by squidward
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A/N: Italized statements enclosed in parentheses, ('Just like this'), are Hermione's real thoughts. Meaning what she was saying was the opposite of what she was really thinking.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyou (Kare-Kano for short, His and Her Circumstances in English). JK Rowling and GAINAX do though…
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HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCES~*Hermione's Battlecry: Down With Malfoy! *~
"…I'm delighted to become a product of the finest Wizarding school in the land. So my dear schoolmates, let us all do our best and make this institution proud of us someday! May everyone have a bright future to come. Good night and thank you very much!" the students applauded as Draco Malfoy bowed and finished his speech. Professor Dumbledore approached him and shook his hand. The other teachers did the same and the applause grew louder. Snape smiled proudly as he shook hands with Malfoy.
It took a long moment for the applause and cheers to subside. Girls were watching Malfoy with great awe as he went back to the Slytherin table. Only one girl didn't feel happy at seeing the handsome Draco Malfoy stand in front and make a speech. Hermione Granger was trying to contain her anger. She couldn't believe there was someone better than her. She studied so hard just to get the best grades. Was this the result of her extensive hardwork?
Hermione wanted to punch Malfoy's face and strangle him to death. How could he! He ruined all her plans! He terrorized her! He destroyed her! She corrected herself - Draco Malfoy wasn't her male counterpart: he was just a common, stupid, dimwitted trash!
But the trash she was referring to was now making her look like an average person. As she feared, Draco Malfoy manipulated everyone's conversation. Everywhere she went, the only topic would be Draco Malfoy. Even the boys were talking about him, though they were discussing how Draco's brain could only fill an eggcup. Yeah, they were jealous alright. But the fact that they were still talking about him made Hermione angry.
She wasn't receiving the usual attention because the students were busy talking about Draco the school representative. It was horrible when she was in the same atmosphere with Draco - the students were completely ignoring her!
Even the teachers were giving Malfoy more attention in the classes. Before Hermione was being trusted by the teachers during the discussions. But now, it was always Draco Malfoy. Whenever he answered the questions correctly the students would admire him again, and that made Hermione angrier.
She just couldn't take this! Hermione hated being an ordinary student! She hated being ignored! She hated people doing better than her! Now her goal in life had changed. She wasn't targeting the first place anymore – all she wanted was to beat Draco Malfoy!
So she started her vendetta against him. Hermione studied harder and was sleeping late because of too much studying. She hadn't quitted on showing off. Instead, she acted more elegantly than before. She was kinder and politer, even to Malfoy. And Malfoy seemed unaware of the fact that Hermione loathed his every cell. He was talking to Hermione as casually and politely as usual. She tried to avoid him at all cost, but fate seemed to be playing at her and would always put them together. Just like the time when she arrived in the Potion class.
Hermione was the first one to get in the dungeon. She practiced to come early at every lesson, even if it meant waiting for half an hour or so. She was standing outside the room, reading her Potion book when someone came.
"Hi Hermione," Malfoy greeted. He was smiling kindly at her.
"Oh, hi Draco" ('Ewww, Draco Malfoy!'), Hermione returned the greeting.
"You're already here. Hermione, you're really amazing," he remarked. "You're always early in classes and you're a brilliant student too. And you're still participating in other activities and doing your prefect duties."
Hermione smiled, looking humble and modest, "Well, you're amazing too, aren't you? You're doing great in classes and you're also active in prefect duties. And you even have time for Quidditch. You really play well."
"Er, not really," Draco muttered and blushed. ('What was he embarrassed about?')
Hermione continued to act friendly with Malfoy. She had to make him believe that everything was okay. ('Just smile joyfully there Malfoy! You don't have a clue that this girl acting friendly in front of you will be the cause of your downfall!')
"You were studying when I came, did I disturb you?" Draco asked with concern.
"Oh, no. I was just checking on some facts" ('You're really such a nuisance! You just wasted my time with something unimportant!'), Hermione said nicely.
"You're really amazing," Draco said admiringly. Hermione just smiled. ('When will the others come?! I don't want to be stuck with this guy!') Draco didn't talk to her anymore so she just continued reading her book. Draco watched her peacefully at the corners of his eyes. But Hermione was concentrating hard on her book that she didn't notice this. It was only when the students started to come when Draco looked away from her.
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It was Ancient Runes class and unluckily, Hermione was with Malfoy again. She hated the classes with him. He was always getting the attention, leaving Hermione ignored.
