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A Little Change in SceneryHermione woke up on a Saturday morning on October 24th. Getting slowly out of bed, she wrapped a red and gold bathrobe around herself and entered the bathroom. She was about to lock the bathroom door at Draco's end when Draco violently shoved the door open, his face a picture of pure rage. In his hand a dagger. In his eyes, vengeance. Before Hermione could react, he slammed her into the wall, the dagger under her chin. It was obvious he had woken only a moment ago because he hadn't bothered to put on his robe. He was only wearing long drawstring pants and his hair was sticking every which way.
"Mudblood," he snarled, his face deadly close to hers. Her eyes were full of fear as she gulped.
"What?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You let them in, didn't you Granger?" he hissed. "You let them in so that they could take out their loss on me. SPILL IT, MUDBLOOD!"
"Idon'tknowwhatyourtalkingabout!" she spluttered out, shaking visibly. It wasn't like her to be this way, but he had this affect on her ever since the trial. Her eyes glanced at his scar and back at the dagger.
"Don't give me that," he snarled, understanding what she had babbled out. "I know it was you! You're the only one that could get the password to them. Don't play dumb, mudblood. I swear…" He pressed the dagger closer to her throat. "If you don't tell me who it was, I'll slit your throat right now." She stared into the cruelty and rage that was his eyes. They poured out more than hate for her, but an absolute loathing of something she couldn't comprehend. But, the matter at hand…
"You trashed Gryffindor, they trashed you," she murmured. "Harry and Ron and about seventeen others, including the Quidditch team." His eyes flashed and he stayed quiet for a moment. Suddenly, Hermione became more uncomfortable than fearful. He eyed her for a second than raised an eyebrow.
"Do you know what a Mongolian Crypt Dagger is, mudblood?" he asked her. She didn't answer and he smirked. "It was only recently found. Not all of its functions have been found yet, but one of the most interesting functions it has is what I'm going to show you." With that, he took the dagger and grabbed her right arm. She struggled as he shoved up the robe sleeve. He smiled at her. "Don't worry, Granger. This won't hurt. Much." He took the dagger and, pressing the blade against her flesh, he slid it along her arm for about four or five inches. She gasped in pain, holding back tears as she clutched her neck. Draco smiled as he witnessed three gashes appear; one on her neck, on her left leg and on her right cheek. "And I bet there are two more of them hiding under those clothes of yours," Draco sneered. She was shaking again.
"Wh…what…I…" she stuttered and Draco's smirk grew.
"You see, Granger. A Mongolian Crypt Dagger causes whatever wound it inflicts on the flesh to appear in five other places of the body." Hermione frowned, her eyes darting down to Draco's chest. A long, thin scar trailed down it. One was also on his left shoulder and right arm. Draco smiled coldly. "Catching on, aren't you?" he hissed. She gazed at the scar on his face. "And this one's the original," he told her, pointing at his face. She pressed herself against the wall, trying to be as far away from him as possible. He glared at her, his hand around her neck so that blood seeped through his fingers.
"Granger, I'm letting you off easy because you told me. But, if this ever happens again-" The dagger slammed into the wall, a hairsbreadth away from Hermione's fear-stricken face. His trademark smirk took over his otherwise humorless face as he tapped her cheek lightly, glancing shortly at the blood on the fingertips. "This stays between you and me, mudblood. Got it?" She glared at him.
"Fine," she whispered. Pulling away from her, Draco walked back into his room, again shoving back the smell that insisted on attacking his senses.
Hermione rushed down the halls, reaching the Gryffindor common room within two minutes. Gasping out the password, she ignored the Fat Lady's questions and hurried into the common room.
"Harry! Ron!" she cried. Both seventh years looked up from a game of Wizard's Chess. Ginny, who was watching, also looked up.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked. She glared at both boys.
"If you ever enter the Head's room again, I'll curse you both into the next millennium!" she screamed. Both stood, looking annoyed.
"Hey, you're the one that gave us the password," Harry snapped. "What's the problem?"
"You completely trashed Malfoy's room while he was asleep!" she yelled at him.
"Him and his Slytherins not only beat us at our Quidditch match, but had the courtesy to point it out to us by writing it all over the locker rooms!" Ron shouted.
"I didn't think you'd get so carried away!" she screamed. "I thought maybe a few words on the walls or something, but SHREDDING HIS SHEETS? PAINTING THE WALLS PINK? Writing OBSCENETIES on the DOORS! Did you go BARKING MAD!" Hermione's face was completely red from screaming at them. The common room had fallen silent as students watched anxiously.
