Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I' don't own; J.K. Rowling does.
The End Of Rivalry?
An Age Old Grudge
The last bits of food disappeared from the tables as Dumbledore stood to make his end of term speech.
"Another year has come and gone. And what a year it's been. Now I have a few important announcements to make. First of which, starting this summer there will be a new course for the soon to be 6th years of Gryffindor and Slytherin. The rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin is centuries old. The staff and I once again have come up with a way to try to put an end to this age old grudge-" Dumbledore broke off waiting for the hurried whispers to die down. "The class will be a survival class. It is to see how young wizards such as yourselves handle the muggle world without magic. You will work with a group of four students; two from each house. This class is required so you can't get out of it. You will have one week before you are to start this class. During that week you will receive an owl explaining things on more detail. So until then I bid you all farewell."
He finished his speech with the familiar twinkle in his bright blue eyes. Then a thunderous applause rang through out the hall, mostly consisting of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. The Slytherin and Gryffindor 6th years sat in stunned silence. The rest were just glad they didn't have to participate. After the applause died down, the students filed out of the hall down to the carriages. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville went to the same carriage all talking about the survival class.
"I can't believe we're going to be stuck with Slytherin for a whole 2 months. Watch, I'll probably get stuck with Malfoy," spat Harry with a look of disgust on his face.
"Oh c'mon Harry, it can't really be that bad," said Hermione. "Dumbledore is right; out houses don't get along the best."
"But why did have to pick our year to do this stupid project?" whined Ron coming into the conversation.
"Maybe because our year had the most squabbles," said Hermione matter-of-factly staring pointedly at Harry and Ron.
"What, it's not like the ferret doesn't get what he deserves," complained Ron.
"That's not what I'm saying," retorted Hermione. "I'm just saying that it's probably the reason we have to do the class."
By now they had reached the train station. They hopped out of the carriage and proceeded on to the train to find an empty compartment. They found one at the end of the train and put their trunks in the luggage rack. Once they sat down again, Neville said, his voice shaking a little,
"I hope Professor Dumbledore doesn't put me with Malfoy. He would make my life miserable."
"Don't worry Neville; Dumbledore wouldn't be doing this if it weren't safe. So at least Malfoy can't hurt you," said Ginny brightly.
"Thanks for the reassurance Ginny, but still doesn't mean he won't make my life as miserable as possible."
"Look on the bright side, Dumbledore may not even put you with Malfoy," said Hermione.
"Yeah and if he does, I'll just write to Dumbledore and ask him to let me change groups."
The rest of the train ride passed quickly, talk consisting mostly of the survival class, and mostly uneventful. Malfoy stopped in just before the train stopped, but Hermione put a silencing charm on him and sent him on his way. He did not look the least bit pleased. In fact, he looked murderous. They made their way off the train, and bid Neville a quick farewell. They found the Weasley's waiting by the barrier, and went to greet them. Hermione hugged Harry and the Weasley's good bye and went to find her parents. When she spotted them, she hurried over to them, dropped her trunk and ran into her father's arms.
"Dad…" Hermione laughed as he picked her up and twirled her around. "I missed you guys so much. I'm sorry I couldn't come home for Christmas."
As soon as Mr. Granger put her back down, Mrs. Granger rushed forward and engulfed her in a bone-crushing hug. Hermione laughed at mother's vigor. "I missed you too mum."
"Let's go home dear. I bet you're tired and want to unpack," said Hannah Granger, and she turned Hermione towards the exit. Hermione paused to look over her shoulder and wave one more time to Harry and the Weasley's. As she looked toward the exit she suddenly met with breathtaking dark silver-blue eyes; the eyes of Draco Malfoy. She could se the hate, loathing in them, but was that also…envy? 'No. Draco Malfoy has everything; he had no reason to envy me.' Hermione continued on her way out of the station with her parents. She missed her home terribly, especially her room. That was her sanctuary, where she didn't have to be the wild-haired bookworm.
Hermione woke up on Monday morning feeling calm and content. She was happy to be home. She didn't have to worry about OWL's or homework, and she was content to be able to sleep in. She was a bookworm, but even she wanted a break from school work and books. And the OWL's were a big stress. She hoped she did really well. Harry and Ron both said she got an O on all of them, but she wasn't sure. Just thinking about the results, her stomach gave a nervous twinge. She shook her hear to rid herself of such thoughts.
Now fully awake, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. She gathered her clothes and went to her bathroom to take a shower. Twenty minutes later she walked into the kitchen pulling at her hair trying to get it into a ponytail. Her contentment was fading fast as she tried in vain to tame her locks.
