A/N: Oh damn! Why do I need to have a note at the beginning of the story? Oh well, here goes. This story has been majorly revised. At first I jumped into it and I was going to have some back story. Well, as I was writing, I discovered that I had another story's worth of back history that needed to be explained. This is a sort"prequel" to Break, Break, Break; which I have deleted from this site. Don't worry, it will be back!

I have decided that this story will be broken into "Acts." This first story is all Act 1, during Hogwarts. Then Act 2 will be after Hogwarts and the war. I hope you enjoy this and I really hope it isn't confusing. I really didn't want to post anything until it was finished but, there you go.

The genre I have put this in is a sort of compromise. The isn't a romance between Hermione and Draco, or even really between her and Ron. It's in this section because I think more people are inclined to read stories that have Hermione and Draco as the main the characters than most other characters; but this isn't a romance between them nor is just about them!

Onwards and upwards!


Summary: Takes place during the last year at Hogwarts and a couple of years afterwards. First Act: Draco's been acting weird, Hermione and Ron are together, and the war is ever threatening.

Second Act: After an attack on his home, Draco must give up his daughter to save her. Takes place after Hogwarts and the war.

Disclaimer: Need I say it?

Warnings: AU, language at times, possibly some people are out of character, possibly bad writing?


ACT 1: Chapter 1


Hermione walked the long hall to the Head's Compartment of the Hogwarts Express, listening to the chugging of the magical train. It was her last year on this train and she felt the weight of the war looming over her. However, some happiness had managed to find its way into her heart. She and Ron had gotten together during the summer. She was so happy that he had finally gotten the courage to do it. She was also the Head Girl this year.

She came to the doors of the compartment and opened them to find that someone had occupied it. Malfoy.

Of course the arrogant arse would be here, but not on his own merit. Sure he was good in school, but not that good.

He was elegantly stretched the full length of the bench with his legs crossed over each other, and book in hand. There was a large, brilliantly white cat with black stripes sleeping on as his lap. Its face had a wildness about it that was reminiscent of a tiger.

He heard the door open and looked up at her. Instead of a sneer, he nodded his head as by way of a greeting and returned to his book. The animal twisted and rolled over on its back but continued to doze.

She was surprised by his indifferent politeness, that she wondered if it was a joke. Nothing happened.

"Morning Malfoy," she said a bit awkwardly.

When she was sure that an ambush wasn't planned, she went in and sat down on the opposite bench. She looked him over and noticed that he hadn't change a lot. He was still tall and had a long face that was considered very handsome. What was different about him was that he didn't have the same superior air about him. It was as though because there was no one to impress, he didn't attempt to be a horrible bastard.

He had a silver ring between the tips of his fingers and was pushing it in a circular motion. The ring had an elaborately detailed snake engraved with one red eye and one blue. The snake was slithering around the band and ended up swallowing it's own tail. She had never seen him wear a ring, or any sort of jewelry for that matter. Her curiosity had now been tested and with Hermione, that was always a dangerous thing to do.

She pulled out a book of her own, trying to fight the urge to pry. After a longwhile the door slid open and there was Professor McGonagall looking very stern.

"I am glad to see that you are both here. I need to give you schedules of your rounds and explain a few things."

Hermione waited patiently for the professor to continue as Malfoy placed a mark in his book and sat up straight. The cat jumped from his lap to the bench and sat down beside him and closed its eyes again. Draco also waited as McGonagall entered and sat down next to Hermione.

She pulled two pieces of parchment from a small bag she had around her shoulder and handed one to each of them.

"Those are the times you two are to go on rounds...together," she added with a note of finality. There was no arguing, so she continued,

"Now, you will also be in a separate wing of the school and will be expected to take care of it. This is a new addition to the school and I expect you to act like the adults you are. There will be no other students allowed in that wing unless permission has been given. There is a new portrait watching over the wing to make sure that everyone except staff and the Head Boy and Girl are kept out."

Draco remained expressionless as he listened to her speech. Hermione was taken aback that he wasn't making horrible remarks at finding that he would have to spend the year with her. She wasn't about to complain.

"Do you have any questions?" McGonagall asked brusquely.

"No professor," they said simultaneously.

McGonagall nodded her head once.

"Mr. Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore would like me to give you this," she said as she handed him a letter that was in the Headmaster's neat hand-writing, "The both of you are to patrol the train in a few minutes."

They nodded and she got up to leave.

Draco opened the letter and read quickly.

Hermione noticed a small amount of surprise and even a bit of worry on his face.

His cat walked up to him and glanced at the note before rubbing against him in an almost comforting manner.

"Malfoy, if you don't mind me asking, where did you find such a beautiful animal?" Hermione asked tentatively. She didn't know if they were on speaking terms.

He looked up at her a bit startled, but it melted into a small smile as he looked down and petted the long animal that had started purring gently.

"She found me," was his reply.

She quirked an eyebrow at him, but didn't pursue any further.