"I don't know why you're so ticked off," Ron growled. "You're the one who suggested it!" Hermione rounded on him, taking several steps for him.
"Do you know how TICKED OFF Malfoy was when he woke up?" she spat, immediately regretting it. She then remembered, her neck wasn't covered. Ginny had just noticed the gash, which had, after a long shower, stopped bleeding.
"Hermione, what did Malfoy do to you?" she asked, pointing to the wound. Everyone now noticed it.
"What makes you think Malfoy did this?" Hermione asked quickly, nerves making her voice tremble slightly. Harry frowned.
"That wasn't there yesterday, Hermione," he said slowly. "I'm sure of it. And, unless you did it, it had to be Malfoy. What did he do?" Hermione didn't know why she was defending Malfoy. He had just cut her with a dagger and she was trying to convince everyone he was innocent. Like the trial…
"It was an accident," she muttered. At the disbelieving stares of the common room, she let out an exasperated groan. "Listen!" she yelled, loosing patience with them. "The fact of the matter is that you totally desolated Malfoy's room and I'm going to get in trouble for it! Do you know what Dumbledore will do to me once he finds out I gave you the password and let you reek havoc on the Head Tower? I swear, if this ever happens again, so help me…" Letting out a frustrated growl, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the common room, feeling the heat of the Gryffindors' stares on her back.
Turning a corner, she stopped abruptly at the sound of soft laughter. Frowning, she looked around, realizing where she was.
This was a teacher's hallway, where the teachers' rooms were. Students weren't allowed down this hall, which is why Hermione headed down it. If it was a student, she would have to pass out a detention. The laughter continued, though it was soft so as not to attract attention from the main hall. Stopping, Hermione peeked around the corner and had to bite her lip to keep from gasping. It was Emma, the DADA professor, leaning with her back against the wall. Her arms were around the last person Hermione would ever expect.
"Snape?" she mused to herself, shocked. But this wasn't the Snape she knew. It was…she didn't know how to describe it, but this Snape looked, if anything, handsome? She didn't know what it was, but whatever it was, it was good.
He had his arms around Emma's waist and was kissing her neck. She was just murmuring things into his ear and laughing at his responses. That's all they were doing. Emma turned and caught sight of Hermione, who blushed furiously at being caught staring. Smiling, Emma merely waved. Then mouthed, "Tell Dumbledore he might be a little late to their meeting." Hermione grinned and nodded, backing up and rushing away to the Great Hall.
It was dinner when the announcement was made.
"I would like to announce an upcoming event," Dumbledore said to the students. "Tomorrow, our Head Boy and Girl will be leaving us and go to Allenburg School of Sorcery as exchange students." At this, the Great Hall erupted in whispers as everyone stared at the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. "They will remain under the teaching of Uma Osminov for six months as they learn from those teachers. Tomorrow will be the send off for them and I hope that you all get your good byes in order. Now, please, continue with your dinners."
Hermione looked back down at her food as she heard two people plop into seats across from her.
"Hermione?" She looked up, watching Harry and Ron closely.
"What?" she asked warily. Ron sighed.
"Look, I'm sorry for being so mad at you this morning, it was just that," with this, he glanced at Harry, "you were so angry with what we did…I mean, you were the one who gave us the password, weren't you?"
"Dumbledore didn't do anything, did he?" Harry asked anxiously. Hermione shook her head.
"He doesn't know. Malfoy didn't say anything to him. And from what I can tell, he didn't tell any of the Slytherins. None of them have tried anything yet."
"Wonder why?" Ron mused, staring over at the Slytherin table. He then turned back to Hermione. "You're going to be going, then." She nodded.
"I have to go pack soon," she told them. Harry sighed.
"Six months? That's a long time, isn't it?" Hermione smiled, reaching over and taking both their hands in hers.
"I promise, it'll go faster than you know. We'll be seeing each other again, soon." Emma walked up, Kingsley with her. Kingsley kneeled down, so that only Hermione could here him.
"I see you've found out my sister's secret," he whispered to her, smiling as Emma engaged herself into a conversation with Harry and Ron, who were hanging off her every word. Hermione giggled.
"Poor Ron and Harry," she said. "They'll be crushed to find out that she's taken. She's only a bit older than they are. About two or three years." Kingsley nodded.
"But she and Severus have known each other for a long time, seeing as she had him as a teacher for her last three years of school. He's only a little bit older than her. About five to seven years, I think."
"You're not concerned?" Kingsley shrugged.
"I have no reason to be. If he hurts her, I'll kill him. I made that clear when she started dating him."
"And what is it that you two are whispering about?" Emma asked. Kingsley straightened out, smirking.
