I do not own any of these characters, all credit goes to J.K Rowling!

Rated M for possible future content..

Hermione was sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, with her two best friends, feeling very excited to be returning to Hogwarts. A little nervous, perhaps, but definitely excited. The Wizarding World was slowly beginning to recover after the war, and what better way to return to normality than attending Hogwarts again? Hermione had been worried that everything had changed too much, and that Hogwarts just wouldn't be the same, but now she had the overwhelming feeling that going back was the right thing to do. She was ready to finish her education, and complete her NEWTs. The whole thing was made even better by the fact her friends had decided to return with her.

Harry hadn't wanted to go back at first, feeling that too much had happened at Hogwarts for it to ever feel like his home again. But, like Hermione, he had slowly warmed to the idea of returning to his old school. Harry had spent most of life saving others, and dealing with death and destruction. He wanted one more year as a student, a final year of freedom. Ron hadn't planned on returning either; he wasn't bothered about gaining his NEWTs, but when he realised his two best friends were returning, he decided to join them for another year. Ginny had also returned, now in the seventh year with her older brother.

Hermione looked out of the window at the countryside rushing by. "I wonder how different it's going to be this time." She mused.

"A lot." Ginny remarked. "We won't be forced to torture people in detention, for a start."

Hermione blushed. "Sorry Ginny, I didn't think. I didn't mean that. I meant how different from.. before."

"I know." Ginny smiled a little sadly at her friend. "Hopefully Hogwarts will soon be back to normal. Except with no Dumbledore." She reached over and squeezed Harry's hand. The two of them had been tentatively trying out being in a relationship again.

Hermione and Ron had started going out after the Battle, but it had sort of fizzled into nothing, and Hermione was perfectly happy just being friends with Ron. She sometimes wondered if perhaps Ron felt differently. Sometimes she saw him looking at her..

"Who'll be Headteacher now?" Harry asked. "McGonagall, I guess. She'll make a good Headmistress." The others nodded in agreement.

"Look!" Ron said suddenly. "We're here!"

Hermione stared at the castle, looming in the distance. She wondered what the year would bring. Surely things couldn't be totally back to normal. But what would have changed?

The group shared a carriage from the train to the castle, and were looking forward to seating themselves around Gryffindor table, and enjoying the feast. Before they could enter the great hall, Professor McGonagall hurried over to them.

"Ah! I was hoping to catch you before the Sorting begins. I wondered if any of you would be interested in helping in a little.. project."

"What kind of project, Professor?" Hermione was intrigued. She had always been interested in furthering her knowledge. Or being a "teachers pet", as Ron so often teasingly called her.

"Well.." Professor McGonagall hesitated. "We want everyone at Hogwarts to be united. After the War.. We don't want anymore fighting."

"I'll help in whatever way I can, Professor." Harry said immediately. "After all that has happened.. What is the point in all this rivalry between the houses?"

"I'll help as well, Professor." Ginny said quickly, taking hold of Harry's hand once again. She was determined not to be left out of things.

"I'm glad you feel that way." Professor McGonagall looked relieved. "And.. Hermione? Would you be interested?"

"Yes, of course, Professor." Hermione said firmly. "You can count on us. You know we'd do anything to help get Hogwarts back to the way it should be."

"Wonderful!" Professor McGonagall beamed at them. "Well, I'd better get on with the sorting.."

"Er.. Did you want any help from me, Professor?" Ron offered half-heartedly. Taking part in some inter-house unity project was not what he'd had in mind when he had decided to return to Hogwarts.

"Oh, no, Mr Weasley. Hermione, Harry and Ginny will be fine. You don't want to over-work yourself this year." She said, with the tiniest of winks in Ron's direction. "Go and sit down in the hall!" She called back, as she hurried away to welcome the new students.

"Oh Ron, you couldn't have sounded more uninterested if you tried!" Hermione chastised.

Ron shrugged, grinning. "What? She said she didn't need my help! But I'm sure you'll all have a lot of fun with this project. It just sounds like a load of hard work to me. I'm here to relax.."

Hermione dug her elbow into Ron's side. "Relax?! We've got NEWTs to pass!" But she smiled at him. "I wonder what this project is all about?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad to be involved." Harry said, determinedly. "McGonagall's right, all this fighting has to stop. And if we have a chance to fix it.."

"You're right." Ginny smiled at her boyfriend. "We have to do everything we can."

"Great!" Ron said. "Now, can we go and enjoy the feast.."

"Fine!" Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. "Come on, then."

