Chapter 2

(Rewritten, July 06).

"Great, just bloody great," Hermione shouted as she slammed her fists down upon the bathroom sink, "I knew it, oh, how I knew it. For Merlin's sake, damn it."

She yelled again and threw her fists up towards the ceiling in rage as she dressed in her robes. It was just her luck to be stuck with him, with Malfoy. There were many, decent, hard working boys who deserved the position just as much as him but no, Malfoy was their prime choice. Who cares about his work ethic or his academic abilities? Have you seen his personality? If venom were a person, he would be it.

"Bloody hell," she muttered as she placed her Head Girl badge upon her chest. Disheartened, she checked her reflection and wiped her tears of fury away.

Oh, Hermione knew that she sure as hell was not going to remain in the same compartment as Malfoy and his massive ego so she settled on returning to Harry and Ron.

They were still laughing about something and attempting to get Hermione to rejoin the conversation but she was too busy drowning in her own misery. Understandably, Harry and Ron let her be. Anyone would be upset with that pairing.

'I'm so pathetic,' she groaned internally but it was all that she could do; silently watch the scenery roll by and moan. This hour long depression of hers was not long enough though, when Hermione disappointedly realized they had finally reached Hogwarts.

'Be happy, smile, don't let him bring you down,' she remembered and with a grin she walked with Harry and Ron towards Hagrid.

"'Lo there guys. How's everthin' goin'?" Hagrid asked as his mass of hair shook with each movement of his mouth.

"Great, I guess," Hermione replied. Hagrid looked down with concern.

"What's wrong? 'ren't you happy to be back?"

"Well, yes and no," she explained. "You see, I'm Head Girl." Hermione pointed to her badge. Hagrid congratulated her.

"I always knew ye'd get it! Good job," he shouted happily, "So then who's the lucky Head Boy?"

"Well, that's the problem. You see, it's," Hermione paused and then lowered her voice. Hagrid leaned down to catch the name, "Malfoy."

"That bloody git got it!" Hagrid growled unexpectedly. A group of first years jumped at the sound which sent Harry and Ron into fits of laughter.

"I know, it's horrible, really. I don't know what I'm going to do," Hermione groaned.

"Oh, it's gonna be okay," the giant reassured her, "You have a good head on those shoulders. He won't know what hit 'im."

Hermione grinned and glanced over to the carriages getting ready to depart for the castle.

"Thank you, Hagrid. Send us a letter sometime soon so we can visit for tea but we need to go. The carriages are about to leave and you have your first years to attend to."

"Hm mm," Hagrid nodded in agreement, "Bye."

Hermione, Ron and Harry quickly hopped into the last carriage before they began their ascent. The sorting was wonderful, as usual, as well as Dumbledore's speech. Thankfully, he didn't ask for either Hermione or Draco to stand when he announced this year's Head Girl and Boy. The only pleasant part of the evening was being able to talk to Dean.

Hermione, to say the least, had a 'crush' on him for two or so years. It never really developed into much of a romantic relationship, as she would have hoped, but more of a mutual understanding for one another and a strong friendship.

But like they say, all good things must come to an end, and Hermione's conversation with Dean didn't last long and neither did dinner. Before she was aware of the time, Professor McGonagall was whisking her and Draco away to attend to their duties and also to show them their new dorm.

That new dorm wasn't easy to access either. Located in the far, back corner of the school and on it's own corridor, Hermione and Draco were guaranteed their own privacy. If this was done purposefully because all the teachers knew they would be bickering or because it was just the regular spot, neither knew. All they did know was that this was going to be one hell of a ride.

"Here are your common rooms and dorms," Professor McGonagall announced as they stood outside of a portrait of a Snow Fairy. "Your new password will be Mystify. Don't forget it. You'll also find your belongings inside. Good night." And with that, the Professor walked down the corridor and out of sight leaving Draco and Hermione alone with out any argument for the first time.

Draco then muttered the password, even though there was no need to whisper it when they were in such isolation but he was weird like that, and then they entered the common room.

