Hello, all! This is my first fanfiction, so bear with me. So, it annoys me when I read a fic that is way off plot, so in this fic I tried to stick as much as possible to the exact plot of all the books (except for the Ron-Hermione bit) and even put in a bunch of details about magical life that many authors seem to forget. I hope you like it! R&R!

Chapter 1: Thoughts and Surprises

Hermione stared down at the parchment in her hands, smiling to herself. She sat on her bed, legs crossed under her, in the room she shared with Ginny. She was at the Burrow and the yearly letters had just arrived, bringing the list of new spell books they would need and the reminder to be at platform 9¾ on September 1st. However, in Hermione's envelope, there had been an extra piece of parchment, along with a small pouch. She had excused herself from the breakfast table and hurried upstairs, hoping it was what she thought it was.

Of course, she had expected it, but was nonetheless pleased that she had been chosen as Head Girl. This was what Hermione had been striving for, ever since she had learned of the position when she had read Hogwarts, A History before her first year at Hogwarts. Hermione was extremely happy with her achievement.

After considering the piece of paper for many more minutes, she opened the pouch and found a medium-sized pin that said 'Head Girl' on it. She admired it, and sat there pondering what it would be like as Head Girl and who the Head Boy might be. Suddenly, she realized that she was still sitting there, smiling. She ran back downstairs, and sat down between Harry and Ron to tell them the news. It quickly spread down the table, and soon everyone was congratulating her all at once. Hermione could hardly handle so much attention, and quickly attempted to change the subject. Eventually everyone settled back into separate conversations while she, Harry, and Ron got to talking about her new position at Hogwarts.

"It'll be a blast Hermione," Ron said. "I heard you get your own room and everything!"

"I know! I'm really excited," exclaimed Hermione.

"Yeah, you'll have to invite us over all the time," Harry said.

"More like I'll be coming over to the Gruffindor Common Room. I'll be so lonely!"

"You could throw your own personal parties, just for the hell of it, and not get in trouble!"

"I'll hardly be using my own dormitories for parties, Harry. Really, I'm just looking forward to being alone to concentrate on my work. You know how difficult it is to study in the library or the Gryffindor Common Room when everyone is laughing and talking around you." Ron rolled his eyes at this statement. Hermione knew that if it were him, he'd have the whole school in the Head Common Room.

"But you won't be alone, Hermione! Remember, there's a Head Boy too," Ron interjected.

In fact, Hermione had momentarily forgotten she would be sharing rooms with someone else. "I wonder who it'll be," she commented, half to herself. Immediately Harry, Ron, and even Ginny, who had been listening to their conversation, got to talking about the possible identity of Hermione's new roommate.

"Of course he probably won't be in Gryffindor," Ginny said thoughtfully.

"Why not?" asked Ron.

"Well, besides the fact that we know this to be the case, because neither of you got a badge, and no one else in my year would, it rarely happens that the Head Boy and Girl are from the same house. He'll most likely be a Ravenclaw, or even a Hufflepuff."

They all looked grim as Ron said, "As long as he's not in Slytherin."

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Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were on the train looking for a compartment. They lugged their trunks behind them. Mrs. Weasley had finally learned how to handle Ron's bad sleeping habits, and for once they had gotten to the station with enough time not to be rushed. After saying their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, they had set off to search for an empty space. They found one soon, and, having sat down, watched as students filed past their door. Some paused when they caught sight of Harry and whispered to their friends. Some even went so far as to stop and stare. Harry's deeds of last June were legendary, and there was even more chatter than usual about him. But they were all used to this behavior and gave it no notice.

At some point a third year up and opened the door of their compartment. He had short brown hair and was already in his school uniform. Hermione was astonished that someone would be so intrusive, until she realized that, besides the occasional sidelong glance at Harry, he was looking at her.

"Are you Hermione Granger?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Er... The Headmistress, er... wants to see you in the front compartment of the train," he said timidly.

"Oh, thanks," Hermione said.

"No problem, said the boy quietly as he retracted his head from the door.

She looked at the others. "It must be about my new Head duties." They all nodded as she got up to leave.

"Let us know who the Head Boy is when you get back!" Ginny called after her. Hermione smiled to herself.

Hermione's progress through the train was slow, as everyone was going in the opposite direction, but eventually she got to the front of the train. The front compartment was empty when she got there. It was larger than the other compartments, with seats on all four walls, rather than just two. It seemed like a good place for meetings. She thought about going to find her, but decided that McGonagall had more pressing matters to deal with at that moment, so she sat near a window and waited.

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Draco walked up to the door of the compartment. He had just been visited by the same third year Hermione had met, and, after extracting himself from Pansy's grip, made his way to the front of the train.

