Disclaimer:

I DO NOT own Harry Potter, or anything within the Potter universe, the plot is mine (mostly, some bits admittedly came from J. K. Rowling) everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Thank you for reading this story. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to review (whatever your comments may be)!

Happy Reading

Dracofan53

New Beginnings

It was Draco's sixth year and although he would never admit it out loud, he was thrilled to at last put some distance between himself and his father (even though his father was in Azkaban). The year ahead promised to be a daunting one, full of stress and pain and it was all because of his stupid father, his stupid, Death Eater of a father, Lucius Malfoy. Lucius was one the Dark Lord's most devoted followers and was thus seen rather favorably by the Dark Lord himself, or he had been until this past summer. To prove his loyalty and to make up for his father's mistakes the Dark Lord had set Draco to a nearly impossible task, one he was certain to fail, but he would have to try to succeed at nonetheless. Because he hadn't been given a choice. Well, he had, but kill your headmaster or die along with your mother wasn't a choice, or rather, it was two terrible options, which is really no choice at all.

He felt sick when he thought about the mark now marring the once pristine alabaster skin of his left arm. He hadn't had a choice in that either. After the debacle his father caused at the ministry with Potter's lot, Draco had been told in no uncertain terms that he would be taking his father's place amongst the ranks of devoted followers. He would bear the mark in his father's stead. How had his life come to this? How had everything spiraled so radically out of control?

Draco sighed as he threw his body against the cushioned bench of an empty compartment on the Hogwart's Express. A few moments later, Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini joined Draco in the compartment. He immediately masked his face, keeping any emotions he might be feeling out his eyes. He fixed his signature sneer on his face and straightened his shoulders in a gesture of confidence and by doing so, reminded his fellow Slytherins who was superior.

Pansy, a pug-faced girl with mousy brown hair, offered Draco her most simpering smile and gave a breathy, "Hello," before taking a seat at his side. Blaise sat opposite the pair with Crabbe and Goyle to his left, a look of utter indifference on his poised and handsome features. The friends fell in to polite conversation, discussing events of the summer and, as the afternoon wore on, Pansy coaxed Draco's head into her lap, stroking his hair in mute satisfaction.

Pansy adored Draco. He was everything she could have hoped for in a man. Not only was he was handsome, with silver eyes, pale skin, and blonde hair, but he was intelligent and cunning as well. She was looking forward to the day when she would be his, officially. Mrs. Malloy. She sighed at her thoughts, continuing her ministrations. Although they were not betrothed or promised or any other such out of date arrangement, it had been rather forcefully suggested by their parents that they would make a strong match. It was this knowledge that gave Pansy the reassurance that one day she would be his.

Hermione sighed as she walked the halls with Ron, fulfilling her role as Prefect. She felt utterly exhausted and the year hadn't even started. Although she was pleased to be returning, she felt weary, certain that it would not be a peaceful year. Hermione had come to the conclusion that there must be a better way to protect Harry. He was "the chosen one", cue eye roll, and while they hadn't taken much stock in these words, Voldemort did. It was because of this that Hermione had spent the better part of the summer holidays in the library researching protection spells. It was in their third week at Grimmauld Place, searching through the ancient texts of the Black library, that her search became fruitful.

Hermione found a tome hidden away in the recesses of a secret shelf within the library. It had taken her quite a while to translate the Latin text, but once she had she knew it had all been worth it, because what she found could quite possibly change the course of this war. She hadn't yet shared her findings with Ron or Harry. She was afraid it was too good to be true.

The potion she discovered imbued the drinker with a specific set of powers. The potion was extremely difficult to brew, taking a month and some very rare ingredients, but well worth the effort it took to brew. For if it was brewed correctly it would give the drinker abilities which were essentially the opposite of a Dementors. The potion worked to fundamentally change the physiology of the witch consuming it causing her to not only have shield like abilities but to effect those around her as well. Much like the Dementors sucked the happiness from those around them, a witch who had consumed Praesidium would cause those around her to feel happiness. A witch with this power could also temporarily share her protective magic through the use of an incantation. She could even choose to permanently share her magic through a binding spell, though this was discouraged as it had disastrous results if not shared with the witch's true love, as was detailed in the tome she found. If she did choose to bind her magic she would be able to pass on her abilities to any children she had.

To her knowledge the potion had only been successfully brewed and taken by three other witches, if the text she translated could be trusted, with the most recent being a young Italian witch some five hundred years before. The potion was designed to only work for a witch. A wizard would find himself unsuccessful if he attempted it and would find himself covered in boils if he drank it. Her experiment would make the fourth. She had so far been pleased with the results. Her friends had seemed rather happy in her presence the last week. She was curious to discover what effect it might have on her fellow classmates and eager to test her shield capabilities. She was also eager to share her protection with Harry but felt a bit more research was in order before doing so.

