I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters, so this is just me borrowing the characters for this little story of mine. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1: The Incident

This was the year. This was finally the year she could focus on her studies. Voldemort was dead, and though it caused a great deal of sadness for the whole wizarding world since many lost loved ones and friends, they could finally push that chapter out of their lives and go on living. Yes, this was going to be a wonderful year.

Hermione exhaled as she stepped on the platform. The winter air froze her insides and made her shiver. It was quite chilly for the beginning of winter. No snow, but the wind supplied enough cold for her light coat to seem like paper.

Hermione inspected the platform and started to walk towards the train. She spotted a couple of crying first years who could not let go of their mothers, scared of what this new year would bring to them. A small smile plastered on her face - one particular boy with brown hair was crying his eyes out swearing that he was not going to enjoy this and his parents trying to bribe him to get on the train by giving him candy and hugs. Behind them she spotted a female redhead waving her over happily not too far away. Along with her were the Golden duo, deep in conversation. She grabbed her bags tighter and dashed off towards them. In a few moments she was wrapped in Ginny's arms.

'I missed you Hermione!' – the ginger whispered. Hermione smiled at her and the boys, who simply lifted their head and continued to talk something about 'the best year'.

'I think so too!- Hermione was excited- 'this is the best year because we'll finally be able to study without any interruptions.'

Harry and Ron stopped talking and looked at her. Silence commenced for a few seconds, then Harry pulled out a broad grin and hugged her 'I am glad to see you haven't changed.. not one tiny bit.'

'Still bloody mental about those books. We were talking about something actually important.'- Ron pointed out to her, not ready yet to give her a hug after everything they went through. Yes, the war brought them closer, and yes there was a kiss per se due to the fact they thought they might die, but then that was basically it. She was still Hermione, and they were still best friends and nothing had changed between them, not really. He did value girls, but they were GIRLS and Hermione was not classified as one in his book. She found that out the hard way, after she confronted him about the kiss and he waved it off as being a moment of stupidity. This INFURIATED her of course, but she had gotten used to it after the years. After all, she was not pinning for someone who clearly had no interest in her and sought out easier female targets with less brain and less skirt on them.

'What were you talking about then?'

Ginny rolled her eyes. 'Take a wild guess.'

'Quiditch!' both of them exclaimed and Hermione knew that the eye rolling was appropriate.

'Really, you two should finally get your acts together and use this year to study. This is the last year for that you know.'

'No WAY! Are you insane? This is the best year to finally..' – she heard Ron say before a voice farther away in the front shouted 'The heads go to the front to your own compartment, the heads gather at the front of the train!'

'That's my call, I guess I won't be sitting with you guys this time.'

'It's okay, we'll meet up later. We have a whole year a head of us."- Harry offered and waved to her as they climbed on the train.

She nodded and walked out to the front of the train, climbed in and took her solitary walk towards the head's compartment. She was given a badge before she climbed on, by a teacher she did not recognize. The badge gave her much attention- everyone turned their heads to look at her. Older students - in admiration for what she had done, the younglings - in interest. Most of them had heard gossip about the golden girl and were either blushing or whispering. Even the slytherins she passed by seemed to have changed their attitude towards her a little. Well, no mudblood comment passed up and it made her happy. Everyone had been changed by the war. Not all changes were harsh and unwelcome. The war brought everyone closer and made everyone a little less opinionated. She opened the door and plopped down on her seat.

A small smile spread out on her face and she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Moments after she heard the sound of slow synchronized footsteps behind the door to the compartment and saw a tall shadow behind the doors. Hermione had to admit she was curious to see who made head boy. Somehow she was so happy to know she was a head girl that she completely forgot to inquire about the head boy. They would be working together for the whole year and possibly be able to help each other with studies as well. She hoped it was someone from ravenclaw- she would get along well with someone smart, whose head was not wrapped up in Quiditch or girls.

The door slowly opened and she was met by a boy with blond hair, a cold stare of stormy grey eyes and a genuine scowl she knew all too well. She had forgotten about him. Of all the possible choices of head boy it had to be HIM. The insufferable git extraordinaire.

