The golden trio stared as Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy stalked past them on their way up the marble staircase.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Ron asked from his seat on the banister.

The other two shrugged and looked puzzled as Draco Malfoy came and stood nearby staring up the stairs at his parents retreating backs. Slowly he met the eyes of the trio.

"Do you know why they're here?" he asked them.

"You tell us, they're your parents." Harry said.

"I wish I could, Potter, I really wish I could."

There was one week left of their sixth year and the announcement of the new Head Girl and Boy were imminent.

"Maybe you got head boy, and Dumbledore wanted to see your parents about it. Maybe he doesn't think you're responsible enough for the job."

"Or maybe you're not pleasant enough for it."

"Shut up, you goons." Draco snapped whilst Harry and Ron laughed and slapped a high five. Hermione rolled her eyes at her best friends, causing Draco to snigger in turn.

"You boys are morons." Hermione said leaving the entrance hall. A moment later Draco caught up with her. She looked at him in surprise but said nothing. They wandered down to the lake and she sat under her favourite willow tree. It was a nice day and the sun was streaming through the leaves making her hair shine.

"Who do you reckon'll get heads this year?" he asked casually and sitting beside her.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him simply because he was talking to her as though she was a friend. "I don't know."

"Smart money's on you for Head Girl. But Head Boy is a bit trickier."

"You don't think you'll get it?"

"No. Even I wouldn't pick me." Draco laughed and Hermione chuckled.

"Harry probably. He is the headmasters favourite."

"That sounded a bit bitter. Are you?"

Hermione looked at Draco curiously. "A little."

They sat in silence for a while.

"Do you mind me asking you something Malfoy?"

"Fire away."

"Why are you talking to me?"

Draco snorted. "What d'you mean?"

"Why are you being so nice? I mean, it's you. I didn't think you were capable of being nice."

"To be fair, we don't really know anything about each other. I see you as the know-it-all, mousy bookworm who hangs out with Potter and makes lovey-dovey eyes at Potter and Weasel. And presumably you see me as the hunky Slytherin sex god who has seen the error of his ways and returned to the good side."

"I think you mean the arrogant son-of-a-bitch, who picks on me and my friends constantly, but still believes that he is right in every way."

Draco thought about it. He tilted his head to one side and bit his lip. After a little pause he shrugged and nodded. "That's a really good summation."

Hermione couldn't help her laughter as it poured out of her. He looked slightly offended and she clamped a hand over her mouth in an attempt to rein it in.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy came out of the school and, seeing their son and Hermione getting on so well, Draco fancied he could see them smile. They made their way over to them.

"Draco, the headmaster would like to see both you and Miss Granger immediately." Lucius said smiling rather than smirking.

"Miss Granger, we look forward to seeing you next week." Narcissa said warmly, causing Hermione's jaw to drop open. Draco saw this and gently closed it for her. She seemed to wake up and slapped his hand away. Narcissa actually giggled. This time Hermione's jaw dropped open and Draco's eyes grew very wide.

Laughing the Malfoys left their shocked son and left the school.

About an hour later Hermione stumbled into the Gryffindor common room looking very pale and in shock. Harry, Ron and Ginny, who were gathered around empty fireplace, jumped up and rushed to her aid. They manoeuvred her into her favourite chair and clustered around her asking her what was wrong.

"I got head girl." She managed.

"That's good news Hermione. You should be thrilled. Why aren't you thrilled?"

"Because of who the head boy is."

Ron and Ginny shared a look. "You've got to spend the next thirteen months with him. And he's dreadful, right?" Ginny said.

"He's worse. He's Malfoy."

"Malfoy!"

Hermione nodded grimly.

"Hang on, you guys said thirteen months…the school year's only ten months. Where did the other three come from?"

"Harry, you still don't know much about the wizarding world. At Hogwarts there is a tradition where the head girl and boy spend the summer together before their year as heads."

"You've got to spend the summer with Malfoy?!"

"Yeah, at Malfoy Manor."

"Write every few days." Harry ordered. "Let us know the second something bad happens to you and we'll come and get you."

"I can take care of myself. I'll see if they let me come visit you at the Burrow."

"We can tell you now, that's impossible. Tradition. It has to be the whole summer. Something about getting to know each other." Ron said.

"But we can visit you."

"If they let you."

"A bet you'll have lots of functions to go to." Ginny said.

"I'll see if you guys can warrant an invite to them if there are."

"Nice try, but in case you hadn't noticed, the Malfoys move in very different circles to us. But hey, the good news is, if they like you they'll pay for everything."

"Ginny." Hermione said sternly.

"You'll see what I mean. I'm sure they'll explain it to you."