Chapter Text
In the dim light of Oxford University, two students sat hunched over a stack of books, their pencils scratching against paper as they delved into their research on indigenous cultures. The green banker’s lamps providing much needed illumination, as the rest of the library had all but closed at such an obscure time of the night.
Draco squinted at the text in front of him, trying to make out the intricate details of Arhuaco rituals. They had been writing for what seemed like hours, and as he read on the letters began to look more and more like squiggles on the page. "I swear, Granger, if I have to read one more academic essay written in pretentious jargon, I might just go insane" he muttered, rubbing his aching temples.
Hermione shot him a glance, perhaps laced with sympathy, but that would be odd. "Believe me, I share your frustration," she replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "But if we want to get Professor Bobbins off our arses, we'll have to power through."
Draco nodded, begrudgingly accepting her logic. "Fine, fine," he conceded. "But afterwards, I want coffee."
The brunette nodded, rolling her eyes simultaneously. He could practically read her mind, and she was begging to be rid of his presence. He shared her sentiment, wordlessly wishing to be back in his dorm away from the incredulous bookworm.
As they delved deeper into their research, Draco couldn't help but bother Hermione about her meticulous note-taking, attempting to find some amusement in this ordeal. "Granger, do you plan on writing a thesis on the Arhuaco?" he quipped, a scowl darkening his features.
Hermione shot him a wry look over the top of her reading glasses. "Well, considering your handwriting resembles ancient hieroglyphics, someone has to keep track of our findings," she retorted, disdain tinging her voice.
Draco chuckled, offended. "My handwriting is perfectly legible, thank you very much. It's called 'cursive,' Granger. Perhaps you've heard of it?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, an exasperated expression clouding her features. "Yes, Malfoy, I'm familiar with the concept. But I doubt even a child could decipher your scribbles."
As they dissected the intricate details of Arhuaco rituals and beliefs, their rivalry only seemed to intensify. Draco’s sharp wit and Hermione’s encyclopedic knowledge clashed and collided, creating sparks of intellectual friction that fueled their determination to come out on top.
Despite their competitive nature, however, there were moments of unexpected camaraderie. When one stumbled upon a particularly perplexing passage, the other was quick to offer assistance, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the face of a shared challenge.
Draco naturally, was not in need of Hermione’s assistance. In fact, her mere presence vexed him. The more he was forced to be around her over intelligence, the more he loathed her. It seemed as no matter what Draco did, he could never relax.
He and Hermione shared an intense rivalry, stemming from their days as freshmen at Oxford. The Indigenous Cultures department was shockingly small, despite the size of the university. Due to this oversight, the pair had shared a majority of their classes during their tenure.
To make matters worse, she always tried to best him by earning top marks on each assignment and test. If he was not number 1, there was no doubt that she would be, and vice-versa. He couldn’t understand why she always seemed to be one step ahead, her intellect shining brightly even in the dim light of the library. It grated on his nerves, fueling the fire of his resentment with each passing moment.
This precisely, was the reason for his present predicament. A simple disagreement between the pair had “disrupted the class”, and “discouraged the learning of others.” As a punishment, Draco was stuck writing a group paper with the snobby prude that went by Hermione Granger.
“A little teamwork might serve you two well. You need to learn how to get along.” urged Prof. Bobbin earlier that week as he assigned the project.
Little did he know, the only thing Granger knew how to do in regards to Draco, was annoy him.
—
Draco adjusted his jumper nervously as he and Hermione stood at the front of the small classroom, their meticulously prepared presentation displayed on the screen behind them. The room was peppered with their few classmates, the other students watched them expectantly, their eyes curious and perhaps a touch apprehensive, knowing the history between the two.
Draco cleared his throat, trying to project an air of confidence as he began to speak. “Today, my classmate Hermione and I will be presenting our research on the Arhuaco indigenous culture,” he started, his voice steady.
Hermione nodded in agreement, her gaze focused on the slides behind them. “The Arhuaco people, also known as the Ika, inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range in Colombia,” she continued, her tone measured and authoritative.
As Hermione began to speak, her voice clear and confident, Draco suddenly felt awinge of admiration for her poise. Despite her overt inelegance, he had to admit that she had a certain knack for commanding attention.
"As we explored the indigenous cultures of Latin America," Hermione began, gesturing to the images and diagrams on the screen, "we were struck by the richness and diversity of these ancient civilizations. From the vibrant textiles of the Wayuu people to the spiritual beliefs of the Arhuaco, each culture offers a unique glimpse into the history and heritage of the region."
Draco watched as their classmates nodded in agreement, their interest piqued by Hermione's articulate presentation. She had a way of drawing people in, of making even the most complex topics accessible and engaging.
When it was his turn to speak, Draco took a deep breath, channeling all of his focus into the task at hand. "Indeed, the resilience and ingenuity of these indigenous peoples are truly remarkable," he began, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "Despite centuries of colonization and marginalization, they have persevered, holding fast to their traditions and cultural identity."
As Draco spoke, he felt a sense of pride wash over him. For all their differences, he and Hermione had managed to put aside their rivalry and work together to create something meaningful. And as their presentation drew to a close and their classmates erupted into applause, Draco couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that they had succeeded.
“Well done, you two. I’m proud, but not shocked that the two of you mannered to compose a meaningful project.” Prof. Bobbins notes, peering at the two above his laptop. He paused, leisurely typing something in his laptop in the manner that people of his age did.
The pair shared a quick glance, Hermione flashing a slight smile his way, no teeth present. If he wasn’t paying attention, he would have missed it.
A loud sound, somewhat like a car starting, filled the classroom with it’s echo, interrupting his thoughts. The entire class jerked with the sound, the archaic professor clearing his throat unabashedly. “By any means, it is the best one I’ve seen from this class. I have decided that it will be the one I submit to the Deans Office in request for our expedition.”
An applause filled the silence of the room, Hermione and Draco frozen in disbelief.
“Go on, you two… Smile, sigh, do something.”
Draco and Hermione exchanged surprised glances, their eyes reflecting a mixture of astonishment and relief. Slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of Draco's lips, mirroring the genuine grin that appeared on Hermione's face.
Draco certaintly hadn’t expected Prof. Boggins to select their project to bestow this honor. He knew the work would be excellent of course, he was apart of it. Perhaps Hermione had something to do with it, maybe, he didn’t know nor care.
Nevertheless, he never thought a project done as punishment would win favor from the professor. Every other student presented and researched their project alone, selecting a distinct region and culture. They were the exception, forced to work together.
If the Dean approved of the presentation, the Ind. Cultures 301 class would soon be en route to the land of the Arhuaco: Colombia.