'Malfoy.'- she greeted between clenched teeth.

'Granger.' – he replied with just as much enthusiasm. – 'Were you sleeping here, or why the hell are you here so early?' – he narrowed his eyes.

'I came here ten minutes ago and I do believe that punctuality is something a good head girl should possess.'

He sneered at her comment. Obviously she was the same. She probably was ecstatic to come back to school to put her head in a book. She was a pathologic book lover. She probably slept with one too.

"A good head girl should be someone who can give good h.."- he smirked and thought, but decided to keep that comment to himself. 'try to be nice to people. We have lost a lot of respect for the Malfoy name after the war.' – he remembered his mothers words and crunched up his nose. It was utterly impossible with this hyper enthusiastic studying virgin maniac. Her enthusiasm irritated him. To be quite frank - everyone did. They were all so chipper all the time, after all that happened it was unnatural.

So he just sat down and said nothing. That had taken a lot of effort though.

Granger was taken aback by his silence.

'Why are you so quiet? We do have to start to communicate somehow. Did you forget that we will have to be working a lot this year since we are going to be heads?' – she hoped he had at least the decency to understand that all their history had to be put aside due to this huge responsibility put on them.

He growled. 'Could you shut up for one damn minute, Mudblood? I would be grateful if you'd let me rest for one minute before this damn year starts.'

She was furious. She thought that after all this time he finally gave up on his prejudices. After all the war had ended. ' Lose the attitude Malfoy. You know I'm not scared of your little outbreaks anymore. All you are is a scared little boy who can' hide behind his father's shadow anymore since he's locked up tight in Azkaban. And good riddance!' – she yelled but realized that she probably did go too far. He was at fault for still using the 'M' word when she felt so safe and happy to come back to school but her choice of words was probably a poor one.

Immediately, like he had been stung, his eyes narrowed, his face twisted into a snarl and he stood up abruptly. Draco lowered his head to meet her eyes and gave a deep throaty growl.

'Don't. You. Dare. Talk. About. My. Father. EVER.' – Draco emphasized each word with precision. – Just because Weasley hasn't shagged you well enough doesn't mean you have to let out your frustration at me.' – his snarl turned into a smirk as he started to gather up his things.

Hermione's cheeks flushed and she barely contained her fury. 'Listen up, Malfoy, I!..' – she was about to say but he swiftly opened up the compartment door to leave. 'Where are you going?'

'Away from your bitching. Since you are right that I am going to have to see a lot more of you this year, and trust me, I am soo excitedabout that, I do wish to at least spend this train ride in perfect silence. Later, scarecrow.' The door slammed shut and he was out.

It took a few minutes for Hermione to gather herself, then she pushed through the compartment door and yelled to a blonde retreating figure a 'But the head's are supposed to stay in this compartment' and he just waved her off without even turning around 'Fuck off Granger'.

She crossed her arms and hmphed. He had not changed. Still the same git as before. Never in her life would she get along with him. He was incapable of human conversation.

Hermione met up with her friends only in the dining hall. She was incredibly happy to find out that the heads were still sitting at the tables of their respected houses. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad. She was still staying with the other Gryffindor's; she'd just have to meet him up for duties. She could survive that.

'So, how was the Head's compartment?'- Harry and Ginny seemed sincerely interested while Ron was watching a particular piece of meat on the table.

'Oh I'd rather not talk about it. It was fine after Malfoy left, but he was as he always has been. If not even more infuriating.' – she began to talk until she noticed Ron quietly trying to shove some food down his mouth. 'Ronald Weasley! You know you aren't supposed to touch any of the food until the headmaster arrives! Geez, don't you have any self control?'

'Oh come on Mione, I'm hungry as hell! The train ride took forever... and they don't serve any real food in the train anyway, it's just snacks. How am I supposed to get full on that?' – Hermione sighted. It was hopeless. His one true love in life was Food; well, second to Quiditch maybe.

