Chapter One

Draco

I hated the way the train sounded as it left the station. The rumbling that came from the engine reminded me of some terrifying beast, more frightening than dragons, that had taken me hostage and decided to drag me somewhere that I didn't want to go, a place that I never wanted to go.

I didn't hate Hogwarts, per se; it was more of an annoyance than anything. I was forced to learn inconsequential things, surrounded by people that I didn't like, even hated, people that were so much lower than me… It was beyond pathetic.

I hated the fact that there was a shiny little badge now pinned to the expensive fabric of my uniform. Head Boy… The words had rolled off my tongue when I had gotten my yearly letter. I was more than a little shocked, but Dumbledore was madder than a hatter at times. I hated the responsibility that came with the title. I hated the fact that I would have to follow the rules that I had so long crusaded to break. I loved the power, but at what cost was I getting it?

The thing that I hated most about the entire set up was that I had been unbearably tricked. I was so caught up in the power of my new position that I didn't think about who I'd be sharing it with. I was stuck dealing with her for all of what was supposed to be the best year of my life. Of course it would be Granger. Why the hell not? She was only one of Dumbledore's precious pets. But no, I didn't see it coming, so I was stuck in this little compartment on a train that was hauling me off to that obnoxious little school with the Mudblood Granger sitting across from me, only moving to turn the page of her book. She hadn't spoken a word to me, not even when I had insulted her as she entered the compartment. The only sound she made was that of her breathing. She was so intent on her book, her breath sounded like that of someone who was sleeping.

She was really pissing me off.

Just as I was about to open my mouth and tell her so, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Granger called out, almost absentmindedly.

Professor McGonagall walked in, looking-like she always did- as though there was a stick shoved properly up her ass. "Hello Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. Are you enjoying the train ride so far?"

"Not really," I said at the same time Granger said, "It's fine."

"Well, okay then. I was stopping by to lay out a list of your duties for this year. You will have to patrol the train for the last hour until we pull into the school. Make sure everyone is in their uniforms, that first years are aware of what will be going on, and that no one is misbehaving. Understand?" We both nodded and she continued. "Good. When we arrive at the school, you can take the carriages up as you usually would. After the feast, you will help the prefects get the first years out of the Great Hall without incident. When they are all gone, you will come with me and I will show you the way to your dorm. As I'm sure you know, the Head Boy and Head Girl have a separate dorm set aside for them to use throughout the year. We'll get more to that after the feast, though. You will also have patrols to do during the week, and you will have to schedule those and the prefects' rounds. There are events throughout the year that Headmaster Dumbledore and I will be asking you to complete, so keep an eye out for those… Do either of you have any questions?"

"Just one. Do I really have to share a room with that Mudblood?"

"You will watch your mouth, Mr. Malfoy."

"Don't bother, Professor. It's fine, honestly. I don't care. If there's some way for the two of us to be split up, then I recommend you do it, if only to save yourself from having to yell at him all the time."

"And what does that mean, Granger? Think I'll fuck this up, huh?"

"Of course I do, Malfoy. I don't understand why Dumbledore gave you this position in the first place, but the fact of the matter is, he did. I have to deal with that, but at least I know I deserve this position."

"Miss Granger-!"

"My apologies, Professor. I should really get on that patrol now, shouldn't I? We're about an hour away now, if I'm guessing right." She brushed past McGonagall and out the door, disappearing down the corridor.

"You would do well to try and make peace with her. There isn't a way to split you up, so you're going to have to deal with her, just like she said she would do with you. You can at least try since you've been given one of the most prestigious titles at Hogwarts. Just try. Now, I'll be off. You should continue the patrol. I think she turned left, so you can head right. That way you'll cover the whole train and not have to run into each other. Good day, Mr. Malfoy."

With that she was gone, and I buried my head in my hands. I was going to hate this year more than I thought I would. Granger may not be openly aggressive, but she sure was on a short fuse. I may actually have to watch my back around her.

I stood up, straightened my robe, and walked out of the compartment to complete my patrol.