Full Summary:

When Hermione Granger gets the eighth letter from Hogwarts inviting her back to repeat her seventh year with the rest for the level, reluctance plays a big part in her decision. But when the fact that Head Girl is up for offer works its way into the conversation, she has no choice but to say yes. And when she finds that Ginny got Head Girl too, well, Hermione was just delighted. But then the Head Boy comes into account, too. For a while, she doesn't seem to notice that Draco Malfoy is Head Boy, she just sort of, skips over it. As Hermione grows closer to Draco, the strain grows tighter and the pain starts to hurt both of them more.

A/N: Well, person who's reading this right now, this is my first serious Dramione fic, I've done a couple failed little humour stories but I decided to do a little cliché for you all! I'll try and update quickly, but there's no guarantee. Also, I've tried to make sure every little fact in this is right, all except the fact that I'm not entirely sure that the head's share a room in the first place! But everyone seems to ignore that, so I will too.

Disclaimer: Don't own… yeah…

~o.O.o~

~Prologue~

Hermione Granger's home; Tuesday, 25th August 1998

"Hermione, honey, can you come downstairs please? You're father and I have something to tell you!" Mrs Granger called upstairs to he daughter, the words making Hermione's stomach clench and unclench.

It's okay, she reassured herself. They're not going to hurt you. They're your parents. Get a grip, Hermione. Taking a deep breath, she replied to her mother kindly and headed downstairs, her stomach still doing somersaults, she was so nervous; the war seemed to have unnerved her, but she was glad the St Mungos Healers were able to restore her parents' memories. Once she had returned home from the ruined Hogwarts, she really needed someone to latch onto.

As she climbed down the stairs, she paused on the last step to take a deep breath. "Mum? Dad?" She said, unsure of what room her parents were in.

"In here, sweetheart." Her father's voice replied from the living room.

"Yes?" She asked politely, her legs shaking. The only place she felt truly comfortable these days was in her own bedroom, the entire house seem to bring back memories that were not wanted; the living room was where she Obliviated her parents so much they didn't remember their one and only daughter. The kitchen was where she sat almost every day during the previous summer, plotting about how to run away from her own family. The study, where she had first met Professor McGonagall, back when she was only eleven years old. McGonagall was the first witch she ever met; she had come to their house to explain that Hogwarts truly was real, not just some practical joke, and that she'd show them how to get onto platform 9 ¾ and how to enter Diagon Alley. Hogwarts; Hermione was so glad she wasn't going back, though she never told anyone, for she feared people thinking her weak.

"Sit down, Hermione. We have some news for you." Hermione did as she was told and sat down on an armchair, facing her parents, but didn't respond verbally.

"Now, Hermione, we know you don't want to return to Hogwarts, because of all the… memories it holds for you." Her father said, and smiled. "But, we have received a letter inviting you back. You, after all, never completed your seventh year."

"What?" The panic within Hermione started back up again. Butterflies were circling her stomach, but not good butterflies. Scared butterflies. She started to shake and stood up. "No. No, I can't go back." She made for the door, but her mother's soothing words pulled her back.

"Come back Hermione. You'll be fine. And we haven't finished yet. There's more."

Hermione turned and nodded at her mother, frowning as she awaited the next part of the news. She glanced between her mother and father's faces, they still hadn't replied yet.

"Well?" She asked.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. You've been awarded Head Girl!" Her father said excitedly.

"Really?" Hermione was shocked. She hadn't expected McGonagall to invite her back, and Head Girl had been out of the question.

"Yes, really! The letter arrived this morning. Here, have a read, if you'd like." Mrs Granger held out the letter for Hermione to take, and Hermione decided to go back upstairs to her own room before reading it.

"Is… is that all? Can I go?" Hermione squealed, her voice a mixture of excitement and fear.

"Yes, yes, go. Enjoy this moment to the fullest. Don't let your daggy parents stand in the way." Hermione smiled at her mother, muttering something about her parents not being daggy before running upstairs, clutching the letter. She flung the door open and jumped onto her bed, lying on her stomach as she tore the letter from its envelope. As she read it, her smile faltered slightly towards the end before returning to a grin once more. Her insides were shaking with fear but she smothered the feeling with joy.

Dear Miss Hermione Granger,

In light of the past events of the last few months, we would like to invite you back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete your seventh year. Your entire year level will return with you, of course. You will not complete your lessons with the current seventh years, but you will be following the same course as them. Enclosed is an updated version of the books that will be needed this semester.

Also, in light of recent events we would like to offer you '8th year', as we have been calling it, Head Girl. Not only will there be seventh year heads, but we would like to offer you the chance too, as you have proved yourself worthy. Of course, if you would like to decline this offer, we fully understand and a replacement will be found. You fellow eight year head will be Mr Draco Malfoy, Slytherin house, and the seventh years will be Miss Ginevra Weasley, Gryffindor house and Mr Sebastian Bennet, Ravenclaw house.

We look forward to seeing you on the first of September in the prefects' carriage at eleven o'clock.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hermione squealed. She may be going back to Hogwarts, which was exactly the thing that stopped her sleeping at night for some time, but Head Girl was a different thing. And to find that she would be fulfilling her head duties with Ron's younger sister, she was ecstatic. Then suddenly her face dropped. She was going back to Hogwarts. Sure, this was good, in a way, but she had faced unimaginable horrors there. Horrors that she was sure to relive at the castle. Hermione stood and started pacing, but soon fell into her desk chair, placing her face in her hands. She was being ridiculous. Surely, Harry Potter, of all people wouldn't be scared of returning to Hogwarts. It was the place where he fought to death, and he wasn't scared. Then why was Hermione so frightened?

~o.O.o.~

A/N: Oh, by the way, there is no actual character called Sebastian Bennet, I made up the name. Trust me, I tried to find a real character, but I just couldn't. Oh well. R&R!