"Nothing important." He then turned back to Hermione, who was grinning. "Came to tell you that you and Draco are to go back to the Head Tower and start packing." Sighing, she waved to Harry and Ron and left the Great Hall.
"Didn't look like Scarhead and Weasel were too happy with you this afternoon, mudblood," came the drawling voice of none other than Draco Malfoy, who had followed her out. Giving his trademark smirk, he walked a few feet behind her, knowing fully well that she was listening. Even though she was pretending to ignore him. "Did you tell them about your run in with the Mongolian Crypt Dagger? I'm sure they would have been thrilled to here that story." She whirled on him, glaring.
"For your information, I didn't tell them about your little dagger, ferret," she spat. "I don't have to tattle-tale to get even when I already did by doing over your room." The humor from his face dropped and suddenly, Hermione found that maybe she should have kept her mouth shut. He had her pinned against the wall, cold eyes boring into her scared hazel ones.
"Do you think you can get even with me, Granger?" he hissed. "You can't. I settle scores and I have one to settle with Potty and his pet Weasel. However, seeing that I'm leaving in the morning, I can't do that."
"You owe me," she whispered. "I saved your life." Something in his eyes struggled to break out, but he shoved it away, replacing it with an icy indifference. He let her go slowly, still standing very close to her. It was again like their first day back to school in the Head bathroom. Locked in a gaze with her, he wanted to move down the hall, but something again was forbidding such an action. Her breathing had become shallow again and she found herself unable to comprehend the quickening beat of her heart. Their lips were less than a hair's breadth away. His lips barely brushed hers as he spoke at last.
"I owe you nothing," he murmured, pulling away and storming down the corridor, knowing that for once, he had lied to himself.
Hermione walked down the slope of Hogwarts, the entire Gryffindor house with her. Behind them was the Slytherins, lead by Draco. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws mingled with both houses. Kingsley had both Hermione and Draco's trunks with him as he waited by the gates. A long bus, similar to the Knight Bus, was parked outside. It only had one deck, though. Dumbledore also stood there. The students stopped as Dumbledore smiled.
"I'm glad to see so many of you come to see your Heads off," he told them. "We will greatly miss both of you and will anticipate your returns in April. Have a great trip!" The houses roared as Hermione turned to say goodbye to Harry and Ron.
"I can't believe I'm leaving like this," she said, smiling. "I'll miss you both sooooo much!" Ron hugged her.
"You'll write to us," he mumbled and she nodded. Harry then took hold of her.
"You won't find anyone like us where you go," he whispered and she giggled. "We're one in a kind."
"That you are!" she said back, releasing him and gazing at them both. "I'll try to write every day! I'll be back soon, don't worry!"
Draco turned to Blaise, a hard look in his eyes.
"You're in charge," he growled, handing over his Head badge. "Send word if anything comes up." Blaise nodded, backing up. Draco then turned to Crabbe and Goyle. "Don't let any of them step out of line," he told them, nodding towards the Slytherins. To the girls, "Do what you want. I don't care."
Turning, he strode over to the bus, Hermione in front of him. Stepping onto the bus, she turned and waved at the Gryffindors, who erupted in yells and shouts of encouragement. Entering, she made way for Draco, who turned and gave a slight nod to the Slytherins, who nodded back. Smirking at the others, Draco entered the bus and looked around. Both sides were lined with two extremely long couches. Their trunks lay in the back.
Draco jumped slightly as something rubbed up against his leg. Frowning, he stared down at the ugly orange cat that stared back up at him, circling his legs.
"Come here, Crookshanks," came Hermione's voice and the cat jumped up onto the left couch, walking down to where Hermione was lounging. Draco sat down on the right side, looking around with a bored expression on his face. Kingsley appeared at the front of the bus, smiling.
"All right, we're all here," he said. Turning to the bus driver, who was a wizened old man, he nodded. "Let's get this show on the road." Nodding, the bus driver started the ignition and they shot off down the street, away from Hogwarts.
Hermione stared out the window, watching the world fly by. Draco watched her for a moment before he got up and moved to the back of the bus, stretching out on the couch. She glanced at him, sighed, and pulled out Hogwarts, A History and began reading. Crookshanks curled up in her lap, purring contentedly as she stroked him.
It was the night of the third day of their trip to Allenburg and Hermione was bored. They had picked up four other students from schools and they had all gotten to know each other quite well. Everyone except for Draco, who made little conversation with anyone and preferred to be by himself in the back of the bus.
Lizzy, one of the girls, smiled mischievously.