'Wait a moment now, Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy is the new Head boy? You joking, Mione? – Harry couldn't believe it. 'As in son of a deatheater who is imprisoned and former deatheater himself - DRACO MALFOY is going to be head boy with you?' Hermione nodded silently. 'I mean wow… well I can't wrap my head around it. I'm sorry for you Mione.'

A small cough was heard in the dining hall as professor McGonagal stepped onto the platform. She looked at Potter who understood when he was supposed to stop talking and pierced Ron Weasley with her glare, who was trying to finish up his last bite unnoticed. From the Slytherin table everyone sniggered. Weasley was as popular with them now as he had been any other year.

'Welcome everyone to the new and restored Hogwarts! I, as the official Headmaster of Hogwarts, would like to welcome each one of you to a new year in this brilliant school that has become like a second home to all the students here and surely will warm up to all the new ones we have this year. I am sorry that this year was cut short due to extensive repairs we had to do on the castle. We will compensate for your studies only starting in December. Yes, do not be saddened, we will put the extra learning amount into your curriculum so that you do not miss a thing.'- this was met by Hermione's sigh of relief and everyone else groaning.

'What the bloody hell Harry? Has McGonagal actually gone bonkers? Who in their right mind would be happy about extra studying! And here I thought this year we could finally relax..'- Ron whined.

'Well I am extremely happy about it'- Hermione stated proudly, but was met by Ginny, Harry and Ron rolling their eyes, even Neville joined in.

'That makes you the only one, Hermione'- Neville whispered from next to Harry.

'As I was saying,'- MacGonagal interrupted the little whispering session the Gryffindors were having.- 'I do have a few announcements to make. First of all, every year we pick the brightest and the most diligent students to take the positions of Head boy and Head girl. They have various duties that help Hogwarts function so well. Under careful consideration the Head girl was chosen from my own house- Hermione Grange'r- she smiled and waved her hand towards the Gryffindor table for Hermione to come forward. Hermione was met by a huge applause from the table and she stumbled shyly towards the headmaster.-'And Head boy is a bright young man from Slytherin Malfoy.'

Draco stood up silently, but was met my gasping from all the house tables. Only a few claps could be heard. Apparently a lot of the former students still remembered which side he had been standing on during the war. Just peachy. Draco brushed his hair out of his face with his right hand, put his hands into his pockets and silently walked up front to join Hermione Granger. He kept his glance low, not meeting anyone's eyes.

'These will be the two students to look up to and come to in case of trouble and need. They will stay in the Head boy and girl rooms that are in the South part of the castle, so feel free to report any incidences or any problems to them there.'

Even though he wasn't looking at her he could feel the shock and anguish radiating from Granger when she heard they were going to be staying together. He could not resist turning to her to catch her fuming. At least I can make one person more miserable from this than me. His trademark smirk crept its way onto his features.

'Also some new teachers will be joining us this year, but they have yet to arrive, so I shall introduce them tomorrow during breakfast. and Ms. Granger will be shown their new rooms after dinner, till then you are to join your tables. That will be all, everyone please enjoy this wonderful first evening in Hogwarts this year. Oh and one more thing- Weasley, please visit my office after dinner.'- she finished sternly and Ron gulped- yes, she had noticed him stealing that chicken drumstick before her speech.

The blond slytherin sat down on the sofa in the slytherin common room. He lounged back, put his feet up and closed his eyes. He could feel the crowd thinning around him. He was not sure if he was enjoying it or not, but it did feel like unwelcome change.

'Your popularity seems to grow in hours, not days.'- a dark skinned wizard smirked and sat down next to him on the sofa.

'Very funny, Blaise. Now go chew on a painting or something.'

'You seem to be in an awesome mood. Is Granger to blame, or is this?'- he pointed towards the other slytherins, that were turning their heads and whispering profusely.

'You know how much I adore and I do mean ADORE my fellow head girl. And this- this alienation is just awesome. I mean I can finally hear the quiet of the walls, enjoy serenity and all that shit.'- he sat up and laid his feet on the ground looking up at Blaise.

