Disclaimer: It all belongs to J.K. Rowling
A/N: Thank you all for the reviews! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I adore getting reviews so please keep them coming! Okay let me explain something! Draco is not going to be turning "nice" exactly. He is going to be involved with the Order but he won't be nice to Harry or Ron. He said sorry before he knew it was Hermione he had run over. I wrote it that way so that everyone could see that his demeanor had improved a bit. He is still going to be mean but maybe not as much. He will have to accept Hermione and you'll see why soon. Here we go.
The Announcement
As the carriage arrived at Hogwarts, all four of us slipped onto the ground and joined the swarms of people heading towards the looming castle. I had yet to figure out whom the Head Boy was so I was looking forward to the announcement following mealtime. I would be sharing a common room with this person so I was hoping I would be able to put up with whoever it happened to be. The usually spotless Entrance Hall was speckled with flecks of mud and Filch looked as if he would go bonkers and attack a student at any second. Trying not to get too much mud on the floor, I entered the Great Hall and looked up at the ceiling, which was now a mass of rumbling storm clouds. Candle sticks floated in midair, ghosts zoomed by in every which way, and students clambered for the best seats as I made my way to the Gryffindor table. The breathtaking beauty that was Hogwarts never seemed to stop amazing me and for not the first time I thanked my lucky stars that I was a witch.
I ended up being situated in between Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. They had both been roommates of mine since first year but I had never grown to like them very much. They belonged to that rare breed of girls that can gossip behind your back one-minute and swear you're their best friend the next. Glancing down the table, I noticed that Harry and Ginny were cuddling together a few spaces to the right of my seat. Ron, who was sitting across from me, seemed to be the subject of Parvati's perusal and I felt a slight twinge of jealousy. Parvati's eyes kept switching from Ron back to her "best friend" Lavender Brown (who looked like an one-legged newt on crack). They kept doing that annoying seesaw move where they would bend in front of me to talk and then lean back to talk behind me. They both somewhat resembled nervous bullfrogs in pink frocks. Bloody irritating really. I could barely keep from reaching over and ripping Lavender's peppy little ponytail right off her head. Realizing where my thoughts had been going, I told myself not to get jealous and redirected my attention to Professor Dumbledore. He looked excessively haggard this year and I was wondering if the current situation wasn't wearing on him.
Just then Professor McGonagall waltzed in with her tiny flock of first years trailing behind her. Looking like drowned rats; the poor things huddled in a group before the staff table with expressions that said they knew their end was fast approaching. A picture of confusion, the first years shivered as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on its designated stool. I started to daydream at this point, which was quite unusual for me, but I couldn't help myself. Just as I was about to plunge a gleaming butcher knife into Parvati's heart I awoke from my daze and realized that platters heaped with food were sitting in front of me. There were a few strange faces bobbing amongst the familiar ones so I deduced that the Sorting Ceremony must have ended without my notice.
I hadn't eaten on the train but at the moment I couldn't scrounge up the will to grab anything. I was too depressed. In the same argument I had alienated one of my best friends and told my crush that I couldn't stand him. I hadn't meant to yell at Ron but he had driven me over the edge. What did he mean that I had been ignoring him? I hadn't talked to him but...he hadn't talked to me first! Besides how could he say that I was a tease? Hermione Granger was as far from a tease as anyone could get. I was a bookworm without a clue about boys let alone how to...seduce one. The thought in itself was ridiculous. I looked sideways at Ron only to find that he was laughing at something Parvati had said. The nerve! He actually had the gall to flirt with that...bug-eyed cow after everything he had said to me!
Picking up a roll from one of the platters, I clenched it in my fist and ground it into the tablecloth. To my complete horror, Ron looked over at me for a moment but then he turned his head to laugh at another of Parvati's pinheaded jokes. As the platters of chicken, steak, and vegetables refilled themselves, I noticed that Ron kept glancing sideways over at me as he chatted with Parvati and Lavender. Suddenly it became painfully obvious what he was trying to do. Ron knew how much I hated Parvati and Lavender so he figured he'd get back at me by being all "buddy buddy" with them. Well it was too bad for him because I had discovered his plan! I would just ignore the three of them until the end of dinner. It wouldn't be easy, considering the fact that the flirting trio surrounded me, but I would just have to focus my attention elsewhere. Before my eyes the heaps of food vanished in a flash and dazzling desserts appeared just as quickly. Deciding that I had better appease my growling stomach, I grabbed a pumpkin pasty off a nearby stack and bit into the sweet. The rest of dinner inched by slowly and just as I was about to strangle myself Dumbledore stood up. Silence blanketed the room and all eyes were directed towards the regal man swathed in elegant robes of midnight blue.
