When Hermione and Harry arrived at dinner it appeared that Madam Pomfroy had managed to repair most of the spell damage Ron had suffered.

"Well?" Hermione promted sitting down opposite Ron.

"Well what?" Her queried.

"Aren't you going to apologise?"

"No. Why should I? Its not like Sirius was the older man you were talking about the other night." Ron began, this was followed by a look of realisation dawning on his and Harry's faces.

"In Merlin's name. It was, wasn't it?" Harry grinned. "You fancy Sirius."

"Shhhhhhhhh" Hermione hissed.

"What's this?" A voice sneered behind her, "The mudblood doesn't fancy the convict. Well at least they're on the same level"

"Piss of ferret" Hermione said not even bothering to turn around.

"You can't order me around like Potty and Weasel" Malfoy drawled.

"Sorry Malfoy but this is pretty lame, even for you. Did you want something?"

"As a matter of fact Granger I did."

"Well?" Ron growled.

"That fool wants to talk to us both."

"Who Parkinson?" Hermione asked innocently.

Even Ron and Harry didn't miss the flicker of amusement that crossed Malfoy's face, before he managed to regain control of his features, and the scowl was back in place.

"No. Dumbledore." Malfoy said as if the very idea of meeting with Dumbledore was beneath him.

"When?" Hermione asked suddenly apprehensive.

"In half an hour. Don't be late" Malfoy finished, stalking of with his usual entourage of Slytherins.

"I wonder what Dumbledore wants with me and Malfoy?" Hermione mused out loud.

Ron and Harry shook their heads, like Hermione they had no idea.

Hermione arrived outside Dumbledore's office just as Malfoy had stepped on to the stairway moving upwards. Neither acknowledged each others presence, as they entered the circular room at the top in silence.

"Ahh, Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. Sit down please" The unmistakable voice of Dumbledore came from somewhere behind some book shelves. "I'm glad you are both so prompt, so to business."

Neither Hermione or Malfoy spoke, both still having no clue as to what the Headmaster wanted with them.

"As you are both aware, I am trying, along with various other Magical schools and academies to promote a sense of companionship and trust between young witches and wizards." Dumbledore continued, apparently oblivious to Malfoy rolling his eyes. "because of this Hogwarts is going to hold another Yule Ball this year, and young representatives from across the globe will attend. I want both of you to assist the Professors to organise this."

"Surely that is the Head-boys job?" Malfoy drawled lazily from his chair.

"No, Mr Malfoy. I am asking you to take this job. I want this to be including all of Hogwarts, I don't want it to be Gryffindor dominated." At this both Hermione and Malfoy looked up, both looking shocked.

"That makes sense Professor" Hermione acknowledged. "I will take the job, Malfoy?" Malfoy nodded.

"Great." Dumbledore smiled. "Here are all the details you need," he said handing over a large file, "I ask you look over it tonight, then come to me tomorrow with any questions. You are excused."

Hermione followed Malfoy out of the room, hurrying to keep pace with his much larger strides. She knew he was only doing it to keep her off balance. Slowing her pace, she called after him, "Malfoy, where exactly are we going? Personally I don't fancy freezing my arse off in some class room, and there is no way on Earth I am going to the Slytherin common room."

"That's just as well Granger, because your not invited." Came the almost instantaneous reply. Hermione had to hand it to him, he certainly came up with his retorts quickly, unlike Ron, who you could actually observe his thought processes being mirrored on his face.

"Me and Harry share a heads common room, if you want to go there?" she queried , "And before you ask, he wont be there."

"You read my mind." Malfoy said, slowing his place to follow Hermione. They made their way to the room in silence, and entered in silence. Sitting down Hermione opened the folder and handed half of the papers to Malfoy, they read in silence and then swapped the documents over.

"Well it seems pretty clear to me." Malfoy began.

"Yeah, we have on of the biggest parties to plan, and probably the shortest amount of time to do it." Hermione finished. "I wonder why Dumbledore left it so late?"

"That is obvious." Came the superior reply.

Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow, "Oh do share."

"He wants this to bring House unity, by cutting the time so fine we are going to have to call in reinforcements. It wont be just us working together, it will be all are friends as well."

"Sorry Malfoy I was wrong, you were right. He is nutters." Hermione groaned, "I can really see Ron and Harry working with Crabbe and Goyle to plan decorations."

"I know, they have absolutely no taste." Malfoy retorted in the campest voice Hermione had ever heard, she couldn't help it, she giggled.

"So how do you want to work this?" Malfoy continued, back to his usual self.

"I suggest.." Hermione began

"Ohh, you suggest do you? Not demand, that's an improvement for you is it not?"

"I suggest, you shut your mouth." She spat. Carrying on in a more normal, if a little strained tone she said, "we make a list of all the different jobs that need to be covered, then we each allocate one person who will be the best at that job."

Malfoy nodded, "Well it looks like we're in for a long night Granger."

A/N: Yep as some may have noticed I'm on a bit of an updating spree at the moment, I've just got internet access for the first time since Christmas- and I intend to post as much as possible before I go away on holiday tonight. Just a quick thanks to milky way bar , who although didn't review for this story reviewed the chapter I just posted for Is time on her side? within 5minutes of me posting and made me so happy. Will post more ASAP.

Charlatan

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