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Route Roll

After their first set of classes all Prefects were to meet by the library. They would, together, decide on times and routs. Hermione, having already made up a preliminary schedule, felt pretty certain this meeting wouldn't take too much of their time. The idea was that they would walk the different routs in the pairs of two they've been assigned to. Scolding the fact that she was already forced to pair with Malfoy, she still saw it as an opportunity to work on her own prejudices. How many times hadn't she judged pure-bloods before they even got a chance to prove themselves? After all, she pitted them. They were just raised that way. Now, after the war and everything, she felt it was time they too started working on themselves.

Hermione was walking by one of the school's ruined parts and stopped to look at it. All though time had passed and people had been given some time to grieve, it hadn't been long enough. Many people from her grade hadn't returned, simply for that very reason. She didn't blame them. It was hard. Every second was a reminder of all the different phases of the war. The conspiring, the hiding, the fighting, and the aftermath. The part that hurt the most was the memories. The post traumatic stress symptoms were very obvious on quite a few of the students. Nevertheless, they all probably suffered from it to some extent. It would be strange if they didn't.

As she was standing there, watching the giant pile of rocks and the wall it had come from, a low mourning sound pierced her ears. It wasn't loud, not at all, but the sound sounded familiar, but off somehow. Looking around her she found no one was around. The high pitched sound continued in the distance. Was she going crazy? Soon it faded out, however Hermione stayed a while, in case it would come back. Shivering a bit she decided it was probably wise to continue towards the library. She din't want to be late, after all.

A few moments earlier Draco Malfoy had seen the mudblood… no there was no reason to call her that. Surely her blood wasn't pure, like his, but there was no reason for name calling. Unless the moment asked for it, of course. He didn't really know when he had started to feel he had outgrown this… habit. It was probably in response to his father's imprisonment, he thought.

He had never been on good terms with his father. Constantly being pushed down, and neglected by him didn't have the desired effect. At first he had done everything to earn his father's respect and love. He had seen and done things he definitely wasn't proud of. Seeing that his father didn't even respect himself, however, left him questioning if he could ever respect someone else. This insight didn't enlighten him until he was old enough to reach this conclusion himself. After that he was already so far into it he had no chance to get out untouched. Therefore he had done the things he had had to do in order to save his own skin. Some would call it cowardly, but when not only your own life on in the line, one easily compile. Seeing as his family's tasks for the Dark Lord had grown more serious for each desperate intent to kill Potter off. His family were all at blame for one other's mistakes. At least according to the Dark Lord. Whenever one would fail, the rest would suffer as well. It was a delight, if you will, to know his father would be punished for Draco's own "wrong" doings. However, it was much worse, a sort of stab in the chest, knowing his mother would be punished as well. This is why he subjected to whatever orders he was given.

Not actually wanting to carry the orders through he didn't give each task his heart and soul. This often resulted in a lot of failed missions. A lot of punishments. A lot of suffering. No one could say he didn't try though, assuring their lives from being killed on the spot.

It was many times he had questioned why it had to be him. Why not Crab? Or Goyle? Being smart had it's costs, even on the Dark Side. He sighed only at the thought of it. His lame attempt at cheering himself up brought him to try harder. Being sexy had it's down sides too, he thought. Not that he could think of any. This brought a lame smirk to the corner of his lips.

When he had seen Granger (making a remark to himself this was simply out of spite and uproar against his father) he had thought it was as good time as any to spy on her. Creeping around spying on the Golden Trio was something he had practiced doing for several years now. He followed her out into the corridor, making sure to keep his distance. He watched her trail off in thought where he stood watching one of the fallen walls. She seemed quite eery and started looking around. Her scared face brought his eyebrows to furrow. What had scared her? Did she notice him? He surely doubted that. That's when he heard it. A very low, high pitched sound. Almost like a tee kettle piping when it's finished. Shrieking almost. His thought's went through all the possible sources for the sound. Just as surprising the sound had been to hear, it stopped. He contemplated rising his voice and ask what the hell the sound was. Something stopped him though. Instead he watched the witch shiver and walk off. That was his que to follow.

She constantly watched over her shoulder when they walked towards their meeting spot. He wasn't sure if this was a common occurrence or because she could sense him following her. Neither was especially good. She would probably hex him half way across England if he was caught. He huffed in annoyance at the thought. They were soon near the Library and Draco decided it best to take a last minute side way, to not rise suspicion.

She was not the first one to arrive outside the doors of the Library. A group of Prefects had already gathered and were making awkward small talk when she walked up to them. However once she reached them they became quiet. "Please, do continue" she said, dismissing them, allowing them to continue speaking. "You have still got another few minutes before we will start" she finished. She reminded herself of a teacher. Sometimes she felt like one too. At first it had annoyed her, but later she came to the conclusion that maybe it wasn't so bad after all. That others thought it to be annoying might just be a perk. After all, she was just being herself.

