Chapter 7 (The Prefect's Meeting)

Hermione and Draco called the meeting of the Hogwarts Prefects to order.

Hermione spoke first, Greetings, I hope you all had a good summer! I can't tell you all how honored I am to have been selected as Head Girl. I truly believe my fellow 7th years, Padma, Hanna, or Pansy, would have also been excellent choices, so I'm also quite humbled as well. Since Gryffindor was in need of another 7th year prefect, I'd like to present our newest upper division member, Neville Longbottom.

Neville quickly commented, I thought my Gran was going to have a heart attack when she saw my badge! The older prefects laughed with him because they could understand how she could have thought that, but since 5th year, Neville had turned into quite a talented wizard specializing in the unlikely combination of Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Draco then took his turn. Well, unlike Granger here, I'm not surprised. I mean come on, Weasley, Goldstein and Macmillan? Who else were they going to pick?

The three 7th year boys began to stand up but Hermione calmed them down, Draco! Not everyone has the same sense of humor as you. You know darn well you were proud to be selected. Draco winked at Hermione and Ron fumed where he sat. Ginny, now a 6th year Prefect, was sitting next to her brother and she was also ready to hold him back if needed.

Draco continued, The new 7th year prefect to fill my shoes from Slytherin is Millicent Bulstrode. That might be a problem since I'm pretty sure her feet are even bigger than mine. Hermione was about to admonish Malfoy again, but to her surprise, Millicent and the rest of the Slytherins laughed with gusto. It seemed to be some sort of inside joke.

Millicent held out her foot, Does anyone know how hard it is to get Mary Janes in a size 49 1/2 wide? With that, the rest of the prefects joined in the laughter.

Luna Lovegood, a 6th year prefect from Ravenclaw commented, My father ran a story in the Quibbler about a woman from the states who wore an American size 15 shoe. If I remember right, size 49 is even larger. You don't have some giant blood do you? If not, my dad might

Millicent fumed about her bloodline being questioned as any true Slytherin would; I'm a pure blood and can trace my family back for generations. She lightened up a bit as she analyzed the situation, I wonder if a story about my shoe troubles might get me some custom shoes in my size that look like they were made for a woman?

Hanna spoke up, Millicent, I have the best book about shoe transfiguration, I'll have to loan it to you. Millicent's face lit up and she nodded yes happily. Maybe there were some advantages to getting to know people from other houses?

Hermione smiled, there was some good bonding going on here, it was just time to get back on track and make sure the 5th years knew their duties. I'm glad we're all getting along so well. I'm going to go over our duties and then we can get to know each other a bit better over lunch.

Hermione told them about taking care of the first years and making sure they knew where the dorms were and didn't get lost. She talked about curfews and the very special circumstances when they were allowed to give detentions and take away house points. She spoke for almost a half hour.

Is there anything you'd like to add, Draco? Hermione asked hiding her frustration that she had to give the whole talk.

Draco wondered if Granger, and the 6th and 7th years would let him get away with a prank. She had certainly surprised him last night; maybe she had more in store for him. Hermione, you didn't tell our new 5th years about tonight's initiation ceremony.

She caught his eye and wondered what he was up to. She didn't know if anything privately happened in other houses, but there had never been any initiation rites that she had heard about. That's right, I didn't say anything about it, she stated simply. This left room for her to play along with whatever it was he springing on them if it sounded fun, or to call everything off if he was up to something dangerous. He certainly was going to keep her on her toes.

When Draco started to explain his initiation rites, Hermione caught Ron's eye and winked at him. His face, which had looked quite confused, melted into a grin. He then nudged Ginny, who passed a go along with it' signal on to Luna and so on until everyone but the 5th years and the new 7th years knew that having Draco and Hermione as Head Boy and Girl was going to make this an interesting year to say the least! Tonight right after you tuck the little firsties in for the night at 9pm, everyone meet at the prefect's bath by 9:30. This year's password is scrubbing bubbles'. Oh, and 5th years, don't bother to bring your bathing suits. You are to arrive wearing absolutely nothing under your robe other than your shoes and socks. There were gasps from the new Prefects and the older student's laughed. New 7th years, you are senior enough to join the experienced Prefects. For us, our choice of bathing suit or clothing is optional.

Everyone but the terrified 5th years continued to laugh and Hermione was surprised at how well everyone played along. Actually she was not really sure why she would go along with something this unconventional, but maybe it was time to loosen up a bit.

Padma Patil was the exception. She wasn't laughing and Hermione thought she was about to call them on their prank. The lies then poured out from between teeth as she tried to comfort the poor 5th years. Don't worry too much, it's not hard to slide in with your robe hiding you and once you're in the bath! It's so filled will bubbles no one can see anything anyway. The rest of us had to do it too! Even Hermione! This confirmed to the experienced prefects what a year this would be. Who knows, they may have just started a new tradition. Draco alone might have been frightening in his new position, but with Hermione to temper his more outrageous ideas, they knew they could play along with anything that the two of them agreed with.

