Never the Twain Shall Meet

Prefects Meeting

Hosted in the heads common room, the prefects filed in by house pairs, Hermione and Draco greeted them with a smile and an offer of tea.

Hermione watched in amused silence as many of the students preened in front of the other, even Draco was shifting nervously when Blaise and Astoria Greengrass walked in representing Slytherin.

He had been carrying a torch for the younger sister of his house mate for two years; Hermione wondered when he would make his move.

Once they were all seated Hermione took roll, "Slytherin: Blaise Zabini and Astoria Greengrass." She read nodding and smiling at the two.

She didn't know Astoria that well, but liked Daphne. She had gotten to know them through Draco during her time spent at Malfoy Manor with Harry last year.

"Gryffindor: Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom." She called and looked up to see Ginny glaring at her and Neville flattening his hair staring at Hannah Abbot.

She snorted at Nevilles attempts and went back to her list, "Ravenclaw: Luna Lovegood and Terry Boot." They nodded at her as she called their names, but then they quickly shifted focus – Terry returned to ogling a glaring Ginny Weasley and Luna resumed looking at the ceiling wearing her cat eye 3D glasses searching for Merlin knew what. Hermione tilted her head for a moment in an effort to see what Luna saw, but then gave up and continued, "Hufflepuff: Hannah Abbot and Ernie MacMillan."

Ernie was practically drooling over Luna and Hannah was returning Neville's google-y eyes.

Draco was making an honest effort not to stare at Astoria; in fact he was so good at it, he didn't even acknowledge her presence except through furtive glances of which only Blaise and Hermione were aware.

Astoria looked mildly upset that he hadn't noticed her, twice now she had made a small show of sighing dramatically to get his attention, to no avail… or so she thought.

After the last sigh Hermione met Blaise's eyes and in a moment they had a meeting of the minds – they needed to enlist in the get-Draco-and-Astoria-alone-business …and fast.

Since Draco didn't look like he was going to say anything, she gently took the agenda from his fingers and started from the top, "Patrols – Draco and I will create a schedule for hall patrols, please check it every day. If you want a particular night off, give us a weeks' notice. If something comes up the night of and you can't patrol, it is your responsibility to find a replacement.

House Unity – we are all about the inter-house cooperation this year, so take the time to make an extra effort and lead by example… not that that's going to be a problem here…" she said the last part under her breath referring the all the primping and subtle smiles.

Blaise snorted and nodded.

"HogsMeade weekends, seventh years can go anytime they want as long as they give notice to either a professor or one of us (referring to the heads) otherwise, weekends out will be scheduled and approved."

On and on it went, lasting over an hour addressing questions and getting ideas ranging from the best way to handle the first years to mapping out a rough schedule for Hogwarts dances.

As the prefects started to filter out, Blaise hung around for a moment to chat with Draco, which made Astoria linger as well.

Hermione decided leave them to it in order to extend the olive branch to Ginny before she left.

"Gin?" she said softly touching the red heads shoulder.

Ginny whipped around, her hair flying around her shoulders, "What?" she snapped.

Hermione sighed, "I don't understand why you're so angry? You and Ron chose not to be involved, right?" she asked

This time Ginny sighed and Hermione saw some of the anger leave her, "Harry was supposed to be mine. We were supposed to be together, 'Mione. Now he … it's over, like really over." She paused to look around the room, "I was…am… was so jealous of you. We heard Professor Snape talking to Sirius about some bond you and Harry performed… Are you two…together?" she asked her voice catching.

Hermione looked at the girl who was once her only girlfriend, "No, Ginny. I wouldn't do that to you. It was a friendship bond… blood brothers (hmmm it does roll off the tongue easier)."

Ginny gave her a look, "You're a girl." She reminded flatly

Hermione snorted, "Yes, that's what I said, but the point is that we felt like family and now we are."

Ginny shook her head slowly, unable to get passed this just yet, "I'm sorry Hermione, I'm still so angry at you. I'll be civil, but I'm not sure we should be friends right now."

Hermione watched Ginny leave; slumping her shoulders and fighting the urge to eat a pint of ice cream. She sighed and began the process of mourning the loss of a friend.

She stiffened when she felt a small hand on her shoulder, "She's being stupid, you know? I mean, if Potter doesn't want her, it's not your fault… is it?" Astoria asked quietly with a hidden grin.

