Timeline: the 8th year at Hogwarts.

Only a handful of older students came back to complete their last year of education at Hogwarts after the war. No one was surprised when Hermione Granger boarded the Hogwarts Express, on her own, on September 1st. However, many heads turned to watch Draco Malfoy, walking alone, his trunk levitated behind him. The rumor mill had all the details already. Malfoy had been ordered one-year probation to be fulfilled by going back to Hogwarts and staying there all year. He would be allowed out on Hogsmeade weekends but he would not be sent home on holidays, as his father was in Azkaban and his mother was under house arrest and it would be considered collusion for the two of them to spend time together during the year of their sentences.

Also, in a move that raised many eyebrows, Headmistress McGonagall had sent Malfoy a head boy badge. In the owl mail that contained the badge, she had sent a note explaining that such decision was both a way to show faith in him and also a mechanism to fulfill the ministry requisite of keeping a close eye on him. The new head boy took the information stoically and decided to perform his duties flawlessly while keeping to himself as much as possible. The only caveat was that the note also announced that Hermione Granger will be the head girl. That was a hard pill to swallow. He was ashamed to the core of the fact that Hogwarts classmates had been held prisoner in his house, but Granger had also been tortured by his insane aunt. The best he could hope for was that Granger would not be hateful all year long, but if that was the case, he would keep his head low and simply keep doing his duties.

When he got on the train he went straight to the front, to the heads compartment. She was already there. She sat a bit more straight when he walked in, then in a move that mimicked his own rehearsed plan she stood up an offered her hand.

"Malfoy. I hope we can work together this year." He didn't hesitate. He took the offered hand and shook it. "Thank you, Granger. You beat me to the punch, as always," he said with a smirk, "I was supposed to be the one asking for your good will."

She chuckled a bit "well, I like to be one step ahead, always."

He nodded "I assume then you have a plan for the prefects' team already?"

She blushed. As soon as she got her owl with the badge she got on it. She pulled out a small pile of parchments from her trunk and started sharing with him. He had some ideas of his own but had planned to let her lead as a show of respect; still, she seemed glad to hear his input. She was not used to working with someone who could keep up so well. After they finalized the details he left the compartment so she could change into her school robes. He changed in the bathroom, then both of them walked into the prefects' compartment, and proceeded to give instructions and organize teams before anyone could get awkward. With an air of finality, they both walked out and back to the heads compartment. They both smiled shyly. "That went well, thank you, Granger." She nodded. "No problem. Let's try and keep up this teamwork thing. I think we all need to move on." He nodded in approval and they both sat comfortably and pulled out books to read for the rest of the journey. The silence was comfortable. They stole glances at each other now and then until Draco said "I'm not going to hex you, Granger. You have the Ministry's guarantee of that."

She chuckled "actually, I was thinking this is the first time in seven years that I feel confident that you don't want to hex me. It's... an unusual feeling, but is nice."

He smirked

"No hexes coming your way, I assure you. And I would appreciate it if the sentiment is mutual."

She smiled

"It is. No hexes coming from here, you have my word."

He smiled. It was the first time that she ever saw him smile. It was a beautiful smile. She shook herself off it when she felt a blush growing on her face. At that moment mercifully the trolley witch came by and he stood to get a bunch of sweets.

"What would you like, Granger?"

She looked shocked for a second but answered quickly

"A, a cauldron cake please, thank you."

He nodded and turned to the trolley witch to take the sweets and pay. The old lady looked at Hermione and then at him and gave him a knowing eyebrow wiggle. The corner of his mouth lift a bit but he mostly kept a straight face.

They ate their snacks and kept reading, feeling strangely comfortable. For once in her life, Hermione Granger decided to let things be. Malfoy was right, if he did the slightest unpleasant thing to her, he could end up in Azkaban. That was enough guarantee for her. Also, after a few more moments she admitted to herself that her nervousness at the moment was not about Draco Malfoy being a Slytherin or a Death Eater or even being rude. Obviously, that was all in the past. She was nervous because when Draco Malfoy behaved properly he was an intelligent, well mannered, insanely handsome young man. And that was making her very nervous.

Unbeknownst to her, Malfoy was thinking that when he stopped thinking of Granger as a lowly mudblood, he had to admit that she was a brilliant, prim, gorgeous young woman. Karma was indeed a bitch.

When they got to the castle they performed their duties guiding the young ones to their common rooms and then were called by the Headmistress. She explained that the head boy and head girl would have their own quarters, where they would have their own rooms but share a common room and a bathroom. They both felt blush rushing to their faces but nodded then followed the older witch to their assigned tower. It was like a quaint, nice flat of their own. The furniture was nice leather and the banners of Slytherin and Gryffindor houses hang side by side on one wall of the common room. They both went into their rooms to get settled and chuckled when they bump into each other coming out of their rooms, each one a book in hand, hoping to read a bit in the nice common room before bed. They walked towards the couch, which was quite roomy, and Malfoy said

"Pick a side, Granger".

She smiled and made herself comfortable on one side of the couch, her back leaned on the armrest, her knees bent. Draco sat with his long legs stretched and said in a mirthful tone

"I take on a lot of space, Granger, so if you need just push me or use me as a footstool."

She laughed, shook her head and went back to her book, but her mind kept racing. This was not at all the boy she expected to share duties with. This Malfoy was... cute. She took a deep breath and tried to keep reading.

He pretended to read his book, but his heart was hammering in his chest. This was not Slytherin behavior at all. But it felt good, it felt liberating. After his trial, when he wrapped his head around the facts that he was alive and unharmed and was not going to Azkaban he decided to live his life any way he wanted. He will do as his heart desired, and this moment felt just so right. He was sharing a sweet moment of silence with a beautiful, kind witch. Who could ask for more?

After a half hour, she stood up and said

"I'm off to bed. Good night, Draco." She said his given name on purpose and looked to gauge his reaction. He swallowed visibly.

"Good night, Hermione."

She smiled and walked towards her room. He watched her go. Had she always had that nice arse? Oh Merlin, this day definitely went very different than expected.

She walked into her room, closed the door and took a deep breath. Sweet Circe. Draco Malfoy was fucking cute. This day had been very, very weird.