Slither

Disclaimer: I disclaim!

A/N: THANKS to Sam for correcting me! I feel like a doofus. ;-)

Chapter 3: Bats in the Full Moon

Bloody Granger! First she had the nerve to poke him with a pin, and in an effort to aid her with her obvious incompetence, he was forced to touch her hand! And now, said hand would not let go of his! This was simply unsupportable. What would his father say, for Merlin's sake!?

But it was in that moment that Draco realized his father's opinion should have never mattered. In an act of rebellion, Draco kept a steadfast hold on Hermione's slender hand. When he intertwined his fingers with hers, he was rewarded with an image of his father rolling over in his grave.

Bloody hell, Malfoy! Hermione started to feel a blush creep into her cheeks when she felt Draco's fingers weave through hers. She was infinitely grateful to McGonagall when she asked the Heads to help herd the students into their prospective dorms. Hermione eagerly tried to free her hand, but before she was able to leave, Draco pulled her towards him and said, "Don't forget the meeting with the headmistress. Don't be late." Hermione scoffed, as if she would ever be late.

Ron and Harry rushed towards her when she came into their sight.

"What was that all about?" asked Harry outright.

"Yeah," said Ron, "Why was Malfoy holding your hand?" His fists were curled down at his side.

Hermione flashed a smile at her two overprotective friends and assured them.

"It was nothing, I swear. Malfoy was probably just trying to irk me," answered Hermione even though she was unsure herself.

The boys were helpless to her smile, so their questions were shelved for another time.

Hermione kept an eye out for any mischievous first-years that might have tried to sneak out on their first night as she walked with Ron and Harry to the dormitory. After seeing everything settled, she went to bid the boys goodnight. She found them standing in front of the fireplace waiting for her.

"It's a pity I won't be able to stay here with the Gryffindors. The Head Girl and Boy have their own dorms."

"Be sure you don't forget us lesser folk, 'Mione," said Ron.

"Yeah, and be careful out there!" added Harry.

Hermione chuckled, "Be careful of what? Is the big bad werewolf out there waiting to pounce on me?" Harry looked at her sternly, "Hey, not all werewolves are bad, you know. Remus was honorable until his very last breath."

Hermione gave him a serious look and walked up to him very slowly. Harry closed his eyes and almost turned blue from unknowingly holding his breath. Suddenly, he felt teeth marks on his arm!

"OOOOOOOOW! HERMIONE!!" She laughed as she ran through the portrait hole of the Fat Lady.

Harry turned to his right and found Ron doubled over with laughter.

"Bloody hell, mate! She BIT you! That's a feisty one!" Ron managed to say through his laughter.

Professor McGonagall waited patiently for the two Heads to arrive. Without a doubt, Draco and Hermione were rightfully chosen for their position, but it would be difficult for them to interact. Draco openly antagonized Hermione, and she retaliated with words just as harsh. Minerva hoped that they were mature enough to overlook their warring history. These two had responsibilities that required them to work together closely. Only together could they achieve a harmony that would encourage interhouse unity. A Slytherin and Gryffindor, they were born rivals, and yet if these two could set the example of cooperation, then a balance would be established. If only.

Hermione arrived breathing hard from having run all the way from the Gryffindor tower. There was a bit of pink coloring about her face, and it suited her well.

"No need to run, Miss Granger. You're not late." Minerva smiled at her favorite student.

"Oh, well it wasn't that I thought to be late," said Hermione and added, "But I am eager to be here! I want to thank you for giving me such an honor!"

Draco walked in just in time to hear Hermione's last statement.

He lazily drawled, "There's no need for anymore sucking up, Granger. Headmistress McGonagall has already given you the position."

Minerva frowned at Draco and gestured for them to sit down.

"It is imperative that you two work together."

Hermione nodded enthusiastically, and Minerva continued, "It cannot be that Miss Granger does a part of it and you, Mr. Malfoy do the rest, only to collaborate in the end." Draco raised his eyebrow. "You two must work together every step of the way on every assignment that you are given." With a wicked grin, McGonagall said, "In fact, because I know you two have a history of conflicts, I have added additional measures to assure that you two are almost inseparable." At this, the two Heads glanced at each other fleetingly.

Draco almost stammered, "Excuse me, but what," he cleared his throat, "What kind of measures?"

Minerva was laughing on the inside at their reaction, but her face stayed grave when she said, "Well, this year, the Heads will have a new dormitory together."

Hermione had stayed quiet long enough, "WHAT?!" Draco's hands grabbed the chair's arm rests and were now doing ample damage to them with his nails.

"Well, you two will have separate bedrooms, of course, but they will be connected by a bathroom." When Draco gave her a roguish smirk, McGonagall said, "I am sure that the two of you are mature enough to handle that. Oh, and you will also share a common room together."

The Head Girl had started to count one through five methodically in order to calm herself down.

"It really isn't that bad!" assured the headmistress. But the two students were having a hard time in believing her.

