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Last Chapter: Hogwarts and its staff are delighted to announce that we are planning to put on a production of Beauty and the Beast…
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At 8 o'clock, Hermione found herself in the Headmaster's office as told, next to someone she would rather like to hex. No, it was not Snape but someone who had equally tried to make her year as Head Girl a living hell. That would be the Head Boy, the Slytherin, the blonde pain in arse called Draco Malfoy. Oh, how she was trying to ignore him as the students waited on the teachers to arrive.
"So," he said, smirking like always, "how's my favorite little Head Girl tonight?"
Hermione forced a grin. "Peachy, absolutely peachy. And you, Draco?"
"Well I heard different, Granger. It seems Potions has been giving you trouble." He leaned back in his chair. Fall…fall, she thought. "You haven't been up to par recently. Has the Weasel been distracting you that much?"
She felt her face flush at the mention of Ron. They had been dating for over six months now ever since him and Lavender Brown broke up. Ron and Lavender's entire relationship could have been described as one big break up with all the off and on again periods. Yet, this time had been particularly nasty, what with the treacle pie ending up in Ron's face during the Christmas dinner. Hermione had been the one to comfort Ron for the umpteenth time then was more than surprised and of course pleased when he confessed his hidden feelings for her.
Giving Draco a nonchalant look, Hermione said, "Not as much as your girlfriend, Pansy, I'm sure. She's been looking particularly happy recently. Have you finally proposed like she's been talking about for ages? Or did your dad cart you off to her fine Pureblood family to keep up the good breeding?"
Hermione felt an immense feeling of pleasure at seeing Draco's face grow steadily pink almost red if his pale skin could manage it. His eyes radiated a look that could kill, most likely a very painful death indeed. A few of the younger students noticed the exchange but most had learned just to stay out of the way. Putting them in a room together most usually became volatile but getting in on their arguments could leave the perpetrator without the ability to function normally for days.
"Pansy is not and never was my girlfriend; my father would never approve of such. Doubt you need to worry about my love life, Granger, when yours is getting dismal. Weasel is going to get lonely with you spending all that extra time with Snape," he said before giving a scathing look at a 5th year girl who had looked down the long table at him.
"I heard the only reason you passed Advanced Potions was because of the extra time you spent with Snape. Alone with him for over two hours one time is what someone said. What were you having problems with that took so long? Having problems getting your belt off?" she added softly in his ear to keep the rest from hearing.
Draco at last turned red, a fire engine red. "You filthy Mudblood!" he roared, causing everyone' s head to turn sharply. He stood, knocking back his chair and whipped out his wand from his robes then pointed it directly at Hermione's throat. Promptly, a wand was pushing into his stomach and both stood there looking daggers at the other.
A shaky voice came from a 6th year Hufflepuff prefect, "Perhaps we should lower the wands; it can be talked out. Violen– Professor!"
"Miss Granger! Mr. Malfoy! What on earth, lower those wands right now!" came a stern voice from the door.
Someone behind McGonagall muttered, "Dear Merlin, I knew we'd left them in here too long together."
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After confiscating both wands and a tense lecture about being examples for the entire school, Hermione and Draco sat in the seats the Deputy Headmistress told them to which were as far as possible from each other at the table. Each sat by their respected Heads of House who were both not looking too pleasant toward the other this evening either. Come to find out, after a brave Ravenclaw asked, that Peeves had written some very suggestive, to say the least, wording about McGonagall and Snape all over the teachers' room. Neither of them seemed keen about staying on the subject but the other teachers grinned behind their hands.
"Now," McGonagall said after the snickering had subsided, "let's get down to business. Seeing how the Headmaster is out at the Ministry, I will be in charge of this at the moment and will remain so upon his return. This meeting was called in order to straighten out who is in charge of what and so on."
A new Slytherin prefect raised his hand to be acknowledged. McGonagall nodded over her glasses. He cleared his throat, "Does that mean we have to do something?"
"Most certainly, either you will be a part of the crew, working behind the scenes or if you want to try out for a spot, be in the cast. Being leaders of your school, you are expected to participate and encourage others to do so," said McGonagall.
