DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, or other characters.

This past year had changed a lot of people; I had realized when we finally asked to come back to Hogwarts to begin our seventh year once again. I was made Head Boy and…well no shocker but Hermione Granger made Head Girl. After the fall of Voldemort most of the Death eater's went into hiding (including my father) I however never wanted any part of it, the Dark Mark was really only given to me because my father is Lucius Malfoy. That's not the only thing that changed though…I was told of my Veela heritage, and how I would mature at eighteen, at least that's when I would feel the Veela blood take effect, and wouldn't you know it I sure as hell felt it. Was more painful than the Dark Mark itself, I was currently about to finish maturing (which only took a week) and then apparently my Veela instincts would find me my life mate. That last thing was not something I was looking forward too, and I prayed that it wasn't Pansy.

"Draco...mate are you alright?" asked Blaise, he was the only one out of my friends that knew anything about my Veela blood…mostly because he's a good bloke and I don't trust anyone else, not even Crabbe and Goyle, the two buffoons.

"Yeah, just thinking about everything that had gone down," I said…that was part of the truth. He nodded.

"So how goes the…well you know," he said.

"Fine, it's supposed to end tomorrow and that's when I will get on the draught, so I'm not making everyone in this bloody castle drool over me," I grumbled.

"Right….so if you take that how will you know when you have found your mate?" he asked, logical question.

"I will supposedly feel her in my dreams calling to me," I said "the more I hear the calling the sooner I find her…hopefully she is here at Hogwarts I don't want to look all over the world for her."

"I hope so for your sake that mating thing is a nasty business if the mate to be refuses until ready," said Blaise "I hope that draught tamper's down that Veela blood of yours a good bit." I nodded. I hadn't wanted any of this but I really had no other choice.

"You know, Blaise I think I might head to my new common room…have to get used to having my own place," I said smirking, when in truth I was tired. He nodded, and I left.

"RON GET OUT! I'M NOT HAVING THIS CONVERSTAION WITH YOU…WE ARE DONE….FINISHED, THERE IS NO MORE US," I heard Granger screaming just outside our portrait "YOU CHEATED…I AM NOT GOING TO STAY WITH A CHEATER! NOW GET OUT!" wow I didn't know the Weasel had it in him.

"WELL IF SOMEONE WOULD JUST GIVE IT UP WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM," he yelled back at her. Then I heard footsteps and moved out of the way, and watched the redhead pass by, and then I went in.

"Well seems Granger's perfect world has come crashing down," I sneered as I walked in. She turned to face me tears running down her face. I could tell that she wanted to yell at me, but what actually came out shocked me.

"Malfoy…please, we have to live together this year so could you just like…be civil and try not to be so ferret like," she asked, well more like pleaded. I looked at her shocked because I had been expecting a rude insult of some sort. She looked back at me waiting for an answer "You know what forget I asked." Then she ran upstairs to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Oh this is going to be an all too interesting year for me," I said quietly. I walked and sat down at the couch. I had about five minutes of piece and then there was a pop. I groaned as I heard my mother's voice.

"Dragon…my baby," she said as she came to sit by me. She had changed a lot since father disappeared. She was more vibrant, she started decorating…and she didn't have to hide the bruises. That's when thing I promised myself…I would never hurt my wife…well my mate. I wish the Veela had been on my father's side, and then he wouldn't have been so cold hearted.

"Hello mother, how are you?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"I am fine, redecorating the kitchen now," she replied, she hugged me as she sat down next to me. Then she looked around the Head Common room "this is stunning Draco, I am so very proud of you."

"Yes, living the dream here," I said "so why the visit."

"Oh, I just wanted to see you," she said "and see how you were feeling."

"That, well the pain is gone," I said "I still feel the tingle." She nodded.

"You said Miss Granger is the Head Girl," she questioned and I looked at her.

"Yes," I said "but that is not surprising…she is said to be the brightest witch of our age. Who am I to argue with that when she helped bring down the Dark Lord himself." Just as I was talking about her I heard footsteps on the stairs. I looked to see Hermione standing there.

"Um…I was just leaving," she said quietly. She finished coming down the stairs in a hurry, heading for the portrait. My mother stood and walked around the couch after her.

"Miss. Granger, please wait," said mother "there is something I wish to talk to you about, if I could have just a moment of your time?" Hermione twirled around and I watched silently.

"What could you possibly have to say to me," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. My mother sighed.

"The incident at my home," she started and Granger stuck out her arm.

"Oh you mean when Bellatrix carved mud blood into my arm," she said "you know I am now tainted by a word that I was told meant nothing. I have to live with this; I have to see it every day, because unfortunately for me there is nothing magic can do about it."

