Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: Scenes of a sexual nature
Spoilers:SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OoTP
Summary: Before starting his 7th year of Hogwarts, Draco is given the challenge of ridding Voldemort of Harry Potter in order to join the Deatheaters. What unexpected surprises does his plan hold? DMHG
In the Eyes of the Enemy- ChapterThree All Aboard
"Hurry now, everyone finish storing your bags and get to your compartments, the train will be leaving in 10 minutes." Hermione shook her head, there were students everywhere and at the rate they were going the train would still be sitting here tomorrow.
She gave a sigh and started to head up the corridor when she heard a crisp voice behind her, "I suggest you hurry, this train doesn't wait for anyone, just ask Potter and Weasley." With that the younger students picked up their speed and rushed to find seats. The man who had bark at them was a tall handsome blonde who looked formidable; he was giving each of the dawdling youths an icy stare.
Hermione turned to Draco and gave a polite, "Thank you."
He smiled and replied, "What good it to be Head Boy, if you can't tell people what to do?"
To that Hermione turned and stormed off down the corridor mumbling, "Stupid git never changes." Draco chided himself. He would need to need to be careful of what he said to her, as Granger was not looking like she was going to be won over anytime soon. He had all year though and truth be told he was in no hurry, he had plans for Granger and knowing her they would take time to complete.
Hermione headed down the corridor until she came to the compartment she was looking for. Inside she found Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Luna relaxing and conversing about Luna's summer trip abroad and the different places her father had taken her to see. Everyone stopped and smiled at her once she opened the door. "Hello everyone. Ron, Ginny, I just wanted to remind you to be in the prefect compartment in 20 minutes, as I would like to hold a meeting before we get to school."
Ron frowned, "Come on Hermione, I thought with you being Head Girl we would be able to relax a bit."
At this comment the others in the compartment laughed and Harry retorted, "Ron, when has Hermione ever let us relax?"
Hermione snapped, "That's exactly right, this year we have NEWTS to study for and being Head Girl I will be busy with additional responsibilities. So I need to count on you Ron, especially being a prefect, to help me get things done. So 20 minutes Prefects compartment, got it?" Ron nodded so Hermione turned and headed out the door, down the corridor, and started telling lost students where to go to find a place to sit.
Once Hermione was gone Ron turned his eyes back to the group and in a dejected tone said, "And I thought Percy was bad, Hermione is going to be down right unbearable."
Harry shrugged and replied, "Ron, it's just the first day, you know how wound up she gets, just give it a bit and she'll relax, at least until it's time for NEWTS." To his last remark everyone laughed and Luna went back to her retelling of her summer abroad.
Hermione walked up and down the corridors keeping an eye out for students misbehaving or finding themselves lost, while constantly berating herself. 'Why did I have to be so harsh with Ron?' She knew the answer. She had hoped that by now he would come around and say he had some feelings for her, but he hadn't and this only angered her further. 'Why hasn't he said anything? It's not like I'm ugly or something am I? No, Viktor had liked her and there had been other boys who showed passing interest, but it was never Ron.' Hermione frowned and was heading toward the Prefect's compartment when a hand touched her shoulder, jolting her out of her internal debate.
She turned around to see who the owner of the hand was and was shocked to find Draco Malfoy standing in front of her. His long black robes were immaculate and pressed and a shimmering Head Boy badge was proudly displayed on his chest opposite his Slytherin emblem. "Yes Malfoy?"
Draco smiled down at her as he was far taller than she, and with a cocky smile said, "I wanted to have a few minutes to talk to you about what items we would discuss at the prefects meeting this year."
"Yes, of course," Hermione replied in a very rehearsed voice. "We will go over shifts for nightly rounds, list any items which need to be discussed with the headmaster, and advise the new prefects of their duties and responsibilities."
Draco smirked, " So you've got it all planned out, guess you don't need me after all."
Hermione glared back at him. "As a matter of fact I don't need you, and I will be keeping an eye on you Malfoy to make sure you don't go abusing your power."
Draco shrugged, "Very well Hermione, the floor is all yours, shall we go in?"
Hermione turned to give Draco a quizzical look before entering the prefects' compartment. 'Did he just call me Hermione?' She shook her head and stepped over to the head table where she set down her papers, arranging them into 3 neat piles. One pile was the 'Nightly rounds' sheets, the second was labeled 'Prefect Duties and Responsibilities', and the third was nothing but lined papers titled 'Suggestions and Ideas'.
Draco found her curious. She had obviously put a great deal of thought and planning into this first, normally informal, meeting. His only plan had been to announce 'I'm Head Boy, don't make me look bad or else', but her plans for the meeting were definitely a more productive way to go. Watching her carefully from the doorway he noticed that the look on her face was full of sheer determination. Were Draco not Head Boy, he would have been a bit terrified of her as she had the look of a woman possessed. The power in her actions both intrigued and excited Draco. He had always known she was smart as she inevitably managed to beat him in every class, but the self-confidence she possessed at the moment was alluring to him. He reminded himself that she was nothing more than a mudblood, but he couldn't help feeling that were she not he might find her worthy partner.
