Chapter One – the undeniable fact

Hermione carried a large stack of books in her arms. It had been a tough day and miraculously, she managed to survive. After going to the library for some thorough research, she minimized the amount of books she wanted to borrow to a mere 10 out of 20. Unbalanced, she wobbled through the corridors of Hogwarts clumsily.

I must look so darn stupid, she thought.

Harry and Ron had gone for Quidditch practice and won't be back till late afternoon. She tried to look at the watch which her mom got her as a birthday present this year. After much struggle, she managed to see the second hand ticking away. Right, so it's something something and 45 seconds. No, 50 seconds. 55…

BANG

"OUCH!"

"shit!"

Hermione had crashed right into Draco Malfoy. She looked up and saw him staring at her in distaste. Right, what a wonderful coincidence.Hermione thought.

"Urgh! watch your steps mudblood!" Malfoy cried in exaggeration.

" Sorry." NOT. Hermione could not be bothered; she picked up her books and started to walk away.

"Hey mudblood!"

Hermione continued walking with total ignorance of Malfoy.

"Granger!"

Hermione turned around and faced him, giving him a try-and-irritate-me-and-I'll-hex-you look.

"WAT." She spat, not interested in the answer at all.

"Dumbledore said he has something important to talk to us. If you're not coming, it's absolutely fine with me."

Great. This is so disgusting. I'm gonna have to spend my precious time discussing about some so-called important issues in a room containing a Malfoy. I'm living in hell.  

Hermione and Draco had been made Head Girl and Boy. It totally spoilt the excitement in her when she found out that Draco was Head Boy. According to Dumbledore's words, they were supposed to "cooperate". This was the exact scenario for the word "impossible".

Unwillingly, she dragged herself after Malfoy with all the books still in her hands. She was getting tired after a while and shouted after Malfoy, "can't you at least give me a hand?"

"I'm not sacrificing any part of MY body for a nerdy mudblood." Hermione felt like punching him right on the spot.

"Quit being idiotic, I need some HELP here."

"What makes you think I'll help YOU? Mudblood?"

"WATEVER YOU JERK!"

"Language, Granger, language."

"Like you've been better than me."

"I am better than you in any other way 'cause of the fact that I'm pure blood."

…….

And the argument continued until they stood right in front of Dumbledore.

"Well at least MY parents are rightful and pure. To make it simple and understandable for you, they are not deatheaters." Hermione continued.

"Don't you insult my father." Draco retorted.

"I never said I was referring to YOUR father."

"You did, indirectly, well at least…"

"Silence" Draco was cut short in his sentence by Dumbledore, whose existence seemed to be forgotten for the time being. Hermione and Draco snapped into reality and immediately turned their attention to Dumbledore. "ah… I see cooperation in both of you." He said, with a satisfied smile. "Well, I just called both of you here to update you about an upcoming event in Hogwarts. The Renaissance School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are visiting Hogwarts. I've decided to hold a grand ball on the last day of their visit and I trust both of you to organize the event and show me your proposal in a week's time. Is it alright?"

"Yes professor" they said in unison.

"Oh, and you are supposed to do it TOGETHER. I don't' want it to be one person's work only, I've got my ways to find out." He stressed, as if he was teaching a 1 year old kid how to spell the word.

"Yes professor" they said in unison again.

"Oh, another thing: I'll like both you to be partners at the ball. You may need to walk around and attend to our guests, thus I would like both of you to be together when doing so. This saves the trouble of having to find each other in the crowd. By the end of the Ball, you are expected to have built a stable friendship with the Head Boy and Girl of the Renaissance School. Remember to project a good image of Hogwarts." He winked.

"NO!" both of them cried in unison yet again.

"Professor I believe this is not necessary, we…"

"Yes, we are more than capable working individually, in fact…"

"I'll do much better without a mudblood with me, please professor.."

"Please, we'll promise that we would be very efficient in our work, just don't pair us up, it would obstruct…"

Dumbledore held up his hand and declared "my decision's final, you may want to work out your dance steps now. Now go, you have a lot of work to do. It's good that both of you had already started of with similar opinions about things."

"Yes professor" they sighed.

Once out of the room, both of them stared at each other. The tension between them can almost be seen. It was as if they were daring each other to speak first. Finally, both gave up and went separate ways down the corridor.    

How is it? Is it ok? This is my first fanfic and I hope you guys can R&R! Thanx loads! =D