AN: Hello, Dramione fans! I haven't ever written anything for Harry Potter (which is crazy, considering Dramione fanfiction is probably my favorite to read), so I hope that I don't suck at it! Don't forget to FAVORITEand REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS! J.K. ROWLING MADE THESE CHARACTERS; I'M JUST BORROWING THEM FOR A BIT! THANKS!

After the Battle of Hogwarts, many of us were faced with something we never thought we would have to deal with: what do we do now? I thought about the kiss that Ron and I shared during the heat of the battle; it wasn't at all what I had thought it would be. Surprisingly, it was sloppy, wet, and generally unpleasant. I would never tell him how bad it was.

We already bicker over the smallest of things; critiquing his… skills wouldn't help anything. A frown marred my face at my thoughts. What am I doing? Thinking about kissing and boys while I should be helping search for victims! I should be ashamed! I shook my head and began to search with renewed vigor. "Homenum Revelio". I was relieved to see no human presence in the damaged hallway. It hurt my heart to see the place that I had grown to love in this state. There were some sections of the castle that were too unsafe to travel into at the moment because large portions of the walls had been blown out, leaving unsteady and unsupported rooves above. After casting the human detection charm once more, just to be safe, I left and turned down another hallway and lifted my wand in front of me. "Homenum Revelio".

To my surprise, and horror, a light began to glow above a large pile of rubble. I immediately ran towards the pile and began levitating large pieces of stone off of the pile. I heard a groan after I lifted a particularly large piece of stone. "Hold on! I've almost got you out!" I lifted another large piece of rubble, and was relieved to see that there was a large shield from one of the suits of armor propped between the person and the rubble. There was so much rubble still on top of the person, and knowing that they had protection, I raised my wand again. "Bombarda!"

The rubble flew in all different directions, but I didn't care as I scrambled towards the person underneath the shield. I could see a shiny black boot sticking out from underneath one edge of the shield. Well, that's either a man, or a woman with extremely large feet. I got closer to the person and kicked the shield off of them, pulling my wand up at the same time. Just in case that there was a death eater underneath the shield, I wanted to be prepared.

To my surprise, it was a death eater, but not one that I was afraid of. Draco Malfoy lay on the ground in front of me cradling his clearly broken arm towards his body. "Malfoy?"

At my voice, he let out another moan. "Are you actually hurt, or are you just carrying on?" When I received no reply, I cautiously stepped towards him. "Malfoy?" I still received no reply. I nudged the pureblood with my foot. Again, I received no reply or scathing remark. Oh God! What if he's actually hurt and I'm just standing here heckling him? At that thought, I immediately levitated him off the ground. That time, I got a groan out of him, but nothing else.

I took off in a sprint towards the Great Hall, oblivious to the weird looks I was receiving. A few days later, I would laugh at the image of myself running through the halls looking as if I had been to Hell and back, with a floating unconscious Draco Malfoy following me. I finally reached the Great Hall and busted through the doors loudly; again, I received odd looks. Madam Pomfrey immediately bustled over to an empty part of the table and beckoned me to place him on it. Moments after he was placed on the table, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy both rushed into the Great Hall. I could see the confusion and apprehension on their face as they neared; why would the mudblood be next to their son? Just as I turned to leave, I heard a faint whisper. "Thanks, Granger."

I whipped back around to look at the blonde, whose silver eyes were trained on me. I gave him a tentative smile and nod, and then turned to leave. As I was leaving the room, a single thought fluttered through my mind, over and over again. He didn't call me a mudblood.

The following summer was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Kingsley had sent a team of aurors to search for my parents in Australia a week after the Battle of Hogwarts. That was two months ago, and they still hadn't found a trace of my parents. The issue with my parents wasn't the worst part; I had gone to well-over twenty funerals and memorials in the past two months, and some of them had been for friends that I had grown up with.

Professor McGonagall had approached Harry, Ron, and I after the last funeral we had attended to give us an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. She told us that, since our last year of school had been taken from us, we could make it up this coming school year. The invitation was extended to any of the students from our year, but that we weren't obligated to attend. After hearing Harry and Ron decline, I jumped at the chance to be free of Ron. My two best friends chuckled at my enthusiasm; they chocked it down to my love of education. If only they knew, then they wouldn't be laughing. The professor told me to expect a letter in July, as the semester would be beginning in August.

After the battle, Ron had become clingy and, for lack of a better word, annoying. I hadn't been able to let him down, and had consequently been trapped into an unwanted relationship. I should have put a stop to it immediately! Now it's only going to be worse when I do manage to break it off! At least I'll be free of him this school year! It will be weird without the two of them with me, though. Thank Merlin that Ginny didn't take the honorary diploma as well; I wouldn't have any friends at all!

