Here's the very beginning AN.

This story should include some teenage angst, a touch of drama, and of course romance- though it won't always be fluffy. No adventure and stuff involving the war, I'm no good at that kind of thing. Sexual content will be here and there, but very mild.

Overall, this is not cannon of HBP and DH. Some things are, but most things aren't, if that makes any sense. Don't hold me to either.

Also, give me a break as I've never tried writing someone else's characters before. I've just… fallen in love with these HP fics. And Dramione.

Chapter 1.

"I'm starving!"

"Shut your trap, you're always starving."

"Oh, please do be careful with that platter!"

"...And then, oh, wait until you hear what happens after that..."

"I swear, there must have been a hundred light bulbs, nearly as many outlets and plugs, and there more of those spark plugs than I've ever seen! And did I tell you about the jumper cables? Well apparently…"

"…well, lets just say she's not a beautiful blonde any longer."

"Well, no, um… err… I'm uhh… not too concerned about that at this time…"

"Where am I supposed to sit?

"Finally! Here comes the food! I haven't eaten in hours!"

"Exploding toothpick, anybody?"

"Earth to Hermione!" A hand waved in front of Hermione Granger's face. The hand of her famous best friend, Harry Potter, to be exact.

She smiled and shook her head quickly, as if to erase her mind, before flashing him a quick smile. "Oh, hi Harry. I'm fine. Just off in my own little world." She had just now been staring straight ahead and listening to the chaos of dinner hour at the Weasley's burrow. She wanted to take it all in and savor it; she wanted to keep this special part of her life close to her heart, being that this was the last meal they would eat together before boarding the Hogwart's express for the final time. And deep down, she had a feeling that she wouldn't be seeing much of this crowd after leaving Hogwarts.

So many lasts…It may be just another year at Hogwarts, but it's the last. The final start-of-term feast. The last sorting hat song she would ever hear. The very last exams she would be taking. The conclusion to all her hard work over the years. And at the moment she was about to have her final dinner with those who have been a second family to her.

This transition also made her wonder what she had accomplished over the past 6 years. Top in her class was definitely something to be proud of, but what else? She felt like something was missing from her entire school experience. I mean, was this it? You go for 7 years, get nearly straight O's, then graduate and leave it all behind?

She sighed out loud, and Harry glanced over with a slightly concerned expression. Before she could say a word, a bowl of potatoes was passed his way and he began serving himself. He was probably starving too, just not so much as to make a scene about it like some people here…

Glancing over Ron's way as she thought of him, she caught him staring at her, and he smiled awkwardly and looked down at the food, which he would normally be shoveling into his mouth. I Why has he been looking at me like that lately? What is UP with him/u Sure she had changed drastically since her 5th year, and still more since the 6th, but what was with all the gawking? She didn't know how to handle it. I It's RON, for Merlin's sake/I

She looked around a bit more, and absolutely nothing else was out of the ordinary. It was just a lovely dinner with a lovely family, as far as she was concerned. She smiled at Harry when he asked if she planned on eating tonight, and he proceeded to dish some out onto her plate for her.

Somehow… she thought, trying to conclude her jumbled thoughts, this year needs to be different. It needs to be special. It's the last one…

Ginny watched Harry serving Hermione part of her dinner and held back from letting a scowl cross her face. She liked Hermione well enough, sure. She was a nice girl, great to talk to, and it doesn't hurt that she happens to be best friends with the love of her own life.

But honestly, Ginny just did not understand what was so special about Hermione. Yes, she was smart and easy to copy notes and assignments off of. Yeah, her body had become pretty okay over the past couple years. However, Ginny felt that she personally had more fashion and beauty sense in her left pinky toe than Hermione had ever dreamed of having in her whole being. Her clothes were drab and plain. She never seemed to even attempt to make her hair look decent, let alone pretty. And who knows if she has ever even heard of makeup. Any guy would notice Ginny over Hermione.

That is, except for the one who matters. It's always all about Hermione, when it comes to Harry. Every time Harry did anything; be it going out somewhere with friends, or saving the world again, he always chose Hermione to be by his side. Ginny always wanted to be involved but it was always I "No, you're too young" /I. or some other lame excuse to take Hermione instead.

She shoved some food into her mouth and chewed ferociously to try to calm her nerves. Meanwhile she looked around and her eyes landed on her very own brother gawking like a schoolboy at no one other than Hermione. What is so damn special about that woman? She felt like she was going to be sick.

"I need to be excused," she blurted out. She got up and left the table, hustling to her bedroom and shutting the door behind her. She lay across her bed and threw a pillow over her face.

This year is going to be different. They'll all see.

Meanwhile, a dinner was going on in a much larger home, with a much smaller family. Well, sort of. Draco Malfoy was sitting in his father's mansion, at his father's crystal-topped dining table that seated twelve, eating his own dinner. He was sitting all by himself.

He picked at his food with one of the gold-crested, sterling silver forks that his mother had insisted that his father buy for their home. For what reason they needed such expensive cutlery is beyond fathoming. It's not as if the type of… friends… that his parents hung around were the type that you'd invite over for dinner parties.

Oh yes, though, being part of the richest pure-blood family around sure had its upsides. At least he wasn't poor. At least he wasn't a Mudblood. Everyone feared his very name. And that was, after all, any wizard needed to be successful in life. Pure blood, money, and power. That's all he needs. He's been told time and time again that he's going to be somebody because of these things.

He entered his 1st year at Hogwarts with this mindset. He is somebody, he is greater than all the other students. But who got all the attention and fame and respect? Who got all the friends? That Golden Trio, of course. But what do they have on him, a Malfoy? Well, the Potter hero had sheer luck and a dose of "love," apparently. The Granger girl had brains. Their Weasel sidekick had a large lovey-dovey family.

There is nothing special about them. They have nothing on me, I'm Draco Malfoy!

He put his fork down and ran his fingers through his silky blonde hair before resting his chin in his hand and letting out a deep sigh.

Yeah, they've got nothing…Except that they're happy.

Draco looked at the clock. A mere 14 hours before the train leaves platform 9 and three quarters. Then he'd be back in that school. Surrounded by mediocre excuses for wizards and nothing better to do than put off homework assignments and gab about how wealthy and special he is. God's gift to Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he acted like. And he knew that this was his attitude. This was where success, as in happiness, came from. Right?

Another sigh, and a secret promise stirred within him. This year will be different. I will find some sort of happiness in my life if my reputation depends on it. After all, this is the last chance. Its the last year…

AN: I'm not expecting much reaction yet. It's just the intro chapter. Chapter two coming in two days or less.