Disclaimer: I own nothing. Honestly! Unless you want my dirty laundry…you can have that…really! He he… J.K. Rowling owns them all…. except for my plot…. but she can have it if she swears to be nice to it!
Author's Note: Thanks to all my reviewers! What can I say the combo of finals and invading relatives coupled with writers block is evil. So here is my new chapter. This will be it for about a week and half…then it is Christmas Break and open for writing to my heart's content!
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The next morning Hermoine was standing next to Dumbledore who quieted down the great hall. How she had gotten talked into announcing this was beyond her. Public speaking was - very simply put – not her thing. Not to mention not a whole lot of people knew her.
"Attention! Attention please! One of your prefects has an announcement! Silence!" Came Dumbledore's deep husky voice.
Hermoine stepped up and took a deep breathe, "Morning everyone! Over the course of this year we will be having a series of twelve activities to promote inter-house relations", she waited for the groans to stop, " The first is a day of games designed to foster a mild level of trust between you and your biggest rival. Hence, Gryffindor will be paired with Slytherin and Hufflepuff with Ravenclaw. Now whichever side wins the most points wins a prize. For those who are old enough – FOUR extra Hogsmeade weekends. To all others – and extra week of winter break. Your respective Prefect will hold a mandatory meeting tonight after dinner to share the rest of the details with you. Enjoy your day!" and with that she went to join the rest of the Gryffindors'.
Harry and Ron looked at her as if she was insane. Hermoine smiled at them and suddenly became very interested in her muffin. Suddenly she grabbed her bag, muttered something about seeing them in class, and darted out the door.
Draco was beginning to hate his housemates. What the hell was this? The Muggle Spanish Inquisition? Moreover, if Pansy put that paw on him one more time…. He saw Hermoine duck out, followed by Cho, he realized he needed out too. He just grabbed his books and ran, with Justin not far behind. He found the other three prefects in their common room.
"Okay we need a plan. Because I need answers for my house before I hex them all to hell and back", muttered Draco as he entered.
Cho grinned weakly, " I agree. Ravenclaw is driving me batty. So far, we are using all muggle games. Three legged racing, obstacle course, relay race, and then there is the mandatory two on two Quidditch."
Hermoine went pale at the mention of Quidditch, "Uh guys? See me here…still can't fly to save my own life."
Silence filled the room as the other three stared at her. Hermoine couldn't fly? Ah hell… Then Draco stood up and sighed as he gathered his things and tossed Moine her book bag. "Then I guess since you are my partner I have to teach you."
Soon all four were on their way to different classes and Draco and Hermoine step up lesson times on the their way to transfiguration. Since Dumbledore's main goal, this year was inter-house harmony all of their classes were together. It was going to be an interesting year. Once inside the room, they parted after Hermoine swore she would be on the Quidditch pitch at two pm sharp.
She sat between Ron and Harry and soon the Golden Trio was hard at work turning their book into a silver key. They whispered back and forth and they were heard laughing softly every now and then. All three unaware of the silver eyes watching them from the back of the room. Then all of a sudden the customary POOF went up…
"Seamus Finnigan! Why must you always blow things up? Here try again!" Mcgonagall sighed handing him a book with a sigh.
Hermoine sent Seamus a smile and went promptly back to telling Harry and Ron a story.
"Uh, Harry can I borrow your broom later? Say around two?" She asked softly as they started to head to the greenhouse for herbology. Harry raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.
"Sure Moine but remember I need it one piece for the first game next week." She stuck her tongue out at him and swept into the classroom ahead of her two grinning best friends.
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Later that afternoon Hermoine showed up to the Quidditch pitch with Harry's broom to find Draco already there. He was flying in lazy circles around the pitch…. he looked so free up there… Must be nice to feel so free… Draco swooped down and scooped her up in front of him and they were off again.
"See how I balance Granger?" Draco asked with a grin. He felt her nod against his chest and her grinned. For the next hour, they just worked on her balance. Then they had to leave to get ready for their joint house meeting. They had decided to get it all over with at one. Moreover, prevent them having to actually assign partners they were drawing names out of a hat.
Soon the great hall was full of Slytherins and Gryffindors – each on different sides of course. Draco and Hermoine stood up front and waited for them quiet down. Draco stepped up this time.
"For those of you who do not know me. I am Draco Malfoy, Slytherin prefect. Here are the facts about the Game Day. You and your partner must complete all four of the events to gain points for our side. The events are a Three-legged race, an obstacle course, a relay race, and two on two Qudditch. Due to the fact it IS a school wide activity the Day has been lengthened to a weekend…including that Friday. We will be pulling your names out of a hat to chose your partners."
"who are you and Hermoine partnering with? Came a call from the back.
"Dumbledore insisted the prefects partner each other. So,Hrmoine and I are spoken for. And for those of you who cannot fly. First years there will be a substitute for you so two on two Quidditch…wht that is yet we do not know."
Hermoine stepped up next to him and siled sweetly, "We understand that for some of you this may be a very difficult thing to do. Esecailly for these two houses. Slytherin and gryffindor just do not mix well. But I think if we all try we can pull this off. Besides FOUR extra Hogsmeade weekends? I am all for that. So let the sorting begin." She and Draco ech reached into ahat and pulled out a name….
"Potter, Goyle"
"Weasley, R. and Bulstrode"
"Finnigan and Zambini"
"Longbottom and Parkinson"
"Weasley G. and Crabbe"
And so they went for two hours until everyone was sorted, "Now,you must spend ONE HOUR with your partner so you can make any arrangement s you need. Malfoy and I have a meeting and will return soon as it is over. The doors are charmed so trying to leave will not work. Sorry everyone. Dumbledore's idea – not us!"
Draco and Hermoine left and closed the door, looked ant each other and counted to five. Then they grinned as they heard the shouts start to roar out of the room. This was going to be interesting….
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Hermoine was relieved when she and Draco reentered the room all was reasonable. Peop[le were actually chatting. Not to bad. She clapped her hands and announced they could all go now… and there was a mad rush to the door. Wel, at least some things never seem to change.
She hugged Harry and Ron good night and wandered off to her room. Cho and Justin had night patrol tonight so she could curl up and read. Lovely thought! She soaked in a ear scented bath for a while and then pulled on flannel pj pants with little wands all over them and a snug long sleeve tee that announced she was a Wonder Witch… she grabbed her quilt and her new book and headed down to the common room. There she conjured a cup of tea and settled in for a nice quiet night.
She was deeply into her book when Draco stormed in looking very cross and he stood in front of her and glared.
"What? I didn't do anything so stop glaring!" mutter Hermoine never looking up.
He snorted and spun around to go to his room. He got to the door and cursed.
"What now Draco?" Her moine sighed and looked up from her book at last.
"IforgotmypasswordcanIsleepwithyoutonight?"
"PARDON?"
"I forgot my password, can I sleep with you tonight? Please Moine? I am so tired and I promise to be good…"
She studied him and smirked, "Nope!"
His jaw dropped and she grinned. He slowly walked back down the stairs that lead to their rooms……
"Please Moine?"