'Oh how much I've missed your sarcasm.' Zabini snickered. 'This will pass though. Most of them have heard of the big bad deatheater Draco Malfoy and are scared. Others just tag along. Just put on your Malfoy charm and everything will go back to normal.'

Draco raised an eyebrow.

'Or if it doesn't... Me, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle and Theo will make them forget it.'

'You sound so threatening. I think even I got scared.'- he smirked. 'Good to know you're still on my side, mate.'- he added as he rose from his seat.

'So scared you're leaving now, Draco?'

'Petrified. I think I'll go hide out in Bushy head's room'- he smiled a genuine smile in Blaise's direction. It was good to know he still had his friends. He'd just have to work up to 'clearing the family name' in this new modern wizard society.

Two weeks of bickering and verbal sparring between the 'ferret' and the 'bookworm' (as they referred to each other) passed by. They had various duties to fulfill and predictably enough, they always got into fights. When they were working separately, everything went smoothly, but when they had to share a task it always ended up the same way.

One Saturday morning professor McGonagall called both of them over into her office.

They sat down in front of her table while looking at each other with disdain. They had had another fight in the morning over bathroom privileges. Draco had taken a long time in the bathroom and she had barely had time to prepare, his excuse being that she doesn't use the time efficiently when she does have it. Hermione was pondering of charming the shower faucet to make the temperature of the water change every ten seconds from extremely hot to extremely cold. Or maybe even charming the water so his whole body would be covered in pink and blue spots. She'd have to decide tomorrow, but something would definitely be done.

'I've asked you two to come here because I have seen the way you two work together and it is really disappointing. I put you two up for Head boy and Girl so you could maybe sort out your differences and show the other houses that you are able to communicate and work together efficiently. Apparently some punishment is in order so you two can learn to work together better.' – she paused a while before continuing in her stern voice. 'Well, this year I've decided to have the Christmas decorations put up early. The prefects have to put up all the fake snow and everything else and I decided to give you two the task of putting up enchanted mistletoe all over the castle. One thing though- this is supposed to be punishment. So you cannot use your wants to put it up, you have to do it with your hands.'

'But professor! It will take us HOURS… There are a lot of them and the castle is big! I have so many other things to do today!' – Hermione exclaimed, not believing that she was stuck on a task with Draco Malfoy for hours and hours to spend the Saturday with. She was hoping to do some studying and read a few chapters ahead for their potions class.

'Like you have something better to do. I've seen your 'things to do'. One way or another it always involves you+1. That plus one is always a book.' – Draco sneered. He was hoping to join Blaise to practice some new Quidditch tactics, but he was stuck with her again. Great. Why did he agree to this head boy stuff again? Maybe they forced him into it. Somehow he failed to remember.

'Sod it, Malfoy. I do have things to do.' – Hermione blushed nonetheless, she hated him being right.

'Language, Miss Granger.'- McGonagal reminded. 'Anyway, wands are prohibited until you finish hanging them up. When you do put them up, rub their leaves a little bit between your fingers and they will start to work. Remember those mistletoes have some magic in them, so anyone who stands within 5 feet of each other will end up kissing.'

There were two boxes there and Hermione went up and tried to lift one, but struggled. Draco watched her for a moment with an amused expression, then went up and easily lifted the two boxes into his arms.

'Hey, I could have taken one of those myself.'

'Sure Granger. You are not a girl, you are Hercules. Next time I'll wait those one hundred years for you to lift it, but for now let's just go. I want to get this over with.'- and off he went.

Back in her office McGonagall sighted, stood up from her desk and went over to the staircase. Up the stairs was a painting of Albus Dumbledore, who was smiling kindly at her.

'Are you sure Albus that this is necessary?'- she asked him.

The portrait nodded. 'Minerva, you know that enchanted mistletoe is a tradition of Hogwarts that brings young people's hearts together.'

'Oh pshah Albus. There is nothing in the world that can bring those two to at least be decent to each other. Even as a portrait you apparently are planning something with that mistletoe, so why don't you go ahead and tell me.'