With that, lunch appeared on the table and Hermione and Draco in unison said, Let's eat! Both Hermione and Draco noticed how easily they worked together. Maybe years of being enemies had made sort of a bond. It was eerie.

They weren't the only ones bothered by their silent communication. Ron stewed in his own juices. Why was she calling him, Draco?' They seemed to have developed some sort of mental link. Were the rumors true that the Head Boy and Head Girl had to go to Hogwarts a few days early for some sort of ancient sexual bonding ceremony? Ron fumed for a few more moments, and then realized exactly how many Hogwarts rumors involving bizarre rites of passage had been falseall of them...at least all that he knew about. But still, he didn't like it.

He got up to walk to the buffet table, but didn't see Hermione or Malfoy for a moment. He was about to start fuming again, until he noticed Hermione talking with a new Ravenclaw prefect. He relaxed a bit and filled up his plate. At first, Ron was annoyed that she didn't go right to his side, but he realized that as Head Girl, she needed to make sure the Prefects were a cohesive team and he could see that introducing herself personally to all of the 5th years from other houses was a great way to start. She really was a good selection for the role. Even Malfoy was speaking with students that weren't from Slytherin. Ron filled his plate and decided not to wait to for her to get started with lunch. He was hungry.

About 15 minutes later, Hermione approached Ron and took his plate from him and placed it on a table. He started to protest that he wasn't done, but she silenced him by putting her arms around him and melting her body into his. He was startled for a moment, but then placed his arms around her as well. She looked into his eyes and said, I missed you. But before he could answer, she placed a passionate kiss on his mouth. He started to pull away because he wasn't used to a kiss lasting that long, but she opened her mouth slightly and continued to press her lips against his and tired to slip her tongue in his mouth.

Draco pretended to be paying attention to Pansy as he ate his lunch, but he saw Granger throwing herself at the Weasel. Virgin, my ass, he thought as he watched her move against him and thought about her actions on the train the night before. Draco couldn't explain his jealousy. Why the hell hadn't she been afraid of him taking Ron as his slave and why had she kissed him last night? Yes, she had matured into a very pretty young woman, but it wasn't like he couldn't find other beautiful women. Her intelligence excited him. Each year they were the number one and two in each subject they both took. The only way either of them knew for sure they'd be number one in a subject was if the other didn't take it. Running today's meeting with her had been fun. He could never have pulled off his little initiation prank without her approval and signals to the experienced prefects to play along. He had been positive she would preempt him once he got to the part about no bathing suits. He expected her to stop him and allow suits for all, and his back up plan was to have the 5th years take them off once for a few minutes once they were covered by bubbles. But the kinky little mudblood not only went along with the first plan, just a wink to her friends brought everyone else in on it. Then there was the time they spoke in unison. That kind of thing just didn't happen. He changed his decision right there and then. Again. If he got to choose his personal slave first, he would make good on his threat to make sure her boyfriend was so busy for the year that he'd have no time for her what so ever. He also wondered how many times he was going to change his mind about which slave sweet' to select.

Hermione hid her disappointment at Ron's kiss as she stayed cuddled close to him. I thought you missed me? she asked.

I did. I wanted you to stay at the Burrow with me so badly, and I missed you so much!

Are you holding it against me or something? Hermione asked. Why won't you kiss me back?

Ron looked confused. He blinked a few times. I seem to remember kissing you just a moment ago.

I mean really kissing me, Hermione answered. I think you could put a little more passion into it. You kiss me like a sister.

Ron was surprised. I think my parents would disown me if I even thought of kissing Ginny that way. He got suspicious, Just when did you learn to kiss like that, anyway?

Hermione shrugged, hoped she didn't sound like she was hiding something, but she just couldn't tell him about the book, Like what? Maybe that's just what an I really, really missed you' kiss feels like?

That sounded logical, but Ron still thought there was something Hermione wasn't saying. He kissed her again. Hermione cuddled her body against his and kissed back. His lips were uncomfortably cold and wet and as she parted his lips with her tongue his mouth felt almost slimy. Hermione pulled away and Ron just stood there out of breath and in awe. I've always dreamed of kissing you like that, Ron whispered in her ear. He continued, Are you finally ready to move on? Ron bravely asked hoping the new deep kisses were just a beginning.

Hermione wasn't sure how to answer. She didn't look him in the eye. I'm not sure. I think I might be. Ron grinned and hugged her close not noticing how wooden she felt. He hadn't noticed how honestly she had answered his question.