So Draco strode up toward the door. He was burning with curiosity to know who the Head Girl was. He had been as surprised as anyone else when the position of Head Boy was presented to Draco, of all people, but then again, Draco had always been exceptionally smart, thought few knew it, and thought that maybe he deserved his new position.

Draco opened the door to see an attractive brunette sitting near the window. She had her knees bent and her feet tucked under her. Her chin rested on her fist as she started out at the trees whizzing by. She was still wearing muggle clothes: a fitting light blue T-shirt and a brown skirt that would have fallen just above her knees had she been standing up, but was now slightly fanned out around her.

She had a faraway look in her eyes, and he realized she had not heard him come in. Draco rather enjoyed this view of the girl. He took in her smooth legs and curly brown hair until a thought hit him so hard he said it aloud.

"Granger?" he said, astonished that his thought had been so loud that it came out of his mouth, and equally shocked that he had not realized who she was.

The lost-in-thought look vanished from her face as she turned and saw the blonde standing in the doorway. She looked taken aback as well as she said, "Malfoy?"

Of course! Draco thought to himself. He should have expected this. Granger had always been supremely smart and behaved well in school. She was bound to become Head Girl. However, this hadn't even occurred to Draco, because he hadn't realized that she, like him, had missed her 7th year at Hogwarts. Of course she was back to finish it. And he wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Potter and Weasley were similarly returned to school.

Draco was wrenched out of his train of thought when he heard her speak again.

"Don't tell me you're Head Boy."

"Surprised, Granger?" he said, smiling. "I wouldn't be. It's not that hard to believe, is it?"

"Well, I guess not. It just never occurred to me—"

"Me neither," he interrupted her. Something flashed across her eyes, and immediately they understood each other. Neither had considered the other as a possible Head. Draco felt something click between them as they smiled at each other

He then realized that he was still standing in the doorway, and quickly collected himself, walking over to sit down across from Hermione. He leaned back in the chair and relaxed.

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Hermione looked at Draco for another few moments, deep in thought, then continued looking out the window. She was quite surprised at McGonagall's choice in Head Boy, but found she was not especially upset or disappointed, just a bit disconcerted. She wondered how it would be, living with Malfoy. She really wasn't sure how to act around him. She wasn't sure how he would act around her. They had both lived through the war, and Hermione had witnessed his actions during the last battle. She knew the horrors he went through being a Death Eater, and sympathized with him in that regard. She also remembered how he had treated her from the moment he met her, and that old hatred began to simmer.

Yet, as Hermione glanced at him, Draco didn't seem the same. He wasn't as haughty or stuck up. There was no hostility behind his gaze. Had he changed? Well, that was really a silly question. Of course he had changed! Hermione knew that without a second thought. The simple fact that he hadn't said anything mean to her, even had a moment of understanding with her, was proof enough. However, she wondered how much Malfoy had changed. Was he still anti-muggleborn? That was her most pressing question, for it would affect how he treated her this year, sharing a dorm. That could be a problem... or not.

She glanced at him again. Malfoy looked good. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a green shirt, short sleeved. His hair was combed back, but tousled. The muscles on his arms were very defined as he sat there, both arms resting on the tops of the chairs surrounding him. He had slid very far down in his seat and his legs were wide apart to keep him from sliding off. He was looking at the wall opposite the door, obviously also lost in thought. He glanced toward her and saw her staring—Hermione hadn't even realized she was doing it. Draco smiled at her, and she immediately blushed and turned her head.

It was strange, that smile. She couldn't quite figure it out. There was obvious uncertainty, but also kindness, curiosity, even regret? Hermione was perplexed by it, but decided to dwell on it, and him no more as she continued to stare out the window. Her thoughts had finally moved on when he spoke.

"Where's Professor McGonagall?" he asked.

Hermione's head whipped around and her mouth hung open slightly as, flustered from being pulled out of her head again, she tried to answer.

She didn't have to. Draco looked up as McGonagall walked through the door.

"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, thank you for meeting me. I'm sorry I'm late, but as you know, the beginning of the school year can be a bit chaotic."

Hermione looked back over at Draco as he nodded, and thought to herself: this is going to be an interesting year.

So, what did you think? Is it too short? I already have through chapter 4 written, but if you'd rather longer chapters and more time between updates, that's cool too. I thought it would be longer than this when I put it up. It may seem boring right now, but believe me, it'll get real interesting real fast...well maybe not real fast, but soon.

Feedback is good! Even if you see problems with it, I don't mind constructive criticism. As this is my first fic, I want as much advice as you can spare, but don't be mean about it. Tell me if you love it, tell me how to make it better, but please don't tell me you hate it. Haters are not welcome here, so if that is your intention, GO AWAY.

So, review?

-Ginger (yes, Frenchie, I'm using it...it's a cool nickname)