Snake Charmer

"Hermione?"

The voice had hardly reached her ears, but instantly following them she was shaken awake by unknown hands. She woke up to find the confused look of her father looming over her.

"Mfh?" A simple noise would do.

"There's...uh...an owl at your window." Mr.Granger never liked the owls, especially after Ron's flew in like a bullet and collided with his head. Hermione noticed that the owl was from Hogwarts and jumped into wake-up overdrive.

"OWLS! The results are here!" The young muggle-born thrust the window open and took the letter. Mrs.Granger, hearing the word 'result', had hurried in just as eagerly.

"Wait, this is from a teacher." The Muggle Studies teacher at that. Hermione opened it and began to read.

Granger residence-

As a requirement for sixth year NEWTS course in Muggle Studies, students must stay with a muggle-born student, particularly one of their choice, or one from their house. In the event that these options do not work out as planned the headmaster makes a recommendation.

You have been selected to house Mr. Draco Malfoy for the duration of this summer. We hope you consider taking in Mr. Malfoy strictly to earn full credit for this year's class. We ask for a response no later than within one day of receiving this letter.

Thank you,

Professor Vector

"No."

The answer was automatic, and was selected upon reading the Slytherin's name. Hermione tossed the letter into her trash bin, but Mrs.Granger retrieved it angrily.

"Hermione Granger! What's wrong with doing this? It's only to help a student!" The Grangers rarely saw their daughter show hatred to another person before. They were stunned.

Hermione bit her lip, her face turning red. She hadn't told them about all of the pain Draco has given her in the last five years. To bring it up now would surely spark a long conversation with her folks, and Hermione hardly had time for that. With Harry, returning to the Order and the little fact that a WAR was going on running in her mind, Draco coming for a little stay was the equivalent of Harry and Voldemort having tea time. The Hogwarts staff couldn't be serious.

"Mom, I don't have the time! We're going to the US for vacation anyway, right?"

"We could take this Draco with us! How fun would that be? You wouldn't be bored anymore because you had no one to talk to on our vacations!"

Hermione's jaw dropped in shock. She was running out of arguments, and saying that Draco was her enemy, and his dad was in jail would not be a good one to throw at them. Hermione looked to her dad.

"But it's a boy! You trust me with a boy?" Hermione found the words ridiculous, but when all else fails...

"I don't think that is an issue. We have faith in you, Hermione." That was the nail in the coffin. Tears welled up in the Gryffindor's eyes, knowing how horrible the summer would be now. Hermione looked at the ground to hide her anger and spotted a second letter.

Do it for the Order, Miss Granger. I shall explain, if you would kindly write back giving your answer, which I strongly believe will be a yes. Don't forget to write Professor Vector!

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

"Damn him." Hermione wiped her eyes, and mustered a small smile that was hardly convincing. "Well, I'll write back then! Welcome, Mr.Malfoy!" The words stung her ears, and after her parents left, satisfied and ready to prepare for Draco's arrival, Hermione collapsed beside her bed onto the floor and cried.

Draco Malfoy had never felt alone in all of his years at Malfoy Manor. With his father locked up in Azkaban and his mother constantly visiting the Ministry in hopes of bailing him out, Draco had been alone often during the first week of summer. Sure, there were house elves that were fun to pester, but other than wandering the streets of Knockturn Ally he was very bored.

Today was a bit different as an owl swept into his room through the open window. Draco looked up, expecting his OWLS back, but was disappointed when it was only his letter stating who he was staying with this summer for Advanced Muggle Studies.

"Shit!" He had forgotten about the class. Did his mother know he had to stay with a mudblood? He seethed with anger that erupted into shouting protests after reading the letter all the way through.

Hermione Granger, huh? That's a shame. Draco hated it, but yet staying with one of the famous Gryffindor trio might have its benefits. He could still have fun with this.

"No I can't," Draco reasoned. She's a mudblood! He hated her with a passion so strong that if he could do any magic outside of school she would be dead as soon as he got to her pathetic muggle household.

This would take some thinking. Draco collapsed onto his bed to do just that when he spotted another piece of parchment. He read it, and his time to think was out of the question.