Draco huffed as Blaise returned to their compartment. He was irritated at being passed over by Slughorn. Blaise struggled with the door, accidentally stepping on Goyle in the process and finally slammed it shut. He squinted, momentarily distracted by a flash of white in the air, before returning his head to Pansy's lap. He didn't actually like the pug-faced girl, but she was part of the façade, part of the image he had to keep.

Draco lazily inquired about Blaise's invitation and scoffed when he heard the names of the other attendees. He offered Slughorn's preference for his father and decided that he simply must not have heard that he was on the train.

"…I don't think he's interested in Death Eaters," came Blaise's reply, darkening Draco's already foul mood. So it was back to that. Of course Slughorn didn't like Death Eaters, who did? But he had a role to play and he would play it to perfection if it meant he and his mother would come out the other side of this unscathed.

"Well who cares who he's interested in anyway," Draco offered with an air of indifference. "I mean, I might not even be returning next year." Pansy became outraged at his declaration, not caring for the insinuation that they would be separated for any period of time.

"I might have moved on to bigger and better things," Draco bragged, sitting up.

"You mean him?" Blaise questioned, voice laced with meaning.

Draco made a show of responding that while his mother may want him to complete his education it wouldn't be important in the new world order.

"And you think that you, an underage, unqualified wizard, will be an asset to him?" Blaise questioned.

"Maybe I've already been given a task, an important task. One of the most important tasks there are and he assigned it to me." Draco nearly whispered as he spoke, his voice laced with malice, anger, and pride. When he had finished speaking, Draco crossed his arms over his chest and plastered a very self-satisfied smile on his face at Blaise's sneer and Crabbe and Goyle's looks of awe.

"We should get our robes on," Draco said a moment later, "I can see Hogwarts."

Draco arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow as he saw the briefest flicker of a trainer hovering in the air by Blaise's head. He ignored the sight for now, promising himself he would investigate once the train reached Hogwart's; taking a mental note not to let anything important slip.

Meanwhile, Harry was aching to move from his post on the luggage rack, but he was sure that if he moved, even breathed too heavily, his position would be made and he would have three very pissed off Slytherins to contend with, which would not be an inviting turn of events. However, much to Harry's dismay the Slytherins did not notice his presence, nor did they give him opportunity to escape. So he sat, scrunched up, legs aching, body protesting the rest of the way to Hogwart's.

The train mercifully pulled up to the Hogsmeade train station a half hour later, the darkness of night surrounding them outside. Harry waited patiently for the Slytherins to file out of the compartment, allowing him his much-awaited freedom, but not all of them left. Draco stayed behind.

He never let on that he knew that Harry was there, but Harry knew in the instant that Draco didn't leave the compartment that he had been discovered. Harry waited with baited breath assuming that the worst was coming and in a way he was right. Draco saw fit to punish Harry by stunning him and covering him with his invisibility cloak. No one would ever know that Harry was still there. Draco smirked and left the compartment thoroughly self-satisfied.

Harry on the other hand, felt nothing but self-loathing at the moment. 'How could I have gotten myself into this mess!' He was screaming in his mind but his voice would not cooperate.

"Wotcher, Harry!" came Tonk's voice as she pulled his invisibility cloak away. With a flash of red light his body relaxed and he released a sigh. He was saved.

"How did you know I was here?" Harry questioned as they made their way to the platform.

"I didn't see you leave the train so I thought something may have happened. When I saw the blinds drawn on this compartment I took an educated guess," She answered once they had landed on the platform.

"Who did it?" She questioned as they made their way out of Hogsmeade station and on towards the castle.

"Malfoy," Harry replied with a grimace.

"I see, better put your cloak back on Harry," She responded and sent a Patronus towards the school. Harry grimaced once more as Tonks handed him off to Snape. The odds were simply not in his favor this evening.

The Great Hall was breathtaking to say the least and certainly a sight

for sore eyes for those who were returning. The enchanted ceiling displayed the glorious night sky, stars twinkling brightly in the clear and inky blackness of night, like small beacons of hope in a world of darkness.

The Headmaster's speech, and aptly so, was one of foreboding. It was somber and sobered many students there, but true to Dumbledore fashion, there was a twinkle in his eye as he shifted his speech toward the arrival of new students.