"Does everyone know how to play spin the bottle?" she asked and laughter rang out. Draco, who had been staring out the window, turned, his attention caught. They all formed a circle, except Draco, with it going boy girl boy girl. Lizzy smirked, staring over at Draco. "Come on!" He got up hesitantly and sat down between Lizzy and a girl named Hannah. A boy named Lex spun first and it landed on Hermione. Leaning in, he kissed her quickly as Hermione blushed. As it was her turn, she spun and it landed on the other boy, Troy.
The game went on for sometime when Hermione found herself in a predicament. Draco had spun and it had kept spinning. For several seconds, the girls held their breath. It slowed and then stopped. Hermione paled. It was pointing at her.
She was frozen. Paralyzed even. She knew that she couldn't look up. Would he really do it? A shadow passed over her and she finally looked up.
"Get up, Granger," he hissed, his face showing plainly that he didn't want to be here. Rising to her shaking legs, Hermione looked terrified. His eyes narrowed. "I can't believe this…Absolute rubbish...have to take a freakin' shower..." He leaned in and kissed her. ON THE LIPS! Both their minds suddenly went blank except for the tiny little words:
OH. MY. GIDDY. AUNT.
For five seconds, both of them didn't know where they were. For five seconds, nothing outside of the other's lips mattered. And for those five seconds, Draco knew he was going to look back on them and wish they were longer. But at the moment, the Draco in the present panicked at the fact that, not only might he be enjoying this, but that his body didn't feel like pulling away, like his mind was telling him to. Finally, after five seconds, his mind won the battle and he pulled away.
Hermione's eyes were as round as saucers. She wasn't breathing. Her heart had probably stopped because Armageddon had finally arrived. Hell had frozen over and Snape had danced to the Macarena. Because, only under these circumstances was it possible that Draco Lucius Malfoy would kiss her. A mudblood. He had kissed a MUDBLOOD!
It was safe to say that she panicked. Only a little bit.
Hermione scrambled away and fled to the back of the bus, where she huddled down behind her trunk with Crookshanks. She stayed there the rest of the evening until she knew that everyone was asleep.
The other students got off the next morning at another school and again, the bus was drenched in an uncomfortable silence. For the remainder of the trip, both Heads stayed at opposite sides of the bus as to not run into the other.
Then, the fifth day came and the bus driver smiled.
"Welcome, Hogwarts' Heads, to Allenburg School of Sorcery!" Hermione stared out the window, awed at what she beheld.
The bus rolled in through huge gates. The grounds of the school were enormous, with a lake twice as large as the one at Hogwarts. It was mostly dark green and brown, with hints of yellow and red. The castle was gigantic, with large towers and tall windows. Students were crowded in front of the large entrance doors, wearing silver robes with red designs.
Both heads had donned Hogwarts uniforms, with the Hogwarts Crest on the chest. Kingsley grabbed their trunks and exited the bus.
"I'd like to introduce Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, Hogwarts' Head Boy and Girl and your new students. At the applause outside, Draco descended first, Hermione after. Unfortunately, her robes were a little bit long and she stumbled slightly. To her absolute surprise, Draco caught her arm, straightening her out and then letting go. Giving him a searching glance, she followed Kingsley down a small aisle created by the students. Draco followed, a sour look on his face.
A tall woman with blonde hair and wearing red robes with silver designs, stood at the top of the stairs that led to what Draco assumed to be the Entrance Hall of the school.
"Greetings, Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy," she said in a strong voice that instantly silenced the crowd. "We welcome you to Allenburg! I am Uma Osminov, the Headmistress of the school. Please, come. You must be hungry!" They followed them down a corridor into a huge Hall. Three long tables sat in the middle and another one lined the wall to the front. Three banners were hung: one with a dragon, one with a fox, and one with a griffin. Students quickly filled the tables as Hermione and Draco headed down the aisle to the front. Uma turned around, gesturing to a small bench situated in front of the teacher's table. "Please sit," she told them. Draco sat down at one end and Hermione at the other. Uma then pulled out a wand from her robes.
I guess they don't have a sorting hat, Hermione thought, watching as Uma stood behind them and placed the wand directly above Hermione's head.
"Sortius!" she cried and a gold light engulfed Hermione. Looking up, she watched as a silhouette of a dragon appeared above her. Those students under the banner carrying the dragon stood and applauded as Hermione was motioned over to the table. Uma then turned to Draco. "Sortius!" she cried again. Draco looked up and saw a dragon as well. Uma smiled as he got up and grudgingly walked over to the table.
"Welcome, Draco and Hermione, to your new house, the Flames of Old!"