I refused to think about the fact that I would have no real friends in my year. Every single one of my friends took the honorary diploma extended to them, and had begun their lives as adults. Harry, Ron, and Seamus had all begun an internship with the Auror Department in the Ministry, Neville travelled to South America where he could study herbology deeper, and Luna took over her father's "newspaper", The Quibbler. I keep telling myself that I don't need to worry about having friends with me because this year, I need to focus on my studies more than anything else for the N.E.W.T.s at the end of the year. With that thought, I had been trying to keep my self from worrying.

I was torn out of my brooding by a sharp pecking on my bedroom window. I had decided to live at my childhood home until the school year started, even if my parents weren't here; I reasoned that the Weasleys didn't need me intruding while they grieved for Fred. I rose from my bed and headed towards the window to let the impatient barn owl in. After taking the thick envelope that it was carrying, the owl immediately flew back out of my window. What a rude owl! I chuckled as I lay back down on my bed. I looked at the envelope in my hand, and let out a squeal. My Hogwarts letter had finally come!

I opened the envelope, and immediately felt something fall onto my lap. My eyes widened as I took in the sight of the ornate badge that fell into my lap. It can't be! I hurriedly read down my letter, and let out another squeal when I confirmed my suspicions. I made Head Girl! Oh, I wish mom were here to see this!

Deciding that I had to tell Harry about getting the position of Head Girl, I ran down the stairs and into the living room. I stuck my head into the fireplace and made a floo call to Grimmauld Place. I immediately saw Harry and Ginny in a heavy snogging session on the couch; I let out a squeak and saw the two fly apart. "I'm so sorry!"

Ginny recovered first. "It's fine, Hermione! Honestly, we should have expected it, doing that in front of the fireplace and all! What is it that you wanted?"

I remembered why I called, and immediately forgot about my awkwardness. "My Hogwarts letter came today, and I got Head Girl!"

Ginny spoke first. "Congratulations! I'm not surprised, really. Who else would've gotten it? Do you know who the Head Boy is, by any chance?"

At the thought of my partner for the coming year, I blanched. Who would be Head Boy if it weren't Ron or Harry? "I have no clue. The letter didn't say."

Ginny looked confused, but shook it off quickly. "That's odd. When Percy got Head Boy, his letter told him who would be Head Girl. Oh well, I guess we'll find out on the train ride this year."

Conversation shifted away from school, and soon I had told the pair goodnight. As I rose from the fireplace, my mind drifted back to the Head Boy. I wonder why I wasn't told? I decided that it would be fruitless to think about that question, and headed for bed.

A month later, I found myself in the newly rebuilt Diagon Alley to get supplies for the coming school year. All of the shops that had been destroyed during the war were back to normal, even Gringotts Bank was back to its pristine condition. I shook my head in disbelief as I remembered flying out of the bank on a dragon's back. I kept my head low, and drew my cloak's hood over my head, and tried to stay as inconspicuous as possible. I had become a bit of a celebrity after the final battle, and now I was recognized everywhere I went.

I headed towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, the place where I had promised to meet Ginny. I stepped into the familiar shop and immediately spotted the familiar head of red hair.

Ginny was reading the Daily Prophet, and looked up when I sidled next to her in line. I could see her questioning looks at my hood, and went ahead and answered her unasked question. "It's easier to just avoid anyone recognizing me. I spent so long hiding from the snatchers, and now I have to hide from the public!"

Ginny let out an unladylike snort. "Well, it's nice the fame hasn't gotten to your head."

My eyes widened and I began stammering, until I saw the sly grin on her face. I huffed and rolled my eyes at her. A few minutes later, we were heading to our first stop, Flourish and Blotts, for our textbooks. The day continued on as we checked everything off of our lists.

The final thing left on the list was to get our school robes. We headed to Madam Malkin's boutique to be fitted. I had always despised the place, almost as much as I despised Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. When we entered the shop, my face dropped as I saw who was being fitted. Draco Malfoy stood on a small podium in front of three mirrors that allowed for views from many different angles.

Off to the side, his mother was standing. Narcissa Malfoy was as beautiful as ever, but something seemed different about her. She almost seemed to be standing in a defensive position, like she didn't want to be there. The thought that such a pompous woman would be uncomfortable in a clothing store made me giggle.

Hoping that neither of the purebloods would see us, I pulled my cloak tighter around my body. Ginny didn't seem to notice, or maybe she just didn't care, that two Malfoys were in the shop with us.

She loudly dragged me towards the counter that happened to be very near to the very people that I was trying to avoid. "Come on Hermione! We are almost done with the shopping! I know how much you hate it, but if you cooperate we'll be done quicker! And take that cloak off! You don't need it in here; there's not many people in here!"

