Irresistible Temptations

Hermione looked up at the Sorting Hat in anticipation, wondering which house she would be sorted into. Her name was called by McGonagall, the witch who had met them in the entranceway, Hermione cautiously made her way towards the hat: all eyes were on her. She put it on and its eerie voice began to speak. 'Hmm... Well you would be great in Gryffindor; you have plenty of courage and loyalty.' What other houses? Hermione asked it. 'Something else you say? Well, you have cunning and, how interesting; your parents were both in Slytherin. A child from that line, who knew? Better be...' "Slytherin!" the hat roared. Hermione made her way over to the far table that was cheering and sat at the first seat she came to, puzzled by the Sorting Hat's decision. Both parents in Slytherin...but I'm a muggle born witch. My parents wouldn't lie to me, would they?

Draco followed Hermione with his eyes. She wasn't typical Slytherin material, but she would be welcomed into the Slytherin code of honor. Draco was trying to tell what line she had come from. He usually could tell with ease, since his father had beat the characteristics of every Pureblood line into him, but she was giving him a hard time. His name being called interrupted his study of the girl. He strode confidently to the stool and the hat was just over his head when it called "Gryffindor!" Draco's face turned horror stricken at the hat's cry. His father would certainly beat him at break for this disgrace, if he went home.

Hermione watched the rest of the Sorting with disinterest, even when Potter was sorted into Gryffindor and Weasley followed suit. They had been awfully rude to her on the train. One thing she did notice was that she was the only new Slytherin girl sitting at the table. Her day was getting weirder by the minute and she longed to escape. Dumbledore said a very long speech, with something about a dark forest and Quidditch tryouts and then sat down. The aroma of food filled Hermione's nose and she filled her plate. She ate slowly, still contemplating what the hat had said. She almost didn't hear when called, well, more like growled, "First year Slytherins this way." She got up and followed him, along with the other first years. The person leading them called himself Thomas Jones and he went on explaining stuff. He mentioned the password was "Purebloods rule."

Draco was ignored by everyone at his table because obviously the Malfoy reputation had preceded him, but it suited his mood. He ate silently and stared longingly at the Slytherin table. He noted a person not unlike himself, ignored and out of place: Hermione. He decided to watch her for the duration of the feast. She was almost like a clone to his movements. He was disappointed when an older Weasley ordered the first years to follow him. Draco paid attention with half a mind while he followed the Weasley and listened for the password. The other half watched Hermione until she was gone and his thoughts still focused on her until he almost crashed into the person in front of him. He looked around and saw that Weasley was standing outside a portrait of a fat lady in an ugly pink dress. Weasley said the password, "Gryffindors rule" and it swung open. Draco trooped into the common room full of red and gold and then ran to the first year dorms to hide in his bed.

Hermione studied the tapestry outside the Slytherin dorm until she was certain she could find it again. She uttered the password and went in. The house colors of green and silver were tastefully hidden among black. Not wanting to make friends, she went to private dorm and found her trunk already there. She pulled out her textbooks and chose one aimlessly to peruse before she turned in. Bored with Transfiguration spells, she found her favorite pajamas and put them on. The bathroom attached to the dorm was big, but she wasn't a girly-girl, so the marble fixtures and large counter space didn't hold much interest. She crawled into the silk bed, finally noticing the coldness of the dungeons and fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.

Morning found the neglected duo going through their usual morning routines and then heading to the Great Hall. They stared in disbelief at their schedules, which contained mostly double classes and most were Gryffindor/Slytherin mixes. The duo quickly ate breakfast and left the Great Hall at the same time. They had Transfiguration first and each was trying to find their way there, lost in thoughts that still haunted them. The classroom was deserted when they reached it and they ignored each other as they sat down. Thus was the beginning of the school year. Both outcasts in their own houses, the duo were to be always in thought.

************

The end of first year brought about the winning of the Quidditch cup by Slytherin, the winning of the house cup by Slytherin and the near death of Harry Potter by Professor Quirrell. Quirrell had been possessed by Lord Voldemort and had decided to try the "Avada Kedavra" curse on Harry when he was leaving the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. It rebounded and killed Quirrell instantly. Hermione didn't care about any of that and Draco was secretly disappointed that Potter hadn't died. Hermione and Draco tied for top marks in all subjects, which surprised everyone because the collective student body had not been aware that those two existed.

And so it was time for the students to board the ruby Hogwarts express and return to Platform 9 ¾. Hermione had managed to get a private compartment, but Draco was having a hard time finding one. He came to Hermione's and thinking it was empty, settled in. She didn't care as long as he was quiet. He was, for the first part of the trip. Draco was thinking about going home, because he had managed to avoid going home at the breaks, and telling his dad he was in Gryffindor. He noticed Hermione when the train jolted over a bump in the tracks, and then how her Slytherin cloak was sliding off the seat beside her to the floor. He cleared his throat and she looked up at him.

"I'm Draco Malfoy," he introduced himself.

"Hermione Granger," she replied.

"I can't help but notice you're a Slytherin."

"That's correct and you are Gryffindor. Is there a point to this interruption?"

"Why, yes. You see Malfoy's are prided on being in Slytherin and I get beat enough at home already. Now being a Gryffindor is a major disgrace and-"

"You'll get beat more. So, why should I care?"

"I know this sounds pathetic, but I'll be your friend, if we switch robes and cloaks over summer and switch back on the train in September. If we need to talk to each other we can meet in the school somewhere, just so we don't explode from being ignored and all."

"Hmmm, would you owl me over summer as well?"

"Sure, why not."

"Alright you have a deal." She extended her hand and he shook it.

When the train pulled up to the station, Draco was the proud new owner of three Slytherin cloaks, one of which he sported as he disembarked from the train. Hermione followed wearing one of her new Gryffindor cloaks. They parted ways with a nod and Draco went to his father and Hermione made her way over to her *lying* parents. They all left the platform and Hermione looked forward to a relaxing summer with her old friends and 'parents' and some owls from Draco.