"I see you caught on to what I wanted to speak to you about," said mother, she walked closer to Hermione. "Listen Miss Granger, there is nothing I can do to change the past, but I would be so very grateful of you would let me try to make up for it."

"How can you possibly," said Hermione.

"There is something that can…make it invisible," said mother, taking Hermione's arm and turning it. She set her wand against the scar "Vilisio…" The scar shimmered away and Hermione looked rather awestruck. She moved her hand over it.

"I can still feel it," said Hermione, mother nodded "wait how did you do this?"

"The blood from the rare black Unicorn," said mother "my wand just so happens to contain it, and as for being able to feel it, I am afraid you are right, there isn't anything that can completely take it away. I must apologize for letting such a thing happen in my home, and I hope you will be able to forgive me."

"I…thank you," said Hermione "but wait I thought there were dire consequences for using Unicorn blood."

"Ultimately it would be the person you collected the blood that would suffer," said mother "anyhow, I should be going…see you later Draco, write often."

"Goodbye mother," I said, and then she was gone with a pop. I looked over at Granger.

"I take it things are different now," she said and I nodded.

"With my father gone, she can be who she wants," I said.

"Well, Headmistress McGonagall wants to see us in her office," said Hermione, she looked at me with a curious expression. I stood and walked over.

"Then I suppose we should be going," I said, shaking her head of her thoughts she nodded. We walked silently to the Headmistress's office and when we approached the Gargoyle Hermione said the password.

"Bubblegum and Fiddlesticks," she said her voice calm and collected. I stayed behind her as we climbed the stairs, thinking as we went. Upon entering the office I focused my attention on Professor McGonagall.

"Ah, there you two are," she said, she waved her hands over a couple of seats that were in front of her desk. We both sat down. "I hope you two have settled into the Heads Dorm."

"Yes, Professor," said Hermione, her eyes flickered towards me for a moment "it's all very lovely." I nodded in agreement.

"And the two of you are getting on well?" she questioned, her eyes peering over her spectacles.

"Um, I think so," said Hermione "we haven't really talked much, it is just the second day of school." The Professor nodded her head.

"Yes, well I have asked the two of you to my office," she started, but her voice trailed off as I focused my attention back to Hermione. She had changed a lot, I assumed the war changed us all, even on the outside. Her hair was no longer bushy, but tamed and curled to any man's liking, her skin was a luminescent porcelain color and flawless I might add, her body was slender yet curvaceous and certainly lovely to look upon. Then there were her eyes, most would say they were brown, but looking now they seemed almost the color of glazed honey and rather enchanting as well. At this moment I realized she was looking at me and I shook my head.

"The headmistress has dismissed us," she whispered and I looked to see the Professor was gone. "Are you alright?" I nodded and stood up. We walked out of the office together. "So…we should really go over prefect duties and patrolling schedules. McGonagall wants it to her tomorrow." I nodded.

"Um, right," I said "I have a suggestion…give the fourth year detentions to Pansy Parkinson." Hermione seemed a little shock as I said this "what, she's a pain in the arse and I really don't like her."

"Oh," said Hermione, a giggle escaped from her mouth. I looked at her with a raised brow "sorry it's just…she's in your house I figured you would try and give the fourth year detentions…which are the worst by the way…to someone you really didn't like."

"Nope," I said, then I sighed "listen I am really no good at putting schedules together, so would you mind doing it and then I will look over it with you? I promise to give you the time of day."

"Oh, um sure," she said "maybe tonight after the feast…I should have it done by then." I nodded.

"That would be perfect," I said, she gave me a small smile and turned to go the other way (more than likely to see her friends) "Wait," she stopped and turned her body slightly to look at me "about before…I think it would be a good idea for us to try and be civil with each other this year."

"Oh…well good," she said and then turned and walked away. I sighed to myself and continued on my way. I went up to the Head Dorm…Blaise was beside the portrait, leaning against the wall.

"Hey mate," he said "was looking for you." I nodded.

"Had to see the Headmistress," I said, I walked up to the portrait "Lemon Drops…come on in Blaise."

"You sure Granger won't mind," he said and I shook my head.

"She's not coming back right now," I said. We went into the common room and sat on the couch. "My mother stopped by today."

"Did she…how is she doing?" asked Blaise.

"Better, much better," I said "father hasn't even tried to contact her. You should visit the Manor when we go on holiday, it's completely different now." He was eyeing me, a look of concern on his face. "What?"

"You don't look well," he said "and I'm not the only one…Theo is worried too, he thinks your angry with him about something, you haven't talked to him since being back."

"Sorry," I said "no, I am not angry with him…I will talk to him as soon as I have the chance. Should probably tell him about the whole Veela thing as well…he is rather close to me."