In a booming voice Dumbledore said, "Sadly we have reached the end of our Welcoming Feast. Before all of you head back to your dormitories for a good night's sleep I'd like to make an announcement regarding our new Head Boy and Girl. Our Head Girl this year will be Miss Hermione Granger. Now Miss Granger don't be on up here. Yes come along!" Cheeks burning, I stood up jerkily from my seat and scurried up to the staff table all the while looking at the ground. Trying not to look at the blurred faces staring at me, I positioned myself next to Dumbledore and waited for my torture to be over.
Dumbledore, who had remained silent while I made my way up, continued to say, "Our Head Boy this year will be Mr. Draco Malfoy. Yes, Mr. Malfoy you come up here as well." My jaw dropped as the Professor made this announcement but I quickly schooled my features into a look of pleasant surprise. Draco, head held high, stalked up to the staff-table and settled on the other side of Dumbledore. His characteristic smirk was pasted on and an aura of conceitedness seemed to envelop him. After a light round of applause Dumbledore smiled and announced that it was time for bed. In a softer voice he said, "Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, I do believe Professor McGonagall wants to have a word with you before you head off to your rooms. She'll explain your new living arrangements. Let's see a smile then! Welcome back! This is sure to be a challenging year and I for one am ready for the challenge. Have a good night!" After flashing us one last smile he turned and was off in a flurry of robes. I headed off towards the Transfiguration room without a glance in Draco's direction. As I made my way through the darkened corridors I heard a second pair of feet following not too far behind me and I knew he was coming.
I gently knocked on the wooden door leading to the Transfiguration classroom and opened it when I heard Professor McGonagall give the word. I left the door ajar for Malfoy and as I marched up to the front of the classroom I heard the door creak shut.
In a voice that sounded extremely tired the Professor said, "Good...good you both made it here. I do hope everything went well on the Express. I left notes for both of you in your compartment and I presume that you both received them." She paused here for a moment and only proceeded after we had nodded in confirmation. "As you probably already know the two of you will be sharing a common room but you will each have your own room. I realize that you two don't have the...best friendship but I do expect you to act in a manner befitting your position. It's getting late so I had better show you to your rooms. Come along." I followed her obediently out into the hall but to my surprise I had to jog to keep up with the Professor's rapid pace. We came to a halt shortly after passing the Library and Professor McGonagall turned toward a portrait of a snooty looking blond woman clothed in a frumpy sequined purple dress. Stooping over, I sucked in air rapidly and glanced up as the portrait began to speak.
The unknown woman said in a nasal voice, "Good evening Minerva. What can the magnificent Mefusda Mogalthorpe do for you?" I tried to cover my laughter with a cough but Mefusda's frown told me I hadn't done a good job of it. Her parents must have been mighty drunk when they thought up that one. No wonder she seemed so stuffy. With a name like that I'd be a bit grumpy as well.
With a slight frown in my general direction Professor McGonagall said, "I need to set a password for the new Head Boy and Girl. I believe "tolerance" would be appropriate. Yes...tolerance sounds like a good thing. You two go ahead on in. The Head Girl's room is to the left of the common room and the Head Boy's is to the right. Each room has an adjoining bathroom so you need not worry about that. You'll need to set passwords for your rooms as well but you won't need me for that. You will see me during breakfast regarding your duties as Head Boy and Girl. I suggest you try and get to bed early. You'll find that relaxation time will be in...short supply. Good evening!" With that said she scampered off into the shadows and I was left alone with Malfoy...and Mefusda.
After a few moments of quiet Mefusda said, "Move along you two! You can't stand there the whole night!" Draco climbed through as the portrait swung open and I scrambled in after him. The door-clicked shut on its own as I cleared the entrance and I glanced around me in awe. A huge glittering chandelier cast shadows against the sloping sides of the cathedral ceiling and the area below that was even more unbelievable. On one side of the room the walls were painted a deep scarlet but the other half was tinged a dark green. The scarlet half was filled with plump gold armchairs, overstuffed crimson couches, mahogany end tables, and was accented with gold knick-knacks. The green side was decorated with black leather couches, chairs upholstered in green velvet, and silver pieces. The room definitely seemed to be decorated in a Gryffindor and Slytherin motif. Draco, who had been admiring the room as well, said, "I suppose this will do. The Manor is of course better but the Malfoy's do require the best. I'm sure this is heaven compared to what you're used to." I really must have imagined that he had been nice on the train because he wasn't acting any differently then he had in the past.
