-CHAPTER 4-
Clearly, everything was going great between the Heads.
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What on earth is going on out there? It's one o'clock for Merlin's sake!
Hermione flinched as another loud crash rang through the Head's Dormitory. Dragging herself out from under the warm covers she tiptoed across to her door before ripping it open and marching into the common room. Before she could get two words of her "You should know better" speech (which she'd often rehearsed for Harry and Ron) another crash sounded. Mouth agape, the head girl watched the scene unfolding before her.
Her fellow Head, Draco Malfoy, was literally throwing furniture around the common room. The two armchairs both lay on their sides flanking the now over-turned couch and three of the four stools from the kitchenette lay up against the wide bathroom door. Not having seen Hermione, Draco continued his tirade before a small cough brought him to a halt.
He'd heard that cough numerous times that week and he knew exactly what words would follow and from who's mouth they would flow. He knew she'd be angry... but even so, Draco slowly turned around.
"What are you doing Malfoy?"
He blinked. Her voice was much calmer than he'd expected.
"Draco, please, what's the matter?"
She sounds more weary and concerned than angry... or maybe she's passive aggressive? Draco thought. Either way, she wasn't going to be very forgiving when he told her the reason.
"Look, Granger. It's nothing okay- just something that happened at Quidditch try-outs earlier..."
He couldn't help trailing off. He knew what was coming next.
"Quidditch? Is that all you boys ever think about? Honestly Draco."
"What would you know anyway, Granger? You hate Quidditch so it doesn't mean anything to you! You're not the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. You don't have to try and keep everyone happy because 'Daddy payed for part of the new stands' or 'Mummy works at the Ministry' or better yet 'My parents could easily turn your dad over to the Aurors' even though a) I don't care, b) I don't care and c) he's in Azkaban already! You don't understand, Granger. And it's not just Quidditch you don't get –there's house loyalty, friendship, respect -the list goes on. So just leave me alone!"
Draco gave the lounge a final kick before storming into his room, the door slamming shut in his wake.
It had been like this all week. One minute, everything was fine and the next, Draco and Hermione were at each other's throats.
Monday and Tuesday had been fine but the air grew ever tense as each following day passed. On Wednesday it was the Prefect Meeting which had set them off. Everything was going fine until they began discussing point deductions.
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"Okay, just so everyone is clear; you can deduct as many points from your own house as you wish but you can only deduct a maximum of one hundred points from any other house in one go. You are not required to deduct points and may choose not to in many circumstances. If you are unable to come to a decision as to how many points should be deducted I'm sure the nearest teacher will be happy to help."
"Actually, Malfoy, I'd like to propose a change in the point deduction regulations... If that's okay?"
Draco frowned, "A change? Granger, the rules have been the same for nearly fifty years. We're not going to change it now."
"Hear her out Malfoy. I'd like to hear your proposition Hermione."
"Thank you Ginny-"
"Granger-"
"As I was saying- the changes I wish to make should hopefully make the prefect point deduction system fairer for every house. Although our current system ensures houses can't have a ridiculous amount of points removed on a whim, it doesn't guarantee that a prefect will only deduct points proportionate to the 'offence' or that they will deduct points from their own house at all. In the past we've had issues with 'house hate' prompting massive point deductions at the drop of the hat. Professor McGonagall made it clear to Malfoy and I that, after what happened last year, we need to unite the houses. If there was ever a place to start this would be it."
"Granger."
Malfoy's voice was strained, a strong tone of annoyance leaking through. The other prefects watched nervously as the Head Boy and Girl turned on each other.
"You never discussed this with me."
"I didn't think I had to. We hold Prefect meetings to discuss new ideas, so I thought it would be better to introduce my idea to everyone at the same time."
"Surely the Heads should be aware of any 'ideas' either wish to introduce."
Hermione sniffed in response and turned away from the scowling Draco to address the rest of the dumbfounded prefects assembled before them.
"My idea is to put a one-hundred point cap on all deductions. That's the maximum you can deduct from any student at a time, regardless of house. I would also like to put some rules in place stipulating the required amount of points deducted for certain 'offences'. Are there any questions?"
Draco raised his hand, a blatant expression sweeping across his features- Hermione's dismissive wave was enough for him to know they weren't going to talk further. The head girl's smug smile was hardly hidden when she continued.
"Okay then. All those in favour?"
There was no stopping it then. Apart from Pansy and Astoria, the vote was unanimous. Malfoy's anger was beginning to kindle.
