Hello, my freaky darlings. This chapter might seem like filler, but it is full of set up. Love to all of you. Reminder: I own nothing, otherwise I would be in my own remote mountain castle far from everyone. (It's been one of those weeks.)

Chapter 55

Collecting their school letters, Draco sought out his sister. She sat frowning at a pile of papers in front of her on a library desk. "Trying to light them on fire with just your gaze?"

"No, contemplating whether or not to answer all of these." She gestured to the letters.

On closer inspection revealed the pile to be handmade cards with childish drawings. Some were quite good. "What are they?"

"Thank you cards from a summer school program that got to take a trip to London to see and visit a bunch of museums and other attractions. The school never could have afforded it. Apparently the teachers told them about Uncle Orville and how I wanted to share his legacy of fun."

"Send the class one letter, no one expects you to actually answer all of them."

"That is rather brilliant. I think I'm just overwhelmed that they would go to this effort to say thank you."

"But, first, here." He handed her the Hogwarts letter.

She tore open her letter staring at the contents. She stared at the contents, stunned. "Oh, wow." she whispered.

"Huh?"

"I'm Head Girl." She held up the badge.

Draco smirked proudly, "Of course you did. And I remain a prefect and quidditch captain."

"I wonder who got Head Boy?"

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

"Congratulations on keeping your captaincy." She pecked his cheek.

"Thanks, maybe this year we can beat Gryffindor."

"Good luck with that." Hermione chuckled.

Professor McGonagall wrote Hermione to congratulate her on her appointment and discuss the duties of the post.

Dear Miss Hermione Malfoy,

I commend your years of hard work culminating in this honour. I am so proud of the powerful witch you have become. It has been my greatest pleasure assisting on your way. Mister Roger Malone of Hufflepuff has been appointed Head Boy. I suggest contacting him soon to begin working on your various tasks.

In addition to overseeing the prefects, this year we wish to implement more social events to foster inter house unity. Please discuss possibilities with Mr Malone.

Warm Regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts

Hermione quickly penned a letter asking Roger when and where he wished to meet. He replied by inviting her to his house the next afternoon. At Narcissa's request, Lupin escorted Hermione to a nondescript home in a small village of Devon. "I'll wait for you at the pup down the road." He pointed down the street. Hermione nodded and knocked on the door.

Inside she heard rustling and quick footsteps. The door flung open revealing a small strawberry blonde headed girl. "Hi," she started brightly, "oh." Her face fell. "Who are you?"

"My name is Hermione Malfoy. I'm here to see Roger."

Still crestfallen, the girl turned and yelled into the house, "ROGER! Hermione's here."

"Nicole." scolded an older woman, "do not shout." She smiled at Hermione, "Please come in. It isn't much, but it's home."

Hermione returned her smile, "It is absolutely lovely. Thank you for allowing me to visit."

"Certainly."

Roger descended the stairs two at a time. "Hey, Hermione, good to see you."

"Hello, Roger."

"Why don't we go out to the garden, more space to work out there."

"And Hermione won't see your messy room." taunted Nicole.

"Brat." her brother retorted. Nicole stuck out her tongue in response. Hermione snickered. "Come on." She followed him out of the house. "Sorry about Nicole."

"No problem, Draco can be a bratty little brother when he wants to."

Roger laughed, "She's also disappointed you aren't one of the guys. She has a huge crush on Justin. They said they might stop by."

"We can meet another time." she offered.

"Nah, we don't have set plans. And we're going to be sharing a dorm, our friends should get to know one another."

"Very true." She pulled out a muggle pad and ballpoint pen. "I thought the best plan would be to create the first month of prefect rounds and wait to get everyone's input about social events. What do you think?"

Roger blinked twice, brief surprise crossing his face. "Yeah, that's a good plan. And with social events we should have some for all the years and some separate, yeah?"

"Like dances for 4th year and up, similar to the Yule Ball, then a game night for the younger years."

"If you mean like Weasley Wheezes games, everyone will want game night, but we're in agreement." They settled in to create four weeks worth of patrols.

"To help new prefects, we could mix years. And after the first month, we could mix houses once we see how everyone gets along." She suggested.

"That would help promote inter house unity." he agreed.

Once they agreed on a pattern Hermione began filling in a table. The sound of stampeding feet brought her head up. "I can go, we can finish this later."

"Nah, we're almost done, let's finish." Roger turned to greet his friends as they burst through the garden door. Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Ernie Macmillan, Kevin Entwhistle stopped short in front of them. "Hey, guys, you know Hermione. Hermione you know the guys."

She nodded, "I do." She waved.

Finch-Fletchley rolled his eyes, "Sure, Granger."

"Malfoy."

"Huh?"

"My surname is Malfoy, Mr Finch-Fletchley, has been for the last two years."

"Whatever. Are you done dictating terms to Roger?" Wayne sneered.

Hermione forced a polite smile onto her face. "I 'm not sure what you mean, but we're nearly finished with what we intended to accomplished." She sat rigidly at the picnic table. "Should be continue the established pattern for patrols for the first Hogesmeade weekend?"