Hermione continued arranging the desk, laying out quills and rearranging the order of the stacks three times to make sure they were exactly the way she wanted them. During this process she took quick glances at the doorway, which Draco was casually leaning against. He was tall; lean but had a strong build, had long soft blonde hair which hung just past his ears. She reminded herself, 'Yes he looks good but he's still Malfoy, the arrogant prat, who will treat you like the dirt he claims in your blood.' He was looking at her though and he was almost smiling, not his usual smirk, but almost a soft smile. 'Stop this Hermione this is Malfoy, he's up to something be prepared... but he called me Hermione and not in his usual caustic Granger or Mudblood voice.' Her eyes snapped back to her neat piles and her internal discussion was brought to a halt when the prefects started filing in for the meeting.
Draco walked behind the desk and stood beside Hermione. Once all the prefects had taken their seats, he made an announcement before Hermione had the chance to speak. "As most of you are aware by now, Hermione and myself are the Head Girl and Boy this year. As Prefects you will be helping us ensure that this year goes smoothly and without interruption. Any problems are to be reported directly to Hermione or myself. Now Hermione has some announcements and paperwork for each of you and I expect you to give her your full and undivided attention." Draco stepped back and took his seat behind the table.
Hermione gave a small shake to wake herself from what she thought was a dream. Draco did just call her Hermione and said it in front of all the prefects several times. A bit nervous she started, "Thank you Draco." She said it before realizing she had called him by his first name, but as he was being civil maybe she should too. "This year I have made a list of the duties and responsibilities of a prefect. For some of you this is old material, but for those of you just joining our ranks the guidelines will be very useful. The major rule, that is often broken, is the deduction of House Points. As Prefects, we are permitted to deduct points in cases that warrant such penalties. However, it is not to be for the sheer purpose of benefiting your house." With that she shot a warning glance at Ron and Draco, who had gotten into a heated battle at the end of last term, deducting points from the other's house at the drop of a hat before professor McGonagall had stepped in and removed prefect privileges for the remainder of the year.
Hermione continued, "After the sorting this evening, Prefects will escort students back to their houses without delay. I also have here a list of nightly rounds. Two nights a week, in pairs, you will be required to monitor the hallways thought the castle starting 30 minutes prior to curfew and the two hours following it. Once a month on a rotating basis you will only have 1 night of duties. Mr. Filch will patrol the remainder of the evening."
After passing out the sheets outlining the rules and schedules for the prefects, Hermione returned to the head table and announced, "The last order of business is what we, as prefects, would like to see done or changed during this year at school."
Ginny's hand shot in the air. "Do you think we could have a ball, like the Yule ball we had a few years ago during the Tri-Wizard tournament?" At this the group broke out in chatter amongst themselves.
Hermione motioned for everyone to be quiet and continued, "Any ideas you have should be written down on these sheets. They will then be looked over and discussed with Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Please fill them out and bring them to our first official Prefect meeting Tuesday night." The train lurched as it started to slow down in the final turn towards Hogwarts. Hermione motioned for everyone to head out, but the girls were already on their way, chatting about how great a ball would be, and the boys were looking nervously at each other.
Ron made his way to the head table to talk to Hermione, who was clearing the left over items from the table. "Hermione, do you need a hand?"
Hermione shook her head, "Thanks Ron, I'm fine. There, that should do it." She put the last quill in her bag and turned to face Ron.
"I think you did a great job, Hermione, not that I had any doubts, you make a perfect Head Girl." She blushed at his compliments, secretly hoping there would be more, when Ron's face hardened as he spotted Draco Malfoy looking on from the doorway. "Aren't you going to make yourself useful, you slimy git, or are you planning on making Hermione do all the work like you did today?"
Draco smiled and in a cool voice replied, "You're right, Ron, Hermione did a fantastic job today and I was just going to congratulate her, but I guess I'll have to save it for another time since you're having a private moment."
Ron burst back "We're not having a private moment, Malfoy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't leave all the same."
Hermione was crestfallen, and with a note of sadness in her voice she said, "Ron, we better go, we're almost there and Malfoy and I need to make sure the first years make it to the boats with Hagrid. I'll meet you and Harry in the hall for dinner." Ron gave Hermione a quick hug then stormed through the open door, knocking Draco's shoulder on the way out.
Hermione always knew Ron had a temper to match his fiery red hair. It came out more often than not when he was in the presence of the arrogant Slytherin, but for Hermione to be an effective Head Girl, she would need to put their differences aside and work together, at least for this year.
"Come on Malfoy, we should start gathering the first years. We've just pulled in and most of them will be a bit scared of Hagrid."
Draco reach out to grasp Hermione's hand and in a soft voice asked, "Hermione, will you please call me Draco?"