A/N: This is my first published fanfic. Reviews definitely appreciated. I will try to update this as often as possible.
Prologue
Draco walked slowly along the corridor looking left and right in at the windows of the compartments on the train. Most people were sat down with their friends, excited for the year to come, relieved that the stress of the war was finally over. He kept his head down as he walked hoping that he could just walk through unnoticed. He had thought about declining the role when he had first been sent the letter informing him he was to be head boy when he went back to Hogwarts. He knew that no one would respect him and rightly so. The things that him and his family had done during the war were horrific. He had known for a long time. Now he was stuck in the middle, destined to be an outcast from both sides. Those who had stood by the Boy-Wonder the whole time would never accept him. However, pretending that he still felt how he had before, going and hanging around the Sytherins, who for the most part hadn't changed their ways, he couldn't do either. So he just continued down the train alone with his thoughts and happy to be so.
«--»
Hermione sat in the corner of and empty compartment at the end of the train. She had left Harry, Ron and the others 15 minutes into their train ride with the excuse that she needed to sort out schedules for the first term, being head girl. Although it was true, it was not really the reason why she had left. The talk about the war was giving her a headache. She hated all the publicity that had been drawn to her because of her part in helping Harry to destroy the Horcruxes. No matter whether it was praise towards the three of them or just general discussion, she couldn't stand it. Everything reminded her of what had happened that night and how she could never tell anyone. She was so ashamed of her little secret and could barely look any of her friends in the eye anymore. Now she sat with parchment spread out before her as she tried with the vaguest hope to concentrate on achieving something productive before they got to Hogwarts.
«--»
He finished his inspection of the train and opened the compartment at the end which he had ensured was empty for himself at the start of the journey. He sank down into the seat and closed his eyes, letting out a tired sigh. When mere seconds later another sigh mirrored his own, his eyes sprang open again. He looked down to see parchment scattered across the table and a sleeping Granger. From what he could make out she had started to write up schedules for the prefect patrols. He had guessed she would be head girl but he doubted she knew he was head boy. A sneer passed across his face. They would doubtless be spending enough time together once they got to Hogwarts as much as she might dislike it. A thought struck him and he groaned. How would Potter and Weasel react when they found out he was head boy? There was no way they would take it lightly and he was not looking forward to having them around like a constant presence as well as know-it-all Granger. Where were they now anyway? Were they aware that their precious Gryfindor princess was sleeping in a carriage alone and so vunerable?
He stood up quickly. If they came looking for her he didn't want to bump into them. He turned to open the compartment door and leave when a sound from Granger behind him made him stop. A small sniffle. Almost in slow motion, he turned around again. Facing her, he saw she was still asleep yet there were tears trickling slowly down her cheeks. Shit. He had no idea what to do. He watched and her body became tense and her breathing more rapid. Her hands gripped the edge of the table and the tears were falling freely now. Still Draco just stood there. He wondered what she could be dreaming about to mean she was in such a state. Her body began to shudder violently. She was going to seriously hurt herself if she wasn't careful. Her breath was coming out in gasps and sobs. He wanted to help her. What should he do? He started to take a step towards her. It would all stop if he could just wake her up, then the dream would be over surely.
Hesitantly he took another step forward. He inhaled deeply before he got any closer towards her. She was not likely to appreciate being woken up by him even if she was having a bad dream. But it didn't matter. He took a second deep breath and then suddenly so much seemed to happen at once. Granger let out an earpiercing scream, causing not only him to jump about half a mile backward but also waking herself up and alerting people outside in the corridor. She jolted up her eyes opening and staring round fearfully. The door behind him slid open and Potter and Weasel ran in. Potter ran straight across to Granger putting his arms around her shoulder.
He soothingly whispered to her, "Hey, hey, Hermione. It's okay. It's alright. Don't worry. It was just a dream."
Weasley turned to Draco and glared. "What did you do to her Malfoy?" he snarled, "Why don't you just shove off?"
He pushed hard at Draco's chest and he stumbled out of the compartment. There was no use in him staying in there anyway. Whatever was up with Granger could obviously be dealt with by Potter and Weasel. Draco turned away and swiftly went to a toilet, locking it. He sat there mulling over what he had just seen, not wanting to come out again till they reached Hogwarts.
«--»
Hermione woke from her dreams to Harry with his arms around her and Ron sliding into the seat next to her. He was slightly red faced.
"What happened 'Mione? Did he hurt you? Why was he in here with you?"
She furrowed her brow. What was he talking about? Someone had been in the compartment with her? Had they seen her when she was asleep? She covered her face with her hands in confusion and embarrassment. She had no idea what Ron was on about. Everything around her still felt quite fuzzy.
Harry interrupted. "Don't worry her about it now Ron." Turning slightly so he was facing her he patted her shoulder. "Are you going to tell us what happened 'Mione.. hmmm?"
At he words all the pictures of the horror that had filled her dreams flooded back again. She blinked hard at an attempt to stop from bursting into tears again. She cried a lot recently and she knew Harry and Ron had noticed the changes and were worried for her. But she just couldn't tell them anything. It was far too embarrassing and upsetting.
Quickly she pushed past the boys without a words. She headed for the nearest toilet cubicle, and rushing in, she locked it and sank down to her knees.
«--»
Draco sat brooding in the toilet cubile as he heard someone rush into the one next to his. After Weasel had pushed him out the compartment he had retired here. Yes, it was undignified, but really he had felt it was the best place to go where he knew he was definitely going to be alone.
Now his thinking peace had been disturbed by whoever had rushed into the cubicle next to his. He was about to put up silencing charms when he heard a sob. One he recognised from mere moments before. Granger. Again. Where were Potter and Weasel? The sounds changed as she began to choke on her sobs and then he heard her throwing up. What could her dreams have been about to cause her to cry so hard she vomited? He didn't know but he was sure going to find out before the year was up.