Hermione watched with a smile as the first years were sorted, clapping with the others as Gryffindor gained several new students. She truly was pleased to be here once more. Here where she felt most comfortable, most at home.

As the feast began she cast a nervous glance around, looking for Harry, who still had not shown up, when her eyes landed on Malfoy. She assessed him cooly, brown eyes taking in his poised appearance. She subconsciously raised an eyebrow as she looked him over. He looked different, more mature somehow. He had grown into his features over the summer. He was taller, more filled in, and his hair a bit longer. As she watched him his eyes found hers and for a moment they were they were the only two people in the room. It was his eyes, she decided, that held her interest. He had a look in his eyes that should only be viewed on the face of someone much older than his sixteen years. Merlin, he was attractive. And then she was raising her eyebrow at herself. He was attractive? Where had that come from? He wasn't attractive. He was a foul, loathsome little git, which was reinforced when he sneered at her and looked away.

She shook her head to rid herself of her unwelcome thoughts and noticed Harry walking towards them.

"Harry," she said in greeting, "where have you been? We've been worried sick!"

Ron nodded along, unable to say anything with a mouth full of chicken. Harry blushed and ducked his head.

"Malfoy," He muttered as he gathered food on to his plate only to have it disappear a few moments later. He sighed but dug in as dessert appeared.

"What did the fit do this time?" Ron questioned, having swallowing his mouthful, as he loaded his plate with treacle tart, mince pies, and trifle.

"Later," Harry replied.

"Harry, what did he do? What happened?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Just leave it, Hermione," Harry replied a bit harshly. Hermione frowned but didn't push the issue any further. Within a few minutes Harry's mood had drastically improved and the three friends were laughing over lighthearted conversation. Malfoy temporarily forgotten.

Draco dug in as the feast appeared, eager to be alone in his bed where he could begin planning the headmaster's demise. He cringed at his thoughts. He didn't want to kill the headmaster, but what choice did he have? As he contemplated his task he felt the creeping sensation of being watched. He looked up from his plate and found a pair of beautiful brown orbs staring at him.

For a moment he returned her stare, looking her over as intensely as she appeared to be looking at him. Granger had changed, even he could see that she was not the same buck-toothed, bushy haired twelve year old he had started school with. Her hair was far more tame than it had once been, falling in soft curls down her back. Her teeth were fixed, giving her a near perfect smile, and her creamy skin was flawless. It was the look in her eyes though, that captured him. They held a depth and wisdom which he was not accustomed to seeing, but more than that it was her look of compassion which drew him in and threatened to lose him. They were mesmerizing and beautiful. And then he realized the path his thoughts were taking him down and he fixed a sneer on his face before looking away, returning his attention to his friends once more. Mudbloods were NOT beautiful.

As dessert disappeared Dumbledore prepared to give his proper welcoming speech. He began with the usual warnings and reminders. Check with your house team captains for Quidditch, review the list posted at Filch's door for items which are banned, and as always the Forbidden Forest is forbidden. He then went on to announce that Professor Slughorn was returning to his post as potions master. This, of course, caused quite a disturbance among the students and led to a rather loud murmur of confused conversation, which only grew louder when Dumbledore announced that Professor Snape would be taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry in Particular was quite outraged, hoping for Snape's demise. Dumbledore cleared his throat to quiet the students and then carried on as though he had not delivered rather scandalous news. He finished his speech with a warning. Reminding the students that in light of Lord Voldemort's return it was truly imperative that the students follow all rules set to them by their teachers. Then he with a "pip, pip" he sent the students off to their dorms.

A loud scraping followed as the students got up from their seats. Ron was already badgering Harry, wanting to know why he was late.

"Not now, wa-" Harry was saying as Hermione cut him off.

"Prefect duties, Ron!" Ron rolled his eyes but followed her anyway.

"Right, firsties with us!" Ron hollered, waving his hand to be seen. A line of timid and scared eleven year olds began forming a line in front of Hermione who was waiting to lead them to Gryffindor tower. Ron fell back to the end of the line, eager to return to his conversation with Harry.

"So tell me, what happened?" Ron questioned, falling in step with Harry.

"I used my cloak to slip into their compartment behind Blaise after Slughorn's little party. I hid up in the luggage rack," Harry said, looking around to make sure no one else was listening.

"Yea, but why were you late?" Ron asked impatiently.

"I'm getting to that," Harry replied. "I heard Malfoy bragging about some task to Blaise, said it was for Voldemort. I couldn't very well leave until they left so I waited. I'm not sure how he knew, but Malfoy knew I was there. He stunned me once everyone was gone and covered me with my cloak. If it wasn't for Tonks I'd be halfway back to London. You know what this means right? He must have taken his father's place."

