Rough Hands

“Silence everyone! You are in the library and should show some respect for Madame Pince,” scolded the Head Boy, in attempt to quite the over-excited seventh-years. “I know you are all interested in knowing who this year’s prefects are so let’s begin, shall we?”

The uproar slowly diminished into a low hum with random scatterings of giggles.

“Very well, now let’s get started. First, let me introduce this year’s new Head Girl, who really is in no need of an introduction, Hermione Granger.”

A handful of applause erupted through the room as well as a couple whistles of approval. Hermione walked over to the front of the room, sporting a deep blush and a look of meek pride.

“Thank you for that introduction Zacharias,” she said, laughing quietly and tucking a stray curl behind her ear. Hermione scanned the room and smiled, feeling truly honored in receiving such a critical role her final year at Hogwarts.

“Congratulations to the four students who have-” Hermione cut her speech short to give an icy glare towards the back of the room, where a loud conversation was taking place. Squinting her eyes to get a better look at the perpetrators, Hermione instantly spotted none other than Malfoy flirting with Hannah Abbott, some blonde Hufflepuff girl. Draco noticed the sudden calm and stopped talking, just to humor the Head Girl. Hannah followed in tow, although a little curious as to Draco’s sudden obedience.

Hermione gave a noticeable cough and proceeded. “As I was saying… congratulations to the four students who have been chosen as prefects. This year will no doubt be trying, but I am confident that we can make it the best year yet. Without further delay, I’d like to announce the new prefects.”

“Dean Thomas representing Gryffindor”

“Mandy Brocklehurst representing Ravenclaw”

“Hannah Abbot representing Hufflepuff”

“And Draco Malfoy representing Slytherin”

Hermione prided herself in actually saying Draco’s name instead of Death Eater- In-Training.

After the applause subsided, the students shuffled out of the library. A few stayed behind to give some kind words to Hermione and the other prefects. Harry lingered for a moment to catch Hermione before her first official meeting as Head Girl. He spotted her hugging Luna Lovegood and shaking her head, probably due to some absurd Luna made. He came up behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back.

“Hey Luna, would you mind if I had a quick word with the Head Girl?”

“Not at all Harry, I have to be off anyway. I have a feeling someone is about to steal my scarf,” she replied in her usually wistful tone.

Hermione and Harry both let out a quiet laugh as they watched Luna hurriedly leave the room with Neville by her side, no doubt another member of the scarf search party. Neville attempted to recruit Ron on the way out but the red-haired boy was too busy stuffing his pockets with congratulatory chocolate frogs.

“Just wanted to say I’m proud of you,” Harry said. He smiled at her, his kind eyes sparkling like emeralds.

“Thanks Harry, but you know this means I’ll probably have less time to save you and Ron from life-threatening situations,” she replied with a smirk on her face.

“I doubt that. You are always there when we need you.”

“Oh Harry,” Hermione replied, wrapping her arms around him and breathing in his familiar scent. Harry ran his hand down her back and all coherent thought vanished. He felt something powerful inside of him, completely opposite of the pain his scar inflicted. Despite this, he abruptly let go. This feeling of absolute bliss was new to Harry and frankly, it scared him more than one of Umbridge’s detentions.

“What’s wrong?” asked a rather startled Hermione.

“Nothing, nothing. I just remembered I have a 5 foot long essay due tomorrow so I should probably go and leave you to your duties.”

“Um, alright. Good luck with the essay. Find me if you need any help.”

“Thanks. Good luck dealing with Malfoy,” he winked.

Hermione’s eyes followed Harry’s departing form. Harry was thankful she could only see his back because his disgruntled features would surely have given away his inner turmoil.

After dismissing all the students, Zacharias opened his mouth to address the newly appointed prefects but noticing a disturbance, put a hand on Hermione’s shoulder while fixing his vision on the two blondes. “Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Abbott, since you two seem to be getting along so well why don’t I just pair you up for rounds?”

Malfoy smirked and put an arm around Hannah to emphasize how much he liked that idea. Hannah, in turn, blushed and sent an innocent smile his way. Draco figured he could easily corrupt her with a tryst in the broom closet, and began imagining all the different positions he could attempt in such a limited space. Unfortunately for him, Zacharias would soon wake him from his pleasant reverie.

“All new prefects are to be paired with one another, along with a Head to supervise for the first week. Dean Thomas and Mandy Brocklehurst, you will be with me this week.”

Hermione made a choking noise, “Hold on a moment. So this means Draco Malfoy and Hannah Abbot will be with me?” she interjected, turning to Zacharias, aghast. She was not the only one shocked by this turn of event because right after the announcement, Malfoy’s arm jolted and hit Hannah in the back of the head.

“Ouch,” Hannah said, rubbing at the back of her head and sending Draco a wounded expression.

He replied with a heartless “sorry” and then mumbled something inaudible about mudbloods and reflexes.

“Zacharias, I understand it is my duty to follow the rules ascribed to me but surely you can see that working with Malfoy would be most…unfavorable,” Hermione said, nearly stuttering to come up with a euphemism for catastrophic. She decided unfavorable was a good, neutral word. Malfoy just sat in his seat, scowling.

“I’m sorry Hermione, but that is precisely why I paired you together. As Heads, we will be working closely with the prefects and therefore, need to maintain professional relationships with them.”

In her mind, Hermione knew Zacharias was right but that still didn’t stop her from wanting to hex the Head Boy’s nipples off. Looking defeated, Hermione nodded her head and let out an almost silent ‘ok.’ It won’t be too horrible, she thought to herself. She would welcome forging a professional relationship with her sworn enemy...like the plague.

“Now that that’s sorted out, we can move on. Hermione, which days would you prefer?”

Hermione wished to say ‘how about no days?’ but knew that wasn’t an option so she asked for Tuesdays and Thursdays. She had her favorite classes those days and hoped she’d be in such a good mood that Malfoy’s existence would only be a slight cancer to her happiness.

Meanwhile, Draco was closely examining Hermione as she discussed details with Zacharias. How was he going to get through this thing without leaving behind any dead bodies? A week isn’t a long time, he thought, but with Granger it could feel like a lifetime. He had a sudden flashback to when he had her cornered and red was all he could see. Red lips, red cheeks, red tongue. He imagined how her blood would taste and unknowingly licked his lips. This was going to be interesting.