A/N: Well, looks like you guys like what I have going so far. Let's hope I keep it up, huh? )
Anyways, we got through another hurricane. Not much went on here in Northeast Florida. Lots of wind and Lots of rain!! A few trees down and signs turned, but nothing we didn't see three weeks ago with Francis.
Alright, enough blabbering, on with the story...
Chapter 3: The Heads of Hogwart's
"You ready, Gin?" asked Harry as they rose from the Gryffindor table.
"Sorry, Harry. I need to get the first years in order and to the tower with Colin," Ginny smiled at the disappointment in Harry's face, "Don't worry, we will have plenty of time to ourselves all year, promise," she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him on the cheek.
"Alright. Hermione, you coming?" he asked as he joined Seamus and Dean.
Hermione shook her head, "Sorry Harry, I am to meet with Professor McGonagall. She is showing me to my Head girl tower," a frown came across her face, "I hope it isn't too close to Malfoy's."
Harry hit her playfully on the back, "No worries Hermione. Hey maybe you two will spend so much time together and fall in love. Hell, if Ron and Pansy can do it, so can you two," he said with a chuckle.
"I heard that," said a mournful voice.
The group turned to see Ron coming up behind them, "Ron, we thought you were off making out with Parkinson in an empty classroom," laughed Seamus.
"Finnegan, don't make me hurt you," mumbled Ron.
Hermione thought maybe it was her, but she could have sworn she saw a bit of a blush cross his face, "Well, I will see you guys later, there is McGonagall."
Hermione said her goodbyes and watched the group exit the Great Hall, Harry and Ginny stealing one last kiss before she turned towards a group of trembling first years. Hermione made her way over to McGonagall, and just as she walked up, Draco did the same just to her left. She felt the sudden urge to scream but retained it as McGonagall spoke.
"Good evening, Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, I trust you both had good summers, er" she paused momentarily and gave Hermione a sympathetic look, "We were all glad to see you recover so quickly."
"Thank you," muttered Hermione as she quickly avoided eye contact with her.
"But, I am too show you to your Head's tower, if you will follow me," she retreated forward with Draco and Hermione following.
After a few minutes of complete silence, Hermione thought suddenly of the last words McGonagall had spoken to them, "Er- professor, er, back there, when you said our Head's tower, didn't you mean, towers? As in plural?"
Draco quickly thought of this, she was right. Were they to be sharing a tower? He had always thought the Head Boy and Girl had separate living quarters. McGonagall's voice quickly spoke over his thoughts.
"You both will be in the same tower, separate bedrooms, however you will share a common room," she stopped suddenly and turned to them, "Is that going to be a problem, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione opened her mouth to object but noticed the look of defiance on her face. She looked quickly over at Draco who simply shrugged his shoulders at her, "No Professor, no it won't be a problem."
"Good, now let's go," McGonagall turned quickly on her heel and continued walking, Draco and Hermione not far behind.
They had retreated to the Northeast part of the castle, and Hermione felt as if her shoes were slowly filling up with blood. Finally, McGonagall stopped in front of a statue of a beautiful witch and handsome wizard, who seemed to be sharing a friendly embrace.
McGonagall turned to see the two teenagers staring adamantly at the statue and answered the question one of them was bound to ask, "This is the statue of Elizabeth and Eric. They were best friends all their lives and eventually realized that the love they shared for each other was far greater than friendship. The reason they guard this tower is to show the bond between man and women and how their separate strengths prove greater when merged together."
McGonagall stopped and smiled, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to ramble on, shall we go in?" She turned to the statue, "Friendship and Love," the statue quickly moved and showed the bottom of a set of stairs. The trio retreated to the top where they met a large oak door. McGonnagal reached into her robes and pulled an old key and proceeded to unlock the door. She swung open the door and entered a dark room. Draco and Hermione entered cautiously behind her.
They were surrounded by complete darkness, "I can't believe it, I told the house elves to have this room ready!' seethed McGonnagall.
"Tis' ready ma'am," squeaked a small voice.
Hermione jumped at the new voice and nearly fell over, but was caught from the back by Draco, "Er- thank you," she muttered as she quickly got out of his grasp. She did, however notice how firm it actually was.
"Dobby, is that you? Where are the lights?" begged McGonagall.
And as quickly as she spoke the last word, a snap was heard and the room was illuminated.
