Chapter 2: The Heads

Although I was pretty sure I was going to get into trouble for beating up Malfoy, in the back of my mind I hoped that if I did get the position of Head Girl I wouldn't lose it to someone else. I may have lost part of my learning craves, but I still had the drive to be the best, if that makes sense at all. I mean, sure I want to do well, but I'm deflated! I can't stand being my old, boring self! I want to have some fun this year, and I plan on going out with a bang!

As soon as we crossed the threshold of the castle my eyes landed on none other than Professor McGonagall! I inwardly groaned. I should have expected this! I mean, she IS the Gryffindor Head of House, so the punishment for my behavior will be up to her. That's when Hagrid walked away from us and up to McGonagall. Great, just great! My smile never wavered, however, when I waited for all of the students to fill the Entrance Hall, I could feel her disapproving glare on the back of my neck. Hagrid told her what happened...Yep, I'm in trouble.

I turned around and waited for her to speak, and when she did, I visibly cringed.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, come with me." She said in that sharp, brisk tone that made you think she was going to send you to Filch so he could hang you up by your ankles.
I was shocked to hear that she wished to see Malfoy as well. (Ha he's still bleeding!)

We both followed Professor McGonagall and Malfoy whispered, "You're godda bay bor dat, Gradger!" I snorted and McGonagall shot a look back at us that said, "SHUT UP!"
Malfoy glared at me (Or at least I THINK it was a glare…Both of his eyes are blue and swollen so it's hard to tell! HAHA!), and I gave him a smug little smirk that I knew made him boil on the inside.

When we reached the Transfiguration classroom (I figured she brought us here since it's closer to the Great Hall.), she opened the door and walked quickly in, making us almost run to catch up with her.
She whipped around and looked over at us with her lips pursed. "Close the door behind you."
I did and when it closed there was a high tension silence that engulfed the room. It made me uneasy and made feel extremely guilty. But when Malfoy made a weird choking/spitting sound and wiped away even more blood, I swelled with pride and any and all remorse floated away to nothingness.

"I would expect more from you, Ms. Granger," Started McGonagall. "I am extremely disappointed in you. I would hope you realize that this will not go unnoticed or un-punished. I don't know what promoted you to do such a thing, but as the Head of Gryffindor House I am terribly disgusted!"

By that time I had tuned her out. I laughed inwardly at the irony of this. I mean, Malfoy would usually be in this situation, not me! I would be the one tear stained and angry, not the other way around! But of course Malfoy would never shed a tear; he is too cold hearted.

I looked over at him and Professor McGonagall slapped her hand down on the table and shot me a venomous look. "Are you listening to me Ms. Granger?"
I jumped and looked back up at her. I nodded. "But Professor, why did you have Malfoy come with us?" I asked and spat his name like it was dirt on my newly bought shoe.
"Because, Ms. Granger, you and Malfoy will serve detention together for the next week..." She said in a satisfied tone.
I gawked at her, not believing her. And it was Malfoy who spoke up first…
"Bud Profeddor! Wad did I do?" he asked incredulously. She smiled. I cringed. It was a scary sight. She must be in a very bad mood.

"Why Mr. Malfoy, do you not recall the hex you performed on Mr. Gregory on the train? I recall a Prefect who shall remain anonymous owling me, just a few minutes before your arrival.
I smirked. Today was just not his day. First, he gets beat up by a girl and then he gets detention for a whole week! Ha! It was worth getting in trouble to see the look on Malfoy's face.

"Mr. Malfoy you stay here and let me fix you up – Madam Pomfrey is already at the feast. Ms. Granger, please head on to the Great Hall for the feast. I trust you wouldn't want to miss the speech – and remember – any more behavior from you like this and you'll risk expulsion. Do I make myself clear?" she said, giving me a stern look as Malfoy stood beside her desk, wincing in pain. I do believe I broke his nose…

I nodded and turned to leave, walking away as fast as my legs would carry me without actually running.
I opened her door and ran full out to the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall said that I wouldn't want to miss the feast. What was so important that she bring it to my attention? Of course! Head Boy and Head Girl! I could leap with joy, and I actually did a little dance before I opened the grand doors that led to the feast.

Very few people turned their heads as I walked over to the Gryffindor table and took my respectful spot across from Harry and Ron – they had saved me a seat.

They noticed my arrival and started bombarding me with questions:
"Hermione, what has gotten into you! That was so not like you!" said Harry.
"That was wicked Hermione! Did you see him squirm!" exclaimed Ron.
I also got a nice little accusation from Lavender, "Hermione! Why did you do that to Malfoy? You ruined his gorgeous face!" and a nod in agreement from Parvati – the gossipers of Hogwarts; I swear, they're horrible! If something happened in Hogwarts – something big – they were to find out and spread it around with 10 different versions far from the truth.

