erupt from her side. Holding the shirt in front of his chest he spun around to face her. "Jesus Granger! If you wanted a look you could have just said so and given the proper payment!" to which she blushed furiously and exited saying something along the lines of "Sorry.ewww...damn ferret boy!" Yet one little detail, that she never told anyone, was how much she enjoyed looking at what that annoying skinny little boy had become. Now he was somewhere around 6'1 and Quidditch seemed to have done a lot of good for him. Of course no one would know that minor detail. And that has how the year has progressed, as it always has. They live less than 10 feet apart from each other yet the only communication is the occasional "Do you have an extra quill", "We have a meeting tomorrow night", or "Are you finished with that book?" is about as far as they have gone in that area. Of course there is the traditional hallway encounter which ends in Hermione having to hold onto the collar of Ron and Harry's robes.
So here they are 7 years later and not one day more mature as far as their rivalry is concerned. "Dumbledore specifically said that we were to try to end it and start to show a friendlier atmosphere towards the 2 houses" Hermione thought as she pulled out her cauldron and supplies for class out of her bag. But so far that hasn't been very successful, yet Hermione Granger is not one to fail a mission. So now matter how tempting, easy, or amusing it is to start an argument with Malfoy or just perform the occasional hex she must try to exert some effort towards the project. Her musings were interrupted with the start of class as Snape went down the roll and called out the pairings for today's assignment. Anyone but Malfoy.
He stalked into class surrounded by the laughter and support that erupted from the Slytherin side while he acknowledged their presence and took his seat. Leaning back in his chair with a plastered smirk he glanced in the direction of the Gryffindors while the only thought that ran through his mind was "I love being the favorite." He could walk in this class 10 minutes late, trip a student, and boast about Voldemort and Snape would somehow find a way to take points off from Gryffindor. Though he didn't usually come to class late, only occasionally tripped a student, and could give a hippogriff's ass about Voldemort and the dark side, it was reassuring to know that he could get away with it and cause havoc on those he despised. For that, the Malfoy would always be in him.
He watched as Granger took her seat trying to regain back some of her dignity and stuck her little nose in the air just as Draco knew she would. How he hated her. But it wasn't really her he hated. It was what she stood for. She was muggle-born, just a hair higher in grades than him, and occasionally (though he would never admit it) she was even smarter than him. He hated her stupid Gryffindor pride and her squeaky-clean atmosphere and beliefs. But most of all he hated her company. Potter, the boy-who- lived-to-annoy-him, was more than Draco could bear. On his first day at school Lucius had ordered him to befriend Potter and try to get him for Voldemort, but after his failed attempt.well lets just say that you can still see the scars on Draco. He didn't mind though, he was used to it by now. Yet if it wasn't for his mother he would have either been dead or a death eater long ago. Personally he didn't care about either side or taking the mark for that point, yet Lucius wouldn't allow that. Draco was only hoping that his father would be killed or thrown in Azkaban before that would happen. But he still retained that hatred and that prejudice towards muggles that he grew up knowing, and that was still present in his hatred for Granger.
He wasn't surprised when he got his letter stating that he was Head Boy and there was no doubt in his mind that it was Granger. That was the main reason that he didn't overreact when he caught her in the compartment on the train over. But it was the strange and foreign look in her eyes that threw him for a loop. He had seen many of her expressions through her eyes in all the years that he knew her, yet none had been like that. That was her weakness and his strength. He had been taught that your emotions and your weaknesses could be seen through your eyes so Draco grew up with them being an emotionless and unreadable as possible. Granger on the other hand was the opposite. You could read her eyes like a book, and that expression she gave him on the train was confusing and suspicious, which is what feeling he despised the most. He was sure that she enjoyed the view; his Malfoy vanity and his own self-esteem told him that. Yet it was different with her, and that angered him even more.
Glancing over at her he saw in her eyes a look of self-reassurance and wit as she looked at her two best friends and rolled her big brown eyes in the direction of Malfoy to which she made a twisted face and they both laughed heartily. Most of all he hated that. He hated what she had. Sure they were Pothead and the Weasel but still they were wonderful and protecting of her and friends that you rarely find in a lifetime. He would never admit that he had this jealously about that but it was present. Draco had seen her parents that day 2nd year in Flourish and Blotts and saw how proud, loving, and supportive they were of their clever daughter that was worth stuffing your wallet with pictures for. Sure Draco had a loving mother, yet she was restricted just as he was as far as showing any emotion, least of all love, was concerned. But with what presence he gave off and the crowd he associated with, every one of them thought that he was incapable of loving someone. He believed so himself. Yet there was that possibility. "I just cant wait until Lucius is out of the picture, than my mother and I can live our lives as we see fit, and not worry about what creature my father is a lapdog to." He smiled at the thought, until Snape cut him off with talk of roll call and then potions pairing. "Anyone but Granger."