Hermione sighed under her breath. Oh no, I am not being in another play. It is strictly painting scenery for me this time, she thought. The other students at the table seemed to be thinking along the lines of just painting also.
"I have a list here," continued McGonagall, waving a sheet of parchment, "with what each professor will be over or helping with for the play. I've tried to play to each of your strengths. If there are any doubts or if there needs to be a change, please stay afterward."
Quickly, she began rattling off each professor and what he or she had been assigned. Sinistra looked slightly put off at being stuck with Trelawney for working on the costumes while the other clapped excitedly. Hermione already felt sorry for her. Flitwick on the other hand seemed delighted that he got to do special makeup and help with effects. His mood did not even dampen when McGonagall announced the person over the stage effects was in fact Snape. Hagrid, Sprout, and Hooch were assigned the set while Hooch would also be over the lighting during the play. Vector grinned at being the only one professor on the sound. That left only Professor Lupin whom she had saved for last.
"Professor Lupin will be my assistant director since he has experience in this field and will be helpful in keeping everything running smoothly."
At this Snape leaned forward looking at Remus. "Haven't you done this play before? What were you…Minerva told me… Weren't you the candlestick's understudy?"
Remus grinned slowly at him. "No, I'm afraid I was the head candlestick in that production."
The other man seemed put out that his bait did not work but he did not show it long. Draco tapped him on the shoulder who proceeded to speak lowly in his ear and glance meaningfully at Hermione. She returned the fierce glance and took the papers McGonagall was now handing out.
"You have all received three papers: one is the cast/crew list, sample script sheet with lines for each character, and a sign up sheet for just your House. In past plays, we've had problems with false signatures even with the best safe guards, so this year we're not leaving the material just out in the open. The sign up sheets are synchronized by each House, therefore if a name is signed to one it will appear on all. To duplicate the other two in order to hand out a copy, simply tap it with your wand and say Xeroica."
McGonagall held hers up as an example to demonstrate. "That's all I have for the students. Remember to think over where you wish to participate. I'm done with the professors as well unless they have something about the jobs to discuss."
A great scuffling of chairs was heard as all sixteen stood to leave. Hermione stayed where she was, trying to avoid getting anywhere near Draco who with his wand back looked to be moving toward the door. Wondering what had become of hers, she glanced around the tight space for McGonagall and found her next to Snape who was of course next to Draco. That would end up being a lose-lose situation. Growling in frustration, she turned around to wait it out in the far corner of the room.
She was surprised to say the least when Professor Lupin popped up from behind the table, a look of triumph on his face. Hand still on her chest; Hermione gave him a shocked smile then noticed what he had in his hand. Her wand. "Well," he said, handing it to her, "I finally found it. Minerva asked me to give it to you and then proceeded to walk off without telling me where it was, must have rolled off the table."
"Thanks," she said, pocketing it.
"You're quite welcome. So, what was that earlier with Draco?" he asked, trying not to smile.
"Oh," she groaned irritably, "he's just…he's just an arse!" Hermione looked stunned at what she blurted out. "I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to actually say that. What I meant was…"
He raised his eyebrows amused. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'd never mean such a thing about anyone. Draco is only trying to goad into doing something like you pulled earlier. He is precisely like his father was in school. Just try to keep your distance from him. If he won't stay away from you, maybe a little Jelly-legged jinx wouldn't hurt." He put his hands a bit. "Not that I would suggest such a thing as a teacher."
"And I'm sure you'd never mean such a thing either." Hermione glanced back over at Draco still hovering around Snape. "I can't get away from him. We share our own common room. Thank Merlin, the stairs to my room don't allow boys up them or he'd be knocking on that all the time."
"Ah," he nodded and looked down at her, "another perk of being a Head Girl, sharing close quarters with the Head Boy. They say it's to promote unity and understanding between the two."
"I'll introduce him to some understanding," she muttered very softly, watching the two Slytherins finally leave.
Remus laughed at that. "As long as no one catches you."
"Well, now that they are gone, I can leave without an incident. Thanks for my wand, Professor. I'll see you tomorrow in class," she smiled at him. "Goodnight."
"And goodnight to you." He waved back as she left out the door. Rubbing his neck and looking at his feet, he thought, Assistant director? What have I gotten myself into?