The next couple weeks were hectic for Hermione. Along with classes and homework, she had Head Girl duties and she had to deal with Draco Malfoy every day. She rarely saw Harry and Ron anymore. She had given them the password to her common room, but they, being who they were, always had homework along with quidditch. When they could actually come and visit, Hermione was waist deep in homework or she was so worn out, they found her asleep on her homework.
"She's going to overwork herself," whispered Ron when they found her asleep in a chair with a parchment over her and open book everywhere.
"I know, but she won't listen when we tell her to stop doing school work," said Harry. He folded up the piece of parchment that was on her lap. They started to gather her books into a pile when Draco came out of his common room. His silvery blonde hair was wet from a bath and it was a mess because he had towel dried it.
"She has too many classes that she doesn't need," said Ron, ignoring Draco as he sat at the desk.
"That's her problem." He picked up her books and put the in her room and came back.
Harry nodded in agreement. "But there's nothing we can do right now." He sighed. "Oh well, let her be who she is."
"You know, you two talk loud when your best friend is asleep," said Draco. He didn't look at them, but looked at his book and wrote something down on his parchment.
"I can't believe I say this, but I agree with Malfoy," said Hermione. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "So, how have you two been? It feels like I haven't seen or talked to you guys for forever!" She got up and hugged them both. Draco made a gagging sound. Hermione glared at him.
"Alright," said Harry. "Kinda worn out, but other than that, we're good." Ron nodded in agreement.
"I know what you mean. Living here isn't helping either." Hermione shot a glare of daggers at Draco, who happened to be snickering and smirking. "Head Girl duties are tough. I never knew they worked so hard and my classes… I barely have time for homework because of rounds around the first floor." Hermione sat down, totally worn out and Harry and Ron could tell.
"Maybe you should drop subjects you won't need for healing," said Ron. "I mean, you don't need Muggle Studies or Arithmancy for it."
"Maybe I should." Ron and Harry sighed in relieve. "I don't want to overwork myself with too many classes that I don't need. And I don't want to fail because of it either. I'll talk to McGonagall in the morning." Hermione yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"You need to sleep," firmly said Harry. He and Ron helped the tired girl into her room. Once they came out of her room, they glared at Draco. They knew he wasn't helping either. They left the common room, muttering things about Draco.
Draco rolled his eyes and continued his work. He didn't understand how they could care for a filthy little mudblood like Hermione Granger. He shook his head and got up. He glared at her door before going into his own room. What was it that they saw in her? Is it her niceness to anyone? She had helped him in Transfiguration once. They weren't partners or anything, she just noticed that he was doing it wrong and corrected him.
Draco flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He slapped himself on the forehead. Why was he thinking of that mudblood anyway? Who cares why Potty and Weasel were friends with her? Draco shook his head and got into his green and silver sheets, failing into a deep sleep.
Draco awoke early the next morning. He yawned and slumped into his bathroom to take a shower, even though he took one last night. It was more of a rinse off. He just needed to wake up more. He came out of his room in silky black p.j. pants, despite how cold it was. He had realized it was a lot warmer in here than in the Slytherin Common Room. He sat on the couch and glanced at the clock; it was five in the morning. He sighed and covered his face with his hands.
"You know, you'll catch a cold in that," said Hermione from behind a potions book.
Draco nearly jumped out of his skin in fear. He hadn't seen her in the chair at all. "Don't worry about me Granger." He looked at her oddly. "What are you doing up this early?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Hermione closed the book and looked at him. 'Wow, he's actually being civil; maybe he isn't so bad….' She added to herself.
"Why would I tell a filthy mudblood, like you, my business?" snapped Draco. He got up and went to his room, but not before slamming his door.
"I guess he'll never be civil or not so bad," muttered Hermione. She shook her head and went back to her reading.
Dumbledore walked into Draco and Hermione's common room in early November. He found them both doing homework in the living area. They looked up when he walked in. he was smiling and had a twinkle in his eyes. "As you know, this is the first time a Slytherin and a Gryffindor was selected to be Head Boy and Girl." The two teens nodded. "I want you two go to the Christmas ball." Both Hermione and Draco shot up from their seats.
"But-" started Hermione and Draco, but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence them.
"I'm doing this for house unity. I want no buts about it. Just throw away you differences for now and lead an example for the other students," said Dumbledore. He looked at the expressions of anger and shock on Hermione and Draco's faces. "Ok, the ball will be held before break, so everyone 5th year and up will be involved. You two need to work together to decide on decorations and music. I must be going. Start thinking about it all now." He smiled and nodded at them before leaving. Draco and Hermione glared at each other before going back to their work.
A/N: Okie, here's the second chapter. I know they're short, but they will get longer. Most of my first few chapters are short, but that just pumps me up! hehehehe….OK, to tell everyone the truth… I have absolutely no clue where this story is going. I found myself writing in my notebook and by the time I knew it, I had written a whole chapter and I can't stop myself…so sorry if this story takes a little time.