I sighed at Ginny's loud words. Resigned to my fate, I unclasped my cloak, slid out of it, and draped it over my arm. I let out a long-suffering sigh and did as she told.

Ginny nodded once I had taken off the cloak. "Now, let's get fitted and get out of here. I want to go back to see that new broom that they just got in this week. They say that it can go…"

I tuned out Ginny's chatter about the newest broomstick and crossed my arms over my chest. I had become so used to the cloak that I felt too exposed without it, especially since I was just wearing a pair of jeans and a simple black shirt. A tall and severe looking woman came over to us, only to lead us right next to the Malfoys. I read the woman's nametag. Mildred. I shuddered. What a horrid name. It didn't take long to realize that Mildred's personality fit her name. While taking Ginny's measurements, she managed to pull out some of her hair and stab her a few times with her needle. It took everything I could to keep Ginny from hexing the woman; then it was my turn.

At first, I was trying to be patient with the woman. After she managed to rip out some of my hair as well, and then stab me with a needle three times in a row, my patience was wearing thin. When she stabbed me again, I let out a loud yelp. "If you wouldn't squirm around so much, then I wouldn't poke you with this needle!" Mildred also apparently was "gifted" with a horrible voice as well, reminiscent of nails on a chalkboard.

I opened my mouth to reply, when I was cut off. A cool voice that could make anyone feel inferior spoke up. "Mildred, if you wouldn't poke the poor girl then she wouldn't be squirming around. See to it that you pay attention when handling sharp objects, won't you?" I heard Ginny's sharp gasp, and then poorly-muffled laughter.

I could feel my jaw hanging open. Narcissa Malfoy just defended me. I looked towards Mildred, whose face was scrunched up like she had just eaten a lemon. "Yes, Mrs. Malfoy." I then looked to my right, only to see the two Malfoys heading towards the counter in front, overladen with robes.

Twenty minutes later, we exited the shop. Ginny was still laughing at our encounter inside of Madam Malkin's. "I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been there!" Instead of thinking too hard about why Narcissa Malfoy of all people would defend me, I just laughed along with Ginny as she pulled me through the throngs of people.

It was finally September 1. In an hour, I would be boarding the Hogwarts Express to begin my final year of school. In an hour, I would be leaving my two best friends for the first time in seven years. In an hour, I would finally learn who the Head Boy is.

According to my Hogwarts acceptance letter, I was to ride in the Heads' compartment to familiarize myself with the Head Boy. I was a bit nervous about that, as I had never been very outgoing. I just hoped it would be someone that I knew well enough so they wouldn't fawn over me.

I checked my trunk to be sure that I hadn't left anything out, and then headed downstairs to eat a small snack. As I sat down at the dining table, I realized that I should savor the silence of the empty house while I could; the next eight months wouldn't afford me any silence. I smiled at that thought. It wouldn't be Hogwarts if it were quiet.

I looked around at my childhood home and frowned. When I was a child, this house felt like a home; now, it just felt like I was living in a hotel. There were very few pictures on the walls. The walls themselves were painted in a depressing grey. The carpet was white, and didn't have a stain on it. Overall, the house looked very impersonal and cold. The pervading silence only added to the dreariness that lived in the house. Wonderful. My home gives off the same vibes as a dementor.

I marched up the stairs and entered my equally dreary bedroom to get my trunk, when I noticed it was pouring rain outside. Happy to actually have an excuse to wear my cloak, I wrapped myself up in it and grabbed my luggage. With a final look around my bedroom, I turned on the spot and felt like I was being pulled through a small tube. Apparition is possibly the most dreadful feeling I have ever encountered.

I opened my eyes to see the towering Burrow in front of me. I smiled as I thought about the happy Weasley family that lives here. Realizing that I was just standing in the rain staring at the house, I took off running towards the door; my mouth began watering as I entered the house. Molly has to be the best cook in the world!

The Burrow may have been one of the oddest buildings that I had ever seen in my life; it was leaning in some places, and in some, it was defying the laws of physics. If not for the magic supporting it, it would surely collapse. I didn't care though; the Burrow was one of the happiest homes that I had ever been to, if not the happiest.

I was surprised when there weren't people rushing around in every direction like usual. Then I realized that, since only Ginny and I were going to Hogwarts this year, there wouldn't be a reason for everyone to be up and about. I walked into the kitchen to see Arthur, Molly, Ron, and Ginny sitting at the table eating. At my entrance, Molly hopped up from her seat and trapped me in a hug. "Hermione! How have you been? It seems like I haven't seen you in ages! Oh dear! You need to eat! You're nothing but skin and bones!"