"Yeah, he's always been a good friend," said Blaise. "Seriously though…it's like the last two days you've gotten worse."

"The transformation is coming to an end," I said "it will get better once I have found my life mate, or start taking that draught."

"It's amazing the Snape lived," said Blaise "everyone else thought he was dead."

"You know who saved him don't you?" I asked and he shook his head. "Granger did, she knew a spell that would detract the venom from his body and also knew how to seal the wounds up enough until he was found."

"He'll be a good DADA teacher," said Blaise "god knows he's always wanted the job." I nodded.

"Slughorn isn't so bad for potions I suppose," I said. Blaise nodded and it went silent for a moment. Then I heard the portrait swing open. Hermione came in; she was writing something down on her parchment as she walked. She looked over for a moment.

"Oh, sorry," she said "didn't know you had a guest. Don't mind me I'm just going into the study. Malfoy…Mr. Zabini."

"Granger," said Blaise. She walked away and I winced. For some reason when she said my last name it caused me pain, and it felt like my heart stopped when she entered the room. "Funny, I didn't know she knew my name."

"It's Granger," I said, I winced again as I used her last name. "She knows everything."

"Right," said Blaise "listen, I will see you in the Great Hall for dinner tonight, just wanted to check on you quick, make sure you were still doing alright. I will let Theo know you're not mad at him."

"Thanks," I said nodding "I will see you later then." When he left, I stalked up to my room and fell upon my bed. My face hit a piece of parchment. It was a not from mother.

'Draco my dear, I should warn you that I have figured out who your life mate is. I think it may come as a surprise to you, but I have a feeling you won't mind it at all. Please do take care of yourself and her…and as always be wary of your father. Love, Mother.

"Should have seen that coming," I said as I set the paper aside. "How could she possibly know before me?" Next thing I knew I was dozing off.

HERMIONE'S POV…

When I finally had the schedule finished I went down to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry, Ron and Ginny all greeted me. I said hello and sat next to Harry. I had made an agreement with Ron, that I wouldn't tell anyone he cheated on me, that our break up was mutual.

"So," said Ginny "are you two still friends then?" I looked at Ron, who seemed to be wondering the same thing.

"Yeah," I said "why wouldn't we be, it was a mutual break up wasn't it." They all nodded and I opened my notes, propping them against the pitcher of Pumpkin Juice.

"Mione, um how do you already have all of this notes?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, and why are you already studying…it's the second day of school."

"I took all these before coming back to Hogwarts," I said "I knew I would need them for the end of the year."

"Right, but really the second day of school," said Harry "Hermione, you don't need to do that until a couple months before the tests." Ron then said something his mouth full of food and I looked at him.

"Please tell me why you are stuffing your face like that," I said.

"I'm hungry," he said. "I was just saying you can't wait to study…maybe try to enjoy the beginning of school."

"Cannot Ronald," I said, and looked back to my notes "one can never truly be prepared for something." As I said that I had a flashback of seeing Lavender Brown lying on the ground, lifeless. She and I weren't really even friends and seeing her that way broke my heart. "Besides, these are only light notes, I will be taking more."

"Of course you will," said Harry, smiling.

"Yes, she's not called the brightest witch of our age for nothing," said Ginny. I gave them both a smile and started eating as I continued reading my notes.

After dinner, I walked back up to the Heads Common Room. I was a little nervous about this, but Malfoy had said he would give me the time of day to look at what I had come up with for scheduling. I sighed.

"Lemon Drops," I said and the portrait swung open. I walked into the room quietly, and then more quickly as I heard a thrashing sound. I found Malfoy on the floor of the common room, sweating and thrashing, and muttering something about not wanting to hurt someone. I knelt down and gentle shook him. "Malfoy," he didn't respond "Malfoy…Draco…DRACO WAKE UP!" His eyes shot open, his breath labored he looked at me.

"You," he said, his voice strained, but his eyes were soft as he looked at me. I looked at him.

"Yes, me," I said as I helped him sit up "are you alright?" he nodded as his breathing returned to normal, "was it about the war?" He looked at me.

"Was what about the war?" he asked.

"The dream you were having," I said "it may be none of my business…but I have them too, all the time…I was just gonna say I have something that helps if you want it."

"Oh, no it wasn't about the war," he said "not this time anyway, thanks for the concern." I nodded.

"Well, as you're fine…I was wondering if we could…well if you could take that look at the schedule now?" I questioned. His steel grey eyes bore into mine, and I suddenly realized how beautiful they were, how handsome he was. Then I shook my head and looked away.

"Yeah, I will have a look at it now," he said, standing…then offering me a hand, he helped me up.

"Thank you," I said, as I smoothed my school skirt "I will go and grab it."