Of the Dragon and the Earth

Disclaimer- even though I wish I owned Draco, Fred, George, Harry and Ron, I sadly, do not. So please, I beg of you, try not to sue my pants off?

Chapter I: Opposite Ends of the Wizardry Spectrum

I've been endowed with the honor of telling you a story of two very different children, with two very different backgrounds. One, living in a world shadowed by evil, believing that all were beneath their kind. Another, taught to treat everything and everyone with equality, and to respect all elders. I am sad to report, that I am unable to tell you if this story will end with rainbows and butterflies, or if it will end with darkness and pain. This story is not my own, but rather the tale of the two whom I have mentioned. This particular story is none other than the story of Draco Malfoy, and Hermione Granger.

Now, however different these two may be, somewhere within them, they possessed somewhat similar qualities. For, unbeknownst to the other, or to anyone around them for that matter, they had a deep dark secret. Their love for, well, actually, you'll find out more about these two later on. I will not allow myself to ruin all the fun.

Now, to begin their story, I shall begin to tell it from the beginning. No, not the beginning of their first year, nor their sixth. But rather, the beginning of their seventh year.

He stared at the 'Golden Trio', as so many had called them, from across the room as they chatted animatedly. They make me sick. Draco thought to himself, as he coughed and looked around his own table.

"Draco, dear" Pansy cooed from across the table. "Eat something."

Draco looked up at Pansy and sneered. "First of all, Pansy. Do not call me 'Dear'. I am not your dear. Secondly, contrary to popular belief, we are not, and I repeat, with strong enthusiasm I might add, NOT dating, so worry about yourself and leave me be for a change."

---

"So anyway, my dad won tickets to see the chudley canons. THE chudley canons! And we got to meet them afterwards. Their chaser actually let me use his broom! It was bloody brilliant! Bloody bri– Hermione are you listening?" Ron turned his head to see which way Hermione was looking at, as Harry breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that Ron finally stopped talking.

Hermione shook her head, bringing herself out of a daze. "What? Oh yeah. I'm listening. Chudley Canons, chaser, bloody brilliant and whatnot, keep going" Before Harry could control himself, he shouted out a plain and simple "no!" and.. cleverly covered it up by saying, "what I mean is, no Hermione. Ron and I want to know what's got you so distracted."

"I'm not distracted, I just.." Hermione looked at her two best friends faces and knew it was not worth denying. "Oh alright. It's that bloody git, Malfoy. He's the Head Boy this year. And I'm head girl. Normally, I wouldn't care, but we have to share a common room for Merlin's Sake! Something about house unity and what not, I read it in Hogwarts: A His.." Before she could finish, both Ron and Harry chimed in, finishing the oh so very well known book title. 'Hogwarts: A History'.

Hermione watched in utter disgust (and a bit of amusement, though she would never admit), as Ron engulfed every little portion of the food he head piled onto his plate. She adverted her gaze towards the head table, which sat all the Professors, scanning the table for what seemed to be the thousandth time, she smiled inwardly. Professor Lupin's back. Hermione thought cheerfully to herself. Recently, Professor Dumbledore had done everything in his power to eliminate any discriminatory laws towards werewolves, which had been proved to be a very successful battle. Lupin, feeling comfortable at the side of Dumbledore, especially after the death of the last remaining Mauderer, accepted the allotted position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. He never seemed more happy, or alive.

Draco hadn't taken too kindly towards his old Professor, even if he hadn't been in his class yet. Why would the old bat ever give such a position to a werewolf of all creatures? Draco quietly thought to himself. Draco began to realize that this year would prove to be quite overwhelming, one which his perfect features would not be too happy about. He not only had to deal with a wolf as a professor, but he also had to deal with a mudblood as his associate.

Everyone, having finished their meals, began to file out of the Great Hall, the Prefects dragging along the young first years who were still completely amazed with the charmed ceiling. Hermione and Draco separated themselves from their friends, or in Draco's case, cronies and groupies, and headed off to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"What's the password, Malfoy?" Hermione said the moment they arrived at the statue.
"How in bloody hell should I know, Granger?"
"I don't know, you always claim to be better than I!"
"Because that's right, you're a little mudblood who constantly hides from the big bad wizardry world behind her studies"
"Why you foul.."
"Amazingly good looking"
"Evil" Hermione chose to ignore Draco's small comments.
"Irresistible"
"Poor excuse for a..."

Before Hermione was able to finish, Dumbledore, who somehow managed to open the passageway without the awareness of the two feuding teens, cleared his throat to gain their attention.

"If you please," He said, his eyes twinkling with humor and anger all at once, as he began to ascend up the spiraling stairs. They immediately hushed as the two followed the Professor up the short flight of stairs. Hermione stared quietly at the phoenix perched upon it's rail, as she waited patiently for the headmaster to settle into his overly large office chair.

"No I assume," he began as he offered Hermione and Draco a lemon drop. "That the two of you are aware of the living arrangements set in place for the rest of the year, yes?" The two nodded joylessly in response. "Now of course you two will only be sharing a common room, no more, no less. I trust in you two get along, put aside the feud of your rival houses, and instead set an example to all who look up to you." He looked between Hermione and Draco, silently hoping that he had made the right decision giving them such high ranking positions. But he had faith.

"No questions? Good, meetings will be held regularly, and your new password is 'Gizmo'. Good day Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger."