Wang: What? Multiple fics?

Shadow: Dear God we're doing this nonsense again.

Time Stop: Quiet you two. Think of it more of an excess of ideas. Ideas that we couldn't fit into other stories.

Wang: But that's no fun.

Shadow: You really are scraping the bottom of the barrel for excuses, aren't you?

Static: Well, he came up with you so…

Wang: Ha! Burn!

Shadow: …

Time Stop: As usual we don't own anything that you recognize.

Chapter 1: Return to Hogwarts

"Welcome back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Welcome back those who decided to return to Hogwarts to continue your education. And a very warm welcome to you new students that are joining us for the first time. It gladdens me to know that after the destructive war that occurred last year we can move on together to a brighter and better future. Now that the sorting is finished I have a few short announcements about this upcoming year. Now, until a suitable Headmaster has been found, I will be the temporary Headmistress."

He looked at the old crone, as she stood where that old fart had once stood. All around the Great Hall students were applauding her as if she had won the Quidditch World Cup. He fought a frown. He wasn't too happy another Gryffindork had become Headmaster, even if this was a temporary position.

"I would now like to introduce to you all Professor Smith, from America." A tall, thin man with a comically large head stood up. "He will be teaching Transfiguration in my place."

He scoffed at the man. An American? In Hogwarts? That couldn't be good. Just how bloody low did they have to stoop to find professors this year?

"And our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher is Professor Weber from Germany. He will also be our temporary Head of Gryffindor House in my place." A squat man with a wide handlebar mustache the color of red sandstone stood up.

He had to keep from laughing. The two new professors looked to be the exact opposite of each other. And now that they were seated next to each other the differences were even more apparent. It was more comical than the fact that Hogwarts had to resort to outsiders to teach their students.

"My final announcement is that, once again, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason. Bon Appetite."

Food appeared before the students and staff and the cacophony began. He looked at the fellow Slytherins around him dig in. Many of them pointing and joking at their new professors. The black man across from him caught his attention.

"You alright mate?"

He nodded slightly. "Yeah I'm fine, Blaise."

"You sure? You seem even more distracted than on the train ride in."

Distracted? Bloody hell yeah he was distracted. He had better things to do than stay here. If that old crone didn't have to show him to his room later, he would be with –

"Draco!"

He looked back at Blaise. "What?" He snapped.

"You're distracted." His fellow Slytherin smirked and leaned back.

Draco Malfoy sighed and tried to keep his calm. He was one of the few returning seventh years this year. That made this his eighth year at Hogwarts. That made him almost as old as the professors. He scanned the tables. Other than himself, only Blaise had joined him in Slytherin. He cringed slightly. Correction: Pansy Parkinson had also returned to Hogwarts. But after that very forthright declaration on how much she pissed him off, she shouldn't be a bother. He hoped.

"Looks like we're the only ones that returned this year." Blaise commented, also looking about. "Other than Parkinson."

Draco scowled. "And it looks like we're not the only ones who decided to come along for the ride."

Blaise twisted in his seat and followed Draco's eyes. "Oh, them."

Draco nodded slowly. "Them."

More specifically it was only her. Granger had returned to Hogwarts. Honestly, couldn't that be more of a surprise to anyone? She was a perfect student, minus breaking the rules to save the world, which the professors adored. Much to Draco's delight Potter and Weasley had decided not to attend Hogwarts. Instead of the chosen one and her own personal boy toy, the seats on either side had been taken by the youngest Weasley and Longbottom. Just how quaint.

"At least Potter and Weasel isn't there."

"Please," He scoffed, "it's a wonder that they even passed some of their classes. You honestly think that they would come back willingly to learn?"

"Very good point."

The small talk faded away. Other than that small group of Gryffindorks, nothing was intriguing enough to him to make him speak again. Which was good. Less people in his year the better. He hoped that the younger years would still fear him and obey him. After all, all he had to do is show off his tattoo to them and they should freeze right up. But as of late his attention drifted back to the most pressing matter. He had business to take care of, business that couldn't be taken care of whilst he was at dinner.

Time passed agonizingly slowly for Draco. He often caught himself staring up at the faculty table, as if willing McGonagall to hurry up. For Merlin's sake! Most of these kids were fat enough as it was; couldn't they end this pointless feast and move on with life?

Finally the last of the desserts disappeared. Professor McGonagall stood up and the Great Hall quieted. "Prefects, if you will escort our new students to their dormitories, seventh years, please remain behind."

Whispers of confusion spread throughout the hall, but the students did as they were bade. Former sixth years sat spread about, a few former seventh years sprinkled here and there. With even less people in the Great Hall it was more painfully evident for Draco that not many decided to return to Hogwarts to repeat their final year.

And out of those people only a scant few actually experienced the war the way he had.

"Now that we are alone, a few things must be said." The Headmistress looked much older suddenly, more worn and more frail. "Since Voldemort's death," many of the students shuddered at the name, "there have been more students than we had initially prepared for attending. That said we have decided for the duration of this year, and perhaps in the future we shall open the old north tower."

"But professor," A Retardclaw interrupted. "That's supposed to be used for storage."