Hermione was feeling sleepy. After all, she studied until two o'clock last night just to beat Malfoy. Her head was swirling and focusing on the lesson was hard. She wanted to close her eyes, but she immediately snapped back. Sleeping in class would ruin her image! She tried to listen to the teacher, but she was so tried her eyes finally fell into drowsiness and her head started to fall on her armchair. Her head was about to hit the wood when she suddenly got back to her senses.
'Whew! That was close! That was really embarrassing! Did anyone see it? What will happen to my image!' she frantically scanned the class, searching for someone who might saw what happened. And she did saw one…
Draco Malfoy was looking at her in shock. Hermione froze. Of all people, why it had to be Draco Malfoy! It was very mortifying! Why didn't she control herself? She stared at her desk bashfully. Draco Malfoy, of all people!
When the class ended Draco approached her. "Hermione, are you alright?" he asked worriedly. "You shouldn't do that again, it's dangerous!" Hermione just stared at her desk. She had never been humiliated like this before!
She dashed back to the Gryffindor tower when Draco said goodbye. She couldn't stand the disgrace! Draco Malfoy was the last person she wanted to witness such a scene! She hurried in the dormitory, jumped on her bed and closed the curtains of her four-poster. She wanted to yell and release her anger, but she couldn't. What if Parvati or Lavender suddenly came in? She couldn't afford another humiliation - it would kill her! She buried her face in her pillow and forced herself not to scream.
She grabbed her Arithmancy book and started to study. They were going to have a major exam there next week. This was her chance to beat Malfoy and bring back the glory he stole from her.
Arithmancy was the hardest subject and the result of this major exam would be posted all over the school. This was her chance and she wouldn't let Malfoy beat her again. Hermione didn't go down for dinner. She had to study her lessons and get an early sleep - she didn't want to happen that embarrassing moment again.
The next days went on like this. But she had to go down for dinner because Ron asked her why she was not coming down to eat. She would finish her dinner quickly, but with poise, and would go back to the dormitory to study. She would only go down again to patrol the corridors. And during the night before the exam Hermione had the unfortunate fate to patrol with Draco.
"The Arithmancy exam will be tomorrow, I heard it will be hard, but I know you will do well," he said.
('Of course I will do well! And I will beat you too!') "You'll do well too. I know you're great," Hermione complimented. Malfoy cheeks turned pink.
"You're also great, Hermione. So, will you study this night?"
"I think I'll study a bit," ('I will not sleep if it was the only way to beat you!') she said, the 'sleeping incident' still fresh in her mind.
"That's nice. Just don't strain yourself," he said thoughtfully.
"Thanks. Good luck tomorrow," ('I hope you fail the exam!') Hermione said cheerfully. Draco smiled and wished her 'good luck' too. When they were finished patrolling Hermione said good night to Malfoy.
"Oh, I'm taking the same way. Can we go together?"
('Oh no! Don't! Don't! Don't) "Sure," she smiled. They didn't talk in their walk. Draco was glancing at Hermione every time. Hermione was thinking about the exam and was mentally reciting the facts she memorized. They said their goodbyes and good nights before they parted.
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The examination day arrived. Draco said good luck to Hermione before they entered the room. When Hermione saw the questions, she felt confident. She could easily get a perfect score in this test. She studied all night for this exam. She had to beat Draco and restore her image that was slightly damaged.
Hermione checked her answers three times and wrote all she had learned. She memorized the entire book and absorbed the facts in her notes wholeheartedly so there was no way she could fail that test. When she was finally satisfied with her answers, she passed her paper with a huge grin in her face.
By the looks of it the exam was extremely difficult for the 'average' (as Hermione had always put it) students. Some were anxious if they would pass the exam. But passing was not in Hermione's worries. It was being the top that was in. The results would be posted three days after. She could hardly wait. This was her last opportunity to prove her guts. She didn't know what to do if Malfoy, or anyone for that matter, beat her again.
The next days were just like any other day for the students. But for Hermione, it was full of tension. She did her usual routines but her mind kept on drifting on the results. So when the 'judgement' day arrived, Hermione's excitement was rushing.
She was going down for breakfast when she saw the students crowding on the bulletin board. She hurried to them, knowing that it was the result. It was hard to get a clear view but her irresistible charm made the boys move away and let her through. It was really the exam result. Hermione gasped when she read it:
TOP TEN IN THE ARITHMANCY EXAMINATION1. Hermione Granger
2. Draco Malfoy
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Oh, I've got nice reviews! Thanks a lot guys: viv, Nocturnal007, NewSecretRose, Karana_Belle, and MysticalSpirits. I hope you'll continue to support this fic. That's it for now, mata ja ne!
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