'Me, planning something? How can a portrait plan anything my dear Minerva?'

'I'll find out sooner or later, Albus. You can keep your secret.'

The portrait just smiled knowingly at her, but nothing else was said between them.

'Okay for the hundredth time, Malfoy, push the ladder to the right!' – Hermione looked down at him frustrated.

'And for the hundredth time, I am not touching that thing. You do remember the five feet rule, don't you? I am not going to be a victim of your troll lips. I do have a reputation to keep up with. This is humiliating enough doing this without magic. The ladder is even a muggle one. Where the hell did that old cook find a muggle ladder in a magical school?' – he sneered from the furthest corner in the room. 'Plus, this is already the last mistletoe, can't you move the fucking ladder yourself? Go down, then move it and go up again. See, I am so generous that I even offered you the solution to your problem.'

'Oh for the love of Merlin, Malfoy!' – she went down the ladder and pushed it to the right. Then climbed up and attached the last mistletoe, rubbed the leaves with her fingers and went down the ladder satisfied.

The brunette adjusted her hair, which was a little bit all over the place and narrowed her eyes at him.

'You do know that you have no reputation.'

'I'd beg to differ. I have girls falling at my feet, ready to kiss the ground I walk on.' – he spat back.

'Correction: you had a lot of girls, who saw your money and your looks, but now they know the real you.'

'What is the real me per se, bushy-head?'

'This is the real you, ferret. You are a vile treacherous slimy snake who takes care only of his own skin and cares for no one else.'

'Why thank you, I do find snakes to be quite charming.'- he smirked. 'My slytherin charm is what gets those girls screaming for me. Do you know that even today five girls already asked me on a date, Granger? You, on the other hand are going to be a spinster forever.' – he slowly walked towards her. 'You are about as beautiful as a troll on a bad day, you dress like a grandmother and your ultimate lover is and always will be 'Hogwarts- a history'. '

'You take that back, ferret! I am not a troll, I am a lady and I am not going to be a spinster. Just because you whore yourself to every girl that throws herself at you, doesn't mean everyone should be the same.' – she countered angrily, straightening herself up, her fierce glance never leaving his grey eyes.

'You know how I know that indeed you are a troll?' – he took another few steps closer to her and was only a few feet away now. The slytherin bent down, looked the Gryffindor straight into the eyes and whispered- 'It's because even after Weasley had you, he realized what you are and didn't want you any more.'

Her eyes slightly shifted, tears almost forming on her eyes, but then a thought hit her to look up; he joined her in a second to see what she was looking at and their eyes went wide: the mistletoe.

One. Two. Three. They heard a small crackling sound and were pulled towards each other instantly. Both of their lips crashing together in a kiss. Draco was too shocked to be angry. He tried to move, but that resulted in him feeling her lips more and they were… extremely soft. He closed his eyes to catch that feeling better and he felt like he wanted to feel more. He slowly moved his lips against hers and the more he did, the more he wanted. She tasted divine. For a moment he forgot who he was and where he was. All he could feel was that amazing kiss and the voice inside of him telling him to grip her tighter and kiss her more. But then it came to him it was HERMIONE GRANGER he was currently lip locking with and with fury he separated from her. She appeared frozen in her spot: wide eyed and her fingers absentmindedly touching her lips, looking at him with a confused expression.

Two minutes passed and none of them said anything. The blond boy with grey eyes held a face full of anger, fear and confusion. What could he bloody well say? The mistletoe made them kiss for a second and then he felt like he liked it and continued. He hated himself for this though, 'wait' he though, 'scratch that- it was all the mistletoe.'

When he was about ready to say something, he looked at her and his resolve shattered- all he could focuss on were her full red lips that seemed a little bit swollen from his kiss. "Fuck" he thought and did the only thing he could think of at the moment. He ran.

Well that was Chapter one. I do hope you enjoyed this little dabble. Never written a HP fanfiction, never tried, though have read tons and tons of them. I really hope someone will enjoy this and will find time to write a review! See you in the next chapter : )