"Come off it mate, he was probably just showing off for Parkinson and Zabini,"

"How do you know? Maybe Voldemort needs someone inside Hogwarts." Ron gave an involuntary shudder at the use of the Dark Lord's name.

"Maybe, but doesn't he have Snape for that? Besides what good would a sixteen year old do him?"

"I've been summoned by Professor Dumbledore. You'll have to take them the rest of the way," Hermione said, effectively ending their conversation.

"What does he want?" Harry asked.

"No, idea. It just says to see him in his office and that he enjoys lemon drops," she responded, showing him the note as Ron moved to the front to continue leading the first years to Gryffindor tower.

"I'll find you when I'm done," Hermione assured Harry before turning around and heading off towards Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, welcome. Please, have a seat," Professor Dumbledore said, greeting Hermione as she entered her office.

"Good evening Professor," Hermione responded as she sat in a chair opposite of Dumbledore.

"You must be wondering why I have called you hear this evening."

"Yes Professor."

"I trust that Mr. Potter has shared the contents of the prophecy with you?" Here Hermione nodded, waiting for Dumbledore to continue. "And would I also be correct in assuming that you felt it necessary to find a way to protect Mr. Potter? Possibly even attempt to ensure that Mr. Potter would not die?"

"Yes, Professor." Hermione took a moment to marvel at her Professor's deductive abilities.

"Would I also be correct in assuming that you were successful, that you have consumed Praesidium?" He asked peering at her over his half-moon spectacles.

"Yes, Professor, you would," she responded with a nod, "how did you know?"

"When you know what the effects are it becomes easy to spot them. Now, I am also going to assume that you have not yet shared your experiment with Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley."

"No, sir, I haven't. I didn't want to get his hopes up." She said, shaking her head.

"I think, my dear, that it is not only time for you to share this news with your friends but also time for you to share this protection with them. What you have done could prove to be invaluable to Mr. Potter."

"Yes, sir."

"Right, well it's getting late and I have kept you from your bed for quite long enough, but know that I am here should you require any assistance."

"Thank you sir," Hermione said. She took her leave of his office then, heading to Gryffindor tower at a near run to avoid breaking curfew. She arrived at the portrait of the fat lady just in time, giving the password, veritas, before slipping through the portrait hole.

Fortunately, she didn't need to look far. Both Harry and Ron were seated in the common room, occupying a couch in front of the fireplace.

"What did he want?" Harry questioned as soon as she sat down.

"He wanted to discuss a potion I took this summer." She responded somewhat evasively.

"What potion?" Ron questioned, brows furrowing. Hermione glanced around before lowering her voice to respond.

"After the incident at the ministry I started thinking about Harry and how best to help protect him so I went to the-"

"Library," Harry and Ron interrupted, looks of amusement on their faces.

Hermione rolled her eyes but continued on, "the library at Grimmauld Place. It turns out there was a hidden compartment on one of the shelves which I happened to stumble upon, which was really quite fortunate. It turns out the Black family was not full of only Dark wizards. I found a rather old text of protective spells and potions. One in particular caught my eye. It's called Praesidium. It can only be taken by a witch but once it has been taken it gives the witch shield like abilities and also causes those around her to be happy. Sort of the opposite of a Dementor."

"So, that's why we've been so happy lately?" Harry questioned.

"Probably. The best part is, I can share my abilities with you."

"Wicked. How?" Ron asked

"Through an incantation and physical contact, but I'm nervous. It's very tricky and can be quite disastrous if not performed correctly."

"I'm sure you'll do it correctly. How does the shield work?" said Harry.

"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile, "It's a bit like throwing a hex at a giant. The spell would simply bounce off. It doesn't protect against unforgivables but will protect against most everything else."

"Hermione, that's brilliant! When can you perform the spell?" asked Ron.

"It won't be permanent, I'll have to perform it each morning, but we could give it a go this weekend. That way I can practice before we try."

Harry and Ron responded with smiles before asking more questions about her discovery. Hermione was pleased to be able to help but truly nervous about performing the sharing ritual. If she said the incantation wrong she could cause them serious harm. Wizards had died. Although it was unlikely that she would kill them, it had only occurred once according to the text, it still left her anxious. There was also the possibility that they would become addicted. She wasn't as worried about Ron, whom had always been loved. She was, however, worried that Harry might become addicted to the feeling of the Praesidium magic coursing through his veins. It had been known to happen several times in the past, but having Dumbledore's support helped to reassure her.