Before Roger could speak, Ernie answered, "Like his opinion matters. You'll just do what you want, like always do." Hermione simply stared. "We all know you're going to boss Roger around this year, get everything your way. I feel sorry for him."

Hermione took a deep breath, determined not to cry. "Roger, let's finish this later, nothing we can't table for now." She closed her pad and stood.

"Running away now that you're outnumbered?" taunted Kevin, the others laughing harshly. Roger's face burned red with embarrassment.

Her hair began to throw tiny sparks. Fellow Gryffindors, and some Slytherins would have started backing away, and advised them to run. "No, I am leaving because I am a guest in Roger's home, and it would be rude to hex his other guests." She turned to face him, "Roger, thank you for having me." She started towards the house.

"Yes, it wouldn't do for a Malfoy to show bad manners." Ernie jeered.

"Actually, my adopted muggle parents taught me those manners, minus the hexing part." She snapped back. She looked to Roger. "I am going to assume they think they are being good friends standing up for you, and not boorish troglodytes purposely insulting me. Therefore, I will overlook today. However, if this behavior continues they are not welcome in our dorm. I will not be treated in this manner in my own space, anymore than I will allow you to be mistreated in this manner."

Glaring at his fellow Hufflepuffs, Roger nodded, "I apologize for them. Leave the schedule with me. I can finish it just as well as you can. You shouldn't have to do all the work." She handed him the pad. "I'll see you out."

"Thank you, but you have guests. I can see my way out." She waved farewell to Mrs Malone, and hurried to collect Lupin from the pub.

They apparated home. Hearing laughter in one of the parlors, she crept up the backstairs, avoiding everyone. She settled on her window seat, staring out the window. Mentally she reviewed the afternoon. Had she been bossy? Too forceful with her opinions? She thought she had asked Roger for his thoughts, and understood them to be on the same page. Had she assumed wrong? Tears trickled down her face. She knew she could be intense. She tended to take charge, but she tried to include people.

She didn't want to spend the next year doing all of the work for only half of the credit. Nor did she think she always knew the best way to do things. Pulling her knees up to her chin, she cried silently. She lost track of how long it took for the tears to run dry. She hadn't felt this low since Skeeter's articles fourth year. It hurt to think people would never see her as anything other than a bossy know-it-all.

A knock at the door interrupted the depressing loop of her thoughts. "Hermione? Mother says we're having dinner at Black Cottage. We leave in thirty minutes, dress casual."

"Thank you, Draco."

She washed her face in her bathroom, then grimaced at her haggard appearance. She looked like she had spent half of the afternoon crying, but that couldn't be helped. She changed into a fresh sundress. She slowly made her way down to the floo. In her melancholy she missed the look her parents exchanged. In a flash of green she vanished.

Sirius swept her up into a hug as she exited the fireplace. "There's my brilliant kitten. Head Girl! Congratulations, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Sirius." she replied quietly.

Kreacher announced dinner, preventing any further conversation. Once they were seated, Sirius picked the topic back up. "So who is the Boy to your Head Girl?"

"Roger Malone."

"Who's that?" Harry asked.

"He's a Hufflepuff."

"Doesn't ring a bell." Draco shook his head.

"Seriously? We've gone to school with him for seven years. Strawberry blonde hair, about Ron's height, but a thicker frame. Usually hangs to the back of the group. He's quiet and rather studious."

"Should Theo be concerned you know so much about him?" Dudley teased.

Hermione shrugged, "I'm observant. Know your enemy and all that."

Sirius looked surprised, "You consider Hufflepuffs potential enemies?"

"At some point almost everyone is a potential enemy." she replied darkly.

"Was Mr Malone rude to you, my treasure?" Lucius inquired.

"No, Roger was splendid. It was his housemates' manners that left something to be desired." She noticed Draco and Harry exchange a dark look. "You leave them be. I expressed my displeasure. We're going to be promoting inter house unity this year, and you two are going to help."

Narcissa beamed, "Brilliantly done, darling." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff can be just as judgmental as they say Slytherin and Gryffindor are. But with Hermione and Harry, along with Draco and Theo leading their Houses into compliance, will shine some light on the behaviors of the other Houses."

Hermione nodded, "The Hufflepuffs close ranks against perceived mistreatment of one of their own, often without any evidence. They make snap decisions and are hard to sway from their first impressions however false. Ravenclaws dismiss anyone they see as less intelligent and resent anyone more intelligent, especially if not in their House."

"Spoken from personal experience?" Sirius asked.

"Perhaps. In the bigger picture, I'd like to think Gryffindor/Slytherin relations have improved over the last three years, since Draco and Harry have been friendlier."

"Still if Malone gives you a hard time..." Draco started.

"I will deal with it." snapped Hermione.

Sensing the irritation in her tone, Lucius changed the subject. "We are dining here tonight so we may discuss some matters without having to worry about unexpected visitors." He paused, taking a deep breath, "Riddle's followers have begun pushing for legislation to restrict muggleborns. I will have to support some of them to maintain our cover of neutrality."