Snape was intensely watching his best student and his favorite student, with a glare for one and a raised eyebrow for the other. He saw their little encounter in the doorway and the way they both tried to ignore the other, which struck him with a little idea. "This should be interesting", he thought with a smirk as he crossed off two names on his group list. "If Dumbledore wants the houses to be together, so be it."
"Quiet!" he barked as everyone froze in their seats. "Now, today will be a little different. You will be in pairs. And since the Headmaster wants to enforce this 'unity' nonsense than that is what we shall do. When I assign your partners quietly sit together and gather your supplies. Potter, Parkinson.Weasley, Zambini.Patil, Goyle." As he called off the names and 1 by 1 the Gryffindor/Slytherin ratio narrowed down, fear struck the hearts of 2 students in particular. Both held their breath waiting to be paired with someone, anyone other than who they knew they would be placed beside. At the end of his roll, Snape looked up from his podium with a small smirk and mischief in his eyes.
"Hmm, let me see.who has not be chosen?" as his eyes fell on Draco and Hermione. "Oh, how foolish of me.my mistake. Granger and Malfoy." He waved his hand to the empty seat at the front. "Please take a seat and get to working like the rest of the class." he said with a snicker at the shocked expressions of the students.
Hermione slowly gathered her things with shaking hands and walked, regretfully, up to the front seat. "It just had to be him." She gave a fearful look in Ron and Harry's direction but all they could do was give an apologetic face and shrug their shoulders. Hermione felt slightly better knowing that they were near her but that feeling quickly went away as she saw Malfoy moving to the seat.
"That bastard!" was the only thing that Draco could think clearly on as he shot Snape a glare of disbelief and gathered up his things in one swift movement. "I guess I should take back that favorite student comment." He looked over at Granger and he saw her give the Pothead and Weasel a 'help me' look as they shrugged in her direction. Rolling his eyes he hurried to the seat, intent on making her do every bit of work.
They both arrived at the same moment as they stopped, stared, and sat all the while glaring daggers at each other. "Try not to sit too close mudblood." He whispered aloud to her as she took her seat. "Trust me I won't," she replied back as he sat down next to her.
Snape simply ignored this encounter and turned to face his blackboard. He hastily wrote and explained the ingredients for a simple short-time hallucination spell. The students immediately began their assignment as it was rather intricate and they focused intently on the task ahead. Hermione and Draco worked silently and swiftly, as the only conversation was the same as in their shared rooms. It was only to ask for ingredients or to repeat a direction from the board.
"Alright, now we need the knotgrass. Malfoy could you go get and cut up 3 pounds for me?" she asked while she was staring intently at the cauldron and stirring while adding something here and there.
"A Malfoy doesn't take orders from Mudbloods like yourself. If you want it, you can get your lazy ass over there and do it."
"But I'm busy stirring the potion Malfoy!"
He hastily grabbed the stirrer out of her hand and began doing her job. "Now you're not. Go get it!"
Hermione had absolutely no patience or time to begin another argument so she just complied to shut him up about it and to finish the assignment on time. Walking over to the potion cabinets she took from the open jar that other students were weighing and measuring from. Carefully she took the right amount and weighed it down to the very piece of the knotgrass and walked slowly and cautiously back to her table. The only thing she didn't see, however, was the plotting Crabbe and Goyle as she passed by where they were standing and making their Gryffindor partner do all the work. Thinking that Malfoy would give them a treat for their cruelty and cunningness Crabbe inconspicuously stuck out his rather large foot in Hermione's walking path. She was too intent upon keeping each bit of grass together that she didn't notice what was in front of her until it was too late. Hermione's rather small feet collided with his fat one as the knotgrass flew out of her hands and straight into the potion just as Draco was adding the wolf fang to the simmering mixture. She on the other hand fell straight on her face as she barely caught herself with her hands. The abruption of laughter from the Slytherin's and the congratulations on Crabbe and Goyle's part gave them away immediately as Draco looked furiously at the girl on the floor and his bodyguards.
Snape slightly smirked as Ron and Harry ran to assist her from off the floor. That was when Draco swooped in, not only on Hermione, but Crabbe and Goyle as well. "What the hell was that!?" he shouted angrily at the two of them as their expressions changed from that of victory to of fear. Both just mumbled as the potion gave a loud sputter and turned lime green instead of light blue.