"Partly correct." The old crone's lips pursed. "A long time ago when magic still ran strong in the world, there were many students who came to Hogwarts. That was before some magical institutions were built and before many witches and wizards home-schooled their children. But with the changing times, less and less students came to Hogwarts. Our northern tower used to be a special dormitory for our prefects and our heads. We decided that in light of current events that our seventh year students shall be given reign of this space.

"That will also explain that none of you present are prefects. It is hard to watch and to guide the younger students if all of you are housed in another tower. Instead, of prefects, we have our Head Boy and Head Girl. They will work with the prefects and will be the go-between between the seventh year students and the professors."

There were murmurs of apprehension from the students. Draco could only smirk. If they only knew how lucky they had it.

"Our Head Girl is Miss Hermione Granger."

The Gryffindork stood up, the Head Girl pin clearly visible on her robes. The students clapped enthusiastically, minus the Slytherins. Draco didn't even have to guess that she would get Head Girl. Other than a few broken rules, she was the perfect student.

"And for our Head Boy, it is none other than Mister Draco Malfoy."

That got the room gasping in shock. How the bloody hell did He get Head Boy? And with his track record to boot. Draco smirked but didn't move a muscle other than that. Let them look at him, let them watch. The sooner they realize that he was unapproachable the sooner they would leave him alone. The sooner he could be alone.

His smirk did get a bit wider when he saw Granger's shocked face of indignation. She probably couldn't wrap that bushy head of hers around the reason why he would come back to Hogwarts. That was alright with him, let her think and ponder. He didn't have the time for mysteries or for her questions.

"Now if you would all follow me, I will take you to your new dormitory."

While she looked feeble the professor was anything but, as she led the way swiftly out the Great Hall and to the North Tower. Behind her thronged the students, past rivalries forgotten temporarily with the unexpected new living quarters for the year before them. The North Tower wasn't that far from the Great Hall, but the entrance they had to take was on the sixth floor; which made quite a long trek indeed.

"The password is Fifth House." The Professor enunciated. "It may be spoken aloud or in the mind; your guardian is uncaring on how you present it."

She neared a large statue of the Hogwarts Crest. The crest swung inward and stairs popped up from the ground. Draco kept his impressed feelings in check. It was out of the way and the guardian looked rather impressive. The less people who could bother him the better.

He entered into the North Tower and glanced about. It looked to be a typical common room, large with comfy looking couches and chairs spread about. A large roaring fireplace stood directly across the entrance. Four entrances were spotted along the walls. One to the left and one to the right, with two on either side of the fireplace.

When all of the students were inside, there were room for a few more bodies inside this single room alone, the professor spoke again. "To the left are the boys dormitories, and to the right the ladies. It goes by house: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. From top to bottom on either side. Below us is the library, through that door there."

"What about that last entrance?" Draco groaned softly. It was that stupid Retardclaw again, asking stupid questions.

"Those are for the Head Boy and Girl. They have their own rooms if they wish." Jealously rippled through the crowd. "Perks of the job." She smiled with her thin lips. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I will retire. I hope that all of you will do the same." She glanced at them in turn and left without another word.

Ignoring the chatter that erupted, Draco headed for the last doorway. To the right of the fireplace he went up the first two steps and met a stone wall. He did have to smile a full smile for the first time in a long time. The old crone knew her stuff. He stepped through the wall and came out in a small landing.

The wall was enchanted to transport the person to the other side, much like at King's Cross. However, unlike at King's Cross only a few people could access this special wall. The stipulation was a wand pass. Only the professors and the Head Boy and Head Girl could have access currently. Though, a scowl appeared on his face, Granger would probably bring her little Gryiffindork friends up here.

On the small landing were two doors, facing opposite each other. A large B was carved above one door and a large G above the other. Draco entered his room. It was sparsely furnished with dark spruce and with satin green accents. To one side stood a door, presumably a private bath. To the other side he took his full attention.

But only for a second.

"Patience." He whispered to himself. He closed the door behind him and drew his wand. He waved his wand, muttering spells under his breath. When he was done, the most powerful defenses he could conjure protected his room. That included another wand access combination lock.

He strode to the other door, and weaved even more spells on this door. This one was deadlier than the first. If anyone had actually made it this far, he would be impressed. This door included a lock only he could open, and a nasty surprise to anyone who wasn't him. He was pretty sure the professors would forgive him of that spell if it ever went off.

He opened the door. A frail house elf bowed as he came in. "Master Malfoy." The elf said.

"How is she?"

"She ate not too long ago, she sleeps now." The elf bowed lower.

"Good." Draco sighed in relief. "You may leave."

"Yes, Master Malfoy."

"Thank you." Draco whispered. The elf hesitated, then disappeared in a soft crack.

Dressed in periwinkle blue, this room was almost too bright for him. In the middle of the room sat a crib. Draco went to its side and looked down. Inside lay his daughter still asleep despite the cracking of the house elf's disapparition. He smiled. He relaxed, collapsing in the wooden rocking chair next to the crib.

He fell asleep while watching her.

Time Stop: Please Review!

Static: Unlike our other Potter fic, this one will won't end after six chapters.

Wang: So another long fic?

Shadow: Yes, Wang, another longer fic.

Wang: Yay!