The Mudblood and the Dragon

Chapter One

Hermione climbed the stairs to Dumbledore's office. Draco's footsteps echoed behind her.

Why am I here? It's the first day, could I have already done something bad, without realizing it? What if Malfoy did something to me when I wasn't paying attention and I haven't noticed yet!

Hermione panicked. Her head ached from these horrible thoughts. She quickly stepped into Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was seated at his desk, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. Draco shoved by her and stood next to her. Hermione glanced at him. He stood there quietly with a smug look on his face. He's done something to me! Hermione stood quietly, but inside her mind was screaming.

"You are probably wondering why I have asked you to my office," Dumbledore said. Hermione's knees shook frantically and she felt as though she was going to be sick.

"I have asked you here because you are Head Boy and Girl." Hermione's stomach lurched.

"What!?" Hermione and Draco shouted in unison.

"Didn't you two receive your letters?" Dumbledore asked.

Draco is Head Boy? No. No! NO!

"Well, obviously you received your letters, as you both are wearing your badges," Dumbledore answered himself. "Is this just the shock that I chose both of you?"

Draco and Hermione nodded like mad.

"Well, you two are the smartest of your class, so I chose you," Dumbledore clarified. "I, also, hoped this would reinforce interhouse unity. I have noticed that out of all the students in your grade, you two seemed to dislike each other the most."

Draco and Hermione nodded their heads in agreement.

"This year, since you dislike each other so much, we have decided to start something new. The Head Boy and Girl, you two, will receive their own quarters."

Smiles lit up on their faces. I get my own room! Sure, there will be Draco, but I can sleep in a room that's not filled with girls to annoy me.

"And," Dumbledore continued. "You will spend one week in there together. You will be forced to stay in there. If you are found outside the room, you will be suspended. You will skip all classes." Hermione gasped. "And meals will be sent directly to your rooms."

Hermione was furious and Draco looked at Dumbledore, disgusted.

"Now, I think you should go to your quarters. I will check on you tomorrow morning. Your room is on the fifth floor. You will find that all of your belongings have been moved to the room. Good night!"

Neither of them said a word as they walked out of the room, down the stairs and toward their quarters.

*~*~*~*~*

Hermione sat down on her bed at one end of the room as Draco sat on his at the other end. Malfoy glared at her. She looked away and muttered, "Stupid, ugly git."

"What did you say, Granger?"

Hermione got up and walked across the room, towards him. She leaned her face down, right next to his. Her face was inches form his when she whispered, "You are a stupid, ugly git. I don't want to be here any more than you do, so you can shut your mouth."

Draco fell silent. Hermione backed away and turned back to her bed.

"What the bloody hell is your problem?" Draco shouted across the room.

"My problem? I have no problem. You have a problem. You have treated me like dirt from the moment you met me." There was an awkward silence before Hermione corrected herself. "No, I'm sorry, not dirt; mud. Hence the name Mudblood."

Draco chuckled. "When did you get a sense of humor?"

"I've always had a sense of humor. I just never used it around you because you've always been an arse to me."

Just then, Draco's eagle owl flew through the open window on his side of the room, carrying a rather large package.

Hermione tried to ignore Draco opening the package and shoving a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth. However, Hermione couldn't help staring at him.

Draco's expression gradually changed from an evil grin to a miserable frown. A small tear slowly rolled down Draco's face. This is not the Malfoy I know!

"Malfoy?" Hermione called cautiously.

"What do you want, Mudblood?" Malfoy snarled without looking up.

"Never mind," Hermione answered quietly. That's the Malfoy I know.