The Hogwarts Express sprang to life on the tracks. As parents lovingly waved farewell to their children, Harry, Hermione and Ron looked for a compartment. They waved to Neville who was immersed in a strange looking plant that had purple spikes around it. A few minutes later they were seated and well on their way back to Hogwarts to finish their final year.

"Hermione", said Ron, "You don't know anything about Quidditch, just deal with it".

Harry made a noise that sounded like a mix between a snort and chuckle as Ron continued, "I mean honestly, if you can't comprehend that the bloody quaffle goes in one of the three hoops, then why bother correcting me on the way to hold a broomstick".

Hermione smacked him across the head and said, "Look I was only trying to help. I read it in the latest article of the Quibbler".

Harry laughed out loud this time. "There's no way that Luna's dad could possibly know more about Quidditch than any of us. Common let's change into our robes".

They heard laughter coming from outside of the compartment and looked up. The door slide open and a tall muscular figure waded in. His platinum hair fell dangerously in his silver eyes. His button down shirt was aloof and messy.

"Malfoy, I think you have the wrong compartment," Harry said trying to sound intimidating.

Draco glanced around and his eyes stopped on Hermione. Her hair was long and chestnut. He had seen her all summer and still couldn't get over how pretty she was.

"Actually Potter, I was looking for Granger here."

Harry fell silent and waited for him to finish.

"Professor McGonagall wants to meet us now". Hermione eyed him carefully and got up. "I'll be right back guys," she said.

Ron looked upset but didn't stop her.

She shut the door behind her and waited for Draco to lead the way. His eyes stayed on her. "Is there something you want Malfoy?" she said a bit annoyed and self-conscious. He was absolutely gorgeous, and now that he had taken an oath with the Order, was particularly more attractive. But she still wasn't sure how trustworthy he actually was.

About a month ago, he had come to their doorstep covered in blood and sweat. He claimed a change of heart and Lupin and Harry agreed to give him sanctuary. A week after his arrival, he was sworn into the Order and giving them secret inside information for them to use against Voldemort.

"Wouldn't you like to know Granger," he replied with a smirk. He proceeded to walk and she blushed against her will.

They finally reached their destination and Malfoy opened the door.

"Ms. Granger, , good, right on time. Congratulations on being selected as the new Heads". They each took a seat opposite her.

"As you both know, times are changing. We need leaders inside Hogwarts to help the students deal with the upcoming turmoil. You two, need to find it in your hearts to become those leaders." Her words were stern and Hermione felt it touch her heart. Dumbledore was gone, and it was up to whoever was left to save the world.

A half hour later, they had their schedules and duties. They left the compartment going their separate ways. The train stopped and Hermione could feel the coldness in the air. She walked off to the carriage taking a deep breath. She was ready for whatever would come her way.

The feast was delicious. There was chicken, ribs, peas, cake tarts and jello, butter beer and pumpkin juice. Hermione found that she was particularly interested in the Swizzle Pie that kept changing flavors with each bite. After the feast she made her way to her new dorm. She realized that she didn't know the password and stammered when the portrait of a humble looking princess asked her for.

"Protego," said a voice behind her. She turned around to find Draco smiling at her.

"Correct!" said the Portrait. "Oh and Ms. Granger a young boy with red hair came by. He wanted you to meet him in the library this evening."

Hermione smiled to herself thinking about Ron trying to persuade the portrait to let him in. They entered the dorm and their eyes met a spectacular sight. It was decorated in numerous colors such as gold, green, purple and red. There was a kitchen and fireplace and a small lounge area with couches and loveseats.

"This is incredible!" she said. She saw Malfoy in shock too and wondered why. Surely his own home was much grander than this.

"Malfoy?" She started.

"My name is Draco. I'm not bound to the Malfoy name anymore," he said simply.

"Draco, why are you acting so nice to me?" before she could stop herself the question was already out.

"I know it you that convinced Potter and the Order to let me join. If it wasn't for you, I'd be on the run. Probably hiding in a hole somewhere off the coast of Britain".

"Who told you that?" she asked.

"Potter of course. He made it clear that he was only allowing me to join because he trusted your judgment. And I would really like to make it up to you by the way. Will you go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?"

"For what," she replied confused.

Draco laughed again and said, "A small date obviously. Are you new at this?"

Hermione looked shyly away and Draco felt like a jerk. Of course she was new at this, the only date the girl had was the ones her homework assignments were to be handed in.

"I don't know if that is a good idea Draco. Harry and Ron wouldn't understand and quite frankly I don't either. I know you joined the Order but you just can't stop hating someone".