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Thursday, of course, hadn't proven much better. Draco smirked as Flitwick's dumbfounded expression (as he and Granger stormed out of the classroom bickering) was recreated in his mind.
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"You're doing it wrong, Malfoy."
"What?"
"You're doing it wrong."
"I heard what you said, Mudblood. I mean, what is it that I'm doing wrong? Because as far as I can see, I'm doing quite a brilliant text-book demonstration."
"Well, as far as I can hear, you're pronouncing it entirely wrong and if you're not creating able to produce one after these last thirty minutes of attempts then your thoughts clearly aren't happy enough."
"Excuse me?"
Whilst Flitwick was still oblivious to their spat, at least half the class had turned around to observe the pair.
"It's all in the pronunciation. Spells like Rictusempra or Depulso are about the actions but if you want to create a truly effective Patronus-"
"Which we shouldn't even be doing because this is Charms class not Defence Against The Dark Arts."
"That being the case-"
"Patronus Charms weren't even in the curriculum until this year!"
"You know exactly why they were added! And as far as this being Charms class, you also know that Professor Lupin is sick today so we're having Double Charms and Flitwick is covering Lupin's lesson plan!"
By now, the whole class was watching as the two argued. A small circle had formed around the pair as they stood face to face, their wands raised. Flitwick had finally noticed the disturbance but was completely helpless against the two formidable students.
"You know what, Granger; I've had enough of you. I think I'll go to the library and do something productive. Your little lecture isn't going to get me anywhere so I'd prefer not to listen to it."
Affronted by his dismissal, Hermione ran after Draco as he stalked from the classroom, shouting at him about respecting Flitwick and the consequences of blowing off classes.
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Then there was Friday. Draco fumed just thinking about Harry and Ron's presence in the Common Room. Why Hermione had allowed them entrance to the dormitory he had no idea, but he certainly hadn't been happy.
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"No! Ha, ha, ah- stop! Ron! Ah, ha, ha- don't! Don't!"
Draco started at the laughter. That was clearly Hermione's voice but why had she called Weasley's name? He slowly rose from his desk and crept to his bedroom door pressing his ear gently against the cool wood.
"Come on Hermione, we hardly ever see you anymore, cut him some slack- ah! What was that for?"
Potter! Draco had to restrain himself from yelling the name aloud in horror. He pulled away from the door and began pacing silently across the rug.
"Harry, can you pass me that ink well?"
"This one? What for?"
"If you want me to correct your Polyjuice essay for Snape I'm going to need a lot of ink. Plus, I still have to write the conclusion of Ron's Defence Against The Dark Arts scroll."
Draco's pacing suddenly drew to a halt, a smile creeping across his face as he pulled his wand from his back pocket.
"Wait, you haven't done that yet?"
"No, Ron, I haven't. I actually have my own school work that seems to take priority most of the time."
"But-"
"Ron, it's the fourth day of classes and you're already behind!"
"Best to leave this one alone, mate."
"You can't talk Harry. We've had three Potions lessons and Snape has already found an excuse to give you a ridiculously long essay to complete. Honestly, when are the two of you going to grow up and become responsible for yourselves? If you expect to become Aurors with this kind of attitude you're in for a massive shock. You'll hardly scrape through your N.E.W.T.s at this rate!"
Draco placed a quick Disillusionment Charm on himself before swinging his bedroom door open. It was time to have some fun.
Hermione froze as Draco's door flew open. Harry and Ron had taken to a pillow fight and were completely oblivious until Draco's door slammed shut with a bang.
"What was that?"
"I- Um- I don't know, Harry... I thought Draco was studying in the library... I saw him there before I met you guys at Hagrid's..."
"Hermione?"
"Don't worry about it Ron, I'm sure it's nothing. I'll just check the door, okay."
Standing shakily and crossing to Draco's door, Hermione shot an anxious look at Harry. She rattled the knob and pushed lightly on the dark wood but the door held firm- just as she'd expected.
"Probably just something he set up to scare you, Mione. Don't worry about it."
"It's just- fine. I'm sure you're right Ron."
"Depulso."
Draco's soundless whisper wasn't heard but Hermione was suddenly thrown backwards into the stone wall beside his bedroom door.
"Hermione!"
The cry was simultaneous as the two Gryffindors rushed to their friend who was slumped up against the wall, a lump forming on the back of her head. They pulled her to her feet and half carried, half dragged her back to the lounge.
