Dueling with Fate

Hermione, Harry, and Ron had entered into their seventh and final year. Hermione had, without question, become Head Girl and Harry was Head Boy. Ron had felt a little left out at first, but they included him with them as much as they possibly could.

Close to the end of their days at Hogwarts, while walking to the Great Hall for the feast, they were met by Malfoy's usual drawling voice. He was blocking them from entering. Malfoy sneered (he was always in a need of a good laughs these days). "Pothead, Weasel, and Mudblood," he drawled, a pale hand on his hip.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione asked, remaining as calm as she could. She had told Harry and Ron to ignore his cries for attention and was silently repeating the same advice to herself.

Malfoy made a clicking noise with his tongue. "Oh nothing," he stated casually, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, "I was just wondering why in the world I need to listen to vermin like you. I mean...the stuff on my shoe is worth more than you... more than you'll ever be worth. You're just a filthy little Mudblood, who was so ungratefully born into this world."

Harry had to grab Ron so he wouldn't lunge at Malfoy. Behind them, Hermione was also trying to fight the urge to fight back and hex him, but the urge was too great. Whipping out her wand, she muttered something and for the second time, Malfoy turned into a ferret. She levitated him into the air and made him spin all across the room. The students howled in laughter as they gathered around, watching the ongoing fiasco with amusement.

After a few more flips, Hermione finally changed Malfoy back into his human form.

Malfoy laid in a small heap, glaring at Hermione. She saw fire in his eyes, and heard him scream, "YOU LITTLE MUDBLOOD!" Then with such force, and without warning, he ran at her and tackled her to the floor. Hermione, who wasn't prepared for this stunt, fell back - hard - onto the cold floor.

"MALFOY! GET OFF OF HER RIGHT NOW!" Professor McGonagall screamed. "I don't know what is wrong with you two, you fight so much! Too much! For Merlin's sake, you fight as much as a married couple does."

Slowly, out of fear, Malfoy got off of Hermione.

"Help her up!" Professor McGonagall said sternly.

Groaning, Malfoy bent down to help Hermione up. Just as she was getting up Malfoy let go of her hand and she fell on her butt again.

"OW!" Hermione said, frantically getting to her feet. "What is your problem?"

"STOP IT!" McGonagall demanded. "Come with me."

Reluctantly, they did as McGonagall said, but not before exchanging death stares. After following her through the deserted corridors, they approached a large gargoyle.

"Chocolate Frogs," McGonagall muttered. Immediately, the gargoyle jumped aside and they went up the winding stairs to Dumbledore's office. "Both of you take a seat. Wait here, I don't want to find either one of you dueling or harming one another. I will be back in a moment with Professor Dumbledore."

A few moments after the door had shut, Malfoy shouted, "This is all your fault! If you hadn't been such a hag back there, I wouldn't have had to lunge at you!"

Hermione defended herself with, "No, this is all your fault! If you hadn't been such a bastard when I hadn't said anything to you--"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Malfoy yelled, cutting Hermione off, who was very surprised at herself for saying 'bastard'. He glared at her. "WHO GIVES A FUCK IF MY FATHER'S GONE!? YOU KNOW, IF YOU WEREN'T SO BLOODY STUPID ALL THE TIME--"

A small coughing noise was heard from across the room. Professor McGonagall had arrived, Dumbledore at her side. He stared calmly at the both of them.

"If you two are done, you may return back into your seats," Dumbledore said as he made his way around to his desk. After sitting, he said, "So you were dueling in the halls?"

"Yes, Professor," Hermione responded reluctantly, keeping her gaze to the floor. As she looked back on her actions, she found them childish and foolish.

"Minerva, have you thought of a suitable punishment?" Dumbledore inquired with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Yes, I believe I know what might put an end, hopefully, to this argument," McGonagall said with the same twinkle in her eyes.

Both of the students suddenly had a great fear of what possibility they might have come up with.