The students slowly went back to their small chitter chatter. Words about the routs being unnecessary, left Hermione sighing shifting her attention to the Slytherin that just walked to join them. His face was full of annoyance already, and she could swear she could see a dark cloud of thoughts hovering above his head.

Once he had reached Hermione he nodded courtly then turned to face the students. He sucked in his cheeks in disapprovingly, turned to Hermione and made a face for her to start.

"Someone's in a foul mood" she mumbled, but did as instructed. "Can you all listen up for one second, please." At that most of the students that were there turned to face her. Their faces intent and waiting for further words.

"I would like us all to go the the school yard and start deciding different routs there." She started walking further towards the Library and stopped. "However, I would like you all to take a good look at the library, this is where you will be able to find me, and Malfoy, in case you want something urgent." At this he looked down at her with a raised eyebrow questioningly. She looked back up at him and explained to all of them "You will be able to call us through your Prefect buttons, that should be in place, or placed on your robes as I speak." Several students fumbled in their pockets to quickly gather the pin. "You give it a squeeze and whisper 'Head' and our badges will go warm." This made Malfoy snicker. She snorted at him and continued. "It is only a one way stream, so we cannot contact you through our badges, therefor I ask you to always do as told. I am going out on a limb here, trusting you." A serious look crossed her face when she scanned her group. "After having gathered us we will meet here" she pointed down at the ground "after half an hour. If it is something that is much more important do not hesitate to bring your issue to either the Head Mistress, or any other teacher at the school." When she finished a hand rose. "Yes, Mcmillan?"

He took a step forward. The yellow on his robe shone in the dimmed lighting outside the Library. "I was just wondering, if it will be possible to gather just one of you? Maybe by saying Head Girl instead of just… Head…"

Malfoy's eyebrows rose. Was this Mcmillan guy really just saying he didn't want to gather him, and only Granger? "No that is not possible." He sneered at the Hufflepuff, and Mcmillan quickly stepped back to his original place behind Parvati Patil.

Hermione just looked at Malfoy. He really was in a bad mood today. "No" she said slowly, turning her attention back to his question. "As Malfoy was saying, it is not possible to gather just one of us. If you want one of us something, then you can seek us out personally. We are Head Boy and Girl and there is no favoring from our parts, and shouldn't be on yours either." How Malfoy had known that it didn't work to gather only one of the two, she had no idea.

What was that all about, Draco asked himself? Why did he react that way? He hadn't known the answer to the question, just saw it fit to answer the way he did. He didn't care if the Hufflepuffer didn't want to summon him, hell, he'd never want him to summon him! Then what was it, if it wasn't jealousy?

More frustrated than what he was before he came to the gathering, he started walking towards the school yard.

Hermione looked at him quickly when she noticed that he was walking away. "Lets go!" She motioned for them all to follow and quickly power walked up behind him. Walking in a rather fast pace they all stayed quiet as the walk the way out the rather open area. When they reached the middle seating arrangements Malfoy sat down neatly, still with a scrunched up face. A face Hermione had seen far too often through out the years. The sight made her roll her eyes.

"So" She tried to collect herself. "I have made a map of the different routs you are to take" she took a bunch of parchments out of her bag. "On each map there is a time stated as well, which is when your round starts. But firstly I would like for you all to pair up" The students all looked at each other, awkwardly. Being from different houses, and not really direct friends with any other the other they put on some fake smiles they hoped looked inviting. "Should I ppuish yIf you all feel it is easier if I pair you up, I have already taken the liberty to make a list of possible pairs." She scuffed around among her papers till she found the list. "Didn't think I would need it" she mumbled ad scanned it over.

"Do you want me to read the pairs?" Some nodded and some stood quietly watching. She started listing the many names of the 24 Prefects. Some whined and grunted when they heard their partner. When the Slytherins got paired up with non-Slytherins they outright yelled. This, of course, left Hermione to glare up at them from her paper. Gryffindors weren't much better, however, and it made her snap "Oh, for crying out loud! How old are you, because the way you all are acting I would guess nothing higher than six!" She gave them all a scolding look.

Draco was watching all this happen, thinking Granger was handling it rather well. He had been ready to stand up and scold them when they started grunting and complaining, but even that she managed to handle.