They followed McGonagall down the halls until they came upon a portrait of what seemed to be a full moon. Bats were flying into it and there was a faint dog-like creature in the background. And then suddenly, the bats turned into a rather pale but austere gentleman and the creature from the background stalked closer. It was a werewolf. The full moon dissipated, and the man billowed out his cloak to hide her transformation. When she revealed herself once more, she was a handsome woman with piercing eyes.

The man spoke, "Passvord, please." His accent was so eloquent that Hermione thought it sounded Romanian.

Headmistress answered, "Viscus et cruor."

Draco echoed, "Flesh and blood." Hermione looked at him curiously before turning to see the werewolf run and howl at the rising full moon. The man winked at Draco before flying off and separating into dozens of bats. The full moon began to engulf the entire portrait. A few short seconds later, an open area appeared that led into the Heads' common room.

Hermione looked inside and back at McGonagall with her apparent excitement.

"Well, I think that I can leave you now to rest. You still have classes bright and early in the morning! Your assignments will appear on the study desk in the common room. Goodnight, Miss Granger," then she turned to Malfoy, "Goodnight, Mr. Malfoy, and let me once again congratulate the both of you!"

With a small gesture, Draco ushered Hermione in first. The portrait hole sealed up as they both stepped through. Hermione abruptly stopped walking when she saw the far wall, and Draco bumped into her. "What in the world are you stopping for?" asked Draco impatiently. She pointed straight forward. He followed her finger to find a bookcase filled with volumes upon volumes of books! Hermione ran towards them with her arms outstretched, and Draco rolled his eyes at her childish display.

While Hermione ogled at her beloved books, Draco took a turn about the room. He felt like he was being bombarded by a mirage of colors. The room was breathtaking even by his high standards. Every house's color was represented in this room. There was a large French window overlooking the main courtyard. It was framed by gold curtains and oddly enough complimented by silver hangings. There were two couches that faced each other, one green and the other scarlet. Blue pillows were daintily placed upon the green couch while there were yellow ones for the scarlet couch. A large study table stood in between them with an antique vase holding blue and yellow roses. A fire was blazing in the hearth. Atop the fireplace, were four shields that bore the crest of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

Draco took a seat on the green couch and relaxed in the splendor of his own common room. He closed his eyes and sighed.

But Draco was brought back to reality when Hermione plopped unceremoniously on the couch opposite him. She squealed in delight.

"What privacy! I will get so much studying done! What an absolute beauty this room is!"

Draco opened his eyes and sneered, "I suppose you've never been exposed to such beauty before, Granger. After all, it is your own reflection that you see in the mirror every morning."

Hermione had almost forgotten that she would have to share her beloved common room with an unpretentious prat.

"Bugger off, Malfoy. Do us both a favor and lock yourself in your room."

"Sure thing, if you care to join me?" Draco winked at her before he stood up to walk to his quarters. A yellow pillow flew across the room only to narrowly miss Draco's head. Draco's mouth was open when he looked at Hermione. This time she launched a pillow that hit him square on the chin. With eyes squinted, Draco accused, "Why, you little.."

In his frustration, Draco levitated the blue pillows and started an assault on Hermione. Her laughter was muffled when a pillow landed on her face. She quickly hid behind her couch with enough pillow ammunition to return an attack. Cautiously, she peered over the couch to sight her opponent. Then suddenly Draco jumped on top of the scarlet couch with a pillow in his hands and smacked Hermione over the head. Hermione would not surrender, and feathers went flying in her attempt to retaliate.

It was a short lived battle, but Hermione proved to be the victor when Draco pulled himself from off the floor coughing feathers out of his mouth and sporting them in his hair. Also on the floor, Hermione giggled uncontrollably.

Draco's current appearance did not match the expression on his face.

"I demand a rematch. That was unfair. You used magic!!" This only provoked Hermione to laugh even harder.

Defeated, Draco walked away to his room with Hermione's laughter taunting him in the background. He turned to take a final glance and was taken aback by the sight of her on the floor. Her hair was an unruly mess, her cheeks had a rosy hue, and her eyes were sweetly darkened by her laughter. By Merlin, he had never beheld a more beautiful sight.

Hermione cocked her head to the side when she saw him, and then reached over to pick up his wand beside her.

"Draco, don't forget your wand."

Without thought, Draco quickly said, "Accio wand." It flew out of Hermione's hands and into Draco's outstretched one. With every second that passed under her gaze, he felt a tightening within his chest. Before another moment could pass, he shut the door to his room and locked himself inside.

Hermione stared after him. Her eyes had grown wide again, but this time in utter surprise.

She whispered, "Draco, you used wandless magic."

A/N: Hooray, another chapter finished! I hope this was okay. I know that it might be moving a bit slow, but after all this "introductory" stuff has been written, we can move on to juicier things! Please review and tell me if you're satisfied with the chapter!

I'm still looking for a BETA-reader! D