Chapter 4 (Possible Choices?)

It was August 29th, and Draco Malfoy sat comfortably on the Knight Bus on his way to Hogwarts. He was skimming through his for the year, the Hogwarts Head Boy Handbook. The new Head Boy and Head Girl always arrived a few days early to get settled in and to make sure they understood their new duties for the year. Traditionally, they would then ride the Hogwarts Express to London and on the return trip, they would instruct the new Prefects. So far, the handbook was quite dull and he wondered what the big deal was outside of the private bedchamber and getting to select a student to service his for the year. Thank you Salazar Slytherin for that perk!

Draco hadn't needed the handbook to know about this little detail. Even though it was suppose to be a guarded secret, his father had told him about it when he was 12 years old. When he first found out about this little gift, he planned on selecting the best looking girl he could find, but over the years he changed his mind and thought about dominating Potter. He didn't think of himself as gay, he just felt able to appreciate the opportunities that either sex could provide. In a one sided relationship, a man might be the best choice for his needs. In a long-term two-sided relationship, he figured he would most likely select a woman of equal breading and beauty. But until he was ready to settle down, both men and women had plenty to offer.

In their 6th year, Potter became serious about that hot little Weasley redhead. He thought that she might possibly be a good selection as well. Draco had spent a few evenings under the Quidditch bleachers with her in secret before she had started dating Potter exclusively and had been quite physically compatible. He grinned and tied to figure which would torment him more-- imagining him with his girlfriend, or the things he could do to Potter himself. Draco doubted that Ginny let him know that they had any kind of a history. By the middle of the school year, Ginny had almost lost her Prefect position due to the amount of times she had to be reminded, Miss Weasley, Harry Potter is not a chair! It had become a running joke in the Slytherin common room last year—Harry Potter is not a this, or Harry Potter is not a that— replacing the word chair with whatever noun seemed to fit the situation.

He also thought back to his conversation with that little Mudblood four weeks ago at Flourish and Blotts. There was something about the way Granger squirmed when he caught her reading smut. She looked so amazing in her skimpy summer muggle clothing and had surprisingly matured into a very pretty girl. Since she always went off about how much she knew about Hogwarts, he guessed that she might have been one of the few that also knew about the Founder's Gifts when he taunted her in Flourish and Blotts while picking up his Head Boy Handbook. He wondered if she had spent the whole month worrying about what he might have in store for her. Perhaps she would be his choice. He knew she was completely innocent, unlike the Weasley girl, and breaking her to his will over the year would be a pleasure. This was even more fun than being at Honeydukes waiting to select a sweet. He grinned and wondered how many times he would change his mind before the actual selection process.

Professor Snape was waiting for Draco when the Knight Bus arrived at Hogwarts. Welcome, Mr. Malfoy, your father would be proud! Let me show you to your new chambers. Draco grinned from ear to ear as they entered the castle. I'm very proud of you as well. It's been years since there has been a Head Boy or Girl from Slytherin; it's quite an honor. You are the first since I became Head of Slytherin House.

Draco continued to smile and answered, I'm looking forward to the perks.

Snape chuckled, No doubt you are, but there is still much work that needs to be done, don't let play time get in the way of your responsibilities. Something tells me you plan on combining the two.

Draco smiled and nodded, feeling it was better to remain noncommittal. Snape opened the door to the shared Head Boy/Head Girl sitting room. It wasn't to the standard of Malfoy Manor, but it certainly beat the Slytherin dungeon. Draco sat down in a very comfortable chair and noticed an ice bucket with Muggle champagne cooling on a black marble table and two glasses. Snape opened the bottle and poured for both of them and handed a glass to Draco. Snape raised his glass, To Slytherin and our new Head Boy.

Draco echoed, To Slytherin and also raised his glass and drank but knew better than to toast himself. They both drank and enjoyed the fine champagne. Draco made up his mind and decided to let Snape in on his plan with his next toast, To making that Mudblood Granger serve my every need this year!

Draco drank, but Snape choked. Um, Mr. Malfoy, are you aware of the Dark Lord's plans for you this year?

Draco decided to not mince words, Of course I am. And even though having Potter at my beck and call could certainly have its advantages, there are services Miss Granger can provide that he just can't duplicate. Not to mention what I can do for her. She could use a real man. Draco was getting a little bit bolder about not wanting to be a follower to say what he did next. If that Dark Lord doesn't feel I'm Death Eater material yet, maybe I don't feel he's leadership material for me. I'm not willing to follow his every whim like little a little lap dog waiting for him to throw me a bone. Even my father didn't make me sit up and beg.

Snape wasn't sure how to approach this. He didn't want to see anyone sacrificed, but he wasn't sure Draco would ever really have the option of breaking his family's alliance with Voldemort, even with his father in Azkaban. Draco, you playing with powers you can't imagine.