"We had better start patrolling," she said.


An hour later they had arrived at Hogwarts. It was dusk, but the air was warm and a beautiful breeze was gently blowing.

Hermione gathered her things and briefly wondered where her own cat had gotten to, but she put him out of her mind as she met up with Harry and Ron. Forgetting that Harry didn't know about them, Ron gave her a small kiss on the cheek and grasped her hand with his.

Harry looked bemused at first, but smiled.

"About time," he said to them.

Ron turned red and Hermione looked away, but smiled.

When everyone got settled in, the sorting and the feast began.

It was so nice to hear the chatter of the excited students. Girls were running up to each other, squealing with delight at the site of old friends, and hugging like mad. The boys walked quickly to their friends and shook hands and patted backs with warm smiles attached to their faces. Yes, this was a pleasant way to spend the evening and to forget all that was waiting for them once the year was up.

After a while, the plates were cleared and the sleepy Hogwarts students had their fill of food.

"May I have your attention please?" Dumbledore said, "I have a few announcements. We welcome back Professor Remus Lupin as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was loud cheering across the hall. The Headmaster waited until the students quieted down before continuing.

"As the older students should know, the Forbidden Forrest is off limits to all students. I amalso very excited to announcethat there has been a new wing added to the school that is strictly for the Heads of House."

Hermione glanced at Draco who was intently listening to the speech.

"Should the Heads wish to invite other students, permission must be granted by a teacher. Now, I suspect that you are tired and would like to go to your dorms for some rest."

With that, the students got up to head to their dorms. Hermione and Draco were asked to stay behind as the new prefects ushered first years to their respective dorms.

They didn't say a word to each other. It was very strange. No remark, no sneers or jabs. Nothing. It was driving her insane. She was about to ask him what was going on when Professor Lupin entered The Great Hall.

"Follow me," he said with a tired smile on his face.

They did as they were told.

"I am sure that Professor McGonagall has spoken to you?

"Yes, she told us our duties on the train professor," Malfoy replied.

"Well, then I do not need to go over it all again. You may set the password once we reach the portrait. I am sure that you do not need to be reminded that you are to set an example for the younger students," he chuckled.

"Yes, professor," they said.

They continued up a corridor until they reached a set of stairs and followed Lupin up them.

"The dorm is a few flights above the seventh floor so we mustn't dawdle," he said kindly.

They walked up and up until they finally reached a floor that neither had visited before. Hermione wondered if it was on Harry's map.

"This wing has been added on during the summer and I am told that it is quite beautiful. Dumbledore thought that with the events of the past few months, the school needed something to cheer the students up."

The air felt so cold, but it wasn't bitter. It was refreshing and sweet, like mountain air.

"If am right, there may be an entire kitchen on this floor and even a library that has books that are not necessarily found in the school's library," he said with a knowing smile that was directed at Hermione whose ears perked up.

"What books would it have sir?" she asked with a bit of a twinkle in her eye at the thought of reading a book that she hadn't yet poured over.

"That I don't know Miss Granger, but I am sure that there will be enough to keep that ingenious mind of yours working," Lupin said kindly.

Hermione smiled with pride that he thought her intelligent. They continued to walk down a newly constructed hall until a voice broke the silence.

"Where is all of this?" Draco finally spoke.

"It is right through this door," Lupin responded.

They stopped at a plain wooden door that had an empty portrait to the right of it.

"Where is the person that watches the door?" Hermione asked.

Lupin leaned towards the black canvas and squinted his eyes as if to get a better look.

"She's there…" Lupin said staring pensively into the abyss.

Hermione and Draco also stared until they saw something appear. Two large rows of teeth pulled into a mischievous smile that slowly became clearer.

"Yes?" a feminine voice said in a low growl that was more flirtatious than fierce.

"A Cheshire cat!" Hermione said with surprise.

Lupin chuckled. "I think the Heads of House would like to see you Scarlet."

"Lupin-" it said slowly with a small purr as the form of an elegantly long orange cat with spots appeared, "it has been a long time since you have visited me in your…present form," she said with a hint of disgust in her voice at seeing him in human form.

Hermione looked knowingly at the portrait. She had seen him as a werewolf and much preferred him in his 'present form.'

"Yes, I dare say it has been quite some time. Scarlet is an old friend. Scarlet this is the Head boy Draco Malfoy."

Draco stepped forward to get a closer look.

The cat gave him a once over.

"Hmmm…he is handsome," she said with a seductive smile and a low animal growl to her voice. She looked at his robes and saw the Slytherin house crest.

"Oh and he shares my hunger for mice," she grinned evilly and licked her lips as she swished her tail slowly.

Draco smirked and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"And this is Hermione Granger the Head Girl of Gryffindor."

The cat scrutinized Hermione with a hint of disdain..

"A most noble house," she said with of pride, "and one of my cousins watches over you. You are well protected."

