OK – something I've been meaning to do first of all lol
Aktrise – yes, you were the first review, for which I am eternally grateful lol :D
mskairijade – well, you are a good writer! Thanks so much for keeping track!
Riley22 – Thank you to you as well for keeping track! I love all your comments!
caligirl248 – I too hate cliffies, but hey they keep readers coming back, do they not? wink wink and thanks, im glad you like my writing!
draco's love666 – lol well your comment did remind me that I had never cleared that up, thanks so much for your comments and im glad you enjoy it!
Fairy-lou – well I will try to not keep you waiting too long! Thanks!
DeepWaterAngel – im not exactly sure what you meant, do you mean that it's an overused plot? It may be I guess, but I love it!
FirePrincessofSlytherin16 – I WILL! Lol im glad you like it so much! I also like your pen name!
slytherinsess – thank you so much, oh fellow slytherin lover :D
SummerWrites – I know, I know…oh well keep reading and I hope I can bring out the originality a bit more!
soccerchika22 – thank you for loving it! Lol
The next day, Hermione awoke and got ready to go to class. She already felt behind, as the events of the last few days had kept her from the studies she loved so much. As she happily walked out of the door, she saw Draco just emerging from his bedroom to get ready. She was about to scold him, but stopped herself as she saw the spiteful look he sent her way.
She exited quickly before another argument could arise, and walked to her first class, Advanced Transfiguration. When she arrived, she realized that she was the first one in the class, besides Professor McGonagall.
"Well, hello Ms. Granger…fully recovered, I presume?"
"Yes, Professor. What did I miss in class yesterday?"
"Nothing you don't already know, just a quick overview of last year's work. As you got every answer on your exams correct, I do not think you'll be behind in the least. How are your Head duties coming along?"
"Fine, Professor." Hermione couldn't bear to admit to the head of her house that she hadn't followed Dumbledore's instructions at all yet, and that the Head Boy was driving her crazy.
"Good. Now take your seat, the other students will be coming in soon."
Right as she said that, the door burst open and Ron and Harry came in, smiling at the third member of their trio. Hermione smiled back at them, but it faltered a bit when she realized how separate she felt. Ever since she had assumed her position, she had barely seen her best friends, one of whom was her boyfriend, at all.
The three friends sat together for as long as possible, catching up on news. Hermione grinned when Ginny's name was mentioned and Harry began to blush. She knew the two were meant for each other, and that it would only be a matter of time before they realized that.
When the rest of the students had filed in, Ron immediately took his seat next to Hermione, but McGonagall barked out, "No. Ron I'm sorry but Hermione and Draco will be working together this year, on account of their Head positions."
At this, Ron's face slightly paled, and he looked furious. However, he had learned well enough not to get into arguments with McGonagall, so he moved his books and sat next to Harry instead. Hermione tried to give him a sympathetic look, but he was deliberately ignoring her.
"Well speak of the devil. Would you care to explain the reason as to why you are so late, Mr. Malfoy?"
"I'm terribly sorry Professor, I was preoccupied with some last minute Head duties." McGonagall looked at the smirking boy with suspicion, but accepted the excuse and told him to sit next to Hermione.
"Care to explain the reason as to why people were talking about me?" Draco hissed in Hermione's ear.
"You are such a liar. You just slept in. Maybe you shouldn't take your privileges for granted, Ferret," Hermione hissed back with just as much venom.
Draco simply looked amused at this, which infuriated the girl even more – a fact she was sure Draco fully knew. As class went on, she tried to ignore him, but it was more difficult than she had expected. The desks in the classroom were rather cramped, and his skin kept connecting with hers, through a brushed leg or arm. Every time this occurred, she jumped slightly and moved further away from him.
At the end of the period, she took a longer time collecting her books than usual, giving Malfoy ample room to get ahead of her. Even though they would have to work with each other in every class didn't mean she had to see him in the hallways as well. After she had made sure he was gone, she looked for Ron and spotted him just as he was walking out.
"Ron!" Hermione jogged to catch up to him, but when he turned, a cold look was on his face instead of the smile that normally lit it up whenever she was around.
"Having a good year with Malfoy, then?" Ron's voice was harsh, and Hermione felt anger rise up within her.
"Ronald, I did not pick him to be Head Boy, I did not pick him to be my partner in every class, I am not picking him as a friend! If you're too dense to understand that, I'm sorry. I am the one who has to work with him all the time, and put up with his attitude! Thank you for all your support, though, it's just so helpful." Hermione spit out the words at the boy, and stormed off, leaving him with a dumbfounded look on his face.
Neither of them noticed the boy in the corner who was smiling slyly to himself.
The rest of the week passed without incident, and it was Thursday night before Hermione and Draco actually had to have a full-on conversation. Ron had approached Hermione apologetically, and she had accepted it in full, unable to resist his puppy-dog eyes. Classes had been mostly review from the year before, so no projects were forcing the two Heads to interact.
"Draco…we need to plan a party for tomorrow night, remember?" She approached him late Thursday while he was stretched out on his couch.
"Oh, right. Well…we need a theme then I suppose." He looked her up and down cynically before sitting up to allow room for her to join him on the couch. "How about 'Mud vs Purity'? We could have all the Mudbloods go and sit alone up in your room, and all purebloods can have a good time down here?"
Hermione's hand was too quick for him to dodge, and she slapped him hard on his cheek.
"Ow! I was only joking! …Kind of…." He looked up at her with eyes that still didn't let any emotion out, but at least there was an absence of malice, a phenomenon that rarely occurred.
"Whatever, you're a prat. Anyway, a theme. How about…a cocktail party? One of my friends had one right before I left and…"
"I don't need to hear about your Muggle friends, Granger. Just tell me what we need to do for this thing."
"Well, we need to get some Muggle alcohol first of all. Personally, I don't drink, but if we're going to have a successful party, than it should be here."
"Probably a smart idea." Hermione raised her eyebrow at him, noting the use of a compliment.
"Don't get used to it. Ok, what else?"
"Well, everybody has to dress fairly nice, so I'll make up some invitations that specify that. Can you get the alcohol?"
"I'm a Malfoy. I can get whatever the hell I want."
"Well, great for you. Get about 10 or 15 bottles of vodka and rum, along with mixers. Mixers are…"
"I know what a mixer is, you stupid girl."
"Ok, just making sure. It's going to be rather expensive, maybe we can get some of the students to pitch…" Hermione trailed off as she saw the boy roll his eyes exasperatedly. "What now?"
"I. am. a. Malfoy! Expense is NOT a problem."
"Fine. I'm only trying to be fair."
Draco smirked at her as she tried to explain herself, so she just stopped and looked at him.
"Why do you always have to be so difficult!"
"It's just the way I am, Hermione. Get used to it." He fluttered his eyelids at her, and then slowly his upper lip rose as he said, "after all, we all have our quirks…I mean, you have what could quite be the most piercing scream in the universe."
"When have I screamed around you, Malfoy?" Hermione jumped on the bait perfectly.
Draco jumped up and imitated the girl, "Oh, Draco! I'm completely naked! How could you have walked in on me? Oh, yeah I left the door wide open for you!"
Hermione's face turned bright red, and she stood up quickly, her fingers trembling. "I did not leave it open! It was an accident! One that I sorely regret, I'll have you know."
"I'm sure you do, Granger. You know you wanted me to see you naked. Not bad though…" He gave her a slight wink, which she didn't know whether to take as a friendly gesture or a condescending maneuver. She didn't get a chance to find out, either, for at that moment, he walked into his private rooms, laughing to himself.
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