I truly don't know where I'm going with this story, but if you like it, hate it, want to beta or help co-write it email me. I will prolly be making updates though.

            Dear Journal,

Well, it's the 3rd year anniversary since I've started teaching at Hogwarts and I'm happy to say that I have no regrets. Ron and Harry are still working for the Ministry and there is not a day that goes by that I don't worry about them. I think Harry has been especially stressed given the current situation with Voldemort. At least things haven't gotten worse since the attack on the ministry. I wonder why he still has to investigate those random death eater murders. At least with those cases he gets to work with Ron in the Mystery department. Yesterday, Ginny and I had lunch at the Three Broomsticks which is a rarity indeed. She seemed as distant as usual. I've asked Ron about this but it seem to be that he rarely sees her either. I think she took Neville's death hard, after all they had been partners since they came out of Aruror training. Well Dumbledoor has called the staff down for a meeting so I must be off now.

Hermione Granger

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            Her footsteps echoed down the empty hallways as Hermione made her way to the board room for the annual meeting before classes started again. Only 3 more days, she thought with a sigh. The torches automatically light the hallways as the setting sun threw it's last rays of light. The firelight made golden streaks in Hermione's russet bounced around her waist in soft. She turned a corner into a twisting stairway and stopped at one of the landings. A statue of an owl sitting on a pillar turned to face her and made a small "hoot".

"Periwinkle." She said. After a few seconds a large bronze door appeared in front of her. She lightly pushed it open and entered the large dome-like room which was predominantly scarlet and gold with House banners hanging from the walls. Hermione walked around the front of the fire place to the back of the circular table and took her seat next to Pro. Flitwick.

She absentmindedly looked to the other side to the table to where Snape use the sit. Her initial thought to him leaving was good riddance, but when his replacement came she found herself sorely missing the potions professor. Norman Boothswyler was an arsehole in every sense of the word. His lifeless brown hair was always flat against his forehead and bloodshot ice blue eyes were always darting around, as if trying to catch someone in the act of a crime. With another glance around the room she noticed the only missing person was Reamus. After the 4th year, Moody was put back into the ministry after extensive therapy and Reamus Lupin was asked to fill his spot for DADA. So where was he?

As if on cue……………

"As you may have noticed our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is missing from this meeting. Indeed he will not be here with us this year." In Hermione's musing she had not noticed that Dumbledor had arrived and already sat down in his chair to begin the meeting. Now she gasped in shock at the news that had just been delivered. Similar exclamations could be heard around the room but before anyone could say anything Dumbledor went on.

"His talents are needed elsewhere at the moment. He may or may not be back this year or the next, but luckily we have found a replacement in such a short period of time. And I would like all of you to give him a warm welcome and treat him with respect and kindness. Mister Malfoy, if you would be so kind to step up."

As dramatically as ever he stepped out from the shadow of the door and stood next to the headmaster. Hermione could not help her self but eye him in a new light. He wasn't a light weight going out of Hogwarts but he was still on the slighter side. Now one could clearly see the wiry strength he seemed to have gained.. His silvery blond hair gleamed as perfectly as ever and his gray eyes flashed with the same intensity and malice as he always had. The only way one could tell he was touched by the war was the smooth scar that ran from just above his left eye to mid cheek and jagged, white line running from his ear to mid throat.

Without a word he made a nod and a flirty wink to Hermione, who blushed a deep shade of red. Then he sat next to a gaping professor Bins. That's probably the most expressive he's been since my 2nd year Hermione reflected. Looking over to Pro. Boothswyler she saw with interest that it looked as though all the color in his face had suddenly drained. He must have opened and shut his mouth a dozen times before he finally shot out of his seat to make his point.

"But Pro. Dumbledore his history! Nobody has even heard of him for the past 3 years and with his father being a death eater……."

"If you haven't noticed," Draco interrupted coolly. "I'm still here." Boothswyler glared daggers at him.

"That will be enough." Dumbledore said. There were others who would have joined in with Boothswyler but one look in the headmaster's steely, blue eyes said the subject was not open for discussion.

The rest of the meeting went on without any alteration from the usual. Or at least what was usual with the war. The "keep all eyes and ears open" discussion and the "they may only be children but they aren't not blind, deaf and dumb" speech. Throughout the entire meeting it seemed as if eyes constantly veered to Draco, who sat silently, looking quite relaxed with perfect posture and straight back. When the meeting ended and the teachers started to mill out Dumbledore lightly held Hermione by the arm.

"Miss Granger, would you please show Mister Malfoy to his room." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"But I don't know where it is." Hermione pleaded. Dumbledore let go of her arm and started towards the door.

"It's Reamus's old room. I trust you could find it." With that he closed the door leaving Hermione to stare wide-eyed after him.

"Well, shall we be off then?" at the sound of his voice, Hermione jerked in surprise and turned to look at him. He was casually leaning against the wall next to the fireplace. The fire from the hearth threw an almost golden light on him giving him and angelic look. "If you really don't know where the room is we could always share yours." He said with a devious smile and long black lashes fluttering on his pale cheeks.

Hermione scowled. "Follow me Malfoy." She huffed as she turned on her heel out of the room. With a shrug Draco lightly kicked off the wall to follow her. Smiling wickedly he tilted his head to the side to get a better view of her backside as she walked up the stone steps. She has definitely filled out nicely he thought, his grin growing wider.

The nerve of that wretched, imprudent, little ferret! What the hell was Dumbledore thinking hiring that sneaky bastard! Her scowl turned to a frown as she seriously considered this question. Draco Malfoy had been in the inner circle of Voldemort before he went missing and since then no one had heard of him. Most had thought him dead except those who were in the ministry. She would have to owl Harry about this, she thought. Hermione stopped as her train of thought was broken by the lack of sound from her companion. She turned around to find him a few inches from her. She gasped and jumped back, he just smirked at her.

"Why have we stopped?"

"Where did you go?"

Looking genuinely bewildered he said, "I've been right behind you." Hermione gave him a suspicious glare before she went on. Silly chit, Draco thought looking after her.

"Here you are." she said coldly, gesturing to a door that was across from the stained glass windows down the hallway. Nodding to her he stepped toward the door.

"Where's your luggage?" Hermione asked curiously looking at him.

He turned around to look at her before answering. "It coming tomorrow. Why?"

"Just wondering," she said turning to walk away but turned back as an afterthought struck her. "By the way, if you're even thinking about doing anything while you're here I guarantee that you will die in the worst of ways."

"The worst of ways? And why is that?" he replied stepping up to her. He was about 4" taller than her so she had to look up to talk to him but that did not take the smirk from her face.

"Because I'm mean and creative." Without looking behind her she walked away and back to her own room. Draco chuckled in amusement looking after her. With a smile he walked into his room.