Disclaimer: Obviously, I did not create these characters or this setting, but the story is mine, so don't steal it or I'll kill you. This goes for every chapter that I forgot to put it on.

Ten

After I left the classroom, my heart was beating against my ribcage. I was certain that everyone in there had heart it because it was so loud. Or perhaps it was just because I was paranoid. I didn't know. Right at that moment, I was too nervous to analyze as deeply as I normally would have.

I, Hermione Jane Granger, had been sent to the Headmaster's office.

What was I thinking in slapping him? I had never let my temper get to me like that before. Why now, why this year? I could see my Head Girl-ship flushing down the toilet. I would get to Professor Dumbledore's office, and he would frown at me and say, "Miss Granger, maybe you were not cut out for this after all. I suggest that we find a new Head Girl immediately." And worse, what about Operation Jealousy? I had been hoping to use Malfoy as my boy toy, but after that slap, there was no way he was going to go through with it now. Or was he that shallow that he would?

I reached the door to Professor Dumbledore's office, but there was no way for me to get it. Something stood in the way and blocked the entrance.

"Um, excuse me? May I just . . . . sneak by?" I asked the statue. Nothing happened.

Seconds later, however, the statue moved out of the way as Professor McGonagall emerged from behind the door.

"Ah, Miss Granger . . . you were sent by Professor Snape, am I correct?"

"Yes, Professor," I replied shakily.

"Alright, follow me, then."

She led me to the office and to a huge, wooden door. The door opened after she emitted the password, my heart beat increasing.

"Professor Dumbledore? Hermione Granger to see you," she said, and she turned and left.

Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk, leaning against the back of his chair, the tips of his fingers resting gently against one another.

"Ah, Miss Granger," he said, as though I were simply here for a meeting. "I understand . . . that you struck Mister Malfoy across the face?"

"Y-yes, sir," I answered.

"About time someone did," came his muffled reply. My eyes widened, but he continued to look at me as though nothing had happened.

"And why did you do this?" he asked.

I sighed, closed and opened my eyes, and said, "Because . . . . because he was playing with my skirt in a very suggestive way. It made me feel uncomfortable."

"I see. This action was very true to Mr. Malfoy's character, was it not?"

"Yes, sir," I said, omitting a small laugh.

"Very well then. You may go."

Completely dumbstruck, I asked, "What?"

"You are dismissed, Miss Granger, you may go," Dumbledore replied simply.

"Sir, I'm not sure you understand," I said quietly, so as not to offend him. "I slapped Draco Malfoy. Aren't I going to be punished?"

"Of course not, Hermione, unless you want me to punish you," he said.

"Well, no, I don't wish to be punished, but . . . why?"

Dumbledore leaned forward and put his elbows on his desk. "Hermione, I do not particularly approve of Mister Malfoy's behavior all the time, but since he does not show anything wrong right to my face, I cannot punish him. He's so false. I can see straight through to his heart, and I can tell you quite easily where he's getting it from. His father, as you probably know, is not exactly the kindest person I have ever met.

"When it came time to choose the Head Boy and Girl, I immediately suggested you as the Head Girl. All of the teachers, except for Professor Snape, heartily agreed with me. As for the Head Boy, there was a little more of a dispute as to that. I suggested Harry, but Snape dismissed that in a heartbeat – he said I was favoring the boy because of the loss of his parents. Of course, I do feel more of a connection with him than I do with many of the other students, but I do not favor him. If Harry were a bad student who was illegible for the job, I would not have suggested him. Anyways, I asked Professor Snape if he had any suggestions, and he did, of course – and that was Malfoy. For some reason, none of the teachers particularly had anything really against him, and since my vote could not overrule everyone else's, he was chosen.

"If the choice had been mine, you and Mister Potter would probably be the Head Boy and Girl. But seeing as I cannot choose on my own, this was not an option for me. I have never really like mister Malfoy, and I daresay that it was about time he was brought back to reality, and that it was about time that he realized he could not triumph all the time. Unfortunately, Professor Snape sent you down here, so he probably feels like he triumphed anyways . . . ."

Dumbledore trailed off. I just stood there, amazed by what he had just told me. Dumbledore had basically said that he hated Malfoy, and I had proof of it. At least I knew that not all the teachers thought he was a saint.

"Anyways, Hermione, that is why I am not punishing you. Right on," Dumbledore said with a smile. Then, his expression changed to one of stern admonishment as he continued, "I mean, er, Miss Granger, that was very wrong indeed, very wrong of you. You may go." As I turned to leave, he gave me a slight wink. I winked back and walked out the door, feeling a sense of triumph myself.