Hermione could barley look at what had happened to their, but a moment earlier, beautiful potion and was fearful of the outcome. "Well, well." Snape murmured out loud. "Time for a taste testing of what this potion has become. Malfoy, Granger." He said motioning for them to come. Each filled their vial with a shaking hand as they stepped in front of the classroom and looked fearfully at what they were about to drink. "Please don't hold us in suspense much longer. Drink!" he said as hushed whispers and a few gasps erupted from the class. Both hesitantly held the vial up to their lips and slung it back in one go as they waited for large bubbles to erupt on themselves or a horn to appear from nowhere. They held their breath for a few moments, but what felt like eternity, and waited for something to happen. But nothing ever did. The only reaction was a rumbling stomach and warmth behind their eyes.
Snape seemed rather disappointed that neither of these students had grown wings so he dismissed the class early as he sadly went into his office.
"Good going Granger!" Draco yelled as they were the only two remaining in the classroom.
"Me! How was this my fault when your two ogre cronies tripped me!?" she replied in her defense as she gathered up her supplies.
"Well if you had been watching where you were going this wouldn't have happened you." but Draco could go no further as he suddenly felt strange. Hermione noticed this as she too felt the same.
"Do you feel that too?" she asked while clutching her forehead.
"Dizzy you mean?" he asked and she nodded in reply.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll just go lay down, screw class." He said as he groggily made his way to the door but not without knocking into a few desks.
"I.agree." She said with difficultly as she followed suit out of the room. As they stepped out of the classroom both froze in place, as they had to stop to figure out which way to go. "What is going on with us?" Hermione asked.
"I have absolutely no idea." He replied, and after a moment, "But its probably hunger, maybe we should just go to lunch?"
"Maybe." She said in response as they hesitantly made their way down the hall. Suddenly, as soon as it had happened their symptoms eased up as they began to have a better understanding of where they were. They began to walk at different paces and in different routes to the Great Hall as they separated feeling normal compared to what they were only moments earlier. Hermione arrived after Draco as he was already laughing and eating with his fellow Slytherin's and she made her way to the Gryffindor table. Briefly explaining her delay she looked at the delicious food that lay before her. She really did not feel that hungry. In fact she had never felt better. Everything was just normal.too normal after drinking an unknown potion. It was then that the odd began to happen.
"Granger can really be a pain sometimes." Hermione heard over the conversation around her. It was clear as a bell to her as she wondered who could have said that. Looking across the Hall she saw Malfoy staring in her direction though he swiftly changed his gaze to his plate. Returning to listening to Ron's conversation with Ginny she heard it again. "Why cant she just be normal like everyone else?" That time she knew that she heard it. And she also knew that voice. But the only thing was, why could she hear Malfoy when he didn't open his mouth and was on the other side of the Hall from her?
Another voice was heard but this time it wasn't Hermione who was hearing things. "What is Malfoy's problem?" Draco quickly looked up to challenge the person that dared to defy him. But there was no one. Nobody was even paying attention to him. Except for Granger. He noticed how she suddenly put her focus towards the Weasel, and completely ignored him. Draco wanted to try to see if it was her or just him going insane that caused that voice to echo in his head. "Look at me Granger." he silently pleaded to himself while watching her intently. He saw her eyes widen in shock as she slowly turned her head to face him. That was the shocking part for Draco. "You can hear me can't you?" he thought to himself, as all he heard in reply was a silent "Yes."
"How can you hear me?" he asked back.
"I don't know."
Suddenly the warmth behind his eyes returned once more as their gaze intensified between one and the other. Their eyes pierced into one another as a new meaning was found with them. They couldn't explain it, but they understood what was happening to them. Both stood up at the same moment, and without losing eye contact, they began to walk towards the doorway. Their focus remained intact upon the other as though they were reading each other's mind. Slowly and in step they walked and approached the other. The eye contact couldn't be broken by anything in the world as they finally neared each other. Standing less than a foot apart, their eyes were still locked together. "What is happening to us?" Draco silently asked.
"I don't know."
"Can we control it?"
"I don't think we can."
"Can we stop it?"
"I know I cant."
"Do you want to stop it?"
"I cant now."
"Good."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because neither can I." They remained intact in their present positions until Draco slowed reached out his hand to touch hers. It was a soft and gentle touch but yet it was strong and Hermione felt safe for some strange reason. Their eyes began to cloud over lightly as the room became darker and darker as everyone seemed to be fading out around them. A light mist encompassed them as they felt their eyelids slowly close as all noise ceased around them. Slowly the light disappeared until they were in complete darkness, both having passed out on the floor of the Great Hall.