At the point where she was yelling at them he smiled in pure amusement. Maybe it was time to reach out a helping hand. "Hey! Enough." He said when he stood up. Everyone fell silent. "Give me those." He took the parchments out of her hand. "Go to your partners." He said in an annoyed but sturdy voice. He started to hand out a parchment roll to each pair, every parchment with its own rout on it. "There," he said and gave the last one to one of the students. "Now open your rolls and go over the rout together. If there's any questions take the opportunity to try out your pin summonings, or whatever to call them." He spoke in a very matter of fact fashion, while everyone listened.

Surely the students were slightly scared, but Hermione was still impressed at how he managed to get all their attention so quickly without any direct complaints or complications. She nodded at him in acceptance when he turned to her.

"Are we done here?" He asked in a sly voice.

She was a little taken aback by the anger in his voice. Surely she could understand if he was annoyed and what not, but still. "We still have to go over ours." She stated.

"Let's get going then" he said and slanted away.

Hermione took quick steps to follow him. She looked over her shoulder to find most of the students looking at their maps still, still trying to figure out where they were to walk. She suddenly remembered something important and stopped to tell them. She shouted "The next meeting will be here, tomorrow. Same time!" She quickly turned to run after Malfoy who still was several paces ahead. "Why are you running?" She asked, flustered.

He hadn't realized he had been walking so fast, until he looked down to find her jogging next to him. He sighed and slowed down slightly. Every now and then Granger had to make a running step, in order to keep up. They stayed quiet throughout the walk, until Granger made a noise as if she was clearing her throat. Malfoy who had calmed down significantly looked at her. "What now?"

"Not to be rude or anything" she started carefully. "but we are walking the wrong way."

Draco's brows shot together. He hadn't realized he didn't know which one was their route. Not knowing what to do in this situation he refused to even look at Granger.

"Common" She said and started walking where they cam from. She stopped to turn and look at him. He hadn't moved an inch. "Really? What's the problem Malfoy? Too much deja vu for you?" She shot him a questioning look, her eyebrows risen.

He grunted and mumbled something she could only presume was something along the lines of "Stupid mudblood". But along he came!

She held out a parchment roll once he reached her. "This is our route and time" Hermione said and pointed at the roll.

He could feel his anger rising within him again. "I can see what it is." He hissed at her and snapped the paper away from her. "I'm not blind you know!"

"Did I say you were?" She snapped back at him. "Just because you are incredibly insecure and worried you are not enough, it does not mean that everything I say is an insult!"

"And what, in the name of Salazar, makes you think I am insecure?" He was nearly shouting at her, making all the portraits turn towards them and whisper.

"Well, am I wrong?"

"Of course you are wrong!" He shouted at her, moving dangerously close to her as he was. "I am incredibly attractive, I could even get a mudblood like you if I wanted!"

Hermione was trying to back away from the angry man, but hit the wall. She was cornered, there was no escaping the wrath.

Draco put up his hands against the wall on each side of her face. "I bet even you secretly have the hots for me. Bet those little panties of yours are as wet as the lake by now."

He leaned closer, leveling their heads. Their eyes locking. "Not that I would ever want to come near them"

"Not that you ever could" Hermione whispered, determined to speak up, even if she felt intimidated to her very core.

Draco broke out into a laugh. Not the joyful kind, but rather the cold hearted one which sent chills down Granger's spine. Good, he thought, she should be scared. That was the whole reason he snapped. Or was it? No one was to see him as weak. Because he wasn't. Far from it, and if it took everything to prove it, he would do it.

"I knew it was too good to be true." She continued.

He stopped laughing and dropped his hands, curiosity getting the best of him. "Than what to be true?" He looked as if he didn't care what the answer would be. One eyebrow higher than the other.

"You."

Those words had him confused. And hurt, for some strange reason. "What about me" he sighed.

"That you could somehow be… nice!" Now it was Granger's turn to take a step forward. She closed the slim distance between them. She was so close he could feel her breath on his neck. Both breaths were faster than usual.

She was whispering as she stared up at him, fuming. "Turns out you are not even tolerable."

Draco grunted and looked away from her piercing eyes.

"I will see McGonagall tomorrow. Maybe there is someway I can move back into the Gryffindor tower." She tapped the roll in his hands. "Look at it carefully. Unfortunately, we still have rounds and clean up together." She turned on her heel and started walking.

Suddenly she stopped. "And please" She started, still angry. "Don't come into our room for another hour. I do not wish to see you again before I actually have to" She turned to leave again.

"And what makes you think I would want to!" He shouted after her.

A pathetic attempt at getting back at her. She had won this one.

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Hey! I hope you liked this chapter! Hopefully I stayed in character as well. I have gotten a couple of lovely reviews and they really pushed me to keep writing this one out, rather fast! I don't want to make this note too long, but I really appreciate all of you, and especially you who follow and review! It makes me so happy! There is no words to describe it!

Until the next one!

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