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "I just couldn't stand him anymore. I snapped. Don't worry, I won't do it again. I got a one week worth detention for it and a threat of expulsion if I did it again." I said as I got wide-eyed looks from them all.
I shook my head at the looks on their faces and looked up at the Staff's table. Just then I heard the open and closing of the big oak door leading to the Entrance Hall and knew that Malfoy and McGonagall (McGonagall accompanied by the first years of course) had just walked in. I looked around me and a good amount of 5th year girls and up watched him saunter lazily to his seat; Disgusting.

I looked back up at the Staff's table and waited patiently (or so I told myself) for the sorting to be over.
When finally Young, Krystal was sorted into Slytherin, I found that my heart was racing a mile a minute. And it wasn't until Dumbledore stood up that I realized that I was periodically holding my breath. I shook myself mentally and listened as hard as I could:

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," started Dumbledore, and as usual I noticed that he commanded every eye in the Great Hall. "I am please to say that we have found a new Defense Against the Dark arts teacher and that he will be starting a once a week class for practicing your non-verbal and advanced spells. Please welcome, Darren Young!" Dumbledore took the time to beam at the students under his half-moon spectacles as everyone started to clap and cheer. Finally, some time to actually practice without getting caught in the corridors.

"Yes, yes…Very good news indeed. And now the usual start of term announcements and fore-warnings." My head shot up at Dumbledore once more...Fore-warnings? What in the world could this be about? Last year Dumbledore, Harry, the Order and a few others (including Ron and I,) went and infiltrated Voldemort's hide-out. We took down as many Death Eaters as we could and weakened Voldemort tremendously.

All of Voldemort's Death Eaters that were the most loyal and dependable were killed and thus he fled out of fear and out of weakness. Harry once again stripped Voldemort's powers away from him and we haven't heard from him since. We aren't sure he's even going to make it. Harry refuses to tell us what happened. Unfortunately Ron, Luna, Neville, Ginny and a few more from the D.A. had been held captive by Malfoy and Zabini (Senior of course,) under some sort of binding spell that trapped us to the wall in invisible cords

Although Harry never mentioned it after his long private discussion with Dumbledore only an hour after we had come back from Voldemort's hide-out, I personally think Harry inhabited Voldemort's body just like Voldemort did in our fifth year in the Ministry of Magic, but Voldemort could not stand Harry's blood so it weakened him beyond life as before.

Even though I think the reason it did not kill him was because Harry has a part of Voldemort, so Harry is not completely pure (hard to grasp onto all of this and have it sink in, doesn't it? Well I'm not sure if I'm correct, but I have a hunch).
But when it was all over Dumbledore had told us that even if Voldemort could have found a useful body to become a parasite once again (yes, I know…it's like our first year all over again!), it would take a long while to find more followers for him to regain power.

I sighed and continued to listen to Dumbledore:

"- is out of bounds to all students, and Mr. Filch has kindly, once again, announced that all magic is strictly forbidden in the corridors, and he has re-posted a list of all of the materials that are not allowed in the castle. Also," his voice all of a sudden got serious, and even Malfoy listened in, "I need to stress the importance of friendship, trust and House unity between you and your peers. I know how hard it is to accept the people who you feel isn't as high of power as you (here he looked at Malfoy,), but, just in case, in a time of need you may have to rely on those you once proclaimed as your most formidable enemies."

He then beamed all around at us, leaving us in a confused, transfixed stupor; all except for me…

After the whispers were quieted down, Dumbledore raised his hand and everyone fell silent once more. "And now - Let the feast begin!" And not even before he could get the words out of his mouth, did all of the exquisite and mouth-watering food appear before us.

The feast went by extremely quickly and I pretty much ignored everyone. Harry and Ron were deeply immersed in a conversation involving nothing but Quidditch (Yuck!) and Ginny was too busy eating and staring at Harry while half-talking/listening to Angelina about the rumored Halloween Ball and Parvati and Lavender were so engrossed about gossip and nothing but 'BS' that I just fell into my own world.

And it wasn't until after all of the food was magically wiped clean from the plates that I came back to reality and noticed that Dumbledore had gotten to his feet.
"Now that we are all fed and watered I need to announce just one last minute thing as I feel sure the 7th years have realized that they haven't yet been informed." He paused for affect. I smiled. "It is now time to announce the highly treasured and coveted Head Boy and Girl! So, if the soon to be announced Head Boy and Girl would please come up to the Staff's table to receive their badges when their name is called. And I also know you must be wondering why I chose to announce this after your arrival instead of sending it to you by owl, well," he beamed. "I just wanted to see your faces when I announced who would get the position…"

A loud noise of extremely excited whispers chimed through the Hall. I am ashamed to say I was involved in this loud process, but I quieted down enough to see that Dumbledore once again raised his hand and waited for everyone to shut up.