"I don't hate you. Just severely disagree with some of your views, like that whole house elf bit you were always on about". His voice was light hearted and deep. It made her want to say yes. Her sudden attraction for him was overwhelming and scary. Sure, she had a crush on Ron a few months back but that was different.

"Sure, I'll go with you. But this better not be some kind of cruel joke or I'll be sure to hex you into another unpleasant animal". Draco's eyes gleamed.

"Excellent". He walked away to his bedroom.

Hermione went off to find Ron. He was supposed to meet her in the library but when she got there she was astonished at what she saw. Ron and lavender were in a rather heated discussion on one of the couches in the back.

"Honestly Ron, don't asked me to meet up with you and make out with someone else at the same time!"

Lavender jumped off the couch and laughed.

Ron said, "Hermione I'm allowed to make out with my girlfriend whenever I want".

They all laughed and Hermione settled into a couch next to them.

"How was your summer Lavender?" she asked nicely.

"It was wonderful. I missed my Won Won a ton, but me and my family went to Bermuda. Lovely place really."

"Well that's nice and I'm sure Ron missed you too by the looks of it."

Ron started to blush a deep shade of red. He had always had a crush on Hermione, but they realized in their fifth year that it wasn't going to work. They were meant to be just friends and nothing more.

"So what's this I hear about Draco and Blaise joining the DA?" Lavender asked.

"What?" Ron and Hermione exclaimed simultaneously.

"Yah, Parvati told Millicent who told Hannah who told me that she heard them talking about asking Harry to join! I was quite shocked. When did they turn into good guys?"

Ron and Hermione shared an exasperated look towards each other. They learned to accept Draco's change of heart but not lightly. They were still walking on eggshells around each other.

Hermione decided to go look for a book. He obviously had forgotten what he called her there for so she figured she could do a bit of light reading. She went into the fiction section of the library and looked at the covers. There were so many choices Hermione felt overwhelmed. She just wanted to read all of them. A shabby mustard colored book stood out on the third shelf. She picked it up and read the title, "Animus". Curious, she flipped it over expecting to see a small summary but didn't find one. She opened the book but there was still nothing there. The rest of the pages had beautiful cursive writing on it so she decided to pursue it. Settling back on the couch by Ron and Lavender she flipped to the first page of the book.

January 23, 1756

He took my hand and led me upstairs to the master bedroom. Charlie was always so sweet and gentle. That is why I think I might fall in love with him tonight. We are to make love for the first time since our first date six months ago. The night was everything I could have ever dreamed. Charlie was finally mine and I would finally be his. The ring on my finger was a sure sign that this marriage could be a success. My long white gown trailed 3 feet behind me. The sweetheart cut of my top glistened with diamonds matching the sparkle in my eye. He whispered how lovely I looked again and again and each time my heart skipped a beat. And I, Angela Jillion Harrison, was mistress of the Wildrum Manor. I was Mrs. Wildrum.

"Hermione did you hear me?" Ron shouted. Hermione snapped her attention away from the book and said "What?"

"I said we are leaving. Lavender wants to show me what she got from Bermuda," he said sheepishly.

"That's fine Ron. I'll head back to my common room I guess".

They parted ways at the library exit and Hermione practically ran to her room. Draco didn't seem to be anywhere in sight and she was grateful. She sat on the couch near the fire and opened up the book again.

March, 1758

Charley is being so distant from me but he makes all these rule that I'm supposed to follow. I'm barely allowed to write! His family is not taking our marriage too lightly. I told him we should have told them beforehand but he didn't listen. He said my being a muggleborn witch doesn't matter to him but I know it's causing these problems. I miss him. I wonder what could have changed in the last few years to have him feeling this way. I try my best to keep the manor spotless for when his parents give us surprise visits, but they always seem to find something wrong with it. Worst off, Charley defends them. I feel so alone all the time. Is this really how marriage is supposed to be?

The door of the common room opened and Draco walked in.

"Hey what are you up to?" He asked calmly.

"Just some reading," she said simply not wanting to be disturbed.

Draco seemed to take the hint and walked into the bathroom locking the door behind him and Hermione continued to read.