"What's being suggested?" Narcissa asked.

"A study to prove muggleborns stole their magic from wizards, that's why some purebloods are weaker."

"More like, wizards are too inbred." Hermione muttered.

Lucius continued as if she hadn't interrupted. "Some put restrictions on the kinds of positions muggleborns can take, or businesses they can own, that sort of rot."

Sirius nodded, "All of it is rot, but yeah, you're going to have to play the game. I suggest backing the research one, easier to sabotage."

Narcissa nodded, "Bog the rest of it down in debate. The two of you should be skilled enough to get others to do it for you."

"Sirius and the others demand crazy addendum making it useless or one they can no longer support." Draco offered.

"Well played, my dragon." Narcissa praised. She turned to Hermione. "Minerva teased she wanted this year to be different."

"She wants to add more social events. Roger and I agreed to get the input of at least the prefects."

"At least?" questioned Sirius.

"I can think of numerous people who probably have amazing ideas, why shouldn't we get their thoughts? Contrary to popular belief I am not a control freak who has to do everything." She glared at the table. "Who wants to do all the work for half the credit?"

"Mione, are you okay?" Dudley asked quietly.

"I'll be fine. My insecurities are just a little raw tonight."

"I don't think you're bossy. You share your knowledge and give advice. You never tell me I have to do something, or force me." Dudley smiled at her.

"Thanks, Dudley, I appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

Harry frowned, "Do we still make you feel that way?"

"No, not really. Like I said, I'm just feeling insecure today."

"What exactly happened with Malone today?" Draco demanded.

"It wasn't him, the other Hufflepuffs. I'm sure they thought they were defending him, they just didn't bother to find out what was going on. I told them off, and am prepared to overlook it, this time. Next time the gloves come off."

September 1st they arrived at Platform 9¾ on the early side. Narcissa seemed especially emotional. She kept hugging the teenagers and fussing over them. Finally, Lucius took her hand, squeezing it. "They will be fine, love. They need to go."

"But my babies!" He drew her into an embrace, waving for the teens to escape while he whispered soothing things in her ear.

Hermione broke away from Draco briefly to bid Sirius a farewell and allow him to slip her a note from Dudley to Pansy when they hugged. She rejoined Draco and together they boarded the train. Harry joined them soon after. As friends filtered through to greet them, they took the opportunity to explain the unity plans for the year. To the Gryffindors, Harry and Hermione stressed the idea of saving junior Death Eaters who might feel trapped. To the Slytherins, Draco explained the need to ensure the others didn't see them as evil anymore. Having been in contact with Gryffindors or Slytherins over the last two years. Each promised to spread the word. Once the train got underway, Hermione headed to the first compartment to meet with Roger before the meeting.

"Hermione, I just want to apologize again. I don't know what got into them. Not very fair of them."

She waved him off. "Forgiven so long as it was a once off. Next time, I hex first."

He chuckled, "That's fair."

"How do you want to run the meeting?"

"We can tag team the topics, I can welcome everyone. You can go over the plan for patrols this year. Then I'll hand out the first month assignments. You can finish with the social events. We should schedule a meeting, maybe the beginning of October?"

"Sounds like a plan." She grinned.

Over the next fifteen minutes prefects began to trickle in. Hermione smiled at Sally-Anne who had replaced her as the seventh year prefect. Once everyone was accounted for, Roger motioned for silence. "Welcome back, everyone. I'm Roger Malone, and this Hermione Malfoy. We're the Heads this year. Professor McGonagall stressed to us that this year we really want to promote inter house unity."

Hermione stepped forward, "To that end we're going to mix up the prefect patrols a bit. For the first month, patrol partners will be from your own houses, but not necessarily your year mate. We're hoping that way more experienced prefect can give advice to the newer ones. After the first month we will be mixing the patrols between houses. So, if you know of a conflict, let one of us know privately. We will have one of the professors mediate the situation. So, please realize this will not get you out of it."

"Exactly." Roger began handing out pieces of paper. "Here is the schedule for the first month, including train patrols."

"Before you all go, one last thing." A few people rolled their eyes. Draco, Harry, Pansy, Sally-Anne, and Susan Bones glared at those people. "To help support inter house relations the staff would like some social events. The most Roger and I decided was that we shouldn't decide anything without more input. While events like balls should have similar restrictions like Yule Ball did, we should also have some that include everyone. So, talk it over with your housemates, see if anyone has any ideas. We want to include everyone."

She ignored the quiet scoffing sound from somewhere to her left.

Roger took over, "We scheduled a meeting at the end of September, have your ideas ready by then, thank you. Everyone's dismissed. The prefects got up and filed out. He looked over at Hermione, "That went well."

"As well as could be expected."

"I'm sorry if it feels like I'm having to lean on you a lot, but I was never a prefect. Ending up Head Boy is somewhat surreal."

"You aren't the first one. James Potter was Head Boy, and Remus Lupin had been the prefect. There isn't too much to it, really. You're doing great."

"Thanks, Hermione."

"You're welcome, Roger."

I welcome any suggestion of social events people would like to see.