Hermione gave her a half smile, "No, of course not."

Astoria nodded and continued to pat her shoulder comfortingly, "Then don't worry about her. You have friends, Hermione; my sister, Pansy, all these … boys and me too, if you're interested."

Hermione smiled, "thank you, that's really nice." She said leaning in for a hug, which Astoria returned happily.

"You know, I just realized that I'm taller than you!" Astoria said excitedly.

Her giggle drew the attention of Blaise and Draco, "What's so funny?" Blaise asked as the two walked over.

"I'm finally taller than someone else! Hermione is shorter than I am!" she replied bouncing and smiling gleefully.

Blaise and Draco both chuckled at this revelation and at the joy it caused the small Slytherin witch.

"Seriously, can we not talk about height?" Hermione asked derisively.

"No, you don't understand…" Astoria started, looked her head girl in the eyes and then amended, "…or maybe you do, but this is big. I'm the smallest Slytherin; shorter even than most of the firsties!"

Hermione just looked at them all... stupid smiling Slytherins… "So much for solidarity." She said and chuckled with them.

Draco noted that both his witch… his witch – UGH and Hermione were petite, not more than 5'2", give or take an inch; both were fined boned, slender and feminine; not girly, but feminine.

Each was smart and both had tempers, though he was pretty sure that no one had a temper like Granger, but some of Daphne's stories about her little sister lead Draco to believe that it was close.

Draco was staring openly now, looking positively miserable, and Hermione ended up giving Blaise a look urging him to do something before Astoria read his expression as disgust rather than yearning.

"Hey mate, I'm off, see you tomorrow, yeah?" Blaise asked and guided Astoria by the elbow, out the door.

Once the door clicked shut Hermione turned to her dorm mate, "Why didn't you do something? Let her know you're interested, or at least acknowledge her presence."

He sighed and plopped down on the couch by the fire, "I don't know. I feel …tongue tied around her. She's so…pretty." He said.

She raised her eyebrows, "…and you're not? You're prettier than half the female population attending Hogwarts, Draco! So, why don't you tell me what's really going on."

"I don't know. I like her and I don't want to do something stupid that would make her hate me. We both know how easy it would be for me to do that." He said.

"So you'd rather not try? Sit here and wallow in self pity, then? How… easy." She said insultingly.

He glared at her for a second and then nodded, "I guess you're right." he said still not convinced.

"Of course I'm right, but you're in luck tonight, I don't feel like gloating over my constant right-ness; I'm going to take a bath then go to bed. Nighty night" she said and walked towards their shared loo.

He narrowed his eyes at her retrieving form, "Why so early Granger?"

She shrugged but didn't stop.

"I see. So wallowing in self pity is ok for you then." He said snidely.

"Just go out a get the girl Draco!" She huffed annoyed at him.

"Go out and get the girl" he snorted, "easy for you to say!"

"Let's not play dumb, Malfoy. We're all aware of your … nickname, so why be coy about wanting her? Just turn on that charm of yours and work your magic." She said.

He gave her a cocky smile, "What nickname would that be?"

She just stared at him, "Draco…" she said with no humor.

"Just let me hear you say it once." He begged and laughed a bit.

It seemed his humor was contagious and she caught herself smiling, "Slytherinsexgod" she mumbled.

"What was that?" he asked cupping his ear with his hand. She cleared her throat clearly uncomfortable, "Slytherin Sex God." She repeated.

He chuckled, "I'll never get tired of hearing that, but it's irrelevant. She's not some conquest; I like her." He said dropping his head back on the couch.

"Which makes this pity party worse!" She yelled and then took in his forlorn position and felt her heart go out to him, "Look, I just don't want to see something you really want slip through your fingers when you can do something about it and be happy. In the last 18 months you and your …compatriots have grown on me… like a fungus. A fungus I happen to care about, I want to see you happy. So, I say again, go out and get the girl!" She implored.

He nodded in agreement, glad that she was hear to encourage him and waved her to her almost forgotten bath.

She practically ran to the loo lest he start whining some more.

School started and the weather was cooling down. The weeks had been uneventful with lots of studying and many late library nights.

Draco was getting better with Astoria; he was at least acknowledging her at prefects meetings and even smiled at her during breakfast one day.