March 15, 1758

Charley hit me again. He tried to say sorry but calling me Jilly and giving me white roses couldn't fix this. It was the last straw. I wanted to move out. I can't take his unflattering glares at me or disappointing tone of voice. If I hadn't known any better, I'd say he was cheating. Charley may have been a pureblood, but I was smart, smarter than he was. He had no right to treat me the way he did. I could curse him into a thousand deaths if I wanted to. But I would never do that to my Charley. He was everything to me. How could he do this to me? I was carrying his baby for heaven's sake. But I needed to go. There were too many secrets inside this manor and it was literally killing me and my baby. Charley turned towards the evil side, I know it. I can't let my baby fall into the same fate.

Hermione had felt a certain familiarity towards this woman and her story. She thought she had heard something about the family in passing but couldn't bring it back to her memory. The book was in the fiction section but it was clearly a journal. She was engrossed and couldn't take her eyes off each passage written in beautiful cursive.

April 7, 1758

I'm in a small flat on the outskirts of London. Charley hasn't tried to find me and he didn't protest to me leaving. I knew if I told him I was pregnant he would reconsider but I didn't want to. I had to be selfish to save both our lives. Charley is following some shady characters lately that seem to hate muggles. It's a small group and probably won't amount to much but it hurts. I think I may go back to pay him a visit and see what's going on.

Hermione started to drift off into a deep sleep. Images of Angela and Charley invaded her mind. She saw Angela carrying a bundle of cloth in her hands and in tears. Charley, sitting across from her refused to give either the bundle or his wife a second thought. Suddenly, a snake made its way towards the women. She sat, unafraid at the baring fangs and smirked. Whispering under her breath the snake turned 180 degrees and attacked Charley. The look of fear and betrayal in his eyes never left as he dropped to the floor. Angela held the baby closer and left the drawing room.

Hermione woke up with a startle and looked around. She was still in the common room and the fire was dying down. The journal lay on the floor still opened to the last page she was reading. The smell of coffee drafted into her nostrils and she got up and headed towards the kitchen.

Draco was in there humming a tune she didn't recognize.

"Draco, what are you doing?" she asked.

"I thought you might like some coffee. Looks like you had a rough night sleeping on the couch".

"Yah, I um fell asleep reading my book," she said awkwardly.

"No need to explain. We've all been there before. Although I find it to happen more after classes start, not before. Here sit, drink up."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at this new Draco she was seeing. It was like they were married and living in their own house sharing a life together.

"Thanks."

For the next fifteen minutes they sat at a small table together and talked about trivial things like spells, authors and teachers. Hermione was amazed at how easy it was to talk to him and found that she was enjoying it. He had a genuine smile on his face and a comfortable posture. He was no longer threatening and his whole demeanor was buoyant.

"Draco, tell me what really made you join the Order and change so suddenly".

His face fell a little but he regained his composure.

"Well I realized I was wrong. Everything I knew and loved was wrong. It was like an epiphany in my sleep. My parents had moved out the country leaving me here and when they returned everything was different. They no longer wanted to be a part of Voldemort's life. I mean, they are still into all that pureblood nonsense but they don't want to kill over it anymore." his face seemed bright like he was pleased with this decision. Hermione was shocked and couldn't imagine the Malfoy's without their trademark sneer and Death Eater persona. Then Draco continued,

"When I came to you guys in the Order, I was at my wits end. I didn't know who I was anymore and what I wanted to do with my life. All I knew was that going to the Order was the only way for me to eventually have a life. That is, if Potter succeeds in defeating the Dark Lord in the end." He took a sip of his coffee and looked expectantly at her. What was she supposed to say?

"Why me?" She asked before she could help herself. Draco had been genuinely nice to her for so long that it was unnerving. Sure he was handsome, but she was neither pretty nor seductive. Everyone said she was annoyingly smart and she didn't drink or party. There was absolutely no appeal to her what so ever.

Draco laughed, "Granger, I honestly just want us to be friends. You were the first person that I could trust in a really long time and that means a lot to me. Look at it this way, I won't try and take advantage of you, I just wants us to be good friends".

Hermione wanted to tear up at his words but held back. She remembered the journal and how awful Charley seemed to turn up in the end. Draco had put a lot of trust in her already by opening up about his past. If they were going to be living together for the rest of the year then she might as well try and be friends with him.

"Okay Draco, considers us friends then".

They spent the rest of the morning chatting and getting to know more about each other. It turned out that Draco liked to read just as much as she did and was a very smart guy. She had never been able to have these kinds of talks with Harry or Ron.

"So what was that book you were reading last night" Draco asked.

Hermione stiffened. She didn't know if she was ready for anyone to know. It was her secret. "Nothing just a cookbook. I've been meaning to try out some new recipes since we have our kitchen and everything". She didn't know if Draco fell for it or not but he fortunately let the issue go.

