Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoy this story. I'm doing my best to not stray too far into OOC country. As with every other fic on this site reading and reviewing is always appreciated. If you've read my other fics you know I always thank my reviewers so join their ranks and I'll thank you, too!
Disclainer: Surprise! I don't own the characters! Bet you didn't see that one coming!
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Professor Snape slammed the classroom door behind him as he entered, paying no attention to the startled jumps of his students. He stalked angrily to the front of the room, his robes billowing around him with the force of his stride. He pivoted and faced his Potions class; the majority of students had near-identical looks of terror on their faces. He snarled at them and began speaking without preamble.
"Well class I have some news." He looked around, gauging their level of attentiveness although such a move was hardly necessary. He rolled his eyes and muttered to himself something that sounded suspiciously like "Why me?" before settling his gaze on The Gryffindor Trio for a long moment. Before they could begin to guess his intentions he looked over at the table that contained the most notorious Slytherins—namely, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. Casting his glance downward for the barest of moments and shaking his head he suddenly straightened himself up and clasped his hands behind his back.
"It seems that Professor Dumbledore has decided that with things being the way they are it is necessary to focus on strengthening the unity of Hogwarts students."
No one needed to ask what "things" Snape was referring to. After Voldemort's return and subsequent ass-kicking by Harry once again the whole wizarding world was in turmoil. People were scrambling to get the facts of the encounter. How powerful was Voldemort? What sort of a threat was he? Was he really back or was it as Minister Fudge had implied—that Harry was unstable and had hallucinated the whole episode? Many seemed loath to have to finally declare their loyalty to one side or another.
The students at Hogwarts felt the same ambiguity that rippled through the rest of the community. Many students who had openly commented in favor of Voldemort's position were keeping strangely silent. They were waiting for word from their parents; specifically whether or not those who were Death Eaters were still within Voldemort's good graces or if his displeasure extended to revenge on those he felt were unfaithful. It was a tenuous time for all.
"Thus he has proposed an exercise to improve House relations. It is a project that will give each participant 100 points to their respective House as well as the possibility of half a letter grade extra credit in up to three classes."
At this statement excited whispers broke out amongst the students. 100 points was not something to be taken lightly and the extra credit offered was tantalizing, to say the least.
"Silence!" Professor Snape bellowed, effectively silencing the chatter.
"The first part of the project is as follows. You will be expected to pair off under the condition that no pair can contain two people from the same House." Here he glared meaningfully at the Gryffindor Trio.
"Secondly, you and your partner will decide what the project is to entail. Each pair will be required to submit a proposal indicating their plan for improving relations by the end of the week."
A sea of stunned faces met this declaration.
"A few guidelines have been put in place to help you when deciding upon what elements to include in your proposal. It cannot be dangerous to yourself, your fellow students or anyone else. It cannot be something that would require you to skip any classes to accomplish. It cannot require the use of magic as a primary tool. And finally…"
Here he broke off and actually smiled at them although it came out as more of a smirk as though he were relishing the revelation of the final detail. Indeed he waited until he could see that more than one student was about to fall off of their chair from leaning forward to catch what he would say before continuing.
"It must last for three months. The time period begins next Monday and will end on the night of a special Unity Ball that will be held in honor of the efforts of the successful participants."
"What?!" This outburst came from Draco Malfoy.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy? You have a question?" Snape drawled. He seemed slightly amused by Draco's outburst; it was definitely not the reaction any other student would have been likely to get.
Draco just sat in his seat and didn't respond, too shaken to speak any more.
"Well, seeing as there aren't any questions we'll move on. Everyone take note; today we will be learning about the properties of thistle, lavender and pussy willow."
It was a miracle that anyone was able to take notes at all, let alone pay attention after that announcement. In truth only two students managed to actually take decent notes while everyone else just feigned attention.
One of those two students was Hermione Granger and it was much later on that evening after dinner that she could be found in one of her favorite places…the library. She had gone to look up some additional facts on the Potions topic of the day to supplement her notes.
Every other class after Potions had been spent much the same way: students chatting noisily with each other and the professors about the unity project, as it was now being called. So thankfully Hermione hadn't needed to worry about failing to pay 100% attention like she did in Potions.
Once she was satisfied with her notes Hermione set her attention on the next problem at hand, namely the unity project. She wanted those extra credit points so badly she could almost taste them. But the parameters of the project had her at a loss. Who could she pair up with? Maybe one of the Ravenclaw girls or one from Hufflepuff? After debating the matter for a solid ten minutes she decided to go and find Harry and Ron. With any luck they had found their partners and could help direct her to someone.
The next day at breakfast Draco Malfoy was lost in thought while eating. He wanted those house points so badly he could almost taste them. But what was the deal with the pairings? Why couldn't he have a fellow Slytherin help him? He shook his head and resumed eating. He tried to find the bright side of this project and decided that at least he wouldn't have to worry about making up an excuse for Pansy as to why they couldn't work together. He supposed he should be grateful for small favors. But if all the Slytherins were out then who would be his partner? He glanced around the Great Hall at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, trying to decide who would measure up. Realizing that he only had a short while before his classes began he decided to just wait and see who would ask him to be their partner before committing to the project at all.
"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione raced to catch up with her Head of House after breakfast.
"Yes, Miss Granger? What can I do for you?" She slowed her steps and waited for Hermione to catch up with her.
"About the unity project. I was just wondering what format the proposal needed to take?"
"Yes of course. Well I assume Professor Dumbledore will tell you all at dinner this evening but I suppose it can't hurt for you to know now. Your proposal will be an oral report in front of a committee of professors."
"Oh. All right. Thank you, Professor."
Hermione smiled and headed off to her class at a brisk walk which turned into a full sprint as soon as she was out of Professor McGonagall's line of sight. Her worries eased marginally as she entered her Defense Against the Dark Arts class. At least she didn't need to worry about writing a huge report this weekend.
At lunchtime Hermione wedged herself between Harry and Ron who had already begun to shovel food into their mouths with an astounding rapidity. They smiled and made more room for her.
"So have you guys found partners yet?"
Harry swallowed and turned his full attention on her.
"Hermione it's only been what, like 10 hours since the last time you asked us?"