"Arg…stupid hair…too bushy…hate…poof" Hermione was muttering under her breath. "Morning mum," she said louder.
Hannah Granger, whose hair was just as bushy at Hermione's age but tamed itself as she came into womanhood, looked very amused at her daughter's frustrated mutterings. She was trying hard not to laugh, but replied seriously,
"Good morning honey. Is everything alright?"
"Oh, everything's fine. Just not having a good hair day." Hermione frowned, deep in thought. "I just wish there was something I could do to it permanently to keep it from frizzing."
"I'm sorry dear I don't know if there's anything you can do."
Hermione sat down at the table in a huff and slightly deflated. She poured herself her daily glass of orange juice and her blueberry muffin. Just as she finishing her muffing there was a tap on the window. She looked toward the window and found a beautiful brown eagle owl tapping on the glass with a letter attached to his leg. She jumped up with excitement and rushed to untie the letter. She opened it apprehensively, knowing what would be in the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
As I announced, the 6th year Gryffindors and Slytherins will be working with a fellow student of Gryffindor and two students of Slytherin. You will have the remainder of this week at your current residence. The first activity is which you will partake is muggle camping. You will spend a week camping, and doing other activities without magic. You will write your progress of working with your group and thoughts about the course in a journal. Professors McGonagall and Snape will check each group once a week. You receive a letter at the end of each activity explaining your next activity. Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. you will a portkey to your designated site. Bring whatever you feel you'll for muggle camping. Tents will be provided. Now, your group for the summer will be Harry Potter, Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, and yourself given there aren't any problems. You will receive an owl of Friday with the portkey and confirmation of your group. I Hope you have fun, and I expect you to make a big effort to end the rivalry.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. Miss Granger may I suggest you bring a camera. It would be amusing to see how everything turns out.
Hermione read through the letter quickly, and jumped with excitement. She would be with Harry. She'd be able to handle that pug-faced cow Pansy, and of course Crabbe. This was going to real fun. She couldn't wait. She gave the letter to her mother at her questioning gaze, and went to her room to start packing.
The week took forever to end for Hermione. She wrote to Harry and Ron about the course. Ron got stuck with Millicent Bullstrode, Seamus Finnegan, and Adrian Pucey. Hermione felt really bad for him and even worse when he found out that she and Harry would be working together. He wasn't too happy, but he got over it.
Finally Friday morning came, and after breakfast as Dumbledore said was an owl with the portkey and a letter. She quickly opened the letter. As she read further and further her eyes opened wider and wider. She was shocked. It was fair. She had to switch groups. She put the letter and portkey on the table, and stomped up to her room to bring her things downstairs.
Hannah walked in the kitchen and saw the letter. She picked it up and read.
Dear Miss Granger,
I am sorry to inform you, but the group in which you are in has changed. You will be switching places with Neville Longbottom. He wrote to me with a valid reason to change his group. So your new group will be: Parvati Patil, Blaise Zabini, and Draco Malfoy. The portkey will activate at 3 o'clock. My best wishes. Good Luck! (I'm afraid you might need it)
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hannah knew Draco Malfoy had always taunted her about her blood, and she knew Hermione was going to have a hard summer, She decided to give Hermione her mobile phone so she could call if she ever needed to talk.
In her room, Hermione was just packing a few last minute things. She was thinking about having to work with Malfoy. She knew it was going to be hell working with Malfoy, but deep down she intrigued and excited. Draco Malfoy was an enigma, and she wanted to figure him out.
Hermione wandered into the kitchen around 2:30 with all her stuff. She saw her mother sitting at the island with a magazine. Hermione frowned. "Mum, I thought you had to work today?"
"No, I thought I would be when you leave. I don't know if you'll be able to come home this summer any. I want to give you something for you trip. It should make life more bearable with this Draco boy." said Hannah taking out a small package from a drawer,
"What is it? I've already got my CD player," she said as she opened the package. She gasped at the mini phone. She's always wanted one. "Thank you mum. This could come in handy." She gave her mother a quick hug.
"It's no problem. We thought you might get stressed and want to talk. We got another one for the car so you can call that one if you need to."
Hermione sat down on the other side of the island and talked to her mother till it was three o'clock. She grabbed all of her stuff and said good bye to her mother. "No Hermione, don't forget to call you father at the office later; he's sorry he couldn't be here."
"I won't mum. Bye," cried Hermione as she grabbed the portkey, and felt the tug behind her naval.
Hannah Granger waved one last time to her daughter just as Hermione disappeared.