"Ron, I'll grab some ice. You get her eyes open. Don't let her fall asleep, whatever you do!"
"What's having her eyes open going to do?"
Harry pulled a small icetray from the refrigerator and wrapped it in a small towel from the counter.
"Well, after that –whatever that was- she'll probably have a concussion."
"A con-what-un?"
"A concussion. It's when... oh never mind. You wouldn't understand okay. But falling asleep is a bad thing."
Hermione blinked once or twice before sitting up abruptly.
"Ah! Oh god," she moaned as she sank back down onto the sofa clutching her head, "What happened?"
Ron turned to Harry for an explanation.
"Well, you tried opening Draco's door because it opened and shut before and gave you a bit of a shock but it stayed shut. You were coming to sit back down to finish checking my essay then write Ron's conclusion when you just... flew backwards. I don't know how to explain it. You were fine one second and then the next you were slumped up against the wall."
"Slow down. I just... flew backwards? Harry, that's absolutely ridiculous."
"I'm just telling you what I saw."
"I think you missed something mate."
"Ron?"
"You didn't just 'fly backwards', Hermione. Don't get me wrong, I may have imagined it, but it looked almost like you were thrown backwards. After being in the D.A. and going through that battle last year, I'm sure I can recognise the signs of a simple Depulso when I see them."
"Someone threw me into the wall with a charm?"
"Don't look at me!"
"I wasn't, Harry. I don't think either of you did it. In fact, I know exactly who it was. Pass me my wand please, Ron."
Draco's eyes widened as he realised what she was going to do.
"You can come out now, Malfoy. Finite Incantatem!"
A cool tingle passed over Draco as the charm lifted. He raised his eyes to the trio's before attempting to leave but Harry and Ron's vicious stares froze him to the floor. Ron's nose crinkled as he spat his greeting at him.
"Ferret."
"Weasel. Scarhead. It's been a while."
"Cut the crap, Malfoy. Have you been here this whole time?"
"Evidently, yes."
"Godammit, Malfoy! You could have seriously hurt Hermione –you did seriously hurt her!"
"What in Merlin's saggy underpants were you thinking, you foul little-"
"Harry! Ron!"
Hermione's voice was weak but it was clear she'd had enough.
"Just go, okay? This isn't going to get you anywhere. Padma is in the library. She can help with your essays- just tell her I sent you."
"But, Hermione-"
"Don't worry about me, Ron. I'll be fine, okay? I'll see you both tomorrow okay?"
"Its Saturday tomorrow, Hermione. Ron and I have to hold... Quidditch Try-Outs."
"Oh. Well then... I'll, uh, see you later I guess..."
Harry and Ron gathered their essays together and stalked out of the room –but not before shooting equally loathing glares at Draco. As the portrait swung shut behind them Hermione shakily rose and crossed to Draco, leaning on the wall for support as she tottered unsteadily.
"I can't believe you. They're supposed to be my best friends and I've hardly spent any time with them this week all because of this Head Girl business. All I wanted was one evening with my friends and you had to go and ruin it."
"McGonagall specifically told us not to let anyone in here!"
"I assumed she meant anyone we didn't trust!"
"That's just it, Granger. I don't trust them at all. Maybe you do but not me. If you want to let anyone in here that we trust, they'll have to be someone we both trust."
"I didn't let them hear the password, if that's what you're worried about! I'm not that careless. I cast Muffliato on myself beforehand. Besides, neither of them would remember it properly even if they had heard it. Honestly, Malfoy, quit acting like you own the place."
"Me? Can you hear to yourself, Granger? I'm going out-"
"It's past curfew! And, stop yelling, I have a massive headache, thanks to you."
"I'm Head Boy, aren't I? If anyone asks, I'm on an extra patrol."
With that, he stormed from the room, the portrait slamming shut in his wake.
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Clearly, everything was going great between the Heads.
A/N:
-Oh dear, its been a while hasn't it? With completing assessment and uber-busy and going away on holidays I guess this took WAY WAY WAY longer than I expected. I AM SO SORRY! I'll make sure I get the next chapter up SUPER quick (and I mean it).
-I'm hoping that I can make it up to you with this chapter. It's basically their first week of Hogwarts re-capped in a matter of arguements (something we all know Draco and Hermione do best). I consider it to be fairly long too so, that took a while :)
ENJOY!
~morsmordre-mascara