Draco just rolled his eyes. Perhaps I'm feeling less and less sure of the powers of someone Potter could defeat as an infant. You and I both know I'm already stronger than all but Voldemort's most elite lackeys. At least the ones that aren't already back in Azkaban for life.

Snape decided to change the subject. A loose cannon' Malfoy could mean trouble. Are you aware whom this year's Head Girl is?

Draco shrugged, Isn't it that girl from Ravenclaw who is already taking a few University level Healer classesPadma whatever?

Snape answered, Though I'm sure she was a highly ranked candidate and a logical assumption, she is not this year's Head Girl.

Draco laughed out loud because there was no other possible choice, You mean the Head Girl is going to be the SLAVE of the Head Boy! This was priceless and more delicious than he could have possibly imagined.

Hermione was in her new private bedroom when Draco and Snape arrived in their shared sitting room. She should not have been able to hear what was going on outside her room, but after an additional year of refinement, Fred and George's extendable ears were quite powerful now. She used their invention to its fullest and listened to the conversation. It was Hermione's intension to break with tradition and not take a slave even though it might mean her removal from her position. She also planned on making the slave policy public as a way to make sure it did not continue. Some traditions were made to be broken. She was also very confused at how this sort of thing could have been going on for all the years she was at Hogwarts. There was nothing about it in Hogwarts, a History! Percy had a slave? She wished that Professor McGonagall had already arrived, she had so many questions for her, but she was very busy with Order business.

She listened with disgust as Snape talked of loyalty to the Dark Lord but did find it interesting that Malfoy did not want to be a follower anymore. She had no doubt that Snape was a double agent; she just didn't completely trust his loyalties. Then she heard something that chilled her to the bone! Draco was thinking about selecting her as his slave! Then she smirked. Obviously he hadn't read that this was expressly forbidden in the handbook, the idiot! The Head Boy and Head Girl are absolutely off limits, didn't he read? Prefects weren't completely off limits, but they had to consent. She realized that he had just taken away her option of resigning as Head Girl in protest if need be. Damn him! She had no assurance that if she resigned she would remain a prefect since her replacement had already been selected. She just couldn't take that chance. Well, she figured, at least she didn't have to have the slave do anything questionable. She could select Ron and make him do his own homework for a change. She smiled at her solution. Who says absolute power corrupts absolutely?

She stopped listening to the conversation and put away her Extendable Ear. She had heard enough of this. Malfoy would most likely pick Pansy; everyone knew they were getting married right after graduation. Snape had hinted about Harry, which had given her chills upon hearing it, but Draco made had made it clear that he preferred a woman. She was sure that Malfoy was capable of selecting Harry, but since she had never seen any signs of him having any bisexual tendencies, she knew his hormones would win in this decision. Draco's waning loyalties to the other Dark Wizards was also something to keep an eye on. She also knew she could use that information in the future as a test to see if Snape passed it on to the Order.

Snape wanted to shake Draco. Are you that stupid? One of the first stipulations in the handbook states the Head Boy and Head Girl can not select each other.

Damn, I looked forward to breaking her in or perhaps just breaking her.

Snape laughed out loud this time. Though I completely understand your sentiments and even share them, you'll need to select someone suitable at the private ceremony this Friday. From what I understand, Potter has some delicacies to offer that I know you'd also enjoy

Draco's eyes lit up. The original plan did seem more satisfying when presented that way. And there were certain things men understood about each other that could be so tiresome to explain to a woman.

Hermione opened her door, and entered the room. Somehow, Snape and Draco managed to hide their surprise that she had been so near. They knew the bedrooms were soundproof, and were relieved that her entrance hadn't been a few moments earlier. Is there any champagne left? she asked as if nothing in the world was wrong. Snape conjured another glass and poured for her. Congratulations on making Head Boy, Malfoy, she stated with what seemed like absolute sincerity.

Now, now, Miss Granger, Snape admonished, The boy's name is Draco. I expect you to use it.

Both Hermione and Draco had looks of horror on their faces. Professor Snape, Sir? Hermione asked. Would it be acceptable for us to only use our given names publicly?

Snape was about to refuse Hermione's request until he took a look at Draco and noticed that his face was just as hopeful as hers. Alright, children, he addressed them condescendingly, You have my permission, but Professor McGonagall, as Miss Granger's head of house, must also approve. Hermione and Draco nodded happily. If I hear one public slip from either of you, I'll expect you to be on a first name basis until you graduate. And with that, Snape left the room.

Draco was dying to ask Granger if she had read any good books lately, but decided he had plenty of time to play that card. He looked her in the eye and proposed a toast, To us, this Year's Head Boy and Head Girl. Hermione finished her drink in one gulp.