I laughed at Molly's motherly tendencies and told everyone else good morning. Harry came in a few minutes later, and then we apparated to King's Cross Station. Harry and Ron were going to see us off. The sight of the Hogwarts Express made me tear up as I realized that this would be one of the last times that I would ride the magnificent train that was slowly filling the air with smoke.

Harry, Ron, and I began to notice the stares and murmuring from all of the people around us. Harry immediately turned bright red, and Ron looked nervous. On the other hand, all I felt was anger. We were being treated as if we were in a zoo! I began to glare at the people around us, and began pulling the two boys towards the train. When I reached the entrance, I let go of them. Then, it hit me. I wouldn't be seeing my best friends until Christmas. If I come home for Christmas, that is.

My eyes began to tear up and I pulled both of the boys into a hug. "I'm going to miss you both so much! It's going to be so weird without you both there to nag and lecture!" I let out a watery laugh.

Harry spoke first. "Hermione, we told you. We'll write every week, at least. You won't be able to get rid of us that easily." I laughed and hugged him around the neck, then turned to Ron. Harry must've felt uncomfortable, so he quietly told us that he was going to find Ginny and tell her goodbye.

I made eye contact with Ron, and nearly cringed when I saw the look on his face. Oh Godric, no. Please don't do what I think you're about to do. Ron took a deep breath and began to speak really fast. "Hermione… wearen'tgoingtosee-eachotherforareallylongtime-and IjustwantedtosayIloveyou." My heart stopped. I can't keep lying to him; he doesn't deserve that. I could see the nervous expression on Ron's face intensifying the longer I stayed quiet. "Ron, come with me for a moment."

I led Ron to a small alcove off of the platform and turned to him. "Ron. Ron, I'm so sorry. I… I haven't been honest with you. I should have said something that night, but I didn't want to hurt you when Fred had just... Ron, I can't be with you. I'm so, so, sorry." When Ron didn't reply, I began to get worried. Finally, something inside of him snapped.

"Why?" Ron spoke in a deadly quiet voice that I had never heard him use.

"Ron, I'm so sorry! I don't know! I thought that I had feelings for you while we were on the run, and then when we kissed—" I stopped short when I noticed Ron's angry glare. He shook his head in a way that made me feel extremely small.

"Why did you wait until now to say something, huh? What is wrong with you? You know what, I don't care. I'll see you whenever you get back." With that Ron turned and began walking away from me. My eyes widened as he dismissed me.

"Ronald! Don't walk away from me! Ronald Bilius Weasley!" I shouted at him trying to make him turn back, but he never did. Oh God. What have I done? Did I just lose my best friend? I could feel tears working their way down my face, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Then I noticed I had an audience staring at me. I wiped my eyes quickly, lowered my head, and marched onto the train.

There were stares on the train as well. Only this time, it was because I was the war-heroine-best-friend of Harry Potter's. I was glad that no one seemed aware of the scene Ron and I just created. I sluggishly pulled my trunk behind me, until I realized I was to head to the Head's compartment to meet the Head Boy. I wiped my eyes one more time before picking my chin up confidently. I finally reached the front of the train where the compartment lay. I stood outside trying to calm my hammering heartbeat. You're a Gryffindor! Pull yourself together! You faced Bellatrix LeStrange and lived to tell the tale; you can meet the Head Boy!

At that thought, I pulled the door open calmly and stepped inside. I let out a breath as I realized the Head Boy wasn't even inside of the compartment. I let out a huff and levitated my trunk onto one of the luggage racks before sitting down at a seat by the window. The compartment was larger than the rest, and had a few tables, chairs, and booths. I looked at my watch; the train should be pulling off any minute now. I wonder where the Head Boy is?

I pulled out a potions book that I bought at Flourish and Blotts, and quickly became entranced at the magical theories that lay inside of the cover. I didn't notice the door had opened, or that anyone had entered. I jumped when a drawling voice spoke from my left. "Tell me that you don't read textbooks for fun, Granger."

My face paled as I looked up to see Draco Malfoy towering over me. "What does it matter what I read for fun? Reading is reading, but I would rather read something practical than waste my time reading some trashy romance novel, thank you very much. And—Wait, what are you doing in here? This is the Heads' compartment."

Malfoy wore one of the largest smirks I had ever seen. I began to worry. Oh no. What is he planning? I saw him lift his hand to his chest, and begin tapping on a piece of metal that looked like a small shield. I stared in shock at the badge that matched my own. At my horrified look, Malfoy's grin stretched even wider. "Does that answer your question, partner?"

AN: I meant for this to be a one-shot, but it's already at 4000 words, so I decided to just break this up into a few chapters. This won't be a huge story. I think. Tell me how it is, and if you like it! Don't forget to FAVORITE and REVIEW!