AN: I started this over the summer when I heard Adam Levine sing "I'm following the map that leads to you (following following following). I wrote obsessively... then I saw the True Blood finale and I started on an insane plot bunny from that mess. I love me some Eric Northman. HOWEVER, I got my notebooks mixed up when I went to Starbucks for typing day - free wifi and white chocolate mochas? Yes please! I can only do that when my kids are with their dad, so it's an every 2-weeks kind of thing. It's my happy time. I wanted to get this whole sucker written before posting, but only the first chapter is proofed to my satisfaction. RealJena is my lifesaver of a beta and she's a world-class gal. Love her. Almost all of the chapters are shorter than my usual, but I couldn't really help that since I wrote this as a massive 1-shot that went insane. I didn't want to post a 21k word 1-short, so we have 12 medium chapters. This is entirely fluffy (a teensy bit of drama thrown in for action, but no where near angst level) Hope you're intrigued enough to tell me if you want more. Enjoy!


"We're going, Blaise! I can't believe we're really going!" Granger squeals from down the hall. When I turn the corner, I see her wrapped around my housemate and best friend.

"That we are, Mya. Why are you so surprised? We weren't named head students for nothing," Blaise replies to her simpering with the air of confidence that we Slytherin are known for. He returns her embrace and swings her around, not caring who sees them. When he ducks down to kiss her forehead, his eyes flash up to meet mine. With a huge grin, he wraps his arm around her shoulders and turns to greet me. That infamous smile of his falters at my disdainful sneer.

"Well, well, well. Don't the two of you look cozy. One can only imagine what untoward activities take place in that Head's dorm. I'm sure Greengrass would not be happy," I drawl, making sure both Granger and Zabini know how displeased I am with their affection. I know they're friends, but he needs to keep his hands and lips to himself. I have to keep up the charade for anyone who might come across us. The maddening facade that Granger and I have had to hide behind for the past eight months.

"Oh Malfoy… it's sad really, this pettiness of yours. Blaise and I are managing to contribute something worthwhile to our society and you… well… what have you done that matters to anyone besides your mummy?" the witch asks me with a curl of fury marring her rose-colored lips. Her apple-cider eyes glare and it seems like the little gold flecks around her pupils spark with her anger.

It's not my fault they can't keep their hands to themselves. "What in Merlin's names could you be doing benefit society? You're just a Muggle-born, only here because of some mutated gene that made you fortunate enough to be classified as a 'witch'."

She gasps and Zabini pats her shoulder comfortingly before stepping toward me. With a sniffle and quivering lip, she quickly turns on the ball of her foot and runs down the corridor. Blaise and I both stand stalled in the hall until she turns a corner and is gone from sight. Finally alone, I grab the front of my "friend's" robes and shove him against the wall. "What the fuck, B?"

Since we're evenly matched in height and strength, he is able to release himself from my grasp easily. "I know you guys have to play the parts of barely-friends, but damn, bro… that was harsh, even for you. Do you have the foggiest idea what we were so happy about?"

Sneering, I cross my arms over my chest. "No, but I bet you're going to tell me, aren't you?"

Dark green eyes roll in annoyance and he opens the dragon-skin messenger bag against his hip. Thrusting a thick stack of parchment into my hands, he explains. "Granger and I are the only students who have mastered ancient runes, arithromancy, and history of magic, despite Binns' sleep-inducing lectures. She and I have been offered apprenticeships to study the recently found proof of a Wizarding society in Pompeii before Vesuvius erupted. It's some of the earliest evidence and could be where some of today's spells and potions originated. Not only do we get to work with curse-breakers and charms masters, but we'll actually be able to get into the site and do some of the work for ourselves. Merlin forbid we be proud of that. No, we have to put aside our excitement because Draco might misinterpret an innocent hug between friends when he should know better. Grow up, Drake." With a final disdainful scowl, he shakes his head disappointedly and walks off, leaving me alone in the hall with a load of parchment that I couldn't begin to understand.

Shit.

I'd known Hermione and Blaise were working on a project together. She'd told me as much. Knowing my reactions around her, I'd probably gotten distracted by the excited flush of her cheeks and tuned out what she was telling me. At her insistence, we had been keeping our relationship a secret. According to her, we all deserved a drama-free final year and the news of the Gryffindor Princess and the Slytherin Prince together would certainly lead to drama on both sides of the Great Hall. After seeing how many of my housemates still glared at the trio of Gryffindors, I had to accept that she was right. So during the day we act as though we barely accept each other and find time together at night and on the weekends in the Room of Requirement or other special, secluded places we've discovered over the year.

I know I need to apologize. From the look in her eyes, she knew I was merely being possessive and was jealous that she was being affectionate with my friend, another Slytherin, out in the open. It's not fair that their friendship as Head Boy and Girl is tolerated, but if I were to walk down the hall with her, having a simple conversation about potions, the stares and whispers would fuel gossip for weeks. It's not fair, but it's not her fault.

I walk up to the owlery and use a spare piece of parchment to request she meet me in the Room of Requirement tonight. I hate leaving things between us unresolved. My owl, Ares, nips my finger a little roughly as I tie the note to his leg, almost as though he knows I've upset one of the few humans he likes. I dig a treat from my pocket, wince as Ares' beak pecks my palm, and send him off with instructions to find Hermione. He's never failed. I wait all day and never get a response, but I hope against hope that she'll be there when I arrive.

I pace in front of the blank wall, thinking of the room that appears for us every time. The giant oak door materializes and I enter anxiously. I walk around our cozy common room for two and attached bedroom, but she's not there. On the mantle over the fireplace is a folded note with my name in her neat, block-style writing.

Draco,

You know that what you said to me today hurt me terribly, even though I know you have a part to play. I also know that you're reading this, wanting to apologize for letting your brain lose a race against your tongue. However, my dear Slytherin, I can't make it too easy for you. You'll have to work for my forgiveness this time. Find what I've left you in this room and you'll have your first clue. Work quickly, Draco. I hope you find me before dawn. I'll be waiting, so please don't disappoint me… again.

Hermione

Fuck. Her love of puzzles could make this difficult; I only hope that her affection for logic also has a place in her test of me. Logic, I can work with. After several minutes of looking around and starting to feel frustrated, a bright flash of color catches the very edge of my vision. I turn and stalk toward the edge of the room where the color appeared. There, in the corner of the room, are Hermione's very bright, well-worn, pink running shoes.