Much like Hermione had expected, half of the room was decorated in Gryffindor's colors and the other half in Slytherin's. Over the fire place there was a lion and a snake, head to head against each other and it's semblance proved to be very uncanny. There was also a silver and red couch and arm chair which were across from one another, two desks located by a large window and three bookshelves. In the other corner of the room, there was a chess set, two more arm chairs and on the back wall, there were two doors. On one door, there was a red 'HG' with a gold lion beneath it, and on the other door, a green 'DM' and a silver snake.

"Remember our rules," Draco growled to Hermione. She made a face and he turned to go upstairs.

Hermione sighed and remembered to not let Draco affect her, so she went to see her room.

Also like she had expected, it was decorated in red and gold, with mauve curtains and a burgundy brown bureau. In the middle of the wall, in between two large windows, was a four poster bed with red and gold satin sheets, and a lion on the comforter. In the corner, there was a bookshelf with all of her favorite books and a red arm chair specifically for her.

Hermione grinned and fell back on her bed as she stared gleefully at the ceiling. Life was okay right now but slowly getting better. She had a conversation with Dean, she was Head Girl, she had a beautiful dorm all to herself and, well, Draco was just not part of her world right now.

No one likes negativity anyways.

The warm pressure of the shower in the morning was just what Hermione had needed. Extensive, searing showers were her speciality and steaming up the bathroom was her profession. Today felt like it was going to be great. Today she was humming. Today nothing could ruin her.

And as she turned off the shower, dried off and stepped out with the towel wrapped around her body, she twirled around.

She twirled and she danced and she hummed but then the other bathroom door opened up; the bathroom door she thought had been locked.

It was Draco who had emerged, sleepy eyed and exhausted in his satin, green boxers but that Draco was quickly replaced with wide eyes and a smirk as he realized what he was witnessing.

"You must have gotten lucky," he drawled, "Mudbloods don't usually receive the best bodies."

Hermione growled and grabbed her pajamas from the ground and left.

"Wait," she whispered as she slammed her door, "That wasn't a - ha, right. Malfoy, compliment me? Right."

Breakfast was marvelous that morning. Hermione sat between Harry and Ron and across from Dean. Just perfect, oh, how perfect.

"Hey," Hermione announced cheerfully.

"What's up," Dean asked. Harry and Ron were too busy stuffing their faces to respond and they knew it was better not to interrupt anyways. I mean, they knew after all, about Hermione's fancy for the boy.

"So what's it like being Head Girl? Feel powerful?"

Hermione laughed, "I guess power if an acquired taste and my room mate just so happens to have that down to a science so I'll just settle with the beautiful dorm and privileges I've received."

"Lucky you," Dean nodded, "Well, for the privileges, not for the Head Boy. That must be a disaster." Hermione laughed again. She couldn't help it.

"We try to avoid each other at all costs but that shouldn't stop you from visiting," Hermione pointed out with a grin.

"Oh, don't worry, it won't. I'm not scared of that bloke. He's probably a pansy deep, down, inside," He smiled, "Oh, Hermione could you come outside with me? I need to tell you something."

"Oh, alright," Hermione replied slightly confused. But even so, her heart began to raise as she followed Dean out of the Great Hall, "So, uh, what's up?"

"Well, I dunno how to put this Hermione, but, um, I like you." He paused and looked down at his feet, "And I was wondering if you wanted to, err, possibly spend some time with me and we can, you know, talk."

Hermione beamed, "Dean, that would be wonderful!"

"Oh, thank goodness. I'll send you an owl with the time."

"That'll be great," Hermione replied with a smile as he turned to leave.

Hermione's happiness was hard to conceal as she made her way back into the common room where Draco was reading a book. He glanced up quickly and rolled his eyes.

"Why are you so happy, Granger," he questioned.

"What happened to the 'don't talk to me' rule," she countered. He shut up but he couldn't help but to stare at her ass as she ascended the stairs.