"Let's go for a walk. It's nice out," he stated.

Hermione agreed. She ran to her room and put on a pair of jeans and a V-neck shirt. Her hair was a little messy but she clipped it back away from her face. She found herself applying mascara and wondered why she felt the need to look cute.

Fifteen minutes later she was in the common room. Draco was sitting on the couch and to her horror he had her journal in his hand.

"Uh Draco? I'm ready," she announced shyly.

He looked at her and frowned. "Cookbook"?

Hermione sighed, "It's just a journal I found, nothing special, let's go."

She ushered him out the common room.

"You look nice," he said. She blushed under his gaze and they went out into the Courtyard. Most of the student body was there. Every time they passed a group of students, they heard whispers that were most likely directed towards them.

"You would think people had better things to do than stare at us all day" Draco said softly.

She felt at ease being next to him. He didn't seem the least bit concerned that he was out in public around her.

"Hermione!"

She turned around to find Ron. "What are you doing with him?"

"We are taking a walk Ron," she said smoothly. "Is that okay with you?

Ron looked at her for a moment contemplating whether or not he should respond. After a while he stalked off leaving them alone again.

Draco laughed. "He really doesn't have that much of a backbone when it comes to you".

Hermione blushed. She liked the way Draco acted around her these days. He seemed to forget the last six years and was now treating her like a human being. It was refreshing.

"So tell me Granger, where did you find that journal?"

She figured the question was bound to come up sooner or later. "The library," she said simply.

Draco stopped walking and looked at her. "So how did the journal from the family who is said to have started this war end up in our humble library?"

"Wha…what?!"

"You don't know what it is that your reading do you?" He asked intrigued.

"What are you talking about? Voldemort started all of this. Not the Wildrum's," Hermione stated.

"Granger, my father is a Death-Eater. I was once Tom Riddle's right hand man if you remember correctly last year".

Hermione winced. She did not want to think about Draco's part in Dumbledore's death.

"So, so what exactly is this journal about?"

"Well you're the one reading it not me. I heard rumors back on the dark-side and stories from my own family. Charley and his wife lived an awful life. He was a pureblood and she was muggleborn. He married her to defy his parents' authority".

Hermione listened intently not wanting to make a sound that would interrupt him.

"Angela was under the impression that she was in love and that he loved her but sadly she was mistaken. After two years, Charley fell into the pureblood ways and morals. He detested Angela and what he did. She ran away after she realized she was pregnant. She began having these outrages magical outburst. At first, she thought it was from the baby but after she delivered it still happened. Naturally, she was depressed and had a lot of hate bottled up so she vowed vengeance on the pureblood society. She killed Charley first, then his parents."

Hermione gasped. "She's crazy!"

"Oh, it gets crazier. It turns out Charley had a twin brother and Angela didn't know. She had actually fallen in love with the brother and not Charley. That's why she accepted the proposal so fast. Charley tricked her."

"But that doesn't make any sense. She wrote the name Charley in her journal. Not his brother."

"The brother never told her his name. They met at a party somewhere in Sweden. They had a few drinks, danced and that was that. Angela fell hard. So then a few weeks later she met Charley. He realized that she must have mistaken him for his brother and took advantage of her. His brother never knew. He moved away after three months of trying to find Angela again. He didn't even go to the wedding he was so upset. You can imagine his surprise when he saw the wedding photos".

Hermione was engulfed in the story. This woman had lived a ridiculously depressing life and here she was reading about it first hand in her journal. What amazed her most was the how much Draco knew.

"Hermione are you still listening to me?"

"Keep going!" She said earnestly.

"Okay, well when the brother found out that Charley had died from being attacked by his own snake he went back. And that is when he found Angela. He

couldn't believe what had happened to her. He covered up the murder so that she wouldn't be a suspect, ran off with her and the baby and changed their names. Angela pretended to be pureblooded so often she forgot where she truly came from. She was one of the most powerful witches in that time and killed tons of Pureblood wizards."

"Then, Angela's life took a turn for the worst again. Her husband, her true love, died. It devastated her. Her son was the only thing she had left in the world now. She treated him like a god. He went off to Hogwarts and excelled and eventually got married to a pureblooded woman. She remained in the shadows to die alone or so everyone thought. A body never did turn up. People thought she was too magical to die at such an early age".

Hermione couldn't resist anymore and asked, "What did they change their name to?" If the son went to Hogwarts surely she would have come across relatives of the ancient family who also went there.

Draco hesitated before muttering, "Malfoy".