Hermione blinked. How did the cat know about Crookshanks?

"Welcome to your new home Heads of House. Please state a password."

"I'll leave you to it then," Lupin said and he walked away saying a good bye to the painting.

Draco looked at Hermione expectantly. When she understood that he was waiting for her to choose a password, she decided on,

"Unknown."

The cat bowed her head as the door swung open.

Hermione quickly went through the door.

"Interesting," Draco said.

As he past the portrait, he winked at the disappearing cat who grinned and purred softly.


When he entered he stopped moving. The sight that was before him was incredible.

The floor was grass; rich, emerald green, perfectly cut grass. The ceiling and walls were bewitched to look like they were outdoors. The moon was beaming silvery soft threads of light and there were millions of bright stars; even the air smelt fresh.

There were torches placed all around so that they could see and instead of stairs to their rooms, their rooms were little cottages at the top of small hills. As was a kitchen and a bathroom.

There was a small sitting area with large plushy chairs and a couch in the middle of the field.

Hermione was speechless. This was the most beautiful thing that she had yet to see in her years at Hogwarts.

She walked over to the sitting area and saw a note on the rich wooden table.

Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy,

Look at this as a special treat. As I am sure you have noticed, the wing has been bewitched. The only boundary is your imagination. You may add anything you wish, or take away what you wish. All you need to do is think and it shall appear. If you want something taken away, say, "finite" and it will be gone. Your rooms may be dealt within the same manner. Please enjoy this as a gift for the hard work and services you have done for the school.

Albus Dumbledore

"This is incredible!" she shouted.

"I don't think I can disagree Granger," he said.

She handed him the note and went to unpack.

When they had got settled in, Hermione conjured up a blanket and laid on the soft cool grass and gazed at moon. The man in the moon was out tonight. There was a warm breeze blowing.

Draco was sitting on the couch, reading a book and again playing with his ring. His cat was nowhere to be found, and Crookshanks was sniffing around him with great curiosity.

Hermione looked at her roommate with curious eyes.

"Malfoy?"

"Hm?" he said not looking at her.

She was tired of being ignored. She thought of something to really get his attention.

"Malfoy I love you and I have always wanted you," she said in a low voice. It didn't get a response.

She got up off of the grassy floor and walked over to him. Shocked at her own audacity, she balled up her fist and tapped his head then slowly released her fingers so that it felt as though an egg had been cracked on his head.

He jumped off the couch screaming profanities as he felt the top of his precious head of hair. When he felt that there was nothing on his head, he glared at her laughing figure.

"What the hell was that for Granger?"

When she caught her breath she said,

"I have been trying to get your attention Malfoy."

"What do you want?" he said annoyed as he sat back down.

"You are acting very weird. You have not said more than two sentences to me since we arrived and what you have said has been…civil."

"Do you want me to be horrible to you?" he asked getting back into his book.

"No, it's just that you have spiked my curiosity."

"Well, I am glad to hear that I fascinate, but if you don't mind…"

She blinked. He had changed, quite a bit. He wasn't willing to spar with her. She voiced her thought,

"What has happened to the arrogant smart ass?"

He smiled slightly still looking at his book.

"Let's just say that I have killed him."

She sighed. He was still annoying.

"Alright don't tell me. But I will find out," she said with a small smile of her own. He was quite charming when he wasn't being a spoiled brat.

All of a sudden walls were being raised around them and the light brightened. A very large room appeared. It had a certain grandeur that was dramatic, but not over the top. There was rich Victorian furniture and beautiful hardwood flooring. Though large, there was a warm and cozy feel to it.

"Did you do that?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I was tired of not being able to see. Our rooms and everything else are inside too."

She looked around saw that the hills that their rooms were on had been changed into beautiful black iron staircases.

"I am not a bad decorator if I say so myself."

"No," she said looking around, "you're just full of yourself."

He closed his book and said a brisk goodnight.

She looked his retreating form going up the stairs.

She decided to do a bit of reading for a while. She thought of a large bookcase filled with mysteries, dramas, and classics; and imagined it in a corner of the room. A few items shuffled around, and a large bookcase extending from the floor to ceiling and a ladder with wheels connected to it appeared as if it had always been there.

She smiled warmly. This was going to be a good year.


A/N: I am really sorry if anyone seems out of character. This story has undergone some reconstruction do to the fact that I have not a clue as to what the hell I am doing!

I apologize for the stupid portrait. I tried to make it seem elegant and very seductive, but I have a feeling that it's a bit skanky. Oh well.

I would love to have that common room. I don't care what anyone says; I think I did an awesome job on that.

As I have already said, this story is going to be put into two parts (acts). The first will be sort of happy, carefree, and the imagery will be really summery and fallish. The next, as some may have already read, will be darker and colder. There maybe a middle act that explains what's happened since Hogwarts. I had a devil of a time writing this and hope it does slightly better than crappy. Stick around for a couple more chapters at least. You may find that you like this story.