They all knew this because she'd been so thrilled that she recited the 'story' to each one of her friends, which included her sister Daphne, Pansy and Hermione.

Hermione heard it twice, once from Astoria and once from Blaise who recounted what Astoria told him just in case Astoria hadn't told her yet.

Tonight was no different from any other night, except that today she turned 18 – well, 19 if you added the time-turner exploits her third year.

She was coming back from the library and stopped in front of the portraits of her and Draco seated on thrones complete with jeweled crowns, velvet robes and scepters (his idea).

She listened to them bicker for a minute before she cleared her throat to get their… her… their attention (this portrait of them was still weird for her, but Draco thought it would be funny).

"Password Please." The 'Queen Hermione' snipped.

The portrait versions of themselves didn't recognize the actual Draco and Hermione, so the clipped request from either being is what everyone hears.

Do I really sound like that? She wondered with a grimace and then scowled as 'Queen Hermione' cleared her throat, "Password. Please." She repeated even snippier than she said it the first time.

"Iunctus Nos Sto." (United we stand) she said clearly.

The door opened and before Hermione entered completely she whispered, "Swot!" and heard 'King Draco' chuckle at 'Queen Hermione's' appalled gasp.

The common room held its usual occupants: Greg, Pansy, Daphne, Astoria, Blaise, Harry, Neville and Draco.

"Hey all." Hermione said casually.

Draco looked up, "You have some packages." He said and watched her curiously.

She knew he and everyone else, besides Harry and Neville, wanted to know what she got and why she got them, but they would never express that kind of interest in public.

She looked at the packages and sorted through them until she found the one she wanted.

She smiled and walked back over to her friends, "I have a surprise." She said sitting down in between Blaise and Harry.

She opened the box and pulled out her surprises, giving each one of them a strange gadget.

Draco smiled and then looked unsure, "umm thank you, but … what is it?" he asked not wanting to offend her.

She giggled and Harry snickered, "It's a cellular phone. It's instant communication, faster than a Patronus and less work; not as dirty as a floo and it won't poop on you like owls."

It was the last comment that made them smile, the owls were awful, they pooped all the time on everything. Nothing was safe from owl poop.

They spent the next hour and a half programming numbers and addresses and such into their phones and learning how to use them. They also had to charm the phones to work inside of Hogwarts.

The magic was so dense inside the school that sometimes it would literally melt electronics.

Everyone had a speed dial letter and they decided, as a group, that the letters would be the same on each phone; Hermione thought they were going a little overboard with the uniformity, but she was having fun so she didn't complain.

"If you'd like we can go to muggle London and purchase skins for our phones (they were all black)." Hermione said

"Skins?" Blaise asked still playing with his phone.

"Yes, it's thin like skin and slips on over the phone – they come in different designs and colors."

Pansy was playing with her ring tones for a moment before going back to speed dial letters, "Just so I'm straight: Harry's H, Blaise is B, Draco is D, Mya's G, I'm P, Neville is N, Astoria is A, Daphne is S and Greg's Y?"

"Correct." Draco said smiling happily.

"Thanks Mya, these are great." Daphne said.

"You're welcome." Hermione replied in her sing song voice.

An owl was tapping at the window; Harry stood and let the blasted bird inside, "It's for you Mione."

He handed the parchment to her and kissed her on the cheek, "thank you for the cell, but you're not getting off that easy, I have something for you, birthday girl." he whispered in her ear.

She pushed him away playfully and unrolled the parchment.

Mya Dear,

Happy Birthday! Did you open the box, did you like it? We hope so.

We would like you to come home next month, have dinner, meet Marcus (our new intern/partner). He's wonderful, so nice, and polite.

You know he stands when a woman enters the room! He's awfully handsome, Mya. Maybe you two could go out on a date.

Anyway, write home soon… or call, your daddy would love to hear from you, he misses his little girl.

Love,

Mum

She snorted shaking her head, "My mother is trying to set me up with their new intern…." She looked up at her friends, "It's disturbing." She deadpanned making the boys laugh while the girls patted her hands in comfort.

Harry stopped laughing and cleared his throat, which signaled the others to do so as well.

He flicked his wrist and the lights and fire dimmed; Blaise murmured something and out of Draco's room came a floating cake with presents floating behind it.

"Happy Birthday to you…" they sang and Hermione felt her eyes burn with happy tears.