Myths and Dreams

By LaA*

"Malfoy? Malfoy? Holy shit wake up! Please wake up!" Draco heard as he came to. Someone was shaking him and calling him out of the black hole he had unthinkingly collapsed into. He groaned and raised his hand to push away the shaking hand.

" Oh god thank you! Malfoy? Are you ok? What happened? You just collapsed, I didn't know what to do! You were lying there as still as death. What happened?" the girl babbled. She had tear streaks down her cheeks. She looked stricken and panicked. Who was she calling him?

" What are you talking about Elspeth?"

" Who?"

" Huh?" Draco suddenly realized who he was looking at. Recalling who he was. "Granger what the hell are you doing! Get away from me!" Draco sat up abruptly. He shook his head as if clearing cobwebs from his mind. This resulted in a massive head spin and Draco clutched his head and lay back down quickly.

" Look don't get up. Your going to feel like shit for the next few minutes and get head spins if you even attempt to get up so just lay still!"

" What are you talking about? How do you know?"

" Just trust me."

" Why on earth would I trust you?"

" Well for one I am so much more intelligent than you."

" You are not!"

" Hey I kick your butt in every subject we have! When you beat me in a test then I might consider changing my mind but until then I suggest you stop arguing with me and lay still!"

" Stupid bitch." Draco mumbled to himself.

" I heard that!"

" Stop eavesdropping on my conversations! Look I know you love me and can't resist my charms but really this stalking thing is going way too far!" Draco was recovering his senses, and his cockiness.

" As if! And you do know that the first sign of madness is talking to your self?"

Hermione smiled sweetly as Draco sneered menacingly.

" Your gonna get it Granger!" Hermione got up off the floor and went to sit on the seat.

They were silent for a while before Hermione asked, "Who is Elspeth?"

"Who?"

"Elspeth. You said that name as you woke up."

" I have no idea. Are you sure I said Elspeth?"

"Yes."

" Well you must have heard wrong because I don't know anybody with that name."

"Oh, Ok." Hermione pondered this thought and then asked quietly, " Are you feeling better?"

" Yes, I think I can get up now." Draco started to sit up and Hermione hurried across to help him.

" How long have we been here?"

" I'm not sure. But we had best be getting back to change into our school robes." Draco still felt a dull ache in his head but the pain was greatly lessened. Hermione let go of his arm as he steadied on his feet. Draco brushed off his clothes and composed himself.

" Thank you for your help. But do not expect me to pay you any favors because of this."

" Oh don't worry I wouldn't expect you to pay me any kindness I don't think you are capable of it."

" Stupid mudblood. You know nothing about me so don't even attempt to think you know what I am capable of." With that last cutting remark Draco turned and walked away from the cabin and Hermione.

Soon after Hermione came out and proceeded back down the corridor to her friends all the while musing over why Draco had collapsed, and why he was such a prat to her. Stupid jerk! Hermione thought to herself. But despite his rudeness Hermione was worried about him. Why did he collapse? One second he was fine the next he was sprawled on the floor. She had gotten a wave of fear and shock and grief as she watched him fall to the ground. Just like in her dreams. What is happening to me? Damn those dreams! They were playing havoc on her mind. She reached her cabin door and opened it to find Ron and Harry dressed and ready in their school robes. They looked slightly awkward as if she had just walked in on something important that was not intended for her to hear.

" Hey herm, where you been. You had better hurry up and get changed we'll be there soon." Ron blurted out as he spun to the sound of her opening the door. Ginny was still nowhere in sight but Hermione thought she had a fair idea of where she was. Hermione also noticed that the boys seemed uncomfortable. 'They must have been having a really big D and M. I wonder what it was about?' And for the second time that day she grabbed her robes and went to get changed. Ah Hogwarts! How she had missed it! And this being her final year she planned to make the most of it. ' I wonder who will get head boy and girl this year?' She thought to herself as she was changing.

Two minutes later the train stopped and all students piled off. The first years' followed the giant hulk of Hagrid to the boats while the older years where taken by the invisible horse-drawn carriages.

"Welcome Students new and old to Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry. We all hope that you have enjoyed your vacations and come back with a mind to work hard and diligently at your studies!" Dumbledore started his welcoming speech, which warmed the hearts of everyone in the hall. His speech carried on until the Sorting Hat was placed on its' stool and the first years were called forward to be sorted into their new houses.

"Thomas Abernewful!"

"Stacie Falgoway!"

"Rebecca Zeloni!" Finally the last name was called.

" Again I welcome you all to Hogwarts! And now just before we all sit and eat I have one more announcement. If professor McGonagall would be so kind as to help me announce this years head boy and girl!" Professor McGonagall stepped forward with an envelope in hand. She handed this to Dumbledore and then went back to the table where the shiny badges of head boy and girl were sitting on gleaming, silk cushions.

"Congratulations to the new head boy........Draco Malfoy!" The Slytherin table leapt up and cheered as Draco stood and carried himself proudly to the platform. Professor McGonagall presented him his badge, which he pinned to his robes. He turned towards the rest of the hall and waited to see who would become the head girl.

" And now please congratulate the new head girl..... Hermione Granger!" Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw all jumped to their feet and cheered as loudly as they could. Hermione flushed and made her way to the platform to receive her badge and take her place beside the new head boy.

" Ok students! Settle! And now Let us eat!" Magically numerous foods appeared along the tables and the students of Hogwarts dug in as if they hadn't eaten for weeks.

" My congratulations to you both." Dumbledore looked kindly down at the two." Please take your respectful seats at the head table and enjoy!"

The feast went on and on until even the greediest of people were full to bursting. Students were sent to their house dorms. Draco and Hermione waited for Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape to finish their conversations with the other teachers before following the two professors out the doors of the Great Hall and up many stairs. The professors stopped before a painting of a stunning dragon. The dragon was indescribable. It's scales the colour of pearls glinting in the sunlight. Its' wings raised high and it's head tossed back into the sky, roaring it's defiance. The image was enough to take Hermione's breath away.

" Behind this painting are your new dorms. We are extremely pleased and honored that the both of you are our school's head boy and girl. We are sure that you will be shining examples to all of the younger students and we expect great things from you both." Professor McGonagall started.

" Inside you will find everything you need for the school year. You have your own bedrooms, obviously," Snape drawled," and a common room, and a bathroom. Your password to access your rooms will be ' Tintaglia'."

" Why Tintaglia?"

" It is the name of the dragon in the picture and it answers to nothing else. Throughout the year the dragon may change colours and even positions. Do not be alarmed. She has done it for years and it has become a way to detect her mood." Professor McGonagall stated.

" Why would we need to know her mood?" Draco asked skeptically.

" I have had quite enough questions for tonight! Pleas ego in and make yourselves as comfortable as possible. You will find all of your things in your rooms ready for use. Good night and congratulations." Professor Snape then walked off briskly with his black robes swirling behind him. Professor McGonagall departed soon after, evading any questions that they asked her. Hermione turned to Draco.

"Well."

" Well what?"

" Are you going to say it or am I?"

" Say what?"

" The password!"

" God Granger Scared are you?" Draco said menacingly.

" No I'm not!"

Draco laughed. " Yeah, sure."

" OH you are so infuriating!!!"

" Be quiet Granger." Draco turned toward the magnificent painting and said, " Tintaglia!"

The Dragon seemed to come alive and her silver swirling eyes flashed at Hermione and Draco. The two looked stunned as they heard a voice in their head whisper, " Welcome." The painting the opened silently leading to the most stunning rooms that Hermione had ever seen.