'Shit, shit, Draco, stop,' he mentally scolded himself, 'Mudbloods are nasty. Uck.' And with that he left the common room to rid his mind of these blasphemous thoughts and to pound a few first year Gryffindors.

It was that afternoon, after every one of Hermione's classes, that she was able to retire with only a few hours of homework.

"That's nothing," she yelped with a grin. And if only to improve her mood more, an owl began tapping at her window with a letter in it's beak; a letter that could only bring more joy.

Hermione,

Meet me in the gardens tonight at 10:00 for a surprise. Make sure you dress up.

Hermione squealed and spun around so quickly she fell upon her bed. Her homework was hastily finished and a bite from the kitchens was needed before she called Ginny for help.

"Outfit, you need the perfect outfit," Ginny reprimanded her hours later. She was rummaging through her closet.

"I don't know if you'll find much," Hermione pointed out.

"Oh, shush, I will."

Hermione laughed. "Merlin knows you will."

"So who's the lucky man?"

"I think its Dean."

"What do you mean you think its Dean?" Ginny asked her.

"Well the note wasn't signed but Dean did say that one night we might go out, or something, for a walk and catch up."

"Oh...well, he has gotten hot over the summer." Ginny said with a giggle and winked at Hermione, but before she could reply Ginny yelped, "Oh Hermione! I found the perfect thing."

And as Ginny turned she held a midnight blue, spaghetti strap dress with a seductive low cut.

"Are you kidding," Hermione astonishingly asked, "You're going to make me wear that? Do you see how low it is?"

"Yes, but it was in your wardrobe."

"But I've never worn it."

"So, put that money to good use then," Ginny retorted confidently.

"Fine," Hermione huffed. She snatched the dress from Ginny and stomped into the bathroom. She didn't worry about another 'peeping Draco' incident since he said that he wasn't going to be around until much later due to some 'business' he had to attend to. Why he told her, she wasn't sure, but it didn't matter. He didn't matter.

Hermione groaned as she slipped her feet into a pair of silver heels and emerged from the bathroom. She was received with a bundle of giggles and compliments from Ginny who insisted on dusting her eyes with a bit of makeup, here and there.

When Ginny had finished, Hermione was pleased.

"I look amazing. Wow, thank you, Ginny," she muttered in awe as she stared at her reflection.

"It's no big deal," Ginny replied, "It's a talent. What can I say?"

Hermione grinned. "Come here, you," she demanded. Ginny was quickly enveloped into a hug.

"Okay, okay," Ginny smiled as she pulled back, "You have to tell me everything when you return. Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good. Now hurry. Believe it or not, it's almost ten."

Hermione started ringing her hands.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Ginny reassured her, "Just don't run. Sweat isn't attractive on a first date, especially when you aren't dancing."

"Ha, okay. I'll see you later."

It felt like the walk of a lifetime as Hermione made her way to the gardens. But even though she had thought she'd be late, she was five minutes early. Better be early anyways, so she sat on one of the stone benches.

Five minutes soon dwindled to four, three, two, one and then just a few seconds. And right on the dot, the gardens lit up.

There were candles everywhere and rose peddles that led down a path to the middle of the gardens. Hermione followed them, and then, in the center, there he was, standing in front of her in a dark blue shirt and pants with a velvet cape. Hermione smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned and glanced down at her. His eyes were covered by a mask and a hat that covered his hair but it didn't matter. This was perfect.

"This is so beautiful," Hermione muttered to the masked man.

"I did it all for you, Hermione," he whispered. His voice was so soothing and Hermione loved it. "Ever since I laid my eyes upon you, I knew that you'd be the 'one'."

Hermione glanced into the man's eyes, who she hoped was Dean, and smiled. She took a small breath and decided that she had nothing to loose if she confessed. Even if the whole situation was overly corny and cliche. "Me too," she replied quietly. But Hermione's elaboration was cut short as he pulled her into a kiss.

Sensually, she moved her hands from his shoulders to his neck as they shared their passionate kiss. Their tongues danced together in their mouths and Hermione moaned out loud. They broke apart, and Hermione moved her hand to remove his mask...