I could feel my insides squirming, and I could hear my heartbeat go through the roof. I bit my lower lip and could feel the energy around me and the other 7th years. Yes, I know this is extremely high tensioned for something as miniscule as getting Head Boy or Head Girl, but it's a big thing. We are in charge of any and all planning and organizing of school functions such as dances, special speeches, and any 'extras'. So yeah…It's a pretty big deal.

I was wringing my hands in my lap and Dumbledore smiled with I knew was nothing more then pride and joy. And then…he started to speak. "And now, I am most tickled to announce our Head Girl!" I froze, waiting to hear…

"Congratulations to Ms. Hermione Granger from Gryffindor!" I squealed and jumped out of my seat to get my badge and beamed at all of the Professors as Dumbledore gave me my gleaming, shiny golden badge that said: "Head Girl".
Everyone in the room (except for a few Slytherin's who I feel sure do not need to be named) started applauding me.

I smiled and waved shyly at everyone and stood up by the Staff's table as McGonagall said I needed to do.
"And I am just as tickled to announce our new Head Boy! Congratulations to Mr. Draco Malfoy from Slytherin!" Everyone except the Gryffindor table applauded and I could feel my face fall. Oh no…no, no, and no! My year is ruined! Having to share a whole Common Room and bathroom with Malfoy!

As I watched Malfoy approach the table, I felt the dread fill up my stomach. Even though I continued to beam at my peers, I noticed that he was giving everyone his smuggest smile. Oh how I wanted to re-punch it off of his damn face! And then I smelled something. What was it? I could feel myself breathing in deep and him look at me, his eyebrow raised. I held my breath quickly and Dumbledore started to speak again:

"And now, would the Head Boy and Girl please shake hands." I could feel the tension between us and throughout the Hall. Of course everyone knew about the competition and bitterness between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

I turned towards him and he did the same (I was saddened to say that his face had returned back to normal.) Slowly but surely we extended our hands and glared daggers and hate towards each other. When our hands met I felt a burning sensation in my stomach and could feel his warmth. He then gave his in-famous 'Malfoy Smirk' and I gave him a smug expression I hoped he read as, "It's on." And what I mean by that is he and I will be living so close to each other all year that we both know how we will react towards each other. We will shout, insult, throw the occasional hex or spell and do everything in our power to ruin the others' life. Ha! He'll have a very interesting year is all I have to say about that!

Once we both had tried to crush each others fingers off (which I am proud to say I never even winced as he squeezed pretty damn hard), we both turned to the Staff's table and asked if there was anything else. Dumbledore had that mysterious glint in his eye and asked if we would join him in his office after we got comfortable in our new "sleeping chambers".

After we assured him we would meet him as soon as possible, we turned back to join our suitable Houses. "Be prepared for a miserable year, Granger." he said through gritted teeth. I smirked. "You sure you can hack this year, though? I mean it's already been one day and you've been beaten up by a girl and gotten a full week of detention!" I laughed and he glared, but before he could retort he was swarmed by congratulatory hugs and failed attempts at kisses and I ran off to join Harry and Ron who was waiting for me at the end of the huge mass of students that were trying to squeeze their way out to be the first to their Common Rooms.

"Hey congratulations Hermione!" said Harry, Ron, Ginny and my other close friends. I beamed at them and said "Thanks!" I don't know how many times and once everyone except Harry, Ron, Ginny and I were out in the Entrance Hall I stopped them. "Sorry guys, but I have to go get comfortable and then go to Dumbledore's office with Malfoy, ok?" They all nodded and said goodnight after another hug and congrats had gone around.

Finally I was on my own and making my way towards the Head's Common Room which was located on the 2nd floor. I sighed and made my way up the staircase and turned the corner and saw my destination just up ahead.

The portrait had been replaced, I noticed, as I had heard that the portrait was once a snapshot of a young woman doing her hair and make-up. It was now a black background with what looked like a glowing, round orb; a prophecy. It was spinning around and around with a glowing, red heart in the middle of it.

'Interesting…' I thought as I said the password that Dumbledore had told us: "Candy Hearts". Hoping and praying that I didn't see Malfoy before I went to Dumbledore's office, I stepped inside the Common Room…

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Please read and review! More chapters coming soon as I am almost done with chapter 3 already! It will be my longest chapter yet!

Much luhve 33

Chelsea