Hermione gasped in awe at the beauty of her surrounding. The room was circular in shape, much like the Gryffindor common room. There were two large couches sitting perpendicular of a very large fireplace. The colors were mixed tastefully with hints of garnet, gold, green and silver.
"Let me show you two to your rooms, Draco over here," McGonagall led Draco to an oak door just to the left.
Hermione watched the two figures disappear into the doorway. I guess he is good looking. He seems to be different, in a good way. But, no, it's Malfoy, not Draco, what is wrong with me!
Hermione jumped as a small hand tugged at her robes, "Friend of Harry Potters!" squeaked the house elf.
Hermione smiled, "Hello Dobby! How are you?"
"OH just wonderful! And how is Harry Potter?"
Hermione smiled at Dobby's slight obsession with Harry, "Wonderful, he is doing great. Would you like me to say hello for you?"
"Dobby, please go fetch some tea for them please."
Hermione turned to see Draco and McGonagall emerge back from Draco's room, "Ms. Granger, I will show you your room, follow me."
Hermione nodded and looked back down at Dobby, who had a sudden fear in his eyes, "M-m-master M-m-malfoy," he bowed slowly towards Draco.
Hermione was about to respond when Draco beat her to it, "Dobby, I am not your master anymore, and there is no need for you to be afraid of me," he walked over to Dobby and held out his hand, "Please, let's be friends," Dobby looked fearfully at Draco and over to Hermione who smiled.
"It's okay Dobby, he is a good guy. He won't hurt you, I promise. We are all friends, even him and Harry are friends," Hermione was smiling at Dobby. She didn't notice the smile she was getting from Draco.
"Ms. Granger, please I have too much to do, let me show you your room," said McGongall impatiently and she turned quickly a door to their right.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I will tell Harry you said hello," she looked up at Draco and moved quickly to the other room.
Draco watched her enter the room and Dobby tugged at his robes, "Sir, Dobby likes her, she is always so nice to Dobby. Dobby thinks she can be a bit crazy but he still likes her," he smiled sweetly up at Draco and with the snap of his fingers, disappeared.
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Draco was sprawled on the plush bed reading the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. He was in his usual sleeping attire, green silk boxers, which with nothing else left little to the imagination. He liked having his own private sleeping quarters. Privacy was always something he never got much of before. That, and he was tired of having to fall asleep before Goyle's snores filled the dormitory.
He was just finishing up an article on the Ministry's strong effort to keep a certain hush hush affair between a very important official and a squib with a very raunchy reputation, who was rumored to be "with child." A small tap at his door startled him a bit, but he closed the paper and spoke ou, "Yeah, what's up?"
"Um, Malfoy, it's me, Hermione," said the sweet voice.
Draco smiled at her politeness, "I figured as much, since you do live here."
"Right, sorry, did I wake you?" she asked.
Draco moved to the door and slowly opened. He tried hard to contain his laughter as Hermione's eyes grew larger, trying her best not to stare at his bare chest.
"Er- would you please put something on," she stuttered, trying to sound offended.
"Why, I've got my bowers on, their just like swim trunks," argued Draco as he folded his arms.
"Yes well, I don't see a pool anywhere around here so..." she paused and took in a deep breath, "Nevermind, look, we need to discuss a few things before tomorrow."
"Such as?" he asked with a sly grin.
"Malfoy, we are Head Boy and Head Girl, we have responsibilities, now I thought first we would go over the Halloween Ball. It's the first year for this and-"
Draco reached out and put a hand to her shoulder, "Granger, that's not for almost two months, I think we can get by not discussing it until tomorrow."
"But-"
"Look, we have had a long day, I am beat, I just want to relax my mind and body before the start of classes tomorrow. Should we just plan a night of the week to meet on things such as this?"
Hermione contained a smile, "that is a good idea, um, what days are good for you?"
"Well, I have Quidditch practice on Tuesdays, how about Thursdays?" said Draco as he stretch his arms up.
Hermione caught herself quickly as she studied the muscles along his abdomen, "Uh, yeah, Thursdays, that sounds good."
"Great!" exclaimed Draco, "It's a date then, goodnight Granger."
Hermione contained her blush, "Yes, alright fine, see you tomorrow," she turned swiftly and retreated to her bedroom door and shut it, not knowing a set of eyes was watching every step.
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A/N: Whew!! Done, I wanted to get this to you all before the weekend. Hope you all are doing well.
Elizabeth and Eric is a dedication to my dear friend who lost his life on August 17 at the age of 23. I love you Eric.
Please read and review!!!!