Hermione Granger and the Snakes party

1

Hermione waited, annoyed, for her evening round partner.

In her fifth year, she had been happy to be made a prefect, but her joy had been short-lived when she had seen that the Slytherin prefect was none other than Draco Malfoy. Evening rounds were held every weeknight until 8pm and at weekends until 10pm, and Hermione took these special assignments to heart.

Each evening the prefects rotated according to the month's schedule. The last time she was with Ron, and the time went by faster. She got on well with the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff prefects, but when it was Draco's or Pansy's turn, she bitterly regretted her role as prefect. Silently, they walked down the corridors and only said a quick goodbye when it was time to go.

She sighed for the hundredth time. There were only a few students left on the benches of the Great Hall. Hermione and Draco had to make sure that everyone got back to their dormitories after eight o'clock, and obviously he was late.

She gently asked some first years to go and study in their common room, and they went off into an adjacent corridor. She leaned against a wall near the Great Hall and waited for Draco. It was 7.55pm, and the round was due to start at 7.45pm, which left Hermione feeling stressed. On top of that she was exhausted, she had spent Saturday studying in the library and had eaten her dinner far too quickly.

With her head full, her stomach in knots and her eyelids drooping, she finally heard Draco's shuffling footstep to her left.

"Well, finally!" she exclaimed as she stood up.

"Good evening to you too, Granger." he hissed without a glance.

He didn't even stop at her and continued on his way, heading down the corridor where the first years had gone earlier.

Hermione followed in his steps. By habit, they walked through the entire first floor of the castle, up to each floor, down to the dungeons and stopped the rounds at ten o'clock, once they had inspected each place.

Hermione noticed that Draco had his hands in the pockets of his wizard's robe, which was very loose fitting, as if it was too big for him. It was wide open and showed a black jumper, which made sense considering it was well into November. His wand was sticking out of his pocket and moving with every step he took.

Her blonde hair was slightly damp, which explained why she was late: a shower! She jumped when she realised she was looking at him a little too closely and continued on her way, lowering her head.

They took turns opening a classroom, which they immediately closed when they saw that no one was sitting there. It was past eight o'clock, the students were in their dormitories at this hour. Hermione was daydreaming about a hot cup of tea and her comfortable bed when Malfoy's voice broke the silence:

"You've dressed up nicely for an evening round, Granger."

Hermione didn't even hide her surprised look. It was the first time Draco had addressed her in this way, that is, without insulting her. Normally, he would just walk with long strides and quickly finish his rounds and return to the Slytherin Common Room.

She looked at her outfit: she was wearing only her black skirt, tights and a Gryffindor jumper. She didn't see how her outfit could look "dressed up." She looked back at Malfoy who had a mocking sneer on his lips.

"What do you care about my outfit, Malfoy?"

"I was just saying."

Hermione arched an eyebrow but didn't reply. This was a very strange discussion, she couldn't wait to tell Harry and Ron about it, who would surely laugh at it, tomorrow morning at breakfast.