She led the way into the Great Hall, and headed towards the Gryffindor table. Her eyes skimmed the hall as she walked - she saw a flash of white blonde hair, and she stopped dead.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shook her head. She was gobsmacked. "He.. He came back!" She pointed a trembling hand over towards to Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was sat.

"Malfoy!" Ron growled, beginning to stride over. Harry grabbed his arm. "No! This is exactly what we were talking about. We've got to stop fighting. Look.. The Malfoy's changed side, remember? His mother saved my life. Now, that doesn't stop us from hating him, but we've just got to ignore him, okay?" Ron opened his mouth to protest angrily, so Harry quickly added, "He's still a slimy git. And it doesn't stop us from hating him. But as long as he stays away from us.."

"Okay." Ron said, moodily. He sank down onto the bench at the Gryffindor table. "But I swear, if he even comes near any of us.."

"I know." Harry said darkly. "But he wouldn't dare."

Hermione was still in a shocked silence. She couldn't believe Malfoy had turned up.. And sat next to him was Blaise Zabini, and.. Parkinson! Why on earth had they returned? Hadn't they done enough? As if he could feel her gaze burning on him, Malfoy looked up. Their eyes met across the hall, and Malfoy smirked. Hermione could feel her blood begin to boil.

"Quiet, everyone!" McGonagall barked, appearing at the doorway to the entrance hall. "The Sorting will now begin!"

Hermione sat in silence throughout the Sorting, barely joining in the applause. She just couldn't believe it. The cheek of him.. He'd never shown any remorse for his actions.

She stared blankly into space during the feast, just picking at bits of food. The others were also uncharacteristically silent, with just Ginny trying to fill the awkward pauses with chatter and subjects and other students that had returned.

"Welcome back, everyone! Welcome to our new students, old students, and those that have decided to return. We have been through some difficult times here at Hogwarts.. But we hope to move forward. This year, all the fighting ends. We are going to strive for inter-house unity. Here at Hogwarts, we will all support each other." There was a smattering of applause as McGonagall finished her speech. "You may all retire to your dorms. If Mr Malfoy, Mr Zabini, Miss Parkinson, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley and Mr Potter could stay behind, please."

Everyone rose from their seats, except for the six mentioned by Professor McGonagall, and Ron.

"If you could come down here, please," Professor McGonagall called to them. "You may go to your dorm room, Mr Weasley." She said crisply.

Ron stood, outraged. "What? Why can't I stay?"

"You are not involved in my project, Mr Weasley. Please go to your dorm." Professor McGonagall snapped.

Ron's ears were turning red with anger, but he decided against arguing, and instead stormed from the hall.

"Temper, temper, Weasel." Draco sneered, just loud enough for Hermione to overhear as she made her way to the front of the hall. She shot her filthiest look at Draco, who simply smirked irritatingly back.

"Professor, what is this about?" Harry asked loudly, striding towards the Headmistress.

"Inter-house unity, Potter." She replied crisply. "You agreed to help me. In fact, you said you'd help in any way you could. Do you want to retract that statement?"

"No, I just-" Harry hurriedly corrected himself. "I just don't understand."

"Well, maybe if you'll allow me to explain, Mr Potter. Mr Malfoy, Mr Zabini and Miss Parkinson all requested to return to Hogwarts this year. They were accepted - on the condition they be 'partnered up', so to speak. They agreed. You three have been selected as their partners. We hope that this will encourage unity and friendship between houses, and also encourage others to follow this example. Do you think you can do that?" McGonagall paused, and looked expectantly at the three of them.

"Yes." Harry said firmly. "As long as I'm not partnered with Malfoy."

"Ah." Professor McGonagall seemed to be considering how to say something very carefully. "We actually thought it might be best.. if you were paired with a member of the opposite sex. In the past, this seems to be the most effective way of sealing bonds and improving relations. Mr Potter, if you would be so kind as to partner up with Miss Parkinson. Miss Weasley, with Mr Zabini. And Miss Granger.."

Hermione's heart sank. That left her with Malfoy. She couldn't even look at his smug face. Oh well. She would do her duty, and mentor him or whatever it was she had to do. But she could avoid him most of the time, surely.

"Another change.. You won't be in the Gryffindor or Slytherin dorm rooms anymore. New accommodation has been provided for you all.. You will all share a small common room, with individual bedrooms leading off. Is there any questions?" Professor McGonagall asked briskly. "No? Then you are dismissed."

What do you think so far? What would you like to happen next? Review! Thank you for reading :)

This is my first ever fan fiction, so please let me know how I am doing!