Rolling my eyes, I said in an annoyed voice, "Cut the crap Malfoy. You don't need to act like a git when we're alone. I won't tell anyone if you're actually nice to me. Don't want anyone to die of shock"
Glaring at me, Draco moved forward menacingly and drawled, "Listen here Granger. I may be working on the same side as you but that doesn't mean I want to be your friend. I'll agree to be civil with you in private since we'll be sharing a common room but I can't treat you any different in public. I have to keep appearances up. It's extremely important that no one know anything has changed. My father...does not share the same viewpoint as me so it is urgent that he not become suspicious. I know it's hard for Potty and the Weasel to keep quiet about anything but this time lives are at stake. Can I have your word that you and your "friends" will keep your mouths shut?"
Tilting my chin up defiantly I said, "You have my word! I'm not a baby Malfoy. I can keep a secret. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't call Harry and Ron that. I know you have to say things like that in public but I don't think it's too much to ask for you not to do that when no one's around."
Smirking in an aggravating way, he replied, "You're pushing your luck Granger. I'm still a Deatheater no matter whose side I ...claim to be on. You should remember that." I stood gaping at his retreating back as I pondered over what he had just said. How could you claim to be on the side of the Order and still want to be a Deatheater? Dumbledore must be going off his rocker if he trusted that slimy ferret. Shivering slightly, I headed for the door to the left side of the room and gazed at the golden lion emblazoned on the front.
A wizened voice that seemed to originate from the door itself said, "You must set a password before you can enter. Choose wisely." I racked my brain for a suitable password and I finally thought of a decent one.
Grinning in spite of myself, I announced to the door, "Make my password 'Ronniekins'." I couldn't seem to escape thoughts of Ron even when I was supposed to be mad at him. The door replied "very well" and creaked open to allow me entrance. My room was decorated in varying shades of red and gold just like the Gryffindor half of the common room. My trunks were already sitting at the foot of my bed and the fluffy red comforter was folded down as if it knew I was ready to fall asleep on my feet. Kicking off my sandals, I slipped out of my damp clothes and quickly pulled on one of my practical pajama sets. As I sunk into the bed all I could think about was how much it had hurt when Ron had been yelling at me. Flopping over on to my side, I couldn't help but picture Ron kissing Parvati. It was a disgusting picture. They had both seemed very flirtatious at dinner but he had never paid her much attention before now. He must have been doing it to get back at me for hollering at him. It was the only plausible answer. Still, Parvati was considered by most of the Gryffindor boys to be the "hottest thing on two legs". She had quite the reputation for getting around but maybe that didn't matter to Ron. Maybe I didn't know him as well as I thought I did. Forcefully clearing my mind of all thoughts about Ron, I twisted around until I was lying on my back and started to drift off to sleep.
A scream woke me up the next morning and it took my sleep-muddled brain a moment to realize that I had been the one screaming. My pajamas were soaked with sweat and my hands were trembling against the soft cotton sheets. I had the nightmare again but this time there had been no Ginny whispering to me soothingly as I woke up. A lone tear slipped down my face as I thought about the dream. Was the dead man Ron or Harry? Had it been Voldemort? Deciding that I would go to Dumbledore the next time the dream visited me, I looked at the clock beside my bed and realized that it was another hour before I had to get up. Afraid to fall back asleep, I jumped up out of bed and started unpacking some of my belongings. Today was going to be a long day and I might as well get a head start.
A/N: Once again Hermione has drawn the wrong conclusion. It might be obvious to us that Ron is just trying to make her jealous but Hermione is...shall we say blinded by jealousy. Thanks to Jessjica for the compliment! You've hit the nail on the head with your review! Hermione is analyzing things way too much and Ron isn't helping matters. Madame Incendio's story is called The Love That Binds Us. It's a really fantastic story!
I know this chapter is called "The Announcement" but I would like to refer to it as the "one-legged newt on crack" chapter. I love animals but I find one-legged newts on crack very humorous. If you think it's funny go ahead and tell me in a review. If you don't think it's funny then don't tell me but go ahead and review anyway.
Lots of Love - Miss Dissendium
