Nightmares invaded Hermione’s dreams. She was running along a stone path with levitating candles lighting her way. She kept looking behind her to make sure no one followed. The click-clacking of her feet offset the chirps of the cicadas as she sprinted further and further down the path. It meandered slightly about ten feet ahead, and she made a sharp turn. An odd snapping sound came from below her, and her ankle was pulling her downward into a heap on the ground. Hermione’s breathing rate increased as her heart pounded loudly in her chest. She felt as if it might explode. She didn’t know who or what she was running from, but
it left an unsettling feeling in her.
“Grangerrrr, “ a cold voice purred from a distance away.
Hermione snapped her head in the direction of the voice, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in her ankle.
“Grangerrr, you’re nothing but a filthy mudblood…no one would miiiiisss youuuuu.” The voice came again.
From the shadows, a silhouette of a man was coming out. It emerged until Hermione could see the full figure. The statuesque being inched towards her like a lion stalking its prey. A harsh laugh erupted from him, and he walked forward until the shadows slowly drained from his face. Pale skin was revealed underneath the shining moonlight. Piercing grey eyes full of amusement and hatred stared back at her.
“You’re nothing.” The words dripped like leaking acid from his soft, pink lips. His eyes
betrayed and trace of happiness found in his smile.
He raised his wand, and shouted, “Avada Ke-”
Hermione woke with sweat pouring down her face. Her frizzy hair matted against her head in a sickening, cool way. She gasped for breath as she panted. Her heart was beating rapidly, skipping beats in some points.
“J-just a d-dream.” She said to herself.
She was trembling non-stop, and she felt her dizziness increase. She swooned for a moment, then her head hit the pillow with a soft thud. Her alarm clock numbers shone brightly, blaring the numbers: 3:46. Great. She was never going to get back to sleep now. Instead, she sat up and pulled her knees into her arms. She rested her chin on her knees and sighed.
Realization hit that she’d have to endure an entire day with that… jerk. There really wasn’t a word rude enough to describe Malfoy. She winced as she heard the word, “mudblood” echoing inside her head. She couldn’t believe that Malfoy got to her enough that she was having nightmares about him.
She rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes tight, trying to block out all the mental pictures of his jeering face and evil eyes. It was no use. She stood up quickly from the bed, getting a head rush in the process. She found her footing and padded down the small hallway to the doll-sized kitchen of hers. She put a kettle of water on the stove top and said, “incendio” with her wand pointed at it. A small fire erupted and rapidly boiled the water in the kettle.
After the tea was made, she pointed her wand at the cupboard and said, “Wingardium Leviosa” at a mug on the top shelf. She couldn’t quit thinking about her nightmare. The cup fell and shattered next to Hermione’s feet. She scowled and threw her wand aside. Never mind using spells to clean up this mess; she’d only make it worse when she was this out of sorts.
Time ticked slowly until Hermione had to leave. She dressed very quickly, then decided she’d attempt to look nice that morning. She secured her curly hair in a side ponytail and applied a small bit of mascara to her eyelashes. Ginny bought her the makeup for Christmas, she’d just never got around to using. Truthfully, she didn’t need it. Her natural beauty as overpowering, and when she used even a little bit of makeup, it made her stunning. She glanced apprehensively at her watch, seeing that it was 6:30. She grabbed her cloak from the coat hook and disapparated.
Hermione arrived only seconds after Ron and Harry got there. They walked over to greet her.
“Hermione, did you get any sleep?” Harry asked, concern filling his voice.
“Not at all.” She smiled sleepily and yawned.
“You look nice.” Ron offered, turning a bit pink.
“Thanks, Ron. I had a bit of time this morning, so I figured I would do something productive.”
They stood awkwardly for a moment until Harry said, “We’d best be off. ”
The three walked at a fast pace to the room Kendrina told them to report to the day before, not chatting like they usually did. Not one of them was looking forward to what awaited them, and silence was their way of preparing for the torturous time ahead.
“Well, you three are a bit early.” Kendrina said as they arrived.
“Let’s just hope Mr. Malfoy follows your example.” She rolled her eyes and looked past them, waving hello to one of the witches that was there yesterday.
“Well, it’s good that she’s not giving him any special treatment.” Hermione muttered.
“I guess you’re right. I still don’t like this.” Ron groaned.
“Neither do we, Ron. You’re going to have to try to our differences with him aside if you want to keep your job, because she isn’t going to give us any special treatment, either.” Harry
said with a twinge of annoyance.
They all took their seats and waited as witches and wizards filed into the room. Malfoy was the last one in, not surprising anyone.
“We have more than we intended initially,” Kendrina began.
“What we’re going to do is have partner pairings, and you’re going to work together. It’s much harder with everyone working individually. I’ve got a list, and you’re not going to complain with what you get. You’re stuck with it.” She threw a meaningful look at Hermione as if to say, “So don’t try anything, Granger.”
She read off a couple of names, then said, “Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.”
Harry and Ron high-fived each other and grinned. Hermione rolled her eyes. It was like they were at school again. She waited anxiously for Kendrina to call her name, and grew more nervous when Malfoy’s wasn’t called, either. Finally, with only four people left, she said, “Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.”
