A/N: I'm sorry for not being too clear..but this actually takes place in their seventh year. I've ignored major parts of HBP and complete DH. Everyone we know is alive (except Sirius, who dies in the fifth part) Draco is not a Death Eater and he wasn't given any mission by Voldemort. :)

Here's chapter 3, hope you like it.

Chapter 3

Severus Snape was the last person Hermione had expected to see as she stepped into the Prefects' carriage. She just stood there for a moment gaping at the bizarre sight. He couldn't have looked more out of place, even with his usual all-black robes and greasy hair as he sat in the upholstered seat.

Malfoy stood off to his right. Two prefects, Hannah Abbot from Hufflepuff and Anthony Goldstein from Ravenclaw, looked on.

"If you're quite done dawdling Miss Granger, I would suggest you take a seat. You have wasted enough of our time as it is."

His tone made her bristle. "I'm sorry Professor, but as far as I see that the majority of Prefects are yet to arrive."

He glanced up at her coolly and said, "Excellent deduction. But considering as you are no longer a prefect you are obligated obey your interim Headmaster and do as I say."

She blinked. Snape…temporary headmaster?

And I'm no longer a prefect?

"I…I don't understand."

"Of course." he gritted out, "which is why I advise you take a seat."

So she did.

And so did Malfoy and the others.

"Hogwarts has the most tedious tradition of electing two admittedly distinguished students as Heads, which I do not favour in the least. It is known to encourage partiality and favouritism in certain houses." Ironic, she mused. "Moreover, your House Heads are sufficient and far more suitable to enforce discipline and deal with your grievances.

"But as Albus Dumbledore would have it, I'm supposed to appoint two fitting candidates as the Head Boy and Girl for this year. Though I assume you Miss Granger must have had quite a dreadful vacation getting acquainted with your windowsill in hopes of receiving your Head Girl badge and must be very curious as to why you haven't yet?"

Malfoy snickered.

"No, sir." She said flatly.

She hadn't given a single thought over the matter during summer. Her Hogwarts letter lay unopened in her bedside drawer back home. To be honest, she had to repeatedly remind herself that a complete education was a necessity for someone like her in the wizarding world and had to muster the kind of courage she hadn't thought she had, just to get her packing done. She'd had half a mind to simply abandon everything and get a decent muggle education, for once. She knew everything she had to know about magic and her childish wonder had long faded. Only upon Mrs Weasley's continued insistence and Ginny's calling her a chicken had she agreed to go.

What she really wanted to know right now was what had compelled Dumbledore to choose this man as headmaster and what exactly was he planning to do?

Snape didn't miss a beat at her remark.

"Draco has gladly accepted the position beforehand-" her head swivelled to look at the rodent in question. How in the world had she missed that tell-tale gleam of silver glinting off his robes? "-but I wasn't sure you would be quite as eager to agree after knowing this, considering your history with the Slytherins in your year. So I ask you now Miss Granger, do you accept?"

He was smiling knowingly. He and his favourite star pupil, both in on the joke.

"And if I refuse?"

Snape's grin widened, "Your Prefectship will be revoked."

Big deal. "Fine. I accept."

She could only imagine the level of shock that Malfoy had just received and she spared him no glance.

She watched Snape instead. His smile developed a sinister quality, as if he'd known her answer all along.

He nodded at the two prefects, "You can leave."

They looked at each other, shrugged and left.

"Were they-?" she began.

"Yes, the alternative candidates."

Unbelievable.

Little did he know, she held no qualms about handling her duties with Draco Malfoy. With the effect he had on juniors he was sure to make a successful disciplinarian, albeit a racist one. Undoubtedly he was going to make it easier for her, with his threatening looks and nasty behaviour.

As far as his behaviour towards her was concerned…well, he was nothing she couldn't handle.

"Very well, Miss Granger. Your badge." He handed her an envelope. "This also contains a list of your duties as well as the special immunities you shall receive."

He stood up and gazed at her severely.

"Any person in your position should feel honoured. I expect you to abide by these rules and take these responsibilities very seriously. And I have neither patience, nor the tolerance for disobedience. Keep in mind that those benefits do not extend towards your friends. Exploit your power and be prepared to face the consequences."

It took everything in her to keep herself from asking him why he didn't feel it necessary to include Malfoy in this little lecture. But looking at his face, she knew he was waiting for her to do just that.

"I understand, Professor."

"As you should. I have other pressing matters to attend to. Excuse me."

No sooner had he closed the door of the compartment, Malfoy was on her case.

"What are you playing at?!" He demanded.

"Quit speaking in riddles, Malfoy." She leaned her head back on the wall and closed her eyes.

"Why did you accept? I can't share my position with the likes of you no matter how smart the world seems to think you are."

This time she saw red. She'd had enough of all these people trying to belittle her.

"I'd watch your language if I were you, Ferret. If you're as repulsed to the idea as you claim to be you could have easily refused and handed in your badge. Yet you didn't." He opened his mouth to retort. "You don't scare me, Malfoy and nor do you fool me. In fact, you hold about this much of importance." She said, keeping her thumb and forefinger a millimetre apart.

She continued in a deadpan voice. "I'd rather you run back to him hand in your badge right now. Don't lose time. That Anthony Goldstein sure looked attractive."

She had begun to close her eyes again, but not before she saw him drawing out his wand.

She was up in a flash. "Protego!"

Whatever non-verbal spell he'd fired rebounded and hit the window, breaking it into little shards.

He stood there, glaring at her like she'd never seen before. His face was flushed an angry red and his eyes flashed with hatred. He looked half mad and yet Hermione was reminded of a child simply throwing in a tantrum. The thought made her smile.

"You're so pathetic; I can't even begin to describe it. Poor Draco, attacking a girl just because things didn't turn out to be in his favour." She missed the way his face suddenly took on a blank expression. "Well, I'm not exactly jumping with joy at the thought of seeing your mug everyday either, so deal with it!"

After staring at her for a while, at last he spoke, "So that's how it's going to be, huh? Be prepared to deal with it, Mudblood."

She didn't even blink.

After making a rude gesture with his hand, he turned to make his dramatic exit but she spoke again.

"Fifty points from Slytherin for attacking the Head Girl and another ten for your rudeness."

"Oh, you've got to be ki-" he about turned, outraged.

"You're going to repair that." She pointed towards the window.

With that, she breezed past him, leaving him steaming in her wake.

When she was at safe distance of ten meters away from the Prefects' carriage, she heaved a sigh of relief. She pointed her wand at her forehead. "Dolores subsidio."

She made her way towards her compartment, feeling lighter than rain. The comforting weight of the envelope rested against her pocket.

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