The Great Hall was empty, save for one woman sitting at the Head Table. The rest of the professors and staff would be arriving the following day at noon, but she wasn't afforded that privilege. She was saddened by this, especially as she had often dreamed of one day arriving at Hogwarts on the train pulled by that single golden engine that brought the rest of the staff. It had always seemed so much more luxurious than the red engine that brought the students. At least half of my wish came true, she thought. And it was true- Hermione Jean Granger had recently been hired to teach at the school she loved so dearly.

She ran her tongue across her teeth as she pushed the food around her plate. It was an oddly comforting habit considering the circumstances… She unconsciously hissed as her thoughts bent down that path, which, in turn, angered her even more. Flaring her nose and breathing deeply, she stuffed a mouthful of food into her mouth. It tasted like dirt, so unlike the liquid she was craving.

"Oh, what the hell was Minerva thinking!? Better yet, what was I thinking!? I can't believe I'm here: it's not safe! Even with the potions from Snape… I still crave it- crave it so deeply! Oh, how I want it! And what if I hurt someone- what then!? It won't even be Azkaban for me; it'll be the bloody sun! And…"

"You know talking to yourself is a sign of mental instability." A voice interrupted her not-so-internal rambling, shocking her greatly. For one thing, she was supposed to be the only one, save the House Elves and ghosts, at Hogwarts. For another, she hadn't heard him approach and she couldn't smell him now.

He realized her shock and smirked. "Forgive me for startling you, I was just under the impression that I was the only 'Child of the Night' employed here. My name is Draco Malfoy."

"I-" She wasn't sure exactly what to say to this man. And he was a man, albeit an immortal man (she hadn't missed his 'Child of the Night' comment). "I'm Her- Hermione Granger. I thought that the rest of the staff was set to arrive tomorrow…"

He made her nervous, but whether it was his slender build, stormy-grey eyes, or his unexpected entrance, she wasn't sure. Draco cocked his head in surprise. "Hermione Granger? Not the Hermione Granger? You're teaching here? After all your adventures I figured you'd be off touring the world with the rest of your Trio."

"Well then, you obviously know nothing about me," she snapped. She didn't need a vacation, especially one that she wouldn't enjoy because of a certain gaseous body around which their planet orbited. Who does this guy think he is, she thought.

"I apologize. I did not mean to imply that I knew anything about you." The look on his face showed that he was much more amused than his words let on. "I did, however, overhear your worry about your control. If I may ask, why is that?"

She stood and walked past him, leaving the Great Hall. "Because I have none. I've barely had this… condition… two months and the Headmistress will not let me out of my contract." She really wished he would leave her alone.

He was now in front of her, walking backwards. "Maybe she trusts you. I mean, you are the 'Greatest Witch of Our Time.' Are you not?" He chuckled, actually using his fingers to make air quotes. He may have meant to amuse her, but he only pushed her annoyance to a new level.

She hissed, "Yes, but how can she trust me when I don't trust myself?"

He stopped then, a determined look in his eyes. "Come with me." He walked away so quickly, it was if he was floating. Hermione had to run to keep up with him. "You'll find your Power soon enough and then you won't have to do that," he said without once looking behind him. He led her deep into the dungeons before coming to a stop in front of a simple, wooden door.

Hermione looked around. "My room is right across the hall!"

He raised an eyebrow and followed her line of sight. "Probably so I can keep an eye on you… since you're not convinced you can control yourself." He shrugged and disappeared into the darkness of his room.

She stood there, gaping, for several minutes after he had entered the room, not quite sure what to think. Finally, at great length, she entered.

Yes, I know this chapter is short, but I promise that they won't all be like this. The next chapter will explain why they don't know one another previously. Either chapter three or chapter four will have Hermione's turning story. The "Vampire stuff" will mostly be from the Vampire Diaries - not Twilight, sorry.

Let me know what you think!